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Tuesday, November 30, 2004
How Is It With Your Spirit? What's cooler than bein' cool?
Good day dear friends. It's early on Tuesday and the rains are
pouring here in San Marcos yet again. I keep thinking some little
old man with a long beard, long flowing robes, and staff in hand
will come by the neighborhood asking for seven pairs of clean
animals, two pairs of unclean. He'll have no problem with finding
deer in this part of town.
Let's begin with prayer. Lord, thank you for today. How awesome it is to have this time to be with You in silence and meditation. You know my needs as I begin this time of study. So, You do the talking through Your Word and through what Your Spirit will share as I read these words. Make me truly be the person I need to be to more faithfully serve You. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
As we continue with the top ten list of directions for Christians
from Romans 12:11-14, we come to number two: How is it with your
spirit? Red-hot? Or Ice-Cold? Here is our study guide:
Tuesday: In the last book of the Bible we find the Book of
Revelation. Let's go to chapter 3:14-22. What can we read there
about having a spirit that is either red-hot or ice-cold. What is
worse than either of those? Read verse 16 again. What will the
Lord do to those who possess neither hot nor cold spirits?
From the NRSV: Rev. 3:14-22:
14 "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of
the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God's
creation: 15 "I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I
wish that you were either cold or hot. 16 So, because you are
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my
mouth. 17 For you say, "I am rich, I have prospered, and I need
nothing.' You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor,
blind, and naked. 18 Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold
refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe
you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and
salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19 I reprove and
discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent. 20
Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice
and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you
with me. 21 To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on
my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on
his throne. 22 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit
is saying to the churches."
This is the chapter best known for verse 20: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." That's in King James how I first learned it. Yet, the chapter begins with a somber note. Addressing the church in Laodicea, Jesus wants to know why the works of that church were the way they were. He says that he wishes our works were either cold or hot. Lukewarm is what he cannot stand and using graphic language shares the consequences of what happens to those works that are lukewarm. For today's title I couldn't help but quote a line from Outkast's hit, "Hey Ya." Outkast is a musical group. My daughters listen to them and as a consequence, so do I. But the line that I found funny was when they asked, "What's cooler than bein' cool?" The singer would ask that question and someone would answer back, "Ice cold!" And just in case we didn't hear it, he would say, "I can't hear ya" and ask the question again, and get the same answer.
While being "ice cold" is cooler than being cool in whatever sense or fashion for Outkast, for the things of the Lord, isn't "cool." In fact, it is a turn off. Not as bad as being lukewarm, but it is not where God would love to have us. I mentioned Sunday that one of the evangelism professors at Asbury-Orlando, loves to ask any student that he can, "How is it with your spirit?" I shared how I was, at our last board meeting, a recipient of that question as well. And it reminded me of John Wesley's weekly question to the early Methodists, "How is it with your soul?" What kind of accountability are you having with yourself? Are you in a reunion group or small group that allows you to reflect on your spirit? If not, you really should be. In a few hours I will be meeting with my Tuesday morning Emmaus reunion group and we'll ask those questions that call us to account for our spirits: What moment this past week did we feel closest to Christ? What was our call to discipleship? When did we feel we were being the "heartbeat of the church?" When did we deny our discipleship? Some weeks those are easy questions, others they're tougher.
I ask us again. How is it with our spirit? Are they easily dampened? (Rain keep you home on Sundays?) Or are you fired up for Christ?
PRAYER: Father, we thank you for all that comes our way that allows us to grow. Let me truly take a serious accounting of what is Yours for me today. Let my spirit be set on fire with love and passion for You and Your people. use me today, dear God. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Go out and be set on fire and let that fire be the light of the world for folks! You can even sing "This Little Light of Mine" again!
Have a blessed day!
e.v.
pouring here in San Marcos yet again. I keep thinking some little
old man with a long beard, long flowing robes, and staff in hand
will come by the neighborhood asking for seven pairs of clean
animals, two pairs of unclean. He'll have no problem with finding
deer in this part of town.
Let's begin with prayer. Lord, thank you for today. How awesome it is to have this time to be with You in silence and meditation. You know my needs as I begin this time of study. So, You do the talking through Your Word and through what Your Spirit will share as I read these words. Make me truly be the person I need to be to more faithfully serve You. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
As we continue with the top ten list of directions for Christians
from Romans 12:11-14, we come to number two: How is it with your
spirit? Red-hot? Or Ice-Cold? Here is our study guide:
Tuesday: In the last book of the Bible we find the Book of
Revelation. Let's go to chapter 3:14-22. What can we read there
about having a spirit that is either red-hot or ice-cold. What is
worse than either of those? Read verse 16 again. What will the
Lord do to those who possess neither hot nor cold spirits?
From the NRSV: Rev. 3:14-22:
14 "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of
the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God's
creation: 15 "I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I
wish that you were either cold or hot. 16 So, because you are
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my
mouth. 17 For you say, "I am rich, I have prospered, and I need
nothing.' You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor,
blind, and naked. 18 Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold
refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe
you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and
salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19 I reprove and
discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent. 20
Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice
and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you
with me. 21 To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on
my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on
his throne. 22 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit
is saying to the churches."
This is the chapter best known for verse 20: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." That's in King James how I first learned it. Yet, the chapter begins with a somber note. Addressing the church in Laodicea, Jesus wants to know why the works of that church were the way they were. He says that he wishes our works were either cold or hot. Lukewarm is what he cannot stand and using graphic language shares the consequences of what happens to those works that are lukewarm. For today's title I couldn't help but quote a line from Outkast's hit, "Hey Ya." Outkast is a musical group. My daughters listen to them and as a consequence, so do I. But the line that I found funny was when they asked, "What's cooler than bein' cool?" The singer would ask that question and someone would answer back, "Ice cold!" And just in case we didn't hear it, he would say, "I can't hear ya" and ask the question again, and get the same answer.
While being "ice cold" is cooler than being cool in whatever sense or fashion for Outkast, for the things of the Lord, isn't "cool." In fact, it is a turn off. Not as bad as being lukewarm, but it is not where God would love to have us. I mentioned Sunday that one of the evangelism professors at Asbury-Orlando, loves to ask any student that he can, "How is it with your spirit?" I shared how I was, at our last board meeting, a recipient of that question as well. And it reminded me of John Wesley's weekly question to the early Methodists, "How is it with your soul?" What kind of accountability are you having with yourself? Are you in a reunion group or small group that allows you to reflect on your spirit? If not, you really should be. In a few hours I will be meeting with my Tuesday morning Emmaus reunion group and we'll ask those questions that call us to account for our spirits: What moment this past week did we feel closest to Christ? What was our call to discipleship? When did we feel we were being the "heartbeat of the church?" When did we deny our discipleship? Some weeks those are easy questions, others they're tougher.
I ask us again. How is it with our spirit? Are they easily dampened? (Rain keep you home on Sundays?) Or are you fired up for Christ?
PRAYER: Father, we thank you for all that comes our way that allows us to grow. Let me truly take a serious accounting of what is Yours for me today. Let my spirit be set on fire with love and passion for You and Your people. use me today, dear God. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Go out and be set on fire and let that fire be the light of the world for folks! You can even sing "This Little Light of Mine" again!
Have a blessed day!
e.v.
Monday, November 29, 2004
How's Your Zeal Level Today?
Good Monday friends. I trust this finds everyone back home and back
ready for the weekly grind.
As we start this morning we'll start with prayer.
Gracious and loving Father, we start this day with prayer. Come to
us as we prayerfully look at your Word. May we be blessed with
wisdom and knowledge as we seek to find You. Speak to us, and let
us let You have the last word in all things. We pray in Jesus'
name. Amen.
Yesterday we entered Advent using the Lectionary scriptures
recommended for this season. Using the Romans text of Romans 12:11-
14, we studied The Top Ten Directions for Christians. Number One was
to never lose our zeal for the Lord thus our study guide for today:
Monday: The dictionary defines zeal as "eagerness and ardent
interest in pursuit of something." It also lists similar words
as "fervor" and "passion." I know some days, especially Mondays are
days that we just can't get excited about much of anything, but with
the Lord with us that should be excitement enough. Let's start the
work week with an eagerness and ardent interest in pursuing God's
will and blessing for our lives. Let's read Romans 10 and see how
the word "zeal" is used there and what it could say to our lives
today.
Here is Romans 10: (The version used is The Message)
1 Believe me, friends, all I want for Israel is what's best for
Israel: salvation, nothing less. I want it with all my heart and
pray to God for it all the time. 2 I readily admit that the Jews are
impressively energetic (zeal) regarding God - but they are doing
everything exactly backwards. 3 They don't seem to realize that this
comprehensive setting-things-right that is salvation is God's
business, and a most flourishing business it is. Right across the
street they set up their own salvation shops and noisily hawk their
wares. After all these years of refusing to really deal with God on
his terms, insisting instead on making their own deals, they have
nothing to show for it. 4 The earlier revelation was intended simply
to get us ready for the Messiah, who then puts everything right for
those who trust him to do it. 5 Moses wrote that anyone who insists
on using the law code to live right before God soon discovers it's
not so easy - every detail of life regulated by fine print! 6 But
trusting God to shape the right living in us is a different story -
no precarious climb up to heaven to recruit the Messiah, 7 no
dangerous descent into hell to rescue the Messiah. 8 So what exactly
was Moses saying? The word that saves is right here, as near as the
tongue in your mouth, as close as the heart in your chest. 9 Say the
welcoming word to God - "Jesus is my Master" - embracing, body and
soul, God's work of doing in us what he did in raising Jesus from
the dead. That's it. You're not "doing" anything; you're simply
calling out to God, trusting him to do it for you. That's salvation.
10 With your whole being you embrace God setting things right, and
then you say it, right out loud: "God has set everything right
between him and me!" 11 Scripture reassures us, "No one who trusts
God like this - heart and soul - will ever regret it."
In this passage Paul is concerned about misguided zeal. Paul says
those whom Paul wanted to reach through the Gospel were the Jews and
their zeal was guiding them in the wrong direction. Their concern
was more on the list of "don'ts and do's" that they were missing the
power of God's love and grace. Paul is reminding them that they had all the
signs and revelations about God's love and yet they rejected Jesus.
We're guilty of the same thing so many times. We see the working of
the Lord in our midst and we know deep down inside that God is there
and yet we still wander off in the wrong direction. Our zeal gets
easily misdirected.
Let's make it our top priority today to rekindle our zeal for the Lord. It's all about getting excited about He who loved us first.
PRAYER: Loving God, we thank you for your zeal for us and we pray that our zeal for you can be something that inspires and blesses us and others. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
I invite you to continue your contemplation of today's study guide and to dig deeper for yourself in the Word!
Have a great day!
Blessings!
e.v.
ready for the weekly grind.
As we start this morning we'll start with prayer.
Gracious and loving Father, we start this day with prayer. Come to
us as we prayerfully look at your Word. May we be blessed with
wisdom and knowledge as we seek to find You. Speak to us, and let
us let You have the last word in all things. We pray in Jesus'
name. Amen.
Yesterday we entered Advent using the Lectionary scriptures
recommended for this season. Using the Romans text of Romans 12:11-
14, we studied The Top Ten Directions for Christians. Number One was
to never lose our zeal for the Lord thus our study guide for today:
Monday: The dictionary defines zeal as "eagerness and ardent
interest in pursuit of something." It also lists similar words
as "fervor" and "passion." I know some days, especially Mondays are
days that we just can't get excited about much of anything, but with
the Lord with us that should be excitement enough. Let's start the
work week with an eagerness and ardent interest in pursuing God's
will and blessing for our lives. Let's read Romans 10 and see how
the word "zeal" is used there and what it could say to our lives
today.
Here is Romans 10: (The version used is The Message)
1 Believe me, friends, all I want for Israel is what's best for
Israel: salvation, nothing less. I want it with all my heart and
pray to God for it all the time. 2 I readily admit that the Jews are
impressively energetic (zeal) regarding God - but they are doing
everything exactly backwards. 3 They don't seem to realize that this
comprehensive setting-things-right that is salvation is God's
business, and a most flourishing business it is. Right across the
street they set up their own salvation shops and noisily hawk their
wares. After all these years of refusing to really deal with God on
his terms, insisting instead on making their own deals, they have
nothing to show for it. 4 The earlier revelation was intended simply
to get us ready for the Messiah, who then puts everything right for
those who trust him to do it. 5 Moses wrote that anyone who insists
on using the law code to live right before God soon discovers it's
not so easy - every detail of life regulated by fine print! 6 But
trusting God to shape the right living in us is a different story -
no precarious climb up to heaven to recruit the Messiah, 7 no
dangerous descent into hell to rescue the Messiah. 8 So what exactly
was Moses saying? The word that saves is right here, as near as the
tongue in your mouth, as close as the heart in your chest. 9 Say the
welcoming word to God - "Jesus is my Master" - embracing, body and
soul, God's work of doing in us what he did in raising Jesus from
the dead. That's it. You're not "doing" anything; you're simply
calling out to God, trusting him to do it for you. That's salvation.
10 With your whole being you embrace God setting things right, and
then you say it, right out loud: "God has set everything right
between him and me!" 11 Scripture reassures us, "No one who trusts
God like this - heart and soul - will ever regret it."
In this passage Paul is concerned about misguided zeal. Paul says
those whom Paul wanted to reach through the Gospel were the Jews and
their zeal was guiding them in the wrong direction. Their concern
was more on the list of "don'ts and do's" that they were missing the
power of God's love and grace. Paul is reminding them that they had all the
signs and revelations about God's love and yet they rejected Jesus.
We're guilty of the same thing so many times. We see the working of
the Lord in our midst and we know deep down inside that God is there
and yet we still wander off in the wrong direction. Our zeal gets
easily misdirected.
Let's make it our top priority today to rekindle our zeal for the Lord. It's all about getting excited about He who loved us first.
PRAYER: Loving God, we thank you for your zeal for us and we pray that our zeal for you can be something that inspires and blesses us and others. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
I invite you to continue your contemplation of today's study guide and to dig deeper for yourself in the Word!
Have a great day!
Blessings!
e.v.
Friday, November 26, 2004
For The Beauty of the Earth, give thanks!!
Friday: This is our day of prayer and reflection. Let's use the
words of Hymn 92 as our prayer for today:
1. For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
2. For the beauty of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower,
sun and moon, and stars of light;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
3. For the joy of ear and eye,
for the heart and mind's delight,
for the mystic harmony,
linking sense to sound and sight;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
4. For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
5. For thy church, that evermore
lifteth holy hands above,
offering upon every shore
her pure sacrifice of love;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
6. For thyself, best Gift Divine,
to the world so freely given,
for that great, great love of thine,
peace on earth, and joy in heaven:
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise. Amen
Have a great day and a wonderful weekend!
See you in church!!
e.v.
words of Hymn 92 as our prayer for today:
1. For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
2. For the beauty of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower,
sun and moon, and stars of light;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
3. For the joy of ear and eye,
for the heart and mind's delight,
for the mystic harmony,
linking sense to sound and sight;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
4. For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
5. For thy church, that evermore
lifteth holy hands above,
offering upon every shore
her pure sacrifice of love;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
6. For thyself, best Gift Divine,
to the world so freely given,
for that great, great love of thine,
peace on earth, and joy in heaven:
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise. Amen
Have a great day and a wonderful weekend!
See you in church!!
e.v.
Thursday, November 25, 2004
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! GOD PROVIDES!!
Dear friends, our prayers from Nellie, the girls and I, for all of you on this very special day! Have a great and happy day! We're thankful for so much but more importantly for you.
As we pray this morning please remember those who don't usually have the meals that will be served in so many places today. Pray for blessings on the Hannah Circle of our church as they prepare the first ever Thanksgiving meal in our activities building. May God's presence be a blessing to all who prepare and participate.
Here is our study guide for today:
Thursday: THANKSGIVING DAY! Do this before eating! Or cooking!
Let’s go to Jesus today. Read Matthew 6:25-34. Write that down in your own handwriting as if God had addressed it to you. What is God’s message to you in those verses? Are you God-Fearin’ and God Respectin’ yet?
Matthew 6:25-34 reads in this way:
25 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O men of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. 34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day.
It becomes so easy on a day such as today to say that God provides. I heard on the radio yesterday that most people in the USA will gain at least two pounds just in the eating that is associated with this weekend. And even scarier is that from today until the 2nd of January, most folks in the USA will put on almost 12 lbs! That's a lot of food! And the focus on this day has been on the food. My sermon Sunday highlighted my feelings about the day when I was younger. I had a "list" of things that my mother had to fix or it wasn't "Thanksgiving." I was missing the point. Now, I'm not saying it's wrong to have such a list, most cooks love that folks admire and look forward to certain things, but when we fail to give thanks for whatever we have before on that table, it is not Thanksgiving. The focus should be on God and what God provides for us.
Jesus used the occasion of the Sermon on the Mount to share with all who would listen new ideas for living and folks must have said, "Wow, why didn't I think of that!" Jesus knew the fear on so many people in his day was about having enough just to get by and Jesus says, "God provides." Look around you to the nature. Look at the birds and how they eat. God provides. Look at the flowers and how they're clothed. God provides. What really should hit home with us is when Jesus asks us those questions that you know are more a statement: Aren't you worth more than they? And the answer is (read Psalm 8 again) of course!
The second part of Jesus' concern is how we fret about so many things even when we've heard God provides. I know some of us are wired differently than others but we still must ask like Jesus, what do we gain by worrying so much? The key Jesus adds, is seeking first the things of God and God's righteousness "and all these things will be yours as well." The first and more important things are the things of God. Those are what matter. Loving God, knowing that God loves us. Seeking to love one another. Seeking to serve and give as God has given us. These are the things of God. And wonderful things will follow. We can't outgive God!
Enjoy your meal today. Enjoy the company. Yell at the TV and scream your teams on to victory. But first, give thanks. Seek God and get ready to receive that which is so much better!
PRAYER: Father, we thank you for all that we always receive from You. For this day and its specialness, we are so blessed. We pray for those who today for the first time in their lives are without someone dear to them that your comfort would be with them. But for those who are still with us and who are new to our table, we thank you as well. We praise Your name and we thank you for Jesus. Amen.
Have a great day filled with joy and blessings!
e.v.
As we pray this morning please remember those who don't usually have the meals that will be served in so many places today. Pray for blessings on the Hannah Circle of our church as they prepare the first ever Thanksgiving meal in our activities building. May God's presence be a blessing to all who prepare and participate.
Here is our study guide for today:
Thursday: THANKSGIVING DAY! Do this before eating! Or cooking!
Let’s go to Jesus today. Read Matthew 6:25-34. Write that down in your own handwriting as if God had addressed it to you. What is God’s message to you in those verses? Are you God-Fearin’ and God Respectin’ yet?
Matthew 6:25-34 reads in this way:
25 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O men of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. 34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day.
It becomes so easy on a day such as today to say that God provides. I heard on the radio yesterday that most people in the USA will gain at least two pounds just in the eating that is associated with this weekend. And even scarier is that from today until the 2nd of January, most folks in the USA will put on almost 12 lbs! That's a lot of food! And the focus on this day has been on the food. My sermon Sunday highlighted my feelings about the day when I was younger. I had a "list" of things that my mother had to fix or it wasn't "Thanksgiving." I was missing the point. Now, I'm not saying it's wrong to have such a list, most cooks love that folks admire and look forward to certain things, but when we fail to give thanks for whatever we have before on that table, it is not Thanksgiving. The focus should be on God and what God provides for us.
Jesus used the occasion of the Sermon on the Mount to share with all who would listen new ideas for living and folks must have said, "Wow, why didn't I think of that!" Jesus knew the fear on so many people in his day was about having enough just to get by and Jesus says, "God provides." Look around you to the nature. Look at the birds and how they eat. God provides. Look at the flowers and how they're clothed. God provides. What really should hit home with us is when Jesus asks us those questions that you know are more a statement: Aren't you worth more than they? And the answer is (read Psalm 8 again) of course!
The second part of Jesus' concern is how we fret about so many things even when we've heard God provides. I know some of us are wired differently than others but we still must ask like Jesus, what do we gain by worrying so much? The key Jesus adds, is seeking first the things of God and God's righteousness "and all these things will be yours as well." The first and more important things are the things of God. Those are what matter. Loving God, knowing that God loves us. Seeking to love one another. Seeking to serve and give as God has given us. These are the things of God. And wonderful things will follow. We can't outgive God!
Enjoy your meal today. Enjoy the company. Yell at the TV and scream your teams on to victory. But first, give thanks. Seek God and get ready to receive that which is so much better!
PRAYER: Father, we thank you for all that we always receive from You. For this day and its specialness, we are so blessed. We pray for those who today for the first time in their lives are without someone dear to them that your comfort would be with them. But for those who are still with us and who are new to our table, we thank you as well. We praise Your name and we thank you for Jesus. Amen.
Have a great day filled with joy and blessings!
e.v.
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
My Daddy God
Good Wednesday everyone! The excitement is in the air for
tomorrow's feasts! We pray that all travel, baking, roasting,
frying, grilling, etc., be done safely. We pray the blessings of
the Lord for all.
As we continue to pray and reflect on what it means to be God-
fearing and God-respecting, here is our study guide for today:
Wednesday: Let's make this our day of action again. This whole
week should be about the awe and wonder of God. Here's something
really hard to do. Go to your garden or a public garden. Spend
some time beholding the marvel of God's handiwork. Study a flower.
Notice its color and texture. See if there is any smell in it for
this time of year. Then find the words of How Great Thou Art and
sing aloud the first stanza. Praise HIM!
A dear Christian brother of mine served as mentor in ministry and
his sense of awe for what God did and does in his life and in ours
never ceased to amaze me. We would be walking and he'd stop by some
flowers and he would say, "Mira!" (Look!) "Que cosas hace mi Tata
Dios." What marvels my Daddy God makes. And that dear friends is as
close as I can get to the translation. But he always referred to
God in that way in Spanish that was like Jesus' "Abba." Jesus like
my brother Pancho, had that awe about all things even those we
sometimes take for granted, like flowers in a garden.
Here are the awesome words to that national anthem of so many
Christians:
O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Let this day be a day of "awesome wonder" when we can stop and
consider all the works God's hands have made that can and do bless
us.
PRAYER: Oh God you are so awesome. Your handiwork is so visible in
all things and we pray that we stop being so busy about busy- ness
that we can stop and enjoy and truly say, "What wonderful things my
Daddy God makes!" We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great day! Be safe!
Blessings for a Happy Thanksgiving!
e.v.
tomorrow's feasts! We pray that all travel, baking, roasting,
frying, grilling, etc., be done safely. We pray the blessings of
the Lord for all.
As we continue to pray and reflect on what it means to be God-
fearing and God-respecting, here is our study guide for today:
Wednesday: Let's make this our day of action again. This whole
week should be about the awe and wonder of God. Here's something
really hard to do. Go to your garden or a public garden. Spend
some time beholding the marvel of God's handiwork. Study a flower.
Notice its color and texture. See if there is any smell in it for
this time of year. Then find the words of How Great Thou Art and
sing aloud the first stanza. Praise HIM!
A dear Christian brother of mine served as mentor in ministry and
his sense of awe for what God did and does in his life and in ours
never ceased to amaze me. We would be walking and he'd stop by some
flowers and he would say, "Mira!" (Look!) "Que cosas hace mi Tata
Dios." What marvels my Daddy God makes. And that dear friends is as
close as I can get to the translation. But he always referred to
God in that way in Spanish that was like Jesus' "Abba." Jesus like
my brother Pancho, had that awe about all things even those we
sometimes take for granted, like flowers in a garden.
Here are the awesome words to that national anthem of so many
Christians:
O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Let this day be a day of "awesome wonder" when we can stop and
consider all the works God's hands have made that can and do bless
us.
PRAYER: Oh God you are so awesome. Your handiwork is so visible in
all things and we pray that we stop being so busy about busy- ness
that we can stop and enjoy and truly say, "What wonderful things my
Daddy God makes!" We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great day! Be safe!
Blessings for a Happy Thanksgiving!
e.v.
Monday, November 22, 2004
Where is Your Awe Level Set?
Good day every one. I trust this finds all doing well. Monday sure was a rainy day wasn't it? Let's be in prayer for all who have to travel today and tomorrow in the rain. Remember DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS LOW WATER CROSSINGS! BARRICADES ARE MEANT TO KEEP US OUT AND AWAY FROM THE DANGER THE WATER POSES.
Here is today's study guide:
Tuesday: Proverbs 1:7 says something quite interesting about our attitude toward God. Notice the word we commonly associate with being scared. Look up that word in your dictionary and see how it can relate to your understanding of God and what God could be sharing with you.
Proverbs 1:7: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (NRSV)
Quite impressive words from the person considered by many, especially those in the Bible, as the wisest man who ever lived. To "fear" the Lord is the "beginning of knowledge." What a starting point. Fear in this case does not necessarily mean to be afraid of God. This is the "fear" that means to hold God with awesome respect. There's that word "awe" again. The same found among the first Christians in Acts 2 and that should be found among us. God was to Solomon and to the first Christians such an awesome being that all God had to share was received with that respect and appreciation that allowed it to bring great blessing to them.
It was in 1965 that this servant moved from the small town of Kingsville, Texas to the even-then huge Houston. The school zone in which I lived sent me to Sidney Lanier Junior High which had a pretty good band. I played the baritone and got in with no problem. We received an invitation to play at an Astros game in the newly completed Astrodome being touted as the 8th Wonder of the World! The word awe does not begin to explain the mouth-dropping experience of seeing this massive structure near to the equally impressive but now obsolete Colt .45 Stadium. To walk in to the world's first indoor airconditioned stadium was incredible. It left me with an image I will never forget. Such is the awe that we should see in that word "fear" when used to describe "fear of the Lord."
How do we receive our daily reading of God's Word? Do we reflect on it with awe and wonder? Or do we receive it with some skepticism? Jesus had it right when He spoke of our need to approach life and God with childlike wonder. If we do, Jesus said, we begin to understand the Kingdom of God is ours. We can enter in with amazement and glee and know that we belong. That my friends, is but the start of the journey with the Lord that the wise king called "knowledge."
PRAYER: God of the journey, allow us to travel with you with awe and wonder. Let us be open to new understanding of the joy that is ours when we declare ourselves to be yours. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great day!
Blessings,
e.v.
Here is today's study guide:
Tuesday: Proverbs 1:7 says something quite interesting about our attitude toward God. Notice the word we commonly associate with being scared. Look up that word in your dictionary and see how it can relate to your understanding of God and what God could be sharing with you.
Proverbs 1:7: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (NRSV)
Quite impressive words from the person considered by many, especially those in the Bible, as the wisest man who ever lived. To "fear" the Lord is the "beginning of knowledge." What a starting point. Fear in this case does not necessarily mean to be afraid of God. This is the "fear" that means to hold God with awesome respect. There's that word "awe" again. The same found among the first Christians in Acts 2 and that should be found among us. God was to Solomon and to the first Christians such an awesome being that all God had to share was received with that respect and appreciation that allowed it to bring great blessing to them.
It was in 1965 that this servant moved from the small town of Kingsville, Texas to the even-then huge Houston. The school zone in which I lived sent me to Sidney Lanier Junior High which had a pretty good band. I played the baritone and got in with no problem. We received an invitation to play at an Astros game in the newly completed Astrodome being touted as the 8th Wonder of the World! The word awe does not begin to explain the mouth-dropping experience of seeing this massive structure near to the equally impressive but now obsolete Colt .45 Stadium. To walk in to the world's first indoor airconditioned stadium was incredible. It left me with an image I will never forget. Such is the awe that we should see in that word "fear" when used to describe "fear of the Lord."
How do we receive our daily reading of God's Word? Do we reflect on it with awe and wonder? Or do we receive it with some skepticism? Jesus had it right when He spoke of our need to approach life and God with childlike wonder. If we do, Jesus said, we begin to understand the Kingdom of God is ours. We can enter in with amazement and glee and know that we belong. That my friends, is but the start of the journey with the Lord that the wise king called "knowledge."
PRAYER: God of the journey, allow us to travel with you with awe and wonder. Let us be open to new understanding of the joy that is ours when we declare ourselves to be yours. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great day!
Blessings,
e.v.
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Who Are We? (ConCafe for Monday, Nov. 22, 2004)
Good Monday everyone! I trust all are doing well and that your
preparations for this holiday week are going smoothly. Our prayers
to all who travel this week. May the Lord bless you and keep you as
you or loved ones travel.
This was the last Sunday was the last one in The Jesus Powered
Church. The sermon was based on Acts 2:41-47 and we talked about
the way the Lord has blessed us and how the Lord can bless us and
our churches.
Here's our study guide for today:
Monday: Let's turn to Psalm 8: 3-6. Read it aloud. Hear the awe
and wonder in David's voice as he turned to God to praise Him and
to
ask these very deep questions about life. Who is God in your life?
Do you hold God in awe and wonder? Do you ever stop to wonder about
what God is and can be doing in your life?
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon
and the stars that you have established; 4 what are human beings
that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? 5 Yet
you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with
glory and honor. 6 You have given them dominion over the works of
your hands; you have put all things under their feet. NRSV
One of the more modern versions has it this way (The Message) 3 I
look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous, your handmade sky-
jewelry, Moon and stars mounted in their settings. 4 Then I look at
my micro-self and wonder, Why do you bother with us? Why take a
second look our way? 5 Yet we've so narrowly missed being gods,
bright with Eden's dawn light. 6 You put us in charge of your
handcrafted world, repeated to us your Genesis-charge."
I pray that today God would be made more real in your life than ever
before. As I mentioned in the sermon may we never lose our awe and
wonder for what God does in our lives. And that we may indeed allow
the Lord to work in us and through us in all that we face.
PRAYER: Lord, we repeat the words of David as our words, "When I
look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the
stars that you have established; whp am I that you are mindful of
me, mortals that you care for us? 5 Yet you have made us a little
lower than God, and crowned us with glory and honor. 6 You have
given us dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all
things under our feet and we pray that you renew in us the awe and
wonder we need to appreciate Your presence in our lives. We pray in
Jesus' name. Amen
preparations for this holiday week are going smoothly. Our prayers
to all who travel this week. May the Lord bless you and keep you as
you or loved ones travel.
This was the last Sunday was the last one in The Jesus Powered
Church. The sermon was based on Acts 2:41-47 and we talked about
the way the Lord has blessed us and how the Lord can bless us and
our churches.
Here's our study guide for today:
Monday: Let's turn to Psalm 8: 3-6. Read it aloud. Hear the awe
and wonder in David's voice as he turned to God to praise Him and
to
ask these very deep questions about life. Who is God in your life?
Do you hold God in awe and wonder? Do you ever stop to wonder about
what God is and can be doing in your life?
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon
and the stars that you have established; 4 what are human beings
that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? 5 Yet
you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with
glory and honor. 6 You have given them dominion over the works of
your hands; you have put all things under their feet. NRSV
One of the more modern versions has it this way (The Message) 3 I
look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous, your handmade sky-
jewelry, Moon and stars mounted in their settings. 4 Then I look at
my micro-self and wonder, Why do you bother with us? Why take a
second look our way? 5 Yet we've so narrowly missed being gods,
bright with Eden's dawn light. 6 You put us in charge of your
handcrafted world, repeated to us your Genesis-charge."
I pray that today God would be made more real in your life than ever
before. As I mentioned in the sermon may we never lose our awe and
wonder for what God does in our lives. And that we may indeed allow
the Lord to work in us and through us in all that we face.
PRAYER: Lord, we repeat the words of David as our words, "When I
look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the
stars that you have established; whp am I that you are mindful of
me, mortals that you care for us? 5 Yet you have made us a little
lower than God, and crowned us with glory and honor. 6 You have
given us dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all
things under our feet and we pray that you renew in us the awe and
wonder we need to appreciate Your presence in our lives. We pray in
Jesus' name. Amen
It's a building!
First UMC-San Marcos, TX
Posted by Hello
Our resident theologian at First United Methodist is a two year-old by the name of Jake. Jake and his parents attend our Monday night Alpha Course and were walking by our beautiful sanctuary (church building) and Jake was in awe staring at the massive structure. Jake's dad, Ralph said, "Son, that's the church." Little Jake without having to think about it said, "No, it's a building!"
The Bible speaks of the church when Jesus is talking with Peter. Jesus has just given Simon Peter the name "rock" and said that upon this rock, he would build "his church." You and I are the church. Remember the little song with hand motions? Putting your two hands just so, with the two pointer fingers upward we would sing, "This is the church, this is the steeple, open the doors, here are the people!" The people are who make up the church. In faithful obedience to Christ and Christ's teaching and a life that reflects Christ's love, we become the church.
One of the most telling passages about that comes when the disciples are brought before the religious council of their day and upon questioning them the council concluded, "These men have been in the presence of Jesus." Can that be said of you? That your life reflects a "presence with Jesus?"
Prayer: Thank you God for beautiful structures that house your church. But thank you more for the people who live as Your church. We pray in Christ Jesus' name. Amen.
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