Easter: Monday, May 5, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Joshua 1:1-9

One of my professors in seminary once said, "Remember, you are not God's last hope."  I've always liked that quote.  Sometimes we tend to think that its all up to us.  Sometimes we tend to think that the world begins and ends with us.

And sometimes we think that God can only work through certain people. The people saw God work through Moses again and again and again. And here comes this new guy Joshua.  Who is he? What can he do? But, just as God was with Moses, God was with Joshua.  Because the same God that worked through Moses was the same God that worked through Joshua. Remember, God is bigger than any of us, and bigger than any individual. God is always at work, always doing great things. Through each of us.  

New Testament Lesson

Ephesians 3:1-13

Paul has a proper perspective. He remembers that he lives as a servant of God; he lives to serve and obey God.  He lives to glorify God and see that God can be praised through all that he does.  He lives not just for himself; he lives for God.

And so do we.  We live not just for ourselves, we live for God.  We live for His glory, we live for His praise. We live to show others His grace and His mercy. We live for the good of the Kingdom!  Today, let us live for Him.  

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 8:5-17

The image of Peter's mother in law is a great image.  Jesus healed her, and she got up and began to serve Him. After He had healed her, out of a thankful heart, she began to serve Him. After He has healed us of sin, broken hearts, hurt, loss, pain, shouldn't we do the same?  Today, let us get us, and let us serve Him.