"Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" 49 "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."" (Luke 19:39-40)
How many times, I wonder, have we heard "actions speak louder than words." I know I heard it growing up and have used it with bringing up my son. I have used it, sometimes, when trying to explain something. It can be difficult when what we are saying is the exact opposite of what we are doing. Sometimes the actions cause reactions we will have to (or still are) deal with. The readings this morning are about actions. Isaiah is pointing out that he has "not been rebellious, I have not turned away." (50:5) Paul is telling the Philippians, and us, how God has "exalted him (Jesus) to the "highest place and gave him the name that is above every name." (2:9) Paul also points out what our response (action) should be "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow." (2:10) Jesus is showing us, by his actions who he is which, by his very actions, is upsetting the Pharisees and the Romans. (Luke 19:40) So.... what actions are you taking? Are you agreeing with the Romans -- no king except Caesar? Are you questioning like the Pharisees? Are you part of the crowd shouting "Hosanna"? Are you one of the followers who will follow Jesus all the way to the cross? Do people see you living your faith in God, through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit? Something to think about......
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"When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come follow me." (Luke 18:22)
We talked about what we are giving to God before - especially when we are giving gifts to others, like at Christmas. All through this season of Lent we have also spoken about "LISTEN to him" - as in paying attention to what God is saying to each, and all, of us. Between the two wondering what we are giving to God, how we are doing what God is saying to us, is what is happening today. Are we really listening? IF we are listening are we doing what God is asking us to do? Are we telling anyone? How are we giving "back" to God? The Scriptures, today, are about the close relationship with God. In Jeremiah we are being reminded of the Covenant "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people." (31:33b) In Hebrews we are being reminded that Jesus is "God's son AND a priest forever." (Hebrews 5:5-6) The part reminding us of what we should be doing is the way Jesus is answering the "ruler," "rich young man" or "religious leader" depending on which translation you are reading. No matter which name/title you are using it also refers to us - "follow me." (Luke 18:22) Are we listening? Are we doing? Even if we aren't selling all our worldly goods are actually doing the "follow me"? As we, as primary Caregivers, are trying to juggle busy schedules, changes happening (and coming) and listen for what God is saying to each of us are we really listening? Or are we letting the world, the storms and all the "noise" get in our way? Have we, maybe, even let all our worldly goods AND our busy schedules, get in the way? Something to think about....... "For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate." (Luke 15:24)
Celebrating when the lost has been found...we talked about it last week. The lost coin, sheep or what ever it is that we put in a "safe place." We also talked about finding "time" as we look to strengthen our relationship with God. Today I want to ask what it is that is keeping you from "finding" the time. The time to be with God in personal quiet time AND the time to be with God in worship. We all have busy schedules that we think are the important part of our lives. We think we understand, and are doing - or following, where God is leading. The Scripture readings today are about following, and doing, what God is calling each of us to - especially the stronger relationship with God. The Psalm is reminding us to give thanks to God (107:1) because God IS good. God loves us (v. 1) and we need to be telling people about God's love. (v. 2) Paul is reminding us, in Ephesians, about how great God's love is because God brings us "alive with Christ." (2:5) And Jesus is continuing to tell the stories of lost things being found. This time it is about two sons - one who thinks he is the most important, takes his inheritance and lives the high life until the money runs out and he comes to realize how wrong he has been. The second son also feels a lot of pride - after all he stayed and worked. The father goes to both sons - one "while he was still a long way off" (Luke 15:20) and one who has refused to come to the party. (v. 28) So..... where are we in these readings? Are we giving thanks for what God is doing in our lives? Are we celebrating? Are we sharing the stories of how we have felt God with us? Or are we like one of the two sons - feeling prideful? God is reaching out to us also, asking us to celebrate and share. Where are you? Something to think about....... "And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.'" (Luke 15:9)
We've all done it -- haven't we? We put something of importance, at least to us, in a 'safe place.' The problem, at least sometimes, is we don't remember WHERE the 'safe place' is. OR...with even more frustration... we just had it! We were using it - whatever 'it' is - and now we can't find it. What about time? Have you 'lost' time? As in when you are just going to ________ (fill in the blank) for a few minutes? Then you look at the clock and see how much time has really gone by! The readings today are about loosing, finding and time. In Genesis we are told to "Keep the Sabbath day holy." (Exodus 20:8) AND we are reminded we are pretty busy with "labor and doing work." (20:9) So follow God's commands, as God's people (like we talked about last week) and keep the Sabbath. Paul is reminding the Corinthians, and us, of the importance of God and God's love through the "message of the cross." (1 Corinthians 1:18) Jesus is telling about things lost and found. Important things - sheep and coins - and the rejoicing when the lost is found. He points out, however, the greater rejoicing when the "lost" people come back to a relationship with God. (15:10) So..... What have you lost? Have you found it again yet? Have you "found the time" to talk to God about it? During this Lenten season have you been able to "find" time for God? As Caregivers our schedules get very busy doing "labor and work" which means we REALLY need to remember to take a Sabbath day weekly. (Exodus 20:9) Something to think about...... "but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness--for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead." (Romans 4:24)
Have you heard the expression "don't do as I do, do as I say"? Have you ever used the expression? Did you have a good reason for saying it...OR ignoring it when someone else said it to you? I confess I not only recently heard someone saying it I agreed with the reasons they were saying it. The person was struggling with the activities we were doing and finally started giving the directions instead of doing the activity. The rest of us, in the group, all followed the instructions. The readings today are about actually "doing" something. In Genesis we see God giving Abram the covenant. God will "be your God and the God of your descendants after you." (Genesis 17:7) Paul is telling us, in Romans, how Abram - now Abraham - kept the covenant "that God had power to do what he had promised." (4:21) AND how it is also "for us, to whom God will credit righteousness--for for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead." The Gospel reading is Jesus talking to the Pharisees - the leaders of the church and community. Jesus is pointing out how what is "inside you--be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you" is the "doing" of what we believe. (Luke 11:41) So..... Are you doing what you say? Are you doing what you are asking of others? Are you "generous" with others or questioning what they are doing? I know schedules are busy, we are tired and it is easy to question instead of do but an interesting question was given in a study I'm doing for Lent: "Do you need to resign from you post as gatekeeper and take up the new role of door holder?" Something to think about...... "how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13b)
Do you ask questions? I love to ask questions! I am frequently starting conversations (like this one) with questions. In most cases I am really trying to understand. Or I might be trying to learn something new. OR...... the teacher in me might be trying to get the person (people) I'm talking to to think. Get them to make sure they have thought of, worked through and are ready to move on - knock on the new door. (Luke 11:9) The readings today are about thinking through and moving on. In Genesis we are reminded of God's promise and can think about God keeping God's promises every time we see a rainbow. (Genesis 9:13) Peter is reminding all of us how "this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also." (1 Peter 3:21) In the gospel reading Jesus is speaking to a group asking them to stop and think and remember God's gift of the Holy Spirit. (13:b) He does it by asking questions. So......... Do you ask questions - maybe even of yourself? Do you stop to think things through? I know as Caregivers we do have a LOT of questions, sometimes, but are we thinking through and asking them? Are we ready to "knock" on the door of the next step? Something to think about...... "A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him."" (Luke 9:35 emphasis mine)
How are you at listening? Are you awake enough to do more than hear someone is talking? After all the things happening all around us are you still listening? Have you tuned out? Are you as tired of all the "mumbo jumbo" as most are? Have you wondered what it might take to make a difference? The readings today are about listening and doing. Elisha is talking to Elijah about a "double portion of spirit" just before Elijah "went up into heaven in a whirlwind." (1 Kings 2:11) Paul is talking to the Corinthians, and us, about shining God's light "our of darkness." (2 Corinthians 4:6) And it all comes together to move forward in the Gospel reading in Luke. Jesus has taken Peter, James and John onto the mountain with him. Several things happen while they are there but the one, right now, to pay attention to is the voice "from the cloud" saying "LISTEN TO HIM." (9:35) So...... Are we listening? Are we even paying attention? Do we hear the voice, recognize the voice, maybe even agree with the voice but our response is __________? You can fill in the blank with any number of responses -- to busy, already doing, or even "be nice to whom!?!" God is still speaking to each one of us, calling to us to be listening for what Jesus is saying/calling to us. Something to think about....... "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." (Mark 1:35)
I would like you to think for a minute...where do you go when you need QUIET? How about when you need to think something through? When you are trying to figure out the solution to some difficulty? Or when you get a sudden idea of something to do? Or... an IDEA for your next project or the gift you need for a special someone? Where do you s-t-o-p to spend time with God? To listen for what God is saying to you? Are they all the same place? The same general area? The readings, today, are about God being with us through changes, giving us strength and guidance, if we will stop to be with God. In Isaiah we are reminded God does NOT "grow tired or weary and his understanding no one can fathom." (Isaiah 40:28) In 1 Corinthians Paul is pointing out the importance of following where God is leading - "I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16) The Gospel reading, in Mark, is how Jesus would take time to go "to a solitary place." To be by himself, to spend time with God - "where he prayed." (Mark 1:35) So.... I ask again... Where do you go for the quiet needed to be able to hear what God is saying to YOU? I know how busy it is. Jesus was busy also! I know how hard, especially as Caregivers, to not only find the time but also the place to have the QUIET needed. I also know how important it is. Jesus took the time, regularly, to be in prayer. We need to do so also. "The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching--and with authority!" (Mark 1:27a)
WOW!! That IS amazing!! When is the last time you thought it let alone said it? When were you so excited about it you actually talked about it? What were, or are, you that "amazed" about? Sports? The weather? The road construction finally finished? The vacation you have just gotten back from? The one you are going to be taking? Something your kids, or grandkids, just accomplished? What is it you are excited about? The Scripture readings today are getting excited about God's Word. In Deuteronomy the priests, the Levite tribe is learning there will be a prophet God will "raise up" (18:18) for them. In Corinthians Paul is reminding all of us "there is but one God" for all of us to follow. (1 Corinthians 8:6) In the Gospel reading the people are "amazed" at the teaching Jesus is doing -- what Jesus is saying AND what Jesus is doing. So amazed they are excited, and talking, about it. What about you? Have you been "amazed" about what God is showing you? Have you shared it with someone? Have you felt how God IS with you through whatever it is you are going through? Have you felt the prayers of friends and family? Wouldn't it be interesting if we started sharing how God is working IN, and through, our Bible studies, our prayers, our churches, our families? "At once they left their nets and followed him." (Mark 1:18)
How fast do you do something? If you are like most people it depends on who is asking (telling?) you to do it - right? Sometimes, even when you are talking to yourself, it depends on what it is that needs doing. (Yes, I talk to myself - even tell myself to go do something.) This can, however, lead to the habit of putting things either "off for later" or ignored completely. The readings, today, are about doing what we are called to do. Jonah is, finally, going and doing what God has called him to -- going to Nineveh. (Jonah 3:3) Paul is telling the Corinthians time is "passing away" so be paying attention to what God is asking us to be doing. (1 Corinthians 7:31) The Gospel reading is Jesus calling the Disciples, this time Simon, Andrew, James and John, and the response they give - "at once they left their nets and followed." (Mark 1:18) So.... Is that what we are doing? When God is asking us to do something, change something, try something - are we? As Caregivers we are already doing A LOT, and schedules are pretty busy, but are we doing what God is asking us to do or are we "putting it off, ignoring it, or (like Jonah) going in the opposite direction? Something to think about....... |
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