Merciful God,
Spring is upon us and we rejoice at the signs of new life all about. As we move through Lent toward Easter we prepare our hearts to celebrate the ultimate sign of new life, resurrection. There are, however, some difficult places between now and then. Sometimes our sin seems to be too much for your grace and our subtle sins overwhelm us. Forgive us, we pray. Help us, Loving Lord, to be aware of thoughts and actions that harden our hearts. May we trust in the Holy Spirit to lead us in tearing down the barriers and guide us through the difficult places into Your warm, loving, forgiving embrace where we experience renewed faith and resurrection. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
__________________________________________
Please pray for Nancy Jones, John Ingram’s sister, who will be having heart bypass surgery this week.
The Elders meet this evening at 5:30 p.m.
I hope to see you in church today.
The scripture for today is Matthew 14: 22-36:
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. After the people of that place recognized him, they sent word throughout the region and brought all who were sick to him, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.
The Psalm for this week is Psalm 104:24-35:
O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
Yonder is the sea, great and wide, creeping things innumerable are there, living things both small and great.
There go the ships, and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it.
These all look to you to give them their food in due season;
when you give to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground.
May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works—
who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke.
I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.
Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD!
Grace and peace,
John McLemore
No comments:
Post a Comment