2 Corinthians 12:6-10
But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I
refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or
heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations.
Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given to me in the flesh, a
messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated.
Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me,
but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
DG Comment: We all have troubles and thorns in our sides. But God cares about us all. This is a great lectio passage as "three times Paul appeals" to God, as we recite a passage three times. I choose, "My grace is sufficient for you...." What a beautiful passage and reminder that it is by the grace of God that we are saved and can confidently move forward in life with firm knowledge of God's grace towards us!!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
March 30
John 8:12-20
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows
me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
Then the Pharisees said to him, “You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.” Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid
because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not
know where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I
judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone
who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. In your law it is written that the
testimony of two witnesses is valid. I testify on my own behalf, and the Father
who sent me testifies on my behalf.” Then they said to him, “Where is your
Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me,
you would know my Father also.” He spoke these words while he was teaching in
the treasury of the temple, but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet
come.
DG Comment: Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows
me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” What a positive way to begin the day. When we follow Jesus we do not walk in darkness because we have Jesus in front of us to light our way, lighten our load and give us light that brightens even the darkest corners of our lives.
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows
me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
Then the Pharisees said to him, “You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.” Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid
because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not
know where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I
judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone
who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. In your law it is written that the
testimony of two witnesses is valid. I testify on my own behalf, and the Father
who sent me testifies on my behalf.” Then they said to him, “Where is your
Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me,
you would know my Father also.” He spoke these words while he was teaching in
the treasury of the temple, but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet
come.
DG Comment: Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows
me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” What a positive way to begin the day. When we follow Jesus we do not walk in darkness because we have Jesus in front of us to light our way, lighten our load and give us light that brightens even the darkest corners of our lives.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
March 29
Romans 4:13-25
For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his
descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.
For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.
For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and
be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us,
as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”) —in the presence of
the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the
things that do not exist.
Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “So numerous shall your
descendants be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when
he considered the barrenness of Sarah‟s womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Therefore his faith “was reckoned to him as righteousness.” Now the words, “it was reckoned to him,” were written not for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus
our Lord from the dead, who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.
DG Comment: Right out front we read "For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith." Paul writes about the new covenant of grace which holds that not Abraham nor we inherit the world nor achieve anything that we receive from God through the law but through our faith. Our faith in God through Christ is at the center of our lives and possibilities. Thank God it is.
For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his
descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.
For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.
For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and
be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us,
as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”) —in the presence of
the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the
things that do not exist.
Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “So numerous shall your
descendants be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when
he considered the barrenness of Sarah‟s womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Therefore his faith “was reckoned to him as righteousness.” Now the words, “it was reckoned to him,” were written not for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus
our Lord from the dead, who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.
DG Comment: Right out front we read "For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith." Paul writes about the new covenant of grace which holds that not Abraham nor we inherit the world nor achieve anything that we receive from God through the law but through our faith. Our faith in God through Christ is at the center of our lives and possibilities. Thank God it is.
Monday, March 28, 2011
March 28
Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come?
My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and
forevermore.
DG Comment: There is no better passage to read over to begin our week than Psalm 121. It inspires, it keeps us looking forward through the week, it affirms our trust in the Almighty and it reminds us of God's care for us.
I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come?
My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and
forevermore.
DG Comment: There is no better passage to read over to begin our week than Psalm 121. It inspires, it keeps us looking forward through the week, it affirms our trust in the Almighty and it reminds us of God's care for us.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
March 27
Let us seek the presence of living water this day. See you in Church!
John 4:7-15
7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a])
10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
John 4:7-15
7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a])
10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
Saturday, March 26, 2011
March 26
Romans 3:19-31
Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law,
so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable
to God. For “no human being will be justified in his sight” by deeds prescribed by
the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. But now, apart from law,
the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the
prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who
believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of faith and the uncircumcised through 11
that same faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the
contrary, we uphold the law.
DG Comment: Meditate on this passage, "Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." In Lent as we approach Easter it doesn't get more fundamental.
Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law,
so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable
to God. For “no human being will be justified in his sight” by deeds prescribed by
the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. But now, apart from law,
the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the
prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who
believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of faith and the uncircumcised through 11
that same faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the
contrary, we uphold the law.
DG Comment: Meditate on this passage, "Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." In Lent as we approach Easter it doesn't get more fundamental.
Friday, March 25, 2011
March 25
John 5:30-47
“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because
I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me. “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But I have a testimony greater than John‟s. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent.
“You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf.
Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept glory from human beings. But I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in my Father‟s name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set
your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.
But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?”
DG Comment: Today I meditate over and over and over again on the phrase, "I can do nothing on my own." I can do nothing on my own. I can do nothing on my own. But fortunately, I know I don't have to. The Lord be with you. And also with you.
“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because
I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me. “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But I have a testimony greater than John‟s. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent.
“You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf.
Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept glory from human beings. But I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in my Father‟s name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set
your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.
But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?”
DG Comment: Today I meditate over and over and over again on the phrase, "I can do nothing on my own." I can do nothing on my own. I can do nothing on my own. But fortunately, I know I don't have to. The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
March 24
John 5:19-28
Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but
only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does
likewise. The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and
he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished.
Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to
whomever he wishes. The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life. “Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
DG Comment: This morning I think about the phrase “Jesus said to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own.' I read it over and over and think about the connection between Jesus and God, and the mystery and majesty of the Trinity at work. I think about the connection of Jesus and us. That Jesus acts in, with and through us. We can do nothing without Christ and we represent Jesus as Christians.
Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but
only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does
likewise. The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and
he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished.
Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to
whomever he wishes. The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life. “Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
DG Comment: This morning I think about the phrase “Jesus said to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own.' I read it over and over and think about the connection between Jesus and God, and the mystery and majesty of the Trinity at work. I think about the connection of Jesus and us. That Jesus acts in, with and through us. We can do nothing without Christ and we represent Jesus as Christians.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
March 23
Psalm 27: 1-9
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh— my adversaries and foes— they shall stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident. One thing I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock. Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD. Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me! “Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, LORD, do I seek. Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!
DG Comment: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” I love this passage. After a hard night and a difficult time, the light does come. The light of Christ shines in the darkness and the darkness shall not overcome it. Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh— my adversaries and foes— they shall stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident. One thing I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock. Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD. Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me! “Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, LORD, do I seek. Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!
DG Comment: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” I love this passage. After a hard night and a difficult time, the light does come. The light of Christ shines in the darkness and the darkness shall not overcome it. Whom shall I fear?
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
March 22
Jeremiah 2:1-8
The word of the LORD came to me, saying: Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the LORD: I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown. Israel was holy to the LORD, the first fruits of his harvest. All who ate of it were held guilty; disaster came upon them, says the LORD. Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. Thus says the LORD: What wrong did your ancestors find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves? They did not say, “Where is the LORD who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land that no one passes through, where no one lives?” I brought you into a plentiful land to eat its fruits and its good things. But when you entered you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination. The priests did not say, “Where is the LORD?” Those who handle the law did not know me; the rulers transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after things that do not profit.
DG Comment: The prophet calls us to think about where we look to find the Lord. Where should we look? We look inward. We look at creation. We look to other people. We look to the Bible. We look to Jesus. Amen.
The word of the LORD came to me, saying: Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the LORD: I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown. Israel was holy to the LORD, the first fruits of his harvest. All who ate of it were held guilty; disaster came upon them, says the LORD. Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. Thus says the LORD: What wrong did your ancestors find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves? They did not say, “Where is the LORD who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land that no one passes through, where no one lives?” I brought you into a plentiful land to eat its fruits and its good things. But when you entered you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination. The priests did not say, “Where is the LORD?” Those who handle the law did not know me; the rulers transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after things that do not profit.
DG Comment: The prophet calls us to think about where we look to find the Lord. Where should we look? We look inward. We look at creation. We look to other people. We look to the Bible. We look to Jesus. Amen.
Monday, March 21, 2011
March 21
Romans 1:1-15
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of
God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures,
the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the
flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of
holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we
have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all
the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to
belong to Jesus Christ,
To all God‟s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is
proclaimed throughout the world. For God, whom I serve with my spirit by
announcing the gospel of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember
you always in my prayers, asking that by God’s will I may somehow at last
succeed in coming to you. For I am longing to see you so that I may share with
you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— or rather so that we may be mutually
encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. I want you to know,
brothers and sisters, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have
been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as I have among
the rest of the Gentiles. I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the
wise and to the foolish hence my eagerness to proclaim the gospel to you also
who are in Rome.
DG Comment: Today I meditate on the sentence, “For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” As we begin spring and come to a time when there are roughly 12 hours of light and dark, I think about the idea of balance. How we in the body of Christ balance each other and support each other. How we share spiritual gifts to strengthen each other. How we encourage each other’s faith. May it be so today and all this week.
"I've seen prayers answered. But often, in my experience, if you get what you pray for, you've really shortchanged yourself."
--Anne Lamott
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of
God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures,
the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the
flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of
holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we
have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all
the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to
belong to Jesus Christ,
To all God‟s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is
proclaimed throughout the world. For God, whom I serve with my spirit by
announcing the gospel of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember
you always in my prayers, asking that by God’s will I may somehow at last
succeed in coming to you. For I am longing to see you so that I may share with
you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— or rather so that we may be mutually
encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. I want you to know,
brothers and sisters, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have
been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as I have among
the rest of the Gentiles. I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the
wise and to the foolish hence my eagerness to proclaim the gospel to you also
who are in Rome.
DG Comment: Today I meditate on the sentence, “For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” As we begin spring and come to a time when there are roughly 12 hours of light and dark, I think about the idea of balance. How we in the body of Christ balance each other and support each other. How we share spiritual gifts to strengthen each other. How we encourage each other’s faith. May it be so today and all this week.
"I've seen prayers answered. But often, in my experience, if you get what you pray for, you've really shortchanged yourself."
--Anne Lamott
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
March 19
Psalm 31: 1-14
In you, O LORD, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.
Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.
You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name‟s sake lead me and guide me,
take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.
Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD.
I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have taken heed of my adversities,
and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.
Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also.
For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.
I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me.
I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.
For I hear the whispering of many— terror all around!— as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
DG Comments: “In you O Lord, I seek refuge….I trust in you….You are my God.” I say this over and over in my head and it sooths me. I read this passage as our nation is likely soon to engage in another military operation in the Middle East and as the events in Japan and elsewhere raise anxiety. And yet in the Lord do I trust.
In you, O LORD, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.
Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.
You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name‟s sake lead me and guide me,
take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.
Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD.
I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have taken heed of my adversities,
and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.
Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also.
For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.
I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me.
I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.
For I hear the whispering of many— terror all around!— as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
DG Comments: “In you O Lord, I seek refuge….I trust in you….You are my God.” I say this over and over in my head and it sooths me. I read this passage as our nation is likely soon to engage in another military operation in the Middle East and as the events in Japan and elsewhere raise anxiety. And yet in the Lord do I trust.
Friday, March 18, 2011
March 18
Deuteronomy 10:12-22
So now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? Only to fear the
LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God
with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the
LORD your God and his decrees that I am commanding you today, for your own
well-being.
Although heaven and the heaven of heavens belong to the LORD your
God, the earth with all that is in it, yet the LORD set his heart in love on your
ancestors alone and chose you, their descendants after them, out of all the peoples,
as it is today. Circumcise, then, the foreskin of your heart, and do not be stubborn
any longer. For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great
God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes
justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them
food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the
land of Egypt. You shall fear the LORD your God; him alone you shall worship; to
him you shall hold fast, and by his name you shall swear. He is your praise; he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things that your own eyes have seen.
Your ancestors went down to Egypt seventy persons; and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in heaven.
DG comment: The concept of love takes place in three ways in this passage. God loves us. God loves God’s people. “The Lord set his heart in love on your ancestors.” And how should we respond? By "loving God, walking in God’s ways and serving God with all our hearts." And by loving others, that is "loving the stranger." From this ancient passage, we hear echos of the Great Commandment in Matthew 22, that we should love God with our whole heart and love our neighbors as ourselves.
So now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? Only to fear the
LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God
with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the
LORD your God and his decrees that I am commanding you today, for your own
well-being.
Although heaven and the heaven of heavens belong to the LORD your
God, the earth with all that is in it, yet the LORD set his heart in love on your
ancestors alone and chose you, their descendants after them, out of all the peoples,
as it is today. Circumcise, then, the foreskin of your heart, and do not be stubborn
any longer. For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great
God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes
justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them
food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the
land of Egypt. You shall fear the LORD your God; him alone you shall worship; to
him you shall hold fast, and by his name you shall swear. He is your praise; he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things that your own eyes have seen.
Your ancestors went down to Egypt seventy persons; and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in heaven.
DG comment: The concept of love takes place in three ways in this passage. God loves us. God loves God’s people. “The Lord set his heart in love on your ancestors.” And how should we respond? By "loving God, walking in God’s ways and serving God with all our hearts." And by loving others, that is "loving the stranger." From this ancient passage, we hear echos of the Great Commandment in Matthew 22, that we should love God with our whole heart and love our neighbors as ourselves.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
March 17
Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! I am wearing green as I sit here getting ready for some Irish soda bread.
Passage: Psalm 102: 1-16
Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you.
Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Incline your ear to me;
answer me speedily in the day when I call.
For my days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace.
My heart is stricken and withered like grass; I am too wasted to eat my bread.
Because of my loud groaning my bones cling to my skin.
I am like an owl of the wilderness, like a little owl of the waste places.
I lie awake; I am like a lonely bird on the housetop.
All day long my enemies taunt me; those who deride me use my name for a curse.
For I eat ashes like bread, and mingle tears with my drink, because of your indignation and anger; for you have lifted me up and thrown me
aside. My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.
But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever; your name endures to all generations.
You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to favor it; the
appointed time has come. For your servants hold its stones dear, and have pity on its dust. The nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth your glory. For the LORD will build up Zion; he will appear in his glory.
DG Comment: As the world looks with grief, anxiety and compassion towards the unfolding events in Japan, we join with the psalmist in asking God to "let my cry come to you." We are in mourning with the people of Japan. We are in distress, like the Psalmist. While God does not wish tragedy upon us, why God allows such things to happen remains a mystery to us. Yet we, like the Psalmist, affirm that God endures and thus, so can God's people. God's name and love endures forever. And God calls us each to be involved in helping where and when we can. God works through us to bring good in difficult situations. Let it be so now.
http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/pda/japan/
Passage: Psalm 102: 1-16
Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you.
Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Incline your ear to me;
answer me speedily in the day when I call.
For my days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace.
My heart is stricken and withered like grass; I am too wasted to eat my bread.
Because of my loud groaning my bones cling to my skin.
I am like an owl of the wilderness, like a little owl of the waste places.
I lie awake; I am like a lonely bird on the housetop.
All day long my enemies taunt me; those who deride me use my name for a curse.
For I eat ashes like bread, and mingle tears with my drink, because of your indignation and anger; for you have lifted me up and thrown me
aside. My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.
But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever; your name endures to all generations.
You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to favor it; the
appointed time has come. For your servants hold its stones dear, and have pity on its dust. The nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth your glory. For the LORD will build up Zion; he will appear in his glory.
DG Comment: As the world looks with grief, anxiety and compassion towards the unfolding events in Japan, we join with the psalmist in asking God to "let my cry come to you." We are in mourning with the people of Japan. We are in distress, like the Psalmist. While God does not wish tragedy upon us, why God allows such things to happen remains a mystery to us. Yet we, like the Psalmist, affirm that God endures and thus, so can God's people. God's name and love endures forever. And God calls us each to be involved in helping where and when we can. God works through us to bring good in difficult situations. Let it be so now.
http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/pda/japan/
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
March 16
Hebrews 3:12-19
Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving
heart that turns away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as
long as it is called “today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the
deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partners of Christ, if only we hold our
first confidence firm to the end. As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not
harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” Now who were they who heard and yet
were rebellious? Was it not all those who left Egypt under the leadership of Moses?
But with whom was he angry forty years? Was it not those who sinned, whose
bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter
his rest, if not to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to
enter because of unbelief.
DG Comment: What speaks to me this morning is: “But with whom was he angry forty years?” and “For we have become partners of Christ.” During Lent, we go for forty days reflecting and examining our lives. We acknowledge the reality of sin in our lives and in our world. Yet we have a partner in Jesus Christ, who journeys with us through the wilderness of Lent, all the way to the Cross…....and beyond………....all the way to the joy of Easter.
Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving
heart that turns away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as
long as it is called “today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the
deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partners of Christ, if only we hold our
first confidence firm to the end. As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not
harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” Now who were they who heard and yet
were rebellious? Was it not all those who left Egypt under the leadership of Moses?
But with whom was he angry forty years? Was it not those who sinned, whose
bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter
his rest, if not to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to
enter because of unbelief.
DG Comment: What speaks to me this morning is: “But with whom was he angry forty years?” and “For we have become partners of Christ.” During Lent, we go for forty days reflecting and examining our lives. We acknowledge the reality of sin in our lives and in our world. Yet we have a partner in Jesus Christ, who journeys with us through the wilderness of Lent, all the way to the Cross…....and beyond………....all the way to the joy of Easter.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
March 15
Psalm 34: 1-8
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every
trouble. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.
DG comments: I read the Psalm this morning and select the third sentence, “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together” to focus on today. I meditate on that sentence and it reminds me of Mary’s Magnificat. This famous passage, usually read in the church in early Advent, is read from Luke’s Gospel. Mary meets with her cousin, Elizabeth, both looking forward to giving birth, and Mary sings, “My soul does magnify the Lord and my soul and my spirit have rejoiced in God my Savior.” The Psalmist expresses a similar exaltation and trust in the Lord. God was, is and will be our savior. As Advent prepares us for the coming of Christ at Christmas, Lent prepares us for the resurrection of Christ at Easter – the time when salvation is made real. So magnify the Lord and let us exalt his name together.
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every
trouble. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.
DG comments: I read the Psalm this morning and select the third sentence, “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together” to focus on today. I meditate on that sentence and it reminds me of Mary’s Magnificat. This famous passage, usually read in the church in early Advent, is read from Luke’s Gospel. Mary meets with her cousin, Elizabeth, both looking forward to giving birth, and Mary sings, “My soul does magnify the Lord and my soul and my spirit have rejoiced in God my Savior.” The Psalmist expresses a similar exaltation and trust in the Lord. God was, is and will be our savior. As Advent prepares us for the coming of Christ at Christmas, Lent prepares us for the resurrection of Christ at Easter – the time when salvation is made real. So magnify the Lord and let us exalt his name together.
Monday, March 14, 2011
March 14
John 2:1-12
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus
was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the
wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”
And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they remained there a few days.
DG Comments: As I mentioned in worship yesterday, today we begin our Lenten discipline of lectio divina. I encourage you to select a word or phrase from the scripture passage; allow it to infiltrate your being; meditate upon it; look for God’s invitation to you within the passage and then think how it might apply to your life.
As I read John 2: 1-12 this morning, I focused on the phrase “'Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.' Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory.” This was the first of Jesus’ great signs that revealed his glory. Within this idea I select the passage, “but you have kept the good wine until now.” In a highly unusual act, the good wine was kept til last. I allow this phrase to infiltrate my soul as I read it over and over. I meditate upon what happens in the passage. I start to see an invitation from God to me. That the best is saved for last. That no matter how long we live, and no matter what has happened to us, God has something saved for us. Something sweet and beautiful. I apply this thought to the beginning of my week and I am renewed to begin the week again, confident that God has saved something wonderful for me.
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus
was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the
wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”
And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they remained there a few days.
DG Comments: As I mentioned in worship yesterday, today we begin our Lenten discipline of lectio divina. I encourage you to select a word or phrase from the scripture passage; allow it to infiltrate your being; meditate upon it; look for God’s invitation to you within the passage and then think how it might apply to your life.
As I read John 2: 1-12 this morning, I focused on the phrase “'Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.' Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory.” This was the first of Jesus’ great signs that revealed his glory. Within this idea I select the passage, “but you have kept the good wine until now.” In a highly unusual act, the good wine was kept til last. I allow this phrase to infiltrate my soul as I read it over and over. I meditate upon what happens in the passage. I start to see an invitation from God to me. That the best is saved for last. That no matter how long we live, and no matter what has happened to us, God has something saved for us. Something sweet and beautiful. I apply this thought to the beginning of my week and I am renewed to begin the week again, confident that God has saved something wonderful for me.
March 13
Matthew 4:8-11
8(Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory;
9and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me."
10Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'"
11Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.
8(Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory;
9and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me."
10Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'"
11Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
March12
Following Jesus
Gospel John 1:43-51
43The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!”48Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” 51And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
Friday, March 11, 2011
March 11
Psalm 148
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
2 Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his host!
3 Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars!
4 Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for he commanded and they were created.
6 He established them forever and ever;
he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
you sea monsters and all deeps,
8 fire and hail, snow and frost,
stormy wind fulfilling his command!
9 Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
10 Wild animals and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds!
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
12 Young men and women alike,
old and young together!
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven.
14 He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his faithful,
for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
March 10
A good Ash W service last evening. Now into Lent
Luke 18:9-14
9He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ 13But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
March 9
For Ash Wednesday
Luke 18:9-14
9He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ 13But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
March 8
I love Psalm 42
Psalm 42
1 As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and behold
the face of God?
3 My tears have been my food
day and night,
while people say to me continually,
“Where is your God?”
4 These things I remember,
as I pour out my soul:
how I went with the throng,
and led them in procession to the house of God,
with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving,
a multitude keeping festival.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my help 6and my God.
My soul is cast down within me;
therefore I remember you
from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep
at the thunder of your cataracts;
all your waves and your billows
have gone over me.
8 By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,
and at night his song is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.
Monday, March 7, 2011
March 7
As the week begins, we begin by thinking about the Word that was there at the beginning!!
John 1:1-18
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
10He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
14And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. 15(John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) 16From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
March 6
Give thanks for a kingdom that shall not end.
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
9 As I watched,
thrones were set in place,
and an Ancient One took his throne,
his clothing was white as snow,
and the hair of his head like pure wool;
his throne was fiery flames,
and its wheels were burning fire.
10 A stream of fire issued
and flowed out from his presence.
A thousand thousands served him,
and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him.
The court sat in judgment,
and the books were opened.
13As I watched in the night visions,
I saw one like a human being
coming with the clouds of heaven.
And he came to the Ancient One
and was presented before him.
14 To him was given dominion
and glory and kingship,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not pass away,
and his kingship is one
that shall never be destroyed.
March 5
Psalm 90
1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
3 You turn us back to dust,
and say, “Turn back, you mortals.”
4 For a thousand years in your sight
are like yesterday when it is past,
or like a watch in the night.
5 You sweep them away; they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning;
6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.
7 For we are consumed by your anger;
by your wrath we are overwhelmed.
8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your countenance.
9 For all our days pass away under your wrath;
our years come to an end like a sigh.
10 The days of our life are seventy years,
or perhaps eighty, if we are strong;
even then their span is only toil and trouble;
they are soon gone, and we fly away.
11 Who considers the power of your anger?
Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.
12 So teach us to count our days
that we may gain a wise heart.
13 Turn, O LORD! How long?
Have compassion on your servants!
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us,
and as many years as we have seen evil.
16 Let your work be manifest to your servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and prosper for us the work of our hands —
O prosper the work of our hands!
March 4
Matthew 7:13-21
13“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. 14For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
15“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus you will know them by their fruits.
21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”
Thursday, March 3, 2011
March 3
God's grace is powerful. When we are feeling weak, rely on the Lord!!
2 Corinthians 12:8-10
8Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, 9but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
March 2
I start today with Psalm 147, the glory of God, who both created the heavens and is so close as to number the stars, call them by name and heal the brokenhearted among us and broken hearts in us.
Psalm 147:1-11
1 Praise the Lord!
How good it is to sing praises to our God;
for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted,
and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
6 The Lord lifts up the downtrodden;
he casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre.
8 He covers the heavens with clouds,
prepares rain for the earth,
makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He gives to the animals their food,
and to the young ravens when they cry.
10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;
11 but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
March 1
Praise the Lord in this New Month!!
Psalm 146
1 Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD, O my soul!
2 I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God all my life long.
3 Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortals, in whom there is no help.
4 When their breath departs, they return to the earth;
on that very day their plans perish.
5 Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD their God,
6 who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith forever;
7 who executes justice for the oppressed;
who gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets the prisoners free;
8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind.
The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
the LORD loves the righteous.
9 The LORD watches over the strangers;
he upholds the orphan and the widow,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
10 The LORD will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the LORD!
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