Monday, August 3 John 4:27-30 Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or, “Why are you speaking with her?” Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” They left the city and were on their way to him. This week we’re going to look at stories of strong women—women who are role models for any of us, no matter what our gender. Jesus had the courage to confront stereotypes—and in this story he confronted a stereotype that a Samaritan woman should not be spoken to by a Jewish man. The disciples came late into this story. Jesus and this woman had been talking for a while. We learn from the conversation that the woman was a Samaritan and that she had five husbands. Jesus shared that the man with whom she was living was not her husband. Jesus never judged the woman—but the assumption underneath the story was that she was sexually promiscuous. Whether she was or not is not shared. Jesus cared for this woman. He offered her living water - water that would spring up to eternal life. His message was not just for the elite of the world. He cared for her, no matter what her background. He was willing to confront a stereotype to help her. What stereotypes in the world about women do you think it’s important to confront? Please share. Tuesday, August 4 1 Samuel 1:12-18 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.” But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.” Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.” And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” Then the woman went her way and ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer 1 Samuel 2:1-10 Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies because I rejoice in your victory. There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly; let not arrogance come from your mouth, for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low; he also exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord ’s, and on them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked will perish in darkness, for not by might does one prevail. The Lord ! His adversaries will be shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the power of his anointed.” If you have the time, read all of chapters one and two in 1 Samuel. We learn about the strength of Hannah. Hannah was not willing to accept the words spoken by a man that she knew were not true. Eli had made an assumption about Hannah. His assumption was that Hannah was drunk. Hannah knew this was not true and told him. Hannah had the courage to stand up for herself despite a male in authority trying to bring her down. Hannah went on to have a son, Samuel. This was quite amazing as at the start of the story she wasn’t able to have children. The vision that Hannah shared in the first ten verses of the second chapter is an amazing vision that is relevant across time. Part of the vision is when the poor are lifted up from their status to be on the same plane as the rich and princes. It’s as if people who are homeless are given full love and mercy. We wouldn’t know of this vision unless Hannah had stood up for herself by speaking the truth to Eli. Who is/are a female(s) do you know who would speak the truth no matter what the consequences? Please share.

Monday, August 3 John 4:27-30 Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or, “Why are you speaking with her?” Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” They left the city and were on their way to him. This week we’re going to look at stories of strong women—women who are role models for any of us, no matter what our gender. Jesus had the courage to confront stereotypes—and in this story he confronted a stereotype that a Samaritan woman should not be spoken to by a Jewish man. The disciples came late into this story. Jesus and this woman had been talking for a while. We learn from the conversation that the woman was a Samaritan and that she had five husbands. Jesus shared that the man with whom she was living was not her husband. Jesus never judged the woman—but the assumption underneath the story was that she was sexually promiscuous. Whether she was or not is not shared. Jesus cared for this woman. He offered her living water - water that would spring up to eternal life. His message was not just for the elite of the world. He cared for her, no matter what her background. He was willing to confront a stereotype to help her. What stereotypes in the world about women do you think it’s important to confront? Please share. Tuesday, August 4 1 Samuel 1:12-18 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.” But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.” Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.” And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” Then the woman went her way and ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer 1 Samuel 2:1-10 Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies because I rejoice in your victory. There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly; let not arrogance come from your mouth, for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low; he also exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord ’s, and on them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked will perish in darkness, for not by might does one prevail. The Lord ! His adversaries will be shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the power of his anointed.” If you have the time, read all of chapters one and two in 1 Samuel. We learn about the strength of Hannah. Hannah was not willing to accept the words spoken by a man that she knew were not true. Eli had made an assumption about Hannah. His assumption was that Hannah was drunk. Hannah knew this was not true and told him. Hannah had the courage to stand up for herself despite a male in authority trying to bring her down. Hannah went on to have a son, Samuel. This was quite amazing as at the start of the story she wasn’t able to have children. The vision that Hannah shared in the first ten verses of the second chapter is an amazing vision that is relevant across time. Part of the vision is when the poor are lifted up from their status to be on the same plane as the rich and princes. It’s as if people who are homeless are given full love and mercy. We wouldn’t know of this vision unless Hannah had stood up for herself by speaking the truth to Eli. Who is/are a female(s) do you know who would speak the truth no matter what the consequences? Please share.

Monday, July 27 Isaiah 40:27-31 Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted, but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Yesterday Pastor Paul continued his summer sermon series called “Road Trip” by talking about being weary. We might have times when we are weary on our faith journey. Our weariness is more than just physical. We are spiritually tired. These verses from Isaiah are a marvelous response to being spiritually weary. The chapter signifies a significant break in the book of Isaiah. It was written for people who had been exiled. Great pain had happened to a great number of people. This is why chapter 40 starts out with the words, “Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.” God was sharing comfort in this chapter. Today’s verses share a response to being spiritually weary. The response is to continue to wait for the Lord. When we wait for the Lord and not give up, we have the possibility of having our strength renewed. To paraphrase the last part of verse 31, on our journey of faith we can run and not be weary, walk and not be faint. Waiting for the Lord is hard. It requires patience, faith, and the ability to hope. What does waiting for the Lord mean to you? Have you had a time when you were waiting for the Lord? What happened? Please share. Tuesday, July 28 Isaiah 43:22-24 Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob; but you have been weary of me, O Israel! You have not brought me your sheep for burnt offerings or honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings or wearied you with frankincense. You have not bought me sweet cane with money or satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices. Rather, you have burdened me with your sins; you have wearied me with your iniquities. When the people of Israel and Judah went into exile a rupture took place between God and them. This was a significant crisis of faith for the people. God addressed this crisis in these verses. God felt that the people had abandoned God. Despite all the warnings about what might happen if the people turn away from practicing their faith, the people still turned away. God felt that the people had grown weary of the divine. We can feel the pain of God in these verses. God was not a dispassionate observer of what happened in the world. To use a human term, God experienced emotions. God was sad. And God was weary of the people’s turning away from the divine. We read about this in the last verse. What are your thoughts about this passage? Please share. Wednesday, July 29 Isaiah 50:4-11 The Lord God has given me a trained tongue, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens, wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand in court together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty? All of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up. Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant, who walks in darkness and has no light, yet trusts in the name of the Lord and relies upon his God? But all of you are kindlers of fire, lighters of firebrands. Walk in the flame of your fire and among the brands that you have kindled! This is what you shall have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment. These verses are complimenting God for helping the servant (Isaiah) in reaching out to people who are weary. In Isaiah we read four passages that are described as servant songs. We can find them in Isaiah 42:1-4, Isaiah 50:4-11, Isaiah 52:13-53:12, and this reading. God did this by making the divine presence known. The servant had great confidence in God despite the weariness that had been experienced. The Lord God had helped the servant avoid being disgraced (verse 7). The Lord God had How helped the servant (verse 9). Because of these experiences the servant could encourage others to follow God. “Walk in the flame of your fire, and among the brands that you have kindled!” wrote the servant. The relationship brought significant energy! What are your thoughts about this passage? Please share.

Monday, July 27 Isaiah 40:27-31 Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted, but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Yesterday Pastor Paul continued his summer sermon series called “Road Trip” by talking about being weary. We might have times when we are weary on our faith journey. Our weariness is more than just physical. We are spiritually tired. These verses from Isaiah are a marvelous response to being spiritually weary. The chapter signifies a significant break in the book of Isaiah. It was written for people who had been exiled. Great pain had happened to a great number of people. This is why chapter 40 starts out with the words, “Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.” God was sharing comfort in this chapter. Today’s verses share a response to being spiritually weary. The response is to continue to wait for the Lord. When we wait for the Lord and not give up, we have the possibility of having our strength renewed. To paraphrase the last part of verse 31, on our journey of faith we can run and not be weary, walk and not be faint. Waiting for the Lord is hard. It requires patience, faith, and the ability to hope. What does waiting for the Lord mean to you? Have you had a time when you were waiting for the Lord? What happened? Please share.

Monday, July 20 Mark 9:14 When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them and some scribes arguing with them. This week we will do a Bible Study on the Scripture that was read this past Sunday—Mark 9:14-29. In this story we hear about Jesus healing a boy and the response of the father of the boy. We can also find the story in Matthew 17:14-20 & Luke 9:37-43a. We read more detail in Mark’s telling of the story than in the other two gospels. Jesus and his closest followers, Peter, John, and James had just come down from the mountain. They had a powerful experience in the story of the Transfiguration. The events were so powerful that Peter did not want to come down from the mountain. He wanted to stay to continue to enjoy the experience. But if Jesus and his closest followers had not come down from the mountain, this healing of the boy would have never taken place. When Jesus and his followers came upon this scene, a large crowd was arguing with the scribes. We are not told the details of the argument, but we can make educated guesses. The scribes were a group of people who were part of the religious establishment. Scribes were well educated. Their profession was to write down and study the Torah. We can infer that the scribes and the crowd had a disagreement or argument about faith. The scribes had a narrow view of who could be religious. Have you found yourself having an argument about faith? This argument would be more than a discussion—it was a passionate conversation where you disagreed with another person. What was the argument like? What was at stake for you in the argument? Please share. Tuesday, July 21 Mark 9:15-18 When the whole crowd saw him, they were immediately overcome with awe, and they ran forward to greet him. He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak, and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid, and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so.” The crowds were thrilled to see Jesus. They were overcome with awe and ran forward to greet him. Jesus was welcomed like a hero who was coming to rescue people. The problem of this story is shared in the verses we read today. A young boy had a spirit that was causing him harm. He couldn’t speak; when he was “seized,” he foamed at the mouth and ground his teeth and became rigid . (Mark 9:18) He was probably suffering from epilepsy. Mark and others did not have the scientific knowledge that you and I have access to now. They thought the boy had a spirit who caused these actions. The disciples were not able to heal the boy. But they could have. Imagine being the father of the boy and having to live with the seizures. It had to be oppressive. We might have had stories of living with the health concerns of our children. Do you have a story of responding to the health concerns of your children or a story of another adult responding to the health concerns of their children? Please share. Wednesday, July 22 Mark 9:19 He answered them, “You faithless generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.” The response of Jesus to the disciple’s inability to heal the boy is odd. Jesus criticized a generation of people for their lack of faith. He wondered aloud how long he was going to have to be with this faithless generation. To say that the general group of people seems harsh. But perhaps it was a prelude of the death of Jesus. Jesus was killed because of lack of faith; most of the disciples fled when Jesus was killed—another example of lack of faith. What Jesus said was true—the wider culture did lack faith. But the tone of his words was not consistent with the loving and compassionate Jesus that many of us have come to know. Jesus uttered almost the same words in Mark 8:12 when the Pharisees asked him for a sign from heaven. That response by Jesus seems more appropriate. He criticized the Pharisees for asking for a sign. What are your thoughts about this verse? Please share.

Monday, July 20 Mark 9:14 When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them and some scribes arguing with them. This week we will do a Bible Study on the Scripture that was read this past Sunday—Mark 9:14-29. In this story we hear about Jesus healing a boy and the response of the father of the boy. We can also find the story in Matthew 17:14-20 & Luke 9:37-43a. We read more detail in Mark’s telling of the story than in the other two gospels. Jesus and his closest followers, Peter, John, and James had just come down from the mountain. They had a powerful experience in the story of the Transfiguration. The events were so powerful that Peter did not want to come down from the mountain. He wanted to stay to continue to enjoy the experience. But if Jesus and his closest followers had not come down from the mountain, this healing of the boy would have never taken place. When Jesus and his followers came upon this scene, a large crowd was arguing with the scribes. We are not told the details of the argument, but we can make educated guesses. The scribes were a group of people who were part of the religious establishment. Scribes were well educated. Their profession was to write down and study the Torah. We can infer that the scribes and the crowd had a disagreement or argument about faith. The scribes had a narrow view of who could be religious. Have you found yourself having an argument about faith? This argument would be more than a discussion—it was a passionate conversation where you disagreed with another person. What was the argument like? What was at stake for you in the argument? Please share.

Monday, July 13 Read Numbers 11:10-15 This week we’re going to look at stories of people who were upset with God. On the surface this might seem to be a depressing topic—for who wants to learn more about being upset with God. But this topic does help us learn more about our own faith. We might have had times when we were upset with God. Hopefully these times don’t last and don’t make a long-term impact on our faith. In this story Moses was very upset. He was tired of dealing with the complaints of the Israelites. The complains were justified. They were tired of eating manna—they wanted to eat meat and not just bread. God became upset with the people because of the complaints of the Israelites. Moses became upset because God was upset. Moses was overwhelmed by the tasks that he thought he needed to accomplish. And he didn’t believe that he should be blamed for the complaints of the people. He didn’t conceive the people; he didn’t give birth to the people. The task of finding enough meat for people to eat was impossible. Moses recognized that he was not able to carry out the leadership tasks that were needed. He wanted to quit from being the leader. The good news is Moses didn’t stay in this place. Part of the reason is God answered the prayer of Moses. The Lord sent seventy people to work with Moses. Moses didn’t need to feel alone anymore. Have you had times when you were overwhelmed and took out your emotion on God? Please share.

Monday, July 13 Read Numbers 11:10-15 This week we’re going to look at stories of people who were upset with God. On the surface this might seem to be a depressing topic—for who wants to learn more about being upset with God. But this topic does help us learn more about our own faith. We might have had times when we were upset with God. Hopefully these times don’t last and don’t make a long-term impact on our faith. In this story Moses was very upset. He was tired of dealing with the complaints of the Israelites. The complains were justified. They were tired of eating manna—they wanted to eat meat and not just bread. God became upset with the people because of the complaints of the Israelites. Moses became upset because God was upset. Moses was overwhelmed by the tasks that he thought he needed to accomplish. And he didn’t believe that he should be blamed for the complaints of the people. He didn’t conceive the people; he didn’t give birth to the people. The task of finding enough meat for people to eat was impossible. Moses recognized that he was not able to carry out the leadership tasks that were needed. He wanted to quit from being the leader. The good news is Moses didn’t stay in this place. Part of the reason is God answered the prayer of Moses. The Lord sent seventy people to work with Moses. Moses didn’t need to feel alone anymore. Have you had times when you were overwhelmed and took out your emotion on God? Please share.

Monday, July 6 Exodus 15:1-18 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my might, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he cast into the sea; his elite officers were sunk in the Red Sea. The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone. Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power— your right hand, O Lord, shattered the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty you overthrew your adversaries; you sent out your fury; it consumed them like stubble. At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up; the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy said, ‘I will pursue; I will overtake; I will divide the spoil; my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.’ You blew with your wind; the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters. Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders? You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. In your steadfast love you led the people whom you redeemed; you guided them by your strength to your holy abode. The peoples heard; they trembled; pangs seized the inhabitants of Philistia. Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed; trembling seized the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away. Terror and dread fell upon them; by the might of your arm, they became still as a stone until your people, O Lord, passed by, until the people whom you acquired passed by. You brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your own possession, the place, O Lord, that you made your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established. The Lord will reign forever and ever.” This week we’re going to look at different prayers in the Bible. This is a prayer of praise that Moses shared after Pharaoh and his armies were drowned in the Nile. This is a prayer of someone who received something that was unexpected. Moses and his followers were most likely terribly afraid while being pursued by Pharaoh and his armies. Then God suddenly rescued Moses. Moses then shared this prayer of praise. Look closely at verses two and eleven. Read these verses over in your mind. Consider writing down these verses and reading them during your day. As you pray today, remember a time when you received something that was very unexpected. What are your thoughts about this prayer? Please share.

Monday, July 6 Exodus 15:1-18 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my might, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he cast into the sea; his elite officers were sunk in the Red Sea. The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone. Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power— your right hand, O Lord, shattered the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty you overthrew your adversaries; you sent out your fury; it consumed them like stubble. At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up; the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy said, ‘I will pursue; I will overtake; I will divide the spoil; my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.’ You blew with your wind; the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters. Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders? You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. In your steadfast love you led the people whom you redeemed; you guided them by your strength to your holy abode. The peoples heard; they trembled; pangs seized the inhabitants of Philistia. Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed; trembling seized the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away. Terror and dread fell upon them; by the might of your arm, they became still as a stone until your people, O Lord, passed by, until the people whom you acquired passed by. You brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your own possession, the place, O Lord, that you made your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established. The Lord will reign forever and ever.” This week we’re going to look at different prayers in the Bible. This is a prayer of praise that Moses shared after Pharaoh and his armies were drowned in the Nile. This is a prayer of someone who received something that was unexpected. Moses and his followers were most likely terribly afraid while being pursued by Pharaoh and his armies. Then God suddenly rescued Moses. Moses then shared this prayer of praise. Look closely at verses two and eleven. Read these verses over in your mind. Consider writing down these verses and reading them during your day. As you pray today, remember a time when you received something that was very unexpected. What are your thoughts about this prayer? Please share.

Monday, June 29 Exodus 13:17-22 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer, for God thought, “If the people face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people by the roundabout way of the wilderness bordering the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of the land of Egypt prepared for battle. And Moses took with him the bones of Joseph, who had required a solemn oath of the Israelites, saying, “God will surely come to you, and then you must carry my bones with you from here.” They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. The LORD went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day, to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. This past Sunday Pastor Paul began a new sermon series called, “Road Trip.” He is looking at different parts of a road trip to reflect on what we can learn about faith. In this story, the Israelites began their road trip out of Egypt. To call their journey a road trip might seem a bit trite. But this was the start of their long journey. What is interesting is that God was invested in their success. God was willing to provide direction to the Israelites. God went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Can you imagine what this must have been like to see a pillar of cloud lead you during the day and a pillar of cloud by night? Each of us is on a journey. And though we are not being led by a pillar of clouds or a pillar of fire, we are still being led. God wants to lead each of us. When have there been times that you have felt especially by led by God on your faith journey? Please share. (The week continues with additional daily readings and reflections.)

Monday, June 29 Exodus 13:17-22 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer, for God thought, “If the people face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people by the roundabout way of the wilderness bordering the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of the land of Egypt prepared for battle. And Moses took with him the bones of Joseph, who had required a solemn oath of the Israelites, saying, “God will surely come to you, and then you must carry my bones with you from here.” They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. The LORD went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day, to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. This past Sunday Pastor Paul began a new sermon series called, “Road Trip.” He is looking at different parts of a road trip to reflect on what we can learn about faith. In this story, the Israelites began their road trip out of Egypt. To call their journey a road trip might seem a bit trite. But this was the start of their long journey. What is interesting is that God was invested in their success. God was willing to provide direction to the Israelites. God went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Can you imagine what this must have been like to see a pillar of cloud lead you during the day and a pillar of cloud by night? Each of us is on a journey. And though we are not being led by a pillar of clouds or a pillar of fire, we are still being led. God wants to lead each of us. When have there been times that you have felt especially by led by God on your faith journey? Please share. (The week continues with additional daily readings and reflections.)

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Daily Devotions November 9 - November 14

Monday, November 9

Psalm 145

Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his host!

Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for he commanded and they were created.
He established them forever and ever;
he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

Praise the Lord from the earth,
you sea monsters and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and frost,
stormy wind fulfilling his command!

Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
Wild animals and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds!

Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and women alike,
old and young together!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
    for his name alone is exalted;
    his glory is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
    praise for all his faithful,
    for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!

Yesterday Pastor Paul preached about the act of praising God. This week in these daily devotions we will explore the last six Psalms. All of them, except for Psalm 145, start out with the phrase, “Praise the Lord.”

In his sermon Pastor Paul defined praise as extolling God for a quality of God. Praise is like thanks, but slightly different. In praise we are extolling what God has; in thanks we are extolling what we have received.

One important part of faith is acknowledging the qualities of God that are most important to us. It’s very difficult to praise God if we are not connected to the qualities or attributes of God that are most significant to us. What would be on your list of five qualities of God that are significant for you? If you have trouble identifying five, look at the qualities that are shared in this Psalm.

Once you have identified those five qualities, make them your prayer of Praise. “I praise you, God for qualities of God.”

For example, look at verses 16-18 in this Psalm. In verse 16 we learn that we praise God because God satisfies the desire of every living thing. Our prayer of praise would be, “I praise you that you satisfy the desire of every living thing.” In verse 17 we praise God because God is just in God’s way and kind in all God’s doings. Our prayer would be “I praise you that you are just in your ways and kind in all of your doings.”

Repeat that prayer over and over. Say it fifty times, maybe a hundred times. By repeating your prayer of praise repeatedly, our own spirit becomes centered. We are connected to God.

What qualities of God are most important to you? Please share.

Tuesday, November 10

Psalm 146

Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God all my life long.

Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortals, in whom there is no help.
When their breath departs, they return to the earth;
on that very day their plans perish.

Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is in the Lord their God,
who made heaven and earth,
    the sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith forever;
   who executes justice for the oppressed;
    who gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets the prisoners free;
   the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
    the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the strangers;
    he upholds the orphan and the widow,
    but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

The Lord will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord!

In this prayer, the writer of the Psalms shared quite a contrast between the vision of God and the vision of a leader.

Don’t trust leaders, we read in verse three, because leaders will eventually pass; their plans will come to an end.

In contrast we can trust God because God keeps faith forever (verse 6).

And, of course, the writer of the Psalm was not saying that people shouldn’t be involved in the political process or even distrust leaders. There wasn’t even a political process when this Psalm was written. What the Psalmist was writing about was the contrast between a human leader’s plans and God’s plan. God’s plan will endure much longer.

This Psalm shares a beautiful vision of what God does. We read that God cares for prisoners, those who are bowed down, the strangers, the orphan, and the widow. What are your thoughts about this Psalm? Please share.

Wednesday, November 11

Psalm 147

Praise the Lord!
How good it is to sing praises to our God,
    for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
    he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted
    and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars;
    he gives to all of them their names.
Great is our Lord and abundant in power;
    his understanding is beyond measure.
The Lord lifts up the downtrodden;
    he casts the wicked to the ground.

Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
    make melody to our God on the lyre.
He covers the heavens with clouds,
    prepares rain for the earth,
    makes grass grow on the hills.
He gives to the animals their food
    and to the young ravens when they cry.
His delight is not in the strength of the horse
    nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner,
but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
    in those who hope in his steadfast love.

Extol the Lord, O Jerusalem!
    Praise your God, O Zion!
For he strengthens the bars of your gates;
    he blesses your children within you.
He grants peacewithin your borders;
    he fills you with the finest of wheat.
He sends out his command to the earth;
    his word runs swiftly.
He gives snow like wool;
    he scatters frost like ashes.
He hurls down hail like crumbs—
    who can stand before his cold?
He sends out his word and melts them;
    he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.
He declares his word to Jacob,
    his statutes and ordinances to Israel.
He has not dealt thus with any other nation;
    they do not know his ordinances.
Praise the Lord!

Many beautiful qualities of God are shared in this Psalm. We can use them in our prayers of Praise. Look at verse three—God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Our prayer of praise would be, “I praise you God for healing the brokenhearted and binding up their wounds.” Look at verse six—The Lord lifts the downtrodden; [God] casts the wicked to the ground. “I praise you for lifting up the downtrodden and casting the wicked to the ground.”

It’s not surprising that a response to these qualities of God is singing. Twice we read how the writer of this Psalm wants to sing. Look at verse two, “How good it is to sing praises to our God.” Look at verse seven, “Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre.”

When we connect to the qualities of God that we most admire, our inner spirits are touched. We want to sing. Singing is an expression of praise.

Some of us might not identify ourselves as singers. But this doesn’t matter to God. What matters most is the energy that we express through our sounds. Make a joyful noise today!

Thursday, November 12

Psalm 148

Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his host!

Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for he commanded and they were created.
He established them forever and ever;
he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

Praise the Lord from the earth,
you sea monsters and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and frost,
stormy wind fulfilling his command!

Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
Wild animals and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds!

Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and women alike,
old and young together!

In this Psalm we read of the Psalmists desire for the various parts of the world to share praises to God.

This would seem strange if we read this Psalm in a literal way. But if we see the Psalm as a metaphor for praise it makes sense. The different parts of creation share beauty. In that beauty an expression of praise is shared. The sun and the moon share praise through their beauty; the mountains and hills and fruit trees along with wild animals and cattle, creeping things and flying birds share praise through their beauty.

We might have had moments when we saw something beautiful and gave praise to God. We might have praised God for the beauty of a sunset or the grandeur of a wide-open space. When we see beauty, we can understand how parts of Creation can share praise for God.

What are your thoughts about this Psalm? Please share.

Friday, November 13

Psalm 149

Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
    his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in its Maker;
    let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.
Let them praise his name with dancing,
    making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
    he adorns the humble with victory.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
    let them sing for joy on their couches.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats
    and two-edged swords in their hands,
to execute vengeance on the nations
    and punishment on the peoples,
to bind their kings with fetters
    and their nobles with chains of iron,
to execute on them the judgment decreed.
    This is glory for all his faithful ones.
Praise the Lord!

The experience of praise can lead people to create the world that God desires. We can see this connection in this Psalm. In verse four we read that God takes pleasure in the people of God; a verse later we read that the high praises of God can be in the throats of God’s people.

These experiences of praise can lead people to create the Kingdom. The writer of this Psalm shared this. The people of God are called to live with justice. To punish leaders who are not just; to find kings in fetters.

This might seem harsh, but it is really an expression of praise. It’s important, of course, for people to follow Jesus’ way of agape love. But our work in the wider community can be an expression of praise. Because we are so connected to God, we want to create the world that God desires.

What are your thoughts about this Psalm? Please share.

Saturday, November 14

Psalm 150

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty firmament!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his surpassing greatness!

Praise him with trumpet sound;
    praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
    praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with clanging cymbals;
    praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

This last Psalm is a crashing sound of praise. The writer of this Psalm encouraged people to praise God with many instruments. Praise God with trumpet and lute and harp and tambourine and dance and strings and pipe and clanging cymbals.

Can you imagine the sound of all this? This is the sound of praise.

When we worship, we are always looking to share praise with God. We use the modern instruments that we have. We praise God with guitars and pianos and drums and other instruments. We praise God with our voices.

The exuberance and spiritual energy of this style of worship will always be memorable. Just as this last Psalm is memorable.

What are your thoughts about this Psalm? Please share.

Daily Devotions November 2 - November 7

Monday, November 2

Deuteronomy 26:1-11

“When you have come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess and you possess it and settle in it, you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from the land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place that the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his name. You shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him, ‘Today I declare to the Lord your God that I have come into the land that the Lord swore to our ancestors to give us.’When the priest takes the basket from your hand and sets it down before the altar of the Lord your God, you shall make this response before the Lord your God: ‘A wandering Aramean was my ancestor; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and populous. When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labor on us, we cried to the Lord, the God of our ancestors; the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression.The Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders; and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O Lord, have given me.’ You shall set it down before the Lord your God and bow down before the Lord your God. Then you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house

This coming Sunday everyone will be asked to turn in their Estimate of Giving card. This week we will have the opportunity to read biblical passages about the giving of money.

At Chain of Lakes everyone is encouraged to participate in first-fruits giving. This is the idea that we give the first of what we have back. The idea of first-fruits giving comes from God’s teachings to the Israelites as they prepared to enter into the Promised Land. God wanted the people to remember that this land where they would live was a gift to them. God had given them the gift.

The people were to respond by giving the first fruits from the land. This was an act of stewardship. God owned the land—the people were to give back the first fruits of God’s.

In this story giving is an act of worship. The priest would take the gift and set it down before the altar of God and recite the recent history of the Israelites.

This is an inspiring way to give! God asks us to give in the same way. As you consider your financial gifts to Chain of Lakes this week, think about your gift as an act of worship. You are giving the first fruits of what you have back to God through the church.

What are some ways that you look at ownership? Is it hard to see that God owns everything that you have? Please share.

Tuesday, November 3

Luke 21:1-4

He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them, for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”

In Jesus’ day widows had nothing. The reason they had nothing was that a woman’s financial status was dependent on her husband. Throughout the Scriptures God asked people to take care of the widows.

Jesus explained the story in verses 3-4, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them [the rich people]; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”

Today as you pray, think about the widows in our own world. Think and reflect on the lives of those who are hurting and suffering. Think about what it would mean to give out of our own poverty. All of us are in much better financial shape than this widow. She gave extravagantly. We are called to do the same!

Our giving to Chain of Lakes is a way that we can give to the widows of our day.

When you give your money away, do you think about how you are helping the widows and poor in our world? Please share.

Wednesday, November 4

Amos 4:1-5, 5:21-24

Hear this word, you cows of Bashan
    who are on Mount Samaria,
who oppress the poor, who crush the needy,
    who say to their husbands, “Bring something to drink!”
The Lord God has sworn by his holiness:
    The time is surely coming upon you
when they shall take you away with hooks,
    even the last of you with fishhooks.
Through breaches in the wall you shall leave,
    each one straight ahead,
    and you shall be flung out into Harmon^]
            says the Lord.
Come to Bethel—and transgress;
    to Gilgal—and multiply transgression;
bring your sacrifices every morning,
    your tithes every three days;
bring a thank offering of leavened bread
    and proclaim freewill offerings, publish them;
    for so you love to do, O people of Israel!
            says the Lord God.

I hate, I despise your festivals,
    and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
    I will not accept them,
and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals
    I will not look upon.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
    I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
But let justice roll down like water
    and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

God was upset with the nation of Israel. These two passages are hard to read—for they are filled with anger and judgment from God. The people were bringing their sacrifices, tithes, and worship, but their hearts were not close to God. The poor were being exploited in a terrible way.

We can read the irony of what was happening. The people loved to bring their offerings, but God wanted more than an offering. He shared with the people what he wanted in Amos 5:24 “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

This verse from Amos 5:24 is worth memorizing. No matter what we give to God, God desires justice and righteousness.

Today as you pray, pray for justice and righteousness in our country. Pray that we at Chain of Lakes can make an impact on the world through justice and righteousness. Pray that no matter what we give to God, we will always live out the call to justice and righteousness.

Thursday, November 5

Matthew 23:23-28

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and of the plate, so that the outside also may become clean.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful but inside are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of uncleanness. So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Like the Amos passage we read yesterday, these are hard verses to read. Jesus is angry. For us it’s important to get beneath his anger and try to understand what was making Jesus so mad. If you have a chance, read Matthew chapter 23.

The gift of mint, dill, and cumin went to support the Temple and the priests. The three herbs were the smallest of herbs. Jesus was not against the Pharisees making these gifts. These gifts were small in comparison to the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faith.

The comparison in verse 24 is almost comical. We can all imagine the size difference between a gnat and a camel. The Pharisees were so focused on the obligations of their faith that they were missing the big picture.

The condemnation of Jesus is not about giving and what the Pharisees gave; instead, it’s the focus of the Pharisees.

As you pray today, pray that we at Chain of Lakes can always keep this big focus in front of us. May we give extravagantly, and may we stay focused on the big issues of justice, mercy, and faith.

Friday, November 6

1 Peter 4:7-11

The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Look at verse 10—again a verse that is worthy of memorizing: “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.”

The notion of stewardship comes from this verse. You and I are stewards of God’s grace. Just as in the 15^th century a steward oversaw the operations of a wealthy landowner, you and I are called to live out grace. We oversee the sharing of grace. One way this happens is through financial giving. Through all our giving we are called to be a graceful people.

On Sunday everyone at Chain of Lakes will be asked to turn in their Estimate of Giving cards. As you pray today, pray that we at Chain of Lakes can be stewards of God’s grace; pray that we will give extravagantly, but we won’t miss the big issues of justice, mercy, and faith. Pray that our gifts will be a reflection of our love for God and the world that is in our heart.

Saturday, November 7

Matthew 28:16-20 & Mark 12:28-34

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.When they saw him, they worshiped him, but they doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spiritand teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’;and ‘to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself’—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.

Today we read two passages because both are central to congregations being great. This greatness comes from the description of each passage. One is called the Great Commission and the other is called the Great Commandment.

In the first we read Jesus’ command to go make disciples. A disciple is a follower of Jesus. Another way to think about a disciple is a student or someone who believes in the philosophy of a person. This is partly what it means to be a disciple. We are students of Jesus and people who believe in the philosophy of Jesus. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus we become the people God desires us to be.

And in the second we read of the Great Commandment. We are called to love God with all of our heart and mind and soul and called to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Jesus shared that this Great Commandment is most important to him. Congregations can be evaluated on how well they help people live out this Great Commandment.

Now imagine a congregation that is passionate about the Great Commission and the Great Commandment!

Chain of Lakes is committed to being a place that lives out the Great Commission and Great Commandment.

As you share your Estimate of Giving card tomorrow, you are sharing your gift with a place that truly wants to be Great!

Daily Devotions October 26 - October 31

Monday, October 26

Matthew 1:18-25

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiahtook place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

“Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife but had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus.

Yesterday Pastor Paul finished a sermon series on the story of the Prodigal Son by talking about the narrator of the story—who, of course, is Jesus. Pastor Paul spent some time in his sermon encouraging people to think even more about who Jesus is to each of us. How would you answer the following question, “Who is Jesus to me?”

This week we will look at six important stories that can help us answer this question. These six stories are not necessarily the most important stories about Jesus. But taken together they provide a sense of the identity and purpose of Jesus.

This story we read today is one of the two stories that narrate the birth of Jesus. The other is Luke 2:1-8. In the story from Matthew, we receive a sense of the drama that was taking place. Mary was pregnant. Joseph knew he was not the biological father, but he did not want to expose Mary to public disgrace. An angel came to tell Joseph what had happened; the angel shared that Jesus would “save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

These words could be a response to the question in the first paragraph. Jesus came to “save people from their sins.”

Talking about sin is a nuanced conversation as many of us have A LOT of baggage when we talk about sin. People have talked about sin in a way to manipulate others.

The good news is Jesus saves us from our sins. This purpose was acknowledged even before he was born.

What does it mean to you that Jesus saves you from your sins? Please share.

Tuesday, October 27

John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ ”) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is the only Son, himself God, who^[^f^] is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

These eighteen verses to start John’s gospel are some of the most beautiful in the Bible. Jesus is the Word and the Word became flesh and lived among humans. Jesus was full of grace and truth. From this fullness humans have received grace.

Unpacking these verses is a lifetime journey. People can study this part of John for years and still learn something new.

One term that described the entrance of Jesus into the world is “the incarnation.” Jesus entered the reality of humanity or to put it as John wrote, “the Word became flesh.”

Wrapping our minds around the idea that God became human is not easy to do.

However, the incarnation is important for our faith because Jesus can identify with our own human struggles. He knows what we experience because he was human.

What does it mean to you that Jesus is the “Word became flesh?” Please share.

Wednesday, October 28

Matthew 5:1-12

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ ”) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is the only Son, himself God, whois close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

These words in Matthew are the beginning of what is known as “The Sermon on the Mount.” The entire sermon is three chapters—Matthew 5-7. All three chapters are worth reading. The twelve verses we read today are known as the beatitudes.

The qualities that Jesus taught are not ones that are often lifted up as important. How often do we pray that we will be “poor in spirit” or we will “mourn” or we are “meek” or we “hunger and thirst for righteousness” or are “merciful” or are “pure in heart” or are “peacemakers” or are “persecuted for righteousness’ sake” or are “reviled.”

Taken together these teachings from Jesus present a message that is quite different than the message of success we often hear from the culture.

What are your thoughts about these verses? Please share.

Thursday, October 29

Mark 12:28-34

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ ”) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is the only Son, himself God, whois close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

These two commandments that Jesus lifted up are essential to know for followers of Jesus. This story can also be found in Matthew 22:34-40 & Luke 10:25-28. In these verses we learn that Jesus wants each of us as his followers to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

This love is known as Agape love. It is a self-sacrificing love that looks to the interests of others.

The scribe who heard these words became very passionate about this teaching from Jesus. We can almost see the light bulb go on in his head. He saw that this teaching was more important than the offering and sacrifice system that he knew up until then. Jesus could see that when the scribe grasped this teaching about agape love, the scribe was not far from the kingdom of God.

What are your thoughts about this passage? Please share.

Friday, October 30

Luke 15:11-32

He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ ”) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is the only Son, himself God, whois close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

As Pastor Paul has preached on this story for five weeks, it only seems appropriate that the story would be one of six important stories about Jesus.

Pastor Paul shared that this story along with the death and resurrection of Jesus could make up a cliff notes version of the gospel.

The story of the Prodigal Son is the last one shared in Luke 15, one of the most important chapters in the Bible. Jesus was sharing stories in response to the grumbling of the religious leaders that Jesus was spending too much time with sinners.

Most likely we can identify with each character in this story. We perhaps can identify with the younger son and understand how easy it is to slip away from what is right. We perhaps can identify with the father who was waiting for his younger son to return. When the father saw his younger son, he ran to meet his son and shared compassion. His guts literally went out to his son. We perhaps can identify with the older son and the judgment he expressed towards his younger brother.

What do you find important about this story? Please share.

Saturday, October 31

John 19:28-30, 20:1-10

After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.”A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’s head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed, for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.

Here we read about the crucifixion of Jesus and the resurrection of Jesus. Both are significant stories.

Jesus was more than a moral teacher who taught important moral lessons. He was divine who sacrificed his own life so others could enjoy an eternal relationship with God. Because of these two stories none of us need fear death. Even though our bodies stop working, we are welcomed into eternity by God.

Though most of us have read these stories during our entire lives, they are not easy to understand. Even the disciples did not understand that Jesus must rise from the dead. (John 20:9)

What are your thoughts? Please share.

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