but my words

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Revelation 20:1-4, 11 -- 21:2 Psalm 84:3-6, 8 Luke 21:29-33

Luke 21:33  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Times can be troubling.  We fear change; change of culture, change of government, health, even life and death. When Jesus says that Heaven and earth will pass away, I believe that he is saying there will be new rulers and new cultures, but the truths of the Kingdom of God are timeless and do not depend on the rulers of this world.  We can rest in his Word because it transcends this world.  It is eternally true.  His kingdom is not of this world and there for lives on regardless of this worlds folly.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to rest in your Words.  Help me to not get too wrapped up in hope in earthly rulers, nor get do dismayed by them.

Amen

ypu will be hated

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Revelation 15:1-4 Psalm 98:1-3, 7-9 Luke 21:12-19

Luke 21:17  you will be hated by all for my name's sake.

It has often been mentioned that the USA is looked down upon by the rest of the world.  Well, maybe that is a good thing.  Maybe it is a good thing when people look down on us because of our Christian faith.  Maybe it is a good thing when they look down on us because we oppose abortion and euthanasia and embryonic stem cell research.

Jesus said that when they hate you for my name sake, then you are blessed.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to stay true to your teaching, mercy and grace rather than seek the approval of non- believers. Help me in the face of persecution.

Amen

he will judge the peoples with equity

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Revelation 14:14-19 Psalm 96:10-13 Luke 21:5-11

Psalm 96:10  Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns! Yea, the world is established, it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity."

Politicians will promise fairness and equity, but they do not have the power or the righteousness to deliver it.  If they deny God and his righteousness, if they extract the Gospel from their lives and policy making, then they have no hope of bringing fairness and equity.  Only God can do that, because the world is his and everything in it.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to seek fairness and equity only through your grace and mercy.  Help me not to get caught up in the empty promises of others who deny you.

Amen

No one could learn that song

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Revelation 14:1-5 Psalm 24:1-6 Luke 21:1-4

Revelation 14:3  and they sing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the earth.

It is disturbing to me just how much the churches today are trying to be like the culture in order to get new people to come to their church.  The music is even becoming more and more like the music of the culture, even to the point where you can't tell if it is Christian music or not.

The Bible says that when we are redeemed we will sing a new song, that the others can't learn.  They don't get it.  They can't because they don't understand God's grace, so their music is just like all the others.

As Christians we are called to lead the people out of this world, not fall back into it ourselves.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always seek to sing songs of praise to you and not to sing songs that will titillate the unwashed.  Help me to be true the you and to the faith.

Amen

a den of robbers

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Revelation 10:8-11 Psalm 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131 Luke 19:45-48

Luke 19:46  saying to them, "It is written, `My house shall be a house of prayer'; but you have made it a den of robbers."

Today we have to constantly battle the temptation for worship to become a form of entertainment.  Not just the worship service itself, but all the merchandising that goes on today.  When did it become OK to charge for the Gospel?  Sure we can say that we are only covering our costs, but the life styles of some of the people might indicate otherwise.  What if we truly gave the Gospel to people.  I think that it is great to have good music in worship and to have well written books and papers to enlighten and encourage us, but when we have to pay for it we are on the edge.  It is one thing for a choir to be voluntary and give their best, but if they charge for their performance then I have to wonder.  Now certainly there are those that give the money to charity, but then take a collection rather than charge admission.  As for the books and other stuff, I realize there are expense in these things, but maybe we can give the money for it to happen.  Maybe the books don't have to be top sellers in the nation.  Maybe they can encourage a smaller group and others can encourage other smaller groups.  This temptation to be big and influential is what concerns me.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to seek to be an encourager to others but not to take pay for my services, whatever they may be.  Help us as your church to seek to be honest and sincere in what we do and not to do it for profit.

Amen

now they are hid from your eyes

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Revelation 5:1-10 Psalm 149:1-6, 9 Luke 19:41-44

Luke 19:42  saying, "Would that even today you knew the things that make for peace! But now they are hid from your eyes.

What are the things that make peace?  Not military strength, not economic freedom, but It is righteousness.  These other things may give the appearance of peace, but they haven't proven true yet.  True everlasting peace only comes when we are at peace with God through the righteousness of Jesus Christ.  But we continue to seek this peace through other means.

Has that led us to be blinded?  Is there hope that we can one day see the truth again?

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to seek always your righteousness.  Help me to not put my trust in earthly means but in spiritual means.

Amen

every one who has will more be given

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Revelation 4:1-11 Psalm 150:1-6 Luke 19:11-28

Luke 19:26  `I tell you, that to every one who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

This is a troubling and difficult verse.  It kind of contradicts our Christian instincts.  But, maybe our instincts our misguided.  We tend to think that we must give to those who have nothing and take from those who have plenty, but here Jesus seems to be saying the opposite.  It almost sounds worldly to take form those who have little and give to those who have plenty.

I think it is not a matter so much of what we have, but what we are doing with what we have that is the issue.  Jesus also says to whom much is given much is required.  We must keep in mind that what we have is God's and not ours. The distribution isn't so much the issue, but the thanks and respect that we have for the blessings from God is.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always give you thanks and praise for all my blessings and treat them with the highest regard.  Help me to grow your kingdom through love and charity rooted in thanksgiving.

Amen

renounce all

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Acts 28:11-16, 30-31 Psalm 98:1-6 Matthew 14:22-33

Matthew 14:33  So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

We have a tendency to think that we can take on the challenges of life with what we have, our money, our knowledge, our friends...  The truth is we can't count on these to be enough to take on the major issues, life and death.  God alone is the author and sustainer of life, and through Christ alone we have our salvation.

So, we must renounce all that we have.  That means that we need to realize that it is not enough for us and we must seek God above all other things.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to look to you for my life.  Help me to not fall into the trap of depending on what I think that I have.

Amen

he will separate them

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Sirach 26:1-3, 15-18, 24 (Vulgate) or 1 Timothy 5:3-10 Psalm 31:4-5, 8-9, 20, 24-25 Matthew 25:31-40

Matthew 25:32  Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats,

We there is a brand of Christianity that intends to give mercy and grace to everybody, especially those who are not faithful or repentant. The Bible seems to imply that God will separate the good from the bad and will bless the good. How then do we understand mercy and grace?

The key I believe is repentance.  If we repent and seek Christ as our savior, then he will respond with mercy and grace.  It isn't just doing good, but it is doing good in Christ.

We then too must discern between those who will pretend to do good but deny Christ as their savior and those who will seek Christ and repent from their sins.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to seek both to do good and to seek your righteousness in all things.  Help me to always realize that you are my Lord.

Amen

And this is love

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

2 John 4-9 Psalm 119:1-2, 10-11, 17-18 Luke 17:26-37

2 John 1:6  And this is love, that we follow his commandments; this is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you follow love.

If we say we love someone we must be willing to act in a certain way that is pleasing and/or beneficial to them.  We have to be willing to listen and think about someone else ahead of ourselves. 

But this in and of itself is not enough. We have to follow His commandments.  God alone know perfect righteousness and true love will be in obedient to him.  We can only love his people if we obey God.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to have a heart to obey you and to love others through that obedience.

Amen

do not follow them.

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Philemon 7-20 Psalm 146:7-10 Luke 17:20-25

Luke 17:23  And they will say to you, `Lo, there!' or `Lo, here!' Do not go, do not follow them.

In this day and age there are many people who will tell you that they are the true church and that God is leading them and God talks to them.  This has caused many divisions within the body of Christ.

Fact is, God doesn't follow people, people follow God.  If someone is telling you that you have to go to their church or listen to some specific preacher etc... think about it and proceed with caution. God can find you if you are willing to be found.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to be able to discern your true calling and not fall into the trap of wanting to be part of some group or movement.

Amen

except this foreigner

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Titus 3:1-7 Psalm 23:1-6 Luke 17:11-19

Luke 17:18  Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"

It is very easy to take God's mercy and grace for granted.  Of for that matter to even think that it is us who are good and kind and forget that it is in Christ's name that we are called.  Sometimes it takes a foreigner, or one who we think less of to show us our own pride and weakness. 

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always remember that it is in your name that I am called to righteousness, the my good deeds and well being without recognizing your grace and mercy is dishonorable.

Amen

We are unworthy servants

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Titus 2:1-8, 11-14 Psalm 37:3-4, 18, 23, 27, 29 Luke 17:7-10

Luke 17:10  So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, `We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"

It is too easy for us to rank each other according to what we think is being good or righteous.  We want to take credit fro what we do and we want to impress God so that he will show us his favor.  But, Jesus says that if we do all we are commanded we have only done what is expected.

This mentality I think is due to us not having a real sense of the fall.  We think that we are naturally good. But the truth is we have to work hard at just getting back to some sense of normal.  We are not normal, but we are sinners.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always be humble, realizing the truth that I am a sinner and if I do all you have commanded I am only doing what is expected.

Amen

woe to him by whom they come

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Titus 1:1-9 Psalm 24:1-6 Luke 17:1-6

Luke 17:1  And he said to his disciples, "Temptations to sin are sure to come; but woe to him by whom they come!

Yes, we will be tempted to sin.  This is unavoidable in this life. But the question is do we just look the other way when others lead people to sin, or worse, so we lead people to sin?  Often we will try to justify our sin by mainstreaming it.  That is, if we can get others to do it then we don't feel as though we are doing wrong.  Unfortunately the odds are that if everybody else is doing it, it probably is wrong.  We must stand up for truth and righteousness.  Our complacence only aids others in their sinful agendas.  We must speak up and rebuke people when we see them leading others to sin.  Forgive them when they repent, but rebuke when they don't.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always seek to build others up in the truth and the righteousness of God.  Lead me away from temptation, but when it comes give me the strength to stand up to it.

Amen

our commonwealth is in heaven

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Philippians 3:17 -- 4:1  Psalm 122:1-5 Luke 16:1-8

Philippians 3:20  But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

We have heard of the Communion of Saints.  This is not necessarily a physical communion, but a spiritual one. We have the benefit of those who have gone before us in the faith and become models for us and are making intercession for us in heaven.  We also should be models for each other and make intercession in whatever way we can.  We must not rely on this worlds ways, but in Christ and his mercy and grace.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to become a part of the commonwealth that is in heaven.  Help me to share in the communion of saints and to be a model and a steward of your grace.

Amen

put no confidence in the flesh

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Philippians 3:3-8 Psalm 105:2-7 Luke 15:1-10

Philippians 3:3  For we are the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.

In this political season we may be for or against the new president and other elected officials.  But we must remember that we are not to trust in man but in God.  That goes both ways.  We shouldn't look to a man to save us and we shouldn't look for a man that will destroy us.  God alone can save and destroy.  We must not be deceived by what happens in the flesh.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always trust you regardless of what things look like, whether good or bad.

Amen

I will raise him up at the last day

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Wisdom 3:1-9 Psalm 23:1-6 John 6:37-40

John 6:40  For this is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

In these days it is important to remember who we belong to.  It is  important to remember who we believe in.  Whether you are an Obama supporter or not, it is important to remember that this is God's creation and it is Christ's kingdom.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to remember that this is your world.

Amen

he rules over the nations

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Philippians 2:5-11 Psalm 22:26-32 Luke 14:15-24

Psalm 22:28  For dominion belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.

On this election day we get very excited about what is going to happen.  But for those of us that belong to God, he is our Lord and He rules the nations.  We need to remember that.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always remember that you are in charge.  This is your world and I commit myself to you.

Amen

ecause they cannot repay

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Philippians 2:1-4 Psalm 131:1-3 Luke 14:12-14

Luke 14:14  and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just."

In this political season there is a lot of talk about helping the poor and disenfranchised. But this most likely is nothing more than pandering for votes.  If the politicians were really concerned about helping the poor they certainly have many opportunities to do that without getting elected.  We should be able to look at their giving for example and see what they give of their own time and money.  Most of them want your time and money.

True giving expects nothing in return.  Those who give only to get are not the ones that Jesus is talking about here.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to have a truly generous heart.  Help me to give without expecting anything in return.  Help me to be generous with the grace that you have given me and to trust you in all situations.

Amen