Today's readings are Psalm 144.3-10, 1 Samuel 20.24-42, and 1 Corinthians 1.1-25
Our world cries out for unity. So do many Church leaders today. But what kind of unity are we pursuing? All too often the calls for unity which I hear are asking that we set aside our differences rather than working through them to reach a sound, biblical consensus. Granted, we may not be able to reach agreement in all facets of doctrine and practice. Yet when we neglect the chance to pursue unity, we deny the fact that our Lord has really and truly revealed himself in a clear, distinct manner.
Paul's caution to the Corinthians is well-fit for today. We ought to be about the message of Christ crucified for sinners. This is the historic call of Christ's Church. May we seek our God's wisdom and follow his priorities in all our life and message.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Psalm 92.1-9, 1 Samuel 20.1-23, Acts 28.16-31 - Lectionary for 8/6/11
Today's readings are Psalm 92.1-9, 1 Samuel 20.1-23, and Acts 28.16-31.
We can never know for certain where we will find support and where we will find criticism. David, accepted into the household of Saul, is put to flight by the king he has honored. Yet he is aided and protected by the son of the king - the very person who has the most to gain from David's demise. Paul continues to see a mix of acceptance and rejection by the Jews, his kinsmen who would recognize his training and experience. In the final analysis, we look to the Lord for support and care. We will find help no other place. Let us trust in our Lord Jesus Christ who has borne all our sins and clothed us with his perfect righteousness. We need nothing more. We can know that he will never leave us or forsake us.
We can never know for certain where we will find support and where we will find criticism. David, accepted into the household of Saul, is put to flight by the king he has honored. Yet he is aided and protected by the son of the king - the very person who has the most to gain from David's demise. Paul continues to see a mix of acceptance and rejection by the Jews, his kinsmen who would recognize his training and experience. In the final analysis, we look to the Lord for support and care. We will find help no other place. Let us trust in our Lord Jesus Christ who has borne all our sins and clothed us with his perfect righteousness. We need nothing more. We can know that he will never leave us or forsake us.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Psalm 21.1-7, 1 Samuel 19.1-24, Acts 28.1-15 - Lectionary for 8/5/11
Today's readings are Psalm 21.1-7, 1 Samuel 19.1-24, and Acts 28.1-15.
Our Psalm today proclaims that we can trust in God no matter the circumstances. We see David and Paul living this out in the other readings. What is there for us to fear? Do we fear the unknown? There is nothing which is unknown to God. Maybe we fear what we know? Is there anything that we will face today which Jesus has not faced? There is no pain, no terror, which our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has not faced, endured, and triumphed over. There is no situation that he cannot redeem by his grace. No, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ (Romans 8). Then let us be strong in the Lord, trusting his loving care for us in all that he has given us this day. It is all under his loving, protective grace.
Our Psalm today proclaims that we can trust in God no matter the circumstances. We see David and Paul living this out in the other readings. What is there for us to fear? Do we fear the unknown? There is nothing which is unknown to God. Maybe we fear what we know? Is there anything that we will face today which Jesus has not faced? There is no pain, no terror, which our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has not faced, endured, and triumphed over. There is no situation that he cannot redeem by his grace. No, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ (Romans 8). Then let us be strong in the Lord, trusting his loving care for us in all that he has given us this day. It is all under his loving, protective grace.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Psalm 56.1-4, 1 Samuel 18.10-30, Acts 27.27-44 - Lectionary for 8/4/11
Today's readings are Psalm 56.1-4, 1 Samuel 18.10-30, and Acts 27.27-44.
In our passage from 1 Samuel for today we see David's power and authority increasing even as Saul's decreases. What is the difference between these two men? Both are anointed by God as the king of Israel. Both are brilliant and proven military leaders. Yet we see that Saul is concerned with retaining power and David is concerned that God should get the glory and exercise power as he wishes.
What are our desires? Are we jealous for Christ's glory and honor or for our own? Whom do we desire to protect? I can answer for myself. All too often I'm just like Saul. My concern is that my kingdom should come and my will should be done. May the Lord grant me repentance to pray for His kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
In our passage from 1 Samuel for today we see David's power and authority increasing even as Saul's decreases. What is the difference between these two men? Both are anointed by God as the king of Israel. Both are brilliant and proven military leaders. Yet we see that Saul is concerned with retaining power and David is concerned that God should get the glory and exercise power as he wishes.
What are our desires? Are we jealous for Christ's glory and honor or for our own? Whom do we desire to protect? I can answer for myself. All too often I'm just like Saul. My concern is that my kingdom should come and my will should be done. May the Lord grant me repentance to pray for His kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Psalm 68.4-10, 1 Samuel 17.48-18.9, Acts 27.9-26 - Lectionary for 8/3/11 - Joanna, Mary & Salome, Myrrhbearers
When challenges face God's people, how will they respond? In our reading today from 1 Samuel, all seems well, at least it does at first. The Philistines are routed, Jesse and his family are freed from slavery to their government, and David is no longer a servant in Saul's household. but does this mean the strife is over? Not at all. Saul, feeling threatened by David, keeps a close eye on him. He knows that the king may be threatened by a great warrior.
How do we deal with victories? Do we decide to rest on those times of success? Do we recognize that we are always in new and exciting dangers? Do we try to crush all opposition? We may have all sorts of responses, both good and bad. What we do know, however, is what Paul confesses boldly in Acts. All we endure is in the hand of God, who has not forsaken his people. Let us look to the Lord in all things.
How do we deal with victories? Do we decide to rest on those times of success? Do we recognize that we are always in new and exciting dangers? Do we try to crush all opposition? We may have all sorts of responses, both good and bad. What we do know, however, is what Paul confesses boldly in Acts. All we endure is in the hand of God, who has not forsaken his people. Let us look to the Lord in all things.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Psalm 71.1-8, 1 Samuel 17.20-47, Acts 26.24-27.8 - Lectionary for 8/2/11
Today's readings are Psalm 71.1-8, 1 Samuel 17.20-47, and Acts 26.24-27.8.
"You are out of your mind: your great learning is driving you out of your mind" (Acts 26.24b, ESV). So Festus rebukes Paul, who is testifying to Christ. Do Christians today receive the same rebuke? Often we are accused of ignorance and a lack of learning. Yet it is not ignorance to live in the hope of the resurrection. Rather, it is those who deny the resurrection, who scoff at the non-material world, who deny the miraculous nature of God, who have limited themselves, and who have an inadequate view of this world.
As David shed the garments of mortal, human protection, trusting in the God who is truly supernatural, may we also shed the limitations of this world, trusting in the true God who works all things according to his good pleasure.
Will we be accepted? Not by all, but we have confidence that we bear witness to the true Lord, the God of life, the Lord of the resurrection. May our learning drive us out of our mind and into the mind of God.
"You are out of your mind: your great learning is driving you out of your mind" (Acts 26.24b, ESV). So Festus rebukes Paul, who is testifying to Christ. Do Christians today receive the same rebuke? Often we are accused of ignorance and a lack of learning. Yet it is not ignorance to live in the hope of the resurrection. Rather, it is those who deny the resurrection, who scoff at the non-material world, who deny the miraculous nature of God, who have limited themselves, and who have an inadequate view of this world.
As David shed the garments of mortal, human protection, trusting in the God who is truly supernatural, may we also shed the limitations of this world, trusting in the true God who works all things according to his good pleasure.
Will we be accepted? Not by all, but we have confidence that we bear witness to the true Lord, the God of life, the Lord of the resurrection. May our learning drive us out of our mind and into the mind of God.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Psalm 70, 1 Samuel 17.1-19, Acts 26.1-23 - Lectionary for 8/1/11
Today's readings are Psalm 70, 1 Samuel 17.1-19, and acts 26.1-23.
Our Psalm sums up today's readings very well. When we are in trouble we call upon God to confuse our enemies. What does the Lord do to the Philistines? He will raise up an unexpected warrior. What does the Lord do for the early Christians who were being persecuted for their faith in Christ? He raises up a servant and witness in Saul of Tarsus, the man voted least likely to help a Christian.
Are we facing challenges? What kind of enemies do we face? Are any greater than the Lord? No, not one is. So we call on God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in living hope of deliverance. He is strong to save. Surely he will cast down His enemies and protect His people.
Our Psalm sums up today's readings very well. When we are in trouble we call upon God to confuse our enemies. What does the Lord do to the Philistines? He will raise up an unexpected warrior. What does the Lord do for the early Christians who were being persecuted for their faith in Christ? He raises up a servant and witness in Saul of Tarsus, the man voted least likely to help a Christian.
Are we facing challenges? What kind of enemies do we face? Are any greater than the Lord? No, not one is. So we call on God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in living hope of deliverance. He is strong to save. Surely he will cast down His enemies and protect His people.
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