Today’s Reflection:
WHAT DOES IT MEAN to be a friend of God? … The mystics joyfully remind us that we are born from God; we live in God; and we return to God. Certainly we know this is true as we watch an orange-red sun drop beneath the edge of the ocean or witness a newborn kicking his tiny feet in the air. But so often these miracles of life are dimmed by distraction and busyness. We find ourselves stuck in the rut of the familiar. Our first Friend, God, may even seem far away.[Stephanie Ford, Kindred Souls: Connecting through Spiritual Friendship]
From page 88 of Kindred Souls: Connecting through Spiritual Friendship by Stephanie Ford. Copyright © 2006 by Stephanie Ford. 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 would you say it means to be a friend of God?
Today’s Scripture:
Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.[Acts 16:26, NRSV]
This Week: pray for those dealing with depression.-------
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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This week we remember: James the Less (May 3).
James the Less
May 03
"James (first century), and apostle known as James the Less, the son of Alphaeus, may have been "the Lord's brother" (Galatians 1:19). He may also be the James who became the first bishop of Jerusalem and authored the epistle of James.
"This James would certainly qualify as a "lesser" disciple during Jesus' time. He must have quietly been formed and nurtured in the way of Jesus, for after the Resurrection he became one of the leaders of the growing church. James expressed his concern for the issues of the day in a letter. He warned against showing favor to the rich and upheld the link between faith and works, between hearing and doing the Word. He warned against loose tongues, boasting, and judging. James instructed Christians to pray and care for the suffering. His short letter, full of practical advice for being the church, bears reading again. James reminds us that though one may be quiet for a time, the call to leadership may come at any time."
[Quoted from Openings: A Daybook of Saints, Psalms, and Prayer by Larry James Peacock. Copyright © 2003 by Larry James Peacock. Used with permission. All Rights Reserved.]
If James had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Prophet. St. James' feast day is May 3.
Image: St. James the Less by Angelo de' Rossi. Nave of the Basilica of St. John Lateran (Rome).-------
Lectionary Readings:
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Sunday, 8 May 2916
Acts 16:16-34
Psalm 97
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21
John 17:20-26
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Scripture Texts:Acts 16:16 Once, when we were going to the place where the minyan gathered, we were met by a slave girl who had in her a snake-spirit that enabled her to predict the future. She earned a lot of money for her owners by telling fortunes. 17 This girl followed behind Sha’ul and the rest of us and kept screaming, “These men are servants of God Ha‘Elyon! They’re telling you how to be saved!” 18 She kept this up day after day, until Sha’ul, greatly disturbed, turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Yeshua the Messiah, I order you to come out of her!” And the spirit did come out, at that very moment.
19 But when her owners saw that what had come out was any further prospect of profit for them, they seized Sha’ul and Sila and dragged them to the market square to face the authorities. 20 Bringing them to the judges, they said, “These men are causing a lot of trouble in our city, since they are Jews. 21 What they are doing is advocating customs that are against the law for us to accept or practice, since we are Romans.” 22 The mob joined in the attack against them, and the judges tore their clothes off them and ordered that they be flogged. 23 After giving them a severe beating, they threw them in prison, charging the jailer to guard them securely. 24 Upon receiving such an order, he threw them into the inner cell and clamped their feet securely between heavy blocks of wood.
25 Around midnight, Sha’ul and Sila were praying and singing hymns to God, while the other prisoners listened attentively. 26 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake which shook the prison to its foundations. All the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer awoke, and when he saw the doors open he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, for he assumed that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Sha’ul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We’re all here!”
29 Calling for lights, the jailer ran in, began to tremble and fell down in front of Sha’ul and Sila. 30 Then, leading them outside, he said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They said, “Trust in the Lord Yeshua, and you will be saved — you and your household!” 32 Whereupon they told him and everyone in his household the message about the Lord.
33 Then, even at that late hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed off their wounds; and without delay, he and all his people were immersed. 34 After that, he brought them up to his house and set food in front of them; and he and his entire household celebrated their having come to trust in God.
Psalm 97:1 Adonai is king, let the earth rejoice,
let the many coasts and islands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him,
setting ablaze his foes on every side.
4 His flashes of lightning light up the world;
the earth sees it and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of Adonai,
at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens declare his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All who worship images will be put to shame,
those who make their boast in worthless idols.
Bow down to him, all you gods!
8 Tziyon hears and is glad, Adonai;
the daughters of Y’hudah rejoice at your rulings.
9 For you, Adonai, most high over all the earth,
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 You who love Adonai, hate evil!
He keeps his faithful servants safe.
He rescues them from the power of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous
and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in Adonai, you righteous;
and give thanks on recalling his holiness.
Revelation 22:12 “Pay attention!” [says Yeshua,] “I am coming soon, and my rewards are with me to give to each person according to what he has done. 13 I am the ‘A’ and the ‘Z,’ the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
14 How blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they have the right to eat from the Tree of Life and go through the gates into the city!
16 “I, Yeshua, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the Messianic communities. I am the Root and Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star. 17 The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come!’ Let anyone who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let anyone who is thirsty come — let anyone who wishes, take the water of life free of charge.”
20 “The one who is testifying to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon!’”
Amen! Come, Lord Yeshua!
21 May the grace of the Lord Yeshua be with all!
John 17:20 “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will trust in me because of their word, 21 that they may all be one. Just as you, Father, are united with me and I with you, I pray that they may be united with us, so that the world may believe that you sent me. 22 The glory which you have given to me, I have given to them; so that they may be one, just as we are one — 23 I united with them and you with me, so that they may be completely one, and the world thus realize that you sent me, and that you have loved them just as you have loved me.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am; so that they may see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 Righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these people have known that you sent me. 26 I made your name known to them, and I will continue to make it known; so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I myself may be united with them.”
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Acts 16:16-34
Verse 17
[17] The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
These men are — A great truth: but St. Paul did not need, nor would accept, of such testimony.
Verse 19
[19] And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
The magistrates — The supreme magistrates of the city. In the next verse they are called by a title which often signifies pretors. These officers exercised both the military and civil authority.
Verse 20
[20] And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
Being Jews — A nation peculiarly despised by the Romans.
Verse 21
[21] And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
And teach customs which it is not lawful for us to receive — The world has received all the rules and doctrines of all the philosophers that ever were. But this is a property of Gospel truth: it has something in it peculiarly intolerable to the world.
Verse 23
[23] And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
They laid many stripes upon them — Either they did not immediately say they were Romans, or in the tumult it was not regarded.
Charging the jailer — Perhaps rather to quiet the people than because they thought them criminal.
Verse 24
[24] Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
Secured their feet in the stocks — These were probably those large pieces of wood, in use among the Romans, which not only loaded the legs of the prisoner, but also kept them extended in a very painful manner.
Verse 25
[25] And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Paul and Silas sung a hymn to God — Notwithstanding weariness, hunger stripes, and blood.
And the prisoners heard — A song to which they were not accustomed.
Verse 28
[28] But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
But Paul cried — As they were all then in the dark, it is not easy to say, how Paul knew of the jailer's purpose; unless it were by some immediate notice from God, which is by no means incredible.
With a loud voice — Through earnestness, and because he was at some distance.
Do thyself no harm — Although the Christian faith opens the prospect into another life, yet it absolutely forbids and effectually prevents a man's discharging himself from this.
Verse 30
[30] And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Sirs — He did not style them so the day before.
What must I do to be saved? — From the guilt I feel and the vengeance I fear? Undoubtedly God then set his sins in array before him, and convinced him in the clearest and strongest manner that the wrath of God abode upon him.
Verse 31
[31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Thou shalt be saved and thy household — If ye believe. They did so, and were saved.
Verse 33
[33] And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
He washed their stripes — It should not be forgot, that the apostles had not the power of working miraculous cures when they pleased, either on themselves, or their dearest friends. Nor was it expedient they should, since it would have frustrated many wise designs of God, which were answered by their sufferings.
Verse 34
[34] And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
He set a table before them and rejoiced — Faith makes a man joyful, prudent, liberal.
Psalm 97
Scripture Texts:Acts 16:16 Once, when we were going to the place where the minyan gathered, we were met by a slave girl who had in her a snake-spirit that enabled her to predict the future. She earned a lot of money for her owners by telling fortunes. 17 This girl followed behind Sha’ul and the rest of us and kept screaming, “These men are servants of God Ha‘Elyon! They’re telling you how to be saved!” 18 She kept this up day after day, until Sha’ul, greatly disturbed, turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Yeshua the Messiah, I order you to come out of her!” And the spirit did come out, at that very moment.
19 But when her owners saw that what had come out was any further prospect of profit for them, they seized Sha’ul and Sila and dragged them to the market square to face the authorities. 20 Bringing them to the judges, they said, “These men are causing a lot of trouble in our city, since they are Jews. 21 What they are doing is advocating customs that are against the law for us to accept or practice, since we are Romans.” 22 The mob joined in the attack against them, and the judges tore their clothes off them and ordered that they be flogged. 23 After giving them a severe beating, they threw them in prison, charging the jailer to guard them securely. 24 Upon receiving such an order, he threw them into the inner cell and clamped their feet securely between heavy blocks of wood.
25 Around midnight, Sha’ul and Sila were praying and singing hymns to God, while the other prisoners listened attentively. 26 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake which shook the prison to its foundations. All the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer awoke, and when he saw the doors open he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, for he assumed that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Sha’ul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We’re all here!”
29 Calling for lights, the jailer ran in, began to tremble and fell down in front of Sha’ul and Sila. 30 Then, leading them outside, he said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They said, “Trust in the Lord Yeshua, and you will be saved — you and your household!” 32 Whereupon they told him and everyone in his household the message about the Lord.
33 Then, even at that late hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed off their wounds; and without delay, he and all his people were immersed. 34 After that, he brought them up to his house and set food in front of them; and he and his entire household celebrated their having come to trust in God.
Psalm 97:1 Adonai is king, let the earth rejoice,
let the many coasts and islands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him,
setting ablaze his foes on every side.
4 His flashes of lightning light up the world;
the earth sees it and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of Adonai,
at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens declare his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All who worship images will be put to shame,
those who make their boast in worthless idols.
Bow down to him, all you gods!
8 Tziyon hears and is glad, Adonai;
the daughters of Y’hudah rejoice at your rulings.
9 For you, Adonai, most high over all the earth,
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 You who love Adonai, hate evil!
He keeps his faithful servants safe.
He rescues them from the power of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous
and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in Adonai, you righteous;
and give thanks on recalling his holiness.
Revelation 22:12 “Pay attention!” [says Yeshua,] “I am coming soon, and my rewards are with me to give to each person according to what he has done. 13 I am the ‘A’ and the ‘Z,’ the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
14 How blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they have the right to eat from the Tree of Life and go through the gates into the city!
16 “I, Yeshua, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the Messianic communities. I am the Root and Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star. 17 The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come!’ Let anyone who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let anyone who is thirsty come — let anyone who wishes, take the water of life free of charge.”
20 “The one who is testifying to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon!’”
Amen! Come, Lord Yeshua!
21 May the grace of the Lord Yeshua be with all!
John 17:20 “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will trust in me because of their word, 21 that they may all be one. Just as you, Father, are united with me and I with you, I pray that they may be united with us, so that the world may believe that you sent me. 22 The glory which you have given to me, I have given to them; so that they may be one, just as we are one — 23 I united with them and you with me, so that they may be completely one, and the world thus realize that you sent me, and that you have loved them just as you have loved me.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am; so that they may see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 Righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these people have known that you sent me. 26 I made your name known to them, and I will continue to make it known; so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I myself may be united with them.”
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Acts 16:16-34
Verse 17
[17] The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
These men are — A great truth: but St. Paul did not need, nor would accept, of such testimony.
Verse 19
[19] And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
The magistrates — The supreme magistrates of the city. In the next verse they are called by a title which often signifies pretors. These officers exercised both the military and civil authority.
Verse 20
[20] And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
Being Jews — A nation peculiarly despised by the Romans.
Verse 21
[21] And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
And teach customs which it is not lawful for us to receive — The world has received all the rules and doctrines of all the philosophers that ever were. But this is a property of Gospel truth: it has something in it peculiarly intolerable to the world.
Verse 23
[23] And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
They laid many stripes upon them — Either they did not immediately say they were Romans, or in the tumult it was not regarded.
Charging the jailer — Perhaps rather to quiet the people than because they thought them criminal.
Verse 24
[24] Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
Secured their feet in the stocks — These were probably those large pieces of wood, in use among the Romans, which not only loaded the legs of the prisoner, but also kept them extended in a very painful manner.
Verse 25
[25] And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Paul and Silas sung a hymn to God — Notwithstanding weariness, hunger stripes, and blood.
And the prisoners heard — A song to which they were not accustomed.
Verse 28
[28] But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
But Paul cried — As they were all then in the dark, it is not easy to say, how Paul knew of the jailer's purpose; unless it were by some immediate notice from God, which is by no means incredible.
With a loud voice — Through earnestness, and because he was at some distance.
Do thyself no harm — Although the Christian faith opens the prospect into another life, yet it absolutely forbids and effectually prevents a man's discharging himself from this.
Verse 30
[30] And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Sirs — He did not style them so the day before.
What must I do to be saved? — From the guilt I feel and the vengeance I fear? Undoubtedly God then set his sins in array before him, and convinced him in the clearest and strongest manner that the wrath of God abode upon him.
Verse 31
[31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Thou shalt be saved and thy household — If ye believe. They did so, and were saved.
Verse 33
[33] And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
He washed their stripes — It should not be forgot, that the apostles had not the power of working miraculous cures when they pleased, either on themselves, or their dearest friends. Nor was it expedient they should, since it would have frustrated many wise designs of God, which were answered by their sufferings.
Verse 34
[34] And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
He set a table before them and rejoiced — Faith makes a man joyful, prudent, liberal.
Psalm 97
Verse 1
[1] The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
Isles — The Gentile nations, as this word, used Isaiah 42:4, is expounded, Matthew 12:21.
Verse 2
[2] Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
Darkness — A dark cloud doth encompass him.
Verse 6
[6] The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
Heavens — The angels, yea God himself from heaven.
Verse 7
[7] Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
Confounded — Let them be ashamed of their folly.
Gods — All you whom the Gentiles have made the objects of their worship.
Verse 8
[8] Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
Zion — Thy people dwelling in Zion or Jerusalem, to whom Christ came.
Heard — The fame of thy judgments, and the setting up the kingdom of the Messiah.
Verse 11
[11] Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
Light — Joy and happiness.
Sown — Is laid up for them.
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21
Verse 12
[12] And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
I — Jesus Christ.
Come quickly — To judge the world.
And my reward is with me — The rewards which I assign both to the righteous and the wicked are given at my coming.
To give to every man according as his work — His whole inward and outward behaviour shall be.
Verse 13
[13] I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last — Who exist from everlasting to everlasting. How clear, incontestable a proof, does our Lord here give of his divine glory!
Verse 14
[14] Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Happy are they that do his commandments — His, who saith, I come - He speaks of himself.
That they may have right — Through his gracious covenant.
To the tree of life — To all the blessings signified by it. When Adam broke his commandment, he was driven from the tree of life. They who keep his commandments" shall eat thereof.
Verse 16
[16] I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
I Jesus have sent my angel to testify these things — Primarily.
To you — The seven angels of the churches; then to those churches - and afterwards to all other churches in succeeding ages.
I — as God.
Am the root — And source of David's family and kingdom; as man, an descended from his loins. "I am the star out of Jacob," Numbers 24:17; like the bright morning star, who put an end to the night of ignorance, sin, and sorrow, and usher in an eternal day of light, purity, and joy.
Verse 17
[17] And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
The Spirit and the bride — The Spirit of adoption in the bride, in the heart of every true believer.
Say — With earnest desire and expectation.
Come — And accomplish all the words of this prophecy.
And let him that thirsteth, come — Here they also who are farther off are invited.
And whosoever will, let him take the water of life — He may partake of my spiritual and unspeakable blessings, as freely as he makes use of the most common refreshments; as freely as he drinks of the running stream.
Verse 20
[20] He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
He that testifieth these things — Even all that is contained in this book.
Saith — For the encouragement of the church in all her afflictions.
Yea — Answering the call of the Spirit and the bride.
I come quickly — To destroy all her enemies, and establish her in a state of perfect and everlasting happiness. The apostle expresses his earnest desire and hope of this, by answering, Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
Verse 21
[21] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
The grace — The free love.
Of the Lord Jesus — And all its fruits.
Be with all — Who thus long for his appearing!
John 17:20-26
Verse 20
[20] Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
For them who will believe — In all ages.
Verse 21
[21] That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
As thou art in me — This also is to be understood in a way of similitude, and not of sameness or equality.
That the world may believe — Here Christ prays for the world. Observe the sum of his whole prayer, 1. Receive me into thy own and my glory; 2. Let my apostles share therein; 3. And all other believers: 4. And let all the world believe.
Verse 22
[22] And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
The glory which thou hast given me, I have given them — The glory of the only begotten shines in all the sons of God. How great is the majesty of Christians.
Verse 24
[24] Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
Here he returns to the apostles.
I will — He asks, as having a right to be heard, and prays, not as a servant, but a Son: that they may behold my glory - Herein Is the happiness of heaven, 1 John 3:2.
Verse 25
[25] O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
Righteous Father — The admission of believers to God through Christ, flows even from the justice of God.
Verse 26
[26] And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
I have declared to them thy name — Thy new, best name of love; that the love wherewith thou hast loved me - That thou and thy love, and I and my love, may be in them - That they may love me with that love.
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The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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