Today’s Reflection:
By Bill Treadway. From page 61 of Alive Now, January/February 2000. Copyright © 1999 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Where do you see God creating new life?
Today’s Scripture:
But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.[Isaiah 43:1, NRSV]
This Week: pray for someone beginning a good habit.
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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.
---------------------
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: Simeon Stylites (January 5).
One of the more fascinating saints in history, St. Simeon was legendary for his self-inflicted punishments. He is said to have constricted his waist with a rope so tightly that he almost died. He was tireless in his pursuit of virtue and faith. He once tied himself to a rope at the top of a mountain and abstained from food every Lent. But his most famous accomplishment, indeed what he is named for, is dwelling on top a six-foot-wide pillar for thirty-seven years. This pillar went from nine feet high, to eighteen, to thirty-three, and finally ended up at fifty-four feet high when Simeon died on it at the age of sixty-nine in AD 459.
Image courtesy of skete.com.
This week we remember: Simeon Stylites (January 5).
One of the more fascinating saints in history, St. Simeon was legendary for his self-inflicted punishments. He is said to have constricted his waist with a rope so tightly that he almost died. He was tireless in his pursuit of virtue and faith. He once tied himself to a rope at the top of a mountain and abstained from food every Lent. But his most famous accomplishment, indeed what he is named for, is dwelling on top a six-foot-wide pillar for thirty-seven years. This pillar went from nine feet high, to eighteen, to thirty-three, and finally ended up at fifty-four feet high when Simeon died on it at the age of sixty-nine in AD 459.
Why is St. Simeon Stylites a Sage? While he was enduring these punishments, multitudes flocked to see him, and to hear his wisdom. While on his pillar, he preached twice a day to the crowds below. He urged those listening to pray and pursue goodness and righteousness, but did not suggest that anyone follow his own means of pursuit. Simeon built his pillar to get away from the temptations of the world, but nevertheless used his wisdom and insight to help those who sought his guidance.
If St. Simon had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Sage. His feast day is January 5. Image courtesy of skete.com.
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Lectionary Readings:
Sunday, 10 January 2016
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Isaiah 43:1-7
Psalm 29
Acts 8:14-17
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Lectionary Scriptures:
Sunday, 10 January 2016
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Isaiah 43:1-7
Psalm 29
Acts 8:14-17
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Lectionary Scriptures:
Isaiah 43:1 But now this is what Adonai says,
he who created you, Ya‘akov,
he who formed you, Isra’el:
“Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you;
I am calling you by your name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through water, I will be with you;
when you pass through rivers, they will not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire, you will not be scorched —
the flame will not burn you.
3 For I am Adonai, your God,
the Holy One of Isra’el, your Savior —
I have given Egypt as your ransom,
Ethiopia and S’va for you.
4 Because I regard you as valued and honored,
and because I love you.
For you I will give people,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
I will bring your descendants from the east,
and I will gather you from the west;
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Don’t hold them back!
Bring my sons from far away,
and my daughters from the ends of the earth,
7 everyone who bears my name,
whom I created for my glory —
I formed him, yes, I made him.’”
Psalm 29:(0) A psalm of David:
(1) Give Adonai his due, you who are godly;
give Adonai his due of glory and strength;
2 give Adonai the glory due his name;
worship Adonai in holy splendor.
3 The voice of Adonai is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
Adonai over rushing waters,
4 the voice of Adonai in power,
the voice of Adonai in splendor.
5 The voice of Adonai cracks the cedars;
Adonai splinters the cedars of the L’vanon
6 and makes the L’vanon skip like a calf,
Siryon like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of Adonai flashes fiery flames;
8 the voice of Adonai rocks the desert,
Adonai convulses the Kadesh Desert.
9 The voice of Adonai causes deer to give birth
and strips the forests bare —
while in his temple, all cry, “Glory!”
10 Adonai sits enthroned above the flood!
Adonai sits enthroned as king forever!
11 May Adonai give strength to his people!
May Adonai bless his people with shalom!
Acts 8:14 When the emissaries in Yerushalayim heard that Shomron had received the Word of God, they sent them Kefa and Yochanan, 15 who came down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Ruach HaKodesh. 16 For until then he had not come upon any of them; they had only been immersed into the name of the Lord Yeshua. 17 Then, as Kefa and Yochanan placed their hands on them, they received the Ruach HaKodesh.
Luke 3:15 The people were in a state of great expectancy, and everyone was wondering whether perhaps Yochanan himself might be the Messiah; 16 so Yochanan answered them all, “I am immersing you in water, but he who is coming is more powerful than I — I’m not worthy to untie his sandals! He will immerse you in the Ruach HaKodesh and in fire. 17 He has with him his winnowing fork to clear out his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the straw with unquenchable fire!”
21 While all the people were being immersed, Yeshua too was immersed. As he was praying, heaven was opened; 22 the Ruach HaKodesh came down on him in physical form like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, whom I love; I am well pleased with you.”
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Isaiah 43:1-7
Verse 1
[1] But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
But — Notwithstanding thy gross insensibleness, I will deal mercifully with thee.
Created — That made thee his people, and that in so miraculous a manner as if he had created thee a second time.
Redeemed — From the Egyptians.
Called thee — By the name of God's people, which was as proper and peculiar to them, as the name of Israel.
Verse 3
[3] For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
I gave Egypt — This was fulfilled when the king of Assyria, Esar-haddon, who designed to revenge his father's disgrace, upon the Jews, was diverted and directed by God to employ his forces against Egypt, and Ethiopia, and Seba.
Seba — The Sabaeans were confederate with the Ethiopians.
Verse 4
[4] Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
Since — From the time that I chose thee for my people, I have had an affection for thee.
Men — As I gave up the Egyptians, so I am ready to give up others to save thee, as occasion requires.
Verse 7
[7] Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
For my glory — And therefore I will glorify my power and goodness, and faithfulness in delivering them.
Formed — I have not only created them out of nothing, but I have also formed and made them my peculiar people.
Psalm 29
Verse 1
[1] Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Ye — Ye potentates and rulers of the earth.
Glory — By an humble and thankful acknowledgment of it.
Verse 2
[2] Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
Give, … — The honour which he deserves: own him as the Almighty, and the only true God.
Holiness — Or, in his holy and beautiful house.
Verse 3
[3] The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.
The waters — Above in the clouds, which are called waters, Genesis 1:7; Psalms 18:11. The Divine power displays itself in those high places, which are far above the reach of all earthly potentates.
Many — Upon the clouds, in which there are vast treasures of water, and upon which God is said to sit or ride, Psalms 18:10,11; 104:3.
Verse 5
[5] The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
Lebanon — A place famous for strong and lofty cedars.
Verse 6
[6] He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
Them — The cedars; which being broken by the thunder, the parts of them are suddenly and violently hurled hither and thither.
Sirion — An high mountain beyond Jordan joining to Lebanon. Lebanon and Sirion are said to skip or leap, both here, and Psalms 114:4, by a poetical hyperbole.
Verse 7
[7] The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.
The flames — The lightnings.
Verse 8
[8] The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
Kadesh — An eminent wilderness, vast and terrible, and well known to the Israelites, and wherein possibly they had seen, and observed some such effects of thunder.
Verse 9
[9] The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
To calve — Through the terror it causes, which hastens the birth. He names the hinds, because they bring forth their young with difficulty, Job 39:1,2.
Discovereth — Heb. maketh bare, of its trees, which it breaks or strips of their leaves.
Glory — Having shewed the terrible effects of God's power in other places, he now shews the blessed privilege of God's people, that are praising God in his temple, when the rest of the world are trembling under the tokens of his displeasure.
Verse 10
[10] The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.
The flood — The most violent waters, which sometimes fall from the clouds upon the earth. These are fitly mentioned, as being many times the companions of great thunders. And this may be alleged as another reason, why God's people praised him in his temple, because as he sends terrible tempests and thunders, so he also restrains and over-rules them.
Sitteth — He doth sit, and will sit as king for ever, sending such tempests when it pleaseth him.
Acts 8:14-17
Verse 14
[14] Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
And the apostles hearing that Samaria — The inhabitants of that country, had received the word of God - By faith, sent Peter and John - He that sends must be either superior, or at least equal, to him that is sent. It follows that the college of the apostles was equal if not superior to Peter.
Verse 15
[15] Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
The Holy Ghost — In his miraculous gifts? Or his sanctifying graces? Probably in both.
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22[21] Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
Jesus praying, the heaven was opened — It is observable, that the three voices from heaven, see Luke 9:29,35; John 12:28; by which the Father bore witness to Christ, were pronounced either while he was praying, or quickly after it. Matthew 3:13; Mark 1:9.
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The Upper Room Ministries
The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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Sermon Story "God's Love" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 10 January 2016 with Scripture Isaiah 43:1 But now this is what Adonai says,
he who created you, Ya‘akov,
he who formed you, Isra’el:
“Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you;
I am calling you by your name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through water, I will be with you;
when you pass through rivers, they will not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire, you will not be scorched —
the flame will not burn you.
3 For I am Adonai, your God,
the Holy One of Isra’el, your Savior —
I have given Egypt as your ransom,
Ethiopia and S’va for you.
4 Because I regard you as valued and honored,
and because I love you.
For you I will give people,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
I will bring your descendants from the east,
and I will gather you from the west;
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Don’t hold them back!
Bring my sons from far away,
and my daughters from the ends of the earth,
7 everyone who bears my name,
whom I created for my glory —
I formed him, yes, I made him.’”
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We come to reflect on this passage of Scripture form the prophet Isaiah where God is giving the Israelites encouragemnt that God still loves them and has a plan for their welfare and care, not their harm or destruction. As we think on this Scripture concerning the Israelites, we think about today's violence of one sect of religion aganst another and wonder what God is doing around the world today for the people who worship the One True God. There are divisions within the Jewish Faith, The Christian Faith, and the Islamic Faith that appears to be desrctive and filled with hate for people who are not like them or think about God like they do. We as Followers of His including the followers of the Messiah known as Jesus go into fearful tyrnts looking for answers from their government officials and politicians rather seeking more og God in their lives. Jesus is the light of the world and His followers are to be lights in the darkness of the world to see how God really loves all people. We must as followers of Jesus become fully trusting that all things are in God's hands and He is calling us to love all people, take care of all His creation, seek to live in holy lives for the mercy and love He gives us to give to all other people whether they look or think like us or not not. We truly need a revial into the life and teachings of God through His Law and His Holy Son. How do you look at this ancient passage to be applied to today's problems? How are living out God radical love and holiness towards all people? How are you seeking more of God for your life and the life of your faith community? We come to receive more of God and His blessings as we take and eat His Son's Body and Drink His Blood known as the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. We come to receive from God singing the Hymns "This Little Light Of Mine" by Harry Dixon Loes:
1. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
2. Won't let Satan blow it out, I'm gonna let it shine
Won't let Satan blow it out, I'm gonna let it shine
Won't let Satan blow it out, I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
3. Hide it under a bushel, no! I'm gonna let it shine
Hide it under a bushel, no! I'm gonna let it shine
Hide it under a bushel, no! I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
4. Let it shine till Jesus comes, I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine till Jesus comes, I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine till Jesus comes, I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
"Atheist" by Brian McLaren
1. I am an atheist when it comes to the god of violent jihad.
I am an atheist when it comes to the lord who converts by the sword
I am an atheist when it comes to the mission of politicians using religion as ammunition.
2. I believe in you - the artist of trees and galaxies
I believe in you - the poet of oceans and rivers and streams
I believe in you - the god of compassion who calls us to action
3. I believe in you
4. I can’t believe what they believe but I believe in you (4X)
I can’t believe what they believe but I believe in you (4X)
4. I believe in you - majestic designer of space and time
I believe in you - composer of beauty and music of life
I believe in you - the holy forgiver and wild reconciler
I believe in you
5. I am an atheist to the gods of the greedy ignoring the needy.
I am an atheist to the gods who make others torture and suffer
I am an atheist when it comes to the view of the chosen few, who judge and condemn all who differ them.
6. I believe in you … mighty in meekness and gentle in power
I believe in you … the word who has spoken good news to the broken
I believe in you … Transcending mystery, with us in history
I believe in you
1. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
2. Won't let Satan blow it out, I'm gonna let it shine
Won't let Satan blow it out, I'm gonna let it shine
Won't let Satan blow it out, I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
3. Hide it under a bushel, no! I'm gonna let it shine
Hide it under a bushel, no! I'm gonna let it shine
Hide it under a bushel, no! I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
4. Let it shine till Jesus comes, I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine till Jesus comes, I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine till Jesus comes, I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
"Atheist" by Brian McLaren
1. I am an atheist when it comes to the god of violent jihad.
I am an atheist when it comes to the lord who converts by the sword
I am an atheist when it comes to the mission of politicians using religion as ammunition.
2. I believe in you - the artist of trees and galaxies
I believe in you - the poet of oceans and rivers and streams
I believe in you - the god of compassion who calls us to action
3. I believe in you
4. I can’t believe what they believe but I believe in you (4X)
I can’t believe what they believe but I believe in you (4X)
4. I believe in you - majestic designer of space and time
I believe in you - composer of beauty and music of life
I believe in you - the holy forgiver and wild reconciler
I believe in you
5. I am an atheist to the gods of the greedy ignoring the needy.
I am an atheist to the gods who make others torture and suffer
I am an atheist when it comes to the view of the chosen few, who judge and condemn all who differ them.
6. I believe in you … mighty in meekness and gentle in power
I believe in you … the word who has spoken good news to the broken
I believe in you … Transcending mystery, with us in history
I believe in you
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Sermon Story "The Gathering" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 3 January 2015 with Scripture Text Jeremiah 31:7 (8) Look! I am bringing them from the land in the north,
gathering them from the far ends of the earth;
among them are the blind and lame,
women with children, women in labor,
all together, a vast throng
returning here.
8 (9) They will come weeping and praying
as I bring them back.
I will lead them by streams of water
on smooth paths, so that they won’t stumble.
For I am a father to Isra’el,
and Efrayim is my firstborn son.”
9 (10) Nations, hear the word of Adonai!
Proclaim it in the coastlands far away. Say:
“He who scattered Isra’el is gathering him,
guarding him like a shepherd his flock.”
10 (11) For Adonai has ransomed Ya‘akov,
redeemed him from hands too strong for him.
11 (12) They will come and sing on the heights of Tziyon,
streaming to the goodness of Adonai,
to the grain, the wine, the olive oil,
and the young of the flock and the herd.
They themselves will be like a well-watered garden,
never to languish again.
12 (13) “Then the virgin will dance for joy,
young men and old men together;
for I will turn their mourning into joy,
comfort and gladden them after their sorrow.
13 (14) I will give the cohanim their fill of rich food,
and my people will be satisfied with my bounty,” says Adonai.
14 (15) This is what Adonai says:
“A voice is heard in Ramah,
lamenting and bitter weeping.
It is Rachel weeping for her children,
refusing to be comforted for her children,
because they are no longer alive.”
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We come to realize that is going to gather all His people or as Jeremiah says all of Israel. The greatest thing about these ords is that the people who are differently abled will be fully included into His Kingdom. This sounds as though this is a mandate for His church to begin to fully included people who are differently abled in the church as God has been calling His people to do. We listen to the words of Jeremiah in the final verse we have about Rachel weeping for her children because they are no more. This could almost be the case with the people who are differently abled being abent from His church even though part of this prophesy was fulfilled in the killing of all the children 2 years old and younger in and around the vicinity of Bethlehem after Jesus was born and the people from the east did not come back to tell King Herod where he could find the baby King of Israel. How would you have responded to the prophet's words? How do you respond to them in today's world? How are you able to see the connection to the missing people who are differently abled and Rachel weeping for her children who are no more> As we come to seek God in reviving the need to ful include the people who are differently abled into the church we take and eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood through the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to receive God's power, strength and blessing to include people who are differently abled into the church. We come to receive singing the Hymn "THE HYMN FOR CONQUERING MARTYRS RAISE" by From Cassander’s Hymni Ecclesiastici (Cologne, Germany: 1556) (Hymnum canentes martyrum), where it is attributed to the Venerable Bede (673-735). John M. Neale translated it from Latin to English in Mediaeval Hymns, 1851
1. The hymn for conquering martyrs raise,
The victor innocents we praise,
Whom in their woe earth cast away,
But Heav’n with joy received today;
Whose angels see the Father’s face
World without end, and hymn His grace;
And while they chant unceasing lays,
The hymn for conquering martyrs raise.
2. A voice from Ramah was there sent,
A voice of weeping and lament,
When Rachel mourned the children’s care
Whom for the tyrant’s sword she bare.
Triumphal is their glory now,
Whom earthly torments could not bow,
What time, both far and near that went,
A voice from Ramah there was sent.
3. Fear not, O little flock and blest,
The lion that your life opprest!
To heavenly pastures ever new
The heavenly Shepherd leadeth you;
Who, dwelling now on Zion’s hill,
The Lamb’s dear footsteps follow still;
By tyrant there no more distrest,
Fear not, O little flock and blest.
4. And every tear is wiped away
By your dear Father’s hands for ay;
Death hath no power to hurt you more,
Whose own is life’s eternal store.
Who sow their seed, and sowing weep,
In everlasting joy shall reap,
What time they shine in heavenly day,
And every tear is wiped away.
5. O city blest o’er all the earth,
Who gloriest in the Savior’s birth,
Who are His earliest martyrs dear,
By kindred and by triumph here;
None from henceforth may call thee small,
Of rival towns thou passest all:
In whom our Monarch had His birth,
O city blest o’er all the earth!
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Benediction:
Go out into the world in peace;
Be of good courage;
Hold fast to that which is good;
Render to no one evil for evil;
Strengthen the faint hearted;
Support the weak; help the afflicted;
Honor all God’s children;
Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1
San Diego, California 92014-1844, United States
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