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Reaching In, Reaching Up, Reaching Out: The Spiritual Work of Overcoming Racism
“And I must say tonight that a riot is the language of the unheard. And what Read More
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Richard Oliphant Randolph | Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
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Sign Up TodayHow does God teach us about God’s love for us and plan for our salvation? Paul argues that Christ’s crucifixion is “a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.” Twenty-first-century people frequently wear the cross as a piece of jewelry, and we can easily forget how scandalous Christ’s crucifixion...
Most loving God, we give you thanks for the knowledge and power of your awesome love. Amen.
As we continue in the season of Lent, we remember another important chapter in salvation history. Just as God established covenants with Noah and Abraham and their descendants, so did God renew the relationship with the Israelites by giving them the law. Obedience to the law was not the means of earning God’s love, but a response of love by the people to the love God had already shown them. The psalmist understands that God’s law creates a cause for rejoicing, for it is more valuable than gold. Both Paul and John address situations in which some had distorted the worship of God. Either they considered themselves too good for the gospel (1 Corinthians), or they had violated the covenant by altering proper worship for the sake of profit (John).
• Read Exodus 20:1-17. How do you keep God central in your life? When do you relegate God to the margins?
• Read Psalm 19. What do the heavens tell you? How often do you spend time in nature? In what ways does that activity renew your spirit?
• Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. In what ways is the cross a stum-
bling block to you?
• Read John 2:13-22. What signs do you ask of God? In what ways might they be life-giving, a renewal of relationship with the Creator?
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"Thank you for the creative teams [of The Upper Room] who are working together to share the power of prayer around the world. You have collaborated with everyone working from our homes to share the gifts of hope, love, grace, and peace." (Written in response to The Upper Room COVID-19 response efforts). View Jaqui's video contribution to the initiative, helping us create space and time for God in these anxious times.
