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| As we enter the seventh week of Easter, countries around the world implement diverse reopening strategies after COVID-19 shut-downs. Even in these uncertain times, we rely on the stability of our faith and find sustenance in joining together for prayer, spiritual reflection, and a reading of God’s word.
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| | Tuesday, Seventh Week of Easter
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| Justice for Gentile Believers (Acts 15:10-17, NRSV)
The Home Daily Bible Readings for Monday through Saturday are selected in support of the print passage for Sunday’s lesson in the Uniform Lessons Series, ©Spring 2020.
15:10 Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
12 The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “My brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. 15 This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written,
16 ‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen;
from its ruins I will rebuild it,
and I will set it up,
17 so that all other peoples may seek the Lord—
even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called.
Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things
Some Look to Jesus (Matthew 8:18-27, NRSV)
Today’s Gospel lesson is selected from the Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer (Louisville, KY:Westminster/John Knox, 1993).
8:18 Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 A scribe then approached and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21 Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. 27 They were amazed, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?”
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| | An Attitude of Gratitude
By Rev. Dr. Kimberley A. Turner, Ph.D., M.Div., Associate Minister, Metropolitan Baptist Church
Lord God, we come boldly to the throne of grace with an attitude of gratitude. Lord, we thank You for watching over us last night and waking us up this morning. We thank You for one more day!
Lord, You are awesome! You are our Healer, Provider, Sustainer, Keeper, Burden Bearer, Heart Fixer, Bridge over troubled water, Rock in a weary land, Shelter in the time of storm, Mender of broken hearts, the Great I Am, the One who Was and Is and Is to come, the Creator, the Master Physician! Lord You are All that! There is nothing impossible for You! You told us You would never leave us nor forsake us and You are a Promise Keeper!
So, Lord we come to You acknowledging that we need You today. We ask You to forgive us of our sins of omission and commission. And just as You look beyond our faults and see our needs, we forgive those who have wronged us.
Lord, the world is out of order and only You can make it right! There is so much suffering in the world and the Covid-19 pandemic has only highlighted the inequities and disparities that are evident in access to healthcare for marginalized people. Lord, we need You to show up strong as Jehovah Rapha, our Healer, and heal the sick. Show up strong as Jehovah Shalom, our Peace, and imbue us with Your peace which surpasses all understanding to encourage our weary souls. Encamp Your ministering angels around us to protect our minds and bodies and give us the power of the Holy Spirit to endure temptation and trials with the blessed assurance that You are always with us! Lord do what only You can do, and we will give You All of the glory, honor, and praise! In the mighty matchless name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
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| Serving as a leading voice of witness to the living Christ in the public square since 1950, the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) brings together 38 member communions and more than 40 million Christians in a common expression of God's love and promise of unity. |
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