Here Is Your God

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

Jesus Promises an Advocate

Isaiah 40:1-11  The Message

Messages of Comfort

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.”

^6-8 A voice says, “Shout!”
    I said, “What shall I shout?”

“These people are nothing but grass,
    their love fragile as wildflowers.
The grass withers, the wildflowers fade,
    if God so much as puffs on them.
    Aren’t these people just so much grass?
True, the grass withers and the wildflowers fade,
    but our God’s Word stands firm and forever.”

^9-11 Climb a high mountain, Zion.
    You’re the preacher of good news.
Raise your voice. Make it good and loud, Jerusalem.
    You’re the preacher of good news.
    Speak loud and clear. Don’t be timid!
Tell the cities of Judah,
    “Look! Your God!”
Look at him! God, the Master, comes in power,
    ready to go into action.
He is going to pay back his enemies
    and reward those who have loved him.
Like a shepherd, he will care for his flock,
    gathering the lambs in his arms,
Hugging them as he carries them,
    leading the nursing ewes to good pasture.

 

For Reflection 

It is said that one does not fully appreciate help unless one is on one's last legs.  We all, at one time or another, have been on our last legs.  So desperate that we would grab onto anything that promises a good end.  We must fight to remember that any act out of desperation must be doomed for failure if God is not at its core.  Wait with patience on the Lord.  God will lead you out of desperation.

Pray

prayers for those whose times lead to desperation.  Pray that they will find a righteous path out of the darkness that confronts them on all sides.  Pray that you will have the patience to wait on the Lord for righteous solutions.

Is There No Balm in Gilead?

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

Jesus Promises an Advocate

Jeremiah 8:18-22  The Message

^18-22 I drown in grief.
    I’m heartsick.
Oh, listen! Please listen! It’s the cry of my dear people
    reverberating through the country.
Is God no longer in Zion?
    Has the King gone away?
Can you tell me why they flaunt their plaything-gods,
    their silly, imported no-gods before me?
The crops are in, the summer is over,
    but for us nothing’s changed.
    We’re still waiting to be rescued.
For my dear broken people, I’m heartbroken.
    I weep, seized by grief.
Are there no healing ointments in Gilead?
    Isn’t there a doctor in the house?
So why can’t something be done
    to heal and save my dear, dear people?

 

For Reflection

 Have you ever been deceived by your confidence and sense of security that you thought would result in a peaceful unchallenged existence? 

These People of God were so confident in God's protection that they began to take God's promise for granted.  They turned away from God thinking that the pressures they faced should have been resolved by God.  They were sure they were abandoned.  And so Jeremiah laments and the people could not see the solution, simply a return to God.

Pray

for all who think God has abandoned them. Pray that they will be able to find their way back to the living
God.

Why Are You Baptizing?

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

The Lamb of God

John 1:24-28  The Message

^24-25 Those sent to question him were from the Pharisee party. Now they had a question of their own: “If you’re neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet, why do you baptize?”
^26-27 John answered, “I only baptize using water. A person you don’t recognize has taken his stand in your midst. He comes after me, but he is not in second place to me. I’m not even worthy to hold his coat for him.”
²⁸ These conversations took place in Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing at the time.

For Reflection

 Baptism was practiced in the Jewish faith.  It was some times used after a circumcision as a rite of purification. 

John baptized as a purification rite.  John baptized to prepare people for the coming of Christ.  John baptized at a place which may have been the place where Israel had passed over Jordan into the land of promise.

And so it is today, baptism purifies in preparation for a life in God.  Baptism is a rite of passage, passing from the old life into the new life lived in righteousness.

Pray

pray prayers for the church which sustains the baptism of us all.  Pray that you will remember the meaning of your baptism and abide in God.

Make the Way Straight

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

The Lamb of God

John 1:19-23  The Message

Thunder in the Desert

^19-20 When Jews from Jerusalem sent a group of priests and officials to ask John who he was, he was completely honest. He didn’t evade the question. He told the plain truth: “I am not the Messiah.”

²¹ They pressed him, “Who, then? Elijah?”
“I am not.”
“The Prophet?”
“No.”
²² Exasperated, they said, “Who, then? We need an answer for those who sent us. Tell us something—anything!—about yourself.”
²³ “I’m thunder in the desert: ‘Make the road straight for God!’ I’m doing what the prophet Isaiah preached.”

 

For Reflection

 The Spirit of God moves John into action.  Who in today's world is "thunder in the desert?"  Who is making straight the path to righteousness?  Are you?
 
Pray

That you will follow the spirit with the zeal of John.  Pray that you are making the path to righteousness easy for others to follow.

Would That All Had the Spirit!

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

The Lamb of God

Numbers 11:26-29  The Message

²⁶ Meanwhile two men, Eldad and Medad, had stayed in the camp. They were listed as leaders but they didn’t leave camp to go to the Tent. Still, the Spirit also rested on them and they prophesied in the camp.

²⁷ A young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!”
²⁸ Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ right-hand man since his youth, said, “Moses, master! Stop them!”
²⁹ But Moses said, “Are you jealous for me? Would that all God’s people were prophets. Would that God would put his Spirit on all of them.”

For Reflection 

One of the perks of being in a leadership position is that one receives attention and is elevated by those who are lead.  It is a good feeling, one that results in a kind of expectation that would rather not be lost.  So when Eldade and Medad began to assume the power of Moses as they prophesied, Joshua, who enjoyed his proximity and access to his master, the center of power, was threatened by a "competing leader."  He assumed Moses would also be threatened and be motivated by appeals to his need to keep control of his position.  Not so.  

 

Even though Eldade and Medad were in conflict with the call to the temple, Moses understood that bringing them into the tent and pardoning there infraction was most prudent.  As Matthew Henry points out in his commentary, " They modestly declined preferment, but God forced it upon them; nay, they have the honor of being named, which the rest have not: for those that humble themselves shall be exalted, and those are most fit for government who are least ambitious of it."

Pray

Pray for those who in humility place righteousness above polity.  Pray that those in government, church leadership or civil duty, will not be corrupted by the need to sustain themselves in it at the expense of righteousness.

The Spirit and Bezalel

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

The Lamb of God

Exodus 31:1-11  The Message

Bezalel and Oholiab

31 ^1-5 God spoke to Moses: “See what I’ve done; I’ve personally chosen Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur of the tribe of Judah. I’ve filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him skill and know-how and expertise in every kind of craft to create designs and work in gold, silver, and bronze; to cut and set gemstones; to carve wood—he’s an all-around craftsman.

^6-11 “Not only that, but I’ve given him Oholiab, son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan, to work with him. And to all who have an aptitude for crafts I’ve given the skills to make all the things I’ve commanded you: the Tent of Meeting, the Chest of The Testimony and its Atonement-Cover, all the implements for the Tent, the Table and its implements, the pure Lampstand and all its implements, the Altar of Incense, the Altar of Whole-Burnt-Offering and all its implements, the Washbasin and its base, the official vestments, the holy vestments for Aaron the priest and his sons in their priestly duties, the anointing oil, and the aromatic incense for the Holy Place—they’ll make everything just the way I’ve commanded you.”

 

For Reflection 

God has prepared you from be fore the beginning of your earthly life.  God has endowed you with skill, know-how, expertise, and a capacity for creation.  Not all have the same talents.  Not all play the same role.  But, all have a place equal to all others in God's plan.  Listen for the Spirit dancing in the meadows of your mind and follow.  Be grateful, your role is paramount in God's plan.Live a creative life in service to God.

Pray

that you will see the value of your own talents in creating the Kingdom of god on earth. Pray and listen to God and understand the wisdom of your presence, here and now.

The Spirit and Joseph

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

The Lamb of God

Genesis 41:38-43  The Message

³⁸ Then Pharaoh said to his officials, “Isn’t this the man we need? Are we going to find anyone else who has God’s spirit in him like this?”
^39-40 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “You’re the man for us. God has given you the inside story—no one is as qualified as you in experience and wisdom. From now on, you’re in charge of my affairs; all my people will report to you. Only as king will I be over you.”
^41-43 So Pharaoh commissioned Joseph: “I’m putting you in charge of the entire country of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his finger and slipped it on Joseph’s hand. He outfitted him in robes of the best linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He put the second-in-command chariot at his disposal, and as he rode people shouted “Bravo!”
Joseph was in charge of the entire country of Egypt.

 

For Reflection 

I've got the Spirit in me.  How about you?  The spirit of God abides in each of us.  Some times we bury it so deeply that it is hidden even from the one who buries it.  Open your senses to reveal the Spirit.  Listen to it whisper to you.  Look for it in the eyes of others.  Find it and help others explore the possibilities of letting the Spirit surface.

Pray

for thankfulness and praise for the God whose Spirit abides in us.  Pray for all those who bury the Spirit.  Pray that they will find the truth of their existence in the living God.