G.I.F.T.
Growing In Faith
Together
July 19th
2015
Today’s Texts:
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Psalm 23
Ephesians 2:11-22
Mark 6:30-34,
53-56
Gathered by
Grace:
The disciples
returned from being sent and share with Jesus what they have done. After listening,
Jesus suggested that they go away to a deserted place all by themselves to
rest. They had been enormously busy. They had been preaching and healing and
sharing the gospel and participating in people’s lives. Now it was time to take
a breather, to go away, and be alone to rest, for “many were coming and going,
and they had no leisure even to eat”.
Discuss in your
household or small group:
* Each of us
could probably underline v. 31 in our Bibles. It accurately describes the fast
pace of our current culture. When were you last too busy to even eat?
* Why are fast
food stores so popular at this time in the history of America?
* How do you feel
about that life style? Do you ever feel like a “sheep without a shepherd” in
that chaos?
* What do you
think God has to say to this life style? (read Ps.23)
Try to memorize The Lord is our righteousness. Jeremiah 23:6b
this verse:
Daily Bible Readings:
These readings
are related to the Sunday readings. M-W reflect upon the past Sunday’s readings
and Th-Sa prepare for the next Sunday.
Try to take time each day to read the assigned Bible passage.
Sunday Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 Thursday Psalm 23
Monday Psalm 142:5-7 Friday Jeremiah
10:19-21
Tuesday Acts 23:12-35 Saturday Mark 6:35-52
Wednesday Luke 7:31-35 Sunday John 6:1-21
NEXT SUNDAY: 2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:10-18; Ephesians 3:14-21; John 6:1-21
Prayers for this Week:
For the Week:
Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.
For Throughout
the Day: Restore my soul, O Lord.
A Blessing to Share: God’s goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life.
For Mealtime:
Say responsively:
The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not be in want.
Meal Prayer from Bible Camp:
tune- Lone Ranger/William Tell Overture
God is great and
God is good!
And we thank God
for this food.
By God’s hand we
all are fed.
Give us Lord our
daily bread!
NOTE: Improvise
on the “Amens” then go back to the words.
Devotional Practice:
Sit quietly and
reflect on your daily/weekly schedule. Where does the “crunch” come? What it is
that keeps you stressed or overly busy? Then reflect on Jesus’ invitation to go
away and rest awhile. Write down one thing
you will actually do in order to rest: one walk with a friend or spouse, one
game you will play with a child, one opportunity you will take to sit and to contemplate your blessing and abundance.
Put this note someplace you will see it all week to remind you of this
commitment to yourself to rest.
Summer Ritual:
This summer start
each morning with a simple prayer: Lord, show me something incredible. Amen.
Then watch to see what the treasure is. When you find it, in your mind add a
tag “Made by God”.
Scattered to serve:
Ephesians tells
us that Christ is our peace. In Christ all are one. The dividing wall between
us is broken down. Where in our community do you see a dividing wall between
people? What in the name of Christ can be done to break it down?