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| p1. November 1-10 Commonwealth. Nov 1. Jesus loves us this we know, for the bible tells us so. Throughout history many people have been alienated from your church. The church has viewed us as strangers. We wondered if God�s promises included us. When we doubted, we felt hopeless and abandoned by God. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near. See Ephesians 2:13, 2:19 Nov 2. With patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break bones. See Proverb 25:15. We pray for justice, but with patient lobbying and careful voting we persuade those in power. Give the King your justice, O God. See Psalm 72:1 Nov 3. �Ignorance of the law is no excuse,� we say. Ignorance of the issues is also no excuse. We would do well to be �wise as serpents� (Matthew 10:16) in taking time to discern the issues and candidates, voting our conscience. Especially when there are self-proclaimed religious groups making coordinated efforts to refuse us our rights. Gay and lesbian Christians need to establish and proclaim our understanding of the issues. Nov 4. People should be governed as from God. People who believe in God govern more justly. One who rules over people justly, ruling in the fear of God, is like the light of morning, like the sun rising on a cloudless morning, gleaming from the rain on a grassy land. See 2 Samuel 23:3-4. Sovereign of all nations, we pray for the gleam of joy and justice to rise on all the lands. . Nov 5. The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of God that will be established. See Proverbs 19:21. Many seek the favor of a ruler, but it is from God that one gets justice. See Proverbs 29:26. Establish your purpose, God, and give us justice. Nov 6. Jesus proclaimed, �Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.��Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom. See Matthew 4:17, 23. A minister attending a workshop for clergy to help open the church to lesbians and gay men observed, �Not long ago we were condemning homosexuality from our pulpits. Now we are approaching a proclamation that it is okay. Where�s the repentance?� In other words, came the clarification, why isn�t the church first confessing its sin publicly. Lord let us listen for those who call us to repent (change our ways, be sorry): a hurt lover, an offended friend, an unwanted stranger, a disenfranchised group. Welcoming God�s commonwealth is the task of a lifetime. Nov 7. Esau said, �I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?� See Genesis 25:32. There are some things that are more important than the short term easy fix. Our human dignity is too important to exchange for the temptation of the moment or the hunger we feel now. Our long- range vision should never be compromised by short-term achievements. Lord hear my prayers and bless the mission you have given me. Nov 8. We are responsible for ourselves. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, �Abba! Father!� it is that very spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. See Romans 8:15-17. We must not be enslaved by people who make ultimate, their own moral conclusions. Nov 9. Trust in God. �The land that we went through as spies is an exceedingly good land. If God is pleased with us, God will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only, do not rebel against God; and do not fear the people of the land, for�their protection is removed from them. See Numbers 14:7-9. Lord, into your hands we place all things, we trust in you. Nov 10. God�s law is higher than human law. There are times when we lay our bodies on the line to protest injustice. We refuse to bow down to the god of heterosexuality, no matter what human �kings� demand. �They disobeyed the kings� command and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own.� See Daniel 3:28. Lord, bless our angry resistance to injustice, God of righteousness. |
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