Giving The Gift of the Word

As we continue this season of Lent, may we be ever mindful of the gifts God has given us, and the promises of God that sustain us. We are blessed with food and clothing and the comforts of life. We are also blessed by the gift of God's word, a place to gather to hear and study it, and trained leaders to teach and preach it. In Psalm 119 we read these words, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Through the ELCA Good Gifts program, we can give the gift of God's word.  Bill Lynch's devotion lifts this up for us today:

Matthew 5:1-2

 

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them…

Jesus went to escape. Jesus went to escape to a mountain. He withdrew to a peak to be away by himself and his disciples. And he sat down to teach. God loves to teach us from the mountain. Think of Moses on the mountain. What about Elijah on Mount Horeb where God came to him in a quiet gentle sound? Recall once again the image of Jesus, Peter, James and John high up on the mountain by themselves, or so they thought. They see Moses and Elijah and hear the voice of God from a cloud declaring that Jesus was God’s beloved son. Listen to him!

Mountains and teachings, we learn from the voice of God through teaching. Some may recall the voice of God in a Sunday School teacher. Others may hear the voice of God in nature upon mountaintops, or perhaps even in the valleys. The passage above is a teaching of the beatitudes, what is present and what is future. We listen and we learn. As we listen, we listen carefully for the voice of God.

This day we have an opportunity to listen. We can listen to the needs of another. We can perceive the present and with God's help change the future for another person in need. One way is by giving $40 to help a missionary teach school courses. As we approach that mountain with Jesus and his disciples, may we listen with our ears and our hearts to hear God’s voice in the voice of a missionary teaching. 

Jesus went to escape to hear and teach the Word. Mountains and teachings, we learn from the voice of God through teaching. This day we have an opportunity to listen. We have the grace to respond.

Prayer

Father, Son, Spirit; may I hear your voice and your teaching and respond to the need of another through your teachings. --- Amen

Thank you for your continued support of Good Gifts during this season of Lent.  Here is the latest update as of February 26th.

Good Gifts Tally - February 26, 2013

Total Gifts Given - 52 (our goal is 300!)
Dollar Amount of Gifts Given PLUS Wednesday Night Offerings- $1,765!

Global Barnyard
	4	Goats
	10	Chicks
	3	Pigs
	14	Ducks
	1	Fish Pond
Water
	1	Water Jug
	1	Set of Water Purification Tablets
Health Care
	3	Health/Dental Kit
	2	Child Vaccinations
Malaria
	1	Mosquito Net
	1	Malaria Protection Women and Children
Agriculture
	2	Fruit Tree Seedling
Grow the Church
	6	Bible and Hymnal
Women and Children
	1	Food -Orphan
	1	Textbooks for Children
	1	Food for 10 soup kitchen