www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
John 12:20-26
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Humanity to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Heavenly Parent will honor.
John's Jesus speaks in riddles to his followers. He turns the world upside down. In order to save one's life, one must be willing to lose it. Jesus denounces fear; his words confound the wise. When we are willing to give ourselves completely then God can transform us. When we concern ourselves with being cautious, or constricted then God cannot use us as we are to be used. I'm not suggesting that we exhibit poor judgment; we are, however, called to do great things for and with God. We are called to be bold in our faith, risking everything to follow God's call. When we are willing to get out of God's way in our lives and truly live as Christ's hands in the world; we can have all of the blessings that God has in store or us.
We speak often in our church about abundant life. How many of us really can lay fear aside and live as if God's provision for us will never run dry? In these tough economic times we are called to share our resources, our daily lives and everything that God has blessed us with: our money, our compassion, our abilities, talents, gifts, and our labor so that all people will live with enough. To get to the kingdom of heaven a rich person is supposed to be willing to part with goods of this world. We can live in an amazing world where all bellies have enjoyed the earth's bounty, all minds and hearts have mastered compassionate thought and all spirits soar to follow God's plan. rsy
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Lenten Devotional 4-6-09
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Monday, April 6th
John 12:9-19
When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.
The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting,' Hosanna'! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord- the King of Israel!' Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: 'Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!' His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify.* It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. The Pharisees then said to one another, 'You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!'
Isn't typical of human nature to want to "see" something? When an accident happens on the highway or street we often experience the slow down because we want to "see" what happened. The people of Jesus' day were no different than we are today. By now everyone had heard of the miracle performed of raising Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus and Jesus are at dinner in Bethany. In your imagination, can you picture the evening news anchors all converging at dinner to interview Lazarus? Asking him to recount the story of how he had been raised; drilling him with question after question? We are not told that any of that happened in this story but we all know how people are; inquiring minds want to know. We are also told that many of the Jews now believe in Jesus. The chief priests have also heard what has happened and have planned to put Jesus to death, as well as Lazarus.
Why is it that when we don't understand something or when someone is different than the "norm" we have to extinguish it? We can maybe understand that the religious leaders are trying to protect 'their way" of doing things; keeping the law and minding the status quo of all the rules and regulations of their teaching, holding it very sacred and dear because that's the way they've always done things and it has always worked, until now. Jesus brought to their attention on many occasions that people ought to be healed regardless if it's on the Sabbath day or not. It's actually important to do some work and help your neighbor, even if it may go against the rules and regulations, because people are more important than the rules themselves which were set up to protect people in the first place!
How do we as a body of Christ react differently than the "religious leaders" of Jesus' day? Can we be open to new experiences or situations that might be different than the way we've always done it? How can we learn to embrace change with an open mind and heart? The scriptures in the Old Testament had already prophesied the outcome of Jesus' fate long before he came on the scene. Since we have the scriptures as a guide and instruction tool let us learn from the mistakes and victories of others and live our lives open to new possibilities and experiences in Christ Jesus our Lord. gmc
Monday, April 6th
John 12:9-19
When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.
The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting,' Hosanna'! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord- the King of Israel!' Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: 'Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!' His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify.* It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. The Pharisees then said to one another, 'You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!'
Isn't typical of human nature to want to "see" something? When an accident happens on the highway or street we often experience the slow down because we want to "see" what happened. The people of Jesus' day were no different than we are today. By now everyone had heard of the miracle performed of raising Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus and Jesus are at dinner in Bethany. In your imagination, can you picture the evening news anchors all converging at dinner to interview Lazarus? Asking him to recount the story of how he had been raised; drilling him with question after question? We are not told that any of that happened in this story but we all know how people are; inquiring minds want to know. We are also told that many of the Jews now believe in Jesus. The chief priests have also heard what has happened and have planned to put Jesus to death, as well as Lazarus.
Why is it that when we don't understand something or when someone is different than the "norm" we have to extinguish it? We can maybe understand that the religious leaders are trying to protect 'their way" of doing things; keeping the law and minding the status quo of all the rules and regulations of their teaching, holding it very sacred and dear because that's the way they've always done things and it has always worked, until now. Jesus brought to their attention on many occasions that people ought to be healed regardless if it's on the Sabbath day or not. It's actually important to do some work and help your neighbor, even if it may go against the rules and regulations, because people are more important than the rules themselves which were set up to protect people in the first place!
How do we as a body of Christ react differently than the "religious leaders" of Jesus' day? Can we be open to new experiences or situations that might be different than the way we've always done it? How can we learn to embrace change with an open mind and heart? The scriptures in the Old Testament had already prophesied the outcome of Jesus' fate long before he came on the scene. Since we have the scriptures as a guide and instruction tool let us learn from the mistakes and victories of others and live our lives open to new possibilities and experiences in Christ Jesus our Lord. gmc
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Lenten devotional 4-4-09
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Saturday, April 4th
John 11:28-44
When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, 'The Teacher is here and is calling for you.' And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.' When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, 'Where have you laid him?' They said to him, 'Lord, come and see.' Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, 'See how he loved him!' But some of them said, 'Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?'
Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, 'Take away the stone.' Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, 'Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead for four days.' Jesus said to her, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?' So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upwards and said, 'Creator, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.' When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Unbind him, and let him go.'
This time we hear Mary verbalize the same thing that Martha her sister expressed earlier in this passage. Lord if you had only been here our brother would not have died. When Jesus saw Mary weeping and the Jews with her he also begins to weep. How often do we see Jesus actually weeping? We have seen in the Gospels the statement that he was moved with compassion and he healed their sick but we don't see such great emotion where Jesus weeps. And obviously by his reaction he loved this family very much. They were a part of his followers and ministry. Jesus doesn't stay in his grief for very long, but moves quickly to action. He says, "Take away the stone." Martha says, Lord, by now he stinking because his body has started to decay. He doesn't pay any attention to her words this time. He prays to the Creator, I thank you that you heard me and I know you always hear me but for the sake of the crowd standing here that they may believe you sent me. Then he says, Lazarus, come out, and out comes Lazarus, bound in strips of cloth looking like a hopping mummy. Then he says, unbind him and let him go.
Wow. This would be the topic of conversation around Jerusalem for a while. No one could deny Lazarus was dead or that Jesus used some type of trickery to pull this miracle off. There is no mention again of him using a demon to perform miracles any longer. All who were witnesses of Lazarus death and his resurrection had proof first that Lazarus was dead and now alive, of who Jesus was and who sent him that day.
Do we know why Jesus waited four days? There are two answers to that question. The first reason is the Jews of that day believed the soul hung around for three days after death before finally departing. If he had come any sooner they would have dismissed it the miracle or if he had just healed him before he died, they probably would have thought it was any ole ordinary miracle. Jesus wanted to be sure that there would be no denying the miracle performed that day. But most importantly He wanted to bring glory to God. As followers of Christ we to in everything we do and say should only bring glory to God. gmc
Saturday, April 4th
John 11:28-44
When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, 'The Teacher is here and is calling for you.' And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.' When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, 'Where have you laid him?' They said to him, 'Lord, come and see.' Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, 'See how he loved him!' But some of them said, 'Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?'
Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, 'Take away the stone.' Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, 'Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead for four days.' Jesus said to her, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?' So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upwards and said, 'Creator, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.' When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Unbind him, and let him go.'
This time we hear Mary verbalize the same thing that Martha her sister expressed earlier in this passage. Lord if you had only been here our brother would not have died. When Jesus saw Mary weeping and the Jews with her he also begins to weep. How often do we see Jesus actually weeping? We have seen in the Gospels the statement that he was moved with compassion and he healed their sick but we don't see such great emotion where Jesus weeps. And obviously by his reaction he loved this family very much. They were a part of his followers and ministry. Jesus doesn't stay in his grief for very long, but moves quickly to action. He says, "Take away the stone." Martha says, Lord, by now he stinking because his body has started to decay. He doesn't pay any attention to her words this time. He prays to the Creator, I thank you that you heard me and I know you always hear me but for the sake of the crowd standing here that they may believe you sent me. Then he says, Lazarus, come out, and out comes Lazarus, bound in strips of cloth looking like a hopping mummy. Then he says, unbind him and let him go.
Wow. This would be the topic of conversation around Jerusalem for a while. No one could deny Lazarus was dead or that Jesus used some type of trickery to pull this miracle off. There is no mention again of him using a demon to perform miracles any longer. All who were witnesses of Lazarus death and his resurrection had proof first that Lazarus was dead and now alive, of who Jesus was and who sent him that day.
Do we know why Jesus waited four days? There are two answers to that question. The first reason is the Jews of that day believed the soul hung around for three days after death before finally departing. If he had come any sooner they would have dismissed it the miracle or if he had just healed him before he died, they probably would have thought it was any ole ordinary miracle. Jesus wanted to be sure that there would be no denying the miracle performed that day. But most importantly He wanted to bring glory to God. As followers of Christ we to in everything we do and say should only bring glory to God. gmc
Friday, April 3, 2009
Hidden Treasures of St. Johns (a repost from 2008)
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/"God Buries His Workmen... but carries on his Work" ( stain glass window that was located in St. Johns UMC 63108) donated by the "Ladies Aid" group. *time unknown
I used to pass this window at St. Johns as I came in for worship each week. I never really payed much attention to it really. I was more gravitated to the courtyard space between the Chapel, and Sanctuary. But really my experience at the St. Johns UMC, facility was much like a Baptism, a HUGE rush, and before I knew what had happened it was over.
I really began to visit MCCGSL in earnest around January of 2007. Nearly 10 years after I first visited. I used to live nearby, and was a regular (sporatic) visitor from 1997-2000.
I met this person named Daniel McCree around Christmas time, and while I was in a happy 6year relationship- This was truly the SPIRIT OF GOD grabbing me, and told me very clearly... one of the exact words kinda of Spirit telling....
" You are supposed to know this person the rest of your life." but I also knew this was not intended to change the relationship I was in. And thus began the friendship, that was an embodiment of GODS LOVE, as pure as it comes.
Our freindship continued, even though the situation really fell from the sky. But we were both very Christ oriented and really felt in our heart that this was Divine. Daniel was on a spiritual quest of a driven inspiration. He was a man on a mission, and had a clear direction (which changed from minute to minute)... invariably :) He was a COMPELLER, compelling those around him into action. For the betterment of themselves and the world surrounding them.
Daniel struggled Greatly, on many battlefronts. He was in the midst of a four theatre WAR.
He stuggled with his health, nearly dying in 2003 from HIV, and coming back to living a healthy lifestlye. He kicked a nasty drug habit with meth, and truly lived in ways that most of us who call themselves "Christ- like" would envy. He was an embodiment of Christ. Giving his own foodstamp money to feed his neighbors, and picking up homeless people, and giving them a warm place in his own small apartment. He was the food and homeless shelter both! In fact Tonji (Tonya) became a fixture who stayed in his place even after his death. oops. I spilled the TEA.
The biggest struggle in Daniel's life, was LOVE. Being in love, loving, being loved, God love, Loving God, Or Could God?.... yes, Daniel struggled around the Grace of God. He had truly lived his live, in many ways. not always within his best potential. (read more at http://www.danielmccree.org/ )
Daniel insisted I should become active at MCCGSL. He himself, lived in Belleville, IL, without a car, and walked three blocks to the MetroLink train station, then rode the train west for 45min. Ariving a full MILE south of church, where he would walk to St. Johns UMC. More times than not, arriving at least 10min into services. "Never a reason not to come" he would say. This same advice got me to choir practice this past week, when I was late leaving work.
Okay, Im getting to my long drawn out POINT, YES THERE IS A POINT TO ALL OF THIS--
Daniel passed away in July 2007, around the time we found out that St. Johns was closing. We held his funeral at St. Johns, and suddenly the kid that always made fun of the "older people's" attachment to churches, found myself a grown adult, still ripe with grief-- and facing in what seemed like only weeks, the certaintly of leaving the CWE location. I still miss sitting in that courtyard, as Daniel and I used to smoke a cigarette after church there, and enjoy some quiet time together.
I was so incredibly blessed by God to have known Daniel, and God truly lead me through the experience. Ironically, I always knew to say everything to Daniel, and not hold anything back. For somehow I knew time was not something we would be afforded much of. I really had no idea he would commit suicide while in Miami, although I must admit to myself, my spirit may have known more than it lead on. If you were to go back and read the emails I sent to him on the final days of his life, one would not have to stretch the imagination that I felt the storm was coming. Daniel had some spiritual abilities, I will never understand. It was much as if he had a direct line to God. We somehow always had the ability to understand each other, without talking much. We just did. and we spent a lot of time, exchanging emails. In fact we may not see each other but maybe twice a week, as he was a full-time art student at SWIC.
So My point is, I simply want to give some Credit to my beloved Daniel McCree, for it is in his spirit, that the website of The Hope and Help Center came to be. When I was creating Daniel's website, it was as if he was sitting on my shoulder telling what to put where, and specifically what songs to put on his playlists. (still does sometimes) When I was asked to do the website for THE HOPE AND HELP CENTER, I heard Daniels voice tell me DO IT!... so I began a time of prayer and relfection, for guidance. What to a visitor of the website seems like a daunting task, was truly a labor of Love, and much like Daniel's website, I felt the spirit really lead me through the initial stages of its development. Still today, the sprit leads- other members contribute greatly to the Center.
"God Buries His Workmen... but carries on his Work" ( stain glass window that was located in St. Johns UMC 63108) donated by the "Ladies Aid" group. *time unknown
Lenten Devotional for FRIDAY April 3rd
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Friday, April 3rd
John 11: 1-27
Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus,* 'Lord, he whom you love is ill.' But when Jesus heard it, he said, 'This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God's glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.' Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus* was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, 'Let us go to Judea again.' The disciples said to him, 'Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?' Jesus answered, 'Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.' After saying this, he told them, 'Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.' The disciples said to him, 'Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.' Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead. For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.' Thomas, who was called the Twin,* said to his fellow-disciples, 'Let us also go, that we may die with him.'Jesus the Resurrection and the Life
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus* had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles* away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.' Jesus said to her, 'Your brother will rise again.' Martha said to him, 'I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.' Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life.* Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?' She said to him, 'Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah,* the Son of God, the one coming into the world.'
This passage reminds me of a similar incident when we see Jairus, who is one of the leaders of the synagogue come, fall at Jesus' feet and begging and saying repeatedly, "My little daughter is at the point of death, come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live". So Jesus left immediately to follow Jairus so he could answer this request. So many people followed and pressed in on him that he stops because he felt power leave his body. The woman with the issue of blood had touched his garment; he stopped to get her testimony and says to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well, go in peace and be healed of your disease". While all of this was going on, some people from Jairus' house come and say not to bother Jesus, because his daughter is already dead. Talk about drama! Where is the compassion? Jesus is so calm, cool and collected. He over hears the conversation and just says, do not fear, only believe! He allows only Peter, James and John to continue with him. When they arrive, there are people weeping and wailing, carrying on and making a commotion. Jesus says, "Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child's not dead but asleep". Then they laugh at him; he puts them out and he raises the girl up.
Don't you think the same kind of scene is happening at Mary and Martha's house? Do you think they are wondering why Jesus did not immediately come to their rescue to heal Lazarus before he died? If only he had come sooner! If we were in their shoes most of us would be thinking exactly that. Four days later Jesus shows up at Bethany and Martha rushes out to meet Jesus, but Mary stays at home. Do you think Mary might have been a little upset? Martha verbalizes what everyone was thinking, but adds a surprising twist with the second part of her statement, "Lord if you had been here my brother would not have died. But...I know even now God will give you anything you ask for". Jesus says your brother will rise again! There are more words exchanged, but ultimately Jesus makes the point, 'I am the resurrection and the life.* Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?' She said to him, 'Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah,* the Son of God, the one coming into the world'.
What great faith Martha had and proclaimed! May we, like Martha, remember in whom we believe and exhibit that same kind of faith when we face life's challenges each day. gmc
Friday, April 3rd
John 11: 1-27
Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus,* 'Lord, he whom you love is ill.' But when Jesus heard it, he said, 'This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God's glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.' Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus* was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, 'Let us go to Judea again.' The disciples said to him, 'Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?' Jesus answered, 'Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.' After saying this, he told them, 'Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.' The disciples said to him, 'Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.' Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead. For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.' Thomas, who was called the Twin,* said to his fellow-disciples, 'Let us also go, that we may die with him.'Jesus the Resurrection and the Life
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus* had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles* away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.' Jesus said to her, 'Your brother will rise again.' Martha said to him, 'I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.' Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life.* Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?' She said to him, 'Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah,* the Son of God, the one coming into the world.'
This passage reminds me of a similar incident when we see Jairus, who is one of the leaders of the synagogue come, fall at Jesus' feet and begging and saying repeatedly, "My little daughter is at the point of death, come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live". So Jesus left immediately to follow Jairus so he could answer this request. So many people followed and pressed in on him that he stops because he felt power leave his body. The woman with the issue of blood had touched his garment; he stopped to get her testimony and says to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well, go in peace and be healed of your disease". While all of this was going on, some people from Jairus' house come and say not to bother Jesus, because his daughter is already dead. Talk about drama! Where is the compassion? Jesus is so calm, cool and collected. He over hears the conversation and just says, do not fear, only believe! He allows only Peter, James and John to continue with him. When they arrive, there are people weeping and wailing, carrying on and making a commotion. Jesus says, "Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child's not dead but asleep". Then they laugh at him; he puts them out and he raises the girl up.
Don't you think the same kind of scene is happening at Mary and Martha's house? Do you think they are wondering why Jesus did not immediately come to their rescue to heal Lazarus before he died? If only he had come sooner! If we were in their shoes most of us would be thinking exactly that. Four days later Jesus shows up at Bethany and Martha rushes out to meet Jesus, but Mary stays at home. Do you think Mary might have been a little upset? Martha verbalizes what everyone was thinking, but adds a surprising twist with the second part of her statement, "Lord if you had been here my brother would not have died. But...I know even now God will give you anything you ask for". Jesus says your brother will rise again! There are more words exchanged, but ultimately Jesus makes the point, 'I am the resurrection and the life.* Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?' She said to him, 'Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah,* the Son of God, the one coming into the world'.
What great faith Martha had and proclaimed! May we, like Martha, remember in whom we believe and exhibit that same kind of faith when we face life's challenges each day. gmc
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Lenten Devotional 4-2-09
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Thursday, April 2nd
John 10:19-42
Again the Jews were divided because of these words. Many of them were saying, 'He has a demon and is out of his mind. Why listen to him?' Others were saying, 'These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?'
At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, 'How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah,* tell us plainly.' Jesus answered, 'I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Creator's name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Creator has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Creator's hand.* The Creator and I are one. The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus replied, 'I have shown you many good works from God. For which of these are you going to stone me?' The Jews answered, 'It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God.' Jesus answered, 'Is it not written in your law,* "I said, you are gods"? If those to whom the word of God came were called "gods"-and the scripture cannot be annulled- can you say that the one whom God has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, "I am God's Son"? If I am not doing the works of my Creator, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand* that the Creator is in me and I am in the Creator.' Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands. He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. Many came to him, and they were saying, 'John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.' And many believed in him there.
How many times did Jesus actually tell them who he was? He states in this passage and numerous others exactly who he was and the "religious leaders" of his day did not want to believe him. Perhaps they had a hard time wrapping their brains around the fact that someone who was raised in their midst, who grew up around their children, who went to temple and received the same teachings and education that all Jewish males did in their region could be the messiah. Do you think they knew his family, his half brothers and sisters, his mother and stepfather?
What about Jesus' actions and his words made them so angry they wanted to stone him for blasphemy? Wouldn't you think if someone healed the sick, opened blind eyes, made the lame to walk, healed leapers and raised people from the dead they would believe he was at the very least a prophet? And why couldn't someone performing good and healing "works" be the messiah?
The passage of scripture Jesus quotes is from Psalm 82: 6 'I say, "You are gods", children of the Most High, all of you.' He quoted the word, their "law" to them and stated it was God who was the power behind the works and to at least believe "the works" if they could not believe who he was. Their response was to try and arrest him. If we would put ourselves in the shoes of Jesus for a moment, we probably would be thinking, "What do I have to do here to catch a break!" for someone to believe what I am saying and doing? Will anyone believe me? Can you hear the plea in his words?
Jesus retreated at that moment, and went back to the Jordan where John had been baptizing and proclaiming who Jesus was. Many came to him there and recognized that while John didn't perform miracles, everything John said about Jesus was true. Thanks be to God many believed in him there.
My hope for today and for the rest of our lives is that like those who met Jesus at the Jordan we too will believe in him. That we will believe in the power of his message and resurrection that continues as we display the love and compassion of Christ to all people. As true followers of Christ, may we minister the same grace and mercy he gave to us toward others every day, and be blessed. gmc
Thursday, April 2nd
John 10:19-42
Again the Jews were divided because of these words. Many of them were saying, 'He has a demon and is out of his mind. Why listen to him?' Others were saying, 'These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?'
At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, 'How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah,* tell us plainly.' Jesus answered, 'I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Creator's name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Creator has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Creator's hand.* The Creator and I are one. The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus replied, 'I have shown you many good works from God. For which of these are you going to stone me?' The Jews answered, 'It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God.' Jesus answered, 'Is it not written in your law,* "I said, you are gods"? If those to whom the word of God came were called "gods"-and the scripture cannot be annulled- can you say that the one whom God has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, "I am God's Son"? If I am not doing the works of my Creator, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand* that the Creator is in me and I am in the Creator.' Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands. He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. Many came to him, and they were saying, 'John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.' And many believed in him there.
How many times did Jesus actually tell them who he was? He states in this passage and numerous others exactly who he was and the "religious leaders" of his day did not want to believe him. Perhaps they had a hard time wrapping their brains around the fact that someone who was raised in their midst, who grew up around their children, who went to temple and received the same teachings and education that all Jewish males did in their region could be the messiah. Do you think they knew his family, his half brothers and sisters, his mother and stepfather?
What about Jesus' actions and his words made them so angry they wanted to stone him for blasphemy? Wouldn't you think if someone healed the sick, opened blind eyes, made the lame to walk, healed leapers and raised people from the dead they would believe he was at the very least a prophet? And why couldn't someone performing good and healing "works" be the messiah?
The passage of scripture Jesus quotes is from Psalm 82: 6 'I say, "You are gods", children of the Most High, all of you.' He quoted the word, their "law" to them and stated it was God who was the power behind the works and to at least believe "the works" if they could not believe who he was. Their response was to try and arrest him. If we would put ourselves in the shoes of Jesus for a moment, we probably would be thinking, "What do I have to do here to catch a break!" for someone to believe what I am saying and doing? Will anyone believe me? Can you hear the plea in his words?
Jesus retreated at that moment, and went back to the Jordan where John had been baptizing and proclaiming who Jesus was. Many came to him there and recognized that while John didn't perform miracles, everything John said about Jesus was true. Thanks be to God many believed in him there.
My hope for today and for the rest of our lives is that like those who met Jesus at the Jordan we too will believe in him. That we will believe in the power of his message and resurrection that continues as we display the love and compassion of Christ to all people. As true followers of Christ, may we minister the same grace and mercy he gave to us toward others every day, and be blessed. gmc
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Lenten Devotional April 1, 2009
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Wednesday, April 1st
John 10:1-18
Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.' Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away-and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Creator knows me and I know the Creator. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Creator loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes* it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Parent.'
There is so much imaginary in the Gospel of John. Trying to summarize different passages is sometimes very difficult, but there are several verses that seem to jump out in this particular section; verse 10, "The thief comes to steal, to kill and to destroy and I came that you may have life and have it more abundantly." This is a key verse that can be useful to keep in the forefront of our minds as we live life everyday. We live in a fallen world that is not perfect. It wasn't the way God intended for it to be but we are here and we have to deal with living life. When things go wrong and bad things happen, we don't need to ask God why? Or question where is it coming from? The answer is right here in verse 10. We all have an enemy or thief and that thief has a job; to steal from us, kill us and destroy us plain and simple, but Jesus came that we may have life and have it more abundantly. The amplified bible quotes it this way," I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have life in abundance (to the full, till life overflows)." Jesus came to give us abundant life.
The rest of this passage in John parallels much of Psalm 23. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want". God takes care of us, knows us by name and we know God and hear God's voice and we don't listen to or follow a stranger. God makes or causes us to lie down in green pastures, lead us besides still waters. God restores our soul and leads us in the right paths.
Wherever we are going, as long as we allow the good shepherd to lead us and stay on the path God has outlined for us, our souls are restored and we will continue to find rest. Even though Jesus states we have an enemy to contend with in this world, we have hope knowing that the bad things are not from God and that even though we may temporarily walk through (not stay stuck in forever) the darkest valley, we have nothing to fear for God is in us and with us and God comforts us. God even prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies and anoints our head with oil and overflows our cups. More confirmation about bringing us abundant life! We have the promise that goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our abundant life and we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. "Thank You, Jesus, for being our good shepherd who laid down your life and picked it up again through the resurrection to give us our abundant life, Amen." gmc
Wednesday, April 1st
John 10:1-18
Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.' Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away-and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Creator knows me and I know the Creator. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Creator loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes* it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Parent.'
There is so much imaginary in the Gospel of John. Trying to summarize different passages is sometimes very difficult, but there are several verses that seem to jump out in this particular section; verse 10, "The thief comes to steal, to kill and to destroy and I came that you may have life and have it more abundantly." This is a key verse that can be useful to keep in the forefront of our minds as we live life everyday. We live in a fallen world that is not perfect. It wasn't the way God intended for it to be but we are here and we have to deal with living life. When things go wrong and bad things happen, we don't need to ask God why? Or question where is it coming from? The answer is right here in verse 10. We all have an enemy or thief and that thief has a job; to steal from us, kill us and destroy us plain and simple, but Jesus came that we may have life and have it more abundantly. The amplified bible quotes it this way," I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have life in abundance (to the full, till life overflows)." Jesus came to give us abundant life.
The rest of this passage in John parallels much of Psalm 23. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want". God takes care of us, knows us by name and we know God and hear God's voice and we don't listen to or follow a stranger. God makes or causes us to lie down in green pastures, lead us besides still waters. God restores our soul and leads us in the right paths.
Wherever we are going, as long as we allow the good shepherd to lead us and stay on the path God has outlined for us, our souls are restored and we will continue to find rest. Even though Jesus states we have an enemy to contend with in this world, we have hope knowing that the bad things are not from God and that even though we may temporarily walk through (not stay stuck in forever) the darkest valley, we have nothing to fear for God is in us and with us and God comforts us. God even prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies and anoints our head with oil and overflows our cups. More confirmation about bringing us abundant life! We have the promise that goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our abundant life and we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. "Thank You, Jesus, for being our good shepherd who laid down your life and picked it up again through the resurrection to give us our abundant life, Amen." gmc
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