Monday, July 30, 2007

Ordinary Time: Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Old Testament Lesson

2 Samuel 3:6-21

One of the concepts we see over and over again in the Old Testament in that notion of promise. God had promised to David the kingdom and promised that he was have an everlasting impact. When David was hiding from Saul in a cave, God's promise didn't look so good. Likewise, when David's side is fighting against Saul's side, that promise didn't look to good.

But, God's promises cannot be stopped. God will be true to His word. He will do what He said He will do. And, what is that? He will never leave nor forsake us. He does not promise us that we will not have troubles (in fact, He kind of promises that trouble will come). But, He does promise that when the trouble comes, He will be there with us. In the storm, He will be there. In the fire, He will be there. In all of life, He will be there.

He promised David the kingdom. We see that promise beginning to come to pass in this text. In all of our lives, if we look, we can see His promises starting to come to pass.

New Testament Lesson

Acts 16:6-15

God's plan is not always easy to understand. We see Paul travel to certain places today, and the Spirit not lead them to speak. We see them go some where and instead of preaching, they pass on by. Why?

It was not time. Things were not right. Maybe the people there were not ready to hear the Gospel. Maybe Paul wasn't who they needed to hear. Maybe it was just not in God's time in that moment. We don't know.

But, Paul was wise enough to listen to the Spirit and do what the Lord led. Even if it might not have made sense. Today, let's listen to the Spirit, and let's do what He leads us to do, even if it doesn't make sense. For, if we are following God, He will lead us to where we need to be, even if we don't know the way. Paul listened, and was led to Lydia. Today, who and where will the Lord lead us to?

Gospel Lesson

Mark 6:30-46

We see two great truths in this passage. First, we must take care of ourselves. Jesus told them to go and rest for a while. We need time to rest. We need time to pray. We need time to recharge ourselves. If we don't take care of ourselves, then we will no good to anyone.

And, we must take care of others. Jesus saw the crowd hungry, and He feed them. We take care of ourselves so that we can take care of others. Are we doing those things? Are we taking care of ourselves? Are we praying and reading and resting and working? Are taking care of others? Their physical needs? Their spiritual needs?

Today, may we take time for ourselves. May we also take time for others.

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