Thursday, July 11, 2013

Ephesians 5:18-20

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Galatians 5:22-25

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its

passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the

Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Reflection

Look at both of our scriptures today. According to these passages, when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, what traits will be evident in our lives? Give some practical examples of what this might look like in your life and in the life of the church.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

 Matthew 18:20

²⁰ For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.

Jeremiah 23:23-24

²³ “Am I only a God nearby,”
declares the Lord,
    “and not a God far away?
²⁴ Who can hide in secret places
    so that I cannot see them?”
declares the Lord.
    “Do not I fill heaven and earth?”
declares the Lord.

James 4:8-9

⁸ Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹ Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Reflection

Our scriptures today talk about the very nature of God’s relationship with us. One attribute of God is revealed in our scripture from Jeremiah. This is that God is Omnipresent. Meaning that God is everywhere at all times.  With this being a key attribute of God, look at the other two

scriptures and think about what it means to seek the presence of God?

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

1 Corinthians 3:10-17

¹⁰ By the grace God has given me, I laid a

foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. ¹⁴ If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. ¹⁶ Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? ¹⁷ If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that

temple.

 Reflection

Today we remember that all things we build, especially the church, should be built on one foundation Jesus Christ. The point to all that we do personally and as the church should be focused on being in the presence of God in Jesus Christ. Now answer honestly. This is your journal. Have you ever been more concerned about how the church is run than about experiencing God’s presence? Explain.

Monday, July 8, 2013

Galatians 5:22-25
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

 Reflection

Our scripture today is quite commonly referred to as the fruit of the Spirit. Although we sometimes think that this should be the fruits of the Spirit. When we think of all of these as separate it seems as if we can pick which fruits we have and don’t. The truth is that these are all the signs of fruit; singular. Reread the scripture. How do you see the fruit of the Spirit in your life? How do you see the fruit of the Spirit in the life of our church?

Weekly Theme July 7 through July 13

Hungers for the Presence of God
Click Here to Listen to Pastor Mark's Sermon

“…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

—Hebrews 12:1b-2

This week we begin a sermon series that is going to highlight the kind of church that heaven applauds.  In other words, what kind of church makes all of heaven rejoice and give thanks to God for its mission and ministry?  The answer to that question is what we are going to discover as we progress through this sermon series. 

We will see that when a church hungers for the presence of God through glorifying Jesus that heaven applauds and affirms that desire.  What does it mean to hunger for the presence of God?  It means this, nothing more or nothing less.  Our hearts say, “Give me more of Jesus.  No matter what I have to do.  No matter what I have to sacrifice.  Just give me more of Jesus.”  That’s what it means to hunger after the presence of God.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Psalm 119:33-48

³³ Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,
    that I may follow it to the end.
³⁴ Give me understanding, so that I may keep   

    your law and obey it with all my heart.
³⁵ Direct me in the path of your commands,
    for there I find delight.
³⁶ Turn my heart toward your statutes
    and not toward selfish gain.
³⁷ Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
    preserve my life according to your word
³⁸ Fulfill your promise to your servant,
    so that you may be feared.
³⁹ Take away the disgrace I dread,
    for your laws are good.
⁴⁰ How I long for your precepts!
    In your righteousness preserve my life.

⁴¹ May your unfailing love come to me, Lord,
    your salvation, according to your promise;
⁴² then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
    for I trust in your word.
⁴³ Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
    for I have put my hope in your laws.
⁴⁴ I will always obey your law,
    for ever and ever.
⁴⁵ I will walk about in freedom,
    for I have sought out your precepts.
⁴⁶ I will speak of your statutes before kings
    and will not be put to shame,
⁴⁷ for I delight in your commands
    because I love them.
⁴⁸ I reach out for your commands, which I love,
    that I may meditate on your decrees.

Reflection

The continuation of Psalm 119 is much like our reading yesterday. This time reread the Psalm and find a phrase or request that speaks to you  and let it be your prayer to God.

Friday, July 5, 2013

Psalm 119:9-24

⁹ How can a young person stay on the path

   of purity? By living according to your word.
¹⁰ I seek you with all my heart;
    do not let me stray from your commands.
¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart
    that I might not sin against you.
¹² Praise be to you, Lord;
    teach me your decrees.
¹³ With my lips I recount
    all the laws that come from your mouth.
¹⁴ I rejoice in following your statutes
    as one rejoices in great riches.
¹⁵ I meditate on your precepts
    and consider your ways.
¹⁶ I delight in your decrees;
    I will not neglect your word.

¹⁷ Be good to your servant while I live,
    that I may obey your word.
¹⁸ Open my eyes that I may see
    wonderful things in your law.
¹⁹ I am a stranger on earth;
    do not hide your commands from me.
²⁰ My soul is consumed with longing
    for your laws at all times.
²¹ You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,
    those who stray from your commands.
²² Remove from me their scorn and contempt,
    for I keep your statutes.
²³ Though rulers sit together and slander me,
    your servant will meditate on your decrees.
²⁴ Your statutes are my delight;
    they are my counselors.

 Reflection

This segment of Psalm 119 echoes the argument of Psalm 1 that we read on Monday. The Word of God is the best instruction we have to walk in the path of the righteous. The Psalmist makes a number of petitions to God all referring to being taught and guided by God’s Word.  Reread this entire segment. Are there words or phrases that speak to you? Why?