Passing From Death to Life

From Darkness to Light  God's Promises  God Promises Light in  the Darkness Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5) 1 John 3:14-24 New International Version 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. 16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. For Reflection These letters come from the following decade, circa 100-110 CE, in a community of churches that now finds it necessary to define itself against turmoil from within. Christian ideals are proving challenging to live out in the larger Greco-Roman world that maintains a variety of beliefs and standards. Isn't this where we find ourselves today?   We are called to think critically and carefully about "the spirits" of the world, those who teach new ideas and values. We must make decisions with the traditions of the community at the forefront of that process. We must abide in this communal relationship so that we may act in steadfast love in this world.   Those who live in the darkness do not see the light and become as dead to the joy, peace, and hope of living in the light. The path out of death and into life is grounded in God's love for you and that you have for others.   "Rather, life-giving will be lived out in ways much closer to the situation in most of our congregations and therefore much more challenging. Anyone who has the "life of the world" (NRSV "the world's goods," which expresses this phrase's referent but loses its connection to the laying down of life discussed in verse 16), and sees a brother or sister in need, can live out the life-giving of Jesus. The call is not just to the wealthy, or for rare acts of heroism. This is the more mundane material of daily discipleship for the church's multitude. Any disciple of Jesus, with the means to sustain life, is called to share that (i.e., to "lay down life") where it is lacking."*    This "laying down of life" means nothing less than to dwell within the life of the Father and the Son, brought to reality and witnessed by the Holy Spirit.  * Brian Peterson, Professor of New Testament, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, SC,https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/fourth-sunday-of-easter-2/commentary-on-1-john-316-24 Pray Pray so that you may become prepared to accept the call of God to share your life as a declaration of your Christian love of others. Lay down your life for another, and know God is at work among us. Pray and respond to the calling and the comfort of the church. Forward to a friend Sign up for our mailing list!

God Feels Your Pain

 

Celebrating God Godly Love Among Believers Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)  Praise for God's Eternal Reign   Psalm 10:12-18 New International Version 12 Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God.     Do not forget the helpless. 13 Why does the wicked man revile God?     Why does he say to himself,     "He won't call me to account"? 14 But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;     you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you;     you are the helper of the fatherless. 15 Break the arm of the wicked man;     call the evildoer to account for his wickedness     that would not otherwise be found out. 16 The Lord is King forever and ever;     the nations will perish from his land. 17 You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted;     you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, 18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed,     so that mere earthly mortals     will never again strike terror. For Reflection I know that the theme for this week is praise. But I had a conversation with someone who has always been kind and considerate to me. He spoke to me about how helpless he felt and how deep his anger was. Yes, it was a right-wing raving of blame. At mid-life, he seemed to be helplessly betrayed by life and hopeless for a better future. His words were filled with hate. It seemed as if all of creation was set against him. What could I possibly say to him at that moment when he trusted me enough to reveal how deeply disappointed he is in the outcomes of his life? How could I comfort him? What could I say that would ease the pain he experiences in his dark place? Could I say I'll pray for him? What an insult! All I could do was listen, really listen, to the point that I began to share his pain. At that moment, I began to understand how God must feel when we cry out in agonizing suffering. What can God do when one is imprisoned in their deepest darkest thoughts and does not turn to God? Is it possible that not even God can save one who does not trust in God? I will pray for him. I will pray because I know God will not give up on him. Somehow, God will continue to set a path for him to find peace. I will pray that he will see God's path and find rest. Judgment belongs to God. Compassion is ours to give, even if it is just listening silently.   Pray Pray for all those whose lives are restrained in darkness and hopelessness. Pray that they will find rest in the hollow of God's hand. Pray for the wisdom to listen and hear the suffering of others. Praise God for his stead fast love and God's gift of our capacity to love each other. Forward to a friend

Making Melody to God

 

Celebrating God

Called to Praise God
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5) 

 

Praise God With Music

Psalm 149 The Message

149 ^1-4 Hallelujah!

Sing to God a brand-new song,
    praise him in the company of all who love him.
Let all Israel celebrate their Sovereign Creator,
    Zion’s children exult in their King.
Let them praise his name in dance;
    strike up the band and make great music!
And why? Because God delights in his people,
    adorns plain folk with salvation garlands!

^5-9 Let true lovers break out in praise,
    sing out from wherever they’re sitting,
Shout the high praises of God,
    brandish their swords in the wild sword-dance—
A portent of vengeance on the God-defying nations,
    a signal that punishment’s coming,
Their kings chained and hauled off to jail,
    their leaders behind bars for good,
The judgment on them carried out to the letter
    —and all who love God in the seat of honor!
Hallelujah!

For Reflection

Because one cannot say with words what can be said with music, On this last day of praise through music, I offer the following:

A children's song of thanks and the goodness of God. It is sung by members of the One Voice Children's Choir (directed by Masa Fukuda), and friends.

(You might have to copy and paste this link in your browser. Or just highlight it, right-click, and open the link.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTHDKxOL9cg

Pray

Pray and revel in the joy of these children of God.

Forward to a friend

Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs

Celebrating God

Called to Praise God
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5) 

 

Praise God With Music

Colossians 3:12-17 The Message

^12-14 So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

^15-17 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

For Reflection

Because one cannot say with words what can be said with music, I offer the following. David sang with a harp. This piece is a Celtic hymn.

(You might have to copy and paste this link in your browser. Or just highlight it, right-click, and open the link.)

https://youtu.be/8JB7R2RokaY

Pray

Pray and let your mind soar. Meditate on the Lord's transformation of your life as a child of God.

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Paul and Silas Sing in Prison

Celebrating God

Called to Praise God
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5) 

 

Praise God With Music

Acts 16:23-26The Message

^19-22 When her owners saw that their lucrative little business was suddenly bankrupt, they went after Paul and Silas, roughed them up and dragged them into the market square. Then the police arrested them and pulled them into a court with the accusation, “These men are disturbing the peace—dangerous Jewish agitators subverting our Roman law and order.” By this time the crowd had turned into a restless mob out for blood.

^22-24 The judges went along with the mob, had Paul and Silas’s clothes ripped off and ordered a public beating. After beating them black-and-blue, they threw them into jail, telling the jailkeeper to put them under heavy guard so there would be no chance of escape. He did just that—threw them into the maximum security cell in the jail and clamped leg irons on them.

^25-26 Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn’t believe their ears. Then, without warning, a huge earthquake! The jailhouse tottered, every door flew open, all the prisoners were loose.

For Reflection

Because one cannot say with words what can be told with music, Today I offer a young Jewish boy singing a Hebrew Hymn. Try to imagine Paul and Saul beaten bloody singing a song to God.

(You might have to copy and paste this link in your browser. Or just highlight it, right-click, and open the link.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_TBMtzeK08

Pray

Pray And imagine the pain and suffering that the song expresses to God.

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David's Music Soothes Saul

 

Celebrating God

Called to Praise God
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5) 

 

Praise God With Music

1 Samuel 16:14-23 The Message

David—An Excellent Musician

¹⁴ At that very moment the Spirit of God left Saul and in its place a black mood sent by God settled on him. He was terrified.

^15-16 Saul’s advisors said, “This awful tormenting depression from God is making your life miserable. O Master, let us help. Let us look for someone who can play the harp. When the black mood from God moves in, he’ll play his music and you’ll feel better.”

¹⁷ Saul told his servants, “Go ahead. Find me someone who can play well and bring him to me.”

¹⁸ One of the young men spoke up, “I know someone. I’ve seen him myself: the son of Jesse of Bethlehem, an excellent musician. He’s also courageous, of age, well-spoken, and good-looking. And God is with him.”

¹⁹ So Saul sent messengers to Jesse requesting, “Send your son David to me, the one who tends the sheep.”

^20-21 Jesse took a donkey, loaded it with a couple of loaves of bread, a flask of wine, and a young goat, and sent his son David with it to Saul. David came to Saul and stood before him. Saul liked him immediately and made him his right-hand man.

²² Saul sent word back to Jesse: “Thank you. David will stay here. He’s just the one I was looking for. I’m very impressed by him.”

²³ After that, whenever the bad depression from God tormented Saul, David got out his harp and played. That would calm Saul down, and he would feel better as the moodiness lifted.

 

For Reflection

Because one cannot say with words what can be said with music, I offer the following. David sang with a harp. Many today sing with piano, organ, or orchestral arrangements. This piece is suitable for meditation and prayer.

(You might have to copy and paste this link in your browser. Or just highlight it, right-click, and open the link.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQPVkQclsdE

Pray

Pray and let your mind soar. Meditate on the Lord's transformation of your life as a child of God.

Forward to a friend

A Song of Praise Is Fitting

 

Celebrating God Called to Praise God Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)    Praise God With Music Psalm 147:1-7 New International Version 1 Praise the Lord.[a] How good it is to sing praises to our God,     how pleasant and fitting to praise him! 2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;     he gathers the exiles of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted     and binds up their wounds. 4 He determines the number of the stars     and calls them each by name. 5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power;     his understanding has no limit. 6 The Lord sustains the humble     but casts the wicked to the ground. 7 Sing to the Lord with grateful praise;     make music to our God on the harp. For Reflection Because one cannot say with words what can be said with music, I offer the following hymn. David sang with a harp. Many today sing with piano, organ, or orchestral arrangements. This hymn is contemporary Christian music. (You might have to copy and paste this link in your browser. Or just highlight it, right-click, and open the link.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0HVp1JZ1fs Pray Pray and let your heart sing. Pray and know the joy of being in the household of God. Forward to a friend