Weekend Sermon -- "Thankful For Grace"

      I hope that everyone is doing well this week. I want to wish a Happy Thanksgiving Day to everyone who reads the blog in the US. This is probably my favorite holiday. I always had a good time with my friend Toby on Thanksgiving. 

      Today, we are going to take a break from our current sermon series on peace. I want to focus on the theme of thanksgiving since it is that time of year in my part of the world. 

     On this holiday, it is good time for me to reflect on the things that I am thankful for. I am certainly thankful for the fact that the Lord allowed me to have wonderful parents and a great friend like Toby. I am thankful for music, especially jazz, and I am thankful that the Lord has allowed me to work as a writer for all of these years. I am thankful for the fact that the Lord has provided me with food, clothing, shelter and transportation. I have a job to go to, and I am thankful for that. 

     As I've been going through the course of this year and reflecting on spiritual things, one of the things that I've become very grateful for is God's grace. One of the verses that tells us about grace that I particularly find meaningful is John 1:16 that states, "From His fulness we have all received grace upon grace." 

     The longer I live, the more I realize that everything that I have comes from the grace of God. He has given me His grace upon grace. Grace is unmerited favor. I know that I certainly haven't done anything to deserve the blessings that God has given me. It is all of Him and none of me. 

     God has given us His grace through His Son the Lord Jesus. There is nothing that anyone can do to earn salvation and the forgiveness of sins. We are able to be forgiven and have a relationship with the Father through the substitutionary atonement of Jesus. He bore our sins in His body on the cross and took the punishment that we deserved for sin. Because of what Jesus has done for us, by His grace we are saved. 

     I am not a perfect person. I do things that I know aren't pleasing to the Lord. However, when I ask for forgiveness, I am forgiven by the grace of God. He gives me another chance to do better and serve Him better. 

    This holiday, I am so thankful for grace. Without the grace of the Lord I would be nothing and I could do nothing. I often wonder why the Lord has been so gracious to me. I know that it is because of His great love for us. 

     It might not be a holiday of thanksgiving where you live at this time of year. However, I encourage you this week to think of all that you have to give thanks for. I encourage you to be thankful for God's grace working in your life. Amen. 

Prayer Requests

     I am having a lot of arthritis problems lately. Please pray that I can be more pain free. Thank you. 

     Keep praying for peace. Pray for peace in Israel, Gaza and the Middle East. Pray for peace in Ukraine, Sudan, Haiti and other strife filled places in this world. 

     Remember to pray for those recovering from storm damage. The UK had some bad flooding this week. Let us pray that those who need help will get the assistance that they need. 

     For our prayer focus countries this week let us pray for those living in the nations of Albania and Senegal. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

     Next week, we will resume our sermon series about peace. I will post the verses on Monday. May God bless you all. 

Remembering Thanksgiving With My Friend

      I don't know why, but this is one of the hardest holiday times I've had since my parents passed away and my friend Toby passed away. I miss them all. I really miss my friend Toby at Thanksgiving time because that was our favorite time of the year. 

     My Mom was a really good cook. She always made a great Thanksgiving feast for us all. Usually it was just her, my Dad, me and Toby. However, my Grandma was at the house a few times during Thanksgiving. We always had turkey, stuffing, potatoes, green beans, rolls, sweet potatoes, cranberries and other good things. 

     I always made sure that Toby would get something for his Thanksgiving dinner. He had problems with his colon, so I had to be careful with what he ate. He liked turkey, and he really liked green beans. I've never seen a dog who liked green beans like he did. The two of us ate a lot during Thanksgiving.

     After the meal, we always watched the football games out in the family room. I've always been a big Detroit Lions fan, and they are always on on Thanksgiving Day. Back then, they weren't as good as they are now. 

     Later in the evening, I'd go out with Toby and we'd walk around and look at the stars. It was a nice time to be with my family. I always here on the blog refer to Toby as my friend, but he was more than just my friend. He was part of the family. When the four of us were together was the best time that I've had in my entire life. 

     As I am writing this I've got to thinking about Toby's likes and dislikes in food. Some people say that dogs will anything, but that wasn't the case with him. He didn't like beef or pork. He absolutely refused to eat liver flavored dog food. He could take or leave lamb. He did like turkey as a I mentioned. His favorite above all was chicken. He could never get enough of it. Some other foods he liked were toast, French fries, pancakes and waffles. What he didn't like is that he couldn't eat too much of any of these so that his colon didn't get messed up. 

     One of the things I liked about Toby was that he didn't beg for food. Whenever we were on a trip and I was eating in my car, he never tried to get my food, and he didn't stare at me wanting me to give him something all the time. He was patient and waited for his food. He wasn't like any other dog I ever had. 

     I know that all my family is in Heaven. I am thankful for the time we had together. I hope that all of you have a good time with your family and friends during the upcoming holiday season. 

Verses For The Week

 Psalm 50:14 -- "Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High."

Psalm 118:24 -- "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Weekend Sermon -- "Biblical Teachings About Peace -- Part 2"

      Thank you again for taking a few moments to read this week's message. I hope that you are all doing well. I am feeling fairly well. 

     Last week, we started a new series of messages dealing with some of the Biblical teachings on peace. We saw that that Bible tells us that we are to seek peace and pursue it.  In today's message, I want us to learn about being a peacemaker and seeking peace by following the teachings we find about peace and non-violence in the message given to us by the Lord Jesus. 

     Jesus was the promised Prince of Peace. We can say without question that He is and was the man of peace. His teachings would bring peace if they were followed in this world, and when people accept Him into their lives as Savior and Lord they will find a peace that passes all understanding. 

     Jesus spoke about His way of peace and confronting injustice in His teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus wanted us to live in peace and seek justice, but He has called His followers to do so in a non-violent way. 

     One of Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount that surprises people is that He ended the Old Testament practice of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. We find Jesus' statement in Matthew 5:38-39 that states, "You have heard that it was said an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But, I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."

     Jesus knew that if we keep retaliating against each other in a violent manner, war will continue and continue until the entire world is destroyed. Jesus told us to turn the other check and to go the extra mile. He told us that we are to love our enemies and to do good to those who spitefully use us. 

     Does this mean that to be a person that seeks the way of peace we are to do nothing in the face of oppression and injustice? Absolutely not! We are to resist and overcome what is evil, but the Lord calls us to do so in a non-violent way.  As Jesus told His followers, we are to put away the sword. Jesus said that those who live by the sword will die by the sword.

     We are to positively promote peace and justice in the world by acting in love to overcome evil. We are to resist non-violently. We are to do good to all and help everyone that we can in the name of Jesus. We are to overcome evil by living out the Golden Rule as well as the Great Commandment. We are to love our neighbors as ourselves.

     Many of the great social and political changes in our world have come about when people acted through non-violent civil disobedience. In my country, the Civil Rights Movement led by Dr. King used non-violence to advocate for rights that had been unjustly denied. By people working together non-violently, great changes were made. 

     In India, Gandhi promoted the way of non-violence through His readings of Jesus. He resisted unjust treatment and advanced the cause of independence, but He didn't advocate that it be done violently. He non-violently resisted the unjust policies of colonialism.

     Christians are called to be peacemakers and to make a positive difference in this world. We do so by loving others and by helping this world to be a better place. We follow the Lord Jesus fully, and we turn away from revenge and retribution. 

     As I've mentioned before, two things would go a long way towards bringing peace to this world. First of all, if more people turned to Jesus, I believe that we would have more peacefulness  in the world. Second,  if those who claimed to know Jesus would really follow what He taught, we would have less violence and peace. It greatly disturbs me when I hear and see people who name the name of Jesus out fighting and killing one another. Jesus taught a different way. 

     Let us all work to follow the way of love and peace. Let us tell others about Jesus and His way. Let us always follow the way of Jesus and not the way of the world. Amen.

Prayer Requests

     I want to thank the Lord that I didn't have any damage at my house from the bad winds the other night. I am feeling some better. 

     Please keep praying for those who are recovering from storms and flooding. I am especially thinking of those in Spain. 

     Remember to keep praying for an end to disease outbreaks in the world. I heard on the news a couple of days ago that mpox is still bad in Africa.

     Keep praying for peace. Pray for peace in Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Sudan and Haiti. Pray for the release of the hostages and pray that humanitarian aide will reach those who need it in all war ravaged areas. 

    For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Malaysia and Oman. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

    Next week, we will take a short break from our series, and I will post a message on the theme of giving thanks as it is the Thanksgiving holiday season here in the US. I will post the verses on Monday. May God bless you all. 

Verses For The Week

      I am sorry for being late posting the verses. We had really nasty storms in my area yesterday. I am thankful that there weren't too many problems. Here are the verses for the week. 

II Timothy 1:7 -- "For God gave us not a spirit of fear but of power, and love and self-control."

Psalm 46:1 -- " God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Weekend Sermon -- "Biblical Teachings About Peace" -- Part 1

      Thank you for reading the message this week. I hope that everyone is doing well, and I want to thank the Lord for giving me the ministry of posting messages here on the blog. 

     Last week, we finished our series of messages in which we examined some some of the characteristics that will be in evidence in the life of a person who is trying to live with love directing their lives. Love is what Jesus was, and is,  all about. When we follow Jesus, we will live a life of love.

     We are changing directions and beginning a new series of messages this week. For the next few weeks, I want us to look at what the Bible has to say about peace. We need peace in this world. We need peace between nations and between individuals. We need to have peace in our own hearts and minds. 

     Let's start by seeing what the Bible means by peace. The word most often used for peace in the Bible is Shalom. This means tranquility and safety. Some scholars have stated that it refers to a sense of wholeness within a person's life. In the Bible, peace refers to absence of physical conflict. Peace is not true peace unless it is the Shalom kind of peace that means wholeness which includes justice. Peace also has a deeply spiritual sense in the Bible especially in the teachings of Jesus. He is the one who through His life, ministry and continuing presence is the source of all true peace. 

     Today, I want us to look into the fact the the Bible tells us that we are to be peacemakers. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told us, "Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called the children of God."  In I Peter 3:11 we read, "Turn away from evil and do good, search for peace and work to maintain it."

     As followers of Jesus, it is our duty to work for peace in this world. We should as followers of the Prince of Peace never be the ones who are clamoring for war. We should be the one's seeking peace with justice in the conflicts of this world. 

     Being a peacemaker begins at the interpersonal level. We should try always to avoid being quarrelsome and causing strife within our relationships. We shouldn't stir up trouble. Instead, we should be the ones who seek to defuse tense situations and bring a sense of calmness in antagonistic situations. 

     As followers of Jesus, we can be practical peacemakers when we find ways to help our friends, colleagues and family members find ways to reconcile with one another and find common ground. 

     One way that we can be peacemakers in our relationships is to be the kind of person that is willing to forgive and not hold a grudge. Another way to maintain peace in relationships is to be kind and follow the Golden Rule set down by Jesus. Speaking words that heal and help and not speaking words that hurt and tear down is another practical way to be a peacemaker on the interpersonal level. 

     There is, of course, another aspect of pursuing peace. As Christians, we need to be involved in promoting justice and goodness in the world. As our Scripture from Peter talks about, we have to turn from evil and do good. We shine a light into the darkness. 

    War, fighting and conflicts often occur when there is injustice in a situation. By working to end injustices, we are promoting peace, we are seeking peace and helping to maintain it. 

     Poverty, hunger, lack of medical care, unfair wages, oppression of the poor by the rich and the weak by the strong, racism, ethnic discrimination: these are some of the injustices that build up resentments and lead to conflicts. When we work to end these injustices, we will see peace. 

    As believers, we need to find ways to address the injustice situations in our world. Inequality leads to a lack of harmony. We can as believers work together to build a better world as we follow the teachings and commandments of the Lord Jesus. 

     We need to speak up for what is right, and we need to do what is right.

     Finally, let me say a word about praying for peace. This is so important. Each week here on the blog, I mention nations in conflict that need our prayers for peace. We must always pray for peace, and we must be the peacemakers as the Lord Jesus gives us the opportunity. 

     Ultimate peace on every level comes through Jesus. Following the teachings of Jesus brings peace. Knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord brings peace. Amen.

Prayer Requests

     I want to thank the Lord that our new manager at work so far seems like a really nice person. Things are better at my job, so I am going to try and stay there for the time being. I am also thankful to the Lord for helping me get the debt on my house paid. Thank you for your prayers.

     Keep praying for those affected by the storms. The US is still recovering from the hurricanes, and Spain is still dealing with flooding. 

     Pray for peace in the world. Ukraine, the Middle East, Sudan and Haiti really need our prayers. Pray that the hostages in Gaza will be released.

     I haven't heard much about some of the disease outbreaks that were occurring. Let us pray that no more will occur. 

     For our prayer focus countries this week, let's pray for those living in the nations of Cambodia and Yemen. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

     Next week, we will continue with our current series. I will have a message about Thanksgiving the following week. For Advent, I will probably have a couple of Christmas messages. I will post the verses on Monday. May God bless you all. 

Verses For The Week

 Romans 12:21 -- "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

John 1:5 -- "Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

Weekend Sermon -- Characteristics of Love -- Conclusion

      The election here in the US is finally over. It is a relief not to be bombarded with political ads. I thank you for taking time to read the message, and I hope that you are all doing well this week. 

     Over the course of the last couple of months, we've been in engaged in a study of some of the characteristics of a life lived in love. Today, I am going to conclude this series by looking at the final verse of Paul's great chapter on love I Corinthians 13. The final verse of this chapter states, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 

     Faith, hope and love are all critical aspects of the Christian life. The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God. We have to have faith in order to believe in God. We are saved by grace through faith. Having faith in the promises of God leads us to serve Him to our fullest measure. 

     We have to have hope in what is promised to us by the Lord Jesus. Our hope is in Him. The Lord Jesus has promised that those who love Him will be with Him forever in the place that He has prepared for those who accept Him as Savior and Lord. Our hope is in the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus. We wait in hope for that great day when Jesus returns and makes all things new. He will make a new Heaven and a new Earth. All will be restored to the way things were before sin entered into the world. 

     Faith and hope are necessary. They are essential parts of our faith. However, as important as they are, Paul tells us that the greatest of all is love. Without love we have nothing at all. We would not have the opportunity to exercise our faith or live our lives in hope had it not been for the love of the Lord Jesus that led Him to come to this earth and redeem us from our sins. Love is what the Christian religion is supposed to be all about. 

     As we've seen in this series of messages, it is all about love. The great commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. The second great commandment is to love our neighbor a we love ourselves. Love is what allows us to follow the Golden Rule and forgive those who have trespassed against us. 

     As we close out this series on the love and what it looks like lived out in the actions of a believer, I want to mention something. Being a Christian and following Jesus as Lord involves all of one's life. Ever aspect of our lives must be filled with the love of Jesus given out to others. We have to look to Jesus and love like Jesus loved. Whenever we speak ill of those who are vulnerable or oppressed, we are not living in love. When we make people feel as if they are worthless or hurt others with our words, we are not living in love. When we don't help those who are in need when it is in our power to do so, we are not living in love. When we see a planet that is in crises and don't act to preserve it for future generations, we aren't living in love. 

     Being a Christian means loving God and loving our neighbor. Jesus is our example. Let us love others as He did while He was among us. Amen.

Prayer Requests

     We did not have bad flooding from the storms in my area, and I want to thank the Lord for that. I also want to thank the Lord for His provision in getting something paid off that I needed to get paid. 

     The election was this week in the US. Without getting too political I just want to ask you to pray for the US. 

     Please keep praying for those affected by the bad storms. Spain needs our prayers as that nation recovers from the floods. Pray for those recovering form the hurricanes in the US. 

     Remember to pray for peace. Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Libya, Sudan and Haiti all need our prayers. 

     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Brunei and Burkina Faso. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

     Next week, we will start a new short series. I will post the verses on Monday. May God bless you all. 

Verses For The Week

 Micah 6:8 -- "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

Romans 13:10 -- "Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."

Weekend Sermon -- Characteristics of Love -- Part 10

     Thank you for taking the time to read the sermon. I am trying to have a good day. I hope that you are all well. 

     For several weeks now, we've been looking at what the Scriptures have to say about love and what a life lived in love looks like. For awhile now, we've been looking in particular at I Corinthians 13 which is an important chapter on love. 

     Today, I want us to focus on Paul's statement in verse 8 that states, "Love never fails." What does this mean?

     There are several ways that I believe that we can look at this. First of all, love never fails to me means that true love never dies. If you love someone, your love for them goes on and on even when they are not present with you in this life. My parents and my best friend Toby aren't with me on this earth anymore, but the love that I had for them while they were here with me is still in my heart. It will never go away. In fact, I know that they are in Heaven with Jesus right now, and one day, we will all be reunited, and our love for each other will continue throughout eternity. 

     Love never fails also means to me that you can't go wrong in loving and putting love into action in this world. If we love our neighbor as Jesus told us, it can't fail to make a positive impact in this world. If you show love to others it can't but help at least in some way to improve their life. Also, if you share the love of Jesus with others, it may lead them into accepting the Lord Jesus into their lives. 

     Love never fails I believe has the highest meaning when it comes to the love that Jesus has for us. Jesus has loved us with an everlasting love. His love took Him to Calvary to die in order to redeem us from our sins. His love for us has caused Him to prepare a place for us with Him in Heaven so that we can always be with Him. 

     One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Hebrews 13:8 that says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever." Jesus loved people when He was on this earth. He loves people now, and His love will not end for all of eternity. Jesus will always love you. He will always want to be with you. He desires that we love Him and give all of our lives to Him. 

     Paul tells us that the spiritual gifts will cease. Many of the things of this earth will pass away. However, there is something that will never cease and will never fail. That is love. Love never fails. Love God. Love your neighbor. Love is what Jesus is about. Amen. 

Prayer Requests

     Please pray that the predicted rain for my area will not transpire. I just can't deal with a whole lot more right now with my health problems. I don't mean to complain, but things aren't that easy right now. I could really use your prayers. Thank you. 

     Pray that God's will will be done in the US elections. Pray that there will not be any violence and that all will accept the results. 

     Keep praying for those recovering from the hurricanes. 

     Remember to pray for peace. Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Ukraine, Sudan and many other nations need our prayers on their behalf. 

     For our prayer focus countries this week, let's pray for those in the nations of Israel and Nepal. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

     Next week, we will conclude our characteristics of love series. I will post the verses on Monday. May God bless you all.