TEXAS DEVOTIONS: JESUS APPEARS!

d365.org PAUSE! 
Suddenly, Jesus is there.

After his death, after his resurrection, Jesus shows up again for his followers. And each time it is a stunning experience for them.

Things haven't changed. When Jesus appears in our lives it still takes us by surprise. It could happen any moment, however ready we are – or not.

SATURDAY, April 20  “Worship”

Revelation 5:13-14  (GNT)

And I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, in the world below, and in the sea—all living beings in the universe—and they were singing:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb,
    be praise and honor, glory and might,
    forever and ever!”

 The four living creatures answered, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshiped.

Last week Rev. Michelle spoke of worship as work.  Today’s d365.org spoke of worship and praise in Revelation.  It made me sytop and think, “What does it mean to worship?”  What is worship to me?

WORSHIP is……

WELCOME to all and with all our community; together with all living creatures.

WONDER and WOW, A sense of awe and reflection, and anticipation for what is to come.

WORK. A call to Service in honor of the one we praise.

WITHOUT END, continual, minute by minute, day by day, as we seek God in everyplace and time.

WISDOM, as we are filled with the knowledge of God and his plan for our lives.

WILDLY celebrative, with song and dance of praise and adoration for the glory of our God!

WITH INVOLVEMENT, a response and interaction on our part.

AMEN!

Or another way it came to me…..

What is worship?

WONDER.

ONGOING

RESPONSIVE

SERVICE

Held in COMMUNITY

INTERACTIVE

PRAISE for the glory of God!

As we hiked the trails of Big Bend today, I tried to revel in the worship of God through the flowers, the peaks, the blue skies, the birds, and the fellowship of all.  Glory to God! 

FRIDAY, April 19 "Just Follow"
John 21:18-19 (The Message)
When you were young you dressed yourself and went wherever you wished, but when you get old you’ll have to stretch out your hands while someone else dresses you and takes you where you don’t want to go.” He said this to hint at the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And then he commanded, “Follow me.”

I can't do your work, Lord.
It is too hard.  It demands too much.
I am like Peter of Holy Week.
The denials will escape before I realize it,
Especially when the task is hard.
I don't want to travel Peter's road.
     Don't compare.  Just follow.
There are so many doing great deeds
In your name, Lord.
I don't have that strength or will.
I don't have those resources.
     Use what you have.  Just follow. 
There is so much pain and hurt, Lord.
So much war and oppression.
What difference can I make?
My actions are so insignificant.
     Small acts of love.  Just follow. 
     I am with you.  You'll make a difference. 




THURSDAY, April 18 "Feeding Sheep"

John 21:17 (The Message)

Then he said it a third time: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”   Peter was upset that he asked for the third time, “Do you love me?” so he answered, “Master, you know everything there is to know. You’ve got to know that I love you.”   Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

     This is the text from last Sunday’s sermon at St. Andrew’s.  Jesus three times asks Peter about his love.  I don’t think Jesus is doubting Peter so much as he is affirming his forgiveness for Peter’s denials during Holy Week.  If we truly LOVE JESUS, then we accept his grace, and move on to action.  We move on to the work of worship, as Rev. Michelle put it.  We work to take care of the poor, the oppressed, the needy, the hurting. We are blessed to JOIN JESUS in his ministry today.  Each action is a demonstration of our love for God. Feed the sheep!

WEDNESDAY, April 17 "It's Mealtime!"
John 21:9-10, 12-13  (Good News Translation)
When they landed, they saw a fire there, with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you’ve just caught.”
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples could bring themselves to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. 
    Breaking bread, feeding with fish, glasses of wine - all meals shared.  Over and over, Jesus appears in the commonplace event of mealtime.  As Christian community, gathering together as a family to share not only physical nourishment, but spiritual as well, is critical to our well being.  It is in these moments of the everyday that Jesus often appears.  The Lord's presence can be found in this simple daily ritual.   
    Don't belittle the church potluck!  Christ is present!  Come!  Join in the feast with fellow believers and be fed!  


TUESDAY, April 16  "Abundant Answers"
John 21:4-7  (The Message)

When the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the beach, but they didn’t recognize him.  Jesus spoke to them: “Good morning! Did you catch anything for breakfast?”  They answered, “No.”  He said, “Throw the net off the right side of the boat and see what happens.”

They did what he said. All of a sudden there were so many fish in it, they weren’t strong enough to pull it in.  Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Master!”

     Were the disciples REALLY fishing?  Or were they trying to take their mind off the fact that Jesus hadn’t come to them yet again.  Did they expect fish?  What were they praying for while they sat in the boat all night?

     Sometimes when we pray, we find our answer in the patience of waiting.  Waiting for God to respond.  Waiting for a sign.  When we are able to allow God to work in God’s timetable, our prayers are often answered in abundance.  The disciples not only welcomed their Lord, they also had plenty of fish to eat! 

     May we practice patience for God-time.  May we wait with eyes open to the answered prayers that surround us daily.  Jesus is alive and everywhere! 

MONDAY, April 15  “Fishing”

John 21:1-3 (The Message)

After this, Jesus appeared once more to his disciples at Lake Tiberias. This is how it happened. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael (the one from Cana in Galilee), the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples of Jesus were all together. Simon Peter said to the others, “I am going fishing.”

“We will come with you,” they told him. So they went out in a boat, but all that night they did not catch a thing.

Where does Jesus appear for you? According to other Gospels, the disciples have seen Jesus several times since the resurrection.  They are gathered together at the lake, waiting.  Will THIS be another time he comes? Something like sitting around watching the pot boil or waiting for paint to dry!  Perhaps they are going stir crazy.  When we sit and wait, nothing happens.  So.... they go fishing!

Sometimes I find it difficult to pray or reflect on scripture while just sitting.  I am easily distracted or I find nothing happens.  Peter went fishing,  others may go take a bike ride.  Rick likes to hike or snowshoe.  That’s where he meets with Jesus.  I spend time praying while walking, talking aloud with God.  The activity helps to clear away the clutter and confusion of our life and allow room for God to be seen! 

May we find a way to open space in our life for Jesus to appear!  

SUNDAY, April 14  "Bursting Forth"

Psalm 30:11-12  (The Message)

You did it: you changed wild lament
    into whirling dance;
You ripped off my black mourning band
    and decked me with wildflowers.
I’m about to burst with song;
    I can’t keep quiet about you.
God, my God,
    I can’t thank you enough.

     God catches us by surprise with grace, love, and forgiveness.  And the result is a moment of sheer joy!  May we be open to receive those moments, to recognize the glimpses of God present, to witness Jesus' appearance in our lives.  I think of the springtime dress of the Hill Country in wildflowers, the stunning display of glory carpeting the world.  Let us dance!  Let us praise God!  We are decked with God's glory!  May we burst forth with song! 

PS.  I'll break forth in song today: HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our youngest son, Luke!!  

SERMON NOTES:
Jesus said to Peter, "Feed My Sheep".