Isaiah 57: Those who walk uprightly
enter into peace;
they find rest as they lie in death.
This is comforting as I think about Brandon's passing yesterday. He has found rest and peace. All those limitations to his strength are gone. I have more of an optimistic mood today. I knew this yesterday, but I was reacting emotionally.
Isaiah goes on to list the reasons some folks won't be joining God. They are selfish and proud. They do not care about injustice or the needy. We don't need to be concerned about Brandon here. He died in the faith, with a humble attitude and a righteous soul.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the comfort you provide to us when a loved one leaves us. It is good to know that all Brandon's suffering is gone, and that he is at peace today and always.
Amen
Monday, July 29, 2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
July 28, 2013
Isaiah 53: Out of that terrible travail of soul,
he’ll see that it’s worth it and be glad he did it.
Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant,
will make many “righteous ones,”
as he himself carries the burden of their sins.
Isaiah speaks of Christ, but today my thoughts are with Brandon who is leaving us. He has certainly lived that "terrible travail." He is just 14, and he has suffered through 2 bouts of radiation, and the damage that the tumors have done to his body and mind.
He has also been a positive influence on many, he and his family, as they struggled to deal with losses most of us would find unimaginable. He may not carry the burden of our sins, but he will benefit from the one who did. I imagine Christ waiting for Brandon. His welcoming smile lets Brandon know he will never suffer again. They walk together, and Brandon finds his movements are no longer labored. He smiles at his savior, they reach for each other's hand, and they move away from us. We cry, but they are so peaceful and content.
Prayer: Lord, be with Brandon as he makes this ultimate transition. Be with those who will miss him most. We will need your peace and comfort as we move through these trying days.
Amen
he’ll see that it’s worth it and be glad he did it.
Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant,
will make many “righteous ones,”
as he himself carries the burden of their sins.
Isaiah speaks of Christ, but today my thoughts are with Brandon who is leaving us. He has certainly lived that "terrible travail." He is just 14, and he has suffered through 2 bouts of radiation, and the damage that the tumors have done to his body and mind.
He has also been a positive influence on many, he and his family, as they struggled to deal with losses most of us would find unimaginable. He may not carry the burden of our sins, but he will benefit from the one who did. I imagine Christ waiting for Brandon. His welcoming smile lets Brandon know he will never suffer again. They walk together, and Brandon finds his movements are no longer labored. He smiles at his savior, they reach for each other's hand, and they move away from us. We cry, but they are so peaceful and content.
Prayer: Lord, be with Brandon as he makes this ultimate transition. Be with those who will miss him most. We will need your peace and comfort as we move through these trying days.
Amen
Saturday, July 27, 2013
July 27, 2013
2 Peter 1:
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge
Peter goes on to day we add several other things, finally ending in love. Our faith is our salvation, but it is only a start. B/c we have faith, we try to do what is good. That leads to our quest for knowledge of God's will. That leads to self-control, which leads to perseverance and mutual affection. And so it goes, with the ultimate goal being love.
Faith leads us to love. Love is the most powerful thing. We need to feed our faith to make it stronger, so that we can reach that love for everyone.
Prayer: Lord, I praise you for the gift of faith you have given me. I trust you to guide me to higher levels of my spiritual quest, so that I can come closer to the love you desire us all to share.
Amen
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge
Peter goes on to day we add several other things, finally ending in love. Our faith is our salvation, but it is only a start. B/c we have faith, we try to do what is good. That leads to our quest for knowledge of God's will. That leads to self-control, which leads to perseverance and mutual affection. And so it goes, with the ultimate goal being love.
Faith leads us to love. Love is the most powerful thing. We need to feed our faith to make it stronger, so that we can reach that love for everyone.
Prayer: Lord, I praise you for the gift of faith you have given me. I trust you to guide me to higher levels of my spiritual quest, so that I can come closer to the love you desire us all to share.
Amen
Friday, July 26, 2013
July 26, 2013
1 Peter 5:
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Humility has been on my mind. I have asked my mother to be humble, and I have discussed humility with my daughter. Pride is one of the 7 deadly sins, and yet we value pride too. Humility seems to be underrated in our society.
If we are not humble, says Peter, then God won't lift us up. It is so easy to become proud--to be sure you have found the answers on your own. God asks us not to do that, but to remember where our strength comes from.
Prayer: Lord, help me to remain humble. I want to acknowledge you in all I do. I am powerless without your strength. Let me deal with You and with my fellow man in a humble way so that You may be the one who lifts me up.
Amen
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
July 24, 2013
Isaiah 49:31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40 is so full of good verses that it was hard to choose. The ones about the shepherd caring for the lambs is inspiring; the part about shouting the Lord's praises from the mountaintop appealed to one who will be in the Rockies next week.
But I went with this gem. It has been a rough couple of days for Ron on Sunday and Monday. Yesterday he began to gain ground. We need renewed strength. We will need to run the good race as we prepare for and embark on this ambitious trip. We will call on the Lord so that we will be neither weary nor faint.
Prayer: Lord, I call on you to strengthen my beloved and me as we begin our great adventure. Be with us and give us strength and endurance. I praise You for your almighty power and faithfulness.
Amen
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40 is so full of good verses that it was hard to choose. The ones about the shepherd caring for the lambs is inspiring; the part about shouting the Lord's praises from the mountaintop appealed to one who will be in the Rockies next week.
But I went with this gem. It has been a rough couple of days for Ron on Sunday and Monday. Yesterday he began to gain ground. We need renewed strength. We will need to run the good race as we prepare for and embark on this ambitious trip. We will call on the Lord so that we will be neither weary nor faint.
Prayer: Lord, I call on you to strengthen my beloved and me as we begin our great adventure. Be with us and give us strength and endurance. I praise You for your almighty power and faithfulness.
Amen
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
July 23, 2013
1 Peter 2: 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
Think how hard this must have been. He knew he was blameless; yet he made no threats of retaliation. This acceptance of God's will was absolute.
Now this is not me. I get angry when I am insulted, and I am hurt. I think all kinds of retaliatory thoughts. I am too big a chicken to threaten anyone, but the intent is there. I do not accept that judgment is the Lord's--I want a piece of the action.
Prayer: Lord, guide me toward the kind of obedience Your son showed. Help me to rid myself of judgmental thoughts. Guide me to accept Your will as mine.
Amen
Think how hard this must have been. He knew he was blameless; yet he made no threats of retaliation. This acceptance of God's will was absolute.
Now this is not me. I get angry when I am insulted, and I am hurt. I think all kinds of retaliatory thoughts. I am too big a chicken to threaten anyone, but the intent is there. I do not accept that judgment is the Lord's--I want a piece of the action.
Prayer: Lord, guide me toward the kind of obedience Your son showed. Help me to rid myself of judgmental thoughts. Guide me to accept Your will as mine.
Amen
Monday, July 22, 2013
July 22, 2013
Psalm 76:4 You are radiant with light,
more majestic than mountains rich with game.
The word of the day is faith. We have faith in the almighty. He is better than anything or anyone here on Earth. He has planned for us, and He waits to guide us in His path.
These words rang true for me as I prepare to leave for next week's CO vacation. Last night I read about our second campsite, where mountain goats and elks make their eerie noises at night and big horned sheep graze around the campground. Awesome indeed!
And yet God is even greater than these mountains, more radiant than the light of the new day in which I write these words!
Prayer: You are an awesome God. You reign over our mornings and evenings, to the end of time. I give you praise and glory!
Amen
more majestic than mountains rich with game.
The word of the day is faith. We have faith in the almighty. He is better than anything or anyone here on Earth. He has planned for us, and He waits to guide us in His path.
These words rang true for me as I prepare to leave for next week's CO vacation. Last night I read about our second campsite, where mountain goats and elks make their eerie noises at night and big horned sheep graze around the campground. Awesome indeed!
And yet God is even greater than these mountains, more radiant than the light of the new day in which I write these words!
Prayer: You are an awesome God. You reign over our mornings and evenings, to the end of time. I give you praise and glory!
Amen
Sunday, July 21, 2013
July 21, 2013
2 Kings 19: “‘But I know where you are
and when you come and go
and how you rage against me.
The King of Assyria has come to threaten Hezekiah and the Israelites. This is God's reply, through Isaiah, to him.
When I was a child, this would have scared me. I thought of God as a cosmic policeman, always waiting to catch me doing something wrong. I was burdened with guilt.
Now I find it comforting that God knows everything about me. I am not perfect--far from it--but I am certain that God knows my heart, and he knows I have faith and that I am trying to be a better follower of His.
Prayer: O, Lord, who knows all I do and think, I praise your almighty power. I am glad to know you are always there with me. That gives me the strength to face everything that this world throws at me. Thank you for your faithfulness.
Amen
and when you come and go
and how you rage against me.
The King of Assyria has come to threaten Hezekiah and the Israelites. This is God's reply, through Isaiah, to him.
When I was a child, this would have scared me. I thought of God as a cosmic policeman, always waiting to catch me doing something wrong. I was burdened with guilt.
Now I find it comforting that God knows everything about me. I am not perfect--far from it--but I am certain that God knows my heart, and he knows I have faith and that I am trying to be a better follower of His.
Prayer: O, Lord, who knows all I do and think, I praise your almighty power. I am glad to know you are always there with me. That gives me the strength to face everything that this world throws at me. Thank you for your faithfulness.
Amen
Saturday, July 20, 2013
July 20, 2013
James 4: 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
We need to be reminded of this often. It is so easy to judge others. We want to justify our own actions, and others fall short of the standard we believe we uphold.
I am often guilty of this, and sometimes I share my judgments with others. We laugh, and we bond over our condemnation of someone else. It is wrong, and I know better, but I slide into temptation time and again.
Prayer: Lord, stop me when I start my judgmental thinking. Do not let it rise to the level of judgmental talking. I know that only You are worthy to judge us. I need humility and love to guide my path, not indignation.
Amen
We need to be reminded of this often. It is so easy to judge others. We want to justify our own actions, and others fall short of the standard we believe we uphold.
I am often guilty of this, and sometimes I share my judgments with others. We laugh, and we bond over our condemnation of someone else. It is wrong, and I know better, but I slide into temptation time and again.
Prayer: Lord, stop me when I start my judgmental thinking. Do not let it rise to the level of judgmental talking. I know that only You are worthy to judge us. I need humility and love to guide my path, not indignation.
Amen
Thursday, July 18, 2013
July 18, 2013
Isaiah 35: 6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert
Today brings another Brandon reference. Kim & I talked about Brandon last night after discussing the severely handicapped students she and Ron have taught and lost. This reminds me of the heaven awaiting the most delicate of God's little flowers.
When Brandon and the others arrive in heaven, they will leap like deer and shout for joy. All the hardships caused by their disabilities will vanish. They will be truly home.
Prayer: Lord, I praise you for providing eternal rest for those who have suffered so here on Earth. I look forward to the day when we are all reunited in your heavenly presence.
Amen
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert
Today brings another Brandon reference. Kim & I talked about Brandon last night after discussing the severely handicapped students she and Ron have taught and lost. This reminds me of the heaven awaiting the most delicate of God's little flowers.
When Brandon and the others arrive in heaven, they will leap like deer and shout for joy. All the hardships caused by their disabilities will vanish. They will be truly home.
Prayer: Lord, I praise you for providing eternal rest for those who have suffered so here on Earth. I look forward to the day when we are all reunited in your heavenly presence.
Amen
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
July 17, 2013
James 1:
12 Happy is the person who can hold up under the trials of life. At the right time, he’ll know God’s sweet approval and will be crowned with life. As God has promised, the crown awaits all who love Him.
I write this having just found out that Brandon is dying. He and Candy have been through so much, their trials have been never-ending. Yet, they have found the good in the moments they have shared, and the end of their trials is near.
God is waiting for Brandon. When he is crowned with life eternal, all those challenges to daily life will be gone. We will grieve what we have lost on Earth, but Brandon will live on with God's sweet approval.
Prayer: Lord, offer strength to Brandon and all of us who love him in his final days. Then come in and crown him with life eternal and your sweet approval when his time on Earth is done.
Amen
12 Happy is the person who can hold up under the trials of life. At the right time, he’ll know God’s sweet approval and will be crowned with life. As God has promised, the crown awaits all who love Him.
I write this having just found out that Brandon is dying. He and Candy have been through so much, their trials have been never-ending. Yet, they have found the good in the moments they have shared, and the end of their trials is near.
God is waiting for Brandon. When he is crowned with life eternal, all those challenges to daily life will be gone. We will grieve what we have lost on Earth, but Brandon will live on with God's sweet approval.
Prayer: Lord, offer strength to Brandon and all of us who love him in his final days. Then come in and crown him with life eternal and your sweet approval when his time on Earth is done.
Amen
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
July 16, 2013
Isaiah 25:
8 God will swallow up death forever.
The Lord, the Eternal, will wipe away the tears from each and every face
And deflect the scorn and shame His people endure from the whole world,
for the Eternal determined that it should be so
Isaiah is predicting our current-day situation. The people of the OT had failed time and again by trying to live by rules--almost like superstitions---"if we do all things in the right way, we are safe."
They always fell short; we are all only human after all.
Now we live in an age where salvation brings us above the rules--where grace determines our fate--not perfect obedience to rules. We have faith, so we are exempt from judgment.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the twin gifts of grace and faith. I know that I am a "stranger in a strange land," waiting to move from the scorn of the nonbelievers to my true home with You eternally.
Amen
8 God will swallow up death forever.
The Lord, the Eternal, will wipe away the tears from each and every face
And deflect the scorn and shame His people endure from the whole world,
for the Eternal determined that it should be so
Isaiah is predicting our current-day situation. The people of the OT had failed time and again by trying to live by rules--almost like superstitions---"if we do all things in the right way, we are safe."
They always fell short; we are all only human after all.
Now we live in an age where salvation brings us above the rules--where grace determines our fate--not perfect obedience to rules. We have faith, so we are exempt from judgment.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the twin gifts of grace and faith. I know that I am a "stranger in a strange land," waiting to move from the scorn of the nonbelievers to my true home with You eternally.
Amen
Monday, July 15, 2013
July 15, 2013
Isaiah 22: 11 You made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you did not look to him who did it, or have regard for him who planned it long ago.
Isaiah is warning the people of impending disaster. They made all the earthly preparations for defense, but they ignored the One who could have saved them.
The notes say that the people interpreted God's promise to David as license to ignore God. David's descendants would prevail, so they did not need to feed their faith. How true is that still today! People believe they are doing fine without God. They have all they need.
How sad for them that the ultimate gift sits on the table unopened!
Prayer: O Lord, I do not forget you. I praise your mighty strength and your righteousness. I beg you to watch over those I love every day. I plead for those who suffer. Surround us with your love.
Amen
Isaiah is warning the people of impending disaster. They made all the earthly preparations for defense, but they ignored the One who could have saved them.
The notes say that the people interpreted God's promise to David as license to ignore God. David's descendants would prevail, so they did not need to feed their faith. How true is that still today! People believe they are doing fine without God. They have all they need.
How sad for them that the ultimate gift sits on the table unopened!
Prayer: O Lord, I do not forget you. I praise your mighty strength and your righteousness. I beg you to watch over those I love every day. I plead for those who suffer. Surround us with your love.
Amen
Friday, July 12, 2013
July 12, 2013
Isaiah 11: 6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
and the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
Isaiah's prophecy is well known. Troubles of all kind will end. Enemies will join together. It surely has not happened yet, although "a child was born."
It is good for me to ponder how we can "all just get along." Human nature is not to be conciliatory; it is divisive. We want to see the differences and to feel superior to the others.
A time is coming when that will be over. Halleluiah!
Prayer: Lord, you sent us that child to lead us. Help us to reach the days when wolf & lamb, leopard & kid, calf & lion will live together as one.
Amen
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
and the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
Isaiah's prophecy is well known. Troubles of all kind will end. Enemies will join together. It surely has not happened yet, although "a child was born."
It is good for me to ponder how we can "all just get along." Human nature is not to be conciliatory; it is divisive. We want to see the differences and to feel superior to the others.
A time is coming when that will be over. Halleluiah!
Prayer: Lord, you sent us that child to lead us. Help us to reach the days when wolf & lamb, leopard & kid, calf & lion will live together as one.
Amen
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
July 10, 2013
Micah 5: 4 He will stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth.
Jesus's coming is prophesied. Paul tells us in Hebrews that he will be perfect for us--blameless and free from sin. The early priests had to offer sacrifices for their own sins and the sins of people. Jesus took our sins, and he had none of his own. Now we do not need to sacrifice.
We could choose to follow Jesus completely and live securely, but we fight our own sinful selves. We do the things we know are wrong. We ignore the cry of the needy. We need a shepherd to remind us of the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Prayer: Lord, I give you thanks for the shepherd you sent me. I need strength to follow him to You.
Amen
in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth.
Jesus's coming is prophesied. Paul tells us in Hebrews that he will be perfect for us--blameless and free from sin. The early priests had to offer sacrifices for their own sins and the sins of people. Jesus took our sins, and he had none of his own. Now we do not need to sacrifice.
We could choose to follow Jesus completely and live securely, but we fight our own sinful selves. We do the things we know are wrong. We ignore the cry of the needy. We need a shepherd to remind us of the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Prayer: Lord, I give you thanks for the shepherd you sent me. I need strength to follow him to You.
Amen
Monday, July 8, 2013
July 8, 2013
Psalm 102: 18 Let this be written for a future generation,
that a people not yet created may praise the Lord
This really spoke to me. This is kind of the point of the blog. There will be a record of my thoughts on Scripture that lives on. Mostly I will refer to it, but someday someone else could find inspiration here.
I started doing Life Journal again to focus my study, but I also benefit from the writing I do. I would like it if others got the benefit too.
Prayer: Lord, let the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight. Help me to find ways to share my insights with Your people.
Amen
that a people not yet created may praise the Lord
This really spoke to me. This is kind of the point of the blog. There will be a record of my thoughts on Scripture that lives on. Mostly I will refer to it, but someday someone else could find inspiration here.
I started doing Life Journal again to focus my study, but I also benefit from the writing I do. I would like it if others got the benefit too.
Prayer: Lord, let the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight. Help me to find ways to share my insights with Your people.
Amen
Sunday, July 7, 2013
July 7, 2013
Psalm 73: 26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
Today I had 3 good choices, but this was the best. God is stronger than my "flesh" and my "heart," b/c he is forever. I can already see that my body has weakened; I do not have the strength I had in the past. God will never weaken; He is all-powerful.
I looked at someone else's blog for the portion part. I like the definition of portion as fate. It was fate that God is mine forever. I was blessed with the gift of faith, and the result of my faith is eternity with God.
Prayer: Lord, I continue to praise Your goodness. You remain strong no matter how weak I am. You are with me for eternity. Blessed am I, to travel through time with my Lord!
Amen
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
Today I had 3 good choices, but this was the best. God is stronger than my "flesh" and my "heart," b/c he is forever. I can already see that my body has weakened; I do not have the strength I had in the past. God will never weaken; He is all-powerful.
I looked at someone else's blog for the portion part. I like the definition of portion as fate. It was fate that God is mine forever. I was blessed with the gift of faith, and the result of my faith is eternity with God.
Prayer: Lord, I continue to praise Your goodness. You remain strong no matter how weak I am. You are with me for eternity. Blessed am I, to travel through time with my Lord!
Amen
Saturday, July 6, 2013
July 6, 2013
Hosea 6: 3 Let us acknowledge the Lord;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”
The rest of today's readings are full of gloom and doom. It details how the different tribes of Israel have turned away from God.
Here is a plea to turn to God. All we need to do is acknowledge Him, and he will be there, ever faithful.
We as a people need to turn to God. He has so much to offer us. We are a "stiff-necked people" just like the Israelites. We believe we can handle it all by ourselves. Why? God is waiting for us.
Prayer: Lord, I turn to You for all my needs. You can comfort me in my time of troubles, you can lead me to Your will, and You will, in the end, save me. Praise be to God!
Amen
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”
The rest of today's readings are full of gloom and doom. It details how the different tribes of Israel have turned away from God.
Here is a plea to turn to God. All we need to do is acknowledge Him, and he will be there, ever faithful.
We as a people need to turn to God. He has so much to offer us. We are a "stiff-necked people" just like the Israelites. We believe we can handle it all by ourselves. Why? God is waiting for us.
Prayer: Lord, I turn to You for all my needs. You can comfort me in my time of troubles, you can lead me to Your will, and You will, in the end, save me. Praise be to God!
Amen
Friday, July 5, 2013
July 5, 2013
Hosea 2: h]
23 I will plant her for myself in the land;
I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.[i]’
I will say to those called ‘Not my people,[j]’ ‘You are my people’;
and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”
Today I had a hard time choosing between Paul and the OT. Paul reminded us that since God, through Christ, suffered temptation, he could feel for us when we are tempted.
Hosea was too good to pass up though. Here we have a prophecy of Christianity moving throughout the world. God's promise is no longer just for the Israelites. We Gentiles, who were "not my people" became His people. We have accepted the invitation and answer, "You are my God."
Prayer: O Lord, I give thanks for the invitation you have shared with all Your people throughout the world. I am grateful that you were able to turn Your son's temptation into an understanding of our response to temptation. I praise Your almighty goodness.
Amen
23 I will plant her for myself in the land;
I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.[i]’
I will say to those called ‘Not my people,[j]’ ‘You are my people’;
and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”
Today I had a hard time choosing between Paul and the OT. Paul reminded us that since God, through Christ, suffered temptation, he could feel for us when we are tempted.
Hosea was too good to pass up though. Here we have a prophecy of Christianity moving throughout the world. God's promise is no longer just for the Israelites. We Gentiles, who were "not my people" became His people. We have accepted the invitation and answer, "You are my God."
Prayer: O Lord, I give thanks for the invitation you have shared with all Your people throughout the world. I am grateful that you were able to turn Your son's temptation into an understanding of our response to temptation. I praise Your almighty goodness.
Amen
Thursday, July 4, 2013
The 4th of July, 2013
Hebrews 1: 1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
I am choosing 2 verses again, b/c they are one complete thought. I have been reading about the prophets and the kings, and I have seen how God's word was ignored by king after king, as well as all the people.
Jesus comes as the appointed Son of God, and everything changes. Jesus is greater than all the prophets and the angels. Jesus is with God from the beginning, and he is with us too. B/c of Jesus, we are able to rise above our human frailty.
Prayer: God, I thank you for your word, delivered by angels and prophets, but especially for the gift of your son, Jesus, who came into our world to save us. Help me to listen for your word in my day-to-day life.
Amen
I am choosing 2 verses again, b/c they are one complete thought. I have been reading about the prophets and the kings, and I have seen how God's word was ignored by king after king, as well as all the people.
Jesus comes as the appointed Son of God, and everything changes. Jesus is greater than all the prophets and the angels. Jesus is with God from the beginning, and he is with us too. B/c of Jesus, we are able to rise above our human frailty.
Prayer: God, I thank you for your word, delivered by angels and prophets, but especially for the gift of your son, Jesus, who came into our world to save us. Help me to listen for your word in my day-to-day life.
Amen
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
July 3, 2013
Phileomon 1: 17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.
I am keeping 2 verses here, b/c one helps explain the other. Onesimus was Philemon's slave, but now he has become "more like a brother." Paul sends him back to Philemon with this plea.
I am loving the feeling here. Paul is asking Philemon to treat Onesimus differently on his behalf. Paul is showing true Christian love.
Prayer: Lord, help me to love as Paul loved Onesimus. Let me treat those I love like myself.
Amen
I am keeping 2 verses here, b/c one helps explain the other. Onesimus was Philemon's slave, but now he has become "more like a brother." Paul sends him back to Philemon with this plea.
I am loving the feeling here. Paul is asking Philemon to treat Onesimus differently on his behalf. Paul is showing true Christian love.
Prayer: Lord, help me to love as Paul loved Onesimus. Let me treat those I love like myself.
Amen
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
July 2, 2013
Psalm 115
1 Not to us, Lord, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.
This seemed a good follow-up to yesterday's verse. We do not deserve the glory--there is nothing we have done or will do that can equal God's glory.
God has been loving and faithful since the Garden of Eden. People, on the other hand, prove themselves to be unfaithful every day. The people of God turn their backs on his graciousness; they rely on their own acts and ignore God's goodness.
Prayer: Praise to you, my Lord, for your steadfast love which follows all your people throughout our lives. I am so grateful that instead of giving up on your creation, you gave us your son to redeem our sinful, selfish ways.
Amen
Monday, July 1, 2013
July 1, 2013
Isaiah 2: Their land is full of idols;
they bow down to the work of their hands,
to what their fingers have made.
This is interesting to me, since I have always had trouble understanding why the people preferred idols to God. It is their own work they are worshipping! They love what they have made more than what God has made!
Well, now, we have lots of idol worship today, too, don't we? People worship their things---maybe they didn't make the thing they worship, but they got the thing with the money they earned by their work. The nature of sin is of much interest to me, and this self-centered attitude "Look what I have done!" is central to sin, as I see it.
Prayer: Lord, protect my weak self from idol worship. Let me rely fully on You, not on what I can accomplish with my busy-ness. I praise You for your power and glory.
Amen
they bow down to the work of their hands,
to what their fingers have made.
This is interesting to me, since I have always had trouble understanding why the people preferred idols to God. It is their own work they are worshipping! They love what they have made more than what God has made!
Well, now, we have lots of idol worship today, too, don't we? People worship their things---maybe they didn't make the thing they worship, but they got the thing with the money they earned by their work. The nature of sin is of much interest to me, and this self-centered attitude "Look what I have done!" is central to sin, as I see it.
Prayer: Lord, protect my weak self from idol worship. Let me rely fully on You, not on what I can accomplish with my busy-ness. I praise You for your power and glory.
Amen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)