Sunday, July 25, 2010
readings for July25 - July 31
1 Corinthians 11: 17-15:58; 2 Kings 5-11; the books of Obadiah and Jonah; Micah 1-2
Amos and 1 Corinthians
Amos 3-9
Amos tells what will happen to Israel. Several time God tells of tests of the people, but they "did not return to me." It is easy to hear the saddness in God's voice at the wandering of the people. Amos tells the people that God promises, "Seek me and live." How can they seek God, "Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the LORD, the God of hosts will be with you...... Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate." 5.14-15a
Amos declares that God will allow hard things to happen to the people. Including a time of silence, "The time is surely coming, says the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land; not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD." I wonder what this meant to people who did not listen to God voice. Not hearing God's voice is a dry time spiritually for those who need to hear the LORD.
But Amos ends with some hope, God will allow a remanant of people to survive and God will raise them up from the ruins.
1 Corinthians 6:1-11:16
Paul's letter to the Corinthians is a teaching letter of how to live as new Christians in a pagan world. He affirms that in Christ we are free, but that freedom should not be abused. "All things are lawful, but not all things are beneficial." 6.12 "All things are lawful, but not all things build up. Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other." 10.23b-24
He reminds us that to be a Christian is to reflect Christ. "do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body." 6.19-20
Paul discusses relationships both within the community of faith and with others.
He also teaches about the Lord's Supper. He corrects bad behavior that was surrounding the meal and affirms the real intention of the meal. "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread." 10.16-17 Paul reminds us that The Lord's Supper is remembering Christ's sacrifice, experiencing Christ's presence, and becoming Christ's body in the world.
Amos tells what will happen to Israel. Several time God tells of tests of the people, but they "did not return to me." It is easy to hear the saddness in God's voice at the wandering of the people. Amos tells the people that God promises, "Seek me and live." How can they seek God, "Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the LORD, the God of hosts will be with you...... Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate." 5.14-15a
Amos declares that God will allow hard things to happen to the people. Including a time of silence, "The time is surely coming, says the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land; not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD." I wonder what this meant to people who did not listen to God voice. Not hearing God's voice is a dry time spiritually for those who need to hear the LORD.
But Amos ends with some hope, God will allow a remanant of people to survive and God will raise them up from the ruins.
1 Corinthians 6:1-11:16
Paul's letter to the Corinthians is a teaching letter of how to live as new Christians in a pagan world. He affirms that in Christ we are free, but that freedom should not be abused. "All things are lawful, but not all things are beneficial." 6.12 "All things are lawful, but not all things build up. Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other." 10.23b-24
He reminds us that to be a Christian is to reflect Christ. "do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body." 6.19-20
Paul discusses relationships both within the community of faith and with others.
He also teaches about the Lord's Supper. He corrects bad behavior that was surrounding the meal and affirms the real intention of the meal. "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread." 10.16-17 Paul reminds us that The Lord's Supper is remembering Christ's sacrifice, experiencing Christ's presence, and becoming Christ's body in the world.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
week July 18-24
Reading for this week: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11:16; 1 King 19-22 and 2 Kings 1-4; Amos 3-9
These are some of the highlights for me.
In 1 Kings 19, I am reminded that God is not always in the big and grand, but in the stillness. Elijah does not hear God in the great wind or the earthquake or the fire, but in the sheer silence. How often do we miss the voice of God because we are looking for the "burning bush" and not listening every moment.
In 2 Kings 1 the passing of the mantle from Elijah to Elisha has great meaning. In the UMC service of retirement, a retiree passing the mantle to a new clergy. I was the new clergy who received the symbolic mantle during that service. I pronounced the words "let us inherit a double share of your spirit." Even now I remember how meaningful that moment was for me and profound it is every year. I continue to pray that God give each clergy a double share of the prophet Elijah and other pastors with prophetic voices who spoke and acted with courage and who listened to God in the silence.
Our readings in 2 Kings concludes with an interesting story. Elisha feeds one hundred men with 20 loaves of barley and ears of grain. Elisha tells the servant to feed the men, but the servant doubts. Elisha tells the servant that the LORD said "They shall eat and have some left." The men are fed and there is food left. This story is similar to the stories of Jesus feeding the 5000 and the 4000. For me the Bible is consistent in teaching that when we give to others there is enough. What God blesses is sufficient and we should not doubt God's abundance.
These are some of the highlights for me.
In 1 Kings 19, I am reminded that God is not always in the big and grand, but in the stillness. Elijah does not hear God in the great wind or the earthquake or the fire, but in the sheer silence. How often do we miss the voice of God because we are looking for the "burning bush" and not listening every moment.
In 2 Kings 1 the passing of the mantle from Elijah to Elisha has great meaning. In the UMC service of retirement, a retiree passing the mantle to a new clergy. I was the new clergy who received the symbolic mantle during that service. I pronounced the words "let us inherit a double share of your spirit." Even now I remember how meaningful that moment was for me and profound it is every year. I continue to pray that God give each clergy a double share of the prophet Elijah and other pastors with prophetic voices who spoke and acted with courage and who listened to God in the silence.
Our readings in 2 Kings concludes with an interesting story. Elisha feeds one hundred men with 20 loaves of barley and ears of grain. Elisha tells the servant to feed the men, but the servant doubts. Elisha tells the servant that the LORD said "They shall eat and have some left." The men are fed and there is food left. This story is similar to the stories of Jesus feeding the 5000 and the 4000. For me the Bible is consistent in teaching that when we give to others there is enough. What God blesses is sufficient and we should not doubt God's abundance.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Mark 8:22-12:27; Hosea 1:1-7:2
Mark's Gospel is fast paced and the stories often condensed. There are many healing and teaching moments in our readings. These are just a few that resonated with me this week.
Three times Jesus prepares his disciples for his death. This may be a good lesson for us. One not to fear death. Two not to be afraid to talk about the possibility of death with our loved ones. Three make plans so our loved ones are aware of how you feel and what you expect. Death will happen, but taking away the fear is a journey we can do together.
One of those verses I appreciate comes at 9.24, The father of a sick child says, "I believe, help my unbelief." Often I find that to be true in my life. I believe God can do all things, I believe God can use us and change us, but when things are not moving or changing at my desired speed, I pray, "I believe, help me unbelief."
The key verses for me in the story of the rich man who is not willing to sell everything and give the money to the poor in order to follow Jesus are 10.17 and 10.27 The man first asked what must I do to gain eternal life? At the end of the story Jesus reminds the disciples "For mortals it is impossible, but not for God, for God all things are possible." We don't earn eternal life, it is a gift from the One who can give it.
Jesus is quick to remind us that forgiveness comes from us and to us. In 11.25 Jesus implies for us to receive from God, we must practice by forgiving others first.
Hosea
The story of Hosea is interesting. The prophet's marriage to a prostitute is used to reflect God's relationship with Israel. Israel abandons God and chases after other gods. Israel is not faithful, but God's love is steadfast.
Three times Jesus prepares his disciples for his death. This may be a good lesson for us. One not to fear death. Two not to be afraid to talk about the possibility of death with our loved ones. Three make plans so our loved ones are aware of how you feel and what you expect. Death will happen, but taking away the fear is a journey we can do together.
One of those verses I appreciate comes at 9.24, The father of a sick child says, "I believe, help my unbelief." Often I find that to be true in my life. I believe God can do all things, I believe God can use us and change us, but when things are not moving or changing at my desired speed, I pray, "I believe, help me unbelief."
The key verses for me in the story of the rich man who is not willing to sell everything and give the money to the poor in order to follow Jesus are 10.17 and 10.27 The man first asked what must I do to gain eternal life? At the end of the story Jesus reminds the disciples "For mortals it is impossible, but not for God, for God all things are possible." We don't earn eternal life, it is a gift from the One who can give it.
Jesus is quick to remind us that forgiveness comes from us and to us. In 11.25 Jesus implies for us to receive from God, we must practice by forgiving others first.
Hosea
The story of Hosea is interesting. The prophet's marriage to a prostitute is used to reflect God's relationship with Israel. Israel abandons God and chases after other gods. Israel is not faithful, but God's love is steadfast.
Friday, July 2, 2010
June 27-July3
2 Samuel 20-24 Wise woman saves the town and the day. Not at all sure I approve of the way, but the outcome is good. David begins his song when he is delivered from his enemies, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies." David does not take responsibility or the glory for what he believes is God's work. We might learn to praise God for the good that happens and not boast that we accomplished it.
David once again sins but when he realizes that what he has done is wrong, "David was stricken to the heart." David prays,"I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O LORD, I pray you, take away the guilt of your servant; for I have done very foolishly." Another lesson from David is we need to recognize our sin and repent. David was not perfect, but appears sincere in his repentance.
I Kings 1-3 David is aging. Solomon received David's blessing to become king and promises safety to his brother Adonijah who had tried to take the throne. As David prepares to die, he give Solomon orders. The first is to "be strong, be courageous, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his commandments." The other requests are for murder and for safety of others, but God first. In this David is reminding his son that the nation and his reign are truly from God. After David's death, Solomon begins his rule by eliminating all rivals.
Then Solomon makes the first of his political marriages. Scripture struggles with Solomon's faithfulness. "Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David; only, he sacrificed, and offered incense at the high places." When God appears to Solomon in a dream, God ask what should God give him. Solomon asks for wisdom "an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil;" God is pleased that Solomon requested wisdom and not long life and riches. God promises to give Solomon wisdom, riches and honor. If Solomon walks in God's ways, keeping God's statutes then God will give him long life.
May be we can learn from Solomon's prayer. Rather than asking for things to make us rich, we should ask for things that we help us do God's will and care for God's people.
David once again sins but when he realizes that what he has done is wrong, "David was stricken to the heart." David prays,"I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O LORD, I pray you, take away the guilt of your servant; for I have done very foolishly." Another lesson from David is we need to recognize our sin and repent. David was not perfect, but appears sincere in his repentance.
I Kings 1-3 David is aging. Solomon received David's blessing to become king and promises safety to his brother Adonijah who had tried to take the throne. As David prepares to die, he give Solomon orders. The first is to "be strong, be courageous, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his commandments." The other requests are for murder and for safety of others, but God first. In this David is reminding his son that the nation and his reign are truly from God. After David's death, Solomon begins his rule by eliminating all rivals.
Then Solomon makes the first of his political marriages. Scripture struggles with Solomon's faithfulness. "Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David; only, he sacrificed, and offered incense at the high places." When God appears to Solomon in a dream, God ask what should God give him. Solomon asks for wisdom "an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil;" God is pleased that Solomon requested wisdom and not long life and riches. God promises to give Solomon wisdom, riches and honor. If Solomon walks in God's ways, keeping God's statutes then God will give him long life.
May be we can learn from Solomon's prayer. Rather than asking for things to make us rich, we should ask for things that we help us do God's will and care for God's people.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)