Members phkrause Posted June 22, 2012 Author Members Posted June 22, 2012 June 21, 2012 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Build Up the Body of Christ Introduction 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28: Paul seeks to encourage the Thessalonians by instructing them on preparing for the Lord’s coming as well as how to live until the day of the Lord’s return. Today’s Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always, pray at all times, and be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus. Today’s Reading 1 There is no need to write you, friends, about the times and occasions when these things will happen. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come as a thief comes at night. 3 When people say, “Everything is quiet and safe,” then suddenly destruction will hit them! It will come as suddenly as the pains that come upon a woman in labor, and people will not escape. 4 But you, friends, are not in the darkness, and the Day should not take you by surprise like a thief. 5 All of you are people who belong to the light, who belong to the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, we should not be sleeping like the others; we should be awake and sober. 7 It is at night when people sleep; it is at night when they get drunk. 8 But we belong to the day, and we should be sober. We must wear faith and love as a breastplate, and our hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 God did not choose us to suffer his anger, but to possess salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us in order that we might live together with him, whether we are alive or dead when he comes. 11 And so encourage one another and help one another, just as you are now doing. 12 We beg you, our friends, to pay proper respect to those who work among you, who guide and instruct you in the Christian life. 13 Treat them with the greatest respect and love because of the work they do. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 We urge you, our friends, to warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but at all times make it your aim to do good to one another and to all people. 16 Be joyful always, 17 pray at all times, 18 be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus. 19 Do not restrain the Holy Spirit; 20 do not despise inspired messages. 21 Put all things to the test: keep what is good 22 and avoid every kind of evil. 23 May the God who gives us peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being—spirit, soul, and body—free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you will do it, because he is faithful. 25 Pray also for us, friends. 26 Greet all the believers with the kiss of peace. 27 I urge you by the authority of the Lord to read this letter to all the believers. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Reflect What does Paul say about preparing for the Lord’s coming (verses 1-11)? What does he say about how to live in the meantime (verses 12-24)? Do you find Paul’s words to be a source of encouragement? Why or why not? Pray Dear Lord, help me to be joyful, prayerful, and thankful. Guide my words and deeds this day so that I may bear witness to my faith in you and bring encouragement to others. In your holy name I pray. Amen. Prayer Concern Those who have not yet heard the Good News about Jesus Tomorrow's Reading 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12: Paul describes the judgment that will take place when Jesus returns. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 22, 2012 Author Members Posted June 22, 2012 June 22, 2012 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Build Up the Body of Christ Introduction 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12: Paul greets the Thessalonians and tells them he is pleased with their faith and love, which has grown in spite of suffering. He describes how those who reject God will be punished. Today’s Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:11b We ask our God to make you worthy of the life he has called you to live. May he fulfill by his power all your desire for goodness and complete your work of faith. Today’s Reading 1 From Paul, Silas, and Timothy— To the people of the church in Thessalonica, who belong to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 3 Our friends, we must thank God at all times for you. It is right for us to do so, because your faith is growing so much and the love each of you has for the others is becoming greater. 4 That is why we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God. We boast about the way you continue to endure and believe through all the persecutions and sufferings you are experiencing. 5 All of this proves that God's judgment is just and as a result you will become worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. 6 God will do what is right: he will bring suffering on those who make you suffer, 7 and he will give relief to you who suffer and to us as well. He will do this when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 with a flaming fire, to punish those who reject God and who do not obey the Good News about our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and from his glorious might, 10 when he comes on that Day to receive glory from all his people and honor from all who believe. You too will be among them, because you have believed the message that we told you. 11 That is why we always pray for you. We ask our God to make you worthy of the life he has called you to live. May he fulfill by his power all your desire for goodness and complete your work of faith. 12 In this way the name of our Lord Jesus will receive glory from you, and you from him, by the grace of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Reflect Paul tells the Thessalonians that their faithfulness through times of suffering proves they will become worthy of God’s Kingdom. He also promises relief to those who suffer and punishment upon those who cause suffering. When does he say all this will happen (verse 7). How do you feel about that? Pray Dear God, I am bold to ask in your name for unfailing courage and a firm hope. Help me to always do what is good and pleasing in your sight. I praise and glorify you. Amen. Prayer Concern Those who are experiencing anxiety Tomorrow's Reading 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17: Paul teaches more about Christ’s return. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 23, 2012 Author Members Posted June 23, 2012 June 23, 2012 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Build Up the Body of Christ Introduction 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17: Even though members of the Thessalonian church were good examples of faith and love, some of them were listening to false teachings about Christ’s return. Paul then explains more about the Lord’s return and the Lord’s victory over “the Wicked One.” Paul reminds them that they were chosen for salvation. Today’s Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us unfailing courage and a firm hope, encourage you and strengthen you to always do and say what is good. Today’s Reading 1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to be with him: I beg you, my friends, 2 not to be so easily confused in your thinking or upset by the claim that the Day of the Lord has come. Perhaps it is thought that we said this while prophesying or preaching, or that we wrote it in a letter. 3 Do not let anyone deceive you in any way. For the Day will not come until the final Rebellion takes place and the Wicked One appears, who is destined to hell. 4 He will oppose every so-called god or object of worship and will put himself above them all. He will even go in and sit down in God's Temple and claim to be God. 5 Don't you remember? I told you all this while I was with you. 6 Yet there is something that keeps this from happening now, and you know what it is. At the proper time, then, the Wicked One will appear. 7 The Mysterious Wickedness is already at work, but what is going to happen will not happen until the one who holds it back is taken out of the way. 8 Then the Wicked One will be revealed, but when the Lord Jesus comes, he will kill him with the breath from his mouth and destroy him with his dazzling presence. 9 The Wicked One will come with the power of Satan and perform all kinds of false miracles and wonders, 10 and use every kind of wicked deceit on those who will perish. They will perish because they did not welcome and love the truth so as to be saved. 11 And so God sends the power of error to work in them so that they believe what is false. 12 The result is that all who have not believed the truth, but have taken pleasure in sin, will be condemned. 13 We must thank God at all times for you, friends, you whom the Lord loves. For God chose you as the first to be saved by the Spirit's power to make you his holy people and by your faith in the truth. 14 God called you to this through the Good News we preached to you; he called you to possess your share of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, our friends, stand firm and hold on to those truths which we taught you, both in our preaching and in our letter. 16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us unfailing courage and a firm hope, 17 encourage you and strengthen you to always do and say what is good. Reflect Some members of the Thessalonian church were upset because people were saying that the Day of the Lord had come and that they had missed out on this event. How does Paul reassure the believers? What in today’s reading do you find encouraging? How can you encourage and reassure those who are anxious about the Lord’s coming? Pray Lord Jesus, as I eagerly await your return, fulfill my desire for goodness and help me to grow day by day in faith and love. In your holy name I pray. Amen. Prayer Concern Those who are without hope Tomorrow's Reading 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18: Paul asks the Thessalonians to pray for him and his co-workers. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 24, 2012 Author Members Posted June 24, 2012 June 24, 2012 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Build Up the Body of Christ Introduction 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18: Paul asks the Thessalonians to pray for him and his companions so that they can spread the message about Jesus and so that they will be kept safe from evil people. Paul reminds them of their obligation to work, and he instructs them to avoid those who are lazy. Today’s Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:5 May the Lord lead you into a greater understanding of God’s love and the endurance that is given by Christ. Today’s Reading 1 Finally, our friends, pray for us that the Lord's message may continue to spread rapidly and be received with honor, just as it was among you. 2 Pray also that God will rescue us from wicked and evil people; for not everyone believes the message. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and keep you safe from the Evil One. 4 And the Lord gives us confidence in you, and we are sure that you are doing and will continue to do what we tell you. 5 May the Lord lead you into a greater understanding of God's love and the endurance that is given by Christ. 6 Our friends, we command you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to keep away from all believers who are living a lazy life and who do not follow the instructions that we gave them. 7 You yourselves know very well that you should do just what we did. We were not lazy when we were with you. 8 We did not accept anyone's support without paying for it. Instead, we worked and toiled; we kept working day and night so as not to be an expense to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to demand our support; we did it to be an example for you to follow. 10 While we were with you, we used to tell you, “Whoever refuses to work is not allowed to eat.” 11 We say this because we hear that there are some people among you who live lazy lives and who do nothing except meddle in other people's business. 12 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we command these people and warn them to lead orderly lives and work to earn their own living. 13 But you, friends, must not become tired of doing good. 14 It may be that some there will not obey the message we send you in this letter. If so, take note of them and have nothing to do with them, so that they will be ashamed. 15 But do not treat them as enemies; instead, warn them as believers. 16 May the Lord himself, who is our source of peace, give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all. 17 With my own hand I write this: Greetings from Paul This is the way I sign every letter; this is how I write. 18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Reflect What does Paul say are the hazards of laziness (verse 11)? Why does he tell the Thessalonians not to “become tired of doing good” (verse 13)? Do you ever feel tired or weary from “doing good”? If so, how is your strength renewed? Pray Lord Jesus, lead me day by day into a greater understanding of your great love for me. Teach me never to tire of doing good. Grant me patience and endurance when trials come my way; I know that you are by my side. Amen. Prayer Concern Those who are unemployed and seeking work Tomorrow's Reading Hebrews 8:1-13: Jesus is our High Priest. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 25, 2012 Author Members Posted June 25, 2012 June 25, 2012 Hebrews 8:1-13 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Build Up the Body of Christ Introduction Hebrews 8:1-13: For the remainder of this month we will be reading the concluding chapters of the Letter to the Hebrews. Today’s reading describes a “new covenant” that God has made. In the past, Israel’s priests offered sacrifices on behalf of the people; but the new covenant is based on the sacrifice for our sins made by Jesus, our High Priest. Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 8:1b We have such a High Priest, who sits at the right side of the throne of the Divine Majesty in heaven. Today’s Reading 1 The whole point of what we are saying is that we have such a High Priest, who sits at the right of the throne of the Divine Majesty in heaven. 2 He serves as high priest in the Most Holy Place, that is, in the real tent which was put up by the Lord, not by human hands. 3 Every high priest is appointed to present offerings and animal sacrifices to God, and so our High Priest must also have something to offer. 4 If he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer the gifts required by the Jewish Law. 5 The work they do as priests is really only a copy and a shadow of what is in heaven. It is the same as it was with Moses. When he was about to build the Sacred Tent, God told him, “Be sure to make everything according to the pattern you were shown on the mountain.” 6 But now, Jesus has been given priestly work which is superior to theirs, just as the covenant which he arranged between God and his people is a better one, because it is based on promises of better things. 7 If there had been nothing wrong with the first covenant, there would have been no need for a second one. 8 But God finds fault with his people when he says, “The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will draw up a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 9 It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. They were not faithful to the covenant I made with them, and so I paid no attention to them. 10 Now, this is the covenant that I will make with the people of Israel in the days to come, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11 None of them will have to teach their friends or tell their neighbors, “Know the Lord.” For they will all know me, from the least to the greatest. 12 I will forgive their sins and will no longer remember their wrongs.” 13 By speaking of a new covenant, God has made the first one old; and anything that becomes old and worn out will soon disappear. Reflect In the “first covenant,” God promised to protect and bless the people of Israel. In return, the people were commanded to obey the Law and remain faithful to God. Because the people were unable to live according to the first covenant, God made a new covenant that was not written on stone tablets but on the hearts and minds of the people. Verses 8-12 quote Jeremiah 31:31-34 and contain the words of the new covenant. What promises are given in these verses? Pray Lord God, your promises are in my mind and written on my heart. Thank you for being my God and for your steadfast love and faithfulness. Amen. Prayer Concern Seminary students Tomorrow's Reading Hebrews 9:1-28: Christ, our High Priest, sacrificed himself for our salvation. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 26, 2012 Author Members Posted June 26, 2012 June 26, 2012 Hebrews 9:1-28 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Build Up the Body of Christ Introduction Hebrews 9:1-28: Rules for correct worship and the duties of the priests, according to the first covenant, are described. This description is contrasted with Christ who, as our High Priest, offered his own blood as an offering and perfect sacrifice for our eternal salvation (see also Luke 22:20). Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 9:15a For this reason, Christ is the one who arranges a new covenant, so that those who have been called by God may receive the eternal blessings that God has promised. Today’s Reading 1 The first covenant had rules for worship and a place made for worship as well. 2 A tent was put up, the outer one, which was called the Holy Place. In it were the lampstand and the table with the bread offered to God. 3 Behind the second curtain was the tent called the Most Holy Place. 4 In it were the gold altar for the burning of incense and the Covenant Box all covered with gold and containing the gold jar with the manna in it, Aaron's stick that had sprouted leaves, and the two stone tablets with the commandments written on them. 5 Above the Box were the winged creatures representing God's presence, with their wings spread over the place where sins were forgiven. But now is not the time to explain everything in detail. 6 This is how those things have been arranged. The priests go into the outer tent every day to perform their duties, 7 but only the high priest goes into the inner tent, and he does so only once a year. He takes with him blood which he offers to God on behalf of himself and for the sins which the people have committed without knowing they were sinning. 8 The Holy Spirit clearly teaches from all these arrangements that the way into the Most Holy Place has not yet been opened as long as the outer tent still stands. 9 This is a symbol which points to the present time. It means that the offerings and animal sacrifices presented to God cannot make the worshiper's heart perfect, 10 since they have to do only with food, drink, and various purification ceremonies. These are all outward rules, which apply only until the time when God will establish the new order. 11 But Christ has already come as the High Priest of the good things that are already here. The tent in which he serves is greater and more perfect; it is not a tent made by human hands, that is, it is not a part of this created world. 12 When Christ went through the tent and entered once and for all into the Most Holy Place, he did not take the blood of goats and bulls to offer as a sacrifice; rather, he took his own blood and obtained eternal salvation for us. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a burnt calf are sprinkled on the people who are ritually unclean, and this purifies them by taking away their ritual impurity. 14 Since this is true, how much more is accomplished by the blood of Christ! Through the eternal Spirit he offered himself as a perfect sacrifice to God. His blood will purify our consciences from useless rituals, so that we may serve the living God. 15 For this reason Christ is the one who arranges a new covenant, so that those who have been called by God may receive the eternal blessings that God has promised. This can be done because there has been a death which sets people free from the wrongs they did while the first covenant was in effect. 16 In the case of a will it is necessary to prove that the person who made it has died, 17 for a will means nothing while the person who made it is alive; it goes into effect only after his death. 18 That is why even the first covenant went into effect only with the use of blood. 19 First, Moses proclaimed to the people all the commandments as set forth in the Law. Then he took the blood of bulls and goats, mixed it with water, and sprinkled it on the book of the Law and all the people, using a sprig of hyssop and some red wool. 20 He said, “This is the blood which seals the covenant that God has commanded you to obey.” 21 In the same way Moses also sprinkled the blood on the Sacred Tent and over all the things used in worship. 22 Indeed, according to the Law almost everything is purified by blood, and sins are forgiven only if blood is poured out. 23 Those things, which are copies of the heavenly originals, had to be purified in that way. But the heavenly things themselves require much better sacrifices. 24 For Christ did not go into a Holy Place made by human hands, which was a copy of the real one. He went into heaven itself, where he now appears on our behalf in the presence of God. 25 The Jewish high priest goes into the Most Holy Place every year with the blood of an animal. But Christ did not go in to offer himself many times, 26 for then he would have had to suffer many times ever since the creation of the world. Instead, now when all ages of time are nearing the end, he has appeared once and for all, to remove sin through the sacrifice of himself. 27 Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God. 28 In the same manner Christ also was offered in sacrifice once to take away the sins of many. He will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are waiting for him. Reflect How are worship rituals, according to the first covenant, contrasted with the new covenant and what Christ has done? What does Christ’s sacrifice mean to you? Pray Lord Jesus, thank you for sacrificing yourself so that I might obtain eternal salvation through you. Teach me to live according to your will and to serve you always. Amen. Prayer Concern Worship leaders Tomorrow's Reading Hebrews 10:1-39: Christ’s sacrifice is once and for all. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 27, 2012 Author Members Posted June 27, 2012 June 27, 2012 Hebrews 10:1-39 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Build Up the Body of Christ Introduction Hebrews 10:1-39: From today’s reading we learn that following the sacrificial rituals according to the Law cannot cleanse us from sin but only serve to remind us of our sins. Rather, we are saved because Christ offered himself once and for all. This chapter concludes with words of encouragement, reminding believers to remain faithful. Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 10:10 Because Jesus Christ did what God wanted him to do, we are all purified from sin by the offering that he made of his own body once and for all. Today’s Reading 1 The Jewish Law is not a full and faithful model of the real things; it is only a faint outline of the good things to come. The same sacrifices are offered forever, year after year. How can the Law, then, by means of these sacrifices make perfect the people who come to God? 2 If the people worshiping God had really been purified from their sins, they would not feel guilty of sin any more, and all sacrifices would stop. 3 As it is, however, the sacrifices serve year after year to remind people of their sins. 4 For the blood of bulls and goats can never take away sins. 5 For this reason, when Christ was about to come into the world, he said to God: “You do not want sacrifices and offerings, but you have prepared a body for me. 6 You are not pleased with animals burned whole on the altar or with sacrifices to take away sins. 7 Then I said, ‘Here I am, to do your will, O God, just as it is written of me in the book of the Law.’” 8 First he said, “You neither want nor are you pleased with sacrifices and offerings or with animals burned on the altar and the sacrifices to take away sins.” He said this even though all these sacrifices are offered according to the Law. 9 Then he said, “Here I am, O God, to do your will.” So God does away with all the old sacrifices and puts the sacrifice of Christ in their place. 10 Because Jesus Christ did what God wanted him to do, we are all purified from sin by the offering that he made of his own body once and for all. 11 Every Jewish priest performs his services every day and offers the same sacrifices many times; but these sacrifices can never take away sins. 12 Christ, however, offered one sacrifice for sins, an offering that is effective forever, and then he sat down at the right side of God. 13 There he now waits until God puts his enemies as a footstool under his feet. 14 With one sacrifice, then, he has made perfect forever those who are purified from sin. 15 And the Holy Spirit also gives us his witness. First he says, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them in the days to come, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts and write them on their minds.” 17 And then he says, “I will not remember their sins and evil deeds any longer.” 18 So when these have been forgiven, an offering to take away sins is no longer needed. 19 We have, then, my friends, complete freedom to go into the Most Holy Place by means of the death of Jesus. 20 He opened for us a new way, a living way, through the curtain—that is, through his own body. 21 We have a great priest in charge of the house of God. 22 So let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith, with hearts that have been purified from a guilty conscience and with bodies washed with clean water. 23 Let us hold on firmly to the hope we profess, because we can trust God to keep his promise. 24 Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good. 25 Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer. 26 For there is no longer any sacrifice that will take away sins if we purposely go on sinning after the truth has been made known to us. 27 Instead, all that is left is to wait in fear for the coming Judgment and the fierce fire which will destroy those who oppose God! 28 Anyone who disobeys the Law of Moses is put to death without any mercy when judged guilty from the evidence of two or more witnesses. 29 What, then, of those who despise the Son of God? who treat as a cheap thing the blood of God's covenant which purified them from sin? who insult the Spirit of grace? Just think how much worse is the punishment they will deserve! 30 For we know who said, “I will take revenge, I will repay”; and who also said, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God! 32 Remember how it was with you in the past. In those days, after God's light had shone on you, you suffered many things, yet were not defeated by the struggle. 33 You were at times publicly insulted and mistreated, and at other times you were ready to join those who were being treated in this way. 34 You shared the sufferings of prisoners, and when all your belongings were seized, you endured your loss gladly, because you knew that you still possessed something much better, which would last forever. 35 Do not lose your courage, then, because it brings with it a great reward. 36 You need to be patient, in order to do the will of God and receive what he promises. 37 For, as the scripture says, “Just a little while longer, and he who is coming will come; he will not delay. 38 My righteous people, however, will believe and live; but if any of them turns back, I will not be pleased with them.” 39 We are not people who turn back and are lost. Instead, we have faith and are saved. Reflect Reread verses 5-10. What has occurred because Jesus was obedient to God’s will? Verse 19 reminds us that we have “complete freedom to go into the most Holy Place by means of the death of Jesus.” What does this freedom mean to you? Pray Lord God, how thankful I am that I have the freedom to come to you at any time. The perfect sacrifice of your Son, Jesus, who was obedient to your will, has opened the way for me to enter into your presence and rest in your love. Teach me to be obedient to your will and strong in faith. Amen. Prayer Concern Those who prepare church buildings for worship Tomorrow's Reading Hebrews 11:1-40: The great faith of God’s people is described. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 28, 2012 Author Members Posted June 28, 2012 June 28, 2012 Hebrews 11:1-40 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Build Up the Body of Christ Introduction Hebrews 11:1-40: Today’s reading provides us with a listing of people of great faith and the actions and risks they took in response to their faith. We learn that faith is the way to please God. Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 11:1 To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. Today’s Reading 1 To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. 2 It was by their faith that people of ancient times won God's approval. 3 It is by faith that we understand that the universe was created by God's word, so that what can be seen was made out of what cannot be seen. 4 It was faith that made Abel offer to God a better sacrifice than Cain's. Through his faith he won God's approval as a righteous man, because God himself approved of his gifts. By means of his faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. 5 It was faith that kept Enoch from dying. Instead, he was taken up to God, and nobody could find him, because God had taken him up. The scripture says that before Enoch was taken up, he had pleased God. 6 No one can please God without faith, for whoever comes to God must have faith that God exists and rewards those who seek him. 7 It was faith that made Noah hear God's warnings about things in the future that he could not see. He obeyed God and built a boat in which he and his family were saved. As a result, the world was condemned, and Noah received from God the righteousness that comes by faith. 8 It was faith that made Abraham obey when God called him to go out to a country which God had promised to give him. He left his own country without knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as a foreigner in the country that God had promised him. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who received the same promise from God. 10 For Abraham was waiting for the city which God has designed and built, the city with permanent foundations. 11 It was faith that made Abraham able to become a father, even though he was too old and Sarah herself could not have children. He trusted God to keep his promise. 12 Though Abraham was practically dead, from this one man came as many descendants as there are stars in the sky, as many as the numberless grains of sand on the seashore. 13 It was in faith that all these persons died. They did not receive the things God had promised, but from a long way off they saw them and welcomed them, and admitted openly that they were foreigners and refugees on earth. 14 Those who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 They did not keep thinking about the country they had left; if they had, they would have had the chance to return. 16 Instead, it was a better country they longed for, the heavenly country. And so God is not ashamed for them to call him their God, because he has prepared a city for them. 17 It was faith that made Abraham offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice when God put Abraham to the test. Abraham was the one to whom God had made the promise, yet he was ready to offer his only son as a sacrifice. 18 God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that you will have the descendants I promised.” 19 Abraham reckoned that God was able to raise Isaac from death—and, so to speak, Abraham did receive Isaac back from death. 20 It was faith that made Isaac promise blessings for the future to Jacob and Esau. 21 It was faith that made Jacob bless each of the sons of Joseph just before he died. He leaned on the top of his walking stick and worshiped God. 22 It was faith that made Joseph, when he was about to die, speak of the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, and leave instructions about what should be done with his body. 23 It was faith that made the parents of Moses hide him for three months after he was born. They saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king's order. 24 It was faith that made Moses, when he had grown up, refuse to be called the son of the king's daughter. 25 He preferred to suffer with God's people rather than to enjoy sin for a little while. 26 He reckoned that to suffer scorn for the Messiah was worth far more than all the treasures of Egypt, for he kept his eyes on the future reward. 27 It was faith that made Moses leave Egypt without being afraid of the king's anger. As though he saw the invisible God, he refused to turn back. 28 It was faith that made him establish the Passover and order the blood to be sprinkled on the doors, so that the Angel of Death would not kill the first-born sons of the Israelites. 29 It was faith that made the Israelites able to cross the Red Sea as if on dry land; when the Egyptians tried to do it, the water swallowed them up. 30 It was faith that made the walls of Jericho fall down after the Israelites had marched around them for seven days. 31 It was faith that kept the prostitute Rahab from being killed with those who disobeyed God, for she gave the Israelite spies a friendly welcome. 32 Should I go on? There isn't enough time for me to speak of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. 33 Through faith they fought whole countries and won. They did what was right and received what God had promised. They shut the mouths of lions, 34 put out fierce fires, escaped being killed by the sword. They were weak, but became strong; they were mighty in battle and defeated the armies of foreigners. 35 Through faith women received their dead relatives raised back to life. Others, refusing to accept freedom, died under torture in order to be raised to a better life. 36 Some were mocked and whipped, and others were put in chains and taken off to prison. 37 They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were killed by the sword. They went around clothed in skins of sheep or goats—poor, persecuted, and mistreated. 38 The world was not good enough for them! They wandered like refugees in the deserts and hills, living in caves and holes in the ground. 39 What a record all of these have won by their faith! Yet they did not receive what God had promised, 40 because God had decided on an even better plan for us. His purpose was that only in company with us would they be made perfect. Reflect In what ways does faith provide you with a sure hope? Among all the people mentioned in today’s reading, are there any who are unfamiliar to you? Perhaps today’s reading will encourage you to find and read their stories in the Bible. Are there any who are models of faith for you? Pray Holy God, thank you for all your faithful servants. Thank you for mentors and teachers you have placed in my life. May I continue to grow in faith, trusting in your promises. Amen. Prayer Concern Those in need of mentors in faith Tomorrow's Reading Hebrews 12:1-29: Faithful witnesses cheer us on as we run the race of faith. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 29, 2012 Author Members Posted June 29, 2012 June 29, 2012 Hebrews 12:1-29 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Build Up the Body of Christ Introduction Hebrews 12:1-29: Today’s reading teaches that we are surrounded by faithful witnesses from the past and present. This “large crowd” is like a hometown crowd cheering us on as we run the race of faith. The chapter concludes with words of encouragement and a reminder that God’s kingdom cannot be shaken. Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 12:2a Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. Today’s Reading 1 As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. 2 Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God's throne. 3 Think of what he went through; how he put up with so much hatred from sinners! So do not let yourselves become discouraged and give up. 4 For in your struggle against sin you have not yet had to resist to the point of being killed. 5 Have you forgotten the encouraging words which God speaks to you as his children? “My child, pay attention when the Lord corrects you, and do not be discouraged when he rebukes you. 6 Because the Lord corrects everyone he loves, and punishes everyone he accepts as a child.” 7 Endure what you suffer as being a father's punishment; your suffering shows that God is treating you as his children. Was there ever a child who was not punished by his father? 8 If you are not punished, as all his children are, it means you are not real children, but bastards. 9 In the case of our human fathers, they punished us and we respected them. How much more, then, should we submit to our spiritual Father and live! 10 Our human fathers punished us for a short time, as it seemed right to them; but God does it for our own good, so that we may share his holiness. 11 When we are punished, it seems to us at the time something to make us sad, not glad. Later, however, those who have been disciplined by such punishment reap the peaceful reward of a righteous life. 12 Lift up your tired hands, then, and strengthen your trembling knees! 13 Keep walking on straight paths, so that the lame foot may not be disabled, but instead be healed. 14 Try to be at peace with everyone, and try to live a holy life, because no one will see the Lord without it. 15 Guard against turning back from the grace of God. Let no one become like a bitter plant that grows up and causes many troubles with its poison. 16 Let no one become immoral or unspiritual like Esau, who for a single meal sold his rights as the older son. 17 Afterward, you know, he wanted to receive his father's blessing; but he was turned back, because he could not find any way to change what he had done, even though in tears he looked for it. 18 You have not come, as the people of Israel came, to what you can feel, to Mount Sinai with its blazing fire, the darkness and the gloom, the storm, 19 the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of a voice. When the people heard the voice, they begged not to hear another word, 20 because they could not bear the order which said, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling and afraid!” 22 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, with its thousands of angels. 23 You have come to the joyful gathering of God's first-born, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, who is the judge of all people, and to the spirits of good people made perfect. 24 You have come to Jesus, who arranged the new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that promises much better things than does the blood of Abel. 25 Be careful, then, and do not refuse to hear him who speaks. Those who refused to hear the one who gave the divine message on earth did not escape. How much less shall we escape, then, if we turn away from the one who speaks from heaven! 26 His voice shook the earth at that time, but now he has promised, “I will once more shake not only the earth but heaven as well.” 27 The words “once more” plainly show that the created things will be shaken and removed, so that the things that cannot be shaken will remain. 28 Let us be thankful, then, because we receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Let us be grateful and worship God in a way that will please him, with reverence and awe; 29 because our God is indeed a destroying fire. Reflect In verses 7-11, the relationship between God and people is described as that of a father and child. How is earthly punishment or discipline compared to what God does? Reread verses 22-24. How do you envision what is described here? Pray Lord Jesus, keep my eyes fixed on you. My faith is dependent on you. You alone are worthy of praise and honor. May my worship be pleasing to you. Amen. Prayer Concern Athletes Tomorrow's Reading Hebrews 13:1-25: Christians are encouraged to continue loving one another. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted June 30, 2012 Author Members Posted June 30, 2012 June 30, 2012 Hebrews 13:1-25 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Build Up the Body of Christ Introduction Hebrews 13:1-25: Today’s reading is the final chapter of the Letter to the Hebrews. Christians are given instructions on how to live in ways that please God. The letter concludes with a prayer and words of encouragement. Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Today’s Reading 1 Keep on loving one another as Christians. 2 Remember to welcome strangers in your homes. There were some who did that and welcomed angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them. Remember those who are suffering, as though you were suffering as they are. 4 Marriage is to be honored by all, and husbands and wives must be faithful to each other. God will judge those who are immoral and those who commit adultery. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.” 6 Let us be bold, then, and say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” 7 Remember your former leaders, who spoke God's message to you. Think back on how they lived and died, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not let all kinds of strange teachings lead you from the right way. It is good to receive inner strength from God's grace, and not by obeying rules about foods; those who obey these rules have not been helped by them. 10 The priests who serve in the Jewish place of worship have no right to eat any of the sacrifice on our altar. 11 The Jewish high priest brings the blood of the animals into the Most Holy Place to offer it as a sacrifice for sins; but the bodies of the animals are burned outside the camp. 12 For this reason Jesus also died outside the city, in order to purify the people from sin with his own blood. 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp and share his shame. 14 For there is no permanent city for us here on earth; we are looking for the city which is to come. 15 Let us, then, always offer praise to God as our sacrifice through Jesus, which is the offering presented by lips that confess him as Lord. 16 Do not forget to do good and to help one another, because these are the sacrifices that please God. 17 Obey your leaders and follow their orders. They watch over your souls without resting, since they must give to God an account of their service. If you obey them, they will do their work gladly; if not, they will do it with sadness, and that would be of no help to you. 18 Keep on praying for us. We are sure we have a clear conscience, because we want to do the right thing at all times. 19 And I beg you even more earnestly to pray that God will send me back to you soon. 20-21 God has raised from death our Lord Jesus, who is the Great Shepherd of the sheep as the result of his blood, by which the eternal covenant is sealed. May the God of peace provide you with every good thing you need in order to do his will, and may he, through Jesus Christ, do in us what pleases him. And to Christ be the glory forever and ever! Amen. 22 I beg you, my friends, to listen patiently to this message of encouragement; for this letter I have written you is not very long. 23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been let out of prison. If he comes soon enough, I will have him with me when I see you. 24 Give our greetings to all your leaders and to all God's people. The believers from Italy send you their greetings. 25 May God's grace be with you all. Reflect What kinds of service are pleasing to God (verses 1-3)? Verse 9 says, “Do not let all kinds of strange teachings lead you from the right way.” Have you ever experienced a time when you were tempted to abandon doing what you knew was right? How did you deal with that situation? What does it mean to you, knowing that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (verse 8)? Pray Lord Jesus, you are indeed the same yesterday, today, and forever! Knowing this fills me with awe and joy. Knowing you are always with me and will be with me forever gives me comfort and the strength to face whatever trials may come my way. Thank you, Jesus, for loving me so. Amen. Prayer Concern Communities of faith reaching out to serve others Tomorrow's Reading Genesis 1:1—2:4a: A story of creation Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted July 1, 2012 Author Members Posted July 1, 2012 July 1, 2012 Genesis 1:1—2:4a (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Trust in God’s Promises Introduction Genesis 1:1—2:4a: For the month of July we will be reading excerpts from Genesis, the first book in the Bible. The word “genesis” comes from a Greek word that means “beginning.” And the book of Genesis is about beginnings—the beginning of the world, the beginning of the human race, and the beginning of the people of Israel. The book is also a book of faith, which means that it is concerned with who God is and how God has been involved in the lives of people from the time of creation. Today’s reading is an orderly account that describes God creating the universe in six days and resting on the seventh day. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 2:3 He blessed the seventh day and set it apart as a special day, because by that day he had completed his creation and stopped working. Today’s Reading 1 In the beginning, when God created the universe, 2 the earth was formless and desolate. The raging ocean that covered everything was engulfed in total darkness, and the Spirit of God was moving over the water. 3 Then God commanded, “Let there be light”—and light appeared. 4 God was pleased with what he saw. Then he separated the light from the darkness, 5 and he named the light “Day” and the darkness “Night.” Evening passed and morning came—that was the first day. 6-7 Then God commanded, “Let there be a dome to divide the water and to keep it in two separate places”—and it was done. So God made a dome, and it separated the water under it from the water above it. 8 He named the dome “Sky.” Evening passed and morning came—that was the second day. 9 Then God commanded, “Let the water below the sky come together in one place, so that the land will appear”—and it was done. 10 He named the land “Earth,” and the water which had come together he named “Sea.” And God was pleased with what he saw. 11 Then he commanded, “Let the earth produce all kinds of plants, those that bear grain and those that bear fruit”—and it was done. 12 So the earth produced all kinds of plants, and God was pleased with what he saw. 13 Evening passed and morning came—that was the third day. 14 Then God commanded, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate day from night and to show the time when days, years, and religious festivals begin; 15 they will shine in the sky to give light to the earth ”—and it was done. 16 So God made the two larger lights, the sun to rule over the day and the moon to rule over the night; he also made the stars. 17 He placed the lights in the sky to shine on the earth, 18 to rule over the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God was pleased with what he saw. 19 Evening passed and morning came—that was the fourth day. 20 Then God commanded, “Let the water be filled with many kinds of living beings, and let the air be filled with birds.” 21 So God created the great sea monsters, all kinds of creatures that live in the water, and all kinds of birds. And God was pleased with what he saw. 22 He blessed them all and told the creatures that live in the water to reproduce and to fill the sea, and he told the birds to increase in number. 23 Evening passed and morning came—that was the fifth day. 24 Then God commanded, “Let the earth produce all kinds of animal life: domestic and wild, large and small”—and it was done. 25 So God made them all, and he was pleased with what he saw. 26 Then God said, “And now we will make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us. They will have power over the fish, the birds, and all animals, domestic and wild, large and small. ” 27 So God created human beings, making them to be like himself. He created them male and female, 28 blessed them, and said, “Have many children, so that your descendants will live all over the earth and bring it under their control. I am putting you in charge of the fish, the birds, and all the wild animals. 29 I have provided all kinds of grain and all kinds of fruit for you to eat; 30 but for all the wild animals and for all the birds I have provided grass and leafy plants for food ”—and it was done. 31 God looked at everything he had made, and he was very pleased. Evening passed and morning came—that was the sixth day. 1 And so the whole universe was completed. 2 By the seventh day God finished what he had been doing and stopped working. 3 He blessed the seventh day and set it apart as a special day, because by that day he had completed his creation and stopped working. 4a And that is how the universe was created. Reflect What did God create on days one, two, and three? What did God create on days four, five, and six? Notice how God populated the three realms that were created on the first three days with what God created on days four, five, and six. What was special about the seventh day? Is there a day of the week that you set apart and that is special to you? Pray Almighty God, you created the universe and created for me a beautiful earthly home. Teach me to care for and respect all of creation and to set apart time to remember and praise you for your wondrous deeds. Amen. Prayer Concern Our planet Earth Tomorrow's Reading Genesis 2:4b-25: A second creation story Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted July 2, 2012 Author Members Posted July 2, 2012 July 2, 2012 Genesis 2:4b-25 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Trust in God’s Promises Introduction Genesis 2:4b-25: Today’s reading provides us with another account of creation. The Garden of Eden is described, and the first man and first woman are formed to live in the garden. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 2:8 Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the East, and there he put the man he had formed. Today’s Reading 4b When the LORD God made the universe, 5 there were no plants on the earth and no seeds had sprouted, because he had not sent any rain, and there was no one to cultivate the land; 6 but water would come up from beneath the surface and water the ground. 7 Then the LORD God took some soil from the ground and formed a man out of it; he breathed life-giving breath into his nostrils and the man began to live. 8 Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the East, and there he put the man he had formed. 9 He made all kinds of beautiful trees grow there and produce good fruit. In the middle of the garden stood the tree that gives life and the tree that gives knowledge of what is good and what is bad. 10 A stream flowed in Eden and watered the garden; beyond Eden it divided into four rivers. 11 The first river is the Pishon; it flows around the country of Havilah. 12 (Pure gold is found there and also rare perfume and precious stones.) 13 The second river is the Gihon; it flows around the country of Cush. 14 The third river is the Tigris, which flows east of Assyria, and the fourth river is the Euphrates. 15 Then the LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and guard it. 16 He told him, “You may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden, 17 except the tree that gives knowledge of what is good and what is bad. You must not eat the fruit of that tree; if you do, you will die the same day. ” 18 Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to live alone. I will make a suitable companion to help him.” 19 So he took some soil from the ground and formed all the animals and all the birds. Then he brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and that is how they all got their names. 20 So the man named all the birds and all the animals; but not one of them was a suitable companion to help him. 21 Then the LORD God made the man fall into a deep sleep, and while he was sleeping, he took out one of the man's ribs and closed up the flesh. 22 He formed a woman out of the rib and brought her to him. 23 Then the man said, “At last, here is one of my own kind— Bone taken from my bone, and flesh from my flesh. “Woman” is her name because she was taken out of man.” 24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife, and they become one. 25 The man and the woman were both naked, but they were not embarrassed. Reflect How is today’s account of creation different from the one from yesterday’s reading (Genesis 1:1—2:4a)? What similarities are there? What instructions and warning did God give to the man (verses 15-17)? How do you envision Eden? Pray God of all creation, with soil from the ground you formed animals, birds, and the first human. Your life-giving breath gives life to all. Breathe on me, O God, and fill me with your Spirit. Amen. Prayer Concern Those cultivating gardens Tomorrow's Reading Genesis 3:1-24: The first humans disobey God. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted July 3, 2012 Author Members Posted July 3, 2012 July 3, 2012 Genesis 3:1-24 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Trust in God’s Promises Introduction Genesis 3:1-24: The perfect life God has given to human beings in the Garden of Eden is destroyed when Adam and Eve disobey God’s command not to eat fruit from the tree of knowledge. God sends them out of the garden, and they will now have to work the ground from which they were formed. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 3:23 So the LORD God sent them out of the Garden of Eden and made them cultivate the soil from which they had been formed. Today’s Reading 1 Now the snake was the most cunning animal that the LORD God had made. The snake asked the woman, “Did God really tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?” 2 “We may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden,” the woman answered, 3 “except the tree in the middle of it. God told us not to eat the fruit of that tree or even touch it; if we do, we will die.” 4 The snake replied, “That's not true; you will not die. 5 God said that because he knows that when you eat it, you will be like God and know what is good and what is bad. ” 6 The woman saw how beautiful the tree was and how good its fruit would be to eat, and she thought how wonderful it would be to become wise. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, and he also ate it. 7 As soon as they had eaten it, they were given understanding and realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and covered themselves. 8 That evening they heard the LORD God walking in the garden, and they hid from him among the trees. 9 But the LORD God called out to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden; I was afraid and hid from you, because I was naked.” 11 “Who told you that you were naked?” God asked. “Did you eat the fruit that I told you not to eat?” 12 The man answered, “The woman you put here with me gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” 13 The LORD God asked the woman, “Why did you do this?” She replied, “The snake tricked me into eating it.” 14 Then the LORD God said to the snake, “You will be punished for this; you alone of all the animals must bear this curse: From now on you will crawl on your belly, and you will have to eat dust as long as you live. 15 I will make you and the woman hate each other; her offspring and yours will always be enemies. Her offspring will crush your head, and you will bite her offspring's heel. ” 16 And he said to the woman, “I will increase your trouble in pregnancy and your pain in giving birth. In spite of this, you will still have desire for your husband, yet you will be subject to him.” 17 And he said to the man, “You listened to your wife and ate the fruit which I told you not to eat. Because of what you have done, the ground will be under a curse. You will have to work hard all your life to make it produce enough food for you. 18 It will produce weeds and thorns, and you will have to eat wild plants. 19 You will have to work hard and sweat to make the soil produce anything, until you go back to the soil from which you were formed. You were made from soil, and you will become soil again. ” 20 Adam named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all human beings. 21 And the LORD God made clothes out of animal skins for Adam and his wife, and he clothed them. 22 Then the LORD God said, “Now these human beings have become like one of us and have knowledge of what is good and what is bad. They must not be allowed to take fruit from the tree that gives life, eat it, and live forever. ” 23 So the LORD God sent them out of the Garden of Eden and made them cultivate the soil from which they had been formed. 24 Then at the east side of the garden he put living creatures and a flaming sword which turned in all directions. This was to keep anyone from coming near the tree that gives life. Reflect Why did Adam and Eve disobey God? How did they react when they realized what they had done? What was their punishment (verses 16-19)? Why were they sent out of the Garden of Eden (verses 22-24)? Pray Lord God, when I am aware that I have not acted according to your will, I may want to hide from you. Remind me, Lord God, of your steadfast love and mercy. Do not cast me away from your presence, and teach me to ask for your forgiveness and seek to be reconciled to you. In your holy name, I pray. Amen. Prayer Concern Migrant workers Tomorrow's Reading Genesis 6:1-22: God chooses to save Noah and his family from a great flood. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted July 5, 2012 Author Members Posted July 5, 2012 July 4, 2012 Genesis 6:1-22 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Trust in God’s Promises Introduction Genesis 6:1-22: Today we begin reading about how God saved Noah and his family from a great flood that destroyed the earth and all its sinful people. The chapter begins with an account of heavenly beings and the children born to the women they took. These offspring, described as “the great heroes and famous men of long ago,” were called Nephilim and most likely are the giants mentioned in Numbers 13:31-33. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 6:9b, 10 Noah had no faults and was the only good man of his time. He lived in fellowship with God. Today’s Reading 1 When people had spread all over the world, and daughters were being born, 2 some of the heavenly beings saw that these young women were beautiful, so they took the ones they liked. 3 Then the LORD said, “I will not allow people to live forever; they are mortal. From now on they will live no longer than 120 years.” 4 In those days, and even later, there were giants on the earth who were descendants of human women and the heavenly beings. They were the great heroes and famous men of long ago. 5 When the LORD saw how wicked everyone on earth was and how evil their thoughts were all the time, 6 he was sorry that he had ever made them and put them on the earth. He was so filled with regret 7 that he said, “I will wipe out these people I have created, and also the animals and the birds, because I am sorry that I made any of them.” 8 But the LORD was pleased with Noah. 9-10 This is the story of Noah. He had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Noah had no faults and was the only good man of his time. He lived in fellowship with God, 11 but everyone else was evil in God's sight, and violence had spread everywhere. 12 God looked at the world and saw that it was evil, for the people were all living evil lives. 13 God said to Noah, “I have decided to put an end to all people. I will destroy them completely, because the world is full of their violent deeds. 14 Build a boat for yourself out of good timber; make rooms in it and cover it with tar inside and out. 15 Make it 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. 16 Make a roof for the boat and leave a space of 18 inches between the roof and the sides. Build it with three decks and put a door in the side. 17 I am going to send a flood on the earth to destroy every living being. Everything on the earth will die, 18 but I will make a covenant with you. Go into the boat with your wife, your sons, and their wives. 19-20 Take into the boat with you a male and a female of every kind of animal and of every kind of bird, in order to keep them alive. 21 Take along all kinds of food for you and for them. ” 22 Noah did everything that God commanded. Reflect Noah is described as one who “lived in fellowship with God.” Some translations render this as one who “walked with God” which is another way of indicating that the person was righteous and blameless. What did God tell Noah to do? What did God promise Noah (verse 18)? Pray Lord God, keep me in fellowship with you and teach me to do what is pleasing in your sight. Keep me from evil and from doing anything that is not in accord with your will. Amen. Prayer Concern Ship builders Tomorrow's Reading Genesis 7:1-24: A great flood destroys all living creatures on the earth. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted July 5, 2012 Author Members Posted July 5, 2012 July 5, 2012 Genesis 7:1-24 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Trust in God’s Promises Introduction Genesis 7:1-24: Rain falls for forty days and nights, and God causes the flood to destroy all living beings on the earth. Only Noah and his family are saved, along with the animals and birds Noah was instructed to bring with him in the boat. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 7:5 And Noah did everything that the LORD commanded. Today’s Reading 1 The LORD said to Noah, “Go into the boat with your whole family; I have found that you are the only one in all the world who does what is right. 2 Take with you seven pairs of each kind of ritually clean animal, but only one pair of each kind of unclean animal. 3 Take also seven pairs of each kind of bird. Do this so that every kind of animal and bird will be kept alive to reproduce again on the earth. 4 Seven days from now I am going to send rain that will fall for forty days and nights, in order to destroy all the living beings that I have made. ” 5 And Noah did everything that the LORD commanded. 6 Noah was six hundred years old when the flood came on the earth. 7 He and his wife, and his sons and their wives, went into the boat to escape the flood. 8 A male and a female of every kind of animal and bird, whether ritually clean or unclean, 9 went into the boat with Noah, as God had commanded. 10 Seven days later the flood came. 11 When Noah was six hundred years old, on the seventeenth day of the second month all the outlets of the vast body of water beneath the earth burst open, all the floodgates of the sky were opened, 12 and rain fell on the earth for forty days and nights. 13 On that same day Noah and his wife went into the boat with their three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and their wives. 14 With them went every kind of animal, domestic and wild, large and small, and every kind of bird. 15 A male and a female of each kind of living being went into the boat with Noah, 16 as God had commanded. Then the LORD shut the door behind Noah. 17 The flood continued for forty days, and the water became deep enough for the boat to float. 18 The water became deeper, and the boat drifted on the surface. 19 It became so deep that it covered the highest mountains; 20 it went on rising until it was about twenty-five feet above the tops of the mountains. 21 Every living being on the earth died—every bird, every animal, and every person. 22 Everything on earth that breathed died. 23 The LORD destroyed all living beings on the earth—human beings, animals, and birds. The only ones left were Noah and those who were with him in the boat. 24 The water did not start going down for a hundred and fifty days. Reflect Today’s reading records three times that Noah did what God commanded (verses 5, 9, 16). What did God command Noah to do? Have you ever experienced a time when you felt you were commanded by God to do something? Pray Dear God, open my heart and mind to listen for your voice. Order my steps this day and teach me to heed your commands. In your holy name I pray. Amen. Prayer Concern Seafarers Tomorrow's Reading Genesis 8:1-22: The flood waters subside. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted July 7, 2012 Author Members Posted July 7, 2012 July 6, 2012 Genesis 8:1-22 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Trust in God’s Promises Introduction Genesis 8:1-22: When the flood waters subsided, Noah and his family, along with the animals and birds, left the boat. Noah built an altar and offered a sacrifice to the LORD. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 8:22 “As long as the world exists, there will be a time for planting and a time for harvest. There will always be cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.” Today’s Reading 1 God had not forgotten Noah and all the animals with him in the boat; he caused a wind to blow, and the water started going down. 2 The outlets of the water beneath the earth and the floodgates of the sky were closed. The rain stopped, 3 and the water gradually went down for 150 days. 4 On the seventeenth day of the seventh month the boat came to rest on a mountain in the Ararat range. 5 The water kept going down, and on the first day of the tenth month the tops of the mountains appeared. 6 After forty days Noah opened a window 7 and sent out a raven. It did not come back, but kept flying around until the water was completely gone. 8 Meanwhile, Noah sent out a dove to see if the water had gone down, 9 but since the water still covered all the land, the dove did not find a place to light. It flew back to the boat, and Noah reached out and took it in. 10 He waited another seven days and sent out the dove again. 11 It returned to him in the evening with a fresh olive leaf in its beak. So Noah knew that the water had gone down. 12 Then he waited another seven days and sent out the dove once more; this time it did not come back. 13 When Noah was 601 years old, on the first day of the first month, the water was gone. Noah removed the covering of the boat, looked around, and saw that the ground was getting dry. 14 By the twenty-seventh day of the second month the earth was completely dry. 15 God said to Noah, 16 “Go out of the boat with your wife, your sons, and their wives. 17 Take all the birds and animals out with you, so that they may reproduce and spread over all the earth. ” 18 So Noah went out of the boat with his wife, his sons, and their wives. 19 All the animals and birds went out of the boat in groups of their own kind. 20 Noah built an altar to the LORD; he took one of each kind of ritually clean animal and bird, and burned them whole as a sacrifice on the altar. 21 The odor of the sacrifice pleased the LORD, and he said to himself, “Never again will I put the earth under a curse because of what people do; I know that from the time they are young their thoughts are evil. Never again will I destroy all living beings, as I have done this time. 22 As long as the world exists, there will be a time for planting and a time for harvest. There will always be cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night. ” Reflect What caused the water to go down? How did Noah determine that the water had subsided? How did God respond to the sacrifice Noah offered? How will you be demonstrating your reverence and thanks to God today? Pray God of hope and restoration, you renew the earth through planting and harvesting and through the cycle of the seasons. Thank you, Lord God, for your steadfast love and care. Amen. Prayer Concern Zoologists Tomorrow's Reading Genesis 9:1-17: God makes a covenant with Noah and all living beings. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted July 7, 2012 Author Members Posted July 7, 2012 July 7, 2012 Genesis 9:1-17 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Trust in God’s Promises Introduction Genesis 9:1-17: God blesses Noah and his family and makes a covenant never to destroy all living beings. A sign of this everlasting covenant is the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 9:16 “When the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between me and all living beings on earth.” Today’s Reading 1 God blessed Noah and his sons and said, “Have many children, so that your descendants will live all over the earth. 2 All the animals, birds, and fish will live in fear of you. They are all placed under your power. 3 Now you can eat them, as well as green plants; I give them all to you for food. 4 The one thing you must not eat is meat with blood still in it; I forbid this because the life is in the blood. 5 If anyone takes human life, he will be punished. I will punish with death any animal that takes a human life. 6 Human beings were made like God, so whoever murders one of them will be killed by someone else. 7 “You must have many children, so that your descendants will live all over the earth.” 8 God said to Noah and his sons, 9 I am now making my covenant with you and with your descendants, 10 and with all living beings—all birds and all animals—everything that came out of the boat with you. 11 With these words I make my covenant with you: I promise that never again will all living beings be destroyed by a flood; never again will a flood destroy the earth. 12 As a sign of this everlasting covenant which I am making with you and with all living beings, 13 I am putting my bow in the clouds. It will be the sign of my covenant with the world. 14 Whenever I cover the sky with clouds and the rainbow appears, 15 I will remember my promise to you and to all the animals that a flood will never again destroy all living beings. 16 When the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between me and all living beings on earth. 17 That is the sign of the promise which I am making to all living beings. ” Reflect The covenant God makes is initiated by God and is eternal. It is made with Noah and all living beings. God says that the “bow in the clouds” will be the sign of his covenant with the world. What are your thoughts whenever you see a rainbow? Pray Sovereign God, your love is eternal and I trust in your promises. Open my eyes to signs of your love and grace around me this day. Amen. Prayer Concern Those rebuilding after storm and flood damage Tomorrow's Reading Genesis 12:1-20: God calls Abram. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted July 8, 2012 Author Members Posted July 8, 2012 July 8, 2012 Genesis 12:1-20 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Trust in God’s Promises Introduction Genesis 12:1-20: The story of God’s people begins when God chooses Abram and tells him to go to a land that God will show him. Abram heeds God’s call and departs for Canaan with his wife and nephew and all his possessions. When there is a severe famine in Canaan, Abram travels to Egypt, instructing his wife Sarai to pretend to be his sister. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 12:1a, 2b The LORD said to Abram … “I will bless you and make your name famous, so that you will be a blessing.” Today’s Reading 1 The LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's home, and go to a land that I am going to show you. 2 I will give you many descendants, and they will become a great nation. I will bless you and make your name famous, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, But I will curse those who curse you. And through you I will bless all the nations.” 4 When Abram was seventy-five years old, he started out from Haran, as the LORD had told him to do; and Lot went with him. 5 Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the wealth and all the slaves they had acquired in Haran, and they started out for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan, 6 Abram traveled through the land until he came to the sacred tree of Moreh, the holy place at Shechem. (At that time the Canaanites were still living in the land.) 7 The LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “This is the country that I am going to give to your descendants.” Then Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. 8 After that, he moved on south to the hill country east of the city of Bethel and set up his camp between Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There also he built an altar and worshiped the LORD. 9 Then he moved on from place to place, going toward the southern part of Canaan. 10 But there was a famine in Canaan, and it was so bad that Abram went farther south to Egypt, to live there for a while. 11 When he was about to cross the border into Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “You are a beautiful woman. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will assume that you are my wife, and so they will kill me and let you live. 13 Tell them that you are my sister; then because of you they will let me live and treat me well. ” 14 When he crossed the border into Egypt, the Egyptians did see that his wife was beautiful. 15 Some of the court officials saw her and told the king how beautiful she was; so she was taken to his palace. 16 Because of her the king treated Abram well and gave him flocks of sheep and goats, cattle, donkeys, slaves, and camels. 17 But because the king had taken Sarai, the LORD sent terrible diseases on him and on the people of his palace. 18 Then the king sent for Abram and asked him, “What have you done to me? Why didn't you tell me that she was your wife? 19 Why did you say that she was your sister, and let me take her as my wife? Here is your wife; take her and get out! ” 20 The king gave orders to his men, so they took Abram and put him out of the country, together with his wife and everything he owned. Reflect Abram’s travels followed a main trade route between Mesopotamia, Canaan, and Egypt. What are your thoughts about Abram’s willingness to listen to God and leave his country? Have you ever had to relocate? If so, what were your thoughts at that time? What promises did God make to Abram (verses 2, 3)? Why did Abram tell Sarai to let the Egyptians assume that she was his sister? Did his action indicate a lack of trust in God? Why or why not? What happened as a result? Pray When you call, O God, teach me to listen and to put my trust in you. Guide me this day so that all I do and say is in accord with your will. In your holy name I pray. Amen. Prayer Concern Those preparing to move to a new location Tomorrow's Reading Genesis 13:1-18: Abram and Lot separate. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted July 9, 2012 Author Members Posted July 9, 2012 July 9, 2012 Genesis 13:1-18 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Trust in God’s Promises Introduction Genesis 13:1-18: Abram and Lot each have flocks of sheep, goats, and cattle. Because their herdsmen were quarreling, Abram suggests to Lot that they separate. Abram gives Lot first choice to select the land he wants. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 13:17 [The LORD said to Abram,] “Now, go and look over the whole land, because I am going to give it all to you.” Today’s Reading 1 Abram went north out of Egypt to the southern part of Canaan with his wife and everything he owned, and Lot went with him. 2 Abram was a very rich man, with sheep, goats, and cattle, as well as silver and gold. 3 Then he left there and moved from place to place, going toward Bethel. He reached the place between Bethel and Ai where he had camped before 4 and had built an altar. There he worshiped the LORD. 5 Lot also had sheep, goats, and cattle, as well as his own family and servants. 6 And so there was not enough pasture land for the two of them to stay together, because they had too many animals. 7 So quarrels broke out between the men who took care of Abram's animals and those who took care of Lot's animals. (At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were still living in the land.) 8 Then Abram said to Lot, “We are relatives, and your men and my men shouldn't be quarreling. 9 So let's separate. Choose any part of the land you want. You go one way, and I'll go the other. ” 10 Lot looked around and saw that the whole Jordan Valley, all the way to Zoar, had plenty of water, like the Garden of the LORD or like the land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD had destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose the whole Jordan Valley for himself and moved away toward the east. That is how the two men parted. 12 Abram stayed in the land of Canaan, and Lot settled among the cities in the valley and camped near Sodom, 13 whose people were wicked and sinned against the LORD. 14 After Lot had left, the LORD said to Abram, “From where you are, look carefully in all directions. 15 I am going to give you and your descendants all the land that you see, and it will be yours forever. 16 I am going to give you so many descendants that no one will be able to count them all; it would be as easy to count all the specks of dust on earth! 17 Now, go and look over the whole land, because I am going to give it all to you. ” 18 So Abram moved his camp and settled near the sacred trees of Mamre at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD. Reflect What was the source of the dispute between Abram’s and Lot’s herdsmen? How is Abram portrayed in today’s reading? Why did Lot choose as he did? What did God promise Abram? Pray Lord God, help me to follow the path of peace and to resolve disputes fairly. Teach me your ways, O Lord, and to glorify you in all I do and say. Amen. Prayer Concern Nomadic shepherds and goat herders seeking water and pasture for their flocks Tomorrow's Reading Genesis 14:1-24: Abram rescues Lot. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted July 11, 2012 Author Members Posted July 11, 2012 July 10, 2012 Genesis 14:1-24 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Trust in God’s Promises Introduction Genesis 14:1-24: Today’s reading describes war between four kings from Mesopotamia and five kings from the Jordan Valley, and Abram’s nephew Lot, who was living in Sodom, is captured. Abram organizes a military strike, rescues Lot and recovers everything the enemy had taken. Melchizedek, a priest and king of Salem, blesses Abram. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 14:19b “May the Most High God, who made heaven and earth, bless Abram!” Today’s Reading 1 Four kings, Amraphel of Babylonia, Arioch of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer of Elam, and Tidal of Goiim, 2 went to war against five other kings: Bera of Sodom, Birsha of Gomorrah, Shinab of Admah, Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (or Zoar). 3 These five kings had formed an alliance and joined forces in Siddim Valley, which is now the Dead Sea. 4 They had been under the control of Chedorlaomer for twelve years, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled against him. 5 In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and his allies came with their armies and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in the plain of Kiriathaim, 6 and the Horites in the mountains of Edom, pursuing them as far as Elparan on the edge of the desert. 7 Then they turned around and came back to Kadesh (then known as Enmishpat). They conquered all the land of the Amalekites and defeated the Amorites who lived in Hazazon Tamar. 8 Then the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela drew up their armies for battle in Siddim Valley and fought 9 against the kings of Elam, Goiim, Babylonia, and Ellasar, five kings against four. 10 The valley was full of tar pits, and when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah tried to run away from the battle, they fell into the pits; but the other three kings escaped to the mountains. 11 The four kings took everything in Sodom and Gomorrah, including the food, and went away. 12 Lot, Abram's nephew, was living in Sodom, so they took him and all his possessions. 13 But a man escaped and reported all this to Abram, the Hebrew, who was living near the sacred trees belonging to Mamre the Amorite. Mamre and his brothers Eshcol and Aner were Abram's allies. 14 When Abram heard that his nephew had been captured, he called together all the fighting men in his camp, 318 in all, and pursued the four kings all the way to Dan. 15 There he divided his men into groups, attacked the enemy by night, and defeated them. He chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus, 16 and got back all the loot that had been taken. He also brought back his nephew Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other prisoners. 17 When Abram came back from his victory over Chedorlaomer and the other kings, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in Shaveh Valley (also called King's Valley). 18 And Melchizedek, who was king of Salem and also a priest of the Most High God, brought bread and wine to Abram, 19 blessed him, and said, “May the Most High God, who made heaven and earth, bless Abram! 20 May the Most High God, who gave you victory over your enemies, be praised! ” And Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the loot he had recovered. 21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Keep the loot, but give me back all my people.” 22 Abram answered, “I solemnly swear before the LORD, the Most High God, Maker of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not keep anything of yours, not even a thread or a sandal strap. Then you can never say, “I am the one who made Abram rich.” 24 I will take nothing for myself. I will accept only what my men have used. But let my allies, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre, take their share. ” Reflect How is Abram depicted in verses 14-16? Does this image of him surprise you? Why or why not? In what way did Melchizedek show hospitality to Abram? What did Abram do in return? In the New Testament, the author of the Letter to the Hebrews writes about Melchizedek (see 6:19—7:28), describing him as a forerunner of Jesus and his priestly office. Based on today’s reading, how would you describe Melchizedek? Pray Lord God Most High, creator of heaven and earth, all I have comes from you. I thank and praise you for your blessings. May my words and actions this day reflect an extension and sharing of those blessings with others. Amen. Prayer Concern Those serving in the military Tomorrow's Reading Genesis 15:1-21: God establishes a covenant with Abram. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted July 12, 2012 Author Members Posted July 12, 2012 July 11, 2012 Genesis 15:1-21 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Trust in God’s Promises Introduction Genesis 15:1-21: God initiates a covenant with Abram by means of an ancient ritual. Land and descendants are promised to Abram, and the Egyptian oppression and enslavement of Abram’s descendants is foretold. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 15:6 Abram put his trust in the LORD, and because of this the LORD was pleased with him and accepted him. Today’s Reading 1 After this, Abram had a vision and heard the LORD say to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I will shield you from danger and give you a great reward.” 2 But Abram answered, “Sovereign LORD, what good will your reward do me, since I have no children? My only heir is Eliezer of Damascus. 3 You have given me no children, and one of my slaves will inherit my property. ” 4 Then he heard the LORD speaking to him again: “This slave Eliezer will not inherit your property; your own son will be your heir.” 5 The LORD took him outside and said, “Look at the sky and try to count the stars; you will have as many descendants as that.” 6 Abram put his trust in the LORD, and because of this the LORD was pleased with him and accepted him. 7 Then the LORD said to him, “I am the LORD, who led you out of Ur in Babylonia, to give you this land as your own. ” 8 But Abram asked, “Sovereign LORD, how can I know that it will be mine? ” 9 He answered, “Bring me a cow, a goat, and a ram, each of them three years old, and a dove and a pigeon.” 10 Abram brought the animals to God, cut them in half, and placed the halves opposite each other in two rows; but he did not cut up the birds. 11 Vultures came down on the bodies, but Abram drove them off. 12 When the sun was going down, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and fear and terror came over him. 13 The LORD said to him, “Your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land; they will be slaves there and will be treated cruelly for four hundred years. 14 But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and when they leave that foreign land, they will take great wealth with them. 15 You yourself will live to a ripe old age, die in peace, and be buried. 16 It will be four generations before your descendants come back here, because I will not drive out the Amorites until they become so wicked that they must be punished. ” 17 When the sun had set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch suddenly appeared and passed between the pieces of the animals. 18 Then and there the LORD made a covenant with Abram. He said, “I promise to give your descendants all this land from the border of Egypt to the Euphrates River, 19 including the lands of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites. ” Reflect Today’s reading describes an ancient covenant ritual in which animals were cut in two, and the covenanting parties walked between these parts to signify that, if either party violated the covenant, they would suffer the same fate as the animals. However, when God uses this ritual in the covenant with Abram, it is only God (as indicated by a smoking fire pot and flaming torch) who passes between the split animals. Thus the ritual takes on the form of a royal grant, in which a king rewards a vassal with land because of the vassal’s loyalty. How is this demonstrated in God’s covenant with Abram? In the promises made to Abram, today’s reading reflects a three-part pattern – God’s promise, Abram’s protest or questioning, and God’s reassurance. See if you can identify this three-part pattern in verses 1-6 and again in verses 7-21. Pray God of promise, in you I place my trust. In faith, I know you have accepted me and blessed me with your everlasting love. Guide me by your word. Amen. Prayer Concern Those who prepare legal documents Tomorrow's Reading Genesis 16:1-16: Hagar bears Abram a son. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted July 12, 2012 Author Members Posted July 12, 2012 July 12, 2012 Genesis 16:1-16 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Trust in God’s Promises Introduction Genesis 16:1-16: Abram’s wife, Sarai, remains childless and offers her slave, Hagar, to Abram so that Abram can have an heir. After Hagar becomes pregnant, she looks with contempt on Sarai. Sarai treats her harshly, and Hagar runs away. Hagar encounters an angel of the LORD who tells her to return to her mistress. Hagar bears Abram a son who is named Ishmael. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 16:13 Hagar asked herself, “Have I really seen God and lived to tell about it? “ So she called the LORD, who had spoken to her, “A God Who Sees.” Today’s Reading 1 Abram's wife Sarai had not borne him any children. But she had an Egyptian slave woman named Hagar, 2 and so she said to Abram, “The LORD has kept me from having children. Why don't you sleep with my slave? Perhaps she can have a child for me. ” Abram agreed with what Sarai said. 3 So she gave Hagar to him to be his concubine. (This happened after Abram had lived in Canaan for ten years.) 4 Abram had intercourse with Hagar, and she became pregnant. When she found out that she was pregnant, she became proud and despised Sarai. 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “It's your fault that Hagar despises me. I myself gave her to you, and ever since she found out that she was pregnant, she has despised me. May the LORD judge which of us is right, you or me! ” 6 Abram answered, “Very well, she is your slave and under your control; do whatever you want with her.” Then Sarai treated Hagar so cruelly that she ran away. 7 The angel of the LORD met Hagar at a spring in the desert on the road to Shur 8 and said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?” She answered, “I am running away from my mistress.” 9 He said, “Go back to her and be her slave.” 10 Then he said, “I will give you so many descendants that no one will be able to count them. 11 You are going to have a son, and you will name him Ishmael, because the LORD has heard your cry of distress. 12 But your son will live like a wild donkey; he will be against everyone, and everyone will be against him. He will live apart from all his relatives. ” 13 Hagar asked herself, “Have I really seen God and lived to tell about it?” So she called the LORD, who had spoken to her, “A God Who Sees.” 14 That is why people call the well between Kadesh and Bered “The Well of the Living One Who Sees Me.” 15 Hagar bore Abram a son, and he named him Ishmael. 16 Abram was eighty-six years old at the time. Reflect In the ancient Near East, it was not uncommon for an infertile wife to offer her husband her maidservant in order to have an heir. In light of yesterday’s reading (Genesis 15) in which God reassures Abram that he will have an heir, how does today’s reading reflect a tension between that promise and Sarai’s continued childlessness? In agreeing to comply with Sarai’s request, do you think Abram exhibits a lack of trust in God’s promise? Why or why not? What does today’s reading reveal about the relationship between Sarai and Hagar? What is Hagar told concerning the child she is to bear? Pray Almighty God, you are “A God Who Sees” and all creation is in your care. In faith and with trust, I look to you each day for guidance. I thank and praise you for nourishing and sustaining me day by day with your precious word. Amen. Prayer Concern Infertile couples seeking to have a child Tomorrow's Reading Genesis 17:1-27: Circumcision becomes the sign of God’s covenant with Abram. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted July 13, 2012 Author Members Posted July 13, 2012 July 13, 2012 Genesis 17:1-27 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Trust in God’s Promises Introduction Genesis 17:1-27: While God’s covenant with Abram was initiated by God, Abram is now told by God to circumcise all male boys when they are eight days old as a sign of Abram’s agreement to keep the covenant. Abram’s and Sarai’s names are changed to Abraham and Sarah, and God tells Abraham that he and Sarah will have a son who is to be named Isaac. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 17:7 “I will keep my promise to you and to your descendants in future generations as an everlasting covenant. I will be your God and the God of your descendants.” Today’s Reading 1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am the Almighty God. Obey me and always do what is right. 2 I will make my covenant with you and give you many descendants. ” 3 Abram bowed down with his face touching the ground, and God said, 4 “I make this covenant with you: I promise that you will be the ancestor of many nations. 5 Your name will no longer be Abram, but Abraham, because I am making you the ancestor of many nations. 6 I will give you many descendants, and some of them will be kings. You will have so many descendants that they will become nations. 7 I will keep my promise to you and to your descendants in future generations as an everlasting covenant. I will be your God and the God of your descendants. 8 I will give to you and to your descendants this land in which you are now a foreigner. The whole land of Canaan will belong to your descendants forever, and I will be their God. ” 9 God said to Abraham, “You also must agree to keep the covenant with me, both you and your descendants in future generations. 10 You and your descendants must all agree to circumcise every male among you. 11-12 From now on you must circumcise every baby boy when he is eight days old, including slaves born in your homes and slaves bought from foreigners. This will show that there is a covenant between you and me. 13 Each one must be circumcised, and this will be a physical sign to show that my covenant with you is everlasting. 14 Any male who has not been circumcised will no longer be considered one of my people, because he has not kept the covenant with me. ” 15 God said to Abraham, “You must no longer call your wife Sarai; from now on her name is Sarah. 16 I will bless her, and I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will become the mother of nations, and there will be kings among her descendants. ” 17 Abraham bowed down with his face touching the ground, but he began to laugh when he thought, “Can a man have a child when he is a hundred years old? Can Sarah have a child at ninety?” 18 He asked God, “Why not let Ishmael be my heir?” 19 But God said, “No. Your wife Sarah will bear you a son and you will name him Isaac. I will keep my covenant with him and with his descendants forever. It is an everlasting covenant. 20 I have heard your request about Ishmael, so I will bless him and give him many children and many descendants. He will be the father of twelve princes, and I will make a great nation of his descendants. 21 But I will keep my covenant with your son Isaac, who will be born to Sarah about this time next year. ” 22 When God finished speaking to Abraham, he left him. 23 On that same day Abraham obeyed God and circumcised his son Ishmael and all the other males in his household, including the slaves born in his home and those he had bought. 24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, 25 and his son Ishmael was thirteen. 26 They were both circumcised on the same day, 27 together with all of Abraham's slaves. Reflect The name Abraham means “Father of a multitude,” and the name Sarah means “Princess,” an indication that Sarah is to be the mother of kings. In what way do these name changes indicate that something new will be forthcoming in their lives? What is God’s response to Abraham concerning Ishmael? Pray God of new beginnings, daily you embrace me in love and shower me with your blessings. Help me to be open to new challenges and plans as you guide me in my journey of faith. Amen. Prayer Concern Those embarking on new business ventures Tomorrow's Reading Genesis 18:1-33: A son is promised to Abraham and Sarah. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted July 14, 2012 Author Members Posted July 14, 2012 July 14, 2012 Genesis 18:1-33 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Trust in God’s Promises Introduction Genesis 18:1-33: The LORD appears to Abraham, and Abraham is told by his three visitors that he and Sarah will have a son. Abraham accompanies the men as they overlook Sodom, and Abraham pleads with the LORD to spare the city from destruction. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 18:14 “Is anything too hard for the LORD? As I said, nine months from now I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” Today’s Reading 1 The LORD appeared to Abraham at the sacred trees of Mamre. As Abraham was sitting at the entrance of his tent during the hottest part of the day, 2 he looked up and saw three men standing there. As soon as he saw them, he ran out to meet them. Bowing down with his face touching the ground, 3 he said, “Sirs, please do not pass by my home without stopping; I am here to serve you. 4 Let me bring some water for you to wash your feet; you can rest here beneath this tree. 5 I will also bring a bit of food; it will give you strength to continue your journey. You have honored me by coming to my home, so let me serve you. ” They replied, “Thank you; we accept.” 6 Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick, take a sack of your best flour, and bake some bread.” 7 Then he ran to the herd and picked out a calf that was tender and fat, and gave it to a servant, who hurried to get it ready. 8 He took some cream, some milk, and the meat, and set the food before the men. There under the tree he served them himself, and they ate. 9 Then they asked him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” “She is there in the tent,” he answered. 10 One of them said, “Nine months from now I will come back, and your wife Sarah will have a son. ” Sarah was behind him, at the door of the tent, listening. 11 Abraham and Sarah were very old, and Sarah had stopped having her monthly periods. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself and said, “Now that I am old and worn out, can I still enjoy sex? And besides, my husband is old too.” 13 Then the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, “Can I really have a child when I am so old?” 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? As I said, nine months from now I will return, and Sarah will have a son. ” 15 Because Sarah was afraid, she denied it. “I didn't laugh,” she said. “Yes, you did,” he replied. “You laughed.” 16 Then the men left and went to a place where they could look down at Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on their way. 17 And the LORD said to himself, “I will not hide from Abraham what I am going to do. 18 His descendants will become a great and mighty nation, and through him I will bless all the nations. 19 I have chosen him in order that he may command his sons and his descendants to obey me and to do what is right and just. If they do, I will do everything for him that I have promised. ” 20 Then the LORD said to Abraham, “There are terrible accusations against Sodom and Gomorrah, and their sin is very great. 21 I must go down to find out whether or not the accusations which I have heard are true. ” 22 Then the two men left and went on toward Sodom, but the LORD remained with Abraham. 23 Abraham approached the LORD and asked, “Are you really going to destroy the innocent with the guilty? 24 If there are fifty innocent people in the city, will you destroy the whole city? Won't you spare it in order to save the fifty? 25 Surely you won't kill the innocent with the guilty. That's impossible! You can't do that. If you did, the innocent would be punished along with the guilty. That is impossible. The judge of all the earth has to act justly. ” 26 The LORD answered, “If I find fifty innocent people in Sodom, I will spare the whole city for their sake.” 27 Abraham spoke again: “Please forgive my boldness in continuing to speak to you, Lord. I am only a man and have no right to say anything. 28 But perhaps there will be only forty-five innocent people instead of fifty. Will you destroy the whole city because there are five too few? ” The LORD answered, “I will not destroy the city if I find forty-five innocent people.” 29 Abraham spoke again: “Perhaps there will be only forty.” He replied, “I will not destroy it if there are forty.” 30 Abraham said, “Please don't be angry, Lord, but I must speak again. What if there are only thirty?” He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty.” 31 Abraham said, “Please forgive my boldness in continuing to speak to you, Lord. Suppose that only twenty are found?” He said, “I will not destroy the city if I find twenty.” 32 Abraham said, “Please don't be angry, Lord, and I will speak only once more. What if only ten are found?” He said, “I will not destroy it if there are ten.” 33 After he had finished speaking with Abraham, the LORD went away, and Abraham returned home. Reflect How does Abraham show hospitality to the three men? Why does Sarah laugh when she overhears what is told to Abraham? Recall yesterday’s reading (Genesis 17:17) when Abraham also laughs as God says that he and Sarah will have a son. We read today in verse 14, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” Have you ever experienced God’s intervention when confronted by a situation that seemed impossible to endure or overcome? Pray God of all possibilities, nothing is too hard or impossible for you. Strengthen my faith, and when trials come my way, remind me to place my trust in you. In your holy name I pray. Amen. Prayer Concern Those facing a difficult decision Tomorrow's Reading Genesis 21:1-21: Isaac is born to Abraham and Sarah. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted July 15, 2012 Author Members Posted July 15, 2012 July 15, 2012 Genesis 21:1-21 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Trust in God’s Promises Introduction Genesis 21:1-21: As promised by God, Sarah becomes pregnant and bears Abraham a son who is named Isaac. Sarah tells Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away, and an angel of God speaks to Hagar in the wilderness. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 21:2b The boy was born at the time God had said he would be born. Today’s Reading 1 The LORD blessed Sarah, as he had promised, 2 and she became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham when he was old. The boy was born at the time God had said he would be born. 3 Abraham named him Isaac, 4 and when Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God had commanded. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when Isaac was born. 6 Sarah said, “God has brought me joy and laughter. Everyone who hears about it will laugh with me. ” 7 Then she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” 8 The child grew, and on the day that he was weaned, Abraham gave a great feast. 9 One day Ishmael, whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham, was playing with Sarah's son Isaac. 10 Sarah saw them and said to Abraham, “Send this slave and her son away. The son of this woman must not get any part of your wealth, which my son Isaac should inherit.” 11 This troubled Abraham very much, because Ishmael also was his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, “Don't be worried about the boy and your slave Hagar. Do whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that you will have the descendants I have promised. 13 I will also give many children to the son of the slave woman, so that they will become a nation. He too is your son. ” 14 Early the next morning Abraham gave Hagar some food and a leather bag full of water. He put the child on her back and sent her away. She left and wandered about in the wilderness of Beersheba. 15 When the water was all gone, she left the child under a bush 16 and sat down about a hundred yards away. She said to herself, “I can't bear to see my child die.” While she was sitting there, she began to cry. 17 God heard the boy crying, and from heaven the angel of God spoke to Hagar, “What are you troubled about, Hagar? Don't be afraid. God has heard the boy crying. 18 Get up, go and pick him up, and comfort him. I will make a great nation out of his descendants. ” 19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well. She went and filled the leather bag with water and gave some to the boy. 20 God was with the boy as he grew up; he lived in the wilderness of Paran and became a skillful hunter. 21 His mother got an Egyptian wife for him. Reflect What are your thoughts about Sarah’s demand that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away? How does Abraham react? What does God say to Abraham? What does the angel of God say to Hagar in the wilderness? What does today’s reading teach you about God? Pray God of comfort, you provide me daily with what I need and you sustain me day by day. I trust in you and praise you for your constant love and care. Amen. Prayer Concern Lands that are experiencing drought Tomorrow's Reading Genesis 22:1-19: God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
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