Lent: Monday, February 18, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Genesis 41:46-57

One of the concepts we see over and over again in scripture is that the way that things are right now will not always be the way that things are in the future.  It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.  There was no famine when Joesph told folks to go and make ready the store houses. We need to always be ready for the uncertainty of the future. 

But, this works in another way as well.  In our current time, there is crying and pain and death. But, there will come a time when there will be no more of these things.  There will come a day when God will wipe every tear from our eye.  There will come a time things will be as she should. 

Remember that in both the times of joy and pain, God is there, and He is work. In the times of joy hold onto Him, for He brought you to that joy, and in Te pain, hold on to Him, for He will bring you through that pain. 

New Testament Lesson

1 Corinthians 4:8-21

Paul writes a lot of things tongue in check  That's what he is doing in this passage.  The folks in Corinth think that know everything and already have it figured out. so he says, well, if you've got it all figured out, maybe I can learn from you instead of the other way around!  Paul was not afraid to take a little dig about people when they weren't acting right. 

But then we see him get to what he wants them to know. They are not living as they should and they need someone to follow.  It if for these reason he says, imitate me.  What a statement. How many of us could say to someone, you want to see how a Christan lives?  Watch me.  That is quite a statement.  But that is what Paul says. 

And whether we know it or not, that is what folks are doing. They are watching. They are following us.  They are seeing what we do, and how we live.  May we live in such a way that give glory to God and may we live in such a way where folks are led to Him.  

Gospel Lesson

Mark 3:7-19

We see that Jesus, even though He was the very Son of God, knew that He could not accomplish all that He needed to do with the help of others. Without the help of the 12, the mission could not be fully accomplished.  He needed them to do what they were called to. 

Just as today, He needs each of us to do that which He has called us to.  Today, He needs you gifts, your talents, your word, all that you are, to accomplish all that He needs done. Today, He gives us the high privilege of being used by the King!  What a great calling and what a great purpose!