LivingStones Body of Christ Church of God

 

“not me – but Thee”

this week as we look into the Scriptures we find the Lord, calling and sending Jeremiah. Come & go and there I will let you hear my words... and then the word of the Lord came to him, “can I not do with you, just as this potter has done? Just like the clay in the potters hand, so are you in my hand... one moment I may declare that I will pluck up and break down and destroy and another moment I may declare I will build and plant... but if you will not listen to my voice, then I will change my mind about the good that I had intended to do”... here we see that the potter as well as YHWH can destroy their own creations at will... but notice that YHWH's threat is conditional – repentance/obedience will induce YHWH to build and plant instead of destroying... so too is ours – conditional - if we don't like what we see, just like the potter, we destroy or start over... but just like the spoiled vessel can and is reshaped into another vessel, we must use caution in our reshaping of our visions, is it in sync with Christ's teachings, is it from the Potter Himself, or us... don't forget Christ was and is available to everyone of us, it is us who must take the time to be with HIM...

this Psalm like all great poetry – challenges human thought and experience, often disorienting even as it profoundly discloses unmistakeable truth... clearly the Psalmist is speaking of God's intimate and complete knowledge of and dealings with every human being... not just a select few and certainly not just whom ever we wish... but every human being... literally... and in vs 13-17 we find the poet moves from cosmic inclusiveness to personal intimacy... “You have searched me and You Know” God knows everything - nothing is hidden, not even the deepest recesses of the mind or imagination...

in Paul’s letter to Philemon we find him giving thanks to God for his love for all the saints and his faith toward, the Lord, he also prays that he is sharing his faith and it become effective and that he perceive all the good he can do for and through Christ... Paul goes on to say he has received much joy and encouragement from his love... do we find ourselves bringing others joy and encouragement or are we breaking them down, expecting them to be something different than they are... expecting them to take the same roads we take, make the same decisions or even worse, reflecting us over Christ's very own command to you to do your duty... all to often we do not – but let us always be found uplifting, loving and bringing great joy to one another... and let us always do in with and from the Love of Christ that is within each of us... I love this part.... “so if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me” here too we find Spiritual Truth's... Christ tells us we are friends, and if so we welcome all... not just some, not just who we wish, but all who come...

and finally from Luke, “whoever comes to me – cannot be my disciple, otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish – so therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions”... I know this sounds and probably looks chopped up... but hear me out... when we get out of our own way - letting our own bias's and hard hardheartedness – go – only then will we begin to realize – what a Blessing we can be to others – when Christ is our only foundation... only then will we complete the work set before us, “the harvest is plentiful and the laborer’s few”... so let me ask... are we always - reflecting the love of Christ in our daily lives – and are we willing to share that with – everyone or only a select few... and have we given up everything or are we still hanging on to our own stuff, our own resources or are we truly dependent on Christ

 

Rev. Terry J. McGuire

A Foundation of Faith:
Here is something that came to me when preparing for this weeks Spiritual Reflections, on a Foundation & Faith: “Faith is Believing so much so that your willing to bet your very life on it”... throughout the Scriptures Christ had a lot to say about and on Faith, and the Foundations He would be giving us as examples... a strong Foundation is built upon a Rock – for me and I pray for you – that Christ is that Rock. There is nothing – hear me well – there is nothing we can build without a true foundation - that will last... only when we build on the solid foundation Christ has laid before us can or will we succeed or last...
What is a Foundation?
Here is some of what the Scriptures & Joel Gregory had to say about THE CHURCH: & BUILDING ON THE ROCK - THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH (MATTHEW 16:13–22)
In the latter part of His ministry Jesus observed a series of retreats with the Twelve. On the last of these retreats His purpose was to discern whether or not the Twelve understood Him and His mission. This last retreat ended at Caesarea Philippi, a northern Gentile city which housed the oldest and newest centers of pagan worship. The god of nature, Pan, was worshipped in a cave at this site. More recently, a shining white marble temple had been built for the worship of Caesar. In the midst of these idolatries, old and new, Peter confessed of Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16). This confession became the foundation of the church.
“I say to you, that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). The confession of the godhead of Jesus Christ constitutes the foundation of His church. The first row of living stones on that foundation are the apostles and the prophets (Eph. 2:20). Did Peter have an exclusive place of prominence? Not so, exclaimed Martin Luther: “All Christians are Peters on account of the confession Peter here makes, which is the rock on which Peter and all Peters are built.”
Christ’s relationship to the church is one of construction: “I will build.” We do not build His church. Wherever the church truly grows, it is the work of Christ Himself. He is the great Head who vitalizes His body. Christ’s construction of the church spans all time, for He builds the church in every generation. His building of the church embraces each individual local assembly and all churches together.
Christ’s relationship to His church is one of possession: “My church.” The only owner of the local congregation or the whole assembly of the worldwide church is Jesus Christ. No pastor, hierarchy, or denomination owns the church.
Christ’s activity through His church is that of confrontation with His enemies: “the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” The demonic powers of the unseen world of spiritual evil will not be too strong for the church. The hell-gates will pour out demonic hosts to assault the Lord’s church, but she will not be overthrown. Rather the triumphant church will assault the defenses of hell itself with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHURCH (1 PETER 2:4, 5) as found in the Scriptures:
“Coming to Him as to a living stone. . . you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” The Lord Jesus Christ in the confession of His deity provides the great foundation stone of the church. That foundation stone is not lifeless or static. He is a “living stone.” Each individual believer who comes in contact with this vital foundation becomes likewise a living stone. Contact with Him leads to life.
Upon this foundation, God builds the church as a spiritual house or temple. Jesus considered His body as the temple where God and man meet: “Destroy this temple and I will raise it in three days” (John 2:19). The church on earth has become the body of Christ: “Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16). The church as a collective body is the temple in which God’s Spirit dwells. All Christians together form a colossal temple of the ages. The Old Testament temple was local, material, and limited to one time and place. Jesus’ church as a temple is universal, spiritual, and for all times and places.
Christians are not only living stones in a new temple, but are also priests in that temple. In the Old Testament, priests were selected men who served only at designated times in the sacred places of the temple. In the New Testament church, all believers are serving as priests at all times and in all places. It may be said of Christians in the church, “you are . . . a royal priesthood” (1 Pet. 2:9). The tearing of the veil of the temple at the death of Christ made all the world a sacred enclosure, where every act of the believer is a priestly act.
Serving within the temple of the church, believer-priests bring spiritual sacrifices. The Old Testament worshiper brought animal, vegetable, and liquid sacrifices to a material temple. The New Testament church calls for a spiritual sacrifice. This includes the bodies of believers presented as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1). In the temple which is the church, we bring sacrifices of praise, benevolent deeds, and sharing (Heb. 13:15, 16). All of these sacrifices are acceptable to God only through the merits of our great Sacrifice, the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 2:5).
Thus the first business of the church is worship. Worship is the fountainhead and mainspring of everything the church does. The church is a temple in which each believer as a priest offers spiritual sacrifices. Everything else the church does flows from that worship. Activity, evangelism, mission, and education are all streams that flow from spiritual worship. Worship is human ascription of worth to God, not for humans’ sake, but for God’s sake. Such fellowship with God results in fellowship among members. The fellowship among members yields service for Christ in the world. Thus, on the foundation stone of the believer’s confession of His deity, Christ builds the church which will win the world for His name.

So What Is Faith?
The book of Hebrews characterizes faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
The Meaning of Faith as found in the Scriptures:
11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faitha our ancestors received approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.b
Righteousness through Faith
21 But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christd for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonemente by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; 26 it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.f
27 Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.


The Scriptures goes on to tell us about - Living by Faith
16 So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, 18 because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
5 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling— 3 if indeed, when we have taken it offa we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
6 So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.

In the Analysis
Hebrews first calls faith "the assurance of things hoped for." This means that faith has been awakened by the promises of an eternal inheritance, yet it also recognizes that people have not fully received the salvation that God promises. The faithful have not yet arrived in the kingdom of God. They live in hope that God will bring God's purposes to completion in the future. Second, Hebrews says that faith is the conviction or, more literally, the "proof" or "evidence" of things not seen. Normally we assume that faith requires proof, not that faith is proof. People ordinarily believe because there is evidence that something is true. Here Hebrews makes a startling reversal by saying that faith itself is proof of an unseen power. People do not generate faith; it must be created by God. Just as the world was called into existence by God's unseen word (11:3), faith itself is called into being by God's invisible word. Therefore, when people believe, there is evidence that they are moved by something beyond themselves. By awakening faith, the invisible God gives evidence of God's own power.

In Romans 10: 8-15 it say's:
8 But what does it say?
“The word is near you,
on your lips and in your heart”
(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 becauseb if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11 The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13 For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
14 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15 And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Law or Faith – some continue to fight over the Scriptures and their meanings – what applies and to who – here we find some help in Romans...
(Cp Rom 4:1–25)
3 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly exhibited as crucified! 2 The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? 4 Did you experience so much for nothing?—if it really was for nothing. 5 Well then, does Goda supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? (And did you hear it from, Spirit or Man)
6 Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” 7 so, you see, those who believe are the descendants of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, declared the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the Gentiles shall be blessed in you.” 9 For this reason, those who believe are blessed with Abraham who believed.
10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law; for “The one who is righteous will live by faith.”b 12 But the law does not rest on faith; on the contrary, “Whoever does the works of the lawc will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Another foot note I found:

The weak Christian does not yet understand and practice freedom in Jesus Christ. Jewish believers, raised under the law of Moses, had a difficult time adjusting to their new life. Conscience becomes strong as we accept what God says about us in the Word and act on it by faith. However, it takes time for conscience to develop, and we must be patient with one another.

 

And finally here are some more of my thoughts on the Scripture readings today:

In Isaiah right from the very first word... If – here we find we are required to do something, remove the yoke from among you... remove the oppressions we and others set on others, rules regulations and our set of dogmatic conditions for fellowship in and with Christ... for the Lord will guide you continually, “and you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach,” standing in the gap – reaching those still left out – those not invited here, you simply don't belong, I pray we don't ever find ourselves in that position, that we remember our own sufferings and how Christ has truly set us free, and let us be found uplifting others beyond ourselves to see a brighter future ahead for them and ultimately for us too... are what we are doing built on the foundations that Christ laid or ourselves, will it last past us... when we do for others the reward is so much more than we ever give out... let us not be found doing our own ways or serving our own interest, or pursing our own affairs; but Gods ways and that of others over our own. All to often we can get entrapped doing or serving the community around us that we forget what truly delights the Lord and find ourselves pursuing our own ideas, interest, and service that we lose our focus and who ultimately is in charge – so are we allowing the Lord to feed us so that we may feed others?

In our Psalm reading today we find we can have confidence in our Lord, for it is He who is our stronghold, our rock, our deliverer, who has truly set us free... even now you sustain us...

And so what we are instructed by Christ to do? What is Christ doing with - in and through your lives, what Foundation will we trust and build upon? And finally is it built by Faith... and in Hebrews we find “You have not come to something that can be touched” this tells me we are set out, instituted, and initiated by and for Christ... not of ourselves, not others... God is the judge of all, and it is God who makes each of us perfect in Christ who speaks a better word... the “Better Word” is his message of true and lasting remission of sin - “yet once more” - is better translated 'once for all time' Used also for Christ's definitive sacrifice, the word – implies not an alteration but a definitive removal of the created order 'what can not be shaken' are those abiding realities, the heavenly 'rest' “so what cannot be shaken may remain” we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable Worship with reverence & awe;” so where is your Faith – what is your Foundation? And finally in Luke, let us too be found rejoicing in all the wonderful things he is doing with, in and through our very lives. What Foundation will you trust in... is it built on and by Faith? Throughout the Scriptures we are instructed over and over again to live by Faith, so who are you building a Foundation of Faith on and with and are you willing to bet your very life on it...

Rev. Terry J. McGuire

 

 

right off the bat we find all is vanity... simply vanity... I did however find encouraging Scripture in Ecclesiastes 5:19 and this is what it had to say... “Likewise all to whom God gives wealth and possessions and whom He enables to enjoy them, and to accept their lot and find enjoyment in their toil – this is the gift of God”... now not all of us will find true enjoyment in what we are doing with our lives, some will come and go in and out of each day, wishing for something better, wishing it was different... I am here to tell you it can be... I have always been blessed to do what I wanted, when I wanted, and again for most who truly know me... none of it is or was my doing... I truly believe it has always been God's gift to me – each and every step of the way... so many times - jobs or situations have been so over my head, but God always – always makes certain that I do not fail... even when it may appear that way to others... not so... even now I love what I get to do... here in our own community, and how ever far this Ministry reaches; again it is not me... Sometimes we can find ourselves in a rut and no where to turn, I tell you turn to Christ... God will show you too that in your journey there can be great joy in what lye’s ahead of you... after all is said and done... Truth & Love are the only things that endures the test of time, if we are truly Loving one another as we have been loved – everything else is indeed vanity and no longer important...

our Psalm reading today is usually described as a wisdom Psalm and there are similarities with the wisdom Books both in theme and vocabulary, nevertheless, it is included with the Psalter and my have been sung within the liturgy in post excilic times; and here again we find a Spiritual Truth; “we can never ransom ourselves, or deliver to God the price of our life; for the ransom of our life is so great, that we should never have enough to pay it,” we can not save ourselves or others for that matter, let no one deceive you of otherwise... or by saying follow me, I will show you the way, - it is not me, that’s for sure – there is but ONE we must follow – its none other than Christ Himself... He has set example we all must follow...

in our Epistle reading we see that we are hidden with Christ in God. If believers have been raised, then our concern must be with 'above' not 'below'... Paul’s intentions here was not to exclude involvement with society, but to prohibit acceptance of its values, Believers no longer 'belong to the world' the action of grace must be seen if the Gospel is to spread, and without Trust there can be no community... “can others see the Christ in you” or are they simply seeing only you...

and finally in the Gospel reading; “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” here we find our own personal responsibility to be on guard, no one can do it for us... and all to often we get entrapped by possessions in our lives, chasing so many dreams, of just that... more – more – more; Only to find out in the end you take nothing with you – absolutely nothing... so are we after a temporal or eternal inheritance, Temporal is just that – anyone can take it from you – Eternal – no one can, here again I am reminded that nothing can separate us from the Love of God... so if we are seeking God with all our hearts, minds and souls – no earthly Kingdom or inheritance will do – not even temporarily – not for me & I pray not for you either... Love is the one thing no one can take away – ever – we may no longer be with one another, but our love for one another survives even us... only through Christ who first loved us and taught us how to love God and each other, so are we after something temporal or eternal? Even in our quest for our Eternal inheritance – let us not get side tracked by thinking we can earn it – by the activities we fill our lives with – on the contrary – Christ is more interested in our relationships with Him and not the stuff we fill our lives with doing, all in the name of religion or Faith; it isn't about works – doing things, stuff, or collecting and gathering stuff, or people to ourselves, it is however an overflow of our relationship with Christ that overflows into our lives as we embrace those around us – just like Christ did, without reservations of – circumstance – substance – or even if its repayable - “I” is left out of the process of how it might benefit us or how might others see us... Once we are in communion with Christ our other relationships with each other start reflecting Christ in us and not of ourselves – others begin to see and recognize Christ for themselves, and start building a relationship of ever lasting promise – with the only ONE through whom we all can have an eternal inheritance... May it always be so... AMEN...

Rev. Terry J. McGuire

even as I prepared for today, I found myself conflicted about the sources of the information (the New Interpreters Bible, notes and the Oxford Bible Commentary and of course my very own interpretations) not that they are wrong or I for searching for clarity of what the Scriptures mean; to me – to us, and how will they apply for us still today… To often we can find ourselves following others interpretations of them instead of the Holy Spirits guiding us as to what we need to learn from the, what applies to us, individually and collectively, so that we continue to grow in our relationships with God and each other…

just as in Genesis we can find ourselves crying out; to God for help, but also to condemn or to point out or wrongly naming another's transgressions… all to often we find these very Scriptures’ used against us, and most of the Commentaries and Seminaries teach that it was a sin of an in-hospitable people & of injustice, both social and economical injustices and oppressions… so we too must be cautious of who we treat as unwelcomed, with injustices, both socially and economically… We also see the compassion of YHWH to listen even change His mind, because of Abrahams petitions for mercy, even for fewer and fewer individuals who may be found righteous… the commentary had this to say “suppose, Abraham reminds YHWH of His duty as universal judge, to deal justly – equitably – remarkable is YHWH’s readiness to listen and even modify His intentions” Abraham had absolutely nothing to gain by his request… but in doing so YHWH found favor and took a wait and see approach…

our Psalms reminding us to give Thanks – for the Lord does care so deeply for each and everyone of us and the Lord will make good His purpose for me & for you, for His Love endures for-ever…

and in Colossians we find it opening with Thanksgiving too… and here is some of what the commentary had to say: “The original commitment of the Colossians was to the Christ as Jesus the Lord, Jesus is the Truth of Christ (Eph. 4:21) His historicity is fundamental to salvation. Through Christ the whole body of flesh the entire framework of habits and desires opposed to God has been removed. (v11 cf v18) This is true only in theory; it must be made real in practice & is necessary for baptism to be a dying and rising with Christ… God in His generosity, forgave the fault and cancelled the debt… v8 let no one condemn you… the being of a Christian is to belong to Christ… through death in Christ they have been freed from religious perspectives of fallen humanity, but – they will return to a state of slavery if they again accept the values and standards of society”… and so we must see to it NO ONE takes us captive – through philosophy and empty deceit – here again I am inspired by the Spirit to let the Spirit lead, teach and guide, over any of man’s translations, commentaries or rules of denominations or dogmatisms or traditions' set out by others… We too must use caution on our own set of rules, interpretations and condemnations of ourselves, & others…

and finally in Luke we learn how we are to Pray & Instructions' for asking for what we need… daily… many don’t get – simply – because they do not ask…

Rev. Terry J. McGuire

Today is Independence Day here in America, July the 4th, 2010, and as we celebrate our independence, let us also be mindful of our inter-dependence on GOD & each other…. for us who live in what others call the land of the Free, let us also be mindful of how others take away our freedoms, our rights to liberty and the pursuit of happiness – reminding us that true freedom comes not from man or man’s laws, but through Christ – let us boldly proclaim our FREEDOM in Christ… and let no one take it from you… sure we like to think independently – but independence only comes from inter-dependence on others… following the same rules & guidelines set out for our independence, our freedom… last week we talked about our freedom in Christ – this week we will look at our Devotion to Christ and how we are ALL United in Christ’s Church – sure we all can go by other names, denominations' and reach other people – but collectively we are all still devoted to Christ… and by loving God and each of you, our neighbor… we keep all the Commandments…

from 2 Kings we find a young captive girl – sharing her faith – with her captor’s – so who are you setting an example to by our actions – our faith? more often than not, we never know who watches us from a distance or who’s lives we have affected along the way… also I found the Kings letters to each other to be interpretive, let us not get confused ourselves or deceive ourselves, in our own mis-understandings along the way – in our conversations with each other, let us always be mindful to look at the whole story, the whole situation, the whole conversation, and then let us be mindful that it is only through Christ we are able at all… to do the work set before us… 7 in the Scriptures often represent perfection… also let us not be found so proud and wanting things our way that we become offended by our own expectations of someone else’s actions, perception – often we need to change our own lenses… and only then can we truly listen to the Word of God with open eyes, open minds & open hearts and thereby begin to experience the freedoms of true independence - we have been blessed with through Christ…

even the Psalm today seeing & hear liberation: so be joyful in God, all you lands; this spoke volumes to me, “denominations, congregations, fellowships, groups of people – cast-a ways’, and others left behind, each can sing so be joyful in full knowledge of God’s almighty Blessings on and through each of you… God’s Grace covers you, covers me… so let us always be found rejoicing – we have been rescued and delivered – our Salvation secured in and through Christ… “Bless our God, you peoples; make the voice of his praise to be heard;” what is your witness, what will you share with others, Thankfully it is our Lord who holds our very souls so tenderly close to him that we will not slip away from him…

in the Epistle – instructions for living in community, we are addressed as Christ himself has called us: “My Friends” - so what is the law of Christ. the notes in my Bible had this to say: the Spirit enables the believer to live out the principle of love, thus fulfilling the law without observing its requirements:… we are also reminded that for those who are nothing think they are something, they are only deceiving themselves. we must All test our own work; rather than that of our neighbor's, we all must carry our own loads. for we will reap what we sow. so let us always be found not giving up & working for the good of all… and let us never boast of anything except Christ, for through him we are created a new, each one crucified to and through him…

and finally in our Gospel reading Luke, the mission and emphasis on our utter dependence on God…  “Go your way… the harvest plentiful, but the laborers few”… we must always be certain it is the Lords Calling to us to GO – then we can be the blessing that is intended through us to others and because it is HE who has sent us HE also will provide for every need, every word, every tool you will need along the way – today and everyday, especially when we are bringing Glory to God with and through our very lives… and Christ goes on to say - “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me. - nothing will hurt you, – for I AM with you always – so let us rejoice for our names are written in heaven”… AMEN…

 

Rev. Terry J. McGuire