Lent: Tuesday, April 4, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Exodus 5:1-6:1

God's plan isn't always painless. To get to where God needs us to be sometimes there will be hardship involved. There may be tears and hurt involved in God's plan. That's because God's plan is not ultimately about making us happy, it is about giving us life. When we come to God, He may requite that we get rid of certain things; we may go through certain trials. There may be a hard road ahead.

But, even in this, we can be joyful. The Hebrew slaves, in the short term, had a tougher timer. But, God's plan wasn't in the short term, it was in the long term. He had their best interests in mind, and their best hopes in mind. He had there good in mind. Today, I don't know what you may be going thorough; but I know this. All things work to the good of those that love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Today, keep the big picture in mind, and know that God is at work in a big way in your life, and if you will allow, will do more than you could ever imagine.

New Testament Lesson

1 Corinthians 14:20-40

God is a god of order. Everything has a purpose and a plan with God. This passage continues Paul's talk about worship and he says that worship should be ordered. I believe the greater point he is making is not all of worship should be "scripted" if you will, but that we should remember that in worship, we are not the only ones there. There are other folks in worship, and we are to worship with each other. There is time for individual praise and response and there is time for the community to lift it's voice as one. That's one reason why I like our songs and there responsive parts of worship; in those moments are individual voices are blended together as one in worship of God.

And that is what worship is ultimately about. Worshiping God. That is what we are there for, and that is God's plan for the church; to worship Him.

Gospel Lesson

Mark 9:42-50

It this passage we see the practical application of the concept of living together. It is not just that we worship together, but that our lives are intertwined. How I live affects you. The decisions I make affects everyone in my life. If I live in such a way that causes others to sin, then I really need to examine my life and to repent of that. How we live will affect each other. Today, are you living in such a way that drives people to God or away from God. That is what our lives can do. Today, what statement is your life making? We need to make sure that through our lives we are drawing others to God.