The Trinity Daily Devotion

May 24, 2012

2012-05-25T02:04:32Z

Sister Frances D Harris, MIT
Deuteronomy 8:3 NRSV

Going To School

The amazing thing about verse three is that the creator is always our teacher. We are fed physically and spiritually by the word of God. There are challenges in the classroom of the spirit especially when we think that YHWH is going in one direction and we turn in that direction YHWH is nowhere to be found. It’s important for us to remember that YHWH is the teacher and s/he directs us in phenomenal ways. We need to understand that YHWH is our strength, strong tower and liberator as s/he shapes the kingdom here on earth. As disciples our responsibility is to follow the commands that we receive as we walk, talk, and live our faith.

Prayer

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. KJV

Reflection

Continue to do your homework

May 22, 2012

2012-05-25T02:02:21Z

Rev. Dr. Zenobia Brooks
Psalm 121

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from which comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever.

Lift up Your Eyes

Psalms 121 is the anticipation and assurance of Divine Help and trust. It shows that the psalmist depends entirely upon God who made heaven and earth. God is all powerful and we have no need to fear. Jehovah God watches over the destiny of his people. God preserves our coming into the world and God will see us through the crossing of the threshold into his eternal care. “A woman whose work demanded constant reading began to have difficulty with her eyes, so she consulted a doctor. After an examination he said, "Your eyes are just tired; you need to rest them." "But," she replied, "That is impossible in my type of work." After a few moments the doctor asked, "Do you have windows at your workplace?" "Oh, yes," she answered with enthusiasm. "From the front windows I can see the noble peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and from the rear windows I can look out at the glorious foothills." The physician replied, "That is exactly what you need. When your eyes feel tired, go look at your mountains for10 or 20 minutes—the far look will rest your eyes!" What is true in the physical realm is true in the spiritual realm. The eyes of the soul are often tired and weary from focusing on our problems and difficulties. An upward look at God’s majestic creations will restore our spiritual perspective during times when we feel overwhelmed by life's troubles. If we look to the Lord’s word and pray; he will put our problems in perspective and renew our strength. The truest vision is our soul-vision. Looking up to God earnestly, clears our vision and enable us to ask God for help. Looking to God will help us to seek him in our sins and sorrows.

Prayer

Most awesome, majestic, omnipresent God, thank you for always being present in our lives. Help us to remember to lift up our eyes to you and take a far look to the mountains, to the heavens to all you have created. Help us to remember that these are your creations and yours along. Help us to remember we too are your creation and to remember that you know us better than we know ourselves. Restore our spiritual perspective and renew our courage and strength when we are overwhelmed by life’s troubles. We ask these and all blessings in your holy and precious name. Amen

Reflection

Lifting our eyes and looking up to God gives us x-ray vision. Lift up our eyes!

May 14, 2012

2012-05-14T23:31:47Z

I John 5:14-15 (NRSV)

“Jesus said to them; my food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work.” John 4:35 (NRSV) “And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the request made of him.”

God’s Will; Will Be Done!

The triumphs and challenges of living our lives daily often reflect the questions that are connected to God’s Will or the Will of God for our lives. We as people face at any given moment share expressions of “our will” to do it our way or a heartfelt desire to know and do it (life that is) God’s way! The truth of the matter is that no matter how things may appear, God’s will, will be done either through and with us, or in spite of us. The will of God can be defined in one way as “ the expression of God’s desire or intention. It may be considered the “highest good” of all things and operates to defeat evil universally. Where we as God’s people stand is when we became aware of the internal source of power (the Holy Spirit) through which our choices are made. Jesus our example and way maker with the help of the Spirit understood totally what he was given and chosen to do. He was filled with an internal intent that produced the highest good of external results – transformed lives! Some examples of what God’s will is and does: It is the ultimate solution to any problem or challenge. It is the presence of His Presence. The Spirit led prayer given “let your will be done on earth as in heaven.” It is God saying “ I know what I have planned for you, good and not evil which provides a future full of hope”! The presence, prayers and peace, is the power that moves us how, when and where God desires us to be. The will of God is not the result of any accident, coincidence or luck, but is rooted and grounded as very intentionally direction-focused. Our situations and circumstances are not merely about being in the right or wrong places at the right or wrong times. The will of God is such that we are divinely positioned when and where God needs and wants us to be! As God gives us a fresh, daily, wholesome, fulfilling and life affirming doses of grace and mercy, let us be reminded that the sovereign Will of God - Will be done!

Prayer

Thank you God that you have promised through the power of your Spirit within that your will and way will always be made known and done. Amen Word for the Day – No hard heads, stone hearts or misguided intentions can diminish or stop the sovereign “Will of God” – always present and persistent!

May 12, 2012

2012-05-14T23:26:36Z

Isaiah 52:9

Break into song! Boom it out, ruins of Jerusalem: "GOD has comforted his people! He's redeemed Jerusalem!"

OFF-KEY

This text brought to mind how there are times when a vocalist may sing off-key. For some reason we can hear these sounds above the rich harmony of the melody. This may occur when the singer has not taken care of their voices. When they have failed to exercise their vocal chords! It can also be caused by not breathing right and inevitably causing the wrong note or key emerge. To sing one needs to handle their voice with care, because just like any instrument improper handling will result in singing off-key.

Are you in ruins destroyed by the trials and challenges of daily living? Do you feel abandoned, afraid, cast off and forsaken? Then Isaiah is inviting us to sing and raise our voices despite our situations. He is telling us to take comfort in knowing that God is getting ready to change things. We are in the midst of growth, our position is secure and restoration is happening. God is moving us toward reconciliation, through compassion and everlasting love. Now that’s something to sing about!

Lord we sing when our hearts are in despair
Lord we sing because we know you care
Lord we shout for the comfort that you bring
Lord today for your blessings we shout and we sing.

May 11, 2012

2012-05-14T23:23:30Z

Dorian Robinson, MIT
1 John 4: 7-8

⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Love Never Fails

As I continue to grow in the understanding of God I am really learning how important it is for us to love each other. I looked up the word “love” in the dictionary and there were many definitions, but there was none like the understanding I got more importantly from the scriptures 1 John 4:7 through 5:5. Take it from me my brothers and sisters the dictionary does not give the word love any power it just ties sexuality into its meaning, but there is a greater meaning and power that is in how God defines love. In 1 John 4:8 that scripture says “God is love”. This tells me that Love is more powerful than hate. You can even be an overcomer, a victor just because you have the ability to love when you could choose to hate! This also tells me that loves is eternal because God is eternal! It is obvious to me that there is dichotomy that exists here, at least in terms of the love that man has, and the love that God gives. If we my brothers and sisters had to make a choice I would choose to love like God does, but that may not be easy choice to make if we let our flesh get in the way.

Sometimes we as Christians can find ourselves looking for love in all the wrong places. We should check the bible for it says in John 3: 16 That God so loved the world that he gave His one and only son for us; in John 15:13 the bible also says “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friend; Psalm 136:36 says “Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.” So when you tell someone you love them tell them you love them with the love of the Lord!

Prayer

Oh heavenly Father it is clear to me without you there would be no love. For in you is love, my God! Help us to know and understand that the true meaning of love comes from you not from a dictionary. Your love for us is unconditional. Thank you Father for the greatest gift of love toward us, your Son Jesus the Christ! Amen.

Reflection

The Ephesians did not fully grasp God's love for them because they felt like orphans instead of family. If this is true of you, prayerfully study, and seek out the scriptures on God's love for you. As you read, ask God to help you believe, and accept the wonders of his mighty love for us and that love never fails.

May 9, 2012

2012-05-10T04:10:48Z

Patricia Novick
John 15:12-17

¹² My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command. ¹⁵ I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. ¹⁷ This is my command: Love each other.

Honor the command

This is one of the most powerful passages in the Bible, in which Jesus describes the essence of his divine message. I’d like to look at just one small part of it, maybe from a different perspective than we are used to. When Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends,” we think immediately of his sacrifice on the cross for us. And we think of others, too, who have died for others. Too many of them, in wars and other forms of violence. But Jesus does not require us to die to express our love. His command is to love each other, not to die for each other. Dying is not the only form of love we have to give. And so I choose to see that phrase—“to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”—as also meaning the willingness to set aside what we think of as “our life” to be in service to others. To forget about whatever we are doing or planning to do, and instead to be completely available to a friend on his or her journey. How many times has a friend in need asked us for help and we have felt “too busy” to truly be there Too busy with “our life” to honor Jesus’s command. How often are we “too busy” with other things to visit our sick, help feed our hungry, help ease the pain of the isolated and lonely, stand up for justice? In those circumstances we can choose to “lay down our lives,” setting aside what seems important at the moment to honor our higher Christian calling. We can always pick our lives back up again. Whatever it was that seemed so important to us is not as important as what Jesus commanded.

Prayer

Jesus, let me always be ready to truly honor your command. Not when I feel like it; not when the mood strikes me; but whenever I have the opportunity to love others as you have directed me to do.

Reflection

There never was a moment in Jesus’s life when he was not extending love to others. How far are we from shining such love out from our own lives? What is stopping us?

May 8, 2012

2012-05-10T04:04:39Z

John 5:14-15 (NRSV)

Jesus said to them; my food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work.” John 4:35 (NRSV) “And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the request made of him.

God’s Will; Will Be Done!

Prayer

May 7, 2012

2012-05-10T04:00:38Z

Babette Carlen Black, MIT
James 1:19-27 (NRSV)

¹⁹You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; ²⁰for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. ²¹Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. ²²But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. ²³For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; ²⁴for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. ²⁵But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing. ²⁶If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. ²⁷Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

LET GO OF ANGER AND RESENTMENT

Prayer

Oh Most Gracious Mother God, thank you for continuing to watch over us. Incline our hearts to be filled with your loving kindness. Help us learn to forgive those who have wronged us as you have always forgiven us for our wrongs against you! Exorcise anger and resentment from our minds, hearts and souls. Lead us to a space of freedom within our minds, bodies, and souls. Transform us to be discerning and merciful. Deliver us from any pain and anguish. Keep your ever loving arms around us. Help us to forever trust you. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen!

Reflection

Anger and resentment can be a mighty force within that can lead to death. This scriptural passage teaches us that God does not intend for you to hold onto anger. A very wise person once said, “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else: You are the one who gets burned.” God desires for you to be healthy and maintain balance and well being in mind, body, and spirit. Allow yourself to be a listener and to heed God’s word of wisdom. Forgive that person that you have been holding a grudge toward for years. Be a doer of God’s word for your life today. Take responsibility and be the person God has called you to be!

Action for the Day

Stay focused on the goal God has set for you. Let go of your anger and resentment!

May 6, 2012

2012-05-10T03:54:20Z

John 15:1–11

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. ² He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. ³ You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. ⁹ As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹ I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

Getting It

I remember my father trying to teach me how to skip a stone across a pond. It was frustrating for both of us, because it came naturally to him but not to me. Loving and caring as he was, he didn’t understand why I didn’t just “get it” in the easy and unforced way that he did. He tried hard to teach me, and I worked hard to learn, and then one day it just happened. I still remember the joy we shared as that stone took its first hop, and then its second, and then several more. And once I “got it,” I had it forever. In this passage, Jesus is walking with the disciples on the way to Gethsemane. It is near the end of Jesus’s life, and he has tried to explain to them who he is: “I am the way and the truth and the life”; “I am in the father and the father is in me.” Each time, the disciples don’t really follow what he is saying, and Jesus is disappointed. He says to Philip, for example, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?” The disciples are trying hard, and doing their best, but they still don’t really “get it.” We can imagine them walking through a vineyard, and Jesus seeing a chance to try again, this time using a natural example that they all are familiar with, explaining that he is the vine, without which the branches could not exist and bear fruit. As the branches grow naturally from the vine, the disciples’ fruitfulness, and their experience of deep and complete joy, will happen naturally as long as they abide in him, keeping the commandments. So I think there are two lessons here about “getting it.” The first is that God is going to keep trying to help us “get it” in any way possible. It might be in straightforward words, it might be in a metaphor or parable, it might be in a neighbor’s words to us or in an experience we have that shows us God’s wonderful nature. God doesn’t stop presenting himself to us. He knows that once we really get it, we will always have it. Second, once we get it, we don’t have so hard to try in order to serve God and bear fruit. In fact, we can’t do those things just by trying. Trying is not the answer. Being attached to Jesus, abiding in that attachment with consistent love and gratitude, is the answer. When we “get” that, we have it. And when we have it, the kingdom is ours to share.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, in your mercy you have adopted us into your family as living branches attached to you, the great vine. Keep us firm and steadfast in our faith that we might remain in you and bear much fruit to your glory and the glory of our heavenly Father. We pray in your name. Amen.

Reflection

Our duty is to abide. It is also our privilege. Abiding is not simply believing in God, though that is crucial, but includes being in union with him, sharing his thoughts, emotions, intentions, and power. In a relationship both parties must be engaged. The divine takes the initiative and provides the means and the ability for the union to take place, but it cannot happen without the response of the believer.

April 26, 2012

2012-04-28T23:38:02Z

Rev. Sandra Florentino
John 15:9

I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love.

MIRROR, MIRROR ON WALL

I recently saw a television program where a woman lived in a home full of mirrors. There were mirrors everywhere tiny ones, small ones, big ones, and large ones. What captivated me though was that she was over 90 years old, but the mirrors had captured her reflection when she was 20. So every time she looked in the mirror she saw how she used to look and not how she really was. The mirror had captured the reflection of who she truly wanted to be. When we look in the mirror what do we see....a reflection of me. No, no that can’t be right.

This scripture invites us to make our home in love in this context our community, but more specifically our church home. Remember we the people are the church the home of Christ. Is our home filled with the abiding presence of God’s love? Is it warm and inviting? Are strangers welcome? Do we make them feel comfortable? Did we greet them lovingly and politely? Could they see the sincerity of our invitation to fellowship? Look in the mirror again what do you see.......God’s love reflected through us in community.

Prayer

Lord, I look in the mirror and what do I see
No resemblance of the plans you have for me
Lord, I look in the mirror no reflection of you
Nothing of what you want me to do
Lord, I look in the mirror and you are here
A welcoming presence for all who come near.

Reflection

REFLECT GOD’S LOVE

April 25, 2012

2012-04-28T23:35:40Z

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.

HANGING OUT IN THE HOOD

Bet you didn’t know that Jesus hung out in the hood! Well, he did. He grew up poor and oppressed. He hung out with his posse traveling from place to place trying to make things better. When he saw how the people were being treated he stood up against the establishment. Even his friends turned against him. And as you well know that landed him in jail. Unjustly convicted he was tried and executed. But you know the rest he still lives!

What’s the Word, is Jesus living in your neighborhood? The Word on the street is that we seem to have forgotten God’s generosity. The Word tells us that God knows about all the things we concern ourselves with. The Word tells us not to worry. The Word tells us not to fear. The Word tells us we have safety and security. The Word tells us we have power to overcome anything. The Word promises deliverance. The Word provides us with the answers for everyday problems. The Word proved God’s love for us. Invite the Word to your neighborhood.

Prayer

Lord you dropped in the neighborhood
All because you could
Lord you came in glory to proclaim
You were a friend and we needed to be the same
Lord you walk beside us every day
As a reminder there is a better way
So Lord, we ask now to walk in the hood with you
As we strive to do all that you want us to do.

Reflection

Christ among us

April 24, 2012

2012-04-28T23:32:49Z

Galatians 6:17

Quite frankly, I don't want to be bothered anymore by these disputes. I have far more important things to do--the serious living of this faith. I bear in my body scars from my service to Jesus.

Displaying the scars

Can’t you just see Paul in a heated debate between the Gentiles and the Jews? Clearly he is tired of the nonsense because he is more concerned that the community lives a crucified life. He himself contends that living faith bears the marks Jesus’ suffering. Think about it Jesus was wounded to repair the scars necessary to heal our relationship with God.

In ministry we have a tendency to argue over trivial matters, when our focus should really be on the cross. Community life means correcting and assisting one another. But, in our correcting we must first test and take responsibility for ourselves. We cannot simply boast that we are followers, but boast in the scandal of the cross. Visualize the blood stained brow, the bleeding side, the pierced hands and feet hanging in suspended animation all because of love for us. Do you want to display the scars? Remember the beating, the bleeding and the blessing that was done on our behalf!

Prayer

Lord, Help us to remember the blemishes you bear because of your faithfulness and everlasting care. Amen.

Reflection

Thank you Jesus for making a way for us that we could never make for ourselves!

April 23, 2012

2012-04-28T23:30:03Z

1 Peter 2:10

from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

Would you agree that there are some people in your life that you could do without? You know the one’s who are overbearing, power hungry, and self-important who show contempt for others. These arrogrant people who do they think they are anyway. Peter provides the answer by saying we were nothing and rejected. Now we are something and accepted. So how did this happen, and how can we reclaim our identity?

If we search our geneological roots we find that we have a new identity. We come from humble beginnings with inner principles to follow. Yes, we were once arrogrant people displaying an outwardwad conduct that had no roots. Yes, we were disobedient and rebellious constantly taking matters into our own hands. Yes, we let our pride and our ego’s get in the way. Yes, we were under the misguided notion that we were self-made. Hum, but all the negatives were replaced with positives when God chose us for his work. Our new identity requires that we become humble servants in all that we do and say. It means we are to be selfless, sincere, and submissive. Claim your identity accept who you are, recognize your limitations and faults, and stop taking credit for everyting. You didn’t make it on your own you owe it all to God alone.

Prayer

Lord from the soil of the earth we came
Out of nothing you gave us a name
Lord we realize sometimes we stumble
And ask for grace to make us humble
Lord help us reclaim our identity
Because of your enduring mercy.

April 21, 2012

2012-04-28T23:27:23Z

Isaiah 52:9

Break into song! Boom it out, ruins of Jerusalem: "GOD has comforted his people! He's redeemed Jerusalem!"

WATER FROM THE WELL

Prayer

Lord we sing when our hearts are in despair
Lord we sing because we know you care
Lord we shout for the comfort that you bring
Lord today for your blessings we shout and we sing.

April 20, 2012

2012-04-28T23:25:02Z

Proverbs 20:5

Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart; a wise person draws from the well within.

WATER FROM THE WELL

Do we know the right thing to do in a situation? Yes, do we do it not always! We often find ourselves in deep water because we fail to do what we know to be right. The reference to the deep water in our heart refers to God’s presence with us that lead us to make the right choices. Let’s say for example you have two job offers the first one appeared to come out of nowhere and the second one you actually applied for. After interviewing for both positions your heart tells you to take the first one, but you opt for the second even though you felt uncomfortable. And guess what the second one landed you in deep water!

In making decisions that we know are right we must draw from the well that pumps life. Drawing from the well means we must connect with God whose pump pressures us to make the right decision. So the next time you find yourself in deep water, take a tip from Proverbs get your bucket and fill it from the well within.

Prayer

Lord in our hearts we know what is right
And yet we fail to stand up and fight
Lord help us search deep within
For your guidance again and again
Lord may we draw from the wisdom you give
So we can inspire others as long as we live.

April 18, 2012

2012-04-20T03:23:48Z

Proverbs 16:20

It pays to take life seriously; things work out when you trust in GOD.

LIVING ON CREDIT

Consider this we have been issued a lifetime credit card with no annual fees, no interest, no expiration date and unlimited rewards. In today’s economy that is unheard of but this credit card does exist. Let me tell you about it. God paid a debt he didn’t owe, so he could restore our credit line. That’s right God gave us life, but we were so busy running up debt, that we failed to take life seriously. So, God had to show us how precious life truly was by taking on our debts himself. And, here we are living on credit. We can’t consolidate it we can’t file bankruptcy our only choice is to pay it!

Does your current situation look bleak right now? Are you over your limit? How serious are you about living? Have you been relying on your own resources? Well, I’ve got good news the holder of our credit card has an inexhaustible life line of credit. All we have to do is activate it. God has already said we are credit worthy and deserving. Truth is when we trust him God works in our situations for our good. So I invite us to value living on credit so we can be rewarded in this life.

Prayer

Lord you issued mercy on Calvary
And with it came grace for eternity
You paid our debt for all to see
How precious life could be
We value the credit you have extended to us
All we need to do now is learn to trust.

April 14, 2012

2012-04-20T03:14:22Z

John 20: 24-28

²⁴ Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” ²⁶ A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” ²⁸ Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus’s Wounds, Our Wounds

Throughout the chapter that these verses come from, Jesus has shown himself, resurrected, to Mary Magdalene and the disciples. There is much celebration that Jesus has returned, triumphant over death. But then Thomas’s demands and Jesus’s response remind us of something we might have forgotten about in all the celebration, or imagined to be different—Jesus still bears the wounds from his crucifixion. He has triumphed over them, but they have not gone away. He shows them to Thomas with love, not with anger, knowing that it is Thomas who is truly “wounded” now and in need of help. Nobody escapes being wounded. We all are wounded people, in spirit and in body. Jesus has shown us that the question is not how we can hide our wounds or make them go away, but how we can we put our woundedness in the service of others, who also are wounded—those who doubt, those who suffer, those who are afraid or lonely, vulnerable or broken. By accepting our own wounds, we can most fully show compassion and love for others, and to do so is to honor the meaning of Jesus’s life, the significance of his death, and the clear message of his bodily resurrection.

Prayer

Lord, let my own wounds of body and spirit remind me of the wounds suffered by Jesus for my sake. Let my own wounds of body and spirit give me compassion for all others who require healing. In Jesus’s name, let me recognize my wounds and triumph over them so that I may honor you and serve others with joy and love.

Reflection

We can all proudly say along with Paul, “I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” As Jesus was wounded, so are we. As he showed his wounds to prove his victory over death, so we will triumph. Our wounds are sorrows, and our wounds can also be sources of joy, bringing us closer to God and to others.

April 13, 2012

2012-04-20T03:03:55Z

Romans 2:13

Merely hearing God's law is a waste of your time if you don't do what he commands. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with God.

EXECUTIVE ORDER

For our purposes God issued an executive order as the creator and sustainer of all life for us to do something. Week after week we can hear the word of God. God is not silent and he speaks clearly and distinctly in so many ways. God speaks through nature and through others. We can hear him in the birds chirping, and in the sun rising and setting. At any given moment we can find him speaking through others through our TV set. With the advancement of technology we can hear him speaking through our Kindle, I Pad, I Phone, or connect on You Tube, Face book and even Twitter. God is speaking but are we listening? This scripture points out that we are wasting our time if we don’t do what God says.

Well, what in fact are we supposed to do? Doing means that we take some action, perform some task, or accomplish God’s work on a daily basis. Let’s see we could get off the pew and join a ministry that enables us to serve others. We could perform some service in our community that demonstrates God’s compassionate care and love. We could study the Bible insuring that God’s Word remains the primary focal point for all that we do. We could do acts of kindness and love carrying out God’s mandate to do something. Stop wasting time make a difference in doing today?

Prayer

Lord we want to make a difference today
By doing just what you say
We are mandated to put love in action in some way
So we won’t waste our time day after day
Help us to obey your word in every way
That we may live as you planned just for today.

April 12, 2012

2012-04-13T00:18:33Z

Dr. Colleen Birchett
Exodus 1:8-2:10

It Takes a Village: But What am I doing?

This devotional will likely sound like a “stream of consciousness”, because I want to “play back” the wonderful experience that I had over the Easter weekend at Trinity UCC. I had traveled just under 1500 miles (711 each way), and had spent close to $1,000 just to experience, once again, Trinity UCCs version of the “Seven Last Words” of Christ and the Easter morning worship service. The pinnacle of the entire weekend was Rev. Otis Moss III’s “high tech” sermon, and the young men who were among those who “walked the aisle” that day. During the flight back to New York, I allowed my mind’s eye to first pan across the sanctuary, stopping for “close-ups” on the children who seemed to have suddenly grown up since the time I had gone away to seminary and were now actively contributing to the worship service. My mind’s eye focused on people here and there who, like Rev. Michael Jacobs, had worked with the younger generation over the years. Yes, I told myself, it does take a village, thinking of the grim statistics I had read in Michelle Alexander’s book, The New Jim Crow. Then, as I sat watiing for the plane to take off, a complaining and judgmental spirit took hold. I envisioned “dizzy” women at work who seemed to do nothing but complain about “messed up” black men, about their lack of one, and about their inability to “fix” one. Why don’t they get a life, I asked myself? Find a church like TUCC and DO something to change the village! Tsk, Tsk, Tsk!! Then a still small voice brought me back to reality, asking, “Colleen, What are YOU doing to help your own sections of the village? When is the last time that YOU checked on your nephews, brothers, cousins and uncles specfically to encourage them in their walks with the Lord? What about your students? In fact, when is the last time that you, Colleen, have prayed for them?

In my stream of consciousness, I began to think more intently about the next generation and how to help young women strugglling with difficult realities that Michelle Alexander’s book exposes. Eventually this “stream of consciousness” brought me to the story of Moses and the village that God used to save him. The parallels between the village of Exodus, the one over on 95th street, the one over in Harlem where I live, and the one in Detroit where my family abides became clearer. Praise be to God!!

Prayer

Lord, as we reflect on the roles that Shiphrah, Puah, Miriam, Jochebed, Amram, Pharoah’s Daughter, Jethro and Aaron collectively, through Spirit, saved Moses, reveal to us our collective and individual roles in our troubled villages today. Give us the power to respond to your voice, in the tradition of our ancestors.

Reflection

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase”. Dr. Martin Luther King

April 11, 2012

2012-04-13T00:13:01Z

Rev. Sandra Florentino
Isaiah 48:16

Come close, listen carefully: I've never kept secrets from you. I've always been present with you.” Your Progeny, Like Grains of Sand And now, the Master, GOD, sends me and his Spirit.

IT’S NO SECRET

Personal, private, confidential and not for publication.....now that’s a secret. In essence one is saying I do not want this repeated to anyone. But, in this text Isaiah is telling the people he doesn’t keep secrets. Why because he is not speaking on his own, but by the word of God. So come close and listen carefully. God say’s he has been with us since time began. He has done things for us so that only he could do so we would know he was God. He has delivered us from hurt, harm and danger even when we close our ears to the truth. Open your ears and hear this. I am always close. We may be disobedient, we may be tested, but it is no secret that God is present with us.

Prayer

Lord when we come close and listen to you It’s no secret what you can do You’re always present to lend a hand Through the voices of others you help us understand May we hear your Spirit each and everyday So it will lead and guide us day by day.