Upper Room Daily Reflections from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "When God Stepped In" for Sunday, 20 September 2015

Upper Room Daily Reflections from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "When God Stepped In" for Sunday, 20 September 2015

Today’s Reflection:

In with the “in crowd,”
I lived the high life.
People looked up to me.
I answered to no one.
I was popular.
I was above everybody.
I was too cool for God.
I was a fortress.
I didn’t need anyone.
I was wrong.
God stepped in,
showed me the way,
came into my life,
loved me.
I was saved.
Now the glory is God’s.
And I am a servant.
If I thought life was good before,
now it’s even better.[Stephen Kolibaba, Taking Flight: 60 Daily Devos]
From the devotion “When God Stepped In” by Stephen Kolibaba, page 24 in Taking Flight: 60 Daily Devos. Copyright © 2010 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Describe how your faith in God has changed you.
Today’s Scripture:
“Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”[Mark 9:37, NRSV]
This Week: pray for those without enough food.
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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.
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Saints, Inc.:
This week we remember: Catherine of Genoa (September 15).St. Catherine of Genoa was born in 1447. When she was sixteen she was betrothed to Julian Adorno, who was known to be a spendthrift and less than faithful, already having a mistress and a child. Catherine entered a period of severe depression. But in 1473, she prayed to God for help, and had an emotional experience that changed her life. So powerful was this experience that Catherine could not move for days. She spent the next year in penance and tireless service to the poor.
Catherine's husband was affected greatly by her devotion. After she experienced God's love, Julian became bankrupt and decided to turn his life toward helping the poor alongside Catherine. After Julian died in 1497, Catherine cared for his mistress as well as his illegitimate child. She spent her last years as the director of the Pammatone Hospital, which served the sick and poor in the area. Catherine explained her attitude best when she said: "If of the love my heart feels for God one drop were to fall into hell, hell itself would altogether turn into eternal life."
If St. Catherine had taken the Spiritual Types Test, she probably would have been a Lover. Catherine's feast day is celebrated on September 15.

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Lectionary Readings
Sunday, 20 September 2015
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)Proverbs 31:10-31
Psalm 1
James 3:13 – 4:3, 7-8a
Mark 9:30-37

Lectionary Texts:

Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a capable wife?
Her value is far beyond that of pearls.
ב 11 Her husband trusts her from his heart,
and she will prove a great asset to him.
ג 12 She works to bring him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
ד 13 She procures a supply of wool and flax
and works with willing hands.
ה 14 She is like those merchant vessels,
bringing her food from far away.
ו 15 It’s still dark when she rises to give food to her household
and orders to the young women serving her.
ז 16 She considers a field, then buys it,
and from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
ח 17 She gathers her strength around her
and throws herself into her work.
ט 18 She sees that her business affairs go well;
her lamp stays lit at night.
י 19 She puts her hands to the staff with the flax;
her fingers hold the spinning rod.
כ 20 She reaches out to embrace the poor
and opens her arms to the needy.
ל 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
since all of them are doubly clothed.
מ 22 She makes her own quilts;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
נ 23 Her husband is known at the city gates
when he sits with the leaders of the land.
ס 24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she supplies the merchants with sashes.
ע 25 Clothed with strength and dignity,
she can laugh at the days to come.
פ 26 When she opens her mouth, she speaks wisely;
on her tongue is loving instruction.
צ 27 She watches how things go in her house,
not eating the bread of idleness.
ק 28 Her children arise; they make her happy;
her husband too, as he praises her:
ר 29 “Many women have done wonderful things,
but you surpass them all!”
ש 30 Charm can lie, beauty can vanish,
but a woman who fears Adonai should be praised.
ת 31 Give her a share in what she produces;
let her works speak her praises at the city gates.

Psalm 1:1 How blessed are those
who reject the advice of the wicked,
don’t stand on the way of sinners
or sit where scoffers sit!
2 Their delight
is in Adonai’s Torah;
on his Torah they meditate
day and night.
3 They are like trees planted by streams —
they bear their fruit in season,
their leaves never wither,
everything they do succeeds.
4 Not so the wicked,
who are like chaff driven by the wind.
5 For this reason the wicked
won’t stand up to the judgment,
nor will sinners
at the gathering of the righteous.
6 For Adonai watches over
the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked
is doomed.
James 3:13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him demonstrate it by his good way of life, by actions done in the humility that grows out of wisdom. 14 But if you harbor in your hearts bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, don’t boast and attack the truth with lies! 15 This wisdom is not the kind that comes down from above; on the contrary, it is worldly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there are jealousy and selfish ambition, there will be disharmony and every foul practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is, first of all, pure, then peaceful, kind, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 And peacemakers who sow seed in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
4:1 What is causing all the quarrels and fights among you? Isn’t it your desires battling inside you? 2 You desire things and don’t have them. You kill, and you are jealous, and you still can’t get them. So you fight and quarrel. The reason you don’t have is that you don’t pray! 3 Or you pray and don’t receive, because you pray with the wrong motive, that of wanting to indulge your own desires.
7 Therefore, submit to God. Moreover, take a stand against the Adversary, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Clean your hands, sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded people!

Mark 9:30 After leaving that place, they went on through the Galil. Yeshua didn’t want anyone to know, 31 because he was teaching his talmidim. He told them, “The Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men who will put him to death; but after he has been killed, three days later he will rise.” 32 But they didn’t understand what he meant, and they were afraid to ask him.
33 They arrived at K’far-Nachum. When Yeshua was inside the house, he asked them, “What were you discussing as we were traveling?” 34 But they kept quiet; because on the way, they had been arguing with each other about who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, summoned the Twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.” 36 He took a child and stood him among them. Then he put his arms around him and said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me,and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the One who sent me.”
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for: Proverbs 31:10-31
Proverbs 31:10
Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
A virtuous woman - Here he lays down several qualifications of an excellent wife, which are delivered in alphabetical order, each verse beginning with a several letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
Proverbs 31:11
The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.
No need - He shall have no need to use indirect courses to get wealth.
Proverbs 31:13
She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.
Flax - That she may find employment for her servants. Worketh - She encourages them to work by her example; which was a common practice among princesses in those first ages. Not that it is the duty of kings and queens to use manual operations, but it is the duty of all persons, the greatest not excepted, to improve all their talents, and particularly their time, which is one of the noblest of them, to the service of that God to whom they must give an account, and to the good of that community to which they are related.
Proverbs 31:14
She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.
From afar - By the sale of her home - spun commodities she purchases the choicest goods which come from far countries.
Proverbs 31:15
She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
Giveth - Distributes all necessary provisions.
Proverbs 31:16
She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
Considereth - Whether it be fit for her use. The fruit - With the effects of her diligence. Planteth - She improves the land to the best advantage.
Proverbs 31:17
She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.
Girdeth - She uses great diligence and expedition in her employment; for which end, men in those times used to gird up their long and loose garments about their loins. Strengtheneth - Puts forth her utmost strength in her business.
Proverbs 31:18
She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.
Perceiveth - She finds great comfort in her labours. Her candle - Which is not to be taken strictly, but only signifies her unwearied care and industry.
Proverbs 31:19
She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.
She layeth - By her own example she provokes her servants to labour. And although in these latter and more delicate times, such mean employments are grown out of fashion among great persons, yet they were not so in former ages, neither in other countries, nor in this land; whence all women unmarried unto this day are called in the language of our law, Spinsters.
Proverbs 31:21
She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
Not afraid - Of any injuries of the weather. Are clothed - She hath provided enough, not only for their necessity, but also for their delight and ornament.
Proverbs 31:22
She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Tapestry - For the furniture of her house. Silk - Which was agreeable to her high quality.
Proverbs 31:23
Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
It known - Observed and respected, not only for his own worth, but for his wife's sake. Sitteth - In counsel or judgment.
Proverbs 31:24
She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.
Girdles - Curiously wrought of linen, and gold, or other precious materials.
Proverbs 31:25
Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.
Strength - Strength of mind, magnanimity, courage, activity. Her clothing - Her ornament and glory. Rejoice - She lives in constant tranquillity of mind, from a just confidence in God's gracious providence.
Proverbs 31:26
She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Openeth her mouth - She is neither sullenly silent, nor full of impertinent talk, but speaks discreetly and piously, as occasion offers. In her tongue - Her speeches are guided by wisdom and grace, and not by inordinate passions. And this practice is called a law in her tongue, because it is constant and customary, and proceeds from an inward and powerful principle of true wisdom.
Proverbs 31:27
She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Looketh well - She diligently observes the management of her domestick business, and the whole carriage of her children and servants.
Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
Favour - Comeliness, which commonly gives women favour with those who behold them. Deceitful - It gives a false representation of the person, being often a cover to a deformed soul; it does not give a man that satisfaction, which at first he promised to himself from it; and it is soon lost, not only by death, but by many diseases and contingencies.
Proverbs 31:31
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Give her - It is but just, that she should enjoy those praises which her labours deserve. Let her works - If men be silent, the lasting effects of her prudence and diligence will trumpet forth her praises. In the gates - In the most publick and solemn assemblies. 
Psalm 1
Psalms 1:1
Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
Blessed - The Hebrew words are very emphatical: O the blessedness of that man! Counsel - That doth not lead his life according to their counsel, or manner of living. Standeth - Which notes a more settled abode in it. Way - In their manner of conversation. Seat - Which notes a constant and resolved perseverance in their wicked courses. Scornful - Of those who make a mock of sin, and scoff at goodness and goodmen. Divers observe a gradation in this verse; the following clause still exceeding the former, for standing is more than walking, and sitting more than standing; and sinners in scripture use, are worse than the ungodly, and the scornful are the worst of sinners.
Psalms 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
Day and night - Not seldom and slightly, but diligently, and constantly.
Psalms 1:3
He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
Whither - His happiness is not short and transitory, but, like those trees which are continually green and flourishing.
Psalms 1:4
The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Ungodly - Their condition is far different. Chaff - They are restless and unquiet: their seeming felicity, hath no firm foundation, but quickly vanishes and flees away as chaff before the wind.
Psalms 1:5
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
Not stand - Not endure the trial. Judgment - In the great and general judgment of the world.
Psalms 1:6
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Knoweth - He approves, loves, and delights in them, and therefore will recompence them. Perish - All their designs and courses shall come to nothing, and they shall perish with them. 
James 3:13 – 4:3, 7-8a
James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
Let him show his wisdom as well as his faith by his works; not by words only.
James 3:14
But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
If ye have bitter zeal - True Christian zeal is only the flame of love. Even in your hearts - Though it went no farther. Do not lie against the truth - As if such zeal could consist with heavenly wisdom.
James 3:15
This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
This wisdom - Which is consistent with such zeal. Is earthly - Not heavenly; not from the Father of Lights. Animal - Not spiritual; not from the Spirit of God. Devilish - Not the gift of Christ, but such as Satan breathes into the soul.
James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
But the wisdom from above is first pure - From all that is earthly, natural, devilish. Then peaceable - True peace attending purity, it is quiet, inoffensive. Gentle - Soft, mild, yielding, not rigid. Easy to he entreated - To be persuaded, or convinced; not stubborn, sour, or morose. Full of good fruits - Both in the heart and in the life, two of which are immediately specified. Without partiality - Loving all, without respect of persons; embracing all good things, rejecting all evil. And without dissimulation - Frank, open.
James 3:18
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
And the principle productive of this righteousness is sown, like good seed, in the peace of a believer's mind, and brings forth a plentiful harvest of happiness, (which is the proper fruit of righteousness,) for them that make peace - That labour to promote this pure and holy peace among all men.
James 4:1
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?
From whence come wars and fightings - Quarrels and wars among you, quite opposite to this peace? Is it not from your pleasures - Your desires of earthly pleasures. Which war - Against your souls. In your members - Here is the first seat of the war. Hence proceeds the war of man with man, king with king, nation with nation.
James 4:2
You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.
Ye kill - In your heart, for he that hateth his brother is a murderer. Ye fight and war - That is, furiously strive and contend. Ye ask not - And no marvel; for a man full of evil desire, of envy or hatred, cannot pray.
James 4:3
You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
But if ye do ask, ye receive not, because ye ask amiss - That is, from a wrong motive.
James 4:7
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Therefore by humbly submitting yourselves to God, resist the devil - The father of pride and envy.
James 4:8
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Then draw nigh to God in prayer, and he will draw nigh unto you, will hear you; which that nothing may hinder, cleanse your hands - Cease from doing evil. And purify your hearts - From all spiritual adultery. Be no more double minded, vainly endeavouring to serve both God and mammon. 
Mark 9:30-37
Mark 9:30
Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it.
They passed through Galilee - Though not through the cities, but by them, in the most private ways. He was not willing that any should know it: for he taught his disciples - He wanted to be alone with them some time, in order to instruct them fully concerning his sufferings. The Son of man is delivered - It is as sure as if it were done already. Matthew 17:22 ; Lu 9:44.
Mark 9:32
But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.
They understood not the word - They did not understand how to reconcile the death of our Saviour (nor consequently his resurrection, which supposed his death) with their notions of his temporal kingdom.
Mark 9:33
Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, "What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?"
Luke 9:46 .
Mark 9:34
But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.
Who should be greatest - Prime minister in his kingdom.
Mark 9:35
And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."
Let him be the least of all - Let him abase himself the most.
Mark 9:36
Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them,
Matthew 18:2 ; Luke 9:47.
Mark 9:37
"Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me."
One such little child - Either in years or in heart
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Upper Room Ministries

a ministry of Discipleship Ministries

PO Box 340004

Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004 United States
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Sermon Story "The Righteous Mother/Women" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 20 September 2015 with Sripture: Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a capable wife?
Her value is far beyond that of pearls.
ב 11 Her husband trusts her from his heart,
and she will prove a great asset to him.
ג 12 She works to bring him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
ד 13 She procures a supply of wool and flax
and works with willing hands.
ה 14 She is like those merchant vessels,
bringing her food from far away.
ו 15 It’s still dark when she rises to give food to her household
and orders to the young women serving her.
ז 16 She considers a field, then buys it,
and from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
ח 17 She gathers her strength around her
and throws herself into her work.
ט 18 She sees that her business affairs go well;
her lamp stays lit at night.
י 19 She puts her hands to the staff with the flax;
her fingers hold the spinning rod.
כ 20 She reaches out to embrace the poor
and opens her arms to the needy.
ל 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
since all of them are doubly clothed.
מ 22 She makes her own quilts;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
נ 23 Her husband is known at the city gates
when he sits with the leaders of the land.
ס 24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she supplies the merchants with sashes.
ע 25 Clothed with strength and dignity,
she can laugh at the days to come.
פ 26 When she opens her mouth, she speaks wisely;
on her tongue is loving instruction.
צ 27 She watches how things go in her house,
not eating the bread of idleness.
ק 28 Her children arise; they make her happy;
her husband too, as he praises her:
ר 29 “Many women have done wonderful things,
but you surpass them all!”
ש 30 Charm can lie, beauty can vanish,
but a woman who fears Adonai should be praised.
ת 31 Give her a share in what she produces;
let her works speak her praises at the city gates.

Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a capable spouse?
Her/His value is far beyond that of pearls.
ב 11 Her/His spouse trusts her/him from his/her heart,
and she/he will prove a great asset to him/her.
ג 12 She/He works to bring him/her good, not harm,
all the days of her/his life.
ד 13 She/He procures a supply of wool and flax
and works with willing hands.
ה 14 She/He is like those merchant vessels,
bringing her/his food from far away.
ו 15 It’s still dark when she/he rises to give food to her/his household
and orders to the young people serving her/him.
ז 16 She/He considers a field, then buys it,
and from her/his earnings she/he plants a vineyard.
ח 17 She gathers her/his strength around her/him
and throws her/himself into her/his work.
ט 18 She/He sees that her/his business affairs go well;
her/his lamp stays lit at night.
י 19 She/He puts her/his hands to the staff with the flax;
her/his fingers hold the spinning rod.
כ 20 She/He reaches out to embrace the poor
and opens her/his arms to the needy.
ל 21 When it snows, she/he has no fear for her/his household;
since all of them are doubly clothed.
מ 22 She/he makes her/his own quilts;
she/he is clothed in fine linen and purple.
נ 23 Her/His spouse is known at the city gates
when he/she sits with the leaders of the land.
ס 24 She/He makes linen garments and sells them;
she/he supplies the merchants with sashes.
ע 25 Clothed with strength and dignity,
she/he can laugh at the days to come.
פ 26 When she/he opens her/his mouth, she/he speaks wisely;
on her/his tongue is loving instruction.
צ 27 She/He watches how things go in her/his house,
not eating the bread of idleness.
ק 28 Her/His children arise; they make her/him happy;
her/his spouse too, as he/she praises her/him:
ר 29 “Many people have done wonderful things,
but you surpass them all!”
ש 30 Charm can lie, beauty can vanish,
but a woman/man who fears Adonai should be praised.
ת 31 Give her/him a share in what she/he produces;
let her/his works speak her/his praises at the city gates.

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Normally, this Scripture text is used for Mother's day or even Grandmother's day to talk about a rigteous mother or wife, but we have this on the day in September 2015. This is ironic beause now we have in the the United States the freedom for same sex couples to marry. This is a controversial topic because of the traditional interpretation of same sex couples or at least the acts of homosexuality, as well as adultery and fornication, as promiscuous sexuality with more than one partner. We come to realize that when we view this passage of Scripture as a righteous spouse or single person. The spouse is faithful to the other spouse and takes care of business according the marriage taking are of the household business and lifting up each other to be the best God has called them to be in the family, community, and church. There is an easy way to tell whether a family has the kind of love God desires them to have for each other is how they react towards friends, neighbors, and strangers. Many times their life is an open book whether they realoze it or not as being authentic witnesses of God's Love and Grace. They are kind and loving to each other in private and public allowing their children and other people how they are for each other as well as God. We realize that too often we fall short of being the spouse or parent God has called us to be and we take this time in prayer with God to ask for His forgiveness and the reception of His power to to live as Jesus calls each us to live. What characcter due you relate to? What witness did you receive from your parent(s) How are you living as God has called you to as a parent, single person, or child? We come to the time to receive from God as we take and eat His Body and drink His Blood in the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. We come prayerful submission singing the Hymn "God’s Christ, who is my righteousness" by Nicolaus L. Zinzendorf (1700-1760); Translated by John Wesley (1703-1791)
1. God’s Christ, who is my righteousness,
My beauty is, my glorious dress;
Midst flaming worlds, in this arrayed,
With joy shall I lift up my head.
2. Lord, I believe Thy precious blood,
Which, at the mercy seat of God,
Forever doth for sinners plead,
For me, e’en for my soul, was shed.
3. Lord, I believe were sinners more
Than sands upon the ocean shore,
Thou hast for all a ransom paid,
For all a full redemption made.
4. Bold can I stand in every way,
For who aught to my charge shall lay?
Fully, by Thee, absolved I am
From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.
5. This spotless robe the same appears,
When ruined nature sinks in years;
No age can change its glorious hue,
Its glory is forever new.
6. Thou God of power, Thou God of love,
Let all Thy saints Thy mercy prove;
Our beauty this, our glorious dress,
Jesus the Lord, our Righteousness.
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Gary Lee Parker

4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1

San Diego, California 92014-1844, United States

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