Servants of God

The disciples were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them. They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them what was going to happen to him. "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles who will mock him, spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death, but after three days he will rise." Jesus said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as ransom for many.

Lord Jesus, lead us through humility to serve those that you call us to help during our journey in life. We must humble ourselves and love others as you have taught us to do. Amen.

My Shield and My Glory

 

You are my shield and my glory

I lean on you when I feel blue

If only I was righteous and holy

If only my life aligned in truth

Do you see me act like a fool

Love me the times I offend you 

Show mercy when I go astray

Hear me cry out to you in pain 

I do not fear a slandering wind

Or when I fall short deep sin

When I follow the wrong lead

Direct line to certain misery

My heart knows that in the end

I will call upon my dear friend

He will reach and extend to me

The grace of healing victory 

When you lay me down to sleep

My soul at rest will be set free

You are my shield and my glory 

Joyfully, lovingly, waiting on me 

The Age to Come

Peter began to say to Jesus, "We have given up everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house, or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first." Consideration: Are we willing to give up everything for Jesus and the Gospel? Jesus is clear on this decision, and if we heed his words, we have nothing to fear in this world, and are guaranteed eternal life in the age to come. Amen.

Blood and Water

So the soldiers did this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magʹdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the scripture), “I thirst.” A bowl full of vinegar stood there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “it is finished”; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the sabbath (for that sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him; but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. Consideration: The Lord Jesus speaks to his mother from the cross, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” So his mother was then taken care of by the apostle that Jesus loved.

No Greater Love

I will not be afraid, if they trouble me 

Or give into the pain, watch and see 

I will rise to the place when called to

No hesitation, I will be there for you

In trying times, I will fight through

No surrender when pressure ensues

When hearing the command to rise

Believing no mountain is too high 

No place for compromise or mistakes

My promise will be whatever it takes 

Staying awake so that you may sleep

Protecting truth where faith runs deep

I will be on guard against the enemy

Freedom is from God and needs me

One of many sacrificing for liberty

Keeping all our people safe and free

The many fallen are called heroes 

This for paying the ultimate price

In the promised glory that awaits

Giving their lives are called saints

Greater love hath no man than this, 

That a man lay down his life for his friends.

Peace is Nice

Mr. Phil in the woods, there is peace in the air

Quiet, calm and picturesque, nature at its best
No cars, no horns, or streets lined with stores
Rivers, streams, and rays of sunlight glistening

Oh, how I long to be in nature in summertime; so fine
Oh, how I long to be in nature surrounded with peace

One day spend a little time doing some fishing
A quiet afternoon on the river in boat drifting
Or maybe spend some time alone contemplating
To top it all off, talking to my God and praying

Oh, how I long to be in nature in summertime; so sweet
Oh, how I long to be in nature surrounded with peace

All the money in the world could not pay for this
This is what is meant when we say happiness
When life beats me down is when I long for this
I watch Mr. Phil; listen to the Gospel message

Oh, how I long to be in nature in summertime; so sweet
Oh, how I long to be in nature surrounded with peace

Just be nice, be sweet, be kind, surround yourself with peace
I will say it twice, peace is kind, peace is sweet, peace is nice!

Receive the Holy Spirit

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." Consideration: We are so blessed; read these words slowly, and contemplate the awesome significance of their meaning, and how they have impacted the lives of Christians for over two thousand years. If you are not a Christian remember that Jesus loves you, and the Holy Spirit is with you as well. Peace!