We don’t always see ourselves as people in need of rescue, perhaps because we do not perceive the dangers that surround us.  But trials and temptations pull at our hearts each day, threatening to separate us from God, and from our families and friends.  We ask in this prayer for God’s wisdom, grace and might to lead us, guide us, and rescue us when we are in danger of falling under the influence of ungodly powers.

Worship (with Holy Communion) this week:  Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel

Sunday – Traditional Worship at 8:30 a.m.

Contemporary Worship at 10:00 a.m.

Please keep in your prayers our Local Missions Week that runs Sunday through Thursday.

 

Deliver Us
June 23, 2013
Matthew 6:13

Key Verse: Jesus said, “And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:13

Time: 30-33 C.E.

Background: People have many different ways of imagining evil or the evil one. Some personify evil, a traditional red-horned, red-tailed being; others view an intangible concept of anything that reflects the absence of good. Whether personified or not, Jesus’ teaching made clear that there is a state of being that is contrary to God’s will. Jesus teaches us to ask for God to steer us clear of that contrariness and help us to turn toward God and God’s will.

Community: Where do you see evil exist in our world? Is evil a matter of individual choice, or can evil be executed communally? What can your community of faith do to live out God’s will in your surrounding community?

At Home: What distracts your attention away from God? Is it evil or something else? How does your image of evil shape your thoughts and behaviors? Take steps this week to focus your attention intentionally toward God and away from anything that distracts you from God.

Read This Week:
Monday: I Lift My Eyes to the Hills, Psalm 121:1-8
Tuesday: God’s Promise to Moses, Exodus 3:1-12
Wednesday: God’s Promise to Gideon, Judges 7:1-8
Thursday: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel 3:16-30
Friday: Lord Is My Deliverer, Psalm 18:1-3
Saturday: Lord Delivers Jonah, Jonah 2:1-10

Next Week: Guest Pastors Jared Parmley (Sat.) and JoAnn Fabie (Sun.) will preach on  Luke 9:51-62