From asimpledesire/wordpress.com, emu.edu, thirdway.com, biblegateway.com:
Daily Readings and Devotionals:
A Sip of Scripture
Daily Scripture:
Discern
Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, “I am the Messiah!” and they will lead many astray.
Reference: Matthew 24: 4-5
Matthew 24:4-5 (New King James Version)
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
**************************************************************
<< Scripture for 3/12/2011
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glimpses of God's Hand
Carol Honderich invites you to study the lives of women of the Bible with her in a twice-monthly column.
Glimpses of God's Hand
Reflections on God's hand at work in the lives of women of the Bible
Watering the Camels with Rebekah
45 "Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out, with her jar on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water, and I said to her, 'Please give me a drink.'
46 "She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels, too.' So I drank, and she watered the camels also.” Genesis 24:45-46
45 "Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out, with her jar on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water, and I said to her, 'Please give me a drink.'
46 "She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels, too.' So I drank, and she watered the camels also.” Genesis 24:45-46
By the time Abraham reached his age of 140 years, his wife, Sarah, was no longer living. Abraham’s son, Isaac, was 40 years old, a very eligible bachelor: handsome, sensitive, and heir to his father’s great wealth. Genesis 24:1 says that “…the LORD had blessed Abraham in every way” and this would all become Isaac’s. Abraham and Isaac had remained in the land that God gave to Abraham, but now as he grew older, Abraham longed to find a good wife for Isaac, someone from his homeland, from his own people, not a Canaanite woman.
Abraham entrusted this journey and the task of seeking out the perfect bride for Isaac to his beloved servant, Eliezer, who had been with him for more than 50 years. It was the most important task Eliezer had ever taken on, but he was ready and willing to go, to find the bride and arrange the marriage. He trusted God to lead him. During his many years of service with Abraham, he had learned much about his master. He knew Abraham’s family history and relatives, and understood the family ties. Eliezer’s responsibility now was to find the best possible wife for Isaac from Abraham’s people. With God’s help he would do that.
The story of Eliezer’s journey to Haran reads much like a fairy tale. Arriving at the very watering place where Rebekah (the perfect bride for Isaac) was headed, Eliezer came with 10 camels loaded with gifts for this unknown bride. There, Eliezer stopped to pray for guidance and wisdom. He asked God to meet his needs and identify the woman who would become Isaac’s bride. He asked that she would be the one who offered him a drink, and offered to provide water for his camels. Eliezer’s devout and daring prayer was answered even as he spoke the words. Rebekah was a young virgin, hard-working, and quick to offer a welcoming hand to a stranger – and water his camels, too. Watering 10 thirsty camels was a task that required a great deal of water being pulled from the well and emptied into a trough. We can imagine that Eliezer had time to contemplate this young woman, hard at work at her task. Hearing from her that she was a relative of Abraham’s brother was the final bit of confirmation required of Eliezer.
Eliezer brought out his gifts of gold to seal the contract, and offered Rebekah the opportunity to return with him to the tents of Abraham to become Isaac’s wife. She showed no hesitation at leaving all that was familiar to meet this future husband. She understood that God was at work in this situation. She was ready for adventure.
What began as a marriage made in heaven was filled with disappointment and frustrations, with an ending that was far from a “happily ever after” fairy tale. For their first 20 years of marriage, Rebekah was barren. How could God's blessing be fulfilled through Isaac if Rebekah had no children? Isaac prayed and asked God to take away the barrenness, and God answered that prayer.
Rebekah’s pregnancy was difficult. God revealed to her that she carried twin sons in her womb, and that the older would serve the younger. This knowledge contributed to an unhealthy favoritism shown, each for a different son, on the part of both Isaac and Rebekah. Perhaps one parent’s attitude and favoritism triggered the other’s actions.
As her young sons grew, Rebekah resorted to eavesdropping and deception, as she conspired with Jacob to deceive her own husband and steal Esau's birthright. When the plot is successful, Esau’s anger and threats to kill his brother caused Jacob to flee for his life. And Rebekah died, never seeing her favorite son again. Through all the trouble of Isaac’s and Rebekah’s lives, God was true to his word and fulfilled his promise to Abraham to make a great nation through his children. We can rest on God's promises even when things don't seem to go right nor can we imagine how God's purposes will work out.
Posted 3/12/2011 7:00:00 AM
**************************************************************
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
Hear not the many, but only the One
leave a comment »
“Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, “I am the Messiah!” and they will lead many astray. “ ( Matthew 24: 4-5 )
Who is like my Messiah?
Who has compassion that covers like an unending quilt?
Who has mercy the absolves every sin?
Who can heal the gravest wound? And has overcome death?
Who is like my Messiah?
The wind carries the names of false messiahs.
Carries away their fame like dust is carried away by the wind.
The false messiahs are like dust that springs up,
And blinds the eye.
But like dirt, they are washed away and forgotten.
But my Messiah stands against the wind.
My Messiah prevails against all comers.
When the wind can no longer summon the strength to stir a single leave,
My Messiah stands firm.
My Messiah is like the wind and whisk away all those who would come against the Divine.
Who is like my Messiah?
There is no one.
I will not follow false leaders.
I will not be lead astray.
My eye is only on the one true Messiah.
My heart is for no other.
My soul is for no other.
May you discern with wisdom and care missional reader. Selah!
Written by Carole
March 13, 2011 at 12:31 am
Posted in commentary
Tagged with Messiah, Missiology, Mysteries
**************************************************************
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 Four
Opening the day with prayer.
As darkness fades and dawn awakens
Lord, give me the joy of your saving help
And sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
In the tender light of morning
Help me as I pray.
In the name of Jesus, bright and morning star. Amen.
Morning by morning God wakens–
wakens my ear
to listen
as those who are taught. Isaiah 50:5
Coming
Loving God,
Help me to hear your call
To be with you –
In the solitude of the desert.
Awaken my mind and soul to your work
And your guidance;
help me not to run into busy avoidance,
Open my eyes to see Jesus.
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- Lent Week One
Prayer before reading:
Lord Jesus Christ,
You call us to come
To be with you.
By your Spirit help me
To see you,
To hear you,
To receive your Spirit,
To be led by your Spirit.
Amen
Read slowly. Listen deeply. Indwell the scripture.
Season of Lent: Week One
The Lenten journey draws us into the desert and in many ways leaves us there for a season. Why the desert? “The desert has nothing to offer. It affords no hiding place, no refuge. It is a place of desolation and liberation. But the desert is not merely a place. It is a symbol of Christian experience. The desert as both place and experience becomes associated with journeying; with testing (to discern and sift); with seeking another country, a promised land – the reality of the kingdom of God.” (from John Moses, The Desert: An Anthology for Lent. Morehouse, 1997. 15)
Being in the desert is no escape from the realities of the world’s system, rather it is a place where God frees us from our captivity to what the world offers. This season in the wilderness releases us gradually from our attachments and from the myriad of distractions that keep us occupied and unable to see God’s presence and work within and around us. This season in the desert prepares us to be in the world, but not of the world. Jesus is here, in this desert place – facing into the lure of how to be successful, how to attract people’s attention, how to prove God is present. But he chooses to trust, to rest in Abba. He sees the temptation for what it is. Rather than turning stones into bread, he trusts God to offer manna in the wilderness.
As the lectionary guides us into the gospel narratives which in turn lead us to Jerusalem, we will become aware of the tension this journey to Golgotha sets up for Jesus’ followers. This journey to Jerusalem is a desert for them – for the structures and attachments to which they cling are being exposed and challenged. And they are not yet ready to receive the map Jesus offers them in this wilderness of life and soul.
The invitation here is to enter into the silence and solitude of this desert journey, and to learn to be with Jesus – who in turn dwells in the presence of Abba God, and receives help and sustenance. Here we are brought face to face with our own interior world, and God. This is the Lenten journey.
Prayer before reading:
Lord Jesus Christ,
You come to us.
Help me to see as you see,
To recognize your presence
In the desert,
And to learn God’s way.
Amen
Season of Lent: Week One
» 3/8 Monday: Matthew 6:1-6
» 3/8 Tuesday: Matthew 6:16-21
» 3/9 Ash Wednesday: Psalm 51:1-17;
» 3/10 Thursday: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
» 3/11 Friday: Romans 5:12-19
» 3/12 Saturday: Matthew 4:1-11
» 3/13 Sunday: Matthew 4:1-11
Responding
The third movement within Soul Space is Responding. Here we shift our focus towards outward engagement.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Evening- Week Four
Closing the day with gratefulness.
It is a good thing to give thanks to the LORD,
And to sing praises to your Name, O Most High;
To tell of your loving-kindness early in the morning
And of your faithfulness in the night season.
Psalm 92:1,2
As I come to the end of this day,
For what am I thankful?
How have I known God’s faithfulness this day?
What do bring to God . . .?
For confession . . .
For forgiveness . . .
For help . . .
For God’s holding.
Reading
The psalm for this week’s lectionary readings.
Silence
Closing Prayer
Living God,
In you there is no darkness;
Shed upon us through this night the light of your forgiveness,
Your healing and your peace.
Cover us with the blanket of your protection.
When we wake from sleep
May we know once more the light of your presence,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.
Daily Readings and Devotionals:
A Sip of Scripture
Daily Scripture:
Discern
Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, “I am the Messiah!” and they will lead many astray.
Reference: Matthew 24: 4-5
Matthew 24:4-5 (New King James Version)
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
**************************************************************
<< Scripture for 3/12/2011
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glimpses of God's Hand
Carol Honderich invites you to study the lives of women of the Bible with her in a twice-monthly column.
Glimpses of God's Hand
Reflections on God's hand at work in the lives of women of the Bible
Watering the Camels with Rebekah
45 "Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out, with her jar on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water, and I said to her, 'Please give me a drink.'
46 "She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels, too.' So I drank, and she watered the camels also.” Genesis 24:45-46
45 "Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out, with her jar on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water, and I said to her, 'Please give me a drink.'
46 "She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels, too.' So I drank, and she watered the camels also.” Genesis 24:45-46
By the time Abraham reached his age of 140 years, his wife, Sarah, was no longer living. Abraham’s son, Isaac, was 40 years old, a very eligible bachelor: handsome, sensitive, and heir to his father’s great wealth. Genesis 24:1 says that “…the LORD had blessed Abraham in every way” and this would all become Isaac’s. Abraham and Isaac had remained in the land that God gave to Abraham, but now as he grew older, Abraham longed to find a good wife for Isaac, someone from his homeland, from his own people, not a Canaanite woman.
Abraham entrusted this journey and the task of seeking out the perfect bride for Isaac to his beloved servant, Eliezer, who had been with him for more than 50 years. It was the most important task Eliezer had ever taken on, but he was ready and willing to go, to find the bride and arrange the marriage. He trusted God to lead him. During his many years of service with Abraham, he had learned much about his master. He knew Abraham’s family history and relatives, and understood the family ties. Eliezer’s responsibility now was to find the best possible wife for Isaac from Abraham’s people. With God’s help he would do that.
The story of Eliezer’s journey to Haran reads much like a fairy tale. Arriving at the very watering place where Rebekah (the perfect bride for Isaac) was headed, Eliezer came with 10 camels loaded with gifts for this unknown bride. There, Eliezer stopped to pray for guidance and wisdom. He asked God to meet his needs and identify the woman who would become Isaac’s bride. He asked that she would be the one who offered him a drink, and offered to provide water for his camels. Eliezer’s devout and daring prayer was answered even as he spoke the words. Rebekah was a young virgin, hard-working, and quick to offer a welcoming hand to a stranger – and water his camels, too. Watering 10 thirsty camels was a task that required a great deal of water being pulled from the well and emptied into a trough. We can imagine that Eliezer had time to contemplate this young woman, hard at work at her task. Hearing from her that she was a relative of Abraham’s brother was the final bit of confirmation required of Eliezer.
Eliezer brought out his gifts of gold to seal the contract, and offered Rebekah the opportunity to return with him to the tents of Abraham to become Isaac’s wife. She showed no hesitation at leaving all that was familiar to meet this future husband. She understood that God was at work in this situation. She was ready for adventure.
What began as a marriage made in heaven was filled with disappointment and frustrations, with an ending that was far from a “happily ever after” fairy tale. For their first 20 years of marriage, Rebekah was barren. How could God's blessing be fulfilled through Isaac if Rebekah had no children? Isaac prayed and asked God to take away the barrenness, and God answered that prayer.
Rebekah’s pregnancy was difficult. God revealed to her that she carried twin sons in her womb, and that the older would serve the younger. This knowledge contributed to an unhealthy favoritism shown, each for a different son, on the part of both Isaac and Rebekah. Perhaps one parent’s attitude and favoritism triggered the other’s actions.
As her young sons grew, Rebekah resorted to eavesdropping and deception, as she conspired with Jacob to deceive her own husband and steal Esau's birthright. When the plot is successful, Esau’s anger and threats to kill his brother caused Jacob to flee for his life. And Rebekah died, never seeing her favorite son again. Through all the trouble of Isaac’s and Rebekah’s lives, God was true to his word and fulfilled his promise to Abraham to make a great nation through his children. We can rest on God's promises even when things don't seem to go right nor can we imagine how God's purposes will work out.
Posted 3/12/2011 7:00:00 AM
**************************************************************
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
Hear not the many, but only the One
leave a comment »
“Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, “I am the Messiah!” and they will lead many astray. “ ( Matthew 24: 4-5 )
Who is like my Messiah?
Who has compassion that covers like an unending quilt?
Who has mercy the absolves every sin?
Who can heal the gravest wound? And has overcome death?
Who is like my Messiah?
The wind carries the names of false messiahs.
Carries away their fame like dust is carried away by the wind.
The false messiahs are like dust that springs up,
And blinds the eye.
But like dirt, they are washed away and forgotten.
But my Messiah stands against the wind.
My Messiah prevails against all comers.
When the wind can no longer summon the strength to stir a single leave,
My Messiah stands firm.
My Messiah is like the wind and whisk away all those who would come against the Divine.
Who is like my Messiah?
There is no one.
I will not follow false leaders.
I will not be lead astray.
My eye is only on the one true Messiah.
My heart is for no other.
My soul is for no other.
May you discern with wisdom and care missional reader. Selah!
Written by Carole
March 13, 2011 at 12:31 am
Posted in commentary
Tagged with Messiah, Missiology, Mysteries
**************************************************************
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 Four
Opening the day with prayer.
As darkness fades and dawn awakens
Lord, give me the joy of your saving help
And sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
In the tender light of morning
Help me as I pray.
In the name of Jesus, bright and morning star. Amen.
Morning by morning God wakens–
wakens my ear
to listen
as those who are taught. Isaiah 50:5
Coming
Loving God,
Help me to hear your call
To be with you –
In the solitude of the desert.
Awaken my mind and soul to your work
And your guidance;
help me not to run into busy avoidance,
Open my eyes to see Jesus.
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- Lent Week One
Prayer before reading:
Lord Jesus Christ,
You call us to come
To be with you.
By your Spirit help me
To see you,
To hear you,
To receive your Spirit,
To be led by your Spirit.
Amen
Read slowly. Listen deeply. Indwell the scripture.
Season of Lent: Week One
The Lenten journey draws us into the desert and in many ways leaves us there for a season. Why the desert? “The desert has nothing to offer. It affords no hiding place, no refuge. It is a place of desolation and liberation. But the desert is not merely a place. It is a symbol of Christian experience. The desert as both place and experience becomes associated with journeying; with testing (to discern and sift); with seeking another country, a promised land – the reality of the kingdom of God.” (from John Moses, The Desert: An Anthology for Lent. Morehouse, 1997. 15)
Being in the desert is no escape from the realities of the world’s system, rather it is a place where God frees us from our captivity to what the world offers. This season in the wilderness releases us gradually from our attachments and from the myriad of distractions that keep us occupied and unable to see God’s presence and work within and around us. This season in the desert prepares us to be in the world, but not of the world. Jesus is here, in this desert place – facing into the lure of how to be successful, how to attract people’s attention, how to prove God is present. But he chooses to trust, to rest in Abba. He sees the temptation for what it is. Rather than turning stones into bread, he trusts God to offer manna in the wilderness.
As the lectionary guides us into the gospel narratives which in turn lead us to Jerusalem, we will become aware of the tension this journey to Golgotha sets up for Jesus’ followers. This journey to Jerusalem is a desert for them – for the structures and attachments to which they cling are being exposed and challenged. And they are not yet ready to receive the map Jesus offers them in this wilderness of life and soul.
The invitation here is to enter into the silence and solitude of this desert journey, and to learn to be with Jesus – who in turn dwells in the presence of Abba God, and receives help and sustenance. Here we are brought face to face with our own interior world, and God. This is the Lenten journey.
Prayer before reading:
Lord Jesus Christ,
You come to us.
Help me to see as you see,
To recognize your presence
In the desert,
And to learn God’s way.
Amen
Season of Lent: Week One
» 3/8 Monday: Matthew 6:1-6
» 3/8 Tuesday: Matthew 6:16-21
» 3/9 Ash Wednesday: Psalm 51:1-17;
» 3/10 Thursday: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
» 3/11 Friday: Romans 5:12-19
» 3/12 Saturday: Matthew 4:1-11
» 3/13 Sunday: Matthew 4:1-11
Responding
The third movement within Soul Space is Responding. Here we shift our focus towards outward engagement.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Evening- Week Four
Closing the day with gratefulness.
It is a good thing to give thanks to the LORD,
And to sing praises to your Name, O Most High;
To tell of your loving-kindness early in the morning
And of your faithfulness in the night season.
Psalm 92:1,2
As I come to the end of this day,
For what am I thankful?
How have I known God’s faithfulness this day?
What do bring to God . . .?
For confession . . .
For forgiveness . . .
For help . . .
For God’s holding.
Reading
The psalm for this week’s lectionary readings.
Silence
Closing Prayer
Living God,
In you there is no darkness;
Shed upon us through this night the light of your forgiveness,
Your healing and your peace.
Cover us with the blanket of your protection.
When we wake from sleep
May we know once more the light of your presence,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.
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