The Upper Room Daily Reflections in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Monday 12 June 2017 through Sunday, 18 June 2017 |  |
"Prayer for the World" for Sunday, 18 June 2017Today’s Reflection: I bring before you this world you so lovingly made. Forgive us for the ways we have turned our backs on you and on one another. Have mercy on us, O Lord. Have mercy on us. Amen! [Mary Lou Redding, Prayers for Life’s Ordinary and Extraordinary Moments] From “Prayer for a Hurting World,” page 42 in Prayers for Life’s Ordinary and Extraordinary Moments, compiled and edited by Mary Lou Redding. Copyright © 2012 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission.Sharon Seyfarth Garner http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book. Today’s Question:Pray today’s prayer.O GOD, Creator and Redeemer, I bring before you this world you so lovingly made. Forgive us for the ways we have turned our backs on you and on one another. Have mercy on us, O Lord. Have mercy on us. Today’s Scripture:“When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” [Matthew 10:23, NRSV]This Week: pray for someone who is experiencing a new beginning.
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"Thirst for God" for Saturday, 16 June 2017
Today’s Reflection:  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me continually, “Where is your God?” [Psalm 42:2-3] This freedom allows the faithful to express deep longing. It permits them to cry out against isolation and even to accuse God: “O Lord, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry out in your presence, let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry. For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. I am counted among those who go down to the Pit; I am like those who have no help, like those forsaken among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more. [Psalm 88:1-5] Exercising this freedom, a psalmist may pour forth impatience: “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” [Psalm 13:1] [Steve Doughty, To Walk in Integrity] From pages 87-88 of To Walk in Integrity: Spiritual Leadership in Times of Crisis by Steve Doughty. Copyright © 2004 by Steve Doughty. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom. Today’s Question:Find a Psalm that expresses your longing for God.Today’s Scripture:As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ [Matthew 10:7, NRSV]This Week: pray for someone who is experiencing a new beginning.
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"Share the Gifts I Have Received" for Friday, 16 June 2017Today’s Reflection: may I trust the faithfulness of your Father who feathers and feeds the birds. In the people I meet, the places I go, the food that I eat, help me to see and hear, taste and touch the abundance of your grace within the landscape of your love. Set me free from anxiety and the burden of excess so that I may share with others the gifts I have received. Amen! [Sam Hamilton-Poore, Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation] From pages 105-106 of Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation by Sam Hamilton-Poore. Copyright © 2008 by Sam Hamilton-Poore. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book. Today’s Question:Pray today’s prayer. LORD JESUS,may I trust the faithfulness of your Father who feathers and feeds the birds. In the people I meet, the places I go, the food that I eat, help me to see and hear, taste and touch the abundance of your grace within the landscape of your love. Set me free from anxiety and the burden of excess so that I may share with others the gifts I have received. Amen! Today’s Scripture:But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. [Romans 5:8, NRSV]This Week: pray for someone who is experiencing a new beginning.
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"Support in Our Grief" for Thursday, 15 June 2017
Today’s Reflection:  However isolated we may feel in other areas of our lives, in our grief we are not isolated at all; we have with us not only the presence of God but the whole human race solidly with us, supporting us even when we do not allow ourselves to feel it. [Roberta C. Bondi, Wild Things] From pages 19-20 of Wild Things: Poems of Grief and Love, Loss and Gratitude by Roberta C. Bondi. Copyright © 2014 by Roberta C. Bondi. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom. Today’s Question:Where do you find comfort when you are grieving?Today’s Scripture:Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. [Romans 5:1-2, NRSV]This Week: pray for someone who is experiencing a new beginning.
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"Music to Move the Soul" for Wednesday, 14 June 2017Today’s Reflection: Anything that reminds you of the wonder of your own created self can trigger a prayer. Whether you are reacting in sadness or joy, the feelings testify to the humanness you share with all people. Music can calm, excite, enliven, and, yes, carry your prayers. So select the music that moves you. Hearing it with loving attention sings a song to your soul. [Linda Douty, Praying in the Messiness of Life] From pages 55-56 of Praying in the Messiness of Life: 7 Ways to Renew Your Relationship with God by Linda Douty. Copyright © 2011 by Linda Douty. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book. Today’s Question:What music sings to your soul?Today’s Scripture:I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. [Psalm 116:1, NRSV]This Week: pray for someone who is experiencing a new beginning.
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"Music to Move the Soul" for Tuesday, 13 June 2017
Today’s Reflection:  Anything that reminds you of the wonder of your own created self can trigger a prayer. Whether you are reacting in sadness or joy, the feelings testify to the humanness you share with all people. Music can calm, excite, enliven, and, yes, carry your prayers. So select the music that moves you. Hearing it with loving attention sings a song to your soul. [Linda Douty, Praying in the Messiness of Life] From pages 55-56 of Praying in the Messiness of Life: 7 Ways to Renew Your Relationship with God by Linda Douty. Copyright © 2011 by Linda Douty. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom. Today’s Question:What music sings to your soul?Today’s Scripture:I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. [Psalm 116:1, NRSV]This Week: pray for someone who is experiencing a new beginning.
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Today’s Reflection:
MANY PEOPLE ASK …, “How do I know what God wants me to do?” and “How do I know when it is God speaking and not my own voice echoing in my desires?” Discernment is the way by which we find the answer to the first question and sort out the voices in the second question.
Spiritual discernment is about finding God’s yearning for the direction of our life. It is not a once-and-for-all answer to our questions but a continual seeking for God’s longing as we accept the invitation to live into the abundance God so freely gives us. [Valerie K. Isenhower and Judith A. Todd, Living into the Answers: A Workbook for Personal Spiritual Discernment]
From page 15 of Living into the Answers: A Workbook for Personal Spiritual Discernment by Valerie K. Isenhower and Judith A. Todd. Copyright © 2008 by the authors. Used with permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.
Today’s Question:
What do you want to know about spiritual discernment? What knowledge would you share with others?
Today’s Scripture:
So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?”
[Genesis 18:12, NRSV]
This Week: pray for someone who is experiencing a new beginning.
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.Anthony of PaduaJune 13 Anthony of Padua was born in Portugal in 1195, but his life's work was in Italy. At the age of fifteen Anthony joined the Augustinians. When he met a group of Franciscans who were subsequently martyred in Morocco, Anthony became a Franciscan. He, too, hoped to be a martyr. He traveled to Morocco to carry on the work of the murdered friars, but had to return because he was ill. On his way back to Portugal, his ship was blown off course and he ended up in Sicily. Anthony went north to Assisi and met Saint Francis himself.From Assisi Anthony was sent to live quietly at the Hermitage of San Paolo. When he preached an outstanding sermon at an ordination ceremony, his superiors discovered his astounding oratorical skills. Soon, Anthony was preaching to thousands of people and is still considered to have been one of the greatest preachers of all time. He died in 1231 at the age of thirty-six. Anthony of Padua is known as the patron saint of lost articles. If Anthony had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Sage. Anthony of Padua is remembered on June 13.
Lectionary Readings for Sunday, 18 June 2017
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Scripture Text: Genesis 18:1 Adonai appeared to Avraham by the oaks of Mamre as he sat at the entrance to the tent during the heat of the day. 2 He raised his eyes and looked, and there in front of him stood three men. On seeing them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, prostrated himself on the ground, 3 and said, “My lord, if I have found favor in your sight, please don’t leave your servant. 4 Please let me send for some water, so that you can wash your feet; then rest under the tree, 5 and I will bring a piece of bread. Now that you have come to your servant, refresh yourselves before going on.” “Very well,” they replied, “do what you have said.” 6 Avraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quickly, three measures of the best flour! Knead it and make cakes.” 7 Avraham ran to the herd, took a good, tender calf and gave it to the servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 Then he took curds, milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it all before the men; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate. 9 They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” He said, “There, in the tent.” 10 He said, “I will certainly return to you around this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Sarah heard him from the entrance of the tent, behind him. 11 Avraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years; Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, “I am old, and so is my lord; am I to have pleasure again?” 13 Adonai said to Avraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and ask, ‘Am I really going to bear a child when I am so old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for Adonai? At the time set for it, at this season next year, I will return to you; and Sarah will have a son.” (ii) 15 Sarah denied it, saying, “I didn’t either laugh,” because she was afraid. He said, “Not so — you did laugh.”
2 because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
Romans 5:1 So, since we have come to be considered righteous by God because of our trust, let us continue to have shalom with God through our Lord, Yeshua the Messiah. 2 Also through him and on the ground of our trust, we have gained access to this grace in which we stand; so let us boast about the hope of experiencing God’s glory. 3 But not only that, let us also boast in our troubles; because we know that trouble produces endurance, 4 endurance produces character, and character produces hope; 5 and this hope does not let us down, because God’s love for us has already been poured out in our hearts through the Ruach HaKodesh who has been given to us.6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time, the Messiah died on behalf of ungodly people. 7 Now it is a rare event when someone gives up his life even for the sake of somebody righteous, although possibly for a truly good person one might have the courage to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in that the Messiah died on our behalf while we were still sinners.
Matthew 9:35 Yeshua went about all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and weakness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harried and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his talmidim, “The harvest is rich, but the workers are few. 38 Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send out workers to gather in his harvest.”
10:1 Yeshua called his twelve talmidim and gave them authority to drive out unclean spirits and to heal every kind of disease and weakness. 2 These are the names of the twelve emissaries:
First, Shim‘on, called Kefa, and Andrew his brother,
Ya‘akov Ben-Zavdai and Yochanan his brother, 3 Philip and Bar-Talmai, T’oma and Mattityahu the tax-collector, Ya‘akov Bar-Halfai and Taddai, 4 Shim‘on the Zealot, and Y’hudah from K’riot, who betrayed him.
5 These twelve Yeshua sent out with the following instructions: “Don’t go into the territory of the Goyim, and don’t enter any town in Shomron, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Isra’el. 7 As you go, proclaim, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is near,’ 8 heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those afflicted with tzara’at, expel demons. You have received without paying, so give without asking payment. 9 Don’t take money in your belts, no gold, no silver, no copper; 10 and for the trip don’t take a pack, an extra shirt, shoes or a walking stick — a worker should be given what he needs.
11 “When you come to a town or village, look for someone trustworthy and stay with him until you leave. 12 When you enter someone’s household, say, ‘Shalom aleikhem!’ 13 If the home deserves it, let your shalom rest on it; if not, let your shalom return to you. 14 But if the people of a house or town will not welcome you or listen to you, leave it and shake its dust from your feet! 15 Yes, I tell you, it will be more tolerable on the Day of Judgment for the people of S’dom and ‘Amora than for that town!16 “Pay attention! I am sending you out like sheep among wolves, so be as prudent as snakes and as harmless as doves. 17 Be on guard, for there will be people who will hand you over to the local Sanhedrins and flog you in their synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as a testimony to them and to the Goyim. 19 But when they bring you to trial, do not worry about what to say or how to say it; when the time comes, you will be given what you should say. 20 For it will not be just you speaking, but the Spirit of your heavenly Father speaking through you. 21 “A brother will betray his brother to death, and a father his child; children will turn against their parents and have them put to death. 22 Everyone will hate you because of me, but whoever holds out till the end will be preserved from harm. 23 When you are persecuted in one town, run away to another. Yes indeed; I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Isra’el before the Son of Man comes.
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary: Genesis 18:1-15,
Chapter 18 We have an account in this chapter of another interview between God and Abraham, probably within a few days after the former, as the reward of his chearful obedience to the law of circumcision.Here is,
(21:1-7)
Chapter 21 In this chapter we have, Isaac, the child of promise, born into Abraham's family, ver. 1 - 8. Verses:
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
CHAPT. CXVI. This psalm is a solemn thanksgiving to God.
Wherein the psalmist professes his love to God, for delivering him out of great straits and dangers, ver. 1 - 8. Prays for his future protection, and promises to praise him, and to walk holy before him, 9 - 19.89:3The sorrows - Dangerous and deadly calamities. Pains - Such agonies and horrors, as dying persons use to feel.89:7Rest - Unto a chearful confidence in God.
Romans 5:1-8
Chapter 5
Matthew 9:35-10:8,
Chapter 9
(9-23)
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