Dear Friends in Christ-
The Epistle reading continues in Colossians with 3:1-11. The writer calls for unity in Christ, in behavior and in identity. The writer encourages the believers to set their minds on Christ. The true believer is clothed with a new self, one that lives by loving one another. In this renewal, all are a new creation in Christ. Their old identities were formed to be in rivalry with others, but their new identity in Christ is as a child of God, for Christ is in all. Colossians 3:1-11, New International Version Living as Those Made Alive in Christ 3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Do you feel as a "new creation"/a "child of God" under Christ? Do you live as if there is no difference, person to person? Have you put anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language aside? These are powerful, life altering faith concepts, definitely worth thought, prayer and discussion. What question(s) are you bringing to worship? Be blessed, P Jim ♥️⚓️ Dear Friends in Christ-
The first selection for the Hebrew Scriptures follows the rise of the prophets, continuing in Hosea. The prophet spoke on behalf of God to the people of the northern kingdom of Israel, using parental language toward the people. God loved Israel and Judah, remembering Israel as Ephraim, a son of Joseph also used to refer to Israel, but especially in the metaphor of a young child. God brought the people out of oppression in Egypt, but the people kept turning from God to worship Baals, gods of other countries, and made alliances with other countries. Therefore, God allowed the consequences of their actions, their poor decisions, to take place. They would return to a place of oppression under Assyria, and God would not deliver them. However, God is compassionate, like a parent, for Israel. God would not destroy them. After a time of loss, there will be a time of renewal and return for the people. Hosea 11:1-11, New International Version God’s Love for Israel 11 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images. 3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. 4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them. 5 “Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent? 6 A sword will flash in their cities; it will devour their false prophets and put an end to their plans. 7 My people are determined to turn from me. Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them. 8 “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboyim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. 9 I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man-- the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities. 10 They will follow the Lord; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west. 11 They will come from Egypt, trembling like sparrows, from Assyria, fluttering like doves. I will settle them in their homes,” declares the Lord. Take a look at the accompanying quote from theologian, John Piper, as he defines a maturing Christian. Do you agree with his statement? Do you resemble this remark? Why/why not? What would get you to study scripture for discernment of life's issues? *A reminder: Scripture is the living Word of God. It is a focus of ever worship service. From holy scripture comes insight into our joy and sorrow, how to live and what to expect after death. Every question can be taken to God. Dig in and let the Word of God inspire your day. Then think, pray, share. And bring your questions to worship. You'll be amazed at what God offers through God’s inspired Word! Be blessed, P Jim ♥️⚓️ Dear Friends in Christ-
The prophets taught that the people had to live with the consequences of their leader’s actions. Israel, and later Judah, were taken into exile because their leaders worshiped other gods, made poor political arrangements, and caused the poor to suffer by their choices and lavish lifestyle. However, even today, people with certain advantages in society often pursue the wealth and power of this world and find they are not satisfied. They consume more and more, while those on the margins of society suffer. The early church leaders warned against falling into the “ways of the flesh”—the ways of this world that put personal pleasure and pursuit of happiness and satisfaction above the needs of others. The early church leaders also found joy in the work of serving Christ and others—a joy not found in the ways of this world. Pursuing the important things in this life: relationships, compassion, serving one another, sharing what we have with others—this brings the true joy to Christian life. Luke 11:1-13, New International Version Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer 11 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’” 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. 9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” How did Jesus teach us to pray? Jesus taught, “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men … but when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your father who is unseen.” How do you pray? How often do you use "the Lord's Prayer?" What advantages are there in using this prayer? Disadvantages? What insights do you find when you explore/ dig deeper into this 'prayer' of Christ? What questions will you be bringing to worship tomorrow? Let's pray. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses/debts/sins, as we forgive those who trespass/are indebted/sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen. Be blessed, P Jim ♥️⚓️ ~Special thanks to Rev. Mindi and Hope for the Broken Hearted and/or Star Bright Angels for their contribution to this effort of Daily Prayer and Study. All scripture is taken from the Revised Common Lectionary. The intent of this effort is to better prepare for next Sunday's Worship. <x>< For 28 years, Mildred Norman walked tens of thousands of miles across the United States for peace, never using money and relying on the goodness of strangers for food and shelter. Born on this day in 1908, Norman -- who soon adopted the name "Peace Pilgrim" -- started her walk in 1953 as the Cold War intensified and the threat of nuclear war loomed large in the American psyche. The motto that she sewed on the back of her tunic when she started out, "Walking Coast to Coast for Peace," quickly became outdated. By 1964 she had already walked 25,000 miles -- crossing the U.S. on foot at least eight times. She eventually stopped counting but continued walking for nearly two decades more until her death in 1981.
The Peace Pilgrim vowed to "remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace," and as she became more well-known, she became a popular speaker at universities and churches. During one interview, when she was asked how she reached people who might view her as eccentric, she said, "Well, I'm quite sure that some of those who have just heard of me must think I'm completely off the beam. After all, I am doing something different. And pioneers have always been looked upon as being a bit strange. But, you see, I love people and I see the good in them." Through her long pilgrimage, she worn the same blue pants and tunic daily, and carried everything she owned: a comb, toothbrush, pen, and map. When asked how she survived with so little, the Peace Pilgrim replied: "I own only what I wear and carry. I just walk until given shelter, fast until given food. I don't even ask; it's given without asking. I tell you, people are good. There's a spark of good in everybody." For an inspiring picture book about her incredible life story, we highly recommend "Walking Toward Peace: The True Story of a Brave Woman Called Peace Pilgrim" for ages 5 to 9 at https://www.amightygirl.com/walking-toward-peace Adult readers can learn more about her remarkable journey in her uplifting memoir, "Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own Words," at http://amzn.to/29PlAAg To introduce children to another famous peace activist and the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, we highly recommend the picture books "The House That Jane Built: A Story About Jane Addams" for ages 5 to 9 (https://www.amightygirl.com/the-house-that-jane-built) and "Dangerous Jane" for 6 to 10 (https://www.amightygirl.com/dangerous-jane) For two inspiring books for young readers filled with practical advice on how to make change on issues they care about, check out "Start Now! You Can Make a Difference!" for ages 7 to 11 (https://www.amightygirl.com/start-now) and "It's Your World! Get Informed, Get Inspired, & Get Going!" for ages 10 and up (https://www.amightygirl.com/it-s-your-world) And, to inspire children and teens with the true stories of girls and women who fought for change throughout history, check out our blog post, "Dissent Is Patriotic: 50 Books About Women Who Fought for Change," at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=14364 Dear Friends in Christ-
This week's epistle reading continues in the letter to Colossians with 2:6-19. The writer (supposedly Paul) urges the church to live their lives in accordance with Jesus. At this time, there were competing views of how to follow Jesus among the early Christians. Some believed that they needed to hold on to the religious traditions they had been taught as Jewish believers. Others followed different teachers who may have been leading them astray. Paul was concerned that they live into Christ and remember that they are saved by faith in Christ, not through circumcision or any other practice. Any other actions necessary for salvation were destroyed by Christ’s death on the cross. Verses 16-19 urge the listener/reader not to worry about some of the cultural practices of the time, whether to participate or not. If the practice leads one astray from Christ, then it is best to avoid them, but there is nothing wrong with observing those cultural practices in themselves—as long as one understands their fullness is in Christ and not in any tradition or practice. Colossians 2:6-19, New International Version Spiritual Fullness in Christ 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces⁰ of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Freedom From Human Rules 16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come, the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. Have you heard the statement, "He paid a debt He didn't owe because we owed a debt we couldn't pay"? What does this truism mean to you? Second, that "we are the Body of Christ"? What does this truism mean to you? These truisms/statements of faith, illustrate just how connected we are to Christ. Look through the others. Any new insights? Any questions? The other side of the spiritual coin are the insights gained when we draw away from Jesus, losing connection to the Head of the Body. Please take time to re-read. What questions arise? What questions might you bring to worship? I look forward to hearing from you. In His Service, P Jim ♥️⚓️ ~Special thanks to Rev. Mindi and Hope for the Broken Hearted for their contribution to this effort of Daily Prayer and Study. All scripture is taken from the Revised Common Lectionary. The intent of this effort is to better prepare for next Sunday's Worship. <x>< Dear Friends in Christ: The psalmist sings a song of praise for God’s faithfulness in Psalm 138. God has answered the psalmist’s prayers, and God continues to deliver them from trouble. The psalmist calls upon the rulers of the earth to lift up their praise and thanksgiving to God, because God’s steadfast love endures forever. The psalmist concludes with a petition to God to not forsake the work God is doing. Psalm 138, New International Version 1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise. 2 I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. 3 When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me. 4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord, when they hear what you have decreed. 5 May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great. 6 Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. 8 The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever-- do not abandon the works of your hands. Those who are close to God live in reality, and those who believe in human power live in a world of fantasy. The singer begins with individual thanks for God's lasting love and care. Anytime we go to God in prayer, it's a good thing to open in thanksgiving. Why? Because, like humility, God blesses an attitude of gratitude. What is your experience of song/prayer/worship that begins in gratitude? What difference has this attitude meant to you? In His Service, P Jim ♥️⚓️ Dear Friends in Christ:
The first selection of the Hebrew scriptures in this season after Pentecost follows the rise of the prophets. Hosea was a contemporary of Amos, warning of the destruction coming to the northern kingdom of Israel, whose sayings and writings were later shared among the southern kingdom of Judah as a warning against the same fate. In the first chapter, Hosea and his family are used as a metaphor of God’s relationship with Israel. Hosea married a sex worker named Gomer, a metaphor for Israel’s unfaithfulness to the One God. Gomer bore children, each one given a name that alludes to God’s relationship with Israel. Jezreel, “God Sows,” was named for a valley of crossroads where battles were fought. Lo-ruhamah, “No Compassion,” was named because God no longer had compassion for the northern kingdom (however, God did still have compassion for Judah). Lo-ammi, “Not My People,” symbolized how Israel had broken the covenant with God. Yet still, God did not break the covenant, and as promised to Abraham and Sarah, the people of Israel would be like the grains of sand, uncountable, and they would once again be known as “children of the living God.” Hosea 1:2-10 New International Version Hosea’s Wife and Children 2 When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.” 3 So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son. 4 Then the Lord said to Hosea, “Call him Jezreel, because I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. 5 In that day I will break Israel’s bow in the Valley of Jezreel.” 6 Gomer conceived again and gave birth to a daughter. Then the Lord said to Hosea, “Call her Lo-Ruhamah (which means “not loved”), for I will no longer show love to Israel, that I should at all forgive them. 7 Yet I will show love to Judah; and I will save them—not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but I, the Lord their God, will save them.” 8 After she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, Gomer had another son. 9 Then the Lord said, “Call him Lo-Ammi (which means “not my people”), for you are not my people, and I am not your God. 10 “Yet the Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘children of the living God.’ Contradiction and confusion, a metaphor for life, but through it all, God's faithfulness is constant, God's love sincere. Life doesn't always have to always make sense, yet the heart- knowledge that 'I am a child of God', can sustain us through the most difficult of circumstances. Do you have examples of rejection that brought you closer to God, or challenges that informed your faith? How did they work for good? (*All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ~Romans 8:28) Why don’t you take some quiet time today and think about, pray about your journey of faith... Are you willing to share your insights with a trusted friend or mentor? Be blessed, P Jim ♥️⚓️ Special thanks to Rev. Mindi and Hope for the Broken Hearted, for their contribution to this effort of Daily Prayer and Study. All scripture is taken from the Revised Common Lectionary. |
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September 2023
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