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Daily Readings/Devotionals:
A Sip of Scripture
Daily Scripture:
Illumine
I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations.
Reference: Isaiah 42: 6
Isaiah 42:6 (New King James Version)
6 “ I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness,
And will hold Your hand;
I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people,
As a light to the Gentiles,
Related Blog
A Simple Desire
The weblog "a simple desire" provides brief commentaries on "A Sip of Scripture" from a Mennonite perspective, The commentaries are written by Carole Boshart, of Oregon; Will Fitzgerald, of Michigan; and others on occasion.
a simple desireShort commentary on “A Sip of Scripture” from Third Way Cafe
Isaiah 42: 6 – Listen in on what I heard from God
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“I am the Lord”
I am the Lord your God who created all the heavens and the earth. I have set the moon in the sky and have placed the sun in the heavens so that there might be life on earth.
“I have called you in righteousness”
Out of darkness and dust I have called you; out of the deep abyss I raised you up. I have provided you with life and have set before you my statutes and laws.
“I have taken you by the hand and kept you”
I have taught you the ways you should live. I have given you lessons in love and compassion. I have lead you to quiet streams and tranquil pastures. I have encouraged you to speak to me in prayer and song.
“I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations.”
When you are asked why I have done these things, speak of my love and mercy for all of creation. Tell those who will listen that I am a God who loves, who does not destroy. When you love one another, you are a living testament for the compassion of the Lord. In your heart you hold the promise that the Lord will not forsake even the least member of creation. For I am the Lord who is over all things.
(Isaiah 42: 6 )
May you gentle reader pass to all who ask the message that the Lord gives us all. Selah!
Written by Carole
January 19, 2011 at 12:57 am
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Related Website
Soul Space
You are invited to take some time each day for "Soul Space," written by Wendy Miller and posted on the Eastern Mennonite University website. Each day's guidance centers around a theme for reflection and prayer drawn from the lectionary readings for the week.
Morning-Week Two
Lord of the dawn –
You who bring morning light
to bless field and hill,
Roof and window;
Open my eye to see,
Beckon my ear to hear,
Waken my soul to follow you into this day.
Prayer for the day:
Bless to me, O God,
Each thing mine eye sees;
Each sound mine ear hears;
All that I taste;
Each word I speak;
Each note I sing;
Each ray of light that guides my way,
Each one I meet;
Bless to me, O God.
The Three that seek my heart,
The Three that make Your home in me
Bless to me, O God.
From a “Prayer at rising”, adapted.
Coming
Loving God,
Bringing light—epiphany–
Awaken my soul.
Open my eyes to see,
Help me to hear
Jesus among and within us.
Amen
Silence
Be still.
Open your awareness to God’s presence
Within and all around.
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
Being With-Epiphany Week 3
Season of Epiphany: Week Three
This side of Eden we are restless, seeking, hoping for something to satisfy us. If we are honest we admit that what we produce, and what we accumulate does bring some measure of satisfaction – but on a deeper level we seek for something more. Even within the church persons are saying, “We want to go deeper.” “Isn’t there something more?” The psalmist gives voice to this seeking, this longing (Psalm 27:4,7-10).
Even as we are looking for this deeper satisfaction—on a soul level—God comes to us. God comes looking for us. Not content to stay in the heavenly realm, looking from afar as we seek whatever it is to quench a deep, inner thirst, God shows up among us, in Jesus. In the Gospel narratives our lectionary guide takes us now to Capernaum, a fishing town nestled on the north reach of the Sea of Galilee. This is where Jesus settles and forms a hub for his work of coming to find us.
As you read Matthew 4:12-23 this week, I invite you to sit alongside this gospel writer and to notice how people are seen and described in this passage. Reflect on the state we are in, and then notice how this coming of Jesus is described.
This ‘great light’, this ‘dawning’ of a new day in God’s kingdom calendar, is described as ‘heaven coming near.’ What does this ‘great light’ look like? This ‘dawning’ of a new day, this ‘heaven coming near’—for those of us who are stuck in the darkness of the night of this world’s system, and who suffer the shadow of death this side of Eden?
Jesus now becomes the ‘voice’ in our wilderness, he shows up on the beach of our life — coming close and inviting us to turn our attention towards him, and to what he is offering: ‘heaven coming near.’ We may wonder what this has to do with going deeper, wanting something more, that deep inner, soul-level satisfaction. If we are looking for an immediate answer, we are given instead an invitation by Jesus: “Follow me . . .”
When Jesus calls us to follow him we are already beginning to turn from what and who we have been following. We all listen and give our lives and our love to something or somebody. Now Jesus is saying, “Listen to me, give your life and your love to me.”
It is in this turning and listening, this following and loving that the ‘good news’ of the gracious rule of God begins to break into the deep, inner regions of our being, shedding the light of God’s new day, transforming how we see, how we hear, how we live in the world—curing the disease and breaking the yoke and oppression of addiction to a multitude of things which can never satisfy Isaiah 9:1-4), and healing the painful sickness of being alienated from God, from the God-breathed center of who we are, from others, and from creation (I Corinthians 1:10-18).
The gospel writer calls us to enter into this great life adventure of noticing this Jesus who takes up residence on the shore of our life, and calls us to follow him. Matthew’s gospel will be our GPS as we listen and follow. This following, this listening, this new loving will change us. Jesus says, “I will make you . . .” No longer will we be “self-made” individuals, or “system-conformed” collectives. We will be transformed as Jesus reveals the beauty and wonder of God and God’s gracious new thing, and as we learn to wait for, and gaze on God (Psalm 27:4,13,14).
Prayer before reading:
Lord Jesus Christ,
You come to us.
Help me to see as you see,
To recognize your presence,
And your call
To follow you.
Guide me, us as I learn to walk in your way.
Read slowly. Listen deeply. Indwell the scripture.
Scripture Guide:
Season of Epiphany: Week Three
» 1/17 Monday: Matthew 4:12-17
» 1/18 Tuesday: Matthew 4:13-23
» 1/19 Wednesday: Psalm 27
Psalm 27 (King James Version)
Psalm 27
1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
5For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
7Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
9Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
11Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
12Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Responding
The third movement within Soul Space is Responding. Here we shift our focus towards outward engagement.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Pray for the coming day. Be attentive to what you struggle with, where you face challenge, difficulty, experience weakness, darkness, uncertainty—how it affects you personally, and your ministry. Bring your struggle to God. Pray for God’s servants who are serving in challenging and difficult places this day, especially for _____________________.
Lord Christ,
You see us sometimes strangers on the earth, taken aback by the violence, by the harshness of oppositions.
You are with us, sending out a gentle breeze on the dry ground of our doubts, shining your light in the dark corners of our clay vessels where fear and weakness rob us of faith and peace.
Help us to know your presence in all our struggle. Continue to make us bearers of peace and reconciliation.
*based on a prayer by Brother Roger of Taize. Life from Within. Geoffrey Chapman Mowbray, 1990. 22.
INTERCESSION
Pray for the coming day, and for your neighbor.
Loving God,
Help me to hear your wake-up call,
To listen deeply to your voice.
Awaken my mind and soul to your work
Within and among us through the Holy Spirit.
Help me not to run into busy avoidance,
Not to be caught in the trappings of this world.
Bend my heart to stay . . . to love . . . to wait
To embrace your coming in Jesus.
Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Emmanuel,
God with us,
May your kingdom come
And your gracious will be done,
In the earth of our lives in this world
As it is in heaven.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.
Evening-Week Two
Come to me you who are tired, worn down from carrying heavy loads,
and I will give you rest. Learn my ways, for my ways are gentle, and I am humble at heart, and you will find rest for your soul.
Matthew 11:28-30 (paraphrased)
As I come to the end of this day, and turn towards you, Burden Bearer, Rest Giver,
What am I carrying?
What wears me down, makes me tired?
What do I bring to you . . . ?
For forgiveness . . .
For healing . . .
For help . . .
For holding.
Read the psalm for this week’s lectionary readings.
Silence
Closing Prayer
In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge:
Hear me as I come . . .
Be my resting place;
I will both lie me down and sleep in peace;
For you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.
Into your hands I commend myself and those I love.
Psalms 4:8; 31:1-5 (paraphrased)
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