Author: Jillian McGriff

Good Report

Today’ Reading:  Colossians 1

Daily we receive reports from everyone that we encounter. We receive morning reports at work. We receive updates and memorandums from co-workers. We receive traffic reports on the road. We receive and give daily reports to our spouses. Our kids report their school or camp activities. Reports are an essential part of our life and one way to understand our surroundings.

I can recall many reports that had been given on my account from growing up. I was raised in a small community in Dallas, TX. In this community everybody knew everybody else and their entire family. All of the children of the community of approximately 200 families went to the same elementary school. The school was in the center of the neighborhood, which was approximately a mile from the farthest house in the neighborhood. On one particular day in the third grade, I had to go to a friend’s house afterschool that was about half a mile away, which was off a busy street. As with most third grade boys, I had to test the boundaries and play too close to the edge of the curb. I didn’t notice the cars that were too close to my friends and me. I continued to finish my journey proceed to my friends house. As I walked inside the house I was greeted with some consequences to my previous actions. Unbeknownst to me (this is the era of pre-cellular communication), one of the cars that past by me, made a U-turn and went to my friend’s house and informed the parents of my behavior and that I was acting in an unsafe manner. Even though it has been almost 30 years, since this incident, I have not forgotten the impact of my actions and I know that there is always someone reporting on our behalf.

This brings us to Colossians, and the introduction that we receive in this first chapter. This is amazing book, this is a church that Paul has never visited, and he has only been given a report by Epaphras.   Wow, this is epistle of the apostle Paul that is part of our canon the Bible and it is a reflection of how important the REPORT of our interactions have profound affects on, not only our lives, but to those that are impacted. Can we image the impact of the report that would be given on our account? How would Epaphras report our dealings with each other? How would the report be on our households? Our worships and hardships? Our comings and goings? Then how would the report be received and responded to? Paul writes a beautiful introduction here to the church as though he had established the church and stayed in Colossae for years.  When I read the first verses I am overcome with a sense of connection and reverence:

Colossian 1:3-6, 9-12

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, ⁴ because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— ⁵ the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel ⁶ that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.

 ⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,^{[e] 10} so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹ being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, ¹² and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you^[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

 Being on the receiving side of this letter, I can only image the connection and communion the Colossians experienced. It is letter from someone that has never met you, but has so much love and affection for you. It is almost like receiving a letter from a distant relative that has the affection of a supportive parent. I pray that we are able to present ourselves in a manner that the REPORT of our lives is pleasing the our Heavenly Father.

Today’s Reading: Ephesians 6

Today we hear from Paul about abuse of power and battling against evil. He begins with a gentle reminder to parents and children:

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:1-4

 As a parent, this is a practical reminder for me at the end of a long weekend. Now that summer is in full swing, my children are constantly testing me on bedtimes, food choices and screen time. I work so hard to provide measured, consistent boundaries but at times I just lose it! I find myself using my power as a parent to inflict judgement and sometimes punishment on my children when really, I’m upset about someone else using their power against me. Often, when we feel belittled, demeaned or shamed in our adult life we respond by wielding that same power over someone else. Who among us hasn’t struggled with feelings of anger or resentment and turned that into revenge? We feel justified in counting another’s failures when we find ourselves in a position of power. Paul shows us in today’s reading that this is a common theme the enemy has been using against us for centuries. He addresses this in verse 5 in regards to the Ephesians and their slaves:

“Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.” Ephesians 6:5-9

 Paul reminds us not to abuse the positions of power we are blessed with. He cautions us to do our work here on earth with honesty and integrity. To work as if He is our boss and remember that we are all equal before God. Whether we work in an office, parent children, or simply live as an example of Christian values, we are called to reject Satan’s false promises. Leading a Christian life requires us to battle against authorities that do not put Jesus at the center. Lord, help us to see that you are the Master, you are the potter and that our power is through obedience to you. Guide us gently as Paul led the Ephesians to a life that’s closer to you.

Have a great holiday week!

Todays Reading : Galatians 6 

We have come to the conclusion of the letter to the Galatians and Paul closed the letter in a different fashion from the previous reviewed texts. The final words of Paul are to remind the church of Galatia to “Do good deeds” and “ Remember you are free”.  Throughout the book of Galatians, Paul is reminding the church to remember that they have been purchased and freed from the bondage of sin and strictness of the law.  There is a two-fold order that we are presented here from Paul: Remember that you have been saved and know the true gospel and continue to do the righteous deeds in spite of the criticism you are receiving.

 

Paul is writing to a people that have been the subject of scrutiny for several years and the word has been returned to Paul that several individuals want to create a hierarchy of old believers and new believers have compromise the work that Paul established during his mission. There is constant bickering about who is more Christian or who is more established in the faith. When you realize this battle has been going on for several decades, it become more evident of the final words that Paul imparts to the church in Galatians 6: 7-10, are difficult for the people to understand in the flesh, but it takes the Spirit to comprehend.

⁷ Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸ Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

As a reflection on our current state of our country and society, I believe that these parting words are valid today as it was in Paul’s time. We have to allow the Spirit to work in us, so that a good work can be produced and God’s presence can be witnessed.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, that you ordain, we will reap a harvest IF we do not give up. Amen

As I read the last chapter of Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, I had a difficult time deciding just what to write to you about today. There are lots of good lessons here for us to consider in 2 Corinthians 13. The primary theme is the importance of self-reflection in the form of spiritual check-ups. He encourages the Corinthians to be ever aware of Christ’s presence in our lives and to take active steps toward growing closer to God. As we celebrate Father’s Day today, I’m aware of the parallels between Paul’s role as an elder or father figure to the early Christian’s and our relationship with our Heavenly Father. I think it’s a wonderful reminder to us that our perfect Father is in heaven. Our connection with Him is unbreakable, despite our sin.

In reading notes and commentary for today, I found myself returning to verse 11 over and over:

“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live and peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11

Who among us doesn’t need a little restoration? The NIV Study Bible ends its commentary on Corinthians 13 with this:

“Paul was dealing with an ongoing problem in the Corinthian church. He could have refused to communicate until they cleared up their situation, but he loved them and reached out to them again with the love of Christ. Love, however means that sometimes we must confront those we care about. We can be legalistic and blast people away with the laws they should be obeying. We can turn away from them because we don’t want to face the situation. We can isolate them by gossiping about their problem and turning others against them. Or like Paul, we can seek to build relationship by taking a better approach-sharing, communicating and caring.”

I know that I’ve done all these wrong things in my relationships. How often are we short sighted and give up on someone we love when we grow impatient with their sin. I close examination reveals that some people close to me may have given up or refused to communicate with me until I cleaned up my sin. Paul’s message of the importance of restoration both in our own spiritual life and in our relationship with others is powerful. I’m grateful for the opportunity to first hear it and then share it with you today.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14

 

Have a great week.

 

 

Todays Reading: 2 Corinthians 6

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.

You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.

Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.

– Suscipe of Saint Ignatius

This prayer has been a constant on my mind for the last several weeks. During my days in pharmacy school at Creighton, I had the privilege to grow spiritually and prayerfully. I believe at one of the convocations or Masses I received a card that had this prayer on it. I kept the card in my bible and would read it every often. One day while meditating and reflecting on this prayer, I had an epiphany from the Spirit and I truly understood and realized the depth of the prayer. We face many difficult circumstances throughout the day and are granted many graces and mercies daily. But what I had fell to realize was this was all for God, given by God, for God’s glory.

In the reading we are reminded that we were given God’s grace and salvation at a most precious price, Christ’s blood. With this precious and delicate gift we cannot allow it to be in vain and not cherished and celebrated. Then Paul shows us that in the things that we have been through we have to change the looking glass and see it in the Glory of God:

2 Corinthians 6:4-10

⁴Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵ in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; ⁶ in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; ⁷ in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; ⁸ through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; ⁹ known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

 

Many times the beatings and imprisonment and riots would be viewed as something to be shamed or depressed, but Paul shows that even in the lowest places and most inhumane situations God’s grace allows us to be able to see the bigger picture. It is not for that moment, but for something bigger than we cannot yet image.

So with this new understanding, I have found it essential to not allow His grace to be in vain and acknowledge Him in all the afflictions and hardships and praises and joys. I know that I when I return everything that have been given to me back to Him; he will use me and the events that I experience for His glory.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your amazing and unending grace. Allow us to take peace in your presence as we live for you daily. Allow us to daily return all that we have, the good and the bad, the highs and low, the painful and joyous to you from whom all blessing and honor flows. Allow us to see you in all things. Amen

Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 16

Today we finish the final letter written by Paul to the Corinthians. Of his thirteen letters to them, this final message is the only one that finishes with love. As with all of his glorious writing I feel more connected to the people of the Corinthian church and to Paul. For me, the most significant piece of today’s letter begins in verse 13:

“Be watchful and stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

 Five final instructions. Five objectives to live by in order to truly follow Jesus Christ. These instructions were written in the present tense. They are meant to be a living, ongoing journey. I wrote these five instructions with notes next to each of them that pertain to how I can live like a Corinthian. I’m going to share them here in hopes that it might inspire you to write your own response to Paul’s 5 final instructions.

Be Watchful

• Jesus could come at anytime. Would I want Him to meet me tomorrow? Is my behavior, my speech and my actions a representation of my Christianity?
• Watch for those that seek division rather than unity. Am I taking part in divisive conversation that compromises His church?

Stand Firm in the Faith

• Social media, marketing and societal pressure can often lead me astray. Am I placing worldly goods above God? Am I putting Jesus at the center or my iPhone?
• I know the enemy uses temptation to convince me to put other God’s before Him.
• Am I standing strong in the face of the enemy? Am I giving in to temptation when I’m not around my Christian friends?

Act Like Men

• Well….I’m a woman but I think what Paul is telling us here is to be courageous. Be a dangerous witness.
• “Man or Wo-man up”

Be Strong

• We can do all things through Christ. Paul is urging us to be strengthened by his love and mercy. We know that we are too weak to do it alone but through the Holy Spirit we are bolstered by His eternal strength.

Let all that you do be done in love

• Love the Lord first and then love one another.
• Challenge yourself to find something to love in every person
• Reach out to someone that needs Christ’s love

 I love these “rules” set forth by Paul. They teach us how to be united as a church and how to truly live with one another until He comes again. When I finished studying this chapter, I began to imagine God watching us all as if we are on an episode of Survivor! He knows what each of the challenges will be and he wants us to rise as Jesus taught us. At the end of his letter, Paul finishes with love:

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.” 1 Corinthians 16:24

 If you are reading today, my love is with you.  Have a great week.

Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 2

In preparation for today’s post I read several commentaries from sources that usually help me to distill the scripture into a clear message.  I spent a good amount of time studying the Holy Spirit and how we as Christians should rely on it when sharing our testimony of faith. Paul wrote his letter to the church in Corinth around 55 A.D. near the end of his three year ministry in Ephesus and during his third missionary journey. In chapter one we hear him address problems of division within the church. We know Paul is a brilliant scholar, but we see him here choose to write to the Corinthians with a simple message. In my mind this means so much. In fact, when I think of the spiritual experiences that have drawn me closest to Jesus are the sermons or small group meetings that connected our modern life directly to the scripture. Paul does this by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide his message. My favorite commentary on today’s reading is from Blue Letter Bible. The author, Paul Guzik says this:

“Paul didn’t come as a philosopher or a salesman; he came as a witness declaring the testimony of God. Paul was certainly a man who could reason and debate persuasively, but he didn’t use that approach in preaching of the gospel. He made a conscious decision to put the emphasis on Jesus Christ and his crucifixion. Paul was an ambassador, not a salesman.”

If that didn’t just change your life, please read it again. An ambassador, not a salesman. Paul draws his strength and confidence as a preacher not on his intellect but on the knowledge that the Holy Spirit will guide him. He tells us in verse four:

“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” 1 Corinthians 2:4 (NIV)

I love the NIV here because it says “my message and my preaching…” Paul is encouraging the members of the church to become ambassadors.  If we are truly led by the Holy Spirit and if we simply live Christianity then we don’t have to sell it. For me, selling it is hard. I really struggle to invite people that don’t know Jesus to church.  I feel like I have to somehow sell the idea of church and a life with Christ. But Jesus is not a product. There is no next thing after Him. There is no salvation 2.0. This is it. Paul reminds us later in the chapter that God’s hidden wisdom was revealed when Jesus rose from the dead:

“No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began….What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2: 7 and 9 (NIV)

There is no way for us to imagine what God has planned for us. There will come a time when we live in him forever. Until then, this Holy Spirit comforts and guides us. Knowing that there is more for us, encourages us to keep going.  To endure the challenges and hardships here on earth. We know that we can battle against temptation and greed because the best is yet to come. God asks us to be an ambassador for Him. There’s nothing to sell, there is no upgrade, He is not a product.  He is the product.  We don’t have to sell him or a life with Christ.  He only asks that we live it and through the living we’ll bring others to Him.  Have a great Monday.

“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.  For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”  For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.  May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:1-6

Do you ever feel that scripture has been written to you through our Heavenly Father? Oh right, hello, it’s Jillian writing under cover for our Bible Journal author Luke today! I’m writing for him because a few weeks ago he wrote for me when our daughter was very ill. At the time I asked him to be sure to allow me to return the favor, and today, he did! I accepted the opportunity blindly. I hadn’t looked ahead in the scripture and to be quite honest, I had fallen behind on reading God’s word. In fact, for weeks we’ve been drowning in turmoil at our house. Our three year old continues to struggle with seizures daily, her new medication makes her aggressive and volatile.  Our two year old has been ill and we’ve spent most of our time trying to protect our truly sick kid from all the germs! On top of that I’m working at two new jobs and trying to find a livable working Mom balance. It has seemed as if each day brings a new challenge for me to endure. It’s taken me to that place of asking, “why me?” When are these hardships ever going to end for our family? I fall prey to the constant social media trap that lures us into believing that everyone else is living a flawless life. And then I read this:

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4

 There it is. Paul is literally speaking to us.  He’s revealing the promise of the living gospel. Not only that but he’s encouraging us to build one another up through faith in Jesus Christ.  Don’t miss it! Today’s reading was specifically designed to give us hope and empower us to hold one another up. He then goes on to say that when those of us that are strong hold up others that are weak, we’ll live in harmony. What a convicting message to hear when our small corner of the world has become so divided. Paul’s message is simple. We must be strong in our commitment to the Lord and reading His Word. In turn we must then hold up our fellow Christians and support them when they are weak. It’s only through the God of endurance and encouragement that we can praise him with one strong voice. I hope you’ll take this simple message today and use it.  Use it to praise Him for making you strong and unshakeable in the face of the enemy or use it to hold others when they need support.

 

Lord, we thank you for words that come directly from you when we really need them. We know that when we stand together we are stronger than when we stand alone.  Thank you for blessing us with your presence and for giving us endurance for the long journey.

Today’s Reading: Romans 12

Romans 12:4- 8

For as in one body we have many members,^[e] and the members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ⁶ Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; ⁷ if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; ⁸ the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads,^[f] with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

After reading and reflecting on this chapter I am reminded of my 19^th birthday. I was a sophomore in college and I had a part-time job as a “Casual Handler” at FedEx. I basically unloaded the small commuter trucks and loaded the semi-trucks in the evenings. This was a labor intensive two hours that you had to perform without delay or injury. On my birthday, I decided to go into work early and get into a particular work rhythm to get off earlier. As my teammate and I started to get into a groove, I misjudged a packaged and crushed my right hand into the conveyor belt [I am right-handed].   At first I wanted to continue to work, but was pulled off the line to get checked out. I was okay, except a couple of pulled tendons on my two middle fingers. I had one expectation of the workday and another one was resented to me. I found myself unable to type, write or prepare anything for a while.

My beautiful wife and I have three amazing kids. I think of us as a hand, five members of a unique unit. Each of us a vital member that if something happens to one part, the unit cannot function properly. Last year and through out this year different parts of the hand have been bruised, clipped, or pricked, but we have been able to preserve with the strength of Christ and His love.  Exactly a year ago, Oliver was in the hospital with what we have found to be a Crohn’s Flare.  Ruby has been having absence seizures for the past couple of months.  On top of the “normal” parenting and growing pains.  God has place each of us into the body of Christ we need each other to survive and grow.

This community of believers forms a beautiful body which each person and household represents a vital part of the central body: some may be the legs, arms, feet, neck, torso but we all need each other to function. The Holy Spirit is the connection to us all, but we need to make sure that we can communicate with the Spirit and with each other in order to grow and prosper. The finger cannot know that there is a thorn in the toe; and the arm does not know that the tooth has a cavity. We must be intentional about what our needs are to each other, only then will we be able to provide for each other in the way that will allow us to grow.   I am blessed to be a part of the body and if there is anything I can provide let me know, as I will reach out to you.