Wesley United Methodist Church, Orange TX

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