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
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
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
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
Friday, June 10, 2011
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
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
Thursday, June 9, 2011
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
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
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
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
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
Monday, June 6, 2011
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
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
Sunday, June 5, 2011
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
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
Saturday, June 4, 2011
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
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
Friday, June 3, 2011
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
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
Thursday, June 2, 2011
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
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
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
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
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
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