Monday Morning, 11 Nov 2019, Colossians 4:10-18 ~ Paul’s faithful friends

Monday Morning

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

Opening – A Collect for the Renewal of Life (Monday)

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Morning Reading -Colossians 4:10-18 (NLT)

Paul’s Final Instructions and Greetings (Cont.)

Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way. Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings. These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been!

Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas. Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.

After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them.

And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.”

HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING—PAUL.

Remember my chains.

May God’s grace be with you.
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Morning Reflection:

Paul’s faithful friends

“Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.”
– Colossians 4:17 –

In closing his letter to the Colossians, Paul commended eight people for their friendship and work in advancing the Kingdom of God. All except one remained a faithful friend.

Aristarchus – who traveled extensively with Paul and accompanied him to prison in Rome.
John Mark – who failed in his first attempts to serve Paul and God, but returned to prove himself faithful to both.
Justus – who, as a Jewish believer, lived out the reality that Jews and Gentiles were one in Christ.
Epaphras – who was fervent in prayer for the well being and spiritual growth of the Colossians.
Luke – who helped Paul physically (a physician) and spiritually (writing the third Gospel and Acts.)
Demas – who would later desert Paul, preferring to love the things of this world more than Christ.
Nympha – who opened her home to host a house-church.
Archippus – who Paul encouraged to continue the particular ministry God had given him.

Paul concluded with a word of blessing – May God’s grace be with you.

Questions for consideration:

Can you think of someone who has been a faithful friend to you over the years? Please explain.
Can you think of someone whom you have befriended in good and bad times? Please explain.
Can you think of believers who are in need of your prayers? Do you pray for them? Please explain.
There are a variety of ministries mentioned above, and many more not mentioned. What ministry has God given you to complete? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: for our local congregations

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear our prayers, and grant that in our congregations the pure Word of God may be preached and the Sacraments duly administered. Strengthen and confirm the faithful; protect and guide the children; visit and relieve the sick; turn and soften the wicked; arouse the careless; recover the fallen; restore the penitent; remove all hindrances to the advancement of your truth; and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church, to the honor and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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“I Will Stand With You” – Rick Muchow

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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

Monday Morning, 04 Nov 2019, Colossians 1:1-14 ~ to God’s holy people

Monday Morning

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

Opening – A Collect for the Renewal of Life (Monday)

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Morning Reading -Colossians 1:1-14 (NLT)

Greetings from Paul

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.

We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.

May God our Father give you grace and peace.

Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer

We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.

This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.

You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ’s faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf. He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
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Morning Reflection:

Introduction: The apostle Paul wrote this letter to Christians living in the small city of Colossae. It was probably written c. a.d. 62, while Paul was in prison in Rome. This was about the same time he wrote Ephesians and Philemon. All three letters were sent with Tychicus and Onesimus.

Theme: Christ is Lord over all of creation, including the invisible realm. He has redeemed his people, enabling them to participate in his death, resurrection, and fullness.
Purpose, Paul wrote to warn against false teaching that lessened Christ’s role, undermining the new identity of believers “in Christ, ” and to encourage the believers in their growth toward Christian maturity. He emphasized Christ’s authority over all evil powers. Christians are united with the risen Christ, and therefore they share in his power and authority. Paul also encouraged these believers to fight against sin, pursue holiness, and live as distinctively Christian households.

to God’s holy people

We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse,
who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.
– Colossians 1:2 –

Paul’s Thanksgiving:

For their witness to faith in Christ
For their continuing trust in Christ
For their self-sacrificing love for other Christians
For their hope of future blessings in Christ

Paul’s Prayer:

For perception and understanding of God’s will for them in Christ
For the working of God’s Spirit in them to change lives and produce good works
For practical wisdom and clear discernment in leading their daily lives
For growth in grace and devotion to Christ

Questions for consideration:

How does your faith community witness to its faith in Christ? What role do you play in that witness? Please explain.
Can you think of ways in which your trust in Christ has grown? Please explain.
How have you expressed self-sacrificing love for other Christians? Please explain.
How are you growing in your perception and understanding of God’s will for your life? Please explain.
How has your growing understanding changed how you live your life? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: – Declaration of Faith

Lord, I will trust You, help me to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown.

Give me the faith to leave old ways and break fresh new ground with You.

Christ of the mysteries, can I trust You to be stronger than each storm in me?

I determine amidst all uncertainty always to trust.

I choose to live beyond regret, and let You recreate my life.

I believe You will always make a way for me and provide for me, if only I trust You.

I will trust in the darkness and know that my times are still in Your hand.

I will believe You for my future, chapter by chapter, until all the story is written.

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“In Jesus Christ We Marvel” – ForeverBeSure

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Closing:

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

Monday Morning, 8 Oct 2019, Matthew 26:57-75~ liars, connivers, abusers, and deniers

Monday Morning

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

Opening – A Collect for the Renewal of Life (Monday)

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Morning Reading -Matthew 26:57-75 (NLT)

Jesus before the Council

Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and the elders had gathered. Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end.

Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death. But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, they could not use anyone’s testimony. Finally, two men came forward who declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?”

“Guilty!” they shouted. “He deserves to die!”

Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him, jeering, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?”

Peter Denies Jesus

Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.”

But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said.

A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.”

Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.

Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.
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Morning Reflection:

liars, connivers, abusers, and deniers

The high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—
tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

Jesus replied, “You have said it.
And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand
and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
– Matthew 26:63-65 –

The rigged trial in the Chief Priest’s home is the point at which Jesus’ death is sealed; all that follows involving the Roman prefect is only the formal implementation of a verdict already decided by the Jewish authorities.

The pivotal moment is Jesus’ affirmation of his Messianic identity as Son of God and Son of Man. This affirmation resulted in the bogus charge of “blasphemy,” a crime punishable by death under Mosaic Law at this time. So there it is – the liars, connivers, and abusers who have conspired to kill the Son of God are having their way. And all the disciples have fled, afraid for their lives, leaving Jesus in the hands of His persecutors. Meanwhile, The denier hangs around at a safe distance; but when push comes to shove, he’s gone.

In today’s reading we are invited to choose between two models of how godly people behave under pressure:

the one who escapes death but with his spiritual reputation in tatters
and the one who will be killed, only to live again in triumph.

Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 10:39 is brought into sharp focus in today’s reading –

“If you cling to your life, you will lose it;
but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.”

Questions for consideration:

In today’s post-Christian society, we are continually bombarded with messages from liars, connivers, abusers, and deniers of Jesus the Son of God. Consider for a moment some of the TV programs that you watch. Who are these people? What is their message? What does it say about Jesus? Please explain.
Do you believe there is a concerted societal effort today to “kill Jesus,” i.e. to remove Him from all conversations or discussions in public? Why/ why not? Please explain.
Jesus said we have to give up our lives for Him, in order to find our lives in Him. Can you think of ways, or examples, of how that has worked out in your life? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: Canticle

Christ as a light illumine and guide me.
Christ as a shield overshadow me.
Christ under me; Christ over me,
Christ beside me on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me on my left and my right.
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“Jesus Son of God” – Chris Tomlin

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Closing:

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

Monday Morning, 21 Oct 2019 – Matthew 24:29-51 ~ be ready all the time

Monday Morning

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

Opening – A Collect for the Renewal of Life (Monday)

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Morning Reading -Matthew 24:29-51 (NLT)

“Immediately after the anguish of those days,

the sun will be darkened,
the moon will give no light,
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.

“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

“Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

“A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
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Morning Reflection:

be ready all the time

“You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
– Matthew 24:44 –

Watchful preparation is necessary since no one knows the day, the hour, the month, or the year when Jesus will return. The alternative is to live life as usual without regard to the King’s return. Jesus deliberately discouraged believers from setting dates so that we would always be ready for his return. But that’s not easy to do since the daily grind, tends to lull us into dangerous complacency.

It’s normal for even remarkable signs of an impending change to have no effect on people. For example, when TV meteorologists announce the coming of a hurricane or tornado, there are always some people in its path who refuse to seek safety. All the more so when meteorologists hype the danger and often get it wrong.

Questions for consideration:

How do you prepare for an impending natural disaster such as a hurricane, or tornado? Please explain.
Have you ever ignored the warnings of TV meteorologists? Why? What happened? Please explain.
Earthquakes, on the other hand, occur suddenly without waning? How would you prepare for an earthquake? Please explain.
Jesus’ return is likened to something between a hurricane and an earthquake – there will be warning signs, but it will happen suddenly? What would it take for you to be prepared? Please explain.
As a believer caught up in the daily grind, what sort of things lull you into complacency regarding Christ’s return? Please explain.
What can you do to live as a faithful, sensible servant of King Jesus, always ready for his return? How would that change your priorities, or lifestyle? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: For Watchfulness (Lancelot Andrewes)

Thou, who with thine own mouth hast told us that at midnight the bridegroom shall come: Grant that the cry, “The bridegroom cometh!” may sound evermore in our ears, that so we be never unprepared to meet him, or forgetful of the souls for whom he died, for whom we watch and pray. And save us, O Lord. Amen.
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“I Will Wait For You (Psalm 130)” – Shane & Shane

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Closing:

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

Monday Morning, 14 Oct 2019 – Matthew 21:28-46 ~ Christ the Cornerstone.

Monday Morning

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

Opening – A Collect for the Renewal of Life (Monday)

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Morning Reading – Matthew 21:28-46 (NLT)

Parable of the Two Sons

“But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go.

“Which of the two obeyed his father?”

They replied, “The first.”

Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.

Parable of the Evil Farmers

“Now listen to another story. A certain landowner planted a vineyard, built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country. At the time of the grape harvest, he sent his servants to collect his share of the crop. But the farmers grabbed his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. So the landowner sent a larger group of his servants to collect for him, but the results were the same.

“Finally, the owner sent his son, thinking, ‘Surely they will respect my son.’

“But when the tenant farmers saw his son coming, they said to one another, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Come on, let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’ So they grabbed him, dragged him out of the vineyard, and murdered him.

“When the owner of the vineyard returns,” Jesus asked, “what do you think he will do to those farmers?”

The religious leaders replied, “He will put the wicked men to a horrible death and lease the vineyard to others who will give him his share of the crop after each harvest.”

Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures?

‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.’

I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit. Anyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.”

When the leading priests and Pharisees heard this parable, they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. They wanted to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowds, who considered Jesus to be a prophet.
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Morning Reflection:

Christ the Cornerstone

‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.’
– Psalm 118:22-23 –

I don’t think I’ve ever thought of Jesus as a dangerous person. But in today’s allusion to the “cornerstone” (foundation of a building), or “capstone” (top of a building), rejection of Jesus has serious consequences – they stumble over him and are broken, or are crushed when he falls on them.

As in the illustrative stories Jesus told –

listeners still have time to repent and believe – they may have said “No” to Jesus earlier, but it’s not too late to change their minds.
societal status is of no benefit in his Kingdom – outcasts who repent and believe are welcome, while the in crowd who reject Jesus are banned.

In both cases the issue is our willingness to submit to Jesus’ authority – over all things,especially over our daily lives as Kingdom people.

Questions for consideration:

When you think of Jesus’ authority over your life, what comes to mind? Please explain.
How is Jesus’ authority a comfort / a challenge to you? Please explain.
When you think of people who have rejected Jesus’ authority, who comes to mind? Please explain.
If rejection of Jesus leaves one broken or crushed, how then should we pray – for ourselves / for others? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: For Christ to be the Cornerstone of our lives –

Lord Jesus, we want you to be the Cornerstone of our lives, now and always.
+ We have professed our faith in you, and we want to make you first in our lives.
+ Strengthen us by the power of your Word and Spirit to live lives that honor and bless you.
+ We welcome your presence into every aspect of our lives- our thoughts, our decisions, our actions.
+ Thank you for seeking and saving us; we love you because you first loved us. It’s all too wonderful.
Lord Jesus, we pray that we would become living stones that glorify your name. Amen.

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“Cornerstone “ – Hillsong Worship