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.
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.
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