ISSL Reflections November 13 2022 Ephesians 1:15–23 Post 3

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VIII.
Did you notice when Paul said – “… that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may perceive… “?

Let that guide you into the depth of Paul’s words and hopes and take note of what light in the community he prayers for.

IX.
Ephesians 1:15-23 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may perceive what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

X.
What hope stands out to you today?

  • The hope to which he has called you
  • The riches of his glorious inheritance
  • The immeasurable greatness of his power for us
  • The exalted place of Christ
  • The heavenly places
  • The eternal nature of this rule and dominion/kingdom
  • The headship of the church
  • The fullness of …

Which of these hopes/promises holds your attention today?

What of Paul’s words of hope, opens the doors for your hope to increase?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections November 13 2022 Ephesians 1:15–23 Post 2

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IV.
What is Paul’s prayer for the Christian community in Ephesus?

V.
Ephesians 1:15-23 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may perceive what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

VI.
After we’ve spent time with the above passage, let’s see how it is presented in The Message translation.

Ephesians 1:15-23 The Message

15-19 That’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!

20-23 All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.

VII.
As we take notice of Paul’s prayer for this community, what do you notice that you wish to hold for any Christian community in which you participate?

What might you incorporate into your prayers?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections November 13 2022 Ephesians 1:15–23 Post 1

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I.
This week let’s begin by paying attention to the last phrase of this passage and see how it opens the entire passage to us –

“… the fullness of him who fills all in all.”

II.
Ephesians 1:15-23 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may perceive what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

III.
We might approach this in one of these two ways.

What do we notice in the passage that gives us any insight into what “… the fullness of him who fills all in all” means for you and me today?

Or, what in the passage echos the meaning of “… the fullness of him…”?

Take your time with these few sentences.

What do they speak of to you?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections November 6 2022 Ephesians 1:1–14 Post 3

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VII.
Let’s return to these words and pay attention where they speak to us and of us.

VIII.
Ephesians 1:1-14 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

IX.
Do you hear this inviting you to the grace and peace offered by God?

Do you sense that God “chose [you] in Christ”?

What does “marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit … the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people” tell you about your place in the Kingdom of God?

As you take in these words, do you find yourself encouraged to live into a Kingdom of hope and praise?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections November 6 2022 Ephesians 1:1–14 Post 2

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IV.
Today let’s take the phrase, “his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ,” (v 9) and notice how this passage serves to amplify that.

V.
Ephesians 1:1-14 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

VI.
Let’s see …. You could take the first word and last word of the phrase (‘his” and “Christ“) and look for what the passage presents about God and Christ.

Or … take “good pleasure” and examine the passage for any words and expressions that speak of such goodness.

And, here’s another possibility … “set forth.” I bet you could find some thoughts that speak of the action(s) that have their origin in God.

But, then again, there are other possibilities that may draw you full attention.

Spend some time meditating on what captures you.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections November 6 2022 Ephesians 1:1–14 Post 1

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I.
For the past nine weeks we have spent time with writings from the Hebrew Scripture that speak to us of God’s call on the lives of a number of persons. For this week and the next three weeks we will read passages in the Epistle to the Christian community in Ephesus that speak to God’s call on our lives.

As I begin listening to Paul I hear him speak of those in the Ephesus as being “God’s own people.”

As you spend time with this passage, what do you notice as the words and images he uses to describe “God’s own people.”

II.
Ephesians 1:1-14 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

III.
What word or words or image stands out to you the most vividly as a means of identifying “God’s own people”?

How do you sense that might apply (or even not apply) to you?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections October 30 2022 1 Samuel 16:1–13 Post 3

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VII.
As you read this Scripture passage pay attention to each time you hear, “The Lord said …”

VIII.
1 Samuel 16:1-13 (NRSVUE)

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do, and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.” Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, “Do you come peaceably?” He said, “Peaceably. I have come to sacrifice to the Lord; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely his anointed is now before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him, for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.” He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. The Lord said, “Rise and anoint him, for this is the one.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.

IX.
We could spend time considering each occasion we hear, “The Lord said …” but for today lets consider, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature … the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Can you think of times you may have based decisions “on the outward appearance” to the neglect of looking at the “heart” of matter?

And on the other side, do you recall your process of discernment helping you get to the “heart” of decisions you were called to make?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections October 30 2022 1 Samuel 16:1–13 Post 2

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IV.
If we take a step back to 1 Samuel 15 we can see the encounter between Samuel and Saul and the word of “rejection” come to Saul –

Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.” As Samuel turned to go away, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. And Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this very day and has given it to a neighbor of yours who is better than you. (1 Samuel 15:26-28)

As we look to this week’s reading we see Samuel grieving and fearful and even some of city elders (does that include Jesse) trembling and fearful.

Does Sameul come in peace?

V.
1 Samuel 16:1-13 (NRSVUE)

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do, and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.” Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, “Do you come peaceably?” He said, “Peaceably. I have come to sacrifice to the Lord; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely his anointed is now before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him, for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.” He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. The Lord said, “Rise and anoint him, for this is the one.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.

VI.
What did the elders and Jesse expect from this unexpected visit from Samuel?

How did Jesse see Samuel “evaluating” his sons? Pleased or unpleased?

And what of the son left out of being sanctified for the sacrifice? Why would David be unimportant to be part of this?

What do we overlook based on what we think is important or proper? Or even within our reach or what we think is our reach?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections October 30 2022 1 Samuel 16:1–13 Post 1

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I.
Last week we read of Saul being selected to be Israel’s king. This week, we see Saul has been “unselected” (“The Lord said to Samuel, ‘How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel.’”)

And Samuel is sent on a mission to anoint the next king.

II.
1 Samuel 16:1-13 (NRSVUE)

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do, and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.” Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, “Do you come peaceably?” He said, “Peaceably. I have come to sacrifice to the Lord; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely his anointed is now before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him, for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.” He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. The Lord said, “Rise and anoint him, for this is the one.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.

III.
As you read this account of the anointing of David to be king, what captures and holds your attention?

Saul being rejected by The Lord? Samuel’s fear of Saul? The parade of Jesse’s sons before Samuel? Jesse’s lack of concern that one of his sons is not present to be paraded before Samuel? (Well, it seems to me a bit odd that he leaves his youngest son working with the sheep when all the other sons are present to be presented to the Prophet Samuel.)

And what does it mean, “ … the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward.”

Did everyone present catch onto this or was it something between Samuel and The Lord? Do you think David was aware of this?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections October 23 2022 1 Samuel 8:4–7; 10:17–24 Post 3

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VII.
As I read this account, I keep coming back to questions about what we want from God, what God might want from us (and for us), and what the future brings to us?

VIII.
1 Samuel 8:4-7; 10:17-24 (NRSVUE)

Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to govern us.” Samuel prayed to the Lord, and the Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.

Samuel summoned the people to the Lord at Mizpah and said to the Israelites, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.’ But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said, ‘No, but set a king over us.’ Now, therefore, present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your clans.”

Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families, and the family of the Matrites was taken by lot. Finally he brought the family of the Matrites near man by man, and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found. So they inquired again of the Lord, “Did the man come here?” And the Lord said, “See, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” Then they ran and brought him from there. When he took his stand among the people, he was head and shoulders taller than any of them. Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one whom the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”

IX.
Why might the elders of Israel be concerned for what their future might be?

Their proposal for a king brings Samuel’s displeasure and sense of rejection.

Scripture presents their proposal as a rejection of God and yet their request for a king is granted?

If they have rejected God, why does the Scripture present God as helping them find a King?

I wonder if we should reflect and review our own “prayer requests” and how we notice God’s responses to us?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}