Friday 7/22/2005
1 Corinthians 9-Do God’s service –when you want to and when you don’t-it’s what God chooses
2 Kings 1-2- I will stay with you no matter what!-You must see me being taken away- Two tests
Amos 7-A plumb bob—measures Israel to God’s standards
John 20.1-18-As Mary stared into the place of death-her Teacher calls her by name
Psalm 126-The LORD has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
"He’s sleeping"—A simple phrase- a friend in the hospital- we left deciding not to disturb him- He’s sleeping – makes me think to what sleep does- it revives the body- allows it to function fully- allows us to do the things we want to and even the things we don’t want to—God calls me to do many things- most of which he gives the joy of doing things that I find fun and enjoyable- but sometimes- usually for my own good- I have to do some things I really don’t want to do- I know to do them –because God makes it clear and calls me to the task- gives me what I need to do the job- no matter what- I really don’t need to worry if I will measure up- because God provides what is needed to do what I really don’t want to do –but what he wants me to do—I wonder if that is the way Mary felt when she went to that tomb- doesn’t sound like something she really wanted to do- did she really want to go and stare into the tomb of the dead?- probably not- I think she would have been much happier listening to Jesus teaching her- telling her about life and love and God—but she went anyway—and it was here- as she was staring at death – that Jesus calls her by name—her Teacher- she finally recognizes her Teacher and is given a wonderful revelation and gift of life- she is given the Gospel message through the life she hears being called in her own name—"Mary"—"Teacher"- life between two people- two words- the gospel message- Mary will proclaim boldly and faithfully to all- I am called by name – in baptism- called by God into life- called by God to proclaim the gospel- "Bill"- "Teacher"- and life freely given- following the Teacher- learning all life long of his wonderful gift of life- doing service joyfully to God- when it’s fun and when it’s not- it suddenly becomes fun through the mention and call of my name by the Teacher- "He’s sleeping"—yea God spoke yesterday- "He’s sleeping"—well not exactly- because behind all that – there is life- there is a God renewing- refreshing-restoring and calling him by name to leave that tomb – to hear his name called and to respond with a life filled with learning and service and love by the Teacher.
Prayer- Lord – call me today- in your call I respond with Teacher- teach me- lead me- guide me in your love- I hear my name- and it’s you who calls- I will boldly go out today telling of the life you have given- of the death you defeated and of the sin you have forgiven- you are God- you are my savior – you have done great things for me and in this I rejoice! -- Amen
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