Rivers

"Rivers of living water will flow out of them," John 7:38.

Will flow out of whom? Out of any who believe in Jesus. And who are these that believe in Jesus? Any who come to him to drink. Why do they come to him to drink? Because they're thirsty. OK. So who's talking here? Jesus. What's he talking about? Well, obviously, about water. But, actually, more than about water. About what, then? About the Spirit. How do we know he's talking about the Spirit? because the good book says so. It says: He said this about the Spirit. So what does all this mean? This: Those who believe in Jesus would receive the Spirit. How do we know this? The good book says so. That's exactly what it said about what Jesus said.

Visiting with a brother or sister today, Jesus' Spirit flows out from among us who have believed in him. And, together, we share that life-flow in thanksgivings to God.

This

"This is that which was spoken through the prophet," Acts 2:16.

What prophet? Joel. When? 8 centuries earlier. Earlier than when? Than when the above speaker made the reference. What speaker? Peter. When did Peter speak these things? 2 millennia ago. On what occasion? 50 days after Jesus had been crucified to death and raised back to life to reign at God's right hand. When God overflowed his Spirit on those earliest believers in Jesus. When Peter said this outpouring Spirit happening to them was what Joel had been talking about all those centuries before them. Well, what did Joel say that Peter said was the happening thing? Joel said: In the last days God would pour out his Spirit on all flesh. Peter said of his day: This is it. God's doing it. To what end? So everyone calling on the Lord's name would be saved. What Lord? Jesus, raised from the dead, whom God made Lord and Christ.

When we call on a brother or sister today, we remember our common call on the Lord's name. And, together, we give deepest thanks for God's abiding faithfulness to his salvation word.

Foreshadowing

"Would that all Jehovah's people were prophets!" Numbers 11:24.

The event stood as a foreshadowing in the Hebrew Law Book of Joel's later prophecy about God's Pentecost overflowing of his Spirit following Jesus' rising to reign at God's right hand from the sky. Clearly. Meantime, it related to Israel's complaining about their boring food. Manna. Tired of it. Want some meat! It related, too, to Moses' harsh complaint that he was fed up having to bear the burden of Israel. So God, first, fired the camp's outliers. Second, temporarily, God put his Spirit on a cadre of elders to govern the people. And then, thirdly, God dumped more meat on the camp than they could eat in a month. God's listening and he responds to us. People need to learn the phrase, by heart: For all that you've done, we do thank you.

As we visit with a brother or sister today, we recognize God's timeless provision in his Spirit. And, together, we give thanks from our hearts to God, ever so good to us.

Everlasts

"God shall arise," Psalm 68:1.

Yes! You arise, O God, as you ever have done throughout the ages! Evil ones scatter like smoke dissipates with a breath. Like wax melts away before fire. But your own people, whom your Christ makes righteous, praise and jubilate! We sing to you, O God! We lift up songs to you. You make a road through desert land. You are Jehovah God! Your home's holiness shows as you father the fatherless, as you champion the widow. As you settle the lonely in that home, as you foster the imprisoned to prosperity. Oh, yes! You forge ahead of all your people, and the earth shakes, rain quenches parched earth, flocks find abundance, and the needy satisfy on your goodness!

We meet in joy with a brother or sister today knowing our God arises to save! And, together, we say: Praise you, God! Praise you for raising up Jesus to life that everlasts!

Sovereignly

"We have left everything and followed you," Mark 10:28.

That was a follower's response to the preceding triple of things. Thing 1 that Jesus said: How difficult for those with wealth to enter the kingdom of God. (So came an incredulous question: Then who can be saved?) Thing 2 that Jesus said: With man it's impossible. Thing 3 that Jesus said: But not with God - all things are possible with God. That's when the one spoke of giving up stuff for Jesus. So Jesus responded with the 4th thing: In this time, you'll receive a hundred times more than you left. Yeah. Oh, too, with persecutions. With persecutions in this time. (It's darkest before dawn.) Thing 5: But in the next age, eternal life. Jesus said.

We meet with a brother or sister today, companion strugglers following Jesus. And, together thankful for blessings, we anticipate the coming age grateful for our sovereignly able God.

After

"Jesus told them: To me is given all authority in the sky and on the earth," Matthew 28:18.

Who gave that to Jesus? God. God did. When did God give it to him? When God made him Lord. So when was that? When God resurrected him from the dead and declared him Son of God, the Lord, in power, in keeping with holiness' Spirit. Yeah. When God seated Jesus at his own right hand in the skies far above all rule and authority and power and dominion. When God gave Jesus the name above every name before whose name every knee in the sky and on earth would bow. But God did this after. After. After Jesus humbled himself to death on a cross. Authority didn't come cheap.

We meet with a brother or sister today to bow at the name of Jesus, our Lord. And, together, we marvel thankfully that we get to share in Jesus' glory for we share in his suffering.

And

"This is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ," John 17:3.

A whole lot of religious sentiment in this old world finds its summary in the first of those phrases: life is to know. Jesus refines the summary: to know God. Jesus refines it more: eternal. Eternal life is to know God. He refines it finer: the true God. Eternal life is to know the true God. Yet more detail: the only. Eternal life is to know the only true God. Still more personal: you. Eternal life is to know You, the only true God. So: True God, not false god. The Only, not one among others. You, not impersonal. So there we have it all. Oh! Wait! and, too: (eternal life is also) to know Jesus Christ. And these refinements separate the world's chaff from the Spirit's wheat.

We visit with a brother or sister today, to share in knowing God, and Jesus. And, grateful together, we rejoice that eternal life rests in God, and in his Christ, whom he sent us that we may know him.

Glory

"If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed," 1 Peter 4:14.

Hmm. But it seems, instead, that we should smite them in the Lord's name! But it says, instead, let none of you suffer as a murderer or thief or evildoer or meddler. But it seems, instead, that we could at least meddle in their affairs. But it says, instead, be happy that you share in Christ's sufferings. But it seems, instead, that we should get even. But it says, instead, be happy so that you can be happy when Christ's glory overwhelms. But it seems, instead, that life should be easy for Christians. But it says, instead, don't be surprised at the fiery ordeal ahead. But it seems, instead, ordeals should be passed. But it says, instead, the ordeal's all part of God's judgment. And it says: the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you suffering as a Christian. So. We shall entrust our souls to the faithful Creator, all the while doing good. Sky kingdom.

When we meet with a brother or sister today, we encourage each other to do good. And, together, we gratefully entrust our lives to God, the faithful one.

Numbered

"He was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry," Acts 1:17.

He, who? Judas. The one who guided Jesus' nailers. So what of him? He was one of the foundational 12. Jesus had chosen him for ministry. What ministry? To bear witness, with the other 11, to Jesus' life and resurrection. But, instead, he chose to betray Jesus leading to crucifixion. (We live in a really messed up world!) But, instead, God yet persisted to build his holy temple on the foundational testimony of 12 (twelve) witnesses. He chose Matthias to round out the 11 to 12 to tell the full story. Jesus, not good enough for men, became cornerstone of the Spirit's eternal dwelling place. God's purposes advance in every world.

We bow with a brother or sister today awed by our God's persistence to bring us all home. And, together, we thank him for his unimaginably perseverating love. Sky kingdom.

Reigns

"Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud, joyful songs!" Psalm 47:1.

Because, you, Lord Jehovah, reign the great king over all the earth! Because you, O God, are fearsome! You have subdued the enemy. O Christ: You arose with a shout! We sing praises to you, O King! O God: You have chosen Jesus' people as your heritage. You have loved us. You reign over all the earth. We praise you in psalm. We sing praises! You reign over the nations. You rule from your holy throne! Leaders of all peoples gather to you, O God of Abraham, of Sarah! Earth's shields belong to you.

As we meet with a brother or sister today we joy in Jesus' rising up to God. And, together, we shout praises and thanksgivings to our God who reigns for ever!

Grain

"I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you," John 13:15.

If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. Father, I ask also for those who will believe that they may all be one, just as you are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. Perfectly one, so that the world may know that you loved them just like you loved me. Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies it bears much fruit. Anyone who serves me must follow me. The Father will honor anyone who serves me.

We serve a brother or sister today and so meet in Jesus' love. And, together, we give faithful thanks to God for raising us up into the sky kingdom.

Ruler

"Whoever does not love me does not keep my words," John 14:24.

If I do not wash you, you have no share in me. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit, the Father prunes that it may bear more fruit. If anyone does not abide in me, he's thrown away like a branch and withers. The ruler of this world is coming, he has no claim on me. But when the Counselor comes he will convict the world because the ruler of this world is condemned. The world cannot receive the Spirit of truth because it neither sees him nor knows him. If they persecuted me, they'll persecute you. They do not know him who sent me. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. They have no excuse for their sin. I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. But take heart, I have overcome the world.

We meet with a brother or sister today humbly chastened in Jesus' call to attend to his word. And, together, reverent, we renew thanksgivings to God for his astounding love.

Friends

"If you love me you will keep my commandments," John 14:15.

I give you a new commandment: Love one another. As I have loved you, you, too, love one another. This is the way everyone will know that you're my followers: If you have love for each other. Any who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to make our home with them. As the Father has loved me, I have loved you like that - settle into my love. This is my commandment: Love one another like I have loved you. None have greater love than to lay down their lives for friends. I call you friends. These things I command you: Love one another. In me you may have peace.

We visit in Christ's love with a brother or sister today, recognizing God's abiding love for us. And, together, we give thanks to God for having loved Jesus as one of us.

Cry

"Christ suffered once for sins so that he might bring us to God," 1 Peter 3:18.

The righteous for the unrighteous. Jesus, the righteous one, for us, the unrighteous ones. He, having been to put to death in the flesh, (but!) he, having been made alive in the Spirit! Yes. For us. So, if God wills for us to suffer unjustly for a while in this temporary world - what's the big deal with that? Better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. A flaming reckoning day awaits rebel humans (devastating like the days of the flood). On that day people baptized into Christ will find their cry to God for good consciences satisfied. The Risen Lord, Jesus, ruling right beside God, heaven and earth subject to him, knows his own.

We visit with a brother or sister today trusting Jesus will ferry us soundly through the fiery ordeal. And, together, we shout hallelujahs to God for clearing our consciences in Jesus' resurrection!

Fixed

"He has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed," Acts 17:31.

Who did? God did. What did he? Fixed a day. For what? For to judge the world. Yeah. That day separates this present temporary nature and the coming immortal and imperishable life. The day of reckoning. Doomsday. Will God do this justly? (Ya gotta be kidding! When kids rebuild their plastic bricks into new structures, who asks if they were fair to the bricks?) But, Yes. God will be just. And more than fair. He will judge the world by the Risen Christ, that most excellent human being. Whoever followed that appointed man as master in this temporary world, receives grace into the eternal one.

We seek a brother or sister today to remind each other of the most excellent master, Jesus. And, together, we give grateful thanks for God's righteous and gracious reckoning day. Sky kingdom.

Worthy

"Jehovah God, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" Psalm 8:1.

Your glory remains fixed beyond the skies! Babies and infants cry out your strength that hushes enemies. We look up and wonder at the skies, at the moon, at the stars. And then we wonder: You created us humans just below the skies. We wonder: How is it that you care about us? Why? You did it, but how did you make humans worthy of the glory and honor to tend to your creation? Ah! but we see Jesus, oh, yes, we see one of us, risen from the dead, Lord of all. We see Jesus worthy!

We visit with a brother or sister today, and, together in thankful awe, we exclaim: O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Blessed

"And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of earth's kings," Revelation 1:5.

Grace and peace. What's from Jesus? Grace and peace. From whomever else? Also, from him who is and who was and who is to come. Grace and peace. And, too, from the seven spirits before God's throne. Grace and peace. This Jesus revealed to any and all comers, God. Whoever received this Jesus heard and saw God's word and work. This Jesus died. This Jesus God raised, firstborn of the dead, made him ruler of rulers. The first one brought back to life never to die again. First of many to come. Grace and peace.

We meet with a brother or sister today blessed to hear and to keep what Jesus revealed. And, together, we bless God who gifts us in Christ with grace and peace.

Hello

"The greeting in my own hand: Paul." Colossians 4:18.

So ends the letter of that old missionary of Christ. (He had to move the chains binding his wrists out of the way to sign his name.) These all say Hello to you, too: Timothy, Aristarchus, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas. And, you, believers in Christ, be sure to say Hello to your brothers and sisters elsewhere. Oh! And to Nympha. And to the church in her home, too! Despite earthly hindrances, God's working a wonder-work whether in grand assemblies or in quiet homes. So. What was the letter's final, final greeting? Grace be with you all. (Like its opening: Grace to you all and peace from God our Father.)

We greet brothers or sisters today remembering the world's fetters hindering us. And, thankful, surrounded by fellow hopers, we anticipate immanent release from earth's bindings. Grace. God's grace.

Space

"There are many spaces in my father's house," John 14:2.

No wonder. His father's kingdom holds the vast skies. Plenty of spaces. No wonder there's room enough for all who believe in God. And in Christ! But wait. That's not all. The fullness of deity dwelt bodily in Jesus. God's temple. But wait. That's not all. God's dwelling comprises all the individual persons, living stones, being built together into his spiritual house, his temple. Space for everyone. But wait. That's not all. Persons believing in Christ form his church. His body. In whom God's Spirit dwells. Plenty of room. Sky kingdom.

Brothers and sisters together, we rest assured today that Jesus prepares home for the age breaking upon us. And, together, we live out thanksgivings by attending to the Spirit's directives.

Living

"You, as living stones, are yourselves being built into a spiritual house, into a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ," 1 Peter 2:5.

Acceptable to whom? To God. What's making for acceptable sacrifices? Resting on the stone that anchors the spiritual house. (Believing in Jesus, of course!) Telling God's overwhelming goodness in calling us out of the dark into the wonder of his light. Being now a people, a people of God's own, when we had been nobodies. Being receivers of God's mercies, when we had been refuse. Rejecting fleshly passions battling against the soul. Maintaining honorable actions when unjustly maligned. Anticipating the grand day of God's visitation!

We visit with a brother or sister today to offer acceptable sacrifices to our God. And, together as his living priesthood in Christ, we offer thanksgivings to the only good, immortal, merciful, and holy God.

Awake

"He fell asleep," Acts 7:60.

That's what it says of the first person who had believed God raised Jesus from the dead, and who had believed that God made Jesus both Lord and Christ, and who had fed the hungry for that faith, and who had preached that faith, and who, because of that faith, had been stoned to death. And ever since then anybody who has died trusting in God's work in Christ, anybody from any tribe or nation or language or culture or whatever - when they die in death, is said to fall asleep in Jesus. Because Jesus will wake them up any morning now, soon. And they will rise and appear with Jesus in the skies. Awake. Very much alive for ever with the Lord. Sky kingdom.

Our visit with a brother or sister today anticipates another meeting, real soon now, with all who sleep in Jesus. And, together, we give thanks and glory to the God of all grace who will do it.

Pastor

"I shall not want," Psalm 23:1.

I'm in need of nothing. Nothing I yearn for. How so? Because the Lord is my pastor. Yes! I trust him. My life calms in his mercies. He gives quiet rest. His gentle paths guide to refreshment. I see his ways draw out the best from my soul. Jehovah God is my pastor. Therefore: I will fear no evil. The Lord is my shepherd. Therefore: Goodness and mercy shall follow me. Jehovah God is my shepherd. Therefore: I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

We dine with a brother or sister today at our God's bountiful table. And, together, we give thanks that he bears us out of death's shadow into the light of his presence.

Fairest

"My brothers, in favoritism you do not have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory," James 2:1.

When people give themselves first to Jesus, they recognize the Lord sustains each believer in the presence of the Father. So, if a person with low social standing comes into the assembly, they treat him with deep respect just as they might welcome somebody with high standing. Jesus' people would not make distinctions between persons based on humanistic societal standards. No. Never! They would not engage in such sin. Rather, they uphold the glorious faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. They show what this means: Love your neighbor as yourself. They know God gives rich faith and kingdom inheritance to anyone.

Meeting with any of our Father's children today, we recognize brothers and sisters. And, together, we give thanks glorifying our fairest God who loves us all.

Validates

"You yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, just as you are doing," 1 Thessalonians 4:9f.

Yes. That's what people do when they give themselves first to Jesus, who upholds them before God at his appearing. The Lord increases them. The Lord overflows their love for each other. Jesus validates them faultless. He sustains their holiness. These people live to please God. These people refuse to confuse real love with sexual immorality, lust, wronging each other, with things that incur God's vengeance. Rather, these people love each other as brothers and sisters all the more. They forego obsessing in others' affairs. These live quietly independent.

We visit a brother or sister today and consider action to serve yet others. And, together, we give thanks to God whose love abounds for us in Jesus' resurrection.

Outbound

"He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out," John 10:3.

The shepherd knows his sheep. By name. The sheep follow him because. Because! Because they know his voice. So, his sheep do not follow another voice. Jesus knows each name of each of his followers. Jesus' followers recognize his words of life against anyone else's strange words of thievery and death. Jesus opens the outbound doorway to bounty and the inbound gate to security. That's how people thrive when they give themselves first to Jesus, who first came to give himself to them. Indeed. His own listen only to him. Word of life.

We visit with a brother or sister today hearing Jesus' call. And, together, we give thanks to God for shepherding us in Christ to heaven.

Grace

"This is grace: If someone, conscious of God, bears with grief under unjust suffering," 1 Peter 2:19.

Yes. That's what people do when they give themselves first to Jesus, who left them an example. But, wow! That's a tough deal. Some suffering, sure, comes from our own foolishness. Don't like it, but we get it. But, wow! This old world fills with unjust suffering. Some injustice comes from plain old out-and-out evil actions of others. How to get even? (especially for unjust punishment!). Well. For persons attuned to God, extend grace. Like Jesus did in his passion. Jesus entrusted himself to God, to God!, who would take care of business. (And God resurrected him to unimaginable glory.) And Jesus' grief gave grace to us.

We meet with a brother or sister today extending grace to cut through inequities. And, thankfully, together, we entrust justice to God whose vengeance will utterly slay the wicked.

Assiduously

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers," Acts 2:42.

Yes. That's what happens when people give themselves first to Jesus, whom God made Lord and Christ. They answer Jesus' resurrection by turning their lives around. They reply to Jesus' resurrection by being buried with him, so as to rise with him. They now hear Jesus' call for living in his new society. They set their lives apart to a new life in his Spirit. They commit assiduously to his foundation teachings. They commit to sharing with one another. They commit to communion with each other. They commit to praying together. That's what happens. That's what they do. Sky kingdom.

We meet with a brother or sister today to share in the power of his Spirit. And, together, we look forward expectantly, gratefully, for receiving a kingdom that will continue into eternity.