“I’ve Heard of Your Faith!” The Apostle, Paul wrote that line to the church in Ephesus. As we come
away from this year’s All Saints Sunday we too can say the same about many of those who have gone
on to their reward. However, we should be just as quick to say that to people who are alive as well. I can think of many people who have inspired me with their great faith over the years. I’m not talking
about notorious writers or renowned preachers. I’m talking about ordinary people, women, men and even children who have shared their great faith with me throughout my lifetime. Let’s think about that as we move through our week!
Monday, November 8 -
You’ve heard the term “drama queen” used in referring to people who seem to make a big deal of everything. We all get our fill of the drama queens of our day. But, when Paul speaks of the people he knew who were of great faith, he was talking about folks who were much more than drama queens. These were authentic, faith-filled people that impressed the old apostle as he traveled the land. I suggest that there are such saints in our churches to this day. The accumulative energy of these ordinary people is unsurpassed by any other segment of society. Sometimes we underestimate the power of the faithful. Think today about those you have known who are faithful. Think about the difference they’ve made in your life and in the life of others!
Tuesday, November 9 -
The Psalm paraphrase that I read on Sunday said in part, “New times call for new ways to praise God.” Each day we wake up begins another “new time” in our lives. So, it
would seem to me that we should be seeking new ways to praise God EVERY DAY! Normally we think
of praising God through our prayerful words or the melodious sounds that come from people who can sing or play and instrument. But, I think the paraphrase is helping us see that we can be more creative than even WE thought we could be! What do you do on a daily basis that you know would be pleasing to God? Could that be the “new way” to praise that the Psalmist is talking about?
Wednesday, November 10 -
Paul prays for “a spirit of wisdom and revelation” as we come to know
God. I want to suggest today that we can receive that “spirit” by our relationships with some of the
saints of the church. Those saints can be anyone in the church, including children. I gain so much
from my visits with our senior members of the church. But, I’m also surprised by the wisdom of our children and youth. There’s an expression that says, “Out of the mouths of babes…” Our “babes” offer us some of the best wisdom and revelation we can imagine. As you pray for the spirit of wisdom and revelation to touch you, remember to be open to everyone you come in contact with, from the oldest to the youngest!
Thursday, November 11 -
Today is Veteran’s Day. This is the day we honor those who have faithfully served our great country. While I know this day was established for a different reason, it’s fitting that we would honor these folks in the same month that we celebrate the great saints of the church.
An old Sunday-School song says of these saints, “The world is bright with the joyous saints who love
to do Jesus’ will. You can meet them in school, on the street, in the store, in church, by the sea, in the house next door…” The same is true of our Veterans. Wherever you meet a Vet today, please
remember to say thanks!
Friday, November 12 -
Jesus ends this week’s passage by reciting what has come to be known as “The Golden Rule.” “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!” I love the way Eugene
Peterson says it in his translation, The Message, ”Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! I hope others will hear of YOUR faith in this way!!!