ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 3, 2019 Scripture: Daniel 1:5 The king assigned them a daily portion of the royal rations of food and wine. They were to be educated for three years, so that at the end of that time they could be stationed in the king’s court. Thought for the Day: Daniel and his friends found themselves in the king’s school, and they received the royal rations. This would have been good food, yet this food would have already been dedicated to the Babylonian gods. Now Daniel was a smart guy, and if pushed on the subject, he probably would have said, “Food is food. There is no other gods, only the Lord God.” Yet in times of difficulty when our faith feels threatened, it makes sense to stay as far away as possible from the slippery-slope. We may clearly know that there is no ultimate threat, but in moments of weakness, it is smart to practice the basics so as to reinforce what we believe to be most important. Daniel appeared to have understood this, and later in the passage, he will refuse the royal rations. Prayer: I trust in you, O God, but I also know my weaknesses. Let me step into the unknown when I feel strong in you. Let me show caution when I feel a bit uneasy. Amen. – via WordPress https://ift.tt/2na1364
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ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 2, 2019 Scripture: Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. Thought for the Day: For those who know me, you know this is my favorite passage of scripture. Whenever I do a microphone check, I share this scripture as it is the first one to roll off my lips. When I read these words, a challenge confronts me – to be a participant in the work of God, I need to first take on the mindset of God. Too often people of faith say to themselves, “I’m going to follow in the ways of Jesus.” Those words may be said with the best intentions, but if are mindset is not with God, our desire to follow the will of God will not come to fruition. Ask yourself, “When I get frustrated or mad, what is the first thing that comes to mind?” Is it Jesus and his teachings? Most people will probably say, “No!” Lately, when something has stoked the negative energy within me, I have tried to find the words, “Jesus, provide me your Spirit of peace.” Now I must confess, I was not very successful this past weekend, but I continue to work on the renewing of my mind so that I might know the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Prayer: Center me, Transformative God, not simply in this moment of prayer. Center me for the day ahead, and for all the challenges that will be mine to face. Let my response reflect, not my fears or bitterness, but your love that shapes me toward your will. Amen. via WordPress https://ift.tt/2nP4eAz ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 1, 2019 Scripture: Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Thought for the Day: Today is a big day in my family, for today is the anniversary of the opening of Walt Disney World in Florida. Today marks 48 years since “the happiest place on earth” opened a second happy venue in Florida. You might be a big Disney fan or you might find it all a bunch of nonsense, but I’m more taken by the vision Walt, Roy and others had in those years. When they thought big, they thought BIG! The kingdom Jesus referenced did not have a rollercoaster or 6ft mouse or really expensive lunches. But what Jesus suggested wasn’t just big, it was BIG! Amidst a people living under occupation, with a religion reeling from multiple events of near elimination, to have someone announce that God’s Reign “has” come near would be BIG or boarder-line crazy talk. Of course, Jesus wasn’t talking about kingdom in the traditional sense of the word. He wasn’t thinking of a government with fortified cities, but a way of life that bound people together. Too often Christianity has gone BIG by building BIG, when in fact Jesus’ announcement was BIG for how counter it was to the norms and expectations of the day. How do we demonstrate the Jesus BIG in today’s world? Prayer: Bind us together under your big tent of love, Lord, where the tent flaps extend over every human being in every time and place. Bind us together for something truly BIG, a life of love modeled after Jesus. Amen. – via WordPress https://ift.tt/2o69n74 |
AuthorRev. Bruce Frogge Archives
May 2024
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