Genuineness of Faith, a Reflection on 1 Peter 1:3-7

Peter is writing to Christian congregations in what we now call Turkey, as the Common English Bible puts it, "to God's chosen strangers in the world of the diapora."

He reminds them of what they already have--a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He offers them reassurances that God will continue to protect them.

But, as we read these reminders and reassurances, we also realize the reason Peter offered them--They were undergoing suffering because of their faith.

Peter's explanation for the suffering is that it is necessary so that their faith may be found genuine. Suffering helps us get rid of the unnecessary and focus on the important. For example,

See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight--indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness (Malachi 3:1-3).

Many Christians during Lent do a kind of purification, choosing to eliminate certain foods or distractions from their lives so that they can focus more on what is really important. I'm wondering whether we have picked those habits back up now that Lent is over or whether we have now become a new kind of Christian.

Peter says to them to rejoice. Their new faith that has come through the period of testing, will be genuine and will result in praise and glory and hone when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Reading these words from Peter (or as my Bible commentaries lead me to believe, someone else for whom the early church put Peter's name on his letters), I'm wondering how applicable they are for me. I know that in some parts of the world that Christians are under attack. But where I live they really aren't. What is it that I have to give up in the world that I live because I am a Christian? Am I suffering because of it?

How genuine is my faith? How much of my life, how many of my decisions are based on example of Jesus Christ?

Can I discern what is important? Can I tell the difference between the gold and what should be refined away?

Daily Prayer, Saturday, April 30, 2011

Morning
Abscribe to the Lord glory and strength.To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever (UMBOW 384).

Invitatory Psalm 67

O God, be gracious to us and bless us
and make your face to shine upon us,
that your way may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations,
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the people praise you!
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth.
....

Psalms 26,27,29

Daily Lectionary Reading, 1 Peter 1:3-7

Lectio Divina

In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith--being more precious than gold that, though perishiable, is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:6-7).

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit (Psalm 16:9-10).

Prayer for Today:
O God, through your mercy we have hope. You have protected us and continue to protect us. Keep our faith strong as we face temptations and troubles. Amen.

Evening
Psalms 44, 45

Offertory Prayers for May 2011

Offertory Prayers for May 2011 are available on the UMC General Board of Discipleship webpage.

The Path of Life, a Reflection on Psalm 16

When Peter preached to the crowd in Jerusalem about the resurrection of Jesus, he used the words from Psalm 16 telling how David had trusted God to protect him. Compare Acts 2:25-28 with Psalm 16:8-11.

David (or the psalmist in the voice of David) is praying to God for protection, reminding God (or himself) of the care that God, and only God, is capable of giving, and has been giving.

Peter's congregation needed reassurance.

And we, their descendants, need reassurance. During this week after we have just celebrated the resurrection of Christ, we can read the morning newspaper or watch the TV news and hear about war, crime, storm damage, disease, hunger, and so on and so on. Yes, we still need reassurance.

Psalm 16 provides words that are still relevant to our time:

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."

We need protection; we can't do it all by ourselves.

Daily Prayer, Friday, April 29, 2011

Morning

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
And kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And you will renew the face of the earth. UMBOW390.

Invitatory Psalm 118

Psalms 23, 25

Daily Lectionary Reading, Psalm 16

Lectio Divina

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me (Psalm 16:7).

I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved (Psalm 16:8).

Prayer for Today:
O God, we turn to you for refuge. You have protected us and provided for us. Open our ears to hear your wisdom. Guide us in our daily paths. Keep us mindful of what you have already given us and what we have to share. Amen.


Midday Psalm 119:33-40

Evening
Psalms 30, 31

The Resurrection of the Messiah, a Reflection on Acts 2:14a, 22-32

We have this record of one of the earliest Christian sermons. I'm struck by how it is a model for many contemporary ones. Peter begins by reminding them of something they know from their own lives. He includes a reference to an experience that was very difficult for them. He then moves to scripture and how it illustrates what is happening in our time. Peter then asserts, "This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses." We continue to hear this theme in sermons: Jesus lives. God did it. We know it.

Daily Prayer, Thursday, April 28, 2011

Morning

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

Invitatory Psalm 150

Praise the Lord!
We praise you in your sanctuary;
we praise you in your mighty firmament!
We praise you for your mighty deeds;
we praise you according to your surpassing greatness!
....
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!

Read and reflect on Psalms 19, 20, 21

Daily Lectionary Reading, Acts 2:14a, 27-32

Lectio Divina

For David says concerning him, "I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will live in hope" (Acts 2:25-26).

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot (Psalm 16:5).

Prayer for Today:
O Lord, as we read the scripture today, help us to see its impact on us today. King David recognized you, was protected by you, was joyful because of the protection, and told others. Help us to tell our story. Amen.

Midday Psalm 119:25-32

Evening
Psalms 22, 28

Coming to Believe, a Reflection on John 20:29-31

Repeat from last year:
Although he had initial doubts, Thomas believed.

Keep reading. Look at verse 31. John's gospel is written so that we can believe. Thomas and the other first generation Christians saw Jesus and believed. They knew the presence of God through the seeing of Jesus. We later Christians are able to know the presence of God through their witness.

And we are also to be witnesses.

Daily Prayer, Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Morning
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Invitatory Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth,
Worship the Lord with gladness.
We come into your presence with singing.
We know that you are God, and that you have made us.
We are your people, the sheep of your pasture.
We give thanks to you, for you are good;
your steadfast love endures forever,
and your faithfulness to all generations.

Psalms 12, 13, 17

Daily Lectionary Reading, John 20:29-31

Lectio Divina

Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe" (John 20:29)

As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight (Psalm 16:3)

Prayer for Today:
By your great mercy you have given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. Strengthen in us the power to believe. Instill in us the desire to be your witnesses so that others can come to believe. Amen.

Midday Psalm 119:17-24

Evening
Psalm 18

I Need to See for Myself, a Reflection on John 20:24-28

The risen Christ had appeared to Mary, but the disciples had still been to afraid to leave their locked room. Jesus came to where they were. Belief that will overcome fear is not automatic.

The disciples who had seen Jesus believed, but Thomas hadn't been there the day Jesus had shown up. "I need to see for myself. I've got to put my finger on the spot where the nails were," he told them.

A week later, Jesus appeared to Thomas. "Touch me. Do not doubt but believe."

Although it's not clear from the text whether Thomas actually did have to touch Jesus before he could believe what he was seeing, it is clear that Thomas does recognize him. When Jesus tells him not to doubt but to believe, that is what Thomas does. He responds to the presence and words of Jesus by saying, "My Lord and my God!"