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The Great Plains Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, United States Daily Devotional for Saturday, 6 February 2016
Allen UMC
Ponca First UMC
Elkhorn Valley District
|
Atkinson First UMC
Elkhorn Valley District
|
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The Great Plains Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, United States Daily Devotional for Friday, 5 February 2016
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Albion First UMC
Loretto UMC
Elkhorn Valley District
|
Alder Grove UMC
Craig UMC
Elkhorn Valley District
|
The Great Plains Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, United States Daily Devotional for Thursday, 4 February 2016
District Superintendent
Wichita West District
| 
Ainsworth UMC
Johnstown UMC
Elkhorn Valley District
|
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The Great Plains Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, United States Daily Devotional for Wednesday, 3 February 2016
Counseling and Mediation Center, Wichita, KS
Wichita West District
|
Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, Wichita Indian UMC
Wichita West District
|
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The Great Plains Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, United States Daily Devotional for Tuesday, 2 February 2016
| Rob Winslow
Chaplain, Galicia Heart Hospital
Wichita West District
| 
Great Plains Conference Director of Congregational Excellence
Wichita West District
|
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The Great Plains Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, United States Daily Devotional for Monday, 1 February 2016
Kenneth Keeling
Zenda Wichita West District |
Martha Sanchez
City of Wichita, Program Specialist Career Development Wichita West District |
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The Upper Room Daily Devotion in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Rage or Blessing?" for Saturday, 6 February 2016 - Scripture: James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, since you know that we will be judged more severely. 2 For we all stumble in many ways; if someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who can bridle his whole body. 3 If we put a bit into a horse’s mouth to make it obey us, we control its whole body as well. 4 And think of a ship — although it is huge and is driven by strong winds, yet the pilot can steer it wherever he wants with just a small rudder. 5 So too the tongue is a tiny part of the body, yet it boasts great things. See how a little fire sets a whole forest ablaze! 6 Yes, the tongue is a fire, a world of wickedness. The tongue is so placed in our body that it defiles every part of it, setting ablaze the whole of our life; and it is set on fire by Gei-Hinnom itself. 7 For people have tamed and continue to tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures; 8 but the tongue no one can tame — it is an unstable and evil thing, full of death-dealing poison! 9 With it we bless Adonai, the Father; and with it we curse people, who were made in the image of God.[James 3:9 Genesis 1:26–27] 10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing! Brothers, it isn’t right for things to be this way. 11 A spring doesn’t send both fresh and bitter water from the same opening, does it? 12 Can a fig tree yield olives, my brothers? or a grapevine, figs? Neither does salt water produce fresh.
---------------------
No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.[James 3:8 (NIV)]
The words tumbled out of my mouth as I confronted my co-worker. Months of pent-up frustration spilled over, becoming a raging river of anger. This man had criticized my work decisions, spoken rudely, and ignored me in front of others. I thought I had forgiven him, but I guess I had stuffed the emotions inside. As I was confronting him, my outburst offended him. Although I later asked for forgiveness, he would not speak to me.
Sometimes our tempers get the best of us. We may even use the verse quoted above to excuse our venting. Although we are helpless to tame our tongues, God is not. Paul cautions, “In your anger do not sin” (Eph. 4:26), which tells us that there are ways for us to handle anger without hurting other people.
I began to think about what I could have done differently. Months earlier, before the offenses had piled up into anger, I could have calmly spoken to my co-worker about our differences. Or I could have simply started asking God to bless him, which might have changed my perspective on the situation. We each have the choice of how we will respond to offenses. Will we rage, or will we bless?
Read more from the author, here.
More from Karen Dorsey
After the breach in my relationship with my co-worker I grieved the lost opportunity to share Jesus with him. However, I began to take my own advice. After seeking God’s forgivenesss, I began to ask God to bless him, and God began to work. Gradually he quit ignoring me, and then he responded to my attempts to greet him when passing in the hall. Finally he began to stop and talk to me, sharing updates on his search for a job in a new city. God brought reconciliation.
While it is better to not sin in the first place, I am grateful that God can bring healing to situations that look impossible.(And grandsons are lots of fun!)[Karen Dorsey]
The Author: Karen Jean Dorsey (Oregon, USA)
Thought for the Day: Today I will let God guide my words.
Prayer: Dear God, help us each day to put our tongues under your control and to heed your voice. Amen.
Prayer focus: CO-WORKERS WHO STRUGGLE TO GET ALONG
----------------------
The Upper Room Daily Devotion in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "In His Footsteps" for Friday, 5 February 2016 - Scripture: 1 Peter 2:19 For it is a grace when someone, because he is mindful of God, bears up under the pain of undeserved punishment. 20 For what credit is there in bearing up under a beating you deserve for doing something wrong? But if you bear up under punishment, even though you have done what is right, God looks on it with favor. 21 Indeed, this is what you were called to; because the Messiah too suffered, on your behalf, leaving an example so that you should follow in his steps.
22 “He committed no sin,
nor was any deceit found on his lips.”[1 Peter 2:22 Isaiah 53:9]
23 When he was insulted, he didn’t retaliate with insults; when he suffered, he didn’t threaten, but handed them over to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins[1 Peter 2:24 Isaiah 53:4, 12] in his body on the stake,[1 Peter 2:24 Deuteronomy 21:22–23] so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness — by his wounds you were healed.[1 Peter 2:24 Isaiah 53:5] 25 For you used to be like sheep gone astray, but now you have turned to[1 Peter 2:25 Isaiah 53:6] the Shepherd, who watches over you.
The Upper Room Daily Devotion in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Why Worry?" for Wednesday, 3 February 2016 - Scripture: Luke 12:22 To his talmidim Yeshua said, “Because of this I tell you, don’t worry about your life — what you will eat or drink; or about your body — what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Think about the ravens! They neither plant nor harvest, they have neither storerooms nor barns, yet God feeds them. You are worth much more than the birds! 25 Can any of you by worrying add an hour to his life? 26 If you can’t do a little thing like that, why worry about the rest? 27 Think about the wild irises, and how they grow. They neither work nor spin thread; yet, I tell you, not even Shlomo in all his glory was clothed as beautifully as one of these. 28 If this is how God clothes grass, which is alive in the field today and thrown in the oven tomorrow, how much more will he clothe you! What little trust you have!
29 “In other words, don’t strive after what you will eat and what you will drink — don’t be anxious. 30 For all the pagan nations in the world set their hearts on these things. Your Father knows that you need them too. 31 Rather, seek his Kingdom; and these things will be given to you as well.
The Upper Room Daily Devotion in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Try a Little Kindness" for Tuesday, 2 February 2016 - Scripture: Psalm 1:1 How blessed are those
who reject the advice of the wicked,
don’t stand on the way of sinners
or sit where scoffers sit!
2 Their delight
is in Adonai’s Torah;
on his Torah they meditate
day and night.
3 They are like trees planted by streams —
they bear their fruit in season,
their leaves never wither,
everything they do succeeds.
4 Not so the wicked,
who are like chaff driven by the wind.
5 For this reason the wicked
won’t stand up to the judgment,
nor will sinners
at the gathering of the righteous.
6 For Adonai watches over
the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked
is doomed.
---------------------
What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?[Micah 6:8 (NRSV)]
Many years ago I served as a deckhand on a tugboat in the waters of Tampa Bay. One of the deckhand’s duties is to throw a coiled, heavy line onto a bitt (metal or wooden post) of a barge and secure it. A deckhand’s failure to correctly execute this procedure is extremely frustrating for the captain, who has to circle and make another approach. At first I often messed up this assignment, until I received the following tip from an experienced hand: “Don’t try to lasso the bitt; just throw the coiled line at the bitt, and the loop will fall into place on its own.” This proved to be good advice, and I never again had trouble with this task.
My memory of this experience reminds me of the times I’ve made clumsy attempts to “lasso” non-Christians by trying to convert them. Today’s verse tells us that this approach is not what the Lord requires of us. And Jesus’ approach seems to have been focused on attraction rather than promotion. Jesus healed the sick, and he genuinely loved and cared about people.
I believe it’s fine to invite people to church and to share the gospel. But in most cases the best way to bring others to Christ may be to try a little kindness and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us forward from there.
The Author: Scott Wierenga (Michigan, USA)
Thought for the Day: How can I follow the Holy Spirit in my actions today?
Prayer: O Lord, guide us as we share your love to make disciples of all people. Amen.
Prayer focus: Seafaring workers
The Upper Room Daily Devotion in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Rage or Blessing?" for Saturday, 6 February 2016 - Scripture: James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, since you know that we will be judged more severely. 2 For we all stumble in many ways; if someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who can bridle his whole body. 3 If we put a bit into a horse’s mouth to make it obey us, we control its whole body as well. 4 And think of a ship — although it is huge and is driven by strong winds, yet the pilot can steer it wherever he wants with just a small rudder. 5 So too the tongue is a tiny part of the body, yet it boasts great things. See how a little fire sets a whole forest ablaze! 6 Yes, the tongue is a fire, a world of wickedness. The tongue is so placed in our body that it defiles every part of it, setting ablaze the whole of our life; and it is set on fire by Gei-Hinnom itself. 7 For people have tamed and continue to tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures; 8 but the tongue no one can tame — it is an unstable and evil thing, full of death-dealing poison! 9 With it we bless Adonai, the Father; and with it we curse people, who were made in the image of God.[James 3:9 Genesis 1:26–27] 10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing! Brothers, it isn’t right for things to be this way. 11 A spring doesn’t send both fresh and bitter water from the same opening, does it? 12 Can a fig tree yield olives, my brothers? or a grapevine, figs? Neither does salt water produce fresh.---------------------
No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.[James 3:8 (NIV)]
The words tumbled out of my mouth as I confronted my co-worker. Months of pent-up frustration spilled over, becoming a raging river of anger. This man had criticized my work decisions, spoken rudely, and ignored me in front of others. I thought I had forgiven him, but I guess I had stuffed the emotions inside. As I was confronting him, my outburst offended him. Although I later asked for forgiveness, he would not speak to me.
Sometimes our tempers get the best of us. We may even use the verse quoted above to excuse our venting. Although we are helpless to tame our tongues, God is not. Paul cautions, “In your anger do not sin” (Eph. 4:26), which tells us that there are ways for us to handle anger without hurting other people.
I began to think about what I could have done differently. Months earlier, before the offenses had piled up into anger, I could have calmly spoken to my co-worker about our differences. Or I could have simply started asking God to bless him, which might have changed my perspective on the situation. We each have the choice of how we will respond to offenses. Will we rage, or will we bless?
Read more from the author, here.
More from Karen Dorsey
After the breach in my relationship with my co-worker I grieved the lost opportunity to share Jesus with him. However, I began to take my own advice. After seeking God’s forgivenesss, I began to ask God to bless him, and God began to work. Gradually he quit ignoring me, and then he responded to my attempts to greet him when passing in the hall. Finally he began to stop and talk to me, sharing updates on his search for a job in a new city. God brought reconciliation.
While it is better to not sin in the first place, I am grateful that God can bring healing to situations that look impossible.(And grandsons are lots of fun!)[Karen Dorsey]
The Author: Karen Jean Dorsey (Oregon, USA)
Thought for the Day: Today I will let God guide my words.
Prayer: Dear God, help us each day to put our tongues under your control and to heed your voice. Amen.
Prayer focus: CO-WORKERS WHO STRUGGLE TO GET ALONG
The Upper Room Daily Devotion in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "In His Footsteps" for Friday, 5 February 2016 - Scripture: 1 Peter 2:19 For it is a grace when someone, because he is mindful of God, bears up under the pain of undeserved punishment. 20 For what credit is there in bearing up under a beating you deserve for doing something wrong? But if you bear up under punishment, even though you have done what is right, God looks on it with favor. 21 Indeed, this is what you were called to; because the Messiah too suffered, on your behalf, leaving an example so that you should follow in his steps.22 “He committed no sin,
nor was any deceit found on his lips.”[1 Peter 2:22 Isaiah 53:9]
23 When he was insulted, he didn’t retaliate with insults; when he suffered, he didn’t threaten, but handed them over to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins[1 Peter 2:24 Isaiah 53:4, 12] in his body on the stake,[1 Peter 2:24 Deuteronomy 21:22–23] so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness — by his wounds you were healed.[1 Peter 2:24 Isaiah 53:5] 25 For you used to be like sheep gone astray, but now you have turned to[1 Peter 2:25 Isaiah 53:6] the Shepherd, who watches over you.
---------------------
Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.[1 Peter 2:21 (NIV)]
When I was six, I experienced my first blizzard. Imagine my shock when Dad opened the door revealing over a foot of snow! We seemed to be trapped. “How can we ever get out?” I exclaimed.
“Don’t worry,” Dad answered. “I’ll clear the way.” With that, he kicked the snow from the landing and began to shovel the walkway. I kept behind him each step of the way, and I was soon outdoors enjoying the sunshine and playing in the snow. Getting outside hadn’t been hard at all. Dad did all the work; I needed only to follow in his footsteps.
Someone else has also gone before us to clear the way, our Lord Jesus Christ. From time to time, “blizzards” of all types come into our lives. They can cause us to feel just as trapped as I did by that snowstorm. Yet, when we turn to Christ and allow him to lead the way, we can emerge from our trials into the sunlight of a better day.
The Author: Monica A. Andermann (New York, USA)
Thought for the Day: Today and every day I will trust Jesus Christ to guide my steps.
Prayer: Dear Lord, when faced with a frightening situation, may we put our fears aside, turn to you in faith, and allow you to lead the way toward better circumstances. Amen.
Prayer focus: Those dealing with harsh weather conditions
---------------------
Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.[1 Peter 2:21 (NIV)]
When I was six, I experienced my first blizzard. Imagine my shock when Dad opened the door revealing over a foot of snow! We seemed to be trapped. “How can we ever get out?” I exclaimed.
“Don’t worry,” Dad answered. “I’ll clear the way.” With that, he kicked the snow from the landing and began to shovel the walkway. I kept behind him each step of the way, and I was soon outdoors enjoying the sunshine and playing in the snow. Getting outside hadn’t been hard at all. Dad did all the work; I needed only to follow in his footsteps.
Someone else has also gone before us to clear the way, our Lord Jesus Christ. From time to time, “blizzards” of all types come into our lives. They can cause us to feel just as trapped as I did by that snowstorm. Yet, when we turn to Christ and allow him to lead the way, we can emerge from our trials into the sunlight of a better day.
The Author: Monica A. Andermann (New York, USA)
Thought for the Day: Today and every day I will trust Jesus Christ to guide my steps.
Prayer: Dear Lord, when faced with a frightening situation, may we put our fears aside, turn to you in faith, and allow you to lead the way toward better circumstances. Amen.
Prayer focus: Those dealing with harsh weather conditions
---------------------
The Upper Room Daily Devotion in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Gratitude for Answered Prayer" for Thursday, 4 February 2016 - Scripture: Romans 12:11 Don’t be lazy when hard work is needed, but serve the Lord with spiritual fervor. 12 Rejoice in your hope, be patient in your troubles, and continue steadfastly in prayer. 13 Share what you have with God’s people, and practice hospitality.
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Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.[Philippians 4:6 (NIV)]
Recently, I have been praying daily for the big battles that I face. It occurred to me, however, that when my prayers are answered, I am not so steadfast in giving thanks as I am in my asking. I may thank God once or twice and move on to some other petition for others or for myself. I rarely recognize answers to prayers for the little things in my life.
Daily activities and troubles seem to guide my prayer life, and I love to pray for things such as restoration of a sickly flower I planted or that God will heal my sick cat. Since God created all things, I pray for them, but I often fail to notice the answers to such prayers. When I do recognize these answered prayers, joy comes to my heart as I watch the sickly flower come alive and adjust to its new environment and watch my cat change from being lethargic to playing with his toys. I thank God for answering my prayers.
The practice of persistent prayer has led me to persistent thanksgiving, and I am now trying to be faithful in thanking God for answered prayers, big or small.
The Author: Cindy Smith (New York, USA)
Thought for the Day: Persistence in prayer can lead to faithfulness in thanksgiving.
Prayer: Faithful God, help us to be as grateful for answered prayer as we are motivated to pray for our needs. Amen.
Prayer focus: THOSE LEARNING TO PRAY
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Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.[Philippians 4:6 (NIV)]
Recently, I have been praying daily for the big battles that I face. It occurred to me, however, that when my prayers are answered, I am not so steadfast in giving thanks as I am in my asking. I may thank God once or twice and move on to some other petition for others or for myself. I rarely recognize answers to prayers for the little things in my life.
Daily activities and troubles seem to guide my prayer life, and I love to pray for things such as restoration of a sickly flower I planted or that God will heal my sick cat. Since God created all things, I pray for them, but I often fail to notice the answers to such prayers. When I do recognize these answered prayers, joy comes to my heart as I watch the sickly flower come alive and adjust to its new environment and watch my cat change from being lethargic to playing with his toys. I thank God for answering my prayers.
The practice of persistent prayer has led me to persistent thanksgiving, and I am now trying to be faithful in thanking God for answered prayers, big or small.
The Author: Cindy Smith (New York, USA)
Thought for the Day: Persistence in prayer can lead to faithfulness in thanksgiving.
Prayer: Faithful God, help us to be as grateful for answered prayer as we are motivated to pray for our needs. Amen.
Prayer focus: THOSE LEARNING TO PRAY
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The Upper Room Daily Devotion in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Why Worry?" for Wednesday, 3 February 2016 - Scripture: Luke 12:22 To his talmidim Yeshua said, “Because of this I tell you, don’t worry about your life — what you will eat or drink; or about your body — what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Think about the ravens! They neither plant nor harvest, they have neither storerooms nor barns, yet God feeds them. You are worth much more than the birds! 25 Can any of you by worrying add an hour to his life? 26 If you can’t do a little thing like that, why worry about the rest? 27 Think about the wild irises, and how they grow. They neither work nor spin thread; yet, I tell you, not even Shlomo in all his glory was clothed as beautifully as one of these. 28 If this is how God clothes grass, which is alive in the field today and thrown in the oven tomorrow, how much more will he clothe you! What little trust you have!29 “In other words, don’t strive after what you will eat and what you will drink — don’t be anxious. 30 For all the pagan nations in the world set their hearts on these things. Your Father knows that you need them too. 31 Rather, seek his Kingdom; and these things will be given to you as well.
---------------------
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.[Philippians 4:6 (NRSV)]
Spring had arrived in South Africa. Looking out my window after my daily devotional that morning, I was blessed to see a beautiful display: clivias and an angel bush (or “May bush”) in full bloom. Trees were also beautifully adorned in a glorious spring gift of greenery.
As I enjoyed this moment, I remembered the words of Jesus: “Why do you worry about clothes? Notice how the lilies in the field grow. They don’t wear themselves out with work, and they don’t spin cloth. But I say to you that even Solomon in all of his splendor wasn’t dressed like one of these” (Matt. 6:28-29, CEB).
Certainly we should be responsible and concerned about issues that affect us. But when we are consumed by worry, we can commit these concerns in faith and prayer to the Lord and then listen for God’s answer in our Bible readings, in our daily devotions, and in meeting in worship and fellowship with Christian friends. When we are worried, we can remember these practices and trust in God’s promises.
The Author: Alec Stoltz (Gauteng, South Africa)
Thought for the Day: Today I will bring my worries to God in prayer.
Prayer: Loving God, thank you for your faithfulness, day by day and season by season. Help us to trust you always in all circumstances and to be faithful in prayer each day. Amen.
Prayer focus: Someone who is consumed with worry
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Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.[Philippians 4:6 (NRSV)]
Spring had arrived in South Africa. Looking out my window after my daily devotional that morning, I was blessed to see a beautiful display: clivias and an angel bush (or “May bush”) in full bloom. Trees were also beautifully adorned in a glorious spring gift of greenery.
As I enjoyed this moment, I remembered the words of Jesus: “Why do you worry about clothes? Notice how the lilies in the field grow. They don’t wear themselves out with work, and they don’t spin cloth. But I say to you that even Solomon in all of his splendor wasn’t dressed like one of these” (Matt. 6:28-29, CEB).
Certainly we should be responsible and concerned about issues that affect us. But when we are consumed by worry, we can commit these concerns in faith and prayer to the Lord and then listen for God’s answer in our Bible readings, in our daily devotions, and in meeting in worship and fellowship with Christian friends. When we are worried, we can remember these practices and trust in God’s promises.
The Author: Alec Stoltz (Gauteng, South Africa)
Thought for the Day: Today I will bring my worries to God in prayer.
Prayer: Loving God, thank you for your faithfulness, day by day and season by season. Help us to trust you always in all circumstances and to be faithful in prayer each day. Amen.
Prayer focus: Someone who is consumed with worry
---------------------
The Upper Room Daily Devotion in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Try a Little Kindness" for Tuesday, 2 February 2016 - Scripture: Psalm 1:1 How blessed are thosewho reject the advice of the wicked,
don’t stand on the way of sinners
or sit where scoffers sit!
2 Their delight
is in Adonai’s Torah;
on his Torah they meditate
day and night.
3 They are like trees planted by streams —
they bear their fruit in season,
their leaves never wither,
everything they do succeeds.
4 Not so the wicked,
who are like chaff driven by the wind.
5 For this reason the wicked
won’t stand up to the judgment,
nor will sinners
at the gathering of the righteous.
6 For Adonai watches over
the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked
is doomed.
What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?[Micah 6:8 (NRSV)]
Many years ago I served as a deckhand on a tugboat in the waters of Tampa Bay. One of the deckhand’s duties is to throw a coiled, heavy line onto a bitt (metal or wooden post) of a barge and secure it. A deckhand’s failure to correctly execute this procedure is extremely frustrating for the captain, who has to circle and make another approach. At first I often messed up this assignment, until I received the following tip from an experienced hand: “Don’t try to lasso the bitt; just throw the coiled line at the bitt, and the loop will fall into place on its own.” This proved to be good advice, and I never again had trouble with this task.
My memory of this experience reminds me of the times I’ve made clumsy attempts to “lasso” non-Christians by trying to convert them. Today’s verse tells us that this approach is not what the Lord requires of us. And Jesus’ approach seems to have been focused on attraction rather than promotion. Jesus healed the sick, and he genuinely loved and cared about people.
I believe it’s fine to invite people to church and to share the gospel. But in most cases the best way to bring others to Christ may be to try a little kindness and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us forward from there.
The Author: Scott Wierenga (Michigan, USA)
Thought for the Day: How can I follow the Holy Spirit in my actions today?
Prayer: O Lord, guide us as we share your love to make disciples of all people. Amen.
Prayer focus: Seafaring workers
---------------------
The Upper Room Daily Devotion in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "The Father’s Son" for Monday, 1 February 2016 - Scripture: John 14:1 “Don’t let yourselves be disturbed. Trust in God and trust in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many places to live. If there weren’t, I would have told you; because I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 Since I am going and preparing a place for you, I will return to take you with me; so that where I am, you may be also. 4 Furthermore, you know where I’m going; and you know the way there.”
5 T’oma said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you’re going; so how can we know the way?” 6 Yeshua said, “I AM the Way — and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me. 7 Because you have known me, you will also know my Father; from now on, you do know him — in fact, you have seen him.”
8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it will be enough for us.” 9 Yeshua replied to him, “Have I been with you so long without your knowing me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am united with the Father, and the Father united with me? What I am telling you, I am not saying on my own initiative; the Father living in me is doing his own works. 11 Trust me, that I am united with the Father, and the Father united with me. But if you can’t, then trust because of the works themselves. 12 Yes, indeed! I tell you that whoever trusts in me will also do the works I do! Indeed, he will do greater ones, because I am going to the Father. 13 In fact, whatever you ask for in my name, I will do; so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me for something in my name, I will do it.
---------------------
Jesus replied, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been with you all this time? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”[John 14:9 (CEB)]
As my husband and I were eating at a local restaurant, I noticed that a young man entering the dining room seemed familiar. His actions and gestures led me to conclude that he was the son of one of our friends. Although I hadn’t seen this young man since he was a child, I was able to identify him. His mannerisms, the way he walked and stood, were so much like his dad’s that his identity was unmistakable.
The next day when thinking about how alike those two men were, another father/son relationship that reveals many similarities occurred to me. By observing Jesus and his interactions with others, we know much about God. Jesus always taught love. He was quick to forgive, and he healed others. He was gentle, kind, and compassionate. He assured us there was nothing to fear. Since he is God’s Son, we know that God has these same characteristics: loving, forgiving, gentle, kind, and compassionate. We know God because we know Jesus.
The Author: Janet Holloway-Bergman (Missouri, USA)
Thought for the Day: I can reflect my heavenly Father’s love in my words and actions.
Prayer: Creator God, help us to be mindful of who we are, to act with love for others, and to become more like Christ each day. Amen.
Prayer focus: FATHERS AND SONS
---------------------
Jesus replied, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been with you all this time? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”[John 14:9 (CEB)]
As my husband and I were eating at a local restaurant, I noticed that a young man entering the dining room seemed familiar. His actions and gestures led me to conclude that he was the son of one of our friends. Although I hadn’t seen this young man since he was a child, I was able to identify him. His mannerisms, the way he walked and stood, were so much like his dad’s that his identity was unmistakable.
The next day when thinking about how alike those two men were, another father/son relationship that reveals many similarities occurred to me. By observing Jesus and his interactions with others, we know much about God. Jesus always taught love. He was quick to forgive, and he healed others. He was gentle, kind, and compassionate. He assured us there was nothing to fear. Since he is God’s Son, we know that God has these same characteristics: loving, forgiving, gentle, kind, and compassionate. We know God because we know Jesus.
The Author: Janet Holloway-Bergman (Missouri, USA)
Thought for the Day: I can reflect my heavenly Father’s love in my words and actions.
Prayer: Creator God, help us to be mindful of who we are, to act with love for others, and to become more like Christ each day. Amen.
Prayer focus: FATHERS AND SONS
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This Week's Lectionary
4th Sunday after the Epiphany – Green
Sunday, 31 January 2015
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30
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Lectionary Readings
Sunday, 31 January 2016
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30
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Lectionary Texts:
Jeremiah 1:4 Here is the word of Adonai that came to me:
5 “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you;
before you were born, I separated you for myself.
I have appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.”
6 I said, “Oh, Adonai Elohim, I don’t even know how to speak! I’m just a child!” 7 But Adonai said to me, “Don’t say, ‘I’m just a child.’
“For you will go to whomever I send you,
and you will speak whatever I order you.
8 Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you, says Adonai,
to rescue you.”
9 Then Adonai put out his hand and touched my mouth, and Adonai said to me,
“There! I have put my words in your mouth.
10 Today I have placed you over nations and kingdoms
to uproot and to tear down,
to destroy and to demolish,
to build and to plant.”
Psalm 71:1 In you, Adonai, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
2 In your righteousness, rescue me;
and help me to escape.
Turn your ear toward me,
and deliver me.
3 Be for me a sheltering rock,
where I can always come.
You have determined to save me,
because you are my bedrock and stronghold.
4 My God, help me escape from the power of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and ruthless.
5 For you are my hope, Adonai Elohim,
in whom I have trusted since I was young.
6 From birth I have relied on you;
it was you who took me from my mother’s womb.
1 Corinthians 13:1 I may speak in the tongues of men, even angels;
but if I lack love, I have become merely
blaring brass or a cymbal clanging.
2 I may have the gift of prophecy,
I may fathom all mysteries, know all things,
have all faith — enough to move mountains;
but if I lack love, I am nothing.
3 I may give away everything that I own,
I may even hand over my body to be burned;
but if I lack love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient and kind, not jealous, not boastful,
5 not proud, rude or selfish, not easily angered,
and it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not gloat over other people’s sins
but takes its delight in the truth.
7 Love always bears up, always trusts,
always hopes, always endures.
8 Love never ends; but prophecies will pass,
tongues will cease, knowledge will pass.
9 For our knowledge is partial, and our prophecy partial;
10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass.
11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child,
thought like a child, argued like a child;
now that I have become a man,
I have finished with childish ways.
12 For now we see obscurely in a mirror,
but then it will be face to face.
Now I know partly; then I will know fully,
just as God has fully known me.
13 But for now, three things last —
trust, hope, love;
and the greatest of these is love.
Luke 4:21 He started to speak to them: “Today, as you heard it read, this passage of the Tanakh was fulfilled!” 22 Everyone was speaking well of him and marvelling that such appealing words were coming from his mouth. They were even asking, “Can this be Yosef’s son?”
23 Then Yeshua said to them, “No doubt you will quote to me this proverb — ‘“Doctor, cure yourself!” We’ve heard about all the things that have been going on over in K’far-Nachum; now do them here in your home town!’ 24 Yes!” he said, “I tell you that no prophet is accepted in his home town. 25 It’s true, I’m telling you — when Eliyahu was in Isra’el, and the sky was sealed off for three-and-a-half years, so that all the Land suffered a severe famine, there were many widows; 26 but Eliyahu was sent to none of them, only to a widow in Tzarfat in the land of Tzidon. 27 Also there were many people with tzara‘at in Isra’el during the time of the prophet Elisha; but not one of them was healed, only Na‘aman the Syrian.”
28 On hearing this, everyone in the synagogue was filled with fury. 29 They rose up, drove him out of town and dragged him to the edge of the cliff on which their town was built, intending to throw him off. 30 But he walked right through the middle of the crowd and went away.
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Jeremiah 1:4-10
Verse 4
[4] Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Then — When he was first called to his office.
Verse 5
[5] Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
I sanctified — I ordained thee for this public service. He speaks thus to Jeremiah, not to the other prophets, because he stood in need of greater encouragement than they, both in respect of the tenderness of his years, and the difficulties which he was to encounter with.
The nations — To other nations besides the Jews.
Verse 7
[7] But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
Thou shalt speak — Fear not, I will make thee eloquent and courageous.
Verse 9
[9] Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
Then — God having excited the prophet by command and promise, now in a vision confirms him, either by the hand of an angel, or by himself in some visible shape.
Verse 10
[10] See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
The kingdoms — Having now received his commission, he is directed to whom he is to go; to the greatest, not only single persons, but whole nations, as the Babylonians, Persians, and Egyptians.
To pull down — That is, to prophecy that I will pull down; which I will as certainly effect, as if thou hadst done it thyself: for, according to scripture-usage, the prophets are said to do that which they foretell shall come to pass.
To plant — Metaphors taken from architects and gardeners: either the former words relate to the enemies of God, and the latter to his friends; or rather to both conditionally: if they repent, he will build them up, he will increase their families, and settle them in the land; if they do not, he will root them up, and pull them down.
Psalm 71:1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Verse 2
[2] And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
And though I have the gift of prophecy — Of foretelling future events.
And understand all the mysteries — Both of God's word and providence.
And all knowledge — Of things divine and human, that ever any mortal attained to. And though I have the highest degree of miracle working faith, and have not this love, I am nothing.
Verse 3
[3] And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
And though I — Deliberately, piece by piece. Give all my goods to feed the poor, yea, though I deliver up my body to be burned - Rather than I would renounce my religion.
And have not the love — Hereafter described.
It profiteth me nothing — Without this, whatever I speak, whatever I have, whatever I know, whatever I do, whatever I suffer, is nothing.
Verse 4
[4] Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
The love of God, and of our neighbour for God's sake, is patient toward, all men. It, suffers all the weakness, ignorance, errors, and infirmities of the children of God; all the malice and wickedness of the children of the world: and all this, not only for a time, but to the end. And in every step toward overcoming evil with good, it is kind, soft, mild, benign. It inspires the sufferer at once with the most amiable sweetness, and the most fervent and tender affection.
Love acteth not rashly — Does not hastily condemn any one; never passes a severe sentence on a slight or sudden view of things. Nor does it ever act or behave in a violent, headstrong, or precipitate manner.
Is not puffed up — Yea, humbles the soul to the dust.
Verse 5
[5] Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
It doth not behave indecently — Is not rude, or willingly offensive, to any. It renders to all their due - Suitable to time, person, and all other circumstances.
Seeketh not her own — Ease, pleasure, honour, or temporal advantage. Nay, sometimes the lover of mankind seeketh not, in some sense, even his own spiritual advantage; does not think of himself, so long as a zeal for the glory of God and the souls of men swallows him up. But, though he is all on fire for these ends, yet he is not provoked to sharpness or unkindness toward any one. Outward provocations indeed will frequently occur; but he triumphs over all. Love thinketh no evil - Indeed it cannot but see and hear evil things, and know that they are so; but it does not willingly think evil of any; neither infer evil where it does not appear. It tears up, root and branch, all imagining of what we have not proof. It casts out all jealousies, all evil surmises, all readiness to believe evil.
Verse 6
[6] Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
Rejoiceth not in iniquity — Yea, weeps at either the sin or folly of even an enemy; takes no pleasure in hearing or in repeating it, but desires it may be forgotten for ever.
But rejoiceth in the truth — Bringing forth its proper fruit, holiness of heart and life. Good in general is its glory and joy, wherever diffused in all the world.
Verse 7
[7] Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Love covereth all things - Whatever evil the lover of mankind sees, hears, or knows of any one, he mentions it to none; it never goes out of his lips, unless where absolute duty constrains to speak.
Believeth all things — Puts the most favourable construction on everything, and is ever ready to believe whatever may tend to the advantage of any one character. And when it can no longer believe well, it hopes whatever may excuse or extenuate the fault which cannot be denied. Where it cannot even excuse, it hopes God will at length give repentance unto life.
Meantime it endureth all things — Whatever the injustice, the malice, the cruelty of men can inflict. He can not only do, but likewise suffer, all things, through Christ who strengtheneth him.
Verse 8
[8] Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
Love never faileth — It accompanies to, and adorns us in, eternity; it prepares us for, and constitutes, heaven.
But whether there be prophecies, they shall fail — When all things are fulfilled, and God is all in all.
Whether there be tongues, they shall cease — One language shall prevail among all the inhabitants of heaven, and the low and imperfect languages of earth be forgotten. The knowledge likewise which we now so eagerly pursue, shall then vanish away - As starlight is lost in that of the midday sun, so our present knowledge in the light of eternity.
Verse 9
[9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part — The wisest of men have here but short, narrow, imperfect conceptions, even of the things round about them, and much more of the deep things of God. And even the prophecies which men deliver from God are far from taking in the whole of future events, or of that wisdom and knowledge of God which is treasured up in the scripture revelation.
Verse 10
[10] But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
But when that which is perfect is come — At death and in the last day.
That which is in part shall vanish away — Both that poor, low, imperfect, glimmering light, which is all the knowledge we now can attain to; and these slow and unsatisfactory methods of attaining, as well as of imparting it to others.
Verse 11
[11] When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
In our present state we are mere infants in point of knowledge, compared to what we shall be hereafter.
I put away childish things — Of my own accord, willingly, without trouble.
Verse 12
[12] For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
Now we see — Even the things that surround us. But by means of a glass - Or mirror, which reflects only their imperfect forms, in a dim, faint, obscure manner; so that our thoughts about them are puzzling and intricate, and everything is a kind of riddle to us.
But then — We shall see, not a faint reflection, but the objects themselves.
Face to face — Distinctly.
Now I know in part — Even when God himself reveals things to me, great part of them is still kept under the veil.
But then I shall know even as also I am known — In a clear, full, comprehensive manner; in some measure like God, who penetrates the centre of every object, and sees at one glance through my soul and all things.
Verse 13
[13] And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Faith, hope, love — Are the sum of perfection on earth; love alone is the sum of perfection in heaven.
Luke 4:21-30
Verse 21
[21] And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
To-day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears — By what you hear me speak.
Verse 22
[22] And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?
The gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth — A person of spiritual discernment may find in all the discourses of our Lord a peculiar sweetness, gravity, and becomingness, such as is not to be found in the same degree, not even in those of the apostles.
Verse 23
[23] And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.
Ye will surely say — That is, your approbation now outweighs your prejudices. But it will not be so long. You will soon ask, why my love does not begin at home? Why I do not work miracles here, rather than at Capernaum? It is because of your unbelief. Nor is it any new thing for me to be despised in my own country. So were both Elijah and Elisha, and thereby driven to work miracles among heathens, rather than in Israel.
Verse 24
[24] And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.
No prophet is acceptable in his own country — That is, in his own neighbourhood. It generally holds, that a teacher sent from God is not so acceptable to his neighbours as he is to strangers. The meanness of his family, or lowness of his circumstances, bring his office into contempt: nor can they suffer that he, who was before equal with, or below themselves, should now bear a superior character.
Verse 25
[25] But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
When the heaven was shut up three years and six months — Such a proof had they that God had sent him. In 1 Kings 18:1, it is said, The word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year: namely, reckoning not from the beginning of the drought, but from the time when he began to sojourn with the widow of Sarepta. A year of drought had preceded this, while he dwelt at the brook Cherith. So that the whole time of the drought was (as St. James likewise observes) three years and six months. 1 Kings 17:19; 18:44.
Verse 27
[27] And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
2 Kings 5:14.
Verse 28
[28] And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
And all in the synagogue were filled with fury — Perceiving the purport of his discourse, namely, that the blessing which they despised, would be offered to, and accepted by, the Gentiles. So changeable are the hearts of wicked men! So little are their starts of love to be depended on! So unable are they to bear the close application, even of a discourse which they most admire!
Verse 30
[30] But he passing through the midst of them went his way,
Passing through the midst of them — Perhaps invisibly; or perhaps they were overawed; so that though they saw, they could not touch him.
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The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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Sermon Story "God's Hesed" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 31 January 2016 with Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4 Here is the word of Adonai that came to me:
5 “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you;
before you were born, I separated you for myself.
I have appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.”
6 I said, “Oh, Adonai Elohim, I don’t even know how to speak! I’m just a child!” 7 But Adonai said to me, “Don’t say, ‘I’m just a child.’
“For you will go to whomever I send you,
and you will speak whatever I order you.
8 Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you, says Adonai,
to rescue you.”
9 Then Adonai put out his hand and touched my mouth, and Adonai said to me,
“There! I have put my words in your mouth.
10 Today I have placed you over nations and kingdoms
to uproot and to tear down,
to destroy and to demolish,
to build and to plant.”
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The word Hesed in the title is defined as: [Lovingkindness (02617)(Hesed/Chesed/Heced) is the idea of faithful love in action and often in the OT refers to God's lovingkindness expressed in His covenant relationship with Israel (His "loyal love" to His "Wife" Israel [cp Hos 2:18, 19, 20-see note, Is 54:5, Je 31:32] = His "loyalty to covenant"). God's hesed His denotes persistent and unconditional tenderness, kindness, and mercy, a relationship in which He seeks after man with love and mercy (cp God immediately seeking man Ge 3:9, who was immediately hiding Ge 3:8 trying to cover their shame Ge 3:7 - contrast God's lovingkindness manifest by spilling blood to provide skins to cover their shame! Ge 3:21). Hesed expresses both God’s loyalty to His covenant and His love for His people along with a faithfulness to keep His promises.]
The four passages of Scripture we have this week are all sharing of God's Love to His people while I may concentrate on the Jeremiah passage with God sharing with Jeremiah that He knew him while he was being knitted together in his mother's uterus or womb. God was calling him from this point to be an instrument of God's to His people about God's love for them. We too often look at this passage and others similar to it and say that this is a one time experience for this person that Scripture is talking about, but in reality this occurence is for each person who has been conceived in the womb of a woman. Even the babies that have been miscarried or aborted are known by God and have been given a purpose to build His kingdom while the knowledge of this may not come but later on in a person's life as they become more open to God's Spirit and Love for them as people chosen by God. Have you ever known a woman or even a man long after the occurence to go into a depressive state of mind and dwell on what could have been? Could this be God's Holy Spirit speaking to them that they are truly loved and maybe even forgiven that their child is all right in the presence of Him. We look at the immigrant, refugee, people of different races, people who have different sexual orentation, or people who are differently abled and need to realize that God knitted them in their mother's womb to call them for His purpose to build the KIngdom of God on earth as it is in Heaven. Father Henri J. M. Nouwen learned this when he first began living in a L'Arche community in Toronto, Ontario, Canada called Daybreak. He realized that all he had accomplished meant nothing to the people who were differently abled, but how he reacts and acts towards each of them at the moment. How do you understand this? How will you react and act towards others who are different from you? How will you live out the Unconditional Love that God gives each of us to pass on to all other people? Too often, we have rejected people who are different from us from being a part of our churches, but God is telling us through His Holy Spirit and these people that we are sinning against God with our excludiionary tactics. God says include all with the same Unconditional Love that He gives each of us and more as we grow in our relationship with Him and all other people. How have you been living? We come to receive more of God's Unconditional Love as we take and eat the Body of Jesus and take and drink His Blood through the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eurcharist. As we come, we sing the Hymn "A Father's Love" by Ken Bible
1. Hear a child demand his freedom,
Grasping for life,
Careless with his greatest treasure:
All his Father's love.
2. Through the years of waste and wandering
So far from home,
Still a waiting heart is watching
With a Father's love.
3. How the Father runs to meet him!
See their embrace!
Sin is turned to joy and promise
By a Father's love.
4. Still a waiting heart is calling
All far from home.
Come and know this sweet forgiveness.
Find your Father's love.
Benediction:
Go out into the world in peace;
Be of good courage;
Hold fast to that which is good;
Render to no one evil for evil;
Strengthen the faint hearted;
Support the weak; help the afflicted;
Honor all God’s children;
Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1
San Diego, California 92104-1844
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Contact Information:
Great Plains Episcopal Office
9440 E Boston, Suite 160
Wichita Kansas 67207, United States
316-686-0600
800-745-2350
info@greatplainsumc.org
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