Week One – Verse by Verse Devotional Series – The Gospel of John – John 1: 17, 18

Note: Beginning this week we will look at the Gospel of John for our lessons and devotions. Readers are encouraged to read the first chapter of John this week.  Starting next week readers are encouraged to read John chapters 2 and 3.

Adult PM Bible Study – D – W – E – L – T – John 1: 9 – 18

D – Delegate vs. 6 -8 God had promised to send a prophet to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord.  That prophet was John the Baptist.  We need such prophets today, lest we be unprepared for the Lord’s coming.

W – Wreckage vs. 9 – 11 John would preach into a generation that was spiritually wrecked.  When we become so confused and hard hearted that we cannot recognize the works of God, we are spiritually lost.  We need rescue.

E – Empowered vs. 12 – 13 There is hope.  God has provided a way to restore life, if we will believe in the only begotten Son, Jesus.

L – Life v. 14 In the person of Jesus God came to live among us and to show us the upright way.  Jesus walked among us, and he lived with our pains and sorrows.

T – Testimony vs. 15 – 18 John was not confused about his message.  He knew he was the herald for the coming Son of God.  Jesus was clear about his identity.  He was God among us, Emmanuel.  Those who study the life of Christ find him to be a just and loving Lord.

Exemplary story: When Spring arrives, I must be alert to observe nesting birds or rabbits that live nearby.  One can watch them from afar with marvel.  One who has the privilege of observing nesting birds or rabbits up close receives an education in love and care for the young.  Jesus lived up close, and he taught us about the love and care of God.

Sunday

John 1: 6, 7 there was a man who was sent from God, his name was John.  He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.

Prayer:  Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, may we heed the words of your prophets to prepare for your coming.

Thought for the day: Unread instructions rarely help the assembly process.

Monday

John 1: 8,9 He himself was not the light, he came only as a witness to the light.  The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, Son of God, for all those who have pointed us to you we give thanks.

Thought for the day:  A compass gives direction to those who know how to orient it.

Tuesday

John 1: 10, 11 He was in the world, and through the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 

Prayer:  Jesus, we ask your forgiveness for all the times we have ignored you and your teachings.

Thought for the day:  Those who receive a diploma are those willing to receive an education.

Wednesday

John 1: 12, 13 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Prayer:  Almighty God, we are so grateful that one and all can be your child.

Thought for the day: God practiced inclusivity before it became “a thing.”

Thursday

John 1: 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Prayer:  Jesus, we are so grateful that you showed us how a man of God lives.

Thought for the day:  Sincere obedience is a glorious thing to behold.

Friday

John 1: 15-16 John testifies concerning him.  He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’” From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.

Prayer:  Lord God, we give thanks for all who know their humble role in service to your Son.

Thought for the day: Those who suffer from a bad attitude about church should consider whose church it is.

Saturday

John 1: 17-18 For the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.  No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only who is at God’s side, has made him known.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, we are so grateful to learn from you of the grace and truth of God.

Thought for the day:  A study of the life of Christ is a study of the goodness of God.

Photo by Marcelo Brigato on Pexels.com

Psalm 28:7 — Meditation on A Mantra for Strength

Psalm 28:7 — A Mantra for Strength
The Lord is my strength and shield,
My heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Stay with me. This meditation may wander like a Garrison Keeler monologue.

Although I had hung up the phone, I could still hear the student weeping as she told me about the guilt she was feeling. She was torn between school and duty as a caregiver for her aging mother. That led me back to thoughts of a co-worker, a professor. Her new promotion threatened to sap all her vital energy.  They were two strong women. They were two women in need of strength.

Strength and rest. Those were the words that came to mind early the next day. Strength and rest. What could I possibly say to either of the women in need of strength. Unable to shake the thought I picked up an old Bible.  My concordance pointed me to familiar verses about strength and rest. Among them were the familiar  verses of Matthew 11: 28 and Psalm 28:7.

Matthew 11:28 says, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” I thought of the strength of Jesus. He knew how to rest himself in God. If only one could find a way to rest in Him. Surely one could find renewal in the scriptures on rest and strength.

Surrounded by this book and that on meditation and prayer I thought of the ancient practice of reciting the mantra. In the West we are so suspicious of the ways of the East we may lose touch with its wisdom. Did not the pilgrim recite a thousand times and more “the sinner’s prayer” as a mantra?

Looking again at Psalm 28:7  I saw before me a mantra of comfort and strength. One could simply recite the first line affirming the strength of the Lord, and repeat the second line affirming one’s trust. Breathe in strength, breathe out trust. In-out, in-out.

The Lord is my strength and shield,
My heart trusts in [You], and [You] help me.

Studies in Ephesians — Ephesians 6:18-20 & 21 – 23

Studies in Ephesians – Ephesians 6:18-20 & 21-23

A – S – K – I – N
See also: Rms 8:26; Ps 145:9; Heb. 13:1; I Tim. 2:1-2; John 17:15, 20-21; I Peter 4:7; I Thess. 5:17; Psalm 109:17

Alert – v. 18 – Ever watch a child that is looking for gifts at Christmas time. We should be so alert spiritually.

Spirit – v. 18 – We are to pray in-Spirit. To some that seems like a mystery that cannot be fathomed. It should not be so mysterious. We pray in-Spirit when we pray in the name of Jesus. We pray in-Spirit when we pray that the will of the Father be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Known – v. 19 – Paul ask that prayers be made to spread the Gospel. That is a one-size-fits-all prayer. Try it.

Inclusive – v. 18 – Pray on all occasions, pray with all kinds of prayers and requests, and pray for all the saints. Our prayers should be comprehensive.

Nerve – v. 20 – Paul asks that they pray that he remain bold. Courage is said to be about doing even when we are not feeling courageous. Pray for others to be bold to share God’s love, and pray that we be bold to share God’s love.

Exemplary Story: As we review the closing verses of the book of Ephesians we find Paul speaking of a servant whom he will send with a personal report. Then he closes in prayer: (vs. 23-24) “Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus with an undying love.”

Being Still — An Old Challenge for a New Day — Exodus 14:14

English: Johnson Bible College chapel (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Being Still — An Old Challenge for a New Day – Exodus 14:14

Big.  The little college I attended in Tennessee has grown big.  It is so big that it has become a university with three campuses – one in Tennessee, one in Florida, and one online.

I was recently invited to a regional rally for Johnson University on a Friday night.  Anyone who knows the history of the campus would expect that there would be stories galore at an assembly of the alumni of the school.  This night did not disappoint.

Among the alumni present was one Mary Beth, the daughter of a prominent professor of the school and a class president.  Her class was 1975 or 1976.  I do not recall the precise year, since I was among the  underclassmen.

Mary Beth held forth with a story about prayer.  As class president she was tapped by the administration to spearhead a prayer vigil for the school.  It was not uncommon to have prayer vigils then.  Some were conducted in small groups, and others were round the clock vigils stretching on for several days.  I could recall how we would scramble to get a decent time, but don’t let me get started.

Mary Beth was charged with the responsibility of praying for the debt retirement for two new dormitories during a Fall prayer vigil.  Prayer was the opportunity to step back, be still, and let God do the work of God.  Mary Beth recounted that the answer followed in the early Spring.   The debt was retired, the construction cost of the dorms was paid in full.

The prowess of my memory is a matter of debate.  Some of my female friends may declare I have a short memory, and some students may argue the opposite; but I regress.

This recollection dates from about 1976.  I was seated in the back of Alumni Memorial Chapel listening to Dr. Floyd Clark.  As he led the singing he interjected his challenge, “Stop.  Listen.  Can you hear them? I can hear the angels.  Can you?”  We were then to go on singing one round and another of the chorus he had chosen with the expectation that we would hear angelic voices.

“White coral bells upon a slender stalk,

Lilies of the valley deck the garden walk.

Oh, don’t you wish that you could hear them ring.

That will only happen when the angels sing.”

I cannot say that I did hear angels singing other than the angelic voices of the congregation.  In the men’s dorm, Brown Hall, I could not find anyone who heard celestial angels that night.  Nonetheless, the message was important.  There are times when you must be still.  In stillness you let God do the work of God.

I cannot say whether the students of the big university have yet come to understand the lesson.  It was a lesson Moses knew time and again.  Exodus 14:14 says, “the Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Let the Leaders Pray — A Meditation for Church Leaders for 2013

Jesus in Pray (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Let the Leaders Pray – A Meditation for Leaders for the New Year, 2013

Let the leaders pray. That is my hope for the New Year, 2013.

I Timothy 2:1 says, ”I urge, then first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and for all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

P-R-A-Y

Petitions (Requests) – Pray for someone in particular. God knows by name those in need of prayer. You should name those for whom you pray and name their need. Pray.

Requirements (Prayers) – Pray for everyone. We all need our daily bread, and we need to pray for our daily bread. Pray.

Affirmations (Intercession) – Pray for those who cannot and those who will not pray as an intercessor. In your prayers you can affirm those things that others need. Likewise in you prayer you can affirm before the Father those very things that others cannot or will not pray for themselves. Pray.

Yes (Thanksgivings) — Pray for the glory of God with a Yes. You have reason to give thanks to God for your own blessings and those of others. Pray.

Exemplary Story: An attractive young woman returned to her college campus to tell about her experience as a runner-up for “American Idol.” We were excited to hear what she had to say. During her presentation she said something to her teachers and classmates I still remember. “When you are praying, did you ask God to bless all the little children? I want to tell you, I am one of those little children. You prayed for me.” After that sermon I am quite pleased to pray, “Bless all the little children.”

Studies in Daniel – Chapter 10

The prophet Daniel (Photo credit: Lawrence OP)

Lesson 10

Daniel 10:10-14, 18-19

See also: I Peter 3:7; Eph. 6:12; Rms. 1:13 & 15:30; I John 4:4

H-E-A-R-D

Heavenly messenger v. 5-7 An angelic message comes for Daniel.

Earnest Prayer v. 2-3 Daniel conducted a 21 day fast.  It likely was a bread-and-water fast.  His answer was delayed.

Adversary v. 13a We are reminded that enemy forces may be preventing us from getting the answers to our prayers that we seek.

Relief v. 13b Michael tagged Gabriel, and Gabriel was able to reach Daniel with his answer.  Here we have a cosmic tag-team wrestling match.

Directives of God v. 14, 20-21 Specific directives are to be given to Daniel, but first he must be told that God heard his prayer the very hour he prayed.

Exemplary story:   A child was frightened by loud claps of thunder.  She asked her mother, “Why does it thunder?”  Her mother answered, “When you hear it thunder just think of the angels.  Imagine that angels are bowling in heaven when it thunders.”  When we contemplate the unseen forces that surround our world, we must keep our faith in God.

Luke 18:1-8Jumb…

Image via Wikipedia

Luke 18:1-8

Jumbled life — A widow in the ancient world had little recourse to justice.

Uninvited tragedies — A venerable person suffered one more insult.

Stalwart solicitations  — A determined spirit would not leave it alone.

Triumph — Even an unrighteous judge would answer a plea such as this.