The Upper Room Daily Reflections, daily words of wisdom and faith in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Thanksgiving" for Thursday, 24 November 2016

The Upper Room Daily Reflections, daily words of wisdom and faith in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Thanksgiving" for Thursday, 24 November 2016

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Today’s Reflection:
BEGINNING TODAY, let everyday be Thanksgiving Day — a day of celebration and thanks. Forgive us for our selfish, sinful, and thoughtless actions, words, and plans. Remind us that we need you and we need each other to bring the Kingdom of God here to earth as it is in heaven. This we pray in the name of Jesus the Christ, who has died, risen, and will come again. Amen.[Eugene Blair, Africana Worship Book, Year B]
From page 239 of The Africana Worship Book: Year B, edited by Valerie Bridgeman Davis and Safiyah Fosua. Copyright © 2007 by Discipleship Resources. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Pray today’s prayer. BEGINNING TODAY, let everyday be Thanksgiving Day — a day of celebration and thanks. Forgive us for our selfish, sinful, and thoughtless actions, words, and plans. Remind us that we need you and we need each other to bring the Kingdom of God here to earth as it is in heaven. This we pray in the name of Jesus the Christ, who has died, risen, and will come again. Amen.
Today’s Scripture:
For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, “Peace be within you.”[Psalm 122:8, NRSV]
This Week: pray for your neighbors.

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The Upper Room Daily Reflections, daily words of wisdom and faith in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "The Pressure of Perfect" for Wednesday, 23 November 2016

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Today’s Reflection:
ROMANS 12 INCLUDES a substantial listing of godly shoulds. Most of them, including “[Be] given to hospitality” (v. 13, KJV), concern community life. In the middle of the exhortations the apostle interjects a caveat, which the poetic King James renders “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you …” (Rom. 12:18).
Planning a perfect event that will delight everyone – introvert, extrovert, athlete, bookworm, diabetic, vegan, old curmudgeon, young prima donna – is not a reasonable goal. If it be possible … make every effort … act in good faith … anticipate the gathering.[Evelyn Bence, Room at My Table]
From page 17 of Room at My Table: Preparing Heart & Home for Christian Hospitality by Evelyn Bence. Copyright © 2014 by Evelyn Bence. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
If you are observing the American holiday of Thanksgiving, give thought to today’s excerpt in relation to that upcoming event.
Today’s Scripture:
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”[Psalm 122:1, NRSV]
This Week: pray for your neighbors. -------

The Upper Room Daily Reflections, daily words of wisdom and faith in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Investing Our Talents" for Tuesday, 22 November 2016

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Today’s Reflection:
ALL OF US have certain abilities in our hands — whatever they happen to be: running a business, using the computer, managing projects, resolving conflict, working with figures, managing money, coaching sports, offering hospitality, and so on. God is able to use them for the sake of the common good. We need to acknowledge what we do well and invest whatever it is in God’s work of mending our broken world, even when we believe our talents are rather insignificant.[Trevor Hudson, Questions God Asks Us]
From page 39 of Questions God Asks Us by Trevor Hudson. Copyright © 2008 by Trevor Hudson. 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 talent is God calling you to use for the common good?
Today’s Scripture:
O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD![Isaiah 2:5, NRSV]
This Week: pray for your neighbors.

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The Upper Room Daily Reflections, daily words of wisdom and faith in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Show Hospitality" for Monday, 21 November 2016

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Today’s Reflection:
MORE URGENTLY THAN EVER BEFORE, the biblical mandate to “show hospitality to strangers” (Heb. 13:2) summons us to create a world where nonuniformity breeds not estrangement but engagement. Every encounter, however small, which forms grace-filled links between diverse groups is part of that effort.[Robert Corin Morris, Provocative Grace]
From page 99 of Provocative Grace: The Challenge in Jesus’ Words by Robert Corin Morris, Copyright © 2006 by Robert Corin Morris. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
How can you show hospitality to strangers?
Today’s Scripture:
In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it.[Isaiah 2:2, NRSV]
This Week: pray for your neighbors-------

The Upper Room Daily Reflections, daily words of wisdom and faith in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Centering Prayer" for Sunday, 20 November 2016

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Today’s Reflection:
IN PRACTICING CENTERING PRAYER we rely totally on the grace of God and adopt a stance of receptivity. We do not concentrate or focus our attention; we do nothing except to let go of all our thoughts and efforts and consent to God’s presence and action. All else is the work of the divine. We simply open ourselves to receive the love of God, given to us by grace.[J. David Muyskens, Forty Days to a Closer Walk with God: The Practice of Centering Prayer]
From page 84 of Forty Days to a Closer Walk with God: The Practice of Centering Prayer by J. David Muyskens. Copyright © 2006 by J. David Muyskens. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Have you ever practiced centering prayer? What are the challenges?
Today’s Scripture:
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”[Luke 23:42-43, NRSV]
This Week: pray for neighbors who are struggling.

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The Upper Room Daily Reflections, daily words of wisdom and faith in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Created for Relationships" for Saturday, 19 November 2016

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Today’s Reflection:
THE THING THAT SUFFERS most in our hurried lives is relationships: relationships with our families, relationships with friends, relationships within our faith communities, and relationship with God. There just is not time to sit down and talk with one another, to share our stories and concerns, to listen for the whisper of God’s voice.
Since God made us for relationship — with God, with ourselves, with one another and with the creation — it is counter to God’s plan for us not to take care of this basic foundation of our lives. God made us so that in the deepest part of our being, we long to be joined together in community.[Nancy Ferguson, Retreats for Renewal: 5 Models for Intergenerational Weekends]
From page 9 of Retreats for Renewal: 5 Models for Intergenerational Weekends by Nancy Ferguson. Copyright © 2008 by Discipleship Resources. 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’s presence in your relationships?
Today’s Scripture:
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.[Colossians 1:19-20, NRSV]
This Week: pray for neighbors who are struggling.

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The Upper Room Daily Reflections, daily words of wisdom and faith in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "The Goal of Love" for Friday, 18 November 2016

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Today’s Reflection:
CREATED IN GOD’S OWN IMAGE — with the capacity to love — we seek to love God with our whole being and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Faith is the means to this loving end. In other words, built upon a firm foundation of trust in Christ, our lives move toward the goal of love — the fullest possible love of God and the fullest possible love of all people and things in God. What an audacious vision, to be immersed and lost in God’s love![Paul Wesley Chilcote, A Life-Shaping Prayer: 52 Meditations in the Wesleyan Spirit]
From page 31 of A Life-Shaping Prayer: 52 Meditations in the Wesleyan Spiritby Paul Wesley Chilcote. Copyright © 2008 by Paul Wesley Chilcote. 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 does it mean for you to love audaciously in your time and space?
Today’s Scripture:
May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.[Colossians 1:11-12, NRSV]
This Week: pray for neighbors who are struggling.

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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 website.
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This week we remember: Gertrude the Great of Helfta (November 16).

Gertrude the Great of Helfta
November 16St. Gertrude was born in 1256, and when she was five she went to the Benedictine convent at Helfta, Saxony. While at the convent, she studied the works of St. Augustine and St. Bernard of Clairvaux, and became a good friend to her tutor, St. Mechtild.
When Gertrude was in her mid-twenties, Christ came to her in a vision, in the form of a handsome young man. In this vision, Christ asked her to come near, but she found her way blocked by a thorny hedge -- a manifestation of her sins and flaws. Jesus reached out and placed her by his side. This vision spawned her career as a mystic and spiritual advisor, and formed part of her Revelations of St. Gertrude. She died in 1302 after many years of helpful guidance and prayerful solitude.
If St. Gertrude had taken the Spiritual Types Test, she probably would have been a Mystic. November 16 is the feast day for St. Gertrude. (Art is close-up of stained glass window in the Church of the Holy Cross, St. Leo Abbey, Florida.)

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Lectionary Readings:
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Twenty-Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, Year C
Sunday, 20 November 2016
This Sunday, November 20, 2016
Christ the King Sunday's Scripture Texts: Jeremiah 23:1-6
Psalm 46
Colossians 1:11-20
Luke 23:33-43
Scripture Text: Jeremiah 23:1 “Oh no! The shepherds are destroying and scattering the sheep in my pasture!” says Adonai. 2 Therefore this is what Adonai, the God of Isra’el, says against the shepherds who shepherd my people: “You have scattered my flock, driven them away and not taken care of them. So I will ‘take care of’ you because of your evil deeds,” says Adonai. 3 “I myself will gather what remains of my flock from all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their homes, and they will be fruitful and increase their numbers. 4 I will appoint shepherds over them who will shepherd them; then they will no longer be afraid or disgraced; and none will be missing,” says Adonai.
5 “The days are coming,” says Adonai
when I will raise a righteous Branch for David.
He will reign as king and succeed,
he will do what is just and right in the land.
6 In his days Y’hudah will be saved,
Isra’el will live in safety,
and the name given to him will be
Adonai Tzidkenu [Adonai our righteousness].

Psalm 46:1 (0) For the leader. By the descendants of Korach. On ‘alamot [high-pitched musical instruments?]. A song:

2 (1) God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

3 (2) Therefore we are unafraid,

even if the earth gives way,

even if the mountains tumble

into the depths of the sea,

4 (3) even if its waters rage and foam,

and mountains shake at its turbulence. (Selah)

5 (4) There is a river whose streams

gladden the city of God,

the holy habitation of ‘Elyon —

6 (5) God is in the city.

It will not be moved —

when daybreak comes, God will help it.

7 (6) Nations were in turmoil,

kingdoms were moved;

his voice thundered forth,

and the earth melted away.

8 (7) Adonai-Tzva’ot is with us,

our fortress, the God of Ya‘akov. (Selah)

9 (8) Come and see the works of Adonai,

the astounding deeds he has done on the earth.

10 (9) To the ends of the earth he makes wars cease —

he breaks the bow, snaps the spear,

burns the shields in the fire.

11 (10) “Desist, and learn that I am God,

supreme over the nations,

supreme over the earth.”

12 (11) Adonai-Tzva’ot is with us,

our fortress, the God of Ya‘akov. (Selah)

Colossians 1:11 We pray that you will be continually strengthened with all the power that comes from his glorious might; so that you will be able to persevere and be patient in any situation, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father for having made you fit to share in the inheritance of his people in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.
14 It is through his Son that we have redemption — that is, our sins have been forgiven. 15 He is the visible image of the invisible God. He is supreme over all creation, 16 because in connection with him were created all things — in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, lordships, rulers or authorities — they have all been created through him and for him. 17 He existed before all things, and he holds everything together.
18 Also he is head of the Body, the Messianic Community — he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might hold first place in everything. 19 For it pleased God to have his full being live in his Son 20 and through his Son to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace through him, through having his Son shed his blood by being executed on a stake.
Luke 23:33 When they came to the place called The Skull, they nailed him to a stake; and they nailed the criminals to stakes, one on the right and one on the left. 34 Yeshua said, “Father, forgive them; they don’t understand what they are doing.”
They divided up his clothes by throwing dice.[Luke 23:34 Psalm 22:19(18)] 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at him.[Luke 23:35 Psalm 22:8(7)] “He saved others,” they said, “so if he really is the Messiah, the one chosen by God, let him save himself!” 36 The soldiers too ridiculed him; they came up, offered him vinegar[Luke 23:36 Psalm 69:22(21)] 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 And there was a notice over him which read,
THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS
39 One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at him. “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other one spoke up and rebuked the first, saying, “Have you no fear of God? You’re getting the same punishment as he is. 41 Ours is only fair; we’re getting what we deserve for what we did. But this man did nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Yeshua, remember me when you come as King.” 43 Yeshua said to him, “Yes! I promise that you will be with me today in Gan-‘Eden.”
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary: Jeremiah 23:1-6
Verse 2
[2] Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
That feed — They are said to have fed this people, because it was their duty so to do.
Verse 5
[5] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
Behold — Even the Jewish doctors, as well as the Christian interpreters, understand this as a prophecy of the Messiah who is called the branch, Isaiah 4:2; 53:2. And here, he is called the righteous branch, not only because himself was righteous, but because he maketh his people righteous.
Shall execute — Protecting the innocent, and defending his people throughout the world, judging the prince of the world, and by his spirit governing his people.
Verse 6
[6] In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Judah — During the reign and kingdom of the Messiah the people of God typified by Judah and Israel shall be saved with a spiritual salvation, and God will be a special protection to them.
And this — The name wherewith this branch shall be called, shall be, The Lord our righteousness. This place is an eminent proof of the Godhead of Christ, he is here called Jehovah, and what is proper to God alone, namely to justify, is here applied to Christ. He who knew no sin, was made sin, (that is, a sacrifice for sin) for us, that we might be made, the righteousness of God in him.
Psalm 46

Verse 2

[2] Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Though — Though there should be nothing but confusion, and desolations round about us: which are often expressed by such metaphors.

Verse 4

[4] There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

A river — This may design the gracious presence, and blessing of the Lord, which is frequently described under the name of waters.

Make glad — Shall not barely preserve it from danger, but give great occasion for rejoicing and thanksgiving.

The city — Jerusalem, the place where God's holy tabernacle is settled.

Verse 7

[7] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. /*Selah*/.

Raged — Against God, and against his people.

Uttered — He spake to them in his wrath.

The earth — The inhabitants of the earth were consumed.

Verse 8

[8] Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

Desolations — Among those who were vexatious to God's people.

Verse 9

[9] He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

To cease — He hath settled as in a firm and well-grounded peace.

The land — Of Israel: from one end of it to the other.

The bow — The bows and spears, and chariots of their enemies.

Verse 11

[11] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. /*Selah*/.

Be still — Stir no more against my people.

God — The only true and almighty God; your gods are but dumb and impotent idols.

Exalted — I will make myself glorious by my great and wonderful works.

Colossians 1:11-20
Verse 2
[2] To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The saints-This word expresses their union with God. And brethren — This, their union with their fellow-Christians.
Verse 3
[3] We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
We give thanks — There is a near resemblance between this epistle, and those to the Ephesians and Philippians.
Verse 5
[5] For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
Ye heard before — I wrote to you.
In the word of truth, of the gospel — The true gospel preached to you.
Verse 6
[6] Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
It bringeth forth fruit in all the world — That is, in every place where it is preached.
Ye knew the grace of God in truth — Truly experienced the gracious power of God.
Verse 7
[7] As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
The fellowservant — Of Paul and Timotheus.
Verse 8
[8] Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
Your love in the Spirit — Your love wrought in you by the Spirit.
Verse 9
[9] For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
We pray for you — This was mentioned in general, Colossians 1:3, but now more particularly.
That ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will — Of his revealed will.
In all wisdom — With all the wisdom from above.
And spiritual understanding — To discern by that light whatever agrees with, or differs from, his will.
Verse 10
[10] That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
That, knowing his whole will, ye may walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing - So as actually to please him in all things; daily increasing in the living, experimental knowledge of God, our Father, Saviour, Sanctifier.
Verse 11
[11] Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Strengthened unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness — This is the highest point: not only to know, to do, to suffer, the whole will of God; but to suffer it to the end, not barely with patience, but with thankful joy.
Luke 23:33-43
Verse 34
[34] Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Then said Jesus — Our Lord passed most of the time on the cross in silence: yet seven sentences which he spoke thereon are recorded by the four evangelists, though no one evangelist has recorded them all. Hence it appears that the four Gospels are, as it were, four parts, which, joined together, make one symphony. Sometimes one of these only, sometimes two or three, sometimes all sound together.
Father — So he speaks both in the beginning and at the end of his sufferings on the cross: Forgive them - How striking is this passage! While they are actually nailing him to the cross, he seems to feel the injury they did to their own souls more than the wounds they gave him; and as it were to forget his own anguish out of a concern for their own salvation. And how eminently was his prayer heard! It procured forgiveness for all that were penitent, and a suspension of vengeance even for the impenitent.
Verse 35
[35] And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
If thou be the Christ; Luke 23:37.
If thou be the king — The priests deride the name of Messiah: the soldiers the name of king.
Verse 38
[38] And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:26; John 19:19.
Verse 39
[39] And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
And one of the malefactors reviled him — St. Matthew says, the robbers: St. Mark, they that were crucified with him, reviled him. Either therefore St. Matthew and Mark put the plural for the singular (as the best authors sometimes do) or both reviled him at the first, till one of them felt "the overwhelming power of saving grace."
Verse 40
[40] But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
The other rebuked him — What a surprising degree was here of repentance, faith, and other graces! And what abundance of good works, in his public confession of his sin, reproof of his fellow criminal, his honourable testimony to Christ, and profession of faith in him, while he was in so disgraceful circumstances as were stumbling even to his disciples! This shows the power of Divine grace. But it encourages none to put off their repentance to the last hour; since, as far as appears, this was the first time this criminal had an opportunity of knowing any thing of Christ, and his conversion was designed to put a peculiar glory on our Saviour in his lowest state, while his enemies derided him, and his own disciples either denied or forsook him.
Verse 42
[42] And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Remember me when thou comest — From heaven, in thy kingdom - He acknowledges him a king, and such a king, as after he is dead, can profit the dead. The apostles themselves had not then so clear conceptions of the kingdom of Christ.
Verse 43
[43] And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
In paradise — The place where the souls of the righteous remain from death till the resurrection. As if he had said, I will not only remember thee then, but this very day.
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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 website.
-------This week we remember: C.S. Lewis (November 22).

C.S. Lewis

November 22
The author of the beloved Chronicles of Narnia, Clives Staples Lewis, was born in 1898 in Belfast. He fought in World War I, then studied at Oxford. After his graduation Lewis taught English at Oxford and Cambridge. As a youth Lewis gave up on Christianity. In 1929 he had a reconversion to the Christian faith, though he continued to wrestle with doubt in some of his published works.
Lewis published academic works, religious books, and science fiction before trying his hand at children's literature with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and the other 6 books in The Chronicles of Narnia, Mere Christianity and The Screwtape Lettersare intellectual explorations into the meaning of faith.
Lewis married Joy Gresham in 1956. When she died from cancer in 1960, Lewis wrote a book about his own grief process, A Grief Observed. C.S. Lewis died on November 22, 1963.
If C. S. Lewis had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Sage. C. S. Lewis is remembered on November 22.

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Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Sunday, 27 November 2016
First Sunday of Advent:
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:36-44
Scripture Texts: Isaiah 2:1 This is the word that Yesha‘yahu the son of Amotz saw concerning Y’hudah and Yerushalayim:
2 In the acharit-hayamim
the mountain of Adonai’s house
will be established as the most important mountain.
It will be regarded more highly than the other hills,
and all the Goyim will stream there.
3 Many peoples will go and say,
“Come, let’s go up to the mountain of Adonai,
to the house of the God of Ya‘akov!
He will teach us about his ways,
and we will walk in his paths.”
For out of Tziyon will go forth Torah,
the word of Adonai from Yerushalayim.
4 He will judge between the nations
and arbitrate for many peoples.
Then they will hammer their swords into plow-blades
and their spears into pruning-knives;
nations will not raise swords at each other,
and they will no longer learn war.
5 Descendants of Ya‘akov, come!
Let’s live in the light of Adonai!
Psalm 122: (0) A song of ascents. By David:
(1) I was glad when they said to me,
“The house of Adonai! Let’s go!”
2 Our feet were already standing
at your gates, Yerushalayim.
3 Yerushalayim, built as a city
fostering friendship and unity.
4 The tribes have gone up there, the tribes of Adonai,
as a witness to Isra’el,
to give thanks to the name of Adonai.
5 For there the thrones of justice were set up,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for shalom in Yerushalayim;
may those who love you prosper.
7 May shalom be within your ramparts,
prosperity in your palaces.
8 For the sake of my family and friends, I say,
“Shalom be within you!”
9 For the sake of the house of Adonai our God,
I will seek your well-being.
Romans 13:11 Besides all this, you know at what point of history we stand; so it is high time for you to rouse yourselves from sleep; for the final deliverance is nearer than when we first came to trust. 12 The night is almost over, the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and arm ourselves with the weapons of light. 13 Let us live properly, as people do in the daytime — not partying and getting drunk, not engaging in sexual immorality and other excesses, not quarrelling and being jealous. 14 Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Yeshua the Messiah; and don’t waste your time thinking about how to provide for the sinful desires of your old nature.
Matthew 24:36 “But when that day and hour will come, no one knows — not the angels in heaven, not the Son, only the Father. 37 For the Son of Man’s coming will be just as it was in the days of Noach. 38 Back then, before the Flood, people went on eating and drinking, taking wives and becoming wives, right up till the day Noach entered the ark; 39 and they didn’t know what was happening until the Flood came and swept them all away. It will be just like that when the Son of Man comes. 40 Then there will be two men in a field — one will be taken and the other left behind. 41 There will be two women grinding flour at the mill — one will be taken and the other left behind. 42 So stay alert, because you don’t know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But you do know this: had the owner of the house known when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you too must always be ready, for the Son of Man will come when you are not expecting him.
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary: Isaiah 2:1-5
Verse 1
[1] The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
The word — Or, the matter or thing, as this Hebrew word commonly signifies; the prophecy or vision.
Verse 2
[2] And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
In the last days — In the times of the Messiah. For Christ's institutions were to continue to the end of the world.
The mountain — The temple of the Lord which is upon mount Moriah; which yet is not to be understood literally of that material temple, but mystically of the church of God; as appears from the flowing of all nations to it, which was not to that temple, nor indeed was fulfilled 'till that temple was destroyed.
Exalted — Shall be placed and settled in a most conspicuous and glorious manner, being advanced above all other churches and kingdoms.
Verse 3
[3] And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
The law — The new law, the doctrine of the gospel, which is frequently called a law, because it hath the nature and power of a law, obliging us no less to the belief and practice of it, than the old law did.
Verse 4
[4] And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
He — Christ shall set up his authority among all nations, not only giving laws to them, but doing what no other can do, convincing their consciences, changing their hearts, and ordering their lives.
Rebuke — By his word and Spirit, convincing the world of sin; and by his judgments upon his implacable enemies, which obstruct the propagation of the gospel.
Verse 5
[5] O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.
The light — Take heed that you do not reject that light which is so clear that even the blind Gentiles will discern it.
Psalm 122
Verse 4
[4] Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.
The tribes — Whom God has chosen to be his people.
Unto — Unto the ark, called the testimony, because of the tables of the covenant laid up in it, which are called God's testimony, and the tables of the testimony. And this is called the testimony of, or to Israel, because it was given by God to them.
Give thanks — To worship God; this one eminent part thereof being put for all the rest.
Verse 5
[5] For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
Judgment — The supreme courts of justice for ecclesiastical and civil affairs.
Thrones — The royal throne allotted by God to David and to his posterity, and the inferior seats of justice under his authority.
Romans 13:11-14
Verse 11
[11] And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
And do this — Fulfil the law of love in all the instances above mentioned.
Knowing the season — Full of grace, but hasting away.
That it is high time to awake out of sleep — How beautifully is the metaphor carried on! This life, a night; the resurrection, the day; the gospel shining on the heart, the dawn of this day; we are to awake out of sleep; to rise up and throw away our night-clothes, fit only for darkness, and put on new; and, being soldiers, we are to arm, and prepare for fight, who are encompassed with so many enemies. The day dawns when we receive faith, and then sleep gives place. Then it is time to rise, to arm, to walk, to work, lest sleep steal upon us again. Final salvation, glory, is nearer to us now, than when we first believed - It is continually advancing, flying forward upon the swiftest wings of time. And that which remains between the present hour and eternity is comparatively but a moment.
Verse 13
[13] Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Banqueting — Luxurious, elegant feasts.
Verse 14
[14] But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ — Herein is contained the whole of our salvation. It is a strong and beautiful expression for the most intimate union with him, and being clothed with all the graces which were in him. The apostle does not say, Put on purity and sobriety, peacefulness and benevolence; but he says all this and a thousand times more at once, in saying, Put on Christ. And make not provision - To raise foolish desires, or, when they are raised already, to satisfy them.
Matthew 24:36-44
Verse 36
[36] But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
But of that day — The day of judgment; Knoweth no man - Not while our Lord was on earth. Yet it might be afterward revealed to St. John consistently with this.
Verse 37
[37] But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Luke 17:26.
Verse 40
[40] Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
One is taken — Into God's immediate protection: and one is left - To share the common calamities. Our Lord speaks as having the whole transaction present before his eyes.
Verse 41
[41] Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Two women shall be grinding — Which was then a common employment of women.
Verse 42
[42] Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Ye know not what hour your Lord cometh — Either to require your soul of you, or to avenge himself of this nation. Mark 13:33; Luke 12:35; 21:34.
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The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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