Readings for:
Day 333 – Friday, November 29: I Corinthians 1 – 4
Day 334 – Saturday, November 30: I Corinthians 5 – 8
Day 335 – Sunday, December 1: I Corinthians 9 – 11
Day 336 – Monday, December 2: I Corinthians 12 – 14
Day 337 – Tuesday, December 3: I Corinthians 15 – 16
Day 338 – Wednesday, December 4: II Corinthians 1 – 4
Day 339 – Thursday, December 5: II Corinthians 5 – 9
Day 340 – Friday, December 6: II Corinthians 10 – 13

Tis’ the most wonderful time of the year! Wow where did the last week go. Throw in Thanksgiving, Black Friday Shopping, Strep Throat that was picked up at the Thanksgiving Table, a Funeral, the church boiler on the fritz, our Youth Group Cookie Walk and their Christmas Party, and now the stomach flu is going around our house. Phew! What a whirl wind! Yet, we still call this the most wonderful time of the year. Right now, I’m questioning that, and praying that I don’t get the stomach bug that my wife and son seem to have at the moment.

To the Church in Corinth . . .

While we have two letters included within the Bible addressed to the Church in Corinth, there were a variety of communications that were written either by Paul or by the church that have been lost over time. Take for instance:

• I Corinthians 5:9 – Where Paul refers to a letter about “Sexually Immoral Persons” that he had written earlier to the people in Corinth.
• I Corinthians 7:1 – Refers to a letter the Corinthians had written to Paul with various questions they had concerning the faith. Questions the remaining portion of I Corinthians goes on to address.
• II Corinthians 2:2-4 – Paul makes mention to a letter of “distress and anguish” which he had written to the people . These themes don’t fit the nature of I Corinthians, we we can assume there was another letter written by Paul in anguish.
• Then of course we have I Corinthians,
• and II Corinthians.

Add that all together, and we have at least five different “Letters” sent back and forth between Paul and the Church in Corinth. Pretty impressive, considering this was well before the days of word processing, texting, or a simple email. Let alone, things like FedEx, UPS, and the USPS weren’t even thought of. Sending a letter took work. You needed pen, paper, a scribe who could write, and finally someone reliable enough to get it delivered safely. As we read through the rest of the Bible, remember that this was not small task as we treasure these words of communication back and forth between God’s people.

I Corinthians . . .

We can’t go through this letter without mention of Chapter 13. All of u s know it . . . or should, “Love is patient, love is kind . . .” You’ve probably heard it at nearly every wedding you’ve been too. As you read this text, I want you to try something. For this is the heart of Paul’s message of love and building up the kingdom of God in Corinth. Substitute your name in place of the word “Love.” If you are in a relationship substitute both of your names. This is how the pastor read it at our wedding . . . “C.J. and Wendy are patient. C.J. and Wendy are kind. . . .” How does that change the reading for you? It makes you think doesn’t it? How often do we fall short of sharing the love entrusted to us through patience, kindness, gentleness, and self control? My friends we are in trouble!

Now just when all seems hopeless. Make one other substitution for me. Read it again and substitute Jesus for “love.” Ah!!! Now we get the idea. For Jesus is always patient, kind, never envious, boastful, arrogant, or rude. Jesus never insists on his own way, and he will always believe all things. This is the heart of the Gospel and the reminder that Pastor John Mawhirter preached at our wedding 21 + years ago. Love is what is entrusted to us. We are called to give, receive, and life in love. Yet, being human we will fail. While we may not live in perfect love, thanks be to God, someone does . . . Jesus!!

II Corinthians . . .

My take away from II Corinthians was Chapter 11 whee Paul lists his sufferings. If you are going to read anything, read again II Corinthians 11:16-33. I know ministry has its challenges, yet my sufferings are nothing compared to Paul, and indeed nothing compared to the cross. Friends . . . let us not take our faith for granted! Persecutions still happen today in the name of Christ. So together let us boast in the goodness of God!

Finally a quick glimpse at the videos from thebibleproject.com if you are interested:

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Upcoming Readings:
Day 341 – Saturday, December 7: Galatians 1 – 3
Day 342 – Sunday, December 8: Galatians 4 – 6
Day 343 – Monday, December 9: Ephesians 1 – 3
Day 344 – Tuesday, December 10: Ephesians 4 – 6
Day 345 – Wednesday, December 11: Philippians
Day 346 – Thursday, December 12: Colossians
Day 347 – Friday December 13: I Thessalonians
Day 348 – Saturday, December 14: II Thessalonians
Day 349 – Sunday, December 15: I Timothy
Day 350 – Monday, December 16: II Timothy

Reading for:
Day 328 – Sunday, November 24: Romans 1 – 3
Day 329 – Monday, November 25: Romans 4 – 7
Day 330 – Tuesday, November 26: Romans 8 – 10
Day 331 – Wednesday, November 27: Romans 11 – 13
Day 332 – Thursday, November 28: Romans 14 – 16

I’ve gotten a bit bogged down trying to get ready for Advent and squeezing everything in before Thanksgiving. It’s been an exhausting joy to be a part of our community Thanksgiving baskets. I was able to help pass out and distribute 30 baskets in the past few days. What a blessing. Truly helps to to remember all the blessings that we are blessed with, little or great, they are still a blessing. I pray that as you begin to gather around the table with friends and family that you might pause long enough to give thanks!

One prayer concern please. I have a wonderful church member who has been put on Hospice Care. His name is John. He has “fought the good fight” for a long time and now he is in the process of gaining a different victory than originally hoped for. I’m not sure why, but this one seems to be playing with my emotions a bit more than others. So keep John’s family in your prayers . . . and a few for my pastoral guidance wouldn’t hurt either.

As we move from the Gospels and the story of the Act’s of the Apostles , we turn the page to Paul’s letters. I haven’t decided how I’ll approach these yet for your reading and discernment, but I might share my thoughts one letter at a time. But since I’ve been bogged down with everything else, for now, I’m going to pass you off to our friends at thebibleproject.com and let us learn and reflect together on Romans.

Blessed Thanksgiving!
Pastor Bailey

Reading for:
Wednesday, November 20: Acts 18 – 20
Thursday, November 21: Acts 21 – 23

Paul begins to travel
And travel . . .
And travel . . .

Let’s keep in mind that Paul and his companions didn’t have the luxury of jumping in the car and making a quick trip to the neighboring church. There weren’t any boarding passes on the express flight from here to there. These were labor intensive journeys. On foot. Maybe if you were lucky via caravan, riding on a mule, horse, or donkey. It took days, if not weeks and months to get from point A to point B. Some scholars estimate that Paul traveled over 10,000 miles. That seems hard to fathom. Yet, devoted to Christ, his very lift centered on sharing the good news everywhere he could.

As he did, and as we read, we encounter names that will be important to us especially as we work our way through the rest of the New Testament. Some of these include mention of Corinth, Ephesus, Galatia, Rome, Philippi, Thessalonica, and others. Keep that in mind as we soon turn the page, moving from Acts into the Letters of Paul.

However, before we do that, ponder with me the many many miles that Paul traveled as you reflect on his four different journeys out into the world, proclaiming the good news of Christ!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Reading for the next few days:
Friday, November 22: Acts 24 – 26
Saturday, November 23: Acts 27 – 28
Sunday, November 24: Romans 1 – 3

Reading for:
Tuesday, November 19: Acts: 16 – 17

I’m fighting a nasty head cold this week, so I’m a bit behind. Sorry about that . . . but it means today’s thoughts will be short.

Did you catch an interesting shift in pronouns while reading chapter 16? If not, read thought it again, even if at a glance. What did you notice?

Hopefully you caught on that the writer includes the use of the word “we.” It is important to note that these few paragraphs are first hand encounters which Luke had with Paul. Beginning with 16:11 . . . “we set sail.” The encounter doesn’t seem to last long, as Paul and Silas are imprisoned in the later half of the chapter where the story begins to read more as a narrative, much like it had before. Never the less, this is a significant reminder that Luke, who was working to “put together an orderly account” (Luke 1:3) for Theophilus walked side by side with Paul during some of his travels.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Reading for the next few days:
Wednesday, November 20: Acts 18 – 20
Thursday, November 21: Acts 21 – 23
Friday, November 22: Acts 24 – 26

Reading for:
Saturday, November 16: Acts 9 – 10
Sunday, November 17: Acts 11 – 13
Monday, November 18: Acts 14 – 15

Enter Paul . . . I mean Saul . . . I mean Paul. Well, yeah that guy.

Our reading in Acts take a bit of a shift as we enter the 9th chapter. Here we move away from the Acts of the Apostles to the Acts of one who was persecuting the church. We saw him briefly in Chapters 7 and 8, as Stephen was stoned, as he “was ravaging the church” (8:3). His actions remind me of the movie and tv series “The Purge.” Troubling stuff, and seems all to close to potential reality in our own times, but here Saul is doing much the same, purging new christians.

Yet, God does something unthinkable. God uses Saul as a key leader in the growth of the same church he is persecuting. Wow! I can imagine the trepidation that Ananias had when called to go to Saul in Damascus. He likely knocked on the door thinking this would be his very last. Instead the unthinkable. Saul is converted. He is changed and begins to spread the good news.

Certainly this brought tension to the Apostles, as God was doing something new through Paul. It may not say it, but there is definitely a bit of the childhood mindset, “I was here first” that takes place between Paul and Peter. While we all hold on to that child like mentality, it is important to remember that God uses the most unexpected of people, which includes you and me.

So let’s all wash the scales off of our own eyes, and go and share the good news of Jesus Christ!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Reading for the next few days:
Tuesday, November 19: Acts: 16 – 17
Wednesday, November 20: Acts 18 – 20
Thursday, November 21: Acts 21 – 23

Reading for the next few days:
Thursday, November 14: Acts 4 – 6
Friday, November 15: Acts 7 – 8

Filled with the Holy Spirit the Apostles are sent out into the world. As they are sent, persecution begins. Stephen is stoned in chapter 7. The Apostles are flogged in chapter 5. Jesus had warned them the road ahead would be difficult.

Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death,
and you will be hated by all nations because of my name.
(Matthew 24:9)

‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. 
(Matthew 10: 16-18)

Despite a constant reminder, the Apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit can do none other than proclaim the name and grace of Christ! While they experience hardship, here’s what I love, as Luke writes the Book of Acts, just after they were flogged:

As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.
(Acts 5:41-42)

Would you be so faithful to rejoice in persecution? I’m not sure I would, but thanks be to God these first witnesses were empowered to do none other than proclaim the name of Christ!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Reading for the next few days:
Saturday, November 16: Acts 9 – 10
Sunday, November 17: Acts 11 – 13
Monday, November 18: Acts 14 – 15

Reading for:
Wednesday, November 13: Acts 1 – 3

As we turn the page to another book in the Bible we shift from Jesus and the Gospels to the Book of Acts. However this isn’t a stand alone book. At least it was never meant to, be that when it was first written. We’ve have to turn back to the opening chapter of Luke to understand what I mean, or turn back to my reflections titled “Year of Scripture-Luke”. Luke writes to “Theophilus” and either dedicates his writing to him, or gives greetings to him in the opening words of both the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. So Acts is a sequel! If it were up to me, I would probably re-order the Gospels and Acts to John, Mark, Matthew, Luke, Acts, but as it is they didn’t ask me when the were putting the good book together. 🙂

Also, I think the title is misleading. Several scholars may agree. The Acts of the Apostles as it is often called, looses sight of the main actor in the story. This should be renamed the Acts of the Holy Spirit. For it is the Spirit that gives life to the early Church after Jesus’ Ascension . . . and the Holy Spirit is awesome!

Rushing in like a violent wind. Helping the now Apostles hear and speak in other languages. Moving them from a locked upper room. Sending them forth into the world. What an awe inspiring moment as 1,000’s were baptized and brought to faith on the Day of Pentecost.

Add to that, the impressive words of Peter. This is definitely a Spirit filled Peter. No longer are we sinking in the water as the storm rages. No longer are we turning back to our former lives and caught fishing in Jesus’ absence. No longer are we putting selfish desires first and told “get behind me Satan.” No longer are we denying Jesus in the public courtyard of the High Priest. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter has been changed. Peter has been moved from Disciple to Apostle and witness to Christ! With that, we realize one thing, this bumbling fool of a disciple can preach!

With the voice of Peter and filled with the Holy Spirit, let us all preach on and proclaim the good news of Jesus!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Reading for the next few days:
Thursday, November 14: Acts 4 – 6
Friday, November 15: Acts 7 – 8
Saturday, November 16: Acts 9 – 10

Reading for:
Sunday, November 10: John 13 – 15
Monday, November 11: John 16 – 18
Tuesday, November 12: John 19 – 21

It’s hard not to fall in love and be amazed by the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. There is always something awe inspiring every time I read it. That being said, between teaching the Gospels for a Diaknoia Class, and my prep work for it, and now journeying through the Year of Scripture, this is the 12th time I’ve read these words in the past two months, so I’ve got it down. Still . . . I come back in awe that God would do such a thing for me!

Three things to note as we wrap up our reading of John.

1. Nicodemus: Way back in chapter three, Nicodemus came to Jesus when? In the darkness of night. It was all in secret, a bit hush hush, and Nicodemus was challenged with some great words by Jesus. So what happened? I posed that in my daily blog a few days back. Nicodemus became a believer! From the darkness of night to the light of the day, he now publicly attends to Jesus’ burial with 75 pounds of aloes. What a rich gift! What a transition of faith! As people of light, may we bold enough to move from our own darkened places to share the love of God!
2. Jesus prays: As we gather in the upper room in John just before Jesus is betrayed, foot washing is introduced as a model of service, and Jesus prays. This “High Priestly Prayer” as it is often called, includes words of prayer for our unity, care, and well being. And Jesus prays . . . wow does he pray. Words of compassion. Words of authority! Words of vision! Words of God. May we be bold enough to pray, and to remember that Jesus prayed for us!
3. Peter runs: You have to enjoy the dynamics of Easter morning. Mary encounters Jesus at the tomb, runs to greet the disciples and there is this great power play between Peter and the Beloved Disciple. Perhaps it goes something like this: They take off running to the tomb together. The Beloved Disciple takes the lead and arrives first. Out of breath he stands hand on either side of the entrance, leaning in trying to catch his breath. Peter arrives a few minutes later, huffing and puffing, shoves the Beloved disciple out of the way, and rushes into the tomb, filled with concern and doubt. The Beloved Disciple steps in, takes a look around, and realizes what has happened. He is alive! Proclaiming the good news, Peter still stands in awe at the mystery of what has taken place, while the Beloved Disciple begins running back, shouting over and over, “He is alive!” I love playing that scene in my head. You can sense the dynamics at play. The disbelief, the awe, the wonder, and the amazement at the awesome thing that God has done!

Knowing Christ is alive, go and share the Good News!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Reading for the next few days:
Wednesday, November 13: Acts 1 – 3
Thursday, November 14: Acts 4 – 6
Friday, November 15: Acts 7 – 8

Reading for:
Saturday, November 9: John 11 – 12

Just as the blind man in Chapter 9 is a story unique to John, Chapter 11 presents another unique story with the death and rising of Lazarus. What a powerful story. Most of us are familiar with it, even if we haven’t read much of the Bible.

• One of Jesus’ friends is sick and in need of healing
• Jesus is invited to come and heal him.
• He chooses not to.
• Then changes his mind, but it’s to late. Lazarus has died.
• The sisters weep.
• Jesus weeps.
• With bold words, “Lazarus come out!” The dead come back to life!

Granted that is a real quick summary of the story, but that’s it in a nut shell. We could reflect on a bunch of the details given, however I’d like us to think about Lazarus for a minute. What do you think was going on in his mind after he came back up out of the tomb. My gut reaction is “Jesus what were you thinking!” Trusting in the promise of eternal life, dwelling in the glory of God, who in their right mind would want to come back to this? Not me! I certainly hope that when my time is come, that I can enjoy the splendor of eternal life without being wrenched back to the struggles of life on earth. That being said, I would think Lazarus must have thought, “Jesus what were you thinking!”

However, this takes place in the days prior to Jesus’ death and resurrection, and without Jesus death and resurrection we may wonder if paradise was open to the faithful. Isn’t that what Jesus died for, to open the gates of paradise, among other things? So . . . if paradise wasn’t open, perhaps Lazarus was doomed to live in “Sheol” as we often read in the bible. Life in the fringe, no hope, no suffering, yet no glory either. Perhaps, without the cross there was little for Lazarus to enjoy. At least temporarily. So for that, Lazarus might give thanks for the new gift of life.

Either way, the power of God is revealed. Jesus has power over the living and the dead. Jesus restores the hope and life of all people, and in him we have inherited the gifts that only God can give!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Reading for the next few days:
Sunday, November 10: John 13 – 15
Monday, November 11: John 16 – 18
Tuesday, November 12: John 19 – 21

Reading for:
Thursday, November 7: John 7 – 8
Friday, November 8: John 9 – 10

As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth.
(John 9:1)

With these words chapter nine begins, and with it a chapter long story on the man, blind from birth. You have to feel bad for this guy. When everyone should be rejoicing, there is skepticism, doubt, questions, and disbelief. How unfortunate. His parents, his friends, the priest at the Temple, everyone he encounters simply wants to distance themselves from him because he can now see. They each have the same continued questions, how did this happen, or who did this? To which he responses: “I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

Again where there should be rejoicing, there is skepticism, doubt, questions, and disbelief. But isn’t that the way it is with faith? Where there should be rejoicing in the new life that Jesus offers to us, or in trying to share that faith with others we are met with skepticism, doubt, questions, and disbelief. No one wants to rejoice in the truth . . . that Jesus can and does open the eyes of faith to all who call upon his name. I know my eyes are open to that new and radiant vision, are yours?

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

PS:
Did you notice the brief encounter with Nicodemus in Chapter 7? Whose side is he on at this point?
Also pay attention to the “I am” statements in chapter 10. There are a few great ones to reflect on there!

Reading for the next few days:
Saturday, November 9: John 11 – 12
Sunday, November 10: John 13 – 15
Monday, November 11: John 16 – 18