To Life! To Life Everlasting!

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, July 14, 2015

To Life! To Life Everlasting!

Life remains a recurring theme throughout the Bible, and especially in the New Testament. Not only the mention of Life, but fullness of life. And of course, life everlasting, or eternal life.

The chapter for today from Praying the New Testament as Psalms features a number of these verses on differing aspects of Life. It gives a modern psalm that shows many of the different kinds of Life, and lets us know how amazing they are. And, what an amazing God we have. Imagine, offering us all of these different facets in Life Abundant. Or, Fullness of Life. Or, Life Everlasting.

This particular verse struck me deeply: “Make me a Gospel person—righteous, faith-filled—/for those who are righteous will live by faith.” [1] My goodness, the part where the authors mention “make me a Gospel person?” Those words are arresting. Thought-provoking.

And, I can spread the Gospel pretty much any way I want. As long as I remain true to the Message and to God.

First, God wants me to be a Gospel person! I had never thought of it that way before, but I think I want to be a Gospel person. Someone who runs after those who don’t know the Gospel, or haven’t heard. Someone who is trying to live in a way consistent with the Gospel, too.

Second, God would be pleased if I were to spread the Gospel. I see that as “however I see fit.” Moreover, one huge addition not expressly commanded, but can be seen by His example over and over again? Our Lord Jesus and His treatment, caring and love for those who dwelt on the margins. On the edges of not only society, but on the periphery of human behavior.

What would Jesus do? I think we know. He would proclaim Life Everlasting to everyone He met, no matter what. What should I do? I think, the same.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .

[1] Praying the New Testament as Psalms, Desmond O’Donnell, OMI, and Maureen Mohen, RSM, (United States of America: ACTA Publications, 2002.), 120.

As Human As You or Me

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Thursday, July 2, 2015

As Human As You or Me

What if the New Testament were written more like the books of poetry from the Hebrew Scriptures? Certainly a change in perspective, that’s for sure. As I mentioned yesterday, I’ll be using a book named Praying the New Testament as Psalms all this month. (Desmond O’Donnell and Maureen Mohen wrote the book.)

For the next few days, I will be looking at several psalm portions written about differing aspects of our Lord Jesus. Today, I wanted to consider Jesus as Human. Fully human.

Yes, I know these points of doctrine and characteristics of Jesus in an intellectual way. True. But expressed in the form of a psalm? Powerful.

“Knowing that Jesus can sympathize with my weaknesses/and that mercy and grace are there for the asking;” [1] As I read this portion, I could not help but think of the person of Jesus—the very real, very physical Person. (The Second Person of the Trinity, remember.)

Mercy! Grace! I need them both so much. And, I am ever so grateful that our Lord Jesus is accessible, any time. Any place. Wow.

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You. That’s all I can say.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .

[1] Praying the New Testament as Psalms, Desmond O’Donnell, OMI, and Maureen Mohen, RSM, (United States of America: ACTA Publications, 2002.), 24.