Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
THURSDAY, June 25
1 Samuel 8:1-22. Appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations.
The Israelites want a king. Read Samuel's description of what this will mean for them. Then look at your own pet government peeves.
A friend and I were sharing that we no longer covet what others have--if we want something, we just buy it. Money apparently wipes out the sin of the tenth commandment. Can you see the flaw in this picture? Does fulfilled coveting no longer count?
Money also often leads to the accumulation of space-taking, dust-collecting, soul-sapping stuff. Do possessions bring happiness? Does the one who dies with the most toys truly win?
Why can't I learn that more stuff brings more work? As I enter the Medicare years, hanging always over my head is the need to deal with drawers, closets, rooms full of accumulated stuff--to remove from my life what I once desperately felt the need to own.
Money, possessions, and having what the other person has do not bring happiness. Happiness comes only from gratitude for what is.
Ye that are rich in this world, that have food to eat, and raiment to put on, and something over, are you clear of the curse of loving the world? Are you sensible of your danger?
--John Wesley
PRAY for the Diocese of Lincoln (Canterbury, England)
Ps 105:1-22 * 105:23-45; Acts 6:15-7:16; Luke 22:24-30
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
A Meditation for Pentecost
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