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SOUL
FOOD
February 3, 2008 Enlarge
Your Tents Isaiah
58:7-10 Transfiguration Sunday, when we reflect on the event when
Moses received Israel's laws and commands and encounter Jesus as the new Moses
on the mountaintop, is an opportunity to reflect on the important role of law
and obedience in the life of faith. The season of Lent begins this week; Jesus
was facing his journey to Jerusalem to suffer, die, and rise again when he took
three disciples to the transfiguration mountain. What we learn from the meaning
of law and obedience might direct the way in which we keep Lent and await the
Good Friday suffering and Easter resurrection of our Lord. Many today mostly ignore Lent and live no differently from
their habits during the rest of the year. Some, no doubt, still "find
something to give up for Lent." Most frequently mentioned is chocolate, a
favorite indulgence for many of us. Some try dieting. Some try to give up a bad
habit. Perhaps we might consider using Lent as a time to
"enlarge the site of your (heart's) tent"? The suggestion is based on
a verse from Isaiah assuring Israel that the people in exile will be delivered
and will prosper and increase in number (54:2). But if we think of our hearts as
being tents, the space of which is gradually enlarged, we have a metaphor for
growing in the grace of thanksgiving. What actions, what thoughts, what
readings, what reflection and contemplation of God's grace might contribute to
lengthening the site of the tent of a human heart? Such actions, thoughts,
readings, contemplation, and reflection could begin in Lent and need not stop
when Lent is finished. Prayer of the Week Holy God, you revealed your glory in the
transfiguration of your Son, Jesus Christ. Send your light and truth into our
hearts to lead us in your holy way. Pour out upon your broken world the peace
that ends wars and leads your people to share resources so they may rebuild
communities, heal the sick, feed the hungry, and house the homeless. Bring
healing in mind and body to all who suffer from illness. Be with all to whom
death draws near. We ask all these things, and whatever else you see that we
need, in the name of Jesus Christ, the transfigured one who is our Savior and
Lord. Amen. Scripture
Reading for the Week of February 3, 2008 Sunday, February 3
-
Isaiah
58:7-10 Today’s Thought A
servant's job is to do all he can to make life better for others - to free them
to be everything they can be. A servant's first interest is not in himself but
others … Servanthood is a loving choice we make to minister to others. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Monday, February 4
-
Matthew 17:1-9 Today’s
Thought Either
we take Jesus’ words to heart and change, or we listen but disregard them. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Tuesday, February 5
-
2 Peter 1:16-21 Today’s
Thought Lesson
2 We’re
not just looking for something to happen. We’re
looking for Someone to come! ********************************************************************************************************************************* Wednesday,
February 6
-
Exodus 24:12-18 Today’s Thought A
covenant puts no conditions on faithfulness. It is the unconditional commitment to love and serve. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Thursday,
February 7 -
Psalm
99 Today’s
Thought God’s
every act is a point of wonder for those God calls to participate in it. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Friday,
February 8
-
Philippians 3:7-14 Today’s
Thought If
Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me
to make for Him.
********************************************************************************************************************************* Saturday,
February 9
-
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Today’s
Thought Jesus is inviting us to
believe the unbelievable, receive the inconceivable and defeat,
not just cheat, the power of death. ********************************************************************************************************************************* ********************************************************************************************************************************* SOUL
FOOD
February 10, 2008 God’s
Gift of Grace Romans
5:12-19 Through Adam, we inherited sin and death. Through Christ, we
have been given grace and life. Through us, united with Christ, God continues
the work of redemption, one righteous act at a time. The gift of redemption far
surpasses the evil of sin. Some people cannot get beyond sin and death and their
own shortcomings in order to let themselves be carried forward by the uplifting
vision of salvation. It's as if they prefer to acknowledge their sinfulness
(perhaps because they anticipate more of the same in the future) rather than
affirm their redemption (and have to live accordingly). They cannot hear Paul
proclaiming: we all know about sin, both as sinners and as victims of sin, but
can you believe the salvation freely offered in Christ Jesus? You don't have to be a great sinner to appreciate the gift
God has offered each of us in Christ, but sometimes we all need a reminder.
That's what Paul did in his letter to the Romans and that's what Lent can do for
us. Lent is a time for deepening our awareness of the gift of redemption and for
embracing it more fully in our daily lives. On a personal level we can do this by making a conscious
effort to acknowledge the kindness and favors others show us (thanking a
neighbor who cuts my grass while I'm out of town or a coworker who pitches in
when I'm overextended). Every act of friendliness is both a reminder and a
continuation of the way God intended life to be. Recognizing this and affirming
it draws us deeper into the experience Paul described. On the other hand, when
someone offends us (by uttering a cutting remark or failing to carry though with
a commitment), we can renew the spirit of redemption by responding as God does,
with forgiveness and understanding. Prayer of the Week O
God of all creation, we praise you for the beauty and wonders that fill our
world. We thank you for entrusting your marvelous work to our care. When we act
like children of Adam and Eve and violate your design, you do not abandon us but
continually call us back to our destiny and renew us with your love and mercy.
We are in awe at your great gift of forgiveness and reconciliation, which
surpasses all our offenses and restores life and hope. We ask this through
Christ, our Lord. Amen. Scripture Reading for the Week of February 10, 2008 Sunday,
February 10
-
Rom 5:12-19 Thought for Today One
righteous act, united to the overflowing grace of Christ, can overcome many
sinful deeds, initiated by the sin of Adam.
********************************************************************************************************************************* Monday,
February 11
-
Matthew 4:1-11 Thought for
Today Every
temptation is an opportunity for us to draw nearer to God. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Tuesday,
February 12
-
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Thought for Today Adam
and Eve ate us out of house and home. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Wednesday,
February 13
-
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Thought for Today We
willingly repent because God's reconciliation has already embraced us. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Thursday,
February 14
-
2 Corinthians
5:20-6:10 Thought for
Today
Salvation
depends upon Christ's work for us, while rewards depend upon our works for
Christ.
********************************************************************************************************************************* Friday,
February 15
-
Matthew 6:1-6,
16-21 Thought for
Today
Living a transformed life means living at God’s direction with
grace-given capacity. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Saturday,
February 16
-
Psalm 32 Thought for Today God’s
mercies never dry up. His arms will always reach far enough to cover us. ********************************************************************************************************************************* *********************************************************************************************************************************
SOUL
FOOD
February 17, 2008 THE
MESSAGE OF THE CROSS 1
Corinthians 1:18-25 There is a story about a little girl who proudly wore a shiny
cross on a chain around her neck. One day she was approached by a man who said
to her, “Little girl, don’t you know that the cross Jesus died on wasn’t
beautiful like the one you’re wearing? It was an ugly, wooden thing.” To
which the girl replied, “Yes, I know. But they told me in Sunday school that
whatever Jesus touches, He changes.” That is part of the message of the
apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:18-20, "For the message of the cross is
foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the
power of God.”
Throughout the ages the
message of salvation has sounded foolish. Reason tells you that babies aren’t
born to virgin girls. Reason tells you that God doesn’t become flesh. Reason
tells you that Almighty God will not allow puny men to nail Him to a cross.
Reason tells you that when a man dies he cannot be resurrected back to life
again. None of that makes any sense. So people look at the cross as foolishness.
Some folks hold a different concept of salvation. Nobody is lost. Nobody needs a
Savior, because, in their thinking, everybody is going to heaven. So when it
comes to hearing about a cross—that’s foolishness.
There may be a lot of things that we don’t understand, but remember,
what God says is true. God accomplished that which was impossible when He went
to the cross and died for our sins. He did for us what we couldn’t do for
ourselves. I can’t explain it to you, but I know that it is true and that is
the invitation we offer. An invitation to stand by the cross, to see the one who
suffers and dies there, to submit to the God who says, "I don’t like your
sin, but I stand ready to forgive you. And to prove that I’m sincere, I’ll
pay the price, if you’ll accept it. I’ll grant you my pardon. I’ll forgive
you and love you for all eternity." Prayer
of the Week O
good and gracious God, you have called us as you called Abram and his household
- to go where you lead us and to trust in the promise of your blessing. Give us
a faith like Abraham's, that we may rely on the power of your promise and
continue to give you glory through the good deeds you accomplish in us.
Encourage those who struggle to understand your truth. Enlighten us and help us
carry out our deeds in your light. Keep our gaze on the one who was lifted up to
give us eternal life. Help us to love this world as you did, and to grace it
with deeds of service performed in the name of Christ Jesus. Amen. Scripture
Reading for the Week of February 17, 2008 Sunday, February 17
-
1 Corinthians
1:18-25 Today’s
Thought All
heaven is interested in the cross of Christ, all hell is terribly afraid of it, while
men are the only beings who more or less ignore its meaning. Oswald Chambers ********************************************************************************************************************************* Monday,
February 18
-
John
3:1-17 Today’s
Thought Faith
in Jesus means being unafraid to have one's deeds exposed to the light of God's
truth. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Tuesday, February 19
-
Genesis
12:1-4a Today’s
Thought Faith
is unutterable trust in God, trust which never dreams that He will not stand by
us. Oswald Chambers Wednesday,
February 20 -
Romans
4:1-5, 13-17 Today’s
Thought Faith
does not look forward or backward; faith reaches upward. *********************************************************************************************************************************Thursday,
February 21
-
2 Timothy 1:8b-10 Today’s
Thought He
came to pay a debt He didn't owe because we owed a debt we couldn't pay. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Friday, February 22
-
Psalm 121 Today’s
Thought The
person who fears God has nothing else to fear. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Saturday, February 23
-
Psalm 37:1-11 Today’s
Thought It is only fear of God that can
deliver us from fear of [humans]. John
Witherspoon ********************************************************************************************************************************* ********************************************************************************************************************************* SOUL
FOOD
February 24, 2008 Jesus
Still Makes House Calls Mark
1:29-34
Would Jesus be welcome at your house? Peter welcomed him. And he told him
that there was a problem. . Mark tells us that Jesus had been in the synagogue
in Capernaum where he cast a demon out of a man. After the service was over,
Jesus went with Peter, Andrew, James, and John to Peter’s home which was
apparently just a few doors away from the synagogue. When they came into the
home, Peter found that his mother-in-law was in bed with a fever. Luke’s
gospel, using medical terms, tells us that she had a “high” fever. This
indicates that Peter’s mother-in-law was in a life-threatening condition. If Jesus came to your house would he find a life-threatening
condition? Would he notice that someone is sick in body and mind? Would he
discover that you or someone in your house is depressed or distressed or
somewhat stressed? Would Jesus observe that your marriage is in trouble or your
family relationships are unhealthy? Would Jesus learn that you have financial
problems and your money’s funny? What would Jesus find at your house? None of
us is immune from trouble. All of us have problems. But look what Peter and the disciples did. They told Jesus.
When Jesus came to Peter’s house, they knew he came with all his power. They
knew that he had the power to fix the problem. They knew that he had the power
heal the sick, to calm the storms, and to cast out demons. When Jesus heard
about Peter’s mother-in-law, he merely touched her hand and the fever was
gone. Then he raised her from her bed and, without any delay, this generous
homemaker and gracious hostess began to wait on Jesus and the rest of her
guests. What an amazing God we
serve! The Lord is standing at your door. Will you be like the rich
man and turn him away? Will you value your stuff more than him?
Your stuff—you know—your time, your plans, your agenda, your pride.
You know you have problems, but your pride won’t allow you to tell somebody.
Your pride won’t let you admit that your marriage is in trouble, your family
is falling apart, you’ve made some mistakes and you’re paying for them now.
You won’t tell Jesus or anyone else. Or will you be like the poor man who
welcomed Jesus in. Because he opened his heart and his home to the Lord, God
blessed him. Invite Jesus to your house. He still makes house calls. Tell
him all about your troubles. And watch him fix things for you. Prayer
of the Week O
faithful and understanding God, you did not abandon your chosen people after
liberating them from Egypt. Even when they quarreled with Moses and complained
about conditions in the desert, you remained in their midst and sustained them
on their journey with manna from heaven and water from the rock. We believe that
you continue to accompany and nurture us on our journey through life. Deepen our
belief and help us to see the signs of your presence and support.
Amen. Scripture
Reading for the Week of February 24, 2008 Sunday, February 24
-
Mark 1:29-34 Today’s
Thought God
loves you. Personally. Powerfully. Passionately. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Monday,
February 25
-
Exodus 17:1-7 Today’s
Thought God
turns complaints to proofs. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Tuesday, February 26
-
Romans 5:1-11 Today’s
Thought If
we all received what we deserved, we would all be paupers. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Wednesday,
February 27 -
John 4:5-42 Today’s
Thought Worship renews the spirit as sleep renews the body. *********************************************************************************************************************************Thursday,
February 28
-
Psalm
95 Today’s
Thought You
do not test the resources of God until you attempt the impossible. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Friday, February 29
-
Psalm 119:169-176 Today’s
Thought A
well-read Bible is a sign of a well-fed soul. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Saturday, March 1
-
John 6:30-40 Today’s
Thought Jesus
invites us to come to Him for life. ********************************************************************************************************************************* ********************************************************************************************************************************* SOUL
FOOD
March 2, 2008 A Heart for God 1
Samuel 16:1-13
Who does God choose to accomplish his purposes? Does God choose the
“good” people that have got it all together? What does God look for when
choosing people to do his work? God does not choose people by the worlds
standards. God does not look at the outside packaging, rather God looks at the
inside. God uses one measuring stick above all others to choose people to
accomplish his plans, and it has nothing to do with anything on the list I just
mentioned. God is looking for people who love him and have a heart to serve God
without thought to what they will receive in return. How do I know? David is
perfect example that God is really looking at a persons heart to accomplish his
purposes.
God chooses “nobodies” by the world’s perspective, but they are
people who have a heart for God, they have been with Jesus, and God has filled
with his Spirit to accomplish his purposes, to do amazing things to shame the
wise so they must give glory and honor to God. David was anointed by Samuel to
be king but he did not become king for 15 more years. David matured and his
character grew as God gave David bigger and bigger task to accomplish. God
invites us to join him in the small assignments that test us and build our
character and faith. When we are faithful in the smaller projects God gives us
larger and larger task.
God is still looking for people to accomplish his purposes. When God
looks at your heart, and believe me he does, what does he see? Does God see a
heart which is sold out and on fire for him? Or is your heart cold and
indifferent to God? Or perhaps just lukewarm? Does your heart resonant with
God’s? Perhaps our first prayer this morning should be for God to perform
heart surgery, our heart does not beat for God, we must pray that we can all be
people after God’s heart. Prayer of the Week O
just and forgiving God, you have called us to be your people and to bear witness
to your love in our world. We confess that we often judge by appearances rather
than by looking into the heart. Forgive us for rejecting those who do not meet
our expectations or please our desires, for assuming that their shortcomings are
due to their own sin and failure, and for persisting in our private judgment
when facts and the testimony of others show the opposite.
We confess that we easily overlook those who are not like us and neglect
those who, we assume, have nothing to offer. Keep us mindful of your choices and
help us resist the temptation to judge. We ask this confidently in the name of
Christ Jesus. Amen. Scripture
Reading for the Week of March 2, 2008 Sunday,
March 2
-
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Today’s
Thought Character
may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones. Phillips
Brooks
********************************************************************************************************************************* Monday,
March 3
-
Psalm 23 Today’s Thought The
beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the
end of anxiety. George
Muller ********************************************************************************************************************************* Tuesday,
March 4
-
Ephesians 5:8-14 Today’s Thought A
Christian is a living sermon, whether or not he speaks a word. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Wednesday, March
5
-
John 9:1-17 Today’s Thought "Unbelief
puts our circumstance between us and God, but faith puts God
between us and our circumstances." F.B. Meyer ********************************************************************************************************************************* Thursday,
March 6
-
John 9:18-34 Today’s
Thought Some
people refuse to believe unless they see, and some refuse to see when they do
believe. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Friday,
March 7
-
John 9:35-41 Today’s
Thought What lies
behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within
us. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Saturday,
March 8
-
1 Peter 1:13-25 Today’s
Promise Live
for God’s approval rather than people’s approval. ********************************************************************************************************************************* ********************************************************************************************************************************* SOUL
FOOD
March 9, 2008 What to Do with Temptation Matthew
4:1-11 A three-year-old entered the kitchen when his mother was busy
elsewhere in the house. She had told him not to get into the cookies. But in her
absence he pulled a kitchen chair over to the counter and climbed up on it. Then
he took the lid off the cookie jar and had just gotten a cookie into his mouth
when his mother entered the room and demanded to know what he was doing. The
three-year-old looked at her with big, innocent eyes and said, "I just
climbed up here to smell the cookies, and my tooth got caught on one of
them."
Our Scripture lesson has a message for everyone of us who struggles with
temptation — for those who lose the big battles and those who lose the little
ones, for those who fail frequently and those who fail infrequently. The Bible
warns us to be aware of Satan’s tricks and wiles. We need to recognize
temptation for what it is and when it comes.
So what should you do? Recognize Satan’s voice when it whispers in your
ear. Don’t give in to his suggestions. Remember, it’s not God that prompts
you to do evil. There was something about the way Jesus handled the devil’s
temptations that was not only right, but effective. All of Satan’s temptations
were an attempt to get Jesus to stop trusting his Father and to depend upon
himself. Listen to these wonderful words from 1 Cor 10:12-13:
“Even if you think you can stand up to temptation, be careful not to
fall. You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can
be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to
escape your temptations.” So, just as Jesus turns away temptation, so do we.
We trust God when temptations come; we use God’s Word to fight them; we
recognize temptation for what it is; and finally, we never surrender. That’s
how we handle the struggle with sin. Turn away from temptation, and turn to
Christ. Trust in him, and we will never be put to shame.
Prayer of the Week Healer
of our every ill, through the power of your Spirit and the words of your Son,
you bring life to the lifeless and hope to the hopeless. You know our deep hurts
and needs - those things that drain life from our bodies and souls. Stir us by
your Spirit, that we may be strengthened in body. Blow through us with your
Spirit, that our souls may have new vigor. Give to all a sense of your perfect
love, that we may continue to be sustained in our lives of faith and devotion to
you. Amen. Scripture Reading
for the Week of March 9, 2008 Sunday,
March 9
-
Matthew 4:1-11 Thought for Today Have
you ever wondered why opportunity knocks once – yet temptation bangs on the
door constantly? ********************************************************************************************************************************* Monday,
March 10
-
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Thought for Today The
God who promises to revive the dead is the same God whose breath gave life in
the beginning. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Tuesday,
March 11
-
Romans 8:6-11 Thought for Today The
Holy Spirit glorifies Christ, and when the Holy Spirit works most, you do not
think about Him but you think about the Lord. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Wednesday,
March 12
-
John 11:1-3, 17-27 Thought for Today In the
resurrection, we have received God’s jubilant invitation to be resurrected
people, even in
this life. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Thursday,
March 13
-
John
11:28-44 Thought
for Today Religion can offer a burial service, but Jesus
offers new, abundant and everlasting life. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Friday, March
14 -
Psalm 130 Thought for
Today Courage is fear that has said its prayers. ********************************************************************************************************************************* Saturday,
March 15
-
Romans 6:16-23 Thought for Today Every Christian should be a striking likeness of
Jesus Christ. ********************************************************************************************************************************* ********************************************************************************************************************************* SOUL
FOOD
March 16, 2008 The Courage of Christ Matthew
20:17-19 How much courage do you really have? Courage means we know
who we are in spite of everything which seems to be against us, and because of
our courage we can face even those things which threaten to destroy us. Jesus
was a man of courage because He was willing to go up to Jerusalem and face the
things which were waiting on Him there. There were people and forces waiting
there to destroy Him. This was to be a real test of His courage. Matthew writes, "Then Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took
the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, 'Behold, we are going
up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and
scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles to
be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.'
"
Jesus was about to face the real test of His courage. But strangely
enough these are the moments for which He was born. These are the moments for
which He had been living. These are the moments which threatened to break Him,
but they are really the moments which would make Him. Because of that Jesus was
willing to face Jerusalem, knowing He was carrying out His Father's good will
and His Father would see Him through. In that He found His courage. So, let me something about Jesus’ experience which will
speak to our own experience, and our need of this kind of courage. When there is
no way out -- let God in. Jesus knew there was no way out, and He let God in. He
made the presence of God, serving God, obeying God the center of His life. When
we face situations where there is no way out, then we must prepare ourselves to
face what is before us. How do that? By letting God in. If we will let God in,
then all the things we do will be against the background of God's rule in our
lives. Whatever happens to us, we will know that God is in control of the
situation and us. &nb |
