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Devotions
We produced a devotional booklet to be a resource to you during the Vision Venture. It contains the Bible lessons that we’re using on Sunday mornings, as well as reflections on them by people in the congregation. The content of that booklet is presented for you below.
We also invite you to join in the journey by journaling your own reflections on the lessons, and even more, by taking part in the online discussion of the reflections! You can take part in that discussion in the MSN Group site located here Bible Readings and Reflections.Visit our MSN Groups Help page if you have not used MSN Groups before.
Blessings!
Pastors Tim and Kisten
Text from the Devotional Booklet
In one of the most delightful vision stories in the Bible, Peter sees the same vision three times in a row, sleeping on a rooftop, with his stomach rumbling for lunch. God is teaching him just how utterly wide open the invitation of Jesus really is. You can read the story in Acts chapter 10.
What’s truly a wonder in the story is not the vision. It’s that Peter actually gets up and goes where he’s never gone before. Having a vision is one thing. Getting up and going, well, that’s something else entirely!
We sought a vision from God about Atonement’s mission, and God delivered wonderfully! Now, we’re seeking that “something else”. Our Vision Venture is a journey of discovery, learning about our gifts and blessings so we’ll be better able get up and go where Jesus is leading us.
The Bible readings in this booklet follow the texts for the Sunday sermons during the Venture. For each reading, there are several reflections for you to use during the week. May the Lord use them to open up new Vision for you, and may your Joy in following Jesus where he leads increase as you go.
Pastors Tim and Kisten
Special Thanks to all who wrote reflections for this resource! Julie and Roger Boll, Cheryl Broostin, Greg Hanson, Nancy Jahnke, Steve Klaers, Nellie Landrus, Elise MacKenzie, Joseph Myhre, Marilyn Nelson, Mary Ann Nelson, Karen Ochu and Cathy Soldner. |
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Weekly
Devotions
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Week Two, September 26 – October 2
Week Seven, October 31 – Nov. 6
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GOing and Delivering GOing and Delivering GOing and Delivering Using your Gifts Using your Gifts Using your Gifts Sharing your Blessings Sharing your Blessings Sharing your Blessings |
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Week One, September 19-25 GOing and Delivering
1 John 3:18-24 Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. [19] And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him [20] whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. [21] Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; [22] and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. [23] And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. [24] All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.
Acts 16:6-10 They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. [7] When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; [8] so, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. [9] During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." [10] When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.
Pastor Tim There are so many good things you can do, so many important things that need to be done, but you can’t do them all. Actually, you’re not supposed to. Paul and his companions teach us that. But we are called to GO and deliver to people in need, so how do you decide?
How do you decide? How do you actually decide which good things to do?
Take a look at the way you decide. Is there enough room in your deciding for the corrections of God and the calls of your Macedonians?
Marilyn Nelson “I don’t know if I have the time to do it well [or the strength, the skills].” How often have you said or thought that when asked to serve? John reminds us that it doesn’t matter what we don’t have or how inadequate we feel. It’s a matter of putting our faith in God’s presence and trusting the Holy Spirit to partner with us. It’s also a matter of obedience that we “love one another and trust in Jesus Christ (23).”
John was called Jesus “beloved disciple” and he was the one to whom Jesus (hanging on the cross) entrusted the care of his mother Mary. That’s a pretty good endorsement that John knew about love. John knew that love is not just words but actions. John also knew about fear (he saw Jesus from the Garden of Gethsemane to the foot of the cross). Finally, John knew about real power. He had heard Jesus say “Fear not!” many times and he experienced the miraculous things that happened when he and the others obeyed his master’s commands to love others. He reminds us that we are never alone in service, even when we don’t feel God’s presence; we are actually one with God, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Greg Hanson After reading these texts, especially 1 John I am reassured that God is guiding us in His ways. 1 John starts out letting us know that God doesn’t want us to talk the talk without walking the walk. I so often find myself left with nothing but good intentions in situations that I feel God gets me into for the sake of offering an opportunity to love my neighbor. Fortunately, the text also talks about God being greater than our hearts and knowing all things. Even if our hearts (or our conscience) condemn us for not “doing” enough, God knows our motives, our time constraints, our desire to help- I might suggest its like when Jesus says if we think impure thoughts we have committed a sin only that it works for the positive as well. If our intentions are good and our thoughts are loving, that counts for something too. God is pleased and honored by theses thoughts even if they don’t necessarily result in immediate action. It is not good to dwell on missed opportunities to help, but give thanks to God for the opportunity and try harder the next time.
One thing that surprised me about this reading is that I have never thought of the possibility of my heart/conscience and God being in opposition to one another. I’ve so often thought that God speaks to me most clearly through my conscience and that God dwells within my heart. Yet when I read this text, I clearly see that my heart /conscience can be wrong. Of course this seems obvious now and I’d be glad to discuss it with you sometime, but I had just not thought of it before. I am thankful that God is “greater than my heart” and that if I can work to align my heart with what I discern God wants for my life (easier said than done) then my conscience will speak the truth more often and my actions will reflect this joyful alignment.
Joseph Myhre So many times, loving one another, keeps coming up in scripture and it is the central theme. This is one is especially hard when there are so many problems that stand in the way and make it very difficult to love (such as difficult in-laws, difficult family members, people who cut you off in traffic, people who don't act appropriately, people who don't live up to your expectations…and so on.) Sometimes it seems easier not to love than to love. Jesus didn't mean you have to love everybody did he? Who is our neighbor anyway? I am glad that Jesus didn't subscribe to the easy road in life and found the reason to love us. The hope for me in 1 John 3:18-24 is that we need to keep the command to love despite our feelings, and as a result we will be living in a relationship with Jesus.
The most significant message in this story of Paul and Silas is that they knew and were focused about the command to love. They were so focused on Jesus that they could respond quickly to God's call and mission. Because Paul and Silas were focused on God's commands to love they could interpret Paul's vision to go to Macedonia as God's call. For me being in tune with God's command to love takes me to places I wouldn't have thought of before. Because of God's call to love, I was able to go to Innsbruck Healthcare Center with Pastor Kisten and share his message of peace in my life with the residents. Where will God's call to love take you?
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Week Two, September 26 – October 2 GOing and Delivering
Luke 10:25-37 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" [26] He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" [27] He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." [28] And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live." [29] But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" [30] Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. [31] Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. [32] So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. [33] But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. [34] He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. [35] The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' [36] Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" [37] He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
Pastor Kisten We saw the accident at the side of the road in Vietnam, people gathering around a figure, the motor scooter, broken by his side. “Shouldn’t we stop?” our team doctor asked, “We might be able to help.” “Help is probably on the way,” said our guide. “Accidents are pretty common.” And so our bus sped on its way, back to Saigon, so we could get to our beds and dinner. And I wondered, “Who was I today in the story of the Good Samaritan?”
Greg Hanson The good Samaritan story points our how we should behave toward our neighbor. If we act out of love towards people in need the required behavior seems obvious-provide for them what they need. This statement may seem obvious, but it brings to mind two other questions immediately- Who is our neighbor? and What constitutes their needs? Perhaps we can discuss these at a different time. For now I want to write about the idea that God intentionally gets us into situations where we can experience people in need. And God does this for all of us no matter what our social status, who we hang out with, where we work, how young we are, etc. I think this is God’s way of showing us what drives us as human beings-the need to feel helpful, useful, like a good person, whatever you might call it. He gives us opportunities to develop a mindset that not only recognizes people’s needs, but also knows how to take action. Again, I think it is about aligning my heart with God’s will. I can hear loud and clear what God wants me to do in most situations and rather than listening to my conscience that is rationalizing away the desire to help someone, I need to listen to that first impulse more often and act. In other words don’t think so much. I think with practice doing the right thing out of love for my neighbor can become second nature, can become who I am as a son of God.
Steve Klaers Answering questions with questions has always been an interesting interpersonal strategy. Jesus was a master of this technique. While contemplating this passage, I found myself formulating questions for not only my fellow Atonians but for anyone I have the privilege of encountering in my daily walk....How can I Go and Do the SAME? Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan challenged me to search my inner feelings about how I see Atonement's Vision of "Going to the people in NEED, not waiting for them to COME!!!!"
Loving our neighbors as much as we love ourselves can be a real conundrum...at what point do we see ourselves giving up our niceties....sharing our "toys".....giving of our most precious time....to do the work of the Lord? I'd say the time has come for the friendly folks at Atonement to soul seek in whatever way that works for you and get started.....for me I choose to TRUST in the Lord and continue to go in daily prayer, seeking how I can be a better soldier in the Lord's army...I'll choose to DO THIS AND LIVE[Luke 10:28]
Nancy Jahnke Over the last several months I have been focusing on my heart and how it feels when I make certain decisions and take certain actions. Sometimes my heart tells me one thing, my head tells another and my body yet another. When I listen to my heart, I am following Jesus and feel his love. This is new to me. I always followed my mind first, then my body and rarely my heart. In fact, it took awhile to get back in touch with my heart.
I think this is what Jesus is telling us in the story of the Good Samaritan. "I am in your heart, let me guide you. I am also in every person's heart; treat them as you would treat me." The priest and the Levite were too focused on what their mind said they should do - follow the rules; and what their body didn't want to do - touch or carry a bloody, dirty person and take time away from their schedules.
The Samaritan listened to Jesus guiding him through his heart. His actions demonstrated the love of Jesus to a stranger. The hope is that a seed has been planted and the traveler will pass Jesus' love along to others …and so on…….
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Week Three, October 3-9 GOing and Delivering
Luke 5:27-31 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." [28] And he got up, left everything, and followed him. [29] Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table with them. [30] The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" [31] Jesus answered, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick;
Pastor Tim People get up and go… people leave everything… people throw parties and deliver God’s love in celebrations for the good and bad alike… people do amazing things when they hear Jesus say “Follow me.”
When was the last time you heard Jesus say; “Follow me”?
Greg Hanson Levi (who I found out is actually the Mathew who wrote the Gospel) is a sinner, a tax collector. We are all sinners, but some of us are better at it than others-at least from a cultural standpoint. In the culture of Jesus’ day, tax collectors were the bad guys and the spiritual leaders (the Pharisees, scribes, and priests) were seen as the good guys. The good guys did good deeds publicly so everyone could see them as righteous, yet on the inside, behind closed doors and in their hearts they ridiculed and condemned those that were impure- those that they were supposed to be helping. It seems to me that their motivation for doing good deeds was not righteous at all. It was to look good to their peers, not out of love for the oppressed. Their hearts were not aligned with God’s heart and Jesus knew this.
Jesus went to a party thrown by the sinners because he knew that they were the ones in need. I think this gives us a clue as to who it is we are to be helping when we go to those in need. Perhaps it is the people who don’t have anyone else who seems to care about them. Those people who are considered sinners in our culture, the criminals, the addicts, the child molesters, the gays and lesbians, the homeless who beg for money at the stoplights, -are these people our neighbors?
Jesus was no dummy. He started with the people who already knew they were sinners (because society told them so on a daily basis). I think Jesus knew that it would be more effective to start with people who knew they were sinners rather than with those (because they were so blinded by arrogance) that would first need to be convinced of the fact. Who knows perhaps demonstrating to the righteous what it really meant to be righteous made a greater impression on them than trying to help them directly anyway. If nothing else it sure got them talking and asking questions.
Jesus has called this congregation to Go to Those in Need, Not Waiting for Them to Come. Who is our neighbor, anyway?
Cathy Soldner My husband always carries a few band-aids in his wallet. I’ve used them for an unexpected blister on a hike. Family members have used them for a poke from a fish hook. Strangers have used them for a scraped knee at the park. By carrying a band-aid, he is ready to help out.
Are you ready to help out with more than band-aids? Everywhere we go, we are surrounded by sick people. People are sick of the pressure at work, the gossip in the neighborhood and the tension in family relationships. People are sick of their own bad habits, their lack of passion and their negative attitudes. Sick people need more than a band-aid, they need a party!
Jesus throws parties for sick people. Refreshments include all the love, joy, mercy and forgiveness you can hold. You’ll experience healing and wholeness. Your attitude will change – toward yourself and those around you. And the best part is that the party never ends! Once you’ve been there, you take the party with you wherever you go.
Keep passing out the band-aids, but better yet . . . . tell people about the wholeness and healing Jesus offers all of us, and invite them to join the party!
Joseph Myhre I wonder how someone in the midst of their busy day can do a complete 180 and conversely change their career in one day. I usually deliberate over my decisions, and within a week to a month, I can usually make reasonable decision. Trying to understand Levi in his quick decision making, I would guess that Levi had been thinking about a change before he met Jesus. There is no proof of this in the text but there was obviously something special in the immediate interpersonal exchange between Levi and Jesus. Could it be that Levi was looking for a mentor? Could it be that Levi was sick of his job? I would say Levi was a good judge of character and Jesus had a sales pitch Levi could not refuse. More than this, Jesus offered a personal relationship to Levi, who I would imagine, was treated poorly and despised; Luke 5:30 shows this pretty clearly. Under those circumstances Jesus offering to be your friend and mentor looks very, very good. I can imagine that Levi felt good about his decision when Jesus corrected the Pharisees ("the experts") and their prejudice and became his champion. If I were in Levi's shoes, I would know I made the right choice.
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Week Four, October 10-16 Using your Gifts
Romans 12:3-9 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. [4] For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, [5] so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. [6] We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; [7] ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; [8] the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. [9] Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;
Pastor Kisten Our job as volunteers on the Vietnam Aid Expedition was to play with and love the kids in our care. We did just that, according to our gifts. The high school coach swung the kids around and around, using his strength and height! The nurse took care of aches and pains. The exuberant mom who worked with youth back home taught silly songs. The dad who loved working with his hands made friendship bracelets with countless kids. And we became community, even for that brief time.
Elise MacKenzie I feel this passage is a good reminder that we all have gifts and we are all needed to work for God’s plan.
It is like being on a team. The most efficient teams work as a unit. Each person is doing what he or she does best for the good of the team and is like-minded in the ultimate goal. It is not just the goal scorers who are important. The scorers can’t score unless the defense is doing its job. My daughter Jenna plays defense for her soccer team. If she decided that her job was not important and left her position, the other team could score because she was not there to do her job. We must recognize that we need each other and that each of us is important in reaching the goal of doing God’s will. Each person’s gift is glorious in God’s eyes. Just as an athletic team needs all its members… God needs all of us. He has given us a gift and it glorifies God to use it and He will use it for the good.
Use your gifts gloriously for God has a plan and he wants you to be on his team!
Cathy Soldner My husband and I received a great collection of serving dishes as wedding gifts. Some of these serving dishes help keep things sorted. Some specialize in holding things until they’re poured out. Others are good for serving something sweet. From crystal bowls to silver trays, they all seem to say, “Pick me!” when I look through them in preparation for serving people.
Sometimes I think of the church as a collection of serving dishes. We come in lots of different shapes and sizes with a variety of gifts. Like the silver relish tray with lots of dividers, we find ourselves helping someone sort something out. Like a crystal pitcher, we find ourselves pouring lots of time into volunteering at a school, nursing home or food shelf. Like a dessert platter, we find ourselves not only delivering treats of fresh chocolate chip cookies, but also treating someone to a listening ear and a word of encouragement.
At the heart of us serving dishes that love to be used, is the love God has shown us and our pleasure of sharing that love with others.
May God find you saying, “Pick me!” at the beginning of each day!
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Week Five, October 17-23 Using your Gifts
Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. [15] No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Pastor Tim You are the light of the world. You are the light of the world. You are the light of the world. You are the light of the world. You are the light of the world.
Be the light. Be who you are. Dispel the darkness.
When you shine, wherever you shine, make sure people know who your Father is. They will want to thank Him.
Nellie Landrus God created you with unique gifts and He needs you to let your light shine wherever you are so that “…it gives light to all in the house.” And, not only “in the house” where you live with your immediate family, but also in your church with your family of God. And let it shine in the car or bus as you ride to work or school; in your school or classroom; at work or in a meeting; in your community. But remember, we are to shine for God’s glory, not for ours.
God created the sun, moon, and stars to shine in the sky. God created you to shine in His world. Sometimes clouds block or obscure our view of the sun, moon, or stars to keep them from shining on us or so we cannot see the stars twinkling in the sky, but we trust that they are still there. Clouds will descend on us (our hearts and minds) at times, but just as in the skies they will pass and our lights will burn bright again for others to see. The moon has phases when only so much is visible. Our lives have phases, or seasons, where we can only shine so bright.
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Week Six, October 24-30 Using your Gifts
Luke 5:17-26 One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting near by (they had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. [18] Just then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; [19] but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus. [20] When he saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven you." [21] Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, "Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" [22] When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, "Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? [23] Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Stand up and walk'? [24] But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he said to the one who was paralyzed--"I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home." [25] Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. [26] Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, "We have seen strange things today."
Pastor Kisten I imagine the men carrying their friend to Jesus- so determined to get him the help he needs, they rip apart a roof. I hope I have at least 4 friends like that who, if they see I need help, will not give up until they lay me in front of Jesus for his healing touch. Are there friends like that in your life?
Mary Ann Nelson St. Augustine said, “Faith is to believe what we do not see; and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe.” The faith of the paralytic and his friends led them to find a way to come before Jesus – a way that took a little more work and ingenuity. Jesus gave the paralytic and the friends who brought him the reward of seeing what they believed – that Jesus had the authority to heal and to forgive sins. As I get older, the understanding of how much God loves me becomes more clear and more dear to me. I believe if we can be secure in the fact that we are beloved children of God, it will change our lives. There is a story in the Jewish Talmud that says in all the world, there must be 36 good and righteous people – the Lamed Vav – and the very existence of the world depends on these people. But no one in the Lamed Vav knows that he or she is one of these people. That should be how we live our lives as children of God – aware that, because of our faith, we are called to make a difference in someone’s life. Then we can put our faith into action with the same courage and determination as the friends of the paralytic. We may not have to lower someone through a roof, but our faith can be made visible in what we do or say.
Marilyn Nelson You probably learned this familiar story about the paralyzed man who was lowered through the roof so Jesus could heal him as a young student in Sunday School. It’s a favorite not only because of the lessons it teaches, but also because it’s a story that catches kids’ attentions through the outrageous act of breaking through someone else’s roof to help a friend (and getting complemented for it instead of chastised). I love to ham the story up by describing the plaster falling on Jesus’ shoulders and into his hair during the middle of his sermon and looking up to see a man being lowered on a wobbly stretcher to fall at his feet with a thunk. And how did Jesus react? He basically said, good job! and healed the man (20). It’s interesting to note that the man himself didn’t show faith until after the healing and after his sins were forgiven. But what if the paralyzed man hadn’t had such outrageously faithful friends?
Are we that kind of friends to those in need? To those who perhaps don’t even know they’re needy? To those who don’t know that what really ails them is, not their pain and frustration, but their sinfulness. What would happen today if we all prayed to recognize opportunities to be outrageous Christians?
Cheryl Broostin I am inspired by the men in Luke's gospel who, with hopeful expectation, carried their friend, who could not walk, to see Jesus. Talk about delivery! And then, when they couldn't get through the crowd, they used their gifts of ingenuity and strength to lower him through the opening in the roof tiles. They did all this because they had only heard that the Lord had given Jesus the power to heal the sick. We already know and believe what God has done for us!
Strengthen me, oh God, to have the fortitude in my faith to carry my gifts and my light which comes from you to places and people who don't know the good news of forgiveness and healing.
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Week Seven, October 31 – November 6 Sharing your Blessings
Luke 19:1-10 He entered Jericho and was passing through it. [2] A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. [3] He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. [4] So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. [5] When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today." [6] So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. [7] All who saw it began to grumble and said, "He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner." [8] Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much." [9] Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. [10] For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost."
Pastor Tim Zacchaeus has a lot of money, but I wouldn’t call him blessed. After Jesus visits, Zacchaeus has a lot less money, and yet…
If your blessings aren’t also a blessing to others, then they really aren’t a blessing to you either. Unshared blessings are a curse. Here is how you know if you are truly blessed by your blessings: when the poor and the victims of injustice rejoice on account of you.
Julie Boll It strikes me that Zacchaeus was a rich man and most would think that a rich man wouldn't feel the need to see Jesus, let alone believe in Jesus. But Zacchaeus, a grown man, wanted so much to see Jesus that he climbed a sycamore tree to see him. And then when Jesus told Zacchaeus that he was coming to his house, Zacchaeus was so excited! Zacchaeus' behavior demonstrated his love for Jesus, even though he was rich and probably had every material thing he wanted. Sadly, the town's people were quick to judge Zacchaeus on his wealth instead of the kind of person he was. In fact, Zacchaeus was a giving man which was demonstrated by giving half his wealth to the poor. As humans, we are sinners and Zacchaeus was no exception. He confessed to Jesus that he cheated sometimes, but that when he did he was punished. I like how Jesus looks past Zacchaeus' shortcomings and says that Zacchaeus' life will be saved. By saying "Here he is: Zacchaeus, son of Abraham!", he's saying I'm proud of you and you are mine! Jesus wants us to share our blessings with others--as he shares blessings with us every day. I think the biggest blessing he shares with us is daily forgiveness, which only comes to us because he died on the cross. What a wonderful reminder that no matter what we do or who we are, he still loves and forgives each and every one of us!
Nellie Landrus No matter what our size or our sin, God loves us. And God will find us wherever we are, even in the trees! There are people with only a small seed of faith (or just a tender seedling) now. They simply want to see more of Jesus to learn more about him and to get to know him better. Are we putting up walls or barriers to keep them from seeing? Or to keep them out? At a time when they need God’s love shown, or delivered, to them, to help them grow in faith, are we reaching out to them? They need to realize God’s truths and reach a level of spiritual maturity so they can right any wrongs they have done and share the gifts God has given them.
Are we going to be hard hearted and grumble like those who complained about Jesus associating with sinners? Many in the Jewish community of faith thought the disciples should only minister among “them” (to members of the community of faith), and not to those “outsiders” (the Gentiles). Many of us would not know Jesus (or of God’s love for us) if Paul and others had not ministered to the Gentiles. Yes, we need to take care of each other, but we must not fall into the tempter’s trap and limit our ministry to those in the community of faith.
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Week Eight, November 7 – 13 Sharing your Blessings
Luke 9:10-17 On their return the apostles told Jesus all they had done. He took them with him and withdrew privately to a city called Bethsaida. [11] When the crowds found out about it, they followed him; and he welcomed them, and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed to be cured. [12] The day was drawing to a close, and the twelve came to him and said, "Send the crowd away, so that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside, to lodge and get provisions; for we are here in a deserted place." [13] But he said to them, "You give them something to eat." They said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish--unless we are to go and buy food for all these people." [14] For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, "Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each." [15] They did so and made them all sit down. [16] And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. [17] And all ate and were filled. What was left over was gathered up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.
Pastor Kisten The generosity and hospitality I was shown in Vietnam was amazing. At DaLat where we painted a school building, the teachers were up at 4 a.m. to prepare not one but two meals for us. This school is the poorest in the district and yet we were given so much food, we couldn’t eat it all. It is an honor to share and give to those who are guests.
Cathy Soldner I’m not a leftover fan, but there are times when leftovers are great. Leftover fabric after a sewing project means I have something to give to mission quilts. Leftover time because a meeting cancelled, is always a gift. Leftover turkey at Thanksgiving means I can make soup.
The miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 wasn’t about the leftovers, it was about the blessings. A headline in the local paper might have read: “Blessed & Blessed & Blessed Again!”. First, people were blessed to spend time with Jesus. Jesus had welcomed them, spoke to them, and healed those who needed it. Next, the people were blessed because they had been fed. Finally, they were blessed with 12 baskets of leftovers.
Just like the 5,000, we are blessed to be able to spend time with Jesus. We are welcomed, spoken to, and healed. Just like the 5,000, we have been fed through worship and good conversation with fellow Christians. Just like the 5,000, we get to share our blessings with others.
Make a list of the ways you’ve been blessed and ask God to show you how to share those blessings. With God, it’s not about leftovers . . . it’s all about blessings.
Nellie Landrus A small child with “only a little” and God was able to use them. We fall into the trap of thinking we have no gifts to offer, or so little to offer. Jesus took the small gifts of bread and fish, blessed them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to share with all of the people. God takes us – He has claimed us as His children. God blesses us with gifts. He uses us to bless and affirm each other on our journeys. God stirs our hearts and minds until He breaks our wills so we desire to follow His will. (To surrender all to Him.) The Holy Spirit guides us so that we give our lives away in service to God through ministry to others. The Holy Spirit is like the wind. It blows wherever it wants to, if the doors and windows of our hearts and minds are open. We are blessed to be a blessing. Will this leave us with nothing? No, an abundance of “leftovers”. We think we are emptying ourselves as we give ourselves away, but as we share our gifts, God is actually filling us with an abundance of joy. Our lives may not feel like we are offering much, but by ministering to others, they can overflow with joy.
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Week Nine, November 14 - 20 Sharing your Blessings
Luke 19:11-26 As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. [12] So he said, "A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. [13] He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, 'Do business with these until I come back.' [14] But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to rule over us.' [15] When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading. [16] The first came forward and said, 'Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds.' [17] He said to him, 'Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.' [18] Then the second came, saying, 'Lord, your pound has made five pounds.' [19] He said to him, 'And you, rule over five cities.' [20] Then the other came, saying, 'Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, [21] for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.' [22] He said to him, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? [23] Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest.' [24] He said to the bystanders, 'Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.' [25] (And they said to him, 'Lord, he has ten pounds!') [26] 'I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.
Pastor Tim Jesus put you in charge of his property and the “family business” of making disciples. He trusts you!
So – how’s business?
Julie and Roger Boll This story, in many ways, duplicates Jesus' own story. The 'man who descended from a royal house' is like Jesus. He called his followers together and said that he was going away. Before He left, He gave the people gifts (spiritual gifts) and asked them to 'operate' with them until He returned. Some people hated Him (high priests and religious leaders) and they said, "We don't want this man to rule us." When Jesus returned to the people, he asked them what they did with their gifts. Some people had used their gifts and created abundance (of life for themselves and others). This pleased Jesus. Some people had not used their gifts and they were poor (in spirit). Jesus said to the people, "Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag." Then Jesus says to the people, "Those people who do not want me as their King shall be put to death."
I believe Jesus expects us to use our gifts (gifts that were given to us by Him--as they were not ours in the first place) for the good of ourselves and others. And yes, it is a risk sometimes to share our gifts with others. But the payoff is great when we share our gifts--we will have more than we ever dreamed of having because we will live forever with Jesus in heaven. As in this story, we are rewarded for sharing our gifts with others. If we keep our gifts to ourselves, we become poor--for we lose the gifts that we have and then have nothing. (Kind of like, "use it or lose it"!) We become poor in spirit and lose sight of what's most important in our lives--that Jesus died so that we may live!
Marilyn Nelson I wish Jesus had never told this parable! It makes me squirm. For years I squirmed because the parable seemed to describe God as a vengeful and greedy ruler. But wait a minute, it’s the unworthy servant who calls him that. It’s God’s enemies who don’t want him to rule, who are spreading lies about his real intentions. No, God’s real intention is to bring heaven to earth: to bring a reign of love and justice to a world of selfishness and deceit. We believers are his servants; we have a task (to bring his Kingdom to earth); and he’s given us all gifts to use for that task. There are also some who are actively working against him and God will deal with them at the final judgment (verse 27). That’s better, Jesus isn’t saying God who is uncaring and hard, but rather that he’s loving and righteous. So why does this parable still make me squirm?
I like the faithful servants who are rewarded with more responsibilities because they’ve used their gifts wisely. It’s the third servant who makes me squirm. He doesn’t love God but sees God as unfair, so he hides his talent and doesn’t use it to make the world better. Is Jesus saying that some of us don’t really want a world where everyone is treated equally and fairly; we kind of like to get more than our fair share? Are some of us smug about our own salvation and unwilling to share the good news with others? Are we afraid to take risks with our talents because we think we’ll let God down (or, more accurately, because we’re afraid he’ll let us down)? Do we deserve to be punished? Notice that the unfaithful servant is NOT banished or killed, but his talents are taken away and he is shown his own selfishness and unfaithfulness. I squirm when I hear this parable because I don’t like to admit the times I’m standing squarely in the shoes of that third servant. God forgive me and make me a good servant.
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