We are not so different than the people in the crowd listening to Jesus. We all want to see something amazing, but the pace and technology of our modern world can close us off to wonder—or even make us downright cynical. The Kingdom of God can seem so far away with the distractions and worries of daily life obscuring it from our view.
Lent comes along to remind us that the love and mercy of God are here and now, and yes—paradoxically—still to come. Our call today is to recognize “something greater” (v. 31), that the Son of Man is indeed accompanying us in every moment, especially the most difficult. We don’t need a sign so much as we need to persevere in faith, hope and love. So, ask the Lord today, and in this season, to help you see and know his presence.
Thank you, Kate, for this reflection. God has great patience & will wait for us. Faith: "He did not say: You will not be troubled--You will not be tempted--You will not be distressed. But He said: You will not be overcome."
*** Jonah didn't do what God wanted him to do and he ran away to Tarshish! God gave Jonah a second chance after three days in the belly of a fish in Jonah 3:1-2, "A message from the Lord came to Jonah a second time. The Lord said, “Go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce to its people the message I give you.” *** Jonah then did what God told him to do the second time and God changed his mind about destroying Nineveh in Jonah 3:10, " God saw what they did (repented). He saw that they stopped doing what was evil. So He took pity on them. He didn’t destroy them as He had said he would!" *** Guess what...Jonah was mad in Jonah 4:1-3, "But to Jonah this seemed very wrong. He became angry. He prayed to the Lord. Here is what Jonah said to Him. “Lord, isn’t this exactly what I thought would happen when I was still at home? That is what I tried to prevent by running away to Tarshish. I knew that You are gracious. You are tender and kind. You are slow to get angry. You are full of love. You are a God Who takes pity on people. You don’t want to destroy them. Lord, take away my life. I’d rather die than live.” ******* I find this to be very funny in that Jonah knew Who God is, "gracious, tender, kind, slow to anger, full of love, take pity on people!" And yet he was mad because God was being exactly the God Jonah knew Him to be to the people that Joanh didn't like!!! God gave Jonah a second chance but he didn't want God to give Nineveh a second chance! Have you been there? I have...Why is God so nice to these bad people? 2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent!" Yes, Lord! Your mercy and justice are the two sides of the same coin!
*** A 40-day prayer journal specifically for my daughter, Katie, the self proclaim agnostic to come back and walk with Jesus, her Savior and soon to be Lord ✝️ *** Day three - Dear Lord, help us to learn Your purpose for our lives in Your Word! So we can be in the world and not of the world. Teach us to know You, to love You, to enjoy You and to glorify You! Amen! ✝️ *** Matthew 16:25-26, “Whoever wants to save their life will lose it. But whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good is it if someone gains the whole world but loses their soul? Or what can anyone trade for their soul?” *** Your mercy and justice, Lord, are the two sides of the same coin! Your patience for Katie and us is very much appreciated! Your justuce will be done waiting for Your mercy to take its full effect on Katie! Love You, Lord Jesus! Get Katie out of Babylon! ******* 2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slow to keep His promise. He is not slow in the way some people understand it. Instead, He is patient with you. He doesn’t want anyone to be destroyed. Instead, He wants all people to turn away from their sins!" Amen ✝️
Thank you, Steve, for this thought provoking reflection. Let us persevere in faith, hope, and love. "Most Holy Sacred Heart of Jesus, help my heart to persevere in all that is holy." St. Rita of Cascia
My prayer "Lord Jesus, change my heart and fill me with your wisdom that I my love your ways. Give me strength and courage to resist temptation and stubborn wilfulness that I may truly desire to do what is pleasing to you." Amen
AMEN!
Steve thank you that great reflection. To know there is something greater out there is a comforting thought. Psalm 51 is one of my favorites to prayer each day. Blessings to all the LFF, especially those with extra needs these days. May we spread the love of God through all the world everyday and may the Holy Spirit guide our country's leaders to lead this country under God!
Thanks, Stormi - and thank you for your own perseverance in prayer. I was just thinking how Psalm 51 gets a lot of "air time" in Lent, which is great. It's a beautiful plea, "Create in me a clean heart, O God!" If we all pray that, our homes, families, neighborhoods, nation, and world will be transformed!
Praying for the Pope. Praying for immigrants, for workers losing their jobs, and for the poor, hungry and sick across the world who are in need of food and medical aid. Praying for Ukraine and its people.
Amen.
Amen! Thanks for lifting those needs!
Amen!
Amen. :)
Steve thank you for your comments this morning. Response to Psalm this morning here is " a humble and contrite heart you will not spurn" Jane's prayers for humility on September 22 are great examples of humility. Please pray for my Feedmore clients and that we can continue with the program. Ken
Praying for you and your clients, Ken. We have meals on wheels here. Another great outlet for those who need us.
Ken, praying to our Lord right now.
Ken... thanking the Lord that Feedmore has you
Prayers for continued success with the Feedmore program.
Joining my prayers to yours! May our contrite hearts find favor before the Lord!
Ken prayers for the Feedmore clients and continued progress.
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Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those in need. Come to the side of those experiencing violence in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, and the Sudan. Please hear the pleas of all those suffering around the world - and give them strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.