Son of God

Sunday, January 15th Readings

2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord, Lamb of God!

May Your light shine

          from the heavens!

May Your Spirit dwell

          throughout the land!

Let all those who gather

          in your name

                   feel Your presence!

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 49:3, 5-6

  • What is glorious about being a servant? 
  • How are you allowing God to make you strong?

1 Corinthians 1:1-3

  • Where do you see evidence of holiness?
  • What do you call God? What names do you use? 
  • What does God call you in return?

John 1:29-34

  • Who in your life demands the respect John the Baptist gives Jesus? What have they done to deserve your respect?
  • Do you believe in anything with as much conviction as John the Baptist does that Jesus is the Savior?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Where do you turn for help?
  • Do you see more light than darkness in your life right now? Or do you see more darkness in your life right now? Is there something you can do this week to let more light in?
  • What can you do to step toward God this year, this month, today?
  • How has your relationship with God restored you?
  • Are there stages of holiness like a 1-10 scale or it is a yes or no, either you are, or you aren’t?
  • What is the opposite of holiness?
  • What are characteristics of holiness? Do any of the characteristics alone point to holiness or do you need all of them?
  • Do you believe the Holy Spirit is here on earth? Where? How do you know?
  • When was the last time you looked to the Spirit of God? What were you looking for? Did the Spirit of God deliver?
  • Is your faith strong enough you would testify on behalf of your beliefs? 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Through the waters of Baptism…

ALL:  I am CLEANED!

Leader:  Through the waters of Baptism…

ALL:  I am made PURE!

Leader:  Through the waters of Baptism…

ALL:  I am SATISFIED!

Leader:  Through the waters of Baptism…

ALL:  I become WHOLE!

Leader:  Through the waters of Baptism…

ALL:  I am BELOVED!

Challenge for the Week:  There is a motivational speaker named Andy Andrews who wrote a book called the Butterfly Effect.  It is a fictional story about a man’s life, based on a scientific theory.  The theory refers to how something as small as a butterfly flapping its wings can cause a tsunami.  The story from Andy Andrews uses this theory to remind us that one small act can do the same thing.  This is some amazing power!  Whether you use your power for good or bad is the challenge this week.  Think about the significant difference one life can make in the world; think Jesus. Your life can make a BIG difference too. Imagine what could happen if you simply flap your wings!

GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com.

Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds, author of the Weekly Scripture Journal is more than a book, it is a guide to becoming a stronger disciple.  Grab and copy and start the journey!

Sunday, January 8th Readings

Epiphany of Our Lord

Opening Prayer

Lord

You shine like a star for all to see

You bring light to the dark places

You pour out Your goodness

You fill me until I overflow

Help me to radiate in this world, like YOU!

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 60:1-6

  • The Magi were drawn to the baby Jesus because of the “great light”. What draws people to a relationship with Jesus today? What draws you into a relationship with Jesus?
  • God calls you into the light. Are there areas of your life which you close off to God or to others because they are dark? Identify the darkness in your life and resolve to let God begin to shine light onto it. Make a resolution to seek help from people who can help shed light onto a dark situation.

Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6

  • What brings light into your life? Take a piece of paper and write down the things that bring light to your life and draw a star around each one. Place this paper in a significant place in your house, on the refrigerator, on your bathroom mirror, in your prayer space, wherever you will see it and be reminded and encouraged.
  • How would you identify yourself as a copartner with God? What does Saint Paul mean here?
  • Saint Paul says all people are heirs to the kingdom of God. Do your actions express this truth? Who in your life needs to be shown God’s unconditional love? What steps can you take to make them feel like a child of God?

Matthew 2:1-12

  • The Magi travelled a great distance to find Jesus. How far have you travelled to find Jesus? What makes the journey worth it?
  • How will you pay homage to Jesus this year? Do any of your resolutions help you deepen your relationship with him? What gifts do you bring to Jesus?
  • The scriptures over the past month have given us examples of how God speaks to his people through dreams. Does this cause you to look at your dreams in a different way?
  • Do you think God still speaks to his beloved people through dreams? Why or why not?
  • What do your dreams warn you against? Do you listen?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Can you identify where God is working in your life? How do you help or hinder God’s work in your life?
  • What does a steward do? How are you a steward of God’s grace?
  • How is it that you came to know Jesus? 
  • How far would you travel to see God?
  • What are you willing to sacrifice/give up in order to find God?
  • How do you relate to Jesus as a baby? What are you to learn or take away from the circumstances of Jesus’ birth? 
  • Is there someone or something that threatens you and your growth in the Spirit? Is there an obstacle in your life, you must overcome? Name the Herod in your life, then ask God to guide you to safety.
  • Things don’t always work out the way you expect. The story of Jesus’ birth says you just have to go with the flow. Are there prayers in your life which have been answered, just not in the way you expected? 
  • Is the faith you express a gift or curse to others?  Explain and give examples of how faith can be both.
  • Is it harder to believe Jesus came to save ALL people or Jesus came to save YOU?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, You are a shining light…

ALL:  shine so I might find You in the darkness.

Leader:Lord, You are a shining light…

ALL:  let Your light be a beacon when I am weary.

Leader:  Lord, You are a shining light…

ALL:  spotlight the path I must follow.

Leader:  Lord, You are a shining light…

ALL:  consume me so others see Your glow within me.

Leader:  Lord, You are a shining light…

ALL:  awaken me to Your radiance!

Challenge for the Week:  Throughout Jesus’ life, He unwrapped the gift of Himself and shared the gifts with others.  Jesus was a good son, obedient to God, a teacher, a healer and a welcomed companion and friend.  What gifts have you been born with but have not unwrapped?  Have you unwrapped gifts within you which you have not shared with others?  What keeps you from unwrapping the gifts and sharing them?  Spend time this week reflecting on your life and the gifts which you have been given and unwrapped.  Have you used the gifts to the benefit of God?  Have you kept the gifts to yourself or only shared them with a few people?  Are there still gifts left for you to unwrap?  How do you know when it is time to unwrap and share the gifts you have been given?  Light a candle in your home to help remind you to reflect on the gift Jesus is and the gift you are too!

GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com.

Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds, author of the Weekly Scripture Journal is more than a book, it is a guide to becoming a stronger disciple.  Grab and copy and start the journey!

Sunday, December 4th Readings

2nd Sunday of Advent

Opening Prayer

Come Holy Spirit… 

          Reshape!

          Embrace!

Set the world on fire with YOUR love!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 11:1-10

  • What are the qualities of God? What do you know and understand of God?
  • What does it mean to “fill the earth with knowledge of the Lord”?
  • Do you see the gifts of the Holy Spirit lived out in your life? Where? How can you be more intentional about using those gifts?
  • Share a present-day example of the “wolf being the guest of the lamb”.

Romans 15:4-9

  • What advice does Saint Paul give here? Do his words ring true for us today? How?
  • Is it easy or difficult to “think in harmony” with another person? What good comes from just agreeing with them? What harm? What does God call you to do in these situations?
  • What walls do you have in front of you as obstacles of unity with others?
  • Are there people in your life whom you find it easier to agree in order to keep peace? What good comes from this?

Matthew 3:1-12

  • How would you respond to John’s call? Knowing what you know about John’s character, what do you think is call was like? Would you be persuaded, or would you turn away?
  • What about John the Baptist would cause you to believe? What would draw you in to be baptized by him?
  • John the Baptist was not worthy to carry Jesus’ sandals; what are things you do not think you are worthy of doing?
  • Are you “on fire” for God? What do your words and actions say?

General Questions for Journaling

  • What opens you to the mystery of God?
  • What do you long for? What do you need this holiday? Where can you find it?
  • Jesus came from a long line of faithful servants. What does your lineage say about faith? What is your faith DNA?
  • The season change indicates it’s time to cut back plants, flowers and trees and bring them in to protect them from the winter frost. How is this true of your faith and relationships?
  • What changes do you need to make in order to clear out “dead wood” in your life? In your beliefs? In your relationships?
  • In retrospect, what changes in your life are you most proud of making? What was the change and what makes you proud of this change?
  • What good comes from you? Where did it come from?
  • Where do you see justice prevail? Share an example.
  • Do you have a sacred place where you feel at peace?
  • Have you ever had such a peace come over you, you felt as though no harm could come to you? Explain.
  • How do you achieve peace in your life? Is it achievable? 
  • How does the Christmas season bring harmony?
  • How does the Christmas season hinder harmony?
  • How does the coming of Jesus give you hope in the world today?
  • How do you feel welcomed? Where do you feel welcomed?
  • How does the Christmas season encourage your faith?
  • How does the Christmas season discourage your faith?
  • What warning(s) have you received of pending doom? 
  • Is it fear of a vengeful wrath or the love of God which keeps you on the straight path?
  • Where do you produce good fruit in your life? What are some things you can change so you can produce more?
  • What fans the flames within you to make you bigger, better and stronger in your faith?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  In the waters of baptism…

ALL:  bring the Spirit of God!

Leader:  Through works of mercy…

ALL:  bring the Spirit of God!

Leader:  In the gift of peace…

ALL: bring the Spirit of God!

Leader:  As I welcome others…

ALL:  bring the Spirit of God!

Leader:  While I sing your praise…

ALL:  bring the Spirit of God!

Leader:  Set my heart on fire…

ALL:  Spirit of God!

Challenge for the Week:  Catholic’s celebrate the coming of Jesus at Christmas in the season called Advent.  They create an atmosphere of peace, hope, joy, and anticipation with sacramentals such as the Advent Wreath, special Scriptures, and traditional songs.  The church is decorated in deep purples and rose, the colors of Advent, instead of the Christmas colors of red, green, and white.  For many, it is easy to take for granted this time of Advent when outside of the church.  The world barely takes notice of how the Church on a greater scale is stepping out and pointing the way to Jesus, instead of what is happening in the world during the “busy holiday season”.  Inside the Catholic church, the attributes of Advent; peace, hope, joy, and anticipation, are on display and there to remind believers about the true reason for the season.  Take time this week to reflect on what role you play in keeping these Advent attributes alive in your life.  What can you do to point toward Jesus, creating an atmosphere of peace, hope, joy, and anticipation?  How can you be like John the Baptist, a voice in the wilderness, keeping Advent alive!

GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com.

Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds, author of the Weekly Scripture Journal is more than a book, it is a guide to becoming a stronger disciple.  Grab and copy and start the journey!

Sunday, November 6th Readings

32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Resurrected Lord,

You gave Your life

          so I might know love.

Let me show You appreciation

          through good works.

Let my gratitude be expressed

          through my prayers.

May I never cease to say

          THANK YOU…

for the gift of life You have given me

today and forever!

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

2 Maccabees 7: 1-2, 9-14

  • What in this scripture reminds you there is more to life than this world?
  • Who are the people in your life who could be called “resurrection” people? Who are the people who bring life to you, brighten your day and fill you with joy?
  • What are some of the earthly burdens you are willing to suffer because of the hope you have in the resurrection?

2 Thessalonians 2:6-3:5

  • What is the purpose of Saint Paul’s prayer for speed?
  • At what speed do you suppose the ministry you are called to do here on earth is moving?
  • What is Saint Paul’s prayer for you? How are you actively pursuing his request/desire for you in your life?

Luke 20:27-38

  • What in this life means the most to you right now? What do you think you can take with you into the next life?
  • How does this Gospel make you feel about your own death?
  • When faced with adversaries trying to trap Him in the law, Jesus always takes the tangled web and lays it straight, what is the bottom line in this scripture?
  • In the Gospel, Jesus focuses on life while the Sadducees focus on death. What does Jesus promise about life after death?

General Questions for Journaling

  • What would you be willing to put on the line to defend?
  • Do you act differently because you have hope in the resurrection? You believe there is more than life here on earth?
  • What do you believe heaven will be like? What or who do you hope to see? Do you look forward to going to heaven?
  • What is something God calls you to “die to” in order to have live with him?
  • What gives you hope when you feel all is lost? In what do you find comfort during difficult situations?
  • Would you say your words and actions show you are confident in the promises of Christ?  Why or why not?
  • Write a list of 10 words which describe how you feel about death, then write a list of 10 words which describe how you feel about the resurrection.
  • What reading(s) or song(s) bring you comfort when you think of losing a loved one?
  • Is it possible to treat everyone equally? Loved ones vs Strangers? Each of your children? Your own siblings? Explain
  • God loves everyone the same, so why is everyone so quick to judge another?
  • Who gives you encouragement? Whom do you encourage?
  • Can you get the wrong kind of encouragement? Give examples.
  • What makes you strong in the faith? How can you share this with others to strengthen their faith?
  • Who was the last saint you read about in detail? Who is the next saint you will get to know?
  • What image do you have of the Communion of Saints? How often to you carry the image with you? Why is it good to remember? 
  • How do you remember those who have died? What traditions do you have in your faith? In your family?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, I pray I can

ALL:  come to understand

Leader:  that Your love is enough

ALL:  to hold me up

Leader:  when I feel abandoned.

ALL: And that Your grace is enough

Leader:  to bring comfort

ALL:  when I don’t feel worthy.

Leader:  And help me remember

ALL:  that your death and resurrection

Leader:  is the promise

ALL:  of everlasting life!

Challenge for the Week:  You probably have someone in your life (or have had) who can be difficult to be around or is hard to talk to for some reason or another.  It could be because of a quirk they have that drives you crazy or perhaps you have a difference of opinion about a specific topic and you just can’t seem to avoid bringing up your differences.  However, Jesus is always urging His followers to break down the walls of difference and injustice and love your neighbor as yourself.  Spend time this week considering how Jesus died for that difficult person and that person whom you don’t like to spend time with just like He died for you.  And Jesus loved that person just as much as He loves you. 

Also consider if this person might need God’s grace and mercy in their life and how you might be just the person to show them God’s loving embrace.  In your reflection, try to find some common ground in this relationship.  Ask yourself, how you would feel if this person were to die today?  Then spend time in those thoughts and feelings and allow God to direct you to what you need to do next.

OR

When Jesus died, His love remained and still remains.  Reflect on the people in your life who have died.  Spend time reflecting on the love they have left behind.  Consider writing them a love letter to let them know how much you love them and how you still feel their love even though they are no longer here on earth.

GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com.

Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds, author of the Weekly Scripture Journal is more than a book, it is a guide to becoming a stronger disciple.  Grab and copy and start the journey!

Sunday, October 16th Readings

29th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Generous God

You give me food from heaven    

          so I have the nourishment I need.

You give me a source of water

          so I can be refreshed and clean.

You also give me friends

          so I can be supported when

          my load just seems to get to heavy.

Thank you Lord,

          for providing all of my needs.

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Exodus 17:8-13

  • Moses needed the help of others to pray without ceasing. Who are the people in your life who help you stay faithful? 
  • What does the scripture tell you about the importance of prayer?

2Timothy 3:14-4:2

  • How are you challenged to use scripture in your life in this reading? What can you do to make this happen more regularly?
  • How is the Gospel/Word of God lived out in the world today? Is it hard or easy to find? Is it easily recognizable or is it disguised?
  • When has your faith been convenient? When has it been inconvenient? What does Saint Paul say you should do about it?

Luke 18:1-8

  • How does this reading make you feel about prayer?
  • What does this reading say about how God answers prayer?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Who or what keeps you persistent in your prayer?
  • Where do you go when you need help? Is help always given?
  • Body language communicates much, so when you see Jesus with his arms stretched out, you can imagine the sacrifice He made on the cross. However, what else do outstretched arms say? What does it mean when you stretch out your arms in prayer?
  • When was the last time you proclaimed the Word of God to others? Your spouse? Your friends? Your kids? Your co-workers? How was this done? What was their reaction?
  • Who last proclaimed with word of God to you? Was it someone close to you? A stranger? Your church? How was it done? What was your response?
  • How can you pray and NOT grow weary? Is it possible?
  • Why is it difficult to pray regularly? What gets in your way? Are you able to keep a pattern of prayer for a long period of time? What keeps you disciplined to do pray regularly?
  • When did you last ask others to pray for you? What was the situation? How did you feel knowing others were praying for you and with you?
  • How can prayer change you?
  • Have you ever felt like your prayers weren’t answered? Why or why not?
  • When you pray are you ready to listen for the answer?
  • Do you pray for those who judge you and for those whom you have judged? 
  • Why should you pray petitions to God? Doesn’t He already know what you need?
  • When did God answer your prayer? Was it in the way you expected?
  • Have you experienced a prayer miracle? When was it? Who was there? What was the circumstance?
  • Do you allow yourself to be vulnerable in your prayer? Do you ask God for what you need or what you want? Is there a difference?
  • How can persistent prayer save you from your enemies?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When I am weak

ALL:  may I find strength…everlasting!

Leader:  When I am blinded

ALL:  may I find my sight…everlasting!

Leader:  When I am weary

ALL:  may I find my contentment…everlasting!

Leader:  When I am lame

ALL:  may I find my healing…everlasting!

Leader:  When I am suffering

ALL:  may I find my blessing…everlasting!

Leader:  When I am alone

ALL:  may I find my Savior…everlasting!

Challenge for the Week:  Consider the following questions: What is the role of prayer in your life?  How do you pray?  When do you pray?  Is there a routine to your prayer?  Do you have a specific place where you pray?  Is there structure to your prayer or is it completely random?  Are there people whom you pray for?  Do you ask others to pray for you?  What value do you put on prayer?  Do you only pray for yourself and your loved ones or do you include people you don’t know?  Do you pray for specific things to happen?  Are your prayers general/generic?  Is your language formal or informal when you pray?  Do you pray by yourself or with others?  How important is prayer to your life?  Do others know how important/unimportant prayer is to you?  Spend time pondering these questions this week and then pray with purpose!

GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com

Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds, author of the Weekly Scripture Journal is more than a book, it is a guide to becoming a stronger disciple.  Grab and copy and start the journey!

He Disciplines

You might think that discipline is a bad thing, primarily because it is what parents do to correct their children’s bad behavior. However, discipline is something you do every day, such as maintaining the speed limit or holding your tongue and not lashing out at your boss. You might even discipline yourself by limiting your caffeine intake or setting an alarm to remind you to take a walk break. Discipline is not a bad thing; it is simply a practice to change behavior.

When you choose to change your behavior, it requires a different attitude and perspective to keep you from falling back into the undesired behavior. This can be hard, especially if you are just starting out. Many people fail when making a resolution to change a behavior due to triggers such as environment or the company they keep.

For example, if you choose to quit smoking but your co-worker whom you normally go outside to smoke with does not, it can be a challenge to still go out with them while they smoke. When you no longer go with them, it can have a negative effect on your relationship and if you do go out with them, you’re more likely to fall back into the behavior you’re trying to avoid.

Discipline is a key factor in discipleship, which is why I’ve always found it interesting that you can’t spell discipline without disciple. I feel there is a message in it somehow such as when you discipline yourself, you are a disciple in training. It makes sense because discipline is a type of sacrifice and when you strive to live your life as a disciple, you do have to make sacrifices.

You can read examples of some of the sacrifices a disciple would make (have made) in the Bible, beginning in the Old Testament. It is full of examples of people who sacrificed for God’s glory such as Abraham, Moses, Job, Naomi, and so many more. In the Old Testament, sacrifices were made on a regular basis as a part of the worship experience. When Jesus came on the scene, He called on the first disciples who left behind their families and possessions to travel with Jesus. Then of course the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus gave His own life for the forgiveness of sins, which is remembered each time Mass is celebrated around the world.

Today, sacrifices might include choosing to go to a Church service or function instead of staying home and watching a movie or a live sporting event. It might mean you skip the drive thru coffee in the morning and donate that money to support a nonprofit organization.  Perhaps the sacrifice is refraining from gossip or saying negative things about other people. Discipline to become a disciple can look different for each person, but it still requires a sacrifice, making the effort to change your behavior.

The practice of discipline is a primary focus during the season of Lent, when in the Catholic church people refrain from eating meat on Fridays and typically give up or take on something. However, discipline is also lived out when you don’t eat for an hour before going to Mass, so you are emptied before receiving communion (Jesus). I like this thought of shedding something or removing something to make room for Jesus, in the same way you decrease your ego to increase God’s plan for you.

So, when the scripture says that Jesus disciplines those He loves, it gives me insight as to why following Jesus can be difficult at times. It helps explain why Jesus says the gate to heaven is narrow because it requires discipline and being able to do hard things. Even Saint Paul contributes to the argument that being a disciple is difficult. He says you must deny the things your body desires and do the things that the Spirit desires; this is not an easy thing to do.

One way to accomplish this feat, or at least begin to make strides towards the goal of getting through the narrow gate, is to practice the “see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil” philosophy. In other words, shedding the thoughts and behaviors that cause you to sin. When you practice filtering your thoughts and behaviors through this philosophy, it can help you identify things you need to do to change or refrain from doing. It is definitely no easy feat, but there is (at least for me) comfort in knowing you are not alone on the journey.

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GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com.

Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds.  It’s more than a book, rather a guide to becoming a stronger disciple through physical and spiritual exercises.  Get your copy and begin the journey!

Sunday, July 10th Readings

15th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Dear God

YOU created a complex world

        and in it YOU give beauty beyond words.

YOU told the sun when to rise

        and provide all creatures with their needs.

YOU wrote on the hearts of Your people

        the desire to love and care for one another.

Let the material things and the lies of the world

        be tossed away and take up space, no more.

Let YOUR Word fill me

        until they overflow from my lips.

AMEN!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Deuteronomy 30:10-14

  • What do you do with all of your heart and soul? Are there a lot of things? A few?    
  • How do know God has a plan for you?

Colossians 1:15-20

  • What do you learn about Jesus in this scripture? 
  • What does it encourage you to do to be more like Jesus?

Luke 10:25-37

  • Identify your neighbors. What are their needs? How can you show them the love of God?
  • Have you seen this parable lived out in your life? When have you been robbed and left for dead? When have you been the one who passed by? When have you been the one who helped? When have you been like the innkeeper?

General Questions for Journaling

  • How do you hear the voice of God? When?
  • How often do you follow God’s voice/words when you hear them?
  • Where do you go to find purpose or meaning in your life?
  • What does it mean to have something “written on your heart”?
  • Who are your confidants? What qualities do they have that you go to them for advice?
  • Do you live your life so others know God is first? Or is someone else put first in your life? Spouse? Greed? Children? Self?
  • Does peace come to you or is it something you work for? 
  • What does reconciliation feel like? Is it easy or difficult to achieve reconciliation?
  • Is there a limit to how much you can help another? Have you ever hit the limit?
  • When you are in need, are you open to others helping you? Why or why not?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When I feel I’ve hit a dead end and don’t know what to do…

ALL:  YOU have the power to create a new path!

Leader:  When I am left with nothing and don’t know what to do…

ALL:  YOU have the power to share what I need!

Leader:  When I feel lost and don’t know what to do…

ALL:  YOU have the power to welcome with open arms!

Leader:  When I am blinded by fear/money/arrogance…

ALL:  YOU have the power to forgive my wrongs!

Leader:  When I feel I am on empty and don’t know what to do…

ALL:  YOU have the power to fill me up!

Leader:  Father, giver all good things…

ALL:  may I live my life in these truths!

Challenge for the Week:  How are the commandments relevant today?  Where do you see them lived out?  Spend time this week re-writing the commandments to make them specific to you.  Highlight the ones you struggle with so you can pay more attention to them.

GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com

Sunday, January 9th Readings

Baptism of the Lord

Opening Prayer

Jesus

You meet me in the wilderness

You understand the rocky path

You hear my cry for help

You bring cleansing rain

You give me new perspective

You open my eyes to see

You clear the pathway before me

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 42 :1-4, 6-7

  • Use your own words to describe what it means for God to be pleased with you.
  • Do you want to God to be pleased with you? What do you want God to be pleased about?
  • Describe a real-life desert experience. Where do they exist and what positive things can come from wandering through the desert?

Acts 10:34-38

  • Why does God give salvation?
  • What does it mean that God has no partiality? How does that affect the way you accept others? How does that affect the way you accept yourself?

Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

  • The scripture says the people waited in anticipation for the Baptism; explain in your own words how baptism makes you feel. Must you have a personal connection to the one who is baptized to feel this anticipation? Why or why not?
  • John the Baptist brought many believers to follow Jesus. Who first introduced you to Jesus?
  • When did you last see someone whom you knew had Jesus within them? How did you know? What did you feel? What did you see?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Where do you see God’s love?
  • When did you last experience Baptism? What can you do to keep that experience real and close to you all the time?
  • How do you give thanks for the extravagant gift of eternal life God has given to you?
  • God is so generous with His gifts; what can you do to be more giving of love, mercy and understanding?
  • Where do you find value in your life? What validation do you seek?
  • Do you ever find faith hard to comprehend or figure out how it works?
  • Why does turning on the light in the middle of the night when it is dark hurt? Describe the feelings and thoughts you have in those seconds it takes to adjust to the light.
  • On the flip-side, how do you adjust to the darkness when you turn off the lights? How often is there complete darkness?
  • How do you proclaim your dedication to God?
  • Can you always see darkness coming? Is it possible to avoid darkness?
  • What can you do to get yourself out of darkness? Is it possible to do it alone?  How can you help others out of darkness?
  • When do you feel strongest in spirit?
  • What does the power of God feel like?
  • What does the power of the devil feel like?
  • Do you see/feel God’s presence guiding you as this new calendar year begins? Be specific.
  • How do your “new year resolutions” pertain to your faith?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Through the waters of Baptism…

ALL:  I have been CLEANED!

Leader:Through the waters of Baptism…

ALL:  I have been made PURE!

Leader:  Through the waters of Baptism…

 ALL:  I have been SATISFIED!

Leader:  Through the waters of Baptism…

 ALL:  I have been made WHOLE!

Leader:  Through the waters of Baptism…

ALL:  I am LOVED and called BELOVED!

Challenge for the Week:  There is not one person who has ever wanted to be the last one picked to be on a team.  The anticipation of being the next person chosen can be agonizing, silently screaming “pick me, pick me” and then the feeling of defeat when your name is not the one called.  This is not a feeling God EVER wants His children to experience. So when it comes to His choosing you, God chose you BEFORE you ever existed.  This is one amazing thing to contemplate!

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