Ordinary Time: Monday, August 27, 2007

Old Testament Lesson

1 Kings 1:5-31

One of the things we see in David's life so mirrors our lives is that life is not always lived on the mountain. We often think of David's life in saintly terms, but we've seen in the past few readings that David faced many, many folks coming after his throne, coming after what God has promised. We have seen David have to fight, we've seen him make mistakes, we seen him done many of the same things that we do, and many things none of us would never dream of doing.

Yet, he was a man after God's own heart. To me, this means that he was a close to God as anyone that ever lived. And, yet, even he, had trouble and problems and sin all such things. So, let us not grow discouraged in life, for even David struggled, and God saw him through. Will He not do the same for us?

New Testament Lesson

Acts 26:1-23

Paul was headed one way in life, and then the Lord spoke to him. And, then he literally did a 180 degree turn. After he had that encounter with God, he was forever changed. He went places he did not thing he would have gone to, he said things he did not think he would say, he lived in ways he did not think that he would live. All because the Lord spoke to him and called him. And, he never lost sight of what the Lord had called him to. He never forgot.

What has the Lord called you to? Does it shape your life? Does it shape how you life? How you speak? Who you are? Paul was forever changed by his encounter with God. Are you and I?

Gospel Lesson

Mark 13:14-27

Jesus said in those last days many false Messiahs would come and lead people astray. Why were folks lead astray? For the put more faith in what that false leader tells them than what they know to be true. Jesus tells them to remember what He said. And, in doing that, they will not be lead astray. That is why is it so important to spend time each day with God and listening to His voice, through prayer, though the Word, through our private devotional life. For, if we know and hear His voice, we will not be led astray.

May we take time each day to listen. May we take time each day to hear what God says.