December 4 - December 2007
Tuesday Greetings Friends:
PLEASE READ: Matthew 25:31-45
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me'" (Matthew 25:31-45 -- NIV).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
{PLEASE NOTE: The scripture which I selected for today's reflection, is a passage which historically has been used during the season of Advent to assist God's people in their spiritual preparation}.
Like yesterday, here is a parable which communicates a really thought provoking message. Since we are in Advent (a time of spiritual reflection in preparation of Christmas), I would like to challenge each of to consider the point of the parable and then ask the question of ourselves noted at the end.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Once upon a time, in a country far, far away where Christianity was not allowed, there lived a very wise old man. One day, a woman in terrible distress came to him to ask for his counsel and help. "What am I going to do?" she wept, "someone has told the police that my husband is a Bible-believing, Spirit-filled, Born-again Christian!" "How do you know this?" questioned the man. "They arrested him at work just about an hour ago!" she moaned, "and his trial is set for tomorrow morning!" Then the wise old man spoke reassuringly: "Don’t worry about a thing," he comforted her, "I’ve known your husband ever since that day fourteen years ago when he got saved and dedicated himself to serving Christ and spreading His Gospel." The woman began to relax as he continued; "I’ve known the kind of life he’s lived, and the kind of witness he’s had in our community, and the kind of commitment he’s shown about pouring out his life for God. So I know that you should not fear: even if they took all of the last fourteen years of his life put together, they still won’t find enough evidence to convict him of being a follower of Jesus Christ!" "How can I ever thank you!" said the happy wife as she walked off into the warm sunlight.
IF you or I were arrested 10 minutes from now, would there be enough evidence to convict us of being a follower of Jesus Christ? Hmmmmmmmmmmm……
IF you or I were arrested 10 minutes from now, would there be enough evidence to convict us of being a follower of Jesus Christ? Hmmmmmmmmmmm……
Shalom,
Pastor Jim
Web site created by: Doug Jones