Not a Spirit of Cowardice--Feb. 10, 2015

Dear God, you did not give us a spirit of cowardice,

but a spirit of power and love and self-discipline.

You call us to share our bread with the hungry;

to bring the homeless poor into our house;

when we see the naked, to cover them;

to uphold the orphan and the widow;

and to watch over strangers--not to

hide ourselves from the needy.

Make us your salty people,

and give us your peace

with one another.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 42; 146; 102; 133

Isa. 58:1-12

2 Tim. 1:1-14

Mark 9:42-50

Selected Verses

Ps. 146:9

The LORD watches over the strangers;
          he upholds the orphan and the widow,
          but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

Isa. 58:7

Is [the fast that I choose] not to share your bread with the hungry,
          and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
          and not to hide yourself from your own kin? 

2 Tim. 1:7

…for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.

Mark 9:50b

"…Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”  [Jesus to his disciples]