PKRAUSE

THESE are very powerful verses with lots of meaning

dgrimm60

Psalm 122(Good News Translation)
Wednesday
December 9, 2009

Called to be Free to Spread Tidings of Joy

Introduction

Psalm 122: This psalm is a tribute of praise for the city of God-Jerusalem-and the house of the LORD-the temple. Travelers to Jerusalem probably used the psalm as they passed the city's gates or as they arrived in the temple area. It offers a prayer for peace and a commitment to the good of the city.
Today's Scripture: Psalm 122:1

I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the LORD's house."

How is this Scripture passage speaking to me today?
Today's Reading
1I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the LORD's house.2And now we are here, standing inside the gates of Jerusalem!3Jerusalem is a city restored in beautiful order and harmony.4This is where the tribes come, the tribes of Israel, to give thanks to the LORD according to his command.5Here the kings of Israel sat to judge their people.6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you prosper.7May there be peace inside your walls and safety in your palaces.8For the sake of my relatives and friends I say to Jerusalem, Peace be with you!9For the sake of the house of the LORD our God I pray for your prosperity.
Reflect

Reread 122:5. The royal palace of King David and his descendants was in Jerusalem. As king of the universe, God wills "justice." It was the responsibility of the earthly kings, David and his descendants, to establish justice on earth. Whose responsibility is it to establish justice on earth now? What is the role of the church in calling for justice? What is the role of individual Christians in seeking justice?
Pray

Just and Loving God, may your church be a place from which justice and peace flow. Embolden your people to carry your peace from the church and into their communities. Amen.
Prayer Concern

People working for restorative justice in the prison system

pk

PKRAUSE

this is good and yes we can have joy and peace
with JESUS

dgrimm60

Psalm 123(Good News Translation)
Thursday
December 10, 2009

Called to be Free to Spread Tidings of Joy

Introduction
Psalm 123: This short psalm is a prayer for God's mercy. Just as servants seek mercy from their masters, the psalmist seeks mercy from God. This prayer for help for the whole people probably fits well into the period after the Babylonian exile. Although the people had returned to the land, other nations still ruled over them and caused them problems.
Today's Scripture: Psalm 123:1
LORD, I look up to you, up to heaven, where you rule.
How is this Scripture passage speaking to me today?
Today's Reading
1LORD, I look up to you, up to heaven, where you rule.2As a servant depends on his master, as a maid depends on her mistress,
so we will keep looking to you, O LORD our God,
until you have mercy on us.3Be merciful to us, LORD, be merciful; we have been treated with so much contempt.4We have been mocked too long by the rich and scorned by proud oppressors.
Reflect
This psalm was likely sung by travelers to Jerusalem. They sing about lifting their eyes to God. In doing so, they shift their focus from the suffering they are experiencing and direct it toward God's love and mercy. How can shifting your focus away from your struggles and toward God help keep you grounded in faith?
Pray
Oh Lord my God, I lift my eyes to you amid the struggles of my life. Keep me focused on your will and your word, that I may trust in your love always. Amen.
Prayer Concern
Those who experience oppression or prejudice in the workplace

pk

PKRAUSE

this is good to remember

if we look to GOD or JESUS then we are letting
HIM take care of our problems

dgrimm60

Psalm 124(Good News Translation)
Friday
December 11, 2009

Called to be Free to Spread Tidings of Joy

Introduction

Psalm 124: Today's psalm is a victory song. It expresses thanks for God's protection in the face of violence. It also names God as the creator and protector of all. The circumstances of the "attack" in this psalm are not known, but it appears that the prayer of the peoples have been answered.

Today's Scripture: Psalm 124:8
Our help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

How is this Scripture passage speaking to me today?

Today's Reading
1What if the LORD had not been on our side? Answer, O Israel!2If the LORD had not been on our side when our enemies attacked us,3then they would have swallowed us alive in their furious anger against us;4then the flood would have carried us away, the water would have covered us,5the raging torrent would have drowned us.6Let us thank the LORD, who has not let our enemies destroy us.7We have escaped like a bird from a hunter's trap; the trap is broken, and we are free!8Our help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Reflect
Psalms 120-134 are psalms that were probably used by worshipers as they were going up the hills to Jerusalem for festivals. The psalms are short and easy to memorize. What songs of faith inspire and energize you for worship? What songs strengthen you along your faith journey? What songs remind you of God's grace and love? What songs bring you closer to God during this season of Advent?

Pray
Lord, thank you for the gift of music. May the songs of the season bring a sense of hope, joy and peace to all who hear them, that people everywhere may be reminded of the love you shared through your Son Jesus. Amen.

Prayer Concern
Church musicians and choirs

pk

PKRAUSE

YES we must praise GOD and give HIM the glory

dgrimm60

Psalm 125(Good News Translation)
Saturday
December 12, 2009

Called to be Free to Spread Tidings of Joy

Introduction

Psalm 125: This psalm speaks to the safety of the Lord's people. As in previous psalms this week, this psalm celebrates God's protection for the people traveling to Jerusalem for religious festivals. Just as God's city is protected by mountains, God's people are protected by God's loving arms. Though wickedness exists, God's love endures and strengthens. The psalm ends with a prayer for justice.

Today's Scripture: Psalm 125:4

LORD, do good to those who are good, to those who obey your commands.

How is this Scripture passage speaking to me today?

Today's Reading
1Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which can never be shaken, never be moved.2As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, now and forever.3The wicked will not always rule over the land of the righteous; if they did, the righteous themselves might do evil.4LORD, do good to those who are good, to those who obey your commands.5But when you punish the wicked, punish also those who abandon your ways. Peace be with Israel!

Reflect
This psalm suggests that faith is the appropriate response to God's loving protection. What images come to mind when you read this psalm? How do you experience God's protection in your life? Has this sense of protection increased your faith?

Pray
Lord, you protect your people by holding them in your arms now and forever. Protect me from the hardships I face, both temporal trials and spiritual struggles. Help me experience your loving embrace, that I may trust in your protection. Amen.

Prayer Concern
Those suffering from domestic violence

pk

PKRAUSE

THESE are good thoughts

dgrimm60

Revelation 1:1-20(Good News Translation)
Sunday
December 13, 2009

Called to be Free to Spread Tidings of Joy

Introduction

Revelation 1:1-20: The word translated as "revelation" comes from the Greek word "apokalypsis," meaning a revealing or an unveiling. The book of Revelation belongs to a kind of writing called apocalyptic literature. In today's passage, John tells how he received a message from an angel sent by Christ who received it from God. He offers a blessing to all who read this prophecy and introduces the main theme of the book: Jesus has conquered death, rules over all earthly powers, and will come again to judge all people. Then he tells about his vision of the risen Lord.

Today's Scripture: Revelation 1:8
"I am the first and the last," says the Lord God Almighty, who is, who was, and who is to come.

How is this Scripture passage speaking to me today?

Today's Reading
1This book is the record of the events that Jesus Christ revealed. God gave him this revelation in order to show to his servants what must happen very soon. Christ made these things known to his servant John by sending his angel to him,2and John has told all that he has seen. This is his report concerning the message from God and the truth revealed by Jesus Christ.3Happy is the one who reads this book, and happy are those who listen to the words of this prophetic message and obey what is written in this book! For the time is near when all these things will happen.4From John to the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace be yours from God, who is, who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits in front of his throne,5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first to be raised from death and who is also the ruler of the kings of the world. He loves us, and by his sacrificial death he has freed us from our sins6and made us a kingdom of priests to serve his God and Father. To Jesus Christ be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.7Look, he is coming on the clouds! Everyone will see him, including those who pierced him. All peoples on earth will mourn over him. So shall it be!8I am the first and the last, says the Lord God Almighty, who is, who was, and who is to come.9I am John, your brother, and as a follower of Jesus I am your partner in patiently enduring the suffering that comes to those who belong to his Kingdom. I was put on the island of Patmos because I had proclaimed God's word and the truth that Jesus revealed.10On the Lord's day the Spirit took control of me, and I heard a loud voice, that sounded like a trumpet, speaking behind me.11It said, Write down what you see, and send the book to the churches in these seven cities: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.12I turned around to see who was talking to me, and I saw seven gold lampstands,13and among them there was what looked like a human being, wearing a robe that reached to his feet, and a gold band around his chest.14His hair was white as wool, or as snow, and his eyes blazed like fire;15his feet shone like brass that has been refined and polished, and his voice sounded like a roaring waterfall.16He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came out of his mouth. His face was as bright as the midday sun.17When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. He placed his right hand on me and said, Don't be afraid! I am the first and the last.18I am the living one! I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I have authority over death and the world of the dead.19Write, then, the things you see, both the things that are now and the things that will happen afterward.20Here is the secret meaning of the seven stars that you see in my right hand, and of the seven gold lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Reflect
Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, were sometimes used to mean "first" and "last" in a list of things. John uses this expression twice in Revelation: in the beginning of the book (1:8, 17) and toward the end of the book (21:6). The prophet Isaiah uses a similar expression to describe the completeness of God (Isaiah 44:6; 48:12). What does the idea of God being the Alpha and Omega mean to you?
Pray

Lord, you are indeed the Alpha and Omega, the one who is and was and is coming. You are God All-Powerful, and I praise you! Amen.

Prayer Concern
Those serving in the military

pk