Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the 5th Week of Epiphany: Year 2
Morning, Psalm 87 and 90; Evening, Psalm 136:
Genesis 29:1 to 20; Romans 14:1 to 23; John 8:47 to 59:
“The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve.” (Romans 14:22)
Some of us believe in God based on what our faith leaders have taught us. Some of us believe in God based on our own interpretation of our reading the Bible, or other ancient writings. And, some believe in God based on both, that is, our faith leaders have instructed us in how we should understand what our ancient writings mean.
But there are some of us who believe in God based on our God-given reflective pondering and God’s revelation to us. This latter group, of which I am proud to be a member, also reads our Holy Words but are guided by God in our interpretation of them. In my walk and sitting with God, I stand almost alone in my convictions that there is no such thing as race, and that God uses both male and female humans in God’s plan for the salvation of humanity. These are only two that stand out for me now.
While Paul used dietary habits to explain his theological conviction, his words work for me as I continue to sit with God day to day. I am always learning and evolving in what I believe and then I try to live accordingly. I think we should take into consideration our holy writings and sound teachings from well informed teachers. But we have a personal responsibility to sit with God in prayer and revelation regularly while forming our own convictions. Paul says to us, “The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve.”
Today is our Sabbath from God. Our Lord Jesus never changed that. Sit quietly today and ponder about what God is saying to you.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 
Amen
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