| Comedian Lily Tomlin once said, “Why is it that when we talk to God we’re said to be praying, but when God talks to us we’re schizophrenic?” We continue this series on staying spiritually fit with a biggy – prayer. I am constantly amazed that the Lord of the universe wants to talk with me. I am even more amazed that God would want to listen. But prayer is both of those things (talking and listening) and both are necessary for any good relationship. Trappist monk and author Thomas Keating once wrote, “Prayer is like having a date with God. Regular periods of prayer let us get acquainted with Christ and God, not unlike the way we might phone someone who has impressed us or attracted us to their goodness. It’s the same way in forming a relationship with God. We have to hang out together.” So have you been hanging out with God much lately? We are busy and God is not all that cheap of a date. But in this time together you may discover a new way of living and loving. And if you listen very carefully you may even hear God tell you the very thing you need to hear the most. So, let us pray….. Pastor Rob |
| Sunday’s Scripture Lesson | John 15:5-17 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.” Points to Ponder Prayer is one way we learn to abide (live, be connected, remain) in Jesus. God always answer our prayers? How does God speak to you today? What do you think Jesus means when he says in v. 7 to “ask whatever we will and it shall be done?” What should we do when we do not feel like praying? What does it mean that Jesus calls us “friends.” How do you feel when you can have an audience with the King of the Universe? |
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