Welcome to the blog this week. I am posting one day early again as there are supposed to be storms about for most of the day tomorrow. Please pray that these storms will not be bad.
This is the final week of our altered blog schedule. Beginning on Monday, I will post the verses. I will post a review or poem on Wednesday. The sermon will be posted on Friday, and we will continue with our series on the book of Daniel.
Let us all continue to pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. Pray that those who are sick will quickly recover. In my area, we are still having new cases. I am praying that people will wear masks and practice social distancing.
In other matters, let us pray for peace in Syria. Let us pray that those in India and Bangladesh will recover from the storm.
We have been studying some of the words of Jesus over the course of the last few weeks. Today, I want us to look at some of the words of Jesus found in the book of Revelation. Some may not realize that Jesus has a lot to say in this last book of the Bible.
In Revelation 22, Jesus tells John three different times that He is coming soon. In 22:13 Jesus says, "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done."
As followers of Jesus, we believe that Jesus will return in power and great glory at the end of this present age. Jesus said that He would literally return to this Earth. His coming is not spiritual nor symbolic. Every eye will see Him when He returns, and every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Part of the coming of the Lord Jesus is a time of judgment. Those who have not placed their faith and trust in Jesus will not be a part of His kingdom. Those who are His own will receive a reward from the Lord based on what has been done for the Lord.
Jesus told us in the Gospels on seversl occasions that believers should focus their time on Earth on laying up treasure in heaven. We are to concern ourselves with seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. We must do that which is of eternal value. The pursuit of worldly wealth and temporal things will lead to loss as far as eternity is concerned. As Jesus said in the Sermon On The Mount, "You cannot serve God and money."
Those who have committed their lives to the service of the Lord will be rewarded by the Lord. We shouldn't serve the Lord for a reward, we should serve Him and give Him our all because we love Him. We serve Him because we are thankful that He has forgiven our sins and given us all things that pertain unto life and Godliness.
No one knows when Jesus will return. He told us that no one knows the day nor hour. He also told us that He was coming soon, and His coming will be like a thief in the night.
In light of the fact that Jesus is coming soon, let us live our lives in holiness and righteousness so that we might not be ashamed at His coming. Let us do those things that the Lord has commanded and called us to do. Let us love God and love our neighbor. If we follow the path of Jesus in this world, we will receive His reward when He comes. Come quickly Lord. Amen
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Sunday, May 24, 2020
Prayer Request
I have something that I would like you to please pray about. All week, storms with a lot of rain are predicted for my area. Please pray that there won't be excessive rain, and pray that my roof will hold up. Thank you. I pray that the Lord will keep you all safe and well.
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Think About Others
Welcome to this week's blog post. Today, we will be looking at the words of Jesus and the Apostle Paul relating to our relationship with other people. Next week, we will have one more blog posting on Thursday, and then I hope to return to the old blog schedule. I will post the verses on Monday, there will be a review on Wednesday, and we will resume our study in Daniel with the sermon posted on Friday.
I hope that everyone is healthy and doing well. I am doing fine. I am working at the grocery store and on writing. I want to thank the Lord that writing work is starting to pick up again.
In prayer this week, let us continue to pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. Pray that those who are sick will make a rapid recovery. Also, please pray for those affected by the storm in India and Bangladesh. Let us also pray for those affected by the flooding in Michigan. As I mentioned last week, my house had some damage from a storm. The roof didn't leak in the rains, and I am thankful to the Lord and for your prayers in this matter. Please keep praying as the rain is coming again this weekend.
In our message for today, I would like us to focus on something Jesus had to say in the Sermon On The Mount. In Matthew 7:12 Jesus says, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." These words of Jesus are known as the Golden Rule. This one of the core teachings of Jesus. In the book of Philippians, Paul tells us something similar. In Philippians 2:4 it reads, "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
These words from Philippians really hit home with me this week. They immediately reminded me of the words of the Lord Jesus. In particular, they had an application to what is going on in my part of the world in relationship to the coronavirus.
I work part-time in a grocery store. My co-workers and I have been working right through the pandemic. We are required to wear a mask and gloves throughout our entire shift. This is to protect us and to protect those who are coming into the store.
Our store and others have asked those coming into the store to wear a mask. Governmental and health officials have asked that people wear masks and practice social distancing. I don't know how it is in your part of the world, but in my country, many are refusing to wear masks if asked, and others are not wearing them nor are they practicing social distancing. They say that they are not worried about getting sick, and wearing a mask is inconvenient.
Wearing a mask and practicing social distancing helps others. You don't know if you are an asymptomatic carrier that might infect others.
As those who follow Jesus and the words of Scripture, we need to think about others and not just ourselves. We must act in a way that promotes good in the world and good for others. I hope that you will consider the words of Jesus and Paul when you make decisions about how you can help others during the coronavirus pandemic. May God bless you all, and may you all stay well. Amen
I hope that everyone is healthy and doing well. I am doing fine. I am working at the grocery store and on writing. I want to thank the Lord that writing work is starting to pick up again.
In prayer this week, let us continue to pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. Pray that those who are sick will make a rapid recovery. Also, please pray for those affected by the storm in India and Bangladesh. Let us also pray for those affected by the flooding in Michigan. As I mentioned last week, my house had some damage from a storm. The roof didn't leak in the rains, and I am thankful to the Lord and for your prayers in this matter. Please keep praying as the rain is coming again this weekend.
In our message for today, I would like us to focus on something Jesus had to say in the Sermon On The Mount. In Matthew 7:12 Jesus says, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." These words of Jesus are known as the Golden Rule. This one of the core teachings of Jesus. In the book of Philippians, Paul tells us something similar. In Philippians 2:4 it reads, "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
These words from Philippians really hit home with me this week. They immediately reminded me of the words of the Lord Jesus. In particular, they had an application to what is going on in my part of the world in relationship to the coronavirus.
I work part-time in a grocery store. My co-workers and I have been working right through the pandemic. We are required to wear a mask and gloves throughout our entire shift. This is to protect us and to protect those who are coming into the store.
Our store and others have asked those coming into the store to wear a mask. Governmental and health officials have asked that people wear masks and practice social distancing. I don't know how it is in your part of the world, but in my country, many are refusing to wear masks if asked, and others are not wearing them nor are they practicing social distancing. They say that they are not worried about getting sick, and wearing a mask is inconvenient.
Wearing a mask and practicing social distancing helps others. You don't know if you are an asymptomatic carrier that might infect others.
As those who follow Jesus and the words of Scripture, we need to think about others and not just ourselves. We must act in a way that promotes good in the world and good for others. I hope that you will consider the words of Jesus and Paul when you make decisions about how you can help others during the coronavirus pandemic. May God bless you all, and may you all stay well. Amen
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Jesus Is The Good Shepherd
Another week has passed. I hope that everyone is well and safe. My health is good, but this has been a hard week. The town I live in was hit by a bad storm. My home's roof has some damage. The roof is not leaking, and I thank the Lord for that. This week, we are supposed to have several days of bad storms. This is why I am posting one day early. I am worried about the roof holding up. Please pray that all will be well in this situation. I don't have the money right now for roof repairs.
Please continue to pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. Pray that those who are sick will recover soon. Pray for the doctors and nurses who are working so hard to help people. There are a lot of people having a hard time right now. Let us pray that they will feel the presence of the Lord with them during these tough times.
Today, I would like us to focus our attention on the words of Jesus found in John 10. This is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. Jesus says in verse 11, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
Those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus are the sheep in Jesus' flock. We can trust Him to guide us and protect us as we make are way through this life. As a good shepherd, He will provide us with the spiritual sustenance that we need. Jesus said that He would be with us always. He will never leave us or forsake us.
At this time, people all over the world are going through hardship. In my country, over 80,000 have died from the coronavirus. About 30 million have lost their jobs. Many businesses don't know if they will be financially viable. It is hard. Added on this are all of the other things life throws at us like the storm I was telling you about.
In these trying circumstances, we more than ever must pray and place our trust in Jesus. We must trust and believe with all of our hearts that Jesus is guiding our path and leading us in the way that we should go. We need to remember that ultimately, no matter what happens in this life, we will be with Jesus forever in the home that He has prepared for us. Keep trusting in the Lord. Let His comforting presence help you make it through the day.
Next week, on Thursday, I will post more about the words of Jesus. My plan, Lord willing, is to resume the normal blog schedule and resume our series in Daniel beginning the first week of June. May God bless you all. Amen.
Please continue to pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. Pray that those who are sick will recover soon. Pray for the doctors and nurses who are working so hard to help people. There are a lot of people having a hard time right now. Let us pray that they will feel the presence of the Lord with them during these tough times.
Today, I would like us to focus our attention on the words of Jesus found in John 10. This is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. Jesus says in verse 11, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
Those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus are the sheep in Jesus' flock. We can trust Him to guide us and protect us as we make are way through this life. As a good shepherd, He will provide us with the spiritual sustenance that we need. Jesus said that He would be with us always. He will never leave us or forsake us.
At this time, people all over the world are going through hardship. In my country, over 80,000 have died from the coronavirus. About 30 million have lost their jobs. Many businesses don't know if they will be financially viable. It is hard. Added on this are all of the other things life throws at us like the storm I was telling you about.
In these trying circumstances, we more than ever must pray and place our trust in Jesus. We must trust and believe with all of our hearts that Jesus is guiding our path and leading us in the way that we should go. We need to remember that ultimately, no matter what happens in this life, we will be with Jesus forever in the home that He has prepared for us. Keep trusting in the Lord. Let His comforting presence help you make it through the day.
Next week, on Thursday, I will post more about the words of Jesus. My plan, Lord willing, is to resume the normal blog schedule and resume our series in Daniel beginning the first week of June. May God bless you all. Amen.
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Happy Birthday Friend
Today is the birthday of my friend Toby. I have written a book about him that I have posted on the blog a couple of years back. I posted some pictures of the two of us together not too long ago. I want to thank the Lord for allowing us to be together. I hope that we will be together again soon.
The Compassion Of Jesus On Good Friday
It is good to be with you once again this week. I am doing well, and I hope that all of of you are safe and in good health.
In my country, the coronavirus pandemic is still bad. I live in a small state in the Midwest, and we initially didn't have too many cases. That has started to change. In spite of this, the state has decided to let a lot of businesses reopen. That has me concerned that a lot of people are going to get sick. Let us all pray that the virus will stop spreading, and let us pray that those who are sick will get well quickly.
Over the course of the last few days, I've been thinking about the compassion of Jesus demonstrated in the events of Good Friday. I am considering more than the fact that Jesus gave His life for the sins of the world when He died on the cross.
For instance, Jesus demonstrated great compassion for the women who were weeping for Him as He walked to Calvary. We read about this in Luke 23:28-34. Jesus said, "Weep not for me, weep for yourselves and for your children." Jesus recognized that if the people continued along the path in which they were going, the nation would face the wrath of Rome just as He predicted. He wanted the people to turn to Him and toward the path of nonviolence.
Jesus also demonstrated His compassion for those who were putting Him to death. He asked the Father to forgive them as they did not realize what they were doing. Jesus showed us the path of true forgiveness.
When Jesus was crucified, He was put to death with two thieves. One of them asked Jesus to remember him. Jesus told him that he would be in Paradise with Him that very day. Even in death, Jesus cared about comforting others and showing mercy.
Finally, we see Jesus demonstrating compassion for His mother who stood at the foot of the cross. Jesus placed the care of His mother in the hands of His beloved disciple John.
As followers of Jesus, it is our responsibility to learn from the compassion of our Lord so that we might show compassion to others.
Next Thursday I will post more about the words and actions of Jesus. May God bless you all. Amen
In my country, the coronavirus pandemic is still bad. I live in a small state in the Midwest, and we initially didn't have too many cases. That has started to change. In spite of this, the state has decided to let a lot of businesses reopen. That has me concerned that a lot of people are going to get sick. Let us all pray that the virus will stop spreading, and let us pray that those who are sick will get well quickly.
Over the course of the last few days, I've been thinking about the compassion of Jesus demonstrated in the events of Good Friday. I am considering more than the fact that Jesus gave His life for the sins of the world when He died on the cross.
For instance, Jesus demonstrated great compassion for the women who were weeping for Him as He walked to Calvary. We read about this in Luke 23:28-34. Jesus said, "Weep not for me, weep for yourselves and for your children." Jesus recognized that if the people continued along the path in which they were going, the nation would face the wrath of Rome just as He predicted. He wanted the people to turn to Him and toward the path of nonviolence.
Jesus also demonstrated His compassion for those who were putting Him to death. He asked the Father to forgive them as they did not realize what they were doing. Jesus showed us the path of true forgiveness.
When Jesus was crucified, He was put to death with two thieves. One of them asked Jesus to remember him. Jesus told him that he would be in Paradise with Him that very day. Even in death, Jesus cared about comforting others and showing mercy.
Finally, we see Jesus demonstrating compassion for His mother who stood at the foot of the cross. Jesus placed the care of His mother in the hands of His beloved disciple John.
As followers of Jesus, it is our responsibility to learn from the compassion of our Lord so that we might show compassion to others.
Next Thursday I will post more about the words and actions of Jesus. May God bless you all. Amen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)