Little Daily Chapel

16.2.13

Children of God

February 16, 2013

Opening Hymns:
348 Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh348.sht

Scripture Reading
Romans 10:8B-13:
“The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart.” That is, the word of faith we are proclaiming. That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Message

Today’s scripture gives me deep comfort as I read and reread the words that are written for us. All we need to do is call on the Lord and we are saved. It is so beautiful to know that everyone who believes has the same blessing of acceptance. There is no hidden membership fee, you don’t have to be a certain age, race, gender, or live in a certain place to be a child of God. As the Scripture says “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (10:13).

It is a comfort to know that we are forgiven… however, sometimes it can be hard for us to accept such a gift. It can be even hard for us to accept that others are given this same gift. Sometimes when you look in the mirror you can see all the ways you have fallen short. You may not have been perfect at work or at home. There can be things in our lives that we regret and hold on to. We know God forgives us, but we can’t always forgive ourselves. At these times, remember that we are saved, and we all have fallen short. With God’s help we can learn to heal and grow from those moments in our lives.

When we see bad decisions others make this Scripture makes life hard. Sometimes we may wish to ask, ‘Lord, even them?’ And His response will come back “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (10:13). It is hard to go through life without hurting someone, and without being hurt by someone. Sometimes we will face the challenge of needing to forgive someone else. In these moments it may help to remember God’s forgiveness, and how others have forgiven us in the past. Everyone is a child of God and we don’t need to approve of sinful actions, but I’ve heard it said “Love the sinner and not the sin.” That is how God loves us, and that is how we are to love others.

As I look over the scripture again, I am once more filled with comfort. God has not only shown us His love and acceptance, but also demonstrated a way that we can love and accept one another. Through prayer, repentance, and forgiveness each of us can heal from the wounds that sin creates. Each of us can be called children of God.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for forgiving us, and for showing us how to forgive others. As we journey through our lives let us never forget that we only need to call on You and we will be saved. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn

369 Blessed Assurance http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh369.sht

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God

Temptation

February 15, 2013

Opening Hymns:
277 Tell Me the Stories of Jesus http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh277.sht

Scripture Reading:
Luke 4:1-13

Message:

Since the day we learned right from wrong we also learned about temptation. Whether it is a child sneaking a cookie from the cookie jar even though their mom told them not to, or an adult sneaking a lie into a conversation, temptation is hard to avoid. It is comforting to know that Jesus had temptations as well. It’s even more comforting that He was able to over-come the temptations.

In the scripture lesson for today we find Jesus in the desert being tempted by the devil. I don’t know about you, but I haven’t personally been temped directly by the devil. Jesus was hungry, thirsty, and tired… that is enough to make one more susceptible to temptations. Yet he didn’t give in. He was even being tempted by Mr. Conniving himself, but He was not swayed. It is a reminder to us that with God all things are possible. The hardest temptation is overcome by God.

It is wonderful news for us. It shows us that no matter the temptations, with God’s help we will be able to overcome them too. One of the hardest temptations I’ve seen is drug addiction. It is no surprise to me that Alcoholics Anonymous is so effective at helping alcoholics become sober. It mixes scripture and prayer with support groups and mentors. God is with them and sees them past their addiction to a new life. He is with each of us as well guiding us past each temptation and showing us the way that is pleasing and beautiful to Him.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for being with us, Your children, through every temptation in our lives. Help us remember Your love and Your guiding hand as we go through each trial. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
559 Christ is made the Sure Foundation http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh559.sht

14.2.13

Delayed Gratification

February 14, 2013

Opening Hymns:
On Eagle’s Wings 143 (red hymnal)

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 91

Mathew 6:1-6 16-21

Message:

If you had a psychology class, you may remember you professor teaching about the Id, Ego, and Super Ego from Sigmund Freud’s structural model of the psyche. It was theorized that we decided which one controls our actions. The Id wants instant gratification… this part of our psyche reminds me of a toddler begging for candy or juice and throwing a tantrum. They know what they want and they want it NOW. As we grow and mature we are able to wait for our desires and we avoid uncivilized behaviors in order to get what we want, that is the Ego and Super Ego stepping in.

In Mathew 6 we are told, in a sense, to put the Id in check. We are not supposed to pray, donate, or fast in a way that gives glory to ourselves. Instead, Jesus calls us do everything in secret “Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Mathew 6:4). We are told to wait for delayed gratification. So why can’t we show people how much we give, fast, or pray? Recall, for a moment, yesterday’s scriptures. It is not necessarily the act of what we are doing but why we are doing it that makes it pleasing to the Lord. Do we donate because we want praise from everyone else for our good deeds? Or do we give because we want to help the needy just as Jesus helped the needy. If it is the latter then serving God is our reward.

If we serve God in secret we might not get praise from our fellow human beings for what we have done and our earthy reward may be limited. However, each selfless gift draws us closer to God and it helps us become more like Jesus.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, help us become more spiritually mature. Guide our thoughts and actions and let us not seek instant gratification here on earth. Instead, help our hearts focus on serving You. Let our focus be on helping and uplifting others and praising You. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh301.sht

13.2.13

Fasting

February 13, 2013

Opening Hymns:
Come Into The Holy of Holies (Red Praise Book 71)
Thy Word (Red Praise Book 234)

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 51, Isaiah 58: 1-12

Message:

What does it mean to fast? In the scriptures we hear of people not eating, or tearing their cloths and putting on sackcloth. We see this in the book of Jonah chapter 3 when Jonah tells the people of Ninevah that the city would be “overturned”… the entire city (that took 3 days to walk through) listened “They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth” (3:5). We see Jesus fasting for 40 days in Matthew 4. People fast when they are morning, hoping, repenting, and fearful.

Today the scripture gives us a deeper insight into what fasting is. It is not the act of wearing sackcloth or “bowing one’s head like a read” (Isaiah 58:5). Fasting is more than that. It starts in our heart with our desire to repent and with our desire to be closer to God. In Isaiah’s scripture God seems to be rather upset because His people think that doing the motions without feeling the feelings will be enough. He sees them hurting each other and taking advantage of the poor in the midst of their fast. He then goes on to describe what fasting is. Surprisingly, He does not list off putting on sackcloth and lying in the ashes as a fast that is pleasing to the Lord. Instead He prefers, ‘loosening the chains of injustice, setting the oppressed free, sharing food with the hungry, giving shelter to the poor, clothing to the naked, and staying true to your own flesh and blood’ (Isaiah 58:6-7).

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season. A season where people often choose to “fast” from one thing or another. As we journey through these 40 days we remember Jesus’ fast and his sacrifice to us. Throughout this season, and for the rest of the year how can we fast in a way that is pleasing to the Lord? What can we do to promote justice? How can we help those in need?

Time of Prayer

Dear Lord, guide our steps so that we may fast in a way that is pleasing to You. Let our fasting and our praying begin in our hearts and with a deep longing to be closer to You. Thank you for showing us how to fast and for teaching us to pray.

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Knowing You (More songs for Praise and Worship 30)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God