Ordinary Time: Wednesday, September 17, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

1 Kings 22:29-45

One of the lessons we learn from all the books of Kings is that the vast number of the kings of both Israel and Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord. Just because they had this powerful position, that did not mean that they were righteous.

And the sad part about that is that these persons were put in a great position to do good. They could have done so much good for God when they were king, but the did not. Instead of turning to God, they turned to themselves. They did not use their positions for good.

Today, not many of us a kings. But, all of us are in a position where we can do some good for God. May we each use our positions for good and to glorify God. May we use whatever status or position we have for the goodness of God.

New Testament Lesson

1 Corinthians 2:14-3:15

Paul reminds us today, let us not be divided by factions. Let us not be divided as Christians. While we may have different opinions and have different views of things, we are all one in Christ. If Christ is our Lord, if God is our Father, then we are family. And as family, we may have disagreements. But, that doesn't mean that we aren't family. As Christians, as brothers and sisters in Christ, may we remember that what unites is much great than whatever separates us.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 5:1-10

Jesus teaches today, blessed are those that seek God. Blessed are those that seek peace and mercy. Blessed are those whose desire is not for the things of this world, but the things of God. Blessed are those that truly know what's important. Blessed are those that seek what is right, just and good. Blessed are those that seek God.

May we seek God today, and each day.

Ordinary Time: Monday, September 15, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

1 Kings 21:17-29

The Lord is a God who longs to bring grace and forgiveness. Even Ahab, one who had done terrible, terrible things when he heard of God's coming judgement, he stopped and repented. And the Lord did not bring the judgement against him that he rightly deserved. The Lord is a God that wants to forgive and restore. The Lord is a God that doesn't delight in punishing His children. When we take one step towards God, He comes running after us. Even one as Ahab, who had done so much against God, when he stopped and repented, the Lord gave forgiveness.

Our God is a God of forgiveness and second chances. May we live the life changing power of God's grace today.

New Testament Lesson

1 Corinthians 1:20-31

Paul reminds us today that God is beyond our mind's ability to understand. His ways are higher than ours His thoughts are beyond our thoughts. His plans are good and righteous and always for our God. The thing with God is that while we don't always know what He's doing; we don't always know what He's up to, it will always be for the good of His children. It will always be for the good of those that love Him and are called by Him.

Even when we don't understand. Because we can't understand. But, we can trust. Because while we might not know exactly what He is up to; we do know this. God loves us.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 4:12-17

Jesus began preaching, and preached this simple message - Repent for the kingdom is near. To repent means not just to stop sinning, but to turn away from it. To make a 180 degree turn. And, just as importantly, turn to God. How can we stop sinning? How can we turn? How can we do these things? Only through God and His power. That's why to turn away from sin, we must turn to God. All things are possible through God. When we turn to God, we can do more than would ever thing possible.

Ordinary Time: Thursday, September 10, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

1 Kings 18:1-19

We see the challenge made by Elijah today. On behalf of God, he challenged the prophets of Ba'al. It would be decided who was the God of Israel. Would it be the Lord God, or would it be Ba'al. When we read further, we see that the Lord won the challenge and showed His power and might.

Never forget we serve a big a mighty God. Never forget that we serve a God that can do amazing things. Never make God too little. Never make God too small. He is still alive! And will do amazing things! Don't doubt, have faith! Our God is an awesome God!

New Testament Lesson

Philippians 2:12-30

Paul reminds the people to be faithful - work out your salvation with much fear and trembling. As awesome as God is, He wants us to do our part as well. He wants us to be faithful. He wants us to respond. He wants us to be accountable. He wants us to follow. We are saved by grace through faith, yes. But, we are called to believe and respond. And we are called to let that grace work within us, that we may be faithful.

God will do His part. May we be faithful and do what God has called us to do.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 2:13-23

In the story of Jesus' birth we see great acts of courage - Joseph and Mary fleeing, the wise men deceiving, acts such as these. We also see great acts of evil and hatred, such a Herod killing all the boys under two years old. In life, we have choices to make at time. Will we be strong and brave like Joseph, Mary, and the Wise Men? Or will we give into fear and hate like Herod?

In our lives, in times of choice, may we choose the path of grace. We serve a God of grace. May we be a people of grace.

Ordinary Time: Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

1 Kings 17:1-24

We see this great story of the widow who was faithful. She didn't have enough. She didn't know how it would work out. But, she knew that God has placed this one with her. And she gave. And the Lord blessed. She served beyond her ability. She gave from her heart. And the Lord took care of her. Even when she didn't know how or why, she did what the Lord required. She was obedient. The trust moment of obedience is that moment when you don't understand what God is doing or why He's doing it, but you obey. The widow did. May we do the same.

New Testament Lesson

Philippians 2:1-11

May we be humble as Christ was humble. May we serve as Christ served. May we love as Christ loved. Let us remember that if the very Son of God was a servant, that we should be too. May we take on that mind of Christ today. May we see the needs of others, the hurts of others, and pain of others. And then, as Christ did and still does, seek to help. May we take on the mind of Christ today be the hands and feet of Jesus today.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 2:1-12

The king and his prophets, they should have been looking for Jesus. They had every means of knowledge. They knew where He was to be born, they knew all these things. But, they did not look. Others did. Others found. Others sought. They did not. May we seek Jesus today. May we look for here. And we are told, when we seek, we shall find.

Ordinary Time: Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Today, just a quick quote. I'll return to my normal format tomororow:

Remember that to the new heart there is a joy even sweeter than that of being forgiven, even the joy of forgiving others.

--Andrew Murray

Ordinary Time: Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

1 Kings 9:24-10:13

We see the height of Solomon's fame in this passage. He is the greatest political king in Israel's history. Never is the kingdom more famous, more powerful, more wealthy, or bigger than it would be under Solomon's rule. All is going well. Why? Because as the text said, Solomon was worshiping the Lord, doing as the Lord would have, following His command, judging and ruling wisely. The Lord had kept His promise to Solomon. The Lord had done what He had promised He would do.

The Lord is a God that keeps His word. He does not depart from what He promises. He does not break His word. Of all that keeps us safe and secure, the greatest is this: His promise to never leave nor forsake His. He is always with us. Today, and each day. Today, rest easy for the Lord is with you.

New Testament Lesson

James 3:1-12

This is one of the most powerful passages of scripture in my opinion. Out of the same mouths flow both blessing and curses, this should not be so! Who can tame the tongue? Each day of our lives, we have a choice with our words. We can build others up, or we can tear down. Each day. By the words we say. By how we speak to one another. By how we speak to strangers.

Our words have a chance to impact people. Do we speak with grace? Are our words graceful? Do we tame our tongue? Do we use this instatement for God's glory? Do we use it build up instead of tear down? Through His grace, may we do so.

Gospel Lesson

Mark 15:1-11

Jesus made no reply because He knew the real power in all of life was not Pilate or the religious leaders, but it was God. God is the one that is king. God is the one at work. Jesus had no reason to quake before any person, because God was king. This amazed Pilate.

And the same is true today. We have no reason to fear. From humans or from anything. God is King. God is with us. God will not leave us. Do not fear. God will never leave your side, no matter what. Do not fear. God is you rock, your shield, you defender. Do not fear. God is with you. Today, and always.

Ordinary Time: Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Today, just a quick thought:

Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day.

--Author unknown