Christian Reflection and Prayer

“These are the laws you are to set before them.” —
Exodus 21:1

“Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart
and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD
was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake,
but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake
came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the
fire came a gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19: 11–12).

There was a great wind, followed by the shaking of the ground,
followed by a blaze of fire. All fantastic and wondrous! God
moved heaven and earth! But God was not in the wind, earth,
or fire. Rather, Elijah heard a soft, still voice – and that was
where he encountered God.

This passage is teaching us that, as great as moments of
revelation and inspiration can be, they are not where we will
find God. It’s wonderful to be moved by a beautiful sunset or
to be awed by a powerful thunderstorm. They may make us
feel more connected to God and inspire us to change. But
that’s not where we encounter God in the deepest way.

We truly encounter God where we are least expecting it –
in the store, at a business meeting, sitting around the house
with our family. It’s the quiet moments in life where we truly
encounter God.

As you go through the day, keep an ear out for that
“gentle whisper” guiding you and commanding you as you go
through life. When you hear God’s voice and choose to obey
His laws, you will have found Him, no matter where you may
be. Nothing is more sensational than that!

With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

(excerpts taken from Holy Land Moments)

Scripture:

"I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish
it were blazing already" (Luke 12:49).

Author Rob Bell asks us to ponder the mysteries of the
Gospel. Mysteries which include the dusty, messy, bloody and unexpected stories about this man, Jesus of Nazareth. This Jesus who touches lepers, whom no one else would touch -- who hears the cries of blind people who had been told to be quiet -- who dines with tax collectors, whom everybody hated -- and talks with a thirsty, disreputable Samaritan woman who he wasn't' supposed to talk with. Over an over again we see Jesus going to the edges, to the margins, to those in trouble, those despised -- those no one else would touch -- those who were ignored.

Over and over again we see him going to the weak, the blind, the lame, the losers. He moves toward them; he extends himself to them; he reaches out to them and meets them in their place of pain, helplessness, abandonment and failure. He is living, breathing evidence that God wants everybody, everyone, to be rescued, renewed and reconciled -- to ourselves, our neighbors, our world -- and our God.

(Excerpts from The Staff and editors of Sunday Sermons Online )

God's Pearls of Wisdom

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you
(John 3:16 & John 3:34)

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(2 Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(2 Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Romans 8:28)

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(2 Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)