Grace, Grace, God's Grace

Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15 NRSV

The whole passage for today is 2 Corinthians 4:13 - 5:10. This passage has two main thoughts - suffering for Jesus and our hope for our heavenly home. The verse above lands in the middle of these two themes.

Grace as defined by the Blue Letter Bible means "the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues." Paul in this verse was saying that all the sufferings that he endured as a Christian, as a witness to the good news of Jesus Christ, as a missionary to those who had never heard about God's grace and mercy where worth it because it meant that more and more people were experiencing God's grace for themselves. Because they were experiencing God's grace, they were experiencing mercy, forgiveness, holy love, kindness, fellowship with God and other believers, wholeness and healing. For their sakes, Paul was willing to do what it takes. 

Besides having the grace & strength to live this life as a faithful follower of Jesus, God's grace will be available for us after death. Verse 14 says "we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. (NRSV)" God's grace goes before us to save us from our sins ['the power of death'], helps us remain faithful and enabled to do the works of God and will bring us into God's presence after death.

This verse caught my eye yesterday as I prayed for someone to know God's grace in a bigger, more powerful way. And as I wrote the above devotional, I remembered a former pastor's spouse who was known for her many hours of praying daily for the salvation of her son. Her dedication paid off and she was able to see her son return to the faith he had as a child. [Although, this is no guarantee that all whom we pray for will turn to God. He gives us free will to choose Christ or reject him. But it does mean that the person or persons for whom we pray will have a greater desire to turn to God for salvation. ]

When praying for the salvation or situation of someone you know who needs to experience God's grace [for the first time or in more abundance], ask God for the grace to pray and with the dedication needed.



Anger as a root to bigger problems

"You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5:21-26 (NRSV)

Part of the Sermon on the Mount [from which these verses come] include 6 sections in which Jesus tries to correct some misunderstandings of Old Testment laws. This is the first of those six. According to the Expostitor's Commentary, Jesus in these six sections is showing the true direction of what the law was to point to originally [p. 147]. This would make sense because murder comes from hatred and anger. Murder is the symptom while anger is the root.

I've been thinking about roots the last few years. While most Christians I know would never murder anyone [myself included], what about these roots of anger, hatred, greed, etc. that lie in so many of us? Do we feed these roots or do we give them to God asking for him to forgive and heal us of these roots? To be sure, there are times when anger is justified. But it is what we do with that anger that is important. There are healthy ways to deal with anger: work for a peaceful resolution to the issue, ask God to intervene in the situation,  stand up on behalf of those who can't for themselves, pray for the other person/situation, express in prayer how you feel asking God to heal your anger or find a healthy way to vent about your anger such as in a journal or to a trusted friend. There are unhealthy ways: allowing the anger to fester until it overtakes one's life, leading to hateful actions such as put downs, cut downs, verbal abuse [what the word Raca signifies - it means 'imbecile, fool, blockhead' [p. 149], rage, holding grudges, seeking revenge, wishing a curse on them instead of God's blessing, gossip, back bite, slander. And even when one has enough self-control not to do any of these actions, anger that still controls [especially if it is internalized, which is what powerless people often do when faced with a situation that angers them] can cause depression, self-hate, high blood pressure and other mental if not physical health issues.

As stated earlier I can't think of any Christians I know of who would commit homicide, but I do know of plenty who think nothing of hating another person, using verbal abuse, gossiping, talking behind one's back, hold grudges, and seek revenge. I also see Christians who don't know how to what to do with their anger so it becomes internalized into depressed, obsession, self-hate, addictions or other health issues such as high blood pressure.

For those in this situation, ask God to help you deal with the anger appropriately. Since there are many reasons for anger, a simple devotional can't cover all the issues but God can. Pray everyday or more about your anger and what to do with it. Pray for healing of the cause for the anger. It may take some time for healing to come but it will if you let God help you. Doing so will bring healing to you, your relationships around you and your witness as a Christian. Getting rid of the anger in your heart will allow God's grace and joy to abundantly flow in your heart and flow out to others bringing to them healing, grace and joy.

Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually

The entire passage is Psalm 105:1 - 22 but the first 6 verses are my primary interest today with verse 4 as my theme.  

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones! ESV

This psalm is a reminder of God's acts of salvation throughout history. According to the Expositor's Commentary, it was used in corporate worship practices as a way to continually remind the congregation of God's faithfulness.

The first six verses are the call to worship. These verses call the people to worship God alone. They are also called to remember that God did this for them. Out of love for his people his did these mighty acts of power. Thus, out of gratefulness to God, they were called to worship him.

Verse 4 calls for a greater sense of intimacy than being physically present in a worship service where songs are sung, verses read and prayers given. Seeking God's face and presence continually is what prevents a worship service from being dry and formulaic and instead changes it into a time of renewal and refreshing.

When I read this verse, I think of Moses as the ultimate example of seeking God's presence. In Exodus 33, God told Moses that due to the sin of the people, God would have an angel lead the people but His Presence would no longer lead them as God would not stand their sin any longer. This word was enough for the people to realize that they had done wrong. Moses, too, was greatly distressed over not having God's Presence with them any longer to such a degree that he basically said to God "then we're not going." Plan b is not good enough in this situation, he wanted to stick with God's plan a which was to follow God's Presence, not an angel.

I love how Moses saw the need for God's presense and insisted on doing what was needed to remain with God's Presence. The wisest, strongest, most capable leader can only do so much with human ability. He needed God's Presence if he and the group were going anywhere. He also saw the lack of God's presence as a sign that there was sin in the congregation, which needed to be removed.

After he did what he needed to do to ensure that God's Presence would lead them, Moses still was not satisfied. He wanted to see God's Glory. I love his how hungry he was for God's Presence and Glory! Because he asked for more of God's presence, Moses was rewarded with a glimpse of God [as much as what a human can handle].

Use these verses from Psalm 105 and Exodus 33 to encourage yourself to always be seeking God's presence. Pray everyday to have and be more aware of God's presense in your life and worship service.

These two videos are ones that I have used in the past to help me pray these prayers ~

Lift up holy hands in prayer

Timothy I am giving you these instructions, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies made earlier about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, having faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience, certain persons have suffered shipwreck in the faith; among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have turned over to Satan, so that they may learn not to blaspheme. Timothy First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all -this was attested at the right time. For this I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument; 1 Timothy 1:18-2:8 (NRSV)

There are two parts to the reading - Paul's instructions to Timothy as a pastor and instructions on proper worship. My interest tonight is on the instructions on worship.

I love how the Expositor's Commentary addresses the section on worship. Regarding the words "I urge" and "first of all", the commentary says "the most essential part of public worship is prayer. (p.356)" Wow! It says nothing about music styles or worship order or anything else that we consider so important. Instead, the most essential part is prayer. When I read this two thoughts go through my mind. A) has anyone told this to those who disdain the power of prayer in the Christian walk and life? and B) has anyone told this to those who engage in the 'worship wars' ~ that they have the wrong focus altogether if they think worship is primarily about music and not prayer?

It breaks my heart to see people disdain prayer as a "lazy's persons way out" when in reality authentic prayer brings us closer in an intimate walk with God. As we share with God and let him know that we are willing to listen to him, he'll share what's on his heart with us. Later on when life gets rough, that intimacy with God will carry us through the tough times.

Refering to the second point, the times of the most awesome times of public worship has occured when the services were bathed in prayer first. Without prayer before hand, the services were dry and I couldn't wait to leave [and often would leave early because I couldn't take the dryness]. Those that were bathed in prayer left me wanting to bask in God's presence and being very upset that the service had ended.

The attitude of prayer is important as well. Lifting up holy hands without anger or argument. While we need to pray honest prayers (My soul is full of trouble) which can include telling our anger to God, what we should be careful about it not praying in such a way that our anger/bitterness becomes so entrenched in our souls that we close our minds, hearts and souls to God's cleansing, healing and convicting Spirit. While one can have legitimate reasons for anger and bitterness, when one holds on to these wounds, it makes it hard for the Holy Spirit to help us, plus our prayers dry up. But when one prays, hands held up in a receiving manner towards God, giving God one's pain, anger and bitterness healing flows down from God and over and through us.

Today, I ask God to give you a heart of prayer and a holy attitude while praying. And while praying, ask God to help you be open and receptive to his healing, cleansing and comforting presense.

Works cited:

Carson, D.A. The Expositor's Bible Commentary. Ed. Frank Gaebelein. Vol. 8. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984.

Teach me your ways, O Lord

Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD. 

Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways. You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.

O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.

I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous ordinances. I will observe your statutes; do not utterly forsake me. Psalm 118:1 - 8 NRSV

This 8 verses talk about the blessing that is bestowed on those who live according to God's law. These are people who walk in his ways, who do no wrong, who show their love for God by obeying him, and who do this with their whole heart.

It is not easy to love God or do what we know he wants us to do with our whole hearts. One can know that s/he should be more loving to others, should follow the Ten Commandments, should not gossip, etc but other things capture one's interest.  Self interests, addictions, busyness of life get in one's way leaving good intentions swept away.

I love verse 33 which says "Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. (NIV)" I went through a period of time in which all I did throughout my day and days was say "teach me your ways God", meaning, I wanted to put his laws into my heart meaning that I would be naturally and instinctively doing what God wanted as opposed to memorizing some rules and then trying to apply the rules at the wrong time [see Live by the Spirit]. As I prayed this each day, was filled with his Spirit and came to recognize his Spirit's voice and guidance, his ways became natural for me and a joy to follow.

My soul is full of trouble...

O Lord, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you.

May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry.

For my soul is full of trouble and my life draws near the grave.

I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like a man without strength.

... 

You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them.

I am confined and cannot escape; my eyes are dim with grief. [Ps 88 excerpts, NIV]

As far as I can remember this is the only psalm that does not end on a hopeful note. Personally, I am glad that this psalm exists. During the worst times of my life, it was the only prayer I could give and along with Ecclesiates was the only part of the bible that seemed to relate to what I was going through.

According to the Expositor's Commentary, true faith does not come from resigning one's self to whatever happens, but a real wrestling with God in prayer about our doubts and circumstances. And this is not a quiet, reverent prayer. Rather it is a cry of grief or dispair (BLB). In times of grief, it is healthier to be honest about one's feelings and grief rather than try to force happy, joyful feelings on one's self or on others.

I had a Christian friend once who had been taught one could only speak and pray reverently to God. Thus, when her world seemed to crumble before her, she wouldn't pray or talk to God about this because she didn't want to "sin" by telling God how angry she was with him. It was only after seeing this psalm and others of a similar nature that she understood that she could be honest with God, even if the only thing she could say was something negative.

God's shoulders are big enough to handle yours and my grief, anger and doubts. Feel free to give them to him.

We need each other

Timothy You are aware that all who are in Asia have turned away from me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain; when he arrived in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me -may the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! And you know very well how much service he rendered insus. Timothy You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier's aim is to please the enlisting officer. And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules. It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things. Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David-that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful- for he cannot deny himself. 2 Timothy 1:15-2:13 (NRSV)

This passage is taken from a section of 2 Timothy in which Paul writes about the suffering he has endured on behalf of the good news of Jesus Christ. He writes this as encouragement to his readers who are going through similar things.

He gives three examples of those who endure suffering by keeping their eyes on something more than their suffering: the soldier who wants to please the leader, the athlete who receives the prize and the farmer who receives the first portion of the harvest. For Paul, his eyes were on Jesus. He continued on inspite of suffering out of love for Jesus and the other believers. The end goal was their salvation and growth. By focusing on these things, he could continue in spite of suffering.

A modern day example would be those on the TV show the Biggest Loser. Several of the contestants will describe how miserable they are the weight loss ranch with hours of grueling exercise and learning not to give into temptations, but then they will say "I am doing this for my spouse and kids. I don't want them growing up without a parent." And that gives them the reason to keep on.

Paul writes of another reason for his strength in the midst of suffering - he has the encouragement of others. There really are no 'solo Christians'. We all need the encouragement of others for support and to motivate us. On the Biggest Loser, those that have a partner with them on the ranch often do better. We need people around us to motivate us to do what we need to meet our goals.

In the Kingdom of God, we need each other. Not just for psychological reasons, but for spiritual ones as well. Accountability partners, prayer partners, regular fellowship gatherings encourage, support and motiviate us. Pray for one if you do not have one already, and if you do pray for God to use it to bless you and help you to be a blessing to the others.

Live by the Spirit

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires isopposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are notsubject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger,quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do suchthings will not inherit the kingdom of God. By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passionsand desires. Galatians 5:16-24 (NRSV)

Walking with the Holy Spirit is God's answer to legalism. If we try to walk in the Spirit by our own human efforts, we will fail. Our only way to freedom from wrong desires is through the empowering of the Holy Spirit. We are empowered when we are: filled with the Holy Spirit, ask God to give us the strength and power to obey him, obey the promptings of the Spirit. This is also considered abiding in the Spirit.

I heard a beautiful story once of a couple who were dating. For the first date, the guy took his date to a dance not realizing that she didn't know how to dance. He assured her that she would be safe in his arms if she just followed his lead. She said that when she looked at his feet and tried to match what he was doing, she always fumbled. But when she looked into his eyes and not worried about all the little steps, they danced beautifully.

When we stare at the little details of how to "dance" with the Spirit [ie how to dress, how to pray, how to do what so and so does, and so on], we are miserable. But when we just concentrate on Him [through prayer, bible reading, learning to recognize his voice, meditation on God and then do what he tells us to do by the grace that he gives us], we can "dance" joyfully with the Spirit. Others will see this "dance" as they see more of the fruits of the Spirit in our lives [love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control]. This will lead others to Christ vs. legalism which repels people from Christ [and probably you].

Christ has set us free

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Once again I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the entire law. You who want to be justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision countsfor anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love. You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth? Suchpersuasion does not come from the one who calls you. A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough. I am confident about you in the Lord thatyou will not think otherwise. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty. But my friends, why am I still being persecuted if I am stillpreaching circumcision? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would castrate themselves! For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love becomeslaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. Galatians 5:1-15 (NRSV)

Legalism is a nasty, subtle thing that sucks the life out of a soul and a church. My computer's dictionary defines legalism as "strict adherence to a literal interpretation of a law, rule, or religious or moral code." Wikipedia defines it as "Legalism is alleged against any view that obedience to law, not faith in God's grace, is the pre-eminent principle of redemption. Its opposite is the doctrine of Sola Fide, which is the traditional Protestant view that believing in Jesus Christ is the only requirement for receiving eternal life."

It is interesting...it seems to me growing up that legalism was always defined as what THAT OTHER group did wrongly as a part of their spritual walk or emphasis. It never seemed like anyone realized that they themselves could be legalistic, too. Ex. I was with some friends of one of the 'other' groups with one guy going on and on about how he and his church aren't legalistic because they believed that once one was saved, one could do whatever one wanted. But then, this same person would begin obsessing about the 'sin' that a Christian sister did by cutting her hair. He could do anything he wanted and it wasn't sin, but she had committed a grave sin by cutting her hair. There was no forgiveness for cutting her hair. It was scary how legalistic he was but even more scary that he couldn't see it.

An other example would be a mentality that I have encountered the last few years. It is "if we want to see people come to know Christ and come to church, the ONLY way is to play ______ type of music." Hmmm....I wonder how God ever converted anyone before that style of music was created...or how he converts a deaf person, or someone in a part of the world without that style of music?

Joy came to me when God set me free last year of various religous groups' ideas of: how one was converted, how one grew in a relationship with him and what one believed about the end times. Instead of focusing on rules to obey, I am now focusing on God's love and sharing it with others. I love verses like these:

Galatians 5:14 - The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Romans 13:8 - Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:10 - Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

James 2:8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself", you are doing right.

Focusing on loving God and loving my neighbor has been the key to finding joy, grace, peace and love for me.

Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord  (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” 

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  t had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty‑four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.  Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. Luke 2:22 - 40

Today is the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. I like how Mission St. Clare describes this day -

Counting forward from December 25 as Day One, we find that Day Forty is February 2. A Jewish woman is in semi-seclusion for 40 days after giving birth to a son, and accordingly it is on February 2 that we celebrate the coming of Mary and Joseph with the infant Jesus to the Temple at Jerusalem to offer sacrifice, both on behalf of Mary and on behalf of Jesus as a first-born male. As they did so, they were greeted by the aged Simeon. In a Sunday-School pageant, I once saw, the narrator said, "And now Simeon bursts into a spontaneous song of praise, assisted by the Temple Choir." His song, called the Nunc Dimittis, has always had a prominent role in Christian worship. It has often been rendered in verse.

Because an old reading for this festival contains the line (Zephaniah 1:12), "I will search Jerusalem with candles," the day is also known as Candlemas, and sometimes observed with a candle-lit procession. Written by James Kiefer

I also like this -

By the seventh century it had become the custom to begin the worship service on February 2 with candlelighting by the congregation gathered outside the worship area followed by a procession into the Church with all carrying their lighted candles. This was to relive Simeon's experience of meeting the "light of nations" at the temple. The pastor Sophronius wrote in that century

Everyone should be eager to join the procession and to carry a light.
Our lighted candles are a sign of the divine splendor of the one who came to expel the dark shadows of evil and to make the whole universe radiant with the brilliance of his eternal light. Our candles also show how bright our souls should be when we go to meet Christ.
So let us hasten to meet our God.

The custom of beginning the worship on this festival with a candlelight procession is the origin of the day's other name, "Candlemas."

By the seventeenth century the Presentation of Our Lord was understood to be the absolute end of the Christmas season. Indeed, Ash Wednesday the first day in the season of Lent can follow as early as just two days later on February 4. As the end of the Christmas festivities, it was the day to complete the removal of all the holiday decorations. This, too, became the cause of superstition:

Down with Rosemary, and so
Down with Bays and Mistletoe;
Down with Holly, Ivy, all
Where with ye drest the Christmas Hall;
That to the superstitious find
Not one least Branch there left behind
For look, how many leaves there be
Neglected there, maids, trust to me,
So many goblins you shall see.

A hymn by Charles Wesley is good for this day

Christ, whose glory fills the skies,
Christ the true and only light,
Sun of righteousness, arise,
Triumph o'er the shades of night.
Dayspring from on high, be near,
Daystar, in my heart appear.

by the Rev. J. Thomas Shelley, STS

The other reading for today is from Hebrews 2:14 - 18

Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. ¹⁶For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. ¹⁷Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters^* in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

So something different to do today to help one not think of the darkness of winter, is to light a candle and pray in thanksgiving for the Light of the World who came to share our lives with him and destroy the power of darkness.

Are your feet beautiful?

Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion! Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for the uncircumcised and the unclean shall enter you no more. Shake yourself from the dust, rise up, O captive Jerusalem; loose the bonds from your neck, O captive daughter Zion! For thus says the LORD: You were sold for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money. For thus says the Lord GOD: Long ago, my people went down into Egypt to reside there as aliens; the Assyrian, too, has oppressed them without cause. Now therefore what am I doing here, says the LORD, seeing that my people are taken away without cause? Their rulers howl, says the LORD, and continually, all day long, my name is despised. Therefore my people shall know my name; therefore in that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here am I. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the LORD to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of it, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD. For you shall not go out in haste, and you shall not go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard. Isaiah 52: 1-12 (NRSV)

I had a friend once who was in missionary service. She sent out monthly newsletters with this theme. At the top she had pictures of feet as her header. I thought it was the most interesting concept ever. Because usually one does not think much about our feet until they hurt or it is summer and you want to wear sandles. Yet, to God even our feet are beautiful if they are bearers of his salvation, good news and peace.

Another picture [according to the Expositor's commentary] is to think of a city under siege. Off in the distance a watchman sees a runner speeding across the land carrying the great message that "Salvation is on its way! Peace is on its way! There will soon be no more suffering; soon there will be healing! Good news is on its way!" The watchman and the people under siege are so happy that they think the message, the messanger and even his feet are glorious.

One thing though...in order for the messenger to be able to run and give this good news that runner has to have feet in good condition for running [well, the whole body obviously but I am sticking to what is mentioned specifically in the verse].  One has to take care of it, keep it clean, trim the nails, treat any infections and so on. Same way with our spiritual message - our witness can bring good news of peace and salvation to those around us but only if we keep walking with God. This means being open and sensitive to his Spirit, prayer, reading the bible, being his hands of love, mercy and grace, and putting God first in our life.

Pray for God's Spirit to help you everyday to have such a walk and witness that others can say "how beautiful...are [your] feet that brings the message of salvation..."