Christmas Week - Week Five

A couple of these questions are different than the ones given to my church.  While I wanted to keep things more Christmasy for church, in my own space, I do mean to provoke you into deeper thought about what it means to be a Christian, and how the Holy Spirit inspires you from within to be the hands and feet of our Lord here on earth.

Sunday, Dec 18:  Luke 2:1-3  In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.  All went to their own towns to be registered.

Question to ponder:  Politicians have always been influential figures in the lives of ordinary people.  How does the Holy Spirit lead you in deciding your political views?  How does the Holy Spirit lead you in sharing those views with others?

Joy - Advent Week Four

Sunday, Dec 11:  Luke 15:7  “I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

Question to ponder:  We know we are all sinners, so what does this mean, “righteous persons who need no repentance?”

Monday, Dec 12:  Psalm 30:5  Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

Question of the day:  What does the word “morning” represent in this passage?  How does this tie into spiritual joy versus emotional joy?

Tuesday, Dec 13:  John 15:11,  “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

Question of the day:  What do you think Jesus meant when he said “that your joy may be complete.”  Do we find that joy in this life?

Wednesday, Dec 14:  Romans 12:12   Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer.

Question of the day:  Perseverance is a recurring theme in the New Testament.  How does perseverance in prayer allow us to find spiritual joy?

Thursday, Dec 15:  Psalm 118:24  “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Question to ponder:  I find joy in knowing God has called me to the life I am living, for good and for bad.  God will make all things work together for good.  What are some of the good and bad things you are dealing with right now?  It is easy to be glad when things are going well, but how can you find spiritual joy in the midst of hard things in life?

Friday, Dec 16:  1 Peter 1:8-9   Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Question to ponder:   It is always easier to believe in something tangible, something you can see or touch or feel or experience.  How do you feel or experience the presence of Jesus in your life?  Where do you find God in this life?  Is the Holy Spirit a living presence within you?  How does that give you joy in the future assurance of his salvation?

Saturday, Dec 17  James 1:2  “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

Question to ponder:   How do you think Mary and Joseph felt about being the parents of Jesus?  In what ways do you think they were tested?  Do you think they questioned God’s intent for their lives in the midst of this situation?  Do you think they ever felt doubt over the ministry of Jesus?  Do you ever feel doubt?   Does the Holy Spirit help you face up to that doubt?

Advent Candle Lighting Service:

Hymn:  Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee   551 LBW

Today, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we light the Candle of Joy.  Through this week, we have been thinking about spiritual joy, and how that differs from the temporary joy we find in all the earthly things that make us happy for a moment, but which will quickly fade.  We often look to material things to bring us joy, or to other people, but the only lasting joy is when we are in the presence of our Lord and Savior, found on earth through the presence of the Holy Spirit within us.   This morning, we give you thanks and praise for coming to earth as one of us, in order to bring us the greatest gift of all, eternal life with you, and the true joy of your mercy and grace.

Let us pray.  Dearest Lord Jesus, thank you for bringing your joy to the world.  We praise and give you thanks for the light of grace and mercy you have shined upon us, and help us to shine our joy upon others, that they, too, may feel the joy of knowing you.  In the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, we ask this.  Amen.

Love - Advent Week Three

 Sunday, Dec 4:  Colossians 3:14  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Question to ponder:  How do you clothe yourself in love?  What does that look like or feel like for you?

Monday, Dec 5  Ephesians 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.

Question of the day:  To reflect something means to “throw back without absorbing” it.  To resemble means to “have qualities or features in common with” something.  Does the love between husband and wife (read all of Ephesians 5:22-30 for a better view) reflect or resemble the love of God for us?  Or would you choose another word?

Peace - Advent Week Two

 Sunday, Nov 27:  John 14:27  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

Question to ponder:  Where do you find the peace of the Spirit in your daily living?

Monday, Nov 28:  Isaiah 26:12  O Lord, may you ordain peace for us, for indeed, all that we have done, you have done for us.

Question of the day:  Is there a relationship in your life which needs restoration?  What can you do to reflect the peace you have in the Holy Spirit with that person to bring them closer to God?

Hope and Goodness - Advent Week One

Sunday, Nov 20:  Psalm 33:22 – Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

Question to ponder:  How does God’s steadfast love relate to wanting the best for others?

Monday, Nov 21  1 Peter 1:13  A Call to Holy Living -- Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed

Question of the day:  What actions can we take to reflect the grace Jesus has brought us to give hope to others?

Do not be dismayed...

 Last week I was out walking with my little dog, Pinocchio.  He is a nine pound toy dog, and while he is always interested in other dogs, he is fearful of those dogs who are bigger, noisier and more boisterous than he is.  (Which describes pretty much every other dog around us.)  

We were happily walking along on a beautiful evening, enjoying the fresh air and the setting sun, when I saw this black blur in my peripheral vision.  Before I knew what was happening, a large, black lab had literally run over Pinocchio and was jumping all over me, putting my little dog at risk of injury and knocking me over.  I moved as fast as I could, trying to hold back this dog by its collar while picking up my own dog, but it took a minute and the fear had set in.  Pinocchio was afraid for the rest of the walk.

I had a feeling that wasn't the last I would see of that dog, and I was right.  The next day, as we were coming up to that same house, I picked up Pinocchio, who was already nervous, well in advance, and it was a good thing I did, because next thing I knew, here was that dog jumping on us again.

Refuge

 Many years ago, I was facing one of the most difficult moments of my life.  I felt alone, hanging on by my fingernails from the end of that rope that was constantly fraying and threatening to come apart on me.  I did what I often do in those moments, when there is only one place to turn for solace, and when I needed an actual answer, a real word from God.  I turned to God's Word, and the answer fell open to me.  I let the Bible open where it chose, and there was Psalm 91.  No doubt I had read it many times before, but it was all new to me that day, and it gave me a peace I wasn't able to feel any other way.

I love the entire Psalm, but verses 1-2 really say it all for me, and I come back to them again and again.

You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”

Fathers Day thoughts....

Never underestimate the power of a praying mother.  

Hannah prayed for her son Samuel, and her words resonate for me today.  In 1 Samuel 1:27  we read:

For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me the petition that I made to him.

I am sure my mother spent a lot of time in prayer, between my brother and me, over the years.  Our lives have not been smooth journeys, and I am sure she worried plenty and those knees got a workout.  But she remained steadfast and faithful, and hopefully, at the age of 95, she feels her prayers were answered.

So what does this have to do with Father's Day, which we are celebrating today?  After all, fathers are very important, and they deserve a day to be celebrated and honored.  And I had a wonderful father for the first years of my life - none better.  People still remember him as an involved, active parent, a fun guy to be around, a ready help in time of trouble, a great person all around.  It is a comfort to know that he is remembered this way, especially since over the last 50 years, my memories of him have faded somewhat.