Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this week is John 9:1-41.

A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”
John 9:24-29

The (formerly) blind man is called before the Pharisees yet again. They continue to question him, but his testimony is simple and honest. They are not listening to understand, but to refute.

We are still guilty of this today, in our daily life and our faith life as well. Often our minds are closed to situations we encounter, and any conversation that doesn’t agree with our view leads to argument and condemnation. The facts on both sides are sometimes lost in the heat of the exchange.

I remember as a high school debater if we went off topic or spoke negatively of our opponents, we lost points. If we do this in life, we lose opportunities, and sometimes relationships. Even in our disagreement, may we continue to treat each other as Jesus taught us, listening and speaking in love.

Heavenly Father, we are passionate creatures who often let our feelings get the better of us. Help us to practice the self-control Jesus displayed, living according to the law of Your love. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 9:1-41.

Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided. Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” The man replied, “He is a prophet.” They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?” “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”
John 9:16-23

People react differently to the healing Jesus performs in this lesson. The blind man seems surprised that there are so many questions and that his account is not believed – after all, he was blind and now he can see. His parents are afraid of being removed from the synagogue if they testify to the miracle. The Pharisees argue among themselves about Jesus, whether or not He is really from God.

Humans are extremely hard to convince. We know what we know and we don’t want to know anything else! Even when something amazing happens, we either ignore it, deny it or explain it away. This seems to be the case with the people at this point in our scripture.

God has miraculous gifts for us every day. The very fact that we exist in this marvelous world should be enough to convince us of God’s power and love. Open your eyes to the blessings we share and have faith that God will continue to care for us always.

Gracious God, we are so slow to see the wonders of Your creation and to realize our part in all that occurs. Help us to recognize Your gifts and use them faithfully. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 9:1-41.

His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” “Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don’t know,” he said. They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.”
John 9:8-15

Jesus healed the blind man, but those around him have difficulty believing it happened. They ask how it occurred and the man tells them plainly, but it isn’t enough for them. They bring him to the Pharisees for answers.

Why do we question blessings like this? Is it part of our desire to be in control of things? A man has received healing and instead of rejoicing with him, we want to know who did it and how it was done. We fail to recognize the love of God in these things, instead reducing them to something we can duplicate or deny.

God has given us the gift of intellect and the curiosity to discover many things. We should thank Him for our marvelous abilities, but understand that some things are beyond us and our lack of knowledge should make us humble before Him. God has created all things and “on earth is not His equal”.

Wise and wonderful God, we struggle to be like You in the wrong ways. We want to be powerful and in charge of things. Help us to be more like You in our love and care for each other, sharing Your blessings with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 9:1-41.

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
John 9:1-7

This week’s scripture gives us insight to some of the beliefs of Jesus’ time, such as the thinking that disabilities were sent from God as punishment for sin. When His disciples ask, Jesus replies that neither the man nor his parents sinned, and He heals the blind man. Jesus will use this opportunity to make a point to them, the religious leaders, and the entire community.

He makes mud, places it on the man’s eyes, and sends the man to wash in a nearby pool. This mirrors our creation from the dust of the earth and our need to be washed clean in order to reconnect with God. Jesus is telling us that God made us and that only God can make us whole again.

Allowing the blind to see is an analogy that we encounter many times in scripture, showing us that Jesus came to open our eyes to the reality of God’s love for us. Once we are able to see this for ourselves, we are called to open the eyes of others to this blessing. Our testimony to the truth of Christ is how we share His love with everyone.

Gracious God, we are grateful for the gift of Jesus to reveal Your love for us. Help us to be the means of sharing Your love and mercy with everyone. Amen.

This is a very different time for all of us. There are real concerns in our world, but we must not let those fears lead us to despair. Let’s all pause, pray, and persevere through our current trouble. Listen to rational voices that call us to care for each other, not the “every person for themselves” panic. Trust in God and those who are striving in His name to prevent the spread of illness. Follow the precautions that are being recommended and help protect the most fragile among us. Check on each other in love and remember that isolation to prevent the spread of infection does not have to mean being out of touch. Above all, trust in God, know He is with us in everything. Here is our reading for today, Psalm 95.

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

We may worship differently this morning and our world may seem a fearful place, but God cares for us and will hear our prayer.

Loving Lord, be with us in our distress. Bless those who are ill, calm our fears and lead us to the comfort only You can provide. Amen.

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
John 4:39-42

Jesus knew that God loved everyone, and that all people needed to be brought to His truth. He went to Samaria, a place that Jews normally avoided, with a twofold purpose. By reaching out to them, Jesus showed them they were included in God’s plan of salvation. He also taught His disciples that this was the way they were to share His love.

Jesus always set the example for us to follow. He gave us two important instructions, often called the Great Commandment and the Great Commission – love God and neighbor, and make disciples of all the world. In this visit to Samaria He demonstrates both.

Jesus still calls us to the same action. He didn’t say it would be easy but He said it was necessary. By our obedience to these, we can know the joy of being in relationship with God and each other, sharing the love He first shared with us.

Heavenly Father, we are amazed that You choose us to help fulfill Your purpose. Bless us to be the face and the voice of Your love to everyone. Amen.

Friends, with heavy heart but out of love for each other I am canceling all church activities (including worship, Sunday School, Confirmation and bible study) until March 31st. I will be available in the church office, by phone, email or text for anyone during this period. I will livestream my sermon at 10 am on my Facebook page the next two Sundays and post the video on the two church FaceBook pages and my website (pastordougolson.com) as well. Please pass this information to those who may not have FaceBook or the web. I am saddened by the need for this but following the example of our District office, schools and other organizations, I believe this to be the best course of action for now. Prayers and blessings, Pastor Doug

Our scripture this week is John 4:5-42.

Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”
John 4:31-38

Jesus first uses an example that confuses the disciples, and later one they could relate to in order that they might understand what He is calling them to do. They are often slow to see His point. He is trying to get them to understand for themselves the joy of doing God’s will and the amazing opportunity they have to share His love.

He has led them to a foreign place where they are out of their element and perhaps a little uneasy. After they arrive, the disciples react in a human way by going to get food. When they return Jesus tells them “my food is to do the will of He who sent me”, an indication of how essential it is to obey God and follow His plan for us, to tell all the world that His kingdom has come near.

He continues the lesson about working for the kingdom with the comparison to the harvest, that the “fields” of humanity are ripe, waiting to hear the promise of salvation. Jesus shows them that their call is to reap a harvest of believers for the Lord, bringing their brothers and sisters the Good News of God’s love.

Wise and wonderful God, our task for You is awesome! Help us to be the harvesters of righteousness, drawing all to You in love. Amen.

The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. John 4:25-30

The Samaritan woman initiates the discussion of the Messiah to come and Jesus verifies His identity to her. She goes to the town to spread the word as the disciples return, somewhat confused as to what is happening. Jesus had led them to a foreign country and now seems to be sharing their blessing with these “other people”.

There are two lessons for us here. The woman is inspired to go share the Good News with others. She uses a phrase that Jesus has used, inviting people to “come and see”. She had only spoken with Jesus for a few minutes, yet she has become an effective disciple. We don’t need massive theological education or long experience to share our joy in Christ. Telling others about our relationship with Him is the only requirement.

The lesson for the disciples (and us) is that sharing the blessing of Jesus with others will multiply, not diminish, our blessing from Him. Christ’s love for us is immeasurable and it can only grow as we continue on the path He has called us to follow. This passage shows that His love is intended for everyone, everywhere, regardless of their status or culture.

Loving Lord, we are often selfish, even after receiving the gift You offer, unwilling or afraid to share it as You have called us to do. Make us energetic disciples, ready to tell the Good News of Your love to our brothers and sisters. Amen.