Josh. 5:9-12;
Psalm 32;
2 Corinthians 5:16-21;
Luke 15:1-3&11-32
2 Corinthians 5:16-21;
Luke 15:1-3&11-32
Monday, March 7, 2016
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Fourth Sunday in Lent
“From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.” Then the LORD sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD to take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.” Numbers 21:4-9
“I want Jesus to walk with me, I want Jesus to walk with me, All along my pilgrim journey, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me” “I want Jesus to Walk with me” vs. 1, Afro-American spiritual
When I think of Lent, I think of a journey…a journey to the cross but also a journey to new life. So, it’s appropriate that one of this week’s scriptures is about Moses leading his people on a journey, through the wilderness to a new land beyond. The spiritual journey has been one of my own themes as I’ve grown over the years in my awareness of God and of God’s leading. And these past years, spent in the Holy Land, have seen this idea of journey enhanced by the concept of pilgrimage. A couple of years ago, as I was participating in a silent retreat, my spiritual director asked me to write a parable of pilgrimage that reflected my own journey. This is what I wrote: A pilgrim seeker sets out on a journey, not knowing how she will arrive but trusting in the leading of a voice not her own. On the way she meets many challenges, but always feels protected, cared for, not alone. As she continues her journey she encounters people and situations which cause her to reflect on, question and sometimes change her perception of the world around her. She sees people who are invisible, hears voices that go unheard. She sees God who cares and sees and hears and who invites her to do the same and to share this caring and seeing and hearing with others. As she continues on, she begins to understand that the destination is not just a place but the journey itself.
Lord, during this season of Lent, may we see our lives as a journey with you and for others. May your presence guide us each step that we take. Amen. -Tina Whitehead United Methodist Volunteer in Palestine and Israel
“From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.” Then the LORD sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD to take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.” Numbers 21:4-9
“I want Jesus to walk with me, I want Jesus to walk with me, All along my pilgrim journey, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me” “I want Jesus to Walk with me” vs. 1, Afro-American spiritual
When I think of Lent, I think of a journey…a journey to the cross but also a journey to new life. So, it’s appropriate that one of this week’s scriptures is about Moses leading his people on a journey, through the wilderness to a new land beyond. The spiritual journey has been one of my own themes as I’ve grown over the years in my awareness of God and of God’s leading. And these past years, spent in the Holy Land, have seen this idea of journey enhanced by the concept of pilgrimage. A couple of years ago, as I was participating in a silent retreat, my spiritual director asked me to write a parable of pilgrimage that reflected my own journey. This is what I wrote: A pilgrim seeker sets out on a journey, not knowing how she will arrive but trusting in the leading of a voice not her own. On the way she meets many challenges, but always feels protected, cared for, not alone. As she continues her journey she encounters people and situations which cause her to reflect on, question and sometimes change her perception of the world around her. She sees people who are invisible, hears voices that go unheard. She sees God who cares and sees and hears and who invites her to do the same and to share this caring and seeing and hearing with others. As she continues on, she begins to understand that the destination is not just a place but the journey itself.
Lord, during this season of Lent, may we see our lives as a journey with you and for others. May your presence guide us each step that we take. Amen. -Tina Whitehead United Methodist Volunteer in Palestine and Israel
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Friday, March 4, 2016
Friday Funnies
A few years ago I had a youth ask me why we have the Easter Bunny. I sadly couldn't answer them. I had my thoughts but all I could say was bunnies bring new life and so does Jesus. They countered my answer with why can't we just say that with the eggs? Okay it is a little odd that the Easter Bunny is the one who brings the eggs and stuffs them with the things we probably gave up for lent. The Easter Bunny isn't in the Bible (no matter how you twist the Scriptures). He is scary looking for toddlers (and some adults). So why the Easter Bunny? Same reason we have Santa. He is a symbol. The Easter Bunny along with many other items are ways for us to present the Gospel to children. New life, rebirth and the Resurrection (eggs).
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Wednesday Bible Story
Wednesday,
March 2
The Kingdom From Matthew 5, 7, 10, 13, 18–20; Mark 3–6, 10, 13; Luke 6, 8-10, 12-15, 17; John 3
The Kingdom From Matthew 5, 7, 10, 13, 18–20; Mark 3–6, 10, 13; Luke 6, 8-10, 12-15, 17; John 3
Tell the Story—SCENE 1: Kingdom Message
Jesus continued to teach people, “The Kingdom of God has
come—turn from your sins and turn to God!”
One day he climbed up a hill with a group of his closest
followers. They sat down together and Jesus began to teach them about God’s
Kingdom.
He said, “God blesses those who realize their need for him;
the humble and poor, the gentle and merciful—the Kingdom of God belongs to
them. God blesses the pure in heart and those who hunger and thirst to be with
Him. You’ll be blessed when you are hated, mocked and excluded because you are
my followers. Be happy about it—you will get great rewards in heaven!”
Then Jesus went on to teach about God’s laws that were given
to Moses. Jesus said, “Don’t think I came to get rid of the laws of Moses and
the writings of the Prophets. I have come to fulfill them! God’s laws are alive
and will last forever–live by them and show others the way. That’s how you’ll
find honor in the Kingdom.”
Then he went on to teach, “The laws and commands tell you
not to murder, but I say if you hate someone or insult them you are just as
guilty as a murderer. Your words and actions bring judgment on you. The laws
also tell us to never have sex with someone else’s spouse. But I say anyone who
even looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his
heart.”
He also taught them, “If someone steals your shirt from you,
offer them your coat too. Live generously! Love your enemies. Anyone can love
their friends—but you are to love the unlovable. You must live differently,
doing what is good, right and perfect—just like God your Father.”
The people were amazed at Jesus’ teaching; He had real power
and authority—unlike their teachers of the law.
Later the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When is this ‘Kingdom’
that you are teaching about going to come?”
Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God is not something you can
predict. People will not say, ‘here it is,’ or ‘there it is,’ because the
Kingdom of God is within you.”
Tell the Story—SCENE 2: Parables of the Kingdom
Jesus continued to teach about the Kingdom of God using
short stories that had powerful meanings, called parables.
He said, “The Kingdom of God is like a tiny seed that is
planted in a field. This seed may be small at first but it grows into a large
tree where birds can come and find shelter.”
Jesus told dozens of stories like this to the crowds. He
said the Kingdom is… Like a hidden treasure buried in a field—worth diligently
searching for, Like yeast spread in a large ball of dough—just a little will
change a lot, Like a precious pearl—worth trading everything for, Like a great
feast—where the poor and the outcast all get invited, and on and on…
People were amazed at Jesus’ teaching and wisdom. They
understood some of these pictures, but others remained a mystery to them.
A young man came up to Jesus and asked, “What good things
must I do to get into the Kingdom?”
Jesus replied, “God is the only one who is good. Follow his
commandments.”
The man said, “I have obeyed his commands, what else must I
do?”
“Go and sell everything you have and give the money to the
poor. Then come and follow me.”
When the man heard this he went away very sad because he
didn’t want give up his great wealth and the things he owned.
Then Jesus told his disciples, “It’s very hard for a rich
person to enter the Kingdom of God—it’s easier for a camel to fit through the
eye of a needle!”
“Then who in the world can enter the Kingdom?” asked his
disciples.
Jesus replied, “If you try on your own you won’t make it.
But if you rely on God, everything is possible! The entrance to the Kingdom of
God is narrow, only a few will find it. But the road that leads to destruction
is very wide, many will chose this way and live only for themselves.”
After spending an entire night in prayer, Jesus chose twelve
men out of all of his followers to be his apprentices, calling them apostles.
They traveled with Jesus wherever he went as he taught them to live in the ways
of God. He sent the apostles out to heal the sick, teach others what they had
learned and to share the message of the Kingdom of God.
Retell the Scene This
may seem redundant, but it is very effective in helping your kids remember and
own the story.
Tell the Story—SCENE 3: Jesus and Nicodemus
One night a Pharisee named Nicodemus came to Jesus and said,
“Rabbi, we know you were sent by God to teach us. Your miracles haven proven to
us that God is with you.”
Jesus replied, “You’re right–but unless someone is born a
second time they will never understand God’s Kingdom.”
“What do you mean?” Nicodemus questioned, “How can someone
who is fully grown climb back inside their mother and be born a second
time?”
Jesus answered him, “The truth is, no one can enter the
Kingdom of God unless they have been born a second time by God’s Spirit. Humans
can only give human life, but God’s Spirit gives new life in the Kingdom.”
“How can this happen!?” Nicodemus asked.
Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, but you
don’t know this simple truth? If you won’t believe me when I teach you about
everyday things, how will you believe me when I tell you about God’s
Kingdom?
“What I am telling you is true. God showed his great love
for people by sending me—his only son—to this world. Anyone who believes in me
and lives in my ways will find life that is complete and eternal! He sent me
here to save people—not to judge them. Those who want to live in sin and
darkness will reject me and bring God’s judgment on themselves. But those who
want to live in God’s ways will trust me and live forever!”
Scripture Memory Verses
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change
and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:3
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only
Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John
3:16
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Lent
O God, you know us better than we know ourselves. You know what we are able to bear, and you know what would destroy us (1 Corinthians 10:13). We pray for all who face danger on this day both in our community and in the communities of our world. We pray for people standing in lines for food and water, for people without permanent housing, and for those who have been tragically bereaved. We pray for the unemployed, the underemployed and for those in fear of losing their jobs. We pray for all who stand bravely for Christ on this day and for all who wait patiently on your promises. Remind all who struggle that they are not forsaken and that their faith in you is not misplaced. Open our hearts to respond to the needs of a hurting world. Make us your hands and feet and walk us into places where people need you most. May we follow the path of Jesus, wherever it needs to take us so that you might be glorified on this earth.
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