Tuesday, Ordinary 18/Proper 13 -- Aug 5
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Meditation
Tuesday, Ordinary 18, Proper 13 addressed how to reconcile. For the Old Testament lesson in Genesis, Jacob sought to reconcile with his brother, Esau. Jacob had cheated his brother out of his inheritance as the elder twin and had fled to the old country where his Uncle Laban had cheated Jacob, over and over—first substituting Leah for Rachel, forcing Jacob to work fourteen years for Rachel, six years of dealing with 10 wage changes that undermined Jacob’s situation/promoting Laban’s wealth, and Laban trying to hide the flocks that would build Jacob’s wealth. Laban cheated Jacob so often, Jacob fled under cover of night. Laban had chased him, but God intervened by telling Laban in no uncertain terms to NOT threaten Jacob.
Jacob parted from Laban without threats, but the undercurrent of anger and frustration was clear. Returning across the Fertile Crescent back to Canaan, and Jacob was about to approach the brother he had treated as bad as Laban had treated him. The adage ‘what goes around comes around’ or the ‘law of reciprocation’ played out in Jacob’s life.
But God was with Jacob, despite his cheating. God loved Jacob because his heart toward God was good. God blessed the very flawed Jacob because Jacob recognized who God was and believed. Jacob trusted God to guide him through the challenge of reconciling with his brother Esau…even though he was afraid to meet his brother, he still initiated the reconciliation, trusting God to be with him.
The New Testament lesson in Acts revealed what could happen when people faced their own failures would seek to reconcile with God. Dr. Luke shared that the people, when they realized their predicament, asked Peter and the disciples what to do. The simple words—Repent and be baptized—started the flow of new converts to the fledgling church. Reconciliation with God starts very simply. Repent. Be baptized. Believe the Good News.
All people have the opportunity to be reconciled to God. Just as God helped the very flawed cheater-Jacob, God can help a flawed person today. We can trust God to guide us through the challenges of our lives. Our responsibility is to believe, repent, and be baptized.
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.
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 18, Proper 13
Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 17:1-7, 15;Genesis 32:3-21;Acts 2:37-47&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;CEV (multiple versions)
Tuesday, Ordinary 18, Proper 13
Psalm 17:1-7 Psalm 17:15
Genesis 32:3-21
Acts 2:37-47
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Ephesians 6:10-18
King James Version (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Rachel Sitting on the Idols
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Giovanni_Battista_Tiepolo_066.jpg/800px-Giovanni_Battista_Tiepolo_066.jpg Fresco by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo of Rachel sitting on the idols Wikipedia CCL
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Acts 2:37-47
King James Version (KJV)
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
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, we thank you for your kindness to us giving us the chance to be reconciled by believing, repenting and being baptized. Help us to spread the Good News as the early church did in Acts. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
Tuesday, Ordinary 18, Proper 13 reconciled believers to the new way of the church. Jacob began the process of reconciling with Esau; knowing that God had helped him through the reconciliation with Laban.
The New Testament church heard the Good News and hungered to change their lives. They transformed their behaviors and shared everything with each other. The high level of energy of the early church was palpable. Their reconciliation resulted in their lack of selfishness, lack of ego, lack of gossiping backstabbing nastiness and replaced it with the fruits of the Holy Spirit which they received in a big way—love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, forbearance, gentleness and self-control.
If we follow suit, we can exhibit the kinds of Holy Spirit-driven behaviors that exemplified the early church. The possibilities were endless.
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. 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.
Tuesday, Ordinary 18, Proper 13 addressed how to reconcile. For the Old Testament lesson in Genesis, Jacob sought to reconcile with his brother, Esau. Jacob had cheated his brother out of his inheritance as the elder twin and had fled to the old country where his Uncle Laban had cheated Jacob, over and over—first substituting Leah for Rachel, forcing Jacob to work fourteen years for Rachel, six years of dealing with 10 wage changes that undermined Jacob’s situation/promoting Laban’s wealth, and Laban trying to hide the flocks that would build Jacob’s wealth. Laban cheated Jacob so often, Jacob fled under cover of night. Laban had chased him, but God intervened by telling Laban in no uncertain terms to NOT threaten Jacob.
Jacob parted from Laban without threats, but the undercurrent of anger and frustration was clear. Returning across the Fertile Crescent back to Canaan, and Jacob was about to approach the brother he had treated as bad as Laban had treated him. The adage ‘what goes around comes around’ or the ‘law of reciprocation’ played out in Jacob’s life.
But God was with Jacob, despite his cheating. God loved Jacob because his heart toward God was good. God blessed the very flawed Jacob because Jacob recognized who God was and believed. Jacob trusted God to guide him through the challenge of reconciling with his brother Esau…even though he was afraid to meet his brother, he still initiated the reconciliation, trusting God to be with him.
The New Testament lesson in Acts revealed what could happen when people faced their own failures would seek to reconcile with God. Dr. Luke shared that the people, when they realized their predicament, asked Peter and the disciples what to do. The simple words—Repent and be baptized—started the flow of new converts to the fledgling church. Reconciliation with God starts very simply. Repent. Be baptized. Believe the Good News.
All people have the opportunity to be reconciled to God. Just as God helped the very flawed cheater-Jacob, God can help a flawed person today. We can trust God to guide us through the challenges of our lives. Our responsibility is to believe, repent, and be baptized.
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.
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 18, Proper 13
Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 17:1-7, 15;Genesis 32:3-21;Acts 2:37-47&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;CEV (multiple versions)
Tuesday, Ordinary 18, Proper 13
Psalm 17:1-7 Psalm 17:15
Genesis 32:3-21
Acts 2:37-47
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Ephesians 6:10-18
King James Version (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Rachel Sitting on the Idols
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Giovanni_Battista_Tiepolo_066.jpg/800px-Giovanni_Battista_Tiepolo_066.jpg Fresco by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo of Rachel sitting on the idols Wikipedia CCL
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Acts 2:37-47
King James Version (KJV)
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
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, we thank you for your kindness to us giving us the chance to be reconciled by believing, repenting and being baptized. Help us to spread the Good News as the early church did in Acts. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
Tuesday, Ordinary 18, Proper 13 reconciled believers to the new way of the church. Jacob began the process of reconciling with Esau; knowing that God had helped him through the reconciliation with Laban.
The New Testament church heard the Good News and hungered to change their lives. They transformed their behaviors and shared everything with each other. The high level of energy of the early church was palpable. Their reconciliation resulted in their lack of selfishness, lack of ego, lack of gossiping backstabbing nastiness and replaced it with the fruits of the Holy Spirit which they received in a big way—love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, forbearance, gentleness and self-control.
If we follow suit, we can exhibit the kinds of Holy Spirit-driven behaviors that exemplified the early church. The possibilities were endless.
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. 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.
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