Saturday, December 24, 2011
His name is Jesus
"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." - Matthew 1:21
"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." - Luke 2:11
"Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:9-11
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." - Acts 4:12
The gifts
under the tree
seem unnecessary
whether there is little
or much to give
and or receive
The gifts
are not important
If there is little,
we become desolate
If there is much,
we become proud and arrogant
We share and show
our love for another
but what have we to give
to Jesus?
Does He have need of material things --
toys or clothes or books
I think not.
It is love
and compassion
patience,
kindness,
comfort,
goodwill to another
He looks into our hearts
in the midst of wherever we are
He knows who we are
and what we are
He desires us to know Him.
There is no amount of good
we can ever do or achieve
to obtain the gift
of love
Jesus freely offers
We have only to accept
Accept, believe, obey, trust, love.
Love.
Trust.
Hold onto the promises.
Never forget,
Never let go.
Remember the baby
It is God
who chose to come
to earth
to be for me and you --
among us
to bring us new new life
to save us from our sins
Love Him
Trust Him
Never cease to remember
who He is,
the Mighty King
Jehovah Jirah,
Our All in All
Never lose sight of
His Glory,
of the Love
He has for you,
He has given us.
Do we owe Him any less?
Not as an obligation,
but of love.
Love and reverence,
Love and joy,
Love and trust.
He is worthy.
Trust Him.
There is nothing we can do
ourselves.
There is nothing we are
or can ever hope to be
without the Lord Jesus -
our lives are incomplete.
Without Him, we cannot
accomplish His purpose.
Remember
Always remember
It is His love for us
that is the true gift
of all
Our response
is our love for Him
Be it ever true,
full of faith
and hope,
but most especially,
full of love.
"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." - Luke 2:11
"Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:9-11
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." - Acts 4:12
The gifts
under the tree
seem unnecessary
whether there is little
or much to give
and or receive
The gifts
are not important
If there is little,
we become desolate
If there is much,
we become proud and arrogant
We share and show
our love for another
but what have we to give
to Jesus?
Does He have need of material things --
toys or clothes or books
I think not.
It is love
and compassion
patience,
kindness,
comfort,
goodwill to another
He looks into our hearts
in the midst of wherever we are
He knows who we are
and what we are
He desires us to know Him.
There is no amount of good
we can ever do or achieve
to obtain the gift
of love
Jesus freely offers
We have only to accept
Accept, believe, obey, trust, love.
Love.
Trust.
Hold onto the promises.
Never forget,
Never let go.
Remember the baby
It is God
who chose to come
to earth
to be for me and you --
among us
to bring us new new life
to save us from our sins
Love Him
Trust Him
Never cease to remember
who He is,
the Mighty King
Jehovah Jirah,
Our All in All
Never lose sight of
His Glory,
of the Love
He has for you,
He has given us.
Do we owe Him any less?
Not as an obligation,
but of love.
Love and reverence,
Love and joy,
Love and trust.
He is worthy.
Trust Him.
There is nothing we can do
ourselves.
There is nothing we are
or can ever hope to be
without the Lord Jesus -
our lives are incomplete.
Without Him, we cannot
accomplish His purpose.
Remember
Always remember
It is His love for us
that is the true gift
of all
Our response
is our love for Him
Be it ever true,
full of faith
and hope,
but most especially,
full of love.
Cathy Orrick Luders
(c) 12.21/22.2011
(c) 12.21/22.2011
"Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, (that) you also love one another." - John 13:31-32, 34
"(for) the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father." - John 16:28
Monday, December 19, 2011
Love ... the greatest Light
In Isaiah 9:6, it says "Authority rests upon his shoulders" or in the New King James version, "And the government will be upon His shoulders." In this morning's devotional reading by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, he tells us the bearing of this authority, the right of the one who rules, begins in the manger - it begins where the eternal word of God assumes human flesh - when God Himself becomes human, in the form of a baby, in the name of Jesus.
God's promises are everywhere in the Scriptures. He provides signs of His coming to earth as one of us, to be among us, and signs of His rejection and dejection among the peoples He proposed to save.
We don't listen. Many Jews refused to hear, refused to believe and obey when they did hear, neglected all but their own selfish desires and reasoning. So, God's Word given to another - the Gentiles, strangers in a foreign land. And many heard and many believed and many obeyed. But there were also among them, many who refused to hear, refused to believe and accept, refused to be obedient.
God, creator of the universe - the heavens and the earth.
God, the Son, who is born for us, the Son given to us, to save us from eternal hell to everlasting life.
God, the holiest of holies, whose divine Spirit dwells within us upon our acceptance of Jesus, He, the babe, the Christ Child, whose birth His followers celebrate at Christmas.
God, Our Father
Jesus, His Son, Our Lord and Savior
The Holy Spirit, Our Comforter
These three as One, in the beginning, throughout time, in the end.
The Word was. It is. It shall forever be.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through Him might believe. He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light. That was the true light which gives light to every man who comes into the world.
"He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name; who were born, not of blood, but of the will of the flesh, not of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:1-14)
And love.
Love ... the greatest Light
"the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:5b) ... Jesus. He is the Light of the World.
"If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:6-7)
"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three, but the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Love
is of God,
from God,
God's Love
came down
to earth
as a human baby, His Son,
the Light of the World
God's Love
Jesus
God's Love
The Spirit within us
God's Love ...
the greatest Light,
the greatest gift,
promised, foretold, fulfilled, and to return.
JESUS!
God's promises are everywhere in the Scriptures. He provides signs of His coming to earth as one of us, to be among us, and signs of His rejection and dejection among the peoples He proposed to save.
We don't listen. Many Jews refused to hear, refused to believe and obey when they did hear, neglected all but their own selfish desires and reasoning. So, God's Word given to another - the Gentiles, strangers in a foreign land. And many heard and many believed and many obeyed. But there were also among them, many who refused to hear, refused to believe and accept, refused to be obedient.
God, creator of the universe - the heavens and the earth.
God, the Son, who is born for us, the Son given to us, to save us from eternal hell to everlasting life.
God, the holiest of holies, whose divine Spirit dwells within us upon our acceptance of Jesus, He, the babe, the Christ Child, whose birth His followers celebrate at Christmas.
God, Our Father
Jesus, His Son, Our Lord and Savior
The Holy Spirit, Our Comforter
These three as One, in the beginning, throughout time, in the end.
The Word was. It is. It shall forever be.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through Him might believe. He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light. That was the true light which gives light to every man who comes into the world.
"He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name; who were born, not of blood, but of the will of the flesh, not of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:1-14)
And love.
Love ... the greatest Light
"the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:5b) ... Jesus. He is the Light of the World.
"If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:6-7)
"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three, but the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Love
is of God,
from God,
God's Love
came down
to earth
as a human baby, His Son,
the Light of the World
God's Love
Jesus
God's Love
The Spirit within us
God's Love ...
the greatest Light,
the greatest gift,
promised, foretold, fulfilled, and to return.
JESUS!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Giving thanks in all things
My husband read the following anonymous work to the congregation when he had the opportunity to preach in July. I came across it today when looking for other things and decided it would be a good time to share and to remind me and you of just how great our God is.
I Refuse to be Discouraged.
I refuse to be discouraged,
To be sad, or to cry;
I refuse to be downhearted,
and here’s the reason why . . .
I have a God who’s mighty,
Who’s sovereign and supreme;
I have a God who loves me,
and I am on His team.
He is all wise and powerful,
Jesus is His name;
Though everything is changeable,
My God remains the same.
My God knows all that’s happening;
Beginning to the end,
His presence is my comfort,
He is my dearest friend.
When sickness comes to weaken me,
To bring my head down low,
I call upon my mighty God;
Into His arms I go.
When circumstances threaten
to rob me from my peace;
He draws me close unto His breast,
Where all my strivings cease.
And when my heart melts within me,
and weakness takes control;
He gathers me into His arms,
He soothes my heart and soul.
The great "I AM" is with me,
My life is in His hand,
The "Son of the Lord" is my hope,
It’s in His strength I stand.
I refuse to be defeated,
My eyes are on my God;
He has promised to be with me,
as through this life I trod.
I’m looking past all my circumstances,
To Heaven’s throne above;
My prayers have reached the heart of God,
I’m resting in His love.
I give God thanks in everything,
My eyes are on His face;
The battle’s His, the victory’s mine;
He’ll help me win the race.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I Refuse to be Discouraged.
I refuse to be discouraged,
To be sad, or to cry;
I refuse to be downhearted,
and here’s the reason why . . .
I have a God who’s mighty,
Who’s sovereign and supreme;
I have a God who loves me,
and I am on His team.
He is all wise and powerful,
Jesus is His name;
Though everything is changeable,
My God remains the same.
My God knows all that’s happening;
Beginning to the end,
His presence is my comfort,
He is my dearest friend.
When sickness comes to weaken me,
To bring my head down low,
I call upon my mighty God;
Into His arms I go.
When circumstances threaten
to rob me from my peace;
He draws me close unto His breast,
Where all my strivings cease.
And when my heart melts within me,
and weakness takes control;
He gathers me into His arms,
He soothes my heart and soul.
The great "I AM" is with me,
My life is in His hand,
The "Son of the Lord" is my hope,
It’s in His strength I stand.
I refuse to be defeated,
My eyes are on my God;
He has promised to be with me,
as through this life I trod.
I’m looking past all my circumstances,
To Heaven’s throne above;
My prayers have reached the heart of God,
I’m resting in His love.
I give God thanks in everything,
My eyes are on His face;
The battle’s His, the victory’s mine;
He’ll help me win the race.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
I AM with you
"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." -Isaiah 41:10
It happened
The unimaginable
A child dies
A job is lost
Health deteriorates
Our concern
gives way to anguish
as we pursue
over and over
and over again
in our minds
the possible reasons
But the source
of all that is
The One
who knows
the whys
and wherefores
stays silent
Where do we go
What is the next step
How do we move on
past this point
of deep despair?
He tells us
to stay focused
not on the what if's and buts
not on the what once was
and is now gone
not on what we wish could return
No,
He tells us
to remember Him
to "Fear not,
for I am with you;
Be not dismayed,
for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes,
I will help you.
I will uphold you
with my righteous right hand."
(Isaiah 41:10)
We see,
but do we see Him?!
Does the brokenness of our hearts
cause us to dwell
more on our pain
than on the Lord
who can heal us?
Jesus,
our beloved Savior and Lord,
shows us
the way to peace.
Through Him
we find comfort and consolation,
we find beauty and love,
we find hope.
We must be in His Word,
study His Word,
talk with Him,
listen to Him.
We must not settle
our selves on events
in and of the world
that will cause us to stray
from
The One
who gives us life,
who is our life.
It happened
The unimaginable
A child dies
A job is lost
Health deteriorates
Our concern
gives way to anguish
as we pursue
over and over
and over again
in our minds
the possible reasons
But the source
of all that is
The One
who knows
the whys
and wherefores
stays silent
Where do we go
What is the next step
How do we move on
past this point
of deep despair?
He tells us
to stay focused
not on the what if's and buts
not on the what once was
and is now gone
not on what we wish could return
No,
He tells us
to remember Him
to "Fear not,
for I am with you;
Be not dismayed,
for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes,
I will help you.
I will uphold you
with my righteous right hand."
(Isaiah 41:10)
We see,
but do we see Him?!
Does the brokenness of our hearts
cause us to dwell
more on our pain
than on the Lord
who can heal us?
Jesus,
our beloved Savior and Lord,
shows us
the way to peace.
Through Him
we find comfort and consolation,
we find beauty and love,
we find hope.
We must be in His Word,
study His Word,
talk with Him,
listen to Him.
We must not settle
our selves on events
in and of the world
that will cause us to stray
from
The One
who gives us life,
who is our life.
Cathy Orrick Luders
11.18-19.2011
11.18-19.2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Guilt
Guilt.
Amazing how another can make you feel
Not build you up
Not encourage you
Not say I'm praying for you
Not asking how a loved one is doing
or how you yourself are doing ...
simply amazing.
You receive what you think
is an act of kindness
but find it is not.
Given under false pretense,
wrong motive
Guilt.
Feeling you need to apologize
for the situation you're in
Feeling you need to explain
why laundry and dishes
and grocery shopping
and preparing meals
don't get done
in a timely fashion.
Feeling you need to come to your own defense.
Of course I know how to cook.
I know how to do laundry
and wash dishes
and buy groceries
and pay bills.
Knowing how is not the issue.
Guilt.
Feeling the need to rest,
to relax,
to put your feet up
and do nothing for an hour or two
is wrong.
I am guilty before God,
but He does not condemn me.
He forgives me for all of my shortcomings.
He forgave me at the cross.
He forgave me when I asked Him into my heart.
He has compassion
He is patient, faithful,
He is gentle and kind.
He is love.
Who are we when if what we say and do does not show Christ in us?
"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." (Galatians 5:25-26)
"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:9-10)
Guilt.
You are as much guilty as the next person. You are not free from sin. You are not above another. God does not tell us to be "goody two shoes" and forget how to be filled with His love and His compassion.
Cathy Orrick Luders
11.16.2011
11.16.2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
He
If you reject Christ
you also reject God
for God is He who
came in the flesh
Jesus the Christ
Son of God
"I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me."
(John 14:6)
Jesus the Christ
Son of Man
born of the Virgin Mary
conceived of the Holy Spirit
to save mankind from their sins
"Do you not believe
that I am
in the Father,
and the Father
in Me?
The words that I speak to you
I do not speak on My own authority;
but the Father who dwells in Me
does the works.
Believe Me that I am
in the Father
and the Father in Me,
or else believe Me
for the sake of the works themselves."
(John 14:10-11)
Who, you question
is
The Son of Man
Who
is this Jesus
whom you declare to not know?!
You consider the commandments
sent forth by God to be
followed at any and all cost,
but Christ came
to fulfill the law.
You are too blind.
God said
in His word
it would be so.
"Keep on hearing,
but do not understand;
keep on seeing,
but do not perceive."
(Isaiah 6:9)
"He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their heart,
Lest they should see
with their eyes
and understand with their heart,
Lest they should turn,
so that I should heal them."
(John 12:40)
God is He
Christ
And the Lord
Is He
God
And the Holy Spirit
dwells within
you also reject God
for God is He who
came in the flesh
Jesus the Christ
Son of God
"I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me."
(John 14:6)
Jesus the Christ
Son of Man
born of the Virgin Mary
conceived of the Holy Spirit
to save mankind from their sins
"Do you not believe
that I am
in the Father,
and the Father
in Me?
The words that I speak to you
I do not speak on My own authority;
but the Father who dwells in Me
does the works.
Believe Me that I am
in the Father
and the Father in Me,
or else believe Me
for the sake of the works themselves."
(John 14:10-11)
Who, you question
is
The Son of Man
Who
is this Jesus
whom you declare to not know?!
You consider the commandments
sent forth by God to be
followed at any and all cost,
but Christ came
to fulfill the law.
You are too blind.
God said
in His word
it would be so.
"Keep on hearing,
but do not understand;
keep on seeing,
but do not perceive."
(Isaiah 6:9)
"He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their heart,
Lest they should see
with their eyes
and understand with their heart,
Lest they should turn,
so that I should heal them."
(John 12:40)
God is He
Christ
And the Lord
Is He
God
And the Holy Spirit
dwells within
Cathy Orrick Luders
11.4.2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Help me to wait, to not be hurried
What is, was
What will be, has
Round and round
The lives of all revolve
Struggle to maintain balance
sanity
clearness of mind and thought
Fearful of the unknown
So much there
God said He would be with us
All
Nothing
is so perfect we can move without thinking
We cannot be in a hurry
But hurried we are
Harried too
Must rest
Must pray
Must stay rooted
Must seek His guidance
Must
Must
Must
So hard
Help me Lord
Help us all
Keep us mindful of all You are
Help us to not be in a hurry over anything and everything
Nothing is trivial
Everything we go through You are aware of it
Help me, help us to wait
Help me to be confident
in You, to trust in You,
Your answers, Your timetable.
I pray in your name.
What will be, has
Round and round
The lives of all revolve
Struggle to maintain balance
sanity
clearness of mind and thought
Fearful of the unknown
So much there
God said He would be with us
All
Nothing
is so perfect we can move without thinking
We cannot be in a hurry
But hurried we are
Harried too
Must rest
Must pray
Must stay rooted
Must seek His guidance
Must
Must
Must
So hard
Help me Lord
Help us all
Keep us mindful of all You are
Help us to not be in a hurry over anything and everything
Nothing is trivial
Everything we go through You are aware of it
Help me, help us to wait
Help me to be confident
in You, to trust in You,
Your answers, Your timetable.
I pray in your name.
Cathy Orrick Luders
11.11.2011
11.11.2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
A Prayer
"And in the 39th year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was very severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians." (II Chronicles 16:12)
"Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord." (Jeremiah 17:5)
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but her leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (I John 2:15)
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." (John 15:7)
You live in the world, but don't let the world become your life. Don't let all that surrounds you, all that is, in the world be a priority over the Lord Jesus you have aspired to follow. What appears to be is not always what is. Assumptions are not always the best. Only God knows for definite. He knows our comings and goings, our beginnings and endings. He knows all and everything there is to know about every single person and thing. We do not. God enables us to do, to be, to overcome, to endure. With Him as our lead, we can do all things. We can climb the steepest hill and not be overcome with drudgery and despair. We cannot settle for less. We place our hope on Him who is our hope and we live our lives trusting in His promise. We may have plenty or we may have little. All we have is enough if in the Lord we seek his sustenance. Even in the midst of little we can yield His fruit.
You live in the world, but don't let the world become your life. God -- your relationship with Him is your life. Surround yourself with Him, His word, meditate and pray for Him to show you the way. Do not succumb to the way of another. The Lord is all you need. He will show you where to go, how to proceed, who He has enabled to provide you with the answers you seek. Abide with Him and He will enable you to pass through the fire and flames of this life without injury, without anxiety, with peace.
Amen.
"Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord." (Jeremiah 17:5)
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but her leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (I John 2:15)
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." (John 15:7)
You live in the world, but don't let the world become your life. Don't let all that surrounds you, all that is, in the world be a priority over the Lord Jesus you have aspired to follow. What appears to be is not always what is. Assumptions are not always the best. Only God knows for definite. He knows our comings and goings, our beginnings and endings. He knows all and everything there is to know about every single person and thing. We do not. God enables us to do, to be, to overcome, to endure. With Him as our lead, we can do all things. We can climb the steepest hill and not be overcome with drudgery and despair. We cannot settle for less. We place our hope on Him who is our hope and we live our lives trusting in His promise. We may have plenty or we may have little. All we have is enough if in the Lord we seek his sustenance. Even in the midst of little we can yield His fruit.
You live in the world, but don't let the world become your life. God -- your relationship with Him is your life. Surround yourself with Him, His word, meditate and pray for Him to show you the way. Do not succumb to the way of another. The Lord is all you need. He will show you where to go, how to proceed, who He has enabled to provide you with the answers you seek. Abide with Him and He will enable you to pass through the fire and flames of this life without injury, without anxiety, with peace.
Amen.
Friday, October 28, 2011
I AM is greater than i am
The Lord sees our oppression
He hears our cry
He knows our sorrow
He comes to deliver
to protect
to guide
I AM WHO I AM
is greater
than I am
He brings us up
out of the affliction
He meets us
at the point of our greatest need
He stretches out His mighty hand
to keep us safe and secure
and to strike down the enemy.
The Lord seeks,
asks of us,
His children
created from a speck of dust
to turn
from disceiving
conniving
selfish paths
to Him.
The Lord desires us
to keep our eyes,
our minds and thoughts,
our hearts
focused
entirely on Him.
The Lord WILL provide.
We accept, believe
without a doubt
His Son was sent to save us
from our sin.
But that is not the end!
Only the Beginning ...
The beginning of a
heart-filled love relationship.
Our fears
need not become
a steppingstone
of dismay,
setting us up for failure,
but a realization
that anything and everything
we can do
is futile
and meaningless
if our faith in the Lord Jesus
is not
and if also,
that faith does not grow.
For the Lord
there is no boundary
There is nothing He cannot do
He is everything,
all around us,
our Master and King.
We are His servants
And when we are in Him,
there are endless possibilities.
First we start
Then we continue
We don't look back
We look up
We stay focused
We don't stop
We trust Him
We obey Him
We believe in Him
We remember
Every step forward
is a gigantic leap of faith.
He hears our cry
He knows our sorrow
He comes to deliver
to protect
to guide
I AM WHO I AM
is greater
than I am
He brings us up
out of the affliction
He meets us
at the point of our greatest need
He stretches out His mighty hand
to keep us safe and secure
and to strike down the enemy.
The Lord seeks,
asks of us,
His children
created from a speck of dust
to turn
from disceiving
conniving
selfish paths
to Him.
The Lord desires us
to keep our eyes,
our minds and thoughts,
our hearts
focused
entirely on Him.
The Lord WILL provide.
We accept, believe
without a doubt
His Son was sent to save us
from our sin.
But that is not the end!
Only the Beginning ...
The beginning of a
heart-filled love relationship.
Our fears
need not become
a steppingstone
of dismay,
setting us up for failure,
but a realization
that anything and everything
we can do
is futile
and meaningless
if our faith in the Lord Jesus
is not
and if also,
that faith does not grow.
For the Lord
there is no boundary
There is nothing He cannot do
He is everything,
all around us,
our Master and King.
We are His servants
And when we are in Him,
there are endless possibilities.
First we start
Then we continue
We don't look back
We look up
We stay focused
We don't stop
We trust Him
We obey Him
We believe in Him
We remember
Every step forward
is a gigantic leap of faith.
Cathy Orrick Luders
10.28.2011
10.28.2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
The Ten - God's Covenant of Love
The commandments,
The ordinances,
The regulations,
The rules,
The Covenant --
set forth
by God
to and with His people,
designed to shed light,
to be Light
to give instruction,
guidance
for holy living.
The Lord God seeks
a willing heart,
a love-filled heart.
The gifts, offerings
we bring
show our reverence
to the Lord,
our Master and King.
Those (gifts) given selfishly,
without love
and devotion
to Him,
the giver of life,
are not accepted,
are not approved.
If in our living
it is not to
The Most Holy One
our total allegiance
lies,
we have failed.
Our reward is just --
we face
eternal punishment,
eternal damnation,
eternal separation.
God's Covenant --
He has made many such pacts
But,
The Ten
boils down to
LOVE
"Love the Lord
with ALL your heart,
ALL your soul,
ALL your mind,
All your strength
and
Love your neighbor
as yourself."
(Mark 12:30-31)
Jesus,
son of God,
The Most High,
The Most Holy One,
tells us
no other commandment
is greater than these.
Jesus,
The One
Whom God the Father
destined would fulfill
His plan to bring mankind
to Him,
to Eternal Glory.
Jesus,
born of God and
the Virgin Mary
Jesus,
born to suffer and be rejected,
persecuted.
Jesus,
born to die,
to hang from a cross
pounded nails into flesh
Our Sin, Our Sin!
Jesus
paid the price.
Born to die,
to rise from the dead
to live forevermore
within our hearts
to bring mankind to a
saving knowledge
to Eternal Security
Eternal Life
Jesus
"the living stone
chosen by God
and precious"
(1 Peter 2:4)
Jesus Lives!
The ordinances,
The regulations,
The rules,
The Covenant --
set forth
by God
to and with His people,
designed to shed light,
to be Light
to give instruction,
guidance
for holy living.
The Lord God seeks
a willing heart,
a love-filled heart.
The gifts, offerings
we bring
show our reverence
to the Lord,
our Master and King.
Those (gifts) given selfishly,
without love
and devotion
to Him,
the giver of life,
are not accepted,
are not approved.
If in our living
it is not to
The Most Holy One
our total allegiance
lies,
we have failed.
Our reward is just --
we face
eternal punishment,
eternal damnation,
eternal separation.
God's Covenant --
He has made many such pacts
But,
The Ten
boils down to
LOVE
"Love the Lord
with ALL your heart,
ALL your soul,
ALL your mind,
All your strength
and
Love your neighbor
as yourself."
(Mark 12:30-31)
Jesus,
son of God,
The Most High,
The Most Holy One,
tells us
no other commandment
is greater than these.
Jesus,
The One
Whom God the Father
destined would fulfill
His plan to bring mankind
to Him,
to Eternal Glory.
Jesus,
born of God and
the Virgin Mary
Jesus,
born to suffer and be rejected,
persecuted.
Jesus,
born to die,
to hang from a cross
pounded nails into flesh
Our Sin, Our Sin!
Jesus
paid the price.
Born to die,
to rise from the dead
to live forevermore
within our hearts
to bring mankind to a
saving knowledge
to Eternal Security
Eternal Life
Jesus
"the living stone
chosen by God
and precious"
(1 Peter 2:4)
Jesus Lives!
Cathy Orrick Luders
10.25.2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
God's Love
Love
is
patient
Love
is
kind
Love
is
fresh and new
each day
Love
is
viewing life
clearly
plainly
without grudges
without pretense
without masking feelings
that are false
and hateful
Love
True Love
is
God's Love
"It bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things."
(I Corinthians 13:7 NKJV)
is
patient
Love
is
kind
Love
is
fresh and new
each day
Love
is
viewing life
clearly
plainly
without grudges
without pretense
without masking feelings
that are false
and hateful
Love
True Love
is
God's Love
"It bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things."
(I Corinthians 13:7 NKJV)
Cathy Orrick Luders
10.24.2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Him
He spoke.
His Word
Became flesh.
His Son
His only begotten
full of grace
and truth
dwelt among us.
Jesus.
He spoke.
His Word
full of grace
and truth
shows us
His commandments
His judgments
His promises
Fulfilled.
In Him
Through Him
in His time
now
and to come.
His Word
Became flesh.
His Son
His only begotten
full of grace
and truth
dwelt among us.
Jesus.
He spoke.
His Word
full of grace
and truth
shows us
His commandments
His judgments
His promises
Fulfilled.
In Him
Through Him
in His time
now
and to come.
Cathy Orrick Luders
(c) 10.22.2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
His glory ... everywhere
His glory
Everywhere
It surrounds us.
We think
sunny
cloudless days
are the best
We feel better
about living
about life
But
even in the midst
of darkness
and seemingly dismal
cloudy days
or lightning storms
He is there
Ever present
Our guiding light
Our protector
over every enemy
that stalks us
We praise Him
for the good
we receive
and perceive
But for
days that make no sense
praise belongs too
He preserves us
for another time
a better time
perhaps
His glory
always shining
We must seek
His word
to find His way
and rejoice
in all
that comes
For we are
only because
He is.
Everywhere
It surrounds us.
We think
sunny
cloudless days
are the best
We feel better
about living
about life
But
even in the midst
of darkness
and seemingly dismal
cloudy days
or lightning storms
He is there
Ever present
Our guiding light
Our protector
over every enemy
that stalks us
We praise Him
for the good
we receive
and perceive
But for
days that make no sense
praise belongs too
He preserves us
for another time
a better time
perhaps
His glory
always shining
We must seek
His word
to find His way
and rejoice
in all
that comes
For we are
only because
He is.
Cathy Orrick Luders
10.21.2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
We can be complete
God's glory
His power
His majesty
His completeness,
whole
and without blemish
We stand on the rock,
waiting
We want to see
His ...
Him
as He is
But,
His response?
"I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." (Exodus 33:19)
But, however,
"You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live." (Exodus 33:20)
And so,
He sends His Son --
complete
whole
and without blemish --
JESUS
who is the rock.
"Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but chosen by God ... a chief cornerstone, a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." (I Peter 2:4, 6, 8)
We want to see
and when we do
We reject
We rejected God
We reject His Son
We only reach out
when we glimpse
the results
of what sin has done to us.
When we accept
When we believe
When we choose
obedience to Him,
who passes by,
who shelters us
in "the cleft of the rock
and covers us with His hand." (Exodus 33:22)
Obedience
to the King of Kings
who was
and is
and is to come
He is our salvation
our truth
He makes us too
complete
Not pure,
not without blemish
But still complete
We are One with Christ
One with God
One with the Holy Spirit
His grace
His glory
and we are His
... a child of the King.
His power
His majesty
His completeness,
whole
and without blemish
We stand on the rock,
waiting
We want to see
His ...
Him
as He is
But,
His response?
"I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." (Exodus 33:19)
But, however,
"You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live." (Exodus 33:20)
And so,
He sends His Son --
complete
whole
and without blemish --
JESUS
who is the rock.
"Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but chosen by God ... a chief cornerstone, a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." (I Peter 2:4, 6, 8)
We want to see
and when we do
We reject
We rejected God
We reject His Son
We only reach out
when we glimpse
the results
of what sin has done to us.
When we accept
When we believe
When we choose
obedience to Him,
who passes by,
who shelters us
in "the cleft of the rock
and covers us with His hand." (Exodus 33:22)
Obedience
to the King of Kings
who was
and is
and is to come
He is our salvation
our truth
He makes us too
complete
Not pure,
not without blemish
But still complete
We are One with Christ
One with God
One with the Holy Spirit
His grace
His glory
and we are His
... a child of the King.
Cathy Orrick Luders
10.18.2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Find a moment ... for laughter
God is the master ...
turns our burdens
into blessings
The stress
and trauma
and unending pain
in our lives
why do we stay there?
I go
to talk,
visit a friend
life is short
why spend so much of it
churning the turmoil
into bigger
laughter
a better medicine
remembering,
reminiscing,
pleasing the Lord
a much better plan
than distressing
oneself.
I think ...
when I get old
I shall laugh more
but wait,
I am getting old
why wait longer
from the moment of birth
age creeps upon you
how much older do I need to get
before I laugh more
before I see the lighter side
the humor
even in the dark,
there can be laughter.
We mustn't let
all that is
not-so-good
overcome us,
overtake us.
Find a moment
and then find another
for laughter
"Delight yourself in the Lord" (Psalm 37:4a)
"You have put gladness in my heart" (Psalm 4:7)
"I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me." (Psalm 13:6)
turns our burdens
into blessings
The stress
and trauma
and unending pain
in our lives
why do we stay there?
I go
to talk,
visit a friend
life is short
why spend so much of it
churning the turmoil
into bigger
laughter
a better medicine
remembering,
reminiscing,
pleasing the Lord
a much better plan
than distressing
oneself.
I think ...
when I get old
I shall laugh more
but wait,
I am getting old
why wait longer
from the moment of birth
age creeps upon you
how much older do I need to get
before I laugh more
before I see the lighter side
the humor
even in the dark,
there can be laughter.
We mustn't let
all that is
not-so-good
overcome us,
overtake us.
Find a moment
and then find another
for laughter
Cathy Orrick Luders
10.14.2011
10.14.2011
"Delight yourself in the Lord" (Psalm 37:4a)
"You have put gladness in my heart" (Psalm 4:7)
"I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me." (Psalm 13:6)
Monday, October 10, 2011
The path of Peace
On Saturday, Oct. 8, I wrote of the path of our comings and goings - a path based on the solid rock of Jesus Christ ... a path determined not by our life or our experience, but by God's word.
When we abide in God's Word and stay focused on Him and not Everything Else surrounding us, we find God's peace.
The promise given in Isaiah 26:3 reigns true -- "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."
God will keep you and me in perfect peace (whole, genuine well-being), whose mind is stayed (focused, fixed) on Him, because we trust in Him.
The path of Peace is
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)
When we abide in God's Word and stay focused on Him and not Everything Else surrounding us, we find God's peace.
The promise given in Isaiah 26:3 reigns true -- "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."
God will keep you and me in perfect peace (whole, genuine well-being), whose mind is stayed (focused, fixed) on Him, because we trust in Him.
The path of Peace is
- the way of faith
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." (John 14:1)
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)
The path of Peace is
- the way of righteousness
Do right, be right, obedient to the judgments -- precepts -- testimonies -- commandments -- The Law, wholeheartedly, lovingly.
"Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes,will find so doing." (Matthew 24:45-46)
The path of Peace is
- God's work for us
God empowers us to be a blessing to and for another. It is He who is at work; it is simply us He uses as a channel. We can do nothing without Him -- He is the performer.
"Lord, You will establish peace for us, for You have also done all our works in us. O Lord our God, other masters besides You have had dominion over us; but by You only we make mention of Your name. They are dead, they will not live; they are deceased, they will not rise. ... You have increased the nation, O Lord, You have increased the nation; You are glorified; You have expanded all the borders of the land." (Isaiah 26:12-15)
God empowers us to confess His name, to share His word, to enlarge His territory, to be and do His desire, His will.
It is God who empowers some to rise from the dead to a new life in the heavens and others never to rise, but sentenced to the bottomless pit of hell and damnation.
"And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt." (Daniel 12:2)
"Jesus said, "I am the Resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." (John 11:25)
The path of Peace
- offers protection from His punishment
God instructs His people to go into seclusion, a "hiding place," and stay there until the punishment God is extending has passed. He will let us know when the time is right to withdraw from our place of hiding and come back into the Light.
"Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, until the indignation is past. For behold, the Lord comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity." (Isaiah 26:20-21)
Wherever God sets us, places us, in the path of our comings and goings, we can have peace in the midst of it.
Do you want to escape the wrath of God? ... Trust in Him!
(based on notes from the Oct. 9 sermon, "The Path of Peace," (Isaiah 26)
Immanuel Baptist Church, Cedar Rapids
Saturday, October 8, 2011
The paths we take
Not from life
nor from experience
should we set into motion
our path
but on the solid ground
of Christ
He is all knowing
of who and what
we are now
and in our future comings
His Word
is the proof
we seek and need.
In His Word,
through study
and intent searching
of the Holy Scriptures
and meditation,
we can know
with certainty
and confidence
the way
of all our comings and goings.
Cathy Orrick Luders
10.8.2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
God never gives up
God never gives up on us
We give up on Him,
we ignore Him
we pretend He doesn't exist --
at least not in our personal sphere.
He may exist
Somewhere,
but not here,
not right here
and not right now.
We have gone so far away
Yet
God continues
He created us.
He seeks us,
desires we become united
with Him.
We are nothing without Him,
yet
we think we are more
than He ever was.
God is judge and jury,
merciful and loving.
He is the Almighty One,
The King of Kings,
The Great I AM
The Alpha and The Omega
Beginning and End.
Without Him,
what we think is in
the middle --
is meaningless.
Won't you come, won't you come and meet with Me?
We give up on Him,
we ignore Him
we pretend He doesn't exist --
at least not in our personal sphere.
He may exist
Somewhere,
but not here,
not right here
and not right now.
We have gone so far away
Yet
God continues
He created us.
He seeks us,
desires we become united
with Him.
We are nothing without Him,
yet
we think we are more
than He ever was.
God is judge and jury,
merciful and loving.
He is the Almighty One,
The King of Kings,
The Great I AM
The Alpha and The Omega
Beginning and End.
Without Him,
what we think is in
the middle --
is meaningless.
Cathy Orrick Luders
10.6.2011
Won't you come, won't you come and meet with Me?
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Today
Today – the first day of the rest of my life.
My actions get in the way of my thoughts, my plans, my desires, my wishes. My actions – often the result of Satan planting seeds of doubt, therefore I react – my reaction is not to my good, not positive, but very negative.
It is as Paul writes in Romans 7:14-23 (New Living Translation) …
“The law is good, then. The trouble is not with the law but with me, because I am sold into slavery, with sin as my master. I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience shows that I agree that the law is good. But I can’t help myself, because it is sin inside me that makes me do these evil things. I know I am rotten through and through so far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn, I can’t make myself do right. I want to, but I can’t. When I want to do good, I don’t. And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway. But if I am doing what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing it; the sin within me is doing it. It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another law at work within me that is at war with my mind. This law wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.”
Jesus tells us in John 8:31-32, 36 (New King James) …
“If you abide in My word … you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
FREE
Freedom from sin, freedom from the hold Satan has on you.
Satan strives every minute of every day to reduce us to slavery.
“He who is of God hears God’s words; " (John 8:47a)
We hear
We comprehend
But!
Our actions belie our hearing, our comprehending
Our actions give way to a single moment of desire and Satan has us hook, line and sinker. Our desire consumes us – it becomes of more importance than anything else.
We are of God
We hear His word
Yet, unfortunate it is, complete and total allegiance, obedience to Him is missing.
Who am I under?
God’s will
or Satan’s dart of contention warring within me
Who do I serve
Romans 8:5 tells us “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit the things of the Spirit.”
Who do I please
Who do I want to please
What do I want to please
The troubles of the moment will overwhelm us if we don’t look at the overall picture! - If we don’t look to God.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)
“(Likewise) the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses for we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:26-28)
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31a)
Who?
“Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect?
Who is he who condemns?
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
What will separate us?
Who is he who condemns?
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
What will separate us?
Not tribulation, nor distress, nor persecution, nor famine, nor nakedness, nor peril, nor sword.” (Romans 8:33-35)
I am complete in Him.
Our actions may belie our thoughts from time to time, but we are not to stay there.
Our thoughts must always bring us to Jesus.
Our actions must be a result of where God brings us, NOT into a corner where Satan continually strives to drive us.
We must remember to continually look to Him for our everything. For with Him, in Him, I can do anything.
Without Him, I remain floundering in an open sea without a life jacket, without Hope.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Not of the world
Not of the world
But of the Lord Jesus
Yet whose inner voice do we hear and follow
We live in the world
Jesus lived here too
It was no different
He faced the same struggles we too face
Yet He persevered,
looked to His Father in heaven
for all His answers
We are wayward
We may persevere
but we do not always look up or even in His general direction
We look to our neighbor, our friend, our spouse,
at what the world says or suggests or rules
The Lord says do not fear
Yet we do fear
Our fear escalates
anxiety builds ...
oh what will we do,
relationships estranged, jobs lost, hours shortened,
savings depleted, retirement accounts dwindled,
bills higher and higher, oh how to pay
The circle is endless
There is no end
Round and round she goes
and where she stops nobody knows
Where to get off
How to get off
The merry-go-round of life
The world
We live in the world
But ...
But what?!
We live here
We work here
We play here
We have babies here
We get married here
We take vacations here
We do everything here.
Yet,
didn't we give our hearts to Jesus?
didn't we say Yes, we will follow You?
didn't we say we will trust and obey?
didn't we?
We are not of the world
Not of this world
but we darn sure act like we are
The Lord promises us His kingdom
But do we strive to do, to be ALL He wills for us
Do we listen to Him at all
Are we mindful of His commands or disobedient
Have we forgotten?
We live in the world
We are not of the world
The Lord God created the heavens, the world, you and me
He
My God
My Shepherd
My Father
My King
and yours?
He is in control
He knows the beginning from the end and all that is in between
He is
The Alpha and The Omega
He.
Not the world.
has everything under control.
We must rely on Jesus
Not anything anywhere else
Only Him.
He will take us places no one else can dare.
We must
Come to Him alone
Follow Him alone
Stay the course with Him alone
Be complete in Him
alone.
But of the Lord Jesus
Yet whose inner voice do we hear and follow
We live in the world
Jesus lived here too
It was no different
He faced the same struggles we too face
Yet He persevered,
looked to His Father in heaven
for all His answers
We are wayward
We may persevere
but we do not always look up or even in His general direction
We look to our neighbor, our friend, our spouse,
at what the world says or suggests or rules
The Lord says do not fear
Yet we do fear
Our fear escalates
anxiety builds ...
oh what will we do,
relationships estranged, jobs lost, hours shortened,
savings depleted, retirement accounts dwindled,
bills higher and higher, oh how to pay
The circle is endless
There is no end
Round and round she goes
and where she stops nobody knows
Where to get off
How to get off
The merry-go-round of life
The world
We live in the world
But ...
But what?!
We live here
We work here
We play here
We have babies here
We get married here
We take vacations here
We do everything here.
Yet,
didn't we give our hearts to Jesus?
didn't we say Yes, we will follow You?
didn't we say we will trust and obey?
didn't we?
We are not of the world
Not of this world
but we darn sure act like we are
The Lord promises us His kingdom
But do we strive to do, to be ALL He wills for us
Do we listen to Him at all
Are we mindful of His commands or disobedient
Have we forgotten?
We live in the world
We are not of the world
The Lord God created the heavens, the world, you and me
He
My God
My Shepherd
My Father
My King
and yours?
He is in control
He knows the beginning from the end and all that is in between
He is
The Alpha and The Omega
He.
Not the world.
has everything under control.
We must rely on Jesus
Not anything anywhere else
Only Him.
He will take us places no one else can dare.
We must
Come to Him alone
Follow Him alone
Stay the course with Him alone
Be complete in Him
alone.
Cathy Orrick Luders
9.15.2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
In Memory of Bridget
The end came
too soon,
always too soon
Never a timely moment
for death
Never too late
Always too early
Years and years
or months and days
Doesn't matter
The bond formed
lasts beyond time
Nothing is the same
ever again
But the joy and love
shared
brings a
spontaneous
laugh
and then
a tear.
Oh good-bye my sweet
sweet girl
Good-bye for now
but I'll see you
again ...
maybe just around
the next bend.
In Memory of
Dianne's
yellow lab
Bridget
1994 - 2011
Sept. 6
"The Rainbow Bridge"
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Go, and ...
I often think “Go, Do” is the way, and perhaps it is, but to be sure and to perhaps change my thinking I decided to do a mini-study on Jesus’ command, “Go.” My study led me through the four gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
· Go and preach the Kingdom of God
· Go and go forth and do, but if in going you look back, forlorn over what you have lost, you are not worthy to enter God’s heavenly realms
· Go and tell
· Go, give what you have, give what they need
· Go, meet him
· Go, say
· Go, make disciples, baptizing and teaching them
· Go in peace and be healed
· Go and find and bring
· Go, go
· Go more than what you are asked
· Go, do not sin
· Go, obey
“Where I am going, you cannot come.” (John 13:33)
‘And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
G
- o Go everywhere and preach the gospel – preach repentance, salvation, everlasting life – to everyone
‘These 12 Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: Go wherever the Lord sends you, not of your own choosing; (my words of Matthew 10:5) “go and as you go, preach, saying the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal, cleanse, raise the dead, cast out demons, freely give. … And when you go into a household, greet it. Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up … and scourge you … but do not worry … do not fear.” (Matthew 10:5, 7-8, 12, 16-17, 19, 26)
· Go wherever the Lord sends you and preach eternal life; as you meet another, greet them in the name of the Lord, but be wise, beware.
‘Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:60)
· Go and preach the Kingdom of God
‘But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)
· Go and go forth and do, but if in going you look back, forlorn over what you have lost, you are not worthy to enter God’s heavenly realms
‘Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John (John the Baptist) the things which you hear and see: The blind receive their sight and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” (Matthew 11:4-5, Luke 7:22)
“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.” (Matthew 18:15)
“Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” (Mark 5:19)
· Go and tell
· Go, forgive
· Go, show compassion
‘But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14:16)
· Go, give what you have, give what they need
“And at midnight a cry was heard. Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him! (Matthew 25:6)
· Go, meet him
‘So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19:17)
The commandments –
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)
· Go, keep the commandments
· Go, love the Lord
· Go, love your neighbor
Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect (complete), go, sell, what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come, follow Me.” (Matthew 19:21, Luke 10:37)
“One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 10:21)
· Go, sell, give to the poor; and come, follow Jesus
‘And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, The Teacher says, My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.” (Matthew 26:18)
· Go, say
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
· Go, make disciples, baptizing and teaching them
‘And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” (Mark 5:34)
“Go your way; your faith has made you well.” (Mark 10:52)
· Go in peace and be healed
‘And He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a cold tied on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it.” (Mark 11:2)
· Go and find and bring
“Rise up, let us go. See My betrayer is at hand.” (Mark 14:42)
· Go, go
“And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.” (Matthew 5:41)
· Go more than what you are asked
‘She said, “No one Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” (John 8:11)
· Go, do not sin
Jesus commands us to go, sending us; we go, we came, we went, we come back, we return.
When Jesus made the blind man see, He said: “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, “Go wash in the pool of Siloam.” So he went and washed, and came back seeing.” (John 9:4-7)
· Go, obey
· Go, believe
· Go in faith
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:14-15)
- Go, do as I have done for you
“Where I am going, you cannot come.” (John 13:33)
“Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.” (John 13:36)
- Go, be
- Go, keep my commandments
Go forth and follow Me
“Lord, I will follow You wherever you go.” (Luke 9:57)
Will you?
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Optimism...?
Optimism ...
living
or
dead?
the power of hope
or
resignation?
the power of holding one's head high
when everything seems to be going wrong
or
withdrawing into self and ashamed?
the power to bear setbacks
or
let setbacks break you down?
the power to let the future be promising
or
filled with chaos and disorder and despair?
the power of God
or
the enemy of Satan?
Optimism
or
Pessimism?
Which avenue do you follow?
living
or
dead?
the power of hope
or
resignation?
the power of holding one's head high
when everything seems to be going wrong
or
withdrawing into self and ashamed?
the power to bear setbacks
or
let setbacks break you down?
the power to let the future be promising
or
filled with chaos and disorder and despair?
the power of God
or
the enemy of Satan?
Optimism
or
Pessimism?
Which avenue do you follow?
Cathy Orrick Luders
8.31.2011
8.31.2011
Kerplop!
The little acorn
falls
and falls
from high and higher
above --
The mighty Oak
standing firm
between human abodes.
Splatt! Kerplop! Kerplunk!
Acorn follows acorn
as it gathers
momentum
and hits
the ground
to whatever lies
within its path.
Cathy Orrick Luders
8.30.2011
8.30.2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
A weekend get-a-way to Clear Lake
Mondays and Tuesdays are weekends for my husband and I and these last few days of August were spent a few hours north at Clear Lake, Iowa. We arrived at our cottage shortly before sunset Sunday evening so hurried down to the lake (less than a block away) to watch the glorious setting and take some digital photos. The second photo looks like an automobile taking off for the great unknown.
Our cottage, named "Jo-Jo," is the smallest of eight owned by Clear Lake Cottages on South Shore Avenue. Shown here are front and back views of our cottage.
Looking out the back door, past the garbage cans, you can see the lake.
Here are inside views of our cottage ...
And among our many excursions out and about ....
.... here is a seagull about ready to take flight.
.... Jim "Papa Daddy" and our bunny son, BeeJay, at City Beach.
... on a clear day you can see forever ... and reflections ... and shadows
... Here is the Lady of the Lake ... we took an hour-and-a-half cruise with Captain Roger at the helm. We learned a lot of interesting things about Clear Lake and its surroundings.
A memorial commemorating the Buddy Holly crash site was recently dedicated in rural Clear Lake. It was a good thing we had directions; otherwise, we would never have found it. The directions said it was a half-mile walk, but to us it seemed much further. In 2009 it had been 50 years since that fateful night in February.
... Mighty oak tree outside our cottage. The noise of little acorns falling was a little annoying at times.
... The Guardian Angel Chapel is another place hard to find
... Beeds Lake near Hampton. We were last here about 15 years ago.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)