Monday, September 29, 2014
Verse of the Week
John 3:16-- "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Weekend Sermon
I know that I said earlier this week that I would not be posting a sermon. I just didn't feel right about not posting anything. When I wrote that update, I was very depressed about something. I will go into that more next week. Just let me say that I need everyone's prayers about finding work. I need to keep praying. There is so much to be praying about in this world. There are so many needs.
With that in mind, I wanted to post a sermon I wrote as part of the Jesus' Teachings on Prayer series I did a few years ago now. It is about persistence in prayer.
I will do my best to get back on the regular blog schedule starting Monday.
Luke 11:5-13
Luke 18:1-8
For the past three weeks, we've been focusing on Jesus' teachings on the subject of prayer. Part one was an examination of Jesus' example of prayer and the importance of prayer. Part two and part three were discussions of the importance of praying the Lord's Prayer and the way in which the Lord's Prayer can be used as a pattern to construct our prayers around.
This week, I would like to focus on Jesus' teaching on being persistent in our prayer life.
In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells a very interesting parable about prayer. Jesus said that there was a judge in a certain land who didn't honor or fear God , and this judge didn't care what any human being thought about him. A widow lived in this judge's jurisdiction who kept coming and coming seeking justice from the court from someone who had treated her unjustly. This judge didn't care about this woman or her problems and put her case off time and time again. However, after this widow kept coming, and coming, and coming back to his court, the judge finally got sick of it. He ruled in her favor just so he didn't have to see her in his court room one more time.
Jesus said that we as His followers could learn a lesson from this tale. First of all, God is not like the judge in this parable. God cares about all of His children all over the world no matter their nationality, race, ethnicity, age, or economic status. Jesus clearly states this in Luke 11:11-12 where He says, "You fathers-if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him."
Secondly, God wants us to not give up on our prayer life. Just as this widow didn't give up, God wants us to continue in prayer.
Jesus makes this same point about persisting in prayer in Luke 11:5-9. In this passage, Jesus talks about a man who went over to his friends house at midnight to borrow a few loaves of bread. At first, the man didn't want to get out of bed and get the bread. However, the friend kept knocking at the door and making his request over and over again. In order to get any sleep, the man got up and got his friend some bread.
Jesus says that we should keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking because as Jesus says, "For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.
I know that in my own life there have been times when I had to keep praying in spite of the fact that things didn't look like they were getting any better. When Toby was still with me, he had a lot of very bad medical problems. One of his problems was a bad skin condition. This condition made his life pretty miserable. I prayed for Toby day after day. I'm glad I kept praying, because Toby's skin got better, and for the rest of his life he had no more trouble with this problem.
In the church I use to preach at, we always prayed for peace in the prayer time. I remember at one time the war in Bosnia was terrible. We prayed for peace for that troubled area every Sunday. After many weeks, peace came to that part of the world.
Sometimes, we pray and pray and our prayers aren't answered in this life. I prayed for my Mom everyday for five years that she would recover from the effects of her bad stroke. She never got any better. I know that she is with Jesus now, and all of her problems are over.
Many of the things we pray about will not have their ultimate answer until Jesus comes again. Then all things will be made new. Everything will be the way it was always intended to be.
Keep praying. Keep trusting. In this world, or the next, God will come through. Amen
With that in mind, I wanted to post a sermon I wrote as part of the Jesus' Teachings on Prayer series I did a few years ago now. It is about persistence in prayer.
I will do my best to get back on the regular blog schedule starting Monday.
Luke 11:5-13
Luke 18:1-8
For the past three weeks, we've been focusing on Jesus' teachings on the subject of prayer. Part one was an examination of Jesus' example of prayer and the importance of prayer. Part two and part three were discussions of the importance of praying the Lord's Prayer and the way in which the Lord's Prayer can be used as a pattern to construct our prayers around.
This week, I would like to focus on Jesus' teaching on being persistent in our prayer life.
In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells a very interesting parable about prayer. Jesus said that there was a judge in a certain land who didn't honor or fear God , and this judge didn't care what any human being thought about him. A widow lived in this judge's jurisdiction who kept coming and coming seeking justice from the court from someone who had treated her unjustly. This judge didn't care about this woman or her problems and put her case off time and time again. However, after this widow kept coming, and coming, and coming back to his court, the judge finally got sick of it. He ruled in her favor just so he didn't have to see her in his court room one more time.
Jesus said that we as His followers could learn a lesson from this tale. First of all, God is not like the judge in this parable. God cares about all of His children all over the world no matter their nationality, race, ethnicity, age, or economic status. Jesus clearly states this in Luke 11:11-12 where He says, "You fathers-if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him."
Secondly, God wants us to not give up on our prayer life. Just as this widow didn't give up, God wants us to continue in prayer.
Jesus makes this same point about persisting in prayer in Luke 11:5-9. In this passage, Jesus talks about a man who went over to his friends house at midnight to borrow a few loaves of bread. At first, the man didn't want to get out of bed and get the bread. However, the friend kept knocking at the door and making his request over and over again. In order to get any sleep, the man got up and got his friend some bread.
Jesus says that we should keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking because as Jesus says, "For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.
I know that in my own life there have been times when I had to keep praying in spite of the fact that things didn't look like they were getting any better. When Toby was still with me, he had a lot of very bad medical problems. One of his problems was a bad skin condition. This condition made his life pretty miserable. I prayed for Toby day after day. I'm glad I kept praying, because Toby's skin got better, and for the rest of his life he had no more trouble with this problem.
In the church I use to preach at, we always prayed for peace in the prayer time. I remember at one time the war in Bosnia was terrible. We prayed for peace for that troubled area every Sunday. After many weeks, peace came to that part of the world.
Sometimes, we pray and pray and our prayers aren't answered in this life. I prayed for my Mom everyday for five years that she would recover from the effects of her bad stroke. She never got any better. I know that she is with Jesus now, and all of her problems are over.
Many of the things we pray about will not have their ultimate answer until Jesus comes again. Then all things will be made new. Everything will be the way it was always intended to be.
Keep praying. Keep trusting. In this world, or the next, God will come through. Amen
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Update
I will not be posting a review today. I am taking the rest of the week off. I will return to blogging next week. There will not be a Weekend Sermon posted this week.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Verse of the Week
Mark 9:39-41 -- "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward."
Friday, September 19, 2014
Weekend Sermon
Welcome once again to another week of the Weekend Sermon. It's good to be with you today after a very difficult week.
In today's message, I just want to reflect on some of the verses that have meant a lot to me recently. A couple of them have been verses of the week.
First of all, I want to say that this is a hard day for me. This is the day that my Mom passed away a few years back. September 19, February 17 and June 5 aren't good days for me. They represent the loss of those I loved the most.
On these days, I am reminded of the words of Jesus. When Jesus went to raise His friend Lazarus from the dead, Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."
These words of the Lord Jesus give me the assurance that all of those who are followers of Jesus will be with Jesus for ever. Although my loved ones are gone from this earth, they are alive with Jesus in Heaven right at this very second.
When Jesus died on the cross, He bore our sins in His body. He was the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world. On the cross, Jesus paid the sin debt.
Through His resurrection, Jesus took care once and for all of the consequences of sin. Through His resurrection, Jesus defeated death and and the grave. Death holds no sway over those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
I miss my Mom dearly. However, I take comfort knowing that she is safe with Jesus. She no longer suffers from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease. She is in perfect health in a perfect place with her Lord and Savior. One day, I will be reunited with my family again. All the praise and glory for this belongs to my Lord and King Jesus Christ.
On another note, I've faced some very great difficulties at work these last few weeks. The supervisor at work is very hard to work for. I won't go into all of the details, but I don't know how long I will be able to work at my present job. This really hurts me, because it took so long to find a job when I was unemployed, and I am just now starting to really get back on my feet financially after a long hard struggle. I would appreciate all of your prayers concerning this at this time.
During this time, I have tried to concentrate on Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount about not worrying. I know from the words of Jesus that I am in the Father's hands. Whatever happens, ultimately, the Lord will take care of me. I have to trust in Him and let Him guide me and provide for me.
After the struggle of the past few years, I'm still here, and that is only because of the grace and help of Jesus. I need to trust in Him and keep on going.
Another verse that has been very important is the verse in Romans that states that there is no condemnation in Jesus. After being ridiculed at work because I suffer from health problems, it makes me feel great that Jesus loves me. He does not condemn me. He loves me for who I am and for what I am. I have come to Him. He is my Lord and friend, and He will not cast me out.
If any of you are going through a hard struggle, please realize that Jesus is always with you. People will fail you and turn on you, but Jesus will never leave you or forsake you. He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother. Others may try to run you down and make you feel bad about yourself. Remember this. You are dearly beloved by the Lord and Master of the Universe. What could be better than that?
Finally, with the disease and war that seems to be everywhere across the globe, I have been reminded this week that things will not always be this way. Jesus promised that one day He would return to this earth to rule and reign in righteousness. All of the old would pass away, and all things will be made new. When Jesus returns, all disease, pestilence and injustice will cease. Humanity will study and practice war no more. Please come quickly Jesus. We need you.
Just a few thoughts.
Next week, I will post the verse of the week on Monday and a review on Wednesday. The Weekend Sermon will appear either Friday or Saturday.
Before I close, I would ask you to pray this week about a few things. Please pray for an end to the Ebola crisis in Africa. Pray for peace in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Ukraine. Please pray for me that the Lord will provide the answers. Thank you for reading the blog. May God bless you.
In today's message, I just want to reflect on some of the verses that have meant a lot to me recently. A couple of them have been verses of the week.
First of all, I want to say that this is a hard day for me. This is the day that my Mom passed away a few years back. September 19, February 17 and June 5 aren't good days for me. They represent the loss of those I loved the most.
On these days, I am reminded of the words of Jesus. When Jesus went to raise His friend Lazarus from the dead, Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."
These words of the Lord Jesus give me the assurance that all of those who are followers of Jesus will be with Jesus for ever. Although my loved ones are gone from this earth, they are alive with Jesus in Heaven right at this very second.
When Jesus died on the cross, He bore our sins in His body. He was the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world. On the cross, Jesus paid the sin debt.
Through His resurrection, Jesus took care once and for all of the consequences of sin. Through His resurrection, Jesus defeated death and and the grave. Death holds no sway over those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
I miss my Mom dearly. However, I take comfort knowing that she is safe with Jesus. She no longer suffers from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease. She is in perfect health in a perfect place with her Lord and Savior. One day, I will be reunited with my family again. All the praise and glory for this belongs to my Lord and King Jesus Christ.
On another note, I've faced some very great difficulties at work these last few weeks. The supervisor at work is very hard to work for. I won't go into all of the details, but I don't know how long I will be able to work at my present job. This really hurts me, because it took so long to find a job when I was unemployed, and I am just now starting to really get back on my feet financially after a long hard struggle. I would appreciate all of your prayers concerning this at this time.
During this time, I have tried to concentrate on Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount about not worrying. I know from the words of Jesus that I am in the Father's hands. Whatever happens, ultimately, the Lord will take care of me. I have to trust in Him and let Him guide me and provide for me.
After the struggle of the past few years, I'm still here, and that is only because of the grace and help of Jesus. I need to trust in Him and keep on going.
Another verse that has been very important is the verse in Romans that states that there is no condemnation in Jesus. After being ridiculed at work because I suffer from health problems, it makes me feel great that Jesus loves me. He does not condemn me. He loves me for who I am and for what I am. I have come to Him. He is my Lord and friend, and He will not cast me out.
If any of you are going through a hard struggle, please realize that Jesus is always with you. People will fail you and turn on you, but Jesus will never leave you or forsake you. He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother. Others may try to run you down and make you feel bad about yourself. Remember this. You are dearly beloved by the Lord and Master of the Universe. What could be better than that?
Finally, with the disease and war that seems to be everywhere across the globe, I have been reminded this week that things will not always be this way. Jesus promised that one day He would return to this earth to rule and reign in righteousness. All of the old would pass away, and all things will be made new. When Jesus returns, all disease, pestilence and injustice will cease. Humanity will study and practice war no more. Please come quickly Jesus. We need you.
Just a few thoughts.
Next week, I will post the verse of the week on Monday and a review on Wednesday. The Weekend Sermon will appear either Friday or Saturday.
Before I close, I would ask you to pray this week about a few things. Please pray for an end to the Ebola crisis in Africa. Pray for peace in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Ukraine. Please pray for me that the Lord will provide the answers. Thank you for reading the blog. May God bless you.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Review
Today, I am recommending a television series that aired in the 1990s that I have enjoyed a great deal. The name of the show is "Due South". This show featured a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman and his wolf/dog named Diefenbaker. This is one of the most well-written programs that I've ever seen. It has adventure, action and comedy all rolled into one.
I had not seen the show for several years, but my Dad bought me the DVDs of the series when they came out. I had been very sick with the flu, and I was having a slow recovery. Dad bought these for me knowing how much I enjoyed the series when it was on. I watched all four seasons when I was recovering from the flu a few years back.
If you want a fun show to watch, rent or purchase these DVDs.
I had not seen the show for several years, but my Dad bought me the DVDs of the series when they came out. I had been very sick with the flu, and I was having a slow recovery. Dad bought these for me knowing how much I enjoyed the series when it was on. I watched all four seasons when I was recovering from the flu a few years back.
If you want a fun show to watch, rent or purchase these DVDs.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Verse For the Week
Luke 9:62 - "Jesus replied, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back if fit for service in the kingdom of God."
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