Month: January 2021

Our Gospel lesson is Matthew 5:1-12, taken today from the New International Version (NIV).

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

In His first teaching Jesus gives us a list of things that don’t sound like the blessings people expected. Most thought the Messiah would come as a mighty king in glory and power, bringing victory and restoration. Instead He is a quiet man who preaches peace and humble service.

This was a hard lesson for many to accept – no sudden change of fortune and leadership, no revenge on those who been the oppressors. Jesus says they are blessed when they accept God’s will in all circumstances, joyous or difficult, and He calls them to be part of how God will bless the world. This is a surprise to many of them as well.

Jesus says we are blessed when we search for ways to love others even when they don’t love us. God’s love for us isn’t based on what the world thinks, but on how we show the world our connection with Him. We are all blessed when we choose to follow Christ, no matter the cost.

Gracious God, we are thankful for all Your many blessings. Help us to live out Your word in our relationship with others, continuing the work You call us to do. Amen.

Our Gospel this week is Matthew 5:1-12, taken today from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB).

When he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Jesus gives a list of traits and behaviors that likely surprised His followers. These don’t sound like the attributes of warriors for the kingdom! Instead, He tells us we must be builders of the kingdom, sharing the invitation to be part of what God is doing.

Yes, He calls us to stand against evil but with the right mindset and tools – God’s word and His love. Many times during His ministry He taught that a child-like faith and serving others was God’s plan for us to help bring His people back. Evil came into the world through our human failure, but through His sacrifice Jesus showed us what was necessary to defeat it.

He calls us to see the problems of the world and care enough to help. God has given us the gifts we need to be successful. If we say “yes Lord” and follow Christ, we become part of His solution.

Loving Lord, we are humbled that You call us to serve as Your representatives here on earth. Show us Your way and let us follow in Your strength. Amen.

Our Gospel lesson is Matthew 5:1-12, taken today from the Common English Bible (CEB).

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up a mountain. He sat down and his disciples came to him. He taught them, saying: “Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad. Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth. Happy are people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full. Happy are people who show mercy, because they will receive mercy. Happy are people who have pure hearts, because they will see God. Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children. Happy are people whose lives are harassed because they are righteous, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me. Be full of joy and be glad, because you have a great reward in heaven. In the same way, people harassed the prophets who came before you.”

In this translation we are taught that people who follow God’s path are “happy”, a little different understanding than versions that say “blessed”. Jesus tells us when we are willing to be in connection with God, we may experience these situations because the world opposes God’s rule. It changes our expectations of what kind of king Jesus is and how God’s kingdom will come on earth.

Jesus wants us to know the joy of doing God’s will, but also the challenges the world will throw in our way. He doesn’t ignore the fact that we will have difficulty dealing with those who reject God’s blessing and happiness. It is not a promise of easy living but a call to live out the Good News in spite of what we face.

God wants us to be happy, but more than that He wants us to be part of His plan for the salvation of the world. Sharing our joy with others won’t always be easy or successful – they must choose a relationship with God for themselves. Our task is to continue in His strength regardless of the world’s attempts to defeat us.

Gracious God, we are grateful to be called as Your servants here and in eternity. Help us to be strong when we face temptation or oppression, sharing Your love with all. Amen.

Our Gospel lesson this week is Matthew 5:1-12, taken today from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Jesus begins His teachings with a list of blessings, however not the kind they expected. No crushing of their oppressors, no revenge for past wrongs, instead we hear ”blessed are the peacemakers”. We all want peace but we want it on our terms!

Jesus comes to teach us of our individual blessings, a diverse set of gifts from God to build His kingdom. These are attributes God gives us to be able to fulfill His purpose, not ours. He gives us strength of a different kind, not political or military power.

God wants us to stand strong against the powers of the world and only by rejecting those ways can we meet that task. Each of us must accept these gifts for ourselves. While we work together as His children, each must make the decision to accept His blessing and His path for us.

Loving Lord, help us to understand the gifts You give us and use them properly. May we work earnestly and energetically to share the joy of Your kingdom with the world. Amen.

Our epistle reading for this week is Philippians 4:10-12.

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Paul writes these words of encouragement to the church at Philippi to reassure them of God’s presence with us, no matter what our situation. He speaks of being “content whatever the circumstances” (v. 11), a reminder that while we are not taught that things will always be easy, God did promise to always be with us. It is this constancy and trust in our unchanging Creator, that allows us to have faith in the unknown future.

While our earthly lives may follow an uncertain path, God is in control and the outcome is assured. Christ will return to claim those who claim Him and we will be with Him eternally. We can live in confidence as Paul says “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength” (v. 13).

This wonderful gift allows us to press ahead in difficult times and to give thanks to God no matter what we face. His strength is given to all who call on Him in faith, believing the promise of salvation. We can indeed do all things through His power at work in us.

Loving Lord, we are weak on our own, but Your strength and guidance are there for us. Help us to be Your people, sharing the joy of our connection with You with all Your children. Amen.

Our Old Testament reading this week is Proverbs 3:5-6, taken today from the Common English Bible (CEB).

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; don’t rely on your own intelligence. Know him in all your paths, and he will keep your ways straight.

This passage contains great wisdom, as brief as it is. Proverbs is full of teaching such as this, reminding us that God has a wonderful plan for us, if we would only listen and follow. We have to make that choice for ourselves, hearing His call and accepting the responsibility it places on us.

Psalm 100:3 tells us “Know that the Lord is God— He made us; we belong to Him. We are His people, the sheep of His own pasture.” When we learn this and begin to understand His all-encompassing love for us, we can begin to live for Him rather than just ourselves. It changes our outlook on everything we do.

God blesses our efforts when we give up our selfish ways and obey instead. We can never make ourselves as happy as God can make us. Trusting in the Lord with all your heart will restore the relationship for which God created us.

Wise and wonderful God, we are willful people, always wanting our own way. Forgive us we pray, and lead us back to the path You intend. Amen.

Our call to worship for the week is Psalm 111:1-5.

Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate. He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.

In this Psalm we offer God our praise and thanks for all He has done for us. It speaks of His love and His wonderful works. He created us and all that is and wants to be a constant part of our lives.

That’s the amazing thing, “He remembers his covenant forever” (v. 5). Even when we turn away, His promise is still there for those who would repent and return to Him. He isn’t just waiting for us, He comes seeking us. The old hymn says “what wondrous love is this, oh my soul”!

God’s love for us is never ending and He is always ready to receive us back into connection. However, it is up to us to accept His offer of grace and mercy by confessing our failure and living changed lives. God is as close as our next breath, eager to welcome us as His children.

Loving Lord, we stumble and fall because we are willful people. Help us to see the error of our ways and the joy of returning to You. Amen.

Our Gospel lesson is Mark 1:14-20, taken today from the Common English Bible (CEB).

After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee announcing God’s good news, saying, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!” As Jesus passed alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” he said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people.” Right away, they left their nets and followed him. After going a little farther, he saw James and John, Zebedee’s sons, in their boat repairing the fishing nets. At that very moment he called them. They followed him, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired workers.

Jesus begins His ministry by telling us to “change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!” (v. 15). He wants us to understand that we are precious to God but that we need to turn from our self-centered way of living. Only by following Him can we be part of God’s plan.

He invites everyone to be included, but chooses some to be the core of His work, learning from Him that they may go to teach others. That call is still the way we share our faith in Him, person to person, generation to generation. Christ is counting on us to continue the work He began, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to know God’s love.

How are we answering His call? We live in a time that makes it difficult to see each other safely in person, but God has blessed us with a variety of ways of communicating. When the apostle Paul was unable to visit communities of believers in person, he wrote to them instead, sharing what he had been given. We too must find new ways to reach others in Jesus name.

Loving Lord, we are slow to change our hearts and lives, often fearful of new things and new ways. Help us to go in confidence to share the Good News of Your kingdom to all the world. Amen.

Our Gospel lesson this week is Mark 1:14-20, taken today from the English Standard Version (ESV).

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

When Jesus called the disciples He said “Follow me”. It was a simple statement, without a lot of details, no stipulations or clauses. The only job description He gave was that they would be “fishers of men” (v. 17).

It sounds like they will be “catching” people, but with a completely different focus than fishing. Previously, they fished to provide a life for themselves and their families. Now, Jesus asks them to help provide life to the world.

This call to follow Him and share His love with everyone comes to us as well. Like His first followers we must make the decision to go – Jesus invites, He doesn’t force. He asks us to put our connection to God above all else and follow Him to eternal life.

Savior of the world, we giveYou thanks and praise for including us in Your plan of salvation. Help us to be willing and active followers, sharing the Good News of Your kingdom. Amen.

Our Gospel this week is Mark 1:14-20, taken today from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

Mark is sometimes called the “immediate” Gospel because the term is used frequently in its record of the Good News. It occurs twice in this short passage. Other translations use “right away”, “at once” and “without delay”.

All of these phrases indicate the importance of hearing Jesus call on our lives and not letting anything interfere. This lesson says the first disciples left their work, their homes and their families to follow Him. Does Jesus call us to do the same?

Sometimes the answer is “yes”. Most of us know or know of someone who went to serve as a missionary or aid worker in some far flung land. Some are called to this kind of ministry. However, for most of us the call is to give up our old ways and those connections that distract us from Christ’s purpose, living a new life in Him. We must “immediately” answer His call, placing our connection with God above all else.

Loving Lord, You came to save us from our sin and show us the joy of a relationship with You. Help us to give up the ways of the world that we may follow You. Amen.