Memorize Hebrews 1:3

He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (NRSV).

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven (NIV).

Reflect on Hebrews 1:3

• What three facts about Jesus do we discern in this passage?
• Look up 1 Peter 3:18 to find out how Jesus purifies us from our sins.
• Hebrews 1:3 and 1 Peter 3:18 are powerful words about Jesus' divinity.  Check out the following to pay attention to Jesus' humanity (John 4:6, John 4:7, and John 11-35 – the Bible's shortest verse).

Memorize Luke 24:39-40

Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have."  [And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet] (NRSV).

Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."  When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet (NIV).

Reflect on Luke 24:39-40

• Read Luke 24 in the NIV and in The MESSAGE.
• Who is Jesus conversing with in verses 39-40?
• Read Luke 22.  What happens to Jesus' disciples?
• Read Luke 23.  What happens to Jesus?
• What would it take to convince you that Jesus is alive?

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" (NIV).

"She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins" (NRSV).

Reflections on Matthew 1:21:

1. Read Matthew 1:18-25.  Who is the speaker?  Who is the listener?
2. This dream came to Joseph in the midst of wrestling with how to put off his marriage to Mary now that she was "with child."  When have you wrestled through the night over a difficult decision?  What decision tugs at you today?  Are you ready to let Jesus keep you from following through on wrong intentions or save you from the destructive consequences?
3. Within the context of the Roman Empire, Mary and Joseph, Nazareth and Bethlehem, are of no significance.  If God chose to save through world beginning at a point of worldly insignificance, what does that mean for you?  for our church?  for the world?

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (NIV).

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (NRSV).

Reflections on John 14:6

1. Read chapter 13 and chapter 14 in John's gospel to understand the broader stream of Jesus' message for us.  Again, you may want to read these chapters from The Message.
2. Jesus makes a bold claim here … I am the Truth, I am the Way, I am Life!  Do you remember Jack Nicholson's character Colonel Jessup thundering in the movie A Few Good Men, "you can't handle the truth!"?  Can you handle this truth?  What would it mean for you to let Jesus be truth for you and not whatever other standard others might bring to you?
3. The word "way" implies a journey.  Where are you on the journey with Jesus?  Can you trust him to show you the way?
4. Life … abundant life …   What are some paths that folks offer for abundant living?  Why do they come up short?
5. Take time to post a comment or question.

O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below–you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way (NIV).

O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart (NRSV).

Reflect on 1 Kings 8:23

• What is the overarching story of 1 Kings 8? 
• Where does Solomon’s word fit into the story?
• What are some “earthly” gods in the world who are not like God? 
• Where do you need to say no to some things in order to YES to God?
• This passage is a prayer … part of an extended conversation with God.  How could you use this verse in your prayers?

Continue reading “1.4 – Assurance of God’s Love – 1 Kings 8:23” →

Hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (NIV).

Hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us (NRSV).

Reflect on Romans 5:5

• Read Romans 5 to gain a context for Paul’s word of hope.
• You might want to read chapter 5 in The MESSAGE to gain a fresh perspective on God’s Word.
• Paul mentions the emotions of hope, disappointment, and love.  When have you experienced these emotions in your own life?
• Reflect on a relationship where each of the above emotions was played out.  Where has God had a similar moment with you?

The LORD your God is with you,
   he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
   he will quiet you with his love,
   he will rejoice over you with singing (NIV).

The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
   a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
   he will renew you in his love;
   he will exult over you with loud singing (NRSV).

Reflections on Zephaniah 3:17:

1. Note the word Lord in Psalm 86:5 and the LORD in Zephaniah 3:17.  Every time you see the word LORD in all caps in most English translations of Scripture you can know that the Hebrew word Yahweh or Jehovah is being used for God's name. This word is unutterable by devout Jews and they will substitute another of God's names in reading the text aloud.
2. Take time to read all of Zephaniah 3 within it's context.
3. Again, read Zephaniah 3 from The MESSAGE.
4. Lieutenant Dunbar (Kevin Costner) in the movie Dances with Wolves writes this in his journal: "It seems everyday ends with a miracle here. And whatever God may be, I thank God for this day" (Memorize This, 22).  Where are finding miracles occurring as you reflect on your day?
5. As you move through this day and week look for where God is taking delight in you?

Memorize Psalm 86:5

You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
   abounding in love to all who call to you (NIV).

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
   abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you (NRSV).

Reflections on Psalm 86:5:

1. Take time to read all of Psalm 86 from the NIV.
2. Read Psalm 86 again from Eugene Peterson's The MESSAGE.
3. What things stand out for you as you read this chapter?
4. Where in your work, home, or community is it hard to remember that God loves you?
5. Let this Psalm be a prayer for you this weekby reciting it at the close of the day.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.  Scripture quotations contained herein are from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION BIBLE, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

This week we begin an adventure. I am guiding this adventure using the following book: D. Mason Rutledge, Memorize This (Th1nk Books: 2003), ISBN # 1-57683-457-3, $9.99 (amazon.com has it for $8.99). You DO NOT need the book to join the adventure.

I offer the verses in two versions. The New Revised Standard Version
(NRSV) from which I usually preach and study. The other version has
stood the test of time as well, the New International Version (NIV). If
you purchase Memorize This the verse cards in the back are
available in four versions: the NIV, the New Living Translation, the
King James Version, and the New King James Version. To challenge
myself, I am working through this adventure in the NIV so that I am
reading the old, old story in a differing translation. You make your
choice accordingly.

So the journey begins …

Henri Nouwen once said: "Becoming the Beloved means letting the truth of our Belovedness become enfleshed in everything we think, say, and do" (Memorize This,
19). With the word "Beloved" Nouwen points us toward the words Jesus
heard as he emerged from the waters of the Jordan at his baptism: "This
is my beloved son with whom I am well-pleased."  In our baptism, and in
our renewal of our baptismal vows in worship yesterday, God says the
same thing to each one of us … you are my Beloved Son … you are my
Beloved Daughter. God loves you!