The Upper Room Daily Reflections: the daily words of wisdom and faith of The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Monday, 30 April 2018 "Do We Matter to God?"
Today’s Reflection:
ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT theological questions centers on whether our lives make a difference to God. In other words, is God a distant observer, uninvolved in the messiness of our lives and unconcerned with the intricacies and conflicts of relationships, economics, and politics? Or, does God’s love for the world mean that God actually experiences our lives as they unfold and that God is rejoicing or mourning our particular life decisions?I believe that Benedict asked similar questions as he sought to respond to spiritual needs in his time. Benedict believed that God acts in the world and that conversely what happens in the world matters deeply to our Creator. (Bruce G. Epperly, The Mystic in You)
From page 42 of The Mystic in You: Discovering a God-Filled World by Bruce G. Epperly. Copyright © 2017 by Bruce G. Epperly. 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 our lives make a difference to God?
Today’s Scripture: “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” (Acts 10:47, NRSV)
This Week: pray growth of body, mind, and spirit.
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: Athanasius (May 1).
Athanasius
May 01
Athanasius (ca. 296-373), bishop of Alexandria. A native of Alexandria, Athanasius was appointed a deacon and served as secretary to Alexander, bishop of Alexandria, whom he attended at the Council of Nicaea in 325. In 328 Athanasius succeeded Alexander. Because of his refusal to compromise on the decisions made at Nicaea, he earned the enmity of the Arianizing party that gained much power during the latter part of Constantine's and throughout Constantius II's reign. He was exiled five times.
Athanasius is remembered chiefly for his strong stand against Arianism. While in his twenties he wrote his famous work On the Incarnation in which he argued that restoration of human relationship with God necessitated the Incarnation. Between 339 and 359 he penned a series of treatises defending the decisions made at Nicaea. He even enlisted the venerable desert hermit Antony in the cause by writing Antony's biography in 356. After 361 he sought to win the large Semi-Arian party to the Nicene formula homoousios ("of the same essence") and to uphold the full divinity of the Holy Spirit. As a friend of Pachomius and Serapion and biographer of Antony, he gave a boost to the ascetic movement in Egypt. He also introduced monasticism to the West when he brought two Egyptian monks to Rome during his second exile in 339.
If Athanasius had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Sage. Athanasius is remembered on May 1.
[Excerpted with permission from the entry on Athanasius by E. Glenn Hinson, from The Upper Room Dictionary of Christian Spiritual Formation, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe. Copyright © 2003 by Upper Room Books®. All rights reserved.]
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: Athanasius (May 1).
AthanasiusMay 01
Athanasius (ca. 296-373), bishop of Alexandria. A native of Alexandria, Athanasius was appointed a deacon and served as secretary to Alexander, bishop of Alexandria, whom he attended at the Council of Nicaea in 325. In 328 Athanasius succeeded Alexander. Because of his refusal to compromise on the decisions made at Nicaea, he earned the enmity of the Arianizing party that gained much power during the latter part of Constantine's and throughout Constantius II's reign. He was exiled five times.
Athanasius is remembered chiefly for his strong stand against Arianism. While in his twenties he wrote his famous work On the Incarnation in which he argued that restoration of human relationship with God necessitated the Incarnation. Between 339 and 359 he penned a series of treatises defending the decisions made at Nicaea. He even enlisted the venerable desert hermit Antony in the cause by writing Antony's biography in 356. After 361 he sought to win the large Semi-Arian party to the Nicene formula homoousios ("of the same essence") and to uphold the full divinity of the Holy Spirit. As a friend of Pachomius and Serapion and biographer of Antony, he gave a boost to the ascetic movement in Egypt. He also introduced monasticism to the West when he brought two Egyptian monks to Rome during his second exile in 339.
If Athanasius had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Sage. Athanasius is remembered on May 1.
[Excerpted with permission from the entry on Athanasius by E. Glenn Hinson, from The Upper Room Dictionary of Christian Spiritual Formation, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe. Copyright © 2003 by Upper Room Books®. All rights reserved.]
Lectionary Readings for Sunday, 6 May 2018
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Acts 10:44-48
Psalm 98
1 John 5:1-6
John 15:9-17
Acts 10:44-48
Psalm 98
1 John 5:1-6
John 15:9-17
Acts 10:44 Kefa was still saying these things when the Ruach HaKodesh fell on all who were hearing the message. 45 All the believers from the Circumcision faction who had accompanied Kefa were amazed that the gift of the Ruach HaKodesh was also being poured out 46 on the Goyim, for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Kefa’s response was, 47 “Is anyone prepared to prohibit these people from being immersed in water? After all, they have received the Ruach HaKodesh, just as we did.” 48 And he ordered that they be immersed in the name of Yeshua the Messiah. Then they asked Kefa to stay on with them for a few days.
Psalm 98:1(0) A psalm:
(1) Sing a new song to Adonai,
because he has done wonders.
His right hand, his holy arm
have won him victory.
2 Adonai has made known his victory;
revealed his vindication in full view of the nations,
3 remembered his grace and faithfulness
to the house of Isra’el.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the victory of our God.
4 Shout for joy to Adonai, all the earth!
Break forth, sing for joy, sing praises!
5 Sing praises to Adonai with the lyre,
with the lyre and melodious music!
6 With trumpets and the sound of the shofar,
shout for joy before the king, Adonai!
7 Let the sea roar, and everything in it;
the world, and those living in it.
8 Let the floods clap their hands;
let the mountains sing together for joy
9 before Adonai, for he has come to judge the earth;
he will judge the world rightly and the peoples fairly.
1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Yeshua is the Messiah has God as his father, and everyone who loves a father loves his offspring too. 2 Here is how we know that we love God’s children: when we love God, we also do what he commands. 3 For loving God means obeying his commands. Moreover, his commands are not burdensome, 4 because everything which has God as its Father overcomes the world. And this is what victoriously overcomes the world: our trust. 5 Who does overcome the world if not the person who believes that Yeshua is the Son of God?
6 He is the one who came by means of water and blood, Yeshua the Messiah — not with water only, but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth.
John 15:9 “Just as my Father has loved me, I too have loved you; so stay in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will stay in my love — just as I have kept my Father’s commands and stay in his love. 11 I have said this to you so that my joy may be in you, and your joy be complete.
12 “This is my command: that you keep on loving each other just as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than a person who lays down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends, if you do what I command you. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is about; but I have called you friends, because everything I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, I chose you; and I have commissioned you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that whatever you ask from the Father in my name he may give you. 17 This is what I command you: keep loving each other!(Complete Jewish Bible).
Psalm 98:1(0) A psalm:
(1) Sing a new song to Adonai,
because he has done wonders.
His right hand, his holy arm
have won him victory.
2 Adonai has made known his victory;
revealed his vindication in full view of the nations,
3 remembered his grace and faithfulness
to the house of Isra’el.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the victory of our God.
4 Shout for joy to Adonai, all the earth!
Break forth, sing for joy, sing praises!
5 Sing praises to Adonai with the lyre,
with the lyre and melodious music!
6 With trumpets and the sound of the shofar,
shout for joy before the king, Adonai!
7 Let the sea roar, and everything in it;
the world, and those living in it.
8 Let the floods clap their hands;
let the mountains sing together for joy
9 before Adonai, for he has come to judge the earth;
he will judge the world rightly and the peoples fairly.
1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Yeshua is the Messiah has God as his father, and everyone who loves a father loves his offspring too. 2 Here is how we know that we love God’s children: when we love God, we also do what he commands. 3 For loving God means obeying his commands. Moreover, his commands are not burdensome, 4 because everything which has God as its Father overcomes the world. And this is what victoriously overcomes the world: our trust. 5 Who does overcome the world if not the person who believes that Yeshua is the Son of God?
6 He is the one who came by means of water and blood, Yeshua the Messiah — not with water only, but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth.
John 15:9 “Just as my Father has loved me, I too have loved you; so stay in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will stay in my love — just as I have kept my Father’s commands and stay in his love. 11 I have said this to you so that my joy may be in you, and your joy be complete.
12 “This is my command: that you keep on loving each other just as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than a person who lays down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends, if you do what I command you. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is about; but I have called you friends, because everything I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, I chose you; and I have commissioned you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that whatever you ask from the Father in my name he may give you. 17 This is what I command you: keep loving each other!(Complete Jewish Bible).
Acts 10:44-48
Verse 44
[44] While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
The Holy Ghost fell on all that were hearing the word — Thus were they consecrated to God, as the first fruits of the Gentiles. And thus did God give a clear and satisfactory evidence, that he had accepted them as well as the Jews.
Verse 45
[45] And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The believers of the circumcision — The believing Jews.
Verse 47
[47] Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost? — He does not say they have the baptism of the Spirit; therefore they do not need baptism with water. But just the contrary: if they have received the Spirit, then baptize them with water. How easily is this question decided, if we will take the word of God for our rule! Either men have received the Holy Ghost or not. If they have not, Repent, saith God, and be baptized, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. If they have, if they are already baptized with the Holy Ghost, then who can forbid water?
Verse 48
[48] And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
In the name of the Lord — Which implies the Father who anointed him, and the Spirit with which he was anointed to his office. But as the Gentiles had before believed in God the Father, and could not but now believe in the Holy Ghost, under whose powerful influence they were at this very time, there was the less need of taking notice, that they were baptized into the belief and profession of the sacred Three: though doubtless the apostle administered the ordinances in that very form which Christ himself had prescribed.
Psalm 98
Verse 2
[2] The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
Salvation — The redemption of the world by the Messiah: which was hitherto reserved was a secret among the Jews, yea was not throughly known by the most of the Jews themselves.
Righteousness — His faithfulness in accomplishing this great promise.
1 John 5:1-6
Verse 1
[1] Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
The scope and sum of this whole paragraph appears from the conclusion of it, 1 John 5:13: "These things have I written to you who believe, that ye may know that ye who believe have eternal life." So faith is the first and last point with St. John also.
Every one who loveth — God that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him - Hath a natural affection to all his brethren.
Verse 2
[2] By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
Hereby we know — This is a plain proof.
That we love the children of God — As his children.
Verse 3
[3] For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
For this is the love of God — The only sure proof of it.
That we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous — To any that are born of God.
Verse 4
[4] For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
For whatsoever — This expression implies the most unlimited universality.
Is born of God overcometh the world — Conquers whatever it can lay in the way, either to allure or fright the children of God from keeping his commandments.
And this is the victory — The grand means of overcoming.
Even our faith — Seeing all things are possible to him that believeth.
Verse 5
[5] Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Who is he that overcometh the world — That is superior to all worldly care, desire, fear? Every believer, and none else. The seventh verse 1 John 5:7 (usually so reckoned) is a brief recapitulation of all which has been before advanced concerning the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. It is cited, in conjunction with the sixth and eighth, 1 John 5:6,8 by Tertullian, Cyprian, and an uninterrupted train of Fathers. And, indeed, what the sun is in the world, what the heart is in a man, what the needle is in the mariner's compass, this verse is in the epistle. By this the sixth, eighth, and ninth verses 1 John 5:6,8,9 are indissolubly connected; as will be evident, beyond all contradiction, when they are accurately considered.
Verse 6
[6] This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
This is he — St. John here shows the immovable foundation of that faith that Jesus is the Son of God; not only the testimony of man, but the firm, indubitable testimony of God.
Who came — Jesus is he of whom it was promised that he should come; and who accordingly, is come. And this the Spirit, and the water, and the blood testify.
Even Jesus — Who, coming by water and blood, is by this very thing demonstrated to be the Christ.
Not by the water only — Wherein he was baptized.
But by the water and the blood — Which he shed when he had finished the work his Father had given him to do. He not only undertook at his baptism "to fulfil all righteousness," but on the cross accomplished what he had undertaken; in token whereof, when all was finished, blood and water came out of his side. And it is the Spirit who likewise testifieth - Of Jesus Christ, namely, by Moses and all the prophets, by John the Baptist, by all the apostles, and in all the writings of the New Testament. And against his testimony there can be no exception, because the Spirit is truth - The very God of truth.
John 15:9-17
Verse 9
[9] As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
Abide ye in my love — Keep your place in my affection. See that ye do not forfeit that invaluable blessing. How needless a caution, if it were impossible for them not to abide therein?
Verse 10
[10] If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love — On these terms, and no other, ye shall remain the objects of my special affection.
Verse 11
[11] These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
That my joy might remain in you — The same joy which I feel in loving the Father, and keeping his commandments.
Verse 12
[12] This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Your joy will be full, if ye so love one another.
Verse 13
[13] Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Greater love — To his friends. He here speaks of them only.
Verse 14
[14] Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you — On this condition, not otherwise. A thunderbolt for Antinomianism! Who then dares assert that God's love does not at all depend on man's works?
Verse 15
[15] Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
All things — Which might be of service to you.
Verse 16
[16] Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Ye — My apostles, have not chosen me, but I have chosen you - As clearly appears from the sacred history: and appointed you, that ye may go and bear fruit - I have chosen and appointed you for this end, that ye may go and convert sinners: and that your fruit may remain - That the fruit of your labours may remain to the end of the world; yea, to eternity; that whatsoever ye shall ask - The consequence of your going and bearing fruit will be, that all your prayers will he heard.(John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes).
Verse 44
[44] While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
The Holy Ghost fell on all that were hearing the word — Thus were they consecrated to God, as the first fruits of the Gentiles. And thus did God give a clear and satisfactory evidence, that he had accepted them as well as the Jews.
Verse 45
[45] And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The believers of the circumcision — The believing Jews.
Verse 47
[47] Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost? — He does not say they have the baptism of the Spirit; therefore they do not need baptism with water. But just the contrary: if they have received the Spirit, then baptize them with water. How easily is this question decided, if we will take the word of God for our rule! Either men have received the Holy Ghost or not. If they have not, Repent, saith God, and be baptized, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. If they have, if they are already baptized with the Holy Ghost, then who can forbid water?
Verse 48
[48] And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
In the name of the Lord — Which implies the Father who anointed him, and the Spirit with which he was anointed to his office. But as the Gentiles had before believed in God the Father, and could not but now believe in the Holy Ghost, under whose powerful influence they were at this very time, there was the less need of taking notice, that they were baptized into the belief and profession of the sacred Three: though doubtless the apostle administered the ordinances in that very form which Christ himself had prescribed.
Psalm 98
Verse 2
[2] The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
Salvation — The redemption of the world by the Messiah: which was hitherto reserved was a secret among the Jews, yea was not throughly known by the most of the Jews themselves.
Righteousness — His faithfulness in accomplishing this great promise.
1 John 5:1-6
Verse 1
[1] Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
The scope and sum of this whole paragraph appears from the conclusion of it, 1 John 5:13: "These things have I written to you who believe, that ye may know that ye who believe have eternal life." So faith is the first and last point with St. John also.
Every one who loveth — God that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him - Hath a natural affection to all his brethren.
Verse 2
[2] By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
Hereby we know — This is a plain proof.
That we love the children of God — As his children.
Verse 3
[3] For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
For this is the love of God — The only sure proof of it.
That we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous — To any that are born of God.
Verse 4
[4] For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
For whatsoever — This expression implies the most unlimited universality.
Is born of God overcometh the world — Conquers whatever it can lay in the way, either to allure or fright the children of God from keeping his commandments.
And this is the victory — The grand means of overcoming.
Even our faith — Seeing all things are possible to him that believeth.
Verse 5
[5] Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Who is he that overcometh the world — That is superior to all worldly care, desire, fear? Every believer, and none else. The seventh verse 1 John 5:7 (usually so reckoned) is a brief recapitulation of all which has been before advanced concerning the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. It is cited, in conjunction with the sixth and eighth, 1 John 5:6,8 by Tertullian, Cyprian, and an uninterrupted train of Fathers. And, indeed, what the sun is in the world, what the heart is in a man, what the needle is in the mariner's compass, this verse is in the epistle. By this the sixth, eighth, and ninth verses 1 John 5:6,8,9 are indissolubly connected; as will be evident, beyond all contradiction, when they are accurately considered.
Verse 6
[6] This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
This is he — St. John here shows the immovable foundation of that faith that Jesus is the Son of God; not only the testimony of man, but the firm, indubitable testimony of God.
Who came — Jesus is he of whom it was promised that he should come; and who accordingly, is come. And this the Spirit, and the water, and the blood testify.
Even Jesus — Who, coming by water and blood, is by this very thing demonstrated to be the Christ.
Not by the water only — Wherein he was baptized.
But by the water and the blood — Which he shed when he had finished the work his Father had given him to do. He not only undertook at his baptism "to fulfil all righteousness," but on the cross accomplished what he had undertaken; in token whereof, when all was finished, blood and water came out of his side. And it is the Spirit who likewise testifieth - Of Jesus Christ, namely, by Moses and all the prophets, by John the Baptist, by all the apostles, and in all the writings of the New Testament. And against his testimony there can be no exception, because the Spirit is truth - The very God of truth.
John 15:9-17
Verse 9
[9] As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
Abide ye in my love — Keep your place in my affection. See that ye do not forfeit that invaluable blessing. How needless a caution, if it were impossible for them not to abide therein?
Verse 10
[10] If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love — On these terms, and no other, ye shall remain the objects of my special affection.
Verse 11
[11] These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
That my joy might remain in you — The same joy which I feel in loving the Father, and keeping his commandments.
Verse 12
[12] This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Your joy will be full, if ye so love one another.
Verse 13
[13] Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Greater love — To his friends. He here speaks of them only.
Verse 14
[14] Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you — On this condition, not otherwise. A thunderbolt for Antinomianism! Who then dares assert that God's love does not at all depend on man's works?
Verse 15
[15] Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
All things — Which might be of service to you.
Verse 16
[16] Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Ye — My apostles, have not chosen me, but I have chosen you - As clearly appears from the sacred history: and appointed you, that ye may go and bear fruit - I have chosen and appointed you for this end, that ye may go and convert sinners: and that your fruit may remain - That the fruit of your labours may remain to the end of the world; yea, to eternity; that whatsoever ye shall ask - The consequence of your going and bearing fruit will be, that all your prayers will he heard.(John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes).
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