Thursday, November 7, 2013

Psalm 24

¹ The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it;
² for he founded it on the seas
    and established it on the waters.

³ Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
    Who may stand in his holy place?
⁴ The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
    who does not trust in an idol
    or swear by a false god.[a]

⁵ They will receive blessing from the Lord
    and vindication from God their Savior.
⁶ Such is the generation of those who seek him,
    who seek your face, God of Jacob.

⁷ Lift up your heads, you gates;
    be lifted up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
⁸ Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord strong and mighty,
    the Lord mighty in battle.
⁹ Lift up your heads, you gates;
    lift them up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
¹⁰ Who is he, this King of glory?
    The Lord Almighty—
    he is the King of glory.

 Reflection

A disciple is  grateful. It may seem odd but gratefulness is different from thankfulness, yet both are essential. Thankfulness is the cordial response to a favor done. It is the affirmation when things go our way. It is the hooray after a blessing. Gratefulness, however, is different. It can only be developed intentionally. It begins with one’s spirit. It’s an attitude, a disposition that we practice whether or not things go our way. Gratefulness is a hallelujah even when there is no guarantee of a blessing.  It is the confidence to accept whatever God brings. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being very grateful and 1 being not very grateful, what is the level of your gratefulness?

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

2 Corinthians 8:1-5

¹And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. ² In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. ³ For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, ⁴ they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. ⁵ And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

Reflection

Disciples are generous. Disciples give whatever is needed when it is needed. How do you give (more than just financially) back to God? What legacy do you want to leave (meaning what things do you want to ensure are around for your children and grandchildren)? 

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Philippians 4:10-13

¹⁰ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Reflection

A disciple is content.  Our society and our economy is driven by a culture that we always need  something bigger and better. Disciples acknowledge that their strength comes from God through whom they can do all things regardless of how little or how much  they have. How can adopting the attitude of Paul, which is that God provides all we need, help us break the pull of culture and be content with what God has given us? Take time now to thank God for all that He has given you.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Matthew 25:31-40
³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Reflection

A disciple is compassionate. Disciples are caretakers and caregivers. They concern themselves with the distribution of gifts and resources so that all might benefit. How have you cared for Jesus by taking care of the lonely, lost, and least? How can you live your life as a compassionate disciple? 

Weekly theme November 3 through 9

Breaking our Bonds

 “I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up and thrown into the fire and burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you.  This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

-John 15:5-8

Here is a truth: Jesus does not want you to live your life in bondage.  Jesus wants you to be set free.  When we think about the things that keep us from living the way Christ has called us to live most of those things fall into the category of sin or are the results of sin.  So, if we are to be set free from the things that hold us captive then we need a way to deal with sin and the results of sin.  The things that hold us in bondage may not be our sin or the results of our sin. Our bondage may be related to someone else’s sin.

Here is another truth: Jesus came into this world with the singular mission of dealing with humanity’s sin problem and restoring our relationship with God.  To put it another way Jesus came into the world to set us free from sin as well as the results of sin that restrict us and hold us in captivity. Jesus has called us to bear fruit by being His disciples. Over the next two weeks we are going to look at some attributes of being a disciple that will help us break free from our bonds and answer God’s call in our lives.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Matthew 11:28-30

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Reflection

E=Experience the Holy Spirit

When we experience life with God we enjoy the “easy yoke” and “light burden” that Jesus offers in your day-to-day life. Each day we can grow in confidence and courage as we are experiencing life with God.  Because upon looking back, you will see how the hand of the Lord was really with you and at work accomplishing more than you could’ve done on your own. The Holy Spirit is the power of God within us. Have you ever had a time that God’s strength helped you through? Take time now to give God thanks for helping you and continuing to strengthen you on your journey.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Psalm 63:1-5

¹ You, God, are my God,
    earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
    my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
    where there is no water.

² I have seen you in the sanctuary
    and beheld your power and your glory.
³ Because your love is better than life,
    my lips will glorify you.
⁴ I will praise you as long as I live,
    and in your name I will lift up my hands.
⁵ I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

Reflection

D=Devoted to God

Devotion to God is not just an emotion or impulse that comes and goes. It’s the soul’s longing for more and more of God to love him more and to experience him more. We cry out for God because we need his love to cover our sins, heal our hurts, and empower us to overcome our

struggles. What do you need God’s love for today?