Receiving December 13, 2008, worship scriptures

Scriptures for December 13, 2008
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28

Part I - Receiving the Word as spirit and life for yourself
For suggestions about doing this, please see previous posts and the following 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
Increase my receptivity, please God. Let Your Word be spirit and life in me right now, the way You want it to be.

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
"He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted" (vs. 1)
There are things we can do about grief, but we can't really heal our own broken heart. God sent Jesus to do that. It's not that we refer people to Jesus instead of comforting them the best we can. It's just that none of us is the Ultimate Comforter. God sent Jesus to do that. Yes, sometimes Jesus becomes real and available to people through other people. Sometimes Jesus uses indirect means. But the Ultimate Comforter is Jesus--personally and directly. "He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted" is Jesus promised to heal each broken hearted one of us.

"And they shall rebuild the old ruins,
They shall raise up the former desolations,
And they shall repair the ruined cities,
The desolations of many generations." (vs. 4)
In ruined cities, children can't play safely outdoors. Ruined cities include ruined homes where children aren't safe indoors either. As the desolations of many generations compound, homes and cities are ruined. The desolations of many generations have caused, and continue to cause, more pain and suffering than we can begin to imagine. The desolations of many generations bring disease, divorce, and death with them. Experiencing the suffering that comes through the generations gives a deeper appreciation of this verse. Imagine! The desolations of many generations will be repaired! It's a wonderful thing to realize that the suffering and ruin that come down to us through the generations will be repaired.

Psalm 126
"Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing" (vss. 5-6)
Tears turn to joy; weeping turns to rejoicing. That's the movement in this and the Isaiah passage.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
"Rejoice always
In everything give thanks" (vss. 16 and 18)
The rejoicing and the thanks can be always.
"He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it." (vs. 24)
He will do what prophets and promises say He will do. He will do it. That is cause for rejoicing and thanks in the midst of everything.

John 1:6-8, 19-28
"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
He said: 'I am
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
'Make straight the way of the LORD,'"
as the prophet Isaiah said.'" (vss. 6 and 23)
During the Advent season we renew our capacity for receiving Jesus as Infant and as the soon-coming King with all the angels. Among other things, Advent is a season to identify with John, and to explore the ways that we make straight the way of the LORD. How can the path in my heart be prepared? What valleys can be exalted and what hills made low? What rough places smoothed?