God's Abundant Blessings

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
Righteousness and Wisdom

2 Corinthians 9:6-12

The Message

 ^6-7Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.
 ^8-11God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,

   He throws caution to the winds,
      giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
   His right-living, right-giving ways
      never run out, never wear out.
This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.
 ^12-15Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they'll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it enough!

For Reflection
What does it mean to become a lavish planter?  Many personnel evaluation forms include the standard, "consistently exceeds expectations."  What is the expected response to God's abiding love?

What expectations to people have for you that are derived from conventional wisdom?  How is conventional wisdom differ from the wisdom that resides in you and is derived from study of scripture and guided by the Holy Spirit?  When conflicting action is suggested by conventional wisdom and Godly wisdom how do you respond?

Pray
that you will study and pray earnestly for the wisdom from the true source of all wisdom, God.  Pray that you will be able to differentiate the actions you take which are based on conventional worldly wisdom and actions based on Godly wisdom.  Pray that you consistently exceed God's expectations for righteous living.

Remember All of the Commandments

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
Righteousness and Wisdom

Numbers 15:37-41

The Message

^37-41 God spoke to Moses: "Speak to the People of Israel. Tell them that from now on they are to make tassels on the corners of their garments and to mark each corner tassel with a blue thread. When you look at these tassels you'll remember and keep all the commandments of God, and not get distracted by everything you feel or see that seduces you into infidelities. The tassels will signal remembrance and observance of all my commandments, to live a holy life to God. I am your God who rescued you from the land of Egypt to be your personal God. Yes, I am God, your God."

For Reflection
Do you wear a fraternity pin or one from the Rotary?  Do you wear a class ring or a wedding band?  Do you carry or wear a cross?  What symbol do you wear that reminds you of the your Christian beliefs?  The symbol that you wear is much like the tassels.  It is not only a reminder to you but also a notice to all that you are a Christian and hold strongly to principal and practice of righteous living.

God is the beginning of all wisdom.  Wearing a Christian symbol that your relationship with God is one of reverence, awe and piety, will remind you of the Godly wisdom you possess and will help you stay on the path of righteous living.

Pray
that you will carry your fear of God into all aspects of your life.  Pray for the wisdom that a disciplined relationship with God will bring.  Pray that your deepening understanding of scripture in the light of Christ's life and teaching will lead you into righteous living.  Pray that God will help you make good choices.

The Sun of Righteousness

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
Righteousness and Wisdom

Malachi 4:1-6

The Message

The Sun of Righteousness Will Dawn

 ^1-3 "Count on it: The day is coming, raging like a forest fire. All the arrogant people who do evil things will be burned up like stove wood, burned to a crisp, nothing left but scorched earth and ash— a black day. But for you, sunrise! The sun of righteousness will dawn on those who honor my name, healing radiating from its wings. You will be bursting with energy, like colts frisky and frolicking. And you'll tromp on the wicked. They'll be nothing but ashes under your feet on that Day." God-of-the-Angel-Armies says so. ⁴"Remember and keep the revelation I gave through my servant Moses, the revelation I commanded at Horeb for all Israel, all the rules and procedures for right living.
 ^5-6"But also look ahead: I'm sending Elijah the prophet to clear the way for the Big Day of God—the decisive Judgment Day! He will convince parents to look after their children and children to look up to their parents. If they refuse, I'll come and put the land under a curse."

For Reflection
Those that believe in the Now and Future Christ will be bathed in the light of the sun while those who do not believe will still suffer the flames of their disbelief.  The God of the Angle Armies says that we who believe will be bursting with the energy of the Holy Spirit.  Righteous is achieved by those wise enough to follow the laws of Moses.  Wisdom is knowing what to do.  Righteousness is having the courage to follow through.

Pray
that you have the courage to follow your faith.  Pray for the wisdom that leads to righteous living.  Pray that you seek opportunities to improve your faith knowledge and that you continue to grow in grace.

Following Community

God Instructs the People of God

Listening for God in Changing Times:

Respecting Community Standards

Job 2:1-9

The Message

The Second Test: Health
 1-3 One day when the angels came to report to God, Satan also showed up. God singled out Satan, saying, "And what have you been up to?" Satan answered God, "Oh, going here and there, checking things out." Then God said to Satan, "Have you noticed my friend Job? There's no one quite like him, is there—honest and true to his word, totally devoted to God and hating evil? He still has a firm grip on his integrity! You tried to trick me into destroying him, but it didn't work."

 4-5 Satan answered, "A human would do anything to save his life. But what do you think would happen if you reached down and took away his health? He'd curse you to your face, that's what."

 6 God said, "All right. Go ahead—you can do what you like with him. But mind you, don't kill him."

 7-8 Satan left God and struck Job with terrible sores. Job was ulcers and scabs from head to foot. They itched and oozed so badly that he took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself, then went and sat on a trash heap, among the ashes.

 9 His wife said, "Still holding on to your precious integrity, are you? Curse God and be done with it!"

For Reflection
Even in you most intimate community there are those whose council, while given in good faith, seduces you into doubt and unGodly thought and deed.  Think of a time when you felt pressure to walk away from commitment to God.  Like Job, are willing to suffer for God's sake?

Pray
prayers of confession.  Seek God's forgiveness for those week moments of doubt and transgression.  Pray for His help in forming and participating in communities that reflect The Way.

Walking in Integrity

God Instructs the People of God

Listening for God in Changing Times:

Respecting Community Standards


Psalm 26:1-11

The Message

A David Psalm
 1 Clear my name, God; I've kept an honest shop.
   I've thrown in my lot with you, God, and
      I'm not budging.

 2 Examine me, God, from head to foot,
      order your battery of tests.
   Make sure I'm fit
      inside and out

 3 So I never lose
      sight of your love,
   But keep in step with you,
      never missing a beat.

 4-5 I don't hang out with tricksters,
      I don't pal around with thugs;
   I hate that pack of gangsters,
      I don't deal with double-dealers.

 6-7 I scrub my hands with purest soap,
      then join hands with the others in the great circle,
      dancing around your altar, God,
   Singing God-songs at the top of my lungs,
      telling God-stories.

 8-10 God, I love living with you;
      your house glows with your glory.
   When it's time for spring cleaning,
      don't sweep me out with the quacks and crooks,
   Men with bags of dirty tricks,
      women with purses stuffed with bribe-money.

 11-12 You know I've been aboveboard with you;
      now be aboveboard with me.
   I'm on the level with you, God;
      I bless you every chance I get.

For Reflection
What joy the psalmist must feel.  He declares his commitment to God and sings praises to His glory. He tries to hold council with other good people and asks repeatedly for God to purify him and to guide his daily activity.

Pray
the prayer of the psalmist.  Read the passages again as a prayer and add actions which are specific to you.

Integrity of Heart

God Instructs the People of God

Listening for God in Changing Times:

Respecting Community Standards

1 Kings 9:1-5

The Message

 1-2 After Solomon had completed building The Temple of God and his own palace, all the projects he had set his heart on doing, God appeared to Solomon again, just as he had appeared to him at Gibeon.

 3-5 And God said to him, "I've listened to and received all your prayers, your ever-so-passionate prayers. I've sanctified this Temple that you have built: My Name is stamped on it forever; my eyes are on it and my heart in it always. As for you, if you live in my presence as your father David lived, pure in heart and action, living the life I've set out for you, attentively obedient to my guidance and judgments, then I'll back your kingly rule over Israel, make it a sure thing on a solid foundation. The same guarantee I gave David your father I'm giving you: 'You can count on always having a descendant on Israel's throne.'

For Reflection
Integrity.  Easy to say -- not always easy to do.  God answers prayers.  God only asks that we be obedient to His word living in His presence.

Pray
that you remain faithful to Gods will.  Pray that you will listen closely to God's guidance. 

The Blameless Walk

God Instructs the People of God

Listening for God in Changing Times:

Respecting Community Standards

Psalm 15

The Message

A David Psalm
 1 God, who gets invited to dinner at your place?
   How do we get on your guest list?

 2 "Walk straight,
      act right,
         tell the truth.

 3-4 "Don't hurt your friend,
      don't blame your neighbor;
         despise the despicable.

 5 "Keep your word even when it costs you,
      make an honest living,
         never take a bribe.

   "You'll never get
   blacklisted
   if you live like this."

For Reflection
Walk blamelessly,  How are you doin'?

Pray
That you live a blameless live.  Pray for forgiveness when you feel that you have not met the blameless standard.  Focus your prayer on one troublesome area where you missed the mark.