December 29, 2012

The fiscal cliff looms large! Congress is back in Washington and has until Monday to make a deal. Our new sermon series is called Cliffhangers and capitalizes upon the publicity. I do not think very often or very deeply about politics, economics and national strategies; however it seems to me that the reason we have this financial cliff results from the congress recognizing that something must be done about our spiraling national debt, and nobody wants to make the hard decisions to raise taxes and cut spending. So the republicans advocate cutting spending, and the democrats push raising taxes. The incredible national debt will crush future generations in America. Very few people have the courage to legislate in ways that cause pain to constituents now, to correct the system providing for future financial health.

On a personal level, every one of us is faced daily with decisions that will either bring current satisfaction or future benefit. For example, to eat a piece of candy now is pleasant, and it contributes to weight gain which is costly. To take on a second job or additional hours is demanding and difficult, and results in income and resources to benefit in the future. A person can be obsessive in either direction. My goal is to be balanced, mindful of the implications of all my actions. There is a place for the enjoyment and reward of a piece of candy. There is a time to work harder and longer. Finding the balance is the key.
 
Acts 10

Cornelius, a centurion at Caesarea, is a man “who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people, and prayed to God continually.” (Verse 2) In a vision he saw an angel who told him that his prayers and alms had “ascended as a memorial before God.” He was told to dispatch some men to Joppa and find Peter. As the men approached Joppa, Peter was praying on a rooftop before a meal, and as he was hungry he saw a vision of unclean animals being lowered on a sheet. To the voice which told him to kill and eat he replied “by no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.” (Verse 14) The voice then said, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.”

Peter was greatly perplexed, just as the men from Cornelius knocked on his door. He went with them, asked Cornelius what he wanted, then shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. The Holy Spirit fell upon them as he spoke, and they spoke in tongues. “And all the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also.” (Verse 45) Peter then ordered them to be baptized, and they invited him to stay on for a few days.

This chapter reminds me of several things: God speaks to people with visions; God directs people to take action; God honors obedience; God surprises people with new insights; the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is unpredictable and recognizable.  The application of this for me today: Be open to how God will lead me; work diligently in the direction he is leading me (spring 2013 material – The Basics of Grace) Remember that God honors prayers and alms and families that honor Him. Lead the church in greater fields of witness and fruitfulness.

Guide me today, Most Holy Lord! I am yours. My path is under your direction. I know your eye is upon me, your hand is guiding my steps. Guard me from distraction. Use me as your servant.