Ordinary Time: Monday, August 7, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Judges 6:25-40

We see that Gideon is a lot like we are. He does great things for God. He cuts down the alter to Bael, but he does it at night because he is afraid. He is ready to do what God wants, but only after God gives a sign. One of the greatest things to me about God's Word is that in it, we see folks just like you and me. Imperfect folks, folks that make mistakes, folks that are afraid, folks that doubt, folks that are not perfect. Every major person int eh Bible (except for God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit) does something stupid at some point. They all act our of fear or doubt, they all do things that they know they should not do; they all doubt.

That to me is the power of God. He takes imperfect people and does great things with them. Today, don't look at your imperfections, don't look at your failings. Look at God, and see what He can do with you and through you, if you will allow.

New Testament Lesson

Acts 2:37-47

Here is a great example the above point. Look at Peter. Bless his heart. Look in the Gospels, see the foolish things he does, the way he speaks before thinking, the way he doubts, the way that he even denies Jesus not once, not twice, but three times. He did many, many things wrongs and acted foolishly in many ways.

But, look at today. See how God used Him to see thousands saved. What was the difference? It was the power of God working through him by the power of the Holy Spirit. Peter hadn't changed himself, God had changed him. That is what God can do. God can change and strengthen even Peter. Think what He can do with you and me, if we will allow.

Gospel Lesson

John 1:1-18

The Word became flesh and lived among us. That is one of the most powerful passages in all the Bible. God Himself, through Jesus Christ, came and lived among us. He came and thought us how to live, how to love, how to serve and to die for our sins and for our salvation.

The creator laid down His life for the creation. We don't serve a foreign God, we don't serve a God that does not know our hurts, our fears, our problems. We serve a God that lived as we live, and suffered as we suffered. He did this is to save us and to allow us to rise above that suffering and to show us that even in our darkest moments, we are not alone.

Today, you are not alone. God is with you, even now. All you have to do is reach out, and He's there. The Word became flesh and lived among us.