Grow. Pray. Study. Daily Guide from the United Methodist Church
of the Resurrection – Wednesday, 1 January 2014 – "God works all
things…for good" (New Year's Day)
Daily Scripture: Romans 8: 22 We know that the whole creation has
been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we
ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we
wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in[a] hope we were
saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes[b] for what is seen? 25
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not
know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes[c] with sighs too
deep for words. 27 And God,[d] who searches the heart, knows what is the mind
of the Spirit, because the Spirit[e] intercedes for the saints according to the
will of God.[f]
28 We know that all things work together for good[g] for those
who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Footnotes:
a. Romans 8:24 Or by
b. Romans 8:24 Other ancient authorities read awaits
c. Romans 8:26 Other ancient authorities add for us
d. Romans 8:27 Gk the one
e. Romans 8:27 Gk he or it
f. Romans 8:27 Gk according to God
g. Romans 8:28 Other ancient authorities read God makes all
things work together for good, or in all things God works for good
Reflection Questions:
In addition to parades and football games, many people, in a
whole variety of ways, use New Year's Day as a chance to mentally review 2013.
But usually we are inclined to focus on our own triumphs and regrets. Romans 8
suggests a different perspective. Why not see to what extent we can identify
how God has worked for our good in all things during the past year?
The apostle wrote that even when we find ourselves at a loss,
"the Spirit himself pleads our case with unexpressed groans." Do you
see prayer as just a time when you figure out what to talk to God about?
Reflect on the amazing mystery that God does not just passively listen to your
prayers, but actually helps you pray. If there are questions and pains that
leave you speechless, lay them before God today.
Verse 24 sets up the message of verse 28, saying, "We were
saved in hope. If we see what we hope for, that isn't hope. Who hopes for what
they already see?" What hopes do you carry into this new year that remain
out of sight right now? What helps you to anchor your hope in God's goodness,
and to live with patience and trust to see how God will work all things for
good in your life?
Today's Prayer:
Loving Lord, I want to trust you. I need to live in your hope.
Go with me into this new year, that I may face none of its days entirely in my
own strength. Amen.
Wednesday, 1 January 2014 – Insight from Angela LaVallie
Angela LaVallie is the Member Connection Program Director at The
Church of the Resurrection. She provides oversight to our member connection
efforts through the New Member Welcome Team,
the Reconnection Team, Holy Communion preparation, and our Spiritual Gifts
Discovery classes and Placement.
About ten years ago, a friend and I co-led a small group for
middle school and high school girls, and we gave each girl a gratitude
notebook. Every Wednesday evening, we asked the girls to write down ten things
they were grateful for – big things or small things, people, circumstances,
material items – and the kicker was, they were not allowed to repeat anything
on their list from September through May. It is so easy to dwell on the
negative things in life and push aside the positive things, especially for a
teenager. It was great to see how, even when they were having a bad week, they
could find joy in the blessings of a bottle of sparkly nail polish, a kind
teacher, a good night’s sleep, a pet (all items that showed up on their lists).
My co-leader and I kept track of our blessings during that school year right
alongside the girls in our group, and I was encouraged to see how many
blessings I had to be thankful for.
Since that year, I have known I was blessed, but I have not
intentionally looked for those blessings so regularly as I did then. This year,
I received a gratitude journal as a Christmas gift. I am super excited about
this gift because it will once again give me a chance to focus on the blessings
in my life.
One of today’s study guide questions asks how we spend our
prayer lives. Although I am certain there will be times where my prayers will
be those groans that the Spirit will have to interpret, I can only imagine how
much my prayer life will be enriched by writing in my gratitude journal
regularly and using it as a starting point to thank God for both the good that
is evident and for the good that is yet to be seen.
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United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, KS 66224 United States
(913)897-0120
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