Easter: Thursday, May 28, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

Ezekiel 18:1-4, 19-32

The Lord is not a God that enjoys punishment. No parent enjoys punishing their children. It's not the fun part of the job. But, just as parents will teach their children, so will God teach us. But, the Lord says through Ezekiel today, He longs to forgive. He longs to welcome people back. He longs for relationships to be restored. He doesn't want to see anyone far away from Him or from those that love them.

And God will do all that He can do to make sure these relationships are restored. He will do all that He can do to make sure that we are right with Him, and with each other. We have to do our part as well though. God will do all He can do to make it possible. We just have to do our part; make our step; forgive, love and ask forgiveness. God desires these life giving relationships; with Him and with each other. May we know the life that comes from these relationships.

New Testament Lesson

Hebrews 7:18-28

Jesus Christ makes intercessions for each of us. He sits at the right hand of the Father, pulling for us right now; praying for us, cheering for us. He loves and wants to see us keep going. CS Lewis said "The sin is not in the falling down, the sin is not in the getting back up." We are each going to fall down. We are each going to make mistakes. We are each going to do dumb things.

But when we do, may we find the grace of God that allows to get up, dust ourselves off, and keep going!

Gospel Lesson

Luke 10:25-37

When we read the parable of the Good Samaritan, the Samaritans were not liked by the people of Jesus' day. They were consider inferior, they were considered not worthy; they were considered less than. And Jesus holds one up to be a hero today.

Never forget that God can use anyone. Never forget that we are all made in God's image. Never forget that God loves each of us. Even those folks we don't like; that we don't think are as good as us; those folks that we just don't want to be around.

God loves them too. And God will use them. And God wants us to love them. Remember, God can and will use anyone for His good and for His purpose.

Easter: Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

Ezekiel 11:14-25

The people had lost hope. The land of Israel was their proof of God's faithfulness to them. It was their proof of what God was going to do, and what God had done. In the Old Testament, it was more than just "land" it was touchable, tangible evidence of God's promise to them.

And now, in Ezekiel, it's gone. They are in exile and the land is God. So, God must have forsaken them, right? God must have given up on them, right? There must be no reason to hope, right?

No. God says, I will restore. I will bring back. I will be true to my word. I will bring you back to the land and be true to the promises I have made you. So will He today. He will be true to His promises, and He will be true to you. Trust in Him. No matter what's going on in your life, it's not over. God is not done. He will be true to His promises.

New Testament Lesson

Hebrews 7:1-17

Hebrews reminds us today that perfection is not reachable through the law. It's not attainable through our own efforts. We can't make ourselves good enough. We can't obey enough laws.

It's not about any of that. It's about Jesus and what He's done. We can't make ourselves good enough to be loved by God. We don't have to. God simply loves us. We don't have to earn it. Because of Jesus, it's freely given. We don't have to do enough; be perfect; be sinless; be or do ANYTHING. Today, in this moment, you are loved. Today, in this moment, you are of a sacred worth.

Live out of that. Live in the truth of that. You are a child of God today! Live out of that knowledge!

Gospel Lesson

Luke 10:17-24

Jesus tells them today, don't rejoice over the things you've done. Rejoice over the face that you mine and that you're part of my family. If Hebrews reminds us to not get too down over the things we've done wrong, Jesus reminds us not to get too "up" over the things we've done right.

We are not loved by God because we do good things. God is not mad at us when we do by things (He is hurt, though, these things break His heart). None of us are perfect and none of us can earn it. It's simply given. Our response to that love is to love God and love each other.

And rejoice. For, we have been given that gift that is priceless. The knowledge of Gods' love towards us. Today, live like a forgiven child of God!

Kris Allen God of This City

I love this song, and hearing Kris Allen do it is pretty awesome. Video is very cool too.

Easter: Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

Ezekiel 7:10-15, 23b-27

A lot of the Old Testament is about statement put forth at the end of this passage — the shall know that I am the Lord. The Lord offered laws. Miracles. Fire from heaven. So many different things to the people so that they would know that He is the Lord. And time and time again the people turned away.

So, God sent one last sign. His son. And in the Son, we see the fullness of God. The glory of God. The mercy of of God. We see who God is. And He sent the son so that we would know Him. Be drawn back to Him. Be restored in Him. In life in Him. Today, know that He is the Lord.

New Testament Lesson

Hebrews 6:13-20

God has promised to be with us. To love us. To never leave us. And God cannot break His promise. God cannot break His word. God will be true to Himself and true to His word. Today, we can trust in God. In this age of negativity and fear; let us not give end, let us not bend our knee. We have no reason to fear, for God is with us. And we can trust in Him.

Gospel Lesson

Luke 10:1-17

The Lord sent the disciples out. He didn't expect the people to come to them. They were expected to go to the people. So is it for us as the church and as people. We are called to go. Go into all the world, and go all around. Showing grace. Loving. Forgiving. Reminding everyone that they are of a sacred worth to God. So today, let us go.

Day of Ascension: May 21, 2009

Today is a day in life of the church that's called Ascension Sunday. It's the day where we celebrate and remember the ascension of our Lord. Acts tells us in Chapter 1: 9-11

When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

So, we believe that the Lord has ascended to heaven and is sitting at the right of God the Father. What does that mean for us? What relevance does that have for us in the year 2009, where ever it is that we live? What God does this fact do us?

Right now, there's someone up there pulling for you. Praying for you. On your side. Think about it. When you are sick, when you need help, what do you want? You want someone to pray for you. At this point, Jesus Christ is in heaven praying for you. Interceding on your behalf to God the Father.

Live boldly! Live with courage! You have no reason to fear, what ever it is your are facing. Through the Holy Spirit, God is with you now! And, Jesus is at the right hand, pulling for you, interceding for you. Live, knowing that someone is on your side. And that someone is Jesus.

Easter: Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

Leviticus 26:27-42

One of the interesting things we always see in Scripture is anytime God pronounces judgement against His people or against the world; right after, as soon as He pronounces it He says, but if you will repent. If you will turn to me. If you will walk with me, I will forgive. He is a God that longs to forgive His people. He longs to be in relationship with us and will do all that He can to make sure that is possible.

The rest is up to us.

New Testament Lesson

James 5:13-18

James reminds us today that no matter what our station in life, we should pray. Whether things are good or bad, sick or heathy, joyous or tragic. We should pray. We should always turn our hearts to God. In times of joy we will find our God celebrating and in times of sadness, we will find our Lord crying with us. Whatever our condition, we can turn to God in prayer.

Gospel Lesson

Luke 12:22-31

The hardest thing to do sometimes is to really trust. To really turn lose of it all and give it to God. It's not easy. None of us do it perfectly. But, until we trust, until we turn it over to God, we don't know the peace that He longs to give us. He will take care of us. He will provide. He will do these things.

We just have to trust.

Easter: Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

Deuteronomy 8:11-20

One of my professors in college used to always remind us; you're not God's last hope. He has more up His sleeve than just you. God tells the Israelites, keep my commands. Do what you're supposed to do. Worship me. Serve me. Do what is right. Stay humble. And you'll be ok.

But, if the people began to get too proud or think all these blessing were because they deserved them, trouble awaits. If they depart from God and begin serving other things other gods, trouble is coming. And, were did trouble start? When they became too proud; when they turned from God.

Let us never become too proud; let us always remember that is starts with Him. And let us remember to stay humble in His presence and thank Him for all He has done and is doing.

New Testament Lesson

James 1:16-27

James reminds us that fact; every good gift is from above. Every good thing is a gift from God we should be thankful over it. And then he tells us what the true expression of thankfulness; the true expression of religion, what it should be — serving others. Taking care of those in need. Helping those that need to be helped.

Jesus told us - Love God and Love Neighbor. Our love for God is seen in how we love our neighbor. James today reminds us that truest expression of religion and of love for God is how we love and serve those most in need.

Gospel Lesson

Luke 11:1-13

Jesus tells us today to be persistent in prayer. Keep praying. Pray, pray, pray. And He says that if we who are sinful long to give good things to our children, how much more will our perfect Father give to His children all that they need. As we shower our kids with love, so does our perfect Father. Today, and always turn to Him in prayer in your moment of need. And He will be there.