ISSL Reflections September 4 2022 Genesis 12:1–5, 7; 15:1–7 Post 3

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VII.
Did you hear Abram say, “You have given me no offspring, so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.”

Why? Where in Abram does such an acquisition arise from?

VIII.
Genesis 12:1-5 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot and all the possessions that they had gathered and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran, and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan. When they had come to the land of Canaan,

Genesis 12:7 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

Genesis 15:1-7 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” But the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed the Lord, and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Then he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.”

IX.
How long has Abram been “brooding” over his life without the “promised” heir? Do you think “brooding” is too strong a word?

It appears he has come to “the land.” But with no heir yet.

What is the Lord’s response to Abram’s acquisition?

Is Abram told, “just have more faith”? Is Abram scolded for his doubt?

Or, maybe, just maybe, the Lord takes Abram to a place that “renews” his hope and helps the “righteousness” that abides with Abram be nourished?

How might The Lord give you nourishment today?

Do you know how to ask for it?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections September 4 2022 Genesis 12:1–5, 7; 15:1–7 Post 2

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IV.
As you spend time with these words today give your attention to “bless,” “be blessed,” “make,” “will show,” “will give,” “so shall,” “your reward shall be very great.”

V.
Genesis 12:1-5 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot and all the possessions that they had gathered and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran, and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan. When they had come to the land of Canaan,

Genesis 12:7 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

Genesis 15:1-7 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” But the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed the Lord, and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Then he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.”

VI.
And what about, “I am the Lord who brought you from … to give you …”

I have heard the land that Abram is directed toward called the “promised land.” Yes, it does seem to be promised to Abram.

But it seems Abram might already be living in the land of promise.

He lives with the promises he has heard from the Lord. He journeys into an unknown land because of the promises he has received.

What “promises” characterize the land you walk in and the land you live in at this moment?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections September 4 2022 Genesis 12:1–5, 7; 15:1–7 Post 1

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I.
With this week’s Scripture reading we begin paying attention to a number of passages dealing with God’s call.

This week we begin with God’s call to Abram.

Give attention to God’s call and God’s promises as well as Abram’s responses.

II.
Genesis 12:1-5 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot and all the possessions that they had gathered and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran, and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan. When they had come to the land of Canaan,

Genesis 12:7 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

Genesis 15:1-7 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” But the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed the Lord, and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Then he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.”

III.
“I will bless you … so that you will be a blessing”

It seems greatness is promised to Abram’s descendents. Do you think that is as important as, or more important, or less important than Abram’s “call” to “be a blessing”?

Abram asks God, “O Lord God, what will you give me …”

Do you think his question arises from confidence in God’s promise, a lack of confidence in God, or a desire to rely on his abilities?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections August 28 2022 Revelation 22:10–21 Post 3

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VII.
“And let everyone who hears say, ‘Come.””

Why would you want (or not want) to invite others to “Come”?

VIII.
Revelation 22:10-21 (New Revised Standard Version)

And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”

“See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

“It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.”
And let everyone who hears say, “Come.”
And let everyone who is thirsty come.
Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book; if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

The one who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.

IX.
We are reminded here of the “water of life.”

Additionally we are told it is “a gift.”

Who is given the opportunity to accept this gift?

The Psalmist tells us,

As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and behold
the face of God?

What satisfies your thirst for God?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections August 28 2022 Revelation 22:10–21 Post 2

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IV.
We read, “… my reward is with me, to repay …”

Again, I wonder if this promise to repay should be heard as something to be hoped for or something to be feared?

V.
Revelation 22:10-21 (New Revised Standard Version)

And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”

“See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

“It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.”
And let everyone who hears say, “Come.”
And let everyone who is thirsty come.
Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book; if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

The one who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.

VI.
Do these words give you hope or give rise to some form of fear for you?

Who do you think should find these words hopeful? And who should find them fearful?

Having read these words (and the previous passages in Revelation we read), do you feel you want to join others in shouting, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections August 28 2022 Revelation 22:10–21 Post 1

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I.
We come to the last words from the Book of Revelation. As you read this passage today, pay attention to how many times you hear “come” or some variation of “come.”

II.
Revelation 22:10-21 (New Revised Standard Version)

And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”

“See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

“It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.”
And let everyone who hears say, “Come.”
And let everyone who is thirsty come.
Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book; if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

The one who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.

III.
Who is invited to “come”?

What do you notice they are invited to “come” to?

Who is “coming soon”?

Do you hear of the one coming as a threat or a promise of something good and gracious?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections August 21 2022 Revelation 22:1–7 Post 3

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VII.
So we see the river, the water of life, the tree of life, fruit, leaves and a place where “there will be no more night…”

And then there is healing. Healing from … ?

VIII.
Revelation 22:1-7 (New Revised Standard Version)

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true, for the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”

“See, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

IX.
And on top of the “healing of the nations,” “… his servants will worship him; they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.”

It seems when “the Lord God [is] their light” so many things can come to be.

What do you think will come about more and more in your life as you look to the face of the Lord God, allow the Lord God to be your light and carry the name of the Lord God with you into each day?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections August 21 2022 Revelation 22:1–7 Post 2

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IV.
This river flows “…through the middle of the street of the city.”

What does it give life to as it flows through the city?

V.
Revelation 22:1-7 (New Revised Standard Version)

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true, for the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”

“See, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

VI.
“… twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month.”

A never ending surplus of fresh fruit.

What fruit would you enjoy the most?

Did you notice “the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations”?

What fruits and leaves from this “tree of life” serve to heal you today?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections August 21 2022 Revelation 22:1–7 Post 1

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I.
Now we see the angel introducing us to “the river of the water of life…”

Take time in your hearing these words to notice all this water accomplishes.

II.
Revelation 22:1-7 (New Revised Standard Version)

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true, for the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”

“See, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

III.
The “river of the water of life” is described as “bright as crystal.”

Can you recall a time you saw a river or stream you might describe as “crystal clear”?

Is such water inviting to you?

Take a few minutes to imagine yourself wadding into that water and notice not only how it feels to your feet and legs but how it makes your entire body feel.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections August 14 2022 Revelation 21:9–26 Post 3

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VII.
Let’s listen again as the Spirit tells of the beauty and the magnificence of the New Jerusalem. As you take in the picture set before us, think about how there being “no temple in the city” fits into the magnificence of the new city.

VIII.
Revelation 21:9-21 (New Revised Standard Version)

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

And in the spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. It has the glory of God and a radiance like a very rare jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal. It has a great, high wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates are inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites; on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city has twelve foundations, and on them are the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The angel who talked to me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width; and he measured the city with his rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal. He also measured its wall, one hundred forty-four cubits by human measurement, which the angel was using. The wall is built of jasper, while the city is pure gold, clear as glass. The foundations of the wall of the city are adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, each of the gates is a single pearl, and the street of the city is pure gold, transparent as glass.

I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. People will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.

IX.
What do you think –

“I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb.”

Perhaps this is echoed elsewhere in Scripture?

“I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord, for I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:33-34)

“A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you, and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you …” (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds …” (Hebrews 10:16)

Does the temple (or something similar) and its assorted trappings ever stand in the way of our knowing “ … the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb”?

What do you see standing in the way?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}