From: asimpledesire.wordpress.com, thirdway.com, emu.edu, biblegateway.com:
Daily Readings and Devotionals:
A Sip of Scripture
Daily Scripture:
Endure
Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But anyone who endures to the end will be saved.
Reference: Matthew 24: 9-13
Matthew 24:9-13 (New King James Version)
9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
**************************************************************
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
Enduring the unendurable
leave a comment »
“Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But anyone who endures to the end will be saved.” ( Matthew 24: 9-13 )
It is a rough and tumble place. Torture and death, hatred and animosity, disbelief and betrayal, falseness and lawlessness, and love grown cold. How can anyone endure it?
But, missional reader, that is only one day on this earth. There were be just slightly less than 300 days like that this year. Next year it may be worse. How will humanity endure it? If the troubles of humanity are going to increase, God’s mission to humanity must increase also.
But wait a minute! It is the faithful who have carried out the mission of God that are handed over, tortured, and . . . and . . . put to death! What do we, the faithful, have to look forward to? We will endure. We read earlier if the Master of the House is ridiculed and beaten, what do you thing will happen to the servants?! So we should not be surprised concerning what happens to us. Is endurance worth that?
Well, suppose, just suppose, we go through all the torture etc, and at the end we are no more? Just a pouf of dust and ash.
We have a choice. We can go through this world plugging our ears and not listening to the word of God; we can refuse and run away from spreading God’s message. But what will it get us? Nothing. But if we endure, and pledge our lives with and on Christ’s life, death, and resurrection – we may just get out of this world with our soul/spirit intact.
Doing mission is not just done for what it means to others. It is done because of what it means to ourselves. We do mission, are involved in mission, and live our lives as mission because to do anything else ignores the only chance we have of getting through each day of our lives.
May you missional reader do the work that is God’s mission for the sake of every soul that is part of humanity, including yourself. Selah!
Written by Carole
March 15, 2011 at 12:00 am
Posted in commentary
Tagged with Spirituality, Missional, Mission, Missiology, Christian Journey
**************************************************************
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 One
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 listening.
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 Two
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 Two
This week the Lenten journey takes on a pathway inward. This is no wasted travel! Any attention we give to the interior of who we are will gradually transform the way we see and relate to the outer world. And any attention we give to God’s presence and work within us will transform our being and doing in the world around us.
Nicodemus finds himself held captive to the rules and regulations of the religious sect of his outer world as a Pharisee—a religious leader of the Jews. A separatist sect, the Pharisees believe that by observing all facets of the Mosaic Law in Scripture and all additions to that Law contained within the traditions, that they would be fully righteous before God and the people. This strict observance requires that they do not enter the house or eat meals with persons who are “unclean” – persons who do not keep all of the Law and its traditions. Jesus is such a person. Early in his ministry “many tax collectors and sinners” come and sit with him and his disciples in Matthew’s house, Matthew who is also a tax collector; and it is the Pharisees who call such social behavior into question (Matthew 9:9-13), For the Pharisees those who collect taxes from the Jews on behalf of the Roman government are unclean, and therefore untouchable. For Jesus, these are the very ones he is here to welcome and receive.
This leader of the Jews, Nicodemus, feels drawn to this Rabbi (teacher) Jesus—clean or unclean—and so he comes under cover of darkness and seeks Jesus out, saying: “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” There is a certain logic here, a logic which rests on Nicodemus’ knowledge of the Hebrew narratives of God’s, the children of Israel. A life stream of signs and wonders circulates throughout these stories, a life stream which signals God’s presence and power. Abraham and Sarah learn this as they enter into this life stream and learn slowly to trust the presence and action of God in the midst of the impossible. This same life stream signals God’s presence and power in Jesus’ life and doings, through the indwelling of the Spirit of God.
It is to this indwelling that Jesus draws Nicodemus’ attention. And our attention. All of the gospel narratives contain an invitation for us to enter and to be met by this One who welcomes and receives our presence. Jesus calls us to journey beyond the limits of our logic and to be receptive to the birthing and life-making presence of the Holy Spirit. To welcome and receive the wind of the Spirit. Here Jesus is taking us into the realm of heavenly things.
If we don’t understand, that is where we are. But this Jesus comes to where we are, and invites us to trust that God comes in the Spirit, birthing the new creation within us – and thus bringing the kingdom of God within and among us in the world.
Season of Lent: Week Two
3/14 Monday: John 3:1-6
3/15 Tuesday: John 3:7-17
John 3:7-17 (King James Version)
7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
3/16 Wednesday: Psalm 51:1-17
3/17 Thursday: Genesis 12:1-4a
3/18 Friday: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
3/19 Saturday: John 3:1-6
3/20 Sunday: John 3:7-17
Responding
The third movement within Soul Space is Responding. Here we shift our focus towards outward engagement.
Monday
Tuesday
Pray for the coming day. Pray for persons throughout the world who are poor, needy, suffering injustice and oppression and for those persons who are serving to bring relief, healing, hope, especially _________________________.
Lord Jesus Christ,
You who knew the Spirit of God upon and within you, the anointing of God as you brought good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and freedom to those who are oppressed; breathe your Spirit upon ________________________ this day.
Anoint them with God’s love, power, guidance and compassion. May they know your presence and guidance as they co-labor with you to bring good news to _________________________, release from captivity, healing from blindness, and freedom from oppression.
May God’s grace and kind favor be felt and known this day.
In your great name, Amen.
(based on Isaiah 61:1-52 & Luke 4:18-19)
CLOSING PRAYER
Loving God,
Help me to hear your call
To be with you –
In the night of my seeking.
Awaken my mind and soul to your work
And your guidance.
Help me be receptive to your Spirit, who
Opens my eyes to see Jesus.
Amen
Evening- Week One
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.
Read 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 the more the light of your presence,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.
Daily Readings and Devotionals:
A Sip of Scripture
Daily Scripture:
Endure
Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But anyone who endures to the end will be saved.
Reference: Matthew 24: 9-13
Matthew 24:9-13 (New King James Version)
9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
**************************************************************
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
Enduring the unendurable
leave a comment »
“Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But anyone who endures to the end will be saved.” ( Matthew 24: 9-13 )
It is a rough and tumble place. Torture and death, hatred and animosity, disbelief and betrayal, falseness and lawlessness, and love grown cold. How can anyone endure it?
But, missional reader, that is only one day on this earth. There were be just slightly less than 300 days like that this year. Next year it may be worse. How will humanity endure it? If the troubles of humanity are going to increase, God’s mission to humanity must increase also.
But wait a minute! It is the faithful who have carried out the mission of God that are handed over, tortured, and . . . and . . . put to death! What do we, the faithful, have to look forward to? We will endure. We read earlier if the Master of the House is ridiculed and beaten, what do you thing will happen to the servants?! So we should not be surprised concerning what happens to us. Is endurance worth that?
Well, suppose, just suppose, we go through all the torture etc, and at the end we are no more? Just a pouf of dust and ash.
We have a choice. We can go through this world plugging our ears and not listening to the word of God; we can refuse and run away from spreading God’s message. But what will it get us? Nothing. But if we endure, and pledge our lives with and on Christ’s life, death, and resurrection – we may just get out of this world with our soul/spirit intact.
Doing mission is not just done for what it means to others. It is done because of what it means to ourselves. We do mission, are involved in mission, and live our lives as mission because to do anything else ignores the only chance we have of getting through each day of our lives.
May you missional reader do the work that is God’s mission for the sake of every soul that is part of humanity, including yourself. Selah!
Written by Carole
March 15, 2011 at 12:00 am
Posted in commentary
Tagged with Spirituality, Missional, Mission, Missiology, Christian Journey
**************************************************************
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 One
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 listening.
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 Two
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 Two
This week the Lenten journey takes on a pathway inward. This is no wasted travel! Any attention we give to the interior of who we are will gradually transform the way we see and relate to the outer world. And any attention we give to God’s presence and work within us will transform our being and doing in the world around us.
Nicodemus finds himself held captive to the rules and regulations of the religious sect of his outer world as a Pharisee—a religious leader of the Jews. A separatist sect, the Pharisees believe that by observing all facets of the Mosaic Law in Scripture and all additions to that Law contained within the traditions, that they would be fully righteous before God and the people. This strict observance requires that they do not enter the house or eat meals with persons who are “unclean” – persons who do not keep all of the Law and its traditions. Jesus is such a person. Early in his ministry “many tax collectors and sinners” come and sit with him and his disciples in Matthew’s house, Matthew who is also a tax collector; and it is the Pharisees who call such social behavior into question (Matthew 9:9-13), For the Pharisees those who collect taxes from the Jews on behalf of the Roman government are unclean, and therefore untouchable. For Jesus, these are the very ones he is here to welcome and receive.
This leader of the Jews, Nicodemus, feels drawn to this Rabbi (teacher) Jesus—clean or unclean—and so he comes under cover of darkness and seeks Jesus out, saying: “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” There is a certain logic here, a logic which rests on Nicodemus’ knowledge of the Hebrew narratives of God’s, the children of Israel. A life stream of signs and wonders circulates throughout these stories, a life stream which signals God’s presence and power. Abraham and Sarah learn this as they enter into this life stream and learn slowly to trust the presence and action of God in the midst of the impossible. This same life stream signals God’s presence and power in Jesus’ life and doings, through the indwelling of the Spirit of God.
It is to this indwelling that Jesus draws Nicodemus’ attention. And our attention. All of the gospel narratives contain an invitation for us to enter and to be met by this One who welcomes and receives our presence. Jesus calls us to journey beyond the limits of our logic and to be receptive to the birthing and life-making presence of the Holy Spirit. To welcome and receive the wind of the Spirit. Here Jesus is taking us into the realm of heavenly things.
If we don’t understand, that is where we are. But this Jesus comes to where we are, and invites us to trust that God comes in the Spirit, birthing the new creation within us – and thus bringing the kingdom of God within and among us in the world.
Season of Lent: Week Two
3/14 Monday: John 3:1-6
3/15 Tuesday: John 3:7-17
John 3:7-17 (King James Version)
7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
3/16 Wednesday: Psalm 51:1-17
3/17 Thursday: Genesis 12:1-4a
3/18 Friday: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
3/19 Saturday: John 3:1-6
3/20 Sunday: John 3:7-17
Responding
The third movement within Soul Space is Responding. Here we shift our focus towards outward engagement.
Monday
Tuesday
Pray for the coming day. Pray for persons throughout the world who are poor, needy, suffering injustice and oppression and for those persons who are serving to bring relief, healing, hope, especially _________________________.
Lord Jesus Christ,
You who knew the Spirit of God upon and within you, the anointing of God as you brought good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and freedom to those who are oppressed; breathe your Spirit upon ________________________ this day.
Anoint them with God’s love, power, guidance and compassion. May they know your presence and guidance as they co-labor with you to bring good news to _________________________, release from captivity, healing from blindness, and freedom from oppression.
May God’s grace and kind favor be felt and known this day.
In your great name, Amen.
(based on Isaiah 61:1-52 & Luke 4:18-19)
CLOSING PRAYER
Loving God,
Help me to hear your call
To be with you –
In the night of my seeking.
Awaken my mind and soul to your work
And your guidance.
Help me be receptive to your Spirit, who
Opens my eyes to see Jesus.
Amen
Evening- Week One
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.
Read 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 the more the light of your presence,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.
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