Posts Tagged ‘Lord’s’
Lectionary Scriptures for January 29th, 2012
January 23, 2012Lectionary Scriptures January 22, 2012
January 16, 2012Lectionary Scriptures for January 15th, 2012
January 9, 2012Lectionary Scriptures January 8th, 2011
January 2, 2012Lectionary Scriptures for January 1st, 2011 – Have a blessed New Year
December 28, 2011Lectionary Scripture for December 18, 2011 – Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 12, 2011Pastor’s Ponderings, Wanderings, Wonderings
November 22, 2011
This picture is of a sunset I took with my Iphone. In case you are wondering I seldom get up early enough now a days to get the beautiful sunrise pictures.
Last weeks lectionary scripture was from Matthew 25:31-46. Dust your Bible off and read it. Jesus comes and sits on His throne and gathers all the nations before Him and separates them as a shepherd would separate the sheep from the goats. The criteria for the separation was very simple. The ones on His right hand (sheep) were called to everlasting life because they gave a meal to someone who was hungry, a drink to someone who was thirsty, clothing to someone who had none, visited the sick and those in prison and welcomed a stranger. All very simple acts of help done by people because they saw or heard of someone in need. They acted in a way that Jesus approved of by just helping others. All of these very simple acts are vitally important to each of us. I would like to stress the importance of the one I listed last, welcoming a stranger. You know that old “love your neighbor” commandment that Jesus gave us. If we are good at welcoming then most likely that helping part will be a natural act for us. It is very important for us as Christian witnesses to the teachings of Jesus Christ to be open, warm, caring, giving and loving to our neighbors and strangers. Chapter 25 gives us three parables and at the end of each we see a warning of the judgement that Jesus will bring. Why not act as He suggests and make the world and eternity a much better place? Have you helped anyone including a stranger lately? He calls us to Help in simple ways.
God’s Peace and Blessings to all this Thanksgiving,
Randy
Pastor’s Ponderings, Wonderings, Wanderings
September 15, 2011In my last post I mentioned “The Lord’s Prayer” and the forgiveness it requires of us. Please read it, meditate on it and note that Jesus feels it is so important to forgive He explains the forgiveness part. This scripture was copied from the International Standard Version.
Mat 6:9 “Therefore, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
Mat 6:10 May your kingdom come. May your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Mat 6:11 Give us today our daily bread,
Mat 6:12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.
Mat 6:13 And never bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
Mat 6:14 For if you forgive people their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Mat 6:15 But if you do not forgive people their offenses, your Father will not forgive your offenses.”
Holding grudges, being spiteful, living a life where you are always ticked off at someone is not the life that brings us closer to God. Unforgiveness that we hold on to keeps us from growing spiritually and moves us in directions that God does not want us to go. Jesus knew this and gave us a daily prayer that would remind us of how important forgiveness is to us. Keep your faith walk in line with the scriptures and your walk will be in line with God’s Kingdom here on earth.
Pray this prayer like you mean it. Not just from rote memory. Jesus gave it to us because it is important and means something to each of us.
Have a blessed day by making it a day in which you practice forgiveness,
Randy
Wesley United Methodist Church, Orange TX 