Faith

My friend is a daredevil…to say the least. I had never seen him back down from anything. That’s why I was so surprised he wouldn’t climb the pole to the zipline platform. Granted, the platform was high and the climb precarious, but I never expected him to say, “I’m not climbing that pole!” No matter how much we encouraged and cajoled, his feet stayed planted on the ground. Here’s one thing I concluded from my friend’s refusal: Everybody has a “Pole of Fear.” You may be described as a risk taker, but there is something you won’t or can’t do because of your fear.

I officiated a memorial service for Lois, a believer who followed hard after Jesus. One word that described her entire life was “service.” Not long before she died, her daughter-in-law took several of Lois’ great-grandchildren to visit her in a care facility. They became worried when she was not in her room and began searching for her. Finally, they found Lois at the end of a hall in her wheelchair, reading to a person who could not see.

Becoming a Christian is a free gift of grace. There is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. It is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. We were dead in our sins, and God breathed spiritual life into us. Salvation is of the Lord. But growing as a believer involves the power of the Holy Spirit in us and our personal commitment, desire, and ongoing discipline to grow.

I can hardly imagine the emotions of believers who are persecuted. While countless believers have been put to death throughout the ages, and many are dying for their faith throughout the world, American Christians don’t give persecution a second thought. But Peter is writing to those who may well die for their faith. Take in his solemn instruction.

Our passage today reminds me of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Let’s read the verse and review his story. 1 Peter 4:14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

Actions speak louder than words. It matters how we conduct ourselves within the walls of our homes. It matters how we do marriage and how we parent our children. It matters how we interact with neighbors. It matters how we drive on the roads, respond to an overworked store employee, and coach little league teams. It matters how we treat work associates. It matters that we put in an honest day’s work for our wages. These things matter to the people in our lives and those we interact with every day. Today’s passage reminds us that others are watching closely.

Today’s passage, the Shema (from the Hebrew word “hear”), is a confession of faith recited every day by pious Jews and every Sabbath in the synagogues.

Today’s reading is called the Shema. Shema is the Hebrew word hear, the first word that begins this passage. This is the parenting assessment. The Shema is a confession of faith recited every day by pious Jews and every Sabbath in the synagogues.

The writer of Hebrews describes God as a “consuming fire.” What does he mean by that?