Receiving September 27, 2008, worship scriptures

Scriptures for September 27, 2008
Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16
Philippians 2:1-13
Matthew 21:23-32

Part I - Receiving the Word as spirit and life for yourself
As you "take in" the Word, prepare to enjoy it and savor it, and if you don't, prepare to benefit from it anyway. It's life and spirit you are taking in as you receive the Word. There are some simple suggestions for how to do this at http://charistis.blogspot.com/2008/03/receiving-word-as-spirit-and-life.html


Part II - Reflections on this week's scriptures (one place for you to compare notes)

Prayer for Receptivity
Your Word as spirit and life is something for my heart to take in. God, You know I've been taught more, a lot more, about thinking things through than about hearting things through. Give me a receptive heart, please. Show me how to cooperate so my heart will be more and more receptive.

Exodus 17:1-7
"...there was no water for the people to drink." (vs. 1)

"Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?" (vs 3)

"So Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, 'What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!'" (vs. 4)

Consider the words and tone of what the children of Israel said (vs. 3).
Then consider the words and tone of what Moses said (vs. 4).
A why question full of judgment and blame, and coming from the head, is so much different than a cry of distress and expression of need.
What might the people have said to God instead of what they said to Moses?
How might their words have sounded if they were being "obedient to the point of death" (see this week's Philippians passage)?

Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16
"He split the rocks in the wilderness,
And gave them drink in abundance like the depths.
He also brought streams out of the rock,
And caused waters to run down like rivers." (vss. 15, 16)
Fearing death by thirst and then having abundant streams of water flow from the rock--this is very different than having plenty of water the whole time.

Philippians 2:1-13
Consolation in Christ
comfort of love
fellowship of the Spirit
affection and mercy (vs. 1)
These are words associated with feelings. Then the following verses connect these words with the mind. Verses 5-8 show that the ultimate in humility and obedience are the focus. Having the mind (Greek nous) of Christ is about something more than intellectual functioning. This passage invites a lot of growth in wholeness, a lot of appreciation of every aspect of being.

Matthew 21:23-32