mar 23 monday meanings

 
Jesse-An Israelite shepherd and farmer, Jesse is the grandson of Boaz and Ruth, ancestors of Jesus. Jesse's eighth son, David, is anointed by God to be king of
Israel. This is consistent with the prophecy from Isaiah that claims the Messiah will come from the family "tree
of Jesse."

Ramah-Birthplace of Samuel, where he returns after participating in the anointing of David as the heir-apparent of the throne as king of Israel.

Pool of Siloam-A spring-fed pool along the southern edge of the city of David, or Jerusalem. The pool was a critical source of drinkable water for the city. It is noted
in Scripture at least seven centuries before Jesus's birth, but likely was a primary source ot water, and therefore
life, during David's reign.

Mar 22 Sunday Summaries

1 Samuel 16.1-13

Saul is upset that God rejects his son, Johnathan, as the next king of Israel. Instead, God sends Samuel to meet Jesse, from whose lineage the next king will come. Jesse presents his sons, but God tells Samuel the next king is not among them. When Samuel presses Jesse, Jesse notes that his youngest son is out caring for the sheep. Jesse has him brought to Samuel, and God tells Samuel that David is to be king.

Psalm 23

The author offers a prayer to God as their sustainer, comforter, guide and protector. They express certainty that as long as they remain in God's presence, they will continue to be blessed. They refer to God anointing their head with oil, which indicates that this is David speaking.

Ephesians 5.8-14

Paul calls on his audience to remain in the light of Christ, rather than dwelling in secrecy and darkness. In fact, he urges them to bring to light the misdeeds of their colleagues done in secret. The passage closes with a reference to Isaiah, in which the prophet cries out for all sleepers to awaken to the light of God.

John 9.1-41

Jesus's disciples wonder what a blind man they encounter did to deserve this punishment from God. Jesus
says that he did nothing but rather that it is an opportunity to reveal God's power. Jesus makes mud from earth and spit and puts it on the man's eyes, then tells him to wash them in order to see. When others ask how he can now see, he tells them about Jesus. But the religious leaders condemn this act since Jesus performed
the miracle on the Sabbath. While they claim Jesus is charlatan, the healed man holds fast to his belief in Jesus being of God, so they kick him out of the temple. Still the man proclaims Jesus is of God.

Jan 19 Saturday Sundries

Air is real

I can't touch it, but I can feel it

I'm enveloped by it every day but never feel smothered

It fills my lungs and gives me life but I usually don't ever give it a second thought

I hear it on a windy day, but don't take time to listen

It's real so I will live

The sun is real 

I'm enveloped by its warmth every day but never feel smothered

It covers my body and gives me life but I rarely feel thankful enough

I see because of it, but forget to look

It is real so I will live

God is real 

I can't touch Him, but I can feel Him

I'm enveloped by His love but never feel smothered

He fills my body and gives me life but I don't thank Him enough

I hear Him but sometimes don't listen

He is real and so I live  

Jan 18 Friday focus

The text in Acts this week is believed to be part of a sermon that Peter offered about the beginning of Jesus's ministry. It's also believed to be the last message he offered during his ministry. And while that's worth knowing (after all, if you were given a chance to say some last words, you'd probably want them to important), it's just as important to understand who he

was preaching to and where.

The preceding parts of this chapter in Acts tells the story of Simon Peter traveling to Caesarea, which has been established as the Roman capital in Palestine. So symbolically, if not literally, Peter has travelled to the heart of the empire to make this speech. Also, he has been in the house of Cornelius who is a soldier in the Roman the army. Granted, he previously described Cornelius as someone who seemed who was pretty sympathetic toward Jews and who seemed to have a heart for the God of the Israelites, but this whole journey is a big risk.

This makes the introductory verses in this passage especially poignant; Peter is claiming that his God has come for them, his enemies, in spite of the fact that they actively persecuted and killed his own people. In fact, by this point there is no mystery surrounding Peter's fate, given his status among the disciples and the establishment of the new religious movement. He was preaching about life, radical grace, and forgiveness for all wrongs while staring death in the eye.

Within this handful of verses, Peter covers all the essentials those listening need to know to affirm that Jesus was who he said he was. He represents a God for all people and all pasts on earth; he embodies life, death, and rebirth all in one; and he forgives without reservation all who seek it. All they have to do is have the will to summon the humility to ask.

Jan 17 Thursday testimony

1793: Thousands of Frenchmen went into battle on this date wearing a unique badge: a heart topped with a cross and the words Dieu Le Roi—“God the King,” though some said it also meant “God and the King.” These men were not professional soldiers but civilians resisting the antireligious government that ruled France following the French Revolution. The Revolutionary government learned that not all French people hated the king or the Catholic Church, and resistance to the Revolution was particularly strong in the Vendée region in western France. There the locals were horrified that church property was confiscated, women were attacked on their way to church, and priests who would not swear a loyalty oath to the secular government were imprisoned or exiled. 

When the government ordered the drafting of all able-bodied men into the French army, the Vendée broke into armed revolt, so the government sent thousands of troops to “pacify” the region. The rebels had formed a militia calling itself the Royal and Catholic Army, and though they were badly outnumbered, they knew the local terrain better than the government’s troops, and they could rely on the aid of local people. In spring 1793 the Royal and Catholic Army won victories, and Christians all over Europe prayed the victories would continue. But the government’s well-trained professional regiments finally “pacified” the Vendée at the Battle of Savenay on December 23, 1793. Afterward, the troops followed a “scorched earth” policy, burning farms, looting homes, raping women, and killing men and boys. 

Historians know these events as the War of the Vendée, a classic case of a secular government carrying out a policy of genocide against its own people whose only “crime” was being more loyal to God than to a political system. In the short run, France’s secular Revolutionary government won. In the long run, the church continued on, outlasting the Revolution and other political changes.

Jan 13-19 Prayer for the week

Sometimes I think I can make things right on my own; help me have the courage to know better and to do better. Amen

Jan 16 Wednesday wisdom and worship

The seven gifts of the Holy Ghost, which are signified by the properties of the dove. For the dove dwells beside the running stream, in order that, on perceiving the hawk, it may plunge in and escape. This refers to the gift of wisdom, whereby the saints dwell beside the running waters of Holy Scripture, in order to escape the assaults of the devil. Again, the dove prefers the more choice seeds. This refers to the gift of knowledge, whereby the saints make choice of sound doctrines, with which they nourish themselves. Further, the dove feeds the brood of other birds. This refers to the gift of counsel, with which the saints, by teaching and example, feed men who have been the brood, i.e. imitators, of the devil. Again, the dove tears not with its beak. This refers to the gift of understanding, wherewith the saints do not rend sound doctrines, as heretics do. Again, the dove has no gall. This refers to the gift of piety, by reason of which the saints are free from unreasonable anger. Again, the dove builds its nest in the cleft of a rock. This refers to the gift of fortitude, wherewith the saints build their nest, i.e. take refuge and hope, in the death wounds of Christ, who is the Rock of strength. Lastly, the dove has a plaintive song. This refers to the gift of fear, wherewith the saints delight in bewailing sins.

Down by the Jordan, a prophet named John was baptizing,

Preaching a message the people found bold and surprising:

"God will forgive! Show that you'll change how you live!

Surely God's new day is rising!"

There by the river, the crowd came with great expectation:

"Are you God's Chosen One, sent here to rescue our nation?"

"No!" John replied. "He who is mightier than I

Judges and offers salvation."

Jesus, you went to be baptized along with the others,

Taking your place among sinners, God's lost sons and daughters.

Then with great love, God's Spirit came as a dove!

Your work began in those waters.

Here in the Church, we are baptized and filled with God's Spirit.

Freed and forgiven, we're welcomed with joy! Can you hear it?

This is God's sign! This is how God says, "You're mine!"

Let's take the good news and share it!