Ordinary Time: Monday, July 13, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

1 Samuel 18:5-16, 27b-30

Jealously is a dangerous thing. Jealousy destroyed Saul. He become more and more jealous of David until it destroyed him, his walk with God, and his walk with others. It is dangerous thing to dwell on other people. Instead of focusing upon them, let us focus on ourselves, on our walk with God, with our walk with our neighbor, on what God has called us to do and who God called us to be.

New Testament Lesson

Acts 11:19-30

Barnabas is one of the true heroes in the Bible. He was able to see the good in Paul when other were afraid or worried. Barnabas was able to be his friend when he didn't have many; able to encourage him; help him; mentor him. If Barnabas hadn't done what he had done, Paul wouldn't have done what he did.

If we treat other the with the love and respect that they deserve as those made in the image of God, there is no telling what God can do! Let's respect and love each other, and let go be at work in amazing ways!

Gospel Lesson

Mark 1:29-45

This leaper couldn't help be tell others about the great things Jesus had done for him. He just couldn't help telling about the hope of Jesus' love and mercy. The hope of Jesus' healing. The hope of Jesus' grace. How about us? Do our lives tell the story of Jesus' grace? Do the words we speak reflect grace? Do we build up or tear down? It's not just about "witnessing." It's about living a grace-full life. Do we do that? Do our words and lives tell of the great things Jesus has done for us?

Ordinary Time: Thursday, July 9, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

1 Samuel 16:14-17:11

One of the battles Saul faced was not that of Goliath, but that of fear vs faith. Saul was fearful of what may happen or could happen. The Lord had repeatedly done great things for him and had been a rock and shield for him. But, each time these trials could come, he would fall back into fear, instead of faith.

We do the same. We know God is there, we know God loves, we know God will be there. We are like Peter - increase our faith. Today, and each day, may we choose faith, instead of fear.

New Testament Lesson

Acts 10:17-33

For the longest time, the Jews were not to associate with the Gentiles. But, Peter comes to understand that one's walk with Christ is more important than anything that we as humans use to separate. Through Christ, we are all one. Through Christ, there are no divisions. Through Christ, we can be one. Even if we don't all agree or all share the same opinion, through Christ, we are one. Let us live as one, as God's children.

Gospel Lesson

Luke 24:36-53

The disciples had great joy. They had seen that the Lord has risen. They had seen that death could not hold Him back, they had seen that sin, death, and the grave are defeated. They had seen the power of God. And, with God's great power, they knew all things were possible.

Today, the same is true for us. Through God, all things are possible. Through God, we can know that joy, peace, and hope. And life. Through God, we can live.

Ordinary Time: Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

1 Samuel 16:1-13

David was not the one that Samuel would have chosen. But he was the one that God had chosen. God doesn't choose like we chose, He doesn't pick as we pick. God looks at the heart. God looks at what matters most. If the heart is willing, God can do the rest. Because David had a willing heart, God did great things with. But, before God could do any of the things He wanted to do with David, the heart had to be ready.

Today, may we have wiling hearts.

New Testament Lesson

Acts 10:1-6

Cornelius was faithful, and the Lord heard his prayers. The Lord hears the prayers we offer. The Lord bends His ear to hear the words we utter. Even more, the Lord knows our hearts. Our prayers are not best defined by the words that come out our of mouths, our prayers are defined by the words upon our hearts.

Our prayer life is not simply the words that we may say. It's about our hearts' walk with God. It's about that relationship with God. It's about the heart longing to be in God's presence. That, even more than anything we'll every say, that's prayer.

Gospel Lesson

Luke 24:12-35

I love the story of Emmaus. The ones on the road almost missed the presence of Christ in their midst. They were so concerned with all that was happening and that was going on; they almost missed Jesus standing right beside them. How often to do we miss Jesus right here with us? How often are we concerned with other things that we miss Jesus, right here with us. Today, in this day, He is with us. May we have eyes to see, and souls to feel. He is with you, even now.

Ordinary Time: Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

1 Samuel 15:24-35

We see even as things get bad for Saul, Samuel, while saying that the kingdom will be taken from him, returns with him to worship. And, even as he leaves Saul behind, he grieves over him. We see, that even as things change, even as punishment happens, even as things don't work out the way we'd like for them too, God's heart is always for His people. God, above all, wants what is best for His people. And He is at work in all life to bring that to pass. Somehow, some way. He will make that happen.

New Testament Lesson

Acts 9:32-43

We see that wherever the Apostles went, healing took place. The same should true today. Wherever the people of God go, healing should take place. Perhaps not healing of the body, but heading of the soul. Through the power of the Spirit within us, God can use us to bring healing and mercy and hope. Today, you can be a source of hope to someone. Today, you can be a source of healing to someone. Today, through His grace, God can use you in that way!

Gospel Lesson

Luke 23:56b-24:11

The story of the resurrection had been told, but they didn't believe. They had to see with their own eyes. The faith of another was not enough, they had to see for themselves. And, perhaps, we need to see for ourselves as well. It's not just enough that we be told of the power and grace of God by those that have experienced it. Perhaps, in this day, we need to experience it again. We may need to rediscover the power and the grace of God.

Ordinary Time: Monday, July 6, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

1 Samuel 15:1-3, 7-23

Saul never fully understood that as King his job was to lead the people into what God wanted. Or maybe, he just didn't want to do it. He was interested in doing it his way or leading into the things he wanted. God had a plan, but Saul didn't want to do it that way; he wanted to do it his.

It's hard sometimes to do the things that God wants us to do. It's hard to do them the way that God wants us to do them. But, in doing it the way that God has for us, we find life. We find all the things we need. We find what we can find no where else. Even when God's plan doesn't make sense. If we will follow, we will find the life we seek.

New Testament Lesson

Acts 9:19b-31

We see here another Saul that at first didn't want to do it God's way; he wanted to do it his. But then he met Jesus on the road and became Paul. And then he followed God's plan. God changed his course, changed his direction, and lead him new ways. And, in those ways, he found life. May we go all the ways our savior leads us.

Gospel Lesson

Luke 23:44-56a

We see, even in that darkest moment, Jesus shined light. A Roman guard realized that this was not right and Jesus was who He said He was. Even there, in that darkness, grace shined through. Grace always shines and the darkness will not be able to hide it. Light wins, in the end.

Today, and each day, may we be children of grace, may we be children of light.

Ordinary Time: Thursday, July 2, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

1 Samuel 13:5-18

One of the hardest things to do in life is to wait upon the Lord. It's hard when His schedule and our schedule are not in sync. We want it to all go as we want it to and when we want it to. But, sometimes, His schedule is different from ours. And we have to wait.

And that's a powerful lesson. It teaches us that we are not the end all and be all of life. We are not God. We don't control these things. We need to wait upon Him. Trust in Him. Listen to Him. Follow Him. And things will work upon His time, not ours. But, in the end, they will be for our benefit and for our good.

New Testament Lesson

Acts 8:26-40

We see Philip wait upon the Lord. We see Him listen to the Lord and do things upon God's schedule. And we see what happens. God uses it. God use Phillips faithfulness and His willingness to be used to lead this one to faith, and then he, in turn would go on to lead an entire people to faith. All because Philip went when God said go. May we do the same.

Gospel Lesson

Luke 23:13-25

Pilate made the mistake that we each make in our lives. Instead of listening to what God was telling, he listened to the crowd. And, in doing that, he missed the very real presence of the Son of God in his midst. Because eh was more focused on listening to what the crowd was wanting instead of listening to the voice of God standing right beside him.

May we listen to God, above all. May we listen for God's voice today, in all the ways that He will speak to us.

Ordinary Time: Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

1 Samuel 12:1-16, 16-25

Samuel reminds the people - your hope comes from God. Not from earthly leaders or institutions, but from God. He is the source and author of life. He is the one that makes all, both seen and unseen. He is the one that gives life. The people now had a king. Samuel reminds that God, in the end, is king.

Today, as we work for good in all that we do, as we try to be the people that God calls us to be, let us be reminded that our hope is not in preachers, politicians, or anything in this world. Our hope is in our God. May we trust in Him.

New Testament Lesson

Acts 8:14-25

In this passage, we focus a lot on Simeon, but notice where Peter and John were in this text. Samaria. They were with the Samaritans. And, in that day, the Jews and Samaritans were not the best of friends. In John, the disciples were shocked that Jesus went through Samaria talked with the woman at the well. Now, here they are, telling about Jesus.

Jesus commands us to go where there is need and bring His good news. Sometimes that's around the world. Sometimes, its across the street. Sometime the place that needs to hear the good news of God's grace and mercy the most is in our hearts. Today, where ever there is hurt, God wants to bring His grace, mercy, and life. Today, may we be about carrying that grace with us wherever we go.

Gospel Lesson

Luke 23:1-12

Jesus was paraded before many people on the night of His crucifixion. Yet, no one took the time to notice or understand that the very Son of God was standing in their midst. May we not be so busy today that we miss the very presence of God in our lives.