Receiving March 29, 2008, worship scriptures

You are invited to receive the worship scriptures for next Sabbath or Sunday (March 29 or 30) as the case may be for you. Receiving is a simple and also many-splendored thing. Suggestions for how to receive the weekly worship scriptures are provided at http://charistis.blogspot.com/2008/03/receiving-word-as-spirit-and-life.html

The following notes are likely to mean more to you after you have received the scriptures for yourself.

Prayer for receiving
All that's been good, very good, about receiving in the past gives me hope for what receiving can become. Eyes that see; ears that hear; heart that claims. These are the receiving that I pray for. What do You want to highlight in Your Word today, God? That will be spirit and life for me.

Acts 2:14a, 22-32 (Selections and reflections)
"...hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth..." (vs. 22)
I consider with more heart and awareness than before what it was like for the followers of Jesus to tell about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The astounding joy of His resurrection, and Pentecost that followed, turn into days of _______________. What is the very best word(s) to put in that blank? Spirit-filled proclamation. That's today's choice for filling in that blank.

"...you...crucified (Him)..." (vs. 23)
"...God raise (Him) up..." (vs. 24)
Patriarch and prophet "David says concerning Him..." (vss. 29, 30 and 25)
It's a bold bundle of a proclamation. The sin of those who crucified Him is clearly stated, but it is not the primary, and certainly not the ultimate, proclamation. Even the resurrection is not the isolated focus. What the patriarch and prophet David was and said is all taken up into the proclamation. The followers of Jesus were not just excitedly telling that He was dead and is now alive. That would surely have been more than enough, wouldn't it? No. Their proclamation spanned centuries, all time in fact and into eternity past and future. The Spirit-filled followers of Jesus didn't just focus on the magnificent miracle that brought unspeakable joy. The miracle and power of Jesus' resurrection was reverently wrapped in centuries of God's word and ways in David and all of God's prophets and heavenly ministers forever (see also Luke 24:25-27). After the resurrection and Pentecost, the followers of Jesus were taken into the crescendo and momentum--what human and heavenly witnesses to God's love and power had been proclaiming forever. It was a bold bundle of a proclamation that spanned all time and eternity--or it wasn't about Jesus of Nazareth.

Psalm 16 (Selections and reflections)
"I have set the LORD always before me..." (vs. 8)
Consider how David, Jesus, and Peter each set the LORD always before him. That's immense territory for reflection. Here's something from that reflection that seems especially relevant today: "...always before me" is forward movement. They each gathered the past into the present for the sake of moving into the future. They weren't going backward; they were claiming the full size and scope of the proclamation as they moved forward.

1 Peter 1:3-9 (Selections and reflections)
"kept by the power of God through faith..." (vs. 5)
"your faith, being much more precious than gold..." (vs. 7)
"Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory..."( vs. 8)
"receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls." (vs. 9)
The italics in these selections are mine.
These verses in 1 Peter show me that faith goes with and includes the following (eventually, if not simultaneously!):
+ power of God
+ rejoicing
+ praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ
+ love for Jesus Christ
+ not seeing
+ salvation
+ joy inexpressible and full of glory
Faith is an amazing dynamic. Faith is born and thrives in the center of my whole being--in my Heart. There's a vital connection between my Heart and my faith. Both my Heart being healed and my healthy, growing faith express God's power. "...the power of God through faith..." Today these words from Peter connect the power of God and faith in a new way.

John 20:19-31 (Selections and reflections)
"'Peace be with you.'" (vs. 19)
"'Peace to you!'" (vs. 21)
"'Peace to you!'" (vs. 26)
Consider how much the followers of Jesus needed peace after His resurrection. They had the magnitude of the moment to cope with. They also had a great deal to reflect on; and to anticipate. What had happened and what was about to happen--these were big territories that could stir up a lot in, and among, them that wasn't very peaceful.

"'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" (vs. 22)

"these (signs Jesus did) are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." (vs. 31)