Thank you for taking the time to read the Weekend Sermon. I am glad to be able to post the sermon, and I thank the Lord for another opportunity to do so. I hope that everyone is having a good day.
The weather where I live is crazy. We had storms, rain and now it is snowing. I hope the weather straightens up soon. Just to the north of where I live, there is terrible flooding. I hope that you will all pray that the water will recede and that the people in the flood areas will be able to get the aid that they need to recover.
In prayer this week, please remember the people in New Zealand who are still recovering. Pray that the Lord will be with them.
Please continue to pray for the people in Congo who are sick because of the Ebola virus. Pray that they will recover, and pray that the virus will stop spreading.
Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi are devastated as a result of a storm. Many are homeless, and diseases like cholera are starting to become a problem. Pray that aid and help will reach the people.
Continue to pray for peace in the troubled areas of the world. Pray that peace will come to Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen and Somalia.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those who live in Cambodia and Jordan. Pray that many will come to know the love of Jesus.
Today, I would like us to focus our attention on the words of Jesus that are found in Matthew 12:33-37. I would particularly like us to focus on verses 36 and 37 which state, "But I tell you that every careless world that people speak, they will give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
I believe that this passage goes well with what we studied last week. In fact, in the beginning of this section, Jesus once again speaks about the fact that the words that people speak come from the heart. If a person has a heart that is filled with grace and love, their words will be words that encourage and lift others up. They will be words that bring honor to the Lord. On the other hand, if a person has a heart that is filled with hate and sin, that person's words will be destructive, and that person's speech will tear others down and bring dishonor to God and the things of God.
In this passage, Jesus gives the example of a tree. A tree if it is good will bring forth good fruit. If the tree it bad, the fruit that it produces will be poor as well. I know that this is true from my own experience.
When I was younger, I use to help my parents with the small orchard that they had in the field on the side of our house. For many years, the peach trees had magnificent peaches. They were delicious. However, the peaches gradually started to become of poor quality. No one was sure why, but the truth finally came out.
We noticed that sap was coming out of some small holes in the base of the tree trunks. The peach trees had peach bore and the trees were doomed. As the trees were dying inside, the fruit was becoming worse and worse until there was no more.
In the book of James, James said that if a person has a religion that is pure and true, one of the characteristics of that person will be that he is able to keep control of his tongue. Our speech reveals what is truly in our heart.
I've posted here on the blog in the past about the power of words. We can improve someone else's life with what we say, or we can cause great pain in the hearts of others.
When I was a young boy, I was sick almost all of the time as I was born with an immune system problem. All these years later I can still remember the nasty things that the people at the Christian school I went to said to me because I was sick. All these years later they can still come into my mind and make me feel bad.
In our passage today, Jesus says that we will have to give an account of what we have said on the day of judgment. This makes me reflect on how my words affect other people.
I hope that everyone who reads the sermon this week will join with me in paying particular attention that the words that we say. Let each of us pledge to speak words of kindness, love and goodness to others. Let us encourage others. Let us honor the Lord Jesus with what we say.
Let us not bring others down with discouraging words. Let us not call other people with whom we may disagree terrible and vile names. Let us not engage in speech that would bring dishonor to the Lord Jesus.
The only way that we can speak words that heal and help is if our hearts are right with the Lord. This starts with knowing Jesus as Lord. However, that is just the beginning. We must let the Lord Jesus have control of every part of our being. We must let Him live His life through us.
When we meditate upon the love of Jesus and commune with Him in prayer, we will draw closer to the Lord. When we read and study the words of Jesus, we will be able to see how He interacted with others. This will allow us to be imitators of the Lord Jesus. We will be able to speak the words that He would speak. We will be able to speak the words of love that flow out of a heart filled with the love of Jesus.
In the days and weeks to come, I would challenge all of us to do one thing. Let us each ask ourselves if Jesus would say what we are about to say. This requires that we stop and think before we speak. It forces us to analyze our lives in comparison to what the Lord expects. If the words that we are thinking about speaking don't align with what we believe Jesus would say, we should not speak. If they do align with what Jesus would say, then we should speak them as a help and an encouragement to others.
I hope that all of us will do better and better each day in watching over the words that we speak so that we will not be hurtful to others. Our words have the power to hurt, and our words have the power to help and heal. Let us speak the words that Jesus would have us say.
Next week, I plan to post the sermon on Friday. I will post the verses on Monday, and I hope to have a review on Wednesday. I may post another poem. May God bless you all. Amen.
Saturday, March 30, 2019
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Poem
I have a poem that I would like to post. This poem is copyrighted material. I hope that you enjoy it.
Streets of Gold
They’re racing down the brick streets
shimmering golden in the morning sun –
a glittering, heavenly boulevard.
Whipping winds flush forward
chattering leaves along the lawns
swirling through the alleys and byways
cluttering the teeming gutters
that line the wealthy’s stately homes.
Into this melee he makes his strike.
These toys of nature his quarry.
Red streak snapping and dancing
flowing ghostly with the breeze
along a golden mystic byway
shaded in the mists of time.
Announcements and Prayer Requests
I have two announcements to make. First of all, the Weekend Sermon will appear on Saturday. I had to move it back one day.
The second announcement is that I am working on a new book that I will post here on the blog when it is finished. It is about the Psalms. It will be finished by the end of the year.
I have two important prayer requests. First of all, we are supposed to have heavy rains in my area tomorrow and Friday. We are having flooding issues near where I live. My yard is very wet, and I am worried about having problems at the house. Please pray that the rains will not be as bad as predicted. Pray for those who are experiencing problems with flooding that they will get the help that they need.
I would also ask that you pray that I will be able to do a good job writing the book on the Psalms. Thank you for your prayers.
The second announcement is that I am working on a new book that I will post here on the blog when it is finished. It is about the Psalms. It will be finished by the end of the year.
I have two important prayer requests. First of all, we are supposed to have heavy rains in my area tomorrow and Friday. We are having flooding issues near where I live. My yard is very wet, and I am worried about having problems at the house. Please pray that the rains will not be as bad as predicted. Pray for those who are experiencing problems with flooding that they will get the help that they need.
I would also ask that you pray that I will be able to do a good job writing the book on the Psalms. Thank you for your prayers.
Book Review -- "If Cats Disappeared From The World"
Before I being this review, I want to let you know that this is the first of three posts that I will be making today.
The book that I am reviewing today is called "If Cats Disappeared From the World" written by Genki Kawamura. This is a short novel, but there is a lot in it to think about.
The main character in the book is a young postman who lives in Japan. Early on in the book, he learns that he only has a short time to live. The devil appears to the postman. The devil looks just like the postman, but the devil always wears Hawaiian shirts.
The devil makes a deal with the young postman. The postman will be granted an extra day of life when he agrees to allow one thing to be eliminated from the earth. The young postman agrees, and on the first day, he has the devil eliminate phones.
Each day, the postman and the devil agree about one thing to eliminate. The postman then reflects on how life is different without that thing on earth.
During the course of the novel, the postman reflects on his life with his family when he was younger. His mother has died, and he is estranged from his father.
As one thing after another is eliminated, the young man reflects on what is truly meaningful in life.
A few days into their bargain, the devil says that the next item that the young man will have to eliminate from the world is cats. The postman loves his cat Cabbage, and he remembers the wonderful relationship that he and his mother had with another cat named Lettuce.
Will the young man agree to eliminate cats from the world? Will he find out what the meaning of his life is? Will he reconcile with his father? These are questions that you will have to read the book in order to find out.
I enjoyed reading this book. It made me think about my life and what is truly valuable. I thought a lot about the life I had with my parents and my dog Toby when we were all together. I definitely recommend "If Cats Disappeared From the World."
The book that I am reviewing today is called "If Cats Disappeared From the World" written by Genki Kawamura. This is a short novel, but there is a lot in it to think about.
The main character in the book is a young postman who lives in Japan. Early on in the book, he learns that he only has a short time to live. The devil appears to the postman. The devil looks just like the postman, but the devil always wears Hawaiian shirts.
The devil makes a deal with the young postman. The postman will be granted an extra day of life when he agrees to allow one thing to be eliminated from the earth. The young postman agrees, and on the first day, he has the devil eliminate phones.
Each day, the postman and the devil agree about one thing to eliminate. The postman then reflects on how life is different without that thing on earth.
During the course of the novel, the postman reflects on his life with his family when he was younger. His mother has died, and he is estranged from his father.
As one thing after another is eliminated, the young man reflects on what is truly meaningful in life.
A few days into their bargain, the devil says that the next item that the young man will have to eliminate from the world is cats. The postman loves his cat Cabbage, and he remembers the wonderful relationship that he and his mother had with another cat named Lettuce.
Will the young man agree to eliminate cats from the world? Will he find out what the meaning of his life is? Will he reconcile with his father? These are questions that you will have to read the book in order to find out.
I enjoyed reading this book. It made me think about my life and what is truly valuable. I thought a lot about the life I had with my parents and my dog Toby when we were all together. I definitely recommend "If Cats Disappeared From the World."
Monday, March 25, 2019
Verses For The Week -- Verses About The Return Of Jesus
Matthew 24:27 -- "For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man."
Hebrews 9:28 -- "So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him."
Matthew 16:27 -- "For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done."
Revelation 3:11 -- "I am coming soon, hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown."
Micah 4:3-4 -- "He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken."
Hebrews 9:28 -- "So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him."
Matthew 16:27 -- "For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done."
Revelation 3:11 -- "I am coming soon, hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown."
Micah 4:3-4 -- "He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken."
Friday, March 22, 2019
Weekend Sermon -- Matthew 15:17-20
I am thankful to the Lord for the opportunity to post the sermon today, and I am thankful that you have decided to take the time to read the sermon. I hope that everyone is having a good week.
I think that Spring may have finally arrived in my part of the world. We are having nice weather. I even went and worked out in the yard a little bit this morning. I've had a lot of writing work this week, and I am thankful to the Lord for that.
In your prayer time this week, please remember to pray for those in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi who were in the path of the storm. Many are dead, and many others are injured. Many have lost all that they have. Please pray that aid and help will reach the people.
Please be in prayer for those in Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri who are dealing with the terrible flooding. Pray that those affected will be able to recover.
Remember the people of New Zealand in your prayers. Pray that the injured will recover quickly.
Continue to pray for those in Congo affected by the Ebola outbreak. Pray that those who are sick will recover.
We need to remember to pray for peace in the troubled areas of the world. Let us focus our prayers this week on Yemen, Syria and Afghanistan.
For our evangelistic prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those who live in Guinea-Bissau and Iraq. Pray that many will hear about the love and mercy of Jesus.
In today's message, I would like us to focus our attention on the words of Jesus found in the Matthew 15. This passage begins with the Pharisees and the religious leaders criticizing Jesus because his disciples did not practice ritual hand washing before eating. Jesus responds to their criticism by asking them why they dishonored the law. Jesus said that it was a clear command to honor one's father and mother. However, the religious leaders would tell their parents that they could not help them out because the money that they would have given to them was dedicated to God.
Jesus said that the religious leaders were hypocrites. Jesus said that they honored God with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him.
Jesus would go on to tell the people that eating without ritual washing would not condemn or defile a person. Jesus said that what comes out of a person's mouth is what defiles a person.
Later, when Jesus was with His disciples, He elaborated. He said that what is eaten by a person goes into the stomach and is then eliminated. However, whatever comes out of person's mouth comes from the heart. The heart of a person is where defilement and sinfulness dwells.
Jesus will go on to list some sinful behaviors that come forth from a person's heart. These are sins that Jesus names, and we must be on the guard against them.
First of all, Jesus said that evil thoughts come from the heart and defile a person. Evil thoughts are those thoughts that think about harming another person or violating the commandments of the Lord. The Bible says that some people's thoughts are continuously on evil.
We must guard our thoughts. One way to do this is to not let those things into our heart that are not in keeping with the values of Jesus. The entertainment that we watch and listen to can have a role in causing us to think about those things that aren't honoring to the Lord.
Jesus said that murder comes from the heart. It starts as anger in the heart, and it leads to lashing out and harming another person.
Jesus goes on to say that adultery and sexual immorality arise from the heart and defile a person. Adultery refers to having sexual relations with someone that is not one's husband or wife. Sexual immorality in the Bible refers to those sexual relationships that are engaged in outside of marriage.
We live in a society that has virtually abandoned the sexual ethics of the Bible. We as followers of Jesus must follow the way that He has shown us to go.
Theft comes from the heart and defiles a person. We are never to take what belongs to someone else.
Jesus concludes by saying that false testimony and slander arise from the heart and defile a person. We must be people who speak the truth. We must be people who honor our word. Jesus said that our yes should be yes and our no should be no. We need to speak encouraging and uplifting words of love to others. We should not be tearing others down with our words.
Jesus loves everyone, and He will forgive anyone who comes to Him. He will make us a new creation in Him if we put our faith and trust in Him. He will renew our heart so that it is filled with His goodness and love.
Jesus isn't being unloving by stating those things that are sinful and will lead us into harm. He wants all to live lives of abundance and goodness.
Let us all pray and ask the Lord to empower us with the power of the Holy Spirit so that we can live lives of holiness that are pleasing to the Lord.
Next week, I will continue our series on the teachings of Jesus. I will probably post the sermon on Friday next week. On Monday, I will post the verses for the week, and on Wednesday I hope to post a review. May God bless you all. Amen.
I think that Spring may have finally arrived in my part of the world. We are having nice weather. I even went and worked out in the yard a little bit this morning. I've had a lot of writing work this week, and I am thankful to the Lord for that.
In your prayer time this week, please remember to pray for those in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi who were in the path of the storm. Many are dead, and many others are injured. Many have lost all that they have. Please pray that aid and help will reach the people.
Please be in prayer for those in Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri who are dealing with the terrible flooding. Pray that those affected will be able to recover.
Remember the people of New Zealand in your prayers. Pray that the injured will recover quickly.
Continue to pray for those in Congo affected by the Ebola outbreak. Pray that those who are sick will recover.
We need to remember to pray for peace in the troubled areas of the world. Let us focus our prayers this week on Yemen, Syria and Afghanistan.
For our evangelistic prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those who live in Guinea-Bissau and Iraq. Pray that many will hear about the love and mercy of Jesus.
In today's message, I would like us to focus our attention on the words of Jesus found in the Matthew 15. This passage begins with the Pharisees and the religious leaders criticizing Jesus because his disciples did not practice ritual hand washing before eating. Jesus responds to their criticism by asking them why they dishonored the law. Jesus said that it was a clear command to honor one's father and mother. However, the religious leaders would tell their parents that they could not help them out because the money that they would have given to them was dedicated to God.
Jesus said that the religious leaders were hypocrites. Jesus said that they honored God with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him.
Jesus would go on to tell the people that eating without ritual washing would not condemn or defile a person. Jesus said that what comes out of a person's mouth is what defiles a person.
Later, when Jesus was with His disciples, He elaborated. He said that what is eaten by a person goes into the stomach and is then eliminated. However, whatever comes out of person's mouth comes from the heart. The heart of a person is where defilement and sinfulness dwells.
Jesus will go on to list some sinful behaviors that come forth from a person's heart. These are sins that Jesus names, and we must be on the guard against them.
First of all, Jesus said that evil thoughts come from the heart and defile a person. Evil thoughts are those thoughts that think about harming another person or violating the commandments of the Lord. The Bible says that some people's thoughts are continuously on evil.
We must guard our thoughts. One way to do this is to not let those things into our heart that are not in keeping with the values of Jesus. The entertainment that we watch and listen to can have a role in causing us to think about those things that aren't honoring to the Lord.
Jesus said that murder comes from the heart. It starts as anger in the heart, and it leads to lashing out and harming another person.
Jesus goes on to say that adultery and sexual immorality arise from the heart and defile a person. Adultery refers to having sexual relations with someone that is not one's husband or wife. Sexual immorality in the Bible refers to those sexual relationships that are engaged in outside of marriage.
We live in a society that has virtually abandoned the sexual ethics of the Bible. We as followers of Jesus must follow the way that He has shown us to go.
Theft comes from the heart and defiles a person. We are never to take what belongs to someone else.
Jesus concludes by saying that false testimony and slander arise from the heart and defile a person. We must be people who speak the truth. We must be people who honor our word. Jesus said that our yes should be yes and our no should be no. We need to speak encouraging and uplifting words of love to others. We should not be tearing others down with our words.
Jesus loves everyone, and He will forgive anyone who comes to Him. He will make us a new creation in Him if we put our faith and trust in Him. He will renew our heart so that it is filled with His goodness and love.
Jesus isn't being unloving by stating those things that are sinful and will lead us into harm. He wants all to live lives of abundance and goodness.
Let us all pray and ask the Lord to empower us with the power of the Holy Spirit so that we can live lives of holiness that are pleasing to the Lord.
Next week, I will continue our series on the teachings of Jesus. I will probably post the sermon on Friday next week. On Monday, I will post the verses for the week, and on Wednesday I hope to post a review. May God bless you all. Amen.
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Book Review
The book that I am reviewing today is called "The Ravenmaster: My Life With Ravens At The Tower of London." The author of the book is Christopher Skaife. He currently serves as a yeoman warder at the Tower of London, and he is the Ravenmaster of the ravens who live at the Tower.
This is one of the best books that I've read for awhile. The book gives detail about the ravens who currently make their home at the Tower. Mr. Skaife goes into detail about how the ravens are cared for on a daily basis. Throughout the book, the author relates incidents from the lives of the ravens both good and bad.
I liked how the author weaved in information about his own life and experiences in the book. He was able to show how his experiences in the military prepared him for his current responsibilities.
In addition to providing information about the ravens that live at the Tower of London now, the author provides a great deal of information about ravens in general. He provides a list of books in the the back of this book so that people can learn more about ravens in the wild.
Another interesting part of the book was the section on ravens in literature. The author gives a thorough overview of the role that ravens have played in famous stories, novels and poems.
I would recommend this book for those who are interested in animals and in history. The book is easy to read, and I found it a fun and interesting book.
Monday, March 18, 2019
Verses For The Week
Acts 3:19 -- "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, then times of refreshing may come from the Lord."
Matthew 6:14-15 -- "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Matthew 6:14-15 -- "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Saturday, March 16, 2019
Weekend Sermon -- Luke 13:34
It is time once again for the Weekend Sermon. I am thankful to the Lord that He allows me to post the sermon each week. Thank you for taking the time to read the message.
The weather has been wild this week in my part of the world. We had high wind warnings for many hours. This is something that has never happened where I live. We sometimes have high wind warnings for a couple of hours, but this time the warning lasted for almost an entire day. We didn't have the major problems that some had this week. Some places had a blizzard, and now flooding is a concern for many. I am thankful to the Lord that my area wasn't too badly harmed. Please pray for those who are experiencing flooding and other difficulties as a result of this storm. They are really experiencing difficulties in Nebraska.
Please pray for those who live in New Zealand. I am deeply saddened by what has happened. Pray that those who are injured will soon recover.
Continue to pray for peace in the troubled areas of this world. Let us pray for peace in Syria, Burkina Faso, Yemen, Libya and Afghanistan. Pray for peace wherever you know that there is conflict in the world.
Please continue to pray that the Ebola epidemic will end in Congo. Pray that those who are sick will recover, and pray for the safety of the medical workers who are trying to help.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those who live in Turkmenistan and Somalia. Pray that many will hear about the love of Jesus.
In today's message, I would like us to focus our attention on the words of Jesus found in Luke 13:34. This verses states, "Jerusalem Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing."
This verse has an application in the immediate context in which Jesus spoke the words, and they have an application for us today.
First of all, let's look at the application from the time when Jesus first spoke these words. Jesus had just been told that Herod was trying to find Him and kill Him. Jesus said that He was just going to go on and carry out His ministry. He would continue to heal people, help people and teach people. Jesus said that no prophet could die outside of Jerusalem, and that's where Jesus was heading to in the near future.
Jesus then said that Jerusalem was the place that had rejected those who where sent by God. Jesus said that He wanted to gather the people under His wings, but they were rejecting Him too.
Jesus came to this world and clearly demonstrated through His life and ministry that He was the Messiah prophesied of in the Old Testament. The religious leaders of Jesus' day rejected Him, and they wanted to see Him eliminated.
Jesus also predicted that if the people did not turn from their present course, the Temple and the city would be destroyed. Jesus offered the way of peace, non-violence and safety for the people, but they were not willing to listen to what He was trying to teach them.
Instead of listening to Jesus and accepting the protection and safety of His presence, they rejected Him. Jesus was crucified because of the way of love and peace that He taught. However, the message of Jesus was validated when He was raised from the dead three days later.
These words of Jesus also have application for us. First of all, Jesus offers His love and forgiveness to anyone who is willing to come to Him and accept Him as Lord. However, there are countless millions of people who have rejected the offer of love that Jesus extends. The Lord is not willing that any should perish. He wants all to come to repentance. Jesus said, "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
If people would accept the message of Jesus, they would know true peace in their hearts. They would experience forgiveness, and they would have contentment within their souls. Jesus is always waiting for people to come to Him.
One other application of this verse is for those of us who are already believers in Jesus. Jesus offers us rest and protection within Himself. He wants us to come to Him and feel safe within His presence.
A hen gathers up her chicks under her wings when she senses that there is danger. She provides shelter so that the chicks will be safe.
Jesus is the shelter in the time of storm in our lives. He is there for us when we are facing the problems of life. When we are beset with depression, anxiety, fear or loneliness Jesus is there wanting to provide His love and compassion if we will only come to Him and rest in His presence.
In my life, I've faced some difficult days. I've struggled with depression for many years now. I know that if I had not had a refuge in the love of Jesus, I would not be here today. Knowing that Jesus loves me and is with me gets me through the hard times. When I pray and meditate, I can feel the love of Jesus in my heart. It is a love that provides a peace that passes all understanding. It is a peace that goes to the core of my soul.
If you are facing a hard time in your life right now, go to Jesus. Seek comfort in His presence. Let Him fill you with peace. He wants to help you in all that you are going through in life. Don't reject the love and help of the Lord. Go to Him, and let Him help you through this life.
Next week, we will continue with our messages on the teachings of Jesus. On Monday, I will post the verses for the week. I hope to have a review on Wednesday or Thursday. The sermon will be posted on Friday next week, as I am not at work that day. May God bless you all. Amen.
The weather has been wild this week in my part of the world. We had high wind warnings for many hours. This is something that has never happened where I live. We sometimes have high wind warnings for a couple of hours, but this time the warning lasted for almost an entire day. We didn't have the major problems that some had this week. Some places had a blizzard, and now flooding is a concern for many. I am thankful to the Lord that my area wasn't too badly harmed. Please pray for those who are experiencing flooding and other difficulties as a result of this storm. They are really experiencing difficulties in Nebraska.
Please pray for those who live in New Zealand. I am deeply saddened by what has happened. Pray that those who are injured will soon recover.
Continue to pray for peace in the troubled areas of this world. Let us pray for peace in Syria, Burkina Faso, Yemen, Libya and Afghanistan. Pray for peace wherever you know that there is conflict in the world.
Please continue to pray that the Ebola epidemic will end in Congo. Pray that those who are sick will recover, and pray for the safety of the medical workers who are trying to help.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those who live in Turkmenistan and Somalia. Pray that many will hear about the love of Jesus.
In today's message, I would like us to focus our attention on the words of Jesus found in Luke 13:34. This verses states, "Jerusalem Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing."
This verse has an application in the immediate context in which Jesus spoke the words, and they have an application for us today.
First of all, let's look at the application from the time when Jesus first spoke these words. Jesus had just been told that Herod was trying to find Him and kill Him. Jesus said that He was just going to go on and carry out His ministry. He would continue to heal people, help people and teach people. Jesus said that no prophet could die outside of Jerusalem, and that's where Jesus was heading to in the near future.
Jesus then said that Jerusalem was the place that had rejected those who where sent by God. Jesus said that He wanted to gather the people under His wings, but they were rejecting Him too.
Jesus came to this world and clearly demonstrated through His life and ministry that He was the Messiah prophesied of in the Old Testament. The religious leaders of Jesus' day rejected Him, and they wanted to see Him eliminated.
Jesus also predicted that if the people did not turn from their present course, the Temple and the city would be destroyed. Jesus offered the way of peace, non-violence and safety for the people, but they were not willing to listen to what He was trying to teach them.
Instead of listening to Jesus and accepting the protection and safety of His presence, they rejected Him. Jesus was crucified because of the way of love and peace that He taught. However, the message of Jesus was validated when He was raised from the dead three days later.
These words of Jesus also have application for us. First of all, Jesus offers His love and forgiveness to anyone who is willing to come to Him and accept Him as Lord. However, there are countless millions of people who have rejected the offer of love that Jesus extends. The Lord is not willing that any should perish. He wants all to come to repentance. Jesus said, "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
If people would accept the message of Jesus, they would know true peace in their hearts. They would experience forgiveness, and they would have contentment within their souls. Jesus is always waiting for people to come to Him.
One other application of this verse is for those of us who are already believers in Jesus. Jesus offers us rest and protection within Himself. He wants us to come to Him and feel safe within His presence.
A hen gathers up her chicks under her wings when she senses that there is danger. She provides shelter so that the chicks will be safe.
Jesus is the shelter in the time of storm in our lives. He is there for us when we are facing the problems of life. When we are beset with depression, anxiety, fear or loneliness Jesus is there wanting to provide His love and compassion if we will only come to Him and rest in His presence.
In my life, I've faced some difficult days. I've struggled with depression for many years now. I know that if I had not had a refuge in the love of Jesus, I would not be here today. Knowing that Jesus loves me and is with me gets me through the hard times. When I pray and meditate, I can feel the love of Jesus in my heart. It is a love that provides a peace that passes all understanding. It is a peace that goes to the core of my soul.
If you are facing a hard time in your life right now, go to Jesus. Seek comfort in His presence. Let Him fill you with peace. He wants to help you in all that you are going through in life. Don't reject the love and help of the Lord. Go to Him, and let Him help you through this life.
Next week, we will continue with our messages on the teachings of Jesus. On Monday, I will post the verses for the week. I hope to have a review on Wednesday or Thursday. The sermon will be posted on Friday next week, as I am not at work that day. May God bless you all. Amen.
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Prayer Needed
There won't be a review this week. I would ask that you please pray for me. We are having a terrible storm and high winds where I live. I am very worried about flooding at my house and wind damage. Please pray that it won't be too bad. Thank you for your prayers.
Monday, March 11, 2019
Verses For The Week
I John 5:4 -- "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith."
Romans 8:37 -- "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."
I Corinthians 15:57 -- "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Romans 8:37 -- "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."
I Corinthians 15:57 -- "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Weekend Sermon -- Luke 17:1-2
Welcome to a new edition of the Weekend Sermon. I am glad that you decided to take the time to read the sermon today, and I am thankful to the Lord for the opportunity to post this message.
This has been a good week so far. I have been feeling better, and things are going well at my job and with writing.
I would ask that you pray for me regarding one matter. Today, the weather forecast for my area is for very strong winds. Please pray that these winds do not cause any damage.
We need to be praying for those in Alabama who were harmed by the tornado. Pray for those who mourn, and pray that those who suffered loss will be able to recover.
Continue to pray for those in Congo who are suffering as a result of the Ebola outbreak. Please pray for those in Madagascar who are suffering from an outbreak of measles.
Let us remember to pray for peace in the troubled areas of this world. Syria and Yemen desperately need our prayers. Pray for peace in Libya, South Sudan and Ukraine as well.
In my country, there are still many children who came to this country who have been separated from their parents. Pray that these parents will be reunited with their children.
For our prayer focus countries this week, please be in prayer for Myanmar and Pakistan. Pray that many will hear the message of the love and grace of the Lord Jesus.
Over the course of the last few weeks, we have been in a series of messages studying some of the teachings of Jesus, /Today, I would like us to focus our attention on the words of Jesus found in Luke 17:1-2 which state, "Jesus said to his disciples: 'Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.'"
These verses have some very important lessons to teach us. First of all, there are temptations and circumstances that we encounter in life that can cause us to stumble in our faith. They can cause us to lose our trust in Jesus. Some of these are the result of disasters that happen to people.
I know one man who went to my parents' church who lost his faith when his daughter was murdered. He couldn't understand why God would let that happen. He decided that there must not be a God.
I know people who have fallen into great sin when they stumbled as a result of falling into temptation. They didn't guard their hearts, and they made choices that gravely harmed their lives.
Jesus warns us that it is a terrible thing to be the cause of someone stumbling and losing their faith. I think that Jesus also has in mind that it is a terrible thing if someone's behavior causes someone not to want to become a Christian in the first place.
When I read these verses about causing little ones to stumble, one of the first things I think about is the scandal involving the Catholic Church and the scandal involving the Southern Baptist Church in my country. How could people who claimed to be servants of Jesus do such terrible things to children. There are many people who want nothing to do with Christianity as a result of the abuse that they have suffered by encountering so-called servants of the Lord.
This is just one way that Christians can cause other people to stumble. One of the major ways that I believe Christians cause others to stumble or to reject Jesus in the first place is hypocritical behavior. Jesus spoke against hypocrisy many times throughout the Gospels. He said that the Pharisees and the religious leaders of His day were nothing more than a bunch of hypocrites.
If we say one thing and then do another, people will see the way that we behave. It will cause us to have a bad testimony for Jesus. People will not look at us and see Jesus, they will look at us and see a bad person.
Another way that we can cause people to stumble or reject Jesus is through dishonesty. This goes along with hypocrisy in some respects. I've been cheated by so-called Christian business people on at least a couple of occasions. Think of how someone who doesn't know Jesus would feel if they were dealt with in a dishonest manner by someone claiming to have a Christian owned and operated business.
One of the main ways that I see the church causing people to stumble today is through hate filled speech. Many call others who they disagree with some vile names. They do it all in the name of Jesus which makes it worse. I don't know why some people would ever come to church after having been called the terrible names that some Christians have called them.
Finally, I believe that disunity in the church causes people to stumble and turn from Jesus. When they see people who claim to love Jesus arguing and fighting among themselves, they don't want to have anything to do with a group like that.
What is the lesson for all of us? We are to live and act like Jesus did. We are to be imitators of His teachings and His way of life. We are to be people of love. When we look to Jesus as our example, we will do what is right and good. People will see our lives and see Jesus in how we act and think. They will want to know more about Jesus.
Let us all work together to live lives that are in imitation of Jesus Christ. There is whole world who needs to know how wonderful Jesus is. Let us not do that which could cause people to turn away from the Lord.
Next week, we will continue with our series on the teachings of Jesus. The sermon will once again be posted on Saturday next week. I will post the verses on Monday, and there will be a review or poem on Wednesday. May God bless you all. Amen.
This has been a good week so far. I have been feeling better, and things are going well at my job and with writing.
I would ask that you pray for me regarding one matter. Today, the weather forecast for my area is for very strong winds. Please pray that these winds do not cause any damage.
We need to be praying for those in Alabama who were harmed by the tornado. Pray for those who mourn, and pray that those who suffered loss will be able to recover.
Continue to pray for those in Congo who are suffering as a result of the Ebola outbreak. Please pray for those in Madagascar who are suffering from an outbreak of measles.
Let us remember to pray for peace in the troubled areas of this world. Syria and Yemen desperately need our prayers. Pray for peace in Libya, South Sudan and Ukraine as well.
In my country, there are still many children who came to this country who have been separated from their parents. Pray that these parents will be reunited with their children.
For our prayer focus countries this week, please be in prayer for Myanmar and Pakistan. Pray that many will hear the message of the love and grace of the Lord Jesus.
Over the course of the last few weeks, we have been in a series of messages studying some of the teachings of Jesus, /Today, I would like us to focus our attention on the words of Jesus found in Luke 17:1-2 which state, "Jesus said to his disciples: 'Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.'"
These verses have some very important lessons to teach us. First of all, there are temptations and circumstances that we encounter in life that can cause us to stumble in our faith. They can cause us to lose our trust in Jesus. Some of these are the result of disasters that happen to people.
I know one man who went to my parents' church who lost his faith when his daughter was murdered. He couldn't understand why God would let that happen. He decided that there must not be a God.
I know people who have fallen into great sin when they stumbled as a result of falling into temptation. They didn't guard their hearts, and they made choices that gravely harmed their lives.
Jesus warns us that it is a terrible thing to be the cause of someone stumbling and losing their faith. I think that Jesus also has in mind that it is a terrible thing if someone's behavior causes someone not to want to become a Christian in the first place.
When I read these verses about causing little ones to stumble, one of the first things I think about is the scandal involving the Catholic Church and the scandal involving the Southern Baptist Church in my country. How could people who claimed to be servants of Jesus do such terrible things to children. There are many people who want nothing to do with Christianity as a result of the abuse that they have suffered by encountering so-called servants of the Lord.
This is just one way that Christians can cause other people to stumble. One of the major ways that I believe Christians cause others to stumble or to reject Jesus in the first place is hypocritical behavior. Jesus spoke against hypocrisy many times throughout the Gospels. He said that the Pharisees and the religious leaders of His day were nothing more than a bunch of hypocrites.
If we say one thing and then do another, people will see the way that we behave. It will cause us to have a bad testimony for Jesus. People will not look at us and see Jesus, they will look at us and see a bad person.
Another way that we can cause people to stumble or reject Jesus is through dishonesty. This goes along with hypocrisy in some respects. I've been cheated by so-called Christian business people on at least a couple of occasions. Think of how someone who doesn't know Jesus would feel if they were dealt with in a dishonest manner by someone claiming to have a Christian owned and operated business.
One of the main ways that I see the church causing people to stumble today is through hate filled speech. Many call others who they disagree with some vile names. They do it all in the name of Jesus which makes it worse. I don't know why some people would ever come to church after having been called the terrible names that some Christians have called them.
Finally, I believe that disunity in the church causes people to stumble and turn from Jesus. When they see people who claim to love Jesus arguing and fighting among themselves, they don't want to have anything to do with a group like that.
What is the lesson for all of us? We are to live and act like Jesus did. We are to be imitators of His teachings and His way of life. We are to be people of love. When we look to Jesus as our example, we will do what is right and good. People will see our lives and see Jesus in how we act and think. They will want to know more about Jesus.
Let us all work together to live lives that are in imitation of Jesus Christ. There is whole world who needs to know how wonderful Jesus is. Let us not do that which could cause people to turn away from the Lord.
Next week, we will continue with our series on the teachings of Jesus. The sermon will once again be posted on Saturday next week. I will post the verses on Monday, and there will be a review or poem on Wednesday. May God bless you all. Amen.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Poem
Instead of a review, I decided to post a poem that I wrote a few years ago. This poem is copyrighted material.
Return
In the
smoke from fire’s glow,
ascending
to star shine,
mingling
with cirrus
veiling a
quarter moon.
Upon
white-capped waves,
chopped by
slicing wind
in
summer’s blustering fury.
Mixing in
ghostly mist
as
specters float formless
above
dampened earth.
A top dew
bent grass
on a crisp
May morning.
A wisp of
soft pink passing
through
Sol’s fading embers.
And in the
infinite chasm
between
the spirit and the seen,
you live
not only in my dreams.
Monday, March 4, 2019
Verses For The Week -- Verses About Faith
Hebrews 11:6 -- "And without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him."
Romans 10:17 -- "So faith comes through hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."
Romans 10:17 -- "So faith comes through hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."
Friday, March 1, 2019
Weekend Sermon -- Luke 12:6-7
Thank you for taking the time to read the Weekend Sermon this week. I am thankful to the Lord for the opportunity to post the sermon. I hope that everyone has had a good week so far.
This week has gone well. I've had a good week in writing, and I have felt a little better than I have for the past few weeks.
This coming weekend, the forecast in my area is for another bad winter storm. Please pray that this storm is not too bad. If we do get snow, please pray that they come by with the snow plow quickly. I need to be able to get to work. I've had to miss several days this month because I had the bad kidney infection. I am worried that if I miss any more days that I will be in trouble at work. I have to drive about three miles on an old country road before I get to a main road, and this is hard in the snow when you have a little car. Thank you for your prayers.
There are a lot of other matters that we need to pray for this week. There are tensions between India and Pakistan. Let us pray that this problem resolves peacefully.
Please continue to pray for an end to the Ebola outbreak in Congo. Pray for an end to the measles outbreak in Madagascar.
Let us continue to pray for peace in the troubled areas of this world. Please pray for peace in Syria and Yemen. Pray for peace in any area of the world where you know there is turmoil.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us all pray for those who live in the nations of Japan and Lebanon. Pray that many will hear about the grace and love of Jesus.
For today's message, I would like to discuss Jesus' words in Luke 12:6-7. Jesus says, "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten by God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered, Fear not, you are of more value than many sparrows."
I often feel very insignificant. I live in a little town in the rural Midwest. My little town only has a population of 200 people. I often feel like a speck in the midst of the vastness of the cosmos. I'm far from famous. I am not wealthy or powerful. I'm just a man trying to be a writer who wants to serve the Lord as best as possible and get by from day to day.
On many days, I wonder why the Lord would care about someone as insignificant and unimportant as me. He has a lot more important people who need His attention.
The verses that Jesus spoke in our passage today are words that give me comfort and let me realize that the Lord does care about me. He believes that I have value.
Jesus says in this passage that God even remembers the sparrows. We have a lot of sparrows where I live. You can see several of them around this time of year. The robins, cardinals and blue jays have headed south for the winter. The sparrows, the blackbirds and a few hawks are still around.
I have one sparrow who likes to rest on top of my porch light under the awning in order to get out of the wind and the snow. I try not to startle it when I go out the door so it doesn't fly away.
Jesus said that He cares about that little sparrow. Something that seems to many to be insignificant is important to the Lord.
Jesus said that we are of more value than many sparrows. Jesus knows everything that there is to know about me and about everyone who lives on earth right at this very second. He said that the hairs on our heads are all numbered.
When I am facing difficulties, sickness and hard times, I can rest in the knowledge that the Lord Jesus knows what I am going through, and He know just how I feel. He cares about the problems that I am facing. In the great scheme of things, they aren't that important. But since they are important and vital for me, the Lord in Heaven cares about them as well.
It gives me great comfort to know that the Lord of all Creation knows who I am and loves me. People on earth may not show that they care, but we can rest assured that Jesus cares, and we can know that He is always with us through every high and every low of life
Everyone is a great value to the Lord. Others may have told you that you are worthless and that you don't matter. You matter to the one who made all things. You matter to the one who loved you and gave up His life for you. You matter to the one who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Just to conclude. The Lord says that we are of more value than many sparrows, but all that the Lord created has value too. Let us all honor and respect what God has made and called good.
Next week, I will be posting the sermon on Saturday as I am supposed to work on Friday. I hope to post the verses on Monday. The review will probably be on Thursday again this week. Once again, please pray in regard to this predicted winter storm. Thank you again. May God bless you all. Amen.
This week has gone well. I've had a good week in writing, and I have felt a little better than I have for the past few weeks.
This coming weekend, the forecast in my area is for another bad winter storm. Please pray that this storm is not too bad. If we do get snow, please pray that they come by with the snow plow quickly. I need to be able to get to work. I've had to miss several days this month because I had the bad kidney infection. I am worried that if I miss any more days that I will be in trouble at work. I have to drive about three miles on an old country road before I get to a main road, and this is hard in the snow when you have a little car. Thank you for your prayers.
There are a lot of other matters that we need to pray for this week. There are tensions between India and Pakistan. Let us pray that this problem resolves peacefully.
Please continue to pray for an end to the Ebola outbreak in Congo. Pray for an end to the measles outbreak in Madagascar.
Let us continue to pray for peace in the troubled areas of this world. Please pray for peace in Syria and Yemen. Pray for peace in any area of the world where you know there is turmoil.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us all pray for those who live in the nations of Japan and Lebanon. Pray that many will hear about the grace and love of Jesus.
For today's message, I would like to discuss Jesus' words in Luke 12:6-7. Jesus says, "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten by God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered, Fear not, you are of more value than many sparrows."
I often feel very insignificant. I live in a little town in the rural Midwest. My little town only has a population of 200 people. I often feel like a speck in the midst of the vastness of the cosmos. I'm far from famous. I am not wealthy or powerful. I'm just a man trying to be a writer who wants to serve the Lord as best as possible and get by from day to day.
On many days, I wonder why the Lord would care about someone as insignificant and unimportant as me. He has a lot more important people who need His attention.
The verses that Jesus spoke in our passage today are words that give me comfort and let me realize that the Lord does care about me. He believes that I have value.
Jesus says in this passage that God even remembers the sparrows. We have a lot of sparrows where I live. You can see several of them around this time of year. The robins, cardinals and blue jays have headed south for the winter. The sparrows, the blackbirds and a few hawks are still around.
I have one sparrow who likes to rest on top of my porch light under the awning in order to get out of the wind and the snow. I try not to startle it when I go out the door so it doesn't fly away.
Jesus said that He cares about that little sparrow. Something that seems to many to be insignificant is important to the Lord.
Jesus said that we are of more value than many sparrows. Jesus knows everything that there is to know about me and about everyone who lives on earth right at this very second. He said that the hairs on our heads are all numbered.
When I am facing difficulties, sickness and hard times, I can rest in the knowledge that the Lord Jesus knows what I am going through, and He know just how I feel. He cares about the problems that I am facing. In the great scheme of things, they aren't that important. But since they are important and vital for me, the Lord in Heaven cares about them as well.
It gives me great comfort to know that the Lord of all Creation knows who I am and loves me. People on earth may not show that they care, but we can rest assured that Jesus cares, and we can know that He is always with us through every high and every low of life
Everyone is a great value to the Lord. Others may have told you that you are worthless and that you don't matter. You matter to the one who made all things. You matter to the one who loved you and gave up His life for you. You matter to the one who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Just to conclude. The Lord says that we are of more value than many sparrows, but all that the Lord created has value too. Let us all honor and respect what God has made and called good.
Next week, I will be posting the sermon on Saturday as I am supposed to work on Friday. I hope to post the verses on Monday. The review will probably be on Thursday again this week. Once again, please pray in regard to this predicted winter storm. Thank you again. May God bless you all. Amen.
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