July 8, 2012

Scriptures For July 8th: 2 Samuel 5:1-5,9-10; Psalm 48; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13; Theme: How can we be faithful to God, when everything else is going wrong? Song: We’re Marching to Zion – UMH 733 2 Corinthians: Paul is giving us a lesson in what it means to be a good steward of the gifts that God has given us. He goes through great pain to be an example of what it means to be a good leader. He teaches us that it is important to be humble. All of those competing against him like to brag about what they have done. For Paul, his service to God brags for itself. Paul also points out that he has a little help from God in being humble. God has given him a thorn in his side. He does not say what it is, but he says that it is with him always. Everyday he has to overcome the pain and suffering in order to have the right frame of mind to continue to love and serve God with a happy spirit. Mark: Jesus has been all around the countryside healing and doing miracles. People have come to realize that he is not an ordinary man, he was the power to do really special things. Just as Paul realizes, success in doing the Lord’s work does not mean that one can afford to rest on one’s laurels. Jesus goes to his hometown synagogue in hopes of making a difference for them. But they are not willing to believe in the power of God that Jesus has. But that is okay, because it gives Jesus a chance to send out his disciples to go throughout the land. He sends them two by two, and he gives them the power to do what he has done and more, so that more people can come to believe in the power of God in their lives. Those disciples continue to send out people two by two, throughout the world, even throughout Englewood. Questions: What is the thorn in your side that keeps you humble in your service? How is your service different from those who like to brag about what they are doing? How do you imitate Paul in your service to God? How does your hometown reject Jesus? How does Jesus send you out to spread the gospel? What power has he given you to heal and to go up against evil?