Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

"Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;  
rebuke a wise man, and he will love you."
(Proverbs 9:8)

Reflection:

I dont know about you, but I just hate to be told that I'm wrong about
something. I really have to hold back getting angry and letting my
feelings get hurt.  I have some pretty wise children, they were a
definite gift from God.  They are often right, and more than willing to let
me know when I am wrong.  Oh my ego gets so bruised and I sulk,
and become moody.  But often times later I'm glad I listened and put
some of those feelings in check.  Why?  because what was
actually said did help me.  Proverbs 9:12 says, "If you are wise, you
are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you will bear it alone."  
Throughout my years as a pastor, I have realized this very important
truth>  the person who was wise and accepted correction certainly
found personal blessings.  Those who scoffed reaped pain and grief.

Prayer:

Lord, I pray for wisdom, not to be right, but to be accepting.
May I always be willing to accept the fact that I can be wrong.
THANK YOU GOD FOR BEING GOD!
In Jesus Name Amen

Scripture:

When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. - Matthew 8:1-3.

Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’ - Matthew 19:13-14.

Reflection:

One very important thing that really pops out at me with these two scriptures, it is the approachability of
Jesus Christ.  Even those who were considered the lowest of lows in Hebrew society, lepers and children,
could come to Christ knowing that he cared for them.  Doesn't this make you wonder how approachable
you are to people, especially those in need.  I mean I have to ask myself, Am I following the example of
of the Lord?  Would I talk to a leper, let alone touch him.  I remember when aids was first diagnosed
and the attitudes people had to people inflicted with that terrible disease. As it turned out I was asked to
do my seminary internship on a aids unit.  I sure learned something about approachability.
How approachable are you? Would any of these “unclean” people be allowed to visit in your home? Would any of these people be able to talk with you outside of your home? Would any of these people be able to call you and talk with you by telephone? Would you even allow any of these people to communicate with you by email? Before the spiritually sick will be healed we must allow them to have contact with us. We must be approachable. Are you?


Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you that i can always come to you, I can always count on you,
may all feel the same about me.  May I alway be approachable.THANK YOU GOD FOR
BEING GOD.      In Jesus Name Amen.

Scripture:


    Don't be surprised at this. A time is coming when all people
    that are dead and in their graves will hear his voice. Then
    they will come out of their graves. The people that did good
    in this life will rise and have life forever. But the people
    that did evil will rise to be judged guilty.

                            -- John 5:28-29 (ERV)

Reflection:

You know I remember when I was a kid, and I would be outside playing with
my friends.  As it got late in the evening, I would hear my mother's voice
calling me home. I would return home, waiting for me was
a wonderful dinner, TV, pajamas, and sleep in my warm bed. Today's
verse reminds me of that experience.  I can't wait to go home. I
believe God's voice will be powerful, majestic, and exciting.  I'm
ready to go home. I'm ready for Christ voice to call me home. There
will be some people who will view God's voice with fear and
trembling.  There will be some who have done what is evil, for them
His voice will be mighty and terrifying.   How will you hear His
voice?

Prayer:

Lord, it is my prayer that I live my life ready to be called home.
I pray that I live my life doing good, helping others, loving others,
caring for others.  I love you lord, and I look forward to hearing
Your voice calling me home.  THANK YOU GOD FOR BEING GOD!
In Jesus Name Amen!

"Betrayal"

Scripture: 

 
"Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, approached the chief priests 
with an offer to hand Jesus over to them. They were delighted to 
hear it, and promised to give him money; and he looked for a way 
of betraying him when the opportunity should occur" (Mk. 
14:10-11). 
 
Reflection: 
 
I was watching TV the other night and was interested in watching something 
on ABC's Prime Time, actually there was something on all three networks, 
It was called the "Gospel of Judas" and I admit it peaked my interest.  
Apparently there has been a discovery of an ancient papyrus that talks about 
Judas, one of the followers of Jesus Christ. Somehow the conclusion was 
drawn that Judas did not betray, Jesus Christ. There is no doubt about it, 
Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' closest followers, betrayed the Lord for money. 
There is an important reason for this account of betrayal. For me I can  
identify with Judas. First of all Judas made a decision to be a follower 
of Jesus, I have also made this decision. As Judas I follow the teachings 
and I follow the spirit of Christ. Also Judas made a decision to betray Jesus 
Christ, unfortunately there are times when I betray Christ. I'm not talking 
about the wrong word used, or the admiration of a beautiful woman, etc. 
I'm talking about real betrayal, when I put money or things before the Lord, 
when I see a homeless person in need and do nothing, when I do not love 
my neighbor or my enemy, when I do not turn the other cheek, when I 
show no compassion for others, when their are people who are starving  
and I do nothing, when I am not a peacemaker but a war maker, when I watch  
babies die and don't care, and finally when I don't love, I don't hate, but I just 
don't care. That's when I, like Judas, betray my Lord. How about you, 
 
Prayer: 
 
Lord, thank You for Your grace and love. Help me to be a better person, and 
a better Christian. Lord I want to follow You and no one else. Help me not 
to betray You, but to embrace You. Help me not to follow others, or people 
who interpret You, but to follow You and Your teachings. Lord let me serve 
You and serve others. THANK GOD FOR BEING GOD! 
In Jesus Name Amen. 

Scripture:

"I was born for this; to bear witness to the truth" (John 18:37).

(Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Psalms 31:2,6,12-13,15-17,25;
Hebrews 4:14-16;5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42)


Reflection:

Good Friday- If I may I would like to tell you what Good Friday means to me.
On Good Friday I stand at the foot of the Cross of Jesus Christ and I see God's
love, I see "Agape", pure unconditional love.  I am humbled to believe that
before me is the Son of God who has given the ultimate sacrifice.  He has
given his life for you and me.  I feel such love and such deep, deep, faith.
My response to this love is that of repentance. I feel such a desire to tell
Christ of all the wrongs, all the terrible deeds, all the sins that I have done.
As the scripture writers tell us, I take an honest look at how I have hurt my-
self and how I've hurt others, and I have done this many times.  I atone myself
not to do those sins anymore, and to thank God for His forgiveness. I believe in
a Christ who was mocked, humiliated, tortured, and nailed on a cross, and
through all of this asked his Father to forgive them.  You see thats what Good
Friday means to me, unconditional love, sacrifice, and forgiveness.  My friends
open your lives to the meaning of the cross, there are people who need you.
Serve the cross of Christ, don't let the cross be a symbol in your life of
execution and death, but a very real meaning in your life of love, sacrifice,
and forgiveness. BY SERVING GOD, SERVE YOURSELF, AND SERVE
OTHERS.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank You for Your sacrifice, thank You for that love, and thank
You for Your forgiveness.  May I take that love, sacrifice, and forgiveness
and worship You and serve others. THANK YOU GOD FOR BEING GOD!!!!
In Jesus name amen.  
­

TRUTH

IS NOT WHAT I BELIEVE.

           TRUTH

           IS FACT.
I MAY NOT BELIEVE IT.
THAT DOES NOT CHANGE IT.
IT IS THERE NEVERTHELESS,
WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED AND BELIEVED.

           TRUTH

DOES NOT DEPEND ON THE
UNSETTLED, CHANGING OPINIONS OF MEN.
IT WAS TRUTH BEFORE IT WAS BELIEVED.
      IT REMAINS TRUTH
  WHETHER I BELIEVE IT OR NOT.
REASON DOES NOT ORIGINATE OR CREATE-
      IT MERELY DISCOVERS IT.
CONSEQUENTLY, REASON IS NOT A SOURCE.

          TRUTH

    GOES BACK BEYOND REASON.

SANCTIFY THEM THROUGH THY TRUTH:  THY WORD IS TRUTH.
                         (JOHN: 17:17)