Monday: Genesis 46 Joseph Brings His Whole Family to Egypt
A story about moving the family from the promised land down to Egypt to ride out the famine. As you read this passage I would like you to consider your own family. What can we learn from this move? Read all the names, somebody thought it was very important that each of these were named before you. What does it mean to be a family in this post-modern world? What can the church learn that it has forgotten about acting like family.
Tuesday: Job 1:1-5 Job’s Family
I chose this very brief reading for today because I thought it describes the very best of a father who loves and sacrifices for his children. I wonder if the author felt that God acts the same way toward us? Are you like Job?
Wednesday: Psalms 127 & 128 Family Stuff
These are a couple pretty neat Psalms which outline the love and care found in a family. Read both Psalms as they are pretty short and will not take you long.
Thursday: Mark 10:1-31 More Family Issues
I debated about these next two readings, but thought we need to take the good with the bad. This passage contains difficult material. The teaching about family however is basic and foundational. The trick here is to not get too far into one passage, but let the context of the whole inform our thinking. In other words, how does the passage about Jesus blessing the children inform the passage about the laws on divorce and so forth. I know your head hurts too much to work on this for too long. But just remember, there will be a test.
Friday: John 8:1-11 The Woman Caught in Adultery
After yesterday, you probably think I am in a bad mood or something to follow with this passage from John 8. Actually, I think this is a great passage about family. It describes how families want to kill each other for doing dumb stuff and also how families have to forgive each other because we have all done dumb stuff. The real center of the show is Jesus, bent over and writing in the dust. If only I could see what he was writing? Maybe you know!!
Saturday: Proverbs 31:10-31 Teachings From the King’s Mother
Consider the woman of the house. Read and discern the ways in which she will surely bless or curse those under her care. Go between the lines and refocus the reading in modern actions and activity. Do you see your mother in these verses? Perhaps you see a woman from the community who had been kind and helpful to you as you were growing. Do you see a teacher, a grandmother, or perhaps even a woman from your church? Probably the big question for our lives is if others see you in these verses. Or even more important would be if God sees you here.
Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Sermon Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-31
Sermon Title: “The Value of a Christian Home”
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Thoughts About Gospel
The gospel is everything. We may have degrees of education which elevate us from the crowd. We may have a nice home and great family. We may have our health, stay active and on the go. We may have friends or even family who love and care about our needs and wants. We may have the whole world, but if we do not have the gospel, our lives are bankrupt. The gospel is everything.
The word “Gospel” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “god-spell,” meaning a story from or about a god. And this was derived from the Latin evangelium, commonly understood as “good tidings” or simply “good news.” The Latin term goes back to the Greek word evangelomen, which is translated “to preach,” “to tell,” or “to publish.”
We so easily forget. We tend to think we somehow planned the world around us, and even placed ourselves into this particular time and place. Our world revolves around us; like the map on the wall in our elementary school which had our country at the center. Human history has always offered that we easily forget that we are as strangers in a strange land and as such have no real purpose other than to re-tell the old story to a new group of people. The gospel, the telling of the old story, is everything.
We have no voice apart from the gospel. We have no place apart from the gospel. We have no purpose apart from the gospel. If we are purpose driven, and I believe we are, then what we truly need to do is be reminded of our purpose. And isn’t that what Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life, is all about anyway; reminding us of the role of gospel in our lives? I think so.
We may focus on a lot of things here at Salem UMC. We may talk budgets and buildings. We may plant gardens and hunt Easter eggs. We may bring a salad to share or we may offer our musical gifts, whatever they may be. But we must never forget that the gospel is our home and has the power to offer life into the hearts of all who hear the Word. Just remember, always remember, the gospel is everything
The word “Gospel” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “god-spell,” meaning a story from or about a god. And this was derived from the Latin evangelium, commonly understood as “good tidings” or simply “good news.” The Latin term goes back to the Greek word evangelomen, which is translated “to preach,” “to tell,” or “to publish.”
We so easily forget. We tend to think we somehow planned the world around us, and even placed ourselves into this particular time and place. Our world revolves around us; like the map on the wall in our elementary school which had our country at the center. Human history has always offered that we easily forget that we are as strangers in a strange land and as such have no real purpose other than to re-tell the old story to a new group of people. The gospel, the telling of the old story, is everything.
We have no voice apart from the gospel. We have no place apart from the gospel. We have no purpose apart from the gospel. If we are purpose driven, and I believe we are, then what we truly need to do is be reminded of our purpose. And isn’t that what Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life, is all about anyway; reminding us of the role of gospel in our lives? I think so.
We may focus on a lot of things here at Salem UMC. We may talk budgets and buildings. We may plant gardens and hunt Easter eggs. We may bring a salad to share or we may offer our musical gifts, whatever they may be. But we must never forget that the gospel is our home and has the power to offer life into the hearts of all who hear the Word. Just remember, always remember, the gospel is everything
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
SCRIPTURE STUDY / WEEK LEADING TO SUNDAY May 1, 2005
Monday: 1 Samuel 3 Samuel’s Calling
It was not so much that Samuel could not hear the Lord, as it was that he did not understand that is was the Lord who was calling. Poor old Eli did not get any sleep at all that night until he realized the Lord must be calling to Samuel and instructed him on how to respond. Good lesson for us as well.
Tuesday: 2 Corinthians 5 New Creation
Especially center your thoughts today on verse 17. Remember the first time you rode a Ferris Wheel and the whole world changed before your eyes. In reality nothing had changed but your perspective. But in a deeper sense, everything had changed because of the way you would view the world from that moment forward. So it is for each of us with new life in Christ.
Wednesday: Psalm 37 Providence In God
Find the dictionary and look up the word providence. Mine shows the meaning as God acting on our behalf into the future. To trust in the providence of God is a step in faith for each of us. Is God really acting on our behalf today for what is going to be taking place tomorrow? If I gather all the pieces of the puzzle of life and look at the whole picture, it seems like it is so.
Thursday: 1 Thessalonians 5.23 Encouragement for Timothy
Oh, just read the whole book, it is only three pages. When you get to this beautiful final benediction, pray this out loud replacing you with me and your with my. Pray this way several times taking several minutes to just be. Cool.
Friday: Luke 11:9-13 Good Gifts
A good thought to keep in mind as we go about our day!!
Saturday: Isaiah 55 An Invitation to Abundant Life
We believe in what we see. We see the trees leafing out and beginning to take on their summer shapes. We see the emergence of new animals; baby birds, puppies, kittens, and new baby calves playing in the fields covered with a new carpet of green. Everywhere we look there is something to see, and it is new. Perhaps regenerated or renewed would be better words than new. As I consider this newness; I find everything new sprouts from or is born of something not so new. Sometimes new comes from old, even at times from something dead. Dead; jeepers creepers, can life spring forth from death? With a loud shout I yell out to no one listening, “I would like to see that!” Here in this passage the prophet calls us to look beyond what we can see. We are called to hope and dream, even believe, in that which we cannot see. All the Lord has spoken will come to pass, whether it is a visible creation or a yet unseen, perhaps unknowable movement of God’s. The Good News is that either way both are real and will succeed in that for which they are purposed.
Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Sermon Scripture: Isaiah 55.10-11
Sermon Title: “From Rain to Bread: Trusting What We Can Not See”
It was not so much that Samuel could not hear the Lord, as it was that he did not understand that is was the Lord who was calling. Poor old Eli did not get any sleep at all that night until he realized the Lord must be calling to Samuel and instructed him on how to respond. Good lesson for us as well.
Tuesday: 2 Corinthians 5 New Creation
Especially center your thoughts today on verse 17. Remember the first time you rode a Ferris Wheel and the whole world changed before your eyes. In reality nothing had changed but your perspective. But in a deeper sense, everything had changed because of the way you would view the world from that moment forward. So it is for each of us with new life in Christ.
Wednesday: Psalm 37 Providence In God
Find the dictionary and look up the word providence. Mine shows the meaning as God acting on our behalf into the future. To trust in the providence of God is a step in faith for each of us. Is God really acting on our behalf today for what is going to be taking place tomorrow? If I gather all the pieces of the puzzle of life and look at the whole picture, it seems like it is so.
Thursday: 1 Thessalonians 5.23 Encouragement for Timothy
Oh, just read the whole book, it is only three pages. When you get to this beautiful final benediction, pray this out loud replacing you with me and your with my. Pray this way several times taking several minutes to just be. Cool.
Friday: Luke 11:9-13 Good Gifts
A good thought to keep in mind as we go about our day!!
Saturday: Isaiah 55 An Invitation to Abundant Life
We believe in what we see. We see the trees leafing out and beginning to take on their summer shapes. We see the emergence of new animals; baby birds, puppies, kittens, and new baby calves playing in the fields covered with a new carpet of green. Everywhere we look there is something to see, and it is new. Perhaps regenerated or renewed would be better words than new. As I consider this newness; I find everything new sprouts from or is born of something not so new. Sometimes new comes from old, even at times from something dead. Dead; jeepers creepers, can life spring forth from death? With a loud shout I yell out to no one listening, “I would like to see that!” Here in this passage the prophet calls us to look beyond what we can see. We are called to hope and dream, even believe, in that which we cannot see. All the Lord has spoken will come to pass, whether it is a visible creation or a yet unseen, perhaps unknowable movement of God’s. The Good News is that either way both are real and will succeed in that for which they are purposed.
Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Sermon Scripture: Isaiah 55.10-11
Sermon Title: “From Rain to Bread: Trusting What We Can Not See”
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
SCRIPTURE STUDY / WEEK LEADING TO SUNDAY April 24, 2005
Monday: Daniel 12:1-13 The Resurrection of the Dead
Old Testament imagery in this passage offers us a vision of the angel of God, Michael, leading into a Spiritual battle with truth and knowledge as his weapons. This is a deep passage with disputed meanings however we can be clear that people of all times and places have pondered and questioned the timing of the resurrection of the dead. Can you find a couple of lasting promises in this passage?
Tuesday: Romans 6:1-23 Dying and Rising with Christ
In the letter to the church in Rome Paul encourages us to go beyond the sin in our lives and live as children worthy of the coming kingdom. When reading about sin, attempt to understand sin as a process or force that oppresses and overtakes our lives. Our modern thought has narrowly defined sin as an action or single occurring thought or deed of our person. So then, Paul is asking us to change our lives or situations completely in order to defeat sin, not just abstain from one particular instance of weakness. Does this make sense?
Wednesday: Hebrews 6:1-12 Peril of Falling Away
Here the author is firm that we should not “plow the same ground over and over.” We must grow and move on in our faith by standing on the promises and reaching for the next level of sacrificial service.
Thursday: Philippians 3:7-4:1 Pressing Toward the Goal
This is a powerful and recognizable passage which encourages us to keep moving toward our goal in Christ Jesus. To be found in faith and love with the power of resurrection is an ultimate prize. Paul uses sports imagery to help us understand the needs of our ongoing relationship with God.
Friday: 2 Timothy 2:14-26 Approved By God
Find in this passage some very specific instructions on the way in which we should continue to grow. The word picture of our lives as household utensils and our usefulness in the Kingdom of God is powerful and helpful.
Saturday: 1 Corinthians 15 Resurrection from the Dead
This Chapter at the end of the letter contains the meat of the message. The Apostle Paul is clear that the resurrection from the dead is a reality not only for Christ Jesus, but also for those who follow him in faith. However, we must not assume some quasi-wishy-washy position of appearing to have already attained this status of perfection. Our personal resurrection will occur following Christ’s resurrection. While we may have a mere reflection of the resurrection in our lives today, we must remember that our fullness in Christ will only occur when we will have died in a death like his and then be raised in a life like his. Therefore we must continue to push on toward the greater goal of perfection and sanctification in this life so that we will be worthy of the perfection in the next. This is not so that we might boast in our good works and deeds for only God is good, however, our willingness to continue to fight the good fight with grace and love is a sign and witness of our faith in that final resurrection for which we cannot see at this time.
Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Sermon Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
Sermon Title: “Some Answers About Your Resurrection”
Old Testament imagery in this passage offers us a vision of the angel of God, Michael, leading into a Spiritual battle with truth and knowledge as his weapons. This is a deep passage with disputed meanings however we can be clear that people of all times and places have pondered and questioned the timing of the resurrection of the dead. Can you find a couple of lasting promises in this passage?
Tuesday: Romans 6:1-23 Dying and Rising with Christ
In the letter to the church in Rome Paul encourages us to go beyond the sin in our lives and live as children worthy of the coming kingdom. When reading about sin, attempt to understand sin as a process or force that oppresses and overtakes our lives. Our modern thought has narrowly defined sin as an action or single occurring thought or deed of our person. So then, Paul is asking us to change our lives or situations completely in order to defeat sin, not just abstain from one particular instance of weakness. Does this make sense?
Wednesday: Hebrews 6:1-12 Peril of Falling Away
Here the author is firm that we should not “plow the same ground over and over.” We must grow and move on in our faith by standing on the promises and reaching for the next level of sacrificial service.
Thursday: Philippians 3:7-4:1 Pressing Toward the Goal
This is a powerful and recognizable passage which encourages us to keep moving toward our goal in Christ Jesus. To be found in faith and love with the power of resurrection is an ultimate prize. Paul uses sports imagery to help us understand the needs of our ongoing relationship with God.
Friday: 2 Timothy 2:14-26 Approved By God
Find in this passage some very specific instructions on the way in which we should continue to grow. The word picture of our lives as household utensils and our usefulness in the Kingdom of God is powerful and helpful.
Saturday: 1 Corinthians 15 Resurrection from the Dead
This Chapter at the end of the letter contains the meat of the message. The Apostle Paul is clear that the resurrection from the dead is a reality not only for Christ Jesus, but also for those who follow him in faith. However, we must not assume some quasi-wishy-washy position of appearing to have already attained this status of perfection. Our personal resurrection will occur following Christ’s resurrection. While we may have a mere reflection of the resurrection in our lives today, we must remember that our fullness in Christ will only occur when we will have died in a death like his and then be raised in a life like his. Therefore we must continue to push on toward the greater goal of perfection and sanctification in this life so that we will be worthy of the perfection in the next. This is not so that we might boast in our good works and deeds for only God is good, however, our willingness to continue to fight the good fight with grace and love is a sign and witness of our faith in that final resurrection for which we cannot see at this time.
Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Sermon Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
Sermon Title: “Some Answers About Your Resurrection”
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