stumbled

160303Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.  Take words with you and return to the LORD; say to him, “Take away all guilt; accept that which is good, and we will offer the fruit of our lips. Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses; we will say no more, ‘Our God,’ to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy.” I will heal their disloyalty; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them.  I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily, he shall strike root like the forests of Lebanon. His shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like that of Lebanon.  They shall again live beneath my shadow, they shall flourish as a garden; they shall blossom like the vine, their fragrance shall be like the wine of Lebanon. (Hosea 14:1-7, NRSV)

for you have stumbled because of your sins. Take heed of what the Lord has called you to do and return to the Lord.

He will take away your guilt and the shame and cleanse you.

He will cause new life to spring up in you and get rid of the things that make you stumble.

Return to Him and stumble no more.

unfair

160302Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord GOD. Turn, then, and live. (Ezekiel 18:25b-32, NRSV)

Is it unfair that God asks us to live in His light and love?

Is it unfair that God asks us to do certain things and not others?

If you are a parent are there things you let your children do and things you don’t let them do?

That is exactly what God does for all of us, to keep us safe and to help us walk in His ways.

So is it unfair? Or is it that we just don’t understand?

What is fair?

What is fair?

According to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary online Fair is:

: agreeing with what is thought to be right or acceptable
: treating people in a way that does not favor some over others
: not too harsh or critical

So what does that really mean?

Fair is when I get my way? When everything goes in my favor?

Or maybe fair is when it is equal? If we all got an equal share would that be fair?

If that is the case then this is a picture of what fair is.

fair isn't equal-aIs this picture fair?

All of the boys have the same size box and everything is equal, but the boy on the right side is still staring at the fence. He can’t see the game and enjoy the action like the other two boys can. But it is equal so it must be fair!

Fair is not equal. Fair does not mean we all get the same thing. It does not imply that everything will be best for me, or give me a hand up. The definition above is agreeing what is right and acceptable, where one does not have favor over others.

So how can we change this picture to make it fair?

fair isn't equal-bThis is fair, where all three boys can enjoy the game. It is not equal because the boy on the left does not have a box, but without the box, he is able to enjoy the game. So by giving the boy on the right his box, all three of them can now see the action and enjoy the game. It is not equal but it is fair.

As those who follow Christ, we have been given many gifts, ourselves, our time, our possessions and our talents. Everything we have is a gift from God, and He wants us to use those gifts to raise the lowly, to empower the downtrodden, to give hope to the hopeless, to not make the world equal, but to show His love.

So let us seek to live out the words of Micah 6:8 “what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

buy

160301Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:1-9, NRSV)

Have you ever gotten a free meal? Not one bought for you by a friend, but one that was free for everyone?

Doesn’t happen. We all have to pay for something some way some how. But here we hear of a time when everything will be provided by God.

All will be able to come and eat and have their fill. They will be satisfied.

You won’t have to buy anything, for God will provide for your every need.

So incline your ear and listen and go where He leads you!

delight

160229O God, you are my God, I seek you,
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands and call on your name.
My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast,
and my mouth praises you with joyful lips
when I think of you on my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.
(Psalm 63:1-8, NRSV)

In a dry and weary land where there is no water I look to you as my refreshment!

The love of God is better than cool water on a hot day, or a warm blanket in the dead of winter!

My soul and life are satisfied by God. Allow your soul to cling to Him and to rest in His shade.

Allow His love and refreshment to permeate your being.