Today's Meditation

Ephesians 2:1-10. …so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Just how much are “immeasurable riches”? The riches referred to here are God’s riches, which he shares “in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

Later on in this epistle Paul tells us to “be imitators of God.” Sharing of riches is a choice God makes; some of us do not. Something needs to happen to loosen up the hold, to inspire sharing.

Why do so many of our children live in poverty when others nearby live so comfortably? Imagine you are a child in that situation. The Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota is located in several of the poorest counties in the United States. Children do not eat. They are not educated. They are often exposed to violence that results from being totally disempowered. Many children fall victim to suicide.

There are immeasurable riches in the United States. We are all impacted by how they are shared. Our personal tithe of our own wealth is a great step in beginning to address the needs of the whole Christian family.

PRAY for the Diocese of Chester (York, England) http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/diocese.cfm?Idind=150

Ps 85, 86 * 91, 92; 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Matthew 7:22-27 http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=202236483

View the daily Lectionary Readings at the Satucket Lectionary website http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/May12.htm

Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com or Oremus Bible browser.

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May 18, 2012 at 6:17 am

Written by cherie,

The disparity between the have and have nots in this world is troubling. There is so much we could do if we would all align our hearts with the Holy Spirit. But Jesus promises that the last will be first and I look forward to the day when He pours out his riches upon those who have for so long been without. Thanks be to God!

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May 18, 2012 at 7:08 am

Written by Jerry,

Amen. But I'm waiting for readers to write back that the poor just are people who don't take advantage of opportunities before them and work hard to improve their situation. Ending a multi-generational cycle of poverty where no one is offering a hand up or introduction to a friend with a corporate job or internship is nearly impossible. But God's riches are available to all and he blessed the poor. Trying to remember where he ever blessed the wealthy. Thanks be to God for his immeasurable riches.

Grace

May 18, 2012 at 7:24 am

Written by Gail J in N.C.,

Ephesians 2 1-10

My favorite part of that passage is verse 8 “For by grace you have been saved . . . it is the gift of God”

As I get older I become more and more aware of God’s grace and how all-sufficient it is. Today, I am reminded of one of those verses of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing that talks about me “Oh to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be.”

. . . because it is daily, hourly, minutely that I’m in debt to God’s wonderful, continual gift of grace.

Wealthy Blessings

May 18, 2012 at 8:15 am

Written by emeline,

Jerry, the Wealthy's blessings come from the fact that they have been given the necessary resources to keep them off the poverty line. Whether they got their wealth by inheritance, hard work, or whatever legal means, they do not have to endure the squalor of living in poverty. We are not encouraging anyone to just give away their well-deserved wealth. We, however, who are more "blessed," should help where the need is legitimate - those who have no means but are willing to improve themselves with our help, through providing opportunites for them to improve their lot. Not the deliberate BUMS, but those who are sincere. Remember the biblical references, "The poor you will always have with you......"

IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE. THANKS FOR SHARING!

I wonder

May 18, 2012 at 8:53 am

Written by A,

I am seeing the beautiful CA coastline for the first time. On a long awaited vacation, I began yesterday on the exquisite Monterey Bay. As we walked toward the reknown aquarium there, a young man of maybe 20 asked if I had
any "spare change.". I had no cash at all with me and told him so. Throughout the remainder of the day my thoughts drifted back to him. This is no unique experience, it has happened to all of us countless time and in the majority of encounters, the response is the same. What would have been the right thing to do? Might I have engaged him on how he found himself, a whole and physically healthy appearing clear eyed young man, in such circumstances making this request? It has stayed with me and I appreciate the passage and challenge this monrh's author has invoked.

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Luke 24:44-53. Then Jesus said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.”

Very much like the charge set forth to us at our baptism, our confirmation, or at ordination, the disciples have been charged by Jesus that all things written about him in the law of Moses, the psalms, or the prophecies passed on to us through the prophets must be fulfilled.

How do we live into such an important call? How do we find ourselves living into and fulfilling what has been intended for us after Jesus is gone?

Once in a while we get lucky and things just seem to fall into place, but most of the time we have to be intentional about our lives as Christians. We can’t function like accidental Christians because we would not feel fulfilled. So all we can do is be intentional.

This is not an easy task. In fact, if we have followed Jesus throughout his life by reading the stories, the accounts of his life in the Bible, we know how hard it can be. Being intentional about our lives is a discipline involving stretching our comfort levels, expanding our minds to be more inclusive, and ultimately encouraging others to join us because our lives are charismatic enough to draw people to us, to Jesus.

PRAY for the Diocese of Sheffield (York, England) http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/diocese.cfm?Idind=486

Ps 47 or 93; Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:15-23 http://ow.ly/atl6l

View the daily Lectionary Readings at the Satucket Lectionary website http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/May12.htm

Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com or Oremus Bible browser.

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Lets' Share

May 17, 2012 at 8:19 am

Written by emeline,

Today's Meditation Writer has given a clear picture of how we are to invite other people to share in God's Kingdom. Intentioned Christian living should be our main focus. Pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance and direction that we may fulfill our mandate as Christians!

Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!

Reader's Guide for Forward Day by Day

May 17, 2012 at 9:47 am

Written by miriam,

Question from the Reader's Guide relating to today's meditation:
How do we find ourselves living into and fulfilling what has been intended for us after Jesus is gone?

Have you used the Reader's Guide? What do you think?

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Today's Meditation

FRIDAY, May 18

THURSDAY, May 17 Ascension Day

The History of Forward Movement:

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