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Shabbat Shalom!
I have a friend who is a rabbi in the Houston area. When I used to Read More
Kristen E. Vincent | Read Psalm 27:1-3, 7-9
Freedom from Fear
A quote that used to hang in my office read, “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” For many years that quote held meaning for me. I recognized I had a lot of fear in my life, and I knew it was holding me back. Sitting...
Lord of light, help me to cry out to you in the darkness. Deliver me from fear so that I may live boldly into your calling for me. Amen.
Sometimes we struggle with the challenges we face. If God is good and God is for us, then why do we experience pain and loss? Isaiah feels the sting of darkness and despair, and the psalmist has experienced days of distress. Yet both encourage themselves with the promise that God has not forgotten them. The light will come, as will the shouts of joy. The New Testament readings warn against following human leaders to the extent that we take our eyes off Christ. The Corinthian church has divided into factions that identify primarily with Paul or Peter, not Christ! The Gospel reading shows that Peter, like all other human leaders, is merely a disciple himself. Jesus is the one we should seek to follow.
Read Isaiah 9:1-4. How has God’s love freed you to find your calling?
Read Psalm 27:1, 4-9. When have you called out to God? How has God helped you turn your cries to praise?
Read 1 Corinthians 1:10-18. How have you experienced division within the body of Christ? How might a focus on Christ rather than particular faith leaders or denominations help you to repair division and work through differences?
Read Matthew 4:12-23. How have significant changes in your life (like a loved one’s death or a career change) allowed your ministry to grow?
Respond by posting a prayer.
