Ordinary Time: Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Old Testament Lesson

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

We see in this passage one of the great kings of Judah, Hezekiah. What makes him great? Is it his great army? Mighty strength? Wisdom? Leadership? All of this are important for a king, but what made him a great king is what was said in the first part of this passage. He did right in the eyes of the Lord.

Not many kings in his day could say that. In fact, that was not said about many kings at all. But, it was said about him. He right in God's eyes, and in that; he lead the people right. Great leadership comes from following God. If we are led by Him, we will be able to lead others. Hezekiah followed the Lord, and in doing that, he lead the people right. May we each do the same in our jobs, families and churches.

New Testament Lesson

1 Corinthians 7:32-40

We see Paul continue to tell the people to focus on God. That is what is what is most important to him, and to each of us. But, we think, why does Paul keep saying this? Why can't he move onto something else? Perhaps because we sometimes need to hear things over and over again before they sink in. That is why in the Old Testament, the people are told over and over and over again to tel the stories to their children. For, the more the kids hear, the better they'll remember. And the better they remember, the more they'll live in the knowledge of God's love and truth. Paul wants the the people know that God needs to come first. So, he keeps telling us.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 7:1-12

The Lord tells us that great parable today, before you take the speck out of your neighbors' eye; look for the log in your own. We are all weak and frail, and we all need to realize that we each stand, only by God's grace. And, if we stand in that grace, we will realize that we should be slow to criticize, quick to praise, and prayerful in all.

Let's spend more time looking for the logs in our own eyes, and less time looking for the specks in our neighbors. In doing that; we come to realize that as that old spiritual goes

It's me oh Lord - Standin' in the need of prayer
It's me oh Lord - Standin' in the need of prayer

Not my mother (not my father) it's me oh Lord
Not the preacher (not the sinner) It's me oh Lord
Standin' in the need of prayer

Ordinary Time: Monday, October 1, 2007

Old Testament Lesson

2 Kings 7

One of the things we see over and over in the Bible is the provision of God for His people. We don't always seen things go easily or well, but in the end, God is always at work for good, and always working for the good of His people. Today, the word was proclaimed that it would all work out the next day, and some did not believe it. But, it did.

Quite often we hear words of encouragement in our darkest hours; folks say, it will all work out the end. And we don't believe. We can only see the darkness all around. We can't see the hope. But, as sure as God lives, there is hope. For God is not done with us yet, and there is still much good that He longs to do in our lives. The people of Israel saw God's mighty hand in their lives. May we have the grace of God to see that same in our lives.

New Testament Lesson

1 Corinthians 7:25-31

Paul gives us some words here in regards to family life. The one thing that Paul wants us to do in all of our relationships on the earth is to keep God primary. Paul wants us to worry more about God and being faithful to Him than anything else. That may sound a little harsh to our ears, but it does make sense.

How? For me to be the husband, or father, or pastor, or friend, or son that I need to be, I must place God first in my life. If He is not first, everything else will fall astray. Only when He takes the first place in my life can everything be as it should. That is the great point that Paul is trying to tell us this morning. Keep God first.

Gospel Lesson

Matt 6:25-34

Jesus tells us much the same as the above two passages today. Don't worry about what you will wear or what you will eat. Doesn't the Lord take care of the lilies? Won't He take care of us as well. Keep (and seek) Him first, and all these things will be added. When we chase happiness in other things, we find ourselves empty. But, when we chase life in God, we find more life, more joy, more peace, than we can ever imagine. So, in seeking Him first, we find everything that we could ever need.

Ordinary Time: Thursday, September 27, 2007

Today a group of us from Ripley FUMC are going to the Mississippi Gulf Coast for a short mission trip. Remember us in yoru prayers and remember all of those a couple years out from Katrina that are still in desperate need of help.

Sometimes we preacher can get in the way of letting God speak through His word. Today, instead of a giving you my reflections upon one of my favorite texts, I invite you to prayerfully listen to what God has to say to you through this passage.

Psalm 23 (King James Version)

1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

I could say much about all this passage means to me, and to all of us. Today, listen to Him. Read this passage and listen to his voice and hear what He has to say to you today.

Ordinary Time: Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Old Testament Lesson

2 Kings 6:1-23

A couple things about this passage. First. there is more going on around us than our eyes can see. God is always at work, even when can't see it. He is always doing things, working on things, bringing things into completion that we just can't see or understand. Today, the army doesn't understand that God is at work and while they think they have the advantage, God has something up His sleeve that they don't see.

Second, as mama used to always say, you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. When the king had the chance to slaughter this army, at the urging of Elisha, instead of killing them, they had a feast. And, what do you know, they didn't come and attack them again.

In our lives, can a kind word or an act of forgiveness do more good for than any attack? May we be gracious and kind, and return good for evil, and give grace in all that we do.

New Testament Lesson

1 Corinthians 5:9-6:8

Paul encourages the church here to work things out. In a world that is always looking for trouble, trying to take advantage of someone, Paul says, no. Not us. We, as Christians, are to work things our. We are to love each other, work together, and move past petty issues. We have a bigger goal and a bigger mission in mind than anything else. Paul encourages us to make the peace, work it out, and see the common goal and common good. That's a pretty good idea, I think.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 5:38-48

We see here some of Jesus' greatest words; to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. What does that mean? We see it here. Walking the extra mile, giving your coat, forgiving your enemies. In other words, this perfection that God desires for us, that we are to strive for, that the Christian Gospel is based upon is that: love, forgiveness, grace. We are to live in this way, and in living lives of love, both love of God and love of neighbor, we will be chasing after that life the Lord wants us to live.

Today, let us live. Let us love. Let us seek to forgive and be the people that God needs us to be. And let us do it the only way possible; through His grace.

Ordinary Time: Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Old Testament Lesson

2 Kings 5:19-27

Someone much smarter than I once said that character is what you have when no one else is watching. I think that is one of the truest statements I've ever read. Today, this servant things that he can sneak off and take something that no one else will see. He did not count on Elisha seeing and knowing what he did. Much less God seeing and knowing.

Remember, we are most who we are when no one is watching. May we live lives of grace where our private self matches our public self and where we live with character in all that we do.

New Testament Lesson

1 Corinthians 5:1-8

We see here this famous passage of Paul's where he talks about excommunication; kicking someone out of the church because of their sin. But notice something about this text. Paul is not just upset with the one that has committed the sin, but with the church because they don't care that it is been committed and in fact revel in it. Paul's concern is with the health and wholeness of the church. He wants to make sure that the church is at peace and doing what it should be doing.

I think that his greater point here is that sin effects everyone. Just as in the Old Testament lesson, there is really no unseen sin. Everything that we effects everyone else. The sin in this church effected the church and all in it. Our sin not only effects us, but our families, our church and everyone.

So let us remember the power of sin to corrupt and destroy. But, let us also remember the power of God to rebuild and redeem all that come to His grace.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 5:27-37

And completing our trifecta of sin, Jesus tells us that if we commit sin in our heart, it is just as good as actually doing it. Why? This doesn't make sense to us sometimes. The reason is because it is in the heart that most sin starts. We need to always been on guard against sin, within our heart, knowing that murder starts with hate. Infidelity starts with lust. Theft starts with greed. As we have been told before, it is the pride that goes before the fall.

Let us be aware of our hearts. And let us fill our hearts with joy and peace and grace. For in doing that we will find that true joy and peace and grace that comes only from God's grace. And in that, we will find that our hearts are full.

Ordinary Time: Monday, September 24, 2007

Today, just a quick thought; tomorrow we'll resume our regular format. Today's quote comes from Christian Quote of the Day.

The question is not: How many people take you seriously? How much are you going to accomplish? Can you show some results? but: Are you in love with Jesus?

Henri J. M. Nouwen (1932-1996)

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