Month: February 2021

Our call to worship this week is Psalm 50:1-6.

“The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets. From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages. He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people: “Gather to me this consecrated people, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice.”

This Psalm tells of God’s power and might. He is the Creator, and all things came into being according to His will. Without Him, there is nothing.

This Psalm also speaks of God’s desire to reclaim us from the evil into which we have fallen and bring us to Himself. God made us in His own likeness, His intent was for us to be part of Him, eternally connected. We have strayed from Him and His purpose for us.

However, the Almighty loved us so much that He was willing to come to be with us, to be one of us, and suffer what we have brought upon ourselves in order to show us the way back to Him. God reaches out to all of us every day. Hear His call on your life and accept the gift and the responsibility He gives you, that you may be part of His work now and forever.

Loving Lord, we are humbled at the efforts You make to save us from ourselves. Help us to turn to You in faith and live as You intended. Amen.

Our Gospel lesson is Mark 1:29-39, taken today from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her. And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them. When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city had gathered at the door. And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was. In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.” And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.

Several times in this passage we hear about Jesus healing people of illness and casting out demons. This was a large part of His mission, to show that God wants us to be healthy and in connection with Him. What better way to show His love then by restoring people?

Jesus didn’t perform miracles and healing to gain fame for Himself, but to focus people’s attention on how much God wants us to be part of what He is doing in the world. We are called to hear and share the Good News, letting everyone know we are God’s beloved children. Loving God and each other is at the top of His list of commands for us.

Jesus knows demonstrating God’s love and care for us is the best way to teach us to go and do so as well. While He healed individuals mentally and physically, He came to heal us all spiritually. Now it is up to us to continue reaching people in His name, caring for them in body and spirit as He has taught us.

Gracious God, we are glad to be part of Your work here, reaching out to help and heal a broken world. Make us strong in Your love, sharing Your gift with everyone. Amen.

Our Gospel lesson is Mark 1:29-39, taken today from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB).

As soon as they left the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrew’s house with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. So he went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them. When evening came, after the sun had set, they brought to him all those who were sick and demon-possessed. The whole town was assembled at the door, and he healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying. Simon and his companions searched for him, and when they found him they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let’s go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too. This is why I have come.” He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

We hear that Simon Peter’s mother-in-law was ill and “they told him about her at once” (v. 30). Jesus knows everything that goes on, but He encourages us to bring those we love to His attention, specifically through prayer. Jesus wants to hear everything that troubles us, everything that excites us, all the things that happen in our lives.

Jesus cares deeply about all of God’s children, wanting us to share not just our joys and concerns but even the most mundane things. While He is our only Savior, Jesus wants to be our friend and brother, listening to whatever we have to say. When we pray for the good of others He blesses us as well.

We are called to be in contact with the Lord on a regular basis, to create a lasting connection. Our relationships are based on communication – if we don’t share with each other how can we know and care for each other? Call on the Lord through prayer every day to stay in touch and better know His love.

Gracious God, help us to be aware of our need to share and Your desire to hear from us. May our time of prayer bring us closer to You and all Your people. Amen.

And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” (v. 35). As He begins His ministry of healing and teaching, Jesus maintains regular time spent in contact with God. He shows us what is necessary to be in service to our Heavenly Father and that sharing with Him frequently is part of that process.

Jesus did things to teach us about our our relationship with God but also things He needed to maintain His own relationship. The scriptures mention often that Jesus went out to pray, alone or with a select group of trusted disciples. Prayer was an integral part of His everyday life.

Making time for prayer is essential to our lives as well. Going into the world to do His will is important, but we must have the strength and guidance that only time spent with God can provide. The old hymn tells us “take time to be holy” and prayer is the key.

Gracious God, we are thankful we can come to You in prayer to share our lives and be blessed by time together. Help us to make time in our lives to speak to You and listen for Your response. Amen.

Our Gospel this week is Mark 1:29-39, taken today from the New International Version (NIV).

As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

In this passage Jesus begins His ministry around the countryside, preaching and healing and driving out demons. It is a much different pattern and connection than people were used to from their faith leaders. In that society people were required to come to the temple or synagogue to engage in religious activities.

Do we fall into this thinking, that we can only meet God and lead others to know Him in the confines of our churches? We usually try to invite people to whom we minister to attend services with us, which is part of our call, but we need to make sure that getting them in the door doesn’t outweigh getting them to know the Lord. Jesus teaches that it is necessary for those who accept God’s call to go to others to share the Good News. God meets them wherever they are, whether they ever see the inside of a church.

Don’t get me wrong, being in the fellowship of the body of Christ is vitally important, but it’s how we build faith, not always how it begins. Our work is out in the mission field of the whole world as well as in the comfortable confines of our places of worship.

Gracious God, thank You for the gifts You give to enable us to reach others in Your name. Help us to find those outside our churches who need Your love and go to them as Jesus did. Amen.

Our Epistle this week is 1 Corinthians 9:16-23.

For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel. Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Paul explains that his mission is “to win as many as possible” by sharing the Gospel in a variety of different places. In order to connect with these varied cultures, Paul says he becomes “like” them. This doesn’t mean he adopts sinful ways, but in order to reach them, Paul follows Jesus’ example by going to them in love.

Jesus was often criticized for His association with “sinners”, those ignored or marginalized by religious society of that time. Jesus didn’t deny their wrongdoing but taught that we must include all God’s children in our effort to share the Good News. He came specifically to save the last, the least and the lost – which includes all of us.

We are called to be in ministry with all people, no matter their background or situation, becoming enough like them as Paul says, to enable us to connect with them. God has gifted us to be able to reach people in different ways. It is up to us to obey Christ’s commission to make disciples of all the world.

Loving Lord, we are blessed to serve You and work to bring all people into Your kingdom. Show us how to love each other as You first loved us. Amen.

Our Old Testament reading is Isaiah 40:21-31, taken today from the New International Version (NIV).

Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

This lesson speaks of God’s power through creation and His presence with us. It is amazing to think that the One who made everything wants to be part of our lives. What a blessing to be sought after by the Lord!

While God watches over us, He wants more than that – He wants to be involved in everything we do! The prophet tells us we are never ignored or forgotten by God. Even when we face the tragedies of earthly life, He is there for us, ready to refresh and strengthen us.

Isaiah says those who hope in Him “will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary” (v. 31). We have God’s promise that He is with us when we turn to Him in faith. God’s love for us is never ending, He is always ready to forgive and restore us.

Gracious God, we are grateful for the blessing of Your presence in our lives. Help us to follow Your path, relying on Your strength and not our own. Amen.

Our call to worship this week is Psalm 147:1-5.

Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.

Psalms bring us together to offer God thanks and praise. This ancient hymn shares the joy of being in relationship with God and the care He gives us. It speaks of His wisdom and might, creating the universe and bringing us together.

We often seem to miss this aspect of worship, especially in difficult times. Regardless of the issues we face, we need to offer God praise for all He has done for us. It is important that we stay connected, especially if we are suffering or in distress.

God knows all that we go through and He hears and supports us when we call to Him. The psalm tells us “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (v. 3). When times are tough, we need God’s presence more than ever!

Loving Lord, we are blessed to be in connection with You and able to ask for help when we need it. Keep our faith strong and may we share Your love with the world. Amen.