Pentecost: Thursday, May 15, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Ezekiel 37:21b-28

One of the truths that we always see in the prophets is this. The people lose their way. They turn from God, they turn from the covenant. But is always wanting to bring them back home. God is always working and trying to bring the people back to Himself, back to where they should be. No matter where they are, they are not too far from God. His arm can always reach them, and can always bring them back.

The same is true for us. God's arm can always reach us, and He can always call us back home. All we have to do is listen to His voice and follow it back to Him. No matter where we are.

New Testament Lesson

1 John 2:18-29

We see what matters in life is being found in Jesus Christ. He is the foundation, He is the cornerstone, everything else in life is built around our walk with Him. In this passage, the reason many walked away is that they were not in Him, they had not build their lives around Him to begin with.

That is at the heart of the matter of our lives. Jesus is not just someone that we believe in, He is someone that we follow. He is not just an idea, He is a foundation. He is not just a concept, He is a cornerstone. We are called not just to believe in the Son of God, we are called to follow the Son and God, and build our lives around the Son of God. And in doing that, we will find what life is all about!

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 10:16-23

One of the things that we have all experience is the feeling, I don't know what to say. I don't know what to say about God. I don't know how to share my faith. I don't know what to say when someone is hurting. I don't know what to say when someone needs a word. We've all been there.

Today the Lord reminds us, don't worry. The Spirit will speak at that point. The Spirit will lead and will guide. The Spirit will be our voice in the moments when we are unsure. In those times, know that it is ultimately us that will be speaking, but God through us!