Monday Morning: 04 Feb 2019 – John 9:1-23 ~ born blind

Monday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – John 9:1-23 (NLT)

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”

“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!

His neighbors and others who knew him as a blind beggar asked each other, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” Some said he was, and others said, “No, he just looks like him!”

But the beggar kept saying, “Yes, I am the same one!”

They asked, “Who healed you? What happened?”

He told them, “The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.’ So I went and washed, and now I can see!”

“Where is he now?” they asked.

“I don’t know,” he replied.

Then they took the man who had been blind to the Pharisees, because it was on the Sabbath that Jesus had made the mud and healed him. The Pharisees asked the man all about it. So he told them, “He put the mud over my eyes, and when I washed it away, I could see!”

Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.” Others said, “But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?” So there was a deep division of opinion among them.

Then the Pharisees again questioned the man who had been blind and demanded, “What’s your opinion about this man who healed you?”

The man replied, “I think he must be a prophet.”

The Jewish leaders still refused to believe the man had been blind and could now see, so they called in his parents. They asked them, “Is this your son? Was he born blind? If so, how can he now see?”

His parents replied, “We know this is our son and that he was born blind, but we don’t know how he can see or who healed him. Ask him. He is old enough to speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had announced that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue. That’s why they said, “He is old enough. Ask him.”
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Morning Reflection:

The Cause and Effect of Sin.

In today’s reading, the disciples are trying to understand the cause and effect of sin? And so they ask Jesus: “Why was this man born blind?” Whose sin caused this man’s blindness?

“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered.
“This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.”
– John 9:3

Once again, Jesus uses his miraculous power (healing a man born blind) to illustrate a universal principle – apart from Jesus Christ – we are all born spiritually blind.

While I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.”
– John 9:5

So what is Jesus trying to teach us about the cause and effect of sin?

+ Because of Adam’s sin, spiritual light was turned off and the world has fumbled around in spiritual darkness ever since.

+ Only Jesus – “the light of the world” – can heal the world’s spiritual blindness, i.e. turn our spiritual light back on.

+ In healing this man physically and the world figuratively, Jesus displays the glory of God.

+ It’s easy to get lost in the details of the miracle, and miss the larger point that Jesus makes – “I am the light of the world.”

Because we know the end of the story, we know that Adam’s sin caused us to be born spiritually blind and Jesus paid the price to turn our spiritual light back on.

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin,
so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
– 1 Corinthians 5:21

Questions for consideration:

  • Can you remember a time when you were physically fumbling around in the darkness? What happened?
  • Can you remember a time when you were spiritually fumbling around in the darkness? What happened?
  • Was there a time when Jesus turned on the light on spiritually in your life? Can you describe your experience?
  • Can you describe your experience of walking in spiritual light, while living in a world of spiritual darkness?

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Morning Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ: Fill me with your Light and Life. Dispel any darkness within me, and illumine the world around me – that that I might live as a child of the light, and walk confidently the path you set before me, to the glory of your name. Amen.
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“I Am The Light of the World” – Blind Gary Davis (recorded in 1935)

Just as long as I’m in this world
I am the light of this world
Just as long as I’m in this world
I am the light of this world

Oh, you don’t believe in Jesus
And not a word He said
When He come all way down to Lazarus’ grave
And raised him from the dead

Oh, I’ve got fiery fingers
I’ve got fiery hands
And when I get up in heaven
Gonna join that fiery band

Oh, shout around all that you want to
For I ain’t gonna be here long
‘Cause my soul is anchored in Jesus
And the world can’t do me no harm

Oh, well, prayer is the key of heaven
And faith unlocks the door
That’s why my God gave me the key
And He told me to carry it everywhere I go

Oh, I know I’ve been converted
God knows I ain’t ashamed
For the Holy Ghost is my witness
And the angels done signed my name
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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

The 4th Sunday of Epiphany – 03 Feb 2019 – Luke 4:21-32 ~ familiarity breeds contempt

Fourth Sunday of Epiphany

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Prayer

God of salvation: In your Son – Jesus Christ – the Word made man, you announce freedom and call us to follow him. As we marvel at his grace and beauty, strengthen us in faith, and empower us with your Spirit, that we may faithfully follow wherever he leads us. We pray in Jesus’ name, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“You’re Beautiful” – Phil Wickham

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Gospel Reading: Luke 4:21-32 (NLT)

Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’—meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.

“Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner—a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. And many in Israel had leprosy in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian.”

When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way.

Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day. There, too, the people were amazed at his teaching, for he spoke with authority.
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Prayers of Intercession:

Almighty God: Our world is becoming increasingly hostile to the Good News of your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us your mercy, that we may be a light to the nations – a source of help, and healing, and hope. We pray especially –

+ For church leaders everywhere, that they may faithfully proclaim Jesus Christ and him crucified….
+ For believers everywhere, that our lives may reflect the compelling love of Christ….
+ For believers suffering great persecution, that they may be delivered from evil and receive hope and help….
+ For believers called as prophets, that they may speak your Word truthfully, even if it isn’t the popular thing to do….
+ For all who are sick, that they may receive healing in body, mind, and spirit and acknowledge Jesus as Lord….
+ For all who are seeking truth, that they may discover the Good News of Your Son, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life….
+ For all who have died in Christ Jesus, that they may experience perfect wholeness and pure joy in your eternal presence….

Almighty God: You are our Rock and our Refuge. Hear our prayers and grant us your sustaining mercy and grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“What A Beautiful Name” – Hillsong Worship

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Blessing – Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do far more than all that we ask or imagine, according to his power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Saturday Morning: 02 Feb 2019 – John 8:48-59 ~ Who do you think you are?

Saturday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – John 8:48-59 (NLT)

The people retorted, “You Samaritan devil! Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?”

“No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me. And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge. I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!”

The people said, “Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say, ‘Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!’ Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

Jesus answered, “If I want glory for myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, ‘He is our God,’ but you don’t even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him. Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”

The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!” At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.
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Morning Reflection:

In yesterday’s reading, Jesus accused his detractors of being children of their father the devil. And today, his detractors respond – Back at you! “Who do you think you are?”

At the center of the controversy is Jesus’ authority to promise eternal life.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!”
– John 8:54

So, who does Jesus say he is? Steven J. Cole (Retired Pastor, Flagstaff Christian Fellowship) makes five observations –

  1. Jesus claims to honor His Father and seek His glory. (John 8:49-50)
  2. Jesus claims that the Father seeks His glory. (John 8:54)
  3. Jesus claims to know the Father and keep His word. (John 8:55)
  4. Jesus claims that Abraham rejoiced to see His day. (John 8:56)
  5. Jesus claims to be God. (John 8:58)

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!”
– John 8:58

That was their breaking point – blasphemy! – and they picked up stones to throw at him!

Why the violent reaction? Because Jesus’ claims “nuked” their entire worldview – everything they thought they knew about God, themselves, their religion, and the society that was built around their beliefs. It was a paradigm shift of seismic proportion.

And so it is today, in an increasingly secular world void of Biblical understanding, the claims of Jesus destroy the order of the unbelieving world – designed by, and for the benefit of, the father of lies.

Questions for consideration:

  • How do you respond to the claims of Jesus listed above? How do any or all of them affect your life? Please explain?
  • What do you think is the relationship between faith, obedience, and eternal life? Please explain?
  • Can you think of examples where the claims of Jesus have provoked a violent response? Please explain.
  • What effect has the potential for a violent, or even negative, response had on your Christian witness? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Almighty God – I AM WHO I AM – you have sent your Son, Jesus Christ, into the world with the gift of eternal life for all who believe in him. Fill me with a sense of wonder and amazement that you would include me among your children – saved by grace through faith. And write your Word on my heart that I might faithfully love and serve you, and bear witness to your name – whether it’s the popular thing to do or not. In Jesus’ name I ask it. Amen.
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“Great I Am” – New Life Worship

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Friday Morning: 01 Feb 2019 – John 8:31-47 ~ Why can’t you understand what I am saying?

Friday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – John 8:31-47 (NLT)

Jesus and Abraham

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

“But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?”

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message. I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”

“Our father is Abraham!” they declared.

“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. No, you are imitating your real father.”

They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”

Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me! Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”
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Morning Reflection:

Why can’t you understand what I am saying?
It’s because you can’t even hear me!
For you are the children of your father the devil,
and you love to do the evil things he does. – John 8:43-44

Only the children of God can understand what Jesus is saying – those who believe in him, and remain faithful to [Jesus’] teachings…. They will know the truth, and the truth will set [them] free.

But freedom from what? The bondage to sin and death, the bondage to false religion, the bondage to false prophets, the bondage to false ideologies, the bondage to their father the devil.

What does this bondage look like? Jesus gives us some signs to watch out for –

+ Relying on religion, instead of a relationship with Jesus to make them right with God.

+ Following the evil desires of their sinful nature, instead of the desires of a new nature formed by God’s Word and Spirit.

+ Following the deceitful teachings of this world, instead of the truthful teachings of Jesus who is not of this world.

+ Attacking anyone or anything that exposes their sin, instead of repenting and seeking forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

To whom do you belong? Unless you are born again, of water and the Spirit, you are in bondage to your father the devil.

Questions for consideration:

  • Have you been born again? Do you belong to God? Please explain what that means to you. Not sure? Click here.
  • How has the “father of lies” influenced your life? How has the truth of God set you free? Please explain.
  • What steps can you take to increase your understanding and faithfulness to the teachings of Jesus?

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Morning Prayer:  Renewal of Baptismal vows (Anglican Church in North America)
[Please respond as God’s Word and Spirit leads you.]

  • Do you, here in the presence of God and the Church, renew the solemn promises and vows made at your Baptism and commit yourself to keep them?
  • Do you renounce the Devil and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?
  • Do you renounce the empty promises and deadly deceits of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
  • Do you renounce the sinful desires of the flesh that draw you from the love of God?
  • Do you turn to Jesus Christ and confess him as your Lord and Savior?
  • Do you joyfully receive the Christian Faith, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments?
  • Will you obediently keep God’s holy will and commandments, and walk in them all the days of your life?

Almighty God: I do and I will, with your help. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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“Born Again” – Austin French

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Thursday Morning: 31 Jan 2019 – John 8:12-30 ~ the light that leads to life

Thursday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – John 8:12-30 (NLT)

Jesus, the Light of the World

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

The Pharisees replied, “You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid.”

Jesus told them, “These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don’t know this about me. You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone. And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me. Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact. I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other.”

“Where is your father?” they asked.

Jesus answered, “Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.” Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not arrested, because his time had not yet come.

The Unbelieving People Warned

Later Jesus said to them again, “I am going away. You will search for me but will die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going.”

The people asked, “Is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean, ‘You cannot come where I am going’?”

Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not. That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.”

“Who are you?” they demanded.

Jesus replied, “The one I have always claimed to be. I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won’t. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is completely truthful.” But they still didn’t understand that he was talking about his Father.

So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I am he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me. And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.” Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.
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Morning Reflection:

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world.
If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness,
because you will have the light that leads to life.”
– John 8:12
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Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above.
You belong to this world; I do not.
That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe
that I am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.”
– John 8:23-24

Jesus’ claim to be “the light of the world” demands a response – follow him, and live forever in his light; or reject him, and die forever in sin’s darkness. Jesus leaves us no middle ground. How we respond is a matter of life and death – ours!

What can we learn from this reading about following Jesus? To follow Jesus means –

+ We believe Jesus comes from God and is God.

+ We believe he reveals the truth about God and the truth about us.

+ We believe that, apart from Jesus, the world remains in spiritual darkness.

+ We believe that Jesus will lead us out of spiritual darkness into his marvelous light – now and forever.

To follow Jesus – the light of the world – means to trust Him as Savior and obey Him as Lord.

Questions for consideration:

  • What do you think Jesus means – belong to this world? Please explain.
  • What do you think Jesus means – those who belong to this world are walking in darkness? How does this relate to your life experience? Please explain.
  • Have you decided to follow Jesus? Do you belong to Jesus? Please explain what that means for you and how that has worked out in your life.

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Morning Prayer:

Creator God: You spoke light into a world of darkness through your Son, Jesus Christ, the Word of God. Speak that same light of life into all who follow him, that we may walk with him through this world of spiritual darkness to the world above and into the glorious light of your presence. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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“Light Of The World” – Lauren Daigle

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen