May 30, 2015: Psalm 141

Psalm 141

A Psalm of David.

¹ I call upon you, O Lord; come quickly to me;
    give ear to my voice when I call to you.
² Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
    and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.

³ Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord;
    keep watch over the door of my lips.
⁴ Do not turn my heart to any evil,
    to busy myself with wicked deeds
in company with those who work iniquity;
    do not let me eat of their delicacies.

⁵ Let the righteous strike me;
    let the faithful correct me.
Never let the oil of the wicked anoint my head,^[a]
    for my prayer is continually^[b] against their wicked deeds.
⁶ When they are given over to those who shall condemn them,
    then they shall learn that my words were pleasant.
⁷ Like a rock that one breaks apart and shatters on the land,
    so shall their bones be strewn at the mouth of Sheol.^[c]

⁸ But my eyes are turned toward you, O God, my Lord;
    in you I seek refuge; do not leave me defenseless.
⁹ Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me,
    and from the snares of evildoers.
¹⁰ Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
    while I alone escape

Reflection: There are several things about this Psalm that really strike me, but one hits me where I am today. David says, “let the faithful correct me.” I am often not the best at accepting correction. I tend to be a bit tempermental and view it as an attack or take it personally. That is my problem and something I need to work on in my own life. A fellow Christian and person that loves me should offer me correction, advice, or words of wisdom when they see that I am about to stray. It is personal, it is because they care about me and want what is best for me. I need to be faithful and to respond to that with the proper spirit.

I also need to be willing and able to offer correction when it is needed. This is equally challenging, because I do not like people to be mad at me, but it is my responsibility. I need to offer it with love, kindness and their best interests at heart. I know that being a Christian requires me to do things I am not comfortable with, and giving and receiving correction with love and kindness is on that list.

Morning Reflection: How do you feel when people offer correction?

Midday: Have you need to give or receive any type of correction or avice today? How did you respond?

Evening: Looking back, are their times in your life when someone tried to offer you good advice and you did not want to hear it? How can you be more open to correction in the future?

May 29, 2015: Acts 12:1-11

Acts 12:1-11

12 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. ² He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. ³ When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. ⁴ After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.⁵ So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
⁶ The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. ⁷ Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.⁸ Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. ⁹ Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. ¹⁰ They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.¹¹ Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.”

Reflection: 

You probably have heard this story before.  Have you put yourself in Peter's place?  Have you ever thought about what he was feeling as he awaited his trial?  The sadness, the anxiety, the desperation he must have felt.  Think for a moment about a time that really left you feeling so weighted.  You are left feeling hopeless. But imagine that moment when the angel appears!  The chains literally are taken off. The weight has been lifted.  This is our relationship with God. When those moments in our life are where we feel hopeless; the truth is God is there to release our chains.  Remember to turn to God to know the joy and hope in life.

Reflection Questions:

Morning: When you have felt a heavy burden?

Afternoon: Who has been there for you in that tough time?

Evening: How have you been so relieved and felt joyous from God?

May 28, 2015: Job 38: 1-11

Job 38:1-11

38:1Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:

2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up your loins like a man,
    I will question you, and you shall declare to me.

4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
    Tell me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
    Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 On what were its bases sunk,
    or who laid its cornerstone
7 when the morning stars sang together
    and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?

8 “Or who shut in the sea with doors
    when it burst out from the womb?—
9 when I made the clouds its garment,
    and thick darkness its swaddling band,
10 and prescribed bounds for it,
    and set bars and doors,
11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
    and here shall your proud waves be stopped’?

Reflection
This set of verses is nestled into the story of Job. Job is questioning God about the many injustices that he is experiencing. This passage is God’s reply. It’s more of a response than an answer. Job is not alone in his questioning. There are many injustices done in the world today. You can find examples as easy as turning on the news or scrolling through your social media feed. It leaves us asking more questions. It also raises the question: are we as humans okay with open ended questions and empty spaces without answers? Do we trust?

God refers to the “sea” in verses 8-11. In the time that these verses were written the “sea” was an ancient mythical creature that represented chaos. God is declaring that the sea (chaos) has been put under the control of God. Even the most feared creature in the world is no match for the strength of God. Can we trust God with this statement?

Questions

Morning: What are some areas of the “Sea” or chaos in your life? Name them before God in prayer and give them up today.

Afternoon: Why do you think that we struggle with open ended responses instead of black and white answers from God?

Night: In what area of your life is God calling for a deeper level of trust? Confess that you need help to trust and pray for contentment.

May 27, 2015: Psalm 112

Psalm 112

¹Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord, who greatly delight in his commandments.

²Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

³Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.

⁴They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.

⁵It is well with those who deal generously and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice.

⁶For the righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered forever.

⁷They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.

⁸Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.

⁹They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor; their righteousness endures forever; their horn is exalted in honor.

¹⁰The wicked see it and are angry; they gnash their teeth and melt away; the desire of the wicked comes to nothing

                   

Reflection:

Do you delight in the Lord's commandments? I know the commandments, I strive to keep the commandments, but I do not know that I always delight in them. Sometimes keeping the Sabbath, honoring my parents, and not coveting seems like work instead of a joy. There should be times in our faith walk when we delight in our prayer, devotion, and keeping of the commandments. There may be other times when this seems like a chore. However, we should keep the commandments, study the Bible, and spend time in prayer both when it is delightful and when it is difficult. This is what it means to be righteous, and the Psalm says that when we hold fast to God we will be blessed with a steady heart, a righteous spirit, and honor.

Reflection Questions:

Morning: What spiritual practices do I keep and how do I strive to keep God's commandments?

Noon: How can I keep these practices even when it is difficult?

Night: How did I stay close to God today? Did I delight, or was it more work? How can I do better tomorrow?

Prayer:

Holy God, lead me ever closer to you. May I rest in your peace at the end of each day. Draw me closer to you and your ways, and help me to strive to know you more. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

May 26, 2015: Acts 13:22-26

Acts 13:22-26

²² When he had removed him, he made David their king. In his testimony about him he said, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after my heart, who will carry out all my wishes.’ ²³ Of this man’s posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised; ²⁴ before his coming John had already proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. ²⁵ And as John was finishing his work, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but one is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of the sandals^[a] on his feet.’

²⁶ “My brothers, you descendants of Abraham’s family, and others who fear God, to us^[b]the message of this salvation has been sent.

Reflection: 
When I was in high school, my youth group put on a production of Godspell. My favorite part of the play was the beginning when John begins singing, “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord.” In a quiet sanctuary (or a theater, I’m sure), the song resonates with fullness and excitement that make its listeners want to get up and move. In preparing for Christ, John reminds the audience that one is coming who is greater than himself- one whom he is unworthy to even tie his sandals. When John meets Jesus, John stands in awe of the man before him because he knows he has met his savior. In all of his waiting and preparing, John recognizes immediately the presence of Christ and the gift that is being offered to the world.

Reflection Questions:
Morning: How do you wait or prepare to encounter Christ?
Noon: How does waiting or preparing enable you to recognize Christ in your everyday?
Evening: Listen to “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord” and imagine how it must have felt for John to meet Jesus.

May 25, 2015: John 3:1 - 17

John 3:1-17

Jesus and Nicodemus

3 There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a Jewish leader. ² He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could do these miraculous signs that you do unless God is with him.”

³ Jesus answered, “I assure you, unless someone is born anew, it’s not possible to see God’s kingdom.”

⁴ Nicodemus asked, “How is it possible for an adult to be born? It’s impossible to enter the mother’s womb for a second time and be born, isn’t it?”

⁵ Jesus answered, “I assure you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. ⁶ Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Don’t be surprised that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’ ⁸ God’s Spirit blows wherever it wishes. You hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. It’s the same with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

⁹ Nicodemus said, “How are these things possible?”

¹⁰ Jesus answered, “You are a teacher of Israel and you don’t know these things? ¹¹ I assure you that we speak about what we know and testify about what we have seen, but you don’t receive our testimony. ¹² If I have told you about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? ¹³ No one has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Human One. ¹⁴ Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so must the Human One be lifted up ¹⁵ so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. ¹⁶ God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life. ¹⁷ God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.^[1]

Reflection:

Many of us have something in our life that we know really well and like to spend time doing.   I always find it amazing when I learn something new about something I thought I already knew a lot about. I can only imagine how Nicodemus felt when Jesus gave him a new understanding of God. Perhaps Nicodemus was already nervous, if not scared, about speaking to Jesus since he came to him secretly at night. Then Jesus points out that God moves according to God’s plans not ours. I am not sure if Nicodemus grasped what Jesus was telling him, but I think Jesus was challenging him to face his fears and to follow God’s movement despite the other religious leaders.

Reflection Questions:
Morning: How have you seen God move in your community?
Noon: What are some ways you can support the movement of God?
Evening: How will you join God’s movement in your community?

Prayer:

Lord, help us to face our fears and follow you.

---

^[1] Common English Bible (Nashville, TN: Common English Bible, 2011), Jn 3:1–17.

May 24, 2015: Mark 5: 21-43

Mark 5:21-43  (NIV)

²¹ When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. ²² Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. ²³ He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” ²⁴ So Jesus went with him.A large crowd followed and pressed around him. ²⁵ And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. ²⁶ She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. ²⁷ When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, ²⁸ because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” ²⁹ Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.³⁰ At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”

³¹ “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” ³² But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. ³³ Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. ³⁴ He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” ³⁵ While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”

³⁶ Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” ³⁷ He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. ³⁸ When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. ³⁹ He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” ⁴⁰ But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. ⁴¹ He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). ⁴² Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 

Reflection: Need and Interrupted

Our Bible text today is two stories wrapped into one.  Both extraordinary and both unique.  We begin with a most unexpected encounter.  Jarius, a “synagogue leader”- part of one of the groups most against Jesus in the gospels, comes out of sheer desperation because his daughter is dying.  Despite the opinions of his group of church folk, he approached Jesus with a faith, which invited the divine Jesus to come in and work.  It was in this candid moment of need, shown by Jarius, that Jesus went to meet her.  On the way, a most peculiar distraction happened.  We get frustrated with distractions- especially when we are on our way to what we have declared to be a very important thing.  Jesus offers us a lesson here as well.  When we are interrupted, no matter the occasion, there opens up the potential for God to use you if you can just live in the moment- no matter how inconvenient.  Likewise, even with great distraction, Jesus finishes what he began.  He presses on to meet and then heal Jarius’ daughter.  I think our lesson today encourages us to finish what we have been called to do.  And in the journey to the finish, be vigilant along the way of others who need help even if they are off of our initial agenda.

Morning Reflections:

What journey is God calling you to and/or what journey have you been called to and since then forgotten your call?

Look for Holy interruptions in your day and take the chance to be about God’s work?

Noon Reflections:

How can interruptions become blessings?

Evening Question:

Pray for a vivid and cleared vision from God for your life?

What are next steps to accomplish this call?

May 23, 2015: 1 John 5:9-13

1 John 5:9-13

⁹If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. ¹⁰Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. ¹¹And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. ¹²Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Reflection:

I was at a worship service one time where a young college aged girl got up to give a testimony.   As she went through her story it kept going and going.  45 minutes later…she had finally finished.  Its not that what she said was awful or anything. It was just too long and after awhile the testimony was lost.  We get caught up in our own details of life and lose out on glorifying God.  I think this is what this scripture is calling us to remember.  God’s testimony is the best.  God gave us new life by sacrificing Jesus.  How would our life change if we lived this out daily?

Reflection Questions:

Morning: When have you gotten caught up in details and forgotten the testimony of God?

Noon: What is your testimony about what God is doing in your life?

Evening: How have you lived out this love daily?

May 22, 2015: Psalm 19

Psalm 19

Heaven is declaring God’s glory; the sky is proclaiming his handiwork.
² One day gushes the news to the next,
and one night informs another what needs to be known.³ Of course, there’s no speech, no words—their voices can’t be heard—
⁴ but their sound^[a] extends throughout the world; their words reach the ends of the earth. God has made a tent in heaven for the sun.
⁵ The sun is like a groom coming out of his honeymoon suite; like a warrior, it thrills at running its course.
⁶ It rises in one end of the sky;  its circuit is complete at the other. Nothing escapes its heat.

⁷ The Lord’s Instruction is perfect,
    reviving one’s very being.^[b]
The Lord’s laws are faithful, making naive people wise. ⁸ The Lord’s regulations are right, gladdening the heart. The Lord’s commands are pure,
  giving light to the eyes.⁹ Honoring the Lord is correct, lasting forever.
The Lord’s judgments are true.
    All of these are righteous!
¹⁰ They are more desirable than gold—
   than tons of pure gold! They are sweeter than honey— even dripping off the honeycomb ¹¹ No doubt about it:
    your servant is enlightened by them;
    there is great reward in keeping them.
¹² But can anyone know what they’ve accidentally done wrong? Clear me of any unknown sin ¹³ and save your servant from willful sins. Don’t let them rule me.
Then I’ll be completely blameless;
    I’ll be innocent of great wrongdoing.

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth
    and the meditations of my heart
    be pleasing to you,
    Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Reflection:

David was known as a man after God’s own heart. Yet David struggled with sin. He let his own desires keep him from seeing the ways in which he was failing God and hurting others. It is this man, who conspired in the death of Uriah and committed adultery with Bathsheba, that cries out to God saying, “The Lord’s judgments are true.” Perhaps no one knows better than David the consequences of sin and still David prays for God not to let his sin rule him. He prays for God to clear him of any unknown sins and save him from willful sins. David recognizes that not only does he sin, but also that he sins consciously and at times even without even seeing he’s doing it. Yet, David’s plea is that God search his heart and not allow that sin to take control. Let us hear David’s plea and make it our own today and everyday.

Reflection Questions:

Morning: How have you struggled with sin?

Noon: Can you identify willful sins or sins that are so implicit they seem unknown? This could be cutting people off in traffic or ignoring injustice. Whatever it is, ask God’s forgiveness and help to address it.

Evening: Pray the words of David in verse 14: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to You, Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

May 21, 2015: Romans 8:12-17

Romans 8:12-17

12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Reflection:

Does your family have money, possessions, or land that will be passed from generation to generation?  Have you ever thought about who would inherit your “stuff” when you die?  Preparing a Last Will and Testament is a challenging activity.  It requires us to think about things we don’t want to think about.  Who will get what?  Will it be fair?  The process of putting together a Will also reminds us that our “stuff” is only temporary.  We can collect a whole household full of furniture and collectibles, but all of it will be given away or sold when we die.  Coffins can only carry so much.

The verses in Romans, Chapter 8, remind us that we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Jesus Christ.  Inheritance is a theme that stretches all the way from Genesis to Revelation.  The word “inheritance” or forms of the word can be found in the Bible over 300 times and that tells us this is an important message from God.  As children of God, then heirs, we are promised to inherit a kingdom.  According to the passages in 1 Peter 1:3-6, the kingdom we inherit can never perish, spoil, or fade and it’s being kept in heaven for us.  So doesn’t it make sense to invest more in God than in earthly pursuits?  What if the greatest treasure our family possessed was our faith in God?  Think of how much easier that would be to pass along.  It can be divided over and over and it never ends. 

Reflection Questions:

Morning: As you look forward to this day, think about ways that you make money and things that you buy with that money.  In what ways do you need God’s guidance in setting financial priorities?

Noon:  Do you have a Will?  Was it difficult for you to prepare?  If you don’t have a Will, why not?    

Evening :    Before you sleep tonight, rest in the comfort that you are a Child of God and God is in control.  What are some things that you might “give up to God” tonight?

Prayer:  God of eternity, thank you for claiming me as your child.  Lord, help me to focus more on my relationship with You and less on earthly possessions.  Forgive me when I have let money and stuff get in the way of my true inheritance with You.  Spirit of God, help our family to focus on you together and to rejoice in sharing You from generation to generation.  Amen.

May 20, 2015: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Ezekiel 37:1-14

37 The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. ² He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. ³ He said to me, “Mortal, can these bones live?” I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” ⁴ Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. ⁵ Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath^[a] to enter you, and you shall live. ⁶ I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath^[b] in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

⁷ So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. ⁸ I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. ⁹ Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath:^[c] Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath,^[d] and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” ¹⁰ I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.

¹¹ Then he said to me, “Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.’ ¹² Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. ¹³ And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. ¹⁴ I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.”

Reflection:

This is one of those passages that can be hard to figure out the first few hundred times you read it. It is outside the realm of normal experiences for all of us. Dry bones come alive and Ezekiel is prophesied and we can just shake our head and say that was different. The Bible is full of stories of God calling people to do things that defy logic. From telling Noah to build an ark, all the way through telling John to write his dreams in Revelation, we are constantly challenged to think outside of what is normal or possible for us and see what is possible for God. I am not amazed that God could make dry bones come alive, God is God, however, Ezekiel showed the kind of faith I hope to have. The kind of faith that will risk looking silly, ridiculous and foolish because I believe God can do anything and I will follow God wherever I feel God leading, even into the realm of the weird or bizarre.

Reflection Questions

Morning: Have you ever felt God leading you to do something you did not want to do or you where worried would make you look silly?

Afternoon: Is God calling you to do anything today?

Evening: Will you do what God asks, even at the risk of looking ridiculous?

May 19, 2015: Deuteronomy 5:12-15

Deuteronomy 5:12-15

¹² Observe the sabbath day and keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you. ¹³ Six days you shall labor and do all your work. ¹⁴ But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, or your son or your daughter, or your male or female slave, or your ox or your donkey, or any of your livestock, or the resident alien in your towns, so that your male and female slave may rest as well as you. ¹⁵ Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the sabbath day.

Reflection

The 10 Commandments - This list contains all of the major boundaries that God lays out to define those who follow him. God says things like - do not murder, do not lie, do not worship idols, do not covet, etc... In the middle of the list God says this statement: observe the sabbath day. In God's eyes keeping the sabbath is just as important as not murdering someone. If that's the case then why don't we take time for sabbath? Our society is obsessed being busy 24/7 and that attitude is alive and well within the church. If God thinks it's that important then why don't we?

Reflection Questions
Morning: How will you keep sabbath today? Think of a simple way to take time to rest. Write it down and commit to it.
Afternoon: How will you keep sabbath this week? Think of a way to do something meaningful for yourself this week. Write it down and commit to it.
Evening: How will you keep sabbath this month? What is one thing you can do with your family? Write it down and commit to it.

May 18, 2015: 2 Corinthians 4:5-12

2 Corinthians 4:5-12

⁵For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake.⁶For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. ⁷But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. ⁸We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; ⁹persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. ¹¹For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. ¹²So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Reflection:

                  Does it strike you as strange that so many followers of Jesus Christ wear crosses around our necks on necklaces, on rings and bracelets, even as tattoos? We are wearing the instrument of Jesus' death. Someone once pointed out to me that wearing my cross necklace was like wearing a pewter replica of an electric chair around my neck. Yet, this is the most common symbol of our faith, donned not just in jewelry, but on church signs and tombstones and as home décor. Although it may seem that this means we have a preoccupation with death, Paul might see this as a good thing. He tells the Corinthians that we are "always carrying in the body the death of Jesus." This sounds like an odd, even depressing way to live, but Paul continues: we carry the death of Jesus with us " so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies." Through Christ's death and resurrection we have new life. This should be visible in our bodies, our words, our deeds, and our interactions. We should live as people who belief in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and are changed because of that belief and assurance. Thus, it does not matter so much what we wear around our necks, but that the story, the life and death of Jesus, is carried with us into God's world.

Reflection Questions:

1. How do I show the life of Jesus through my words?

2. How do I carry the life of Jesus with me in my actions?

3. How do I show the life and light of Jesus in my interactions?

Prayer: Holy God, in Jesus Christ you walked the earth, left an example for us to follow, died, and rose again, giving us eternal hope and assurance. Help us to carry this faith, hope, and love in our bodies and help us to carry your story into the world. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.