The Words of Jesus

Jesus said to his disciples: "Be merciful just as your heavenly Father is merciful. "Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. "Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in turn be measured out to you."

Consideration: Is it proper to seek mercy when we do not extend mercy to others? When we judge and condemn others, even if they have wronged us, will we be forgiven when we seek forgiveness? The words of Jesus are clear: "The measure with which you measure will in turn be measured out to you."

Trust in the Lord

Lord, it's time to roll, there's a time for peace, a time for war

For a long time, lines have been drawn on land; and the sand

Only two sides, yet the conflict is wide, we grieve, loss of life

Missiles flying, smoke filled air, people dying, does anyone care

The world running on fear; people crying to heaven with prayer 

Lord, you see everything, in pain and suffering you are there

In the end, there will be victory; oppressed people will be freed

Those who longed for thousands of years, just to live in peace

Lord, it's time to roll, good and bad alike, both possess a soul 

Some filled with grace, others with hate, fire burns both ways

Missiles flying, smoke fills the air, people dying, you are there

These are the signs of the times, the world crying out with fear

Only two sides, yet the conflict is wide, possibilities are near 

Lord, you see everything, in pain and suffering you are there

Signs of the times, for victory and peace, an end game to war

It's time to roll, freedom bleeding out prayer; trust in the Lord

This is My Beloved Son

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice and said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise and do not be afraid." And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead." 

Lord Jesus, one day we shall see you in all your magnificent splendor and glory. The choice is ours; choosing to do your will on our earthly pilgrimage; encountering many difficulties with faith and trust in you. Grant us the grace of strength and perseverance, that when we are called home, we will be called children of the Light. Amen.

The Children of God

Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and good, and causes rain to fall on the just and unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brother and sisters only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Lord Jesus, you ask us to be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect. God allows his sun to rise on the bad and the good, and the rain to fall on the just and unjust. So we are asked to love all people, the good and the bad as well. By doing this, we are truly living our lives as...The Children of God, Amen.

Forgive Others

Jesus said to his disciples: "I tell you unless your righteousness surpasses those of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. "You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, you shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgement. But I say to you, whoever grows angry with his brother will be liable to judgement, and whoever insults his brother, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the alter, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the alter, go first be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise, your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny."

Consideration: The message in this Scripture passage is very clear. Jesus is telling us that foolish anger and judgement of others in the slightest way will lead us to accountability. We must forgive others at all costs. If we fail to do so, we are liable to judgement.

Manifest Your Love

Jesus said to his disciples: "Ask and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law of the prophets."

Lord Jesus, we ask with humility; seek with confidence; and knock with faith. We believe that you are waiting for us to ask, so your love will manifest itself to all of your children. Amen.

The Lord of Eternity

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, "This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgement the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgement the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here."

Lord Jesus, this generation of our time, is truly an evil generation. It seeks signs and wonders that feed its earthly desires and are contrary to the Gospel. So you give them up to the desires of the flesh that will ultimately consume them. You alone have the words of everlasting life, but they serve the ruler of this world and not the Lord of eternity. Amen.