"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Thursday, 10 November 2016 with Scripture Luke 21:5-19
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Luke 21:5 As some people were remarking about the Temple, how beautiful its stonework and memorial decorations were, he said, 6 “The time is coming when what you see here will be totally destroyed — not a single stone will be left standing!” 7 They asked him, “Rabbi, if this is so, when will these events take place? And what sign will show that they are about to happen?” 8 He answered, “Watch out! Don’t be fooled! For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time has come!’ Don’t go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and revolutions, don’t panic. For these things must happen first, but the end will not follow immediately.”
10 Then he told them, “Peoples will fight each other, nations will fight each other, 11 there will be great earthquakes, there will be epidemics and famines in various places, and there will be fearful sights and great signs from Heaven. 12 But before all this, they will arrest you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons; and you will be brought before kings and governors. This will all be on account of me, 13 but it will prove an opportunity for you to bear witness. 14 So make up your minds not to worry, rehearsing your defense beforehand; 15 for I myself will give you an eloquence and a wisdom that no adversary will be able to resist or refute. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends; some of you they will have put to death; 17 and everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will be lost. 19 By standing firm you will save your lives.[Complete Jewish Bible]
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Have you been at a family gathering or socializing with friends when they wrongfully disparaged people different from themselves and with whom you were in solidarity? For me, the tension of what to do is agonizing. Should I remain silent rather than risk harming my valued, close relationships? Should I speak up on behalf of the people they unjustly criticize? What statistics, insights, stories or personal experiences could I share that might change their attitudes?
I can easily tell myself that nothing would change their minds, this is the wrong context or I might make matters worse. However, at these times when my values are betrayed and opposed "by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends" (verse 14), I can take Christ at his word. I can silently, fervently pray, "Give [me] words and a wisdom that none of [my] opponents will be able to withstand or contradict" (verse 15)!
Eternal God, we glorify you, alpha and omega. Forgive us for trying to predict the future that only you know. Be with us during every challenge, small or large, and keep us from straying. Please give us the words and wisdom to share your love and justice boldly. Amen.
Mary Simonson Clark, '07
Partner Engagement, Redeemer Center for Life & Redeemer Lutheran Church, Minneapolis; Adjunct Instructor, Department of Social Work, Augsburg College, Minneapolis
Luke 21:5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said,
6 "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down."
7 They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?"
8 And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, "I am he!' and, "The time is near!' Do not go after them.
9 "When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately."
10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom;
11 there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
12 "But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.
13 This will give you an opportunity to testify.
14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance;
15 for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.
16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.
17 You will be hated by all because of my name.
18 But not a hair of your head will perish.
19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.[New Revised Standard Version]
-------I can easily tell myself that nothing would change their minds, this is the wrong context or I might make matters worse. However, at these times when my values are betrayed and opposed "by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends" (verse 14), I can take Christ at his word. I can silently, fervently pray, "Give [me] words and a wisdom that none of [my] opponents will be able to withstand or contradict" (verse 15)!
Eternal God, we glorify you, alpha and omega. Forgive us for trying to predict the future that only you know. Be with us during every challenge, small or large, and keep us from straying. Please give us the words and wisdom to share your love and justice boldly. Amen.
Mary Simonson Clark, '07
Partner Engagement, Redeemer Center for Life & Redeemer Lutheran Church, Minneapolis; Adjunct Instructor, Department of Social Work, Augsburg College, Minneapolis
Luke 21:5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said,
6 "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down."
7 They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?"
8 And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, "I am he!' and, "The time is near!' Do not go after them.
9 "When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately."
10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom;
11 there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
12 "But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.
13 This will give you an opportunity to testify.
14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance;
15 for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.
16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.
17 You will be hated by all because of my name.
18 But not a hair of your head will perish.
19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.[New Revised Standard Version]
"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Wednesday, 9 November 2016 with Scripture 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
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2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now, in the name of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah we command you, brothers, to stay away from any brother who is leading a life of idleness, a life not in keeping with the tradition you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you must imitate us, that we were not idle when we were among you. 8 We did not accept anyone’s food without paying; on the contrary, we labored and toiled, day and night, working so as not to be a burden to any of you. 9 It was not that we hadn’t the right to be supported, but so that we could make ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: if someone won’t work, he shouldn’t eat! 11 We hear that some of you are leading a life of idleness — not busy working, just busybodies! 12 We command such people — and in union with the Lord Yeshua the Messiah we urge them — to settle down, get to work, and earn their own living. 13 And you brothers who are doing what is good, don’t slack off![Complete Jewish Bible]
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Some Thessalonians believed false claims that Christ had returned. Therefore, they quit working. Today, people quote verse 10, "Anyone unwilling to work should not eat," to deny support for people who are under- or unemployed. However, Dr. Mariam Kamell (workingpreacher.org, 2013) maintains that translations that refer to "idleness" or "laziness" rather than more accurately to "disorderly" or "disruptive" behavior miss the author's play on words in his reference to "work" and "work mischief" in verse 11. Thus translated, we might imagine some of the nonworking Thessalonians were possibly "busybodies" who were causing trouble by spreading the rumors Christ had returned.
We often believe rhetoric, fail to check accuracy and spread rumors via social media far faster than could the Thessalonians! We can use the internet to reinforce our biases or we could seek impartial truth and diverse viewpoints. As we increase awareness and work for reconciliation, our call echoes the Thessalonians' call, "do not be weary in doing what is right" (verse 13).
Enduring God, praise and thanks to you for this new day that you have made! Help us to use it wisely. Forgive us for times we have been idle, disruptive "busybodies," or rumormongers of hurtful, false claims. Today, this week, and always, please give us the focus, energy and courage to "not be weary in doing what is right." Amen.
Mary Simonson Clark, '07
Partner Engagement, Redeemer Center for Life & Redeemer Lutheran Church, Minneapolis; Adjunct Instructor, Department of Social Work, Augsburg College, Minneapolis
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 (NRSV)
6 Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us.
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you,
8 and we did not eat anyone's bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you.
9 This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate.
10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat.
11 For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work.
12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
13 Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.[New Revised Standard Version]
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We often believe rhetoric, fail to check accuracy and spread rumors via social media far faster than could the Thessalonians! We can use the internet to reinforce our biases or we could seek impartial truth and diverse viewpoints. As we increase awareness and work for reconciliation, our call echoes the Thessalonians' call, "do not be weary in doing what is right" (verse 13).
Enduring God, praise and thanks to you for this new day that you have made! Help us to use it wisely. Forgive us for times we have been idle, disruptive "busybodies," or rumormongers of hurtful, false claims. Today, this week, and always, please give us the focus, energy and courage to "not be weary in doing what is right." Amen.
Mary Simonson Clark, '07
Partner Engagement, Redeemer Center for Life & Redeemer Lutheran Church, Minneapolis; Adjunct Instructor, Department of Social Work, Augsburg College, Minneapolis
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 (NRSV)
6 Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us.
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you,
8 and we did not eat anyone's bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you.
9 This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate.
10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat.
11 For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work.
12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
13 Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.[New Revised Standard Version]
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