God's Vision: Reconciliation

  If someone asked you to describe your church to them, what would you say? For a lot of people, when they are faced with this question, the first thing that they think/ talk about is the physical building itself. But really, the Church is the people! The church is a collection of people involved in Kingdom minded mission and ministry. The building cannot do the work of visioning, but the people of God can.
    Therefore, as the people of God, we need to be asking ourselves what God is calling us to dig deeply into. Why has God rooted us in this particular community? How are we called to be the hands and feet of God, right here and right now?
    Sometimes before we start the working of visioning with God - seeking after God's face and will and way for us as a particular body of Christ in a particular place, we need to ask for forgiveness. To be reconciled to God for the times we have failed to be the church. For the times we have sought our own comfort and way instead of God's way.
    Other times, we may need to be honest to God about what we fear - that we will do all the hard work of listening and no one will come. That we will feel as if we failed.
    It is only once we are reconciled to God that we can start to actually listen to God and let God's heart for this community become our heart. Let start this week by praying and listening.

God's Vision: Reconciliation - Devo

August 26th, 2018

Devotional 

“God’s Vision: Reconciliation” -Genesis 45: 1-15

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Revealed Himself” - Genesis 45: 1-3

Have you ever had the experience of seeing someone in the grocery store or walking down the street and thinking to yourself ‘they look familiar’. Or maybe ‘I know them from somewhere, but I can’t remember their name.’ 

It would seem that Joseph’s brothers didn’t recognize him at all. They didn’t even think that he looked familiar - probably because they believed that there was no way, after what they had done, that he was alive all these years later.

Yet, Joseph was alive. He was standing right in front of them. And after years of playing cat and mouse, he finally had the opportunity to make himself known to them. Jospeh wanted this to be an intimate moment - it touched his heart so deeply that he wept - and made everyone else leave. This was just for him and his brothers. 

For Joseph, the intimate part of himself that he was revealing was that he was Joseph. That he was still alive. But it made me wonder what intimate parts of our heart we need to reveal today? Could it be that we are compelled, just as Joseph was with his identity, to reveal our true identity as children of God as well? We can only hide our faith for so long, before we will have to face such opportunities to make ourselves known. 

How do you let people know about your faith in God?

What can we learn from Joseph’s example in this particular passage about discussing our faith with others?

Prayer: Loving God, some days it just seems so easy to hide our identity as your children. We choose to act like everyone else - out of fear, out of our desire to fit in. Yet, O God, you have called us apart. Let us lovingly be able to discuss our faith with others in a way that open up hearts and minds. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Don’t be Angry with Yourselves” - Genesis 45: 4-5

No matter what translation of the Bible I read these particular verses in, I’m always struck by the care and concern that Joseph shows for his brothers. These were folks that contemplated killing him, and decided to sell him into foreign enslavement instead. How many times over the past decades had his anger rose up against them? How many times did he think about them? 

But when the time comes for them to be reconciled face to face - he shows his deep care and concern for them. He asks how their father is doing. He tells them, in powerful words, to forgive themselves, because no matter what their intentions were, God wove everything together for something bigger than any of them could imagine. 

The type of forgiveness that Joseph showed towards his brothers is not something that we can demand or legislate. It has to come out of the fruit of our relationship with Christ. Often we make things, like forgiveness, in the local church seem so simple, when really they are complex and flow out of our heart being touched by God’s heart. 

Do you find it easy or hard to forgive? Why?

Prayer:  Lord, we confess that sometimes, we just don’t want to forgive. And other times we throw around the words “I forgive you” without our heart actually being in it. Forgive us, O Lord, and lead us to the place where we can bear the fruit of forgiveness because of our relationship with you. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. 

Wednesday: “God Sent Me” - Genesis 45: 6-8

If given the choice, how many of us would be able to see God’s plan if we were put in a situation like Joseph? How many of us, if given the opportunity, would be able to respond as Jospeh did to his brothers in this passage of scripture?

One of the things that can be so distructive for our faith, is the thought that once we become a Christian nothing bad will happen to us. There seems to be this belief that if only we trust in and follow God, then we will be set the rest of our days. Only that isn’t how life works. Hardships still come. Diagnosises still appear. Trials still are part of living. 

Instead, what if we were able to look at situations, however difficult they may be and admit, yes, this not where we prefer to be, but that we trust that God is with us in the midst of all of it - no matter what. 

Jospeh was able to see a very particular purpose in his situation - that he was able to interpret the dream of the Pharaoh in such a way that Egypt was able to prosper during the famine and because of that he now had the opportunity to feed his brothers. We may not be able to see what will come out of our particular situation, but even if we can’t see the end result, we can still lean into the presence of God in the moment. 

How have you sensed the presence of God when you were going through a difficult time?

Prayer: Lord, we so desire that life is easy and when it doesn’t go as planned we can become dismayed. Help us to have the faith of Joseph, that leans into your grace and presence even in difficult situations. Be with us Lord, we pray. Amen. 

Thursday: “Hurry!” - Genesis 45: 9-11

God was able to reveal to Joesph the purpose of his current situation in order to give him a vision for the present and the future. Joseph may not have even understood fully what was going on until this particular moment, when he realized that he could provide for his family in a meaningful way because of how God had provided for him. 

Sometimes the vision God has for us is like that as well - coming in an instant. Other times it is revealed to us, piece by piece over time. But we should be praying for the vision of God to come to us as a community of faith so that we can be both faithful and fruitful for such a time as this. Who knows what a blessing we can be to our community, if only we seek together after the vision God has for us. 

What vision is God revealing to us for the Church?

How do see God weaving together the past and present to propel us into the future?

Prayer: Lord, help us to continually be seeking after your will and way - your vision for us as a church. Reveal to us as you will and when you will, so we can faithfully follow after you. Amen. 

Friday: “Embraced” - Genesis 45: 12-15

There are many signs of reconciliation - for Jospeh and his brothers in was weeping and embracing. They wept for years gone by and for new opportunities. They clung to each other as a sign of forgiveness. 

What signs will we offer to God for our reconciliation? Let us offer renewed hearts, listening years, and spirits that yearn to follow after the will of God. 

What signs of reconciliation do you offer to God today?

Prayer: God, we thank you for your ability to forgive us. As we often say in our communion liturgy, when our hearts strayed, you remained faithful. Thank you, O Lord, for not giving up on us and inviting us to be reconciled to you so we can go out to proclaim your name. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Joy Together: Thankfulness” - Col 3: 15-17

Family Activity: Talk about forgiveness. How can we learn to forgive others? To forgive ourselves? Why do we need to forgive? 

Sabbath, Study, Serve

Sabbath, Study, Serve 

Taking the Sermon Into Our Week 

Scripture of the Week: Genesis 45: 1-15 (Genesis 41-45)

From the Sermon:

The world around us is _____________.

Genesis tells the story of _________ people being used by God.

 If anyone had a right to be angry at his brothers, ________  did.

What you intended for ______, God intended for ______.

God’s vision for the Church involves ____________.

Reflection Questions:

How has the world around us changed in the last 5 years? 10 years? 50 years?

How has the community in which the church is located changed?

What do we need to let go of in order to be reconciled to the vision God is giving us?

What do we need to focus on in order to be the church for the next generation?

Who are we being called to be for such a time as this?

Prayer:

Lord, we confess that sometimes seeking after your heart, your vision, is so hard. We get caught up in wishing that things would just be like they were in the past instead of looking towards the future. We let our own desires and emotions block us from seeing with your eyes, your heart. We ask this week, O Lord, that you help us confess those areas in our lives that have blocked us form visioning with you in order to make room for what you are doing amongst us, here and now, Precious Lord. Amen. 

God’s Vision: It’s Not Always Easy

   I think if you would have asked the patriarch Jacob, he would have wished that his life would have been easier. One mishap after another seemed to propel him into place and situations that he would rather not be. He was chased out of town by his brother, Esau, whom he tricked out of both his birthright and blessing. He went to live with his Uncle Laban, who tricked him into marrying the daughter he didn't want, and to working many more years to marry the woman he desired. He eventually left Laban's only to be pursued and accused of stealing the family God. He thought his brother Esau was going to kill him once they were reunited. Which brings us to Jacob's experience today, where he wrestled for a blessing with a divine being.
   What is interesting though, is Jacob needed all of these experiences to help make him into the leader of Israel, the one who brought forth the 12 sons of the 12 tribes. If one was missing, his life may have went very differently.
    How true is this of us as well? How many of us prefer, if not even pray for, smooth lives, but the truth is if they went as smoothly as we desired we may just be missing out on a blessing from God? God's vision for us, both as individuals and as a church, is not always easy, yet it does bear fruit for the Kingdom of God, if we trust and follow. The question is if we will seek the smooth way or God's way, starting this very day.

“God’s Vision: It’s Not Always Easy” - Gen 32: 22-31 Devo

August 19th, 2018

Devotional

“God’s Vision: It’s Not Always Easy” - Gen 32: 22-31

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Stayed Apart” - Genesis 32: 22-24

Jacob has had a rough go in life. He seems to be on the run in scripture. Running away from his homeland out of fear of his brother, Esau. Running away from his Uncle Laban, who he worked for throughout the years and married his daughters, Rachel and Leah. Now he is running straight on into the unknown, as he anticipates returning to his homeland and potentially his conflict with Esau. 

Jacob didn’t know what lie ahead for him and his family on the other side of the river. He dived up his wives and children and possessions and set the over the river in small clusters, until he was the only one left - set apart. It was in this place of loneliness and contemplation that we are told that he wrestled with a man until day break. 

Often we don’t seek out places of loneliness and contemplation very often. We get stuck in the cycle and schedules of our days, until we finally recognize the deep stirring of need in our souls for solitude - for a time set apart. But even when we give into these times of being set apart, we often have expectations of how they should go - and rarely does that involve a time of spiritual wrestling. Yet, that may be just what God is inviting us into - a time of spiritual wrestling in order to emerge with a new blessing. 

What does spiritual wrestling mean to you?

Tell of a time when you were intentionally alone with God. How did that time go? What did you learn/ experience?

Prayer: God, we know that there is a deep need within each of our hearts to spend time apart with you. Yet, all time often we ignore these yearnings as we get swept up in our daily schedules. Tune our hearts into our spiritual needs and create space for time in solitude and contemplation with you, our Lord and our Savior. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Bless Me” - Genesis 32: 25-26

We are told that the man, which is sometimes referred to as God and other times as an angel, could not defeat Jacob. We can easily mis-interpret this. But Jacob’s “win” in the wrestling match with the Divine, is not a sign of God’s weakness. Rather it is God wrestling with Jacob over this man’s identity, and ultimately prevailing. God came out victorious.

For Jacob emerged from this time asking for a blessing. Just as Jacob stole his brother’s blessing so long ago, he had no idea what this particular blessing would entail. When you look at blessings throughout scripture, they could include a lot of different things, all up to the one bestowing the blessing to decide. 

A blessing is a risk of sorts. It may not be what we expect, yet it may be exactly what we need. 

What is an unexpected blessing that you received in your life? 

Prayer:  Lord, help us to embrace the risk of blessing. Open us up to asking what you wish to give us this day, instead of simply presenting the list of all that we desire. Bless us, in a way that furthers your mission and Kingdom, we pray. Amen. 

Wednesday: “Name” - Genesis 32: 27-28

“So he said to him, ‘what is your name?’ And he said, ‘Jacob.’ Then the man said, ‘You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans and you have prevailed.”

Let’s refresh our memories on Jacob’s past, it was sketchy at best. He pretended to be his brother, Esau, thus lying to and deceiving his dying Father into giving him the birthright of the first son. The word “right” in this words means just that, it is Esau’s inheritance, and Jacob for all practical purposes stole it from him. Esau becomes angry, and Jacob runs. Jacob is a deceiver.

But before we start to criticize Jacob for what he has done to his family, we need to pause and ask ourselves who are we deceiving? Because all too often we deceive others and ourselves, by denying who we are, who God has created us to be. We try so hard to fit in with this crowd or to live up to that image, that the beautiful person God shaped for a unique person, becomes marred if not completely shunned. Like Jacob, God is asking us what our name is. Our name is something unique to us and cannot be severed from our personal stories. Our first name holds the story of our life - with its trials, ambitions, and wonderful moments. Our sir name tells an even longer story of our heritage and family. Our nicknames tell of those private and sometimes embarrassing, but always intimate moments. Our name tells our story.

But God renames Jacob Israel, meaning the one who strives with God. God took the deceiver and said this is not how I see you, you are a man who follows me, desiring my heart and my blessing. God changed both his name and his very identity. 

Do you know the story behind your name? 

How are name and identity inter-related?

Prayer: Lord, we thank you that you see who we are, but will not let us remain how we are. You, Precious Lord, invite us into a life changing relationship with Jesus, that changes our very identity. Help us to live into who you call us to be. Amen. 

Thursday: “Seen God” - Genesis 32: 29-30

There is a difference between recognizing someone's name and knowing their name. When I know someone's name, I know something meaningful, true, and deep about them. Honestly, even with my closest friends, I'm still getting to know them, and there are things that I learn about my family that are new just about every day. Yet, we try to circumvent this process with a name tag. Is there any hope for intimacy if we aren't willing to take the time, even to introduce ourselves and ask someone their name?

You are called to be in a relationship with Christ. When you enter a human relationship you both retain your own personality while making a third identity of you as a couple. Such it is with our relationship with the Lord. We maintain our own identity, but slowly the identity of you with Christ overtakes you, thus you still maintain a piece of yourself. And when you look at finding your identity in Christ this way, then you will see that what your identity in Christ looks like will never be the same as what someone else in Christ will look like, because God is writing your story differently from everyone else. When we see God, we are changed by God, just as Jacob was so long ago. 

What is a holy experience you had where you experienced God in a life changing way?

Prayer: Lord, we thank you that we have experiences in our lives that we can point to and proclaim “I have seen God there!” Or “I experienced God in this way!”. Help us to remember those life changing moments, moments that define us and reshape us. And use those moments through us to testify to your goodness and grace to others. Amen. 

Friday: “Limping” - Genesis 32: 31

All too often, we don’t talk about how blessings change us. Jacob left his encounter with the Divine limping away. We want to be changed, but only in certain ways. We don’t want to have to give up what we cherish. We want to only be slightly and changed in ways that benefit us. 

But when God changes us, God changes all of us. It is not always what we expect and it is not always easy, yet it is exactly what we need. God doesn’t just change us in outward ways, but in our inward being. And the change marks us in a way that declares that we are children of God. Are we willing to be changed in such a way?

How has Christ changed your life? 

Prayer: God of all power and authority, we submit our lives to you this day and say that we are ready for a change. We are ready for Christ to change us to a way that radically alters who we are, no matter what. Change our heart, O God! Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “God’s Vision: Reconciliation” -  Genesis 41-46.

Family Activity: What do you do when something isn’t easy? Sometimes when we try new things in life it is difficult. What helps you to keep trying?

Sabbath, Study, Serve - Taking the Sermon Into Our Week - Genesis 32: 22-31

Sabbath, Study, Serve 

Taking the Sermon Into Our Week 

Scripture of the Week: Genesis 32: 22-31

From the Sermon:

 Stories ________.

The blessing Jacob received - ________________________.

Our ______ and our _________ are unique.

God wants you to fully ________  who you were ________ to be in order to ______ God.

Reflection Questions:

Have you ever wrestled with God?

Prayer:

God, sometimes your visions for us require a change - a change of heart, a change in name. Sometimes they require us to turn around and go the other way or to make a sacrifice we weren’t anticipating. Strengthen us for whatever may lie ahead and help us embrace you way and will, even if it is not always easy. Amen. 

God's Vision: Going Places

   Sometimes we can be our own worst enemies when it comes to allowing God to show us God sized visions and dreams. We get caught up in what we think we are capable of. What we already have the money for. What we could do easily, with little effort. But when we start with ourselves, and our our own capabilities, we could so easily claim all of the credit.
    On the other hand, when we start with God, we find that Biblical visions are large, scary large. So large that there is no way that we would be able to do them all our own. When we look for God's vision, we know that God will get all of the credit.
   What type of vision are you seeking this day - you size or God-sized?

God's Vision: Going Places Devo

August 12th, 2018

Devotional

“God’s Vision: Going Places” - Genesis 28: 10-22

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Certain Place” - Genesis 28: 10-11

Jacob is on the run. He has angered his brother, Esau, and now with the blessing on his parents he is on the way to stay with his mother’s brother, Laban. Along the way, he grew weary, and at a certain place he stopped to spend the night. 

And at that certain place, God showed up in a mighty way in the life of Jacob. God came with a vision. It may have been a certain place for Jacob, just somewhere to lay his head, but for God it was a holy place, sacred, and set apart for such a moment as this. 

How many places that we go throughout our days, feel just like certain places? Those places we find ourselves day in and day out - the grocery store? The school? The laundry mat? They seem so ordinary, yet with God they are holy places - set apart for Kingdom work, if only we open up our eyes and spirits for the movement of God. 

Where are some every day places for you where God shows up?

How does God transform those places?

Prayer: Most Holy and Precious Lord, we thank you that you walk with us throughout our days. We ask, O Lord, that you interrupt our ordinary moments with your extraordinary grace. We ask for new eyes to see as you see and new hearts to perceive, so we can serve you wherever we may find ourselves. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Jacob’s Ladder” - Genesis 28: 12-14

Jacobs Ladder is many things - a movie. A wooden game. A song. But above all it is what this scripture is describing - the connection between heaven and earth that Jacob experienced that night long ago with the dream he had. A dream with a promise and a call upon Jacob’s life. 

Perhaps Jacob grew up hearing his father talk about his grandfather, Abraham and his grandmother Sarah. Maybe he grew up hearing the tale recounted about how God was going to make his family more numerous than the stars. But even if he heard it before, God came and reiterated it this point in time, saying: I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying.

I was recently talking to a friend who said that the story of the Bible seems to be about people forgetting - forgetting about God and stumbling into sin. Forgetting that they are God’s people. And in the case of Jacob in this scripture, I would add, forgetting the generational promises of God. Sometimes we need profound experiences in our lives to remind us of those promises so we can cling anew to the grace of our God. 

What are some of the promises of God that you cling to?

Prayer:  Lord, we confess that sometimes we are a fickle people. Sometimes we so easily seem to forget the promises you have for us. Prompt us to explore your word, anew, so we can cling to your promises contained there for us, we pray. Amen. 

Wednesday: “With You” - Genesis 28: 15

God gave Jacob this amazingly large vision - his descendants would be like the dust of the earth - spreading out everywhere and through those numerous descendants, too numerous to count, the nations would be blessed. 

Notice how God follows up with that vision - reassuring Jacob that God was both with him and will protect him wherever he may go.

I was once told that we know that a vision is from God when it seems so big that is beyond our comprehension and it scares us a little. It is beyond our comfort zone and it takes courage to live into. Visions from God require us to trust God - both trusting that God is with us now and God will be with us in the future. 

What does your trust in God lead you to do?

What are some visions that you have been called to by God?

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for promising both Jacob and us that you will be with us and will protect us. We know that your protection does not mean that things will always be easy, but it does mean that you will never leave us alone. Help us to trust you more and more each day, Precious Lord. Amen. 

Thursday: “In this Place” - Genesis 28: 16-19

I am struck by how Jacob responded to this vision by God. His first response isn’t to ask what just happened. Or to start to doubt what took place. Instead, it was to praise God. To proclaim that the Lord was definitely in this place. 

We live in a time when it seems like we doubt big visions that come from God. We worry about what other people will think. Or how will answer the questions they may have for (let alone the questions we may have as well). We start to make excuses about why the vision can’t come to pass - that we don’t have enough or that we aren’t are enough. But Jacob reminds us that our first response when we receive a vision from God is to praise God - to proclaim that the Lord is definitely in this place. 

What are some of your responses when you have a holy moment or a holy call upon your life?

Prayer: Lord, you thank you for inviting us to be part of your Kingdom work. We thank you, O Lord, for the times you call us to do new things and reach out to new people with your Word. Embolden us to praise you, O God, for your call and vision in our lives. Use us, we pray. Amen. 

Friday: “The Promise” - Genesis 28: 20-22

Jacob goes on after praising God to make a promise with God - that if God lives into God’s promise to protect Jacob on this journey then Jacob promises that he will worship God. As a sign of that promise he made a stone pillar - declaring this area to be a holy place. 

What promises do we make to God? Do we promise to follow God? Or to worship God? Or to listen to God? And how often do we not live into our promises, when we become distracted or busy or things don’t go our way? 

Let us say with our entire beings that we, too, will worship God, simply because God is worthy of our worship!

Why do you worshipGod?

What promises do you make to God? Do you find it difficult or easy to keep these promises?

Prayer: God, you are worthy of our praise and worship just because of who you are! Let us bow down before you this day and sing your praises to all we meet! In Jesus’s name! Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “God’s Vision: It’s Not Always Easy” - Genesis 31 and 32. 

Family Activity: There is a Spiritual written about Jacob’s Ladder. Sing the song together and talk about what lessons it reminds us of about this week’s scripture lesson:

We are (we are)

Climbing (climbing)

Jacob's ladder

We are (we are)

Climbing (climbing)

Jacob's ladder

Soldier (soldier)

of the cross

Ev'ry round goes higher higher (x2) / soldier of the cross

Sinner do you love my Jesus (x2) / soldier of the cross

If you love Him why not serve Him (x2) / soldier of the cross

Do you think I'd make a soldier (x2) / soldier of the cross

Faithful prayer will make a soldier (x2) / soldier of the cross

Sabbath, Study, Serve - 08/12

Sabbath, Study, Serve 

Taking the Sermon Into Our Week 

Scripture of the Week: Genesis 28: 10-22 (Genesis 27-28)

From the Sermon:

We look at people in scripture like ________  and realize that if _____ can use them, then God can use ____.

Do we seek _______  that are so _____ that we know that they have to from ______?

___________  visions like this - they are so large that they ____________________________ among us and call for us to ______ God. 

Reflection Questions:

What was the vision that God gave Jacob? How was his vision connected to the convent with Abraham?

Do we have a vision of who God is calling us to be? Not just any vision, but a God-sized vision?

How are we limiting ourselves by what we think we can do instead of dreaming of what God wants to do through us?

Do we know the needs of people around us church? Does our heart break for this community? Do we want people to come to know Jesus and what are we willing to do about it?

Prayer:

Lord, we want not just any vision, but your vision. We confess, that at times, Precious Lord, we have dreamed too small. We have thought of what we can easily do, instead of seeking what you may be calling us to do. So, we come before you this day, and ask that you start to reveal your vision to our hearts, so we can make your Kingdom known. Amen. 

God's Vision: Covenant

     There are countless stories of God's vision being revealed to God's people in scripture. This week, we looked at the story of Abram, specifically when he was re-named Abraham. Of course, Abraham was so overwhelmed by the plan of God for his life and his family, in the present and in the future, that all he could do was laugh. And laugh. And laugh.
     I have to wonder, what keeps us from God's vision, currently. I have seen a lot of churches try different things over the years to grow. The newest program. Whatever the church down the street is doing. But the one's that I have seen grow spiritually, are those who earnestly pray for God's vision to be revealed to them and then actually do it.
     But its so much easier to try the next hottest thing, then to seek the face and will of God. Why? Because God's vision often requires that we set ourselves aside - set aside our plans and our desires - for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Something that is easy to say, but a lot harder to do.
    Are we willing to risk paying for God's vision. Are we willing to pray that God's vision be revealed to us and then act upon it? Will we follow, together, after the heart of God?

God's Vision: Covenant Devo

August 5th, 2018

Devotional

“God’s Vision: Covenant” - Genesis 17: 1-16

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Covenant” - Genesis 17: 1-4

  The Old Testament tells the story over and over again about the need for the people to re-establish a relationship with a holy God. It’s the story of God who made way after way for the nations to come to the Holy One, but repeatedly they turned away, wanting to go about things in their own timing and by their own means. 

  One of the ways that God tried to draw the people back was by forming and relying on covenants. Covenants are promises, blessings, or commandments, made between two or more parties that can essentially say what is expected of each party. One of the images that comes to mind often with the word covenant is the promise God made with Israel when rescuing them from the hands of the Egyptians, saying that they would be his people and he would be there God.

  But well before that covenant was made, we had today’s covenant between God and Abram. Abram is being told that if he leaves that land that he has known and follow where God leads, God will make him the father of nations. His name will be great and will be known by kings and rulers. The sign of this covenant, the blessing of God, was to be the circumcision of males, as an outward sign of an inward promise. 

  What are some of the covenants that we have in our lives today?

How are these similar and different from our covenants with God?

Prayer: Jesus, while we may no longer have the same outward sign of an inward promise as Abram had with God, we know that baptism, too, is a covenant.  A promise we make with you and with the community of faith. Reminds us this day of our baptismal vows and embolden us to live into them. 

Tuesday: “What’s in a Name” - Genesis 17: 5

Names are important because they are to be a reflection of who we are. However, I think that we have lost some of the power of names in our culture. Did you ever notice that when you used to ask people about their name they would tell you a story - of a dear family member or friend that they were named after? Now it seems more names are coming from lists of what are popular at the time instead of stories. We have lost some of the power of names.

  But it wasn’t that way in the Old Testament. Names were of the upmost importance. Especially when God re-names people.You are not who you once were. God renames people to show a change within them, a change that it vital to who they will be. God’s vision embodied, if only they will follow

What is the significance of Abram being re-named Abraham?

Prayer: Lord, as we reflect today on the power of names, we praise you. We thank you that you rename each of us as well, inviting us to be named as your own through the power of baptism. Take us unto yourself, Precious Lord, and use us to live out your vision in our churches, homes, and communities, we pray. Amen. 

Wednesday: “I Will” - Genesis 17: 6-8

What I love about this promise that God is making with then Abraham is that God has to know that this promise is being made with broken people. Even as great as Abraham will become, God knows that he isn’t perfect. He and Sari are certainly going to screw up along the way, yet God chooses them anyway, and takes their brokenness and redeems it for the sake of the nations.

  As another sign of this blessing God says all the things that God will do for them and in them. See covenants aren’t initiated by the people, friends, they are started by God and are above a sign of God’s faithfulness towards us.

What reminders do you have of God’s promises and faithfulness towards you?

Prayer: Lord, we trick ourselves into thinking that we are in control. That we have it all together. That everything we do is of our own hand. Break us from this disbelief, O Lord, and open up our eyes to see your hand of blessing and promise in our lives. Amen. 

Thursday: “A Sign” - Genesis 17: 9-14

Here’s this couple, well into their 90s, past child bearing years, being told that they would  be the father and mother of nations even though they currently didn’t even have one child. But God is in control. God is telling them that their name would be made known, even though currently they weren’t known to anyone as they wandered from place to place, but God is in control. They were told that they would have a place because of God, even though right now they were nomadic, but God is in control. And the outward sign of all of this was circumsion. 

When we come to Jesus, as broken as we may be, Jesus says “you are mine”. When we come to Jesus, we are reminded that it isn’t by what we have done, but by the love of God. In the Gospel of John we find, “you did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appoint you to go and bear much fruit.” And our outward sign is baptism. 

Our covenant with Christ, like that covenant Abram and God made so long ago, changes us. We may not have  a name change, but our lives change. How we perceive ourselves change. God takes the brokenness in our lives and uses it, yes even our brokenness, for the sake of the Kingdom of God. People around us notice the change in our hearts and God uses us to spread the Good News.

How has your relationship with Christ changed you?

What are the outward signs of these inward changes?

Prayer: Lord, we come today to repent. To confess the times that we have not lived into our covenant with you. The times we have looked more at the outward symbols then the inward changes. Renew us. Remind us. And transform us, we pray. Amen. 

Friday: “Come From” - Genesis 17: 15-16

God wasn’t finished, yet, though. God continued on in explaining the covenant by re-naming Sarai as well. God’s vision kept expanding, kept growing, until Abraham couldn’t miss the fact that not only would he and Sarah be blessed, but the nations. 

Sometimes we miss out on God’s vision because we only want to hear how it will effect us. How it will grow us. But God’s vision is limitless and can transform so many lives, if only we are obedient. 

Let us join together in praying that God’s vision be revealed us to us and that we have the faithfulness to be obedient to its leading. 

  How can God use us to bless the world?

Prayer: Lord, we come this day seeking your vision. Not just a vision for us, but a vision for this town, this community, this world. Help us see, glimpse by glimpse how your grace can work in and through us to transform people’s lives. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “God’s Vision: Going Places” - Genesis 27 and 28. 

Family Activity: Tell your children the history behind your name, if you know it. Then tell them how you chose their name. Why are names important?