God has Come

•June 6, 2013 • 1 Comment

Do you long to see God?  To know what he is like?  How he acts?

If so, the place to look is at Jesus.  How he lived his life on earth was how God behaves, what he would do.

God wants us to know him and see him – that is what Jesus showed us, and continues to show us if we look.

Luke 7:11-17

A Widow’s Son

11 Soon Jesus and his disciples were on their way to the town of Nain, and a big crowd was going along with them. 12 As they came near the gate of the town, they saw people carrying out the body of a widow’s only son. Many people from the town were walking along with her.

13 When the Lord saw the woman, he felt sorry for her and said, “Don’t cry!”

14 Jesus went over and touched the stretcher on which the people were carrying the dead boy. They stopped, and Jesus said, “Young man, get up!” 15 The boy sat up and began to speak. Jesus then gave him back to his mother.

16 Everyone was frightened and praised God. They said, “A great prophet is here with us! God has come to his people.”

17 News about Jesus spread all over Judea and everywhere else in that part of the country.

This story has immediate resonances with this weeks Old Testament Reading from 1 Kings 17.  This time it is Jesus bringing life back to a widow’s son.

But the result is the same – the people’s acknowledgement that here is a prophet.  And a recognition that God has come to his people.

Whatever else these events in Jesus’ life and ministry are for, they are to leave everyone in no doubt that God is here, among his people.

Are we looking to see him?

Are we seeking to be his presence that others may see him?

Lord,
may I look
that I may see you.
Not just in the obvious
but in all the places you walk,
the unexpected places you work,
the reality you live in.

And as I see you,
may I live
that others may continue to see you

Posted in bible, faith, God, Jesus, Lectionary, Religion, theology
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This is my Story

•June 5, 2013 • 3 Comments

I am firmly of the opinion that we don’t do enough of ‘Telling our Story’ in church.  Unless we know someone really well, and not always then, we don’t know where they’ve come from, what has made them how they are.  Maybe it’s just my natural nosiness, sorry interest in people, but I love to hear people’s stories, and I think we can find a lot of strength and support from sharing them.

Galatians 1:11-24

How Paul Became an Apostle

11 My friends, I want you to know that no one made up the message I preach. 12 It wasn’t given or taught to me by some mere human. My message came directly from Jesus Christ when he appeared to me.

13 You know how I used to live as a Jew. I was cruel to God’s church and even tried to destroy it. 14 I was a much better Jew than anyone else my own age, and I obeyed every law that our ancestors had given us. 15 But even before I was born, God had chosen me. He was kind and had decided 16 to show me his Son, so that I would announce his message to the Gentiles. I didn’t talk this over with anyone. 17 I didn’t say a word, not even to the men in Jerusalem who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went at once to Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus.

18 Three years later I went to visit Peter in Jerusalem and stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 The only other apostle I saw was James, the Lord’s brother. 20 And in the presence of God I swear I am telling the truth.

21 Later, I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 But no one who belonged to Christ’s churches in Judea had ever seen me in person. 23 They had only heard that the one who had been cruel to them was now preaching the message that he had once tried to destroy. 24 And because of me, they praised God.

I’m sure Paul’s reputation had gone before him.  People would have known some of his story.  Maybe he is wanting to make sure they’ve heard his version… He wants them to know his credentials for coming to them and sharing God’s message.

Here he lays out how it was.  That he used to be the most stringent of Jews, obeying all the laws to the utmost – but that was nothing – until he met God’s son.

Paul is called, he realises, to bring God’s message to the Gentiles.  To take Him beyond the Jewish world.

His story is of one who was once so anti-Christianity and all it stood for – and now he is here to tell them how true it is.  If he can discover that from the place he was, then anyone can.

What a powerful story Paul tells.  In telling it he not only not only shares about God, but also encourages the people of Galatia.

So what is our story?  Yours and mine?  Where have we come from?  What have we been through?  How has God spoken to us? How has he called us and used us?

How can we share that with others, to encourage and support one another?

Thank you Lord
that we all have a story
of how you came to us,
called us,
and equipped us.
Thank you
that whatever our experiences
we have something to share.

Lord,
take my story,
and may I speak for you

Posted in bible, calling, community, faith, Lectionary, life, Religion, theology
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I Will Rejoice

•June 4, 2013 • Leave a Comment

This is a great prayer:

Psalm 30

(A psalm by David for the dedication of the temple.)

A Prayer of Thanks

30 I will praise you, Lord!
    You saved me from the grave
    and kept my enemies
    from celebrating my death.
2 I prayed to you, Lord God,
    and you healed me,
3     saving me from death
    and the grave.

4 Your faithful people, Lord,
will praise you with songs
    and honor your holy name.
5 Your anger lasts a little while,
    but your kindness lasts
    for a lifetime.
At night we may cry,
    but when morning comes
    we will celebrate.

6 I was carefree and thought,
    “I’ll never be shaken!”
7 You, Lord, were my friend,
    and you made me strong
    as a mighty mountain.
But when you hid your face,
    I was crushed.

8 I prayed to you, Lord,
    and in my prayer I said,
9     “What good will it do you
    if I am in the grave?
Once I have turned to dust,
    how can I praise you
or tell how loyal you are?
10     Have pity, Lord! Help!”

11 You have turned my sorrow
    into joyful dancing.
    No longer am I sad
    and wearing sackcloth.
12 I thank you from my heart,
    and I will never stop
    singing your praises,
    my Lord and my God.

Posted in bible, calling, faith, God, Religion, theology
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