Friday, March 30, 2012

What is the Truth?

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

Jesus Testifies to the Truth

John 18:31-38

The Message
 31-32Pilate said, "You take him. Judge him by your law."
   The Jews said, "We're not allowed to kill anyone." (This would confirm Jesus' word indicating the way he would die.)
 33Pilate went back into the palace and called for Jesus. He said, "Are you the 'King of the Jews'?"
 34Jesus answered, "Are you saying this on your own, or did others tell you this about me?"
 35Pilate said, "Do I look like a Jew? Your people and your high priests turned you over to me. What did you do?"
 36"My kingdom," said Jesus, "doesn't consist of what you see around you. If it did, my followers would fight so that I wouldn't be handed over to the Jews. But I'm not that kind of king, not the world's kind of king."
 37Then Pilate said, "So, are you a king or not?"
   Jesus answered, "You tell me. Because I am King, I was born and entered the world so that I could witness to the truth. Everyone who cares for truth, who has any feeling for the truth, recognizes my voice."
 38-39Pilate said, "What is truth?"
   Then he went back out to the Jews and told them, "I find nothing wrong in this man. It's your custom that I pardon one prisoner at Passover. Do you want me to pardon the 'King of the Jews'?"

For Reflection 
Study the life of Christ.  Care for the least of your neighbors.  Seek justice and reconciliation.  Know that you are a child of God.  Center yourself in that Truth.

After  the Christ event, truth became knowable.

Pray
for courage and wisdom to respond to the Truth that is in Christ, Jesus.  Pray that you life, like Jesus's, testifies to the truth.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Denial of Jesus

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

Jesus Testifies to the Truth

John 18:12-18

The Message
 12-14Then the Roman soldiers under their commander, joined by the Jewish police, seized Jesus and tied him up. They took him first to Annas, father-in-law of Caiaphas. Caiaphas was the Chief Priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it was to their advantage that one man die for the people.
 15-16Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. That other disciple was known to the Chief Priest, and so he went in with Jesus to the Chief Priest's courtyard. Peter had to stay outside. Then the other disciple went out, spoke to the doorkeeper, and got Peter in.
 17The young woman who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, "Aren't you one of this man's disciples?"
   He said, "No, I'm not."
 18The servants and police had made a fire because of the cold and were huddled there warming themselves. Peter stood with them, trying to get warm.

For Reflection 
Over two thousand years have passed and followers of Christ are still threatened.  Some are threatened by social condemnation and others are threatened by torture and death.  To what extent are you prepared to face threats as a result of your faith?  Know that even if you cave in to the threats, you are forgiven.  Confess your transgressions to the living God. Repent and be reconciled.

After  the Christ event, truth became knowable.

Pray
that you will be forgiven for your transgressions.  Pray prayers of thanksgiving for the grace of Jesus Christ.  Pray that your missteps will be learning experiences and that you will continue to work for the realization of the Kingdom of God.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Arrest of Jesus

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

Jesus Testifies to the Truth

John 18:1-11

The Message
Seized in the Garden at Night
 1 Jesus, having prayed this prayer, left with his disciples and crossed over the brook Kidron at a place where there was a garden. He and his disciples entered it. 2-4Judas, his betrayer, knew the place because Jesus and his disciples went there often. So Judas led the way to the garden, and the Roman soldiers and police sent by the high priests and Pharisees followed. They arrived there with lanterns and torches and swords. Jesus, knowing by now everything that was coming down on him, went out and met them. He said, "Who are you after?"
   They answered, "Jesus the Nazarene."
 5-6He said, "That's me." The soldiers recoiled, totally taken aback. Judas, his betrayer, stood out like a sore thumb.
 7Jesus asked again, "Who are you after?"
   They answered, "Jesus the Nazarene."
 8-9"I told you," said Jesus, "that's me. I'm the one. So if it's me you're after, let these others go." (This validated the words in his prayer, "I didn't lose one of those you gave.")
 10Just then Simon Peter, who was carrying a sword, pulled it from its sheath and struck the Chief Priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. Malchus was the servant's name.
 11Jesus ordered Peter, "Put back your sword. Do you think for a minute I'm not going to drink this cup the Father gave me?"

For Reflection 
Judas, Judas, Judas.  What have you done?  Someone needed to betray Jesus.  I am sorry it was you.  I hope that Jesus has forgiven you as only God can do and that He has found a special place for you in His Holy Kingdom.

God's plan is not always revealed.  In this case, however, Christ foretold His betrayal.   God uses us to forward the realization of His Kingdom.  Judgment is not ours to make.  Obedience is our role.  Obedience even when, like Jesus, we must accept a bitter pill.

After  the Christ event, truth became knowable.

Pray
Pray for the souls of those who appear to be sinful.  Pray that they will be forgiven for their transgressions.  Pray for the forgiveness of your own transgressions.  Pray prayers of forgiveness for God's sacrifice of his own son, so that we might know the truth and become obedient, steadfast followers of Christ.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Walking in God's Truth

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

Jesus Testifies to the Truth

Psalm 86:8-13

The Message
 8-10 There's no one quite like you among the gods, O Lord,
      and nothing to compare with your works.
   All the nations you made are on their way,
      ready to give honor to you, O Lord,
   Ready to put your beauty on display,
      parading your greatness,
   And the great things you do—
      God, you're the one, there's no one but you!

 11-17 Train me, God, to walk straight;
      then I'll follow your true path.
   Put me together, one heart and mind;
      then, undivided, I'll worship in joyful fear.
   From the bottom of my heart I thank you, dear Lord;
      I've never kept secret what you're up to.
   You've always been great toward me—what love!
      You snatched me from the brink of disaster!
   God, these bullies have reared their heads!
      A gang of thugs is after me—
      and they don't care a thing about you.
   But you, O God, are both tender and kind,
      not easily angered, immense in love,
      and you never, never quit.
   So look me in the eye and show kindness,
      give your servant the strength to go on,
      save your dear, dear child!
   Make a show of how much you love me
      so the bullies who hate me will stand there slack-jawed,
   As you, God, gently and powerfully
      put me back on my feet.

For Reflection 
God has done and continues to do wonderful things in your life.  Take time today to think about what He has done.  Marvel at His power.

After  the Christ event, truth became knowable.

Pray
Train me, God, to walk straight.  Put me together, one heart and mind.  So look me in the eye and show kindness, give your servant the strength to go on.  Gently and powerfully put me back on my feet.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Led by Truth and Light

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

Jesus Testifies to the Truth

Psalm 43

The Message
 1-2 Clear my name, God; stick up for me against these loveless, immoral people.
   Get me out of here, away
      from these lying degenerates.
   I counted on you, God.
      Why did you walk out on me?
   Why am I pacing the floor, wringing my hands
      over these outrageous people?

 3-4 Give me your lantern and compass,
      give me a map,
   So I can find my way to the sacred mountain,
      to the place of your presence,
   To enter the place of worship,
      meet my exuberant God,
   Sing my thanks with a harp,
      magnificent God, my God.

 5 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
      Why are you crying the blues?
   Fix my eyes on God—
      soon I'll be praising again.
   He puts a smile on my face.
      He's my God.

For Reflection 
Blue? Lost your purpose in life?  Feeling Lost?  Feeling anxious?  Feeling threatened by those who respond to the culture rather than to God?  The psalmist sure did!  So much so that he sings his lamentations and hopeful prayers to the centering influence in his life, God.  Can you find your way to your sacred place when your feel the pressure of every day life?

After  the Christ event, truth became knowable.

Pray
as the psalmist did.  Sing praises to the God who encourages you and protects you.  Pray so that you find yourself centered in your faith.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Wrongly Worshiping the Symbol

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

God's Word Saves

2 Kings 18

Hezekiah of Judah
 1-4 In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz began his rule over Judah. He was twenty-five years old when he became king and he ruled for twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah. In God's opinion he was a good king; he kept to the standards of his ancestor David. He got rid of the local fertility shrines, smashed the phallic stone monuments, and cut down the sex-and-religion Asherah groves. As a final stroke he pulverized the ancient bronze serpent that Moses had made; at that time the Israelites had taken up the practice of sacrificing to it—they had even dignified it with a name, Nehushtan (The Old Serpent). 5-6 Hezekiah put his whole trust in the God of Israel. There was no king quite like him, either before or after. He held fast to God—never loosened his grip—and obeyed to the letter everything God had commanded Moses. And God, for his part, held fast to him through all his adventures.
 7-8 He revolted against the king of Assyria; he refused to serve him one more day. And he drove back the Philistines, whether in sentry outposts or fortress cities, all the way to Gaza and its borders.

For Reflection 
To discover what symbols of your faith take on symbol worship,  just try to change it!  Hezekiah not only destroyed the symbol of God's power, he also destroyed symbols of other gods.  Protestants removed the Catholic icons.  What symbols of your faith have taken on more significance than just a reminder of God? 

Pray
that you will recognize when you are placing too much emphasis on the symbols of your faith.  Pray that when you are surrounded by the corrupting influences of our time that you will return to the faith you have placed in God and obedience to his instruction.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Look and Live

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

God's Word Saves

Numbers 21:4-9

The Message
The Snake of Fiery Copper
4-5 They set out from Mount Hor along the Red Sea Road, a detour around the land of Edom. The people became irritable and cross as they traveled. They spoke out against God and Moses: "Why did you drag us out of Egypt to die in this godforsaken country? No decent food; no water—we can't stomach this stuff any longer." 6-7 So God sent poisonous snakes among the people; they bit them and many in Israel died. The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke out against God and you. Pray to God; ask him to take these snakes from us."
   Moses prayed for the people.
 8 God said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it on a flagpole: Whoever is bitten and looks at it will live."
 9 So Moses made a snake of fiery copper and put it on top of a flagpole. Anyone bitten by a snake who then looked at the copper snake lived.

For Reflection 
What symbols in your world remind you of the promise of God's protection?  How often do you turn to it to remind you of the good life found in the hollow of God's hand? 

Pray
Praise God for his strength and protection.   Pray that God will protect you when doubting His wisdom.  Pray that you will have confidence in God's promise even in the face of hardship.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Loving Evil More Than Good

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

God's Word Saves

Psalm 52

The Message
A David Psalm, When Doeg the Edomite Reported to Saul, "David's at Ahimelech's House"
 1-4 Why do you brag of evil, "Big Man"?
      God's mercy carries the day.
   You scheme catastrophe;
      your tongue cuts razor-sharp,
      artisan in lies.
   You love evil more than good,
      you call black white.
   You love malicious gossip,
      you foul-mouth.

 5 God will tear you limb from limb,
      sweep you up and throw you out,
   Pull you up by the roots
      from the land of life.

 6-7 Good people will watch and
      worship. They'll laugh in relief:
   "Big Man bet on the wrong horse,
      trusted in big money,
      made his living from catastrophe."

 8 And I'm an olive tree,
      growing green in God's house.
   I trusted in the generous mercy
      of God then and now.

 9 I thank you always
      that you went into action.
   And I'll stay right here,
      your good name my hope,
      in company with your faithful friends.

For Reflection 
Those that worship deceit are never free.  They live in fear of discovery.  Fear dominates their motives.  God-centered people live fearless lives.

Pray
that you will be honest in your interactions with others.  Pray that you will not be tempted by self-deception.  Pray that you will be centered in God's promise.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Lovers of Darkness

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

God's Word Saves

Job 24:13-17

The Message

 13-17 "Then there are those who avoid light at all costs,
   who scorn the light-filled path.
When the sun goes down, the murderer gets up—
   kills the poor and robs the defenseless.
Sexual predators can't wait for nightfall,
   thinking, 'No one can see us now.'
Burglars do their work at night,
   but keep well out of sight through the day.
   They want nothing to do with light.
Deep darkness is morning for that bunch;
   they make the terrors of darkness their companions in crime.

For Reflection 
Born of the Dark Side!  How many times have you thought that about someone who was extremely difficult?  How do you deal with difficult self-centered people?  How does your faith protect you from abuse?  The Dark Side Has power over you only to the extent that you give it to them.  What would happen if you held fast to your God-centered wisdom and truly believed God was protecting you?  What would change in your response to abusive power?

Pray
that you will remain God-centered in the face of difficult people. Pray that you will avoid the temptation to meet anger with anger, ill will with ill will. self defense with self defense.  Pray that you meet adversity with love.

Monday, March 19, 2012

The Light of the World

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

God's Word Saves

Matthew 5:13-16

The Message
Salt and Light
 13"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. 14-16"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

For Reflection 
"You are here to be the light, bringing out the God-colors in the world."  You bring value to the world.  You are God's messenger.  How do you protect one of God's most valuable assets, you?  What do you do to maintain your God-centered self?

Pray
that you will recognize opportunities to help God provide transformational moments.  Seek wisdom in scripture and pray that you will be receptive to God's will.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Glory for the Sake of Unity

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

The Wedding at Cana

John 17:20-24

The Message (MSG)
 20-23I'm praying not only for them
   But also for those who will believe in me
   Because of them and their witness about me.
   The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—
   Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
   So they might be one heart and mind with us.
   Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
   The same glory you gave me, I gave them,
   So they'll be as unified and together as we are—
   I in them and you in me.
   Then they'll be mature in this oneness,
   And give the godless world evidence
   That you've sent me and loved them
   In the same way you've loved me.
 24-26Father, I want those you gave me
   To be with me, right where I am,
   So they can see my glory, the splendor you gave me,
   Having loved me
   Long before there ever was a world.
   Righteous Father, the world has never known you,
   But I have known you, and these disciples know
   That you sent me on this mission.
   I have made your very being known to them—
   Who you are and what you do—
   And continue to make it known,
   So that your love for me
   Might be in them
   Exactly as I am in them.

For Reflection
Christ prays not just for his disciples but for all of those who believe in him.  He reveals his hope that all will find in Him the nature of God and the truth which lies in God's promise.  In the beginning was the word and now it is the word which brings souls to God.

After the Christ event, truth became knowable.

Pray
that you will hear the word and embrace it with your heart.  Pray that your words reflect the glory of God.  Pray that you will be a steadfast witness to the resurrection of Christ.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Loving Human Glory

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

The Wedding at Cana

John 12:36-43

The Message (MSG)
 35-36Jesus said, "For a brief time still, the light is among you. Walk by the light you have so darkness doesn't destroy you. If you walk in darkness, you don't know where you're going. As you have the light, believe in the light. Then the light will be within you, and shining through your lives. You'll be children of light."
Their Eyes Are Blinded
 36-40Jesus said all this, and then went into hiding. All these God-signs he had given them and they still didn't get it, still wouldn't trust him. This proved that the prophet Isaiah was right:   God, who believed what we preached?
   Who recognized God's arm, outstretched and ready to act?
First they wouldn't believe, then they couldn't—again, just as Isaiah said:

   Their eyes are blinded,
      their hearts are hardened,
   So that they wouldn't see with their eyes
      and perceive with their hearts,
   And turn to me, God,
      so I could heal them.
41Isaiah said these things after he got a glimpse of God's cascading brightness that would pour through the Messiah.
 42-43On the other hand, a considerable number from the ranks of the leaders did believe. But because of the Pharisees, they didn't come out in the open with it. They were afraid of getting kicked out of the meeting place. When push came to shove they cared more for human approval than for God's glory.

For Reflection 
What does it take?  What does it take to grasp the promise of eternal life?  What does it take to see Jesus for who he is?  What does it take to choose to walk in the light of God's wisdom? what does it take to believe so strongly that you are willing to risk the approval of others?  What does it take to have confidence in God?  What does it take to reject fear and be obedient to God?  What does it take?

After the Christ event, truth became knowable.

Pray
for the courage to follow your faith.  Pray for the confidence in God's promise that will enable you to reject the worldly and accept the Heavenly.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

God Glorifies the Son

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

The Wedding at Cana

John 8:48-59

The Message
I Am Who I Am
 48The Jews then said, "That clinches it. We were right all along when we called you a Samaritan and said you were crazy—demon-possessed!" 49-51Jesus said, "I'm not crazy. I simply honor my Father, while you dishonor me. I am not trying to get anything for myself. God intends something gloriously grand here and is making the decisions that will bring it about. I say this with absolute confidence. If you practice what I'm telling you, you'll never have to look death in the face."
 52-53At this point the Jews said, "Now we know you're crazy. Abraham died. The prophets died. And you show up saying, 'If you practice what I'm telling you, you'll never have to face death, not even a taste.' Are you greater than Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you think you are!"
 54-56Jesus said, "If I turned the spotlight on myself, it wouldn't amount to anything. But my Father, the same One you say is your Father, put me here at this time and place of splendor. You haven't recognized him in this. But I have. If I, in false modesty, said I didn't know what was going on, I would be as much of a liar as you are. But I do know, and I am doing what he says. Abraham—your 'father'—with jubilant faith looked down the corridors of history and saw my day coming. He saw it and cheered."
 57The Jews said, "You're not even fifty years old—and Abraham saw you?"
 58"Believe me," said Jesus, "I am who I am long before Abraham was anything."
 59That did it—pushed them over the edge. They picked up rocks to throw at him. But Jesus slipped away, getting out of the Temple.

For Reflection 
This is an astounding revelation to the Jews.  What Jesus was proclaiming was preposterous. Moreover, if it were true, the way the Jews lived their lives and practiced their faith would be challenged.
Jesus challenges us in the same way today.  Christ challenges our way of life.  He challenges us to become increasingly Christ-centered and to reject self-centered culture-centered responses.  How do you approach this challenge?

After the Christ event, truth became knowable. 

Pray
that you will meet Christ challenges head on; fearlessly.  Pray that you will respond in Christ-centered ways so that you can become a witness to the Kingdom of God.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Glory That Comes from God

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

The Wedding at Cana

John 5:39-47

The Message
 39-40"You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you'll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me! And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren't willing to receive from me the life you say you want.
 41-44"I'm not interested in crowd approval. And do you know why? Because I know you and your crowds. I know that love, especially God's love, is not on your working agenda. I came with the authority of my Father, and you either dismiss me or avoid me. If another came, acting self-important, you would welcome him with open arms. How do you expect to get anywhere with God when you spend all your time jockeying for position with each other, ranking your rivals and ignoring God?
 45-47"But don't think I'm going to accuse you before my Father. Moses, in whom you put so much stock, is your accuser. If you believed, really believed, what Moses said, you would believe me. He wrote of me. If you won't take seriously what he wrote, how can I expect you to take seriously what I speak?"

For Reflection 
Studying scripture is important.  Scripture provides an historical and theological foundation for our faith. But scripture needs a context for interpretation.  Christ provides that context.  One can abuse scripture by bending it to serve egocentric purposes.  But in the context of Christ, that abuse becomes more difficult.  Scripture in the context of God's love will promote God-centered wisdom.

After  the Christ event, truth became knowable. 

Pray
when you read scripture.  Ask God for the ability to interpret scripture in terms of what Christ has revealed.  Pray that you will avoid using scripture for your own ends. 

Monday, March 12, 2012

Glorify Your Son

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

The Wedding at Cana

John 17:1-5

The Message
Jesus' Prayer for His Followers
 1-5 Jesus said these things. Then, raising his eyes in prayer, he said:
   Father, it's time.
   Display the bright splendor of your Son
   So the Son in turn may show your bright splendor.
   You put him in charge of everything human
   So he might give real and eternal life to all in his charge.
   And this is the real and eternal life:
   That they know you,
   The one and only true God,
   And Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
   I glorified you on earth
   By completing down to the last detail
   What you assigned me to do.
   And now, Father, glorify me with your very own splendor,
   The very splendor I had in your presence
   Before there was a world.

For Reflection 
Near the end of His earthly mission, Christ, after carrying the word from His Father to the Disciples, prayed on their behalf to His Father. It foreshadows the roll  that Christ may play following his mortality.  Christ intercedes on our behalf.  Think of it.  Christ argues our case before God.

Pray
Thank God for the saving grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Friday, March 9, 2012

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

The Word Became Flesh

John 1:1-14

The Message
The Life-Light
 1-2 The Word was first,
      the Word present to God,
      God present to the Word.
   The Word was God,
      in readiness for God from day one. 3-5Everything was created through him;
      nothing—not one thing!—
      came into being without him.
   What came into existence was Life,
      and the Life was Light to live by.
   The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;
      the darkness couldn't put it out.
 6-8There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light.
 9-13The Life-Light was the real thing:
      Every person entering Life
      he brings into Light.
   He was in the world,
      the world was there through him,
      and yet the world didn't even notice.
   He came to his own people,
      but they didn't want him.
   But whoever did want him,
      who believed he was who he claimed
      and would do what he said,
   He made to be their true selves,
      their child-of-God selves.
   These are the God-begotten,
      not blood-begotten,
      not flesh-begotten,
      not sex-begotten.
 14The Word became flesh and blood,
      and moved into the neighborhood.
   We saw the glory with our own eyes,
      the one-of-a-kind glory,
      like Father, like Son,
   Generous inside and out,
      true from start to finish.

For Reflection 
God has so much faith in you that He sent His Son as a sacrifice in forgiveness for your separation from Him.  He has faith that you will choose life over death, light over darkness, obedience to His word over rejection of His truth. Choose to grow into your Child-of-God selves.

Because of the Christ event, truth became knowable.

Pray
that you will rededicate your self to the living God.  Pray that your will hear God's Word in the Holy Scriptures.  Pray that your faith will be strengthened in the fellowship of witnesses to Christ's resurrection.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Beginning from Jerusalem

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

The Word Became Flesh

Luke 24:44-49

The Message
You're the Witnesses
 44Then he said, "Everything I told you while I was with you comes to this: All the things written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms have to be fulfilled." 45-49He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way. He said, "You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations—starting from here, from Jerusalem! You're the first to hear and see it. You're the witnesses. What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you're equipped with power from on high."

For Reflection
We are all witnesses to the resurrection.  Indeed, we are also resurrected from the dead when we declare our allegiance to God.  As witnesses we are equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit.  We are to proclaim to all nations the Good News.  Can you identify the ways in which you are a witness to the resurrected Christ?

Pray
that God will use your life, any time and in any way, as a witness to the resurrection and to God's will for all peoples.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

From the Foundations of the Earth

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

The Word Became Flesh

Isaiah 40:21-26

The Message
                             
 21-24Have you not been paying attention?
   Have you not been listening?
Haven't you heard these stories all your life?
   Don't you understand the foundation of all things?
God sits high above the round ball of earth.
   The people look like mere ants.
He stretches out the skies like a canvas—
   yes, like a tent canvas to live under.
He ignores what all the princes say and do.
   The rulers of the earth count for nothing.
Princes and rulers don't amount to much.
   Like seeds barely rooted, just sprouted,
They shrivel when God blows on them.
   Like flecks of chaff, they're gone with the wind.
 25-26"So—who is like me?
   Who holds a candle to me?" says The Holy.
Look at the night skies:
   Who do you think made all this?
Who marches this army of stars out each night,
   counts them off, calls each by name
—so magnificent! so powerful!—
   and never overlooks a single one?

For Reflection
In God's time, in God's plan,  those things which occupy a considerable amount of our time and planning, argument and strategy are of little consequence to God.  The rulers of Earth count for nothing in comparison to God.  We are are called to allegiance to God not to human kind.  Human rulers come and go.  Only God remains steadfast and focused on the reconciliation of humanity.  To whom do you align yourself?  How obedient are you to God's call? 

Pray
Praise God.  Pray that you will be obedient to God's will.  Pray that you will look to God for guidance and have the patience to wait for His answer.  Pray that the basis for your choices are God-centered. Pray for the day when all peoples will see the folly of self-centered action. Pray that all people will open their hearts to God, the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.  Pray that in the turmoil of our times our imperfect decisions will in the end be useful to God.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

In the Beginning, God

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

The Word Became Flesh

Genesis 1:1-5

The Message
 1-2First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don't see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God's Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss.

 3-5 God spoke: "Light!"
      And light appeared.
   God saw that light was good
      and separated light from dark.
   God named the light Day,
      he named the dark Night.
   It was evening, it was morning—
   Day One.

For Reflection 
One of the ways we are in the image of God is that we have the ability to see relationships among desperate things.  Our creativity is limited to making new things by rearranging old things.  God, however, is singularly unique.  He, only, makes something out of nothing.  God is the source of all wisdom.  He is the source of all love.  Believe it.  Act on it.

Pray
give praise and raise hallelujahs.  Pray that you will walk humbly in the presence of wisdom and live.  Pray that your life will be a living testament to the living God.

Monday, March 5, 2012

The Beginning of Wisdom

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

The Word Became Flesh

Psalm 111

The Message (MSG)

Psalm 111


    Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I've got—
   Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation.
   God's works are so great, worth
   A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment!
   Splendor and beauty mark his craft;
   His generosity never gives out.
   His miracles are his memorial—
   This God of Grace, this God of Love.
   He gave food to those who fear him,
   He remembered to keep his ancient promise.
   He proved to his people that he could do what he said:
   Hand them the nations on a platter—a gift!
   He manufactures truth and justice;
   All his products are guaranteed to last—
   Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof.
   All that he makes and does is honest and true:
   He paid the ransom for his people,
   He ordered his Covenant kept forever.
   He's so personal and holy, worthy of our respect.
   The good life begins in the fear of God
   Do that and you'll know the blessing of God.
   His Hallelujah lasts forever!

For Reflection 
When we consider the history of humankind, we are amazed at the progress. As God has enabled us, we have learned much that improves the human condition.  Yet in all that we have accomplished, we have yet to respond to God's call for obedience.  What we have accomplished is trivial when compared to what God has accomplished and what He could accomplish if we were more obedient to His word.  To what extent are you part of His Hallelujah? 

Pray
prayers of praise for the awesome power of God.  Pray that you will be obedient to the will of God.  Pray for the courage to be more God-centered.  Pray that you will recognize opportunities to witness to the mighty power of the Holy Spirit.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Creation Awaits Glory

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

Wisdom's Part in Creation

Romans 8:18-25

The Message
 18-21That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.
 22-25All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.

For Reflection 
We are born in pain, live through pain and die in pain.  Although we may suffer, we live in the joy of the Holy Spirit anticipating the time when we can serve the Lord's purposes.  In God we find the transforming deliverance that spawns joy in the face of difficulty. 

Pray
for the patience to wait for the chance to take part in God's glorious plan.  Pray a child-like excited anticipation of the realization of God's Kingdom.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

The Firstborn of All Creation

God's Creative Word
The Word Was in the Beginning

Wisdom's Part in Creation

Colossians 1:15-19

The Message
Christ Holds It All Together
 15-18We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body. 18-20He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he's there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.

For Reflection 
Look at the Son and see God.  What is it about Christ that impresses you the most?  In what ways have you allowed that characteristic to form your response to God?

Pray
that you will become more Christ-like each day.  Pray that you will respond in Christ-like ways to your daily challenges.