God Pause for Saturday, 6 May 2017 from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States "Be Thou My Vision" (ELW 793, verse 3)
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"Be Thou My Vision" (ELW 793, verse 3)
1. Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise,
thou mine inheritance, now and always:
thou and thou only, the first in my heart,
great God of heaven, my treasure thou art.
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1. Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise,
thou mine inheritance, now and always:
thou and thou only, the first in my heart,
great God of heaven, my treasure thou art.
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Too many people are seeking an "abundant life" built on the promises of the riches of the world. As followers of Jesus Christ we have a great promise to proclaim for all who are longing for something far more. It is not riches we desire, but rather relationship with the one who has created us and all good things.
Yet I too still struggle with putting God first in my heart. I need the community of faith to challenge me, hold me accountable and remind me of the great promise of the riches that are found in God alone. This is my great desire and I need you as much as you need me. We are called into community for the sake of relationship as followers of Jesus. May we continue to seek and find ways to lift one another up as we serve together.
Gracious God, be our vision, today and always. Amen.
Rob James, '06
Pastor, GPS (God’s People Serving) Faith Community, Machesney Park, Ill.
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God Pause for Friday, 5 May 2017 from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States with the Scripture John 10:1-10
Yet I too still struggle with putting God first in my heart. I need the community of faith to challenge me, hold me accountable and remind me of the great promise of the riches that are found in God alone. This is my great desire and I need you as much as you need me. We are called into community for the sake of relationship as followers of Jesus. May we continue to seek and find ways to lift one another up as we serve together.
Gracious God, be our vision, today and always. Amen.
Rob James, '06
Pastor, GPS (God’s People Serving) Faith Community, Machesney Park, Ill.
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God Pause for Friday, 5 May 2017 from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States with the Scripture John 10:1-10
John 10:1 “Yes, indeed! I tell you, the person who doesn’t enter the sheep-pen through the door, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 But the one who goes in through the gate is the sheep’s own shepherd. 3 This is the one the gate-keeper admits, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep, each one by name, and leads them out. 4 After taking out all that are his own, he goes on ahead of them; and the sheep follow him because they recognize his voice. 5 They never follow a stranger but will run away from him, because strangers’ voices are unfamiliar to them.”
6 Yeshua used this indirect manner of speaking with them, but they didn’t understand what he was talking to them about. 7 So Yeshua said to them again, “Yes, indeed! I tell you that I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All those who have come before me have been thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 9 I am the gate; if someone enters through me, he will be safe and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, life in its fullest measure.[Complete Jewish Bible]
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It's a promise that we need to proclaim not just in the church but throughout the world for all to hear; it is part of the great promise that we claim as followers of Jesus: "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
This is still a great promise for today. But we have some great work to do as the church for the sake of God's kingdom here and now. What is "abundant life?" What does it look like? What does that promise mean to you? Can you name it? Can we define it? Do others see it in you? Now just start making a mental list of friends, family, co-workers or neighbors whom you know who seem not to be living in the promise of this abundant life. Can you name what it is they are missing? Is it purpose? Is it relationship? I believe that if we can claim this promise of abundant life in a way that others see it in us, God will work through this to transform lives, transform communities and transform the world.
Holy God, make the promise of abundant life visible in me for the sake of all who may see Christ in me. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Rob James, '06
Pastor, GPS (God’s People Serving) Faith Community, Machesney Park, Ill.
John 10:1 "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit.
2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.
5 They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers."
6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7 So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.
8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them.
9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.[New Revised Standard Versiion]
6 Yeshua used this indirect manner of speaking with them, but they didn’t understand what he was talking to them about. 7 So Yeshua said to them again, “Yes, indeed! I tell you that I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All those who have come before me have been thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 9 I am the gate; if someone enters through me, he will be safe and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, life in its fullest measure.[Complete Jewish Bible]
-------
It's a promise that we need to proclaim not just in the church but throughout the world for all to hear; it is part of the great promise that we claim as followers of Jesus: "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
This is still a great promise for today. But we have some great work to do as the church for the sake of God's kingdom here and now. What is "abundant life?" What does it look like? What does that promise mean to you? Can you name it? Can we define it? Do others see it in you? Now just start making a mental list of friends, family, co-workers or neighbors whom you know who seem not to be living in the promise of this abundant life. Can you name what it is they are missing? Is it purpose? Is it relationship? I believe that if we can claim this promise of abundant life in a way that others see it in us, God will work through this to transform lives, transform communities and transform the world.
Holy God, make the promise of abundant life visible in me for the sake of all who may see Christ in me. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Rob James, '06
Pastor, GPS (God’s People Serving) Faith Community, Machesney Park, Ill.
John 10:1 "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit.
2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.
5 They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers."
6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7 So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.
8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them.
9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.[New Revised Standard Versiion]
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God Pause for Thursday, 4 May 2017 from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States with the Scripture John 10:1-10
God Pause for Thursday, 4 May 2017 from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States with the Scripture John 10:1-10
John 10:1 “Yes, indeed! I tell you, the person who doesn’t enter the sheep-pen through the door, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 But the one who goes in through the gate is the sheep’s own shepherd. 3 This is the one the gate-keeper admits, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep, each one by name, and leads them out. 4 After taking out all that are his own, he goes on ahead of them; and the sheep follow him because they recognize his voice. 5 They never follow a stranger but will run away from him, because strangers’ voices are unfamiliar to them.”
6 Yeshua used this indirect manner of speaking with them, but they didn’t understand what he was talking to them about. 7 So Yeshua said to them again, “Yes, indeed! I tell you that I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All those who have come before me have been thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 9 I am the gate; if someone enters through me, he will be safe and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, life in its fullest measure.[Complete Jewish Bible]
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It was kind of funny to me that two of my social work professors at Luther College both had sheep. I was able to go to both of their homes and see their small herds of sheep. What was amazing was how they each had their own sheep calls and could easily call the sheep in and lead them where they needed them to go. I remember trying to mimic their calls and watching as the sheep ignored me.
Our gospel reading says, "When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice." What does it look like in your devotional life to listen to the voice of the shepherd? Where are you following this shepherd? Where are you being led in your life of faith--for the sake of the kingdom here and among us?
Faithful God, open our ears that we may hear the voice of the great shepherd and follow as we are led into greater faith and greater opportunities to proclaim the name of Jesus. Amen.
Rob James, '06
Pastor, GPS (God’s People Serving) Faith Community, Machesney Park, Ill.
John 10:1 "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit.
2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.
5 They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers."
6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7 So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.
8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them.
9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.[New Revised Standard Version]
6 Yeshua used this indirect manner of speaking with them, but they didn’t understand what he was talking to them about. 7 So Yeshua said to them again, “Yes, indeed! I tell you that I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All those who have come before me have been thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 9 I am the gate; if someone enters through me, he will be safe and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, life in its fullest measure.[Complete Jewish Bible]
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It was kind of funny to me that two of my social work professors at Luther College both had sheep. I was able to go to both of their homes and see their small herds of sheep. What was amazing was how they each had their own sheep calls and could easily call the sheep in and lead them where they needed them to go. I remember trying to mimic their calls and watching as the sheep ignored me.
Our gospel reading says, "When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice." What does it look like in your devotional life to listen to the voice of the shepherd? Where are you following this shepherd? Where are you being led in your life of faith--for the sake of the kingdom here and among us?
Faithful God, open our ears that we may hear the voice of the great shepherd and follow as we are led into greater faith and greater opportunities to proclaim the name of Jesus. Amen.
Rob James, '06
Pastor, GPS (God’s People Serving) Faith Community, Machesney Park, Ill.
John 10:1 "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit.
2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.
5 They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers."
6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7 So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.
8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them.
9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.[New Revised Standard Version]
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2481 Como Avenue
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Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
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