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Gratitude and Joy
A good friend’s husband was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Together they went through two months Read More
Doyle Burbank-Williams | Read Colossians 1:1-14
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Sign Up TodayNightly news about the economy, politics, and world affairs is often bad news. We hear of attacks, abuses, pollutions, starvations, and contaminations. Most nights we wonder why we don’t ever hear any good news.
Yet Paul writes to the folk in Colossae because they have heard good news. Paul does...
What good news will change my life in the ways that you invite, O Christ? Take my life and draw it back into the parallel lines of your love and grace. Amen.
Amos is a farmer called by God to deliver a message to Jeroboam, the king of Israel (the Northern Kingdom in the divided monarchy). Because the king has not listened to the warnings from God, judgment will come. The psalmist also warns of judgment, in this case for those who oppress the weak and needy and fail to protect them from the wicked. Such heartless people will surely be brought low by God. The opening to the letter to the Colossians is a prayer of thanksgiving for their faith in Christ and the spiritual fruit they are producing in the world. The parable in the Gospel reading challenges our human tendency to ignore need. Jesus teaches that mercy should overcome any reason we might find to harden our hearts.
Read Amos 7:7-17. Look for God’s plumb line in the world. In what ways is the ground you stand on askew?
Read Psalm 82. If you sit on the council of the Most High, how does this change your perspective on the world?
Read Colossians 1:1-14. Prayers of mere words are just the beginning of prayer. To what prayerful actions do your prayerful words call you?
Read Luke 10:25-37. The author writes, “Even those trying to be faithful walk askew.” Consider how you live out Jesus’ call to love your neighbor.
Respond by posting a prayer.
“We all have a desire to connect and belong. It is my prayer that every young person seeking God and a safe place to belong will find a faith community that loves and supports them.”
You can help youth and young adults find a safe place to belong. Give to the youth and young ministries of The Upper Room.
