Cunning Traps

Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him, "Buy what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you the authority to do them?" Jesus said to them, "I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was John's baptism of heavenly or human origin? Answer me." They discussed this among themselves and said, "if we say, 'Of heavenly origin, 'he will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?' But shall we say, 'Of human origin'?" - they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. So they said to Jesus in reply, "We do not know." Then Jesus said to them, "Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things."

Consideration: Jesus recognizes the chief priests, scribes, and elders, were attempting to set him up with a question. So what does he do?, he asks them a question in reply. Understanding that they were out foxed by Jesus, they did not answer his question, and Jesus likewise did not answer their question. 
This is a teaching moment for all of us, especially when the wolves of today come at us and try to devour us by their cunning traps. Let the name of "Jesus" be praised. Amen.

Flames of Desire

Awake the day, at work, at play 

Dreams, realities, we move on 

Thoughts all remain for keeps 

The mind, so wise never sleeps 

Guard against drifting eyes, sparks fly in a moments time  

Remember the fox in hiding smiling is cunning and sly   

A burning heart loses control  

All caught up in foolish things 

Where it comes from, we know 

Living the joy pleasure brings  

It only takes a spark for a fire 

In seconds it's out of control 

Keep in check flames of desire 

The end is the cost of a soul 

Guard those drifting eyes, sparks fly in a moments time 

Thoughts, dreams, and a mind so wise it never sleeps 

Stay awake, and avoid the pleasures sure to take a toll 

Dim the fire of desire, the end game is the loss of a soul 

 

 

Rejoice Exultantly

Beloved: The end of all things is at hand. Therefore, be serious and sober-minded so that you will be able to pray. Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, as to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Beloved, do not be surprised that trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly. 

Consideration: Peter gives us examples of how we should conduct ourselves in the service of Jesus Christ. Also telling us to rejoice when we endure sufferings also endured by Jesus so we will rejoice when his glory is revealed. Amen.

Compassionate One

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it, Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, son of David, have pity on me." and many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, "Son of David, have pity on me." Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So, they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you." He threw aside his clock, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man replied to him, "Master, I want to see." Jesus told him, "Go your way; your faith has saved you." Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

Lord Jesus, you heard the blind man ask for pity and had compassion for him. When he asked to be healed, once again you were moved with compassion and granted his request. Today, we too, need healing from our many transgressions that we have committed against you. We ask that look down upon us with compassion and extend to us your mercy and forgiveness. Amen.

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.