Reflections, daily words of wisdom and faith in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Daily Prayer" for Tuesday, 25 October 2016
Today’s Reflection:
WHY “PRACTICE” prayer? People often ask this question. They insist that they pray all the time, not just at some specified hour of the day. People resist putting a set time for prayer in their Day-Timer.
As Paul tells us, prayer without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17) is the goal of the spiritual life. … However, given the reality of our human condition, we delude ourselves if we believe we can be aware of God at every moment without any sort of practice. Such a feat would be comparable to competing in the Olympics without ever training or practicing a sport.[Daniel Wolpert, Creating a Life with God: The Call of Ancient Prayer Practices]
From pages 17-18 of Creating a Life with God: The Call of Ancient Prayer Practices by Daniel Wolpert. Copyright © 2003 by the author. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Do you have a set time for daily prayer? Why or why not?
Today’s Scripture:
You are righteous, O LORD, and your judgments are right.[Psalm 119:137, NRSV]
This Week: pray for teenagers.
WHY “PRACTICE” prayer? People often ask this question. They insist that they pray all the time, not just at some specified hour of the day. People resist putting a set time for prayer in their Day-Timer.
As Paul tells us, prayer without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17) is the goal of the spiritual life. … However, given the reality of our human condition, we delude ourselves if we believe we can be aware of God at every moment without any sort of practice. Such a feat would be comparable to competing in the Olympics without ever training or practicing a sport.[Daniel Wolpert, Creating a Life with God: The Call of Ancient Prayer Practices]
From pages 17-18 of Creating a Life with God: The Call of Ancient Prayer Practices by Daniel Wolpert. Copyright © 2003 by the author. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Do you have a set time for daily prayer? Why or why not?
Today’s Scripture:
You are righteous, O LORD, and your judgments are right.[Psalm 119:137, NRSV]
This Week: pray for teenagers.
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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 website.
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This week we remember: Rosa Parks (October 24).
Rosa ParksOctober 24
Rosa Louise McCauley was born February 4, 1913 in Tuskegee, Alabama, and grew up on a farm. She was a lifelong member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She attended the Industrial School for Girls, but was unable to finish secondary education because her grandmother and mother needed her care. In 1932 Rosa married Raymond Parks, an active member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He encouraged Rosa to work for a high school degree and to register to vote.
Rosa Parks served as secretary of the Montgomery NAACP from 1943-1957, actively participated in the Voter's League, and was committed to the Civil Rights Movement. By the time she refused to give up her bus seat to a white rider, she knew the movement needed a catalyzing event to rally around. Parks was arrested with violating a segregation law on December 1, 1955, and the Montgomery Bus Boycott was quickly organized.
Parks is today remembered as "the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement." She traveled extensively as a motivational speaker, continued to work as a seamstress, and moved to Detroit where she died on October 24, 2005 at the age of ninety-two.
If Rosa Parks had taken the Spiritual Types Test, she probably would have been a Lover. Rosa Parks is remembered on October 24.
Image from Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Reading Room. Photograph by Associated Press, 1964.
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Lectionary Readings:
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C
Sunday, 30 October 2016
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
Psalm 119:137-144
2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12
Luke 19:1-10
Scripture Text: Habakkuk 1:1 This is the prophecy which Havakuk the prophet saw:
2 Adonai, how long must I cry
without your hearing?
“Violence!” I cry to you,
but you don’t save.
3 Why do you make me see wrongdoing,
why do you permit oppression?
Pillage and cruelty confront me,
so that strife and discord prevail.
4 Therefore Torah is not followed;
justice never gets rendered,
because the wicked fence in the righteous.
This is why justice comes out perverted.
Habakkuk 2:1 I will stand at my watchpost;
I will station myself on the rampart.
I will look to see what [God] will say through me
and what I will answer when I am reproved.
2 Then Adonai answered me; he said,
“Write down the vision clearly on tablets,
so that even a runner can read it.
3 For the vision is meant for its appointed time;
it speaks of the end, and it does not lie.
It may take a while, but wait for it;
it will surely come, it will not delay.
4 “Look at the proud: he is inwardly not upright;
but the righteous will attain life through trusting faithfulness.
Psalm 119:צ (Tzadeh)
137 You are righteous, Adonai;
and your rulings are upright.
138 You have commanded your instructions
in righteousness and great faithfulness.
139 My zeal is destroying me,
because my foes have forgotten your words.
140 Your word is refined to complete purity,
and your servant loves it.
141 I may be small and despised,
but I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is eternal righteousness,
and your Torah is truth.
143 Trouble and distress have overtaken me,
but your mitzvot are my delight.
144 Your instruction is righteous forever;
give me understanding, and I will live.
2 Thessalonians 1:1 From: Sha’ul, Sila and Timothy
To: The Messianic Community of the Thessalonians, united with God our Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah:
2 Grace to you and shalom from God the Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah.
3 We have to keep thanking God for you always, brothers, as is appropriate; because your trust continues to grow greater, and the love you each have for one another continues to increase. 4 Therefore, we boast about you in the congregations of God because of your perseverance and trust in all the persecutions and troubles you are going through.
11 With this in view, we always pray for you that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill by his power every good purpose of yours and every action stemming from your trust. 12 In this way, the name of our Lord Yeshua will be glorified in you, and you in him, in accordance with the grace of our God and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah.
Luke 19:1 Yeshua entered Yericho and was passing through, 2 when a man named Zakkai appeared who was a chief tax-collector and a wealthy man. 3 He was trying to see who Yeshua was; but, being short, he couldn’t, because of the crowd. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed a fig tree in order to see him, for Yeshua was about to pass that way. 5 When he came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zakkai! Hurry! Come down, because I have to stay at your house today!” 6 He climbed down as fast as he could and welcomed Yeshua joyfully. 7 Everyone who saw it began muttering, “He has gone to be the house-guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zakkai stood there and said to the Lord, “Here, Lord, I am giving half of all I own to the poor; and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay him back four times as much.” 9 Yeshua said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, inasmuch as this man too is a son of Avraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost.”
The John Wesley's Notes-Commentary: Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
Verse 1
[1] The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.
The burden — The prophet seems to speak of these grievous things, as a burden which he himself groaned under.
Verse 4
[4] Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.
Therefore — Because the wicked go on with impunity.
The law — The whole law, moral, ceremonial, and judicial.
Is slacked — Is slighted, and not observed.
Go forth — From magistrates, judges, and public officers.
Doth compass about — As it were besieges, with design to oppress and ruin.
Verse 1
[1] I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
Upon my watch — I will stand as a watchman on my watch-tower.
He — The Lord.
Reproved — Called to give an account of the mysteriousness of providence; either to satisfy doubters, or to silence quarrellers.
Verse 2
[2] And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
Upon tables — What was of publick concern, and therefore to be published, was anciently written or engraven upon tables, smooth stones, or wood, and then hung up in a publick place to be read.
May run — That none may need to stop, but every one may plainly and clearly discern what is written.
Verse 3
[3] For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
At the end — When the period appointed of God shall come.
Shall speak — Be accomplished, and not disappoint your expectation.
Verse 4
[4] Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Which is lifted up — That proudly contests with the justice and wisdom of the Divine Providence, and provides for his own safety by his own wit.
The just — The humble and upright one, who adores the depth of divine providence, and is persuaded of the truth of divine promises.
Shall live — Supports himself, by a firm expectation of the deliverance of Zion.
Psalm 119:137-144
Verse 140
[140] Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
Pure — Without the least mixture of falsehood.
Verse 142
[142] Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
Everlasting — The same in all ages and places.
Verse 143
[143] Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.
Trouble — Outward troubles and anguish of spirit.
2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12
Verse 3
[3] We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
It is highly observable, that the apostle wraps up his praise of men in praise to God; giving him the glory.
Your faith groweth — Probably he had heard from them since his sending the former letter.
Aboundeth — Like water that overflows its banks, and yet increaseth still.
Verse 4
[4] So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
Which ye endure — "That ye may be accounted worthy of the kingdom."
Verse 11
[11] Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
All the good pleasure of his goodness — Which is no less than perfect holiness.
Verse 12
[12] That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
That the name — The love and power of our Lord may be glorified - Gloriously displayed in you.
Luke 19:1-10
Verse 2
[2] And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
The chief of the publicans — What we would term, commissioner of the customs. A very honourable as well as profitable place.
Verse 4
[4] And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
And running before — With great earnestness.
He climbed up — Notwithstanding his quality: desire conquering honour and shame.
Verse 5
[5] And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
Jesus said, Zaccheus, make haste and come down — What a strange mixture of passions must Zaccheus have now felt, hearing one speak, as knowing both his name and his heart!
Verse 7
[7] And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
They all murmured — All who were near: though most of them rather out of surprise than indignation.
Verse 8
[8] And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
And Zaccheus stood — Showing by his posture, his deliberate, purpose and ready mind, and said, Behold, Lord, I give - I determine to do it immediately.
Verse 9
[9] And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
He also is a son of Abraham — A Jew born, and as such has a right to the first offer of salvation.
Verse 10
[10] For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Matthew 18:11.
-------
The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
-------
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C
Sunday, 30 October 2016
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
Psalm 119:137-144
2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12
Luke 19:1-10
Scripture Text: Habakkuk 1:1 This is the prophecy which Havakuk the prophet saw:
2 Adonai, how long must I cry
without your hearing?
“Violence!” I cry to you,
but you don’t save.
3 Why do you make me see wrongdoing,
why do you permit oppression?
Pillage and cruelty confront me,
so that strife and discord prevail.
4 Therefore Torah is not followed;
justice never gets rendered,
because the wicked fence in the righteous.
This is why justice comes out perverted.
Habakkuk 2:1 I will stand at my watchpost;
I will station myself on the rampart.
I will look to see what [God] will say through me
and what I will answer when I am reproved.
2 Then Adonai answered me; he said,
“Write down the vision clearly on tablets,
so that even a runner can read it.
3 For the vision is meant for its appointed time;
it speaks of the end, and it does not lie.
It may take a while, but wait for it;
it will surely come, it will not delay.
4 “Look at the proud: he is inwardly not upright;
but the righteous will attain life through trusting faithfulness.
Psalm 119:צ (Tzadeh)
137 You are righteous, Adonai;
and your rulings are upright.
138 You have commanded your instructions
in righteousness and great faithfulness.
139 My zeal is destroying me,
because my foes have forgotten your words.
140 Your word is refined to complete purity,
and your servant loves it.
141 I may be small and despised,
but I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is eternal righteousness,
and your Torah is truth.
143 Trouble and distress have overtaken me,
but your mitzvot are my delight.
144 Your instruction is righteous forever;
give me understanding, and I will live.
2 Thessalonians 1:1 From: Sha’ul, Sila and Timothy
To: The Messianic Community of the Thessalonians, united with God our Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah:
2 Grace to you and shalom from God the Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah.
3 We have to keep thanking God for you always, brothers, as is appropriate; because your trust continues to grow greater, and the love you each have for one another continues to increase. 4 Therefore, we boast about you in the congregations of God because of your perseverance and trust in all the persecutions and troubles you are going through.
11 With this in view, we always pray for you that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill by his power every good purpose of yours and every action stemming from your trust. 12 In this way, the name of our Lord Yeshua will be glorified in you, and you in him, in accordance with the grace of our God and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah.
Luke 19:1 Yeshua entered Yericho and was passing through, 2 when a man named Zakkai appeared who was a chief tax-collector and a wealthy man. 3 He was trying to see who Yeshua was; but, being short, he couldn’t, because of the crowd. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed a fig tree in order to see him, for Yeshua was about to pass that way. 5 When he came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zakkai! Hurry! Come down, because I have to stay at your house today!” 6 He climbed down as fast as he could and welcomed Yeshua joyfully. 7 Everyone who saw it began muttering, “He has gone to be the house-guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zakkai stood there and said to the Lord, “Here, Lord, I am giving half of all I own to the poor; and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay him back four times as much.” 9 Yeshua said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, inasmuch as this man too is a son of Avraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost.”
The John Wesley's Notes-Commentary: Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
Verse 1
[1] The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.
The burden — The prophet seems to speak of these grievous things, as a burden which he himself groaned under.
Verse 4
[4] Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.
Therefore — Because the wicked go on with impunity.
The law — The whole law, moral, ceremonial, and judicial.
Is slacked — Is slighted, and not observed.
Go forth — From magistrates, judges, and public officers.
Doth compass about — As it were besieges, with design to oppress and ruin.
Verse 1
[1] I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
Upon my watch — I will stand as a watchman on my watch-tower.
He — The Lord.
Reproved — Called to give an account of the mysteriousness of providence; either to satisfy doubters, or to silence quarrellers.
Verse 2
[2] And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
Upon tables — What was of publick concern, and therefore to be published, was anciently written or engraven upon tables, smooth stones, or wood, and then hung up in a publick place to be read.
May run — That none may need to stop, but every one may plainly and clearly discern what is written.
Verse 3
[3] For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
At the end — When the period appointed of God shall come.
Shall speak — Be accomplished, and not disappoint your expectation.
Verse 4
[4] Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Which is lifted up — That proudly contests with the justice and wisdom of the Divine Providence, and provides for his own safety by his own wit.
The just — The humble and upright one, who adores the depth of divine providence, and is persuaded of the truth of divine promises.
Shall live — Supports himself, by a firm expectation of the deliverance of Zion.
Psalm 119:137-144
Verse 140
[140] Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
Pure — Without the least mixture of falsehood.
Verse 142
[142] Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
Everlasting — The same in all ages and places.
Verse 143
[143] Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.
Trouble — Outward troubles and anguish of spirit.
2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12
Verse 3
[3] We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
It is highly observable, that the apostle wraps up his praise of men in praise to God; giving him the glory.
Your faith groweth — Probably he had heard from them since his sending the former letter.
Aboundeth — Like water that overflows its banks, and yet increaseth still.
Verse 4
[4] So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
Which ye endure — "That ye may be accounted worthy of the kingdom."
Verse 11
[11] Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
All the good pleasure of his goodness — Which is no less than perfect holiness.
Verse 12
[12] That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
That the name — The love and power of our Lord may be glorified - Gloriously displayed in you.
Luke 19:1-10
Verse 2
[2] And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
The chief of the publicans — What we would term, commissioner of the customs. A very honourable as well as profitable place.
Verse 4
[4] And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
And running before — With great earnestness.
He climbed up — Notwithstanding his quality: desire conquering honour and shame.
Verse 5
[5] And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
Jesus said, Zaccheus, make haste and come down — What a strange mixture of passions must Zaccheus have now felt, hearing one speak, as knowing both his name and his heart!
Verse 7
[7] And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
They all murmured — All who were near: though most of them rather out of surprise than indignation.
Verse 8
[8] And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
And Zaccheus stood — Showing by his posture, his deliberate, purpose and ready mind, and said, Behold, Lord, I give - I determine to do it immediately.
Verse 9
[9] And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
He also is a son of Abraham — A Jew born, and as such has a right to the first offer of salvation.
Verse 10
[10] For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Matthew 18:11.
-------
The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
-------
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