God of peace and joy, bless the needs of this dear reader in whatever s/he faces today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for this day comes from Romans 15:14-33:
14 I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 15 Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done-- 19 by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation. 21 Rather, as it is written: "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand." 22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you. 23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord's people there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord's people in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ. 30 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord's people there, 32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
A recent issue of "The Week" magazine had a disturbing article about the growing size of the Nones. Quoting from that magazine as they answer your question, Who Are The Nones? "Your neighbors. A new study by researchers at Trinity College found that 34 million adult Americans—about 15 percent of the population—have no religious affiliation. In 1990, just 8 percent of the population claimed no affiliation with a religious denomination. In terms of education, income, and marital status, Nones are similar to the general population, though they are more likely to live in the Northeast or Pacific Northwest. In Vermont, they actually make up the largest single “denomination.” Nones are, on average, younger than the general population—a factor helping to make them the fastest-growing segment of the religious landscape. “Nones are not a fringe group anymore, and are now part of Middle America,” says study co-author Barry Kosmin. “They’re present in every socio-demographic group.” ("The Week:"Losing Our Religion;" Oct. 29, 2009).
The Nones are those who check that box that asks about religious affliation; in other words they enjoy none. Sad. The article goes on to say as this groups grows the churches grow empty and the character of the nation changes for the worse. It's as if we need a visit from Paul himself. Wait, he's dead and has been for a long time. Who could God possibly use to take the good news to those who have reaced that point in their lives to check "none?" Wait. Paul is recounting what God has allowed him to do while he's been on the road traveling and we have to ask if we've even been on "the road." By that I mean, have we been occupied in sharing Jesus with others? Paul had traveled most of the known world with the sole purpose of sharing Jesus. His goal was to finally go and visit with the believers in Rome on his way to Spain. Can you imagine such faith? What are we doing? I lament that we sometimes, for whatever lame reason we come up with, don't cross the room to share Jesus.
If we want the Nones to win America and the world, continue to do exactly what you're doing. If you want Jesus to win, then do something. I would suggest we be the ones whose lives have been "checked" Alive, instead of None, and we show that by living a life and sharing the life of Jesus with those who have already been checked None.
PRAYER: God of the Nones and the Alives, forgive me for not doing more. Help me this day come alive and be the person You need me to be. May my witness show a life that has received a second, third, fortieth chance, so that others might seek the same. Save me from my comfort. In Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
