Transformation 2010, Sat. March 13

March 12th, 2010 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Transformation 2010 - Lenten Daily Devotional

Overall theme for the week of Mar. 8-13:  The Transforming Church

 

Sat. March 13, 2010

James M. Lapp,  Salford Mennonite Church

Scripture – Philippians 4:4-9

Key verse – “The Lord is near.  Do not worry…” (vv. 5b-6a)

 

A few weeks ago we enjoyed dinner one evening in a fine restaurant.   When we went to bed that night I discovered my wallet was missing with all my credit cards and other important documentation.  I did not have a lot of money in my wallet, but the fear of identity thief quickly came to mind.  Retracing our activities, it seemed likely I lost it at the restaurant.  But by that hour the restaurant was closed.  Could I sleep with this loss on my mind?

 

To my mind came these words from Paul in our scripture text – “Do not worry about anything.”  Amazingly I was able to sleep.  As soon as the restaurant opened in the morning we called and my wallet was found intact. 

 

I sometimes joking say, “Worry helps, because most of the things I worry about don’t happen.”  But what helps more is being aware the Lord is near, and to entrust to God those things about which I am prone to be anxious. 

 

Prayer – “O God, thank you for being trustworthy with all our human anxieties.   Amidst an anxious and troubled world we open ourselves again to your peace that passes all understanding.  In faith we believe YOU are always near.  Amen.

Transformation 2010, Friday, March 12

March 11th, 2010 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Transformation 2010 - Lenten Daily Devotional

Overall theme for the week of Mar. 8-13:  The Transforming Church

Friday, March 12 2010

 Carla Ferrier,  Doylestown Mennonite Church

 Ephesians 4: 1 - 16

 Key Verse:  Ephesians 4: 1 - 3

 

Walking in a manner worthy of the calling.

 The other morning as I was praying, my teen-age daughter came into my room obviously upset.  She was agitated with her sister.  She flounced down on my bed and began spewing out all the things that were bothering her.

 After she left I returned to praying.  “Lord, why does she have to become so annoyed with her sister?  And why does she have to complain to me about it so loudly”?  The verses from Ephesians 4:1 - 3 came to mind.  Here we are given a beautiful picture of the body of Christ, the church.  In order to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling we need to walk with humility, gentleness, patience, showing forbearance to one another in love.”  How many times have I ran into my “Father’s room” whining with a list of complaints against someone else?  How pleasing is this to Abba Father?  It is easy to find fault with others and see their short comings, however “being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit” means over-looking our petty differences with love.  God is honored when we show others the love and consideration that has been shown to us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transformation 2010, Thursday, March 11

March 10th, 2010 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Transformation 2010 - Lenten Daily Devotional

Overall theme for the week of Mar. 8-13:  The Transforming Church

 

Thur. March 11, 2010

 

Claude Good, Souderton Mennonite Church

 

Ephesians 3:14-21

 

…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith. v. 17a

 

 Like Nicodemos I have wondered how I could become a newly-born baby or even a little child. Jesus made the latter a requirement for entering the kingdom of heaven (Matt.18:2). As an adult (and a pretty elderly one at that), how can I change and become like a little child? A story helped.

 

 

A little boy heard his teacher use the word “whosoever” from John 3:16. “That’s me too,” he thought.  He took it to heart. Telling his teacher, she warned him that Satan, who lives in the dark,  would try to keep him from believing it. In bed that night he felt the darkness. Where would Satan be? he worried. Oh, under the bed! Taking a flashlight, and shining it on the verse, he reached down and said, “Here, read it for yourself!

 

That kind of faith is a prerequisite to what follows verse 17: a life of love, power to grasp and know the unfathomable love of Christ. For what purpose? To become the dwelling place for everything that God is. The result? Watching Him do things we never could have imagined!

 

Prayer: Lord, shine the “flashlight” of your Holy Spirit on your Word; illuminate it so that I can be a pleasant dwelling place for everything you are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transformation 2010, Wednesday, March 10

March 9th, 2010 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Transformation 2010 - Lenten Daily Devotional

Overall theme for the week of Mar. 8-13:  The Transforming Church

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Donna Merow, Ambler Mennonite Church

Isaiah 62:1-12

“The nations will see your righteousness,

  And all kings your glory;

  You will be given a new name

  That the mouth of the Lord will bestow.” (v. 2, NIV)

 

            Two people in my congregation changed their names in recent years, a rather unusual occurrence in contemporary life. One reverted to the name bestowed on her at birth after using an abbreviated form for many years.  For her it represented a return home, an identity that more closely fit the woman she had become.  The other is a young man who began using his given name, one he shares with his father.  On the verge of adolescence, he no longer wanted to be known by his middle name.

            Today’s passage speaks of a collective transformation and an accompanying name change as Isaiah prophesies that Israel will no longer be called Desolate and Deserted but Sought After and Beloved Bride.  The prophet promises to persist in speaking the word of God until her restoration is complete.  God called this people for a purpose; they were blessed to be a blessing to the nations. The people are urged to tirelessly call on the Lord to realize this renewed vision of wholeness and salvation.  As Israel’s successor, the Church is similarly called to be transformed by the Spirit and to transform the world around it.  And prayer is still the means to this end.

 

Father God, may we who are called by your name for your purposes honor you by our thoughts, words, and actions.  Grant us the courage to be the change we long to see in the world.  Amen.

 

 

Transformation 2010, Tuesday, March 9

March 8th, 2010 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Transformation 2010 - Lenten Daily Devotional

Overall theme for the week of Mar. 8-13:  The Transforming Church

Tue. March 9, 2010

Dale Detweiler, Salford Mennonite, Harleysville Pa.

 

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

 

Key Verse: Matthew 5:44; “ But I tell you, Love your enemy and pray for those who  persecute you”

 

  We strive and make conscious efforts to be obedient to the teachings of Jesus, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”  But at times am I stepping out of my “comfort zone” and truly loving my enemy?

   I’ve experienced a time when I thought I was loving my “enemy“, but as I went to pray for this person, the words just didn’t come out, I tried, and tried. After some time I then experienced a freedom within myself as God’s Spirit prayed through me and my prayers from deep inside were then able to make a sound.

   Jesus calls us to “Love our enemies” but He doesn’t call us to do this on our own, Jesus calls us to accompany our love with prayer, prayer that allows transformation to take place from deep within ourselves.

 

Prayer: Jesus, help me to pray that I may truly love my enemy, that my prayers will be able to make a sound in your Love!    Amen