Tuesday October 31, 2023

Today is Tuesday, October 31 and we are learning what the Bible says about proclaiming.

As a new day dawns, I slow my breathing, focus my mind and turn my heart to the presence of the Holy One. I inhale his joy, peace and kindness as I exhale my burdens, worries and concerns.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord God, I come quietly to this sacred space before I embark on a busy day. Meet me here in the stillness. Remind me of your steadfast love and help me hear the message you have for me. Amen.

I rejoice in God’s faithfulness and praise him with the words of Psalm 40.

I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart. I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. Psalm 40:8-10a

Pause and Pray

John the Baptist was arrested and imprisoned by Herod Antipas. While in prison, his disciples came to visit him and reported all that Jesus had been doing. When John heard of the miracles Jesus performed, he realized how the prophecies were being fulfilled. John knew he was appointed by God as a herald, to call people to repentance and prepare them for the coming of the Messiah. These signs and wonders now confirmed that the Messiah had arrived. Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah of God.

John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’” At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” Luke 7:18-22

John the Baptist sent messengers to Jesus and they returned with what they saw and heard. Good news was proclaimed to the poor. Miracles were performed, diseases were cured, and those who were sick became well. The blind saw, the lame walked, the lepers were cleansed, the deaf heard and the dead were alive. How could this be? As Jesus once healed many people, he heals me and calls me to go and do the same for others. I am to proclaim the good news and work to help those who suffer. I am a follower of Christ and I am to proclaim help, hope and healing in his name.

Ask: Who do I know who needs to hear a word of hope or comfort? How can I speak words of goodness into the life of someone else today?

Pause and Pray

Holy and Loving God, Jesus came to bring salvation and hope to a broken world. Remind me of my role to daily carry out the good work of my Savior. Show me what I can do to comfort those who are sick, hospitalized or suffering from disease. Give me compassion for the blind, the deaf and the lame. Give me a heart for the poor and the outcast. I want to proclaim the good news of your kingdom. I read the words from Luke again and listen for the message you have for me.

John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’” At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” Luke 7:18-22

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Like the two men who were disciples of John came to Jesus, so do I. I come to him with my doubts and queries. I come to Jesus with my uncertainty and inadequacy. I come to him with my grief and sorrow. I come to Jesus with my illnesses and diseases. I come to Jesus blind and deaf to the needs of the world around me. I come to Jesus with a poverty of spirit and a downcast soul. I come to Jesus needing cleansed of my sin as much as a leper needs cleansed of his leprosy. I come to Jesus.

Pause and Pray

Jesus, I come to you. I need your healing love. Mend my brokeness. Straighten my crookedness. Comfort my loneliness. Lift my spirits. Redeem my soul and sanctify my life. Strengthen me and send me out to proclaim the good news of your kingdom to a lost and hurting world. Amen.

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Psalm 105:1

I leave this time of prayer to proclaim the goodness of God and share his love with the least and the lost.

Amen