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"Ventures of Compassion" for Sunday, 4 June 2017
Today’s Reflection:  South African pastor Trevor Hudson identifies compassionate caring as the distinguishing mark of faithful discipleship: “Compassionate caring creatively balances the inward-outward dynamic so characteristic of Jesus’ life, saves us from falling prey to the latest fad in the spiritual supermarket, and catapults our lives into a deeper engagement with the brokenness of our world.” Hudson goes on to claim that making a pilgrimage with those who suffer is one practical way to cultivate the “grace-soaked” gift of compassion in our lives. [Don C. Richter, Mission Trips That Matter] From page 44 of Mission Trips That Matter: Embodied Faith for the Sake of the World by Don C. Richter. Copyright © 2008 by Don C. Richter. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom. Today’s Question:Where you do see compassion given and received?Today’s Scripture:When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” [John 20:22, NRSV]This Week: pray for someone in need of courage. Abba " for Saturday, 3 June 2017
Today’s Reflection:
JESUS, IN THE GOSPELS, assures us that at any age, even extreme old age, we are still beloved children in God’s eyes and may call God Daddy or even Mommy.Jesus demonstrated this promise when he called his Father “Abba.” Abba and Amma were (and still are in Israel) familiar, intimate ways to address one’s parents. Jesus offers us the same relationship with his Father that he enjoyed and encourages us to enter into this gift of parent-child intimacy. Jesus teaches that God does not sit in vengeful, harsh judgment of our every little (or big) sin. God is not waiting to catch us making mistakes. We may view ourselves as sinners, but God delights in us as beloved children. God waits in loving, parental care for all adult children to come and snuggle up in the lap of God’s loving safety and affectionate nurture. [Jane Marie Thibault, 10 Gospel Promises for Later Life] From page 25 of 10 Gospel Promises for Later Life by Jane Marie Thibault. Copyright © 2004 by Jane Marie Thibault. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom. Today’s Question:Is the image of God as Abba helpful or harmful to your spirit?Today’s Scripture:Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” [John 20:21, NRSV]This Week: pray for someone in need of courage. "Poverty of Spirit" for Friday, 2 June 2017 Today’s Reflection:  for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” [Matthew 5:3] This beatitude offers us a spiritual life based not on performance but on dependence. … We have been socialized in a culture where rugged individualism and self-determination permeate our way of thinking. … An individualistic approach keeps us in control, makes us feel as if we are in charge of our spiritual lives. We can’t conceive of what it would mean to desire poverty of spirit, to depend on God for everything. Poverty of spirit involves realizing that we cannot do what God wants by depending on our own skills, insight, or energy. This realization becomes the gate into God’s kingdom. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, aware of how impossible it is for you to do what God asks, you’ve been in touch with what it means to be “poor in spirit.” In this beatitude Christ invites us into a partnership that can change us, and through us, change the world: “All of you who know you can’t possibly do it, you’re the ones I want. You’re just the kind of people I can use.” [Mary Lou Redding, The Power of a Focused Heart] From pages 19 and 21 of The Power of a Focused Heart: 8 Life Lessons from the Beatitudes/. Copyright © 2006 by Mary Lou Redding. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom. Today’s Question:When have you felt poor in spirit? Was there an experience of the kingdom of God related to that feeling?Today’s Scripture:For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–Jews or Greeks, slaves or free–and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. [1 Corinthians 12:13, NRSV]This Week: pray for someone in need of courage. "Breathing Through Grief" for Thursday, 1 June 2017 Today’s Reflection:  During a class I was teaching, I tried to breathe, but my breath was lost. I could feel my heart inside my chest as it exploded into a million little pieces of sorrow and grief. My chest hurt. I sucked air in through my nose, using every bit of conscious energy I could muster; then I breathed out through my mouth. As memories filled my mind, tears made their way down my cheeks. In front of a hundred sets of eyes, I experienced my son’s death all over again. How would I ever be able to move forward if sudden tidal waves of grief kept sneaking up on me and sweeping me out to sea? From deep inside I heard the voice of truth say to me, “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54b, NIV). God gently reminded me that I possess the same spirit that raised Lazarus from the dead. If I could find a way to make my son’s death point to the cross, healing would begin. “In all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28a, NIV). I decided to choose life and to let God’s word heal me. I also spoke the word to others who have felt the pain of grief and loss, and my breath has returned to stay. [Amy Davidson [Kenton, Tennessee], devozine, May-June 2017] From page 35 of devozine, the devotional lifestyle magazine for teens, May/June 2017. Copyright © 2017 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. For information on subscriptions, call 800.972.0433 or visit devozine.upperroom.org. http://bookstore.upperroom. Today’s Question:When you are grieving, what helps you?Today’s Scripture:No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. [1 Corinthians 12:3b, NRSV]This Week: pray for someone in need of courage. "Joy and Delight in Our Lives" for Wednesday, 31 May 2017Today’s Reflection: [Evelyn Underhill - Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Soul’s Delight] From pages 31-32 of The Soul’s Delight: Selected Writings of Evelyn Underhill,edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe. Copyright © 1998 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book. Today’s Question:When do you experience joy?Today’s Scripture:May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD. [Psalm 104:34, NRSV]This Week: pray for someone in need of courage. "Abba, Source of Mercy" for Tuesday, 30 May 2017
Today’s Reflection:
 From page 48 of The Jesus Priorities: 8 Essential Habits by Christopher Maricle. Copyright © 2007 by Christopher Maricle. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom. Today’s Question:Why is it important to forgive others before you seek forgiveness?Today’s Scripture: O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. [Psalm 104:24, NRSV] This Week: pray for someone in need of courage.
Today’s Reflection:
 Decision MakingGod is very creative! When we make a good choice or decision, we have a sense of being “in tune” with ourselves, of releasing energy, of moving toward life. Our choice seems to be the right thing to do even if it is difficult or not what people expect of us. Ultimately such choices are good news for others too. [Ann Siddall and Gary Stuckey, Tending the Seed] From pages 44-45 of Tending the Seed: Nurture Your God-Given Potential by Ann Siddall and Gary Stuckey. Copyright © 2005 by Ann Siddall and Gary Stuckey. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom. Today’s Question:When have you felt good about a choice you have made? Describe what you felt.Today’s Scripture:And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. [Acts 2:2-4, NRSV]This Week: pray for someone in need of courage. Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.
This week we remember: Bede (May 25).Bede May 25  Known to us today as "The Venerable Bede," this saint was a wise one. He lived in England 673 to 735, spending his life from age 7 in the Wearmouth Abbey in Northumberland. As a Benedictine, his hours would have followed a regular schedule of worship and prayer, study, teaching, and writing. Bede wrote 25 commentaries on the Bible, many of which are still used today. He also wrote the book History of the English Church and People. Writing and teaching in English, Bede helped to spread the good news of Christianity to the Anglo-Saxon world. If St. Bede had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he definitely would have been a Sage. His feast day is May 25. (Art is an illustration from the 1493 book, the Nurenberg Chronicle.) Lectionary Readings: Sunday, 4 June 2017 (Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library) Acts 2:1-21 Psalm 104:24-34, 35b 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 John 20:19-23 Scripture text: Acts 2:1 The festival of Shavu‘ot arrived, and the believers all gathered together in one place. 2 Suddenly there came a sound from the sky like the roar of a violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire, which separated and came to rest on each one of them. 4 They were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh and began to talk in different languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak. 5 Now there were staying in Yerushalayim religious Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered; they were confused, because each one heard the believers speaking in his own language. 7 Totally amazed, they asked, “How is this possible? Aren’t all these people who are speaking from the Galil? 8 How is it that we hear them speaking in our native languages? 9 We are Parthians, Medes, Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Y’hudah, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome; 11 Jews by birth and proselytes; Jews from Crete and from Arabia. . . ! How is it that we hear them speaking in our own languages about the great things God has done?” 12 Amazed and confused, they all went on asking each other, “What can this mean?” 13 But others made fun of them and said, “They’ve just had too much wine!” 14 Then Kefa stood up with the Eleven and raised his voice to address them: “You Judeans, and all of you staying here in Yerushalayim! Let me tell you what this means! Listen carefully to me! 15 “These people aren’t drunk, as you suppose — it’s only nine in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken about through the prophet Yo’el:
17 ‘Adonai says:
“In the Last Days, I will pour out from my Spirit upon everyone. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my slaves, both men and women, will I pour out from my Spirit in those days; and they will prophesy. 19 I will perform miracles in the sky above and signs on the earth below — blood, fire and thick smoke. 20 The sun will become dark and the moon blood before the great and fearful Day of Adonai comes. 21 And then, whoever calls on the name of Adonai will be saved.”’[Acts 2:21 Joel 3:1–5(2:28–32)] In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creations.
25 Look at the sea, so great, so wide!
It teems with countless creatures, living beings, both large and small. 26 The ships are there, sailing to and fro; Livyatan, which you formed to play there.
27 All of them look to you
to give them their food when they need it. 28 When you give it to them, they gather it; when you open your hand, they are well satisfied. 29 If you hide your face, they vanish; if you hold back their breath, they perish and return to their dust. 30 If you send out your breath, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. 31 May the glory of Adonai last forever! May Adonai rejoice in his works! 32 When he looks at the earth, it trembles; when he touches the mountains, they pour out smoke. 33 I will sing to Adonai as long as I live, sing praise to my God all my life. 34 May my musings be pleasing to him; I will rejoice in Adonai. 35 May sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more! Bless Adonai, my soul!
Halleluyah!
4 Now there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. 5 Also there are different ways of serving, but it is the same Lord being served. 6 And there are different modes of working, but it is the same God working them all in everyone. 7 Moreover, to each person is given the particular manifestation of the Spirit that will be for the common good. 8 To one, through the Spirit, is given a word of wisdom; to another, a word of knowledge, in accordance with the same Spirit; 9 to another, faith, by the same Spirit; and to another, gifts of healing, by the one Spirit; 10 to another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the ability to judge between spirits; to another, the ability to speak in different kinds of tongues; and to yet another, the ability to interpret tongues. 11 One and the same Spirit is at work in all these things, distributing to each person as he chooses. 12 For just as the body is one but has many parts; and all the parts of the body, though many, constitute one body; so it is with the Messiah. 13 For it was by one Spirit that we were all immersed into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free; and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.John 20:19 In the evening that same day, the first day of the week, when the talmidim were gathered together behind locked doors out of fear of the Judeans, Yeshua came, stood in the middle and said, “Shalom aleikhem!” 20 Having greeted them, he showed them his hands and his side. The talmidim were overjoyed to see the Lord. 21 “Shalom aleikhem!” Yeshua repeated. “Just as the Father sent me, I myself am also sending you.” 22 Having said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Ruach HaKodesh! 23 If you forgive someone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you hold them, they are held.” John Wesley's Notes-Commentary: Acts 2:1-21 Chapter 2
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
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