January 29, 2014

Psalm 27:7-14, Genesis 49:1-2, 8-13, 21-26, Luke 1:67-79

January 28, 2014

Psalm 27:7-14, Judges 7:12-22, Philippians 2:12-18

January 27, 2014

Psalm 27:7-14, Judges 6:11-24, Ephesians 5:6-14

In all three of these passages, I am struck by the presence and closeness of the Lord.

In the Psalm, it says that even if our own parents abandon us, the Lord will hold us close.

In Judges, the Lord is sending Gideon to rescue Israel, and promises to be with him.

In Ephesians, we no longer have to participate in a dark and sinful life, because we have the light of the Lord within us. So we are to live as children of light, carefully determining what pleases the Lord.

How is this encouraging, to know that the Lord is with us? Have there been times in your life where you were like Gideon, and wondered where the Lord was, and doubted his promises? Can you think of times in your life when you felt the Lord's presence?

Prayer:

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought
us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty
power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by
adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your
purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

January 26, 2014

Third Sunday After Epiphany

Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27:1, 4-9, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23

These are verses of hope and looking ahead to Jesus. Read each passage out loud.

What do you think it means when it says in 1 Corinthians that the cross is the very power of God? 

How are these passages encouraging to you today?

Prayer from Psalm 27:

Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
Be merciful and answer me!

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

Amen

January 25, 2014

Psalm 27:1-6, 1 Samuel 15:34—16:13, Luke 5:27-32

Today is one of many examples where the Lord chooses someone that people would have looked over as not good enough.

In Samuel, we start the story off finding out that Saul has disobeyed the Lord and is no longer the king (might have to read all of the story in 1 Samuel 15). After a time of mourning the loss of Saul as king, the Lord tells Samuel to go and anoint the new king. He goes to the house of a man named Jesse to anoint one of his sons as king. One look at the oldest son, and Samuel thought they had their man. But the Lord said it wasn't him.


Verse 7, "But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

After going through seven seemingly eligible men, Samuel still hasn't anointed the king, and wonders if there are any other sons. The youngest one, David, was out tending the sheep. He wasn't even considered by his own family!

Of course, he is the one that is anointed the new King of Israel, and the Spirit of the Lord was powerfully upon him from that day on.

In Luke, we see the tax collector Levi, at work (just like the fishermen from a previous day), and Jesus comes and tells him to be his follower. And, just like the fishermen, he gets up, leaves everything, and follows Jesus.

Later on, Levi invites his tax collector friends over for dinner with Jesus as the guest of honor. This caused some to question Jesus, because tax collectors weren't exactly known for being honest, godly people. Why would he choose to spend time eating with all these sinners?

But Jesus says to them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

God called David, a young shepherd to be the king of Israel. Jesus called Levi, a sinful tax collector to be his disciple. 

Why do you suppose the Lord works with the most unexpected people? How have you seen him equip you or others in unexpected ways?

Prayer:
O God, you prepared your disciples for the coming of the
Spirit through the teaching of your Son Jesus Christ: Make
the hearts and minds of your servants ready to receive the
blessing of the Holy Spirit, that they may be filled with the
strength of his presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.