Earthquakes, tsunami and love

in light of what took place in the last 24 hours, I am jumping ahead to my invitation for today (daily manna). I thought it might encourage you as you process what's taking place around the world. Remember, I am just learning with you...I am not an apologist or an expert, just a fellow pilgrim.

Living Bread

John 3:9-21 How are these things possible? Nicodemus asked (speaking of being born of the Spirit).

Jesus replied, "You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don't understand these things? I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won't believe our testimony. But if you don't believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that eeryone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

Pause here and go through Listening Prayer or at least take a few moments to listen to what you just read.

God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son

My invitation

Lord, there is so much suffering going on right now---today---around the world. Egypt, Libya, middle east etc., and now the earthquake in Japan and the tsunami raging the Pacific. I feel like Nicodemus who could not understand the earthly things and am unable to understand heavenly things. These disasters (along with personal crisis in homes across the globe!) make me feel unsure, anxious, fearful and at a loss of how to 'explain You.' The devastation is overwhelming---"For God loved the world so much"---Jesus, You plainly told Nicodemus what You are telling me. In spite of what I see and cannot interpret into a pretty little 4 point explanation---YOU LOVE THE WORLD---all of it!

You are inviting me to look at the Son of Man---lifted up so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life (v.14-15).

me, "but what about______________???????"

You, "God so loved the world."

Help me Holy Spirit to walk in the truth of Your love today. You're inviting me to rest, watch, pray, be alert. You: Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer of the world, love all of it. I trust You. I can't explain You---but You sent Your love, and I trust You.

Right here in the crowd

John 1:19-28

This was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, "Who are you? He came right out and said, "I am not the Messiah." "Well then, who are you?" they asked. "Are you Elijah?" "No," he replied. "Are you the Prophet we are expecting?" "No." "Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?"

John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: "I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, 'Clear the way for the Lord's coming!" Then the Pharisees who had been sent asked him, "If you aren't the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?"

John told them, "I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. Though his ministry follows mine, I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal."

Pause here and go through Listening Prayer or at least take a few moments to listen to what you just read.

Living Bread: my invitation

"Right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize"

Lord, I am not seeing or hearing a clear invitation; but am aware that You show up at the time You've set---and we are no more than a voice saying "You are here." John had no credentials, no title, no 'right' from a human perspective to be baptizing but he was lead by Your Spirit and obeyed Your direction which resulted in serving You with full abandon.

I feel like you are inviting me to do the same---not worrying about how others view me, or where You lead me, but to simply be a voice in peoples lives that says, "You are here."

Apparently, John didn't go through the proper religious channels and protocal---he simply made himself available and spoke the truth which pointed people to You. You brought people to him to hear and respond (repent).

Lord Jesus, today, I believe You want to use me (and all your followers) in the same way---to help people see You and follow You. Give me faith to walk forward with confidence no matter how alone it can feel. Holy Spirit bring people to us, and lead us where You want us to be a voice for You.

The world did not recognize Him

(steve said I should go back and post a few from the first few paragraphs of John, so we are back-tracking a little bit, but will catch up fast and then it will slow down again. Check out the helps I added above so you can engage with me more in this process)

John 1:1-13

In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and He was God. He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that He didn't make. Life itself was in Him, and this life gives light to everyone. The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it...although the world was made through Him, the world didn't recognize Him when He came. Even in His own land and among His own people, He was not accepted. But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God---this rebirth comes from God.

Pause here and go through Listening Prayer or at least take a few moments to listen to what you just read.

Living Bread: my invitation

"The world did not recognize Him when He came."

Lord Jesus, You came and You weren't recognized or accepted. I'm a bit confused by this, or perplexed I guess. I'm wondering how they would have known, but now that I think about it--You gave them plenty of sign posts, and even the voice of John the Baptist---but they weren't listening or looking for You and when You, the light, came, they rejected that Light. They had the promises but they chose to turn their hearts away from the Light. You're inviting me to pay attention; look for You; wait for You; see the light You give me and step into it, or stay in You and live as Your daughter.

I, too, can and do choose to not accept You at times. I look for other ways, other paths, but they always lead to darkness. Help me Spirit to listen and pay attention---to watch for and walk in the Light...Your Light. Give me faith to really believe it and live it and not turn away out of fear or pride. Thank You for Your patience. Thank you for giving me life in You. Thank You for making me Your child.

Passion for God's house

John 2:13-17

It was time for the annual Passover celebration, and Jesus went to Jerusalem. In the Temple area He saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; and He saw money changers behind their counters. Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and oxen, scattered the money changers' coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, "Get these things out of here. Don't turn my Father's house into a marketplace!" Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from Scriptures: "Passion for God's house burns within me."

"Passion for God's house burns within Me."

Living Bread

Jesus, You had no tolerance for personal, selfish gain from what belonged to You and Your protection over it was severe. That was a temple built with human hands---but we are now your temple purchased by Your blood and You are the cornerstone. You are inviting me to see how sacred this house is and how passionate You are about keeping it set apart, holy, for Your purpose. For today: all of it; all of me; my thoughts, actions, attitudes, words, even my emotions are to be completely surrendered to You and Your purpose for me. I naturally want to set up shop and somehow gain selfishly what I foolishly think will bring me reward.

Lord, although I fear Your whip and the violence of Your passion---I invite it---praying I keep my temple cleared out so You don't have to come with such force leaving such a disaster. You graciously give me signals along the way to keep my temple available for Your Spirit...but my sinful nature still resists and tries to deceive me. Help me Lord to feel the same anger and disgust that You do when I allow sin to dwell in me---

gossip, selfish ambition, greed, revenge, outbursts of anger, laziness, fear, judgmental and critical attitudes, pride---Lord Jesus, I need Your passion to rid myself of these things that take up space in my life (temple) and block Your Spirit.

Lord, You are inviting me today to pay attention to the tables I set up that You would knock down and drive out.