Christ Has Risen

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

Resurrection Guaranteed

Matthew 28:1-10 The Message

Risen from the Dead

28 ^1-4 After the Sabbath, as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God’s angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn’t move.

^5-6 The angel spoke to the women: “There is nothing to fear here. I know you’re looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed.
⁷ “Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’ That’s the message.”
^8-10 The women, deep in wonder and full of joy, lost no time in leaving the tomb. They ran to tell the disciples. Then Jesus met them, stopping them in their tracks. “Good morning!” he said. They fell to their knees, embraced his feet, and worshiped him. Jesus said, “You’re holding on to me for dear life! Don’t be frightened like that. Go tell my brothers that they are to go to Galilee, and that I’ll meet them there.”

For Reflection

 What does the resurrection mean to you?  How has the risen Christ altered your course? Christ lives and reigns as the Spirit guiding our lives.  Sit quietly and listen for the God whispers through the Spirit.

Pray

Prayers of praise and thanksgiving for the Holy Spirit in your life.  Pray that others will open themselves to the God whispers from the Spirit deep inside them.

Jesus Has Died

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

Resurrection Guaranteed

Matthew 27:45-50  The Message

^45-46 From noon to three, the whole earth was dark. Around mid-afternoon Jesus groaned out of the depths, crying loudly, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
^47-49 Some bystanders who heard him said, “He’s calling for Elijah.” One of them ran and got a sponge soaked in sour wine and lifted it on a stick so he could drink. The others joked, “Don’t be in such a hurry. Let’s see if Elijah comes and saves him.”
⁵⁰ But Jesus, again crying out loudly, breathed his last.

For Reflection

 Proof!  Why do some people need existential proof?  Why do some people seem to want to ignore rather than to accept the mystery that was and is God and Jesus?  What could have been pain worse than being nailed to a cross to die?  For Christ,  as for all of us, the pain of separation from God is the most destructive.  To have known God intimately and then to have void where God had been is especially painful.

As we live through our time in the last days, it would be well to remember Christ's lament from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me," in the context of His resurrection.  God did not abandon Christ.  God will not abandon us.

Pray

prayers of intercession for those who feel abandoned.  Pray that they will find comfort in the Gospel.  Pray that you will remember the resurrection and find hope in living.

The World Has God after Him

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

The One Who Comes

John 12:14-19 The Message

See How Your King Comes

^12-15 The next day the huge crowd that had arrived for the Feast heard that Jesus was entering Jerusalem. They broke off palm branches and went out to meet him. And they cheered:

Hosanna!

Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!

Yes! The King of Israel!

Jesus got a young donkey and rode it, just as the Scripture has it:

No fear, Daughter Zion:
    See how your king comes,
    riding a donkey’s colt.

¹⁶ The disciples didn’t notice the fulfillment of many Scriptures at the time, but after Jesus was glorified, they remembered that what was written about him matched what was done to him.

^17-19 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, was there giving eyewitness accounts. It was because they had spread the word of this latest God-sign that the crowd swelled to a welcoming parade. The Pharisees took one look and threw up their hands: “It’s out of control. The world’s in a stampede after him.”

For Reflection 

Who would you get out of bed and travel one hundred miles to see?  For whom would you prepare extravagant pageantry? That is the meaning of anticipation, the kind of anticipation Jesus found in the crowds which followed him.  How do you anticipate Christ entering into your life?

Pray

for the coming of Christ to your rescue.  Pray for the comfort afforded by the love of God.  Pray that all who know Christ anticipate goodness in their lives.  Pray for those who live in darkness to find hope in the light of God.

The Coming Son of Man

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

The One Who Comes

Mark 14:55-62  The Message

^55-59 The high priests conspiring with the Jewish Council looked high and low for evidence against Jesus by which they could sentence him to death. They found nothing. Plenty of people were willing to bring in false charges, but nothing added up, and they ended up canceling each other out. Then a few of them stood up and lied: “We heard him say, ‘I am going to tear down this Temple, built by hard labor, and in three days build another without lifting a hand.’” But even they couldn’t agree exactly.
^60-61 In the middle of this, the Chief Priest stood up and asked Jesus, “What do you have to say to the accusation?” Jesus was silent. He said nothing.
The Chief Priest tried again, this time asking, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed?”
⁶² Jesus said, “Yes, I am, and you’ll see it yourself:

The Son of Man seated
At the right hand of the Mighty One,
Arriving on the clouds of heaven.”

For Reflection 

Life seems to be crowded with conspiracy.  Lies, half truths, subterfuge, obfuscation; dark selfish motives benchmark the political climate in Jesus time.  Do not we also live among the shadows of our time?  Has much changed?

Everything has changed.  The truth is known.  Darkness can no longer hide from the light of the true God.  Jesus, the anticipated; Jesus, the undefiled; Jesus, the Savior has shown us the truth.  Godlessness does not last.   Only righteousness, the righteousness through Christ, survives.  We who believe and act on Christ survive in these, the last days.

Pray

prayers of thanksgiving and praise for the God of Light.  Pray for courage to face the chaos of life.  Pray to bring light to the darkest corners of Godlessness.

God Highly Exalted Him

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

The One Who Comes

Philippians 2:9-16  The Message

^9-11 Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.

Rejoicing Together

^12-13 What I’m getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you’ve done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I’m separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.

^14-16 Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing.

For Reflection 

Christ is the answer!  What is the Question?  How do we live good God-centered lives? 

We frequently can stay a course if our mentors are near by.  But what happens when we fly solo?  How do you keep on keepin' on when no one is there to guide you?

Pray

prayers for steadfast faith.  Pray for forgiveness. Pray for the courage to put your mistakes behind you.  Pray that you will trust in the grace of God.

A Righteous God and a Savior

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

The One Who Comes

Isaiah 45:20-25  The Message

^18-24 God, Creator of the heavens—
    he is, remember, God.
Maker of earth—
    he put it on its foundations, built it from scratch.
He didn’t go to all that trouble
    to just leave it empty, nothing in it.
    He made it to be lived in.
    This God says:

“I am God,
    the one and only.
I don’t just talk to myself
    or mumble under my breath.
I never told Jacob,
    ‘Seek me in emptiness, in dark nothingness.’
I am God. I work out in the open,
    saying what’s right, setting things right.
So gather around, come on in,
    all you refugees and castoffs.
They don’t seem to know much, do they—
    those who carry around their no-god blocks of wood,
    praying for help to a dead stick?
So tell me what you think. Look at the evidence.
    Put your heads together. Make your case.
Who told you, and a long time ago, what’s going on here?
    Who made sense of things for you?
Wasn’t I the one? God?
    It had to be me. I’m the only God there is—
The only God who does things right
    and knows how to help.
So turn to me and be helped—saved!—
    everyone, whoever and wherever you are.
I am God,
    the only God there is, the one and only.
I promise in my own name:
    Every word out of my mouth does what it says.
    I never take back what I say.
Everyone is going to end up kneeling before me.
    Everyone is going to end up saying of me,
    ‘Yes! Salvation and strength are in God!’”

^24-25 All who have raged against him
    will be brought before him,
    disgraced by their unbelief.
And all who are connected with Israel
    will have a robust, praising, good life in God!

For Reflection 

One of the most delightful emotions is anticipation, looking forward to a pleasant expectation.  This is where you will find people of God.  On the other hand, there is apprehension, dread, and foreboding.  This is where you find the godless.  In who's company would you rather be?

Pray

Give thanks for the living God.  Pray that you will never forget God who comforts you, God, whom is always with you, God, the creator, who makes all things right.

God Judges the Peoples with Equity

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

The One Who Comes

Psalm 67 The Message (MSG)

67 ^1-7 God, mark us with grace
    and blessing! Smile!
The whole country will see how you work,
    all the godless nations see how you save.
God! Let people thank and enjoy you.
    Let all people thank and enjoy you.
Let all far-flung people become happy
    and shout their happiness because
You judge them fair and square,
    you tend the far-flung peoples.
God! Let people thank and enjoy you.
    Let all people thank and enjoy you.
Earth, display your exuberance!
    You mark us with blessing, O God, our God.
You mark us with blessing, O God.
    Earth’s four corners—honor him!

For Reflection

 We are examples, witnesses to the power of God to bring the world to justice, compassion, forgiveness and peace. This is a prayer for all people.  This is the hope of salvation.  Let us be exuberant without limits.

Pray

for the healing of all peoples.  Pray for the coming of the Spirit into the the lives of all peoples.  Pray for the healing hand of God to touch us all.

Be Filled with the Holy Spirit

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

Receive the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 5:15-21  The Message

^11-16 Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.

Wake up from your sleep,
Climb out of your coffins;
Christ will show you the light!

So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!

¹⁷ Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.
^18-20 Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him. Sing hymns instead of drinking songs! Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ.

Relationships

²¹ Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another.

 

For Reflection 

It might be interesting to think about what is meant by "the barren pursuits of darkness."  These days, pursuits of darkness seem to be done in the light of day and re-named to elevate the sham to a lie.  Can you name the shams which are done in the name of Christianity, which are defended with scriptural citations and which are at their core destructive?

Read John.  As Christianity grew from its infancy, clashes between culturally established rules or norms and religion grew.  The early church had just as difficult a time differentiating between culturally based and Christian based proscriptions regarding living our lives.  Can you separate the two?

Pray

that you will be able to differentiate common culture from Christian culture. Pray for those who misrepresent common culture as Christian.  Pray for wisdom.  Pray that the love of God trumps proscriptions.

Joy in the Holy Spirit

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

Receive the Holy Spirit

Romans 14:13-21The Message

^13-14 Forget about deciding what’s right for each other. Here’s what you need to be concerned about: that you don’t get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is. I’m convinced—Jesus convinced me!—that everything as it is in itself is holy. We, of course, by the way we treat it or talk about it, can contaminate it.
^15-16 If you confuse others by making a big issue over what they eat or don’t eat, you’re no longer a companion with them in love, are you? These, remember, are persons for whom Christ died. Would you risk sending them to hell over an item in their diet? Don’t you dare let a piece of God-blessed food become an occasion of soul-poisoning!
^17-18 God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness’ sake. It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy. Your task is to single-mindedly serve Christ. Do that and you’ll kill two birds with one stone: pleasing the God above you and proving your worth to the people around you.
^19-21 So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault. You’re certainly not going to permit an argument over what is served or not served at supper to wreck God’s work among you, are you? I said it before and I’ll say it again: All food is good, but it can turn bad if you use it badly, if you use it to trip others up and send them sprawling. When you sit down to a meal, your primary concern should not be to feed your own face but to share the life of Jesus. So be sensitive and courteous to the others who are eating. Don’t eat or say or do things that might interfere with the free exchange of love.

 

For Reflection

 We are plagued with correctness.  Being right sometimes seems more important than leading others to the Christian life.  The Christian life is not about being correct.  The Christian life is about the free exchange of love.  Love moderates rules.

Every era has a culture that needs interpretation.  The Christ event and Jesus have shown us how to love unconditionally and how to divide the cultural rules from faith in God.  How are you doing?

Pray

for forgiveness when your faith sets you squarely in a dilemma.  Pray prayers of thanksgiving that God does not demand perfection, just our very best tries.  Pray for the grace of God to guide you.

Full of the Spirit and Faith

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

Receive the Holy Spirit

Acts 11:19-26  The Message

^19-21 Those who had been scattered by the persecution triggered by Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, but they were still only speaking and dealing with their fellow Jews. Then some of the men from Cyprus and Cyrene who had come to Antioch started talking to Greeks, giving them the Message of the Master Jesus. God was pleased with what they were doing and put his stamp of approval on it—quite a number of the Greeks believed and turned to the Master.
^22-24 When the church in Jerusalem got wind of this, they sent Barnabas to Antioch to check on things. As soon as he arrived, he saw that God was behind and in it all. He threw himself in with them, got behind them, urging them to stay with it the rest of their lives. He was a good man that way, enthusiastic and confident in the Holy Spirit’s ways. The community grew large and strong in the Master.
^25-26 Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. He found him and brought him back to Antioch. They were there a whole year, meeting with the church and teaching a lot of people. It was in Antioch that the disciples were for the first time called Christians.

 

For Reflection

 And so it begins.  Christianity has a name.  It is more than a novel idea.  Christianity is growing institutional substance.  Such substance, however, brings identity.  Identity breeds personal investment.  Personal investment limits growth.  Change becomes challenge.

The good news is that God's challenge is what has kept Christianity alive for thousands of years. God has seen to it that Conflict yields growth toward God's Kingdom.  Conflict yields a somewhat messy but always steady growth toward reconciliation.

Pray

so that your fear of change will not inhibit your growth.  Pray that you will listen to the rhetoric of Christians as they struggle with changing circumstances of contemporary cultures.  Pray for resolutions to conflict that will result in the glorification of God.

Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

Receive the Holy Spirit

Acts 10:39-48  The Message

^39-43 “And we saw it, saw it all, everything he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem where they killed him, hung him from a cross. But in three days God had him up, alive, and out where he could be seen. Not everyone saw him—he wasn’t put on public display. Witnesses had been carefully handpicked by God beforehand—us! We were the ones, there to eat and drink with him after he came back from the dead. He commissioned us to announce this in public, to bear solemn witness that he is in fact the One whom God destined as Judge of the living and dead. But we’re not alone in this. Our witness that he is the means to forgiveness of sins is backed up by the witness of all the prophets.”
^44-46 No sooner were these words out of Peter’s mouth than the Holy Spirit came on the listeners. The believing Jews who had come with Peter couldn’t believe it, couldn’t believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on “outsider” non-Jews, but there it was—they heard them speaking in tongues, heard them praising God.
^46-48 Then Peter said, “Do I hear any objections to baptizing these friends with water? They’ve received the Holy Spirit exactly as we did.” Hearing no objections, he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Then they asked Peter to stay on for a few days.

For Reflection

 Who are today's outsiders?  Who among us wants to be a Christian, but is inhibited by some Christian's demeanor or inauthentic rules.  How many are truly turned away by their perceptions of Christian hypocrisy? How consistent with your faith are your behaviors? 

Pray

that all people will turn to God.  Pray for those who are actively spreading the Gospel.  Pray for those who are maturing in their faith.  Pray that you will continue to grow into the grace which God has delivered to you.

The Holy Spirit Speaks

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

Receive the Holy Spirit

Mark 13:5-11  The Message

^5-8 Jesus began, “Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, ‘I’m the One.’ They will deceive a lot of people. When you hear of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history, and no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Earthquakes will occur in various places. There will be famines. But these things are nothing compared to what’s coming.
^9-10 “And watch out! They’re going to drag you into court. And then it will go from bad to worse, dog-eat-dog, everyone at your throat because you carry my name. You’re placed there as sentinels to truth. The Message has to be preached all across the world.
¹¹ “When they bring you, betrayed, into court, don’t worry about what you’ll say. When the time comes, say what’s on your heart—the Holy Spirit will make his witness in and through you.

 

For Reflection

 We are "sentinels to truth."  Whatever transpires in this world, we the people of God stand as the image of truth, compassion, righteousness and peace.  The affairs of humankind are no match to the affairs of God.  Despots will come and go.  Natural disasters will plague us.  But, we, the sentinels of truth, will be beacons of hope, the purveyor of of righteousness.  Out witness to God aided by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit will perfect God's witness in and through us.

Pray

to see beyond the present time.  Pray that you will take a cosmic view of God's creation.  Pray that you will wait in patience for the opportunity to witness to truth.  Pray that you will listen to the God whispers, through the Holy Spirit.

Worship in Spirit and Truth

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

The Spirit of Truth

John 4:21-26The Message

^21-23 “Believe me, woman, the time is coming when you Samaritans will worship the Father neither here at this mountain nor there in Jerusalem. You worship guessing in the dark; we Jews worship in the clear light of day. God’s way of salvation is made available through the Jews. But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you’re called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter.
^23-24 “It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.”
²⁵ The woman said, “I don’t know about that. I do know that the Messiah is coming. When he arrives, we’ll get the whole story.”
²⁶ “I am he,” said Jesus. “You don’t have to wait any longer or look any further.”

For Reflection
What you are called or what church you attend matters very little.  What matters is that you have been called to the Spirit.  What matters is that you have been a faithful servant of God.  What matters is that you have worshiped the living God.  What matters is that you have sought peace, justice and the Kingdom of God.  What matters is that you are true to your creator.

Pray

so that you will not falter from you call to the Living Lord.  Pray for forgiveness.  Pray for strength.  Pray for the opportunities to serve God.

I Commit My Spirit

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

The Spirit of Truth

Psalm 31:1-13 The Message

A David Psalm

31 ^1-2 I run to you, God; I run for dear life.
    Don’t let me down!
    Take me seriously this time!
Get down on my level and listen,
    and please—no procrastination!
Your granite cave a hiding place,
    your high cliff aerie a place of safety.

^3-5 You’re my cave to hide in,
    my cliff to climb.
Be my safe leader,
    be my true mountain guide.
Free me from hidden traps;
    I want to hide in you.
I’ve put my life in your hands.
    You won’t drop me,
    you’ll never let me down.

^6-13 I hate all this silly religion,
    but you, God, I trust.
I’m leaping and singing in the circle of your love;
    you saw my pain,
    you disarmed my tormentors,
You didn’t leave me in their clutches
    but gave me room to breathe.
Be kind to me, God—
    I’m in deep, deep trouble again.
I’ve cried my eyes out;
    I feel hollow inside.
My life leaks away, groan by groan;
    my years fade out in sighs.
My troubles have worn me out,
    turned my bones to powder.
To my enemies I’m a monster;
    I’m ridiculed by the neighbors.
My friends are horrified;
    they cross the street to avoid me.
They want to blot me from memory,
    forget me like a corpse in a grave,
    discard me like a broken dish in the trash.
The street-talk gossip has me
    “criminally insane”!
Behind locked doors they plot
    how to ruin me for good.

For Reflection

God's OK!  But, I'm not so sure about God's Church!

Have you hear others express this sentiment?  Perhaps, you feel the same way sometimes.  Especially when I see what some are passing off as Christian; when the theology is poor and the actions are retributive.  Where is the Joy?  Where the Mercy?  Where is Forgiveness.

The church as an organization is fallible.  The Church's weaknesses provide strong reason to understand but little reason to abandon.  As flawed as it may be, communion with the faithful supports the spirit.  Given a chance, God's work moves forward.


Pray

For the Church Universal.  Pray prayers of thanksgiving for the living God, found in Jesus Christ.   Pray so that you remain in an intimate relationship with Christ. Pray so that you will not be trapped by churchish squabbles.  Pray that you will emulate the living Christ.

Speak, for Your Servant Is Listening

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

The Spirit of Truth

1 Samuel 3:1-10  The Message

“Speak, God. I’m Ready to Listen”

3 ^1-3 The boy Samuel was serving God under Eli’s direction. This was at a time when the revelation of God was rarely heard or seen. One night Eli was sound asleep (his eyesight was very bad—he could hardly see). It was well before dawn; the sanctuary lamp was still burning. Samuel was still in bed in the Temple of God, where the Chest of God rested.

^4-5 Then God called out, “Samuel, Samuel!”
Samuel answered, “Yes? I’m here.” Then he ran to Eli saying, “I heard you call. Here I am.”
Eli said, “I didn’t call you. Go back to bed.” And so he did.
^6-7 God called again, “Samuel, Samuel!”
Samuel got up and went to Eli, “I heard you call. Here I am.”
Again Eli said, “Son, I didn’t call you. Go back to bed.” (This all happened before Samuel knew God for himself. It was before the revelation of God had been given to him personally.)
^8-9 God called again, “Samuel!”—the third time! Yet again Samuel got up and went to Eli, “Yes? I heard you call me. Here I am.”
That’s when it dawned on Eli that God was calling the boy. So Eli directed Samuel, “Go back and lie down. If the voice calls again, say, ‘Speak, God. I’m your servant, ready to listen.’” Samuel returned to his bed.
¹⁰ Then God came and stood before him exactly as before, calling out, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Samuel answered, “Speak. I’m your servant, ready to listen.”

 

For Reflection

 You have seen.  You have heard.  You have witnessed the result of Godlessness.  You have witnessed a righteous life in the hollow of God's hand.  You have heard the call.

Pray

Here am I Lord.  I'm your servant, ready to listen.

The Lord Has Closed Your Eyes

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

The Spirit of Truth

Isaiah 29:8-14  The Message

^5-8 But it will be your enemies who are beaten to dust,
    the mob of tyrants who will be blown away like chaff.
Because, surprise, as if out of nowhere,
    a visit from God-of-the-Angel-Armies,
With thunderclaps, earthquakes, and earsplitting noise,
    backed up by hurricanes, tornadoes, and lightning strikes,
And the mob of enemies at war with Ariel,
    all who trouble and hassle and torment her,
    will turn out to be a bad dream, a nightmare.
Like a hungry man dreaming he’s eating steak
    and wakes up hungry as ever,
Like a thirsty woman dreaming she’s drinking iced tea
    and wakes up thirsty as ever,
So that mob of nations at war against Mount Zion
    will wake up and find they haven’t shot an arrow,
    haven’t killed a single soul.

^9-10 Drug yourselves so you feel nothing.
    Blind yourselves so you see nothing.
Get drunk, but not on wine.
    Black out, but not from whiskey.
For God has rocked you into a deep, deep sleep,
    put the discerning prophets to sleep,
    put the farsighted seers to sleep.

You Have Everything Backward

^11-12 What you’ve been shown here is somewhat like a letter in a sealed envelope. If you give it to someone who can read and tell her, “Read this,” she’ll say, “I can’t. The envelope is sealed.” And if you give it to someone who can’t read and tell him, “Read this,” he’ll say, “I can’t read.”

^13-14 The Master said:

“These people make a big show of saying the right thing,
    but their hearts aren’t in it.
Because they act like they’re worshiping me
    but don’t mean it,
I’m going to step in and shock them awake,
    astonish them, stand them on their ears.
The wise ones who had it all figured out
    will be exposed as fools.
The smart people who thought they knew everything
    will turn out to know nothing.”

 

For Reflection

 Are we asleep?  Have we not heard?  Have we not seen?  Have we not felt the injustice of a Godless existence?  Have we not seen the consequence of impoverishment?  Have we not witnessed the terror of spiritual drunkenness?

It is as though the Book has never been read!

Pray

for those who cannot see.  Pray for those who see and yet perform spiritual hypocrisy.  Pray for those who despise God's province.  Pray for mercy and for the grace of God.

Where There Is No Prophecy

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

The Spirit of Truth

Proverbs 29:12-18  The Message

¹² When a leader listens to malicious gossip,
    all the workers get infected with evil.

¹³ The poor and their abusers have at least something in common:
    they can both see—their sight, God’s gift!

¹⁴ Leadership gains authority and respect
    when the voiceless poor are treated fairly.

¹⁵ Wise discipline imparts wisdom;
    spoiled adolescents embarrass their parents.

¹⁶ When degenerates take charge, crime runs wild,
    but the righteous will eventually observe their collapse.

¹⁷ Discipline your children; you’ll be glad you did—
    they’ll turn out delightful to live with.

¹⁸ If people can’t see what God is doing,
    they stumble all over themselves;
But when they attend to what he reveals,
    they are most blessed.

For Reflection
It is truly amazing!  Think about how long ago these passages were written.  And yet, they could have been written yesterday!  Truths which can not be denied and yet which are ignored and ridiculed by those whose power is a feebly masked weakness.  We muck about like spoiled adolescents, grabbing for the spoils rather than creating a compassionate and just world.  We act as though those who are displaced are blind to our role in their victimization.

Domination systems are destined to collapse.  What is disturbing is that another domination system is waiting to replace it.   End the cycle!  Attend to what God has revealed to us and have the courage to engage in God's Kingdom.

Pray

for those that see what God is doing.  Pray for courage to follow God's lead.  Pray for those who can not see the folly of Godlessness.

When the Advocate Comes

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

Jesus Promises an Advocate

John 15:18-27  The Message

^18-19 “If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me. If you lived on the world’s terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God’s terms and no longer on the world’s terms, the world is going to hate you.

²⁰ “When that happens, remember this: Servants don’t get better treatment than their masters. If they beat on me, they will certainly beat on you. If they did what I told them, they will do what you tell them.
^21-25 “They are going to do all these things to you because of the way they treated me, because they don’t know the One who sent me. If I hadn’t come and told them all this in plain language, it wouldn’t be so bad. As it is, they have no excuse. Hate me, hate my Father—it’s all the same. If I hadn’t done what I have done among them, works no one has ever done, they wouldn’t be to blame. But they saw the God-signs and hated anyway, both me and my Father. Interesting—they have verified the truth of their own Scriptures where it is written, ‘They hated me for no good reason.’
^26-27 “When the Friend I plan to send you from the Father comes—the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father—he will confirm everything about me. You, too, from your side must give your confirming evidence, since you are in this with me from the start.”

For Reflection

  Lets face it squarely.  Godlessness and Evil inhabit the world.  We see it every day; racism, favored injustice, allegiance to the wealthy or most popular at the expense of others, self-absorption, psychopaths, who make killing a religion.

The only real solution is to fill the world with God fearing people who act with compassion, forgiveness, mercy, and have a preference for justice and peace.

Pray

prayers of thanksgiving for the living God, found in Jesus Christ.   Pray so that you remain in an intimate relationship with Christ.  Pray that you will emulate the living Christ.

When the Advocate Comes

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

Jesus Promises an Advocate

John 15:18-27  The Message

^18-19 “If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me. If you lived on the world’s terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God’s terms and no longer on the world’s terms, the world is going to hate you.

²⁰ “When that happens, remember this: Servants don’t get better treatment than their masters. If they beat on me, they will certainly beat on you. If they did what I told them, they will do what you tell them.
^21-25 “They are going to do all these things to you because of the way they treated me, because they don’t know the One who sent me. If I hadn’t come and told them all this in plain language, it wouldn’t be so bad. As it is, they have no excuse. Hate me, hate my Father—it’s all the same. If I hadn’t done what I have done among them, works no one has ever done, they wouldn’t be to blame. But they saw the God-signs and hated anyway, both me and my Father. Interesting—they have verified the truth of their own Scriptures where it is written, ‘They hated me for no good reason.’
^26-27 “When the Friend I plan to send you from the Father comes—the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father—he will confirm everything about me. You, too, from your side must give your confirming evidence, since you are in this with me from the start.”

For Reflection

 Lets face it squarely.  Godlessness and Evil inhabit the world.  We see it every day; racism, favored injustice, allegiance to the wealthy or most popular at the expense of others, self-absorption, psychopaths, who make killing a religion.

The only real solution is to fill the world with God fearing people who act with compassion, forgiveness, mercy, and have a preference for justice and peace.

Pray

prayers of thanksgiving for the living God, found in Jesus Christ.   Pray so that you remain in an intimate relationship with Christ.  Pray that you will emulate the living Christ.

The Shepherd's Comfort

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

Jesus Promises an Advocate

Psalm 23  The Message

A David Psalm

23 ^1-3 God, my shepherd!
    I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
    you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
    you let me catch my breath
    and send me in the right direction.

⁴ Even when the way goes through
    Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
    when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
    makes me feel secure.

⁵ You serve me a six-course dinner
    right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
    my cup brims with blessing.

⁶ Your beauty and love chase after me
    every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God
    for the rest of my life.

 

For Reflection

 Sometimes reading an unfamiliar translation of a familiar passage is strange.  But, making the familiar, strange, is sometimes useful.  After the shock of the transformation subsides, what have you seen in this familiar passage that is new or understood in a new way?
 
Pray

prayers of thanksgiving for the living God.  Thank God for Gods abiding protection.  Praise God for providing your needs.  Praise God for the comfort found in God's household.

This Is My Comfort

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

Jesus Promises an Advocate

Psalm 119:49-64  The Message

^49-56 Remember what you said to me, your servant—
    I hang on to these words for dear life!
These words hold me up in bad times;
    yes, your promises rejuvenate me.
The insolent ridicule me without mercy,
    but I don’t budge from your revelation.
I watch for your ancient landmark words,
    and know I’m on the right track.
But when I see the wicked ignore your directions,
    I’m beside myself with anger.
I set your instructions to music
    and sing them as I walk this pilgrim way.
I meditate on your name all night, God,
    treasuring your revelation, O God.
Still, I walk through a rain of derision
    because I live by your Word and counsel.

^57-64 Because you have satisfied me, God, I promise
    to do everything you say.
I beg you from the bottom of my heart: smile,
    be gracious to me just as you promised.
When I took a long, careful look at your ways,
    I got my feet back on the trail you blazed.
I was up at once, didn’t drag my feet,
    was quick to follow your orders.
The wicked hemmed me in—there was no way out—
    but not for a minute did I forget your plan for me.
I get up in the middle of the night to thank you;
    your decisions are so right, so true—I can’t wait till morning!
I’m a friend and companion of all who fear you,
    of those committed to living by your rules.
Your love, God, fills the earth!
    Train me to live by your counsel.

For Reflection

 What about your faith gives you the most comfort?  When you are confronting difficulty, what do you remember that gives you strength?  What is the mark of God's love and promise in your life?

Pray

"Train me to live by your counsel."  Pray for your friends who support your faith.  Pray that you will never forget God's Plan for your life.