April 24, 2018

A Braided Love

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Remember the elements of three: First, God is love. Second, those who abide in love abide in God. Third, God abides in them. Abide—we don’t say the word much anymore. Someone once painted a word-picture for me of abiding being like leaning against a large tree and letting yourself sink...

God, help me know you are always available to me. Help me notice where I can pull over and be in touch with you. Amen.

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Lectionary Week

April 23–29, 2018

Scripture Overview

Two primary themes emerge from our readings for this week. In Psalm 22, we find the promise that even faraway nations will turn and worship the Lord. The book of Acts provides partial fulfillment of this promise. Through the action of the Holy Spirit, a court official from distant Ethiopia hears the gospel and can take it home to his native land. The Johannine readings focus on the theme of abiding (remaining) in God. “God is love,” the epistle states, so all who claim to abide in God manifest love to the world. The author pushes the point: If we maintain animosity toward others, we cannot claim to remain in the love of God. In John, Jesus states that we must remain in him if we want to bear good fruit for God.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

• Read Acts 8:26-40. What boundaries do you draw? How would God view such boundaries given what you know of God?
• Read Psalm 22:25-31. How will you create a daily remembering of God? How will you tell the story?
• Read 1 John 4:7-21. How do you comb out the tangles in your life—in relationships, in your work setting?
• Read John 15:1-8. How secure do you feel about being attached to the vine? What has God done in your life to make it more productive?

Respond by posting a prayer.