Everlasting Joy

Jesus said to his disciples: "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers her pain because her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you are also now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take that joy away from you. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you."

Consideration: We are not capable of understanding the everlasting joy we will experience when we pass from this world to the Kingdom of God. Jesus tells us that no one will ever be able to take it from us. Yes, we experience many crosses in our lifetime, but they will be remembered no more when we see our Savior Jesus Christ, face to face in the Kingdom of God. Amen.

Disciples of all Nations

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshipped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."

​Lord Jesus, you gave to your disciples a mandate to go and boldly proclaim the words that you spoke to them. You also give to us today the same mandate. May we be blessed to go forward into the world and without hesitation and boldly proclaim you as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords; in a world that has gone astray. Amen.

Wisdom and Love

Jesus said to his disciples: "I have much more to tell you but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of Truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you."

Consideration: Jesus tells us that all that the Father has is his. Another words, Jesus, and the Father, are One. And the Spirit of Truth is the Wisdom and Love pouring forth from the Father and the Son and is One with them. This awesome mystery of the Holy Trinity is the key to our faith as Christians and Believers. Amen.

Inflame Their Hearts

Jesus said to his disciples: "Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you if I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned."

Lord Jesus, the Advocate is with us, inspiring, guiding, protecting, and leading us on the pathway to our way home to you. Although we cannot see him, our hearts are on fire for you because of him. Grant us the grace to remain faithful to the truth. And for those who are struggling in their lives with difficulties of this pressure filled life, that the presence of the Holy Spirit will inflame their hearts with your love and peace. Amen.

The Answer in a Song

Day after day destruction

When will we get along

Baiters separate us all

Is the answer in a song

Take the high road if abused

A blow for peace, be amused

Reaction is the natural to do

Maybe the answer is a song

Work together for peace and harmony

We all belong, the answer is a song

Find a pathway to healing

Resist the wheeling dealing

Decide to make real change

Even if they call you strange

Words of wisdom for the wise

Together finding compromise

Righting the many wrongs

Finding answers in a song

Work together for peace, in harmony

The words belong, the answer in a song

She Prevailed on Us

We set sail from Troas, making a straight run for Samothrace, and on the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, a leading city in the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We spent some time in that city. On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river where we thought there would be a place of prayer. We sat and spoke to women who had gathered there. One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in a purple cloth, from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened, and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying. After she and her household had been baptized, she offered us an invitation, "if you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my home," and she prevailed on us. 

Consideration: Dear Lord, may we follow the persuasion of our hearts with discernment, always mindful that in doing so we will exercise good judgement and the gift of the Spirit that resides in us. Amen.

The Spirit of Truth

I will never leave you, trust in me

In my commandments, follow me

Soon your hearts will long for me

The Father with love waits for me

I will be with you in a special way

You will never be alone if you pray

I will hear you and come quickly

You will never be orphans, believe

When you struggle, I will guide you

Fearful; I will calm the stormy way

Remember it was I that chose you

With faith, dwell in my love always

One day we shall be together again

There is much work to do until then

I am with you in everything you do  

The Advocate; and Spirit of Truth