Psalm 50:1-6

Give glory to God always for He created all things. His power is infinite and judgement is unquestionable. The Father wants to be praised by His people in all
that they do and in return we are promised salvation.

Job 30:16-31

 Well isn't this a nice little passage...

I could never relate, I pray, to the life of Job.  His suffering is one of the most confusing stories in the Bible.  God holding him by the neck and throwing him into the mud is not the image of God that ever pops into my head.  But, I know that there are people that think that God is out to get them.  Those that read Job and can see themselves with the world smothering them.  Can the story of Job speak to them?  It sure gives me trouble...

Psalm 6

The times in my life when I have felt despair like this have been few and short-lived. I am lucky and I know it.

But from the few times when I have wept and cried out...I must admit to not feeling the assurance that the psalmist displays at the end of this Psalm. "The Lord has heard my plea for mercy, the Lord accepts my prayer." (v. 9)

My life is easy... and I find myself doubting whether or not God accepts my prayers. I don't doubt God's power. I doubt God's willingness to intervene - I question whether God will act on my behalf in the great vision that I cannot see.

The Bible is full of stories of people who suffer - and play their part in God's great plan...Job, Sarai, Dinah, John the Baptist, Paul, the man born deaf and blind (so that he may be healed by Christ to bring glory)....I feel like such a bit-player in this great drama.

This psalm amazes me. To know God's love so fully and to KNOW that the Lord accepts his prayer. My head questions whether I could ever stand in his shoes - wondering about God's "bigger picture". My heart longs for such assurance.

Readings for the week...

Monday: Psalm 6
Tuesday: 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1
Wednesday: Job 30:16-31
Thursday: Psalm 50:1-6
Friday: 1 Timothy 1:12-20
Saturday: Luke 19:41-44
Sunday: 2 Kings 2-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9

Psalm 30

God is deserving always of my praise. He has given me life and abundance and saved me
from myself. I am at times at odds with Him because by nature I want my will be done not His. This struggle will follow me all my days but in turning to the Father and letting go life's journey as the Psalm expresses is over filled with joy. I owe
all to a loving God and praise is how I start my day today. Alleluia!!!

Mark 3:7-12

This section ends with Mark's refrain:

But he gave them strict orders not to tell others about him. (Mark 3:12 NIV)

 I've heard thoughts on the Messianic Secret before; it was not his time to tell; he was humble and did not want to become a celebrity, etc.  Today, in the context of the passage where Jesus is amongst more people than he could handle, I wondered something else.  Perhaps, while he was on earth, he wanted people to find him on their own.  Obviously, despite the big secret, the word was getting out.  No one was charged with spreading the word, but the word spread.  There is something to be said about organic growth over the top down approach and there is also a lot to be said about seeing the man himself verses hearing it third hand.  "Do not tell them, I would rather them experience me for themselves while there is still time."

Matthew 26:6-13

I LOVE this verse!!! Can't believe I got it in the luck of the draw!

To me, this verse explains where Judas went wrong (highlighted by the fact that the Judas story is next).

Judas was the treasurer of the group. He saw the poor daily and provided for them willingly and generously from the coffers of Christ and his disciples. So when the Jewish leaders offered such a great sum to the treasury - and all he had to do was hand over the same Christ that had healed the sick and raised Lazarus from the dead - seemed like a bit of a no-brainer. I can hear Judas's thoughts: "An all-powerful Messiah won't be stopped by these silly Jewish leaders - he's bested them before - and think of the good we can do for those in need with 30 pieces of silver." Judas's actions make far more sense to me this way - than in a simple betrayal of the man he had willingly served and followed for years.

But today's scriptures are the key. Above ALL, we must serve and adore Christ. Above serving those in need. Above sacrificing for the good of others. When we find it easy to be "busy" serving those who ask for our help...we need to remember that singing Praise and giving thanks to God are more important. They can easily feel like "less" - that we should be DOING - but praising IS doing.

I LOVE these verses!

Readings for the week...

 Monday:  Matthew 26:6-13

Tuesday: Psalm 102:12-28

Wednesday: Mark 3:7-12

Thursday: Psalm 30

Friday: Acts 19:11-20

Saturday: 2 Kings 8:1-6

Sunday: 2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Mark 1:40-45

Luke 2:22-40

The Word made flesh is presented to the Temple to fulfill the laws of Moses. (v)40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. This is the beginning of our Savior's journey, a journey of inclusion for all who seek redemption. Through His saving grace we
all can be counted as God's chosen ones. AMEN!!!

Jeremiah 29:1-14

 Jeremiah 29:11 is a verse often quoted, although I did not know that until today.  In fact there is even a website www.jeremiah2911.com dedicated to it.

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'". (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

At Pr. Heidi's ordination, Pr. Niketh preached on the gospel where Jesus commands the evil demon to come out of someone.  The sermon focused on how we should try to imagine what God looks like when God is looking at us.  The demons of this world aren't the ones you see in movies like "Paranormal Activity" or "The Exorcist.".   The demons of this world are the ones that live inside us that tell us that there is no hope.  The ones that tell us that when God looks at us, there is shame and dissatisfaction.  God is not out to rebuke us and throw us outside the city gates.  No.  We are the Holy children of God.  We have, through the power of the resurrection, the ability to give hope and life to those who battle the demons within themselves.  Every Sunday, we hear these words:

"The Lord bless you and keep you--the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace." Numb. 6:24-26.

Go in peace, and serve the lord!