Members phkrause Posted July 17, 2014 Author Members Posted July 17, 2014 July 17, 2014 Deuteronomy 11:1-32 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Teaching Us about Mercy and Forgiveness Introduction Deuteronomy 11:1-32: Moses reminds the Israelites of God’s greatness and that they will be blessed by obeying God’s laws. He instructs the people to teach God’s laws to their children. Today’s Scripture: Deuteronomy 11:13b “Love the LORD your God and serve him with all your heart.” Today’s Reading 1 Love the LORD your God and always obey all his laws. 2 Remember today what you have learned about the LORD through your experiences with him. It was you, not your children, who had these experiences. You saw the LORD's greatness, his power, his might, 3 and his miracles. You saw what he did to the king of Egypt and to his entire country. 4 You saw how the LORD completely wiped out the Egyptian army, along with their horses and chariots, by drowning them in the Red Sea when they were pursuing you. 5 You know what the LORD did for you in the desert before you arrived here. 6 You recall what he did to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab of the tribe of Reuben. In the sight of everyone the earth opened up and swallowed them, along with their families, their tents, and all their servants and animals. 7 Yes, you are the ones who have seen all these great things that the LORD has done. 8 Obey everything that I have commanded you today. Then you will be able to cross the river and occupy the land that you are about to enter. 9 And you will live a long time in the rich and fertile land that the LORD promised to give your ancestors and their descendants. 10 The land that you are about to occupy is not like the land of Egypt, where you lived before. There, when you planted grain, you had to work hard to irrigate the fields; 11 but the land that you are about to enter is a land of mountains and valleys, a land watered by rain. 12 The LORD your God takes care of this land and watches over it throughout the year. 13 So then, obey the commands that I have given you today; love the LORD your God and serve him with all your heart. 14 If you do, he will send rain on your land when it is needed, in the autumn and in the spring, so that there will be grain, wine, and olive oil for you, 15 and grass for your livestock. You will have all the food you want. 16 Do not let yourselves be led away from the LORD to worship and serve other gods. 17 If you do, the LORD will become angry with you. He will hold back the rain, and your ground will become too dry for crops to grow. Then you will soon die there, even though it is a good land that he is giving you. 18 Remember these commands and cherish them. Tie them on your arms and wear them on your foreheads as a reminder. 19 Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you are resting and when you are working. 20 Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates. 21 Then you and your children will live a long time in the land that the LORD your God promised to give to your ancestors. You will live there as long as there is a sky above the earth. 22 Obey faithfully everything that I have commanded you: Love the LORD your God, do everything he commands, and be faithful to him. 23 Then he will drive out all those nations as you advance, and you will occupy the land belonging to nations greater and more powerful than you. 24 All the ground that you march over will be yours. Your territory will extend from the desert in the south to the Lebanon Mountains in the north, and from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 25 Wherever you go in that land, the LORD your God will make the people fear you, as he has promised, and no one will be able to stop you. 26 Today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse— 27 a blessing, if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today; 28 but a curse, if you disobey these commands and turn away to worship other gods that you have never worshiped before. 29 When the LORD brings you into the land that you are going to occupy, you are to proclaim the blessing from Mount Gerizim and the curse from Mount Ebal. ( 30 These two mountains are west of the Jordan River in the territory of the Canaanites who live in the Jordan Valley. They are toward the west, not far from the sacred trees of Moreh near the town of Gilgal.) 31 You are about to cross the Jordan River and occupy the land that the LORD your God is giving you. When you take it and settle there, 32 be sure to obey all the laws that I am giving you today. Reflect What does Moses tell the people to remember (verses 1-7)? In what ways will the people be blessed? What are the consequences of disobedience? Moses reminds the people that God’s laws are to be taught to their children (verse 19). Within your community of faith or family, how are God’s teachings passed on to succeeding generations? Pray God of every generation, remind me daily of your laws and to cherish them always. Help me to live according to your teachings and to serve you with all my heart so that others may learn of your love and faithfulness. Amen. Prayer Concern Children who are home-schooled Tomorrow's Reading Deuteronomy 15:1-18: Debts are to be cancelled at the end of every seventh year. 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 19, 2014 Author Members Posted July 19, 2014 July 18, 2014 Deuteronomy 15:1-18 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Teaching Us about Mercy and Forgiveness Introduction Deuteronomy 15:1-18: Today’s reading is part of a section in the book of Deuteronomy that contains a code of laws. This section continues through 26:19. In today’s reading, all debts owed by Israelites to one another are to be cancelled every seven years and slaves are to be set free. Today’s Scripture: Deuteronomy 15:4a “The LORD your God will bless you in the land that he is giving you.” Today’s Reading 1 At the end of every seventh year you are to cancel the debts of those who owe you money. 2 This is how it is to be done. Each of you who has lent money to any Israelite is to cancel the debt; you must not try to collect the money; the LORD himself has declared the debt canceled. 3 You may collect what a foreigner owes you, but you must not collect what any of your own people owe you. 4 The LORD your God will bless you in the land that he is giving you. Not one of your people will be poor 5 if you obey him and carefully observe everything that I command you today. 6 The LORD will bless you, as he has promised. You will lend money to many nations, but you will not have to borrow from any; you will have control over many nations, but no nation will have control over you. 7 If in any of the towns in the land that the LORD your God is giving you there are Israelites in need, then do not be selfish and refuse to help them. 8 Instead, be generous and lend them as much as they need. 9 Do not refuse to lend them something, just because the year when debts are canceled is near. Do not let such an evil thought enter your mind. If you refuse to make the loan, they will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be held guilty. 10 Give to them freely and unselfishly, and the LORD will bless you in everything you do. 11 There will always be some Israelites who are poor and in need, and so I command you to be generous to them. 12 If any Israelites, male or female, sell themselves to you as slaves, you are to release them after they have served you for six years. When the seventh year comes, you must let them go free. 13 When you set them free, do not send them away empty-handed. 14 Give to them generously from what the LORD has blessed you with—sheep, grain, and wine. 15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God set you free; that is why I am now giving you this command. 16 But your slave may not want to leave; he may love you and your family and be content to stay. 17 Then take him to the door of your house and there pierce his ear; he will then be your slave for life. Treat your female slave in the same way. 18 Do not be resentful when you set slaves free; after all, they have served you for six years at half the cost of hired servants. Do this, and the LORD your God will bless you in all that you do. Reflect In the Bible, seven is a number symbolizing completeness or perfection. Canceling debts at the end of six years was designed to ensure that people would not become trapped in poverty. The people are warned not to let the seventh year law keep them from lending money to the poor (verse 9). How do the laws outlined in today’s reading demonstrate life in a compassionate community? Are such laws relevant for today? Why or why not? Pray Lord God, I worship you. Teach me to obey faithfully everything that you command and to do what is right. May all I do and say reflect your love and compassion and be pleasing to you. Amen. Prayer Concern Financial institutions Tomorrow's Reading Deuteronomy 19:1-13: Cities of refuge are to be established. 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 19, 2014 Author Members Posted July 19, 2014 July 19, 2014 Deuteronomy 19:1-13 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Teaching Us about Mercy and Forgiveness Introduction Deuteronomy 19:1-13: Today’s reading describes the establishing of cities of refuge – cities to which a person who accidentally kills someone may escape and be safe. Today’s Scripture: Deuteronomy 19:10 “Do this, so that innocent people will not die and so that you will not be guilty of putting them to death in the land that the LORD is giving you.” Today’s Reading 1 After the LORD your God has destroyed the people whose land he is giving you and after you have taken their cities and houses and settled there, 2-3 divide the territory into three parts, each with a city that can be easily reached. Then any of you that kill will be able to escape to one of them for protection. 4 If you accidentally kill someone who is not your enemy, you may escape to any of these cities and be safe. 5 For example, if two of you go into the forest together to cut wood and if, as one of you is chopping down a tree, the ax head comes off the handle and kills the other, you can run to one of those three cities and be safe. 6 If there were only one city, the distance to it might be too great, and the relative who is responsible for taking revenge for the killing might catch you and angrily kill an innocent person. After all, it was by accident that you killed someone who was not your enemy. 7 This is why I order you to set aside three cities. 8 When the LORD your God enlarges your territory, as he told your ancestors he would, and gives you all the land he has promised, 9 then you are to select three more cities. (He will give you this land if you do everything that I command you today and if you love the LORD your God and live according to his teachings.) 10 Do this, so that innocent people will not die and so that you will not be guilty of putting them to death in the land that the LORD is giving you. 11 But suppose you deliberately murder your enemy in cold blood and then escape to one of those cities for protection. 12 In that case, the leaders of your own town are to send for you and hand you over to the relative responsible for taking revenge for the murder, so that you may be put to death. 13 No mercy will be shown to you. Israel must rid itself of murderers, so that all will go well. Reflect The establishment of cities of refuge was designed to allow time for the review of evidence to determine whether a killing had been intentional or accidental and to prevent people from taking the law into their own hands and seeking vengeance. What are your thoughts concerning the establishment of places of refuge? Are there such places today? Pray Lord God, teach me your ways of love and compassion. May all I say and do this day bring praise and honor to your holy name. Amen. Prayer Concern Innocent persons awaiting trial Tomorrow's Reading Jeremiah 31:1-22: The prophet foretells of a time when the kingdoms of Israel and Judah will be restored as one nation. 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 20, 2014 Author Members Posted July 20, 2014 July 20, 2014 Jeremiah 31:1-22 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Teaching Us about Mercy and Forgiveness Introduction Jeremiah 31:1-22: Israel was made up of twelve tribes named for the sons of Jacob. After King Solomon died, the ten northern tribes formed their own kingdom (Israel), while the two southernmost tribes formed the kingdom of Judah. Jeremiah envisions a time when the Lord will rebuild Israel, the people will return to their own land, and the twelve tribes will be restored as one nation. Today’s Scripture: Jeremiah 31:17 “There is hope for your future; your children will come back home. I, the LORD, have spoken.” Today’s Reading 1 The LORD says, “The time is coming when I will be the God of all the tribes of Israel, and they will be my people. 2 In the desert I showed mercy to those people who had escaped death. When the people of Israel longed for rest, 3 I appeared to them from far away. People of Israel, I have always loved you, so I continue to show you my constant love. 4 Once again I will rebuild you. Once again you will take up your tambourines and dance joyfully. 5 Once again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria, and those who plant them will eat what the vineyards produce. 6 Yes, the time is coming when sentries will call out on the hills of Ephraim, ‘Let's go up to Zion, to the LORD our God. ’ ” 7 The LORD says, “Sing with joy for Israel, the greatest of the nations. Sing your song of praise, ‘The LORD has saved his people; he has rescued all who are left.’ 8 I will bring them from the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. The blind and the lame will come with them, pregnant women and those about to give birth. They will come back a great nation. 9 My people will return weeping, praying as I lead them back. I will guide them to streams of water, on a smooth road where they will not stumble. I am like a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my oldest son.” 10 The LORD says, “Nations, listen to me and proclaim my words on the far-off shores. I scattered my people, but I will gather them and guard them as a shepherd guards his flock. 11 I have set Israel's people free and have saved them from a mighty nation. 12 They will come and sing for joy on Mount Zion and be delighted with my gifts— gifts of grain and wine and olive oil, gifts of sheep and cattle. They will be like a well-watered garden; they will have everything they need. 13 Then the young women will dance and be happy, and men, young and old, will rejoice. I will comfort them and turn their mourning into joy, their sorrow into gladness. 14 I will fill the priests with the richest food and satisfy all the needs of my people. I, the LORD, have spoken.” 15 The LORD says, “A sound is heard in Ramah, the sound of bitter weeping. Rachel is crying for her children; they are gone, and she refuses to be comforted. 16 Stop your crying and wipe away your tears. All that you have done for your children will not go unrewarded; they will return from the enemy's land. 17 There is hope for your future; your children will come back home. I, the LORD, have spoken. 18 I hear the people of Israel say in grief, ‘ LORD, we were like an untamed animal, but you taught us to obey. Bring us back; we are ready to return to you, the LORD our God. 19 We turned away from you, but soon we wanted to return. After you had punished us, we hung our heads in grief. We were ashamed and disgraced because we sinned when we were young.’ 20 Israel, you are my dearest child, the one I love best. Whenever I mention your name, I think of you with love. My heart goes out to you; I will be merciful. 21 Set up signs and mark the road; find again the way by which you left. Come back, people of Israel, come home to the towns you left. 22 How long will you hesitate, faithless people? I have created something new and different, as different as a woman protecting a man.” Reflect Jeremiah envisions a time when all the tribes will be restored as one nation of God’s people, and the kingdom of Israel will be rebuilt. Reread verses 7-14. How is the homecoming and the restored nation envisioned? What brokenness do you see in our world today? How can healing among nations begin? What can communities of faith do to help? Pray God of love and mercy, your world suffers from brokenness, war, and conflict. Forgive us for the ways in which we fail to live in community, and reveal opportunities for reconciliation and new life. Amen. Prayer Concern Nations embroiled in civil war Tomorrow's Reading Jeremiah 31:23-40: The prophet Jeremiah describes God’s new covenant with the people. 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 22, 2014 Author Members Posted July 22, 2014 July 21, 2014 Jeremiah 31:23-40 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Teaching Us about Mercy and Forgiveness Introduction Jeremiah 31:23-40: Jeremiah says that God will restore the people of the southern tribes of Judah and bring them home. God promises to make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah, putting the law within them and writing the law on their hearts. Today’s Scripture: Jeremiah 31:34b [The LORD says] “I will forgive their sins and I will no longer remember their wrongs.” Today’s Reading 23 The LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says, “When I restore the people to their land, they will once again say in the land of Judah and in its towns, ‘May the LORD bless the sacred hill of Jerusalem, the holy place where he lives.’ 24 People will live in Judah and in all its towns, and there will be farmers, and shepherds with their flocks. 25 I will refresh those who are weary and will satisfy with food everyone who is weak from hunger. 26 So then, people will say, “I went to sleep and woke up refreshed.” 27 I, the LORD, say that the time is coming when I will fill the land of Israel and Judah with people and animals. 28 And just as I took care to uproot, to pull down, to overthrow, to destroy, and to demolish them, so I will take care to plant them and to build them up. 29 When that time comes, people will no longer say, ‘The parents ate the sour grapes, But the children got the sour taste.’ 30 Instead, those who eat sour grapes will have their own teeth set on edge; and everyone will die because of their own sin. ” 31 The LORD says, “The time is coming when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the old covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. Although I was like a husband to them, they did not keep that covenant. 33 The new covenant that I will make with the people of Israel will be this: I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 None of them will have to teach a neighbor to know the LORD, because all will know me, from the least to the greatest. I will forgive their sins and I will no longer remember their wrongs. I, the LORD, have spoken. ” 35 The LORD provides the sun for light by day, the moon and the stars to shine at night. He stirs up the sea and makes it roar; his name is the LORD Almighty. 36 He promises that as long as the natural order lasts, so long will Israel be a nation. 37 If one day the sky could be measured and the foundations of the earth explored, only then would he reject the people of Israel because of all they have done. The LORD has spoken. 38 “The time is coming,” says the LORD, “when all of Jerusalem will be rebuilt as my city, from Hananel Tower west to the Corner Gate. 39 And the boundary line will continue from there on the west to the hill of Gareb and then around to Goah. 40 The entire valley, where the dead are buried and garbage is dumped, and all the fields above Kidron Brook as far as the Horse Gate to the east, will be sacred to me. The city will never again be torn down or destroyed. ” Reflect Reread verses 31-34.This is the high point of Jeremiah’s message. In God’s new agreement with the people of Israel and Judah, God will write the laws directly on the hearts and minds of the people, and God will forgive their sins. What does having God’s law written on your heart mean to you? Pray Loving and merciful God, thank you for being my God and for your law which is now written on my heart. Open my heart and mind to your Word, that I may live each day in accord with your will. Amen. Prayer Concern Military families Tomorrow's Reading Jeremiah 33:1-26: God promises to restore the fortunes of Judah and Israel. 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 23, 2014 Author Members Posted July 23, 2014 July 22, 2014 Jeremiah 33:1-26 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Teaching Us about Mercy and Forgiveness Introduction Jeremiah 33:1-26: While Jerusalem is under siege by the Babylonian army and Jeremiah is imprisoned in King Zedekiah’s palace in Jerusalem, the LORD delivers a message of hope, promising to rebuild Judah and Israel and make them prosperous again. The LORD will also fulfill the promise concerning the Davidic dynasty by choosing a righteous king who will rule with justice. Today’s Scripture: Jeremiah 33:26b [The LORD said] “I will be merciful to my people and make them prosperous again.” Today’s Reading 1 While I was still in prison in the courtyard, the LORD's message came to me again. 2 The LORD, who made the earth, who formed it and set it in place, spoke to me. He whose name is the LORD said, 3 “Call to me, and I will answer you; I will tell you wonderful and marvelous things that you know nothing about. 4 I, the LORD, the God of Israel, say that the houses of Jerusalem and the royal palace of Judah will be torn down as a result of the siege and the attack. 5 Some will fight against the Babylonians, who will fill the houses with the corpses of those whom I am going to strike down in my anger and fury. I have turned away from this city because of the evil things that its people have done. 6 But I will heal this city and its people and restore them to health. I will show them abundant peace and security. 7 I will make Judah and Israel prosperous, and I will rebuild them as they were before. 8 I will purify them from the sins that they have committed against me, and I will forgive their sins and their rebellion. 9 Jerusalem will be a source of joy, honor, and pride to me; and every nation in the world will fear and tremble when they hear about the good things that I do for the people of Jerusalem and about the prosperity that I bring to the city. ” 10 The LORD said, “People are saying that this place is like a desert, that it has no people or animals living in it. And they are right; the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem are empty; no people or animals live there. But in these places you will hear again 11 the shouts of gladness and joy and the happy sounds of wedding feasts. You will hear people sing as they bring thank offerings to my Temple; they will say, ‘Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, because he is good and his love is eternal.’ 12 The LORD Almighty said, “In this land that is like a desert and where no people or animals live, there will once again be pastures where shepherds can take their sheep. 13 In the towns in the hill country, in the foothills, and in southern Judah, in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem, and in the towns of Judah, shepherds will once again count their sheep. I, the LORD, have spoken. ” 14 The LORD said, “The time is coming when I will fulfill the promise that I made to the people of Israel and Judah. 15 At that time I will choose as king a righteous descendant of David. That king will do what is right and just throughout the land. 16 The people of Judah and of Jerusalem will be rescued and will live in safety. The city will be called ‘The LORD Our Salvation. ’ 17 I, the LORD, promise that there will always be a descendant of David to be king of Israel 18 and that there will always be priests from the tribe of Levi to serve me and to offer burnt offerings, grain offerings, and sacrifices. ” 19 The LORD said to me, 20 “I have made a covenant with the day and with the night, so that they always come at their proper times; and that covenant can never be broken. 21 In the same way I have made a covenant with my servant David that he would always have a descendant to be king, and I have made a covenant with the priests from the tribe of Levi that they would always serve me; and those covenants can never be broken. 22 I will increase the number of descendants of my servant David and the number of priests from the tribe of Levi, so that it will be as impossible to count them as it is to count the stars in the sky or the grains of sand on the seashore. ” 23 The LORD said to me, 24 “Have you noticed how people are saying that I have rejected Israel and Judah, the two families that I chose? And so they look with contempt on my people and no longer consider them a nation. 25 But I, the LORD, have a covenant with day and night, and I have made the laws that control earth and sky. 26 And just as surely as I have done this, so I will maintain my covenant with Jacob's descendants and with my servant David. I will choose one of David's descendants to rule over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will be merciful to my people and make them prosperous again. ” Reflect When Jeremiah receives the LORD’s message (c. 588 B.C.), the destruction of Jerusalem is not far off. What aroused God’s anger against the city (verse 5)? What does God promise afterwards (verses 6-13)? What covenant does God promise to maintain? Do any of the verses in today’s reading offer you hope and comfort? Why or why not? Pray God of love and mercy, my hope is in you. Trusting in your promises, I proclaim your everlasting love. You are the God of my salvation. Amen. Prayer Concern Those working to rebuild and restore communities ravaged by war and forces of nature Tomorrow's Reading Lamentations 3:1-24: God’s love and mercy are new and fresh each morning. 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 24, 2014 Author Members Posted July 24, 2014 July 23, 2014 Lamentations 3:1-24 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Teaching Us about Mercy and Forgiveness Introduction Lamentations 3:1-24: The book of Lamentations is a collection of poems lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. and its aftermath of ruin and exile. Today’s reading is from a section of the book that focuses on punishment, repentance, and hope. Today’s Scripture: Lamentations 3:22 Lamentations 3:22 Today’s Reading 1 I am one who knows what it is to be punished by God. 2 He drove me deeper and deeper into darkness 3 And beat me again and again with merciless blows. 4 He has left my flesh open and raw, and has broken my bones. 5 He has shut me in a prison of misery and anguish. 6 He has forced me to live in the stagnant darkness of death. 7 He has bound me in chains; I am a prisoner with no hope of escape. 8 I cry aloud for help, but God refuses to listen; 9 I stagger as I walk; stone walls block me wherever I turn. 10 He waited for me like a bear; he pounced on me like a lion. 11 He chased me off the road, tore me to pieces, and left me. 12 He drew his bow and made me the target for his arrows. 13 He shot his arrows deep into my body. 14 People laugh at me all day long; I am a joke to them all. 15 Bitter suffering is all he has given me for food and drink. 16 He rubbed my face in the ground and broke my teeth on rocks. 17 I have forgotten what health and peace and happiness are. 18 I do not have much longer to live; my hope in the LORD is gone. 19 The thought of my pain, my homelessness, is bitter poison. 20 I think of it constantly, and my spirit is depressed. 21 Yet hope returns when I remember this one thing: 22 The LORD's unfailing love and mercy still continue, 23 Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise. 24 The LORD is all I have, and so in him I put my hope. Reflect Imagine yourself as the author of today’s reading – one who is living in exile after witnessing the devastating destruction of the city and its place of worship. What emotions are being expressed? What are your thoughts as you read these verses? Are any of the verses especially meaningful to you? Do any of the verses offer comfort? What verses speak of hope? Pray Lord God, thank you for your tender mercies that are new and fresh each morning. You assure me with your unfailing love, and I trust in your everlasting goodness. Amen. Prayer Concern Those who feel hopeless Tomorrow's Reading Lamentations 3:25-57: A continuation of a communal lament. 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 24, 2014 Author Members Posted July 24, 2014 July 24, 2014 Lamentations 3:25-57 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Teaching Us about Mercy and Forgiveness Introduction Lamentations 3:25-57: Today’s reading is a continuation of a communal lament that attests to the LORD’s mercy and steadfast love. The people acknowledge that they have sinned and hope that God will heed their prayers. Today’s Scripture: Lamentations 3:25 The LORD is good to everyone who trusts in him. Today’s Reading 25 The LORD is good to everyone who trusts in him, 26 So it is best for us to wait in patience—to wait for him to save us— 27 And it is best to learn this patience in our youth. 28 When we suffer, we should sit alone in silent patience; 29 We should bow in submission, for there may still be hope. 30 Though beaten and insulted, we should accept it all. 31 The Lord is merciful and will not reject us forever. 32 He may bring us sorrow, but his love for us is sure and strong. 33 He takes no pleasure in causing us grief or pain. 34 The Lord knows when our spirits are crushed in prison; 35 He knows when we are denied the rights he gave us; 36 When justice is perverted in court, he knows. 37 The will of the Lord alone is always carried out. 38 Good and evil alike take place at his command. 39 Why should we ever complain when we are punished for our sin? 40 Let us examine our ways and turn back to the LORD. 41 Let us open our hearts to God in heaven and pray, 42 “We have sinned and rebelled, and you, O LORD, have not forgiven us. 43 You pursued us and killed us; your mercy was hidden by your anger, 44 By a cloud of fury too thick for our prayers to get through. 45 You have made us the garbage dump of the world. 46 We are insulted and mocked by all our enemies. 47 We have been through disaster and ruin; we live in danger and fear. 48 My eyes flow with rivers of tears at the destruction of my people. 49 My tears will pour out in a ceaseless stream 50 Until the LORD looks down from heaven and sees us. 51 My heart is grieved when I see what has happened to the women of the city. 52 I was trapped like a bird by enemies who had no cause to hate me. 53 They threw me alive into a pit and closed the opening with a stone. 54 Water began to close over me, and I thought death was near. 55 From the bottom of the pit, O LORD, I cried out to you, 56 And when I begged you to listen to my cry, you heard. 57 You answered me and told me not to be afraid. Reflect What verses express hope and trust in the Lord? What verses in today’s reading resonate with you? What grieves your heart? What will you ask of God today? Pray Gracious God, you know my heart and have examined my ways. Trusting in your love and mercy, I turn to you with an open and humble heart and seek your forgiveness for the wrongs I have done. You hear my cries and comfort me with the assurance of your never-ending compassion. Amen. Prayer Concern Those who are crushed in spirit Tomorrow's Reading Lamentations 5:1-22: A prayer for God’s mercy. 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 25, 2014 Author Members Posted July 25, 2014 July 25, 2014 Lamentations 5:1-22 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Teaching Us about Mercy and Forgiveness Introduction Lamentations 5:1-22: Today’s reading is the fifth and concluding lament. The community in exile cries out to God, asking God to remember them and to have mercy. Today’s Scripture: Lamentations 5:19 But you, O LORD, are king forever and will rule to the end of time. Today’s Reading 1 Remember, O LORD, what has happened to us. Look at us, and see our disgrace. 2 Our property is in the hands of strangers; foreigners are living in our homes. 3 Our fathers have been killed by the enemy, and now our mothers are widows. 4 We must pay for the water we drink; we must buy the wood we need for fuel. 5 Driven hard like donkeys or camels, we are tired, but are allowed no rest. 6 To get food enough to stay alive, we went begging to Egypt and Assyria. 7 Our ancestors sinned, but now they are gone, and we are suffering for their sins. 8 Our rulers are no better than slaves, and no one can save us from their power. 9 Murderers roam through the countryside; we risk our lives when we look for food. 10 Hunger has made us burn with fever until our skin is as hot as an oven. 11 Our wives have been raped on Mount Zion itself; in every Judean village our daughters have been forced to submit. 12 Our leaders have been taken and hanged; our elders are shown no respect. 13 Our young men are forced to grind grain like slaves; boys go staggering under heavy loads of wood. 14 The old people no longer sit at the city gate, and the young people no longer make music. 15 Happiness has gone out of our lives; grief has taken the place of our dances. 16 Nothing is left of all we were proud of. We sinned, and now we are doomed. 17 We are sick at our very hearts and can hardly see through our tears, 18 because Mount Zion lies lonely and deserted, and wild jackals prowl through its ruins. 19 But you, O LORD, are king forever and will rule to the end of time. 20 Why have you abandoned us so long? Will you ever remember us again? 21 Bring us back to you, LORD! Bring us back! Restore our ancient glory. 22 Or have you rejected us forever? Is there no limit to your anger? Reflect What verses speak of the community’s sense of disgrace? What do the people ask of God? How would you describe the overall tone of this lament? Is there any evidence of hope? Are there places in our world today where people are experiencing similar suffering? Pray O Lord, you are king forever and will rule to the end of time. Look with compassion on all who suffer this day and grant them relief. In your holy name I pray. Amen. Prayer Concern Victims of war and political oppression Tomorrow's Reading Isaiah 38:1-20: King Hezekiah of Judah becomes ill. 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 27, 2014 Author Members Posted July 27, 2014 July 26, 2014 Isaiah 38:1-20 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Teaching Us about Mercy and Forgiveness Introduction Isaiah 38:1-20: King Hezekiah was Judah’s twelfth king who ruled from 716-687 B.C. In today’s reading, Hezekiah falls ill and is near death. In his distress, he prays to the LORD and his prayer is answered. The reading concludes with Hezekiah’s song of praise. Today’s Scripture: Isaiah 38:16a Lord, I will live for you, for you alone. Today’s Reading 1 About this time King Hezekiah became sick and almost died. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to see him and said to him, “The LORD tells you that you are to put everything in order because you will not recover. Get ready to die. ” 2 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed: 3 “Remember, LORD, that I have served you faithfully and loyally, and that I have always tried to do what you wanted me to. ” And he began to cry bitterly. 4 Then the LORD commanded Isaiah 5 to go back to Hezekiah and say to him, “I, the LORD, the God of your ancestor David, have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will let you live fifteen years longer. 6 I will rescue you and this city of Jerusalem from the emperor of Assyria, and I will continue to protect the city. ” 7 Isaiah replied, “The LORD will give you a sign to prove that he will keep his promise. 8 On the stairway built by King Ahaz, the LORD will make the shadow go back ten steps. ” And the shadow moved back ten steps. 9 After Hezekiah recovered from his illness, he wrote this song of praise: 10 I thought that in the prime of life I was going to the world of the dead, Never to live out my life. 11 I thought that in this world of the living I would never again see the LORD Or any living person. 12 My life was cut off and ended, Like a tent that is taken down, Like cloth that is cut from a loom. I thought that God was ending my life. 13 All night I cried out with pain, As if a lion were breaking my bones. I thought that God was ending my life. 14 My voice was thin and weak, And I moaned like a dove. My eyes grew tired from looking to heaven. 15 What can I say? The LORD has done this. My heart is bitter, and I cannot sleep. 16 Lord, I will live for you, for you alone; Heal me and let me live. 17 My bitterness will turn into peace. You save my life from all danger; You forgive all my sins. 18 No one in the world of the dead can praise you; The dead cannot trust in your faithfulness. 19 It is the living who praise you, As I praise you now. Parents tell their children how faithful you are. 20LORD, you have healed me. We will play harps and sing your praise, Sing praise in your Temple as long as we live. Reflect Hezekiah’s song of praise (verses 10-20) is similar to a number of psalms that give thanks for God’s saving help (see Psalms 18, 21, 30, 41). What verses in Hezekiah’s song resonate with you? When have you experienced God’s saving help? How will you demonstrate your thanks to God today? Pray Lord God, you are the Great Physician and all people are in your care. Today I pray that your healing hand will be upon___________________ whom I lift up in prayer. I trust in your mercy and will thank and praise you forever. Amen. Prayer Concern All who are sick Tomorrow's Reading Isaiah 41:1-20: Israel is assured of God’s provision and protection. 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 28, 2014 Author Members Posted July 28, 2014 July 27, 2014 Isaiah 41:1-20 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Teaching Us about Mercy and Forgiveness Introduction Isaiah 41:1-20: God chooses the whole people of Israel to be his “servant” (verse 8) and promises to help and protect them. Today’s Scripture: Isaiah 41:13 “I am the LORD your God; I strengthen you and tell you, ‘Do not be afraid; I will help you.’ ” Today’s Reading 1 God says, “Be silent and listen to me, you distant lands! Get ready to present your case in court; you will have your chance to speak. Let us come together to decide who is right. 2 Who was it that brought the conqueror from the east and makes him triumphant wherever he goes? Who gives him victory over kings and nations? His sword strikes them down as if they were dust. His arrows scatter them like straw before the wind. 3 He follows in pursuit and marches safely on, so fast that he hardly touches the ground! 4 Who was it that made this happen? Who has determined the course of history? I, the LORD, was there at the beginning, and I, the LORD, will be there at the end. 5 The people of distant lands have seen what I have done; they are frightened and tremble with fear. So they all assemble and come. 6 The skilled workers help and encourage each other. 7 The carpenter says to the goldsmith, “Well done!” The one who beats the idol smooth encourages the one who nails it together. They say, ‘The soldering is good'— and they fasten the idol in place with nails. 8 But you, Israel my servant, you are the people that I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham, my friend. 9 I brought you from the ends of the earth; I called you from its farthest corners and said to you, “You are my servant.” I did not reject you, but chose you. 10 Do not be afraid—I am with you! I am your God—let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you. 11 Those who are angry with you will know the shame of defeat. Those who fight against you will die 12 and will disappear from the earth. 13 I am the LORD your God; I strengthen you and tell you, “Do not be afraid; I will help you.” 14 The LORD says, Small and weak as you are, Israel, don't be afraid; I will help you. I, the holy God of Israel, am the one who saves you. 15 I will make you like a threshing board, with spikes that are new and sharp. You will thresh mountains and destroy them; hills will crumble into dust. 16 You will toss them in the air; the wind will carry them off, and they will be scattered by the storm. Then you will be happy because I am your God; you will praise me, the holy God of Israel. 17 When my people in their need look for water, when their throats are dry with thirst, then I, the LORD, will answer their prayer; I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them. 18 I will make rivers flow among barren hills and springs of water run in the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water and the dry land into flowing springs. 19 I will make cedars grow in the desert, and acacias and myrtles and olive trees. Forests will grow in barren land, forests of pine and juniper and cypress. 20 People will see this and know that I, the LORD, have done it. They will come to understand that Israel's holy God has made it happen.” Reflect The reference to “the conqueror from the east” (verse 2) is Cyrus II of Persia who conquered Babylon in 539/538 B.C. and issued an edict allowing the exiled Israelites to return home. What does God promise to do for Israel? How does God provide encouragement to the Israelites? How is God calling you and your community of faith to be a faithful servant? Pray Almighty God, you promise to fortify your faithful people for all challenges they face. Strengthen me this day for the challenges ahead, that I may serve you in all aspects of my life. Amen. Prayer Concern Those facing difficulties at work Tomorrow's Reading Isaiah 42:1-17: The LORD’s servant 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 July 29, 2014 Author Members Posted July 29, 2014 July 28, 2014 Isaiah 42:1-17 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Teaching Us about Mercy and Forgiveness Introduction Isaiah 42:1-17: Verses 1-7 comprise the first of four “servant songs” in the book of Isaiah. In this passage, the servant is described as one whom God chose to see that justice is done on earth. The reading concludes with a reference to light as providing an image of God’s saving power. Today’s Scripture: Isaiah 42:8 “I alone am the LORD your God. No other god may share my glory; I will not let idols share my praise.” Today’s Reading 1 The LORD says, “Here is my servant, whom I strengthen— the one I have chosen, with whom I am pleased. I have filled him with my Spirit, and he will bring justice to every nation. 2 He will not shout or raise his voice or make loud speeches in the streets. 3 He will not break off a bent reed nor put out a flickering lamp. He will bring lasting justice to all. 4 He will not lose hope or courage; he will establish justice on the earth. Distant lands eagerly wait for his teaching.” 5 God created the heavens and stretched them out; he fashioned the earth and all that lives there; he gave life and breath to all its people. And now the LORD God says to his servant, 6 “I, the LORD, have called you and given you power to see that justice is done on earth. Through you I will make a covenant with all peoples; through you I will bring light to the nations. 7 You will open the eyes of the blind and set free those who sit in dark prisons. 8 I alone am the LORD your God. No other god may share my glory; I will not let idols share my praise. 9 The things I predicted have now come true. Now I will tell you of new things even before they begin to happen.” 10 Sing a new song to the LORD; sing his praise, all the world! Praise him, you that sail the sea; praise him, all creatures of the sea! Sing, distant lands and all who live there! 11 Let the desert and its towns praise God; let the people of Kedar praise him! Let those who live in the city of Sela shout for joy from the tops of the mountains! 12 Let those who live in distant lands give praise and glory to the LORD! 13 The LORD goes out to fight like a warrior; he is ready and eager for battle. He gives a war cry, a battle shout; he shows his power against his enemies. 14 God says, “For a long time I kept silent; I did not answer my people. But now the time to act has come; I cry out like a woman in labor. 15 I will destroy the hills and mountains and dry up the grass and trees. I will turn the river valleys into deserts and dry up the pools of water. 16 I will lead my blind people by roads they have never traveled. I will turn their darkness into light and make rough country smooth before them. These are my promises, and I will keep them without fail. 17 All who trust in idols, who call images their gods, will be humiliated and disgraced.” Reflect Some scholars think that the servant mentioned in this passage is a reference to the people of Israel. Others think it might have been to a ruler such as the one mentioned in Isaiah 9:6, 7 and 11:1-5. Still others understand this passage as describing the life of God’s promised Messiah. The task of the servant was to “bring justice to every nation.” How is the role of the servant described? Who are today’s “servants”? Pray Holy God, source of all light and truth, light my path, that I may see the way to be a servant in your work of redemption, truth and justice. Guide me today. Amen. Prayer Concern Those working for social justice Tomorrow's Reading Isaiah 43:1-21: God promises to rescue Israel. 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 30, 2014 Author Members Posted July 30, 2014 July 29, 2014 Isaiah 43:1-21 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Teaching Us about Mercy and Forgiveness Introduction Isaiah 43:1-21: God describes how the people will escape exile in Babylon and return to Judah. The most direct path back to Judah from Babylon was through the desert. Such a journey would be dangerous, but God promises to provide water in the desert. Today’s Scripture: Isaiah 43:3a For I am the LORD your God, the holy God of Israel, who saves you. Today’s Reading 1 Israel, the LORD who created you says, “Do not be afraid—I will save you. I have called you by name—you are mine. 2 When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you. 3 For I am the LORD your God, the holy God of Israel, who saves you. I will give up Egypt to set you free; I will give up Ethiopia and Seba. 4 I will give up whole nations to save your life, because you are precious to me and because I love you and give you honor. 5 Do not be afraid—I am with you! From the distant east and the farthest west I will bring your people home. 6 I will tell the north to let them go and the south not to hold them back. Let my people return from distant lands, from every part of the world. 7 They are my own people, and I created them to bring me glory.” 8 God says, “Summon my people to court. They have eyes, but they are blind; they have ears, but they are deaf 9 Summon the nations to come to the trial. Which of their gods can predict the future? Which of them foretold what is happening now? Let these gods bring in their witnesses to prove that they are right, to testify to the truth of their words. 10 People of Israel, you are my witnesses; I chose you to be my servant, so that you would know me and believe in me and understand that I am the only God. Besides me there is no other god; there never was and never will be. 11 I alone am the LORD, the only one who can save you. 12 I predicted what would happen, and then I came to your aid. No foreign god has ever done this; you are my witnesses. 13 I am God and always will be. No one can escape from my power; no one can change what I do.” 14 Israel's holy God, the LORD who saves you, says, “To save you, I will send an army against Babylon; I will break down the city gates, and the shouts of her people will turn into crying. 15 I am the LORD, your holy God. I created you, Israel, and I am your king.” 16 Long ago the LORD made a road through the sea, a path through the swirling waters. 17 He led a mighty army to destruction, an army of chariots and horses. Down they fell, never to rise, snuffed out like the flame of a lamp! 18 But the LORD says, “Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago. 19 Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already—you can see it now! I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there. 20 Even the wild animals will honor me; jackals and ostriches will praise me when I make rivers flow in the desert to give water to my chosen people. 21 They are the people I made for myself, and they will sing my praises!” Reflect The people living in the deserts of the ancient Near East knew well that life could not exist without water. The life-giving power of water is a frequent theme in the Bible (Genesis 2:4-14, Exodus 15:22-27, Matthew 3:13-17, Revelation 22:1-3). How is water used in your community of faith’s religious rituals? What does water symbolize to you? Pray Lord of Life, your waters spring forth in dry places, creating fertile ground for new life. Wash my spirit today, that I may experience a renewal of spirit through your cleansing waters, and share the good news of new life with others. Amen. Prayer Concern Those working to dig wells Tomorrow's Reading Isaiah 54:1-17: The restoration of Jerusalem is promised. 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 31, 2014 Author Members Posted July 31, 2014 July 30, 2014 Isaiah 54:1-17 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Teaching Us about Mercy and Forgiveness Introduction Isaiah 54:1-17: Today’s reading describes the LORD’s love for and relationship with Israel and the LORD’s promise to rebuild Jerusalem. Today’s Scripture: Isaiah 54:5b The holy God of Israel will save you—he is the ruler of all the world. Today’s Reading 1 Jerusalem, you have been like a childless woman, but now you can sing and shout for joy. Now you will have more children than a woman whose husband never left her. 2 Make the tent you live in larger; lengthen its ropes and strengthen the pegs! 3 You will extend your boundaries on all sides; your people will get back the land that the other nations now occupy. Cities now deserted will be filled with people. 4 Do not be afraid—you will not be disgraced again; you will not be humiliated. You will forget your unfaithfulness as a young wife, and your desperate loneliness as a widow. 5 Your Creator will be like a husband to you— the LORD Almighty is his name. The holy God of Israel will save you— he is the ruler of all the world. 6 Israel, you are like a young wife, deserted by her husband and deeply distressed. But the LORD calls you back to him and says: 7 “For one brief moment I left you; with deep love I will take you back. 8 I turned away angry for only a moment, but I will show you my love forever. ” So says the LORD who saves you. 9 “In the time of Noah I promised never again to flood the earth. Now I promise not to be angry with you again; I will not reprimand or punish you. 10 The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end; I will keep forever my promise of peace. ” So says the LORD who loves you. 11 The LORD says, “O Jerusalem, you suffering, helpless city, with no one to comfort you, I will rebuild your foundations with precious stones. 12 I will build your towers with rubies, your gates with stones that glow like fire, and the wall around you with jewels. 13 I myself will teach your people and give them prosperity and peace. 14 Justice and right will make you strong. You will be safe from oppression and terror. 15 Whoever attacks you, does it without my consent; whoever fights against you will fall. 16 I create the blacksmith, who builds a fire and forges weapons. I also create the soldier, who uses the weapons to kill. 17 But no weapon will be able to hurt you; you will have an answer for all who accuse you. I will defend my servants and give them victory.” Reflect What promises are given in today’s reading? Note in particular the way in which Jerusalem and Israel are described—as a childless woman, a young wife (verses 1, 4, 6)—and how God is described as a husband (verses 5, 6). What do these images suggest to you about God’s relationship with Israel? Reread verses 11-12. How is the future Jerusalem described? You may wish to compare these verses with Revelation 21:18-21 which describes the heavenly Jerusalem in much the same way. What does today’s reading teach you about God? Pray Holy God, I sing and shout for joy because of your faithfulness, and I trust in your promises and in your never-ending love. Amen. Prayer Concern Couples seeking reconciliation Tomorrow's Reading Isaiah 55:1-13: The LORD extends an invitation to the people to return to him. 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 August 1, 2014 Author Members Posted August 1, 2014 July 31, 2014 Isaiah 55:1-13 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Empowering Us With the Holy Spirit Introduction Isaiah 55:1-13: The LORD offers mercy and forgiveness and promises to bring the people out of exile in Babylon. The image of a banquet is used to describe God’s lasting covenant with the people. Today’s Scripture: Isaiah 55:6 Turn to the LORD and pray to him, now that he is near. Today’s Reading 1 The LORD says, “Come, everyone who is thirsty— here is water! Come, you that have no money— buy grain and eat! Come! Buy wine and milk— it will cost you nothing! 2 Why spend money on what does not satisfy? Why spend your wages and still be hungry? Listen to me and do what I say, and you will enjoy the best food of all. 3 Listen now, my people, and come to me; come to me, and you will have life! I will make a lasting covenant with you and give you the blessings I promised to David. 4 I made him a leader and commander of nations, and through him I showed them my power. 5 Now you will summon foreign nations; at one time they did not know you, but now they will come running to join you! I, the LORD your God, the holy God of Israel, will make all this happen; I will give you honor and glory.” 6 Turn to the LORD and pray to him, now that he is near. 7 Let the wicked leave their way of life and change their way of thinking. Let them turn to the LORD, our God; he is merciful and quick to forgive. 8 “My thoughts,” says the LORD, “are not like yours, and my ways are different from yours. 9 As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways and thoughts above yours. 10 My word is like the snow and the rain that come down from the sky to water the earth. They make the crops grow and provide seed for planting and food to eat. 11 So also will be the word that I speak— it will not fail to do what I plan for it; it will do everything I send it to do. 12 You will leave Babylon with joy; you will be led out of the city in peace. The mountains and hills will burst into singing, and the trees will shout for joy. 13 Cypress trees will grow where now there are briers; myrtle trees will come up in place of thorns. This will be a sign that will last forever, a reminder of what I, the LORD, have done.” Reflect How do you envision the invitation that the LORD offers in today’s reading? What is God’s “word” able to accomplish? Reread verse 8. In what ways are God’s thoughts and ways different from yours? Pray Lord God, you nurture and sustain me with your life-giving word. Thank you for your invitation to come to you and receive your blessings of mercy and forgiveness. You are ever near, and your love fills me with joy. In your holy name I pray. Amen. Prayer Concern Food caterers Tomorrow's Reading Galatians 5:1-26: The apostle Paul describes life in the Spirit. 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 August 2, 2014 Author Members Posted August 2, 2014 August 1, 2014 Galatians 5:1-26 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Showing Us How to Live Introduction Galatians 5:1-26: The letter to the Galatians was written in response to a surmounting crisis brought about by other missionaries who were proclaiming a message to the Galatian Gentiles that was contrary to what the apostle Paul had taught. In today’s reading, Paul expresses his concern for the Galatians and reminds them that Christ has set them free from the yoke of slavery by which the Law had them bound. He warns them about those who are seeking to convince them that male Gentile Christians are to be circumcised, and he exhorts the Galatians to let the Spirit direct their lives. Today’s Scripture: Galatians 5:25 The Spirit has given us life; he must also control our lives. Today’s Reading 1 Freedom is what we have—Christ has set us free! Stand, then, as free people, and do not allow yourselves to become slaves again. 2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you that if you allow yourselves to be circumcised, it means that Christ is of no use to you at all. 3 Once more I warn any man who allows himself to be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the whole Law. 4 Those of you who try to be put right with God by obeying the Law have cut yourselves off from Christ. You are outside God's grace. 5 As for us, our hope is that God will put us right with him; and this is what we wait for by the power of God's Spirit working through our faith. 6 For when we are in union with Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor the lack of it makes any difference at all; what matters is faith that works through love. 7 You were doing so well! Who made you stop obeying the truth? How did he persuade you? 8 It was not done by God, who calls you. 9 “It takes only a little yeast to make the whole batch of dough rise,” as they say. 10 But I still feel confident about you. Our life in union with the Lord makes me confident that you will not take a different view and that whoever is upsetting you will be punished by God. 11 But as for me, my friends, if I continue to preach that circumcision is necessary, why am I still being persecuted? If that were true, then my preaching about the cross of Christ would cause no trouble. 12 I wish that the people who are upsetting you would go all the way; let them go on and castrate themselves! 13 As for you, my friends, you were called to be free. But do not let this freedom become an excuse for letting your physical desires control you. Instead, let love make you serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is summed up in one commandment: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” 15 But if you act like wild animals, hurting and harming each other, then watch out, or you will completely destroy one another. 16 What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature. 17 For what our human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do what you want to do. 18 If the Spirit leads you, then you are not subject to the Law. 19 What human nature does is quite plain. It shows itself in immoral, filthy, and indecent actions; 20 in worship of idols and witchcraft. People become enemies and they fight; they become jealous, angry, and ambitious. They separate into parties and groups; 21 they are envious, get drunk, have orgies, and do other things like these. I warn you now as I have before: those who do these things will not possess the Kingdom of God. 22 But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their human nature with all its passions and desires. 25 The Spirit has given us life; he must also control our lives. 26 We must not be proud or irritate one another or be jealous of one another. Reflect How do you interpret what Paul says about freedom? Does such freedom entail responsibility? What impact does this freedom have on the way you live? How does Paul contrast the Spirit and human nature? In what ways does the Spirit direct your life? Pray Spirit of God, produce in me love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. These things I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. Prayer Concern Those struggling to overcome addictions Tomorrow's Reading Galatians 6:1-18: Paul gives the Galatians instructions for living in community. 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 August 3, 2014 Author Members Posted August 3, 2014 August 2, 2014 Galatians 6:1-18 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Showing Us How to Live Introduction Galatians 6:1-18: Paul gives the Galatians instructions for living in community, exhorting them to “obey the law of Christ.” He concludes by warning them again about those who are advocating circumcision, emphasizing that what is important is being a “new creature” based on faith in Christ Jesus. Today’s Scripture: Galatians 6:2 Help carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will obey the law of Christ. Today’s Reading 1 My friends, if someone is caught in any kind of wrongdoing, those of you who are spiritual should set him right; but you must do it in a gentle way. And keep an eye on yourselves, so that you will not be tempted, too. 2 Help carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are something when you really are nothing, you are only deceiving yourself. 4 You should each judge your own conduct. If it is good, then you can be proud of what you yourself have done, without having to compare it with what someone else has done. 5 For each of you have to carry your own load. 6 If you are being taught the Christian message, you should share all the good things you have with your teacher. 7 Do not deceive yourselves; no one makes a fool of God. You will reap exactly what you plant. 8 If you plant in the field of your natural desires, from it you will gather the harvest of death; if you plant in the field of the Spirit, from the Spirit you will gather the harvest of eternal life. 9 So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest. 10 So then, as often as we have the chance, we should do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to our family in the faith. 11 See what big letters I make as I write to you now with my own hand! 12 The people who are trying to force you to be circumcised are the ones who want to show off and boast about external matters. They do it, however, only so that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Even those who practice circumcision do not obey the Law; they want you to be circumcised so that they can boast that you submitted to this physical ceremony. 14 As for me, however, I will boast only about the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; for by means of his cross the world is dead to me, and I am dead to the world. 15 It does not matter at all whether or not one is circumcised; what does matter is being a new creature. 16 As for those who follow this rule in their lives, may peace and mercy be with them—with them and with all of God's people! 17 To conclude: let no one give me any more trouble, because the scars I have on my body show that I am the slave of Jesus. 18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, my friends. Amen. Reflect What instructions does Paul give? How is community among believers built and sustained based on these instructions? Are these instructions relevant for your community of faith? Why or why not? Paul exhorts the Galatians to “obey the law of Christ,” which means that followers of Christ are to love one another because they have been accepted by God and have received God’s Spirit. What does obeying the law of Christ mean to you? Pray Gracious God, guide me each day by your Word and teach me to be ready to help others and obey the law of Christ. Amen. Prayer Concern New churches being planted Tomorrow's Reading Ephesians 4:17-32: The apostle Paul describes new life in Christ. 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 August 3, 2014 Author Members Posted August 3, 2014 August 3, 2014 Ephesians 4:17-32 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Showing Us How to Live Introduction Ephesians 4:17-32: The apostle Paul draws a distinction between the ways in which Christ’s followers lived before they knew him and after they experienced God’s grace. He says that they must give up their foolish ways and bad habits and instead live, by the help of the Holy Spirit, in ways that reflect God’s likeness. Today’s Scripture: Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ. Today’s Reading 17 In the Lord's name, then, I warn you: do not continue to live like the heathen, whose thoughts are worthless 18 and whose minds are in the dark. They have no part in the life that God gives, for they are completely ignorant and stubborn. 19 They have lost all feeling of shame; they give themselves over to vice and do all sorts of indecent things without restraint. 20 That was not what you learned about Christ! 21 You certainly heard about him, and as his followers you were taught the truth that is in Jesus. 22 So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to—the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. 23 Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, 24 and you must put on the new self, which is created in God's likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy. 25 No more lying, then! Each of you must tell the truth to the other believer, because we are all members together in the body of Christ. 26 If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day. 27 Don't give the Devil a chance. 28 If you used to rob, you must stop robbing and start working, in order to earn an honest living for yourself and to be able to help the poor. 29 Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you. 30 And do not make God's Holy Spirit sad; for the Spirit is God's mark of ownership on you, a guarantee that the Day will come when God will set you free. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort. 32 Instead, be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ. Reflect Paul says that living without Christ is like living in the dark. What does such “darkness” mean to you? List the things that are part of a Christian’s “old life,” and list the “rules” for the “new life.” Is anything about trying to live this new life hard? If so, why? Pray Lord God, help me get rid of all my bitterness, passion, and anger. Release me from shouting, insults, and hateful feelings. Fill me with kindness and tender-heartedness, that I may forgive others as you have forgiven me. Amen. Prayer Concern Those harboring grudges Tomorrow's Reading Ephesians 5:1-20: The apostle Paul admonishes the Lord’s followers to live in the light. 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 August 4, 2014 Author Members Posted August 4, 2014 August 4, 2014 Ephesians 5:1-20 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Showing Us How to Live Introduction Ephesians 5:1-20: Paul offers advice for living as children of the light. He wants people to live by the Spirit and avoid being overcome by anger, unclean language, drunkenness, immorality, and greed. Instead, as God’s children, we are to live in a way that reflects that we belong to the Lord. Today’s Scripture: Ephesians 5:20 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, always give thanks for everything to God the Father. Today’s Reading 1 Since you are God's dear children, you must try to be like him. 2 Your life must be controlled by love, just as Christ loved us and gave his life for us as a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice that pleases God. 3 Since you are God's people, it is not right that any matters of sexual immorality or indecency or greed should even be mentioned among you. 4 Nor is it fitting for you to use language which is obscene, profane, or vulgar. Rather you should give thanks to God. 5 You may be sure that no one who is immoral, indecent, or greedy (for greed is a form of idolatry) will ever receive a share in the Kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Do not let anyone deceive you with foolish words; it is because of these very things that God's anger will come upon those who do not obey him. 7 So have nothing at all to do with such people. 8 You yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord's people, you are in the light. So you must live like people who belong to the light, 9 for it is the light that brings a rich harvest of every kind of goodness, righteousness, and truth. 10 Try to learn what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the worthless things that people do, things that belong to the darkness. Instead, bring them out to the light. ( 12 It is really too shameful even to talk about the things they do in secret.) 13 And when all things are brought out to the light, then their true nature is clearly revealed; 14 for anything that is clearly revealed becomes light. That is why it is said, “Wake up, sleeper, and rise from death, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 So be careful how you live. Don't live like ignorant people, but like wise people. 16 Make good use of every opportunity you have, because these are evil days. 17 Don't be fools, then, but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Do not get drunk with wine, which will only ruin you; instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with the words of psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing hymns and psalms to the Lord with praise in your hearts. 20 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, always give thanks for everything to God the Father. Reflect Today’s reading catalogs a number of behaviors Christians are to avoid. Do you struggle with any of these? What does it mean to you to live as someone who belongs to the light? Pray Lord Jesus, I want my life to be controlled by love. Shine your light on me and infuse me with your Spirit, that I may praise you with all my heart. Amen. Prayer Concern Those struggling to overcome greed Tomorrow's Reading Ephesians 6:10-24: The apostle Paul encourages believers to clothe themselves with the armor of 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 August 6, 2014 Author Members Posted August 6, 2014 August 5, 2014 Ephesians 6:10-24 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Showing Us How to Live Introduction Ephesians 6:10-24: Paul offers encouragement to help the Ephesians remain strong against what he calls “wicked spiritual forces” (6:12). He describes the armor of God that will help them guard against evil. Then he exhorts them to pray continually for one another. Today’s Scripture: Ephesians 6:18b Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason, keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God’s people. Today’s Reading 10 Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power. 11 Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks. 12 For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. 13 So put on God's armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground. 14 So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, 15 and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. 16 At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. 17 And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you. 18 Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people. 19 And pray also for me, that God will give me a message when I am ready to speak, so that I may speak boldly and make known the gospel's secret. 20 For the sake of this gospel I am an ambassador, though now I am in prison. Pray that I may be bold in speaking about the gospel as I should. 21 Tychicus, our dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord's work, will give you all the news about me, so that you may know how I am getting along. 22 That is why I am sending him to you—to tell you how all of us are getting along and to encourage you. 23 May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give to all Christians peace and love with faith. 24 May God's grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying love. Reflect Reread verses 10-17. Paul uses militaristic imagery as he describes a spiritual armor that comes from God. How can such spiritual armor protect you? What spiritual armor do you especially need today? Pray God of peace, thank you for your protection. Give me the resources I need to stand against the devil’s evil tricks and the wicked spiritual forces, and clothe me with your righteousness. Amen. Prayer Concern Those serving in the armed forces Tomorrow's Reading Philippians 1:1-30: The apostle Paul, writing from prison, shares the Good News about Christ. 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 August 7, 2014 Author Members Posted August 7, 2014 August 6, 2014 Philippians 1:1-30 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Showing Us How to Live Introduction Philippians 1:1-30: Today we begin reading the apostle Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, which he wrote while in jail. Paul had established the church in Philippi, located in the Roman province of Macedonia (Acts 16:12). He begins with a greeting, traditionally used in formal Greek letter writing, followed by a prayer of thanksgiving, and then proceeds to share the Good News about Christ. Today’s Scripture: Philippians 1:11 Your lives will be filled with the truly good qualities which only Jesus Christ can produce, for the glory and praise of God. Today’s Reading 1 From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus— To all God's people in Philippi who are in union with Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and helpers: 2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 3 I thank my God for you every time I think of you; 4 and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy 5 because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now. 6 And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus. 7 You are always in my heart! And so it is only right for me to feel as I do about you. For you have all shared with me in this privilege that God has given me, both now that I am in prison and also while I was free to defend the gospel and establish it firmly. 8 God is my witness that I tell the truth when I say that my deep feeling for you all comes from the heart of Christ Jesus himself. 9 I pray that your love will keep on growing more and more, together with true knowledge and perfect judgment, 10 so that you will be able to choose what is best. Then you will be free from all impurity and blame on the Day of Christ. 11 Your lives will be filled with the truly good qualities which only Jesus Christ can produce, for the glory and praise of God. 12 I want you to know, my friends, that the things that have happened to me have really helped the progress of the gospel. 13 As a result, the whole palace guard and all the others here know that I am in prison because I am a servant of Christ. 14 And my being in prison has given most of the believers more confidence in the Lord, so that they grow bolder all the time to preach the message fearlessly. 15 Of course some of them preach Christ because they are jealous and quarrelsome, but others from genuine good will. 16 These do so from love, because they know that God has given me the work of defending the gospel. 17 The others do not proclaim Christ sincerely, but from a spirit of selfish ambition; they think that they will make more trouble for me while I am in prison. 18 It does not matter! I am happy about it—just so Christ is preached in every way possible, whether from wrong or right motives. And I will continue to be happy, 19 because I know that by means of your prayers and the help which comes from the Spirit of Jesus Christ I shall be set free. 20 My deep desire and hope is that I shall never fail in my duty, but that at all times, and especially right now, I shall be full of courage, so that with my whole being I shall bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 21 For what is life? To me, it is Christ. Death, then, will bring more. 22 But if by continuing to live I can do more worthwhile work, then I am not sure which I should choose. 23 I am pulled in two directions. I want very much to leave this life and be with Christ, which is a far better thing; 24 but for your sake it is much more important that I remain alive. 25 I am sure of this, and so I know that I will stay. I will stay on with you all, to add to your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that when I am with you again, you will have even more reason to be proud of me in your life in union with Christ Jesus. 27 Now, the important thing is that your way of life should be as the gospel of Christ requires, so that, whether or not I am able to go and see you, I will hear that you are standing firm with one common purpose and that with only one desire you are fighting together for the faith of the gospel. 28 Don't be afraid of your enemies; always be courageous, and this will prove to them that they will lose and that you will win, because it is God who gives you the victory. 29 For you have been given the privilege of serving Christ, not only by believing in him, but also by suffering for him. 30 Now you can take part with me in the battle. It is the same battle you saw me fighting in the past, and as you hear, the one I am fighting still. Reflect Reread verses 3-11. For what does Paul pray? What does Paul’s prayer indicate about his relationship with the Philippian church? Paul refers to Christ’s return a number of times throughout the letter. In this opening chapter, the reference appears in verses 6 and 10; and Paul expected Christ’s return to happen soon. How does this expectation influence what he says in verses 20-30? Pray Lord God, help me to keep on growing more and more, together with true knowledge and perfect judgment, so that I will be able to choose what is best and be free from all impurity and blame on the Day of Christ Jesus. Amen. Prayer Concern Prison chaplains Tomorrow's Reading Philippians 2:1-30: Paul describes Christ as the example of true humility. 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 August 8, 2014 Author Members Posted August 8, 2014 August 7, 2014 Philippians 2:1-30 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Showing Us How to Live Introduction Philippians 2:1-30: Paul reminds the Philippians that Christ “took the nature of a servant,” and he encourages them to have the same attitude as Christ by being humble toward one another and by shining “like stars lighting up the sky.” The chapter concludes with Paul’s plan to send Timothy and Epaphroditus to Philippi. Today’s Scripture: Philippians 2:1 Your life in Christ makes you strong, and his love comforts you. You have fellowship with the Spirit, and you have kindness and compassion for one another. Today’s Reading 1 Your life in Christ makes you strong, and his love comforts you. You have fellowship with the Spirit, and you have kindness and compassion for one another. 2 I urge you, then, to make me completely happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and being one in soul and mind. 3 Don't do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble toward one another, always considering others better than yourselves. 4 And look out for one another's interests, not just for your own. 5 The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had: 6 He always had the nature of God, but he did not think that by force he should try to remain equal with God. 7 Instead of this, of his own free will he gave up all he had, and took the nature of a servant. He became like a human being and appeared in human likeness. 8 He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death— his death on the cross. 9 For this reason God raised him to the highest place above and gave him the name that is greater than any other name. 10 And so, in honor of the name of Jesus all beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will fall on their knees, 11 and all will openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 So then, dear friends, as you always obeyed me when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey me now while I am away from you. Keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation, 13 because God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose. 14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may be innocent and pure as God's perfect children, who live in a world of corrupt and sinful people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky, 16 as you offer them the message of life. If you do so, I shall have reason to be proud of you on the Day of Christ, because it will show that all my effort and work have not been wasted. 17 Perhaps my life's blood is to be poured out like an offering on the sacrifice that your faith offers to God. If that is so, I am glad and share my joy with you all. 18 In the same way, you too must be glad and share your joy with me. 19 If it is the Lord's will, I hope that I will be able to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may be encouraged by news about you. 20 He is the only one who shares my feelings and who really cares about you. 21 Everyone else is concerned only with their own affairs, not with the cause of Jesus Christ. 22 And you yourselves know how he has proved his worth, how he and I, like a son and his father, have worked together for the sake of the gospel. 23 So I hope to send him to you as soon as I know how things are going to turn out for me. 24 And I trust in the Lord that I myself will be able to come to you soon. 25 I have thought it necessary to send to you our brother Epaphroditus, who has worked and fought by my side and who has served as your messenger in helping me. 26 He is anxious to see you all and is very upset because you had heard that he was sick. 27 Indeed he was sick and almost died. But God had pity on him, and not only on him but on me, too, and spared me an even greater sorrow. 28 I am all the more eager, then, to send him to you, so that you will be glad again when you see him, and my own sorrow will disappear. 29 Receive him, then, with joy, as a believer in the Lord. Show respect to all such people as he, 30 because he risked his life and nearly died for the sake of the work of Christ, in order to give me the help that you yourselves could not give. Reflect Reread verses 1-4. What words express Paul’s concern for unity among the believers? Verses 6-11 are believed to be derived from an early Christian hymn. What are the key points in these verses? Are you familiar with any songs or hymns that attest to this passage of Scripture? Pray Holy Jesus, grant me the nature of a servant and help me to be guided by your example of love and humility in my relationships with others. I proclaim that you are Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Prayer Concern Liturgists Tomorrow's Reading Philippians 3:1-21: Paul describes the journey of faith in terms of running a race. 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 August 8, 2014 Author Members Posted August 8, 2014 August 8, 2014 Philippians 3:1-21 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Showing Us How to Live Introduction Philippians 3:1-21: Paul warns the Philippians to be on guard against those who do evil things and about putting their trust in external ceremonies. He describes the journey of faith in terms of running toward a goal. The chapter concludes with Paul expressing his eagerness in waiting for Jesus Christ to come from heaven. Today’s Scripture: Philippians 3:12b I keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to himself. Today’s Reading 1 In conclusion, my friends, be joyful in your union with the Lord. I don't mind repeating what I have written before, and you will be safer if I do so. 2 Watch out for those who do evil things, those dogs, those who insist on cutting the body. 3 It is we, not they, who have received the true circumcision, for we worship God by means of his Spirit and rejoice in our life in union with Christ Jesus. We do not put any trust in external ceremonies. 4 I could, of course, put my trust in such things. If any of you think you can trust in external ceremonies, I have even more reason to feel that way. 5 I was circumcised when I was a week old. I am an Israelite by birth, of the tribe of Benjamin, a pure-blooded Hebrew. As far as keeping the Jewish Law is concerned, I was a Pharisee, 6 and I was so zealous that I persecuted the church. As far as a person can be righteous by obeying the commands of the Law, I was without fault. 7 But all those things that I might count as profit I now reckon as loss for Christ's sake. 8 Not only those things; I reckon everything as complete loss for the sake of what is so much more valuable, the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have thrown everything away; I consider it all as mere garbage, so that I may gain Christ 9 and be completely united with him. I no longer have a righteousness of my own, the kind that is gained by obeying the Law. I now have the righteousness that is given through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God and is based on faith. 10 All I want is to know Christ and to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death, 11 in the hope that I myself will be raised from death to life. 12 I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect. I keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to himself. 13 Of course, my friends, I really do not think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. 14 So I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God's call through Christ Jesus to the life above. 15 All of us who are spiritually mature should have this same attitude. But if some of you have a different attitude, God will make this clear to you. 16 However that may be, let us go forward according to the same rules we have followed until now. 17 Keep on imitating me, my friends. Pay attention to those who follow the right example that we have set for you. 18 I have told you this many times before, and now I repeat it with tears: there are many whose lives make them enemies of Christ's death on the cross. 19 They are going to end up in hell, because their god is their bodily desires. They are proud of what they should be ashamed of, and they think only of things that belong to this world. 20 We, however, are citizens of heaven, and we eagerly wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven. 21 He will change our weak mortal bodies and make them like his own glorious body, using that power by which he is able to bring all things under his rule. Reflect What does Paul say he reckons “as loss” (verse 7)? What does he now consider valuable? What is the “goal” toward which Paul is running (verse14)? Paul once again makes reference to Christ’s return (verses 20 and 21). What does he say will happen? What is your understanding of what it means to be “citizens of heaven” (verse 20)? Pray Lord Jesus, knowledge of you as my Lord is priceless and beyond measure. May I be completely united with you, and I pray that you will grant me the righteousness that is given through faith in you. Amen. Prayer Concern Athletes who participate in the Special Olympics Tomorrow's Reading Philippians 4:1-23: Paul gives final instructions to the Philippians. 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 August 9, 2014 Author Members Posted August 9, 2014 August 9, 2014 Philippians 4:1-23 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Showing Us How to Live Introduction Philippians 4:1-23: Paul expresses his deep affection for the Philippians and gives them final instructions for living in community. He concludes the letter by thanking them for all the help they have given him. Today’s Scripture: Philippians 4:13 I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. Today’s Reading 1 So then, my friends, how dear you are to me and how I miss you! How happy you make me, and how proud I am of you!—this, dear friends, is how you should stand firm in your life in the Lord. 2 Euodia and Syntyche, please, I beg you, try to agree as sisters in the Lord. 3 And you too, my faithful partner, I want you to help these women; for they have worked hard with me to spread the gospel, together with Clement and all my other fellow workers, whose names are in God's book of the living. 4 May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice! 5 Show a gentle attitude toward everyone. The Lord is coming soon. 6 Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. 7 And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus. 8 In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable. 9 Put into practice what you learned and received from me, both from my words and from my actions. And the God who gives us peace will be with you. 10 In my life in union with the Lord it is a great joy to me that after so long a time you once more had the chance of showing that you care for me. I don't mean that you had stopped caring for me—you just had no chance to show it. 11 And I am not saying this because I feel neglected, for I have learned to be satisfied with what I have. 12 I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. 13 I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. 14 But it was very good of you to help me in my troubles. 15 You Philippians know very well that when I left Macedonia in the early days of preaching the Good News, you were the only church to help me; you were the only ones who shared my profits and losses. 16 More than once when I needed help in Thessalonica, you sent it to me. 17 It is not that I just want to receive gifts; rather, I want to see profit added to your account. 18 Here, then, is my receipt for everything you have given me—and it has been more than enough! I have all I need now that Epaphroditus has brought me all your gifts. They are like a sweet-smelling offering to God, a sacrifice which is acceptable and pleasing to him. 19 And with all his abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs. 20 To our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen. 21 Greetings to each one of God's people who belong to Christ Jesus. The believers here with me send you their greetings. 22 All God's people here send greetings, especially those who belong to the Emperor's palace. 23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Reflect Paul says that he has learned to be satisfied with what he has (verse 11). Why is he able to say this? What is the “secret” he has learned (verse 12)? What are your thoughts about these verses? Verse 13 is one that many people commit to memory. In what ways can this verse be a source of comfort to you? In what ways can the power that Christ gives help and strengthen you? Pray Almighty God, you sustain me in ways I may fail to recognize. Teach me to be content, trusting in your love and grace and daily blessings. By the power that Christ gives me, strengthen me to face whatever conditions I encounter today. Amen. Prayer Concern Those who struggle to find peace and contentment Tomorrow's Reading 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10: The apostle Paul commends the Thessalonians for their faithfulness. 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 August 11, 2014 Author Members Posted August 11, 2014 August 10, 2014 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Showing Us How to Live Introduction 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10: Paul begins his letter to the Thessalonians with words of greeting, and he thanks them for becoming examples of faithfulness and love to all the followers throughout Greece. He wrote this letter to encourage and reassure the Christians there. Today’s Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:4 Our friends, we know that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own. Today’s Reading 1 From Paul, Silas, and Timothy— To the people of the church in Thessalonica, who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be yours. 2 We always thank God for you all and always mention you in our prayers. 3 For we remember before our God and Father how you put your faith into practice, how your love made you work so hard, and how your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ is firm. 4 Our friends, we know that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own. 5 For we brought the Good News to you, not with words only, but also with power and the Holy Spirit, and with complete conviction of its truth. You know how we lived when we were with you; it was for your own good. 6 You imitated us and the Lord; and even though you suffered much, you received the message with the joy that comes from the Holy Spirit. 7 So you became an example to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 For not only did the message about the Lord go out from you throughout Macedonia and Achaia, but the news about your faith in God has gone everywhere. There is nothing, then, that we need to say. 9 All those people speak about how you received us when we visited you, and how you turned away from idols to God, to serve the true and living God 10 and to wait for his Son to come from heaven—his Son Jesus, whom he raised from death and who rescues us from God's anger that is coming. Reflect Thessalonica was the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia in northern Greece. Paul had established a church there after he left Philippi. Many of the people had worshiped idols before becoming Christians (verse 9). How had the Thessalonians been an example to other believers? In what ways are you an example to others? Pray Lord God, you have chosen me to be your own. Help me to put my faith into practice, and guide my thoughts, words, and actions this day. Teach me to be an example to others as I serve in your name. Amen. Prayer Concern New converts to Christianity Tomorrow's Reading 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16: Paul describes his work in Thessalonica. 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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