Grace and peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ.
When we read this story we are supposed to think, in part, of the act of Holy Communion. Jesus here takes bread, blesses it, and then breaks it. Those words are also found in the Words of Institution. Jesus, in this miracle story gives the five thousand all that they need and more. Matthew tells us, 'they all ate and were satisfied.' In Communion we are filled with the sustenance we need to continue on our journey of faith. Through the body and blood of Jesus we are given what we need to carry on, we are satisfied. For that blessing, give thanks. Thank God for the food he gives us, for the strength he gives us, through Jesus, to carry on in our journey of faith. God bless you.
Pastor Josh
<><
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Matthew 14: 1-12; John the Baptist Beheaded
Grace and peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ.
When we read this story there may be a part of us that is filled with fear. John was throne into prison and has now been killed. That certainly does not bode well for all of his followers or for Jesus' followers. However, we need to look at this story and admire John's faith and courage. He receives a word from the Lord, and he shares that with those around him. Regardless of the danger it may bring to his life John speaks out against the injustices and sin he sees in the world. We should speak with that kind of boldness. There are things going on in the world that we sometimes turn a blind eye to because we are afraid of what people will say of us. When you feel that fear creeping into your heart remember John: remember the courage and faith he had; remember how he fearlessly proclaimed the words God gave him. Speak without fear. God bless you.
Pastor Josh
<><
When we read this story there may be a part of us that is filled with fear. John was throne into prison and has now been killed. That certainly does not bode well for all of his followers or for Jesus' followers. However, we need to look at this story and admire John's faith and courage. He receives a word from the Lord, and he shares that with those around him. Regardless of the danger it may bring to his life John speaks out against the injustices and sin he sees in the world. We should speak with that kind of boldness. There are things going on in the world that we sometimes turn a blind eye to because we are afraid of what people will say of us. When you feel that fear creeping into your heart remember John: remember the courage and faith he had; remember how he fearlessly proclaimed the words God gave him. Speak without fear. God bless you.
Pastor Josh
<><
Friday, September 4, 2009
Matthew 13: 53-58; A Prophet Without Honor
Grace and peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ.
"And he could not do any miracles there because of their lack of faith." We have to believe in the power of Jesus before the power of Jesus can do anythig for us in our lives. When we ask God for something but do not truly believe in our hearts that it will happen it will not happen. This does not suggest that we have some kind of hidden power of the creator of the universe. It is simply to say that we must have faith. We must believe that God can and will work in our lives before He will do so. Our faith in God, and his power, can make amazing things happen in our lives. God bless you.
Pastor Josh
<><
"And he could not do any miracles there because of their lack of faith." We have to believe in the power of Jesus before the power of Jesus can do anythig for us in our lives. When we ask God for something but do not truly believe in our hearts that it will happen it will not happen. This does not suggest that we have some kind of hidden power of the creator of the universe. It is simply to say that we must have faith. We must believe that God can and will work in our lives before He will do so. Our faith in God, and his power, can make amazing things happen in our lives. God bless you.
Pastor Josh
<><
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Grace and peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our guest preacher this Sunday will be The Reverend Ty Sybella. He will be bringing God's word to you during our morning worship service. Please come to the house of the Lord and here what God has given Ty to say. God bless you.
Pastor Josh
<><
Our guest preacher this Sunday will be The Reverend Ty Sybella. He will be bringing God's word to you during our morning worship service. Please come to the house of the Lord and here what God has given Ty to say. God bless you.
Pastor Josh
<><
Matthew 13: 47-52; The Parable of the Net
Grace and peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ.
In many of his parables Jesus offers a warning, a reminder. He reminds us that what we do here in this world does have bearing on our life in the kingdom of Heaven. Yes, we are offered salvation from Jesus. However, we have to accept that salvation and then go on to live a life worthy of the love and mercy we have been shown. It is not enough to accept what Jesus offers and then continue to live a life of sin. When we accept Jesus' salvation we are also accepting Jesus' call on us to be a holy and righteous people. Our lives need to reflect what we have been offered and what we have accepted. God bless you.
Pastor Josh
<><
In many of his parables Jesus offers a warning, a reminder. He reminds us that what we do here in this world does have bearing on our life in the kingdom of Heaven. Yes, we are offered salvation from Jesus. However, we have to accept that salvation and then go on to live a life worthy of the love and mercy we have been shown. It is not enough to accept what Jesus offers and then continue to live a life of sin. When we accept Jesus' salvation we are also accepting Jesus' call on us to be a holy and righteous people. Our lives need to reflect what we have been offered and what we have accepted. God bless you.
Pastor Josh
<><
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Matthew 13: 44-46; The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
Grace and peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ.
Imagine the excitement these two people have in their hearts when they find the treasure and the pearl. Now they are rich; now they will have everything they need and more; now they will have no more worries. How high is you excitement level knowing you have Jesus as personal Lord and savior? Through Jesus we have everything; the same as the two people who found the treasure and the pearl. We have security, salvation, riches, life, etc. All that we need, and so much more, can be found in Jesus. Does that make you leap for joy? It should. We should hold in our hearts indescribable joy because we know Jesus, the same joy our friends have when they find their treasure and pearl. God bless you.
Pastor Josh
<><
Imagine the excitement these two people have in their hearts when they find the treasure and the pearl. Now they are rich; now they will have everything they need and more; now they will have no more worries. How high is you excitement level knowing you have Jesus as personal Lord and savior? Through Jesus we have everything; the same as the two people who found the treasure and the pearl. We have security, salvation, riches, life, etc. All that we need, and so much more, can be found in Jesus. Does that make you leap for joy? It should. We should hold in our hearts indescribable joy because we know Jesus, the same joy our friends have when they find their treasure and pearl. God bless you.
Pastor Josh
<><
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Matthew 13: 36-43; The Parable of the Weeds Explained
Grace and peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ.
We will shine like the sun in the kingdom of our Father. Though we do not want to get too much into what the rewards are for our journey of faith, there is, in fact, a reward for our us. We are going to be rewarded with a place in heaven, a place in God's kingdom. All of this is not for nothing. We have the comfort and peace of knowing that someday we will be blessed with the opportunity to enter the kingdom God has prepared. We are able to do that because of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus has made it possible for us to enter the kingdom of Heaven. Through his birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension we have access to God's dwelling place. It will be a glorious day when we are all gathered there. God bless you.
Pastor Josh
<><
We will shine like the sun in the kingdom of our Father. Though we do not want to get too much into what the rewards are for our journey of faith, there is, in fact, a reward for our us. We are going to be rewarded with a place in heaven, a place in God's kingdom. All of this is not for nothing. We have the comfort and peace of knowing that someday we will be blessed with the opportunity to enter the kingdom God has prepared. We are able to do that because of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus has made it possible for us to enter the kingdom of Heaven. Through his birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension we have access to God's dwelling place. It will be a glorious day when we are all gathered there. God bless you.
Pastor Josh
<><
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)