Inane

"Christ - the power of God and the wisdom of God," 1 Corinthians 1:24.

To preach Christ, that is, to tell about Jesus, is stupid. That's what it says. It's folly. It's inanity. To proclaim Christ, to preach about him being crucified ... well, that's putting up barriers to good sense, stumbling blocks to inquiring minds. Yeah. That's what it says. Make no mistake about that. And, it says, that message of Christ crucified serves as the foolishness God uses to show his power. Yes. To show his wisdom. God uses the inane event (as sophomoric thinkers see it) of preaching Christ crucified to herald his kingdom of heaven. God's sky kingdom breaks out into this benighted, witless world by that proclamation. To people who hear God's call that message becomes God's overwhelming wisdom and power to crush worldly standards and to create a new creation.

We visit with a brother or sister today, fools all, gleeful in God's wisdom and power. And, together, we boast in the Lord who delivered us from worldly folly to life. In Jesus' name.

Expects

"What can I bring with me when I come before the Lord?" Micah 6:6.

Come on, now! What does God expect from us?! Ya never know what makes God happy! Sure, we messed up; we sinned; we did wrong. No question about that! Lies, pollution, crime, hate and murder, global climate change, never ending wars, the whole lot! Our fault! So what does God want? We offer all sorts of gods their daily food; we give animals in bloody oblations; we pour out precious oil onto mother earth! What more to sacrifice - our kids?! No. God already told what: Do justice. Love kindness. Walk humbly with him.

We meet today with a brother or sister bowing in the presence of our God. And, together, we give thanks that he shows us clearly what is good, what he expects. Sky kingdom.

Canopy

"Jehovah God is my light and my salvation," Psalm 27:1.

Yes, you are, Lord! You are our light! You are our salvation! You, O God, you! You protect us. We're afraid of no one. If an entire army surrounds us, our hearts will not fear. You will defeat them all! If war comes up against us, we will trust in you. O, Yes! You are our light. Our eyes will see you, your beauty, O Lord! We want to look around your temple. Yes! You keep us safe. Your canopy covers us. You set us high above enemies. We shout out for joy! You are our light!

As we see a brother or sister today, the light of our God's presence envelops us. And, together, we praise God from whom every blessing shines out.

Rised

"Christ, the first to rise from death, would proclaim light," Acts 26:23.

Who was first to rise from death? Christ. But he had to suffer death first. Had to? That's what it says. Had to. Yeah. And then Christ was the first to rise from death. Yeah. The first. To rise from death and stay rised from death. Everybody else that ever rised died again. Eutychus. The widow's son. The Sidonian mother's boy. Lazarus. All of them. Temporary reprieve. Died again. Jesus is the first to rise from death, death itself. And he proclaimed light. To whom? To the people. And to the ethnics. Light!

Today, when we meet a brother or sister on the way, we walk in the light Jesus announced. And, together, we walk out our thanksgivings to God for the shining light that overwhelmed darkness.

Following

"The person who follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life," John 8:12.

Follow me? Me, who? Jesus. Hear Jesus talking: I am the light of the world. That's what he said. Yep. Whoever follows him will not, not walk in the dark. Nope. Not. Not. Not in darkness. Nope. But people following him will have ... Yes. They will have. They will have what? They will have the light of life. Light that lights up life. Light that glows with life. Light that radiates life. The light that is the light of the world. Follow Jesus, have light. Sky kingdom.

We walk alongside a brother or sister today and follow Jesus out the dark into light. And, together, we honor God who shined in our hearts the way to life forever.

Shadowed

"Light dawned on those seated in death's shadow," Matthew 4:16.

On whom? On the people dwelling in the way of sea. Beyond the Jordan River. On the people dwelling in Galilee. Galilee of the ethnics. Of the nations. On people abiding in darkness. On people who cannot see. Who expect death. What about these people? They see a great light. Light brightens them up. When does this happen? When they hear Jesus tell the Good News. Yeah. When they hear Jesus. Light of the world. Fears gone. Sky kingdom.

Visiting with a brother or sister today, Jesus lights up our fellowship. And, together, we praise God for shining the morning star into our shadowed hearts.

Dude

"To us who are being saved it is the power of God," 1 Corinthians 1:18.

What's the it that it's talking about? It is the word, the teaching about the cross. Well, what of that cross word? It's God's power. God's power for whom? Us. Us, who? Us who are being saved. The teaching of the cross is that Jesus died for our sins and was raised up to life to make us right with God. So that's why we do not follow Paul. Or Apollos. Or Peter. Or Moses. Or Mary. Or any other cool religious dude or dudette from the Restoration or Reformation or Middle Ages or last several millennia. Nope. That's why we follow the one who was crucifed for us and into whose name we were baptized. Jesus.

When we see a brother or sister today, we confess God's power: the word of the cross. And, together, we give thanks to God in Jesus' name. Amen.

Source

"God, you will make the people happy," Isaiah 9:3.

What people? The ones in gloom. The ones in anguish. The ones held in contempt. The ones walking in darkness. The ones living in darkest shadows. These people. What would God do for these downcast? God made the road to their land shine. He flashed a great light on them. He gave them bright spotlights. He multiplied their joy exponentially. Joy like when the ship comes in! Joy like when the huge supply barge docks. What would God do? God took away the oppression on their hearts. He took away the heavy burden on their backs. He broke the very staff beating them. Just like when 300 routed the mighty, brutal army. And when would God do this liberation? When, to us, a Child of hope is born, awesome counselor, powerful God, eternal source, prince of peace.

Sharing with a brother or sister today, we tell of the joy growing within our hearts by the zeal of the Lord of hosts. And, together, we give thanks to God for Jesus who set us free from sin's condemnation.

Song

"He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog," Psalm 40:2.

Yes, you did, O Lord God! You set my feet on a rock. You made my steps secure. You put a new song in my mouth. I praise you! Many have have seen, and feared, and then put their trust in you! You have blessed us as we made you our trust, you!, not arrogant lying ways. And you have turned your actions and thoughts toward us - amazing! - nobody compares with you. Your steadfast love and your faithfulness preserve us all the time. I confess: troubles gather around me; my sins have caught me; I have no escape. I am poor and needy. O Lord, please remember me! You are my help, my deliverer. There is no other. Praise you, Lord!

When we meet a brother or sister today, we tell each other of God's love. And, together, we praise God for his assured salvation in Jesus. Sky kingdom!

Feel

"They were counted worthy to suffer for the name," Acts 5:41.

Who was worthy? The witnesses whom Jesus sent out to confess his name. (The apostles, right?) And how did they suffer? They got arrested. (Publicly.) They got beaten by the authorities. (Brutality.) They got shamed. (Dishonored.) Why? Because they said God raised Jesus up from the dead so that their people could repent and have forgiveness from their sins. (Good news.) So, how did they feel about this? They were glad. Glad that they were convicted guilty of confessing the name. (Name above all names.) Counted worthy to be called by the name.

Visiting with a brother or sister today, we confess the name that brings us repentance and forgiveness. And, together, we joy in the joy of the Lord's calling. Sky kingdom.

Bend

"Every knee in the sky, on the earth, even under the earth, would bow at the name of Jesus," Philippians 2:10.

Oh, really now? At whose design? God's. God set it up. God gave him the name over every name. What name was that? Well, obviously, Jesus. Yet God did more than that. God gave him the name: Lord. A name, a title, a position: Lord. God raised Jesus up high, way high, over everything. Every being that has a knee to bend would humble it in submission to the Lord, Jesus, the Christ of God. Bow now to the Lord, bow later to the Lord. Don't matter when. It will happen. Because, first, Jesus himself bowed to God, and then to us, while we hammered nails through his hands.

We meet with a brother or sister today bowing at Jesus' name, Lord. And, together in humility, we give thanks for Jesus' yielding in obedience to God.

Staying

"What are you looking for?" John 1:38.

That's what Jesus asked when he turned around and saw two guys following him. The fellows didn't exactly answer his question, but they asked where Jesus, the teacher, was staying. Jesus said: Come and see. Yeah, that's what he said. Come and see. So they did. And they stayed with him all day. (That's what followers do - they keep up with whoever they're following.) So. Staying with Jesus, they found the Messiah. What they were looking for.

Meeting up with a brother or sister today, we confess whom we've been following. And, together, deeply thankful, we tell what we found - name above all names, Jesus, the Messiah, the lamb of God.

Different

"Called to be holy people," 1 Corinthians 1:2.

Who called? God. Whom did he call? The congregation. What congregation? The congregation of people sanctified in Christ. And what did God call these people to be? Well, already said it: holy. To be holy. Sanctified. Set apart. Be different. Be saints. So, God called people to become holy by being set apart in Christ. God called these to be holy, along with other people. What other people? All other people, people all over the place, all people who called on Jesus' name. Got holy by calling on the name above all names. Together with them, us and them, whoever called on Jesus' name, Jesus, their Lord and ours. So, let's hear this right: God called whoever called on Jesus' name. Be saints. Together. In one Lord.

When we visit today with a brother or sister, we hear God's call at work making saints out of sinners. And, together, we give thanks that calling on Jesus' name made him the one Lord of us both. Sky kingdom.

Amen

"The Lord named my name from my mother's body," Isaiah 49:1.

Jehovah God formed Israel, his special people, to serve him. God told Israel (as though the people were a single person) that Israel's purpose was to glorify God. But Israel didn't - he got lost wasting work and strength. So once again, God spoke to a single person whom the people despised, but whom he had formed and named. This one served to collect all Israel's scattered leftovers. Then God, Israel's Holy One, said to him: But it's not enough for you to slave over Israel's remnant. I myself chose you, so abhorred by others, I made you the salvation light to all earth's peoples so that kings will stand up before you. And what did God name him? Name above all names: Jesus.

We join with a brother or sister today to glorify our God for his salvation. And, together we say: Thank you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Voice

"The voice of Jehovah God is over the waters," Psalm 29:3.

We hear your voice, O God, over the waters. Your glory thunders over the great oceans! Your voice has unimaginable power. Full of majesty. Your voice splinters towering trees. It makes the ground jump. It makes the mountain shake. Your voice flashes lightning. It trembles the wilderness. It makes deserts shudder. Your voice shatters forests like matchsticks. Your voice brings does into labor. At your voice everyone in the temple shouts out: Glory! Yes. You, O God, remain enthroned forever! You reign over the flood. Yes. When Jesus came up out of the water your voice thundered from the sky: You are my beloved son, I am very pleased with you. Sky kingdom.

When we meet today with a brother or sister we hear you, O God, calling us into the good news of Jesus. And, together, dear God, we praise you for the summons into the son of your love! Thank you!

Everyone

"I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau," Romans 9:13.

Who's talking? God. When did God love Jacob and hate Esau? Before they were born. Yes. Before doing anything good or bad. Wait a minute! This doesn't sound fair at all. Why did God choose like this? Because God is God (not us) and can do he wants. Yeah, but why did God want Jacob in heaven and Esau in hell - before they were even born?! Stop. Whoa. We pay attention to the Bible words. It's not talking about heaven and hell. It's talking about God choosing who Jesus' genealogy will be. God's purpose of election. But then, who gets saved? Everyone who calls on the Lord's name. Everyone. Who calls. Sky kingdom.

Meeting a brother or sister today, we recognize each other having had our sins washed away when we were baptized, calling on his name. And, together, we thank God for hearing our despair when we called, and for saving us. Praise you, God!

Whoever

"He chose us in him before the foundation of the world," Ephesians 1:4.

Who chose? God. God chose. God elected. And how did God elect? In Christ. God chose in Christ. God elected whom? Us. (Us who? anybody, whoever was in Christ.) When did God elect? Before the world's foundation. So what did God plan for people in Christ? That in Christ anybody, whoever, would be holy. Yep. And blameless, too. Right. In his love. God preplanned to make us his children through Jesus Christ. According to God's purpose. In line with his will. So. Here's the deal. God planned a long, long time ago (well, actually, before time), that in Christ anybody, whoever, became holy or blameless. Became his child. That's predestination. Elect in the Son. No other way.

We recognize each other as chosen brothers and sisters, God's children in Christ. And, together, we praise God who loves us so, for his shining grace.

Confidence

"We shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his," Romans 6:5.

We shall? Shall certainly? We'll live with ... well, first, live with whom? With Christ. Christ died. Christ was buried. Christ was raised up. We know Christ will never die again. We know this! And we will live with him, too? How to believe this? Well, anybody who was united with Jesus can know. (United? when did that happen?) Anybody that was buried with Jesus can know. (Yipes! sounds gruesome!) Anybody that was united with Christ in a death like his can know. Anybody buried like Jesus can walk in newness. Anybody buried with Jesus by baptism into death. Will live in newness just like Jesus does. Raised from the dead by God's glory. Elect in Christ.

Visiting with a brother or sister today, we share confidence that we shall certainly live with Christ. And, together, we give thanks that God united us together with Christ.

Alighting

"Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan," Mark 1:9.

He got baptized. That's what I reported to my Mom about 6 or 7 decades ago after someone's baptism into Christ. She corrected gently and firmly: No, he didn't get baptized; he was baptized. That's what she said. So, now that I'm more than 3/4 century of age, her brief lesson still teaches me to pay close attention to the Bible's grammar. (Back to the passage, now.) Though he felt himself totally unworthy of it, John baptized Jesus in the river. As Jesus came up out of the water (that's the grammar - came up out of; he had been dunked by John in the water), he saw the skies tearing apart and the Spirit coming down to him. (It was like a dove alighting.) Then, out of the skies, a voice happened: You are my beloved son, I am delighted in you. That's what God said. To Jesus.

When we meet a brother or sister today, we remember our own coming up out of the water when the one Spirit baptized us all into the one body of Christ. And, together, we give thanks that God chose us in Christ.

Whom

"I will give you as a covenant for the people," Isaiah 42:6.

Who's giving him? Jehovah God. God's giving whom? His servant. For whom is he giving him? For the people, the nations. For everybody. OK. So who's this servant? The one God chose. In whom God's soul delights. On whom God has put his Spirit. Who will not break a bruised reed. Or put out a barely flickering flame. Who won't get discouraged. Or weaken to bring justice. Whom God called in righteousness. Whose hand God's holding. Whom God's making a light for the nations. Who will open eyes of the blind. Free people in dungeons. Who will enlighten the darkened. That's whom God gives. Who and whom. Jesus.

When we meet with a brother or sister today, we receive Christ as God's new covenant with us. And, together, we give all praise and glory to the Lord.

Call

"From God and through God and to God are all things; to God be glory forever!" Romans 11:36.

To whom? To you, God! We give you glory! Why? because of the depth of your riches and wisdom and knowledge. Why? because your judgments and means go way beyond our getting it. Why? because you take disobedience of one people and turn it into mercy for another. Why glory to you? because you have mercy on all peoples. Why? because you take enemies and love them anyway. Why? because of promises you made to their ancestors. Why? because you never take back your call or your gifts. Why give glory to you, God? because your Savior comes to purify, and you take away sins.

With a brother or sister today, we praise God for Jesus who delivers us all. And, together, we shout: Glory to you, God! Forever!

Dwelling

"You also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit," Ephesians 2:11.

And how does God do this? In Christ. Being built by whom? God's Spirit. Into what? God's temple. Who's being built together? All human types. How's God doing this? In Christ. God befriended us all in the real body of Christ crucified. How's God doing this? In Christ. In one Spirit, God gave us access to himself. No longer outcasts. No longer aliens. No longer dead. No longer recipients of rage. We belong. Yes! We belong to God. Alive. Citizens. Saints. Parts of God's living house. Jesus, the living cornerstone. God's temple. You. Elect in Christ.

As we meet today with a brother or sister, we meditate and marvel on God's electing us through Christ. And, together, we stand amazed that God worked through Jesus to choose us.

Mercified

"You are a chosen race," 1 Peter 2:9.

You, who? You, a royal priesthood. Who? You, a holy nation. Who? You, a people special to God. Who? You, who talk about God's greatness. Who? You, whom God called out of darkness into light. Who? You, who were nobodies. Who? You, God's very own people. Who? You, once without mercy. Who? You, now mercified. You, Chosen. You, Elected. So, when did you get chosen? When you came to the One men rejected, but Whom God chose. To Jesus. God elected Him as the living cornerstone of His spiritual house. And you, coming to Jesus, God chose you, too, as living stones for building His house. Sky kingdom.

We meet today with a brother or sister, chosen by God to comprise his home. And, together, we offer spiritual sacrifices of praise for God's secure election in Christ.

Election

"The Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved," Acts 2:47.

To whose number were they being saved? To the number of people who had already received the apostles' word and were baptized into Jesus' name on Pentecost. That's when those 3 thousand folks, too, had then been added. Added to what? To the company of believers who had been devoting themselves to prayer in the ten days between Jesus' rising up into the sky and Pentecost. These included Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (Alphaeus's son), Simon (the Zealot), Judas (James' son), Matthias, James (Jesus' brother), Joses, Judas (Jesus' brother), Simon (Jesus' brother), Mary (Jesus' mother), Mary (Magdalene), Joanna, Mary (James' mother), Salome, the other women, Cleopas, the other men. About 120 real human beings in all. That's the number to which all the others had been added. To which millions and millions now of every race, culture, and language, we too've been added by God's election. Sky kingdom.

Added to that company of elect believers, we meet with a brother or sister today awed by God's grace in Christ. And, together, we join in praise to God from whom every blessing flows.

Do

"What shall we do?" Acts 2:37.

Well, that's always a question, isn't it? First, who's asking? A bunch of convicts. Yes. A bunch of people who've just been convicted of murder. Yes. Just been convicted that they crucified Jesus. Yes. Just been convicted in their hearts to believe God made Jesus Lord and Christ. Whom they killed. So, what ever can a convict do about such sin? Some folks answer: Nothing to be done. It's all fixed in the will of God. You get saved or you don't depending on nothing you say or do. But here's Peter's answer: Repent. Yep. And be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Yep. That's what Peter said. What results from these efforts? Forgiveness. Do that, and get forgiveness. Yep. Repent.  Be baptized in Jesus' name. Oh, yeah, also. Do that, and you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. God's promise.

We meet today with a brother or sister, praising God that he added us to his own. And, together, grateful, we say: Thank you, God, for receiving our meager efforts as worthy of Christ's forgiveness and life!

Chance

"Look! I will make new heavens and a new earth, and people will not remember the past," Isaiah 65:17.

What past is there to forget? The past of worshipping false gods (and consequences). False gods? Like what false gods? Like worshipping the god, Luck. (Deciding God's will on the roll of dice, on the flip of a coin, on the draw of a card.) Like worshipping the god, Fate. (Deciding that God's will was whatever happened in the past, that God's will has fixed anything going on right now, that God's will allows no human choice to affect a future event.) False gods all. God's will stands above Chance. God's will reigns beyond Destiny. God's new creation brings in joy, not resignation. Hope, not despair. Kingdom of the skies!

With a brother or sister today, we plan with God's promise firmly in mind. And, together, we praise God for hearing us even as we start to ask!