Friday, September 26, 2014

Let God Lead Friday Devotion


Theme: Prayer for the World

First Word:  Genesis 12:2-3 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will become a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and I will curse those who curse you and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

High Noon: John 3:17 God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 

Last Word: Acts 1:8 But you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 

Questions and Reflections:
In Genesis, Abraham is blessed for a purpose, that all the families of the earth might be blessed. How are you blessed to be a blessing?  How is Resurrection blessed to be a blessing to the world?
In John 3:17, we learn that God in Jesus is not about condemning the world, but saving it. How might we bring this message of love and salvation to the world?

In Acts, Jesus tells his followers that they are to go beyond their home base of Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. Where might God be calling Resurrection to go beyond our home base?  What might be our “ends of the earth?”

God has a plan for you and for Resurrection.

God also has a plan for the whole world and we are part of the plan.  God calls his people to be his agents in our families, congregations and local communities.  He also calls us to see the whole earth as part of our place of ministry.

Through Lutheran World Relief, our congregation supports Lutheran service work in over 20 different countries on four different continents.  Through Feed My Starving Children we help prepare food for children around the world.  These are good and valuable ways of reaching the world.  Yet might there be other ways? 
 

Most colleges and universities now recommend that a student have an opportunity to study abroad.  The opportunity to live and study in a foreign culture opens their eyes to new perspectives and ways of seeing God’s world.  Students who have such an experience often are transformed by it.  My daughter had the opportunity to teach in Costa Rica for a semester.  She lived with a family and learned their customs and foods.  It both affirmed her desire to teach as well as opened her heart to all God’s people. 

In today’s world, we can easily hop on an airplane and be in a foreign land within hours. Minnesotans often fly south to Mexico or the Carribean in the winter to escape the cold. What if such a trip had a service component? What if we offered vacations with a purpose, the opportunity to meet God’s children in a different country? Our St. Paul Area Synod has Christian partnerships in Tanzania and Guatemala. What if we explored joining these partnerships? 

Might God be calling us to consider other forms of ministry beyond our country? To be a blessing to some end of the earth? 

Prayer Starters:
Almighty and Gracious God, you love the entire world.  To what edges of the world are you calling Resurrection?  How can we be your witnesses around the corner and around the world? 

God of Peace and Justice, we pray that peace might come to all the nations.  We pray especially today for those nations and people caught in violent conflict, especially . . .  Guide us in how to respond.

Let God Lead Prayer - Lord Jesus, thank you for your steadfast love for our family and our congregation.  We ask that you would clearly lead Resurrection Lutheran Church into the future you want us to have.  Guide us to be your church for people far into the future. You grace us and call us to a vibrant life of faith in Christ, a life we are asked to share with others.  Take away our fear and give us courage and strength to trust that you go with us.  Holy Spirit, give us ears to hear your voice, give us eyes to see your path, and give us faith to follow you. (pause for silence and listening)  In Jesus’ name.   Amen.

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