Dear Friends in Christ-
Luke 21:5-9 is part of Jesus’s final teachings to the disciples when He is in Jerusalem the last week of His life. While the disciples are admiring the temple, Jesus foretells that not one stone will be left on top of another. We must remember that the Gospel accounts were written after the destruction of the temple in 70 AD, and Jesus is preparing the disciples for what is to come (therefore, the gospel writers are helping the listeners of their day understand why they must endure the troubles of their time). The disciples wonder when the destruction of the temple will take place, but Jesus assures them not to be alarmed. There will be people who will try to lead the believers astray. There will be natural disasters and wars and plagues, and even before that, persecution including trials and imprisonment. Nonetheless, Jesus assures them they will be innocent before God, and will endure for the sake of the gospel. Luke 21:5-19, New International Version The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times 5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” 7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” 8 He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” 10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. 12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 And so you will bear testimony to me. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life. Apocalyptic literature (i.e. end times writing) uses unsettling language and imagery as a means to assure us that we should keep our trust in God even when facing the most challenging of circumstances. Despite its language and imagery of destruction, Luke 21... is ultimately a passage grounded in hope — in the hope that God remains present in the world and in one’s life even when things have gotten so bad that it feels like the world is closing in on us. There are many reasons to go negative with our current events. Yet, we are told that it is 'hope' that distinguishes our Christian faith from all other systems and faith expressions. Therefore the question remains; how does one stay positive, grounded in hope, no matter what the circumstances? Think...Pray...Share... Be blessed, P Jim ♥️⚓️ ♡ Special thanks to Rev. Mindi, workingpreacher.com, Hope for the Broken Hearted and/or Star Bright Angels for their contribution to this effort of Daily Prayer and Study. All scripture is taken from the Revised Common Lectionary and, unless othwise indicated, are from the New International Version of the Bible. The intent of this effort is to inform our faith and grow closer to God, while preparing for next Sunday's Worship. ~James 4:8 <x>< Fall Cleanup scheduled for this Saturday, November 12th, has been cancelled. Tropical Storm Nicole is not cooperating with our plan. A new date will be announced at a later time.
Thank you. Dear Friends in Christ-
The Epistle readings conclude the series in 2 Thessalonians, with an exhortation for the believers to do what is right in 3:6-13. The writer urges the readers to keep away from those who have gone astray and have either been idle or just busybodies without doing anything to contribute to the community of faith. This was a specific concern with a specific community, and the writers urge them to consider who is working for the community of faith and living out the teachings that were passed to them and encourages the faithful to not stop doing what is right. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 New International Version Warning Against Idleness 6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. How do you determine what is right and what is wrong? This is an important question if you are to "never tire of doing what is good," as Paul instructs us. Conversely, if proven wrong, how do you respond? Please re-read this pericope. What questions arise that you want to bring to Worship? Think... Pray... Share... I look forward to your responses. Be blessed, P Jim ♥️⚓️ ♡ Special thanks to Rev. Mindi, workingpreacher.com, Hope for the Broken Hearted and/or Star Bright Angels for their contribution to this effort of Daily Prayer and Study. All scripture is taken from the Revised Common Lectionary and, unless othwise indicated, are from the New International Version of the Bible. The intent of this effort is to inform our faith and grow closer to God, while preparing for next Sunday's Worship. ~James 4:8 <x>< Dear Friends in Christ-
We are nearing the end of the season after Pentecost, and the Revised Common Lectionary wraps up the first selection series of the prophets, turning to the time after the exile in Isaiah 65:17-25. In this part of Isaiah commonly known as Third Isaiah, the prophet recognizes that the people of his time are returning to their old ways, forgetting what God has done for them. Yet the prophet still has hope that God will restore what has been destroyed, that God will remake what has been taken: God will create new heavens and a new earth. No more will the people be forced away; they will live where they have built, they will grow and thrive. No more shall there be harm or destruction, for God will respond before they even call for help. Isaiah 65: 17-25 New International Version New Heavens and a New Earth 17 “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. 19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. 20 “Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach[a] a hundred will be considered accursed. 21 They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them. 24 Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the Lord. These words should be familiar. They can be found in the Funeral Liturgy as a call to eternal peace. It's beautiful imagery: a new heaven and new earth; weeping and crying are no more; the wolf and lamb lay down together; no hunger, no war, no issues. A Peaceable Kingdom. What a concept. As draw closer toward Christ the King Sunday, a question arrises: how have I invested in God's Kingdom? I suggest you list examples of working toward God's Kingdom versus the world's expectations? Then assess where you invest your time, energy and resources? Being honest may help promote a more consistent set of Kingdom priorities. In His Service, P Jim ♥️⚓️ ♡ Special thanks to Rev. Mindi, workingpreacher.com, Hope for the Broken Hearted and/or Star Bright Angels for their contribution to this effort of Daily Prayer and Study. All scripture is taken from the Revised Common Lectionary and, unless othwise indicated, are from the New International Version. The intent of this effort is to inform our faith and grow closer to God, while preparing for next Sunday's Worship. ~James 4:8 <x>< Dear Friends in Christ-
This morning we took time to honor one of the saints, Bob Phoxnix. Bob was a true man of God who was a friend to all, willing to go out of his way to meet a multitude of needs. He will be missed. "Well done good and faithful servant..." On All Saints’ Day we are reminded that none of us lives as a solitary Christian. As the saying goes, “There are no Lone Rangers in Christianity.” Without the saints—the saints we know personally and the ones we only know by reputation—we could not be Christians, we could not be the church. Our gospel reading for tomorrow is Luke 6:20-31. Luke 6:20-31, New International Version 20 Looking at his disciples, He said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. 24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. 25 Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets. Love for Enemies 27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. Here Jesus gives the same blessings as found in Matthew 5, except that the poor in spirit is simply “the poor.” Jesus also adds woes, warnings to those who have sought the world’s pleasures and measures of success, for they will come up empty. Instead, love your enemies, do good, do not take up violence, but do unto others as you would have them do unto you. As you define a "saint," remember that Jesus is clear what we should do, not just what we might believe. We are to take our lead from Him, alone. A saints life is simply measured by how close we come to God. See you in Worship. In His Service, P Jim ♥️⚓️ Dear Friends in Christ-
My apology for missing yesterday's Daily (on Psalm 149). Yesterday, we gave a blessed Saint back to God. We will honor the vibrant life of Bob Phonix on Saturday, 11am, at Pittstown UMC. November 1 was All Saints Day, a sometimes-overlooked holy day in United Methodist congregations. It is not nearly as well known as the day before, All Hallows' Eve, better known as Halloween, but is far more important in the life of the church. Today, in the spirit of 'All' the Saints, we look to Ephesians 1:11-23. Ephesians 1:11-23 speaks of the inheritance the faithful have through Christ, especially for the Gentile readers of this letter, that they have been included in God’s plan of redemption. The writer (purporting to be Paul) gives thanks for the faithfulness of these followers of Jesus and prays they may know the fullness of what God has in store for them. Christ, raised from the dead, reigns on high, and has authority and power over everything in heaven. The fullness of Christ is found in the body, the church, of which Christ is the head. Ephesians 1:11-23, New International Version 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Thanksgiving and Prayer 15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[b] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. As we conform to the image of Christ, we become the Children and Saints of God. Along with Bob, Sunday we honor All Saints. For all the Saints who from their labors rest, Who thee by faith before the world confessed, Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest. ~UMH # 711 The obvious question, in the spirit of Ephesians 1, is: what makes a saint? Please allow yourself the luxury of expanding the spiritual limits of knowledge to encompass God's purpose for all his children. In His Service, P Jim ♥️⚓️ Dear Friends in Christ-
The readings for All Saints Day begin with Daniel’s vision in 7:1-3, 15-18. Daniel beholds a vision of earthly kings as beasts who seize and take hold of the earth. This is probably referring to the Greek emperors of his day and the divisions within the empire—but God is the one who will reign forever and ever in the heavenly kingdom. Daniel 7:1-3, New International Version Daniel’s Dream of Four Beasts 7 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying in bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream. 2 Daniel said: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. 3 Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea. Four winds or four horses, there are forces on this earth that are not of God. This Sunday we celebrate those dedicated to the purposes of God, as All Saints Day. What is All Saints Day and why do we celebrate it? The Roman Catholic church recognizes over 10,000 saints and while each day of the year is dedicated to one or more on 1 November all of them are celebrated. For the United Methodist Church, All Saints Day is an opportunity to give thanks for those who have gone before us in the faith. It is a time to celebrate our history. How have you celebrated All Saints Day and what does it mean to you? What is your definition of a saint? Who do you consider a "saint?" Be blessed, P Jim ♥️⚓️ ☆Special thanks to Rev. Mindi, workingpreacher.com, Hope for the Broken Hearted and/or Star Bright Angels for their contribution to this effort of Daily Prayer and Study. All scripture is taken from the Revised Common Lectionary. The intent of this effort is to encourage a deeper faith while preparing for next Sunday's Worship. ~James 4:8 <x>< |
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SUNDAY @ 11 AM To join by phone, dial (929) 205-6099 and enter the meeting ID and password below: Meeting ID: 876 1875 9099 Password 333 PrayerGracious Loving Lord, please keep all of your children safe in these trying times. Guide us. Open our ears to hear, our eyes to see, our minds to understand and our hearts to know and be your love to others. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen. Want to support RLUMC and our missions? Donate Today
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September 2023
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