New Every Morning Tuesday,July 21, 2020 The Upper Room
New Every Morning Tuesday,July 21, 2020
The Upper Room <MinistryEngagement@upperroom.org>
Tuesday,July 21, 2020
This week’s featured book: Deeply Rooted by Christopher Maricle
Today’s Reflection:
The entire spectrum of color is always present in the light all around us. Rain doesn’t create rainbows; rain reveals the colors that are already present in the atmosphere. This color spectrum is usually hidden from our sight and only revealed under special conditions. In the same way, we may have moments of insight and revelation that reveal to us—or at least suggest to us—the presence of the Divine that is often hidden but no less real. (Christopher Maricle, Deeply Rooted: Knowing Self, Growing in God (Upper Room Books, 2016))
Today’s Question:
How might you gain new insight into the presence of the Divine today?
Today’s Scripture:
When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth. (Genesis 9:16 (NRSV))
Prayer for the Week:
Give me the humility to know that I am a growing work in progress and the grace and understanding to see the growth in those around me. Amen.
Something More:
Generous donors like you make The Upper Room Chaplains’ Ministry possible. Help military, VA hospital, and prison chaplains provide hope and encouragement to those in their care. Give to The Upper Room Chaplains’ Ministry.
Lectionary Readings:
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Genesis 29:15-28
Psalm 105:1-11, 45b or Psalm 128
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Genesis 29:15-28
15 Lavan said to him, “Why should you work for me for nothing, just because you are my relative? Tell me how much I should pay you.” 16 Now Lavan had two daughters; the name of the older was Le’ah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Le’ah’s eyes were weak; but Rachel was good-looking, with beautiful features.
(iii) 18 Ya‘akov had fallen in love with Rachel and said, “I will work for you seven years in exchange for Rachel your younger daughter.” 19 Lavan answered, “Better that I give her to you than to someone else; stay with me.” 20 So Ya‘akov worked seven years for Rachel, and it seemed only a few days to him, because he was so much in love with her.
21 Ya‘akov said to Lavan, “Give me my wife, since my time is finished, so that I can start living with her.” 22 Lavan gathered all the men of the place and gave a banquet. 23 In the evening he took Le’ah his daughter and brought her to Ya‘akov, and he went in and slept with her. 24 Lavan also gave his slave-girl Zilpah to his daughter Le’ah as her slave-girl.
25 In the morning Ya‘akov saw that he was with Le’ah, and he said to Lavan, “What kind of thing is this that you’ve done to me? Didn’t I work for you for Rachel? Why have you deceived me?” 26 Lavan answered, “In our place that isn’t how it’s done, to give the younger daughter before the firstborn. 27 Finish the marriage week of this one, and we’ll give you the other one also in exchange for the work you will do for me during yet another seven years.” 28 Ya‘akov agreed to this, so he finished her week, and Lavan gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife.
Psalm 105:1-11
105:1 Give thanks to Adonai! Call on his name!
Make his deeds known among the peoples.
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him,
talk about all his wonders.
3 Glory in his holy name;
let those seeking Adonai have joyful hearts.
4 Seek Adonai and his strength;
always seek his presence.
5 Remember the wonders he has done,
his signs and his spoken rulings.
6 You descendants of Avraham his servant,
you offspring of Ya‘akov, his chosen ones,
7 he is Adonai our God!
His rulings are everywhere on earth.
8 He remembers his covenant forever,
the word he commanded to a thousand generations,
9 the covenant he made with Avraham,
the oath he swore to Yitz’chak,
10 and established as a law for Ya‘akov,
for Isra’el as an everlasting covenant:
11 “To you I will give the land of Kena‘an
as your allotted heritage.”
Psalm 105:45
45 in order to obey his laws
and follow his teachings.
Halleluyah!
Psalm 128
128:1 (0) A song of ascents:
(1) How happy is everyone who fears Adonai,
who lives by his ways.
2 You will eat what your hands have produced;
you will be happy and prosperous.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
in the inner parts of your house.
Your children around the table will be
like shoots from an olive tree.
4 This is the kind of blessing that will fall
on him who fears Adonai.
5 May Adonai bless you from Tziyon!
May you see Yerushalayim prosper
all the days of your life,
6 and may you live to see your children’s children!
Shalom on Isra’el.
Romans 8:26-39
26 Similarly, the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we don’t know how to pray the way we should. But the Spirit himself pleads on our behalf with groanings too deep for words; 27 and the one who searches hearts knows exactly what the Spirit is thinking, because his pleadings for God’s people accord with God’s will. 28 Furthermore, we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called in accordance with his purpose; 29 because those whom he knew in advance, he also determined in advance would be conformed to the pattern of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers; 30 and those whom he thus determined in advance, he also called; and those whom he called, he also caused to be considered righteous; and those whom he caused to be considered righteous he also glorified!
31 What, then, are we to say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare even his own Son, but gave him up on behalf of us all — is it possible that, having given us his Son, he would not give us everything else too? 33 So who will bring a charge against God’s chosen people? Certainly not God — he is the one who causes them to be considered righteous! 34 Who punishes them? Certainly not the Messiah Yeshua, who died and — more than that — has been raised, is at the right hand of God and is actually pleading on our behalf! 35 Who will separate us from the love of the Messiah? Trouble? Hardship? Persecution? Hunger? Poverty? Danger? War? 36 As the Tanakh puts it,
“For your sake we are being put to death all day long,
we are considered sheep to be slaughtered.”[Romans 8:36 Psalm 44:23(22)]
37 No, in all these things we are superconquerors, through the one who has loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers, neither what exists nor what is coming, 39 neither powers above nor powers below, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God which comes to us through the Messiah Yeshua, our Lord.
Matthew 13:31-33
31 Yeshua put before them another parable. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed which a man takes and sows in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it grows up it is larger than any garden plant and becomes a tree, so that the birds flying about come and nest in its branches.”
33 And he told them yet another parable. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with a bushel of flour, then waited until the whole batch of dough rose.”
Matthew 13:44-52
44 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. A man found it, hid it again, then in great joy went and sold everything he owned, and bought that field.
45 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for fine pearls. 46 On finding one very valuable pearl he went away, sold everything he owned and bought it.
47 “Once more, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a net thrown into the lake, that caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen brought the net up onto the shore, sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad fish away. 49 So it will be at the close of the age — the angels will go forth and separate the evil people from among the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where they will wail and grind their teeth.
51 “Have you understood all these things?” “Yes,” they answered. 52 He said to them, “So then, every Torah-teacher who has been made into a talmid for the Kingdom of Heaven is like the owner of a home who brings out of his storage room both new things and old.” (Complete Jewish Bible (CJB))
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
The post Rainbows appeared first on Upper Room Books.
Copyright © 2020 The Upper Room, All rights reserved.
The Upper Room
UpperRoom.org
Our mailing address is:
The Upper Room
1908 Grand Avenue
Nashville, Tennessee 37212' United States
Pray with us.
Submit a prayer request or visit The Upper Room Prayer Wall.
The Upper Room <MinistryEngagement@upperroom.org>
Tuesday,July 21, 2020
This week’s featured book: Deeply Rooted by Christopher Maricle
Today’s Reflection:
The entire spectrum of color is always present in the light all around us. Rain doesn’t create rainbows; rain reveals the colors that are already present in the atmosphere. This color spectrum is usually hidden from our sight and only revealed under special conditions. In the same way, we may have moments of insight and revelation that reveal to us—or at least suggest to us—the presence of the Divine that is often hidden but no less real. (Christopher Maricle, Deeply Rooted: Knowing Self, Growing in God (Upper Room Books, 2016))
Today’s Question:
How might you gain new insight into the presence of the Divine today?
Today’s Scripture:
When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth. (Genesis 9:16 (NRSV))
Prayer for the Week:
Give me the humility to know that I am a growing work in progress and the grace and understanding to see the growth in those around me. Amen.
Something More:
Generous donors like you make The Upper Room Chaplains’ Ministry possible. Help military, VA hospital, and prison chaplains provide hope and encouragement to those in their care. Give to The Upper Room Chaplains’ Ministry.
Lectionary Readings:
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Genesis 29:15-28
Psalm 105:1-11, 45b or Psalm 128
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Genesis 29:15-28
15 Lavan said to him, “Why should you work for me for nothing, just because you are my relative? Tell me how much I should pay you.” 16 Now Lavan had two daughters; the name of the older was Le’ah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Le’ah’s eyes were weak; but Rachel was good-looking, with beautiful features.
(iii) 18 Ya‘akov had fallen in love with Rachel and said, “I will work for you seven years in exchange for Rachel your younger daughter.” 19 Lavan answered, “Better that I give her to you than to someone else; stay with me.” 20 So Ya‘akov worked seven years for Rachel, and it seemed only a few days to him, because he was so much in love with her.
21 Ya‘akov said to Lavan, “Give me my wife, since my time is finished, so that I can start living with her.” 22 Lavan gathered all the men of the place and gave a banquet. 23 In the evening he took Le’ah his daughter and brought her to Ya‘akov, and he went in and slept with her. 24 Lavan also gave his slave-girl Zilpah to his daughter Le’ah as her slave-girl.
25 In the morning Ya‘akov saw that he was with Le’ah, and he said to Lavan, “What kind of thing is this that you’ve done to me? Didn’t I work for you for Rachel? Why have you deceived me?” 26 Lavan answered, “In our place that isn’t how it’s done, to give the younger daughter before the firstborn. 27 Finish the marriage week of this one, and we’ll give you the other one also in exchange for the work you will do for me during yet another seven years.” 28 Ya‘akov agreed to this, so he finished her week, and Lavan gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife.
Psalm 105:1-11
105:1 Give thanks to Adonai! Call on his name!
Make his deeds known among the peoples.
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him,
talk about all his wonders.
3 Glory in his holy name;
let those seeking Adonai have joyful hearts.
4 Seek Adonai and his strength;
always seek his presence.
5 Remember the wonders he has done,
his signs and his spoken rulings.
6 You descendants of Avraham his servant,
you offspring of Ya‘akov, his chosen ones,
7 he is Adonai our God!
His rulings are everywhere on earth.
8 He remembers his covenant forever,
the word he commanded to a thousand generations,
9 the covenant he made with Avraham,
the oath he swore to Yitz’chak,
10 and established as a law for Ya‘akov,
for Isra’el as an everlasting covenant:
11 “To you I will give the land of Kena‘an
as your allotted heritage.”
Psalm 105:45
45 in order to obey his laws
and follow his teachings.
Halleluyah!
Psalm 128
128:1 (0) A song of ascents:
(1) How happy is everyone who fears Adonai,
who lives by his ways.
2 You will eat what your hands have produced;
you will be happy and prosperous.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
in the inner parts of your house.
Your children around the table will be
like shoots from an olive tree.
4 This is the kind of blessing that will fall
on him who fears Adonai.
5 May Adonai bless you from Tziyon!
May you see Yerushalayim prosper
all the days of your life,
6 and may you live to see your children’s children!
Shalom on Isra’el.
Romans 8:26-39
26 Similarly, the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we don’t know how to pray the way we should. But the Spirit himself pleads on our behalf with groanings too deep for words; 27 and the one who searches hearts knows exactly what the Spirit is thinking, because his pleadings for God’s people accord with God’s will. 28 Furthermore, we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called in accordance with his purpose; 29 because those whom he knew in advance, he also determined in advance would be conformed to the pattern of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers; 30 and those whom he thus determined in advance, he also called; and those whom he called, he also caused to be considered righteous; and those whom he caused to be considered righteous he also glorified!
31 What, then, are we to say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare even his own Son, but gave him up on behalf of us all — is it possible that, having given us his Son, he would not give us everything else too? 33 So who will bring a charge against God’s chosen people? Certainly not God — he is the one who causes them to be considered righteous! 34 Who punishes them? Certainly not the Messiah Yeshua, who died and — more than that — has been raised, is at the right hand of God and is actually pleading on our behalf! 35 Who will separate us from the love of the Messiah? Trouble? Hardship? Persecution? Hunger? Poverty? Danger? War? 36 As the Tanakh puts it,
“For your sake we are being put to death all day long,
we are considered sheep to be slaughtered.”[Romans 8:36 Psalm 44:23(22)]
37 No, in all these things we are superconquerors, through the one who has loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers, neither what exists nor what is coming, 39 neither powers above nor powers below, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God which comes to us through the Messiah Yeshua, our Lord.
Matthew 13:31-33
31 Yeshua put before them another parable. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed which a man takes and sows in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it grows up it is larger than any garden plant and becomes a tree, so that the birds flying about come and nest in its branches.”
33 And he told them yet another parable. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with a bushel of flour, then waited until the whole batch of dough rose.”
Matthew 13:44-52
44 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. A man found it, hid it again, then in great joy went and sold everything he owned, and bought that field.
45 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for fine pearls. 46 On finding one very valuable pearl he went away, sold everything he owned and bought it.
47 “Once more, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a net thrown into the lake, that caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen brought the net up onto the shore, sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad fish away. 49 So it will be at the close of the age — the angels will go forth and separate the evil people from among the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where they will wail and grind their teeth.
51 “Have you understood all these things?” “Yes,” they answered. 52 He said to them, “So then, every Torah-teacher who has been made into a talmid for the Kingdom of Heaven is like the owner of a home who brings out of his storage room both new things and old.” (Complete Jewish Bible (CJB))
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
The post Rainbows appeared first on Upper Room Books.
Copyright © 2020 The Upper Room, All rights reserved.
The Upper Room
UpperRoom.org
Our mailing address is:
The Upper Room
1908 Grand Avenue
Nashville, Tennessee 37212' United States
Pray with us.
Submit a prayer request or visit The Upper Room Prayer Wall.
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