Wichita, Kansas, United States - Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church Daily Devotional for Saturday, 7 June 2014

Wichita, Kansas, United States - Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church Daily Devotional for Saturday, 7 June 2014
This Week's Lectionary:
7th Sunday of Easter – White or Gold
Ascension Sunday
Lectionary Scripture:
*Acts 1:6-14
Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
John 17:1-11
Acts 1:6 Therefore when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
9 When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold,[a] two men stood by them in white clothing, 11 who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they had come in, they went up into the upper room, where they were staying; that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Footnotes:
a. Acts 1:10 “Behold”, from “ἰδοὺ”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
Psalm 68: For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. A song.
1 Let God arise!
    Let his enemies be scattered!
    Let them who hate him also flee before him.
2 As smoke is driven away,
    so drive them away.
As wax melts before the fire,
    so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3 But let the righteous be glad.
    Let them rejoice before God.
    Yes, let them rejoice with gladness.
4 Sing to God! Sing praises to his name!
    Extol him who rides on the clouds:
to Yah, his name!
    Rejoice before him!
5 A father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows,
    is God in his holy habitation.
6 God sets the lonely in families.
He brings out the prisoners with singing,
    but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land.
7 God, when you went out before your people,
    when you marched through the wilderness...
Selah.
8 The earth trembled.
    The sky also poured down rain at the presence of the God of Sinai—
    at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9 You, God, sent a plentiful rain.
    You confirmed your inheritance, when it was weary.
10 Your congregation lived therein.
    You, God, prepared your goodness for the poor.
32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth!
    Sing praises to the Lord!
Selah.
33 To him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which are of old;
    behold, he utters his voice, a mighty voice.
34 Ascribe strength to God!
    His excellency is over Israel,
    his strength is in the skies.
35 You are awesome, God, in your sanctuaries.
    The God of Israel gives strength and power to his people.
    Praise be to God!
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. 13 But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.
5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; 7 casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
8 Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
John 17:1 Jesus said these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you; 2 even as you gave him authority over all flesh, he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ. 4 I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do. 5 Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed. 6 I revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They have kept your word. 7 Now they have known that all things whatever you have given me are from you, 8 for the words which you have given me I have given to them, and they received them, and knew for sure that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I don’t pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All things that are mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are.
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John Wesley’s Notes-Commentary for:
John Wesley’s Notes-Commentary:
*Acts 1:6-14
Verse 6
[6] When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Dost thou at this time — At the time thou now speakest of? not many days hence? restore the kingdom to Israel? - They still seemed to dream of an outward, temporal kingdom, in which the Jews should have dominion over all nations. It seems they came in a body, having before concerted the design, to ask when this kingdom would come.
Verse 7
[7] And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
The times or the seasons — Times, in the language of the Scriptures, denote a longer; seasons, a shorter space.
Which the Father hath put in his own power — To be revealed when and to whom it pleaseth him.
Verse 8
[8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
But ye shall receive power — and shall be witnesses to me - That is, ye shall be empowered to witness my Gospel, both by your preaching and suffering.
Verse 12
[12] Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
A Sabbath-day's journey — The Jews generally fix this to two thousand cubits, which is not a mile.
Verse 13
[13] And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
They went up into the upper room — The upper rooms, so frequently mentioned in Scripture, were chambers in the highest part of the house, set apart by the Jews for private prayer. These, on account of their being so retired and convenient, the apostles now used for all the offices of religion. Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:14; Luke 6:13.
Verse 14
[14] These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
His brethren — His near kinsmen, who for some time did not believe; it seems not till near his death.
Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35
Verse 4
[4] Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.
Jah — Is an abbreviation of the name Jehovah, which the Heathens pronounced Jao.
Before him — Before the ark where he is present, as David is said to dance before the Lord, upon this occasion, 2 Samuel 6:14.
Verse 5
[5] A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
Habitation — In heaven.
Verse 6
[6] God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
Rebellious — Those who rebel against God.
Verse 7
[7] O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; /*Selah*/:
Wentest — In the cloudy pillar, as their captain leading them up out of Egypt.
Verse 8
[8] The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
Dropped — Poured down great showers, which accompanied those mighty thunders.
Verse 9
[9] Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.
Weary — Dry and thirsty, and parched with excessive heat, and ready to faint for want of rain, Psalms 63:1.
Verse 10
[10] Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
Thy congregation — The people of Israel.
It — This land for the use of thy people: which God did by designing it for them, and expelling the old inhabitants; by furnishing it with all sorts of provisions, and making it fruitful by his special blessing.
Poor — Such thy really were, when God undertook the conduct of them into Canaan.
Verse 33
[33] To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.
Heavens — The highest heavens; dwelling there in infinite glory, and from thence looking down upon all the inhabitants of the earth, and ruling them by his almighty power.
Of old — From the beginning of the world; whereas the ark was only some hundred years old.
A voice — His gospel, published by Christ and his apostles, assisted by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven; which might well be called God's voice, and that a mighty voice, because it produced such great and wonderful effects.
Verse 34
[34] Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.
Ascribe — Acknowledge that he is able to do whatsoever he pleaseth.
Excellency — His excellent power and goodness.
Is over — Dwells among them. He is indeed the universal Lord, but in a special manner, he is the God of Israel.
Verse 35
[35] O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.
Terrible — Deservedly to be feared.
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
Verse 12
[12] Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
Wonder not at the burning which is among you — This is the literal meaning of the expression. It seems to include both martyrdom itself, which so frequently was by fire, and all the other sufferings joined with, or previous to, it; which is permitted by the wisdom of God for your trial. Be not surprised at this.
Verse 13
[13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
But as ye partake of the sufferings of Christ — 1 Peter 4:1, while ye suffer for his sake, rejoice in hope of more abundant glory. For the measure of glory answers the measure of suffering; and much more abundantly.
Verse 14
[14] If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
If ye are reproached for Christ — Reproaches and cruel mockings were always one part of their sufferings.
The Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you — The same Spirit which was upon Christ, Luke 4:18. He is here termed, the Spirit of glory, conquering all reproach and shame, and the Spirit of God, whose Son, Jesus Christ is.
On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified — That is, while they are blaspheming Christ, you glorify him in the midst of your sufferings, 1 Peter 4:16.
Verse 6
[6] Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
The hand of God — Is in all troubles.
Verse 7
[7] Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Casting all your care upon him — In every want or pressure.
Verse 8
[8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
But in the mean time watch. There is a close connexion between this, and the duly casting our care upon him. How deeply had St. Peter himself suffered for want of watching! Be vigilant - As if he had said, Awake, and keep awake. Sleep no more: be this your care.
As a roaring lion — Full of rage.
Seeking — With all subtilty likewise.
Whom he may devour or swallow up — Both soul and body.
Verse 9
[9] Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Be the more steadfast, as ye know the same kind of afflictions are accomplished in - That is, suffered by, your brethren, till the measure allotted them is filled up.
Verse 10
[10] But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Now the God of all grace — By which alone the whole work is begun, continued, and finished in your soul.
After ye have suffered a while — A very little while compared with eternity.
Himself — Ye have only to watch and resist the devil: the rest God will perform.
Perfect — That no defect may remain.
Stablish — That nothing may overthrow you.
Strengthen — That ye may conquer all adverse power.
And settle you — As an house upon a rock. So the apostle, being converted, does now "strengthen his brethren."
John 17:1-11
Verse 2
[2] As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
As thou hast given him power over all flesh — This answers to glorify thy Son. That he may give eternal life, etc.-This answers to that thy Son may glorify thee.
To all whom thou hast given him — To all believers. This is a clear proof that Christ designed his sacrifice should avail for all: yea, that all flesh, every man, should partake of everlasting life. For as the Father had given him power over all flesh, so he gave himself a ransom for all.
Verse 3
[3] And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
To know — By loving, holy faith, thee the only true God - The only cause and end of all things; not excluding the Son and the Holy Ghost, no more than the Father is excluded from being Lord, 1 Corinthians 8:6; but the false gods of the heathens; and Jesus Christ - As their prophet, priest, and king: this is life eternal - It is both the way to, and the essence of, everlasting happiness.
Verse 4
[4] I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
I have finished the work — Thus have I glorified thee, laying the foundation of thy kingdom on earth.
Verse 5
[5] And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
The glory which I had — He does not say received - He always had it, till he emptied himself of it in the days of his flesh.
Verse 6
[6] I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
I have manifested thy name — All thy attributes; and in particular thy paternal relation to believers; to the men whom thou hast given me - The apostles, and so John 17:12.
They were thine — By creation, and by descent from Abraham.
And thou hast given them me — By giving them faith in what I have spoken. So John 17:9.
Verse 7
[7] Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
Now they know that all things — Which I have done and spoken, are of thee - And consequently right and true.
Verse 8
[8] For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
They have received them — By faith.
Verse 9
[9] I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
I pray not for the world — Not in these petitions, which are adapted to the state of believers only. (He prays for the world at John 17:21,23, that they may believe - That they may know God hath sent him.) This no more proves that our Lord did not pray for the world, both before and afterward, than his praying for the apostles alone, John 17:6-19, proves that he did not pray for them also which shall believe through their word, John 17:20.
Verse 10
[10] And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
All things that are mine are thine, and that are thine are mine — These are very high and strong expressions, too grand for any mere creature to use; as implying that all things whatsoever, inclusive of the Divine nature, perfections, and operations, are the common property of the Father and the Son. And this is the original ground of that peculiar property, which both the Father and the Son have in the persons who were given to Christ as Mediator; according to what is said in the close of the verse, of his being glorified by them; namely, believing in him, and so acknowledging his glory.
Verse 11
[11] And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
Keep them through thy name — Thy power, mercy, wisdom, that they may be one - with us and with each other; one body, separate from the world: as we are - By resemblance to us, though not equality.
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Today’s Devotion:
Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "Simple Tasks" for Saturday, 7 June 2014 - Read 1 Corinthians 4:8 You are already filled. You have already become rich. You have come to reign without us. Yes, and I wish that you did reign, that we also might reign with you. 9 For, I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honor, but we have dishonor. 11 Even to this present hour we hunger, thirst, are naked, are beaten, and have no certain dwelling place. 12 We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure. 13 Being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even until now.
We are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed and beaten and homeless and we grow weary from the work of our own hands. . . . We have become like the rubbish of the world.(1 Corinthians 4:11-13 (NRSV))
Sometimes, I am amazed at how the simplest task is rewarded. One morning, I took used copies of The Upper Room and some religious pamphlets to a local mission. The devotional booklets were placed on a table to be available for the people who came to a chapel service before lunch. As I waited for the security gate to open, I glanced at the homeless women and men who waited with me and wondered if any of them would read the devotions in search of faith for their challenging circumstances. Would they share the booklets with others in our city who lived on the streets? Later that afternoon, I received a call from the chaplain. “All the materials you brought were gone in a matter of minutes. Thank you so much,” he exclaimed. God recycles our meager offerings into something new, often in ways and places we could never imagine.
The Author: Emily Tipton Williams (Texas, USA)
Thought for the Day: How can my recycling efforts be life-giving?
Prayer: Eternal God, thank you for opportunities to serve our neighbors. Help us to spread your love and your words to the people we meet this day. Amen.
Prayer focus: The homeless in our communities
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Contact Information
Great Plains Episcopal Office
9440 E Boston, Suite 160
Wichita KS 67207
316-686-0600
800-745-2350
info@greatplainsumc.org
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