6 The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.
9 As it is written,
“He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
11 You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us;
12 for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.
2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about[f] these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
What about those tongues of fire? When will the rains come to wash away whatever needs cleansed in our lives?
James Taylor speaks of lonely times – many of us are there today. He shares about talking about the things to come – we’re doing that.
He knows “I’ll see you one more time again”.
Friends, we’ll see each other again. We will see the flame of the Christ candle lit in the sanctuary. We may shed tears of joy as we gather. Yes, we will. Yes, we will.
More about Jesus Psalm 1 1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; 2 but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night. 3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6 for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
I’m focusing on verses 2 and 3: “but their delight in in the law of the Lord and on His law, they meditate day and night.”
Do we delight in God’s law? Do we spend time in prayer, meditation, and study of the scriptures? Those are the questions I’d like to ponder today.
In the busy-ness of our lives we would get up, enjoy our morning routines, and get on with the day. For some the morning ritual, if you will, would include scripture reading, prayer, and even journaling. Basically, time with God. I know of one person that includes the singing of one or two hymns as part of this morning practice. This is time to which we look forward; time set aside so that our day begins in communion with the Divine. For others the morning is more like hit the snooze button again and again, jump into the shower, grab a coffee or tea, feed the cat and off you go. Do you see yourself in either scenario?
With Covid-19 slowing us down I wonder if some are spending more time in prayer and scripture than previously. I wonder if we are drawn back to something that had been important to us. Or, are we now finding the time to study scripture where before there seemed to be no time at all?
Why study the Bible? Why re-read the same scriptures year after year. Have you ever come across a passage that reads as if for the first time? Something new jumps out at you. God is saying something new, just for today? I’ve found this to be true more often than not. This Psalm today is one of those readings. I remember from days in music ministry in an Anglican church where this Psalm, as all of them, were sung, or chanted. The words and melody flowed but the meaning didn’t stick. Well, at 21 years of age how many words run deeply. However, I do remember. Perhaps not the same meaning to me but the words are written on my heart. “Their delight is in the law of the Lord.” The commandments, the guides for living that help me find the right path each day.
We sing Tell me the Stories of Jesus and More about Jesus and are reminded that we want to learn more, to study more, and even, to know more deeply about God’s love for us. Here’s the Mind Map:
Follow the circle around and see what areas truly speak to you. One phrase:
May your life be filled with the richness of the Word as found in Scriptures and with the many blessings you find around you. Peace be with you, Barbara
1 How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord ordained his blessing, life forevermore.
