A Day of Thanksgiving

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Honoring the Sabbath

Psalm 92:1-9

The Message

A Sabbath Song

92 ^1-3 What a beautiful thing, God, to give thanks,
    to sing an anthem to you, the High God!
To announce your love each daybreak,
    sing your faithful presence all through the night,
Accompanied by dulcimer and harp,
    the full-bodied music of strings.

^4-9 You made me so happy, God
    I saw your work and I shouted for joy.
How magnificent your work, God!
    How profound your thoughts!
Dullards never notice what you do;
    fools never do get it.
When the wicked popped up like weeds
    and all the evil men and women took over,
You mowed them down,
    finished them off once and for all.
You, God, are High and Eternal.
    Look at your enemies, God!
Look at your enemies—ruined!
    Scattered to the winds, all those hirelings of evil!

For Reflection

The Sabbath day is a day of rest and holy work.  Sing anthems of joy and hope.  Sing songs of praise and thanksgiving.  Take a look around you. It is all God's work.  God has worked for good and, if you look closely, you will find a progression of peace.  Peace is fragile.  God shows us the way to protect and nurture peace. 

Pray

for the good works of God to displace the selfish and loathsome.  Pray in adoration of the God of our salvation.  Pray for a compassionate, just and peaceful world.

God Is Still Working

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Honoring the Sabbath

John 5:2-17

The Message

Even on the Sabbath

5 ^1-6 Soon another Feast came around and Jesus was back in Jerusalem. Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there was a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda, with five alcoves. Hundreds of sick people—blind, crippled, paralyzed—were in these alcoves. One man had been an invalid there for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him stretched out by the pool and knew how long he had been there, he said, “Do you want to get well?”

⁷ The sick man said, “Sir, when the water is stirred, I don’t have anybody to put me in the pool. By the time I get there, somebody else is already in.”
^8-9 Jesus said, “Get up, take your bedroll, start walking.” The man was healed on the spot. He picked up his bedroll and walked off.
^9-10 That day happened to be the Sabbath. The Jews stopped the healed man and said, “It’s the Sabbath. You can’t carry your bedroll around. It’s against the rules.”
¹¹ But he told them, “The man who made me well told me to. He said, ‘Take your bedroll and start walking.’”
^12-13 They asked, “Who gave you the order to take it up and start walking?” But the healed man didn’t know, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd.
¹⁴ A little later Jesus found him in the Temple and said, “You look wonderful! You’re well! Don’t return to a sinning life or something worse might happen.”
^15-16 The man went back and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. That is why the Jews were out to get Jesus—because he did this kind of thing on the Sabbath.
¹⁷ But Jesus defended himself. “My Father is working straight through, even on the Sabbath. So am I.”

For Reflection

One would like to think that the legal system is about justice.  Yes, sometimes retributive justice is served, but often than not, distributive justice is not served well.  Distributive justice is about adherence to the intent of a law.  No legal system can be established to serve a just intent infallibly.  It is not enough to follow the rules.  Christ has shown us how to lead with compassion when the law is in conflict with healing action. 

Pray

 that you will follow your heart in matters of conflict.  Pray that your sense of compassion will over-rule your sense of rightness.  Pray for courage to do the right thing even when doing the right thing may be contrary to common practice.

A Light to the Nations

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Jesus is Presented in the Temple

Isaiah 42:1-9

The Message

God’s Servant Will Set Everything Right

42 ^1-4 “Take a good look at my servant.
    I’m backing him to the hilt.
He’s the one I chose,
    and I couldn’t be more pleased with him.
I’ve bathed him with my Spirit, my life.
    He’ll set everything right among the nations.
He won’t call attention to what he does
    with loud speeches or gaudy parades.
He won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt
    and he won’t disregard the small and insignificant,
    but he’ll steadily and firmly set things right.
He won’t tire out and quit. He won’t be stopped
    until he’s finished his work—to set things right on earth.
Far-flung ocean islands
    wait expectantly for his teaching.”

The God Who Makes Us Alive with His Own Life

^5-9 God’s Message,
    the God who created the cosmos, stretched out the skies,
    laid out the earth and all that grows from it,
Who breathes life into earth’s people,
    makes them alive with his own life:
“I am God. I have called you to live right and well.
    I have taken responsibility for you, kept you safe.
I have set you among my people to bind them to me,
    and provided you as a lighthouse to the nations,
To make a start at bringing people into the open, into light:
    opening blind eyes,
    releasing prisoners from dungeons,
    emptying the dark prisons.
I am God. That’s my name.
    I don’t franchise my glory,
    don’t endorse the no-god idols.
Take note: The earlier predictions of judgment have been fulfilled.
    I’m announcing the new salvation work.
Before it bursts on the scene,
    I’m telling you all about it.”

For Reflection

Look to the servant, Jesus.  See in his life the way of God.  God calls us to live right and well.  God calls us to help others to live right and well.  God calls us to he humble.  God calls us to be a light in the darkness.  God calls us to open blind eyes. 

Pray

God make me an instrument of your word.

The Lord's Comfort and Compassion

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Jesus is Presented in the Temple

Isaiah 49:8-13

The Message

^8-12 God also says:

“When the time’s ripe, I answer you.
    When victory’s due, I help you.
I form you and use you
    to reconnect the people with me,
To put the land in order,
    to resettle families on the ruined properties.
I tell prisoners, ‘Come on out. You’re free!’
    and those huddled in fear, ‘It’s all right. It’s safe now.’
There’ll be foodstands along all the roads,
    picnics on all the hills—
Nobody hungry, nobody thirsty,
    shade from the sun, shelter from the wind,
For the Compassionate One guides them,
    takes them to the best springs.
I’ll make all my mountains into roads,
    turn them into a superhighway.
Look: These coming from far countries,
    and those, out of the north,
These streaming in from the west,
    and those from all the way down the Nile!”

¹³ Heavens, raise the roof! Earth, wake the dead!
    Mountains, send up cheers!
God has comforted his people.
    He has tenderly nursed his beaten-up, beaten-down people.

For Reflection

God forms you and uses you.  Have you ever wondered about how your life would have been different if?  What if my father, who was Catholic, would not have died when I was four years old? What if I were raised in some other house hold instead of with my mother and her two sisters?  What if I would have taken the HR or writer job that a friend of the family offered when I graduated from college?  What if I had not moved away from home?  What if?  What If?

Some of what happens in our lives is good.  Some is not so good.  God uses all of our experience, good and not so good,  to form who we can become.  All our potential value in God's plan is dependent upon our accepting God's call.  Have you become what God has intended you to become?  Are you fighting the core of who you really are with heavy fists of who you think you would rather be?  It would be easier if you gave in to God. 

Pray

that you will give into your God-self.  Pray for the courage to let God guide the rest of your life.  Pray for the comfort brought by an intimate relation with the Father.

A Day of Rememberance

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Honoring the Sabbath

Deuteronomy 5:11-15

The Message

¹¹ No using the name of God, your God, in curses or silly banter; God won’t put up with the irreverent use of his name.

^12-15 No working on the Sabbath; keep it holy just as God, your God, commanded you. Work six days, doing everything you have to do, but the seventh day is a Sabbath, a Rest Day—no work: not you, your son, your daughter, your servant, your maid, your ox, your donkey (or any of your animals), and not even the foreigner visiting your town. That way your servants and maids will get the same rest as you. Don’t ever forget that you were slaves in Egypt and God, your God, got you out of there in a powerful show of strength. That’s why God, your God, commands you to observe the day of Sabbath rest.

For Reflection

Use the name of God wisely.  Invoke God's power for good.  On the Sabbath rest, and ask nothing of others on the Sabbath.  It is just that they should be offered rest and an opportunity to remember God's grace. 

Pray

remembering what God has done with and through you.  Thank God for the opportunity to be obedient servants to God's call.  Remember the promise made to Abraham and revel God's grace and freedom to support the pursuit of what is righteous.

Consolation for Israel

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Jesus is Presented in the Temple

Isaiah 40:1-5

The Message

Messages of Comfort

Prepare for God’s Arrival

40 ^1-2 “Comfort, oh comfort my people,”
    says your God.
“Speak softly and tenderly to Jerusalem,
    but also make it very clear
That she has served her sentence,
    that her sin is taken care of—forgiven!
She’s been punished enough and more than enough,
    and now it’s over and done with.”

^3-5 Thunder in the desert!
    “Prepare for God’s arrival!
Make the road straight and smooth,
    a highway fit for our God.
Fill in the valleys,
    level off the hills,
Smooth out the ruts,
    clear out the rocks.
Then God’s bright glory will shine
    and everyone will see it.
    Yes. Just as God has said.”

For Reflection
In a term perhaps coined by Charles Dickens, I wish you all a merry Christmas.  In the midst of all the hub and bub of the season, take time to reflect on the living God, the light of the world,  If you are moved by the Christ event, ask yourself, "How can I be an instrument of compassion, justice and hope and remain a humble servant, obedient to the call of God."

Perhaps, too, as followers of the Way of Christ, we are tasked with making preparations for God's arrival.  God's arrival into the hearts and minds of all people so that God's promise will be fulfilled.  Fill in what is missing from our lives.   Lower the hills of resistance.  Smooth the ruts of doubt.  Clear away the rocks of fear.  Indeed, make a smooth road for God's compassion, justice and hope. 

Pray

that you will be an instrument of compassion and justice in God's road crew.  Pray for the church to fulfill its commission.  Pray for all who labor in God's name.

Circumcising on the Eight Day

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Jesus is Presented in the Temple

Leviticus 12:1-5

The Message

Childbirth

12 ^1-5 God spoke to Moses: “Tell the People of Israel, A woman who conceives and gives birth to a boy is ritually unclean for seven days, the same as during her menstruation. On the eighth day circumcise the boy. The mother must stay home another thirty-three days for purification from her bleeding. She may not touch anything consecrated or enter the Sanctuary until the days of her purification are complete. If she gives birth to a girl, she is unclean for fourteen days, the same as during her menstruation. She must stay home for sixty-six days for purification from her bleeding.

For Reflection

Christ, by law, took the sign of a member of God's covenant, circumcision.  It was the right of His Birth.

Mary, by law, was quarantined.  The issue was purity.  One might consider the cautions of sterile environments and processes a sort of parallel, however the rituals of purification were based in religion and perhaps only slightly in the well-being of the mother and child. 

Pray

that you will be obedient to God's law and for the wisdom to know the difference between obedience driven by  the intent of God or the intent of human kind.

Born into the Law

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Jesus is Presented in the Temple

Luke 2:22-24

The Message

^22-24 Then when the days stipulated by Moses for purification were complete, they took him up to Jerusalem to offer him to God as commanded in God’s Law: “Every male who opens the womb shall be a holy offering to God,” and also to sacrifice the “pair of doves or two young pigeons” prescribed in God’s Law.

For Reflection

Jesus was born into the law.  He was not some outsider who had no right to his heritage.  Jesus was a Jew.  Faith in God was a prescription for right behavior.  And yet there were always those whose faith took them beyond the law into the intent of the law.  Which is more important to you? 

Pray

that you will follow the call of God.  Pray that by the example of the Christ you will be obedient to the will of God.

God's Blessings on David's Decendants

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Jesus is Born

Psalm 18:46-50

The Message

^46-48 Live, God! Blessings from my Rock,
    my free and freeing God, towering!
This God set things right for me
    and shut up the people who talked back.
He rescued me from enemy anger,
    he pulled me from the grip of upstarts,
He saved me from the bullies.

^49-50 That’s why I’m thanking you, God,
    all over the world.
That’s why I’m singing songs
    that rhyme your name.
God’s king takes the trophy;
    God’s chosen is beloved.
I mean David and all his children—
    always.

For Reflection

What in your life rhymes God's name?  What is happening or has happened in your life that has the ring of God's truth?  What can you point to that reveals the blessing of God? 

Pray

prayers of Thanksgiving.  Sing songs of Joy.  Reveal the God-centered you in action.  Pray that your life will rhyme God's name

A Ruler from Bethlehem and Judah

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Jesus is Born

Micah 5:1-6

The Message

5 But for now, prepare for the worst, victim daughter!
    The siege is set against us.
They humiliate Israel’s king,
    slapping him around like a rag doll.

^2-4 But you, Bethlehem, David’s country,
    the runt of the litter—
From you will come the leader
    who will shepherd-rule Israel.
He’ll be no upstart, no pretender.
    His family tree is ancient and distinguished.
Meanwhile, Israel will be in foster homes
    until the birth pangs are over and the child is born,
And the scattered brothers come back
    home to the family of Israel.
He will stand tall in his shepherd-rule by God’s strength,
    centered in the majesty of God-Revealed.
And the people will have a good and safe home,
    for the whole world will hold him in respect—
    Peacemaker of the world!

^5-6 And if some bullying Assyrian shows up,
    invades and violates our land, don’t worry.
We’ll put him in his place, send him packing,
    and watch his every move.
Shepherd-rule will extend as far as needed,
    to Assyria and all other Nimrod-bullies.
Our shepherd-ruler will save us from old or new enemies,
    from anyone who invades or violates our land.

For Reflection

There are remarkable insights in this passage that lead to the understanding of the role of the Messiah.  The Lord will enter this would in humility: unexpected, not as a warrior/avenger.  The Lord will not rule as any conventional ruler.  The Lord will be a shepherd-ruler, compassionate protector and the champion of justice.  The Lord's rule will be centered in and reveal the majesty of God.  The Lord will be known and respected in all corners of the universe.  The Lord will reveal the wicked and honor the righteous.  The Lord will be a peace maker.  The Lord will save us from all our enemies, from those who violate the rule of God.  The Lord who stems from the best of us will bring out the best in us and restore us to our God-selves.  What can be more wonderful, more majestic, more hopeful than the arrival of our Lord? 

Pray

that you will find hope in the birth of Jesus.  Pray that you will follow the way as revealed in the life of Christ.  Pray that you will be an obedient citizen of the Kingdom of God.

Hope for the Coming One

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Jesus is Born

Isaiah 9:1-7

The Message

9 But there’ll be no darkness for those who were in trouble. Earlier he did bring the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali into disrepute, but the time is coming when he’ll make that whole area glorious— the road along the Sea, the country past the Jordan, international Galilee.

^2-7 The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light.
For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—
    light! sunbursts of light!
You repopulated the nation,
    you expanded its joy.
Oh, they’re so glad in your presence!
    Festival joy!
The joy of a great celebration,
    sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.
The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants—
    all their whips and cudgels and curses—
Is gone, done away with, a deliverance
    as surprising and sudden as Gideon’s old victory over Midian.
The boots of all those invading troops,
    along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood,
Will be piled in a heap and burned,
    a fire that will burn for days!
For a child has been born—for us!
    the gift of a son—for us!
He’ll take over
    the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
    Strong God,
Eternal Father,
    Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow,
    and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
He’ll rule from the historic David throne
    over that promised kingdom.
He’ll put that kingdom on a firm footing
    and keep it going
With fair dealing and right living,
    beginning now and lasting always.
The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies
    will do all this.

For Reflection

A kingdom characterized by fair dealing and right living.  What a dream!  A dream turned into reality beginning now and lasting always.  A son born into our world of oppression and deceit, our world of poverty and riches.  In our world of darkness Christ shines a light of compassion and hope for peace.  Step into the light and bask in the fullness of God. 

Pray

for God's light to shine before you so that you may participate in the promise of God.  Pray for those who serve the Lord.  Pray for the day when all will see the light of compassion and justice.  Pray that you will respond to God's call for your life.  Hope for God's promise of reconciliation and peace.

A Child Dedicated to the Lord

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Jesus is Born

1 Samuel 2:1-10

The Message

2 Hannah prayed:

I’m bursting with God-news!
    I’m walking on air.
I’m laughing at my rivals.
    I’m dancing my salvation.

^2-5 Nothing and no one is holy like God,
    no rock mountain like our God.
Don’t dare talk pretentiously—
    not a word of boasting, ever!
For God knows what’s going on.
    He takes the measure of everything that happens.
The weapons of the strong are smashed to pieces,
    while the weak are infused with fresh strength.
The well-fed are out begging in the streets for crusts,
    while the hungry are getting second helpings.
The barren woman has a houseful of children,
    while the mother of many is bereft.

^6-10 God brings death and God brings life,
    brings down to the grave and raises up.
God brings poverty and God brings wealth;
    he lowers, he also lifts up.
He puts poor people on their feet again;
    he rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope,
Restoring dignity and respect to their lives—
    a place in the sun!
For the very structures of earth are God’s;
    he has laid out his operations on a firm foundation.
He protectively cares for his faithful friends, step by step,
    but leaves the wicked to stumble in the dark.
    No one makes it in this life by sheer muscle!
God’s enemies will be blasted out of the sky,
    crashed in a heap and burned.
God will set things right all over the earth,
    he’ll give strength to his king,
    he’ll set his anointed on top of the world!

For Reflection

Hannah is so grateful to God that she praises the giver without mentioning the gift of Samuel. She praises God as a personal savior as well as a savior for her nation.  She thanks God for His power over tyrants and for God's compassion for the poor and oppressed.   

 Are you grateful enough to dance your salvation?  Praise be to God who can set all things right.

Pray

for the good news that is Christ, our lord.  Praise God for showing us the way to a compassionate life in God's keep.  Praise God for giving us strength and steadfast courage.

A Prophet and More

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Zechariah Prophesies about His Son, John

Luke 7:18-27

The Message

^18-19 John’s disciples reported back to him the news of all these events taking place. He sent two of them to the Master to ask the question, “Are you the One we’ve been expecting, or are we still waiting?”

²⁰ The men showed up before Jesus and said, “John the Baptizer sent us to ask you, ‘Are you the One we’ve been expecting, or are we still waiting?’”
^21-23 In the next two or three hours Jesus healed many from diseases, distress, and evil spirits. To many of the blind he gave the gift of sight. Then he gave his answer: “Go back and tell John what you have just seen and heard:

The blind see,
The lame walk,
Lepers are cleansed,
The deaf hear,
The dead are raised,
The wretched of the earth
    have God’s salvation hospitality extended to them.

“Is this what you were expecting? Then count yourselves fortunate!”

^24-27 After John’s messengers left to make their report, Jesus said more about John to the crowd of people. “What did you expect when you went out to see him in the wild? A weekend camper? Hardly. What then? A sheik in silk pajamas? Not in the wilderness, not by a long shot. What then? A messenger from God? That’s right, a messenger! Probably the greatest messenger you’ll ever hear. He is the messenger Malachi announced when he wrote,
I’m sending my messenger on ahead
To make the road smooth for you.

For Reflection

What was expected of a Messiah?  Was it the establishment of a new theocracy, by force if necessary?  Frankly, that would have been easier!  Would a new, God selected "King David" or a  new set of governing rules adjudicated by a "New Solomon" really establish the justice the people were seeking?  Did they expect a healer?

Do we prefer warriors rather than healers to solve humanities woes?  Are we still looking for self-made solutions?  Or are we turning to God who asks us to heal each other by adopting compassion and justice as the hope for this world? 

Pray

That you will continue to serve God as a steward of God's creation.  Pray that all who follow Christ will have the courage to heal, to help others see and to extend to all the hospitality of the Holy Spirit.

The Baptizer of Jesus

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Zechariah Prophesies about His Son, John

Matthew 3:13-17

The Message

^13-14 Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. John objected, “I’m the one who needs to be baptized, not you!”

¹⁵ But Jesus insisted. “Do it. God’s work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism.” So John did it.
^16-17 The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God’s Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.”

For Reflection

 It was, at the moment of baptism, that God proclaimed for all that Jesus was the son of God.  The baptism of Christ defines the baptism for us all. Baptism is a central part of smoothing the way for the Holy Spirit to work in our lives.  We baptize publicly so that we can remember that we are becoming children of God.  We Baptize so that we remember that we are stewards of God's work. 

Pray

to remember the meaning of your baptism.  Pray that you will embrace the Holy Spirit, who resides in you, to carry out the miracles of God's work.

What, Then, Should We Do?

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Zechariah Prophesies about His Son, John

Luke 3:7-14

The Message

^7-9 When crowds of people came out for baptism because it was the popular thing to do, John exploded: “Brood of snakes! What do you think you’re doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to deflect God’s judgment? It’s your life that must change, not your skin. And don’t think you can pull rank by claiming Abraham as ‘father.’ Being a child of Abraham is neither here nor there—children of Abraham are a dime a dozen. God can make children from stones if he wants. What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming? Because if it’s deadwood, it goes on the fire.”

¹⁰ The crowd asked him, “Then what are we supposed to do?”
¹¹ “If you have two coats, give one away,” he said. “Do the same with your food.”
¹² Tax men also came to be baptized and said, “Teacher, what should we do?”
¹³ He told them, “No more extortion—collect only what is required by law.”
¹⁴ Soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”
He told them, “No shakedowns, no blackmail—and be content with your rations.”

For Reflection

Some time ago, I saw a TV report on Japanese marriage ceremonies.  It seemed at the time, that the Japanese were enamored with the Christian wedding ceremony and many newly-weds had married in that style -- wedding dress, bride's maids, Christian like ceremony, and of course the after wedding party.  It was not that the loving couple was converting to Christianity,  they just liked the style.

Many people adopt the style of Christianity with our adopting its substance.  The rituals of baptism, communion, and church attendance, for some, is an insurance policy to cover the event that there really is a God!

To accept Christ is transformational event.  An event that will not be consummated until one acts compassionately, justly and humbly for God's sake.  God wants more than lip service.  He sacrificed himself on a cross to show you and I what it means to be a child of God.  God loves us all; lip-syncers too!  God's passion is that we all should be obedient to His will. 

Pray

that you will be an obedient child of God.  Pray for the courage to seek justice, and engage in acts of compassion.  Pray for all who have been transformed by the living God. Pray for those who resist full acceptance of the Way, that they may be truly reconciled to God and find the joy and peace that comes only from a life transformed by the passion to serve God.

John's Call to Repentance

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Mary's Song of Praise

Luke 3:1-6

The Message

3 ^1-6 In the fifteenth year of the rule of Caesar Tiberius—it was while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea; Herod, ruler of Galilee; his brother Philip, ruler of Iturea and Trachonitis; Lysanias, ruler of Abilene; during the Chief-Priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas—John, Zachariah’s son, out in the desert at the time, received a message from God. He went all through the country around the Jordan River preaching a baptism of life-change leading to forgiveness of sins, as described in the words of Isaiah the prophet:

Thunder in the desert!
“Prepare God’s arrival!
Make the road smooth and straight!
Every ditch will be filled in,
Every bump smoothed out,
The detours straightened out,
All the ruts paved over.
Everyone will be there to see
The parade of God’s salvation.”

For Reflection

Make way for God! John was called to prepare the way for the arrival of God in the form of Christ.  The times were turbulent.  Caesar declared a god, ruled with brutal force.  The Jewish priesthood was corrupt and dysfunctional.  Rebellion was in the air.  The powerful thrived on the abuse of their power and the poor paid the price to support the affluent few.  A false peace came with the loss of compassion and justice.

Are we called today to prepare the world for God's arrival?  What needs to happen in order for God to rule in this world? What is this"baptism of life-change? "

 

Pray

that your righteousness will be a beacon of God-centered living.  Pray that each person will prepare their hearts and minds to accept the Holy Spirit into their lives. Pray that you will be willing and able to resist the call of the worldly and heed the call to God.  Pray that you will live to glorify God.

What Will This Child Become?

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Mary's Song of Praise

Luke 1:59-66

The Message

^59-60 On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child and were calling him Zachariah after his father. But his mother intervened: “No. He is to be called John.”
^61-62 “But,” they said, “no one in your family is named that.” They used sign language to ask Zachariah what he wanted him named.
^63-64 Asking for a tablet, Zachariah wrote, “His name is to be John.” That took everyone by surprise. Surprise followed surprise—Zachariah’s mouth was now open, his tongue loose, and he was talking, praising God!
^65-66 A deep, reverential fear settled over the neighborhood, and in all that Judean hill country people talked about nothing else. Everyone who heard about it took it to heart, wondering, “What will become of this child? Clearly, God has his hand in this.”

For Reflection

Yes, what indeed will this child become?  Time and time again we are asked to suspend reason for God's wisdom.  In this case,reason dictated that Elizabeth's son be named for his father.  Reason predicted that Zachariah would follow the prevailing custom.  An yet, having been dumb struck in God's presence, Zachariah speaks in support of his wife and defies convention.  How willing are you to suspend reason when it comes to God's will?

 

Pray

that you will see God's hand at work in your life and the lives of others.  Pray that you will suspend reason and embrace the mystery that is God.

The Lord Reigns for All Generations

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Mary's Song of Praise

Psalm 146

The Message

146 ^1-2 Hallelujah!
    O my soul, praise God!
All my life long I’ll praise God,
    singing songs to my God as long as I live.

^3-9 Don’t put your life in the hands of experts
    who know nothing of life, of salvation life.
Mere humans don’t have what it takes;
    when they die, their projects die with them.
Instead, get help from the God of Jacob,
    put your hope in God and know real blessing!
God made sky and soil,
    sea and all the fish in it.
He always does what he says—
    he defends the wronged,
    he feeds the hungry.
God frees prisoners—
    he gives sight to the blind,
    he lifts up the fallen.
God loves good people, protects strangers,
    takes the side of orphans and widows,
    but makes short work of the wicked.

¹⁰ God’s in charge—always.
    Zion’s God is God for good!
    Hallelujah!

For Reflection

I have begun to believe that the most important questions in life are theological.  There is no end to the numbers of experts, self-proclaimed or otherwise, that propose to eliminate social, economic or political burdens.  Few of them, however, seem to reflect in any consistency the compassion and sense of justice disclosed to us by God in the form of Christ.  More often than not, the proposals justified by expedience, efficiency, or self-interest, structure systems that create only more problems.  By applying standards of God-centered compassion and justice, how would you resolve problems differently from those whose only standard is conventional cultural wisdom? 

Pray

that you will give up on modern cultural expectations and give in to the culture of God's Kingdom.  Pray that you will place your life in God's hands.  Pray for the trust and courage to risk a God-centered life.

Bless the Compassionate Lord

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Mary's Song of Praise

Psalm 103:13-22

The Message

^6-18 God makes everything come out right;
    he puts victims back on their feet.
He showed Moses how he went about his work,
    opened up his plans to all Israel.
God is sheer mercy and grace;
    not easily angered, he’s rich in love.
He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold,
    nor hold grudges forever.
He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve,
    nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth,
    so strong is his love to those who fear him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset,
    he has separated us from our sins.
As parents feel for their children,
    God feels for those who fear him.
He knows us inside and out,
    keeps in mind that we’re made of mud.
Men and women don’t live very long;
    like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
    leaving nothing to show they were here.
God’s love, though, is ever and always,
    eternally present to all who fear him,
Making everything right for them and their children
    as they follow his Covenant ways
    and remember to do whatever he said.

^19-22 God has set his throne in heaven;
    he rules over us all. He’s the King!
So bless God, you angels,
    ready and able to fly at his bidding,
    quick to hear and do what he says.
Bless God, all you armies of angels,
    alert to respond to whatever he wills.
Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are—
    everything and everyone made by God.

And you, O my soul, bless God!

For Reflection

God has made us emotional beings.  God has given us the freedom to choose.  God has provided us with the capacity for compassion.  We are capable of empathy and we were made that way for a reason.  God intends us to feel the joy and pain of others so that we can respond to each-other's need  and be moved to lift each-other's burdens.  Compassion is not charity.  Compassion is not mercy.  Compassion is what drives us to seek justice.  With the potential for justice comes hope.  Hope builds spiritual strength and meaningful lives. 

Pray

that you will pass on the love of God through your compassionate acts.  Pray that you will offer help to those who are burdened by life.  Pray that you will act in humility never expecting anything in return.  Pray that you will find joy in seeing others escape demoralizing circumstances.  Pray that the Lord will drive you to random acts of compassion.

Give thanks to the Lord

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Mary's Song of Praise

Psalm 100

The Message

A Thanksgiving Psalm

100 ^1-2 On your feet now—applaud God!
    Bring a gift of laughter,
    sing yourselves into his presence.

³ Know this: God is God, and God, God.
    He made us; we didn’t make him.
    We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.

⁴ Enter with the password: “Thank you!”
    Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
    Thank him. Worship him.

⁵ For God is sheer beauty,
    all-generous in love,
    loyal always and ever.

For Reflection

What could possibly be more appropriate than a joyous celebration.  Feast, sing, dance to loud music.  It is the season when selfless acts and frivolity take center stage.  Extravagance  in praise and thanksgiving and joy is encouraged.  We worship God in our celebration of the birth of a new dawn -- a day so profoundly significant that it punctuated our measure of time. 

Pray

that you will enter each day proclaiming, "THANK YOU GOD!"  Give thanks to God for surrounding us with beauty and love.  Confess your allegiance to God.  Pray for courage to follow through in your path along the"WAY."

O Magnify the Lord with Me

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
God Sends Jesus
Mary's Song of Praise

Psalm 34:1-8

The Message

A David Psalm, When He Outwitted Abimelech and Got Away

34 I bless God every chance I get;
my lungs expand with his praise.

² I live and breathe God;
if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy:

³ Join me in spreading the news;
together let’s get the word out.

⁴ God met me more than halfway,
he freed me from my anxious fears.

⁵ Look at him; give him your warmest smile.
Never hide your feelings from him.

⁶ When I was desperate, I called out,
and God got me out of a tight spot.

⁷ God’s angel sets up a circle
of protection around us while we pray.

⁸ Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.

For Reflection

Part of the "Good News" means that no one has to face life alone.  God is there.  All we have to do is acknowledge God and ask for help.  Do you think that you can climb out of that hole you dug all by yourself?  Do seriously think that your success in life is all of your own making?  Do you think that calling for help is a sign of weakness?  Well, get over yourself!   This world is not about you.  This world is about reconciling God's people, all of us.  If we try do do it ourselves we just end up in making a bigger mess.  

Pray

for all people who in faith give up themselves for a God-self.  Pray that all will heed the voice of the Holy Spirit which resides in them.  Pray for all who find themselves at the mercy of domination systems which provide little avenue for escape.  Pray for the tyrants who engage in personal, intimate or large scale oppression.  Pray that you will be an instrument of justice and peace.