Today’s Reflection:
From pages 7-8 of One Day at a Time: Discovering the Freedom of 12-Step Spirituality by Trevor Hudson. Copyright © 2007 by Trevor Hudson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question: Think of a situation when you shared your feelings, even if they were not positive feelings. What was the results?
Today’s Scripture: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. (Ephesians 6:10, NRSV)
This Week: pray for those who are learning a new skill.
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: Rose of Lima (August 23).
Rose of Lima
August 23
Born in 1586 in Peru, Isabel de Flores was nicknamed Rose because of her beauty. She admired Catherine of Siena and even as an adolescent practiced acts of penance and self-denial; Rose was determined to give herself to God. When suitors came seeking marriage, she scarred her face with lime and pepper so no one would want her and she could belong to God alone. When she was twenty she joined the Third Order of Dominic, moved to a tiny hut on her parents' property, and devoted herself to prayer. She wore a crown of thorns to remind her of Christ's suffering.
Besides her deep prayer life, Rose performed acts of mercy, reaching out to Indians, slaves, and the poor of Lima. After her sisters married and left the family home, she used their bedrooms as an infirmary. Word of her goodness spread. When she died at age thirty-one, thousands of people came to pay respects.
Rose of Lima was the first canonized saint from the Americas and is a patron saint of Peru and all of Latin America.
If Rose of Lima had taken the Spiritual Types Test, she probably would have been a Mystic. Rose of Lima is remembered on August 23.
Image is from Museo Lazaro Galdiano, Madrid.
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
1 Kings 8:(1,6,10-11), 22-30, 41-43
Psalm 84
Ephesians 6:10-20
John 6:56-69
| 1 Kings 8:1 Then Shlomo assembled all the leaders of Isra’el, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the paternal clans of the people of Isra’el, to King Shlomo in Yerushalayim, to bring the ark for the covenant of Adonai out of the City of David, also known as Tziyon. 6 The cohanim brought the ark for the covenant of Adonai in to its place inside the sanctuary of the house, to the Especially Holy Place, under the wings of the k’ruvim. 10 When the cohanim came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of Adonai, 11 so that, because of the cloud, the cohanim could not stand up to perform their service; for the glory of Adonai filled the house of Adonai. 22 Then Shlomo stood before the altar of Adonai in the presence of the whole community of Isra’el, spread out his hands toward heaven, 23 and said, “Adonai, God of Isra’el, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below. You keep covenant with your servants and show them grace, provided they live in your presence with all their heart. 24 You have kept your promise to your servant David, my father; you spoke with your mouth and fulfilled it with your hand; so it is today. 25 Now therefore, Adonai, God of Isra’el, keep what you promised to your servant David, my father, when you said, ‘You will never lack a man in my presence to sit on the throne of Isra’el, if only your children are careful about what they do, so that they live in my presence, just as you have lived in my presence.’ 26 Now therefore, God of Isra’el, please let your word, which you spoke to your servant David, my father, be confirmed. 27 “But can God actually live on the earth? Why, heaven itself, even the heaven of heavens, cannot contain you; so how much less this house I have built? 28 Even so, Adonai my God, pay attention to your servant’s prayer and plea, listen to the cry and prayer that your servant is praying before you today, 29 that your eyes will be open toward this house night and day — toward the place concerning which you said, ‘My name will be there’ — to listen to the prayer your servant will pray toward this place. 30 Yes, listen to the plea of your servant, and also that of your people Isra’el when they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven where you live; and when you hear, forgive! 41 “Also the foreigner who does not belong to your people Isra’el — when he comes from a distant country because of your reputation 42 (for they will hear of your great reputation, your mighty hand and your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this house; 43 then hear in heaven where you live, and act in accordance with everything about which the foreigner is calling to you; so that all the peoples of the earth will know your name and fear you, as does your people Isra’el, and so that they will know that this house which I have built bears your name. Psalm 84:1 (0) For the leader. On the gittit. A psalm of the sons of Korach: 2 (1) How deeply loved are your dwelling-places, Adonai-Tzva’ot! 3 (2) My soul yearns, yes, faints with longing for the courtyards of Adonai; my heart and body cry for joy to the living God. 4 (3) As the sparrow finds herself a home and the swallow her nest, where she lays her young, [so my resting-place is] by your altars, Adonai-Tzva’ot, my king and my God. 5 (4) How happy are those who live in your house; they never cease to praise you! (Selah) 6 (5) How happy the man whose strength is in you, in whose heart are [pilgrim] highways. 7 (6) Passing through the [dry] Baka Valley, they make it a place of springs, and the early rain clothes it with blessings. 8 (7) They go from strength to strength and appear before God in Tziyon. 9 (8) Adonai, God of armies, hear my prayer; listen, God of Ya‘akov. (Selah) 10 (9) God, see our shield [the king]; look at the face of your anointed. 11 (10) Better a day in your courtyards than a thousand [days elsewhere]. Better just standing at the door of my God’s house than living in the tents of the wicked. 12 (11) For Adonai, God, is a sun and a shield; Adonai bestows favor and honor; he will not withhold anything good from those whose lives are pure. 13 (12) Adonai-Tzva’ot, how happy is anyone who trusts in you! Ephesians 6:10 Finally, grow powerful in union with the Lord, in union with his mighty strength! 11 Use all the armor and weaponry that God provides, so that you will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary. 12 For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. 13 So take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing. 14 Therefore, stand! Have the belt of truth buckled around your waist,[Ephesians 6:14 Isaiah 11:5] put on righteousness for a breastplate,[Ephesians 6:14 Isaiah 59:17]15 and wear on your feet the readiness that comes from the Good News of shalom.[Ephesians 6:15 Isaiah 52:7] 16 Always carry the shield of trust, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. 17 And take the helmet of deliverance;[Ephesians 6:17 Isaiah 59:17] along with the sword given by the Spirit, that is, the Word of God; 18 as you pray at all times, with all kinds of prayers and requests, in the Spirit, vigilantly and persistently, for all God’s people. 19 And pray for me, too, that whenever I open my mouth, the words will be given to me to be bold in making known the secret of the Good News, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may speak boldly, the way I should. John 6:56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I live in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live through the Father, so also whoever eats me will live through me. 58 So this is the bread that has come down from heaven — it is not like the bread the fathers ate; they’re dead, but whoever eats this bread will live forever!” 59 He said these things as he was teaching in a synagogue in K’far-Nachum. 60 On hearing it, many of his talmidim said, “This is a hard word — who can bear to listen to it?” 61 But Yeshua, aware that his talmidim were grumbling about this, said to them, “This is a trap for you? 62 Suppose you were to see the Son of Man going back up to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh is no help. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life, 64 yet some among you do not trust.” (For Yeshua knew from the outset which ones would not trust him, also which one would betray him.) 65 “This,” he said, “is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has made it possible for him.” 66 From this time on, many of his talmidim turned back and no longer traveled around with him. 67 So Yeshua said to the Twelve, “Don’t you want to leave too?” 68 Shim‘on Kefa answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the word of eternal life. 69 We have trusted, and we know that you are the Holy One of God.” (Complete Jewish Bible). |
Verse 1
[1] Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.
Elders — The senators, and judges, and rulers.
Heads — For each tribe had a peculiar governor.
Chief — The chief persons of every great family in each tribe.
Jerusalem — Where the temple was built.
Bring the ark — To the top of Moriah, upon which it was built; whither they were now to carry the ark in solemn pomp.
City of David — Where David had placed the ark, which is called Zion, because it was built upon that hill.
Verse 6
[6] And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims.
Cherubim — Of Solomon's new made cherubim, not of the Mosaic cherubim, which were far less, and unmovably fixed to the ark, Exodus 37:7,8, and therefore together with the ark, were put under the wings of these cherubim.
Verse 10
[10] And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,
The cloud — The usual token of God's glorious presence.
Filled — In testimony of his gracious acceptance of this work, and their service; and to beget an awe and reverence in them, and in all others, when they approach to God.
Verse 22
[22] And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:
Stood — Upon a scaffold set up for him in the court of the people, 2 Chronicles 6:13.
Verse 24
[24] Who hast kept with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.
Hast kept — That branch of thy promise concerning the building of this house by David's son.
Verse 25
[25] Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me.
Keep — Make good the other branch of thy promise.
Verse 27
[27] But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?
But will — Is it possible that the great, and high, and lofty God should stoop so low, as to take up his dwelling amongst men? The heaven - All this vast space of the visible heaven.
And heaven, … — The third and highest, and therefore the largest heaven, called the heaven of heavens for its eminency and comprehensiveness.
Contain — For thy essence reacheth far beyond them, being omnipresent.
Much less — This house therefore was not built as if it were proportionable to thy greatness, or could contain thee, but only that therein we might serve and glorify thee.
Verse 28
[28] Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:
Yet — Tho' thou art not comprehended within this place, yet shew thyself to he graciously present here, by accepting and granting my present requests here tendered unto thee.
Verse 29
[29] That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.
Open — To behold with an eye of favour.
My name — My presence, and glory and grace.
This place — This temple, to which Solomon did now look, and towards which, the godly Israelites directed their looks in their prayers.
Verse 30
[30] And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.
In heaven — Which he adds to direct them in their addresses to God in this temple, to lift up their eyes above it, even to heaven, where God's most true, and most glorious dwelling-place is.
Forgive — The sins of thy people, praying, and even of their prayers; which, if not pardoned, will certainly hinder the success of all their prayers, and the course of all thy blessings.
Verse 41
[41] Moreover concerning a stranger, that is not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name's sake;
A stranger — A proselyte.
But cometh — That he may worship, and glorify thy name.
Verse 43
[43] Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name.
Calleth for — Agreeable to thy will and word. It is observable, that his prayer for the strangers is more large, and comprehensive, than for the Israelites; that thereby he might both shew his public-spiritedness, and encourage strangers to the worship of the true God. Thus early were the indications of God's favour, toward the sinners of the Gentiles. As there was then one law for the native and for the stranger, so there was one gospel for both.
Psalm 84
Verse 4
[4] Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. /*Selah*/.
They-That constantly abide in thy house; the priests and Levites, or other devout Jews who were there perpetually, as Anna, Luke 2:36-37.
They will — They are continually employed in that blessed work.
Verse 5
[5] Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
Whose strength — Who trusteth in thee as his only strength.
Thy ways — Blessed are they whose hearts are set upon Zion and their journey is thither.
Verse 6
[6] Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
Baca — A dry valley in the way to Jerusalem, here put for all places of like nature.
Make a well — They dig divers little pits or wells in it for their relief.
The rain — God recompenses their diligence with his blessing, sending rain wherewith they may be filled.
Verse 7
[7] They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
They go — They grow stronger and stronger.
Appeareth — This is added as the blessed fruit of their long and tedious journey.
Verse 9
[9] Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
Look — Cast a favourable eye towards him.
Anointed — Of me, who though a vile sinner, am thine anointed king.
Verse 10
[10] For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Than dwell — In the greatest glory and plenty.
Verse 11
[11] For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
A sun — To enlighten and quicken, and direct and comfort his people.
Shield — To save his people from all their enemies.
Grace — His favour, which is better than life.
Glory — The honour which comes from God here, and eternal glory.Ephesians 6:10-20
Verse 10
[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Brethren — This is the only place in this epistle where he uses this compellation. Soldiers frequently use it to each other in the field.
Be strong — Nothing less will suffice for such a fight: to be weak, and remain so, is the way to perish.
In the power of his might — A very uncommon expression, plainly denoting what great assistance we need as if his might would not do, it must be the powerful exertion of his might.
Verse 11
[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Put on the whole armour of God — The Greek word means a complete suit of armour. Believers are said to put on the girdle, breastplate, shoes; to take the shield of faith, and sword of the Spirit.
The whole armour — As if the armour would scarce do, it must be the whole armour. This is repeated, verse 13, because of the strength and subtilty of our adversaries, and because of an "evil day" of sore trial being at hand.
Verse 12
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
For our wrestling is not only, not chiefly, against flesh and blood - Weak men, or fleshly appetites.
But against principalities, against powers — The mighty princes of all the infernal legions. And great is their power, and that likewise of those legions whom they command.
Against the rulers of the world — Perhaps these principalities and powers remain mostly in the citadel of their kingdom of darkness. But there are other evil spirits who range abroad, to whom the provinces of the world are committed.
Of the darkness — This is chiefly spiritual darkness.
Of this age — Which prevails during the present state of things.
Against wicked spirits — Who continually oppose faith, love, holiness, either by force or fraud; and labour to infuse unbelief, pride, idolatry malice, envy, anger, hatred.
In heavenly places — Which were once their abode, and which they still aspire to, as far as they are permitted.
Verse 13
[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
In the evil day — The war is perpetual; but the fight is one day less, another more, violent. The evil day is either at the approach of death, or in life; may be longer or shorter and admits of numberless varieties.
And having done all, to stand — That ye may still keep on your armour, still stand upon your guard, still watch and pray; and thus ye will be enabled to endure unto the end, and stand with joy before the face of the Son of Man.
Verse 14
[14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Having your loins girt about — That ye may be ready for every motion.
With truth — Not only with the truths of the gospel, but with "truth in the inward parts;" for without this all our knowledge of divine truth will prove but a poor girdle "in the evil day." So our Lord is described, Isaiah 11:5. And as a girded man is always ready to go on, so this seems to intimate an obedient heart, a ready will. Our Lord adds to the loins girded, the lights burning, Luke 12:35; showing that watching and ready obedience are the inseparable companions of faith and love.
And having on the breastplate of righteousness — The righteousness of a spotless purity, in which Christ will present us faultless before God, through the merit of his own blood. With this breastplate our Lord is described, Isaiah 59:17. In the breast is the seat of conscience, which is guarded by righteousness. No armour for the back is mentioned. We are always to face our enemies.
Verse 15
[15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel — Let this be always ready to direct and confirm you in every step. This part of the armour, for the feet, is needful, considering what a journey we have to go; what a race to run. Our feet must be so shod, that our footsteps slip not. To order our life and conversation aright, we are prepared by the gospel blessing, the peace and love of God ruling in the heart, Colossians 3:14,15. By this only can we tread the rough ways, surmount our difficulties, and hold out to the end.
Verse 16
[16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Above or over all - As a sort of universal covering to every other part of the armour itself, continually exercise a strong and lively faith. This you may use as a shield, which will quench all the fiery darts, the furious temptations, violent and sudden injections of the devil.
Verse 17
[17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
And take for an helmet the hope of salvation — 1 Thessalonians 5:8. The head is that part which is most carefully to be defended. One stroke here may prove fatal. The armour for this is the hope of salvation. The lowest degree of this hope is a confidence that God will work the whole work of faith in us; the highest is a full assurance of future glory, added to the experimental knowledge of pardoning love. Armed with this helmet, the hope of the joy set before him, Christ "endured the cross, and despised the shame," Hebrews 12:2.
And the sword of the Spirit, the word of God — This Satan cannot withstand, when it is edged and wielded by faith. Till now our armour has been only defensive. But we are to attack Satan, as well as secure ourselves; the shield in one hand, and the sword in the other. Whoever fights with the powers of hell will need both. He that is covered with armour from head to foot, and neglects this, will be foiled after all. This whole description shows us how great a thing it is to be a Christian. The want of any one thing makes him incomplete. Though he has his loins girt with truth, righteousness for a breastplate, his feet shod with the preparation of the gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit; yet one thing he wants after all. What is that? It follows,
Verse 18
[18] Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Praying always — At all times, and on every occasion, in midst of all employments, inwardly praying without ceasing.
By the Spirit — Through the influence of the Holy Spirit.
With all prayer — With all sort of prayer, public, private, mental, vocal. Some are careful in respect of one kind of prayer, and negligent in others. If we would have the petitions we ask, let us use all. Some there are who use only mental prayer or ejaculations, and think they are in a state of grace, and use a way of worship, far superior to any other: but such only fancy themselves to be above what is really above them; it requiring far more grace to be enabled to pour out a fervent and continued prayer, than to offer up mental aspirations.
And supplication — Repeating and urging our prayer, as Christ did in the garden.
And watching — Inwardly attending on God, to know his will, to gain power to do it, and to attain to the blessings we desire.
With all perseverance — Continuing to the end in this holy exercise.
And supplication for all the saints — Wrestling in fervent, continued intercession for others, especially for the faithful, that they may do all the will of God, and be steadfast to the end. Perhaps we receive few answers to prayer, because we do not intercede enough for others.
Verse 19
[19] And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
By the opening my mouth — Removing every inward and every outward hinderance.
Verse 20
[20] For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
An ambassador in bonds — The ambassadors of men usually appear in great pomp. How differently does the ambassador of Christ appear!
John 6:56-69
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.
Verse 60
[60] Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
This is a hard saying — Hard to the children of the world, but sweet to the children of God. Scarce ever did our Lord speak more sublimely, even to the apostles in private.
Who can hear — Endure it?
Verse 62
[62] What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
What if ye shall see the Son of man ascend where he was before? — How much more incredible will it then appear to you, that he should give you his flesh to eat?
Verse 63
[63] It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
It is the Spirit — The spiritual meaning of these words, by which God giveth life.
The flesh — The bare, carnal, literal meaning, profiteth nothing.
The words which I have spoken, they are spirit — Are to be taken in a spiritual sense and, when they are so understood, they are life - That is, a means of spiritual life to the hearers.
Verse 64
[64] But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
But there are some of you who believe not — And so receive no life by them, because you take them in a gross literal sense.
For Jesus knew from the beginning — Of his ministry: who would betray him - Therefore it is plain, God does foresee future contingencies: - "But his foreknowledge causes not the fault, Which had no less proved certain unforeknown."
Verse 65
[65] And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Unless it be given — And it is given to those only who will receive it on God's own terms.
Verse 66
[66] From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
From this time many of his disciples went back — So our Lord now began to purge his floor: the proud and careless were driven away, and those remained who were meet for the Master's use.
Verse 68
[68] Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
Thou hast the words of eternal life — Thou, and thou alone, speakest the words which show the way to life everlasting.
Verse 69
[69] And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
And we — Who have been with thee from the beginning, whatever others do, have known - Are absolutely assured, that thou art the Christ. (John Wesley's Explanatory Notes).
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