Though the pride of the godless person reaches to the heavens and his head touches the clouds, he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
Like a dream he flies away, no more to be found, banished like a vision of the night. The eye that saw him will not see him again; his place will look on him no more.
His children must make amends to the poor; his own hands must give back his wealth. The youthful vigor that fills his bones will lie with him in the dust.
Father, let us boast of your attributes! Let us be humbled and grateful for your gentleness to us. Lead us into your gentle ways that we may be strong. Amen.
I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven. As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us his mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us, for we have endured no end of contempt. We have endured no end of ridicule from the arrogant, of contempt from the proud. Psalm 123 (NIV)
Opening Prayer: Father God, this world presents us with many challenging circumstances. Thank You for being with us through the difficult times and in times of joy. May we live our lives fully, here and now, but may we also remember that this is not our eternal home. May Your kingdom come. In the name of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and for Your glory, I pray. Amen.
Message [used with permission from A Sermon for Every Sunday]: Is this it? Or is there more? – The Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost [11/10/19] by Ryan Ahlgrim, Pastor of First Mennonite Church in Richmond, Virginia.
Perhaps one of the most debated topics in Christianity is death and the afterlife. Ryan Ahlgrim asks, “Is it either you trust in life after death or you’re committed to living out God’s reign now on Earth?” In his sermon from Luke 20:27-38, Ahlgrim shows us that “these two things that we trust in and do are intimately connected with each other.” Listen as he explains the relationship between these two priorities and how it affects our lives as believers.
Closing Prayer: Father God, as we lay down our burdens, may we find peace and rest. Sometimes the journey is long and hard. Strengthen us. May You be our guide. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Stand Firm But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 (NIV)
The Anarchist Now, friends, read these next words carefully. Slow down and don’t go jumping to conclusions regarding the day when our Master, Jesus Christ, will come back and we assemble to welcome him. Don’t let anyone shake you up or get you excited over some breathless report or rumored letter from me that the day of the Master’s arrival has come and gone. Don’t fall for any line like that.
Before that day comes, a couple of things have to happen. First, the Apostasy. Second, the debut of the Anarchist, a real dog of Satan. He’ll defy and then take over every so-called god or altar. Having cleared away the opposition, he’ll then set himself up in God’s Temple as “God Almighty.” Don’t you remember me going over all this in detail when I was with you? Are your memories that short? 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5 (MSG)
Father, help us to be gentle when speaking of our faith to those who ask our reason for the hope we have. Let us not drive them away with our zeal but gently point them toward You. Amen.
I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:25-27 (NIV)
Faithfully Yours Forever 