God of all people, allow us to open our eyes to see as You see, with no partiality and no bias. Let us accept one another as You invite and accept us. This day brings more anxiety and worry about challenges and needs, but speak to us a message of love and hope. We pray a special blessing on families whose loved ones are about to be deployed to Iraq. We ask a blessing on all who are involved, especially children and normal citizens. Bring peace dear Father to all the earth. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Good day dear friends,
Tonight we start Wonderful Wednesdays again with our first Wed of the Month Meal and worship. The meal begins at 5:30 and worship is at six. Tonight's focus in worship will be on starting the New Year in the Lord. Everyone in the San Marcos area is invited.
Here is the recommended New Testament text for this week as we celebrate Jesus and His baptism.
From Acts 10:
34 Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all. 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
In seminary I took a course affectionately known as "Super Bible." It was a long course that spanned the whole academic year covering all of the Old Testament and New Testament. It was taught by two professors. And one of the requirements was to be assigned a text from the Bible to be reviewed in person with the two professors. No pressure. My text was from Acts. Chapter ten. The review went well as the professors did all the talking about this very powerful and important passage.
The early part of the chapter tells the story of a devout Gentile believer and giver. He believed in the Jewish faith. He had not yet heard the message of Jesus and in a vision is directed to learn more from Peter the disciple. THe way God works, God sends a similar vision to Peter, who in his trying to be a faithful Jewish Christian, was still adhering strictly to the belief that nonJews were unclean. Long story short: God shows no partiality. God invites all. Through Christ we receive forgiveness of sins and a welcome into God's Kingdom.
What are we doing that is different from that? Can we say that we have stopped showing partiality towards those different from us? Given our national mentality towards terrorism we're acting out of suspicion towards those different from us. We're far from where God would have us be.
What can we do? Where does it start?
It can start with me and with you. Reread the passage above and ask God to make us like God in knowing no difference and knowing no hatred.
PRAYER: Father, speak to us about love and about acceptance. Let us, like You, show no partiality. Let us live a life that invites and welcomes others into Your kingdom. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great day!
Blessings!
e.v.
