David, stained glass in Cathedrale Notre-Dame d’Amiens; Photo by Albert; CCL flickr
Meditation
Saturday, Ordinary 13/Proper 8, simplified the message. The New Testament lesson concentrated on the issue of forgiveness and love again. If believers loved as Christ loved, they would not lead people to sin. It was as clear as that. Believers should not do things to push people away from God.
I submit that many will be stunned, upon Judgment Day, when they find their hatred and nasty accusations, their unkindness towards ‘them’ because they are not ‘us’ will have driven many into becoming atheists and agnostics.
Christ said if anyone leads a child to sin, it would be better to be drowned than living. Many Christians might point the finger at sexual predators, but I submit that hatred and the many behaviors that have arisen from hatred of others will be cited as reasons for children (of all ages) turning from God.
Christ was talking to his disciples. He wasn’t speaking to the ‘crowds’ but teaching specifics to his followers. These were people who wanted to do what Christ wanted, and yet he knew he would have to teach his future leadership teams to NOT lead people away from Christ by being the kind of people that hurt others. Jesus said he knew they would sin, but they were instructed to not lead others to sin.
When I was growing up, these words were all about people who went into bars and got drunk. That was an easy sin to target. Or prostitutes. But that missed the point completely. This was targeted at the people of God, who were leaders. Lead into sin. Someone at the top. A Jim Jones character who fed his followers poison and the children Koolaid and applesauce laced with poison. He led them to sin. That was the extreme.
The church universal has been filled with people, who failed to incorporate the whole Word of God. God is Love. Love underscored everything God did in the Bible. He created the universe and people out of love.
Jesus told us more than once that Love was the umbrella that covered all the law and the prophets.
When we love others, we are more like the Divine Image than at any other time.
The opposite of love—indifference and hate—pushes people away. Pushes them away from the church. Leads them away. Away from God and into sin.
Christ forgave sins. He promised to forgive as many times as believers confessed their sins.
Just as Christ forgave, the believer, obeying Christ’s example would be “to be forgiving.” Is the church forgiving of people or is the church more critical? Are we the hospital for sinners or the country club for saints?
The mission of the church is to make disciples. How can we make disciples if we are not loving and forgiving? That means accepting to work side by side when we disagree, but since we love and forgive each other, we can allow for the time it takes to ‘work through the process.’
With God’s, we can love. With God’s help, we can forgive. With God’s help, we can make disciples, not lead people away.
Thanks be to God.
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Click on the Scriptures for links to biblegateway.com, where many translations of the same text enhance the understanding the readings, which come from the (RCL) Revised Common Lectionary – Daily Lectionary
Readings. I add a Daily Prayer to bless you with God’s Favor.
Enjoy the Daily Encouragement and Bible Study and may you be inspired to be your best self for Ordinary 13/Proper 8.
Ordinary 13/Proper 8
Jesus Loves Me – Whitney Houston & CeCe Winans
Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Celestine Chua; CCL flickr
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Ordinary 13/Proper 8
God Leads His Dear Children Along — Gaither
Forgiveness
Forgiveness by C.S. Lewis; Jean Browman; CCL flickr
Ordinary 13/Proper 8Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2013;2%20Chronicles%2020:5-12;Galatians%205:7-12&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;CEV#table2
(multiple versions)
Saturday, Ordinary 13/Proper 8
Psalm 13
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Psalm 8:3-5 NIV
3When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
5You have made them
a little lower than the angels
and crowned them
with glory and honor.
Human beings that you care for them?
Single Bible Study chapter to study
King James Version (KJV)
17 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
“Millstone” Here is what an actual Millstone during Jesus’ time. Imagine having this hung around your neck and thrown into the sea. Quite an image. Photo by Chris Hwang; CCL flickr
2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
Photo courtesy of Shirley Phelps, leader of Westboro Baptist Church, where they teach hatred of everyone not them. Leaders that fail to show God’s love and teach children to hate like this will find God is not pleased. God doesn’t hate any “group” of people. God is love. Photo posted by Fausto Fernos; CCL flickr
3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, your message to us repeatedly is to be loving, forgiving and to make disciples—not pushing people away from the church. Forgive us for our failures, and empower us to do what pleases you most. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Ordinary 13/Proper 8 Music
Child of King – Gaither
Ordinary 13/Proper 8 Humor
A Millstone Around the Neck to Replace Clerical Collars for Bad Leadership
©Jeff Larson, Used by permission
Love Lifted Me – Randy Travis with Mac Powell
I hope you found a chance to encounter your Creator and experience the Love of God and the joy of Christ in Ordinary 13/Proper 8.
Conclusion
Saturday, Ordinary 13/Proper 8 culled things to a simple message. Love. Forgive. Follow Christ’s example. The Psalmist David was a man after God’s own heart. Despite murdering and having an adulterous affair, he asked God’s forgiveness and was humble. Those Kings in the Old Testament who sought forgiveness received it and things went better for the Jews. The kings that were arrogant and failed to ask forgiveness of God lost their land and things went poorly.
In the church, we must strive to follow Christ’s example, especially as leaders. The caution of the millstone was to people who lead. The ministers, elders, teachers and those who take positions of authority must be tolerant and forgiving, just as Christ was; loving and compassionate, just as Christ was, careful to lead the followers in a way far from hatred and arrogance and unkindness, just as Christ was.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. Please like if it was meaningful. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
Please like if you are blessed and don’t hesitate to comment or contact me. I love hearing from you.
ChapLynne's Chat 