Thursday, February 17, 2022

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Luke 6:27-38 (NRSV)

"But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.

Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."

Song: “Love Our Enemies” by Rick Lee James

Lyrics: See below

It’s often a very telling thing when I have trouble finding a song to match a Scripture verse for this devotional. And today’s may have been the hardest I’ve had since this whole adventure began.

You can find lots of worship songs that reference “enemies,” to be sure, but they’re not about loving our enemies. They’re about victory and deliverance, with strong emphasis on battle imagery and conquering those who stand against the kingdom of God. And I resonate with that theme. I completely recognize that there is a battle going on, and I need the reminder that God has given us victory through Christ.

But if you’re at all like me, sometimes I get my battle imagery and language a little mixed up. Why? Because I often forget Paul’s important words from Ephesians:

“For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12, NRSV)

The “victory” language refers to this battle in the heavenlies, but too often we like to apply to those we consider our enemies here on earth. And let’s be honest—that kind of rhetoric has amped up in recent years. It’s no longer enough that Jesus has conquered death and hell, we now want him to crush those who we think pose a threat to our church and our way of life. I’m stunned when I see videos of preachers calling down fire and lightning from heaven on those they consider to be “enemies of God.”

But I’m also stunned when I realize I think in similar ways more often than I should.

The kind of love Jesus calls us to is radical. It’s a love that doesn’t seek to destroy those we might consider “enemies,” it seeks to be the presence of Christ to them. It seeks to honor them as precious in the eyes of God, despite how much they might anger and frustrate us. It seeks to love them.

That’s not a popular message today, which is no doubt why it was hard to find a song to match this passage. But the internet is (or can be) a wonderful thing, and I’m thankful that a “deep dive” led me to this song by Rick Lee James. It challenges me. I hope and pray it challenges all of us to seek the kind of radical love Jesus speaks of in our gospel passage.

As the song says, let our hearts be turned to love.

LYRICS:

God has made this declaration
Through His Son the Prince of Peace
If we will enter in His Kingdom
We must love our enemies

Lord deliver us from hatred
Prejudice and cruelty
Come remove discrimination
That the
Truth may set us free

Lord and Maker of creation
Every life is dear to Thee
In the holy name of Jesus
Help us love our enemies

Jesus is our true example
Showing us the face of God
When He chose to die for sinners
Rather than to shed their
Blood

Father show us how to love them
With Your mercy from above
For our enemies are brothers
We've forgotten how to love

Lord and Maker of creation
Every life is dear to Thee
In the holy name of Jesus
Help us love our enemies

So we'll fight them with affection
We will conquer them with grace
Until our enemies see Jesus
When they look into our face

In His time and for His pleasure
Pray we all will stand one day
Reconciled before the Father
When the old has passed away

Lord and Maker of creation
Every life is dear to Thee
In the holy name of Jesus
Help us love our enemies

You have made us in Your image
You've redeemed us through Your Son
Let our swords be turned to plowshares
And our hearts be turned to love

Let our hearts be turned to love
Let our hearts be turned to love

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

  1. Only one reflection question today, and it’s not really a question it’s an invitation: spend some time thinking about the people who anger and frustrate you most. You might not use language as strong as “enemy,” but the attitude of the heart isn’t much different. Let their faces fill your mind, and when they do…lift them up to God in prayer. Ask God to bless them, to show his love to them, to make them more and more like Jesus. (Avoid the temptation to pray that they would “come around”)

    And pray that God would help you love them.

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

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1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50 (NRSV)

But someone will ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?"

Fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.

And as for what you sow, you do not sow the body that is to be, but a bare seed, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.

But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body.

So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable.

It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.

It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body.

Thus it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then the spiritual.

The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven.

As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven.

Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.

What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

Song: “Abide With Me” by Audrey Assad

Lyrics: See below

When I was a pastor in Scotland, as one of the parish ministers I would be available to preside over any funeral that needed a pastor. As a result I sometimes found myself doing 3-4 funerals a week. At one point the funeral directors offered to set up a cot for me to rest on between services, I was spending so much time there.

When someone would pass away who had no church affiliation, the family would often struggle to come up with hymns or songs to share during the service. As a result, the “old standby” funeral hymns made a lot of appearances: “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art,” “The Lord is My Shepherd”…

…and probably most of all, “Abide With Me.”

As a young, upstart pastor I originally balked whenever I saw “Abide With Me” in the service order. I considered it morose and depressing. I wanted something to cheer my soul and the souls of those present.

Thing is…I hadn’t really spent any time with the words. Once I really considered them, my attitude changed 100%.

In our passage from 1 Corinthians the Apostle Paul is speaking of resurrection. Not just the resurrection of Jesus, but also the resurrection body that awaits all those who trust in Christ. This is a continuation of his theme summarized in 15:19,

“If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

Paul wants the Corinthian people, and all people, to have hope for something beyond this world. And while it is shrouded in mystery, that doesn’t make it any less hopeful or any less certain. We don’t have to have all the answers about the resurrection to have confidence in it.

Over the past couple of years I have thought a lot about hope, and how it is desperately needed in our world today. And it is hope I find in the words of “Abide With Me.” It’s not just about dying and going to be with Christ, although that theme is certainly present. It’s also about the hope Christ gives at every step of the journey, hope that is rooted in his resurrection as a “first fruits” of our own.

If you find yourself needing hope today, or if you know someone who does, can I encourage you to take some time simply praying through the words of “Abide With Me?” Take it a verse at a time. Read slowly, prayerfully. Savor the poetry, but more than that…savor the truth. The truth that death’s sting is ended, that the grave has no victory…the truth that God is the “help of the helpless” and the one who “changest not.”

If we will invite him to abide with us, and if we will abide in him, hope cannot be far behind.

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away
Change and decay in all around I see
O Thou who changest not, abide with me

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness
Where is death's sting?
Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee
In life, in death, o Lord, abide with me
Abide with me, abide with me

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

  1. What phrases from “Abide With Me” speak to you most today? Why?

  2. Who, besides, yourself, do you find yourself thinking of when you read these words. How might you pray for them today?

  3. What “change and decay” in the world today affects you the deepest? Spend some time in prayer that God’s abiding love would carry you and lift your head in the midst of it.

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

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Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40 (NRSV)

Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers, for they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb.

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.

He will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday.

Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices.

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret--it leads only to evil.

For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.

Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.

But the meek shall inherit the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.

The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their refuge in the time of trouble.

The LORD helps them and rescues them; he rescues them from the wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

Song: “Still” by Hillsong

Lyrics: Click here

Sometimes when I’m reading Scripture, I just naturally fall into a sort of dialogue with it…

Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers…

You really do know what’s on my heart and mind, don’t you Lord? Because I’ve been doing a lot of fretting recently. I can’t say I’m envious of wrongdoers, but I’m frustrated when those who so blatantly ignore your word prosper. What’s up with that, Lord? Can’t you send down a little fire from heaven and set things straight?

Trust in the LORD…Take delight in the LORD…Commit your way to the LORD…Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices.

Trust, delight, commit, be still. Those are tall orders, Lord. Then add “wait patiently” to it as well? You sure you don’t want me to help things along a little bit? Surely you don’t want me to just sit here while people get away with so much ridiculousness in your name. That can’t be the answer. At least let me defend you on Twitter or something, Lord. Someone needs to speak up and put these people in their place.

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.

OK, no Twitter then. Gotcha.

Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.

Do you have any idea, Lord, how much we are longing for that day? Ok…I suppose you do, but still. They mock your name. They ridicule faith. They do all that, and then seem to prosper. And yet you tell me that a day is coming when they will simply be gone. It seems hard to believe, but I’m going to believe it anyway. Help me be patient for that day, Lord.

But the meek shall inherit the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity. The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their refuge in the time of trouble. The LORD helps them and rescues them; he rescues them from the wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

OK, I see that the word “refuge” pops up twice in those verses. “Rescues” is there twice as well, alongside “saves.” It seems as though you’re inviting me to face these troublesome and frustrating times from a different place. I keep wanting to rush out into the war zone and take on those who I believe are standing in the way of your kingdom work. I act as though it’s up to me to shut them down. But you’re not calling me to be your defender, are you? In fact, you’re reminding me that you are MY defender and my refuge.

Maybe, just maybe…if I were to be still (where did I just hear those words?) and rest in your saving grace, instead of letting the wicked wind and rile me up…maybe that’s where I find the kingdom instead.

Not on the cultural battlefield, but in the quite refuge of your love.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

  1. How do you respond to the psalmist’s invitation to “be still” in the face of so much evil in the world? What helps you to be still in God’s presence, and how can you pursue that even more intentionally?

  2. How have you known God as the “king over the flood?” Spend some time in prayer given thanks for his saving grace during those times.

  3. Trust…take delight…commit your way…be still…which of those do you struggle with most? Ask the Holy Spirit to be at work in these areas where you see an opportunity for growth.

Monday, February 14, 2022

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Genesis 45:3-11, 15 (NRSV)

Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?" But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come closer to me." And they came closer. He said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.

And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.

For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest.

God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors.

So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, 'Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay.

You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children's children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have.

I will provide for you there--since there are five more years of famine to come--so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.'

And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.

Song: “Better Than I” by David Campbell

Lyrics: Click here

So it was not you who sent me here, but God…

This statement by Joseph is powerful on so many levels. When you consider the trials and tribulations that Joseph experienced on the way to his position as Pharaoh’s right-hand man, in these words he is declaring that God was at work even in the most difficult of times. When you add to that the fact that Joseph is saying these words to his brothers, the very ones who sold him into slavery out of hatred and jealousy, the words become a forgiving balm on top of a declaration of trust. In a worldly sense he had every right to punish them for what they’ve done, but Joseph sees it all through the eyes of faith…and that changes everything.

I have often wondered what kind of doubts and questions filled Joseph at the lowest points of his journey. To go from “favored son status” to slave to household manager to falsely accused criminal sitting in jail…along that roller coaster did Joseph ever doubt God was at work? How did he hold on to faith when every external circumstance told him that he had been forgotten and abandoned?

The 2000 animated film “Joseph: King of Dreams” imagines this very scenario in a powerful way, and uses a song that, 22 years later, remains near the very top of my favorite songs of all time. Have you ever heard a song, paying close attention to the lyrics, and thought to yourself, “Whoever wrote this song gets it?” When you encounter lyrics that perfectly capture what it means to be a human being wrestling with faith, you tend to sit up and pay attention. In a world of cliches and Pollyanna-ish answers to difficult questions, we need songs that meet us in the muck and mire of our humanness.

“Better Than I” does just that, right from the start:

I thought I did what's right.
I thought I had the answers.
I thought I chose the surest road,
But that road brought me here.

So I put up a fight,
And told You how to help me.
Now, just when I have given up,
The truth is coming clear…

The truth is that you and I…all of us…struggle with wanting to “get it right” and be in control. When things are going well we’re very aware of God’s blessings, but when things go off the rails we fight and we “tell God how to help us.” The truth of the matter is…God is often working his plan out in our lives despite us, and sometimes when things derail it’s because we thought we were in control and we trusted in ourselves.

What do we do when that happens? We often begin a “deep dive” into the problem, trying to figure out exactly what went wrong. That, too, is a sign of our desire to control. We think if we can solve the crisis we can prevent it from happening again. But that’s often not the lesson we need at that point. The lesson we need, as the song points out, is to “let go the need to know why.” To surrender our lives to God means we may never get the full explanation of our more difficult seasons, but instead of answers God gives us something better: he gives us himself.

If this has been a test,
I cannot see the reason.
But maybe knowing I don't know
Is part of getting through.

I try to do what's best,
And faith has made it easy,
To see the best thing I can do
Is put my trust in You.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

  1. Do you wrestle with a need for control and answers? How might God be calling you today to take a large step of faith and trust?

  2. What situations have you faced that, while difficult at the time, led to greater trust in God’s providence? Spend some time in prayer thanking God for how he shepherded you through that journey.

  3. What practices and Scripture passages help you re-center when life seems spiraling out of your control? Here are some Scripture verses worth meditating on in difficult seasons. Spend some time reading and praying through them:

Psalm 9:10 (NRSV): And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 28:7 (NRSV): The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

Isaiah 26:3 (NRSV): Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace—in peace because they trust in you.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NRSV): Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NRSV): Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Friday, February 11, 2022

Due to an unexpected trip out of town, the Song Reflections for the next few days will simply consist of Scripture, a song, lyrics to read prayerfully, and some reflection questions. The devotionals will return the week of February 14th. Thanks for your understanding.

If you’re new to Daily Song Reflections, click here to learn about it

Click here to follow the Daily Song Reflections playlist on Spotify.

Ephesians 3:14-21 (NRSV)

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.

I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.

I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

The texts from this week have me pondering a theme of abundance and blessing that come from trusting in God and his work on our behalf.

In our Old Testament texts we have the imagery of trees bearing fruit as they root themselves in God and his word. Our text from 1 Corinthians speaks to the “first fruits” of Christ’s resurrection, which gives us assurance of forgiveness and hope for the future, which are blessings indeed. And our final text from Luke is all about blessing and abundance that comes to those who are humble, hungry, and hated.

For today we offer three songs reminding us of God’s abundant blessings. As our Song Reflections run only Monday through Friday, you may wish to use one a day into the weekend, or you may wish to sit in an extended time of worship and prayer. For your reflection, simply read and pray through the lyrics of each song and reflect on these questions:

What lyrics and words resonate most with your soul right now?

How does that lead you to prayer?

However you make use of these songs and prayers, may God show you his transforming grace as you spend time with him.

Song: “Great is Thy Faithfulness” by Fernando Ortega

LYRICS

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be

Summer and Winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me

Song: “Come Thou Fount of Ev’ry Blessing” by Allred

LYRICS

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood;
How His kindness yet pursues me
Mortal tongue can never tell,
Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
I cannot proclaim it well.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

Song: “Good Good Father” by Chris Tomlin

LYRICS

Oh, I've heard a thousand stories of what they think You're like
But I've heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night
And You tell me that You're pleased and that I'm never alone

You're a good, good Father
It's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are
And I'm loved by You
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

Oh, and I've seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we're all searching for answers only You provide
'Cause You know just what we need before we say a word

You're a good, good Father
It's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are
And I'm loved by You
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

Because You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us
You are perfect in all of Your ways
Oh, You're perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us

Oh, it's love so undeniable
I can hardly speak
Peace so unexplainable
I can hardly think
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still into love, love, love

You're a good, good Father
It's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are
And I'm loved by You
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

Thursday, February 10, 2022

Due to an unexpected trip out of town, the Song Reflections for the next few days will simply consist of Scripture, a song, lyrics to read prayerfully, and some reflection questions. The devotionals will return the week of February 14th. Thanks for your understanding.

If you’re new to Daily Song Reflections, click here to learn about it

Click here to follow the Daily Song Reflections playlist on Spotify.

Luke 6:17-26 (NRSV)

He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon.

They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured.

And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.

Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.

Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man.

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.

But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.

Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry.

Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.

Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets."

Song: “Kingdom of God” by Jon Guerra

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

  1. Luke 6 is one of those passages where Jesus turns conventional wisdom on its head. The things he calls blessings aren’t what “the world” considers blessed. How has God blessed you in unconventional ways, ways that maybe others wouldn’t truly understand?

  2. Why do you think the poor, the hungry, the sorrowful, and the reviled “have a road to the kingdom of God?” Spend some time in prayer for those in your life whom those words describe well.

  3. What readings, practices, prayers, etc. help you keep the larger “kingdom of God” focus in your life? Does something need to be pursued more intentionally? Does something need to be left behind for that focus to be more clear for you?

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Due to an unexpected trip out of town, the Song Reflections for the next few days will simply consist of Scripture, a song, lyrics to read prayerfully, and some reflection questions. The devotionals will return the week of February 14th. Thanks for your understanding.

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1 Corinthians 15:12-20 (NRSV)

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead?

If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain.

We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ--whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.

For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised.

If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.

Then those also who have died in Christ have perished.

If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.

Song: “I Will Rise” by Chris Tomlin

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

  1. Paul calls the Corinthians to focus on the resurrection of Jesus and the forgiveness and hope we know because of it. How has God demonstrated the reality of Christ’s resurrection in your life? How might he be calling you to dwell even more deeply in its power?

  2. Spend some time contemplating the reality that we are not “still in our sins” thanks to the resurrection. Let the power of that lead you into gratitude and worship.

  3. “No more sorrow, no more pain.” Who in your life today most needs to know that promise in a new and powerful way? Spend some time interceding for those in your circle of contact who are struggling with sorrow and pain today, asking God to bring his resurrection hope to them.