Week of July 12, 2009, Ephesians 1:3-14

One of the Scriptures for Sunday is Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, chapter 1, verses 3-14:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5 He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14 this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

Heavenly Father, You have blessed us through Jesus Christ with every spiritual blessing. Because of Jesus, we are adopted as Your children. Because of Jesus, we have redemption through His suffering and death on a cross. Because of Jesus, we have forgiveness of our sins. Heavenly Father, You lavishly love us. Thank You.

In You, Jesus, is our hope. In You, Jesus, we hear the word of truth, the gospel message that proclaims our salvation. In You, Jesus, we believe. And we are marked with the seal of Your promised Spirit.

Holy Spirit, we gladly seek Your guidance, Your comfort, Your teaching as we live our pledged inheritance of eternal life, as we live lives redeemed, as we live lives praising You and praising You.

Thanks, Jesus, for Your love, Your peace, Your presence in our lives – always. Amen.

May the love of the Lord Jesus draw us to Himself;
May the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in His service;
May the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our souls;
May the fire of the Holy Spirit bring comfort to you, guide you in your decisions, and fill you
with a fervent desire to serve Him better.
And may the blessing of the almighty and most merciful God - Creator, Word and eternal Holy Spirit - be upon us and remain with us always.
In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

You may leave a message or prayer request by emailing me at: peacewm@tds.net.

May God be with you now and always.

Week of July 5, 2009, Mark 6:1-13

One of the Scriptures for Sunday is from the Gospel of Mark, chapter 6, verses 1 to 13:
6 He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” 5 And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. 7 He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 10 He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11 If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 12 So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13 They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Jesus, we come to You in praise and prayer, trying to understand the meaning of this early passage where You did not perform miracles in Your home town because of their unbelief. Jesus, in everything, we know You are God – all-powerful, all-knowing, all-majestic, and so we come. We come to be healed. We come to be strengthened. We come to receive comfort in the midst of turmoil. We come to receive Your profound peace. We come.

We come to know You in ways of power as You gave Your disciples authority to cast out demons, anoint the sick, bring people into a closer walk with You. Remind us, Lord Jesus, that we need to repent, to throw off everything that hinders a deeper relationship with You, throwing off all leanings to sin, and to be reminded that when we do that, we are free – free indeed - to worship You, to respond to Your love, to share the gifts we receive with others.

Jesus, thanks for Your passionate love for us, Your peace in our lives, Your presence with us always. Amen.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you His strength and His great peace. In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

You may leave a message or prayer request by emailing me at: peacewm@tds.net.

May God be with you now and always.