My Prayer: Psalm 51:12 (New International Version)
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
The Reading: Luke 17-18
Luke 17:26-27 (New International Version)
26"Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.
My Thoughts: It's hard to imagine that one day, I'll be going about my normal business and then in the blink of an eye it's all over. And I won't know when or how or where. Thank God. So what do I do? Am I ready to be judged on this life today? Not really. I've still got plenty to figure out and I hope there's more time to fulfill my purpose.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
Day 22-Lost sheep
My Prayer: Psalm 139:1-2, 5 (New International Version)
1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
The Reading: Luke 14-16
Luke 15:3-7 (New International Version)
3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
My Thoughts: Some people had trouble with Jesus because he spent so much time with sinners instead of "good" people who followed the rules. I've always liked this parable. I think it's because it's easy for met to understand. I lose things. A lot. I am very familiar with the desperate desire to find something (like my debit card). I'll do what it takes to find what's lost. I like this parable because of the shepherd picture. When he finds the sheep, he doesn't yell at the sheep or beat the sheep. He picks the sheep up, carries it back, and tells everyone to celebrate because the sheep is found. And our Shepherd tells us that there's a party in heaven every time a sinner comes back. There's no grumbling over how stupid we sheep are to have gotten lost, separated. There's a party when we come back. Jesus comes to us where we've gotten mired and lost because of our bad decisions, and he picks us up to carry us back. And there's a party to celebrate.
1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
The Reading: Luke 14-16
Luke 15:3-7 (New International Version)
3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
My Thoughts: Some people had trouble with Jesus because he spent so much time with sinners instead of "good" people who followed the rules. I've always liked this parable. I think it's because it's easy for met to understand. I lose things. A lot. I am very familiar with the desperate desire to find something (like my debit card). I'll do what it takes to find what's lost. I like this parable because of the shepherd picture. When he finds the sheep, he doesn't yell at the sheep or beat the sheep. He picks the sheep up, carries it back, and tells everyone to celebrate because the sheep is found. And our Shepherd tells us that there's a party in heaven every time a sinner comes back. There's no grumbling over how stupid we sheep are to have gotten lost, separated. There's a party when we come back. Jesus comes to us where we've gotten mired and lost because of our bad decisions, and he picks us up to carry us back. And there's a party to celebrate.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Day 21-Dearest Friends
My Prayer: Psalm 37:3-4 (New International Version)
3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
The Reading: Luke 11-13
Luke 12:27-34 (The Message)
"Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can't even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
"What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.
My Thoughts: This is the passage where Jesus says, "Consider how the lilies grow..." but sometimes I like so see what The Message translation says (www.biblegateway.com is easy, easy, easy to do this) because it's supposed to be updated (in a paraphrase sort of way). The NIV says, "Do not be afraid, little flock..." and here we're "dearest friends." I've read over and over now that we are loved like children, and even sinful fathers want good things for their children. How much more will God give to us? This is also the passage that ends with Jesus telling us to store up our treasures in heaven. The Message says, "It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being." It's good advice...again, focus on that one thing (from yesterday) and the details will be taken care of.
3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
The Reading: Luke 11-13
Luke 12:27-34 (The Message)
"Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can't even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
"What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.
My Thoughts: This is the passage where Jesus says, "Consider how the lilies grow..." but sometimes I like so see what The Message translation says (www.biblegateway.com is easy, easy, easy to do this) because it's supposed to be updated (in a paraphrase sort of way). The NIV says, "Do not be afraid, little flock..." and here we're "dearest friends." I've read over and over now that we are loved like children, and even sinful fathers want good things for their children. How much more will God give to us? This is also the passage that ends with Jesus telling us to store up our treasures in heaven. The Message says, "It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being." It's good advice...again, focus on that one thing (from yesterday) and the details will be taken care of.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Day 20-Mary in a Martha World
My Prayer: Psalm 113:2-3 (New International Version)
2 Let the name of the LORD be praised,
both now and forevermore.
3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the LORD is to be praised.
The Reading: Luke 9-10
Luke 10:38-42 (New International Version)
At the Home of Martha and Mary
38As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
My Thoughts: There's a book that we sold at Lifeway called (something like) Being Mary in a Martha World. I haven't read it, but I get the concept. We have lives that are packed with activities and responsibilities and hobbies and things that take all our energy to keep going. Most of the time, these things feel like neccessities. Martha felt it was neccessary to make Jesus feel comfortable and welcome in her home. These were good goals until they distracted her from what's really important. Mary understood what was important. She had an opportunity that few had and that she would never have again. She had a chance to be near Jesus. I think Jesus might say the same thing to me that he said to Martha..."Cheryl, Cheryl, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed." So then the challenge becomes making that one thing the focus and making the right choices over and over again. Right. Well, I can usually tell when I'm worried and upset, so maybe I can just switch my thoughts to the one thing that matters...being close to Jesus.
2 Let the name of the LORD be praised,
both now and forevermore.
3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the LORD is to be praised.
The Reading: Luke 9-10
Luke 10:38-42 (New International Version)
At the Home of Martha and Mary
38As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
My Thoughts: There's a book that we sold at Lifeway called (something like) Being Mary in a Martha World. I haven't read it, but I get the concept. We have lives that are packed with activities and responsibilities and hobbies and things that take all our energy to keep going. Most of the time, these things feel like neccessities. Martha felt it was neccessary to make Jesus feel comfortable and welcome in her home. These were good goals until they distracted her from what's really important. Mary understood what was important. She had an opportunity that few had and that she would never have again. She had a chance to be near Jesus. I think Jesus might say the same thing to me that he said to Martha..."Cheryl, Cheryl, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed." So then the challenge becomes making that one thing the focus and making the right choices over and over again. Right. Well, I can usually tell when I'm worried and upset, so maybe I can just switch my thoughts to the one thing that matters...being close to Jesus.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Day 19-The Golden Rule
My Prayer: Psalm 119:89-90 (New International Version)
89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures.
The Reading: Luke 6-8
Luke 6:31 (New International Version)
31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
My Thoughts: We learned the Golden Rule in elementary school. It's a good lesson, but it's easy to forget. Many times we really go for "Do to others before they do to you." Jesus tells us to treat others the way we want to be treated before he talks about loving our enemies...because even sinners can love the people who love them. Most of the time, I get caught up in treating people the way they treat me. If they disrespect me, then I'm so, so, so tempted to return the favor. I'm supposed to be better than that. I'm supposed to be changed. I'm supposed to treat others the way I want to be treated, not return what I'm getting. It's really too bad we don't have the Golden Rule posted around as a reminder the way I did in elementary school. Maybe it would help us remember.
89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures.
The Reading: Luke 6-8
Luke 6:31 (New International Version)
31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
My Thoughts: We learned the Golden Rule in elementary school. It's a good lesson, but it's easy to forget. Many times we really go for "Do to others before they do to you." Jesus tells us to treat others the way we want to be treated before he talks about loving our enemies...because even sinners can love the people who love them. Most of the time, I get caught up in treating people the way they treat me. If they disrespect me, then I'm so, so, so tempted to return the favor. I'm supposed to be better than that. I'm supposed to be changed. I'm supposed to treat others the way I want to be treated, not return what I'm getting. It's really too bad we don't have the Golden Rule posted around as a reminder the way I did in elementary school. Maybe it would help us remember.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Day 18-Because you say
My Prayer: Psalm 5:3 (New International Version)
3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.
The Reading: Mark 3-5
Luke 5:4-8 (New International Version)
4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."
5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!"
My Thoughts: Because you say so, I'll try again. Simon Peter had fished all night with no results...wrong timing, wrong place, some other fishery thing that just wasn't quite right. Then Jesus says, "One more time...right here...right now." And Simon Peter does it, against his own judgement, and reaps the rewards. Rewards beyond what could be expected. And his first reaction is to push Jesus away because he is very aware of his sin, that close to Jesus he knows he doesn't deserve what he's been given. How many times does God's goodness remind me of how little I deserve it? And all Jesus says is "Don't be afraid." Nothing about how bad you are, what you deserve, or things to change to get better...he wants to give you good things and will. Thanks goodness we don't get what we deserve. Thank goodness we get so much better.
3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.
The Reading: Mark 3-5
Luke 5:4-8 (New International Version)
4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."
5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!"
My Thoughts: Because you say so, I'll try again. Simon Peter had fished all night with no results...wrong timing, wrong place, some other fishery thing that just wasn't quite right. Then Jesus says, "One more time...right here...right now." And Simon Peter does it, against his own judgement, and reaps the rewards. Rewards beyond what could be expected. And his first reaction is to push Jesus away because he is very aware of his sin, that close to Jesus he knows he doesn't deserve what he's been given. How many times does God's goodness remind me of how little I deserve it? And all Jesus says is "Don't be afraid." Nothing about how bad you are, what you deserve, or things to change to get better...he wants to give you good things and will. Thanks goodness we don't get what we deserve. Thank goodness we get so much better.
Day 17-Telling the story
My Prayer:Psalm 73:28 (New International Version)
28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.
The Reading: Luke 1-2
Luke 1:3-4 (New International Version)
3Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
My Thoughts: As I was reading Luke, I started thinking that I might get more out of it if I read something else first. The gospels are different but similar enough to make it difficult to really see the differences. But the more I read of Luke, the more I see and the more I like parts of his account. Luke, the doctor, studied and investigated many sources to build a chronological account of Jesus' life for Theophilus, "one who loves God", who must have been an important guy.
The notes in my Bible say the gospels differ in emphasis of different parts of Jesus' life because of the special interest of the writer. Luke stressed a universal theme, that this savior was for both Jew and Gentile, and he had in interest in the role of women and importance of family, care for the poor, and sinners. He also included more parables than the other gospels. The fact that they differ probably concerns some people who might view this as an example of fallibility. Writers know differently. Actually, story-tellers know differently. There are a lot of different ways to tell the story and you can change the way it's told depending on your audience. So, I'm going on through Luke because I'd like to hear his side of the story.
28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.
The Reading: Luke 1-2
Luke 1:3-4 (New International Version)
3Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
My Thoughts: As I was reading Luke, I started thinking that I might get more out of it if I read something else first. The gospels are different but similar enough to make it difficult to really see the differences. But the more I read of Luke, the more I see and the more I like parts of his account. Luke, the doctor, studied and investigated many sources to build a chronological account of Jesus' life for Theophilus, "one who loves God", who must have been an important guy.
The notes in my Bible say the gospels differ in emphasis of different parts of Jesus' life because of the special interest of the writer. Luke stressed a universal theme, that this savior was for both Jew and Gentile, and he had in interest in the role of women and importance of family, care for the poor, and sinners. He also included more parables than the other gospels. The fact that they differ probably concerns some people who might view this as an example of fallibility. Writers know differently. Actually, story-tellers know differently. There are a lot of different ways to tell the story and you can change the way it's told depending on your audience. So, I'm going on through Luke because I'd like to hear his side of the story.
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