Words of Hope

Scripture

1 Peter 2. 1-3

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

A Word of Hope

False Teachers and Their Destruction

Our reading today comes from the second letter of Simon Peter, the same Peter to whom Jesus would say, “and you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church.” (Matthew 16:18).

In his first letter Peter is concerned with this same mission, building the church and instructs on how to deal with persecution from outside the church. In this second letter, however, Peter is concerned with false teachers that have shown up in the church and are causing division, destruction, and false doctrine.

Peter has a “pastor’s heart”, and it is something that I too hope to be known for. I take seriously the call that was placed upon my heart when I was 16 years of age and a role, I have faithfully served for more than 30 years.

It is my belief that the church always has to be wary of “false teachers” and that our “modern-day” experience of Christianity has succumbed to many who have corrupted the word of God for the word of the world, prosperity-preaching and “doctrine” that leaves out the ways of love, encouragement, compassion, kindness and peace. All the positives of life.

These themes, central to the Gospel of Jesus, are to be protected and lived out in our lives. They are the hallmarks of Christianity and are evidenced by the followers of Christ and are what called people to call Jesus, the Christ, Messiah, Savior, Good Teacher. It was what compelled the disciples to leave their nets, put down their lives, their livelihood and follow Jesus. And it was the foundations that Jesus would call the “rock” and upon which the church was build and that Peter was commissioned to “protect” and that he addresses in these two letters.

Today is “Mischief Night”, – a night that is also known as Devil’s night, Gate Night, Goosey Night, Cabbage Night, and mat Night. It is a night when teenagers and children engage in pranks and general mischief, switching shop signs, overturning water tubs and other mischievous happenings.

While it might seem that mischievousness is innocent enough, it can cause harm and confusion. Perhaps you are a witness to this yourself!

We claim Christ through faith, hope and love, as the apostle Paul would say (1Cor 13) and hold true to our “rock”, our foundation, our Christ who invites us to embrace the road less traveled and reject false doctrine that can be so evident today.

Prayer

God, the same yesterday, today and forever, call us today to examine the false doctrine we may have allowed to become a part of our faith experience and return to the ways of Jesus today.

Amen.

Devotion Author

Rev. Dr. Neil G. Thomas
Senior Pastor Cathedral of Hope, United Church of Christ

Scripture

Matthew 6.27

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

A Word of Hope

What may seem like a dark time is also about awareness and change. Whether we like it or not, change is constant. Instead of wallowing in fear and doubt about the events of today or tomorrow, I plan to use some of this time for solitude, contemplation, planning, playing, and above all else, gratitude. We truly need to laugh as often as possible. Because worry will not add an hour to your life. You have heard that one before, right? Plus, we can all use the time to “sanitize”our lives; clean out the closet, avoid crowds, and get creative. The future has arrived. It’s today, that we redesign our lives and live into a much better tomorrow, if we take our life lessons and vigorously apply.

We’re friends because we reflect so many of the same characteristics including a huge list of our caring, compassion, and creative traits. It’s totally ok to be serious and to question. These days don’t bring me down at all. Sure, I have doubts and a little fear of the unknown. I’m still human. If you’re like me, you are speaking out often in a voice we should all be using. We have integrity to speak out for those who are suffering by speaking for the ones who have lost their way or their voice, in these uncertain – yet, optimistic- times.

Yes. I said optimistic, because we all have the ability to change and to do better. There is always room for improvement, which is why we don’t linger in grief, self-doubt, sadness, and loss. We count our blessings and look for solutions. This isn’t the worst thing that has happened in history and time will tell how we managed it or ignored it.

I don’t understand some people whose optimism seems to have died. They have channeled their drive for a seemingly new lowered bar of open hate, even though it’s not new. It’s empowered. – Beginning at the top of our government. We’re better than this and we must not stop calling out, calmly and deliberately, such crimes against humanity. It’s healthy to use our voices.

We need to counter the atmosphere of hate by pausing and reflecting on our own lives, our own experiences, whether happy, sad, angry or joyful. Please don’t stop being you. If nobody has told you “we’ve got this” let me emphasize for you and remind you, if you so choose- YOU’VE got this.

Prayer

Make me the bearer of your hope.

Devotion Author

Charlie Rose
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Reading

“If you look at the world, you’ll become distressed.” Corrie Ten Boom

A Word of Hope

Wisdom from a Dutch Watch Shop

I have been engaged lately in reflective readings derived from quotations of the Christian writer, Corrie Ten Boom. She grew up in her father’s Amsterdam watch shop/home. During Nazi control of the city, her family provided shelter and care for many Jewish families until her family was betrayed and sent to a concentration camp. She was able to survive (her family died), and in adult life she became a Christian author and world-wide lecturer.

Today, I’m considering her quote: “If you look at the world, you’ll become distressed.” This has never been more relavant than in our current time when 24/7 news and opinion comes raining down on us via television and social media. Will this downpour never slow to a trickle? “If you look within yourself to solve problems, you’ll become depressed.” What can one person, like me, do in order to set things right? You can do your small part, but the whole of the problem is so great. How do you start? It’s depressing that all you can do is only a tiny, and maybe inconsequential, effort to correct things.

“If you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.” In the midst of this dust storm of conflict, don’t seek to find the world’s answer to the mess; rather, seek Christ’s desire for living your life within the confusion. Jesus understands better your potential and will guide and empower you to live a lifestyle which is beneficial to others. And you’ll realize that your contribution to the peaceful solution will be exactly right; whether it be small or great. Her words are worth repeating: “If you look at the world, you’ll become distressed. If you look within yourself to solve the problems, you’ll become depressed. If you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.”

Corrie Ten Boom also tells us, “Happiness is not dependent on certain events happening; rather, on relationships in those happenings.” In her book, Tramp for the Lord, she told of her experience traveling through the countryside of South Korea in the 1960s. Her car passed by a very poor shack made of cardboard, pieces of assorted tin and scrap wood. But a lovely voice could be heard singing from it. It was such a beautiful voice, pure like the melody of a skylark. She asked her travel guide if he recognized the song. “Yes”, he responded, “it says, Where Jesus is, tis heaven there.”

A close and abiding relationship with Christ will bring true happiness into even the darkest situation, because his relationship offers us the uplifting melody of deep, soul peace. And that’s quite a beautiful melody!

Prayer

My Lord Jesus, as I walk through this day’s multiplicity of activities and distractions, focus my heart to be ever present to you; for the one thing in which my heart can rest is you. Soften my heart and open my eyes to behold your loving presence all around me today. Strengthen my resolve to do your will so that the world may rejoice and give praise to you. Amen.

Devotion Author

Donald (Luke) Day
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Scripture

Proverbs 19.20

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

A Word of Hope

Going the Distance

Right now, is a very important time in my life because I am learning what it means to persevere. In September of 2020 and I found myself spending time with my Grandmother Lena as she was passing from this life on to the next. On one of those days, I was singing to her Amazing Grace, and as I was singing, I was looking at her face. I would see a very tired woman, but I saw something more. What I saw, was a woman who has conquered this life, surrounded by her children, and a legacy of what it means to be someone who tries and sacrifices. More importantly, I recognized the treasures that she has given us.

My grandmother’s love created a family with unbreakable bonds. She has given each of us an appreciation for each other. Grandmother Lena was a mother, matriarch, teacher, friend, and more. If she would have given up early in life, then none of us would be here today. By living her life, she gave us ours. As her grandson, I am filled with gratitude because she has shown me something that I can admire. Namely, the reason to why we try so hard in this life to live. I’ve learned, through her, that we do not live this life only for ourselves, but for each other as well.

I am less than half her age and already there have been many times in life when I wanted to quit, give up, and stop living. At the time, I did not realize that I would not only be cutting my life short, but so too the lives of everyone I never got to give the gift of my life. Our lives are gifts, especially when we can share them with others. There is so much life has to offer.

My grandmother gave us so much. In honor of her I can offer this fundamental lesson: if life makes you tired, then you are doing something very, very right.

Prayer

Giver of life,

Bless you for our lives, for the many gifts life brings, and for what we get to leave behind. Thank you for my grandmother’s life and for the lessons she has given me. Help me to pass them on to others who are thinking about giving up. May she continue to remind us that life can make you tired, and that that is ok. Thank You Lord, for Your boundless love. Amen.

Devotion Author

Jonathon McClellan
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Scripture

Psalms 34:18

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (NRSV)

A Word of Hope

Sometimes it is easy to see that our blessings outweigh our challenges. Other times, Troubles seem to multiply too rapidly to cope well with any one of them. Just this week, I learned that a friend has lost her husband to Covid. Two others were diagnosed with cancer.

Others were dealing with depression. How to respond to all this pain? I can offer support and some comfort, but I cannot take away the loss, nor heal their cancers nor give hope to the despairing. Thankfully, we have God who can be there for them in all the ways I can’t.

The Psalmist wrote, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” 1Peter 5:7 says “Cast all your anxiety on God, because God cares for you.”

Whatever is being thrown at us, however beyond help we may think we are, our God is there for us, to do for us whatever we cannot do for ourselves; to give us peace and comfort beyond what we think is possible. This is hope.

Prayer

God, who is good even when we are not; God who is powerful even when we are helpless, hear our prayer. Give help to those in need, healing to those who are sick and suffering. Give comfort to those who are grieving, and please God, help us to know how we may serve others in your name. Know that we are grateful for the many blessings. Amen

Devotion Author

Carole Anne Sarah