Scriptures for November 28th: Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44 Theme: Advent as a time of preparation, awareness and awakening.
Romans: Romans is a book that we all depend upon for faith. It gives us much advice on what it means to keep the faith in tough times. In this paragraph, we are told to put on the armor of light. In those days, you were known for what type of clothes you put on in the morning. If you put on a crown, then you were an athlete, running for the prize. If you were a soldier, then you put on your armor in order to protect yourself. We as Christians are too known for what we put on in the morning. Sometimes we dress lightly, but other times we have to put on the full armor of God. As Christmas comes, we will see the world at its worst – every sin imaginable will be done in the spirit of Christmas – stealing, lying, indulgence, jealousy – you name it. What better time to put on the armor of light – to protect us from temptation, but to show the world what it means to love Christ and to do what is right. Let this be a spiritual time, not a time of physical pleasure.
Matthew : Advent always starts with the end in mind. It could be easy to think that this scripture is talking about rapture. But in this case, you don’t want to be the one taken up. It is like being taken by surprise and being robbed. You want to be the one grounded in the word of God. When you are awake and aware you know what it happening. You want to be ready to see God at any time and in any person, and any situation. Being in the presence of God is the source of our happiness. When things are at the worst; that is just a sign that the joy of the Lord is on its way. This season, let us welcome the joy of the Lord in our lives. Let us be aware, and wait in anticipation of what God will bring. The end,means that there is a new beginning coming soon.
Questions: If our faith is a journey, where are you now? Are you,in the valley, or on the hill? What are some ways to be prepared for Christmas? What are some ways to separate yourself from the world’s celebration? How can we make Christmastime a more spiritual time? What are you doing to ready yourself for the coming of Christ’s kingdom? What are some ways to be aware of God’s presence in your life?
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
November 21, 2010
Scriptures for November 21st: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Luke 1:68-79; Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43 Preparing ourselves for the Second Coming of Christ.
Colossians: Today is Christ the King Sunday; the day that we acknowledge that with all that is going on in our lives, with all of our responsibilities. Christ is still the head of our lives. Colossians speaks of what it means for Christ to be the center of our lives, and tells us why Christ is the center of our lives. This verse is a hymn that would have been sung in the early church, comparing Christ’s rule to the rulers of the time. It is a common image in other religions for the leader to be thought of as the Son of God. Christ being the Son of God means so much more, for us and for him.
Luke: This is the last week that we will deal with Luke as our gospel lesson. What lessons have we learned from Luke? We have learned that God cares about the oppressed, that prayer is important in our spiritual life, and that we have to go the extra mile in how we treat one another to be called Christian. Today we go to the cross with Christ, and relive his crucifixion. He is having a conversation with the criminals next to him to tell them that they will be with him in heaven. The question for us is what does it mean for Jesus to be the King of the Jews? It means that he died in order to save not just the Jews, but those of who have been adopted into the family? His Kingship applies to all people.
Questions: If we were to write a modern day Hymn of Christ, and compare what Christ does to what our politicians do for us, what would it say? Is Christ the center of your life, or are you? How much do you really rely on God in your life? Why do we have to experience the violence of the cross in order to understand real peace? Once that peace comes, how to do keep it present in our lives?
Colossians: Today is Christ the King Sunday; the day that we acknowledge that with all that is going on in our lives, with all of our responsibilities. Christ is still the head of our lives. Colossians speaks of what it means for Christ to be the center of our lives, and tells us why Christ is the center of our lives. This verse is a hymn that would have been sung in the early church, comparing Christ’s rule to the rulers of the time. It is a common image in other religions for the leader to be thought of as the Son of God. Christ being the Son of God means so much more, for us and for him.
Luke: This is the last week that we will deal with Luke as our gospel lesson. What lessons have we learned from Luke? We have learned that God cares about the oppressed, that prayer is important in our spiritual life, and that we have to go the extra mile in how we treat one another to be called Christian. Today we go to the cross with Christ, and relive his crucifixion. He is having a conversation with the criminals next to him to tell them that they will be with him in heaven. The question for us is what does it mean for Jesus to be the King of the Jews? It means that he died in order to save not just the Jews, but those of who have been adopted into the family? His Kingship applies to all people.
Questions: If we were to write a modern day Hymn of Christ, and compare what Christ does to what our politicians do for us, what would it say? Is Christ the center of your life, or are you? How much do you really rely on God in your life? Why do we have to experience the violence of the cross in order to understand real peace? Once that peace comes, how to do keep it present in our lives?
Sunday, October 31, 2010
November 7, 2010
Scriptures for November 7th – All Saints Day – Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18; Psalm 149, Ephesians 1:11-23; Luke 6:20-31 Theme: Looking behind, Moving forward
Ephesians: This book reminds us that everything that we have comes from God: Our identity, our mission, our inheritance, our future. Where would we be now if it was not for the Lord? It is important for us to keep Christ first in all of our thoughts and decisions. The way you feel about Christ, determines the way that you feel about others. It also determines how you live out your life. Put Christ first, and everything else will fall into place. To be a saint, is not to be perfect, not to be dead, but to be willing to put Christ first.
Luke: This is the sermon on the mount, the most famous verses in the New Testament. It tells us the even though we suffer through life now, we will be comforted. Even though we mourn the loss of loved ones today, in time it will all make sense. We don’t have to rely on ourselves to do anything, God will take care of it in time. As we continue to think about what it means to be a saint, we can reflect on whether we have these qualities in our life: love, meekness, peace loving, willing to give in all circumstances. Only if we do, do we inherit the kingdom of God.
Questions: What inheritance has Christ promised us? What opportunities have you had to put aside what you wanted to do, to do what Christ asked you to do? If Christ is the head, what is our role as the body of Christ? What are the things in your life that you are waiting for Christ to change? What are your challenges in being able to love everyone?
Ephesians: This book reminds us that everything that we have comes from God: Our identity, our mission, our inheritance, our future. Where would we be now if it was not for the Lord? It is important for us to keep Christ first in all of our thoughts and decisions. The way you feel about Christ, determines the way that you feel about others. It also determines how you live out your life. Put Christ first, and everything else will fall into place. To be a saint, is not to be perfect, not to be dead, but to be willing to put Christ first.
Luke: This is the sermon on the mount, the most famous verses in the New Testament. It tells us the even though we suffer through life now, we will be comforted. Even though we mourn the loss of loved ones today, in time it will all make sense. We don’t have to rely on ourselves to do anything, God will take care of it in time. As we continue to think about what it means to be a saint, we can reflect on whether we have these qualities in our life: love, meekness, peace loving, willing to give in all circumstances. Only if we do, do we inherit the kingdom of God.
Questions: What inheritance has Christ promised us? What opportunities have you had to put aside what you wanted to do, to do what Christ asked you to do? If Christ is the head, what is our role as the body of Christ? What are the things in your life that you are waiting for Christ to change? What are your challenges in being able to love everyone?
Friday, October 22, 2010
October 31, 2010
Scriptures for October 31st: Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4; Psalm 119:137-144; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4; 11-12; Luke 19:1-10 Theme: the time has come to see God’s vision clearly.
Habakkuk: It is a prophet’s job to pass on God’s word to the people. But a prophet’s job is also to pass on to God the concerns of the people. We don’t know much about who Habakkuk was, and we actually will only deal with his message this one time. What we do know is that he lived during the same time that Jeremiah was a prophet. He too understood the hopelessness and the violence of his age. He told the people that he would stand watch until God spoke the vision to him. And then he would make the vision plain for even the simplest person to see. Where is our vision present today?
Luke: Last week we all recognized the importance of humbling ourselves before God and being able to admit that we are sinners. How do we stand before God in the midst of our sin? We confess who we are, and accept God’s forgiveness. The story of the tax collector, Zaccheus, standing in a tree to see Jesus is a story of a sinner standing before God. Jesus enters into his life, even in the midst of all that he has done wrong and comes to Zaccheus’ house for dinner.
Questions: Do you see God’s vision for your life in the midst of the chaos? Who are the prophets who can voice the concerns of today clearly? What are the questions about the situation in the world that you would like to have answered by God? What would you do differently in your life if you knew that Jesus was coming to dinner? How do you stand before God and confess your sins? Do we stand in the way of those who are seeking a glimpse of Jesus?
Habakkuk: It is a prophet’s job to pass on God’s word to the people. But a prophet’s job is also to pass on to God the concerns of the people. We don’t know much about who Habakkuk was, and we actually will only deal with his message this one time. What we do know is that he lived during the same time that Jeremiah was a prophet. He too understood the hopelessness and the violence of his age. He told the people that he would stand watch until God spoke the vision to him. And then he would make the vision plain for even the simplest person to see. Where is our vision present today?
Luke: Last week we all recognized the importance of humbling ourselves before God and being able to admit that we are sinners. How do we stand before God in the midst of our sin? We confess who we are, and accept God’s forgiveness. The story of the tax collector, Zaccheus, standing in a tree to see Jesus is a story of a sinner standing before God. Jesus enters into his life, even in the midst of all that he has done wrong and comes to Zaccheus’ house for dinner.
Questions: Do you see God’s vision for your life in the midst of the chaos? Who are the prophets who can voice the concerns of today clearly? What are the questions about the situation in the world that you would like to have answered by God? What would you do differently in your life if you knew that Jesus was coming to dinner? How do you stand before God and confess your sins? Do we stand in the way of those who are seeking a glimpse of Jesus?
Friday, October 15, 2010
October 24, 2010
Scriptures for October 24th: Joel 2:23-32; Psalm 65; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14; Theme: We have to stand before God with all of our actions someday.
2 Timothy: We reach the last words of Paul’s advice to Timothy and all of the other elders of the church. In some ways it seems like he is giving up, saying that there is no hope, people will never change. He says I have “fought the good fight”. He has done all that he can do. But what he is really doing is passing on his duties. He wants those behind him to carry on his work. He says that he has poured out his life as a libation- he has giving all that he is to the cause. He will never give up on God and God’s mission
Luke: When we do our best for God, we can easily get mislead that that means something. We are good people, and we want our reward from God. We can lose track that is not how we get rewarded from heaven, and that is really not what God is looking for. Being Good is not being faithful. It is when we realize that we are sinners, and we have all done something wrong that we can come to God in humble prayer. Two men come to the temple to pray, one is looking for praise, one is looking for forgiveness – which one are you?
Questions: What does it mean to pour yourself out as a libation? How do you give your whole self to God? Who is there for you to pass your work onto? How do you pass it on, and still keep serving God yourself? What type of prayer life do you have? Do you pray daily or when you need something? Does God owe you, or do you owe God? Do you remember to ask God for forgiveness? Once again how often?
2 Timothy: We reach the last words of Paul’s advice to Timothy and all of the other elders of the church. In some ways it seems like he is giving up, saying that there is no hope, people will never change. He says I have “fought the good fight”. He has done all that he can do. But what he is really doing is passing on his duties. He wants those behind him to carry on his work. He says that he has poured out his life as a libation- he has giving all that he is to the cause. He will never give up on God and God’s mission
Luke: When we do our best for God, we can easily get mislead that that means something. We are good people, and we want our reward from God. We can lose track that is not how we get rewarded from heaven, and that is really not what God is looking for. Being Good is not being faithful. It is when we realize that we are sinners, and we have all done something wrong that we can come to God in humble prayer. Two men come to the temple to pray, one is looking for praise, one is looking for forgiveness – which one are you?
Questions: What does it mean to pour yourself out as a libation? How do you give your whole self to God? Who is there for you to pass your work onto? How do you pass it on, and still keep serving God yourself? What type of prayer life do you have? Do you pray daily or when you need something? Does God owe you, or do you owe God? Do you remember to ask God for forgiveness? Once again how often?
Friday, October 8, 2010
October 17, 2010
Scriptures for October 17th: Jeremiah 31:27-34; Psalm 119:97-104; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5; Luke 18:1-8; Theme: Getting to know God for myself, not through someone else.
2 Timothy: We have one more week of advice from Timothy. This week Paul tells us to keep the faith that we have learned as a child. When we go out in the world, they will try to convince us that it has gone out of style. People will make up their own gospels and feel quite proud for doing so. They will create their own truth. There is only one truth, and that is God’s truth. Hold on to it. It may bring you suffering, but it will also bring you ultimate peace.
Luke: Life is unfair for so many people. Sometimes even the government is unfair, those who are responsible for helping us are unfair. What is our defense against those who don’t treat us as they should? Prayer; truth; being a witness for justice. A judge gave an unfair judgment against a poor defenseless widow, and then he disregarded her. She was able to stand up for herself in the name of God – and she got the justice she ask for. When we are right, God is always on our side.
Questions: God has no grand children, how do we keep the faith in our own lives? What are you doing in your life to have a closer relationship with God? How do you take the faith of your parents and not only apply it to your life, but to also pass it on to the next generation? When have you felt unjustly treated? How did you handle that situation? What role did prayer take in your actions? Did you feel that God was on your side?
2 Timothy: We have one more week of advice from Timothy. This week Paul tells us to keep the faith that we have learned as a child. When we go out in the world, they will try to convince us that it has gone out of style. People will make up their own gospels and feel quite proud for doing so. They will create their own truth. There is only one truth, and that is God’s truth. Hold on to it. It may bring you suffering, but it will also bring you ultimate peace.
Luke: Life is unfair for so many people. Sometimes even the government is unfair, those who are responsible for helping us are unfair. What is our defense against those who don’t treat us as they should? Prayer; truth; being a witness for justice. A judge gave an unfair judgment against a poor defenseless widow, and then he disregarded her. She was able to stand up for herself in the name of God – and she got the justice she ask for. When we are right, God is always on our side.
Questions: God has no grand children, how do we keep the faith in our own lives? What are you doing in your life to have a closer relationship with God? How do you take the faith of your parents and not only apply it to your life, but to also pass it on to the next generation? When have you felt unjustly treated? How did you handle that situation? What role did prayer take in your actions? Did you feel that God was on your side?
Friday, September 17, 2010
September 26, 2010
Scriptures for September 26th: Jeremiah 32:1-3, 6-15; Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16; 1 Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31 Theme: What does it mean to live righteously?
Jeremiah: How can you tell if an idea is just a crazy thing that your mind came up with, or is it truly a vision from God? Does it pull you apart, or help you pull things together? Does it help you or does it hinder you? No matter how crazy the idea, if it helps you make it through a tough time – it is a thought from God. God told Jeremiah to go rebuy his families land at full price, even though he knew that the land would lose value. But it was a hope in the future that God had promised, that his people would come home and inhabit the land. And they did, Jeremiah was not always popular for his decisions, but he never gave up on his relationship with God.
1 Timothy: We are ending our lessons from Timothy in his first letter, and will be going into the second letter. First Timothy reminds us of our moral character as Christians. As the rest of the world is clamoring for success, we should be clamoring for good moral character. Paul says that we are not to pursue riches at all, but learn to be satisfied with what we have. If we have the basic necessities of life, then God is taking care of us. We just need to be clear about what we need and what we want.
Questions: When things are going bad in your life, what is it that gives you hope? What signs do you see in your life that God is finally turning things around and is about to make a difference in your life? What is it about the love of money that seems to make us want more? What are the evils that are produced by greed? How do you control greed?
Jeremiah: How can you tell if an idea is just a crazy thing that your mind came up with, or is it truly a vision from God? Does it pull you apart, or help you pull things together? Does it help you or does it hinder you? No matter how crazy the idea, if it helps you make it through a tough time – it is a thought from God. God told Jeremiah to go rebuy his families land at full price, even though he knew that the land would lose value. But it was a hope in the future that God had promised, that his people would come home and inhabit the land. And they did, Jeremiah was not always popular for his decisions, but he never gave up on his relationship with God.
1 Timothy: We are ending our lessons from Timothy in his first letter, and will be going into the second letter. First Timothy reminds us of our moral character as Christians. As the rest of the world is clamoring for success, we should be clamoring for good moral character. Paul says that we are not to pursue riches at all, but learn to be satisfied with what we have. If we have the basic necessities of life, then God is taking care of us. We just need to be clear about what we need and what we want.
Questions: When things are going bad in your life, what is it that gives you hope? What signs do you see in your life that God is finally turning things around and is about to make a difference in your life? What is it about the love of money that seems to make us want more? What are the evils that are produced by greed? How do you control greed?
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