Wednesday, Ordinary 26, Proper 21, Oct 1

HealthFitNow

Meditation
Wednesday, Ordinary 26, Proper 21was about preparation to recognize God’s power when one sees it. In the Old Testament lesson in Exodus, God told Moses to have the people prepare by washing their clothes and purifying themselves for the encounter with God. Moses went through his preparation and went up the mountain of God to meet God.
The Lord came in a cloud of fire, rumbling like thunder so the people below would hear and see his glory, so that they would believe Moses when he relayed the words from God. All the signs and wonders were to demonstrate God’s power in a visceral way. The thundering voice scared them. I imagine the scene of God’s descent to the top of the mountain was many times more than anything I have witnessed, but akin to my seeing and hearing the noise of an F-14 taking off the carrier into the dark night sky and kicking in the after-burners. The fiery glow spread across the sky and reflected in the ocean combined with the deafening roar shook the flight deck and made me clearly aware of the power.
The New Testament lesson was a little more low key, but nonetheless as powerful. Jesus saw a paralyzed man and declared his sins were forgiven. The leaders of the Jews reacted negatively, thinking that Jesus was insulting God. Of course, Jesus discerned what they were thinking and explained that he said his sins were forgiven because he wanted them to know he had the power…even though they couldn’t ‘see’ how his sins were forgiven. They didn’t recognize Jesus’ power. They were unprepared. Jesus then said for the man to get up and walk, so they would be able to ‘see’ Jesus’ power, like God’s fire and thunder helped the Hebrews to ‘see’ the presence of God.
In both instances there was the necessity of the people to prepare themselves to receive the blessings, to recognize God/Jesus’ power. The same is true for us today. We must prepare our hearts to be ready to recognize the signs and wonders of God in our everyday lives.
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 26, Proper 21.


Ordinary 26, Proper 21


Jesus Heals the Paralyzed Man
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6459021721_a376d55f23_b_d.jpg, Detail from a window by Sir Ninian Comper, c.1929 in Southwark Cathedral. Fr Lawrence Lew OP flickr CCL

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 26, Proper 21



Jabal al Lawz Burnt Moutain Top
http://www.messianic-literary.com/jabalallawz.jpg ©Marshall Beeber of Messianic Literary Corner http://www.messianic-literary.com/mt_sinai.htm; Used by permission.


Ordinary 26, Proper 21
Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 42;Exodus 19:9b-25;Matthew 9:2-8&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;NIV (multiple versions)



Wednesday, Ordinary 26, Proper 21

Psalm 42
Exodus 19:9-25
Matthew 9:2-8


Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating

Philippians 1:21
King James Version (KJV)
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.




Single Bible Study chapter to study


Matthew 9:2-8
King James Version (KJV)
2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5086/13954443841_600eccf671_b_d.jpg Jesus heals a paralyzed man, Ely Cathedral Steve Day, flickr CCL
6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
7 And he arose, and departed to his house.
8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

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 praise you for the many signs and wonders that you did for the Children of Israel, the believers in the early church, and throughout history. Help us to prepare our hearts and minds to be able to recognize your power at work in our daily lives. In Jesus name, Amen

Ordinary 26, Proper 21 Music



Ordinary 26, Proper 21 Humor

Paralyzed Man Ready to be Healed
http://www.thebackpew.com/images/p/paralyzedman.jpg ©Jeff Larson, Used by permission



I hope you found a chance to encounter your Creator and experience the Love of God and the joy of Christ in Ordinary 26, Proper 21.
Conclusion
Wednesday, Ordinary 26, Proper 21 celebrated the positive beauty and power of God, from the Psalmist verses acknowledging God’s greatness, to the Old Testament lesson with Moses helping the people prepare for the appearance of God on the Mountain to the New Testament lesson of Jesus healing the paralyzed man so the people would recognize his power and understand that he could forgive sins (even if they could not ‘see’ his forgiving sins).
An aside, if you study at bible.ca you can see where Steve Rudd has written about the archaeological discoveries. I think his route of the Exodus makes more sense than most of the old stories which were not based on actual investigation, but originated with Constantine’s mother having a dream of the Hebrews going into the Sinai Peninsula 2000 years after the event. There is a great deal of difficulty in doing the actual archaeological work, because the Arabs will not allow Jews and Christians access. But Jabel al Lawz would make a credible Mt. of God because the top of it is burned, although by no apparent reason. See the photos above. See the Wyatt Museum for more information on archaeological finds.
In short, we must be diligent in our study, our preparation and our fervor to recognize the signs and wonders of the power of God. It worked for Moses and for the followers who believed Jesus in the New Testament.
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.