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See the Spirit Work
- Date: Fri, Jul 2, 2010
- Author: Linda Roddis
Ministry at Bellevue First Congregational Church is filled with glimpses of Spirit of God. This week as I lead the chapel time at Vacation Bible School, the Spirit spoke through a little child as she quoted all three verses of Genesis 1:1-3.
Then, I heard the Spirit speak through the generosity an elderly person. He asked me how to give a large sum of money to the church. Once again, I learned of the Spirit’s work as a worried mom shared with me that in an effort to connect with her teenage daughter they were making quilts for the people in Chili. The Spirit touched a Harborview nurse and saw us care for a church member. The list goes on and on.
Here is one last amazing encounter with the Spirit’s work through this Congregation. A homeless young man first came to us looking for food and a bus ticket. A month ago he stopped in to ask if he could talk to a Pastor. I could see he was very ill, so I called a friend at Harborview who got this man the medical help he needed. Last week he told me that a member of our church took him to lunch. And today, this formerly homeless man, has a safe place to sleep, is reuniting with his wife and child, and has a job.
Jesus said, “Watch and pray.” We often pray, but when we watch we will see the love of God at work in amazing ways. I invite you to watch this summer, look for the work of the Spirit of God. Listen to the words of encouragement which will come your way. Turn off the bad NEWS and listen to the sounds and stories of grace and courage, joy, and purpose.
Doris Akers wrote about her experience of the Spirit in church, “There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place. And I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord. There are sweet expressions on each face. And I know they feel the presence of the Lord. Sweet Holy Spirit…sweet heavenly dove…Stay right here with us….Filling us with Your love.”
And for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise. Without a doubt we know that we’ll have been revived when we shall leave this place.
These are the scripture readings in the Revised Common Lectionary for the forthcoming Sunday:
Psalm 66:1-9
How Awesome Are Your Deeds
To the choirmaster. A Song. A Psalm.
66:1 Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
2 sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise!
3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
4 All the earth worships you
and sings praises to you;
they sing praises to your name.” Selah
5 Come and see what God has done:
he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.
6 He turned the sea into dry land;
they passed through the river on foot.
There did we rejoice in him,
7 who rules by his might forever,
whose eyes keep watch on the nations—
let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah
8 Bless our God, O peoples;
let the sound of his praise be heard,
9 who has kept our soul among the living
and has not let our feet slip.
Galatians 6:1-16
Bear One Another's Burdens
6:1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.
6 One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Final Warning and Benediction
11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
Luke 10:1-11
Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two
10:1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’
