Verse of the Week

John 3:16-- "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Weekend Sermon

     I know that I said earlier this week that I would not be posting a sermon.  I just didn't feel right about not posting anything.  When I wrote that update, I was very depressed about something.  I will go into that more next week.  Just let me say that I need everyone's prayers about finding work.  I need to keep praying.  There is so much to be praying about in this world.  There are so many needs.
     With that in mind, I wanted to post a sermon I wrote as part of the Jesus' Teachings on Prayer series I did a few years ago now.  It is about persistence in prayer.
      I will do my best to get back on the regular blog schedule starting Monday.



Luke 11:5-13
Luke 18:1-8

     For the past three weeks, we've been focusing on Jesus' teachings on the subject of prayer.  Part one was an examination of Jesus' example of prayer and the importance of prayer.  Part two and part three were discussions of the importance of praying the Lord's Prayer and the way in which the Lord's Prayer can be used as a pattern to construct our prayers around.
     This week, I would like to focus on Jesus' teaching on being persistent in our prayer life.
     In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells a very interesting parable about prayer.  Jesus said that there was a judge in a certain land who didn't honor or fear God , and this judge didn't care what any human being thought about him.  A widow lived in this judge's jurisdiction who kept coming and coming seeking justice from the court from someone who had treated her unjustly.  This judge didn't care about this woman or her problems and put her case off time and time again.  However, after this widow kept coming, and coming, and coming back to his court, the judge finally got sick of it.  He ruled in her favor just so he didn't have to see her in his court room one more time.
     Jesus said that we as His followers could learn a lesson from this tale.  First of all, God is not like the judge in this parable.  God cares about all of His children all over the world no matter their nationality, race, ethnicity, age, or economic status.  Jesus clearly states this in Luke 11:11-12 where He says, "You fathers-if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead?  Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion?  Of course not!  If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly  Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him."
     Secondly, God wants us to not give up on our prayer life.  Just as this widow didn't give up, God wants us to continue in prayer. 
     Jesus makes this same point about persisting in prayer in Luke 11:5-9.  In this passage, Jesus talks about a man who went over to his friends house at midnight to borrow a few loaves of bread.  At first, the man didn't want to get out of bed and get the bread.  However, the friend kept knocking at the door and making his request over and over again.  In order to get any sleep, the man got up and got his friend some bread.
     Jesus says that we should keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking because as Jesus says, "For everyone who asks, receives.  Everyone who seeks, finds.  And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.
     I know that in my own life there have been times when I had to keep praying in spite of the fact that things didn't look like they were getting any better.  When Toby was still with me, he had a lot of very bad medical problems.  One of his problems was a bad skin condition.  This condition made his life pretty miserable.  I prayed for Toby day after day.  I'm glad I kept praying, because Toby's skin got better, and for the rest of his life he had no more trouble with this problem.
     In the church I use to preach at, we always prayed for peace in the prayer time.  I remember at one time the war in Bosnia was terrible.  We prayed for peace for that troubled area every Sunday.  After many weeks, peace came to that part of the world.
     Sometimes, we pray and pray and our prayers aren't answered in this life.  I prayed for my Mom everyday for five years that she would recover from the effects of her bad stroke.  She never got any better.  I know that she is with Jesus now, and all of her problems are over.
     Many of the things we pray about will not have their ultimate answer until Jesus comes again.  Then all things will be made new.  Everything will be the way it was always intended to be.
     Keep praying.  Keep trusting.  In this world, or the next, God will come through. Amen

Update

I will not be posting a review today.  I am taking the rest of the week off.  I will return to blogging next week.  There will not be a Weekend Sermon posted this week. 

Verse of the Week

Mark 9:39-41 -- "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.  I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward."

Weekend Sermon

     Welcome once again to another week of the Weekend Sermon.  It's good to be with you today after a very difficult week.
     In today's message, I just want to reflect on some of the verses that have meant a lot to me recently.  A couple of them have been verses of the week.
     First of all, I want to say that this is a hard day for me.  This is the day that my Mom passed away a few years back.  September 19, February 17 and June 5 aren't good days for me.  They represent the loss of those I loved the most.
     On these days, I am reminded of the words of Jesus.  When Jesus went to raise His friend Lazarus from the dead, Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life.  He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."
     These words of the Lord Jesus give me the assurance that all of those who are followers of Jesus will be with Jesus for ever.  Although my loved ones are gone from this earth, they are alive with Jesus in Heaven right at this very second. 
     When Jesus died on the cross, He bore our sins in His body.  He was the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world.  On the cross, Jesus paid the sin debt.
     Through His resurrection, Jesus took care once and for all of the consequences of sin.  Through His resurrection, Jesus defeated death and and the grave.  Death holds no sway over those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
     I miss my Mom dearly.  However, I take comfort knowing that she is safe with Jesus.  She no longer suffers from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease.  She is in perfect health in a perfect place with her Lord and Savior.  One day, I will be reunited with my family again.  All the praise and glory for this belongs to my Lord and King Jesus Christ.
     On another note, I've faced some very great difficulties at work these last few weeks.  The supervisor at work is very hard to work for.  I won't go into all of the details, but I don't know how long I will be able to work at my present job.  This really hurts me, because it took so long to find a job when I was unemployed, and I am just now starting to really get back on my feet financially after a long hard struggle.  I would appreciate all of your prayers concerning this at this time.
     During this time, I have tried to concentrate on Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount about not worrying.  I know from the words of Jesus that I am in the Father's hands.  Whatever happens, ultimately,  the Lord will take care of me.  I have to trust in Him and let Him guide me and provide for me. 
     After the struggle of the past few years, I'm still here, and that is only because of the grace and help of Jesus.  I need to trust in Him and keep on going.
     Another verse that has been very important is the verse in Romans that states that there is no condemnation in Jesus.  After being ridiculed at work because I suffer from health problems, it makes me feel great that Jesus loves me.  He does not condemn me.  He loves me for who I am and for what I am.  I have come to Him.  He is my Lord and friend, and He will not cast me out.
     If any of you are going through a hard struggle, please realize that Jesus is always with you.  People will fail you and turn on you, but Jesus will never leave you or forsake you.  He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother.  Others may try to run you down and make you feel bad about yourself.  Remember this.  You are dearly beloved by the Lord and Master of the Universe.  What could be better than that?
    Finally, with the disease and war that seems to be everywhere across the globe, I have been reminded this week that things will not always be this way.  Jesus promised that one day He would return to this earth to rule and reign in righteousness.  All of the old would pass away, and all things will be made new.  When Jesus returns, all disease, pestilence and injustice will cease.  Humanity will study and practice war no more.  Please come quickly Jesus.  We need you.
     Just a few thoughts.
    Next week, I will post the verse of the week on Monday and a review on Wednesday.  The Weekend Sermon will appear either Friday or Saturday.
    Before I close, I would ask you to pray this week about a few things.  Please pray for an end to the Ebola crisis in Africa.  Pray for peace in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Ukraine.  Please pray for me that the Lord will provide the answers.  Thank you for reading the blog.  May God bless you.

Review

    Today, I am recommending a television series that aired in the 1990s that I have enjoyed a great deal.  The name of the show is "Due South".  This show featured a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman and his wolf/dog named Diefenbaker.  This is one of the most well-written programs that I've ever seen.  It has adventure, action and comedy all rolled into one.
     I had not seen the show for several years, but my Dad bought me the DVDs of the series when they came out.  I had been very sick with the flu, and I was having a slow recovery.  Dad bought these for me knowing how much I enjoyed the series when it was on.  I watched all four seasons when I was recovering from the flu a few years back.
     If you want a fun show to watch, rent or purchase these DVDs.

Verse For the Week

Luke 9:62 - "Jesus replied, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back if fit for service in the kingdom of God."

Weekend Sermon

   Today, I am re-posting a sermon that appeared on the blog in 2012.  I hope that it is of some benefit to you.  Next week, I will return to the regular blog schedule.  The verse of the week will appear on Monday and there will be a review on Wednesday.  A new sermon will be posted on Friday or Saturday. 

Weekend Sermon--Crowns

Revelation 4:10-- "The twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever.  They cast their crowns before the throne..."

I Corinthians 3:12-15--"Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw--each one's works will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire...if the work anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward."

     In the book of Revelation, we see a magnificent scene of the worship given to Jesus Christ the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  In an act of worship, the elders cast their crowns at the feet of Jesus.
     In a previous message, I mentioned the Judgment seat of Christ.  Paul is speaking about this in the I Corinthians passage.  All of our works will one day be judged by Jesus.  Only the good works done for Christ will remain.  Paul represents these as gold, silver, and precious stones.
     The Bible speaks about crowns that the believer in Jesus Christ can receive on the Day of Judgment.  Today, I'd like to focus on what these crowns are and the way Scripture says a believer in Christ receives them.
     Like the twenty-four elders in Revelation, it is my hope to have a crown or a treasure to lay at the feet of Jesus who is seated on His throne.
     The first of the believer's crowns mentioned in the New Testament is mentioned by the Apostle Paul in II Timothy 4:8 which states, "Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will reward to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."
     Paul is writing here about the fact that the course of his life is almost over.  He is looking forward to Heaven and being with Jesus.  Paul lived His life to please Jesus and to obey Jesus' words.  Paul expected to be rewarded for his service and perseverance in the faith.  He longed for Christ's return, and lived each day so as not to be ashamed if Jesus were to return at any moment.
     The crown Paul mentions here is available to all believers who long for Jesus' return and live in righteousness.
     Some my say, "Don't all Christians long for the return of the Lord."  I don't think so.  At least that's not been my experience.  Many find great enjoyment doing those things contrary to Christ's teachings.  They love the tings of this world more than the values of the world to come.  Paul speaks of this in verse 10 of the same chapter in reference to Demas being in love with this present world.
     I believe that this crown is reserved for those who want Jesus to come at any moment and bring deliverance to a world of ungodliness.  The cry of their heart is, " Come quickly, Lord Jesus."
     In I Peter 5:4, Peter speaks about a crown that will only be given to pastors who faithfully serve as under-shepherds of the the Great Good Shepherd Jesus.  The verse states, "And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will achieve the unfading crown of glory."
     There are two other crowns both known as the crown of life.  James mentions one in James 1:12, and Jesus speaks of the other in Revelation 2:10.  Although both are given the same name, they are awarded for different reasons.
     The crown of life mentioned in James is given to those who remained faithful and withstood testing.
     I know that I am going through some hard tests right now both physically and financially.  My legs are in terrible pain everyday, and I can't find a job to make ends meet.  At times like these, sometimes it's hard to maintain trust in God and His promises as everything in your life just keeps getting worse and worse all the time.
    The Bible says that these times are tests.  If we are faithful, we will be rewarded.  Unfortunately, as Jesus spoke about in the Parable of the Sower, many people in the time of testing fail the test and become unfruitful.  I struggle on believing in the Lord.  Pray for me as I go through the trials I face.
     The crown Jesus speaks of in Revelation 2:10 could be referred to as the martyr's crown.  Those who give their lives in witness to Jesus will be awarded this crown on the Day of Judgment. 
     Throughout the centuries, countless thousands have given their lives for the sake of the Gospel.  All of the Apostles except John suffered a martyr's death.  Many believers died in the Roman arenas because they would not deny Jesus and praise Caesar as lord.
     In the Communist era, many believers died in Russia and the Eastern Bloc because they wouldn't deny Christ.
     Today, all across the globe, many believers face persecution, discrimination and even death for their faith.  Where would the church be today without people such as this.
     As we live in this world, let us live our lives for the glory of God.  Let each one of us strive to serve the Lord with all we have, so that our works may remain at the Day of Judgment, and then we can cast it all at the feet of Jesus who loved us and gave Himself for us so that we might be forgiven and live in His presence throughout all eternity. Amen.

Update

    I will not be posting a review today.  I will actually not be blogging for the next few days.  I plan to resume after the weekend.  For the Weekend Sermon, I will post an older sermon from when the blog first began.  Thank you.

Verse For the Week

Matthew 6:34 -- "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Weekend Sermon

     I am glad to be here posting another edition of the Weekend Sermon.  It is my hope and prayer that everyone is doing well physically and spiritually. 
     Everything seemed to be much better at work this week.  Thank you for all of your prayers about this matter.  I would ask that you pray that my health would improve some.  I've been having a lot of trouble breathing lately.
     Let us all continue to pray for those who are affected by the Ebola virus.  Pray that this epidemic will come to an end.  Let us also pray for peace in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Israel, Gaza and Ukraine.  I heard yesterday that the forces in Ukraine have signed a cease fire agreement.  I pray that it will hold, and peace can come to this region of the world.
     This past week, I heard a sermon that caused me a great deal of distress.  In this message, the minister was speaking about what the Christian's attitude to the poor should be.  I found his thoughts on the matter to be completely at odds with what is found in the Old Testament and in the teachings of Jesus.
    The basic idea of this particular man's teaching was that no Christian should give a poor person charity without expecting the poor person to earn it.  For instance, he said that if a poor person or homeless person came to the church for aid, they should only receive that aid if they first performed some type of work at the church or in the community.  He also was highly critical of the food pantries and other works carried out by so many churches here in the United States.
     This caused me to think about what the Bible says, what Jesus says about our response to the poor and needy.  This is what I would like to focus on in my message today.
     One of the most interesting references about the poor in the Bible is found in the book of Deuteronomy.  In chapter 15, the Lord God lays down the rules for cancelling of debts.  In verse 4, the Lord God says that there should be no poor person found in the land.  The people were to freely lend to their brothers and sisters even if the Year of Jubilee was near when all debts would be cancelled.
     Also in the Old Testament, God makes many provisions for the poor.  One of these is very interesting.  Those who owned fields and orchards were not to harvest all of the grain or fruit.  They were commanded to leave some so that the poor people might come and get the grain and fruit for themselves. 
     A comparable instance of this today would be the fact that corporations and the rich should not seek to maximize wealth and profits.  The needs of the less fortunate should always be paramount.
    These two instances tell me that God wanted His people to care about each other and help each other.  He didn't want people to worry about what they were going to get out of helping someone else out.  God didn't want there to be any poor people.  If those who had plenty would be generous, no poverty would exist.
    This holds true today.  There is a vast amount of wealth in this world held in the hands of a few individuals and multinational corporations.  They exploit the poor workers by paying ridiculously low wages.  The rich get richer and the poor get poorer while few in the Christian community say anything about it.
     In Ezekiel 22:29 the Lord says, "The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery, they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the alien denying them justice."  In God's view, not treating the poor right is the same as being a thief.
     There is too much exploitation of the poor going on in the world today with the church doing little.  The church should speak out against the exploitation of the poor that occurs through substandard wages and horrendous working conditions.  The church should speak out against the exploitation of the poor that occurs through predatory lending and exorbitant interest rates on short-term loans.  Instead of criticizing the poor and homeless, the church should be assisting the poor.  Food pantries, shelters and clothing ministries are great.  However, there needs to be systematic change in order to make a difference. 
    In the Old Testament, God instituted the Year of Jubilee and the cancellation of debts.  This would be a great place to begin in bringing about a Scriptural solution to the problem of  poverty.
    Now, let us look at what Jesus had to say about the poor.  In the Beatitudes, Jesus said that the poor where blessed and that they were the salt and light of the world.  Jesus also said that He came to preach the Gospel to the poor.
    Jesus wanted the poor to be assisted.  When Jesus had His encounter with the rich, young ruler, Jesus told him to go and sell all that he had and give it to the poor so that he might have treasure in Heaven. 
    Jesus also spoke about helping the poor and needy and how we should do it without expecting anything from them in return.  Luke 14:12-14 states, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives or your rich neighbors.  They may invite you back and you will have been re-payed.  But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind, and you will be blessed.  Although they cannot repay you, you will be re-payed at the resurrection of the righteous."
     Finally, I would like to add a few comments about teachings in the church that are similar to what Jesus faced and opposed while He was on earth.  In Jesus' day, the religious leaders believed that if you were rich, it was a sign of God's favor.  If you were poor, you were out of favor with God.  Something similar to this is often taught today.  The teaching says that God wants you to be rich and if your not you lack faith. 
     Jesus turned this whole way of thinking upside down when He told the story of the rich man and Lazarus.  As far as the religious leaders of Jesus' time were considered the rich man should have gone to Heaven and the poor man being licked by dogs should have gone to hell.  However, Lazarus went to Heaven while the rich man lifted up his eyes in torment.
     Jesus' definitive teaching about helping the poor is found in Matthew 25: 31-46.  Those who gave to the hungry, clothed the naked and took care of the sick were invited by Jesus into His eternal Kingdom.  To those who refused to help those in need and those who were oppressed Jesus said "Whatever you did not do for the least of these, you did not do it for me."
     I have a lot more that I could say about this subject, but I will leave it for another time on down the road.
     On Monday, I will post a verse for the week.  On Wednesday, I may have a review.  It depends on how I get along with my reading.  Lord willing, the Weekend Sermon will return on Friday or Saturday.  May God bless you.  Amen.

Book Review

    I've just finished reading an interesting memoir written by Pulitzer Prize winning author Gail Caldwell.  The book is entitled "New Life, No Instructions".  In this book, Ms. Caldwell writes about her time dealing with a bad hip and the after effects of childhood polio.  She also speaks about losing people in her life, grief and friendship.  On top of that, Ms. Caldwell writes about adopting a Samoyed and their relationship together.

    Gail Caldwell has written another great memoir entitled "Let's Take the Long Way Home."  This book is about the importance of friendship, and it is one of the best memoirs that I've read.

    I highly recommend both of these books.

Verse for the Week

Romans 8:1 -- "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."