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!

Words of Living Truth

No anger, no rage 

Everything passes away

Lawless getting over in spades

No worries, they will have their day

Be righteous, choose

They may laugh at you

Stay focused on the truth

Be blessed in all that you do

Eyes of the Lord see though the pain

In tough times he will guide the way

No fear when you encounter a fight

Peace within heart and guiding light

Hands of the Lord hold you 

Wisdom sees the way to truth

Always there in times of despair

His love will shelter you there

Be ready, victory is within reach

Every step was his time to teach

A weary soul finds time to rest

No anger, no rage, truly blessed

The Lord is fixed on you to prosper

His grace is waiting for you to move

That your love will glorify his name

Extending his words of living truth 

Follow Me

After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." He then said to Simon Peter a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more?" He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him a third time, "Simon, son of John, "Do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify Gog. And when he said this, he said to him, "Follow me."

Consideration: Lord, Jesus, how many times will you need to ask us if we love you? As many times we are confronted with a decision to follow the Lord and his teachings or follow the way of the world for satisfaction and comfort. Jesus sends us out as lambs among the wolves of this world. Be prepared to sacrifice for the Kingdom of God. Amen.

Paul's Witness

Wishing to determine the truth of why Paul was being accused by the Jews, the commander freed him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to convene. Then he brought Paul down and made him stand before them. Paul was aware that some were Sadducees and some Pharisees, so he called out before the Sanhedrin, "My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees; I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead." When they heard this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the group became divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, while the Pharisees acknowledge all three. A great uproar occurred, and some of the scribes belonging to the Pharisee party stood up and sharply argued, "We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" The dispute was so serious that the commander, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, ordered his troops to go down and rescue Paul from their midst and take him into the compound. The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome." 

Consideration: Paul's faith in the resurrection is made known publicly and the Sadducees became violently angry with Paul for his testimony. Then, Jesus tells Paul that he must also bear witness in Rome and to have courage. Paul did in fact become very courageous in his mission that the Lord was calling him to do.