meditations for an everyday relationship with Jesus

Where the tree falls

Ecclesiastes 11:1-3 Send your bread on the surface of the waters, for after many days you may find it. Give a portion to seven or even to eight, for you don't know what disaster may happen on earth. If the clouds are full, they will pour out rain on the earth; whether a tree falls to the south or the north, the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.

Solomon evidently felt that investing financially was part of a healthy lifestyle. The reference to “bread on the water” is about investing across bodies of water (presumably maritime trade) and then waiting for the investment to multiply itself. Note the reminder to wait, to be patient: after many days you may find it.

This type of financial investment, which is somewhat uncertain, is in stark contrast to the various natural occurrences listed which cannot be forecast but can be counted upon in some form. He calls them disasters.

Solomon suggests investing, but not hoarding. Afinancial investment is considered a hedge against the unforeseeable but probable natural disasters which affect us all from time to time.

Silence!

Mark 4:39-41 He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Silence! Be still!" The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Then He said to them, "Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?" And they were terrified and said to one another, "Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!"

Even with faith we are still fearful … I admit it. You should, too. Even when we are reassured time and time again we are still afraid when we run up against a threat to our person or a experience a strong spiritual storm. These events confound us and are alien to our understanding.

I know, without hesitating, that if I were in that boat I would say to Jesus, “Lord, I have a little faith, but not even as much as a mustard seed.. Save me Jesus! Save me! I am still afraid of storms! I am just a child.”

And, if I am sometimes afraid with Him it terrifies me to think about being afraid and not having Him nearby. So, it isn’t being afraid that is really unnerving; it is the thought of being without Jesus that scares me the most meditations for an everyday relationship with Jesus

Yet, by His grace He is always nearby. All praises! All obedience! All glory to the King!

Delights of the Father

Luke 12:32 Don't be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom.

It is amazing that one message speaks to another through Scripture with such clarity in the Spirit. Both Gospel writers remind us that we no longer have anything to fear nothing that can truly end our lives in the spirit or destroy our relationship with God in Jesus Christ.

What comes before and after this passage is reassurance that we will have all of our needs met by God if we allow it. “The kingdom” means everything that is God’s is ours. We are no longer peasants, but a royal priesthood with all of the perks!

We are royalty, children of Light: children of the Most High! We are heirs to a kingdom! His treasury is our treasure!

Managers of the mystery

1 Corinthians 4:1 A person should consider us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of God’s mysteries

We get caught up doing so much church “work” that we tend to forget our true purpose. Our purpose is to worship Him in “Spirit and I Truth.” Many of us believe that we are supposed to work ourselves to a frazzle, thereby pleasing God. As the theory goes, He will thank us for our selfless behavior at the foot of the throne. I am not so sure.

We manage God’s mysteries by being faithful, being the evidence of things unseen … like the wind. We confound the wise by lifting up Jesus as Lord and God. In this way we take on a true spirit of mystery.

We are made in the mysterious image of God. Be mysterious ...