Upper Room Daily Reflections from The Upper Room Ministries of Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Blessed by Caregiving" for Sunday, 7 June 2015

Upper Room Daily Reflections from The Upper Room Ministries of Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Blessed by Caregiving" for Sunday, 7 June 2015

Today's Reflection:
THE PERSON IN NEED OF care is a beloved daughter or son of God. The identity is unchanged by weakness, illness, or death. When Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor” (see Luke 6:20), he is speaking not just of the poor economically but each of us, his beloved brothers and sisters, when we experience our human fragility.
That basic human weakness is never more evident than when people fall sick or face the reality of their death. Perhaps not so strangely, however, people seldom consider themselves “blessed” when weakness befalls them.
We want to help. We want to do something for people in need. We want to offer consolation to those who are in grief and alleviate the suffering of those who are in pain. There is obviously nothing wrong with the desire. It is a noble and grace-filled desire. But unless we realize that God’s blessing is coming to us from those we want to serve, our help will be short-lived, and eventually we may feel burned out.[Henri Nouwen John S. Mogabgab, Editor, A Spirituality of Caregiving]
From page 65 of A Spirituality of Caregiving by Henri J. M. Nouwen, edited by John S. Mogabgab. Copyright © 2011 by The Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
When have you been blessed through caregiving?
Today’s Scripture:
“Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”[Mark 3:35, NRSV]

This Week: pray for people working to overcome racial prejudices.

Upper Room Daily Reflections from The Upper Room Ministries of Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Blessed History" for Saturday, 6 June 2015

Today's Reflection:
THE HISTORY OF THE FAITH of Israel, as we know it in the Bible, is primarily a recounting of the events in the life of the people, and a meditation on how God has been involved in those events.
When you sit prayerfully recalling the events in your life, both large and small, and then bless them by giving thanks to God for having lived the events and being able to remember them, you are engaging in the same kind of theological act.
It will deepen your faith by letting you see the panorama of years under the loving care of God. The result will be a greater steadiness in future times of crisis and pain.
“This too shall pass,” you will think, “and become part of the history of my life. It is good to live, and to give thanks to God!”[John Killinger, Beginning Prayer]
From page 79 of Beginning Prayer by John Killinger. Copyright ©
2012 by John Killinger. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper
Room Books.”http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Recall and ask God’s blessing upon events from your life.
Today’s Scripture:
“Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.”[Mark 3:28-29, NRSV]
This Week: pray for people working to overcome racial prejudices.

Upper Room Daily Reflections from The Upper Room Ministries of Nashville, Tennessee, United States "God In the World" for Friday, 5 June 2015

Today's Reflection:
FROM THE OPENING CHAPTERS of Genesis where God speaks creation into being to the closing pages of Revelation where God comes to dwell among us, the Bible bears witness to God’s acting in time and space. Praise is our witness and recognition of God’s presence in our midst. …
Praise involves seeing ourselves and our world as part of God’s creation. It acknowledges who God is in relation to the world around us.[Kristen E. Vincent and Max O. Vincent, Another Bead, Another Prayer]
From page 23 of Another Bead, Another Prayer: Devotions to Use with Protestant Prayer Beads by Kristen E. Vincent and Max O. Vincent. Copyright © 2014 by Kristen E. Vincent and Max O. Vincent. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Where do you see God at work in the world?
Today’s Scripture:
Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.[2 Corinthians 4:15, NRSV]
This Week: pray for people working to overcome racial prejudices.

Upper Room Daily Reflections from The Upper Room Ministries of Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Radical Humility" for Thursday, 4 June 2015

Today's Reflection:
FOR ME, the spiritual journey is not about growing more certain about the world, but rather about embracing more and more the mystery at the heart of everything and living into the great questions of life. In a world where so many people are so very certain about the nature of things, especially in religious circles about who God includes and excludes, I believe unknowing calls us to a radical humility.[Weavings, May/June/July 2015]
From “Embracing a Midwinter God” by Christine Valters Painterner, page 30 inWeavings: A Journal of the Christian Spiritual Life, May/June/July 2015. Copyright © 2015 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
What role does humility play in your faith?
Today’s Scripture:
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.[Psalm 138:8, NRSV]
This Week: pray for people working to overcome racial prejudices.

Upper Room Daily Reflections from The Upper Room Ministries of Nashville, Tennessee, United States "God of Mercy" for Wednesday, 3 June 2015

Today's Reflection:
HOLY ONE, we enter your silence as a temple.
May we hear your cry in our heart.
May your song rise up in your throat
as we lift our voice for your justice. 
May we bear your mercy in our hands
as we labor for your will.
God of mercy, I will be your mercy,
for you are my hope.[Steve Garnaas-Holmes, – Alive Now, May/June 2015]
From page 27 of Alive Now, May/June 2015. Copyright © 2015 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Pray today’s prayer. HOLY ONE, we enter your silence as a temple.
May we hear your cry in our heart.
May your song rise up in your throat
as we lift our voice for your justice. 
May we bear your mercy in our hands
as we labor for your will.
God of mercy, I will be your mercy,
for you are my hope.
Today’s Scripture:
I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything.[Psalm 138:1-2, NRSV]
This Week: pray for people working to overcome racial prejudices.

Upper Room Daily Reflections from The Upper Room Ministries of Nashville, Tennessee, United States "I’m Christian Because I’m American, Right?" for Tuesday, 2 June 2015

Today's Reflection:
We have a huge problem to overcome as Christian men in America.
Somehow the phrases “Christian nation” has attained the cachet of a fait accompli. The definitions of American and Christian have become so interchangeable in our culture that we’re often confused about where one ends and the other begins. Even if it were true that our national roots are exclusively Christian, cultural norms have shifted a long way from the message and example of Jesus.
Instead of Christ shaping who we are as American men, many people today modify their /christianity to accommodate the North American culture. …
Being an American, however wonderful, is not the same as being a Christian. My identity as an American is distinct from my personal faith in Christ. Despite a lot of noise from the religious right and ongoing efforts to wrap Christianity in the American flag, the two commitments are not interchangeable and never have been. Believe it or not, someone can be a great American without being a Christian, and disagreeing with my president certainly does not mean that I have turned away from God.[Derek Maul, Get Real]
From page 28 of Get Real: A Spiritual Journey for Men by Derek Maul. 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 do you deal with personally as you navigate the issues around religion and politics?
Today’s Scripture:
But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to govern us.” Samuel prayed to the LORD, and the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.[1 Samuel 8:6-7, NRSV]
This Week: pray for people working to overcome racial prejudices.

Upper Room Daily Reflections from The Upper Room Ministries of Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Created Beautifully" for Monday, 1 June 2015

Today's Reflection:
Thick, thin, black, white—
You are beautiful
All different, but completely the same
Made in God’s image
Made by God, made like God
Sculpted by God’s miraculous hands
Tall, short, brunette, blonde—
None of it matters because we are
made in God’s image
made by God’s love
reflected not by our bodies
but by our hearts.[Margaret Ridge, age 15, 
devozine, January/Feb 2013]
From page 31 of devozine, the devotional lifestyle magazine for teens, January/February 2013. Copyright © 2012 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Give thanks to God for how God has made you beautifully!
Today’s Scripture:
Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in my victory.”[1 Samuel 2:1, NRSV]
This Week: pray for people working to overcome racial prejudices.

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 web site
Saints, Inc.:

This week we remember:  Boniface (June 5).
Boniface (ca. 675-754) was born in England and educated at the Benedictine monastery in Exeter. He was a monk devoted to teaching, yet felt called to take the good news of Jesus to Germany, where earlier missionaries had little success. Boniface first went to Frisia (present day Netherlands) but met resistance. In 719 Boniface received a mission from Pope Gregory II to evangelize Bavaria and Hesse in Germany. He spent most of the rest of his life spreading the faith to the Germans.

Although Boniface tried to adapt Christianity to regional traditions and culture, he enthusiastically destroyed pagan temples and idols, then built churches on those sites. When he found a tribe who worshipped the Norse god, Thor, in a tree, he boldly took an axe and chopped down the tree in front of the stunned worshippers.
He was eventually named the archbishop of Mainz. When he was almost eighty, Boniface returned to Frisia, attempting to evangelize even the most hostile tribes. In 1754, his camp was attacked; Boniface and fifty-three others were murdered.
Boniface is one of the patron saints of Germany.
If Boniface had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Sage. Boniface is remembered on June 5.

Lectionary Readings:
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
1 Samuel 2:1-10
Psalm 113
Romans 12:9-16b
Luke 1:39-57
Lectionary Texts:
1 Samuel 2:1 Then Hannah prayed; she said:
“My heart exults in Adonai!
My dignity has been restored by Adonai!
I can gloat over my enemies,
because of my joy at your saving me.
2 “No one is as holy as Adonai,
because there is none to compare with you,
no rock like our God.
3 “Stop your proud boasting!
Don’t let arrogance come from your mouth!
For Adonai is a God of knowledge,
and he appraises actions.
4 The bows of the mighty are broken,
while the feeble are armed with strength.
5 The well-fed hire themselves for bread,
while those who were hungry hunger no more.
The barren woman has borne seven,
while the mother of many wastes away.
6 “Adonai kills and makes alive;
he brings down to the grave, and he brings up.
7 Adonai makes poor, and he makes rich;
he humbles, and he exalts.
8 He raises the poor from the dust,
lifts up the needy from the trash pile;
he gives them a place with leaders
and assigns them seats of honor.
“For the earth’s pillars belong to Adonai;
on them he has placed the world.
9 He will guard the steps of his faithful,
but the wicked will be silenced in darkness.
For it is not by strength that a person prevails —
10 those who fight Adonai will be shattered;
he will thunder against them in heaven —
Adonai will judge the ends of the earth.
He will strengthen his king
and enhance the power of his anointed.”
Psalm 113:1 Halleluyah!
Servants of Adonai, give praise!
Give praise to the name of Adonai!
2 Blessed be the name of Adonai
from this moment on and forever!
3 From sunrise until sunset
Adonai’s name is to be praised.
4 Adonai is high above all nations,
his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like Adonai our God,
seated in the heights,
6 humbling himself to look
on heaven and on earth.
7 He raises the poor from the dust,
lifts the needy from the rubbish heap,
8 in order to give him a place among princes,
among the princes of his people.
9 He causes the childless woman
to live at home happily as a mother of children.
Halleluyah!
Romans 12:9 Don’t let love be a mere outward show. Recoil from what is evil, and cling to what is good. 10 Love each other devotedly and with brotherly love; and set examples for each other in showing respect. 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.
14 Bless those who persecute you — bless them, don’t curse them! 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be sensitive to each other’s needs — don’t think yourselves better than others, but make humble people your friends. Don’t be conceited.
Luke 1:39 Without delay, Miryam set out and hurried to the town in the hill country of Y’hudah 40 where Z’kharyah lived, entered his house and greeted Elisheva. 41 When Elisheva heard Miryam’s greeting, the baby in her womb stirred. Elisheva was filled with the Ruach HaKodesh 42 and spoke up in a loud voice,
“How blessed are you among women!
And how blessed is the child in your womb!
43 “But who am I, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy! 45 Indeed you are blessed, because you have trusted that the promise Adonai has made to you will be fulfilled.”
46 Then Miryam said,
“My soul magnifies Adonai;
47     and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior,
48 who has taken notice of his servant-girl
    in her humble position.[a]
For — imagine it! — from now on, all generations will call me blessed!
49     “The Mighty One has done great things for me!
Indeed, his name is holy; 50 and in every generation
    he has mercy on those who fear him.[b]
51 “He has performed mighty deeds with his arm,
    routed the secretly proud,
52 brought down rulers from their thrones,
    raised up the humble,
53 filled the hungry with good things,
    but sent the rich away empty.
54 “He has taken the part of his servant Isra’el,
    mindful of the mercy
55 which he promised to our fathers,
    to Avraham and his seed forever.”
56 Miryam stayed with Elisheva for about three months and then returned home.
57 The time arrived for Elisheva to have her baby, and she gave birth to a son.[Footnotes:
Luke 1:48 1 Samuel 1:11; 2:1
Luke 1:50 Psalms 103:17; 111:9]

John Wesley's Notes-commentary for 1 Samuel 2:1-10
Verse 1
[1] And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
Prayed — That is, praised God; which is a part of prayer.
Rejoiceth — Or, leapeth for joy: for the words note not only inward joy, but also the outward demonstrations of it.
In the Lord — As the author of my joy, that he hath heard my prayer, and accepted my son for his service.
Horn — My strength and glory (which are often signified by an horn,) are advanced and manifested to my vindication, and the confusion of mine enemies.
Mouth enlarged — That is, opened wide to pour forth abundant praises to God, and to give a full answer to all the reproaches of mine adversaries.
Enemies — So she manifests her prudence and modesty, in not naming Peninnah, but only her enemies in the general.
Salvation — Because the matter of my joy is no trivial thing, but that strange and glorious salvation or deliverance which thou hast given me from my oppressing care and grief, and from the insolencies and reproaches of mine enemies.
Verse 2
[2] There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
None holy — None so perfectly, unchangeably and constantly holy.
None beside — Not only none is so holy as thou art, but in truth there is none holy besides thee; namely, entirely, or independently, but only by participation from thee.
Any rock — Thou only art a sure defence and refuge to all that flee to thee.
Verse 3
[3] Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
Talk no more — Thou Peninnah, boast no more of thy numerous off-spring, and speak no more insolently and scornfully of me. She speaks of her in the plural number, because she would not expose her name to censure.
Of knowledge — He knoweth thy heart, and all that pride, and envy, and contempt of me, which thy own conscience knows; and all thy perverse carriage towards me.
Actions — That is, he trieth all mens thoughts and actions, (for the Hebrew word signifies both) as a just judge, to give to every one according to their works.
Verse 4
[4] The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
Bows — The strength of which they boasted.
Stumbled — Or, were weak, or feeble, in body and spirit.
Verse 5
[5] They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
Hired themselves out for bread — It is the same thing which is expressed both in divers metaphors in the foregoing, and following verses.
Ceased — That is, ceased to be hungry.
Seven — That is, many, as seven is often used. She speaks in the prophetick style, the past time, for the future; for though she had actually born but one, yet she had a confident persuasion that she should have more, which was grounded either upon some particular assurance from God; or rather upon the prayer or prediction of Eli.
She — That is, Peninnah.
Feeble — Either because she was now past child-bearing: or, because divers of her children, which were her strength and her glory, were dead, as the Hebrew doctors relate.
Verse 6
[6] The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.
Killeth — The same person whom he first killeth, or bringeth nigh unto death, he afterwards raiseth to life. Me, who was almost consumed with grief, he hath revived. The name of death both in sacred scripture, and profane writers, is often given to great Calamities.
Verse 8
[8] He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them.
From the dunghill — From the most sordid place, and mean estate.
Inherit — Not only possess it themselves, but transmit it to their posterity.
Throne — That is, a glorious throne or kingdom.
Pillars — The foundations of the earth, which God created, and upholds, and wherewith he sustains the earth, and all its inhabitants, as a house is supported with pillars; and therefore it is not strange if he disposeth of persons and things therein as he pleaseth.
Verse 9
[9] He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.
Feet — That is, the steps or paths, their counsels and actions; he will keep; that is, both uphold, that they may not fall into ruin; and direct and preserve from wandering, and from those fatal errors that wicked men daily run into.
Silent — Shall be put to silence: they who used to open their mouths wide against heaven, and against the saints, shall be so confounded with the unexpected disappointment of all their hopes, and with God's glorious appearance and operations for his people, that they shall have their mouths quite stopped.
Darkness — Both inward, in their own minds, not knowing what to say or do; and outward, in a state of deep distress.
Prevail — Namely, against God, or against his saints, as the wicked were confident they should do, because of their great power, and wealth, and numbers.
Verse 10
[10] The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.
Exalt — Increase, or advance the strength.
Of his anointed — Of his king. This may respect Christ, the singular anointed one of God, and the special king of his people. In this sense also, the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth: David's victories and dominions reached far. But God will give to the Son of David, the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession. And he will give strength unto his king, for the accomplishing his great undertaking, and exalt the horn, of the power and honour of his anointed, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.Psalm 113
Verse 6
[6] Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
Humbleth — Who is so high, that it is a wonderful condescention in him to take any notice of his heavenly host, and much more of sinful and miserable men upon earth.
Verse 8
[8] That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
Princes — As he did Joseph, David, and others.
His people — Who in God's account are far more honourable than the princes of Heathen nations.Romans 12:9-16b
Verse 9
[9] Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Having spoken of faith and its fruit, Romans 12:3, etc., he comes now to love. The ninth, tenth, and eleventh verses refer to chapter the seventh; the twelfth verse to chapter the eighth; the thirteenth verse, of communicating to the saints, whether Jews or gentiles, to chapter the ninth, etc. Part of the sixteenth verse is repeated from Romans 11:25.
Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good — Both inwardly and outwardly, whatever ill-will or danger may follow.
Verse 10
[10] Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
In honour preferring one another — Which you will do, if you habitually consider what is good in others, and what is evil in yourselves.
Verse 11
[11] Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Whatsoever ye do, do it with your might. In every business diligently and fervently serving the Lord - Doing all to God, not to man.
Verse 12
[12] Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Rejoicing in hope — Of perfect holiness and everlasting happiness. Hitherto of faith and love; now of hope also, see the fifth and eighth chapters; afterwards of duties toward others; saints, Romans 12:13 persecutors, Romans 12:14 friends, strangers, enemies, Romans 12:15, etc.
Verse 13
[13] Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Communicate to the necessities of the saints — Relieve all Christians that are in want. It is remarkable, that the apostle, treating expressly of the duties flowing from the communion of saints, yet never says one word about the dead.
Pursue hospitality — Not only embracing those that offer, but seeking opportunities to exercise it.
Verse 14
[14] Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Curse not — No, not in your heart.
Verse 15
[15] Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Rejoice — The direct opposite to weeping is laughter; but this does not so well suit a Christian.
Verse 16
[16] Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Mind not high things — Desire not riches, honour, or the company of the great.Luke 1:39-57
Verse 39
[39] And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
A city of Judah — Probably Hebron, which was situated in the hill country of Judea, and belonged to the house of Aaron.
Verse 41
[41] And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
When Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary — The discourse with which she saluted her, giving an account of what the angel had said, the joy of her soul so affected her body, that the very child in her womb was moved in an uncommon manner, as if it leaped for joy.
Verse 45
[45] And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Happy is she that believed — Probably she had in her mind the unbelief of Zacharias.
Verse 46
[46] And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
And Mary said — Under a prophetic impulse, several things, which perhaps she herself did not then fully understand.
Verse 47
[47] And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour — She seems to turn her thoughts here to Christ himself, who was to be born of her, as the angel had told her, he should be the Son of the Highest, whose name should be Jesus, the Saviour. And she rejoiced in hope of salvation through faith in him, which is a blessing common to all true believers, more than in being his mother after the flesh, which was an honour peculiar to her. And certainly she had the same reason to rejoice in God her Saviour that we have: because he had regarded the low estate of his handmaid, in like manner as he regarded our low estate; and vouchsafed to come and save her and us, when we were reduced to the lowest estate of sin and misery.
Verse 51
[51] He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath wrought strength with his arm — That is, he hath shown the exceeding greatness of his power. She speaks prophetically of those things as already done, which God was about to do by the Messiah.
He hath scattered the proud — Visible and invisible.
Verse 52
[52] He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
He hath put down the mighty — Both angels and men.
Verse 54
[54] He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
He hath helped his servant Israel — By sending the Messiah.
Verse 55
[55] As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
To his seed — His spiritual seed: all true believers.
Verse 56
[56] And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
Mary returned to her own house — And thence soon after to Bethlehem.

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Upper Room Ministries, a ministry of Discipleship Ministries

PO Box 340004

Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004 United States
___________________________________

Sermon Story "Giving Thanks" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday,  7 June 2015 with Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:1 Then Hannah prayed; she said:
“My heart exults in Adonai!
My dignity has been restored by Adonai!
I can gloat over my enemies,
because of my joy at your saving me.
2 “No one is as holy as Adonai,
because there is none to compare with you,
no rock like our God.
3 “Stop your proud boasting!
Don’t let arrogance come from your mouth!
For Adonai is a God of knowledge,
and he appraises actions.
4 The bows of the mighty are broken,
while the feeble are armed with strength.
5 The well-fed hire themselves for bread,
while those who were hungry hunger no more.
The barren woman has borne seven,
while the mother of many wastes away.
6 “Adonai kills and makes alive;
he brings down to the grave, and he brings up.
7 Adonai makes poor, and he makes rich;
he humbles, and he exalts.
8 He raises the poor from the dust,
lifts up the needy from the trash pile;
he gives them a place with leaders
and assigns them seats of honor.
“For the earth’s pillars belong to Adonai;
on them he has placed the world.
9 He will guard the steps of his faithful,
but the wicked will be silenced in darkness.
For it is not by strength that a person prevails —
10 those who fight Adonai will be shattered;
he will thunder against them in heaven —
Adonai will judge the ends of the earth.
He will strengthen his king
and enhance the power of his anointed.”
We have here the story of three women who gave thanks for God for what God has given us. The first woman is Hannah who did not have a children and were being ridicule for this until God answered her prayer with the blessing of the Priest, Eli. This woman gave birth to a man, Samuel, who was first nurtured by his mother until he was weaned and then given to God to be raise by the Priest, Eli. Upon the birth of Samuel, hannah remembered to thank God for seeing her distress. We have an old woman, Elizabeth, who god allowed her and her husband to have a son who we know as John the Baptist, but when her relative Mary came to see her, Elizabeth gave thanks and praise to God to see the Mohter of the Savior of Israel and the world from their sin of oppression. We then hear a thnksgiving by Mary for God allowing her to bear the Messsiah and the prophetic word about what her son, Jesus, will do. How do you understand these praises in song by these women? Have you ever song a song of praise in the Spirit of God? How do understand God in using the least to bring hope and peace to the many? There is a reminder here that in our praises and thanksgiving for what God has done, is doing, and will do as we take and eat the body of Jesus and drink His blood through remembering what He did for us in the participation of the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to receive more of His Grace to pass on to others singing the Hymn "A Mother's Prayer (Hannah's Song)" by Rachel Aldous
Verse:
My sweet baby on loan from above. 
No better treasure could I more love. 
I stand here beside your bed as I pray 
I lay my hand on your head and I say: 
Chorus:
May you grow up to serve Him 
All of your days. 
May He lead you and guide you 
In all of your ways. 
May His hand bless your future with 
Friendships that last. 
May you cherish your youth 
And not grow up too fast 
Verse:
I stare in wonder at your tiny frame. 
Just to think that God knows you by name. 
He knows every hair on your beautiful head. 
He knows your thoughts before they are said. 
Chorus:
May you grow up to serve Him 
All of your days 
May He lead you and guide you 
In all of your ways. 
May His Hand bless your future with 
Friendships that last. 
May you cherish your youth 
And not grow up too fast. 
Prayer:
May God grant you peace 
In the midst of a storm. 
May God give you strength even 
When you’re forlorn. 
May you answer the door when 
Jesus comes knocking. 
May wisdom guide when 
Your mouth is talking. 
May discretion protect you 
And keep you pure. 
May you never stumble 
Or fall for a lure. 
May your heart remain humble 
To the very end. 
May uprightness and truth 
Be what you defend. 
May the world not ensnare 
Or change who you are. 
May the light that's within you 
Shine like the stars. 
May angels surround you 
Body, spirit, mind. 
May favor and peace be yours to find. 
May rejection and pain 
Never reach you. 
May your spirit grow bold 
For what you’re called to. 
Chorus:
May you grow up to serve Him 
All of your days 
May He lead you and guide you 
In all of your ways 
May His Hand bless your future with 
Friendships that last. 
May you cherish your youth 
And not grow up too fast. 
Singing:
As you rest in God’s care I will rest, too. 
Knowing that Jesus is watching over you. 
Amen
Hannah speaks: I love you, Mommy…

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Gary Lee Parker

4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1

San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States
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