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"Mrs. Potts to the Beast: 'Must help her to see past all that'”
Thursday, 27 July 2017
Acts 26:9 “I used to think it was my duty to do all I could to combat the name of Yeshua from Natzeret; 10 and in Yerushalayim I did so. After receiving authority from the head cohanim, I myself threw many of God’s people in prison; when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 Often I went from one synagogue to another, punishing them and trying to make them blaspheme; and in my wild fury against them, I even went so far as to persecute them in cities outside the country.
12 “On one such occasion, I was traveling to Dammesek with the full authority and power of the head cohanim. 13 I was on the road, and it was noon, your Majesty, when I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my traveling companions. 14 We all fell to the ground; and then I heard a voice saying to me, in Hebrew, ‘Sha’ul! Sha’ul! Why do you keep persecuting me? It’s hard on you to be kicking against the ox-goads!’ 15 I said, ‘Who are you, sir?’ and the Lord answered, ‘I am Yeshua, and you are persecuting me! 16 But get up, and stand on your feet! I have appeared to you to appoint you to serve and bear witness to what you have already seen of me, and to what you will see when I appear to you in the future. 17 I will deliver you from the People and from the Goyim. I am sending you 18 to open their eyes; so that they will turn from darkness to light, from the power of the Adversary to God, and thus receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who have been separated for holiness by putting their trust in me.’
19 “So, King Agrippa, I did not disobey the vision from heaven!
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At one point the Beast sadly said, “It's no use. She's so beautiful, and I'm…well, look at me!” And Mrs. Potts replied, hopefully, ““Must help her to see past all that.” As the apostle Paul described his spiritual journey to King Agrippa, he painted a similar picture. When he looked at Jesus and his followers, at first he saw only a terrible threat to the faith heritage that he treasured. But then Jesus met him on the road to Damascus, and Paul “saw past all that” to the glory of the Savior. He accepted Jesus' call on his life, and never looked back.
• Paul seemed to make a full 180 degree turn, from persecuting Christians to planting churches. He began using his Roman name Paul rather than the Hebrew name Saul. But at his core, Paul didn’t actually change. He kept following the God of Israel with all-out zeal the whole time. It was just that now God had showed him the right way to serve! What is most central in shaping your life—your vision or God’s vision?
• Paul was defending himself to the Roman authorities, facing the threat of imprisonment, even death. As a 21st century American, you are unlikely to face imprisonment or death for following God’s vision. But that doesn’t mean obeying the heavenly vision is always easy. Sometimes you may need to “see past all that” to grasp the goodness of God’s calling. In what ways has following God’s vision for your life been challenging? Are you willing to obey God’s call on you, no matter what?
Prayer: Almighty God, thank you that you have a heavenly vision for my life, and for the world around me. Help me to have the faith and courage to obey that vision. Amen.
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Janelle Gregory
Janelle Gregory serves on the Resurrection staff as a Human Resources Specialist. Janelle finds that her heart is constantly wrestling with the truth that she needs a Savior, and the times when she's at her very best are when she's just too tired to put up a fight.
The story of the conversion of Saul to Paul is remarkable. Saul terrorized and killed Christians until the day he was stopped by God in the middle of the road. After being called out for his persecuting ways, Saul was blinded. Three days later his vision was restored, but perhaps more miraculously, so was his life. He changed his name and all of Christian history by becoming arguably the second most important figure in the New Testament (I’ll let you guess the first).
Certainly, the transformation of Paul is remarkable, but I think one of the most incredible aspects of this story is actually centered around Ananias. Ananias was a Christian from Damascus. He, too, was approached by God – not for a major transformation, but to be the one to restore Saul’s sight and fill him with the Holy Spirit. Saul, the Christian killer. Can you even imagine?
Not surprisingly, Ananias questions God on this – “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” Acts 9:13-14 NIV
I’m not going to lie. I’m with Ananias on this one. It would be difficult to ask him to forgive Saul for his horrific actions, but to ask him to search Saul out and return his sight? You’ve got to be kidding me! It is hard for me to fathom that Ananias went looking for Saul. If it were me, I’d be running in the opposite direction of the Christian killer. And I can’t imagine returning Saul’s vision made Ananias the most popular person in the Christian clubhouse that day. I doubt they took a vote on that one. Despite originally questioning the call, Ananias trusted in God’s redemptive powers and obeyed.
I think that for most of us we’re somewhat able to identify with Paul’s transformation, even if to a significantly lesser degree. We can at least recognize our need for forgiveness. What becomes more challenging is to identify with Ananias, being open to seeing that transformation in another and to not seek retribution. We struggle to believe that people can change, that God can restore those who have wronged us. This is despite the fact that we’ve experienced some degree of redemption. However, the gospel is not just about God restoring to life what was once dead, but restoring to good what was once evil. We don’t get to separate that part out simply because we want justice. That isn’t up to us. God is not in the business of giving up on people, and we shouldn’t be either. We must truly believe that there can be life in what was once dead, there can be good in what was once evil, and there can be beauty in what was once a beast.
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"Lumiere: What if she is ‘the one’ who will break the spell?"
Friday, 28 July 2017
2 Corinthians 5:14-20
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When Belle came to the castle, the servants (cursed to be a candlestick, mantle clock and teapot) could only wonder if she might be “the one” who would break the spell. After meeting Jesus, the apostle Paul had no doubt Jesus was “the one” who could set the human family free from our self-imposed alienation from God. The good news, he said, is that God loves us, has always wanted to reconcile us, and acted in Christ to bring that about. As we become a “new creation” in Christ, God makes it our mission to invite others to “be reconciled to God.”
• Most Roman, Greek and Canaanite religions offered gifts and sacrifices to try to reconcile their angry, displeased god or gods to them. But Paul said that was backward. We were the alienated ones. God came in Jesus to draw us back into the circle of heaven’s love. Are you reconciled with God? Are you open for God to work through you to reconcile others– sharing the good news of freedom in Christ?
• What historical event or person seems to you to present the most vivid picture of God’s reconciling work in the world? In what ways did God work through that person or event to bring about reconciliation and wholeness? In your own life, when have you seen anger and pain changed for the better as reconciliation takes place?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thanks to you I experience more restored harmony in my life and relationships. Help me share your message of reconciliation with a friend, neighbor, or loved one today. Amen.
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"Beast: You came back. Belle: Don't leave me. I love you."
Saturday, 29 July 2017
Romans 12:1-3, 9-21
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In Beauty and the Beast, the Beast demonstrated love for Belle first by letting her go from the castle to rescue her father. Then Belle expressed her love for the Beast in the nick of time, and all ended well. The apostle Paul had never been to Rome when he wrote this letter. But many of his friends had (cf. Romans 16), and he knew that Christians there, as in every other church he worked with, faced many real-life tensions and challenges. He offered powerful, practical wisdom to guide, not only the Roman Christians but Christ-followers through the centuries, in how to transform from “beasts” to people of love, living lives that can defeat evil with good.
• We sometimes live a sort of “news magazine” life: we treat “Religion” as a section of life separate from “Business,” “Entertainment,” and the like. How would the transforming of your mind Paul envisioned affect business dealings? Political behavior? Activities like sports or movie-going? Paul wrote in verse 9, “Love should be shown without pretending.” Have you ever been in a setting (maybe even a church) where everyone pretended to love one another, while whispered conversations were full of criticism and backbiting? What makes honest love (which includes dealing honestly with issues that arise) so vital to spiritual health and transformation?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want my life to count for good, to make this world a better place. Plant the principles Paul taught in my heart. Help me not just read them but enthusiastically live them every day. Amen.
Family Activity: God designed the world to change. Think of the four seasons: bulbs bursting forth as flowers, tadpoles turning to frogs, rain and snow falling, caterpillars becoming butterflies and temperatures shooting upward and downward almost daily. God designed people to change, too, and Jesus can change our lives anytime, anywhere. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17. As a family, discuss how Jesus makes a difference in your individual lives. Are you more loving, forgiving and kind? Are you more patient and gentle? Identify some ways you need to grow and change. How can you grow to become more like Jesus? Create a family mural by drawing “before and after” pictures of changes in yourselves, your family and the world God created. Celebrate and give thanks for the change Jesus makes in your lives and in the world!
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You might also like
Blockade Runner Pilot: “What is it that they've sent us?” Princess Leia: “Hope.”
Jyn Erso: “They call it the Death Star. But they have no idea... there's a way to defeat it.”
Cassian Andor: “I couldn't face myself if I gave up now... None of us could.”
Jyn Erso: “I'm not used to people sticking around when things go bad.”
Galen Erso: “You're confusing peace with terror.”
Or download this week's printable GPS.
-------
Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
• J.R. Smith and family on the death of his wife Carol Smith, 7/18
• Joan Stultz and family on the death of her husband Bill Stultz, 7/17
• Friends and family of Teresa Copling on her death, 7/1
• Carol Lovett and family on the death of her mother Faith DeBonis, 6/28
• Kate Tilden and family on the death of her father John Peterson, 6/8
• Melody Pedersen and family on the death of her son Dean “Skip” Ellingsen, 4/21
Thursday, 27 July 2017
Acts 26:9 “I used to think it was my duty to do all I could to combat the name of Yeshua from Natzeret; 10 and in Yerushalayim I did so. After receiving authority from the head cohanim, I myself threw many of God’s people in prison; when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 Often I went from one synagogue to another, punishing them and trying to make them blaspheme; and in my wild fury against them, I even went so far as to persecute them in cities outside the country.
12 “On one such occasion, I was traveling to Dammesek with the full authority and power of the head cohanim. 13 I was on the road, and it was noon, your Majesty, when I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my traveling companions. 14 We all fell to the ground; and then I heard a voice saying to me, in Hebrew, ‘Sha’ul! Sha’ul! Why do you keep persecuting me? It’s hard on you to be kicking against the ox-goads!’ 15 I said, ‘Who are you, sir?’ and the Lord answered, ‘I am Yeshua, and you are persecuting me! 16 But get up, and stand on your feet! I have appeared to you to appoint you to serve and bear witness to what you have already seen of me, and to what you will see when I appear to you in the future. 17 I will deliver you from the People and from the Goyim. I am sending you 18 to open their eyes; so that they will turn from darkness to light, from the power of the Adversary to God, and thus receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who have been separated for holiness by putting their trust in me.’
19 “So, King Agrippa, I did not disobey the vision from heaven!
-------
At one point the Beast sadly said, “It's no use. She's so beautiful, and I'm…well, look at me!” And Mrs. Potts replied, hopefully, ““Must help her to see past all that.” As the apostle Paul described his spiritual journey to King Agrippa, he painted a similar picture. When he looked at Jesus and his followers, at first he saw only a terrible threat to the faith heritage that he treasured. But then Jesus met him on the road to Damascus, and Paul “saw past all that” to the glory of the Savior. He accepted Jesus' call on his life, and never looked back.
• Paul seemed to make a full 180 degree turn, from persecuting Christians to planting churches. He began using his Roman name Paul rather than the Hebrew name Saul. But at his core, Paul didn’t actually change. He kept following the God of Israel with all-out zeal the whole time. It was just that now God had showed him the right way to serve! What is most central in shaping your life—your vision or God’s vision?
• Paul was defending himself to the Roman authorities, facing the threat of imprisonment, even death. As a 21st century American, you are unlikely to face imprisonment or death for following God’s vision. But that doesn’t mean obeying the heavenly vision is always easy. Sometimes you may need to “see past all that” to grasp the goodness of God’s calling. In what ways has following God’s vision for your life been challenging? Are you willing to obey God’s call on you, no matter what?
Prayer: Almighty God, thank you that you have a heavenly vision for my life, and for the world around me. Help me to have the faith and courage to obey that vision. Amen.
-------
Janelle GregoryJanelle Gregory serves on the Resurrection staff as a Human Resources Specialist. Janelle finds that her heart is constantly wrestling with the truth that she needs a Savior, and the times when she's at her very best are when she's just too tired to put up a fight.
The story of the conversion of Saul to Paul is remarkable. Saul terrorized and killed Christians until the day he was stopped by God in the middle of the road. After being called out for his persecuting ways, Saul was blinded. Three days later his vision was restored, but perhaps more miraculously, so was his life. He changed his name and all of Christian history by becoming arguably the second most important figure in the New Testament (I’ll let you guess the first).
Certainly, the transformation of Paul is remarkable, but I think one of the most incredible aspects of this story is actually centered around Ananias. Ananias was a Christian from Damascus. He, too, was approached by God – not for a major transformation, but to be the one to restore Saul’s sight and fill him with the Holy Spirit. Saul, the Christian killer. Can you even imagine?
Not surprisingly, Ananias questions God on this – “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” Acts 9:13-14 NIV
I’m not going to lie. I’m with Ananias on this one. It would be difficult to ask him to forgive Saul for his horrific actions, but to ask him to search Saul out and return his sight? You’ve got to be kidding me! It is hard for me to fathom that Ananias went looking for Saul. If it were me, I’d be running in the opposite direction of the Christian killer. And I can’t imagine returning Saul’s vision made Ananias the most popular person in the Christian clubhouse that day. I doubt they took a vote on that one. Despite originally questioning the call, Ananias trusted in God’s redemptive powers and obeyed.
I think that for most of us we’re somewhat able to identify with Paul’s transformation, even if to a significantly lesser degree. We can at least recognize our need for forgiveness. What becomes more challenging is to identify with Ananias, being open to seeing that transformation in another and to not seek retribution. We struggle to believe that people can change, that God can restore those who have wronged us. This is despite the fact that we’ve experienced some degree of redemption. However, the gospel is not just about God restoring to life what was once dead, but restoring to good what was once evil. We don’t get to separate that part out simply because we want justice. That isn’t up to us. God is not in the business of giving up on people, and we shouldn’t be either. We must truly believe that there can be life in what was once dead, there can be good in what was once evil, and there can be beauty in what was once a beast.
-------
"Lumiere: What if she is ‘the one’ who will break the spell?"
Friday, 28 July 2017
2 Corinthians 5:14-20
-------
When Belle came to the castle, the servants (cursed to be a candlestick, mantle clock and teapot) could only wonder if she might be “the one” who would break the spell. After meeting Jesus, the apostle Paul had no doubt Jesus was “the one” who could set the human family free from our self-imposed alienation from God. The good news, he said, is that God loves us, has always wanted to reconcile us, and acted in Christ to bring that about. As we become a “new creation” in Christ, God makes it our mission to invite others to “be reconciled to God.”
• Most Roman, Greek and Canaanite religions offered gifts and sacrifices to try to reconcile their angry, displeased god or gods to them. But Paul said that was backward. We were the alienated ones. God came in Jesus to draw us back into the circle of heaven’s love. Are you reconciled with God? Are you open for God to work through you to reconcile others– sharing the good news of freedom in Christ?
• What historical event or person seems to you to present the most vivid picture of God’s reconciling work in the world? In what ways did God work through that person or event to bring about reconciliation and wholeness? In your own life, when have you seen anger and pain changed for the better as reconciliation takes place?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thanks to you I experience more restored harmony in my life and relationships. Help me share your message of reconciliation with a friend, neighbor, or loved one today. Amen.
-------
-------
"Beast: You came back. Belle: Don't leave me. I love you."
Saturday, 29 July 2017
Romans 12:1-3, 9-21
-------
In Beauty and the Beast, the Beast demonstrated love for Belle first by letting her go from the castle to rescue her father. Then Belle expressed her love for the Beast in the nick of time, and all ended well. The apostle Paul had never been to Rome when he wrote this letter. But many of his friends had (cf. Romans 16), and he knew that Christians there, as in every other church he worked with, faced many real-life tensions and challenges. He offered powerful, practical wisdom to guide, not only the Roman Christians but Christ-followers through the centuries, in how to transform from “beasts” to people of love, living lives that can defeat evil with good.
• We sometimes live a sort of “news magazine” life: we treat “Religion” as a section of life separate from “Business,” “Entertainment,” and the like. How would the transforming of your mind Paul envisioned affect business dealings? Political behavior? Activities like sports or movie-going? Paul wrote in verse 9, “Love should be shown without pretending.” Have you ever been in a setting (maybe even a church) where everyone pretended to love one another, while whispered conversations were full of criticism and backbiting? What makes honest love (which includes dealing honestly with issues that arise) so vital to spiritual health and transformation?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want my life to count for good, to make this world a better place. Plant the principles Paul taught in my heart. Help me not just read them but enthusiastically live them every day. Amen.
Family Activity: God designed the world to change. Think of the four seasons: bulbs bursting forth as flowers, tadpoles turning to frogs, rain and snow falling, caterpillars becoming butterflies and temperatures shooting upward and downward almost daily. God designed people to change, too, and Jesus can change our lives anytime, anywhere. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17. As a family, discuss how Jesus makes a difference in your individual lives. Are you more loving, forgiving and kind? Are you more patient and gentle? Identify some ways you need to grow and change. How can you grow to become more like Jesus? Create a family mural by drawing “before and after” pictures of changes in yourselves, your family and the world God created. Celebrate and give thanks for the change Jesus makes in your lives and in the world!
-------
-------
You might also like
Blockade Runner Pilot: “What is it that they've sent us?” Princess Leia: “Hope.”
Jyn Erso: “They call it the Death Star. But they have no idea... there's a way to defeat it.”
Cassian Andor: “I couldn't face myself if I gave up now... None of us could.”
Jyn Erso: “I'm not used to people sticking around when things go bad.”
Galen Erso: “You're confusing peace with terror.”
Or download this week's printable GPS.
-------
Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
• J.R. Smith and family on the death of his wife Carol Smith, 7/18
• Joan Stultz and family on the death of her husband Bill Stultz, 7/17
• Friends and family of Teresa Copling on her death, 7/1
• Carol Lovett and family on the death of her mother Faith DeBonis, 6/28
• Kate Tilden and family on the death of her father John Peterson, 6/8
• Melody Pedersen and family on the death of her son Dean “Skip” Ellingsen, 4/21
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
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