Blessings and Curses

Today's readings are: Psalm 1; Genesis 2; 1 Chronicles 2; Luke 1:26-56

Our family was driving across the country yesterday from Colorado Springs, Colorado to Eden Prairie, Minnesota. As we drove, my wife read The Challenge passages for January 1st. At the conclusion of her reading she looked at me, smiled, and said, "One down, 364 to go!"

She didn't say it with a look of stress at how difficult it might be to read through the Bible in a year, but with a face that said, "This is such a blessing! I can't wait to see what God does in us over the course of this year."

So, how are you feeling? Some of you may have taken this challenge as a sort of New Year's resolution, and even though it is only day number two, you are already tempted to give up. Don't give up! If you already missed a day, catch up and keep trying. It's never easy to start a new good habit; especially a spiritual habit that will help you grow in your faith. But, it's worth it!

Near the end of his life, Patrick Henry, that famous statesman who stood up so prominently for freedom in the American Revolution, said, “I have now bequeathed all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give them and that is faith in Jesus Christ. If they had that and I had not given them a single shilling, they would have been rich; and if they had not that, and I had given them all the world, they would be poor indeed.” Do you feel the same way that Patrick Henry did?

Today's reading begins in Psalm 1. I love the way that God inspired the pslamist as he wrote this psalm. This entire Psalm blows me away with its simplicity and practical truth. How many people have been led astray by the company that they keep? God makes it so clear in this first psalm that our delight, our purpose, and our meaning stem from Him.

To the Jewish person, Torah, the law, (Genesis-Deuteronomy) represented the way, the truth and the life. The law was revered. It was worth giving one's all to. I wonder if we feel the same way.

The results of living a life with God's purposes is shown in verse 3. We bear fruit. We prosper in what we do, because our lives are about bringing glory and honor to Him. Does that prospering always happen this side of heaven? I wish. But, biblical prosperity must be understood in the context of eternity. Our lives on earth are but a blip. But, don't mistake it. That blip matters to God. We must be a people who live for Him on this side of eternity to experience prosperity on the other side of eternity. Bruce Wilkinson's book, A Life God Rewards is a good study on spiritual rewards.

The last reading for today is Luke 1:26-56. I love that our readings are bookended by Psalm 1 and Luke 1:26-56. Mary was a righteous woman. She was a woman who followed God. She grew up in Nazareth, a terrible town if there ever was one. Nazareth was better known for its houses of prostitution than its houses of worship. But, Mary lived a righteous life in that unrighteous city. In verse 50, after seeing God work and after spending time with her cousin Elizabeth, Mary sang a song of worship to God. The song actually encompasses verses 46-55, but verse 50 gives us a clue into Mary's character. She sings that God's mercy is for those who "fear him from generation to generation."

Mary understood what Psalm 1 was all about. She understood what it meant to fear God and honor Him.

The 1 Chronicles passage is a genealogy. If you look closely you'll see the terrible results that happened when some of the men and women in the genealogy chose to not follow in God's paths.

As you read today, ask yourself, "What does my life say about what I truly believe? Would those who know me best say that I live a life that recognizes and honors God, or is it all about me? Is my life yielding eternal blessings or curses?"

Remember to share your thoughts in the comments section of this blog. It's a great way to see what God is teaching us as a congregation.