The New Jerusalem

Revelation 21:1-22:21

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth

And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."  Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

Describe for me what heaven looks like. If I had to do it, I might have some ideas but probably not this, or at least not all of this. Precious, yes, filled with Angels and wonders, yes. Precious gems, and gold, again yes.

How about this though: ...and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.

Now we are really talking! the gates will always be open-there will be no need to bar the doors. There will be no evil things-or people there, there will be the glory of the nations there. What glory do the nations now have that they could bring with them to heaven? Obviously there is some-and its on its way to heaven. And all those whose name is written in the Lamb's book of life....and the tree of life yielding 12 different fruits - one each month. Wow and wow and wow.


"Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done."

Well for all those times we wished we were the judge-or for those times we acted and thought no one was watching or it didn't matter-take heed: it matters. Everyone will be repaid for what they have done. Our actions matter. Our hearts matter. What we do with what we know matters.

The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

Let the one who hears-say come. We who hear must say to others come-out of the love of our hearts and the joy at this exceedingly good news. Our job is to come and to invite.

John says:
He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

-----
I have come to the end of my 100 days. For the first time I won't say 'see you tomorrow' because these passages are finished, and I have accomplished what I set out to do; what I agreed to do. Yet I have gotten in the habit-which I believe is a large part of the point of agreeing to do this for 100 days, and so, I wonder if God will have more for me to do, more thoughts to share and more to read. My guess is certainly yes, there is more to read. In fact there were a lot of days when I asked myself (Self) what is the rest of this story, there seems to be more than I have read today. I will pray and will read, and perhaps I will see you another day.
à bientôt!

-maggie

Hallelujah!

Revelation 19:1-20:15

What is this message entitled Hallelujah? Why after all the reading we've done is the second to the last day, day 99 entitled hallelujah?  

Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just...

We have read some of these things and we can agree with this multitude-His judgements are just.


"Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns..."

This time in the world is the time of GOD, God  with us-and God as God deserving of honor and praise.


And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These are the true words of God." Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God." For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

We are to be fellow servants with the Angels-bringing the good news of Christ; these that were fearsome-why else would they always say do not be afraid? These angels are with us to testify to Christ. While they have gone first, we are to continue on where they have left us. We do not usually see these angels, in fact in the whole of the Bible, even in our 100 essential passages we haven't 'seen' all that many so I guess there aren't as many of them as there are of us. We'd best get crackin'. 


There will be a time coming when things that seem indescribable are going to happen, and all this so God can bring us back home to the garden to walk with him. While this does indeed seem to be a fearsome time, it is though, a time for Hallelujah! When wouldn't it be good for God to be in charge? I mean really in charge, not like now when there are plenty of those who choose not to follow or listen, but a time when those who choose not to listen get to go AWAY! really, fully, forever away. Even death and hell get thrown away! Ok I can say Hallelujah! to that.

See you tomoorw.
-maggie

The Throne of Heaven

Revelation 4:1-7:17

The title is the throne of heaven, yet there is a lot of stuff going on today.  I don't know quite what it means when it describes the one who sat on the throne as having  "the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald." Does it mean shiny? colorful? hard? valuable? I don't know, I could think about that one for a while. I can understand the part about falling down before the throne-that makes sense; I'm not sure I could stand in front of the throne of God.

Maybe this is too small a thing for me to focus on. Anyway, what I noticed off the bat was the idea of the golden bowls of incense being the prayers of the saints. I LOVE incense. I know you have heard me say I love things but this incense thing is something special. I could just sit in the middle of it. Maybe it is the whole growing up in the 60's or in a church where they used incense - but it is more than that, the idea that it is the prayers on their way to heaven. That is something special. Prayer is sort of visible, but not solid, you can see it but not take hold of it, you can't capture it or make it stand still or stay the same, it is there but it is also on its way to somewhere else.  I Love that about incense. I think it says something about prayers too.


I can understand the idea of worshiping before the throne and the joy of being in the presence of God, however a lot of what this describes I can't fully comprehend. I think that is ok though. It leaves room for more reading later. Perhaps it will mean more later or bits will make sense at different times.

I read with interest the saved on their way to heaven, and I can hold onto the understanding that there is a whole multitude that cannot be numbered from every nation that is saved. I don't understand the seals and the riders-other than of course God can and will do all those things. He is God after all, and he is in charge, no matter what I might think. I read a bit from Ezekiel today (18 1-4, 19-32) God said "For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live." I think that has a lot to do with what is happening in this reading today. God desires us. He loves us. It is for us to turn toward him.


This last line of our reading today says: "For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." This is indeed something we can hold onto.

See you tomorrow. 
-maggie

Messages to the Churches

Revelation 2:1-3:22
Yesterday we had Jesus with the lampstands and the stars, and today we hear that he walks among them. Well, as they are churches it seems he is walking among-to-with-around the churches-the people he is talking to. And he carries the stars. the STARS. I guess he could but yikes, that is a big thing to carry in your right hand.

He says that the people in Ephesus have abandoned their first love. What is supposed to be our first love? That would be God, if I remember my commandments, and if they abandon this love, what are they left with? He says to the one who listens he will grant to eat from the fruit of the tree of life-which is  in the paradise of God. We know about that tree, we made a mistake with that fruit all those years ago-all those days ago in our readings-now this tree is guarded-we read about that, but this says it resides with God, and is available still to those who listen to and love the Lord.

While the imagery of the message may be unclear, and perhaps it was for a specific place and time, there is a message for us in the words to these churches. Listen to the word of the lord, do not forget your first love, repent when you are out of relationship with God, turn back -turn away from the devil.

He says this to the church in Philadelphia (not PA) I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

 So this church, these people who have little power are not rebuked. They are called to hold fast-to believe, and we can do those things. This is good news if we feel powerless-we have the ability to hold fast, to listen and to love.


To those of us who think we do not need God this is what he says: For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

I know that in times of trouble or distress I am more likely to remember to pray and to read the Bible. I might just be likely to think to myself I am OK, I don't need anything...but this can be a trap, when we go from I am blessed, to I am in charge of my welfare, I don't need anything, I don't need anyone, I don't need God. It is interesting that this says (essentially) don't hedge your bets. You can not have little household Gods, you can not ask the sorcerers (mediums, horoscopes, etc) what is going to happen, and still say you leave it all in God's hands. You are neither hot nor cold you are staying in the middle of the road. There comes a time when you have to declare-for one side or another.

Joshua says it like this: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!" I'm with him. I'm listening.
How about you?
See you tomorrow.
-maggie

A Voice and a Vision

Revelation 1:1-20
Blessed are those who hear and keep the words of the testimony. Soon. Something will take place. Well something is always taking place, so soon is a relative term. Whatever this soon means, again it will be obvious. I don't know about you but if that vision showed up in my study, I'd fall on my face too. Interesting that John says even though there will be wailing-people will be fearful or sorrowful-he says Amen-so be it.

I like his attitude, although, I am not certain that if he didn't like it, it would much matter-except to him. Sounds to me like this will happen regardless of our feelings about it. Then if that is the case what more does John say?

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

I notice that the IS part of the statement, the here and now part, is what is emphasized. Who IS first, who was, second, and who will be third. I believe this can help us shape our understanding of how to live and how to respond to God. Here and now, in the present we are to live, just as God is always present with us. The looking back is for us to know what He has done in the world and in history, and the looking ahead toward the future is useful only so far as it lets us know who will be there with us-always present.

I want to focus on a couple of things about this today. I was thinking about these lampstands and stars. If they represent the churches-then the stars are the light the churches should be holding aloft. A star is very bright, this is more than a candle in a lampstand, it is the light from heaven; so bright there is no dark in its presence. Even if we tried we couldn't put that light under a pot. Do we shine like that? Well, I don't think so, but lets see if there are suggestions on how to live into that light.

Next we have John...passing out-fainting-having a heart attack? I don't know but I can guess at how I would feel.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying,  "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades."

But Jesus put his hand on John and said I have the keys of death-get up; get up and take up your mat and walk, get up and sin no more, LAZARUS COME OUT, those kinds of keys. Jesus is alive forevermore.

Obviously John did get up, because we are reading what he wrote. What will he say, what will he record for us tomorrow? I will look forward to reading it, and considering, and incorporating it into my life.

How about you?
See you tomorrow.
-maggie

Love One another

1 John 3:11-4:21

OK you guessed it, I love this! John starts out this letter saying that we have heard this from the beginning-and then he goes right back there to say, we should not be like Cain who hated his brother-and killed his brother. He links this for us by saying that we should not be surprised that the world hates us, and yet we should not hate back. Because this hate is not of God, and if we are living in the Spirit of God we will abide in love. He says this for us a few times in case it didn't quite stick. And he is correct when he brings us back to Genesis, because we saw the love that God poured out again and again on his people and his creation, and that when we strayed from that love we got ourselves a whole passel of trouble.

Living outside the Spirit of God does not bring peace, and love and joy. And living in the Spirit we know is to live in love, as if love were a place we could reside, because love abides, it continues, it is. It is of God and is God; what wouldn't we wish to do that could keep us living in this relationship? It brings us all the way to the first commandment to love God with all our heart and with all our strength and with all our mind-and Jesus said the rest of the laws are for teaching us how to live in love with our neighbors. No wonder it is all about love.

If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

John makes an additional point about our call to give honor to Jesus as Son of God and Savior of the World.This too makes sense to me in this context especially, because God himself said "this is my son, my beloved, listen to him." and If Jesus is the beloved of God, and we wish to live in God's love-and bring God joy, we need to do those things that he has shown us to be good-for us and for our salvation. By this we can live in this love-we can abide in it.
See you tomorrow.
-maggie

Faith and Works

James 1:1-2:26

Testing our faith, as one would test a ladder to see if it will hold our weight, or as we test the brakes on the car to make sure they will stop us when we are coming to dangerous curves, or even how we are tested to make certain we have learned enough in a subject to progress on to the next level; this is how our faith is tested, and for the same reasons, I think.

James says that if we lack wisdom we should ask for it-and we have an example of that asking, and the gift that is given in Solomon. He asked for wisdom and it was reckoned to him as righteousness; so we know that James is telling the truth here when he says if we ask for wisdom God will answer that prayer.

In verse 12 James says rejoice when you have been tested and passed the test-and this I would do under the other circumstances so it makes sense to me to do so here. The next thing James says, though is interesting. He says God does not temp us-but rather it is our own desires that do so. For me it is my own head that makes me wish to sleep another hour when I should be getting up, or have an extra bowl of ice cream because it tastes good; these definitely are enticements of my own doing. So, again I think he is correct here.

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

 So, James says do not be deceived - every good gift comes from God. Well, again that makes sense; the earth is the Lord's for he made it...every good gift comes from God. OK I will endeavor to remember that.


When we are instructed by James to be doers of the word and not hearers only, it reminds me of the passage we read a few days ago, where it said we are not to judge others, but that by our works WE will be judged. So in this case James is saying the same thing-listen to the Word, listen to our neighbors; see them as they are in need and respond as we would like to have them respond to us-in this way we show our faith. Our actions should point to God and bring glory to him. If our actions are solely focused on our selves and our desires, then we are falling into this path of sin and death that James talks about just a few verses earlier.


In that light then, the admonition to resist partiality makes sense; if we think of others according to their lot in life or their appearance we are putting ourselves in the place of God and judging them. Our actions can bring glory to God or to ourselves; which should we choose? I think I would choose this living, visible faith, and pray for wisdom.


See you tomorrow.
-maggie

A Living Hope

1 Peter 1:1-2:12

May grace and peace be multiplied to you. That's a fine how-do-ya-do! I noticed greetings before in the letters from Paul and this letter from Peter takes a similar tack. It is important to know where we start, and out of that, address one another. Today I heard someone talk about getting up in the morning and writing in ink: "God, what would you have me do today?" and then writing everything else in pencil. I believe this greeting in prayer is the best place to start a conversation, and that everything else can flow from that.

So what is this conversation we are to have today? Let's talk about being born again into a living hope. That is what Peter says, and I think he is onto something, this idea that we are born again to hope. Why? Because we need to do this more than once. Peter next says that for a little while we will be grieved by trials, and indeed we are-again and again, and that is why I think we are in need of being born again into hope. This hope that we can live into is one that we could lose sight of if we let the trials wear us down. But in this, there is good news; this is a living hope. Like Christ and the Word of God, it is ready to come to us again and again to comfort and sustain us even in times of trials.

This hope is the same hope of the big three I've been thinking about the last few days-Faith, Hope and Love.

This is what Peter says: Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

This seems to be filling out my understanding of faith and hope and love. And just in case we didn't think Peter had any idea of what life was like he says life is fragile and we are all perishing (All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls...) So we can trust his words to us, because they come from someone who understands, and what does he give us to hang on to? He says: ...but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

And what is our response to be to this?  Peter urges us:... as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct ... honorable, so that ... they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

I will hang onto that hope, and I will keep it between me and the trials that might wage war against my soul, and pray that I might be about the Lord's work, whatever it might be.

See you tomorrow.
-maggie


 

A New Creation in Christ

2 Corinthians 4:1-62

Today, I will start at the end and work backward. I have found that the last verse today is one that comes to mind-and like most of what might come to mind from the Bible, I don't always remember where it is from. So, in this case 2 Corinthians 6:2 says: Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

And when we back up from that we see this:
"In a favorable time I listened to you,
and in a day of salvation I have helped you."

The verse I like is even better with the one before it. being listened to and helped is certainly what everyone wishes for. Now, if this is the end of today's reading, what does the rest of it say, and how do the earlier verses lead us to this conclusion?

Ahh, so it begins today by saying that this mercy-and the gifts I was talking about in yesterday's thoughts-as they are all gifts from God, help us not to lose heart. Paul says we do not lose heart, and "we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to use cunning or to tamper with God's word..."

We are to carry the light of Christ, of the Good News-the Gospel, and yet we are not see-through-we are made of clay; dirt-A-dam, well I got to pondering this idea, anyway, we are to carry the light but it is often hidden inside our less than transparent lives. And in these less than transparent lives we may have difficulties-well yes, I can admit that-But because of this hope and this light we are not overcome, and in this new life we can share the hope that springs out of not being overcome..."So that as grace extends to more and more people, it may increase thanksgiving, to the Glory of God." Yes, I can get on board with this.

And now even as we age ("waste away") we do not lose heart because at the same time we are being renewed in the Spirit. The things that are seen are transient, and the things that are unseen are eternal. That would be these same Faith, Hope & Love, I'm thinking-these that we don't see, but see evidence of -or the lack of - in our lives and the lives of the people around us. (That reminds me of a story-but I guess that'll be another day's pondering.)

Our job, then is to be about the business of sharing the light, and the good news, and of inviting others into this new life of the Spirit. I don't know that I am 'qualified' to do this, but I am willing to learn, and I am willing to be willing. Behold, now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation.

See you tomorrow.
-maggie

The Most Excellent Way

1 Corinthians 13:1-13
HA! I love this. OK, I just wanted to say that. So, there, I did.

This is getting at the root of some things. As my friend 'Mich' pointed out; we are to use the Good News  to encourage one another, what better way to do it than out of love, and through love and with love?

Did anyone else get stuck at the idea of having an "understanding of all mysteries and all knowledge"? Because I know I stopped there and thought to myself-how would one have an understanding of all mysteries and all knowledge? My guess is-that I couldn't, and so then I wonder about what this means. It isn't until I get to what the "Most Excellent Way" is that I start to get a glimmer. If I have not love; I am nothing. Actions without love are not worth our time. Why would we 'give away all that we have,' if it were not out of love? Perhaps it is for some other reason, like we wish to make a name for ourselves?

Anyway, Paul says to us that without love our actions are not going to have long-lasting results. Yet with love, they are full of life. Verses 4-7 give examples of what love is, yet the how is left up to us to live into and work out in our lives.

Verse 13 is the one I will stick with, it says that "faith, hope and love abide...[and] the greatest of these is love."
I had no control over when I was born or who my parents are. I have little control over where I live, being that this is a function or where I was born, and how I have lived-and the grace that has been afforded me-not to have been injured or sick in ways that have reduced my opportunities. What I am getting at is this: None of what I have is really my own doing, it is all a gift, and when I leave-fall asleep-whatever euphemism we wish to employ, I will do it without anything...except, wait, this says faith, hope and love abide...Abide-stay-continue...

Faith will no longer be needed, resurrection life will be a reality (or it will not-so there is no need for faith) Hope will not be needed (see above comment) but love, it IS. God IS Love, God IS. Love abides. Love continues. Love comes with us. Love is the most excellent way.

See you tomorrow.
-maggie

The Coming of the Lord

1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11
Here we have two things together that address common questions: what happens when we die and when will the world end.

It's funny that it seems to talk in euphemisms when describing death-as in they have fallen asleep, and we have a tendency to do it still. Why, I wonder. Perhaps it is the unknown quality of what happens next. In this letter, Paul says that those who have already died will be going with Jesus when he returns, and that all who are still waiting for that return will go with him at that time. The next question seems natural enough: when will that be?

And the answer is-it will be obvious, but we do not need to know when that will be. I find I could spend a LOT of time wondering what happens next. Where will I live, what will I do for a living, will I find a good church, will I have enough money...? The questions can take over all my thoughts and take an enormous amount of time. So this is said in order to put an end to that time-consuming line of thought. I could wonder and think about things; the when's and what's of life, the how's and why's or why not's, but in this passage-among others-it says not to waste my life on such things.

It isn't for me to wonder about-to the exclusion of living in the Good News, and in the fruit of the Spirit. While we are 'awake' we are to LIVE. Worrying is not living a life of faith and peace, and these (faith and peace) are fruit of the Spirit, while fear is not, and reckless selfishness is not. We are to make a choice to live fully; for the Lord, and to wait for His coming in His time. We won't be mistaken when the time comes, but until then...live.

See you tomorrow.
-maggie

All Scripture is God-Breathed

2 Timothy 3:10-4:8
It is interesting, I think, that Paul says all those who endeavor "to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived."

Interesting, because the temptation to compare our lot with other people's is a trap, and one that can draw us into other sins like coveting or idolatry...the worry that someone else is not getting what their actions deserve or they are making out like bandits (perhaps because they are bandits) sticks like dried bread in our throats. But, all of this is not the reality that we are called to. I think these very concerns are part of the persecution we can experience. This looking at others or gauging our lot against those of others is truly a trap that keeps us from living a life of joy.

All scripture is God-breathed...OK, so how do I respond to that? God-breathed. produced, infused, imbued, filled, alive. All these words come to mind when I contemplate God-breathed scripture. All of it is useful, and it would be if it was given by God for those of us who are reading and responding to it.

Next we are to preach the word-this living word that is God-breathed. So, not of our own selves does this come, but rather from God. Yet, we can have a conversation, one that I can conceive of easily, where we might ask what is the world coming to, and get plenty of answers that are not necessarily hopeful. So, while this gives an opportunity to have a continuing conversation about what the word of God says, we see that Paul experiences circumstances in which people do not care to listen. "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."

Do we live in such a time? I think we could at least anticipate such reactions, but it doesn't matter, because as we saw in the opening lines; we are to preach the Word and not be tempted to worry about other peoples' response-or lifestyle-lest we be drawn away from this loving relationship with the Lord God. Trust in this God-breathed word, and preach of this Good News so others might have this peace. And if they don't we aren't to let it draw us into this persecution and temptation, lest we ourselves lose the joy that is in us.


See you tomorrow.
-maggie

Good Soldiers of Christ

2 Timothy 2:1-26

Hmm, I didn't know what we were going to read according to this title, but the beginning of Paul's second letter to Timothy has my attention. This admonition to stick to the proscribed rules and not to be sidetracked by other things and ideas. This is similar to what he said yesterday, using slightly different examples.

"No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him." 

Again this entreaty to avoid "irreverent babble." Sometimes people just need to keep their mouths closed. This is more than just keeping quiet though, in this I think Paul is trying keep us from getting distracted or distracting others. And more than that, talking in ways that are contrary to God's word and the Good News of Christ.

The ending paragraph of this passage reminds me of certain questions that have come up over the years; the question of when the world will end and Christ return in judgement. There are other things we like to quarrel over or discuss at length, and yet Paul, (who is not known for being wishy-washy in his convictions) says not to go there. Perhaps he has learned through experience that it isn't useful to be in the middle of arguments over "ignorant controversies."

Gentle teaching will do more for getting a point across. I heard a sermon on a similar topic last Sunday, and the way to achieve this is by listening; hearing what another person has to say and asking them to tell you more-so that when the time comes they may ask you what you think and you can then tell of the hope that is in you. By following this plan: remember who enlisted you, don't get sidetracked, avoid irreverent babble, and using gentle teaching, these are ways to be a follower of Christ. Ways in which you will live "strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus."

See you tomorrow.
-maggie

The Love of Money

1 Timothy 6:3-21

These first verses seem to be talking about something different than we might expect from today’s title, and yet, these verses expand upon what we were reading in the beginning of yesterday’s passage.

Verses 3-10 are cautionary verses; be careful what guides you, and who you listen to. Yesterday I was reminded of the first commandment, and this says plainly, (in case I wasn’t paying attention) that desiring riches – above desiring to serve and follow the Lord, is a snare. Yes, today’s passage starts by talking about those who teach, and yet just as I thought yesterday, these are words for anyone. The descriptions of the “unhealthy craving[s]” are of those things that can & do draw us away from living a life filled with contentment.

…as for the rich in this present age…we have seen that all we have is a gift from God, and so it is foolish to be “haughty.” [The rich] “are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

This explanation then followed by the admonition to “guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge," for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.”

How are these things related? It seems to me that these false ideas; that riches or acquired knowledge are of our own doing, lead us off course. These are all snares, because if we take our eyes off God, and put other things in the place of or before God we miss out on living a life filled with contentment.

What do you think?

See you tomorrow.
-maggie

Elders and Deacons

1Timothy 3:1-16

These admonitions for how to live are good for anyone, not just elders and deacons.

Do not be a lover of money...I remember what the first commandment said: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Do not be a drunkard (That’s obvious)

Do not be a slanderer: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor

You see what I am getting at, these are really good ways to live, and not just good ideas, but the law (as I said earlier, they are like the law of gravity-just better to keep in mind if you want to keep from falling flat on your face.)

Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.

This is indeed something that is not easy to understand, but it is something I find my spirit rejoices in. It feels somehow ‘right’ even if I can’t fully explain it or fully understand all that it means. Godliness is something I wish to live into.

See you tomorrow.

-maggie

The Supremacy of Christ

Colossians 1:1-23

A word about greetings: I often think I could learn something from these greetings. How wonderful to bid someone hello by telling them you always thank God and pray for them! And what a wonderful way to let them know you are praying for them:

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

There is a lot to learn from these verses. Now we come to the part of the passage where today's title comes from; the supremacy of Christ. This next section is so full of description that it would take me a long while to mull it over.

Christ is the image of the invisible God-thanks to Jesus we can see God. This Jesus who walked among the people of his time showed us who God is; what he is like, what he values, how he loves us, and walks with us. This was not a pillar of cloud. Jesus was a man who ate fish with his friends, This is what God is like.

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

He was first, he is creator, he is God's only son. I don't know about you, but that is bigger than I can completely grasp.

How about this:
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

What do I do with these thoughts? I am not certain that I can completely grasp this either. And yet, next it says that even while I was hostile or alienated, "he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him..."

This then is something I can understand more fully..."if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven..."
This is indeed something I wish to continue in.
See you tomorrow.
-maggie

Rejoice in the Lord

Philippians 4:2-9

This encouragement to assist those who have labored with Paul for the sake of the Gospel is how today's passage begins, and then our reading today gets its title from this second section: Rejoice in the Lord, always, the Lord is at hand.

Were the Lord at hand, it would give us reasons to rejoice, and so this says He is, and so we do. Do we? It says we are not to be anxious, and yesterday we talked about the fruit of living in the Spirit, that in such a life we would not be anxious. So this is another call to live as if what we have heard and seen is true and worthy of our joy, and inspiring our peace.

This also gives us a way to combat any anxiety we might have, through prayer and by giving thanks we can talk with God, and in so doing can guard our hearts and minds...in Christ Jesus. So this living in Christ Jesus, this thankful prayer, this brings us closer to God, and in living closer to God we can have that joy and peace. That joy and peace that doesn't make sense - but is still there. ...if there is anything worthy of praise think about that.

So, I will not linger on those things for which I don't give thanks, I will be thankful for all the worthy things and people in my day, and this will bring me joy.

There are many of those things if I pay attention.

See you tomorrow.
-maggie

The Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-20

Yesterday we read about the fruit of the Spirit, and today we read about the armor of God in order to be strong in the Lord. I can see that in order to live in the fruit of the Spirit, we must resist the evil one who would rob us of our joy and our peace. We can do that by reading and understanding this good news of the Gospel, by accepting the truth of the Lord as our worldview-as our way of life, and by proclaiming and claiming the Gospel message for ourselves and to others. Rather than responding out of fear or hurt or envy or anger we can respond out of love and in the grace of the Lord. This then is the armor of God, He gives it to us in His word, and with His presence.

This Lord of the Israelites who said he would go with them and would fight for them, this is the same Lord who has our back, and since that is the case, there is no need to fall into traps that would rob us of peace or lead us away. This assurance is part of the armor of God.

Ahh, then through prayer we can enter into this relationship, and in this relationship we can have peace. Perhaps peace with our neighbors and our family, but certainly peace of mind. Supplication-asking-for ourselves and for others to be in this same relationship, to live in the fruit of the Spirit and with the armor of God. This is how we strive to live in Grace. This gift of Grace is available, but we must pay attention so that we are not robbed of it.

See you tomorrow.
-maggie

The Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:16-6:10

How to live in the Spirit? How to live a fruitful life? Well this is instructive, as far as it goes. We can live by our own will and that sounds very 'normal,' however this first passage says there is another way to live; a way that is not normal; a way that is more than normal. Just as yesterday we talked about being more than conquerors, today we hear about how to be more than normal.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

This life in the Spirit sounds like a restful one. to live in joy and peace, to treat others with kindness, to be faithful...full of faith, to rule myself with control, these are ways that may not be normal, and yet I would choose them over the alternatives.

Left to my own devices, or inclinations, I could be angry or irritated (which would make me irritating). I don't usually have 'fits' of anger but this isn't about my actions relative to someone else's, that is what the second half of this passage is talking about. I must worry about my own response to God's call. Interesting that we must bear each others burdens, and yet we must judge ourselves according to our work. There is a fine line between becoming conceited, as if the Spirit-filled life were my own doing, and yet one must not irritate others to the point that they are not able to live a peaceful, joyous life. And if they are filled with joy and peace, it is not for us to covet their happiness.

Simple words, and not many verses, but I believe I could work this out, ponder and wonder all day, indeed maybe all my life and still have more to live into.Jesus Christ has 'crucified' the desires that are not of the Spirit. I think to myself, then why won't these behaviors and thoughts stay dead? I don't know.

Perhaps that is why it says "as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Just as this reading ends today, so I will end my thoughts. Let us daily, continually do good to everyone.


See you tomorrow.
-maggie

More than Conquerors

Romans 8:1-39
This passage ends by saying we are more than conquerors, and so today's reading gets its title. But what does that mean? There is so much to read today, even though it is only one chapter, that it could take me a long time to read and re-read it.

When I looked up the timing of this letter it is written before yesterday's trip to Rome, so these folks don't know him personally, nor does he know them. But what I notice is this same eloquent style we have heard from Paul already. Yet it is a formal writing, and I think because there is a lot to take in, it isn't a reading that I can digest easily in one sitting.

Starting at the beginning, I see that Paul lets people see the relationship between what Christ did and what the law of God requires, how through Christ we are fully sanctified. This sanctification that we could not hope to achieve on our own is managed by the grace of God. I am thankful, and should be thankful every day, since I know I need this grace every day.

Then there is this news that we are heirs. I remember some of the readings earlier about inheritance, and how the son - the eldest son is due an inheritance from his father, according to the laws of the time, and we have heard that Jesus is God's son. What would that inheritance look like? To inherit everything. "The earth is the Lord's for He made it." So the firstborn son, the only son is due the inheritance. What this next says is that we are adopted into that inheritance as brothers and sisters of Christ.Wow.

The understanding that there is more later, and while we may have troubles here, what comes next is even better, and so we hope for that future. That even if we do not see it, we can hope in this future, because of the promises of God. And that explains the passage title for us, I think. If we were going to have all the glory and all the blessings now we would be conquerors, there would be nothing we couldn't subdue, but in this sense we are not conquerors, our hope is for those things as yet unseen, but promised. I will  wait and trust in those promises. How about you?

See you tomorrow.
-maggie

The Trip to Rome

Acts 25:1-28:31

This trip of Paul's was long. It took months and there were several instances when it reminded me more of Jonah's trials than of a simple trip to jail. At each point Paul spoke well with the people who would listen and yet, unlike Jonah he was not running away from God's call but going along with it, and in each instance there were people who heard the Good News for the first time and believed.

The passages on the sea would be quite something to have lived through, smelly and scary no doubt, but still the way that Paul spoke and never stopped telling the people who would listen what God had planned...it would have been quite something to have lived through.

Paul does live through it and so do the soldiers. Today we heard that Paul spent two years in Rome speaking with anyone who would come to him.

Do we know people like those who listened to Paul, to whom he said: For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed...Are we closing our own eyes to the work of God around us? Or shall we like 'some,' shall we believe?

See you tomorrow.
-maggie

More Missionary Journeys

Acts 16:1-20:38
Before I go too far, I want to point out the difference of translations. And perhaps the importance of reading along in one or more, or talking to others who read in different translations. Because sometimes we need to ask, why was that word used or what did this passage mean. The section in Acts 16 has Paul and Silas and Timothy meeting people and going among them to their homes and synagogues. In one instance a woman kept badgering them and yelling behind them. And finally Paul is annoyed enough to command the spirit to come out of her. The thing I noticed is that in one translation it says she was yelling these men are proclaiming the way of salvation and in another version it read they are proclaiming a way of salvation. There is a difference between a way and the way. I can see where they were annoyed by this woman because Jesus wasn't one of many ways, He was the Only way...in a place and time when there were many options, what Paul and Silas were saying was contrary to this idea, they were saying there was only one way, and this woman was misleading the listeners-and bringing publicity to herself-and for her 'owners.' No wonder they got upset and had the disciples thrown in jail, this was another instance when the money-making opportunity was lost.

The situation with the jailer trying first to kill himself because his life was forfeit if he lost those high profile prisoners, and then finding not only hadn't they left but they stayed and waited for him...all of this worked in such a way that his entire family was brought into a saving relationship with the one God, and all because Paul and Silas were annoyed by the woman yelling behind them.

I really love this section in Acts 17 where Paul says, I see you are 'very religious' and have an altar to the "unknown God." I tell you that the creator of the world and everything in it wants to be near you and be known by you. As we have read through these readings we see again and again God has met with, spoken with, championed and loved the people. This message Paul gives the men of Athens, who are educated men, he gives them familiar quotes that assist them in relating to what he is telling them.

I find it interesting that here, the Roman Proconsul determines to force the Jews to deal with their religious questions and differences themselves and not in a Roman court. The word of what happened to Jesus and Pilot must have been heard in Corinth, and Gallio wanted no part of the proceedings.

These passages are full of travel. Paul's travels and the words and deeds and travels of others. They are even more full of the words of new faith and new believers, and belief against all normal circumstances. These last verses have Paul going to Jerusalem, saying he won't see any of them again, and that he will suffer in every city he goes to...and yet he goes. He stayed when he should stay and he preached when he should preach, and now he is going where he needs to go. Today we read of all that God did with his obedience. What will God do with our obedience? Paul was one man, and an unlikely one at that, and yet the Lord used his words and his knowledge and his willingness to bring many new people into a relationship with himself.

How will we be obedient? How will God use our time, talents and testimonies? Are we willing, to be willing?
See you tomorrow.
-maggie

The Council at Jerusalem

Acts 15:1-41

Today this reading is beautiful; full of hope for all of us and Peter and James bring such wonder, wisdom and love to the conversation that I would rejoice to have been there with them. James' words from Simeon are so insightful, and mean that all of us these many years and generations later are recipients of these promises of God.

Their directions are clear as well, don't add burdens to people's lives, but make certain they know what not to do. What not to do to be in right relationship with God and for their own health. This is good advice.

How smart that the council wrote a letter saying they all agreed and then hand delivered it with the same words. After all, anyone could write a letter, and if you didn't know the person you wouldn't know for certain the words were true. In this case they sent witnesses along who could verify the letter and the authorship. This is like much of what we have been reading, in that the witnesses have been the ones telling what they have seen, to those of us who come later, so that we may be assured.

It is an odd last paragraph not in keeping with the tenor of most of the reading, but I think it sounds like Joseph's story, where his brothers sent him into slavery. Not exactly the same, but what I am getting at is up to now Paul and Barnabas had been making the rounds together to only one place at a time and now we have doubled the number of those who are going about spreading the good news. Paul has Silas, who we have already heard was a prophet in his own right and Barnabas has young John Mark to go with him and these circumstances, while they may have been caused by man's own weakness, can be used by God for His glory. "What you meant for harm, God meant for good." Sometimes it is our good intentions that carry the news, and sometimes God does it in spite of us.

Thankfully.

See you tomrrow.
-maggie

The First Missionary Journey

Acts 13:1-14:28

Today, with little fanfare we have Saul named Paul. One paragraph he is Saul, and it says he is also called Paul, and the next paragraph he is Paul and from here on this is what he is called. Yesterday I was reading some passages in the Old Testament about King Saul and today we have Saul/Paul speaking eloquently about these very passages. He leads his listeners easily from the Old Testament prophets to the Good News of Jesus. One phrase stood out to me especially in this reading and that was when he said "and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses"

We have seen where it is impossible to follow every law perfectly, we ourselves have trouble even doing all the things we think we should and the perfection of God's plan is impossible. Saul/Paul talks about David of whom God said "I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will."

And yet, David, as we know was not perfect, and made several terrible mistakes. We too can make mistakes, and like David, we can turn back toward the Lord.

Now Paul and Barnabas go places where there is a desire to hear of the works of God, warring with the desire of others not to hear. Some wish to make idols of the news bearers, while others wish to stop up their ears and silence the speakers...but the Good News spreads, the men are not silenced and those who hear are filled with joy.

This comes with a warning not to hear and reject the Good News, and it also comes with a promise to spread the light so that people who were living in the dark can now see clearly. I wish to live in this light, and to hold it aloft that others might see as well.

In the light of this Good News, see you tomorrow.
-maggie

The Road to Damascus

Acts  9:1-31

Funny this is a passage before yesterday's reading, but here we are reading it today. This section of passages is titled the travels of Paul.

There is a song about this passage that I liked since I first heard it; it is called The Voice of God, by 4Him.

It starts like this:
I have dreamed of being Moses
Standing on the mountain top
When he heard the voice of God
And I admit that even sometimes
I’ve imagined I was Paul on the road to Damascus
When he heard the Savior's call...

I think about what it would have been like to be in charge and in control with everything figured out...and then find that all of it was wrong. Hearing such an obvious call that changes EVERYTHING. What would that be like? I don't know, but Saul finds himself without sight, as in he can't see anything. He goes from being in charge to being led by the hand, dependent on someone else for everything.

The passage gives us poor Ananias who says (as we have heard others say before him) 'um God, are you sure? Do you know what you are asking me to do?'This Saul is really scary!' It does Ananias credit that he goes ahead and does what the Lord asks. Would I be that bold? I don't know that either. It is almost easier to have been Saul: he had no choice. Ananias has a choice and he makes the scary one. How each one of us have been blessed by Ananias' response. Again this shows us the benefit of one righteous man, who says yes to God.

I will look forward to reading the next few days as this new life for Saul unfolds before us. It is no wonder that the people are skeptical of this 'new and improved' Saul. But it also tells us something about the power of his conversion that he was able to convince others of the truth as it had been revealed to him. It also tells us something about the believers of that time. We just read about Stephen's being stoned to death, and about the regular plotting to have people killed, and yet they were willing to listen and to be informed by the Holy Spirit as things changed. We could all learn from these people. I could consider how to hear the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I could wait to see what God revealed, I could go into the scary places, even if I didn't want to, even if it might be the end of the world as I know it...with God's help I can.

See you tomorrow.
-maggie

Good News for All

Acts 10:1-11:18

Cornelius sees an angel of the Lord who speaks to him. It must be that even though he was not a Jew (uncircumcised) he had heard of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and followed. I find that interesting. I wonder how he heard, and why he believed. Yet he did, and when Peter comes and talks to him and 'his whole household' they were ready to hear this good news.

Three times Peter hears the word of the Lord, he is slow sometimes isn't he? I think that is good news for us because I think we are (I know I am) slow sometimes. This speech that Peter gives is not the same as what he has said to others. It seems gentle and direct, he gives them credit for knowing what they have heard. When he says "Stand up, I too am a man....And we are witnesses of all that he did..." he invites them into the story as participants.

When he returned there were some who criticized him, but he "explained it to them in order."

Well now I can see some things here to go along with. First we need to recognize as Peter did that this news is for everyone, not just those we know and who are like us. We are those who have received this good news from those who came before. Secondly, we who bring the Good News are not the important ones, nor are we special because of it, we are 'just men' (or in my case just a woman) but anyway you get my meaning. We are not Billy Graham, and even if we were, it wasn't Billy Graham that was the good news, rather he just brought the Good News. And thirdly, we need to explain things in order-or rather speak plainly, clearly and logically without getting ahead of ourselves but making certain to give the important points. Once Peter let those who had criticized him know about the work of the Lord and his reasons for answering the call as he did they too rejoiced with him. Be prepared to defend your faith and the call it places on your life.

Two more things stand out to me: bring your whole household. Cornelius used his enthusiasm and his influence to encourage others to hear this Good News. We too can do this; invite, join and bring. and lastly Rejoice!  Praise God and join God where He is working in order to spread the Good News.

See you tomorrow.
-maggie

Sharing the Word

Acts 8:26-40

"Rise and go to... to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert place."

Is it in the desert, is that what the Lord is saying? Perhaps, but I think it is also like the place where Jesus  fasted and prayed and was ministered to by the angels of the Lord. I remember that the Word of  the Lord was on his lips when the evil one tempted him. This desert place is one where the scriptures can be opened for us.

We read yesterday that Philip was spreading the good news in Samaria, and now he is on his way toward Jerusalem, still spreading the good news. Whether or not this was his original plan, Philip is following the Lord's plan and look at what happens! We may not read about all of his preaching and teaching but we have this one scene that tells us a lot; both about Philip's actions, but also about what people who don't know or haven't heard wish to know - and the results.

"Do you understand what you are reading?"


"How can I unless someone guides me?"

This question and answer tell me an easy way to offer more. Obviously the Ethiopian wanted to know more, since he was already reading it. And his answer is true. How can any of us, of our own accord, know what things mean? We go to school, we take classes we read instructional books on all sorts of things we wish (or need) to learn. Without this guidance and instruction, we are left to guess at what things mean, and guessing, we can get things wrong. Tim Conway did a skit where the dentist was reading the instructions on how to extract a tooth, while he was working on a patient. This was hilarious, as comedy skits can be, but in reality, without guidance we are all left to figure it out on our own. In the case of Tim Conway the dentist, the patient found himself with an infected tooth, and an incompetent dentist who had injected himself with the Novocaine, instead of the patient. In the case of this Ethiopian, Philip obliges and tells him the back story and the end of the story and the beginning of the rest of his life.

The Ethiopian takes it to heart! He asks: What is to prevent me from getting baptized right here and now? Nothing! Without Philip, the Ethiopian would have been reading without the rest of this story; we each need a Philip to explain and expand the story. Yesterday a friend came who was reading these passages and asked about one of the earlier readings, and we talked about it and read some together about it and she left with a better understanding. In this study we can look at what the teachers of the scriptures have said before, we can add our thoughts to those of others and together we can read with understanding, and receive joy as this Ethiopian did.

Together we can spread the good news.
See you tomorrow.
-maggie

The First Martyr

Acts 6:8-8:8

Stephen, while not one of the 'original' disciples, is here speaking so strongly and clearly-and from what we have already read, truthfully, that he gets quite a lot of attention. But his words aren't being well received by everyone. In a fit of rage, these people rush at him and stone him to death, all the while he doesn't hold it against them.

Maybe after that speech about the prophets and Jesus, he isn't surprised at the outcome, but all I can say is after hearing how well he spoke, I am sorry I didn't get to hear more of his speeches. This is a mob scene-literally and I have never been around one, and I am certain I would not like to be. How is it that a mob will do things that one person acting on their own would not. I bet if any one of these people were told to take up enough stones to go in front of witnesses and kill a man, an unarmed man in cold blood, they would not do it; yet in a group they go ahead and kill him.

Makes me think it is important to pay attention to where we go, and with whom we hang out. Being one of the crowd is not necessarily going to be a good thing. Even had Stephen 'deserved' death, they did not do it according to their own law and their own custom, and the charges were false, and they knew it. We must be careful not to participate in the things that would harm us or others in order to be part of this crowd.

This Saul, who watches while Stephen is stoned, goes about and gathers up people into prison. Also not someone I'd like to hang out with. The folks who had been so full of the good news are spread around the outlying areas and as they flee they continue to speak of this good news and they continue to heal the people they meet. It says Philip went to Samaria and preached with boldness and power. This message wouldn't have gotten that far, had they stayed in one place. Is this still the anti-babel? Is this still where God says "go into all the world?" What am I called to do now, now that I too am a recipient of this good news?

See you tomorrow?
-maggie

Growth & Persecution

Acts 3:1-4:37

The beginning of the reading today we see a man who has been lame since birth, and this time the disciples don't ask who sinned, instead they tell him to get up in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He jumps up! He leaps up! He is REALLY up, alive and praising God. It is interesting that while he is very glad and light of spirit, it says he clings to Peter and John. He has probably never been inside the Temple before-certainly not on his own feet so he has never seen this place and these people from this perspective. Peter and John, now, he trusts them.

Peter is no longer timid either, he praises God and again clearly brings the truth of the prophets from old into this new situation. I love that he says 'why do you look at us, as if we did this ourselves. God did this; "God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, God of our fathers." Peter also says they must repent and turn to the Lord, just as the prophets said of old, and he points out for them (and this is for us too) that "You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.'"

This goes on to say that the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees were annoyed they were preaching about the resurrection from the dead. Now we might think they were upset about them pointing out what took place, and reminding people about Jesus' death, but this makes a point about them being annoyed because they were talking about the resurrection-and in part that is because the Sadducees did not believe that resurrection from the dead was even possible. I suppose it could be understandable in general terms that they would feel this way, but it was something they had been debating for...I don't know a long time; the Pharisees believed it was a possibility but the Sadducees did not so this was an affront to their understanding of what God did.

These two men now are different than they had been. Peter is not hiding in the shadows waiting to see what will happen, he is standing up front and loudly teaching about the old prophets and the current glory of God. No wonder the learned people were amazed, since as far as they could tell they had never had any official schooling or been trained by any accepted Rabbi; so from where did they get this knowledge, and why were they no longer cowering behind locked doors? That the lame 40 year old man was no longer lame was obvious and they couldn't deny that. so they commanded (begged) them not to say anything...Peter and John said "whether it is better in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge," but we will speak of what we know.

No wonder the others pray for boldness; this is something to behold. Now they are the ones who are carrying the message. It is as if the teaching that they had been receiving has finally sunk in. All the time we heard them asking questions and not quite getting the message; now they were able - and willing to speak plainly, clearly and powerfully.

Again this says the believers had everything in common; that they were of one heart and soul. This single-purpose focus amplifies the power with which they are able to proclaim the good news. When Peter and John heal and proclaim in Jesus' name, are imprisoned and released, the others ask for more of this same boldness. Together they can be encouraged. I want this focus, and I need this support.

See you tomorrow.
-maggie

The Day of Pentecost

Acts 2:1-47

This the 71st day out of 100 readings we read about the Day of Pentecost. The happenings were described for us so that we knew what happened, but there was already a reason for them to be together. This day had a name before the scene unfolded as described. So I looked it up (On Judaism 101) It says that this day of Pentecost was a day of gathering and no labor was to be done. It is a celebration of the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, and in thanksgiving of the gifts of God (First fruits). These celebrations should be familiar to us from when we read about these occurrences in the Old Testament. And it explains why all these people from all over, these  'devout men from all over the world' were there.

I wonder why, when they were telling them all the wonders of God - in their own language some thought they were drunk? If they were talking gibberish, then they couldn't have known they were telling all the wonders of God, and yet there was certainly something remarkable going on, and my guess is they were HAPPY! After we have read about them first being scared, and then being timid and confused...now all of a sudden they were happy and BOLD. That was the difference that people really wondered at.

OK, we remember when the people were dispersed in Babel all the way back on day 6 of our reading, and this is an anti-babel; on this day everyone hears and understands. But even more than that, there are tongues as of fire appearing on their heads, and a big wind from heaven that filled the whole house. Something in the heavens was moving.

I love that Peter here yells out to everyone, 'Nope we are not drunk-it's a little early for that don't you know.' this is the fulfillment of the promises from the prophets. And he goes ahead and makes a case for them logically and clearly (not drunkenly, or timidly, or fearfully) He just says here it is-pay attention! And guess what? They did. Just like when John the baptizer said "You brood of vipers," and people asked what must we do? This too brings the same response. And again the message is not new: Repent and be baptized.

"For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." We are these people that are far off. We can have this gift of the Holy Spirit.

The last of this passage we are reading today says that they gathered together daily and gave to each other as any had need and devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to breaking bread together and praying together. And everyone who saw them, saw signs and wonders, and they gained favor among the people-and people were drawn to them and this way of living that made such a difference in the lives of the people.

This belonging and gathering of people all devoted to the apostles' teaching and sharing their lives with one another is something that would stand out today, too. We are disconnected from each other by our work, and our computers and our locked doors. No longer do we share this kind of life with people who strive for the same thing and know and care about us as individuals. This fellowship is certainly something that would-or could bring us closer to God. I don't think an hour a week is enough even to know God, how can it be all there is of our lives that we share with other believers? Just wondering.

See you tomorrow.
-maggie

The Ascension

Acts 1:1-11

This is what happens next? Wow, I wonder what this means? This account is written by a witness, and as it turns out by the author of the Gospel of Luke, so when he says he presented the things Jesus began to do and teach we have read some of those things. He goes on to say that Jesus presented himself alive to many witnesses after the resurrection and we have just read about some of those incidences. Luke goes on to say that they are to await the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, will you restore the Kingdom to Israel? That is a question that must have been on their minds for a long time. Once they figured out he was the one coming that had been spoken about by the prophets; once they had seen him with the prophets; once they had heard the voice of God speak over him; once they had seen the signs and wonders, and the angels, yes once they had seen these things they must have wondered. But what is their answer?

The answer to when is not given. In fact a lot of the questions throughout the Bible are answered with another question, perhaps a different question or a better question. In this case, the answer is God is God and you are not. Well, not exactly that but the gist of it is that asking questions about when something is going to happen is like trying to be God, to have more control then they need. Instead they are commissioned to go out and spread this good news; the news of what they have seen with their own eyes and heard with their own ears, and give this good news to people who are living without the knowledge of the God who loves them and cares enough about them to send his only son as the perfect lamb of sacrifice, in fulfillment of the law, and as prophesied by the righteous ones of old.

When he had spoken these things “he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.” And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

These two men; were they the two Mary saw in the tomb? I don’t know but I wonder. Jesus has gone into heaven and they have gotten a job description for what comes next. These words of how Jesus will come again are words I understand, but the meaning is …well, interesting. Jesus will come back on clouds from the sky? Next time the son of God comes he won’t be a helpless baby; he will be the grown adult the resurrected King. This Jesus who commands the waves to be still, and the dead to come out, this Jesus will come down from heaven – and it will be obvious. Ok. I’ll wait.

See you tomorrow.

-maggie