The Daily Guide-The Daily Devotion grow. pray. study. from The Resurrection United Methodist Church in Leawood, Kansas, United States for Wednesday, 16 September 2015 - "The 'catholic' church"
Daily Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:22 Are they Hebrew-speakers? So am I. Are they of the people of Isra’el? So am I. Are they descendants of Avraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of the Messiah? (I’m talking like a madman!) I’m a better one! I’ve worked much harder, been imprisoned more often, suffered more beatings, been near death over and over. 24 Five times I received “forty lashes less one” from the Jews. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea. 26 In my many travels I have been exposed to danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the desert, danger at sea, danger from false brothers. 27 I have toiled and endured hardship, often not had enough sleep, been hungry and thirsty, frequently gone without food, been cold and naked. 28 And besides these external matters, there is the daily pressure of my anxious concern for all the congregations.
Romans 16:3 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers for the Messiah Yeshua. 4 They risked their necks to save my life; not only I thank them, but also all the Messianic communities among the Gentiles. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the Messiah’s congregations send their greetings to you.
Daily Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:22 Are they Hebrew-speakers? So am I. Are they of the people of Isra’el? So am I. Are they descendants of Avraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of the Messiah? (I’m talking like a madman!) I’m a better one! I’ve worked much harder, been imprisoned more often, suffered more beatings, been near death over and over. 24 Five times I received “forty lashes less one” from the Jews. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea. 26 In my many travels I have been exposed to danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the desert, danger at sea, danger from false brothers. 27 I have toiled and endured hardship, often not had enough sleep, been hungry and thirsty, frequently gone without food, been cold and naked. 28 And besides these external matters, there is the daily pressure of my anxious concern for all the congregations.
Romans 16:3 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers for the Messiah Yeshua. 4 They risked their necks to save my life; not only I thank them, but also all the Messianic communities among the Gentiles. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the Messiah’s congregations send their greetings to you.
Reflection Questions:
Some “super-apostles” (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:5) in Corinth claimed that they were a cut above the weak and unimpressive (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:10-12) apostle Paul. But after listing the many trials and challenges he’d faced, he listed as his greatest challenge his daily concern “about all the churches.” The Greek katholicos, reflected in the Apostles’ Creed, meant “universal.” Each local congregation, large or small, was part of “all the churches,” of the one church that loved and served God.
- In Corinth, Paul met Aquila and Priscilla, who shared a trade with him (cf. Acts 18:3) and became dear friends and co-workers. In Romans 16:3-4, Paul wrote that they had “risked their own necks” for his life. But that went beyond personal help—he said “all the churches of the Gentiles” thanked God for them. In what ways do you find your concern and interest extending beyond your own congregation to “all the churches” who love and serve God?
- Here’s a prayer practice that may help keep you aware that you’re part of God’s “catholic” church. Whenever you pass a church building while driving or walking around town, say a silent inner prayer asking God to bless the people who minister and worship in that place. This can be particularly challenging and beneficial if the building belongs to a Christian group who teach some doctrines or practices that are different from those you believe in.
Today’s Prayer:
Lord Jesus, in you I’m part of a church that’s much bigger than just the worship attendance at The Church of the Resurrection. Keep me aware of your love, presence and work in so many, many lives and places. Amen.
Insights from Rev. Steven Blair
Rev. Steven Blair is the Congregational Care Pastor of Live Forward and Live Well Emotional Wellness Ministry. www.cor.org/liveforward
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection is a great church, measured by its faithfulness to Jesus and not by our size. While true, Resurrection is a tiny piece of THE Church. We are blessed by other churches and we are part of their team. As Paul wrote to the Church in Rome, he reminded that he gives thanks for “all the churches of the Gentiles (Romans 16:3).” Let us do the same.
Application: Google a random church in the area, and a church from out of state. Find churches of two different denominations, and of two different sizes. When you see their website, look at the wonderful things happening and pray “Thank you, God, for this church and all the wonderful things you are doing in them and through them.”
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Rev. Steven Blair is the Congregational Care Pastor of Live Forward and Live Well Emotional Wellness Ministry. www.cor.org/liveforward
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection is a great church, measured by its faithfulness to Jesus and not by our size. While true, Resurrection is a tiny piece of THE Church. We are blessed by other churches and we are part of their team. As Paul wrote to the Church in Rome, he reminded that he gives thanks for “all the churches of the Gentiles (Romans 16:3).” Let us do the same.
Application: Google a random church in the area, and a church from out of state. Find churches of two different denominations, and of two different sizes. When you see their website, look at the wonderful things happening and pray “Thank you, God, for this church and all the wonderful things you are doing in them and through them.”
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224 United States
913.897.0120
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