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June 30, 2023

God Provides

Shirley Brosius (Pennsylvania, USA)   |   Read Romans 6:12-15

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Lectionary Week
June 26–July 2, 2023
Scripture Overview

The passages this week highlight several different themes. Abraham is put to the ultimate test. There is no denying how terrifying God’s request must have been, yet Abraham ultimately is commended for his faith. We will not face this same challenge, but are there things dear to our hearts that God is asking us to give up? The psalmist is in deep despair and weary from awaiting God’s deliverance, yet even now there is confidence. Paul continues to instruct the Romans about the necessity of living a new life, no longer being slaves to the desires of the flesh. Jesus teaches that when we receive those doing his work, we receive him. When we interact with pastors, missionaries, or nursery workers, do we treat these servants as Jesus himself?

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Genesis 22:1-14. What has this familiar story meant to you in your faith? How do you embody or struggle against this type of obedience and trust?Read Psalm 13. When has your lament allowed you to move from anger with God to praise? How long did that process take?Read Romans 6:12-23. How does the definition of death as a life cut off from God rather than a biological reality change your understanding of this passage? How might incorporating this definition of death change your life?Read Matthew 10:40-42. Who is in your wider community of witnesses? How does their example prompt you to turn to others in service?

Respond by posting a prayer .

Romans 6:12-15

12 So then, don’t let sin rule your body, so that you do what it wants. 13 Don’t offer parts of your body to sin, to be used as weapons to do wrong. Instead, present yourselves to God as people who have been brought back to life from the dead, and offer all the parts of your body to God to be used as weapons to do right. 14 Sin will have no power over you, because you aren’t under Law but under grace. 15 So what? Should we sin because we aren’t under Law but under grace? Absolutely not!

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

We face many choices every day. Shall we serve chicken or fish for dinner? Shall we exercise or watch television? Most choices do not much matter. But some choices have major consequences for our health or the development of our Christian character.

According to Paul, our choices should honor God....

Dear Lord, give me strength to resist temptation. I want to be like Jesus, so use the parts of my body to do his work and represent him well. In his name I pray. Amen.


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