Someplace Special
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Someplace Special
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Read 2 Timothy 4:1-5 “For I give you this charging; Preach the Word; be prepared in season; correct, rebuke, and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction “ 2 Timothy 4:2 When I was active in Alcoholics Anonymous, I was frequently called upon to be a speaker at meetings. Initially, I had no desire to speak nor did I feel qualified. When I gave my sponsor an assortment of excuses for not wanting to speak, his response was, “You have no choice. Someone gave to you and now you must give something back.” He was also very reassuring that what I had to say was important and might be of benefit to just one person. “Just tell what it was like (drunk-a-log), what happened that drew me to the conclusion that alcohol had made my life unmanageable and what it was like now.” In other words, I was being asked to witness to the power and goodness of Alcoholics Anonymous by giving a testimony of my life. I, at first did not understand what it was to give back, but I slowly came to understand that giving back meant sharing what I had been given (new life) with the hope that someone else might reap a similar reward. Admittedly, I did not always enjoy re-hashing my story, but if there was a remote possibility that it would help someone else, it had to be told. As a Christian I can see a parallel between witnessing at an AA meeting and witnessing to the activity of God through Christ in our lives. Just as witnessing at an AA meeting is not optional, the same ought to apply to witnessing to what God has done and is doing in your lives. NO EXCUSES ALLOWED. If one person comes to believe in Christ, if one person’s life is altered through your testimony, oooooooo how pleasing that will be to God. Paul charges Timothy and all who follow, “Preach the Word (witness), ….encourage –with great patience and careful instruction.” These are words for our ears and hearts. I would like to leave you with, not a prayer but the words of a song, which can be prayed. Prayer A Charge to Keep I Have “A charge to keep I have, A God to glorify, A never dying soul to save, And fit it for the sky. To serve the present age, My calling to fulfill Arm me with watchful care As in thy sight to live, And now Thy servant, Lord, Prepare a strict account to give! O let me not my trust betray, But press to realms on high. Amen. (African American Heritage Hymnal, GIA Publications, Inc., 2001. Text by Charles Wesley, 1707-1788) Pastor Billy
Read John 8:51-59 “I tell you the truth” Jesus answered, “Before Abraham was born, I am!” John 8:58 I have noticed that at times we have a tendency to over analyze things in our life. I would like you to try this when your thirsty, pour a glass of clear cool water and place it in front of yourself without taking a sip. Now take the Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary and look up and read the definitions for the following words “A glass of clear cool water”. If you can accomplish this without taking a sip of water before you’re done with the definitions you’ve done better than I had. I know from past experience that those who love me have given me a clear cool glass of water without definitions to quench my thirst and before the glass there was still water to drink. Before the coolness there was still water to drink. Before the definition was the experience of have our thirst quenched with water. Remember the source that quenches our thirst. Prayer Lord, I give thanks for the source that quenched my spiritual thirst in the Trinity and seek to share the source with all those in spiritual thirst with gratefulness to the source, “The Great I Am”. Amen Bernie Bruenn
Read Psalm 18 “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, My God , my rock in whom I take refuge.” Psalm 18:1-2b To fully appreciate this Psalm, one almost needs to read the one which precedes it, for it is in Psalm 17 that we find David crying to God to save him. David knows that if he calls upon the Lord, He WILL answer him, (Ps. 17:6) and that prayer, if it is sincere, WILL be heard. (Ps. 17:1). What we get in Psalm 18 is the proof of David’s faith, easily sensing David’s awe and gratitude. Verse after verse seems to say, “HEY, LOOK AT WHAT GOD DID FOR ME!” David makes it clear that ANYTHING is possible with God (v. 29) because only God is our Rock (v.31). As humans, we have this innate desire to cling to those things which are tangible, to what we can see, or even more, to what we can control. But face it...all those things, will, at some point, let you down. But God, THANK God!, is a rock - always the same, never changing; waiting patiently for us to call on him as David did. Waiting to save us just as he saved David. All we have to do is ask. Prayer Dear Lord, Why is it we’re still surprised when you answer our prayers. More importantly, why do we hesitate to ask? Please keep us ever mindful of your faithfulness even when OUR faithfulness wavers. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. Julie Livengood First Lutheran Church Jamestown, New York
Read John 11:45-57 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish. John 11:50 Here we have the Jews taking their concerns about Jesus to the Sanhedrin where they started to plot Jesus’ death. You see they could not get it through their heads that Jesus was not here on earth to be their earthly King but to show them and lead them to their heavenly King, of whom He, of course, was His Son. Hind sight, of course, is good for as we know they did kill Jesus and about 40 years later the nation of Israel was destroyed anyway. The Jewish leaders were all concerned about losing their power and authority to this man, Jesus, and they never realized just exactly what it was Jesus was trying to show and tell them. I feel that we Christians here on earth now are a lot like the Jews of old. Why do I say this? Because when it comes to our own personal lives we can’t or won’t give up our control to him and let him lead our lives. We need to be more like the words in one of the songs that we sing on Sunday mornings.” Here I am Lord, if you need me.” We need to say that to God every day of our lives. “Here I am Lord, use me, as you will.” That is not an easy step to make by any means but we have to start out small and do as He wishes. We will never know what God has in store for us until we do so. Attention: Warning: Pray this prayer at your own risk.!! Prayer Heavenly father, here I am use me as you will. Amen Thomas A. Gardner Sr.
Read Philippians 2:6-11 “And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:11 Our Pastor recently preached his sermon on the importance of watching for signs. He helped us to become more aware of signs and symbols we see daily. Easter is a Christian Festival that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are many different signs or symbols to describe Easter. The CROSS represents the crucifixion. EGGS represent the new life that returns to nature at Easter time. Many children believe that that the BUNNY brings the eggs In ancient Egypt, the rabbit symbolized Birth. Decorations and paintings often include a LAMB, which comes from the Jewish Passover in which the Jews sacrificed a lamb. Early Christians saw the sacrifice as a forecast of Christ’s sacrifice. Jesus means many things to different people: Jesus: To the weary, He is wonderful To the confused, counselor To the weak, Mighty God To the orphaned, Everlasting Father To the troubled, Prince of Peace.. All people should come to know Jesus. We can look for the signs and symbols to help with one another’s burdens, and show the way to Jesus. It may only take a smile, a note of encouragement, a visit, or an invitation to Church. We bear another’s burdens, we are following the ultimate example. From it, they also receive a blessing. We are initiating our Lord, who came to earth and carried the burden of our sin to the Cross so that we could be free from the power of sin and death. We can rejoice in that Christ was raised from the dead to go ahead to prepare a place for us in God’s House. He will also come again. Prayer Father, thank you for sending Jesus to carry the burden of our sins. Enable us to graciously receive help with our burdens, and to be willing to bear the burdens of other, so all people know the glory of God the Father. Thought for the Day Remember, GOAL begins with “GO”. June Taylor
Read Psalm 27 "Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me” Psalm 27:7 A Prayer of Praise Like all lyrical poetry, the Psalms express passion and desire to know God. Psalm 27 is a hymn of praise recalling the mighty works of God. In God's company there is no fear. God is always with us and is in all that exists. God alone fulfills our human desires for light, safety, inner strength, direction, companionship and protection in our daily lives. We can call out to God and speak our deepest concerns. We must learn to speak from our hearts and have faith in God's love and responsiveness. During this season of Lent we are called to go gently (and maybe not so gently) into our hearts to acknowledge the broken story/history of our own experiences and human situations. Please listen when I pray! Have pity. Answer my prayer. My heart tells me to pray. I am eager to see your face, so don't hide from me. I am your servant, and you have helped me. Don't turn from me in anger. You alone keep me safe. Don't reject or desert me. 27:7-9 Just as David trusted God, we must learn to trust that God will hear our pleas and will hold us close. God is always with us. When we do this we begin to pray and our strong desires make strong prayers. We come face to face with the greatness and glory of the loving God. This I believe: I shall see the goodness of the Lord, Be brave and strong and trust the Lord. 27:13-14 Just as David, "a man after (God's) own heart" [1Sam 13:14], was called by God, we are called by God to live life as it was meant to be. The Good News of Jesus brings us into full communion with God. Let us learn to pray and to pray often with a sense of hope and wonder! Prayer O Lord, you are my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in you for I know you will help. Amen. Linda Jewett St Ambrose Roman Catholic Church
Read John 13: 36-38 "Simon Peter said to Jesus,' Lord, where are you going?' Jesus replied, 'Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but one day you will.' Peter said, 'Lord, why cannot I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.' Jesus answered, 'Will you indeed lay down your life for me" I tell you in very truth, before the cock crows you will have denied me three times." John 13:36-38 Have you ever denied yourself something, like that extra piece of chocolate? Have you ever outright denied knowing someone, perhaps out of fear or prejudice? A witness during a trial may deny knowing the accused for fear of reprisal. Have you ever looked into the eyes of Christ and turned away? Denial...Betrayal... two very strong reactions, and from two of Jesus' trusted friends and followers. Peter denied knowing Christ - why? Perhaps out of fear of being arrested and put to death himself. Judas betrayed Jesus - why? We are told it was for thirty pieces of silver - in other words, pure greed. And yet, these actions on the part of Peter and Judas are part of the Holy Week story, God's plan that His most beloved Son should first suffer and die in order to be raised in glory on Easter morning! Prayer Gracious God, the comfort of all who sorrow, the strength of all who suffer; Let the cry of those in misery and need come to you, that they may find your mercy present with them in all their afflictions; and give us, we pray, the strength to serve them for the sake of him who suffered for us, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 279) Judy Elliott, St. Simon's Church |
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