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.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
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.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Day 16-Satisfying the crowd
My Prayer: Psalm 91:2 (New International Version)
2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
The Reading: Mark 15-16
Mark 15:15 (New International Version)
15Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
My Thoughts: It's hard to understand why Pilate would think releasing a man who was in prison for murdering during an uprising instead of a man who taught loving your neighbor as the most important commandment was a good decision. He wanted to satisfy the crowd. It's even harder to understand how the crowd got there, but Pilate had a chance to change things. Instead, he went along with the crowd. They shouted louder than Pilate's good reason and he washed his hands of the whole thing. This was all a part of the plan, but it's also a good example of how we make the wrong decision, the easy decision. We make decisions to satisfy the crowd. Instead of being different, like we're supposed to be, we do our best to fit the world.
2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
The Reading: Mark 15-16
Mark 15:15 (New International Version)
15Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
My Thoughts: It's hard to understand why Pilate would think releasing a man who was in prison for murdering during an uprising instead of a man who taught loving your neighbor as the most important commandment was a good decision. He wanted to satisfy the crowd. It's even harder to understand how the crowd got there, but Pilate had a chance to change things. Instead, he went along with the crowd. They shouted louder than Pilate's good reason and he washed his hands of the whole thing. This was all a part of the plan, but it's also a good example of how we make the wrong decision, the easy decision. We make decisions to satisfy the crowd. Instead of being different, like we're supposed to be, we do our best to fit the world.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Day 15-Do what you can
My Prayer: Psalm 25:4-5 (New International Version)
4 Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;
5 guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
The Reading: Mark 12-14
Mark 14:3-9 (New International Version)
3While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.
4Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, "Why this waste of perfume? 5It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor." And they rebuked her harshly.
6"Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
My thoughts: There will always be those people who think your gifts aren't enough or at the very least not good enough. They see how much it costs in money and compare it to their own gifts, but Jesus sees the heart. This woman could have sold her perfume and given the money to the poor and been judged well, but she was moved to give it away in an offering to Jesus. It might have been the most precious think she had and she gave it all away. More than a year's wages and she gave it away in an instant. And Jesus says, "She did what she could." And then says that her story will be told wherever the gospel is preached. She got it right. What's her name? I guess it doesn't matter. Jesus knows it and we all know her story. She made a sacrifice, she gave the right thing at the right time. Can the same thing be said of me? I have to do what I can.
4 Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;
5 guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
The Reading: Mark 12-14
Mark 14:3-9 (New International Version)
3While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.
4Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, "Why this waste of perfume? 5It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor." And they rebuked her harshly.
6"Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
My thoughts: There will always be those people who think your gifts aren't enough or at the very least not good enough. They see how much it costs in money and compare it to their own gifts, but Jesus sees the heart. This woman could have sold her perfume and given the money to the poor and been judged well, but she was moved to give it away in an offering to Jesus. It might have been the most precious think she had and she gave it all away. More than a year's wages and she gave it away in an instant. And Jesus says, "She did what she could." And then says that her story will be told wherever the gospel is preached. She got it right. What's her name? I guess it doesn't matter. Jesus knows it and we all know her story. She made a sacrifice, she gave the right thing at the right time. Can the same thing be said of me? I have to do what I can.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Day 14-Like a child
My Prayer:Psalm 13:5-6 (New International Version)
5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.
The Reading: Mark 9-11
Mark 9:23-24 (New International Version)
23" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."
24Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
My Thoughts: Now this is a prayer...I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief! The notes in my Bible say: "Since human faith is never perfect, belief and unbelief are often mixed." Later on in the same chapter Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." It has to be taken as a gift. Sometimes I don't understand it all, but I don't have to.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.
The Reading: Mark 9-11
Mark 9:23-24 (New International Version)
23" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."
24Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
My Thoughts: Now this is a prayer...I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief! The notes in my Bible say: "Since human faith is never perfect, belief and unbelief are often mixed." Later on in the same chapter Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." It has to be taken as a gift. Sometimes I don't understand it all, but I don't have to.
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