Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Good Morning!

Last call for this week for study books -- let me know if you need one.

The new unit for this week is Unit 11, The Means of Grace

Focus Scripture for the Week: 1 Peter 1:2

May grace and peace be yours in abundance

Today's topic: 2 Corinthians 6:1 - 10

-- for me, one of the keys in understanding today's reading is understanding the word 'commend' (verse 4 -- "as servants of God, we commend ourselves"). I sort of know that word, but it is not one that I use, and in the scripture version I'm reading (the NIV), I can't quite get my arms around Paul's meaning, and particularly how this applies to our section on the means of grace. The online definition that seems best to fit the way the word is used today is "present as worthy of regard, kindness, or confidence; example :"His paintings commend him to the artistic world"

-- what I'm seeing is two thoughts -- one is that we should not receive God's grace in vain -- my take away from that is that God's grace is meant to sustain and strengthen us for the work we are called to do, to be his people. As recipients of that grace, our duty is not to sit back, but to be his people in this place. The second thought, the longer portion of the passage today, is about how that grace can sustain us in all situations. In this passage, Paul is talking about his own hardships, but they can apply to us -- Paul is saying that, as a servant of God, he presents himself as worthy in every way, regardless of the difficulty of the situation. He is testifying that the grace of God prepares him and sustains him for the work he is called to do, no matter how difficult.

-- from the Wesley reading, there was a line that I thought was interesting -- I think it is in the fifth reading -- where he says "that Christ has ordained certain outward means, for conveying his grace into the souls of men." There is something about the idea or image of us taking in God's grace; of that grace going into our souls, that is a compelling thought or image for me. For communion, it is easy to make that connection or image, because we are literally taking something into our bodies. Stepping back a bit, it isn't that much of a stretch to see some of the other means such as -- prayer, scripture, preaching -- as also consumptive activities -- ways of taking in God's grace. Fasting is at the opposite end of the spectrum from communion -- while communion is a symbolic meal -- fasting is the exact opposite, but it is still intended as a way for us take in God's grace into our souls.

Today's prayer request: Space shuttle astronauts and family

The space shuttle is scheduled to be launched today, and there is much apprehension about it -- let's pray for a safe launch and trip for the astronauts.

Today's class member prayer:

Carl McKinney

Have a great day.

Jay