The Upper Room Daily Reflections in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "The One with Us in Every Season" from Monday, 8 May 2017 through Sunday, 14 May 2017
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"Listening with the Heart" Sunday, 14 May 2017
Today’s Reflection:
TO LISTEN TO SOMEONE with the heart is to listen with empathy and with care to them and their stories. The heart of good listening is authenticity, genuine curiosity, and caring. No matter how good our technique is, the other person will know if we do not really care about what they are saying. Listening is not about judging, diagnosing, appraising, or evaluating. … Listening with the heart is also about hearing the feelings and emotions that lie beneath the words.[Thomas Porter Jr., The Spirit and Art of Conflict Transformation]
From page 42 of The Spirit and Art of Conflict Transformation: Creating a Culture of JustPeace, Copyright © 2010 by Thomas Porter Jr. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Look for opportunities to listen with your heart today.
Today’s Scripture:
Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.[John 14:12, NRSV]
This Week: pray for retirees.
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"The Sacred Intersection" for Saturday, 13 May 2017
Today’s Reflections:
IT’S EASY TO MAKE a narcissistic career out of spiritual growth. After all, theology is fascinating. Kindred spirits are usually wonderful folks to be with; retreats are relaxing; books are compelling.
However, the beautiful process of spiritual growth moves in a cycle of blessing that doesn’t stop with me, mine, and my development. It moves outward in a dynamic flow.
As lofty as that sounds, we know from experience that sometimes decisions about where to invest our time, money, and energy can vex and overwhelm us. Ideally, our inner work energizes our outer work, and we become less attached to what others think, what they expect of us, and whether they approve of us. We become less chameleon-like in allowing others to dictate and define who we are.
Our decisions about intentional service need to emerge from a thoughtful, reflective place where we weigh the needs around us and see where they intersect with our gifts, graces, and passions. That sacred intersection points to our place of service at any given time.[Linda Douty, Rhythms of Growth]
From page 207 of Rhythms of Growth: 365 Meditations to Nurture the Soul by Linda Douty. Copyright © 2014 by Linda Douty. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Describe your place of service.
Today’s Scripture:
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.[John 14:1, NRSV]
This Week: pray for retirees.
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"Light from Our Faces" for Friday, 12 May 2017
Today’s Reflection:
THINK OF SOME INNER WOUND in your life that is now healed. Would you for any reason give up the new power to love and to understand that you have learned?
God does not send us pain. God is not a wounder or a punisher. This is important to understand as our trust in God grows. But neither does God let our wound be wasted.
The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, will not remove the lines of hard-won experience from our faces. A new power of light, the light of the divine passionate compassion, will shine through those lines on our faces.[Flora Slosson Wuellner, Prayer, Stress, and Our Inner Wounds]
From page 17 of Prayer, Stress, and Our Inner Wounds by Flora Slosson Wuellner. Copyright © 1985 by The Upper Room. 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 have you learned through your time of pain?
Today’s Scripture:
Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.[1 Peter 2:10, NRSV]
This Week: pray for retirees.
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"Compassion for Our Inner Selves" for Thursday, 11 May 2017
Today’s Reflection:
STRESSFUL LIVING is life in a state of prolonged, unhealed woundedness and unfed hunger. Obviously we all have occasional times of stress, but this does not become stressful living unless we ignore the signs and warnings of our bodies and emotions.
If ignored or mismanaged, these prolonged periods of unnurtured fatigue and pain can lead to the closing down of our emotional responses, which is the condition known as burnout. It is a survival reaction. Often when people say they are suffering from burnout, they are really experiencing extreme symptoms of pain and fatigue that can be healed if faced in time. As long as we are hurting badly and caring deeply, we are not yet burned out.
Part of the spiritual life is to become sensitive to the signals our bodies and feelings give us that healing is needed. The deeper Christians grow in compassion toward others, the more important it is that they face their inner selves with compassion. It seems to be a spiritual law that sooner or later we treat others as we treat our inner selves.[–Prayer, Stress, and Our Inner Wounds]
From page 16 of Prayer, Stress, and Our Inner Wounds by Flora Slosson Wuellner. Copyright © 1985 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Spend time thinking and praying about the statement, “sooner or later we treat others as we treat our inner selves”.
Today’s Scripture:
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.[1 Peter 2:9, NRSV]
This Week: pray for retirees.
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"Be Still" for Wednesday, 10 May 2017
Today’s Reflection:
BEING STILL is scary; it involves surrender and vulnerability. When we’re still, we can’t control things—and that’s hard. It doesn’t come naturally, especially when what we’re trying to control is our heart’s pain. Odd thing is that when we finally surrender, we realize we were never in control in the first place.
I can promise you this: It’s gonna be okay. You will survive being still. Not only that, you will find God. One of my favorite scripture verses is Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” When you are still, you will finally come to know God for who God is: a God of peace, healing, and comfort. That’s what I found when I finally embraced being still at The Academy. And though it’s been two years since I graduated from The Academy, I still have to practice being still every day. It’s an integral part of my life. I have found many ways to be quiet with God on a daily basis. I now crave and even enjoy being still, especially when life isn’t going so well. I trust that I can bring my pain and questions to God and know I will come away with clarity (sometimes), peace (most of the time), and a sense of God’s presence (all of the time).[–Beads of Healing]
From pages 30-31 of Beads of Healing: Prayer, Trauma, and Spiritual Wholeness by Kristen E. Vincent. Copyright © 2016 by Kristen E. Vincent. 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 practice stillness or silence during your devotional time?
Today’s Scripture
Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.[1 Peter 2:2-3, NRSV]
This Week: pray for retirees.
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We are thankful . . .
The Upper Room
On Mother's Day, let's pause and give thanks for all those who invite us into the loving embrace of God.
This year, consider making a donation to The Upper Room in honor or in memory of someone special. Be sure to provide an address for the honoree, and we will send a card to let them know of your thoughtful gift.*
Your gift to The Upper Room helps invite millions of people into the loving embrace of God and our global community.
Thank you!
* Tribute cards will be sent after Mother’s Day.
To give by phone call 877.899.2781, ext. 7212
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"The Walk to Emmaus" for Tuesday, 9 May 2017
Today’s Reflection:
MY BIANNUAL INVOLVEMENT in Emmaus Walks as part of the servant team provides spiritual renewal for me. None of my other routine prayer and meditation practices comes close to the impact of this three-day experience.
During my pilgrim journey in 2010, I tasted and saw that the Lord is good. I was like a newborn baby then and feel like a newborn baby each time I return as I gain new insights into the Christian life from others seated around the table. Each time I return in a slightly differing role with a new group of men, I glimpse our Lord’s abundant and unmerited love. It is life in grace, the presence of Jesus.
The holy ground for these walks with the risen Christ is called The King’s retreat. When all the servants and pilgrims show up on the Thursday of a three-day Emmaus Walk, we are all running – some of us away from God again. Before Sunday’s conclusion, we have stopped running.
Who are these guys? They are faithful pilgrims seeking an ever-deepening walk with Jesus Christ by slowing down to hear his voice and to share in fellowship around a table. May we seek such times with Christ.[Bradford Bosworth, Disciplines 2017]
From “Who Are Those Guys?” reading for May 10, 2017 by Bradford Bosworth, page 162 in The Upper Room Disciplines 2017: A Book of Daily Devotions. Copyright © 2016 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book. For more information on The Walk to Emmaus, a program ministry of The Upper Room, visit http://emmaus.upperroom.org/.
Today’s Question:
Have you experienced a retreat or time set aside for spiritual renewal?
Today’s Scripture:
In you, O LORD, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.[Psalm 31:1, NRSV]
This Week: pray for retirees.
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"The One with Us in Every Season" for Monday, 8 May 2017
Today’s Reflection:
JESUS IS YOUR SAVIOR, your Lord; but who is he to you in this season of your life? Is he your best friend, your helper, your provider, your dance partner, your fortress? Christ is everything, but sometimes one attribute means more at a particular time in life.
Over the years I have known Jesus as my friend, my joy, my promise keeper, the one who holds my right hand. Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15, NIV). What will you answer today? Who is Jesus in this season of your life?[–Megan Ellenberger, 20,–devozine, March-April 2017]
From page 36 of devozine, the devotional lifestyle magazine for teens, March-April 2017. Copyright © 2017 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Who is Jesus to you at this time in your life?
Today’s Scripture:
While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”[Acts 7:59, NRSV]
This Week: pray for retirees.
-------
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: Julian of Norwich (May 13).
Julian of Norwich
May 13
This fourteenth-century recluse, whose real name we do not know, lived in a hut attached to the Church of St. Julian in Norwich, England. She deliberately hid herself because she believed God had given her a word for all Christians and she wanted them to focus not on her, but on God alone.
When Julian was thirty years old, she become severely ill and thought she was dying. But suddenly all her pain left and she was restored to health. In the early morning of that same day, May 8, 1373, Julian received a series of revelations or "showings" concerning Christ's passion. So powerful were these revelations that she spent the rest of her life helping those who came to her hut to understand the love of God for all creation.
The following is known as "Julian's Prayer," and helps illuminate the spirit of this wise woman of God:
God of goodness, give me yourself.
You are enough to me.
I can ask for nothing less,
for then I would not be worshipping you.
And if I ask for anything less,
I will always be left wanting.
Only in you do I have everything. Amen.
If Julian had taken the Spiritual Types Test, she probably would have been a Mystic. Julian is remembered on May 13.
Read some of Julian's writings in Encounter with God's Love: Selected Writings of Julian of Norwich.
Image from the church of SS Andrew and Mary - St Julian of Norwich.
"Listening with the Heart" Sunday, 14 May 2017
Today’s Reflection:
TO LISTEN TO SOMEONE with the heart is to listen with empathy and with care to them and their stories. The heart of good listening is authenticity, genuine curiosity, and caring. No matter how good our technique is, the other person will know if we do not really care about what they are saying. Listening is not about judging, diagnosing, appraising, or evaluating. … Listening with the heart is also about hearing the feelings and emotions that lie beneath the words.[Thomas Porter Jr., The Spirit and Art of Conflict Transformation]From page 42 of The Spirit and Art of Conflict Transformation: Creating a Culture of JustPeace, Copyright © 2010 by Thomas Porter Jr. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Look for opportunities to listen with your heart today.
Today’s Scripture:
Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.[John 14:12, NRSV]
This Week: pray for retirees.
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"The Sacred Intersection" for Saturday, 13 May 2017
Today’s Reflections:
IT’S EASY TO MAKE a narcissistic career out of spiritual growth. After all, theology is fascinating. Kindred spirits are usually wonderful folks to be with; retreats are relaxing; books are compelling.However, the beautiful process of spiritual growth moves in a cycle of blessing that doesn’t stop with me, mine, and my development. It moves outward in a dynamic flow.
As lofty as that sounds, we know from experience that sometimes decisions about where to invest our time, money, and energy can vex and overwhelm us. Ideally, our inner work energizes our outer work, and we become less attached to what others think, what they expect of us, and whether they approve of us. We become less chameleon-like in allowing others to dictate and define who we are.
Our decisions about intentional service need to emerge from a thoughtful, reflective place where we weigh the needs around us and see where they intersect with our gifts, graces, and passions. That sacred intersection points to our place of service at any given time.[Linda Douty, Rhythms of Growth]
From page 207 of Rhythms of Growth: 365 Meditations to Nurture the Soul by Linda Douty. Copyright © 2014 by Linda Douty. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Describe your place of service.
Today’s Scripture:
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.[John 14:1, NRSV]
This Week: pray for retirees.
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"Light from Our Faces" for Friday, 12 May 2017
Today’s Reflection:
THINK OF SOME INNER WOUND in your life that is now healed. Would you for any reason give up the new power to love and to understand that you have learned?God does not send us pain. God is not a wounder or a punisher. This is important to understand as our trust in God grows. But neither does God let our wound be wasted.
The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, will not remove the lines of hard-won experience from our faces. A new power of light, the light of the divine passionate compassion, will shine through those lines on our faces.[Flora Slosson Wuellner, Prayer, Stress, and Our Inner Wounds]
From page 17 of Prayer, Stress, and Our Inner Wounds by Flora Slosson Wuellner. Copyright © 1985 by The Upper Room. 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 have you learned through your time of pain?
Today’s Scripture:
Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.[1 Peter 2:10, NRSV]
This Week: pray for retirees.
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"Compassion for Our Inner Selves" for Thursday, 11 May 2017
Today’s Reflection:
STRESSFUL LIVING is life in a state of prolonged, unhealed woundedness and unfed hunger. Obviously we all have occasional times of stress, but this does not become stressful living unless we ignore the signs and warnings of our bodies and emotions.If ignored or mismanaged, these prolonged periods of unnurtured fatigue and pain can lead to the closing down of our emotional responses, which is the condition known as burnout. It is a survival reaction. Often when people say they are suffering from burnout, they are really experiencing extreme symptoms of pain and fatigue that can be healed if faced in time. As long as we are hurting badly and caring deeply, we are not yet burned out.
Part of the spiritual life is to become sensitive to the signals our bodies and feelings give us that healing is needed. The deeper Christians grow in compassion toward others, the more important it is that they face their inner selves with compassion. It seems to be a spiritual law that sooner or later we treat others as we treat our inner selves.[–Prayer, Stress, and Our Inner Wounds]
From page 16 of Prayer, Stress, and Our Inner Wounds by Flora Slosson Wuellner. Copyright © 1985 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Spend time thinking and praying about the statement, “sooner or later we treat others as we treat our inner selves”.
Today’s Scripture:
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.[1 Peter 2:9, NRSV]
This Week: pray for retirees.
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"Be Still" for Wednesday, 10 May 2017
Today’s Reflection:
BEING STILL is scary; it involves surrender and vulnerability. When we’re still, we can’t control things—and that’s hard. It doesn’t come naturally, especially when what we’re trying to control is our heart’s pain. Odd thing is that when we finally surrender, we realize we were never in control in the first place.I can promise you this: It’s gonna be okay. You will survive being still. Not only that, you will find God. One of my favorite scripture verses is Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” When you are still, you will finally come to know God for who God is: a God of peace, healing, and comfort. That’s what I found when I finally embraced being still at The Academy. And though it’s been two years since I graduated from The Academy, I still have to practice being still every day. It’s an integral part of my life. I have found many ways to be quiet with God on a daily basis. I now crave and even enjoy being still, especially when life isn’t going so well. I trust that I can bring my pain and questions to God and know I will come away with clarity (sometimes), peace (most of the time), and a sense of God’s presence (all of the time).[–Beads of Healing]
From pages 30-31 of Beads of Healing: Prayer, Trauma, and Spiritual Wholeness by Kristen E. Vincent. Copyright © 2016 by Kristen E. Vincent. 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 practice stillness or silence during your devotional time?
Today’s Scripture
Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.[1 Peter 2:2-3, NRSV]
This Week: pray for retirees.
-------
We are thankful . . .
The Upper Room
On Mother's Day, let's pause and give thanks for all those who invite us into the loving embrace of God.
This year, consider making a donation to The Upper Room in honor or in memory of someone special. Be sure to provide an address for the honoree, and we will send a card to let them know of your thoughtful gift.*
Your gift to The Upper Room helps invite millions of people into the loving embrace of God and our global community.
Thank you!
* Tribute cards will be sent after Mother’s Day.
To give by phone call 877.899.2781, ext. 7212
-------
"The Walk to Emmaus" for Tuesday, 9 May 2017
Today’s Reflection:
MY BIANNUAL INVOLVEMENT in Emmaus Walks as part of the servant team provides spiritual renewal for me. None of my other routine prayer and meditation practices comes close to the impact of this three-day experience.During my pilgrim journey in 2010, I tasted and saw that the Lord is good. I was like a newborn baby then and feel like a newborn baby each time I return as I gain new insights into the Christian life from others seated around the table. Each time I return in a slightly differing role with a new group of men, I glimpse our Lord’s abundant and unmerited love. It is life in grace, the presence of Jesus.
The holy ground for these walks with the risen Christ is called The King’s retreat. When all the servants and pilgrims show up on the Thursday of a three-day Emmaus Walk, we are all running – some of us away from God again. Before Sunday’s conclusion, we have stopped running.
Who are these guys? They are faithful pilgrims seeking an ever-deepening walk with Jesus Christ by slowing down to hear his voice and to share in fellowship around a table. May we seek such times with Christ.[Bradford Bosworth, Disciplines 2017]
From “Who Are Those Guys?” reading for May 10, 2017 by Bradford Bosworth, page 162 in The Upper Room Disciplines 2017: A Book of Daily Devotions. Copyright © 2016 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book. For more information on The Walk to Emmaus, a program ministry of The Upper Room, visit http://emmaus.upperroom.org/.
Today’s Question:
Have you experienced a retreat or time set aside for spiritual renewal?
Today’s Scripture:
In you, O LORD, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.[Psalm 31:1, NRSV]
This Week: pray for retirees.
-------
"The One with Us in Every Season" for Monday, 8 May 2017
Today’s Reflection:
JESUS IS YOUR SAVIOR, your Lord; but who is he to you in this season of your life? Is he your best friend, your helper, your provider, your dance partner, your fortress? Christ is everything, but sometimes one attribute means more at a particular time in life.Over the years I have known Jesus as my friend, my joy, my promise keeper, the one who holds my right hand. Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15, NIV). What will you answer today? Who is Jesus in this season of your life?[–Megan Ellenberger, 20,–devozine, March-April 2017]
From page 36 of devozine, the devotional lifestyle magazine for teens, March-April 2017. Copyright © 2017 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Who is Jesus to you at this time in your life?
Today’s Scripture:
While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”[Acts 7:59, NRSV]
This Week: pray for retirees.
-------
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: Julian of Norwich (May 13).
Julian of NorwichMay 13
This fourteenth-century recluse, whose real name we do not know, lived in a hut attached to the Church of St. Julian in Norwich, England. She deliberately hid herself because she believed God had given her a word for all Christians and she wanted them to focus not on her, but on God alone.
When Julian was thirty years old, she become severely ill and thought she was dying. But suddenly all her pain left and she was restored to health. In the early morning of that same day, May 8, 1373, Julian received a series of revelations or "showings" concerning Christ's passion. So powerful were these revelations that she spent the rest of her life helping those who came to her hut to understand the love of God for all creation.
The following is known as "Julian's Prayer," and helps illuminate the spirit of this wise woman of God:
God of goodness, give me yourself.
You are enough to me.
I can ask for nothing less,
for then I would not be worshipping you.
And if I ask for anything less,
I will always be left wanting.
Only in you do I have everything. Amen.
If Julian had taken the Spiritual Types Test, she probably would have been a Mystic. Julian is remembered on May 13.
Read some of Julian's writings in Encounter with God's Love: Selected Writings of Julian of Norwich.
Image from the church of SS Andrew and Mary - St Julian of Norwich.
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Lectionary Readings:
Sunday, 14 May 2017
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Acts 7:55-60
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
1 Peter 2:2-10
John 14:1-14
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Sunday, 14 May 2017
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Acts 7:55-60
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
1 Peter 2:2-10
John 14:1-14
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Lectionary Scripture: Acts 7:55 But he, full of the Ruach HaKodesh, looked up to heaven and saw God’s Sh’khinah, with Yeshua standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look!” he exclaimed, “I see heaven opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”[Acts 7:56 Psalm 110:1]
57 At this, they began yelling at the top of their voices, so that they wouldn’t have to hear him; and with one accord, they rushed at him, 58 threw him outside the city and began stoning him. And the witnesses laid down their coats at the feet of a young man named Sha’ul.
59 As they were stoning him, Stephen called out to God, “Lord Yeshua! Receive my spirit!” 60 Then he kneeled down and shouted out, “Lord! Don’t hold this sin against them!” With that, he died;
Psalm 31:1(0) For the leader. A psalm of David:
2 (1) In you, Adonai, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
in your justice, save me!
3 (2) Turn your ear toward me,
come quickly to my rescue,
be for me a rock of strength,
a fortress to keep me safe.
4 (3) Since you are my rock and fortress,
lead me and guide me for your name’s sake.
5 (4) Free me from the net they have hidden to catch me,
because you are my strength.
15 (14) But I, I trust in you, Adonai;
I say, “You are my God.”
16 (15) My times are in your hand;
rescue me from my enemies’ power,
from those who persecute me.
1 Peter 2:2 and be like newborn babies, thirsty for the pure milk of the Word; so that by it, you may grow up into deliverance. 3 For you have tasted that Adonai is good.[1 Peter 2:3 Psalm 34:9(8)]
4 As you come to him, the living stone, rejected by people but chosen by God and precious to him, 5 you yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be cohanim set apart for God to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to him through Yeshua the Messiah. 6 This is why the Tanakh says,
“Look! I am laying in Tziyon a stone,
a chosen and precious cornerstone;
and whoever rests his trust on it
will certainly not be humiliated.”[1 Peter 2:6 Isaiah 28:16]
7 Now to you who keep trusting, he is precious. But to those who are not trusting,
“The very stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone”;[1 Peter 2:7 Psalm 118:22]
8 also he is
a stone that will make people stumble,
a rock over which they will trip.[1 Peter 2:8 Isaiah 8:14]
They are stumbling at the Word, disobeying it — as had been planned. 9 But you are a chosen people,[1 Peter 2:9 Isaiah 43:20; Deuteronomy 7:6; 10:15] the King’s cohanim,[1 Peter 2:9 Exodus 19:6; Isaiah 61:6] a holy nation,[1 Peter 2:9 Exodus 19:6] a people for God to possess![1 Peter 2:9 Isaiah 43:21; Exodus 19:5] Why? In order for you to declare the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; before, you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.[1 Peter 2:10 Hosea 2:25(23)]
John 14:1 “Don’t let yourselves be disturbed. Trust in God and trust in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many places to live. If there weren’t, I would have told you; because I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 Since I am going and preparing a place for you, I will return to take you with me; so that where I am, you may be also. 4 Furthermore, you know where I’m going; and you know the way there.”
5 T’oma said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you’re going; so how can we know the way?” 6 Yeshua said, “I AM the Way — and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me. 7 Because you have known me, you will also know my Father; from now on, you do know him — in fact, you have seen him.”
8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it will be enough for us.” 9 Yeshua replied to him, “Have I been with you so long without your knowing me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am united with the Father, and the Father united with me? What I am telling you, I am not saying on my own initiative; the Father living in me is doing his own works. 11 Trust me, that I am united with the Father, and the Father united with me. But if you can’t, then trust because of the works themselves. 12 Yes, indeed! I tell you that whoever trusts in me will also do the works I do! Indeed, he will do greater ones, because I am going to the Father. 13 In fact, whatever you ask for in my name, I will do; so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me for something in my name, I will do it.
57 At this, they began yelling at the top of their voices, so that they wouldn’t have to hear him; and with one accord, they rushed at him, 58 threw him outside the city and began stoning him. And the witnesses laid down their coats at the feet of a young man named Sha’ul.
59 As they were stoning him, Stephen called out to God, “Lord Yeshua! Receive my spirit!” 60 Then he kneeled down and shouted out, “Lord! Don’t hold this sin against them!” With that, he died;
Psalm 31:1(0) For the leader. A psalm of David:
2 (1) In you, Adonai, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
in your justice, save me!
3 (2) Turn your ear toward me,
come quickly to my rescue,
be for me a rock of strength,
a fortress to keep me safe.
4 (3) Since you are my rock and fortress,
lead me and guide me for your name’s sake.
5 (4) Free me from the net they have hidden to catch me,
because you are my strength.
15 (14) But I, I trust in you, Adonai;
I say, “You are my God.”
16 (15) My times are in your hand;
rescue me from my enemies’ power,
from those who persecute me.
1 Peter 2:2 and be like newborn babies, thirsty for the pure milk of the Word; so that by it, you may grow up into deliverance. 3 For you have tasted that Adonai is good.[1 Peter 2:3 Psalm 34:9(8)]
4 As you come to him, the living stone, rejected by people but chosen by God and precious to him, 5 you yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be cohanim set apart for God to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to him through Yeshua the Messiah. 6 This is why the Tanakh says,
“Look! I am laying in Tziyon a stone,
a chosen and precious cornerstone;
and whoever rests his trust on it
will certainly not be humiliated.”[1 Peter 2:6 Isaiah 28:16]
7 Now to you who keep trusting, he is precious. But to those who are not trusting,
“The very stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone”;[1 Peter 2:7 Psalm 118:22]
8 also he is
a stone that will make people stumble,
a rock over which they will trip.[1 Peter 2:8 Isaiah 8:14]
They are stumbling at the Word, disobeying it — as had been planned. 9 But you are a chosen people,[1 Peter 2:9 Isaiah 43:20; Deuteronomy 7:6; 10:15] the King’s cohanim,[1 Peter 2:9 Exodus 19:6; Isaiah 61:6] a holy nation,[1 Peter 2:9 Exodus 19:6] a people for God to possess![1 Peter 2:9 Isaiah 43:21; Exodus 19:5] Why? In order for you to declare the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; before, you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.[1 Peter 2:10 Hosea 2:25(23)]
John 14:1 “Don’t let yourselves be disturbed. Trust in God and trust in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many places to live. If there weren’t, I would have told you; because I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 Since I am going and preparing a place for you, I will return to take you with me; so that where I am, you may be also. 4 Furthermore, you know where I’m going; and you know the way there.”
5 T’oma said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you’re going; so how can we know the way?” 6 Yeshua said, “I AM the Way — and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me. 7 Because you have known me, you will also know my Father; from now on, you do know him — in fact, you have seen him.”
8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it will be enough for us.” 9 Yeshua replied to him, “Have I been with you so long without your knowing me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am united with the Father, and the Father united with me? What I am telling you, I am not saying on my own initiative; the Father living in me is doing his own works. 11 Trust me, that I am united with the Father, and the Father united with me. But if you can’t, then trust because of the works themselves. 12 Yes, indeed! I tell you that whoever trusts in me will also do the works I do! Indeed, he will do greater ones, because I am going to the Father. 13 In fact, whatever you ask for in my name, I will do; so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me for something in my name, I will do it.
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[2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Desire — Always, as earnestly as new born babes do, 1 Peter 1:3.
The milk of the word — That word of God which nourishes the soul as milk does the body, and which is sincere, pure from all guile, so that none are deceived who cleave to it.
That you may grow thereby — In faith, love, holiness, unto the full stature of Christ.
Verse 3
[3] If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Since ye have tasted — Sweetly and experimentally known.
Verse 4
[4] To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
To whom coming — By faith.
As unto a living stone — Living from eternity; alive from the dead. There is a wonderful beauty and energy in these expressions, which describe Christ as a spiritual foundation, solid, firm, durable; and believers as a building erected upon it, in preference to that temple which the Jews accounted their highest glory. And St. Peter speaking of him thus, shows he did not judge himself, but Christ, to be the rock on which the church was built.
Rejected indeed by men — Even at this day, not only by Jews, Turks, heathens, infidels; but by all Christians, so called, who live in sin, or who hope to be saved by their own works.
But chosen of God — From all eternity, to be the foundation of his church.
And precious — In himself, in the sight of God, and in the eyes of all believers.
Verse 5
[5] Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Ye — Believers.
As living stones — Alive to God through him.
Are built up — In union with each other.
A spiritual house — Being spiritual yourselves, and an habitation of God through the Spirit.
An holy priesthood — Consecrated to God, and "holy as he is holy." To offer up - Your souls and bodies, with all your thoughts, words, and actions, as spiritual sacrifices to God.
Verse 6
[6] Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
He that believeth shall not be confounded — In time or in eternity. Isaiah 28:16.
Verse 7
[7] Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
To them who believe, he is become the head of the corner — The chief corner stone, on which the whole building rests. Unbelievers too will at length find him such to their sorrow, Matthew 21:44. Psalms 118:22.
Verse 8
[8] And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
Who stumble, whereunto also they were appointed — They who believe not, stumble, and fall, and perish for ever; God having appointed from all eternity, "he that believeth not shall be damned."
Verse 9
[9] But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
But ye — Who believe in Christ Are - In a higher sense than ever the Jews were. A chosen or elect race, a royal priesthood - "Kings and priests unto God," Revelation 1:6. As princes, ye have power with God, and victory over sin, the world, and the devil: as priests, ye are consecrated to God, for offering spiritual sacrifices. Ye Christians are as one holy nation, under Christ your King.
A purchased people — Who are his peculiar property.
That ye may show forth — By your whole behaviour, to all mankind.
The virtues — The excellent glory, the mercy, wisdom, and power of him, Christ, who hath called you out of the darkness of ignorance, error, sin, and misery.
Verse 10
[10] Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Who in time past were not a people — Much less the people of God; but scattered individuals of many nations. The former part of the verse particularly respects the gentiles; the latter, the Jews.
[2] In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
In my Father's house are many mansions — Enough to receive both the holy angels, and your predecessors in the faith, and all that now believe, and a great multitude, which no man can number.
Verse 4
[4] And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
The way — Of faith, holiness, sufferings.
Verse 5
[5] Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
Thomas saith — Taking him in a gross sense.
Verse 6
[6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
To the question concerning the way, he answers, I am the way. To the question concerning knowledge, he answers, I am the truth. To the question whither, I am the life. The first is treated of in this verse; the second, John 14:7-17; the third, 14:18, etc.
Verse 7
[7] If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Ye have known — Ye have begun to know him.
Verse 10
[10] Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
I am in the Father — The words that I speak, etc.-That is, I am one with the Father, in essence, in speaking, and in acting.
Verse 11
[11] Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
Believe me — On my own word, because I am God.
The works — This respects not merely the miracles themselves, but his sovereign, Godlike way of performing them.
Verse 12
[12] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Greater works than these shall he do — So one apostle wrought miracles merely by his shadow, Acts 5:15; another by handkerchiefs carried from his body, Acts 19:12; and all spake with various tongues. But the converting one sinner is a greater work than all these.
Because I go to my Father — To send you the Holy Ghost.
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary: Acts 7:55-60
Verse 55
[55] But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
But he looking steadfastly up to heaven, saw the glory of God — Doubtless he saw such a glorious representation, God miraculously operating on his imagination, as on Ezekiel's, when he sat in his house at Babylon, and saw Jerusalem, and seemed to himself transported thither, Ezekiel 8:1-4. And probably other martyrs, when called to suffer the last extremity, have had extraordinary assistance of some similar kind.
Verse 56
[56] And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
I see the Son of man standing — As if it were just ready to receive him. Otherwise he is said to sit at the right hand of God.
Verse 57
[57] Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
They rushed upon him — Before any sentence passed.
Verse 58
[58] And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
The witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man, whose name was Saul — O Saul, couldst thou have believed, if one had told thee, that thou thyself shouldst be stoned in the same cause? and shouldst triumph in committing thy soul likewise to that Jesus whom thou art now blaspheming? His dying prayer reached thee, as well as many others. And the martyr Stephen, and Saul the persecutor, (afterward his brother both in faith and martyrdom,) are now joined in everlasting friendship, and dwell together in the happy company of those who have made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb.
Verse 59
[59] And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
And they stoned Stephen, invoking and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit — This is the literal translation of the words, the name of God not being in the original. Nevertheless such a solemn prayer to Christ, in which a departing soul is thus committed into his hands, is such an act of worship, as no good man could have paid to a mere creature; Stephen here worshipping Christ in the very same manner in which Christ worshipped the Father on the cross.
[55] But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
But he looking steadfastly up to heaven, saw the glory of God — Doubtless he saw such a glorious representation, God miraculously operating on his imagination, as on Ezekiel's, when he sat in his house at Babylon, and saw Jerusalem, and seemed to himself transported thither, Ezekiel 8:1-4. And probably other martyrs, when called to suffer the last extremity, have had extraordinary assistance of some similar kind.
Verse 56
[56] And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
I see the Son of man standing — As if it were just ready to receive him. Otherwise he is said to sit at the right hand of God.
Verse 57
[57] Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
They rushed upon him — Before any sentence passed.
Verse 58
[58] And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
The witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man, whose name was Saul — O Saul, couldst thou have believed, if one had told thee, that thou thyself shouldst be stoned in the same cause? and shouldst triumph in committing thy soul likewise to that Jesus whom thou art now blaspheming? His dying prayer reached thee, as well as many others. And the martyr Stephen, and Saul the persecutor, (afterward his brother both in faith and martyrdom,) are now joined in everlasting friendship, and dwell together in the happy company of those who have made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb.
Verse 59
[59] And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
And they stoned Stephen, invoking and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit — This is the literal translation of the words, the name of God not being in the original. Nevertheless such a solemn prayer to Christ, in which a departing soul is thus committed into his hands, is such an act of worship, as no good man could have paid to a mere creature; Stephen here worshipping Christ in the very same manner in which Christ worshipped the Father on the cross.
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16Verse 1
[1] In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
Ashamed — Of my confidence in thy promise.
Deliver me — According to thy faithfulness and goodness.
Verse 5
[5] Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
My spirit — My soul or life; to preserve it from the malice of mine enemies.
For — Thou hast delivered me formerly, and therefore I commit myself to thee for the future.
O Lord, … — Who hast shewed thyself so, in making good thy promise.
Verse 15
[15] My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
My times — All the affairs and events of my life, are wholly in thy power.
[1] In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
Ashamed — Of my confidence in thy promise.
Deliver me — According to thy faithfulness and goodness.
Verse 5
[5] Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
My spirit — My soul or life; to preserve it from the malice of mine enemies.
For — Thou hast delivered me formerly, and therefore I commit myself to thee for the future.
O Lord, … — Who hast shewed thyself so, in making good thy promise.
Verse 15
[15] My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
My times — All the affairs and events of my life, are wholly in thy power.
1 Peter 2:2-10
Verse 2[2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Desire — Always, as earnestly as new born babes do, 1 Peter 1:3.
The milk of the word — That word of God which nourishes the soul as milk does the body, and which is sincere, pure from all guile, so that none are deceived who cleave to it.
That you may grow thereby — In faith, love, holiness, unto the full stature of Christ.
Verse 3
[3] If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Since ye have tasted — Sweetly and experimentally known.
Verse 4
[4] To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
To whom coming — By faith.
As unto a living stone — Living from eternity; alive from the dead. There is a wonderful beauty and energy in these expressions, which describe Christ as a spiritual foundation, solid, firm, durable; and believers as a building erected upon it, in preference to that temple which the Jews accounted their highest glory. And St. Peter speaking of him thus, shows he did not judge himself, but Christ, to be the rock on which the church was built.
Rejected indeed by men — Even at this day, not only by Jews, Turks, heathens, infidels; but by all Christians, so called, who live in sin, or who hope to be saved by their own works.
But chosen of God — From all eternity, to be the foundation of his church.
And precious — In himself, in the sight of God, and in the eyes of all believers.
Verse 5
[5] Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Ye — Believers.
As living stones — Alive to God through him.
Are built up — In union with each other.
A spiritual house — Being spiritual yourselves, and an habitation of God through the Spirit.
An holy priesthood — Consecrated to God, and "holy as he is holy." To offer up - Your souls and bodies, with all your thoughts, words, and actions, as spiritual sacrifices to God.
Verse 6
[6] Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
He that believeth shall not be confounded — In time or in eternity. Isaiah 28:16.
Verse 7
[7] Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
To them who believe, he is become the head of the corner — The chief corner stone, on which the whole building rests. Unbelievers too will at length find him such to their sorrow, Matthew 21:44. Psalms 118:22.
Verse 8
[8] And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
Who stumble, whereunto also they were appointed — They who believe not, stumble, and fall, and perish for ever; God having appointed from all eternity, "he that believeth not shall be damned."
Verse 9
[9] But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
But ye — Who believe in Christ Are - In a higher sense than ever the Jews were. A chosen or elect race, a royal priesthood - "Kings and priests unto God," Revelation 1:6. As princes, ye have power with God, and victory over sin, the world, and the devil: as priests, ye are consecrated to God, for offering spiritual sacrifices. Ye Christians are as one holy nation, under Christ your King.
A purchased people — Who are his peculiar property.
That ye may show forth — By your whole behaviour, to all mankind.
The virtues — The excellent glory, the mercy, wisdom, and power of him, Christ, who hath called you out of the darkness of ignorance, error, sin, and misery.
Verse 10
[10] Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Who in time past were not a people — Much less the people of God; but scattered individuals of many nations. The former part of the verse particularly respects the gentiles; the latter, the Jews.
John 14:1-14
Verse 2[2] In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
In my Father's house are many mansions — Enough to receive both the holy angels, and your predecessors in the faith, and all that now believe, and a great multitude, which no man can number.
Verse 4
[4] And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
The way — Of faith, holiness, sufferings.
Verse 5
[5] Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
Thomas saith — Taking him in a gross sense.
Verse 6
[6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
To the question concerning the way, he answers, I am the way. To the question concerning knowledge, he answers, I am the truth. To the question whither, I am the life. The first is treated of in this verse; the second, John 14:7-17; the third, 14:18, etc.
Verse 7
[7] If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Ye have known — Ye have begun to know him.
Verse 10
[10] Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
I am in the Father — The words that I speak, etc.-That is, I am one with the Father, in essence, in speaking, and in acting.
Verse 11
[11] Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
Believe me — On my own word, because I am God.
The works — This respects not merely the miracles themselves, but his sovereign, Godlike way of performing them.
Verse 12
[12] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Greater works than these shall he do — So one apostle wrought miracles merely by his shadow, Acts 5:15; another by handkerchiefs carried from his body, Acts 19:12; and all spake with various tongues. But the converting one sinner is a greater work than all these.
Because I go to my Father — To send you the Holy Ghost.
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Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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