Being Selfless and Obedient

For April 1, 2012


All Scriptures are from The Message Version

This post is intended to help the reader personalize the words and thoughts in the scriptures. It works well if shared between two or more people as a conversation but there is much to be gained by just considering the questions for yourself. Commentaries for the lectionary scripture can be found on Textweek through this link http://www.textweek.com/pauline/phil2.htm

Some churches celebrate this day as Palm Sunday, the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to begin his final week before the crucifixion, and others as Passion Sunday the beginning of Jesus’ trials and suffering through those final days. You can read all of the events of that last week in the Passion Sunday Lectionary scripture Matthew 26:14-27:66. But today we will look at the Passion Sunday Lectionary scripture by Paul in his letter to the church at Philippi which urges upon them humility and love of one another. He uses the example of Christ and sacrifice he made for (others/us) as their example. But for some first thoughts on the nature of Christ from the gospel of John, chapter 1 which announces Jesus' mixture of divinity and humanness:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

• Without getting into deep theological ideas what do these two scriptures tell us about Jesus (the Word)? How is his divinity described, what is role did he play in creation? Is any of this new to you? What questions does it raise in your mind?
• The second scripture tells us that Jesus became flesh and dwelled among us? What was his behavior, what kind of a human presence was he. How would you describe the Jesus who dwelt with us to a friend?
• In some ways are Christians similar to Jesus as we are humans in whom God’s Spirit dwells? How does you spiritual nature impact the way you live and act? Do you wish for growth of the spiritual in the midst of your humanness? What might help us grow spiritually, what has helped you grow?

The church an Philippi was one of Paul’s favorites, they had been strong spiritual and at times material supporters of his ministry. He writes urging them to be a loving community using words like these:

Philippians 2:1-4 If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life... then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends… Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

• What does Paul want the Philippians to have as a goal for their behavior? Is acting this way typical human nature or something else? It is not unusual for us to observe people who do not live this way in the secular world but what examples do you have examples when congregational life ran counter to this plea? On the other hand when have you experienced people in a faith community acting toward you in this way? What seemed to be the spiritual condition of the community when either behavior seemed to be most visible?

Philippians 2:5-8 Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

• How does Paul characterize Jesus in what is probably a hymn from the earliest days of the Christian faith? How does he contrast the status of Christ in the divine realm and as a human? How are the divine and human Jesus described? What words are used to describe the way he lived and died?
• Do you feel that there are times when you acted in a selfless and obedient (to God) way? What were the circumstances and what led you to respond in this fashion? Are there times when you weren’t, what caused you to focus on yourself instead?
• Does this description of Jesus’ behavior inspire you to be more selfless and obedient or does it not hit home today? What other words would you use to describe the nature of Jesus as you think about the crucifixion? Are there things that you want to incorporate in your life as you think about it?

Paul encourages the church to adopt a Christ like behavior:

12-13 … Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.

• What words describe the kind of life Paul is urging us to adopt? Is this way of life passive? Is it a natural part of normal human behavior? What does it take for us to break away from our usual patterns of living and take on something new?
• What are we equipped with if we redouble our efforts? What can we count on as we seek spiritual growth? How has God been present in your faith journey as you grew and matured?
• Have you experience any spiritual growth during this season of Lent? As you reflect on the crucifixion what meaning does it have for you on this Palm Sunday? What words come to you mind as you look ahead to Jesus on the cross? What will you add to the spiritual food that you take with you on your faith journey?

Closing Prayer

Take Lord my sense of self and let it vanish utterly. Take Lord, my life and live through me. Between Thee and me, my God, there is no longer room for I and mine. Amen.

Tukaram. The Oxford Book of Prayer

Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Matthew 28:1-10 or Isaiah 25:6-9, I Corinthians 15:1-11 or Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8

The Brand New Covenant

For March 25, 2012

All Scriptures are from The Message Version

This post is intended to help the reader personalize the words and thoughts in the scriptures.  It works well if shared between two or more people as a conversation but there is much to be gained by just considering the questions for yourself.  Commentaries for the lectionary scripture can be found on Textweek through this link http://www.textweek.com/prophets/jer31c.htm.

One of the themes of Lent is renewal; setting things of the past aside and being led in the new direction that Christ’s sacrifice on that first Good Friday opened to us.  Our Old Testament Lectionary Scripture speaks to renewal, a new covenant from God to the people of Israel.  But Christians claim the prophesy as the New Covenant promises which came to us through Christ and his sacrifice on the cross.  First we will first look at the prophet Jeremiah’s words and then one of the many New Testament scriptures which speak to this New Covenant from the Paul’s letter to the church in Rome.

Jeremiah 31:31-32 "That's right. The time is coming when I will make a brand-new covenant with Israel and Judah. It won't be a repeat of the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant even though I did my part as their Master." God's Decree.

·       What was the original covenant?  Wikipedia introduces it this way:

The Mosaic Covenant, beginning in Exodus 19-24, contains the foundations of the Torah. In this covenant, God promises:

To make the children of Israel His special possession among all people if they obey God and keep his covenant [Exo 19:5]
To make the children of Israel a kingdom of priests and a holy nation[Exo 19:6]
To give the children of Israel the Sabbath as the permanent sign of this covenant [31:12-17]
As part of the terms of this covenant, God gives Moses the Ten Commandments. These will later be elaborated in the rest of the Pentateuch. The Decalogue begins with Yahweh's identification and his doing for Israel ("who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Ex 20:2) as well as the stipulations commanding absolute loyalty ("You shall not have other gods apart from me"). The fullest account of the Mosaic covenant is given in the book of Deuteronomy http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=deuteronomy&version=MSG.

·       Can you think of some examples of transgressions which might have caused God to conclude that Israel had broken the covenant?   The Old Testament prophets wore out the theme of God’s disappointment and anger at the Israelites constant falling away – just read Isaiah 1 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%201&version=MSG for a good example of this frustration.
·       What do you imagine was the mood, demeanor, tone of voice, and frame of mind of God as the new covenant was announced?  Might God have made a mistake when the first covenant was made?  Does it speak to a God created human being that ended up operating in a manner that was not anticipated when Adam was molded from the mud?  Is the new covenant a Plan B after Plan A seems to have failed?   What other reasons might there be for the failure of the first covenant?
·       What does this announcement by God say about the tenacity in His desire to establish a relationship with humankind?  Do you have a person in your life with whom you have worked hard to maintain a relationship through times when you felt let down or shunned?  What caused you to continue to work on the relationship?  Think about that in the context of our creator and us, his creation.

Now Jeremiah prophesizes about the nature of the new covenant:

^33-34"This is the brand-new covenant that I will make with Israel when the time comes. I will put my law within them—write it on their hearts!—and be their God. And they will be my people. They will no longer go around setting up schools to teach each other about God. They'll know me firsthand, the dull and the bright, the smart and the slow. I'll wipe the slate clean for each of them. I'll forget they ever sinned!" God's Decree.

·       The Ten Commandments are a small but important part of the covenant – how have you done in keeping faith with them?    Is it easy to understand exactly how to apply the few words of each commandment to the real world?  For instance what exactly does it mean to “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy”?  Can you remember all of them http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2020&version=MSG?  How did you learn about them?  Is continued learning and study an important part of a healthy faith life?
·       What does having something written on your heart mean to you?  Take a minute and think, what is dear, important, intuitive, and instinctive in your life?  How did these things become so much a part of you?  What went on in your life that set the stage for them to be inscribed in this way?  Do these things differ in the impact on your life from those that you may have learned through study, do out of obligation, or use to earn a living.  
·       Two very specific promises are made as a part of the new covenant, what are they and who do they apply to?

Christians have inherited this promise; we are the people of the New Covenant, as Paul explains in his letters most notably in Romans.  Below is one of the many scriptures which help us understand the new:

Romans 8:9-11 But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won't know what we're talking about. But for you who welcome him, in whom he dwells—even though you still experience all the limitations of sin—you yourself experience life on God's terms. It stands to reason, doesn't it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he'll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's!

·       What must happen for the New Covenant to be written on our hearts, what does Paul give us as the big if in the first sentence?  What meaning does God himself taking up residence in your life mean to you?  Have you sensed this in your faith journey, are there specific instances that come to mind?
·       What is the reality we live with as people of faith, is our humanness ever totally removed?  But what is different for us as we travel on a faith journey, what overcomes those human failings and brings us real life?  Do you think that any of these promises are real for you, that your faith has been and continues to be transformational, that it brings real life?
·       What have you learned today?  Do we need to explore ways of making ourselves more open to God and allowing Him to take residence in our lives?  Have you found some ways to do that during your Lenten preparations this year?

 Closing Litany (from Psalm 51)

Generous in love—God, give grace! Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record.
Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean,
scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life.
Tune me in to foot-tapping songs,
set these once-broken bones to dancing.
Don't look too close for blemishes,
give me a clean bill of health.
God, make a fresh start in me,
shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Amen

Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29, Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16

Moses and the Snakes

For March 18, 2012


All Scriptures are from The Message Version

It is helpful to use this blog as a discussion starter for two or more people but it will also stimulate lots of thoughts if used by one reader. The material is used by a Sunday Study Group at Hamilton Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Commentaries for these scriptures can be found on Textweek.com through this link http://www.textweek.com/pentateuch/num21.htm

Numbers is a book of the bible which many of us may seldom visit but has as the rest of scripture the potential to give us insight and raise questions. When reading you will find a well-documented story of the trials and tribulations of the Israelites as they made their way through the wilderness on the way to the Promise Land. There are many trials, many miracles, and regular and vivid reminders of God’s presence with them both to support and reprimand. Today we read of more trials, more complaining and more of God’s direct intervention into the affairs of the people with more of Moses’ acting on behalf both of the people and God. We will first look at the wilderness story itself and then at the analogy Jesus made of it and to himself that we find in John’ Gospel.

The Story begins:
Numbers 21:4-5 They set out from Mount Hor along the Red Sea Road, a detour around the land of Edom. The people became irritable and cross as they traveled. They spoke out against God and Moses: "Why did you drag us out of Egypt to die in this godforsaken country? No decent food; no water—we can't stomach this stuff any longer."

• When you think about this large mass of humanity traipsing through a unfamiliar territory and living in nomadic style (imagine a 40 year camping trip with all of your family, relatives, friends, and some people that you really didn’t care for) it is understandable that there would be unrest. What would you need/want to sustain you if you were on this journey? How would you have dealt with the seemingly endless trek with a very ill-defined destination (what exactly was the Promise Land)?
• What would you have needed from your faith life to both endure the journey and at the same time nurture your spiritual life as you traveled? What might you want to initiate for yourself or with other travelers that might help address these needs?
• Might there have been a need to support one another during those stressful times? What might some needs be and how might you want to addressed these needs?
• Fast forward to your life today, can you draw any parallels to the wandering Israelites in your life? Are there any seemingly endless burdens, any loss of purpose, difficult conditions? Reflect on your thoughts as you looked at the questions about sustaining faith and mutual support for the traveling Israelites, how do they apply to your life today? How might they apply to life in a faith community?
• Moses was the leader, how difficult was his task? This story is just one of many crisis he faced, seemingly on a daily basis, what must it have taken both on his part and in his relationship with God to sustain him and maintain him as an effective leader?
• How might the example of Moses apply to congregational leadership today? What might our leaders learn from him from both a spiritual and leadership perspective? What made him successful in the midst of almost overwhelming challenges? Some scripture which will give you an understanding of Moses includes Exodus 3-4 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus%203-4&version=MSGand Numbers 11 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=numbers%2011&version=MSG.

Now Numbers tells us that God again loses patience with the Israelites:

6-7 So GOD sent poisonous snakes among the people; they bit them and many in Israel died. The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke out against GOD and you. Pray to GOD; ask him to take these snakes from us." Moses prayed for the people.
8 GOD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it on a flagpole: Whoever is bitten and looks at it will live."
9 So Moses made a snake of fiery copper and put it on top of a flagpole. Anyone bitten by a snake who then looked at the copper snake lived.

• We can dwell for a moment on God sending the snakes and your response to that assertion in the scripture. How do you feel about the fact that God sent the snakes to punish the Israelites? What does it say about the nature of God’s relationship with humankind if direct punishment, even death, comes to us as a result of our transgressions?
• Have you ever felt that things were happening in your life because of failings on your part? Have the snakes appeared? What do you think is the source of the bad consequences of our bad choices? Is God rewarding and punishing you regularly a part of your faith journey?
• Another story of a plague of snakes which gives this story a more contemporary flavor comes from T. E. Lawrence’s (Lawrence of Arabia) story of his adventures in WWII as recorded in Seven Pillars of Wisdom Chapter XLVII:
On my dry patience they grated a little, because the plague of snakes which had been with us since our first entry into Sirhan today rose to memorable height, and became a terror. In ordinary times, so the Arabs said, snakes were little worse here than elsewhere by water in the desert: but this year the valley seemed creeping with horned vipers and puff-adders, cobras and black snakes. By night movement was dangerous: and at last we found it necessary to walk with sticks, beating the bushes each side while we stepped warily through on bare feet.


We could not lightly draw water after dark, for there were snakes swimming in the pools or clustering in knots around their brinks. Twice puff-adders came twisting into the alert ring of our debating coffee-circle. Three of our men died of bites; four recovered after great fear and pain, and a swelling of the poisoned limb. Howeitat treatment was to bind up the part with snake-skin plaster, and read chapters of the Koran to the sufferer until he died. They also pulled thick Damascene ankle-boots, red, with blue tassels and horse-shoe heels, over their horny feet when they went late abroad.

• How are you and snakes? Can you imagine the terror on the part of the people? What about the degree of relief when Moses developed a solution? What do you think that the snake represents, what brought about the healing? Was it the snake or something else that it represented?

In a second Lectionary Scripture Jesus uses this story to make a point about his presence and purpose:

John 3:13-15 "No one has ever gone up into the presence of God except the One who came down from that Presence, the Son of Man. In the same way that Moses lifted the serpent in the desert so people could have something to see and then believe, it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up—and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life.
16-18"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.

• What might mean when he talks of being “lifted up” as we look toward Easter Sunday? Are both the very visible nature of his death and the resurrection three days later possible interpretations? When you think of Jesus how is he made visible to you, what pictures do you carry in your mind, what captures you and makes you “trusting an expectant”?
• Why did God send Jesus to have him “lifted up”? What reasons does Jesus give us? As you travel through this Lenten season where do you pray this healing might occur in your personal life and the life of our world? What do you turn to for hope and strength as you seek this healing – both your spiritual and secular resources?
• One message for us today might be that finding God’s presence is a two way street – God is there (lifted up), it is our responsibility to respond (see and believe). What message have you heard as you have thought about these questions – feel free to leave a comment below.

Closing Prayer

Take Lord unto yourself,

My sense of self: and let it vanish utterly.

Take Lord my life,

Live your life through me.

I live no longer, Lord

But in me now you live.

Yes, between you and me, my God

There is no longer room for I and Mine.

Amen

Tukaram, Indian Mystic, Oxford Book of Prayer

Next Week’s Lectionary Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 51:1-12or Psalm 119:9-16, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33

Please comment by clicking on the word comments in the sentence “Posted by John at XXXX “ at the bottom of the page

Sensing God's Presence

For March 11, 2012



All Scriptures are from The Message Version

It is helpful to use this blog as a discussion starter for two or more people but it will also stimulate lots of thoughts if used by one reader. The material is used by a Sunday Study Group at Hamilton Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Commentaries for these scriptures can be found on Textweek.com through this link http://www.textweek.com/writings/psalm19.htm

One of the questions people have for those who profess a faith in God is about God’s presence; how is our life different because of our spirituality? And it is a question that we should ponder for ourselves, are we really tapping into the power of God’s spirit that is present with us? Psalm 19 is a reflection on that presence and the impact of being in touch with it. It is worth reading and contemplating on during this Lenten season – someone might ask us – or we might need reminding ourselves. The psalm begins with some reflections on the presence:

1-2 God's glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.

Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening.

3-4 Their words aren't heard, their voices aren't recorded,

But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.

4-5 God makes a huge dome for the sun—a superdome!

The morning sun's a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed,

The daybreaking sun an athlete racing to the tape.

6 That's how God's Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset,

Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith.

• How does the psalmist sense God’s glory, what does he cite and what words would you use to describe the nature, the effect and the characteristics of God that you find in his words?
• Madame Day and Professor Night are here to teach us, how do they instruct us? How might silence fill and the unspoken be spoken? Can you relate to a finding a sense of God’s presence in creation, the world that we live in each day? What reminders come to us as we experience the 24 hour cycle if we take time to pay attention?
• One of our reminders is the impact of the sun on our world each day. What image is the psalmist trying to give us of the sun, what is it compared to? How does the sun impact your life, how would you describe it?
• God’s Word or the Torah is compared to the sun, again what characteristics is the psalmist giving to written words? Is Torah passive or active? How do you feel about scripture, has it melted ice, scorched, or warmed your and others faith? What gives scripture power; what makes it alive for you?

The psalmist now speaks to some of the power that can flow into our faith lives whether through Torah (scripture) or through our daily relationship with God:

7-9 The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together.

The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road.

The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy.

The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes.

God's reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee.

The decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree.

• The psalmist speaks of the revelation, signposts and life-maps of God; where might we find these things? The immediate response might be scripture but what about the word of others, prayer, a spiritual retreat, reading a commentary or even the words of a hymn? Think of a time when you felt that you received support and strength, direction in your life or joy; what was the spark for that experience?
• The psalmist tells us that the directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes, would you agree with him? What do you find to be clear and easy to understand about our faith life? Where did this clarity come from, was it simple logic or something else?
• But is everything so very clear after all, do you have questions and search for answers? Where do you turn to receive clarity, will it ever all be clear to us? I recommend reading John chapters 14-16 for some spiritual tools for bring more clarity to our lives. An example for me is John 14:25-26:

"I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you.

• What does the psalmist say we can count on from God, what do you count on from God?

The psalmist continues with more words of praise for Torah (scripture) from which he has gained so much:

10 God's Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeralds.

You'll like it better than strawberries in spring, better than red, ripe strawberries.

11-14 There's more: God's Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure.

Otherwise how will we find our way? Or know when we play the fool?

Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!

Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work;

Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.

• What are some analogies he makes for scripture and what images do they make in your mind? Can you make some of your own analogies; how has scripture benefited you on your faith journey? How would you describe it?
• In the last section he speaks of the specific, practical benefits of using scripture to live his life. Are there specific scriptures you feel have impacted the way you live your life, established important values, given you an understanding of what it means to be a person of faith? Take time to contemplate an maybe re-look at them now.
• Do you find God’s presence in scripture? How is your relationship with God sustained and grown through your reading of scripture?
• The search for a stronger bond with God never ends, what are some ways that you might increase your sense of God’s presence during this Lenten season? Consider making some suggestions in the comment box below.

Closing Prayer

Now into the keeping of God I put

All things of today

All disappointments

Hindrances

Forgotten things

All gladness and beauty

Love

Delight

Achievement

All that people have done for me

All that I have done for them

My work and my prayers

And I commit all the people I love

To His Shepherding

To His healing and restoration

To his calling and making

Through Jesus Christ our Lord

Amen

Margarette Cropper, The Oxford Book of Prayer

Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21

Please comment by clicking on the word comments in the sentence “Posted by John at XXXX “ at the bottom of the page



Trusting God's Promise

For March 4, 2012

All Scriptures are from The Message Version

It is helpful to use this blog as a discussion starter for two or more people but it will also stimulate lots of thought if used by one reader. The material is used by a Sunday Study Group at Hamilton Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Commentaries for these scriptures can be found on Textweek.com through this link http://www.textweek.com/pauline/rom4b.htm

For the theologically oriented reader this scripture is an important part of Paul’s explanation of how and why gentiles who did not observe the Jewish Law would be granted salvation. A good deal of Paul’s thinking in the letter to the church in Rome is devoted to this topic. He as a formerly firmly committed adherent of the law who has had a vivid discernment experience on the road to Damascus with a new understanding of just who has access to God’s favor and a charge from God to take the message of salvation to the gentiles. But this blog is not for theological explorations (see the commentaries), it is instead to focus on What Does It Mean To Me!!! So let’s explore today’s scripture with that goal in mind.

Paul uses Abraham and Sarah as examples for us of the real basis for a fruitful relationship with God. Throughout scripture Abraham is held up as both the father of the chosen people (Israel) and as a vivid example of both what faith is and what comes from living a faithful life. First let’s look at the Abraham’s relationship with God for some practical ideas:

Romans 4:13-15 That famous promise God gave Abraham—that he and his children would possess the earth—was not given because of something Abraham did or would do. It was based on God's decision to put everything together for him, which Abraham then entered when he believed. If those who get what God gives them only get it by doing everything they are told to do and filling out all the right forms properly signed, that eliminates personal trust completely and turns the promise into an ironclad contract! That's not a holy promise; that's a business deal. A contract drawn up by a hard-nosed lawyer and with plenty of fine print only makes sure that you will never be able to collect. But if there is no contract in the first place, simply a promise—and God's promise at that—you can't break it.

• For a fuller background on the scripture you can read Genesis 15-18 but the essence are these words to the 99 year old man with no male heir in chapter 15:

4 Then GOD's Message came: "Don't worry, he won't be your heir; a son from your body will be your heir." 5 Then he took him outside and said, "Look at the sky. Count the stars. Can you do it? Count your descendants! You're going to have a big family, Abram!" 6 And he believed! Believed GOD! God declared him "Set-Right-with-God." 7 GOD continued, "I'm the same GOD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldees and gave you this land to own."

• How do you think that this interaction between Abraham and God took place? Did Abraham hear God’s voice and engage God in a conversation? How does God engage us today, what is your experience with discernment of God’s will for you in a particular situation or for general direction in your life? Is the communication crystal clear and without question? How much trial and error with renewed prayer is involved? What are some ways in which we can strengthen the quality of our connection to God’s presence in our daily lives?
• Paul talks about the fallacy of trying to be right with God based on doing what we are told and filling out the right forms instead of trusting; what does that really mean for us and our relationship with God? How important does this seem to say religious practices and the right beliefs are to our relationship with God? Maybe some lyrics from Eric Bibb’s If Our Hearts Ain’t In It might give us some ideas:

Go to church 7 days a week,

Read your bible three hours a day,

Say a 1000 Hail Mary’s, rush to confession every time you stray,

We can fall down onto our knees,

And call the archangels by name,

But if our heats ain’t in it, ain’t nothing much is going to change.

• What was God’s promise to Abraham and what made the promise real, caused the promise to be fulfilled? What does Paul tell us caused God make the promise to Abraham? Did Abraham make a request of God which was then fulfilled.
• What do you think might have been some of the reasons that God decided to do this? Was Abraham part of a bigger plan? Did God have confidence that Abraham would be faithful? Can we really know how and why God reaches out to humanity as a whole and us as individuals? How do you feel about the fact that the unknowable architect of an infinite creation wants to establish a relationship with that creation (us)?
• Paul tells us that there is a difference between trust in God and a business deal, a contract. What does that mean to you? Will we get guarantees and details from God or general direction and the need to stay connected to God as we move in the direction he sends us? Again what is your experience in faithful response? Is being faithful a guarantee of easily accomplished tasks with no problems and complications?

More from Paul on the promises:

16 This is why the fulfillment of God's promise depends entirely on trusting God and his way, and then simply embracing him and what he does. God's promise arrives as pure gift. That's the only way everyone can be sure to get in on it, those who keep the religious traditions and those who have never heard of them. For Abraham is father of us all. He is not our racial father—that's reading the story backward. He is our faith father.
17-18 We call Abraham "father" not because he got God's attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody. Isn't that what we've always read in Scripture, God saying to Abraham, "I set you up as father of many peoples"? Abraham was first named "father" and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing. When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but on what God said he would do. And so he was made father of a multitude of peoples. God himself said to him, "You're going to have a big family, Abraham!"

• What does Paul remind us of again as he begins this section of his letter? When you think of the words “God’s promise” what do they mean to you. What promise(s) do you feel have been made to you that you take with you on your faith journey? What does Paul say we must do to make the promises real – does he think that embracing them is hard? What is your experience; is discerning and embracing the promises of our faith easy or are there complications?
• Paul describes Abraham, what caused him to become our spiritual father, what seemed to be his qualifications? What was the only way in which Abraham would be able to take on his role as “father”? Does it seem that he had spent long hours attempting to discern what God had in mind for him? Why do you think that he was so willing and ready to respond?
• Paul cites two proofs of what only God can do – raise the dead and with a word make something from nothing – what do you think he is referring to? What are some things you would cite as those which only God can do? Is it easy to take them for granted?

Paul"s final thoughts:
19-25 Abraham didn't focus on his own impotence and say, "It's hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child." Nor did he survey Sarah's decades of infertility and give up. He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. That's why it is said, "Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right." But it's not just Abraham; it's also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the One who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless. The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right with God.

• Paul tells us that Abraham put aside all of the very practical reasons that the promise could not possibly be fulfilled and accepted it as being valid. Is it wrong to raise questions and be conscious of the roadblocks that will have to be overcome when responding to something our faith calls us to do? How does Paul say we should handle those difficulties?
• Think of situations that can be uncomfortable for you (hospital calls, intervening in personal conflict, shedding an addiction, apologizing, taking on a project, you name it) and those times that you responded; what role did your spirituality play in taking it on and in dealing with the difficulties?
• What about the basis of our faith, should we feel we cannot ask questions for fear of being skeptical? How do you deal with questions, where do you go and what do you do to deal with them.
• What is Paul’s guarantee in the final sentence? What meaning does being right with God have for your life? Is it freeing, empowering, mysterious, questionable, joyous??? What words would you use to describe or explain it to someone? What words and thoughts would you use to express these feelings in a prayer conversation with God?

Closing Litany – Psalm 22

Here's the story I'll tell my friends when they come to worship,

and punctuate it with Hallelujahs:

Shout Hallelujah, you God-worshipers;

give glory, you sons of Jacob;

adore him, you daughters of Israel.

He has never let you down,

never looked the other way

when you were being kicked around.

He has never wandered off to do his own thing;

he has been right there, listening.

Amen

Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Exodus 20:1-17, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22

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Talking to God

For July 11, 2010

All Scriptures are from The Message Version

It is helpful to use this blog as a discussion starter for two or more people but it will also stimulate some thoughts if used by one reader. The material is used by a Sunday Study Group at Hamilton Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Commentaries for Psalm 25 can be found on Textweek.com through this link http://www.textweek.com/writings/psalm25.htm

There are many different kinds of prayer with intercessory, prays for others, being most common. Today we look at prayer for ourselves, between us and God. Many times we do not think about praying for or about ourselves but it is an important part of our relations with and connection to God. The form this part of our prayer life takes can be shaped by our image of ourselves and our picture or image of God. Below are two psalms from today’s lectionary and a prayer by a Franciscan monk that we will explore for insights and inspiration.

• How do you picture God in prayer about prayer time? Do you think that this image affects the way in which you pray and your choice of words? Is having a mental picture of God important to us for a meaningful prayer life?
• Are your prayers made directly to God or are the Spirit and Jesus part of your approach to prayer? Why have you chosen to pray in this way?

Psalm 141:1-2 God, come close. Come quickly! Open your ears—it's my voice you're hearing! Treat my prayer as sweet incense rising; my raised hands are my evening prayers.

• Where is the psalmist coming from as he makes this prayer? What words catch your attention, what would be your response if they were addressed to you in this way?
• What does it tell us about the person and his picture of who God is and what he assumes the nature of the relationship between them is?
• What do you relate to in his method of addressing God; does anything make you uncomfortable? Are the words and form of prayer important – if so how?

Psalm 25:1-2 My head is high, God, held high; I'm looking to you, God; No hangdog skulking for me.
3 I've thrown in my lot with you; You won't embarrass me, will you? Or let my enemies get the best of me? Don't embarrass any of us Who went out on a limb for you. It's the traitors who should be humiliated.
4 Show me how you work, God; School me in your ways.
5 Take me by the hand; Lead me down the path of truth. You are my Savior, aren't you?
6 Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, God; Rebuild the ancient landmarks!
7 Forget that I sowed wild oats; Mark me with your sign of love. Plan only the best for me, God!
8 God is fair and just; He corrects the misdirected, Sends them in the right direction.
9 He gives the rejects his hand, And leads them step-by-step.
10 From now on every road you travel Will take you to God. Follow the Covenant signs; Read the charted directions.
11 Keep up your reputation, God; Forgive my bad life; It's been a very bad life.

• What do verses 1-3 tell us about the picture the psalmist has of himself and God? What do you think he is assuming as he speaks these words? Would you be comfortable speaking words like this?
• What does he ask for in verses 4-6? What do the words, “You are my Savior, aren’t You” say about him? Would you ever take this kind of attitude in your prayer life?
• Do you like the bluntness of verses 7 & 11? What is he assuming about the impact of bad behavior on his relationship with God? How does he handle it in his prayer/psalm? What is your feeling about your actions and the impact it has on your relationship with God?
• Does he ask for forgiveness of specific acts? Do you think that it is important to ask for forgiveness of specific acts? Why?
• What do verses 8-10 tell us about his picture of God? Is it reflected in the way in which he addresses God and the words he uses in his prayer? Write down some feelings you have about the nature of God and reflect on how it impacts your prayer life – the frequency, what you do and do not pray about, what you expect to happen or not happen as a result of a prayer time?

Reflect on this prayer by a Franciscan Monk

Lord, I want to love you, yet I’m not sure.

I want to trust you, yet I’m afraid of being taken in.

I know I need you, yet I’m ashamed of the need.

I want to pray, yet I’m afraid of being a hypocrite.

I need my independence, yet I fear to be alone.

I want to belong, yet I must be myself.

Take me, Lord, yet leave me alone.

Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief.

O Lord, if you are there, you do understand, don’t you?

Give me what I need but leave me free to choose.

Help me work it out my own way, but don’t let me go.

Let me understand myself, but don’t let me despair.

Come unto me, O Lord - I want you there.

Lighten my darkness - but don’t dazzle me.

Help me to see what I need to do and give me strength to do it.

O Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief.

Bernard SSF

• What is your reaction to this prayer? How would you characterize what he is doing; what is he praying for? Can you relate to anything in these words? Are there any which you feel are inappropriate?
• How would you describe his picture of his faith life? How must he perceive God in order for him to verbalize these thoughts? What are some things that prevent us from being honest and straightforward with God?
• The prayer seems to indicate that he wants his relationship with God to be on his terms. Is it about that or something else? Is an underlying desire to establish a relationship with God while we retain some control an unusual human impulse? What are some negatives that this might bring to a meaningful prayer life?

Your Prayer

Reflect on your responses to the questions and compose a prayer about yourself and what you would like from God.

Amen

Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Mark 8:31-38 or Mark 9:2-9, Romans 4:13-25, Psalm 22:23-31, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

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Don't Be So Sure of Yourself

For February 19, 2012

All Scriptures are from The Message Version

It is helpful to use this blog as a discussion starter for two or more people (if alone there is always Skype, instant messaging, etc.) but it will also stimulate some thoughts if used by one reader. The material is used by a Sunday Study Group at Hamilton Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Commentaries for these scriptures can be found on Textweek.com through this link  http://www.textweek.com/mkjnacts/mark2a.htm

Today we look at Jesus taking on conventional wisdom, easy judgments of others and the sense of false superiority we might have about ourselves as we compare ourselves to the ‘other’.  In the gospel Lectionary scripture Mark gives us another healing story with a different teaching objective:

Mark 2:1-5 After a few days, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and word got around that he was back home. A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out. He was teaching the Word. They brought a paraplegic to him, carried by four men. When they weren't able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, "Son, I forgive your sins."

6-7 Some religion scholars sitting there started whispering among themselves, "He can't talk that way! That's blasphemy! God and only God can forgive sins."
8-12 Jesus knew right away what they were thinking, and said, "Why are you so skeptical? Which is simpler: to say to the paraplegic, 'I forgive your sins,' or say, 'Get up, take your stretcher, and start walking'? Well, just so it's clear that I'm the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both . . ." (he looked now at the paraplegic), "Get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home." And the man did it—got up, grabbed his stretcher, and walked out, with everyone there watching him. They rubbed their eyes, incredulous—and then praised God, saying, "We've never seen anything like this!"

First let’s look at the paraplegic and his friends

• Here we have the crowds again, the curious, those who want to learn, those who might be suspicious of this Jesus person. What does the crowd of people pressing in around Jesus tell us about his ministry? What was he doing when the paraplegic was brought to the home?
• What would it take to motivate you to fight crowds, confusion and claustrophobia to see for yourself, to be a part of an event? Are there any contemporary persons or groups that have this kind of attraction for you? What are some of the characteristics of a setting, an individual, theology, etc. that would strongly draw you to a “teaching of the Word”?
• Have you ever made an extraordinary effort to help someone in need try to improve their situation? What motivated you? Did you have any help? Would it make a difference in your response if it were family, a friend or someone who was a stranger?
• Have you ever had someone go the extra mile for you? How do you feel as you look back on it? Was your life changed?

Now let’s look at Jesus’ response and the lessons the writer of Mark’s Gospel might have intended by including this story:

• Imagine the scene, people climbing on the roof, breaking in, lowering the paraplegic, dust, dirt, confusion, Jesus turning from teaching to this spectacle. What is his reaction to being interrupted? How do you feel about interruptions in your routine or concentration on a task by someone with a different priority? What place does flexibility and sensitivity to situations have in our faith life? See the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)
• What did Jesus diagnose as the paraplegic’s most pressing affliction? How would you feel if you were the man, had gone through all of this hoping for healing and got, “I forgive your sins”? Now there was a strong sense at the time, and even to some extent today, that and other difficulties are visited upon us because of some sinful act or acts we have committed so this might be an interpretation, but still how would you feel either in his place or if you were one of the stretcher bearers.
• Ah the voices of religious orthodoxy speak, “blasphemy”! First what does it say that “religious scholars” were present? What might have drawn them? Who might be some contemporary academic, denominational, or congregational positions which might be filled by those considered “religious scholars”? Does this story suggest we should have some reservations about what we hear from them?
• Can our religious heritage, training, and theology prevent us from seeing God’s presence in our day to day lives? Paul expressed it this way in Romans 2 (fill in the blank with your religious or cultural preference):


If you're brought up _____, don't assume that you can lean back in the arms of your religion and take it easy, feeling smug because you're an insider to God's revelation, a connoisseur of the best things of God, informed on the latest doctrines! I have a special word of caution for you who are sure that you have it all together yourselves and, because you know God's revealed Word inside and out, feel qualified to guide others through their blind alleys and dark nights and confused emotions to God. While you are guiding others, who is going to guide you?

• What response do you have to Paul’s words? What should we beware of as people of faith? Can we in any way claim we know what God’s thinks or how God interprets the actions of others? What do we need to be sure is going on in our faith lives to keep us out of this trap?
• What is your reaction to Jesus’ response to the “scholars”? Is it too in your face? What is the reaction of the crowd – do you think that Jesus wanted them to respond in this way? Would he have healed the man if the scholars were not there or had kept quiet?
• The man picked up his stretcher and walked away – how powerful is that imagery for you? Jesus tells us in John’s Gospel that we will do even greater things that he did (John 14:11-14), does that include physical healing? How would you react if you saw this healing occur today, what would it take for you to believe it was a true healing?
• So you have gotten this far, what is your take-away, what are your questions, what one thing have you learned? Feel free to comment at the bottom of this post.

Closing Litany

Dignify those who are down on their luck;

you'll feel good—that's what GOD does.

GOD looks after us all,

makes us robust with life—

Lucky to be in the land,

we're free from enemy worries.

Whenever we're sick and in bed,

GOD becomes our nurse,

nurses us back to health.

Amen

Psalm 41

Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15, Genesis 9:8-17, Psalm 25:1-10


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Jesus' Dilemma

For February 12, 2012

All Scriptures are from The Message Version

It is helpful to use this blog as a discussion starter for two or more people but it will also stimulate some thoughts if used by one reader. The material is used by a Sunday Study Group at Hamilton Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Commentaries for these scriptures can be found on Textweek.com through this link http://www.textweek.com/mkjnacts/mark1g.htm

This story come from early in Jesus’ ministry as he travels through Galilee, begins to establish the nature of his work and immediately finds that people are most responsive to his ability to heal their broken bodies:

Mark 1: 32-34 That evening, after the sun was down, they brought sick and evil-afflicted people to him, the whole city lined up at his door! He cured their sick bodies and tormented spirits. Because the demons knew his true identity, he didn't let them say a word.
35-37 While it was still night, way before dawn, he got up and went out to a secluded spot and prayed. Simon and those with him went looking for him. They found him and said, "Everybody's looking for you."
38-39Jesus said, "Let's go to the rest of the villages so I can preach there also. This is why I've come." He went to their meeting places all through Galilee, preaching and throwing out the demons.

• Can you imagine the scene as all of the sick and afflicted were brought to Jesus? What would the sights, sounds and odors have been? What would the behavior of the people have been as they sought Jesus’ presence? How long must it have gone on? Do you think that he was able to heal everyone?
• Are you or have you dealt with a serious physical or mental problem or have you been around someone who has? How strong was the desire for a cure and what amount of effort went into finding one? Would travel, discomfort, long waits, scrambling for attention from the cure have been a problem?
• Do you believe that we can be physically and mentally healed through our relationship with God? How does one go about being healed and are there limitations and conditions associated with the degree of healing that takes place? What priority does this approach to healing have for you?
• We see here one of the many cautions Mark’s Gospel records that Jesus gave to those he healed to keep quiet about his true identity. This has been a subject of conjecture down through the ages but what might be some reasons that Jesus would want to hide his identity at this point?
• What do verses 35-37 establish as of the bedrocks of Jesus’ ministry? If Jesus is God incarnate, the son of God, why does he need to pray? What do you think that he prayed about that night? What does this tell us about the importance of prayer on our faith journey?
• When and how does he pray? What conditions are most meaningful for your prayer time?
• What do verses 38-39 tell us are the reasons Jesus came among us? What role does healing play in his ability to be effective in his preaching? What is the dilemma that it brings?

Mark's Gospel continues with another healing story:

40 A leper came to him, begging on his knees, "If you want to, you can cleanse me."
41-45 Deeply moved, Jesus put out his hand, touched him, and said, "I want to. Be clean." Then and there the leprosy was gone, his skin smooth and healthy. Jesus dismissed him with strict orders: "Say nothing to anyone. Take the offering for cleansing that Moses prescribed and present yourself to the priest. This will validate your healing to the people." But as soon as the man was out of earshot, he told everyone he met what had happened, spreading the news all over town. So Jesus kept to out-of-the-way places, no longer able to move freely in and out of the city. But people found him, and came from all over.


• How do you visualize the appearance, voice, and attitude of the leper as he approaches Jesus? What do his words to Jesus tell us about him, what is the only reason he would not be healed? How would you address Jesus if you were seeking healing?
• What do you learn about Jesus from his interaction with the leper? How does he respond to the lepers, “If you want to…”? Might Jesus have ignored him or told him, “I do not want to”?
• One of the biggest questions people of faith have concerns prayer and certainly the leper’s words to Jesus were a form of prayer. How have you come to deal with what seems to be unanswered prayer during your faith journey? Have you formed any thoughts on why some seem to be healed and others not? Is it because God picks and chooses or is something else going on? Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13 – is this what it comes to?

12We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

• Jesus tells the man to use the cleansing process for those cured of leprosy as dictated by the Jewish law (Leviticus 13) so that the source of his healing is hidden. But what does the man do? Is this surprising? Don’t you think that the others who had been healed also excitedly pointed toward Jesus? And what happens here?
• What do you think that people are missing if they focus so much on his acts of physical healing? What do they need to hear from him that might be more important? Are there some really big things that form a basis for the totality of your faith life?
• What is your take away from this scripture? What have you learned about Jesus and yourself? Might our closing litany be the feelings we should have about the blessings of our faith life?

Closing Litany

God, my God, I yelled for help and you put me together.

God, you pulled me out of the grave,

gave me another chance at life

when I was down-and-out.

I can'tkeep quiet about you.

God, my God,

I can't thank you enough.

Amen

From Psalm 30

Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Isaiah 43:18-25, Psalm 41, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12

Please comment by clicking on the word comments in the sentence “Posted by John at XXXX “ at the bottom of the page

Paul's Motivation

For February 5, 2012

All Scriptures are from The Message Version
It is helpful to use this blog as a discussion starter for two or more people but it will also stimulate some thoughts if used by one reader. The material is used by a Sunday Study Group at Hamilton Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Commentaries for these scriptures can be found on Textweek.com through this link
http://www.textweek.com/pauline/1cor9a.htm

Paul spent most of his ministry in some sort of conflict. He raised the ire of both Jews and pagans as he preached the gospel message, argued with other Christians about the Jewish dietary laws and the need to be circumcised, and suffered personal criticism from members of the congregations he help found. In this section of the letter he is dealing with discord among members of the Corinthian Church, urging them to avoid practices, in this case dietary, which might offend others. He uses his own example of not accepting financial support from the congregation for his work even though he strongly supports the obligation they have to do it for others:
1 Corinthians 9:16- 18 If I proclaim the Message, it's not to get something out of it for myself. I'm compelled to do it, and doomed if I don't! If this was my own idea of just another way to make a living, I'd expect some pay. But since it's not my idea but something solemnly entrusted to me, why would I expect to get paid? So am I getting anything out of it? Yes, as a matter of fact: the pleasure of proclaiming the Message at no cost to you. You don't even have to pay my expenses!

• Here Paul speaks about his motivation for proclaiming the gospel. What words stand out for you and what are the feelings and emotions behind his ministry? He is even more blunt in 1 Corinthians 9:1-2:

Haven't I been given a job to do? Wasn't I commissioned to this work in a face-to-face meeting with Jesus, our Master? Aren't you yourselves proof of the good work that I've done for the Master? Even if no one else admits the authority of my commission, you can't deny it. Why, my work with you is living proof of my authority!

• Where is Paul coming from in this argument? What is the essence of his view of the work he is doing in bringing the gospel message to Corinth? How do you picture Paul as he dictates these words to his secretary – demeanor, attitude, voice? Do you see the powerful feelings that are behind his long and demanding journeys to spread The Message?
• Do you react to his assertions? Would you have liked to be around him for any period of time?
• Do you feel all Christians have an obligation to share the gospel message with others? Paul felt personally called to do it, should we? What do you understand to be the gospel message we are to share? Have you ever done it? If so how did it work out?
• What do you think that people really might want to hear from us about our faith life? Will they necessarily immediately relate to the Good News or is hearing about other aspects of our faith journey a better path for building understanding among non-believers?
• We have all had the gospel message shared by someone with us, apparently effectively. What made the Christian faith something you wanted to commit to? Have there been persons who shared the message with you that you that was offensive or in some way made you uneasy? Is it bad to be made uneasy?
• What would have happened if you had not had the message shared with you? Would your life have been different? How so?

Paul continues with some comments about of his approach to sharing The Message:

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!

• What is Paul’s strategy to effectively share the gospel message? What does he really mean by this description of his approach to others? Does it involve any compromises? If so do you think that ends justify the means?
• Do you think that this is good advice for us as individuals? What are some of the plusses and minuses of taking this kind of approach? Did Jesus take this approach through the sometimes questionable (in the minds of his contemporaries) character of the company he chose to keep? Can you think of any examples of people who have chosen to minister to those who might be looked down upon?
• What is your response to the word evangelism? Does it have a positive or negative connotation to you? What is behind the feelings you have about this word? What has motivated you to share your faith in the past? What inhibits you?
• Where did the power behind Paul’s work come from? Do you think that that power and a similar call to share our faith comes to us from the same place?

Closing Prayer

Holy one, who makes all things possible, empower us so that we are truly feel free to share the story of our faith with those who need to hear it. Amen

Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Mark 1:40-45, 2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

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Giving Thanks To God

For January 29, 2012



All Scriptures are from The Message Version

It is helpful to use this blog as a discussion starter for two or more people but it will also stimulate some thoughts if used by one reader. The material is used by a Sunday Study Group at Hamilton Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Commentaries for these scriptures can be found on Textweek.com through this link http://www.textweek.com/writings/psalm111.htm

The liturgical season of Epiphany continues with another psalm which is the writer’s reflection on the reality of God’s presence in the life of the nation of Israel and in his own life. Last week in Psalm 62 that reality came from the disappointments the psalmist had experience in his interactions with other people. This week Psalm 111 is positive, it speaks to the real blessings that flow from God’s grace and love.

Few read and there was little to read in ancient times so that memorization played an important role in the transmission and use of the important liturgical and historical writings of the ancient Jews. This psalm is written as an acrostic with first line beginning with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet and each subsequent line beginning with a subsequent letter (impossible to see in translations). This memorization aid was one of many used in other places in scripture.

Psalm 111:1

Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I've got—
Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation.

He begins with a resounding word, Hallelujah, to express his enthusiasm for the blessings of his relationship with God:
• What feelings do you associate with the word hallelujah? Have you ever felt moved to express yourself in this way – what had occurred? When have hallelujah moments happened during your faith journey?
• How and where is the Lord to be praised? What does praising God “with everything I’ve got” mean to you? How do we normally express our praise and thanksgiving and what do these sentiments suggest we should also consider?
• Where do you feel comfortable thanking and praising God? What is the value of verbalizing our praise and feelings of thanksgiving to others? Is it part of giving thanks “with everything I’ve got”?

He now tells us about the kind of blessings flow from God:

God's works are so great, worth
A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment!
Splendor and beauty mark his craft;
His generosity never gives out.
His miracles are his memorial—

• How are God’s works described? What words does he use to describe them? Should they be taken for granted – why not, what is the benefit for us of a “lifetime of study”?
• What words would you use to describe those things that have flowed to you throughout your faith journey? Reflect on your “hallelujah” moments and those times you reached out to God, what are your feelings about them?
• Where have you seen splendor and beauty which flow from God’s work? What other relationships or resources do we count on for strength and support in our lives? What are some ways we nurture these relationships and how might that apply to nurturing our relationship with God?

He continues with a reflection on God and some specific examples of God’s gifts to Israel:

This God of Grace, this God of Love.
He gave food to those who fear him,
He remembered to keep his ancient promise.
He proved to his people that he could do what he said:
Hand them the nations on a platter—a gift!
He manufactures truth and justice;


All his products are guaranteed to last—
Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof.
All that he makes and does is honest and true:
He paid the ransom for his people,
He ordered his Covenant kept forever.
He's so personal and holy, worthy of our respect.

In the first stanza the psalmist reminds the nation of Israel of the blessings God has brought to them. They are part of the heritage of the people and we find them referred to repeatedly in the Old Testament with Psalms 105 and 106 being examples.
• Some he specifies apply to us also. What do you relate to and feel that flow from God to us today? Do you see God in terms of words like “personal”, “worthy of respect”, the source of “truth and justice”?
• If you were to pass on in writing the blessings of your relationship with God to your descendants what would you be certain to include? Are there some things that would have meaning for them as well as yourself? How would you describe God to them?
• The description of God’s “products” flow from contemporary advertising culture, how do you react to the words?

The Psalmist concludes with an admonition common to the Old Testament:

The good life begins in the fear of God—
Do that and you'll know the blessing of God.
His Hallelujah lasts forever!

• How do you react to the psalmist’s statement about the good life and fear of God? Have you ever had a relationship with someone with whom there is a measure of fear (military, work, legal, family)? How did it impact the relationship?
• The American Heritage Dictionary definition of fear is as follows:

To be afraid or frightened of.
To be uneasy or apprehensive about: feared the test results.
To be in awe of; revere.

Should a healthy relationship with God include all of these elements? Should being afraid of God color some of it? How about unease or awe?
• For me one of the best examples of renewed fear/awe in a relationship with God comes as Job (42:1-6)reflects on his confrontation with God over Job’s feelings of God acting unjustly towards him:

Job answered God: "I'm convinced: You can do anything and everything.
Nothing and no one can upset your plans.
You asked, 'Who is this muddying the water,
ignorantly confusing the issue, second-guessing my purposes?'
I admit it. I was the one. I babbled on about things far beyond me,
made small talk about wonders way over my head.
You told me, 'Listen, and let me do the talking.
Let me ask the questions. You give the answers.'
now I have it all firsthand—from my own eyes and ears!
I'm sorry—forgive me. I'll never do that again, I promise!
I'll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor."

• Last week you were asked to write down the reasons that your relationship with God was important to you. This week write down some of the specific blessings that have flowed from that relationship or put it in letter form to your descendants including both blessings and a description of your relationship with God.

Closing Litany

All believers, come here and listen,

let me tell you what God did for me.

I called out to him with my mouth,

my tongue shaped the sounds of music.

If I had been cozy with evil,

the Lord would never have listened.

But he most surely did listen,

he came on the double when he heard my prayer.

Blessed be God: he didn't turn a deaf ear,

he stayed with me, loyal in his love.

AMEN

Psalm 66:16-20

Next Weeks Lectionary Scriptures: Mark 1:29-39, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Psalm 147:1-12, 21c, Isaiah 40:21-31


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