Today’s Reflection:
It is essential to keep grace at the center of the conversation when we talk about growth in the Christian life. We must remember that grace is the major power source that gives energy to all of our efforts to grow in our faith. (A Blueprint for Discipleship)
From page 16 of A Blueprint for Discipleship: Wesley’s General Rules as a Guide for Christian Living by Kevin M. Watson. Copyright © 2009 by Discipleship Resources. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question: How do you define grace? What does it mean “to keep grace at the center of conversation when we talk about growth in the Christian life?”
Today’s Scripture: So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:17, NRSV)
This Week: pray for church study groups and Sunday school classes.
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: Maximilian Kolbe (August 14)
Maximilian Kolbe
August 14
Maximilian Kolbe was born in 1894 in what was then Russia (present-day Poland). He joined the Franciscans in 1907 and studied in Rome, earning doctorates in philosophy and theology. Kolbe returned to his newly independent homeland where he founded the Knights of Mary Immaculate, devoted to reverence of Mary. He spent time in Japan, where he founded a seminary and monastery.
Back in Poland, Kolbe worked with the underground, hiding Jewish refugees and speaking against the Nazis on radio. He was arrested by the Gestapo in 1941 and taken to Auschwitz where he inspired other prisoners by his faith. On July 30, 1941, after a prisoner escaped, the commandant lined up prisoners to select ten men for reprisal punishment, Maximilian Kolbe volunteered himself in place of a man who had a family. "I am a Catholic priest," Kolbe said, and offered his life.
After two weeks with no food, Kolbe was one of four of the ten left alive. The Nazis executed these men by injecting carbolic acid into their hearts. Maximilian Kolbe died on August 14, 1941. When he was canonized in 1982, the man whose life he saved was present to pay tribute.
If Maximilian Kolbe had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Prophet. Maximilian Kolbe is remembered on August 14.
"Fr.Maximilian Kolbe 1939" by http://www.v-like-vintage.net/uploads/images/Cropped700/00130919.jpg - http://www.v-like-vintage.net/uploads/images/Cropped700/00130919.jpg. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fr.Maximilian_Kolbe_1939.jpg#/media/File:Fr.Maximilian_Kolbe_1939.jpg
Lectionary Readings for Sunday, 19 August 2018
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14Psalm 111Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15John 6:51-581 Kings 2: David Dies
10-11 David was king of Israel forty years. He ruled seven years from Hebron and thirty-three years from Jerusalem. Then he died and was buried in Jerusalem.[2.10,11 Jerusalem: Hebrew “the city of David.”] 12 His son Solomon became king and took control of David’s kingdom.
3:3 Solomon loved the Lord and followed his father David’s instructions, but Solomon also offered sacrifices and burned incense at the shrines.
4 The most important shrine was in Gibeon, and Solomon had offered more than a thousand sacrifices on that altar.
5 One night while Solomon was in Gibeon, the Lord God appeared to him in a dream and said, “Solomon, ask for anything you want, and I will give it to you.”
6 Solomon answered:
My father David, your servant, was honest and did what you commanded. You were always loyal to him, and you gave him a son who is now king. 7 Lord God, I’m your servant, and you’ve made me king in my father’s place. But I’m very young and know so little about being a leader. 8 And now I must rule your chosen people, even though there are too many of them to count.
9 Please make me wise and teach me the difference between right and wrong. Then I will know how to rule your people. If you don’t, there is no way I could rule this great nation of yours.
10-11 God said:
Solomon, I’m pleased that you asked for this. You could have asked to live a long time or to be rich. Or you could have asked for your enemies to be destroyed. Instead, you asked for wisdom to make right decisions. 12 So I’ll make you wiser than anyone who has ever lived or ever will live.13 I’ll also give you what you didn’t ask for. You’ll be rich and respected as long as you live, and you’ll be greater than any other king. 14 If you obey me and follow my commands, as your father David did, I’ll let you live a long time.
Psalm 111:1 Praise the Lord for All He Has Done
Shout praises to the Lord!
With all my heart
I will thank the Lord
when his people meet.
2 The Lord has done
many wonderful things!
Everyone who is pleased
with God’s marvelous deeds
will keep them in mind.
3 Everything the Lord does
is glorious and majestic,
and his power to bring justice
will never end.
4 The Lord God is famous
for his wonderful deeds,
and he is kind and merciful.
5 He gives food to his worshipers
and always keeps his agreement
with them.
6 He has shown his mighty power
to his people
and has given them the lands
of other nations.
7 God is always honest and fair,
and his laws can be trusted.
8 They are true and right
and will stand forever.
9 God rescued his people,
and he will never break
his agreement with them.
He is fearsome and holy.
10 Respect and obey the Lord!
This is the first step
to wisdom and good sense.[111.10 This. . . sense: Or “This is what wisdom and good sense are all about.”]
God will always be respected.
Exodus 16:2 There in the desert they started complaining to Moses and Aaron, 3 “We wish the Lord had killed us in Egypt. When we lived there, we could at least sit down and eat all the bread and meat we wanted. But you have brought us out here into this desert, where we are going to starve.”
4 The Lord said to Moses, “I will send bread[16.4 bread: This was something like a thin wafer, and it was called “manna,” which in Hebrew means, “What is it?”] down from heaven like rain. Each day the people can go out and gather only enough for that day. That’s how I will see if they obey me.
9 Moses turned to Aaron and said, “Bring the people together, because the Lord has heard their complaints.”
10 Aaron was speaking to them, when everyone looked out toward the desert and saw the bright glory of the Lord in a cloud. 11 The Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard my people complain. Now tell them that each evening they will have meat and each morning they will have more than enough bread. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.”
13 That evening a lot of quails came and landed everywhere in the camp, and the next morning dew covered the ground. 14 After the dew had gone, the desert was covered with thin flakes that looked like frost. 15 The people had never seen anything like this, and they started asking each other, “What is it?”[16.15 What is it: See the note at 16.4.] Moses answered, “This is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.
John 6:51 I am that bread from heaven! Everyone who eats it will live forever. My flesh is the life-giving bread that I give to the people of this world.
52 They started arguing with each other and asked, “How can he give us his flesh to eat?”
53 Jesus answered:
I tell you for certain that you won’t live unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man. 54 But if you do eat my flesh and drink my blood, you will have eternal life, and I will raise you to life on the last day. 55 My flesh is the true food, and my blood is the true drink. 56 If you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you are one with me, and I am one with you.
57 The living Father sent me, and I have life because of him. Now everyone who eats my flesh will live because of me. 58 The bread that comes down from heaven isn’t like what your ancestors ate. They died, but whoever eats this bread will live forever.
1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-143:Verse 3
[3] And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.
Yet — Although he miscarried in the matter of high places, yet in the general, his heart was right with God.
Statutes — According to the statutes or commands of God, which are here called the statutes of David; not only because they were diligently practised by David, but also because the observation of them was so earnestly pressed upon Solomon, and fortified with David's authority and command.
Verse 6
[6] And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
Truth — In the true worship of God, in the profession, belief, practice and defence of the true religion. So truth here contains all duties to God, as righteousness doth his duties to men, and uprightness the right manner of performing both sorts of duties.
With thee — That is, in thy judgment, to whom he often appealed as the witness of his integrity.
Verse 7
[7] And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
Child — So he was in years: not above twenty years old; and withal (which he principally intends) he was raw and unexperienced, as a child, in state affairs.
Go out, … — To govern my people, and manage affairs.
Verse 8
[8] And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
In the midst — Is set over them to rule and guide them. A metaphor from the overseer of divers workmen, who usually is in the midst of them, that he may the better observe how each of them discharges his office.
Chosen — Thy peculiar people, whom thou takest special care of, and therefore wilt expect a more punctual account of my government of them.
Verse 9
[9] Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
An understanding heart — Whereby I may both clearly discern, and faithfully perform all the parts of my duty: for both these are spoken of in scripture, as the effects of a good understanding; and he that lives in the neglect of his duties, or the practice of wickedness, is called a fool, and one void of understanding.
Discern — Namely in causes and controversies among my people; that I may not through mistake, or prejudice, or passion, give wrong sentences, and call evil good, or good evil. Absalom, that was a fool, wished himself a judge: Solomon, that was a wise man, trembles at the undertaking. The more knowing and considerate men are, the more jealous they are of themselves.
Verse 13
[13] And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
All thy days — Whereby he signifies that these gifts of God were not transient, as they were in Saul, but such as should abide with him whilst he lived.
Verse 14
[14] And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
And if — This caution God gives him, lest his wisdom should make him proud, careless, or presumptuous.
[3] And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.
Yet — Although he miscarried in the matter of high places, yet in the general, his heart was right with God.
Statutes — According to the statutes or commands of God, which are here called the statutes of David; not only because they were diligently practised by David, but also because the observation of them was so earnestly pressed upon Solomon, and fortified with David's authority and command.
Verse 6
[6] And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
Truth — In the true worship of God, in the profession, belief, practice and defence of the true religion. So truth here contains all duties to God, as righteousness doth his duties to men, and uprightness the right manner of performing both sorts of duties.
With thee — That is, in thy judgment, to whom he often appealed as the witness of his integrity.
Verse 7
[7] And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
Child — So he was in years: not above twenty years old; and withal (which he principally intends) he was raw and unexperienced, as a child, in state affairs.
Go out, … — To govern my people, and manage affairs.
Verse 8
[8] And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
In the midst — Is set over them to rule and guide them. A metaphor from the overseer of divers workmen, who usually is in the midst of them, that he may the better observe how each of them discharges his office.
Chosen — Thy peculiar people, whom thou takest special care of, and therefore wilt expect a more punctual account of my government of them.
Verse 9
[9] Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
An understanding heart — Whereby I may both clearly discern, and faithfully perform all the parts of my duty: for both these are spoken of in scripture, as the effects of a good understanding; and he that lives in the neglect of his duties, or the practice of wickedness, is called a fool, and one void of understanding.
Discern — Namely in causes and controversies among my people; that I may not through mistake, or prejudice, or passion, give wrong sentences, and call evil good, or good evil. Absalom, that was a fool, wished himself a judge: Solomon, that was a wise man, trembles at the undertaking. The more knowing and considerate men are, the more jealous they are of themselves.
Verse 13
[13] And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
All thy days — Whereby he signifies that these gifts of God were not transient, as they were in Saul, but such as should abide with him whilst he lived.
Verse 14
[14] And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
And if — This caution God gives him, lest his wisdom should make him proud, careless, or presumptuous.
Psalm 111Verse 2
[2] The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
Sought — Diligently meditated upon.
Verse 3
[3] His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
Work — Either all his works, or that eminent branch of those works, his providence towards his people.
Righteousness — His justice or faithfulness in performing his word.
Verse 4
[4] He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
Remembered — By their own nature, and the lasting benefits flowing from them, which are such as cannot easily be forgotten.
Verse 5
[5] He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
Meat — All necessary provisions for their being and well-being.
Verse 7
[7] The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
The works — All that he doth on the behalf of his people, or against their enemies.
Truth — Are exactly agreeable to his promises, and to justice.
Commandments — His laws given to the Israelites, especially the moral law.
Sure — Constant and unchangeable.
Verse 8
[8] They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
Done — Constituted or ordered.
Verse 9
[9] He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
Redemption — The deliverance out of Egypt, which was a type of that higher redemption by Christ.
Commanded — Appointed, or established firmly by his power and authority.
For ever — Through all successive generations of his people to the end of the world.
Reverend — Terrible to his enemies, venerable in his peoples eyes, and holy in all his dealings with all men.
Verse 10
[10] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
The fear — True religion.
Beginning — Is the only foundation of, and introduction to, true wisdom.
Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15Verse 2
[2] And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:
Then the whole congregation murmured against Moses and Aaron — God's viceregents among them.
Verse 3
[3] And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.
They so undervalue their deliverance, that they wish, they had died in Egypt, nay, and died by the hand of the Lord too. That is, by some of the plagues which cut off the Egyptians; as if it were not the hand of the Lord, but of Moses only, that brought them into this wilderness. 'Tis common for people to say of that pain, or sickness, which they see not second causes of, It is what pleaseth God, as if that were not so likewise which comes by the hand of man, or some visible accident. We cannot suppose they had any great plenty in Egypt, how largely soever they now talk of the flesh-pots, nor could they fear dying for want in the wilderness while they had their flocks and herds with them; but discontent magnifies what is past, and vilifies what is present, without regard to truth or reason. None talk more absurdly than murmurers.
Verse 4
[4] Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.
Man being made out of the earth, his Maker has wisely ordered him food out of the earth, Psalms 104:14. But the people of Israel typifying the church of the first-born that are written in heaven, receiving their charters, laws and commissions from heaven, from heaven also they received their food. See what God designed in making this provision for them, that I may prove them whether they will walk in my law or no - Whether they will trust me, and whether they would serve him, and be ever faithful to so good a master.
Verse 10
[10] And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.
The glory of the Lord — An extra-ordinary and sudden brightness.
Verse 12
[12] I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.
And ye shall know that I am the Lord your God — This gave proof of his power as the Lord, and his particular favour to them as their God; when God plagued the Egyptians, it was to make them know that he is the Lord; when he provided for the Israelites, it was to make them know that he was their God.
Verse 13
[13] And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.
The quails came up, and covered the camp — So tame that they might take up as many of them as they pleased. Next morning he rained manna upon them, which was to be continued to them for their daily bread.
Verse 15
[15] And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.
What is this? Manna descended from the clouds. It came down in dew melted, and yet was itself of such a consistency as to serve for nourishing strengthening food, without any thing else: It was pleasant food; the Jews say it was palatable to all, according as their tastes were. It was wholesome food, light of digestion. By this spare and plain diet we are all taught a lesson of temperance, and forbidden to desire dainties and varieties.
John 6:51-58Verse 51
[51] I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
If any eat of this bread — That is, believe in me: he shall live for ever - In other words, he that believeth to the end shall be saved.
My flesh which I will give you — This whole discourse concerning his flesh and blood refers directly to his passion, and but remotely, if at all, to the Lord's Supper.
Verse 52
[52] The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
Observe the degrees: the Jews are tried here; the disciples, John 6:60-66, the apostles, John 6:67.
Verse 53
[53] Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
Unless ye eat the flesh of the Son of man — Spiritually: unless ye draw continual virtue from him by faith. Eating his flesh is only another expression for believing.
Verse 55
[55] For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
Meat — drink indeed - With which the soul of a believer is as truly fed, as his body with meat and drink.
Verse 57
[57] As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
I live by the Father — Being one with him.
He shall live by me — Being one with me. Amazing union!
Verse 58
[58] This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
This is — That is, I am the bread - Which is not like the manna your fathers ate, who died notwithstanding.
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