Genesis 19:15-29 & Matt 8:23-27

Earth eruptions and storms at sea are not the only evils that befall.  More serious, perhaps, are the evils human beings do to each other, causing untold disconnection, grief, and deep suffering in body, mind and spirit.  God is always present to deliver us, when we ask, either by the intervention of angels, by the compassion of one of his servants on earth, or by ministering to our hearts and minds by the Holy Spirit of Jesus.  From what evils do I need deliverance? How is God responding to my cry of “Help me! God!”  Most importantly, I need to look not back, but forward to the Lord and the journey ahead. Lord God, deliver me from evil.  
 
But as for me, I walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me,  my foot stands on level ground; in the great congregation I will bless the Lord.  (Psalm 26:11,12) 
                                                                                                      
Soli ad gloriam dei

Acts 12: 1-11, 2Timothy 4:6-8 & Psalm 34
 
God delivered St. Peter and St. Paul from all their fears, giving them courage to face many trials and traumas, and to joyfully keep proclaiming the good news, healing the sick, casting out darkness.  As St. Paul said as he waited in prison for his inevitable execution, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race and I have kept the faith.”  Am I prepared to have God similarly deliver me from all my fears?  Lord God, deliver me from all my worries, anxieties and fears.  
 
I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34: 4)
                                                                                                      
Soli ad gloriam dei

Genesis 18:1-15 & Matthew 8:5-17
 
Even those closest can be strangers to us, until we welcome them, as Abraham did the angels under the oaks of Mamre. Abraham first ‘looked up’ and noticed the visitors, then approached them and greeted them with dignity and honor. He offered water for their cleansing & refreshment along their journey and then gave them a snack and later prepared a choice meal that allowed him to visit with them while they ate.  The result of Abraham’s hospitality was that he received the word of the Lord regarding the imminent birth of his son, Isaac. What strangers are standing around in my life? What word from the Lord will result from my hospitality to them? Holy Spirit, help me generously welcome strangers.  
 
It is a question of fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need. (2 Corinthians 8: 13,14) 
                                                                                                      
Soli ad gloriam dei

Genesis 17:1-22 & Matthew 8:1-4
 
Untreated leprosy not only eats away at the flesh, but also at the social connections of a person. As the Lord chooses, he can not only make a leper clean, but he can also give a child to an old couple and so transform Sarai to become Sarah, and Abram to become Abraham, the parents of a multitude of nations. When the Lord chooses, and as we are open to his ways, he purifies people and transforms rifts in relationship into bridges.  Am I open to the Lord’s transformation of misunderstandings into comprehension, of wounded hard-heartedness into compassion, and disconnection into connection?  Holy Spirit of God, if you choose, you can make [me] clean. Lord God, heal [my] ‘leprosy’ .  
 
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.  Blessed are the clean of heart for they shall see God. (Matt 5: 7,8)
                                                                                                      
Soli ad gloriam dei

Genesis 16:1-16 & Matthew 7:21-29
 
Sarai, knowing that she and Abram were to be parents of a multitude of descendants became impatient with God’s measured and timely plan and by her own scheming gave her slave girl to her husband so he could father a child. In doing so, she set in motion an enmity which rocks our world to this day, four millennia later.  I too become impatient and act on my own understanding and schemes, rather than wait for God to unfold his design for my life. Looking back, I realize there have been dire consequences when I have chosen to react instead of first taking time to align m heart with God’s purposes.  The answer to humanity’s cry for abundant life and security under duress is really quite simple: Holy Spirit of God, help me do only your will. 
 
Behold, I stand at the door and knock, says the Lord. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door to me, I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:22) 
                                                                                                      
Soli ad gloriam dei