It is good to be able to post another edition of the Weekend Sermon. I didn't think that I was going to be able to post today. I was very busy at work. I only have a few minutes before the library closes for the night, so this may be a brief Weekend Sermon.
For the past few weeks, we have been praying for one country each week where there are not a large number of Christians. This week, let us pray for the nation of Tunisia. This country has only a few Christians, and the people of this nation need to hear the good news about the love of Jesus.
This week, I want to talk about one of the post resurrection appearances of Jesus. Next week, we will return to our series on the miracles that Jesus performed while He was on earth.
In John's gospel, we find an interesting account of Jesus appearing to Peter, John and some of the other disciples while they were out fishing. The disciples had fished all night, but they had nothing to show for their efforts. Jesus appeared on the shore and told the disciples to cast the net on the other side. They did it, and they had an abundance of fish in the net.
Later, Jesus would ask Peter on three different occasions if Peter loved Him. Each time, Peter answered that he did love Jesus. I believe that Jesus asked Peter this three times to show Peter that he was forgiven for the three times that Peter denied knowing Jesus when Jesus was taken away to be crucified.
After Jesus asked Peter these questions about love, Peter noticed John following them. Peter asked Jesus what was going to happen to John. Jesus said, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow me?
I have found this to be a very important verse in my life. Sometimes, I look at what other people who are Christians are doing, and I get discouraged. I wonder if I am doing enough to be of service to the Lord. This verse helps me to realize that following Jesus is not a competition. Jesus has a plan and a purpose for my life. He wants me to do what He has called me to do. I don't need to compare myself to others. My responsibility is to remain faithful to what Jesus has revealed to me for my life.
Also, this verse helps me when I see prominent Christian leaders, or other Christians, get involved in very un-Christlike behaviors. I shouldn't focus on other people. I need to keep my eyes fixed upon Jesus. If I follow after Him, all will be well. Others may fall off the path. My job is to stay on the narrow path of following the Lord that leads to life and ultimate happiness for all of eternity with Jesus.
Verse 25 of this passage is another one of my favorite verses in the Bible. If all of the things that Jesus did while He was on earth were written down, the world could not contain all of the books that could be written. This tells me that Jesus did many glorious and wonderful things. In the Gospels, we see just a handful of the miraculous healings that Jesus performed. We see only a fraction of the good deeds that Jesus performed. We only see a glimpse of the the compassion of our glorious Lord.
Jesus' ministry was filled with doing as much good as He could possibly do while He was on the earth. In three years of ministry, Jesus did so much good that no one could write about it all. That is an example for me to follow. I know that as a follower of Jesus, I need to be doing as much good as I can. I must try to leave this world a little better than the way I found as I am empowered by the Holy Spirit. Only through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit can we do great things for the Lord.
Next week, I will post a book review on Wednesday. The Weekend Sermon will be back next week. May God bless You.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
A Recommendation
On Wednesdays, I usually have a review of an animal book or a religious book. Today is a little bit different. Today, I would like to recommend that you watch a program that I found to be very good. On the PBS program "Nature" last week, the broadcast featured a story about Joe Hutto and his interaction with a herd of wild mule deer in Wyoming. Over the course of many months, Hutto won the trust of the deer, and they accepted him as part of the herd. This program reminded me of what our interactions with animals might be like in the world to come.
The last time I checked, the entire episode was still available for viewing on the "Nature" website. I definitely recommend that you watch it. Also, Joe Hutto has a book available called "Touching the Wild" that deals with the same subject matter as the "Nature" program. I have not read the book yet as it is being ordered by my local library. If it is like the television presentation, it will be a very fine book.
The last time I checked, the entire episode was still available for viewing on the "Nature" website. I definitely recommend that you watch it. Also, Joe Hutto has a book available called "Touching the Wild" that deals with the same subject matter as the "Nature" program. I have not read the book yet as it is being ordered by my local library. If it is like the television presentation, it will be a very fine book.
Friday, April 18, 2014
Weekend Sermon--- The Promise of Easter
Welcome to another edition of the Weekend Sermon. I am glad that you are able to read the sermon today, and I hope that everyone is doing well.
Everything is going well at my job, and I am feeling better physically too. For this, I give thanks and praise to the Lord. Thank you to all that have prayed for me during the past few months.
For today's message, I would just like to briefly focus on the meaning of Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave. If you are reading this message on Friday, you know that it is Good Friday, the day that Jesus gave His life for us on the cross of Calvary.
On the cross, Jesus took the punishment for sin that we rightly deserved. He died in our place. Our sin was placed upon Jesus who was the Lamb of God who had come to take away the sin of the world.
When the first sin was committed, God said that the result of sin was death. Death came into this world and passed upon all creatures because of sin.
When Jesus died on the cross, He took care of the problem of sin. His death provided forgiveness for all who put their faith and trust in what Jesus did for them on the cross.
The consequences of sin had to be dealt with as well. When Jesus rose from the grave on the third day, he conquered the consequences of sin. Death was forever defeated by the resurrection of Jesus. Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we need no longer fear death because death no longer has the ultimate victory.
When Jesus raised his friend Lazarus from the grave, Jesus said that He was the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in the name of Jesus will live again and have eternal life.
This is the promise of Easter. Death is not victorious. Jesus is victorious.
The promise of Easter is very important to me. I lost both of my parents within just a couple of months of each other about four years ago now. This has been something that has been very hard for me to deal with. However, I know that since Jesus rose from the grave, my parents are alive with Jesus in Heaven right this very second. Both of my parents put their faith and trust in the risen Lord. They trusted Him for their salvation. Because of this, when I die, I will be reunited with my parents again in Heaven.
This is all possible because of what Jesus did on Easter morning. He rose from the dead, and He is the victor. Jesus conquered sin, death, hell and the grave.
Most of you who read this blog on a regular basis are probably believers in the Lord Jesus already. However, I don't know everyone who will read this message or any message I post on the blog. It is my prayer that during this Easter season, if you have not trusted in Jesus for salvation and made Him the Lord of your life that you will do so today.
Romans 10: 9-10 tells us what we need to do to accept Jesus into our lives. These verses state, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."
Give your life to Jesus today, and you will no longer need to fear death. Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Next week, I will post a book review on Wednesday. May God bless you . Amen.
Everything is going well at my job, and I am feeling better physically too. For this, I give thanks and praise to the Lord. Thank you to all that have prayed for me during the past few months.
For today's message, I would just like to briefly focus on the meaning of Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave. If you are reading this message on Friday, you know that it is Good Friday, the day that Jesus gave His life for us on the cross of Calvary.
On the cross, Jesus took the punishment for sin that we rightly deserved. He died in our place. Our sin was placed upon Jesus who was the Lamb of God who had come to take away the sin of the world.
When the first sin was committed, God said that the result of sin was death. Death came into this world and passed upon all creatures because of sin.
When Jesus died on the cross, He took care of the problem of sin. His death provided forgiveness for all who put their faith and trust in what Jesus did for them on the cross.
The consequences of sin had to be dealt with as well. When Jesus rose from the grave on the third day, he conquered the consequences of sin. Death was forever defeated by the resurrection of Jesus. Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we need no longer fear death because death no longer has the ultimate victory.
When Jesus raised his friend Lazarus from the grave, Jesus said that He was the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in the name of Jesus will live again and have eternal life.
This is the promise of Easter. Death is not victorious. Jesus is victorious.
The promise of Easter is very important to me. I lost both of my parents within just a couple of months of each other about four years ago now. This has been something that has been very hard for me to deal with. However, I know that since Jesus rose from the grave, my parents are alive with Jesus in Heaven right this very second. Both of my parents put their faith and trust in the risen Lord. They trusted Him for their salvation. Because of this, when I die, I will be reunited with my parents again in Heaven.
This is all possible because of what Jesus did on Easter morning. He rose from the dead, and He is the victor. Jesus conquered sin, death, hell and the grave.
Most of you who read this blog on a regular basis are probably believers in the Lord Jesus already. However, I don't know everyone who will read this message or any message I post on the blog. It is my prayer that during this Easter season, if you have not trusted in Jesus for salvation and made Him the Lord of your life that you will do so today.
Romans 10: 9-10 tells us what we need to do to accept Jesus into our lives. These verses state, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."
Give your life to Jesus today, and you will no longer need to fear death. Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Next week, I will post a book review on Wednesday. May God bless you . Amen.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Verses for Holy Week (pt 2.)
I Peter 1:18-21-- "You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
I Peter 2:24-24-- "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."
Luke 22:66-70-- "And they led him away to their council, and they said, "If you are the Christ, tell us". But he said to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God." So they all said, "Are you the Son of God then?" And he said to them, "You say that I am."
Luke 23:46-47-- "Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, "Certainly this man was innocent!"
I Peter 2:24-24-- "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."
Luke 22:66-70-- "And they led him away to their council, and they said, "If you are the Christ, tell us". But he said to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God." So they all said, "Are you the Son of God then?" And he said to them, "You say that I am."
Luke 23:46-47-- "Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, "Certainly this man was innocent!"
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Verses for Holy Week
Matthew 26:26-29--"Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat" this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
John 14:1-3-- Let not you hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
John 15:12-14-- This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one that this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.
John 14:1-3-- Let not you hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
John 15:12-14-- This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one that this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.
Friday, April 11, 2014
Weekend Sermon-- Mark 11:1-11 and 14:32-42
Hello, it is good to be with you again for another edition of the Weekend Sermon. I hope that everyone is having a good day.
This week, I would like to ask everyone to once again pray about the situation in Guinea in Africa. Continue to pray that the epidemic will be brought under control. Also, continue to pray for peace in the Central African Republic and Syria.
This week, let us focus our prayers on the nation of Saudi Arabia. There are very, very few Christians in this country. Pray for a move of the Gospel in this land.
For the past few weeks, we have been in a series of messages about the miracles of Jesus. This week and next week, we will shift our focus to the topics of Palm Sunday and Easter. We will resume our miracles of Jesus series after Easter.
For today's message, I would like to give just a few general reflections about Palm Sunday and Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night that He was betrayed.
The events of Palm Sunday bring two things to my mind as I am posting this sermon this afternoon. First of all, Jesus is worthy of praise and adoration. When He rode into Jerusalem centuries ago, the people shouted, "Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." Jesus was the Messiah who was sent from the Father to bring salvation and redemption to the world.
Jesus is worthy of all of our praise and adoration now. I believe that all of us who are followers of Jesus should spend at least some part of each day praising Jesus for all that He has done for us. He is the Lamb of God who has taken away the sins of the world. He is the Alpha and the Omega. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The Palm Sunday account also reminds me of the fact that one day Jesus is going to return triumphantly to this earth to establish His kingdom that will have no end. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem, He came into the city on a colt. He was riding into the city to face death on the cross. However, when Jesus returns at His Second Coming, He will be riding on a white horse and coming in power and great glory. He will be returning as the one who has triumphed over death, hell and the grave. Every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Come quickly Lord Jesus.
Just a few short days after the events of Palm Sunday, Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane praying. Jesus knew what He was about to face. Jesus would face terrible pain, humiliation and a cruel death. In addition, while He was on the cross, Jesus would bear our sins in His body. He would suffer and die for us taking the punishment that we rightly deserved.
What strikes me is that Jesus knew all of this, but He yielded to the will of the Father and went to His death on the cross. This demonstrates to me how much that Jesus loves me. He was willing to suffer and die for me.
This is also another great example for all of us who are Jesus' followers. As Jesus was fully committed to doing the will of the Father in Heaven, we too should be willing to follow the will of the Father whatever the Father's will for our individual lives may be.
I hope that as we approach Good Friday and Easter, that most of you who read this blog know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. If you do not, I pray that you will turn your life over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ today. If you are a believer in Jesus, commit yourself to being His obedient follower.
Next week, I will not be posting a book review. I will be posting some verses for Holy Week on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, I will post an Easter message. May God bless you. Amen.
This week, I would like to ask everyone to once again pray about the situation in Guinea in Africa. Continue to pray that the epidemic will be brought under control. Also, continue to pray for peace in the Central African Republic and Syria.
This week, let us focus our prayers on the nation of Saudi Arabia. There are very, very few Christians in this country. Pray for a move of the Gospel in this land.
For the past few weeks, we have been in a series of messages about the miracles of Jesus. This week and next week, we will shift our focus to the topics of Palm Sunday and Easter. We will resume our miracles of Jesus series after Easter.
For today's message, I would like to give just a few general reflections about Palm Sunday and Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night that He was betrayed.
The events of Palm Sunday bring two things to my mind as I am posting this sermon this afternoon. First of all, Jesus is worthy of praise and adoration. When He rode into Jerusalem centuries ago, the people shouted, "Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." Jesus was the Messiah who was sent from the Father to bring salvation and redemption to the world.
Jesus is worthy of all of our praise and adoration now. I believe that all of us who are followers of Jesus should spend at least some part of each day praising Jesus for all that He has done for us. He is the Lamb of God who has taken away the sins of the world. He is the Alpha and the Omega. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The Palm Sunday account also reminds me of the fact that one day Jesus is going to return triumphantly to this earth to establish His kingdom that will have no end. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem, He came into the city on a colt. He was riding into the city to face death on the cross. However, when Jesus returns at His Second Coming, He will be riding on a white horse and coming in power and great glory. He will be returning as the one who has triumphed over death, hell and the grave. Every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Come quickly Lord Jesus.
Just a few short days after the events of Palm Sunday, Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane praying. Jesus knew what He was about to face. Jesus would face terrible pain, humiliation and a cruel death. In addition, while He was on the cross, Jesus would bear our sins in His body. He would suffer and die for us taking the punishment that we rightly deserved.
What strikes me is that Jesus knew all of this, but He yielded to the will of the Father and went to His death on the cross. This demonstrates to me how much that Jesus loves me. He was willing to suffer and die for me.
This is also another great example for all of us who are Jesus' followers. As Jesus was fully committed to doing the will of the Father in Heaven, we too should be willing to follow the will of the Father whatever the Father's will for our individual lives may be.
I hope that as we approach Good Friday and Easter, that most of you who read this blog know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. If you do not, I pray that you will turn your life over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ today. If you are a believer in Jesus, commit yourself to being His obedient follower.
Next week, I will not be posting a book review. I will be posting some verses for Holy Week on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, I will post an Easter message. May God bless you. Amen.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Book Review
Last year, I selected "Paw Prints in the Moonlight" by Denis O'Connor as my favorite cat book of the year. Mr. O'Connor has now released a second book about the cats in his life entitled "Paw Prints at Owl Cottage".
After the passing of his cat Toby Jug, O'Connor moved away from Owl Cottage for many years. Upon retirement, he and his wife went and purchased Owl Cottage. The place was in disarray, but they brought it back into shape. During this time, Denis decided to get another cat.
"Paw Prints at Owl Cottage" details the lives of the four cats that the author has had since moving back to the home he once shared with Toby Jug. The stories and the information about the new cats is very interesting. However, the best parts of this new book are the stories about Toby Jug that the author did not include in his first book.
While "Paw Prints at Owl Cottage" is not as good a book as "Paw Prints in the Moonlight", this new book is quite good and worth reading.
After the passing of his cat Toby Jug, O'Connor moved away from Owl Cottage for many years. Upon retirement, he and his wife went and purchased Owl Cottage. The place was in disarray, but they brought it back into shape. During this time, Denis decided to get another cat.
"Paw Prints at Owl Cottage" details the lives of the four cats that the author has had since moving back to the home he once shared with Toby Jug. The stories and the information about the new cats is very interesting. However, the best parts of this new book are the stories about Toby Jug that the author did not include in his first book.
While "Paw Prints at Owl Cottage" is not as good a book as "Paw Prints in the Moonlight", this new book is quite good and worth reading.
Friday, April 4, 2014
Weekend Sermon-- Matthew 15:22-36
It is good to be able to post a sermon again this week. I am always grateful to the Lord for the opportunity to share His word with others. I hope that everyone is having a good week.
My job has been going well, and I am thankful to the Lord for giving me this job. My writing work is also picking up a little bit. Please continue to pray that I can make up some ground in the areas that I am behind in on my finances. When I was unemployed for so long, I got extremely behind. Hopefully thinks will continue to improve.
This week, let us pray that the good news of Jesus' love will reach those in the nation of Bahrain. This nation has very, very few Christians. Pray that the message of Jesus will reach many in this nation.
We continue today with our series on the miracles of Jesus by looking at Matthew's account of Jesus walking on the water.
After the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus sent his twelve disciples across the Sea of Galilee. Jesus did not join them right away. Instead, Jesus went up on a mountain by Himself to spend time in prayer.
When the boat that the disciples were in got about half way across the Sea of Galilee, a storm came up and the wind and waves were battering the disciples' vessel.
In the middle of the night, Jesus walked out to the disciples on the water. The disciples were afraid when they first saw Jesus. They thought that Jesus was a ghost. Jesus calmed their fear by saying, " It is I. Be not afraid."
Peter then asked Jesus to let him come out to Him on the water. Jesus told Peter to come, and Peter actually walked on the water for awhile as he made his way to Jesus. However, when Peter looked at the wind and the waves, he began to sink. Jesus had to come to His friend's rescue.
What does the miracle of Jesus walking on the water teach us today? The first point that catches my attention in this passage of scripture is Jesus going off alone to pray. We need to imitate our Lord by also being people of prayer. It is a good habitat to get into to try to find some time each day to be alone with the Lord and spend time praying and seeking the will of God. Throughout the Gospels, we see the importance that Jesus placed on the practice of prayer. Let us do the same.
From this miracle I also see that Jesus is the one who can speak peace to the storm that is in our life. All of us face problems in life. I've been facing financial difficulties and continued sadness over the loss of my family. These things are very hard to deal with. Having Jesus in my life is the only thing that makes them tolerable. Jesus gives me comfort and strength to go on in the midst of the difficult circumstances of life. I know that He is with me now, and that one day, I will be with Him and there will be perfect peace in my heart.
Peter's reaction is also interesting in this account. Peter is actually demonstrating here what it means to be a true disciple of the Lord. When a student decided to follow a teacher, one way that they were expected to learn was by doing whatever the master did. That was Peter's attitude. He saw His master walking on the water, and he wanted to do the same thing as well. Peter actually walked on the water, and he would have continued to do so if he wouldn't have taken his eyes off of Jesus.
This is a good example for our lives. We should have the desire to imitate our Lord and master. We must be faithful followers of all that Jesus did. We must obey His commandments. As we live our lives, it is important that we keep our focus on Jesus even though there is much around us that would prevent us from keeping our focus on Him. As we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we can pass through the storms that are all around us.
Finally, I see in this miracle that Jesus brings those who follow Him to safety. They arrive safely on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. All those who put their faith and trust in Jesus can be assured that Jesus will take care of them. Those who trust in Jesus will receive forgiveness of all of their sins. They will have eternal life, and they will have a home with Jesus forever. Nothing can separate us from Jesus' love.
Next week I will post a review of a good cat book that I am reading. On Friday, I will post another sermon. May God bless you. Amen.
My job has been going well, and I am thankful to the Lord for giving me this job. My writing work is also picking up a little bit. Please continue to pray that I can make up some ground in the areas that I am behind in on my finances. When I was unemployed for so long, I got extremely behind. Hopefully thinks will continue to improve.
This week, let us pray that the good news of Jesus' love will reach those in the nation of Bahrain. This nation has very, very few Christians. Pray that the message of Jesus will reach many in this nation.
We continue today with our series on the miracles of Jesus by looking at Matthew's account of Jesus walking on the water.
After the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus sent his twelve disciples across the Sea of Galilee. Jesus did not join them right away. Instead, Jesus went up on a mountain by Himself to spend time in prayer.
When the boat that the disciples were in got about half way across the Sea of Galilee, a storm came up and the wind and waves were battering the disciples' vessel.
In the middle of the night, Jesus walked out to the disciples on the water. The disciples were afraid when they first saw Jesus. They thought that Jesus was a ghost. Jesus calmed their fear by saying, " It is I. Be not afraid."
Peter then asked Jesus to let him come out to Him on the water. Jesus told Peter to come, and Peter actually walked on the water for awhile as he made his way to Jesus. However, when Peter looked at the wind and the waves, he began to sink. Jesus had to come to His friend's rescue.
What does the miracle of Jesus walking on the water teach us today? The first point that catches my attention in this passage of scripture is Jesus going off alone to pray. We need to imitate our Lord by also being people of prayer. It is a good habitat to get into to try to find some time each day to be alone with the Lord and spend time praying and seeking the will of God. Throughout the Gospels, we see the importance that Jesus placed on the practice of prayer. Let us do the same.
From this miracle I also see that Jesus is the one who can speak peace to the storm that is in our life. All of us face problems in life. I've been facing financial difficulties and continued sadness over the loss of my family. These things are very hard to deal with. Having Jesus in my life is the only thing that makes them tolerable. Jesus gives me comfort and strength to go on in the midst of the difficult circumstances of life. I know that He is with me now, and that one day, I will be with Him and there will be perfect peace in my heart.
Peter's reaction is also interesting in this account. Peter is actually demonstrating here what it means to be a true disciple of the Lord. When a student decided to follow a teacher, one way that they were expected to learn was by doing whatever the master did. That was Peter's attitude. He saw His master walking on the water, and he wanted to do the same thing as well. Peter actually walked on the water, and he would have continued to do so if he wouldn't have taken his eyes off of Jesus.
This is a good example for our lives. We should have the desire to imitate our Lord and master. We must be faithful followers of all that Jesus did. We must obey His commandments. As we live our lives, it is important that we keep our focus on Jesus even though there is much around us that would prevent us from keeping our focus on Him. As we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we can pass through the storms that are all around us.
Finally, I see in this miracle that Jesus brings those who follow Him to safety. They arrive safely on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. All those who put their faith and trust in Jesus can be assured that Jesus will take care of them. Those who trust in Jesus will receive forgiveness of all of their sins. They will have eternal life, and they will have a home with Jesus forever. Nothing can separate us from Jesus' love.
Next week I will post a review of a good cat book that I am reading. On Friday, I will post another sermon. May God bless you. Amen.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Book Review
Today, I am reviewing a book entitled "Rescuing Riley Saving Myself" written by Zak Anderegg. This book begins with Anderegg out on a climbing excursion when he comes upon a dog trapped in a canyon. Much of the book details how the author goes about getting the dog, who is at the point of dying of dehydration, out of the canyon.
While the author is going about rescuing the dog, he is reminded of the many occurrences of bullying that he faced growing up. By rescuing the dog he would name Riley, Mr. Anderegg was able to come to terms with unpleasant experiences in his past.
This is an interesting book on two levels. The dog rescue story is good, but the story that Mr. Anderegg relates about his own life is also very revealing and interesting.
While the author is going about rescuing the dog, he is reminded of the many occurrences of bullying that he faced growing up. By rescuing the dog he would name Riley, Mr. Anderegg was able to come to terms with unpleasant experiences in his past.
This is an interesting book on two levels. The dog rescue story is good, but the story that Mr. Anderegg relates about his own life is also very revealing and interesting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)