Receiving January 24, 2009, worship scriptures

Scriptures for January 24, 2009


Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Psalm 62:5-12
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20


Part I - Receiving the Word as spirit and life for yourself

Let the Word be what it is--spirit and life.

As you prayerfully read a passage, does a particular word or phrase stand out for you? Let that be your starting point. The spirit and life in the Word will expand forever, as you prayerfully and faithfully receive it. The following links you to a few suggestions that may help you do this: 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
Receiving Your saving distance that combines with Your saving closeness, God. Your saving distance and Your saving closeness filling these words with spirit and life--this is what I want to enter into now.


Jonah 3:1-5, 10
"So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them." (vs. 5)

"Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it." (vs. 10)


Psalm 62:5-12
"My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.
Trust in Him at all times you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us."





1 Corinthians 7:29-31
"For the form of this world is passing away." (vs. 31b)


Mark 1:14-20
"Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.'" (vss 14, 15)



Today's scriptures are short. Their brevity emphasizes their message. They show me two things: Action, and repentance as the route. The Ninevites acted; they believed and repented. Jesus preached repentance. The disciples acted; they left everything, immediately, and followed Jesus. Wealth (Psalm 62:10), grief, rejoicing--everything, including the world, is passing away. The kingdom of God is at hand. Believe God. Repent and enter the kingdom of God. From that location and with that perspective, we are prepared to remain in the world that is passing away.