Category: Uncategorized

Lesson Fifteen-Judges

http://countrysidechurchofchrist.sermon.net/main/main/21275834

Judges 8:4-21 “The Lack of Cooperation from Succoth and Peniel”

The Reverend  Reggie Webb-Edenton, NC

Advertisements

First They Came

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum quotes the following text…

“First they came …” is a poem written by the German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Hebrews 10:23 NLT

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”  

Thus we can sing: What a friend we have in Jesus” We all have a friend in Jesus when we met Him we knew He would be our friend for all eternity.  He never tires of our constantly talking to Him throughout the day.  This morning as I was dragged myself out of bed to a new day by a persistent barking dog, I thought does Jesus get tired of us with all our issues we verbally deluge Him with day after day?  Does it sound like my barking dog does to me?

Just like our furry pets whom we love regardless of their barking, I know Jesus loves us more, so much that He laid down His life for each one of us.  He calls us friends.  He loves to talk with us, he loves us just the way we our, and walks through both our challenges and joys of each day.  Hold fast to Him!!!.  He has already lifted us up at Calvary, and He is there to see us through the gates, and talk to us on the right side of heaven!  

So hit the trial everyday with the enthusiastic, playful dog who is excited to be walking with you.  Link arms and hold fast to Jesus as you talk and share how much you love Him, how much He has done in your and others lives, and your prayers and concerns you would like to put in His lap for the day. Listen as He speaks to you and shares something from His textbook for our lives with Him.

What a friend who always keeps His promises.  Hold tightly, stay on your walking path of life with Him. Hold fast!

A Parable

As I awoke this very day to expectations of bellowing world news of USA opening the American Embassy in Jerusalem with flag waving Trump support what looks like from my perch a new Trump Tower. Seems we are told the government of the US have flown evangelical leaders there to pray aloud and applaud Trump. I have not a clue why this is needful or why we lose lives. I am left with a few thoughts, “Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem. Psalms 122:6 and “…overcome evil with good.” Romans 12 :21

Do we have some readers that can nicely explain the Biblical why of the importance of a Trump Tower American Embassy relocation that calls for evangelicals showing up to pray on tax payer dollars? Is America the Good Samaritan in this story told by Jesus?

I just read headlines; “16 Palestinians killed in Gaza protests ahead of embassy opening.”

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25One day an expert in the law stood up to test Him. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26“What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?”

27He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’c and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

28“You have answered correctly,” Jesus said. “Do this and you will live.”

29But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.

31Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32So too, when a Levite came to that spot and saw him, he passed by on the other side.

33But when a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, he looked at him and had compassion. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Take care of him,’ he said, ‘and on my return I will repay you for any additional expense.’

36Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37“The one who showed him mercy,” replied the expert in the law.

Then Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10