11.11.09 – Jesus gave himself

Daily Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:7-12
7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you —see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

Read additional translations at Biblegateway.com or youversion.com

Reflection Questions:
When we follow Jesus, we’re following a Lord who was self-giving love in the flesh. If you made a 2009 giving commitment to Resurrection, you’ll receive your 3rd quarter
statement soon. Paul says God isn’t chiefly looking at the size of the numbers on the statement. God hopes that the heart behind those numbers is growing more like Jesus’ heart.

• As you reflect on your priorities, look at how financial goals or hopes for certain items (house, car, etc.) rank on your list compared to “being generous.” How has your “generosity quotient” (not the amount, but the inner spirit with which you give) changed during the last year? Are you happy with your priorities? Is God?
• “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” (verse 9) How does the example of God’s generous gift of himself in Jesus affect your heart? How do you express your appreciation in gifts back to God and gifts to others?

Read Rev. Russell Brown’s insights on today’s scripture at gpsinsights.wordpress.com

Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, my television, my newspaper and most of the stuff in my mailbox and inbox tug me toward measuring my value solely in terms of material things. When they do, I’m thankful that the Bible speaks very differently, and points me to your very different values. Teach me how to better listen to, and follow, your still, small voice. Amen.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society®. Used by permission of International Bible Society®. All rights reserved worldwide.

11.10.09 – Never enough

Daily Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:8-15
8 If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. 9 The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.10 Those who love money never have enough;those who love wealth are never satisfied with their income.This too is meaningless. 11 As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them? 12 The sleep of laborers is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but the abundance of the rich permits them no sleep. 13 I have seen a grievous evil under the sun:wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners, 14 or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit. 15 Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil
that they can carry in their hands.

Read additional translations at Biblegateway.com or youversion.com

Reflection Questions:
Some places in Scripture reflect the temptation for even God’s people to see wealth as a sure sign of God’s favor. They found it hard to see the subtle danger of materialism, because they thought all riches were a reward from God. The writer of Ecclesiastes, though, saw clearly the basic emptiness of using “stuff” as a gauge of success.

• Have you ever had a personal experience of the truth behind the words “Those who love money never have enough”? If so, what lessons did you take away from the experience? What things most help you deal with the seemingly insatiable human craving to have “more”?
• This passage suggests that the urge to hoard wealth can harm the person who has the money or property. Have you seen the fear of losing goods or money, in yourself or someone you know, produce a compulsive search for “security”? How does this ancient wisdom point toward a different way of anchoring your life?

Read Rev. Scott Chrostek’s insights on today’s scripture at gpsinsights.wordpress.com

Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, my television, my newspaper and most of the stuff in my mailbox and inbox tug me toward measuring my value solely in terms of material things. When they do, I’m thankful that the Bible speaks very differently, and points me to your very different values. Teach me how to better listen to, and follow, your still, small voice. Amen.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society®. Used by permission of International Bible Society®. All rights reserved worldwide.

11.9.09 – Don’t choke out the good seed

Daily Scripture: Luke 8:4-8, 11-15
4While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5″A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 11″This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Read additional translations at Biblegateway.com or youversion.com

Reflection Questions:
What’s most important in your life? In this parable, Jesus said that this life creates pressures to amass material goods. A constant focus on those pressures can choke out your spiritual life. That’s why sometimes “bad news” creates the space we need to rethink our values more clearly.

• How did “the seed” of God’s Word first get planted in the soil of your life? Which of the four types of soil in Jesus’ parable best describes how the seed is growing in your life right now?
• What are the concerns or interests that most often crowd out God’s kingdom as the top priority in your life? What adjustments in attitude and values would move you further in the direction of being “good soil” for God’s Word to grow in?

Read Rev. Andrew Conard’s insights on today’s scripture at gpsinsights.wordpress.com

Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, my television, my newspaper and most of the stuff in my mailbox and inbox tug me toward measuring my value solely in terms of material things. When they do, I’m thankful that the Bible speaks very differently, and points me to your very different values. Teach me how to better listen to, and follow, your still, small voice. Amen.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society®. Used by permission of International Bible Society®. All rights reserved worldwide.

11.8.09 – When Bad News Becomes Good News

Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, my television, my newspaper and most of the stuff in my mailbox and inbox tug me toward measuring my value solely in terms of material things. When they do, I’m thankful that the Bible speaks very differently, and points me to your very different values. Teach me how to better listen to, and follow, your still, small voice. Amen.

Prayer Tip:
It’s been said if we really want to know what our priorities are, we should look at our calendar, or date book, or wherever we keep our daily appointments and “to do” lists. Open yours up and take a look. What does it tell about the things that are most important to you? In Philippians 4:12-13, Paul says that he has learned how to be content with what he has, how to live in plenty or in want. “Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” (The Message). Paul developed priorities that made him content, and knew his first priority was his relationship with God. Does daily prayer and the reading of scripture show up on your calendar or planner? Making a true appointment, written on paper or saved in an electronic file, emphasizes the importance of daily time with God. Most of us have many things competing for our time and energy. It is so easy for other meetings, tasks, or distractions to push daily prayer and scripture out to the edges of our lives. Seeing it on the calendar reminds us to protect that time from something less important, but more distracting. Set a time and a place for prayer, and hold it as your most important appointment of the day. That priority appointment with “the One who makes me who I am” can set the tone for the rest of the day and lead us to true contentment with whatever the day does or does not bring.
–Jennifer Creagar, Resurrection Prayer Ministries

Join us for worship today–click here for information on worship times and locations. If you are not in the Kansas City area, you can take part in our worship via live Web stream at live.cor.org.Download a printable version of this week’s GPS.

11.7.09 – Finding a spiritual home

Personal Application:
What was the time in your life when you had the greatest sense of “belonging”? What role did God or other people play in making that happen? What role did you play? What steps can you take to find deeper, more meaningful connections with God and with others now? How can you accept God’s invitation to be spiritually “at home” with God and with God’s people?

Family Activity:
Gather a group and play a favorite family game with a twist! Form a circle of chairs, including one for each member of the group. Play a favorite CD while others walk around the chairs in a circle. Stop the music and have everyone sit in a chair. Remove one chair and repeat the directions. You will have one less chair than person—ask your group if you should remove a person from the game so each one can have his/her own chair, or if another option exists. Consider removing another chair instead of a person. Sure, you’ll need to share with one another, but that’s the point! Keep playing and discover how much fun it can be. End by reading Galatians 6:9-10.

Prayer:
God, as one who is supposed to “have it all together,” it can be hard for me to be vulnerable enough to find true community. When I think about who Jesus hung out with, I wonder if my “image” even matters to you. It seems as though everyone felt they belonged when they were with you. Help me break down the barriers and facades I’ve built up around my heart so that I can be at home in church and community as you intended it. Amen.

11.6.09 – “The family of believers”

Daily Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10
1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If any of you think you are something when you are nothing, you deceive yourselves. 4 Each of you should test your own actions. Then you can take pride in yourself, without comparing yourself to somebody else, 5 for each of you should carry your own load. 6 Nevertheless, those who receive instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. People reap what they sow. 8 Those who sow to please their sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; those who sow to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Read additional translations at Biblegateway.com or youversion.com

Reflection Questions:
“The family of believers” is a warm, homey kind of phrase. Jesus wants all of God’s people, living in his grace and by his power, to form a true family, a spiritual home for one another. Madeleine l’Engle once described the universe as filled with a “vast, patiently-waiting love.” We can have that love filling our hearts—we can be a true family of believers.

• John Wesley built the Methodist movement by inviting people into a kind of life he called “watching over one another in love.” Are there people in your life with whom you have the kind of trust, candor and mutual support verses 1 and 2 describe? How can you make this a reality in the relationships you value most?
• How does the kind of solid material help verses 9 and 10 describe grow from the trust and spiritual support the first part of the passage talks about? What makes the difference between “charity” that makes people feel shamed and “less than,” and the type of loving help that binds hearts together?

Read Darren Lippe’s insights on today’s scripture at gpsinsights.wordpress.com

Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, with keen insight the early Hebrew storytellers showed you saying it was “not good” for a human to be alone—even in the “very good” Garden of Eden. Too many of us today feel alone in our stories. Grant me wisdom to address any causes of isolation that lie within me. Help me see more clearly the way to healthy community—in small groups I’m part of and in my congregation. Help me find the spiritual home you offer me. Amen.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society®. Used by permission of International Bible Society®. All rights reserved worldwide.

11.5.09 – Bearing fruit together

Daily Scripture: Galatians 5:13-26
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Read additional translations at Biblegateway.com or youversion.com

Reflection Questions:
It’s easy for those of us who are individualistic Americans to read these verses solely as a guide to how I can live my own Christian life. When we look more closely, though, we see that Paul says God gives us a better way of living with each other. The fruit of the Spirit helps us support and bless other Christians, and accept support and blessing in return.

• Instead of indulging in the sinful nature, this letter says, serve one another humbly in love. How can serving one another move our lives away from the kinds of actions and views Paul assigns to the sinful nature (verses 19-21)? How can serving one another make us more like Jesus?
• Read the list of the fruit of the Spirit (verse 22) aloud. How does having each of the qualities listed in your life of affect your relationships with neighbors, friends and family? How do those traits in our lives make it nearly impossible for us to keep “biting and devouring” one another (verse 15)?

Read Rev. Wendy Chrostek’s insights on today’s scripture at gpsinsights.wordpress.com

Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, with keen insight the early Hebrew storytellers showed you saying it was “not good” for a human to be alone—even in the “very good” Garden of Eden. Too many of us today feel alone in our stories. Grant me wisdom to address any causes of isolation that lie within me. Help me see more clearly the way to healthy community—in small groups I’m part of and in my congregation. Help me find the spiritual home you offer me. Amen.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society®. Used by permission of International Bible Society®. All rights reserved worldwide.

11.4.09 – God loves; we need to love

Daily Scripture: 1 John 3:11-18
11 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a fellow believer is a murderer, and you know that no murderers have eternal life in them.16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17 If any one of you has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in you? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

Read additional translations at Biblegateway.com or youversion.com

Reflection Questions:
John used strong, all-or-nothing language here. It’s a way of speaking known as “hyperbole.” Jesus used it at times—for example, when he said, “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.” John was pointing out that love is not something we do only when we feel like it. God’s aim is that we “be” love more and more—as we practice the presence of Christ.

• We love, not because we are nice people, but because we serve a God who is love (verse 16). Does basing your picture of love on Jesus and his cross change any of your concepts of what love means? In what ways is Jesus’ love different from the “luv” we hear about in pop culture?
• God’s not content to love us and leave it at that. God calls us to love one another. What insights does this passage give you into how God’s love shapes and defines the quality of love for one another that can make “church” a spiritual home? Can you identify one person you believe God is calling you to love more fully?

Read Rev. Nicole Conard’s insights on today’s scripture at gpsinsights.wordpress.com

Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, with keen insight the early Hebrew storytellers showed you saying it was “not good” for a human to be alone—even in the “very good” Garden of Eden. Too many of us today feel alone in our stories. Grant me wisdom to address any causes of isolation that lie within me. Help me see more clearly the way to healthy community—in small groups I’m part of and in my congregation. Help me find the spiritual home you offer me. Amen.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society®. Used by permission of International Bible Society®. All rights reserved worldwide.

11.3.09 – Overcome evil with good

Daily Scripture: Romans 12:9-21
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not think you are superior.17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Read additional translations at Biblegateway.com or youversion.com

Reflection Questions:
This passage begins by naming love as the central good that guides our life together. It ends by saying that not only can good keep us from evil; it can actually defeat evil. Paul wrote at a time when Rome was using its imperial power to try to wipe out Christianity. He was sure that a more lasting power was at work in the small house churches he wrote to.

• What have been your experiences with “the church?” Has your church at times lived up to many of the appealing qualities called for in these verses? Have you ever been hurt by a church that failed to live up to one or more of these qualities? How would you like to help make Resurrection more fully a “Romans 12” church?
• Examine your own life in the light of this passage. Which of the calls in these verses do you find it most difficult to live into in healthy, practical ways that are in keeping with good self-care? In which of the areas the passage talks about has God brought about the most growth and positive change in you?

Read Rev. Molly Simpson’s insights on today’s scripture at gpsinsights.wordpress.com

Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, with keen insight the early Hebrew storytellers showed you saying it was “not good” for a human to be alone—even in the “very good” Garden of Eden. Too many of us today feel alone in our stories. Grant me wisdom to address any causes of isolation that lie within me. Help me see more clearly the way to healthy community—in small groups I’m part of and in my congregation. Help me find the spiritual home you offer me. Amen.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society®. Used by permission of International Bible Society®. All rights reserved worldwide.

11.2.09 – Jesus gives us confidence

Daily Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Read additional translations at Biblegateway.com or youversion.com

Reflection Questions:
Hebrews, as its title suggests, probably spoke to Jewish Christians facing persecution. These verses use terms from the Old Testament Temple. The Most Holy Place was the place of God’s presence. The Ark of the Covenant rested there until Babylon destroyed Jerusalem. Only the High Priest could enter it, and only once a year (the Day of Atonement).

• This passage points to a crucial kind of belonging. The blood of Jesus, it says, gives us “confidence to enter the Most Holy Place.” How does that speak to ideas of a far-away, aloof God who is frightening and forbidding? How much confidence do you have that you’ve found your spiritual home with God?
• We all need encouragement to keep us going at times. That’s what the writer to the Hebrews had in mind: “let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (verse 24). When have you needed trusted people to give you a boost in your life of faith? When have you done that for someone else?

Read Rev. Andrew Conard’s insights on today’s scripture at gpsinsights.wordpress.com

Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, with keen insight the early Hebrew storytellers showed you saying it was “not good” for a human to be alone—even in the “very good” Garden of Eden. Too many of us today feel alone in our stories. Grant me wisdom to address any causes of isolation that lie within me. Help me see more clearly the way to healthy community—in small groups I’m part of and in my congregation. Help me find the spiritual home you offer me. Amen.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society®. Used by permission of International Bible Society®. All rights reserved worldwide.