"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.......
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"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....... "The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."" (1 Samuel 3:10)
It probably happens more than we want to think about.... I know it happens to me. Someone is either here, visiting me, or I am at someone's house and I can hear them talking but not what they are saying. My usual response is "I hear you talking but I didn't hear what you said." What is your response? Did you even hear them (or me)? The readings today are about hearing God's voice, God's call. The verse, above, is about the young Samuel who has already gone to Eli thinking Eli was speaking to him. Eli finally understands and helps Samuel to answer. Paul is reminding the Corinthians, and us, we are to be responding because we are "temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you." (1 Corinthians 6:19) The Gospel reading is Jesus starting to call the Disciples. He has called Andrew and Peter, is now calling Philip and Philip is going to Nathanael. Jesus' call is "Follow me." (John 1:43) So..... Have you heard Jesus calling? Have you heard the voice but not understood? Are you paying attention or are you thinking about - working on - something else? Or.....like Samuel..... are you saying "speak, for your servant is listening"? Something to think about........ Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11b)
We are now preparing for Epiphany – the time when the Wise Men arrived in Bethlehem to worship “the king of the Jews” because they had “seen his star when it rose.” (v. 2) They had also brought the gifts, in the above verse, to celebrate the birth. Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus’ birthday, this week we celebrate the gifts of “gold, frankincense and myrrh” (and worship). My question, to you, is what gift did you bring for Jesus? During this time of the “new year” as many of us are making resolutions, or setting goals, what is God asking you to give? What can you change to (resolution) or set for (goal) so you can be growing stronger in your relationship with God? ’m thinking it might be as easy as maybe being polite, smiling at the people you see, holding the door for the person behind you or coming out, not being so critical of things – little things that might make a big difference. And…. Or…. I saw a Facebook post, from The Message, that said “God wants full custody – not just weekend visits.” Maybe spending time with God DAILY is what God is asking of each of us. Something to think about……… "Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem." (Luke 2:38)
Have you noticed the Christmas music stopped? It has been playing since Thanksgiving Day but as of Dec. 26th it hasn't been anywhere that I have heard it. The 12 days of Christmas started on Dec. 25th and goes through Jan. 5th - Epiphany. I don't know about you but I still have the various Christmas hymns going through my mind. I woke up this morning with "What Child is This" going through. I don't always remember all the verses but it is good to wake up to hymns of praise about Jesus' birth. The Scriptures today are about praising God for the Messiah's, Jesus', birth. Especially the reading in Luke. Anna has waited years to be able to see the Messiah. We are told she is 84 and has spent her time - "day and night" - in the temple "fasting and praying." (v. 37) Now she is praising God, thanking God and telling "all" about what she has seen. We aren't told if she started singing, or not, but she was praising, thanking and sharing. As we continue to celebrate Christmas, even if only in our own minds, are we thanking, praising and sharing? Are we talking with people about how we have seen (and felt) the Messiah - Emmanuel, God WITH us? Something to think about......... "When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child," (Luke 2:17)
Talking about, "concerning," what we have learned, seen, and (or) heard can be both interesting and difficult. How are you at sharing when something "new" has happened? What is your reaction when you have to talk about something? We frequently, now days, see - and hear - "if you see something SAY something." (Emphasis mine) The question remains...DO we? Do we say something even when it is a GOOD thing we have seen? The Scripture readings are sharing the Good News of Jesus' birth. Isaiah is telling us "for to us a child is born." (Isaiah 9:6) Titus is sharing "the grace of God" has appeared and "offers salvation." (Titus 2:11) Paul is pointing out the "already" of celebrating Jesus's birth. Luke is also sharing the already. He is explaining about the shepherds hearing the angels and being "terrified" (Luke 2:9) but how they followed instructions, went to see the baby AND "spread the word." They talked about what they had seen and heard. People were "amazed" (Luke 2:18) but the shepherds still talked about it. So......how are we at "talking" about it? Do we "spread the word" of where we have seen, felt and followed? Do we talk about knowing God's presence and strength through all the changes, and challenges, happening around us? Something to think about....... "For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed." (Luke 1:48 NLT)
Sharing stories is what we do - isn't it? When we are gathered together as a family we share about other times we have gathered or maybe about a recent trip, event or celebration. We share the stories with family, with friends, as a "teaching moment" and sometimes with complete strangers because we are so excited about something. Sometimes the story is a happy memory, sometimes a funny "oops" memory and sometimes a surprise memory. Some of the best memories, especially to share with the "younger" generation, are about "when I was your age we _________." The readings, today, are about sharing stories - memories. Mary is looking forward to what "all generations" will think about the miracle that is happening in her life. (v. 48) Paul is explaining about how his teachings are now being "revealed and made known" through him and others. (Romans 16:26) And the Gospel reading, also in Luke, is the angel visiting Mary telling her about her son and how "he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:33) The angel also tells Mary about her cousin, Elizabeth, giving Mary someone to share her story with right away. All through Advent, as we have prepared to celebrate Jesus' birthday, we have been looking at Jesus' family tree - and the stories. Now we need to think about sharing the stories...... Who are we telling about our encounters with God? Who are we encouraging, like Mary and Elizabeth, with the stories? Who are we "revealing" the stories to - like Paul? Something to think about...... "But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel." (Matthew 2:6)
When you think of "small towns" what do you think of? A population under 5,000? A population under a thousand? A community with only one traffic light? A suburb to a larger community? I have lived in a town with less than 300 people (but it did have a traffic light!). There is also a community near me with less than 50 people. What about voices? Can ONE voice make a difference? One person speaking up, calling attention to, a problem or need? The Scripture readings today are pointing out the one voice coming from a small town. The reading, in Matthew, is King Herod asking, and learning, where the Messiah will be born - in Bethlehem, a town of less than 1000 people. (v.6) 1 Thessalonians is reminding us to be praying, listening for what God is saying to us through the Holy Spirit. (5:19) The Gospel reading is telling us about the one voice calling to people to prepare to "make straight the way for the Lord." (John 1:23) One voice calling for change, for people to prepare - "make straight the way." Yes, many of us DO live in small communities. Some of us live in "small" communities, even if the community is in a larger community or city, because of the building (or family) we are living with. Yes, we are often the one voice trying to get people to pay attention. Are we listening for what God is saying to us? Are we doing what God is asking us to do? Do we believe that one small voice, from a small community, can make a difference? Something to think about....... |
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