Ordinary Time: Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

2 Kings 18:9-25

One of the things that always got the people in trouble in the Old Testament was that they relied upon things other than God. They would rely upon Egypt. They would rely upon other kingdoms. They would rely upon everything other than God.

In this time of fear, in this time where we seek safety everywhere, may we learn the lesson that the people of the Old Testament never did. Our safety, our protection, our provision, it comes from God, and God alone.

New Testament Lesson

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Paul reminds us that we live for more than just ourselves, we live for others as well. And while I may do something that doesn't cause me to to weaken my faith, it may effect someone else different. My life effects yours, and your life effects mine. We are part of the same body, we are part of the same family. Our lives really do affect each other.

So, let's live in a way to build up, not tear down. Help, not hurt. Strengthen, not weak. Pull together, instead of pull apart. Let's live as the family we are.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 7:13-21

Let us bear good fruit. Let us produce love, joy, peace and kindness. As the children of God, may we grow deep in Him. May we have firm roots in Him. My we dig down deep in our walk with Him. And, just a tree will produce the fruits of it's kind, as the children of God, may we produce the good fruits that God would have us to produce.

Ordinary Time: Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

2 Chronicles 29:1-3, 30:1-27

One of the truths of all the Bible is this: when people turn to God, He meets them there. No matter what. No matter what has happened. No matter what may have been done. No matter what the past may hold. No matter what. When people turn to God, He meets them there.

The king said "let us turn back to God." The people did, and God was there. God is a God that desires to be in relationship with us, to know us, to love us, to care for us. That is what He wants, above all. Today, when we turn to God, He is there waiting on us.

New Testament Lesson

1 Corinthians 7:32-40

All of Paul's talks about families here is defined by his first sentence. I want you free from anxieties. Paul doesn't want us worried about the the stuff of this world, he wants us worried about and focused on the stuff of God. Paul always reminds us that as great as things can be here, as awesome as it can be here, this world is not our home.

And we are called to keep our minds on things above. Not just just the things of this age. Today, may we keep our minds focused on the eternal, and things from God.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 7:1-12

Jesus teaches us to be very, very careful when starting to judge others. Before we judge others, lets look at ourselves. Before we start worrying about others mistakes, lets look at ourselves. Before we start looking at other's sins, let's look at our own.

None of us are sinless. None. None of us are perfect. None. Let's remember our own imperfections when we are tempted to judge others. Let's remember our own mistakes when we are tempted to judge others. Just as we want mercy for our own mistakes, may we show mercy for others and their mistakes.

Ordinary Time: Monday, September 28, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

2 Kings 17:24-41

We see in this passage why the Samaritans had a bad name, even to the time that Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan. They worshiped gods other than the Lord God. They worshiped their idols from their former lands. They also worshiped God, but He did not have exclusive ownership of their worship and their hearts. He only had partial.

God wants it all. He wants all our hearts; He wants all our worship. He wants all that we are. And, it's in giving Him everything that we have and all that we are that we find out who we are called to be.

New Testament Lesson

1 Corinthians 7:25-31

Paul reminds us that this world is not our home. We are here for a time, but this world is not our home. We have a higher home; we have a higher place. We were made for something more than this; we are created for an eternity with God. Never forget where you true home is, never forget what you were made for. You are made for eternity. Not just for this time. Remember your true home.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 6:25-34

Jesus reminds us of that in this passage. Don't worry about all these things. Trust in God. Seek His kingdom. Turn to Him. Rely upon Him. Follow Him. And He will take care of you. God will take care of you. He will give you what you need. He will not forget nor forsake you. Trust in Him. Seek after Him. And, in doing that, we will find that we have all that we could ever need.

An Open Invitation to the People of the United Methodist Church

Bill McAlilly on his great blog Building Bridges posts this Open Letter to fellow United Methodists. It's a great letter and I wanted to share it on my blog:

If you believe that Jesus Christ is the center of our Faith and that all of life flows from life in him…

If you believe that what unites us in Jesus Christ is greater than any difference that may separate us…

If you believe that we as Christ-followers need to recapture the gift of Christian Conversation…

If you believe that the Holy Scripture is best understood in light of the life, teaching death and resurrection of Jesus…

If you believe that we are better together than we are apart…that our strength is in unity not in schism…

If you believe that resurrection is stronger than death, that hope is greater than fear…

If you are tired of the endless arguing about who is in and who is out, who’s acceptable and who’s not…

If you would like to have a conversation about what’s right with the United Methodist Church…

I invite you to a conversation about the matters of our hearts and the desires of our faith…

I invite you to a conversation where we discover those places of vitality and strength…

Ordinary Time: Thursday, September 24, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

2 Kings 9:1-16

One of the things we see through out the books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings, as well as all through out the Bible, is that God is always up to something. God is always at work. God is always doing something. Here, a new king was anointed and done so for a specific purpose. He was raised up by God to make things right. God was always at work.

And He is today as well. He is always working, always doing always in the midst of some new and awesome thing. In your live, in the lives our churches, in all that is happening. God is at work. Have hope, have confidence! God is doing something awesome.

New Testament Lesson

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit. There was an old belief in Paul's day (which is still around today) called gnosticism. This said that the body was bad, and the spirit was good. So, it didn't matter what you did to the body, as long as you soul was good. Paul said, no, the body matters.

First, the actions we take affect our soul. How we live affects our soul. Our lives and bodies affect our souls. They are connected. They are joined. In short, how we live really does matter.

Second, these bodies are a gift! Take care of them. Nurture them. Take care of yourself. This is something I haven't always done, but I'm trying to do better. We each need to. This body is a gift from God. Take care of it!

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus warns us, don't worry about being seen as faithful, just be faithful. Don't worry about others seeing you prayer, or fast, or doing things things. Just do them. Don't make a big deal about your faithfulness. Don't brag about it. Don't puff out your chest. Just be faithful. Just love God. Just spend time with God. And then, it's worthwhile. Because then it's not done for others to see; it's done to spend time with your savior.

Ordinary Time: Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

2 Kings 6:1-23

One of the great truths of the lives of those that God uses in amazing ways is that they trust God in all things. They know that He is looking out for them; that He is at work for good in their lives; that they are never alone. God is with His people. At all times. And in all places. And in all ways. God is at work for the good of those that love Him.

He protected Elisha today. He stood by him and helped him in this time of danger. And because Elisha knew the power of God, he trusted in God. Today, and each day, may we trust in the power of God. May we know that He is with us, and that His arm is still mighty to save.

New Testament Lesson

1 Corinthians 5:9-6:8

Paul felt like that as Christians, we should be able to work things out. We are a family. We share the same God as our Father and if He is our Father, then we are brothers and sisters. And as family, we can work through anything together. As far as disagreements, we can disagree without being disagreeable. We can have our differences without it getting personal. We are family. Let's work like one. Let's live like one.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 5:38-48

Jesus ends this passage with the command to be perfect as God is perfect. How? How do we do that? He tells us right before. Love. Love your enemies. Bless those that curse you. Forgive. Gives someone your coat. Walk a mile with them. Get to know them.

We may never be perfect in action. But, through God's grace, we can work towards perfection that really matters. Perfect in love. That's what we are to strive towards. Love God with all that we are. Love our neighbor with all that we are. Love. May we seek after this greatest gift of all - love.

Ordinary Time: Monday, September 21, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

2 Kings 5:1-19

What Naaman was told to do didn't make sense to him. Surely, he thought, there is another way other than this. This plan isn't what I'd do. This isn't the way I'd do it. There must be a mistake. That's the way it sometimes works with God's plan. God's plan doesn't always make sense the way we'd like for it to. God's plan doesn't always work the way we'd like. God's plan isn't what we would do.

But, Naaman did what the prophet said and he was made clean. He followed the plan set for and God brought a good end. Eventually, he trusted. And, God made a way. May we learn to trust. And, we when we learn to trust, we will find that the same God that made a way from Naaman is the same God that will make a way for us.

New Testament Lesson

1 Corinthians 4:8-21

Paul says one of the most bold things he ever said in scripture today. Be imitators of me. If you want to see what a Christian looks like, if you want to see a Christian life, be do what I do. Live like me. Follow the way that I live. What a bold statement. What an amazing statement. To tell others to live like me to see a Christian life.

Can we say that? Can we say to others, if you want to see what a Christian looks like, watch me? The truth is, whether we say it or not, others are watching. May we live in a such a way that glorifies God with all that we do.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 5:21-26

Jesus wants us to be right in our hearts with others (not hating them in our hearts) and with our lives (leaving our gifts at the alter and making things right). It's not an either/or thing. It's a both/and. God wants our hearts to be right with others and our lives. It does not good to have a "pure" life and evil heart, just as it's not right to have "pure" heart and be mean with our lives! May we see to love God, and love our neighbor, with both our heart and our life!