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Today, just a quick thought:
Be sure to remember that nothing in your daily life is so insignificant and so inconsequential that God will not help you by answering your prayer.
Ole Hallesby
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Ordinary Time: Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Old Testament Lesson
Genesis 22:1-18
We see Abraham tested in this passage. We see him put to the test, seeing if he would be willing to sacrifice that thing that he loved most, his son, because God has asked him to. We don't know what to do with a passage like this. It's hard for us to imagine God asking someone to do something like this. We don't understand, doesn't make sense. I've always felt Issac was in no danger. Either Abraham would do what God asked, and God would provide a ram, or he would refuse to do it, and would be safe. Either way, he would be fine.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 11:23-31
Notice, each of these saints is lauded for their faith. But, what did their faith do? It produced action. The faith in their lives didn't just leave them there, it caused them to do something. True, real, honest faith doesn't leave us where we are. It doesn't keep us the same. It changes us, changes our actions, changes who we are. Faith is a life changer. Our faith should and must drive us to something. These saints, their faith changed their lives. So may ours.
Gospel Lesson
John 6:52-59
Jesus reminds us of the important of eating and drinking His flesh and blood. He has given us this meal of Holy Communion as a means to remember and to celebrate His life, death and resurrection. He has given us this meal as a means of grace, than in the very act of receiving the bread and the juice (or depending on your tradition, wine), we actually receive grace. And this grace can and will change your life. Let us never forget what an awesome thing it is to receive this meal. Let us never forget what a blessing it can and will be. Let us celebrate together, let remember together, and let us receive grace together. All through His meal.
Genesis 22:1-18
We see Abraham tested in this passage. We see him put to the test, seeing if he would be willing to sacrifice that thing that he loved most, his son, because God has asked him to. We don't know what to do with a passage like this. It's hard for us to imagine God asking someone to do something like this. We don't understand, doesn't make sense. I've always felt Issac was in no danger. Either Abraham would do what God asked, and God would provide a ram, or he would refuse to do it, and would be safe. Either way, he would be fine.
The thing about tests is this. They don't show God what He has. He already knows what He has in me or you. The thing about test is this. They show us what we have. They show us our strength (through God). They should us what we are capable of. After this, Abraham knew that he could do the things God would ask. He had passed the test.
When we go through tests, and come out on the other side, may we be reminded that they show us our strength, our ability, and our willing to be used by God. Don't be afraid when you are tested. Something good will come out of it.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 11:23-31
Notice, each of these saints is lauded for their faith. But, what did their faith do? It produced action. The faith in their lives didn't just leave them there, it caused them to do something. True, real, honest faith doesn't leave us where we are. It doesn't keep us the same. It changes us, changes our actions, changes who we are. Faith is a life changer. Our faith should and must drive us to something. These saints, their faith changed their lives. So may ours.
Gospel Lesson
John 6:52-59
Jesus reminds us of the important of eating and drinking His flesh and blood. He has given us this meal of Holy Communion as a means to remember and to celebrate His life, death and resurrection. He has given us this meal as a means of grace, than in the very act of receiving the bread and the juice (or depending on your tradition, wine), we actually receive grace. And this grace can and will change your life. Let us never forget what an awesome thing it is to receive this meal. Let us never forget what a blessing it can and will be. Let us celebrate together, let remember together, and let us receive grace together. All through His meal.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Ordinary Time: Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Old Testament Lesson
Genesis 21:1-21
Believe it or not, one of the lessons that we can learn from the Old Testament is that God loves everyone. Issac is the one through whom the promise would be full filled. He is the one that would be the father of Israel. He is the one that will have all the God promised to Abraham given to and given through.
Genesis 21:1-21
Believe it or not, one of the lessons that we can learn from the Old Testament is that God loves everyone. Issac is the one through whom the promise would be full filled. He is the one that would be the father of Israel. He is the one that will have all the God promised to Abraham given to and given through.
And yet, God still loved Ishmael. Even though he was not the child of the promise, he was made in the image of God. And God promised Abraham and promised Hagar that He would make a nation out of him as well. For, God loves everyone.
It's not that God loves Christians more than anyone else. He doesn't. He loves everyone. It's just that Christians have come to understand that for our lives to find meaning, we must love God. We are not better people. We are not loved more. We just understand that need to love. God loves everyone. So should we.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 11:13-22
We see here these saints of faith didn't receive what they were promised here upon the earth. God promised them a greater country and they received that reward in heaven. God's promises to us are always full filled. God always keeps His word. He is true to who He says that He is what He says He will do. These things just are not always done the way the we'd like or at the time we'd like. That's why we have to trust. God will be true to what He said He'd do. May we keep the faith.
Gospel Lesson
John 6:41-51
Jesus reminds us that He is eternal life. Nothing else. No one else. Life is found in Him and through Him. By being in communion with Him, in relationship with Him, we find that life in Him. Today, remember that life is found no where else other than Jesus. He is life. Today, and for all eternity. And, as we remember that, we find all other life comes into focus. May He be our life, today, and always.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 11:13-22
We see here these saints of faith didn't receive what they were promised here upon the earth. God promised them a greater country and they received that reward in heaven. God's promises to us are always full filled. God always keeps His word. He is true to who He says that He is what He says He will do. These things just are not always done the way the we'd like or at the time we'd like. That's why we have to trust. God will be true to what He said He'd do. May we keep the faith.
Gospel Lesson
John 6:41-51
Jesus reminds us that He is eternal life. Nothing else. No one else. Life is found in Him and through Him. By being in communion with Him, in relationship with Him, we find that life in Him. Today, remember that life is found no where else other than Jesus. He is life. Today, and for all eternity. And, as we remember that, we find all other life comes into focus. May He be our life, today, and always.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Ordinary Time: February 1, 2010
Old Testament Lesson
Genesis 19:1-29
Lot's wife becomes the bad guy in this story. She's the one that stops and looks about and gets turned into a pillar of salt. She's the one that doesn't want to leave. But, we see when we look at the text, it wasn't just her. Lot didn't get in any great hurry and is eventually made to leave by the angels. We see the that sons in law didn't leave at all. No one wanted to leave. No one wanted to change.
Gospel Lesson
John 6:27-40
Jesus is our life. He is our food. He is our nourishment. He is what wakes us up in the morning and puts us down at night. It's Jesus. He is our life. No our jobs, our hobbies, our plans, even our family. Jesus is life. It all starts with Him. Is He our foundation? Is He our rock? Is He where it all starts? For life, true life, it must all start with Jesus.
Genesis 19:1-29
Lot's wife becomes the bad guy in this story. She's the one that stops and looks about and gets turned into a pillar of salt. She's the one that doesn't want to leave. But, we see when we look at the text, it wasn't just her. Lot didn't get in any great hurry and is eventually made to leave by the angels. We see the that sons in law didn't leave at all. No one wanted to leave. No one wanted to change.
Change is hard. It is not easy. Even when it's essential, even when it's something we have to do for our own sake, its never an easy thing. Even though they knew destruction was coming, they still didn't like or want to do it. But they did.
Change in our lives is never easy. What change are you needing to make, that will be hard? Know that these changes are for our good. And know that God will give us the strength to do it. Change is hard; but it is good. May we have the grace to change.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 11:1-12
We see the beginning of this great chapter of faith, all these saints of the Bible, folks of the Old Testament, that believed in faith and did great things. None of them were perfect, they all made some pretty bad mistakes in their life. But, they clung to faith. They clung to faith in God, knew that faith was what it came down to, and were rewarded.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 11:1-12
We see the beginning of this great chapter of faith, all these saints of the Bible, folks of the Old Testament, that believed in faith and did great things. None of them were perfect, they all made some pretty bad mistakes in their life. But, they clung to faith. They clung to faith in God, knew that faith was what it came down to, and were rewarded.
Today, God wants us to live by faith. God wants us to trust in Him, above all. God wants us to know that our life, our hope, our strength, it all comes through faith. Today, and each day, trust in Him.
Gospel Lesson
John 6:27-40
Jesus is our life. He is our food. He is our nourishment. He is what wakes us up in the morning and puts us down at night. It's Jesus. He is our life. No our jobs, our hobbies, our plans, even our family. Jesus is life. It all starts with Him. Is He our foundation? Is He our rock? Is He where it all starts? For life, true life, it must all start with Jesus.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Ordinary Time: Thursday, January 28, 2010
Old Testament Lesson
Genesis 16:15-17:14
One of the things about God, that He does, is He make covenant with us. He comes to us and make an agreement. He made covenant with Noah, Abraham, the people of Israel, and with us. He comes to us and says, if you will do, I will do this. And here's the thing about that. He doesn't have to. He doesn't have to make covenant with us. He's God. We're not. He can tell us what He will do. He can tell us what we will do. He's God.
Genesis 16:15-17:14
One of the things about God, that He does, is He make covenant with us. He comes to us and make an agreement. He made covenant with Noah, Abraham, the people of Israel, and with us. He comes to us and says, if you will do, I will do this. And here's the thing about that. He doesn't have to. He doesn't have to make covenant with us. He's God. We're not. He can tell us what He will do. He can tell us what we will do. He's God.
But, He doesn't do that. He respects us, respects our will, respects our choices. He gives us choices each day. To serve or not to serve. To love or not to love. To care or not to care. To forgive or not to forgive. Each day. Today, may we choose to be and live as He would have.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 10:1-10
The writer of Hebrews reminds us over and over again, it all comes down to Jesus. Not about what we do, not about the law or the codes, it's about Jesus. He did it all for us. We can't earn it, we can only accept it. It's not about what we can do/should do, it's about what He did for us. He has, through the cross and the empty grave, enabled us a way into the throne room of God. We are accepted by God, because of what Christ did. Know that our worth comes not from what we've ever do, but from what He has done.
Gospel Lesson
John 5:30-47
Jesus reminds us today that true life is found only in Him. No where else. We can search for life in lots of places and in lots of ways, but it is only found in Him. Today, rest in His life. Live in life. Serve in His life. Forgive in His life. Know that your life is found in Him. Today, and always. Rest in Him; live in Him. He is life.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 10:1-10
The writer of Hebrews reminds us over and over again, it all comes down to Jesus. Not about what we do, not about the law or the codes, it's about Jesus. He did it all for us. We can't earn it, we can only accept it. It's not about what we can do/should do, it's about what He did for us. He has, through the cross and the empty grave, enabled us a way into the throne room of God. We are accepted by God, because of what Christ did. Know that our worth comes not from what we've ever do, but from what He has done.
Gospel Lesson
John 5:30-47
Jesus reminds us today that true life is found only in Him. No where else. We can search for life in lots of places and in lots of ways, but it is only found in Him. Today, rest in His life. Live in life. Serve in His life. Forgive in His life. Know that your life is found in Him. Today, and always. Rest in Him; live in Him. He is life.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Ordinary Time: Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Old Testament Lesson
Genesis 16:1-14
We see here what doubt can do. It can cause us to seek a way, other than God's way. We see here that Sarah started to doubt what God said He would do, and so she decided she had to take it into her own hands, do it her own way, make her own plan and take care of it all herself. Instead of trusting.
Genesis 16:1-14
We see here what doubt can do. It can cause us to seek a way, other than God's way. We see here that Sarah started to doubt what God said He would do, and so she decided she had to take it into her own hands, do it her own way, make her own plan and take care of it all herself. Instead of trusting.
Trusting is hard. It is not easy. It is not easy to trust when we don't know how it's going to turn out. It's hard to trust when we are unsure of the way. It's hard to trust in times of uncertainty. But remember, God is true to what He said He would do. He is true to who He is. And, we can trust Him. No matter what.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 9:15-28
Remember that Jesus Christ Himself speaks on our behalf before God. He is at the right hand of God, interceding for us, pulling for us, cheering for us, praying for us. You're not in this alone. I know it may feel like it sometimes. You're not. God is with you. Jesus is on your side. He's pulling for you. Trust (there's that word again). Trust in Him. He will not lead you astray.
Gospel Lesson
John 5:19-29
Jesus reminds us that this life is not the end. There is life beyond this life. This life is just a foretaste of true life. This life is just the beginning. Don't forget in the midst of your struggles and trials and problems. This life is not the end. There is more to come. Hold fast to one that made you, that loves you, and that has called you. Trust in Him. And find His life.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 9:15-28
Remember that Jesus Christ Himself speaks on our behalf before God. He is at the right hand of God, interceding for us, pulling for us, cheering for us, praying for us. You're not in this alone. I know it may feel like it sometimes. You're not. God is with you. Jesus is on your side. He's pulling for you. Trust (there's that word again). Trust in Him. He will not lead you astray.
Gospel Lesson
John 5:19-29
Jesus reminds us that this life is not the end. There is life beyond this life. This life is just a foretaste of true life. This life is just the beginning. Don't forget in the midst of your struggles and trials and problems. This life is not the end. There is more to come. Hold fast to one that made you, that loves you, and that has called you. Trust in Him. And find His life.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Ordinary Time: Tuesday, January 26, 2010
I wanted to pass along something I received today as a devotional. Many of you may be like me and have read the Upper Room at some point every day for almost all your life. Being the geek that I am, I have the daily Upper Room Devotional emailed to me each day. I thought todays was really, really good and I really spoke to me. So, I wanted to pass this along to you and pray that it's a blessing to you as it has been to me
You can get this devotional mailed to you each day by clicking here
Andy
Fruits of the Compost Heap
Suggested Bible Reading
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; moreover, it is God's gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil. I know that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; God has done this, so that all should stand in awe before him.
-Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 (NRSV)
Today's Scripture
[God] has made everything beautiful in its time.
-Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
I keep a compost pile and love to put things into it to ferment into clean, healthy soil. I put in vegetable scraps, old leaves, grass clippings, and even paper. Every few weeks, I stir the pile to make sure that all the content is turned over. When the heap is dry, I water it. Other than that, I do nothing but let natural bacteria do their job. After a few months, I find that my "garbage" has turned into rich, fresh soil for my garden.
Often something similar happens in my life. I have felt that things I did or did not do were wasted and fruitless. At times, I have been very hard on myself. But I realize that God is not as hard on me as I can be on myself. My great failures have been turned into something positive. God quietly works, and later, when I expect it least, I find wonderful new soil ready to nurture a new phase in my life. The rotten oranges and moldy leaves of my life -- my failures and shortcomings -- have been transformed, to give me a new perspective or stronger confidence.
We can always start again when we turn our will and life over to God and allow God's power to quietly work.
Sarah B. Joy (Indiana, USA)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we are weak and vulnerable. Help us to accept your guiding strength in our lives; and when we fail, help us trust you to use even that to teach us how to serve you more faithfully. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Andy
Fruits of the Compost Heap
Suggested Bible Reading
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; moreover, it is God's gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil. I know that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; God has done this, so that all should stand in awe before him.
-Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 (NRSV)
Today's Scripture
[God] has made everything beautiful in its time.
-Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
I keep a compost pile and love to put things into it to ferment into clean, healthy soil. I put in vegetable scraps, old leaves, grass clippings, and even paper. Every few weeks, I stir the pile to make sure that all the content is turned over. When the heap is dry, I water it. Other than that, I do nothing but let natural bacteria do their job. After a few months, I find that my "garbage" has turned into rich, fresh soil for my garden.
Often something similar happens in my life. I have felt that things I did or did not do were wasted and fruitless. At times, I have been very hard on myself. But I realize that God is not as hard on me as I can be on myself. My great failures have been turned into something positive. God quietly works, and later, when I expect it least, I find wonderful new soil ready to nurture a new phase in my life. The rotten oranges and moldy leaves of my life -- my failures and shortcomings -- have been transformed, to give me a new perspective or stronger confidence.
We can always start again when we turn our will and life over to God and allow God's power to quietly work.
Sarah B. Joy (Indiana, USA)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we are weak and vulnerable. Help us to accept your guiding strength in our lives; and when we fail, help us trust you to use even that to teach us how to serve you more faithfully. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Thought for the Day
God can use our failures to bring new growth.
God can use our failures to bring new growth.
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