The Daily Guide-The Daily Devotion grow. pray. study. from The Resurrection United Methodist Church in Leawood, Kansas, United States for Monday, 14 September 2015 - "The church"
Daily Scripture: Galatians 1:1 From: Sha’ul, an emissary — I received my commission not from human beings or through human mediation but through Yeshua the Messiah and God the Father, who raised him from the dead — also from all the brothers with me
2 To: The Messianic communities in Galatia:
3 Grace and shalom to you from God our Father and from the Lord Yeshua the Messiah, 4 who gave himself for our sins, so that he might deliver us from the present evil world-system, in obedience to the will of God, our Father. 1 Thessalonians 1:1 From: Sha’ul, Sila and Timothy
To: The Messianic Community of the Thessalonians, united with God the Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah:
Grace to you and shalom.
2 We always thank God for all of you, regularly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 calling to mind before God our Father what our Lord Yeshua the Messiah has brought about in you — how your trust produces action, your love hard work, and your hope perseverance.
Daily Scripture: Galatians 1:1 From: Sha’ul, an emissary — I received my commission not from human beings or through human mediation but through Yeshua the Messiah and God the Father, who raised him from the dead — also from all the brothers with me
2 To: The Messianic communities in Galatia:
3 Grace and shalom to you from God our Father and from the Lord Yeshua the Messiah, 4 who gave himself for our sins, so that he might deliver us from the present evil world-system, in obedience to the will of God, our Father. 1 Thessalonians 1:1 From: Sha’ul, Sila and Timothy
To: The Messianic Community of the Thessalonians, united with God the Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah:
Grace to you and shalom.
2 We always thank God for all of you, regularly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 calling to mind before God our Father what our Lord Yeshua the Messiah has brought about in you — how your trust produces action, your love hard work, and your hope perseverance.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people,[1 Peter 2:9 Isaiah 43:20; Deuteronomy 7:6; 10:15] the King’s cohanim,[1 Peter 2:9 Exodus 19:6; Isaiah 61:6] a holy nation,[1 Peter 2:9 Exodus 19:6] a people for God to possess![1 Peter 2:9 Isaiah 43:21; Exodus 19:5] Why? In order for you to declare the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; before, you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.[1 Peter 2:10 Hosea 2:25(23)]
Reflection Questions:
Often today, people use the word “church” to refer to a building or set of buildings, or even more abstractly, a legal entity like a denomination. But in the New Testament, “church” (Greek ekklēsia) meant “people gathered.” Tri-County Church in Pennsylvania gave all their members T-shirts. On the front, they said, “I don’t go to church.” On the back were the words, “I AM the church.”
- Pastor Hamilton sometimes reminds us, “When the building burns down, and the preacher leaves town, what you have left is the church.” What has helped you understand that, although you may “go to” the theater or a ball game, “church” is something you are, not somewhere you go? What altered ways of thinking or acting can make that understanding of church a reality for you?
- Moses received this message for Israel: “You will be a kingdom of priests for me and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). Peter 2:9-10 applied the same language to all of Christ’s followers. God’s church is not a set of policies or properties; it’s people (including you) who love and follow God. Are you up for the privilege and challenge of being “the church,” of representing God each day?
Today’s Prayer:
Dear God, today (and every day) remind me that “we the people” ARE the church. By your Spirit, help me to live as your salt and light right here in my hometown. Amen.
Insights from Donna Karlen
Donna Karlen serves in Communications at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection.
Pastor Adam said in his message this past weekend, “Step out of your comfort zone to be the body of Christ.” The things I’m “comfortable” doing as part of the body of Christ (known as the Church) make for a pretty short list.
Which means I have a LOT of opportunities to step out of my comfort zone!
I write those words with both shame and excitement. Shame because it means I have confined my serving to those things which I feel are “safe” for me to do. Excitement because that’s about to change. Our Mission Fair is this weekend – and I’m thinking about what I can sign up for. Go on a mission trip? Tutor a student? Lead a Bible study? The possibilities are endless!
If you’ve been sticking with what’s comfortable like I have, I hope you’ll join me on a new path. It may lead us to a discomfort zone – and it may lead us to do work that comes from faith, effort that comes from love – always persevering because we have hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Download the GPS App Donna Karlen serves in Communications at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection.
Pastor Adam said in his message this past weekend, “Step out of your comfort zone to be the body of Christ.” The things I’m “comfortable” doing as part of the body of Christ (known as the Church) make for a pretty short list.
Which means I have a LOT of opportunities to step out of my comfort zone!
I write those words with both shame and excitement. Shame because it means I have confined my serving to those things which I feel are “safe” for me to do. Excitement because that’s about to change. Our Mission Fair is this weekend – and I’m thinking about what I can sign up for. Go on a mission trip? Tutor a student? Lead a Bible study? The possibilities are endless!
If you’ve been sticking with what’s comfortable like I have, I hope you’ll join me on a new path. It may lead us to a discomfort zone – and it may lead us to do work that comes from faith, effort that comes from love – always persevering because we have hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, KS 66224 United States
913.897.0120
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