March 3, 2010

Opening Hymns:
Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven (http://nethymnal.org/htm/p/r/a/praisems.htm)
My Faith Looks Up to Thee (http://nethymnal.org/htm/m/y/myfluptt.htm)

Scripture Reading:
Luke 13:1-9

Message Blame
At the beginning of this passage Jesus is telling the people that when bad things happen it is not God giving people what they deserve. He describes two different events. While He does not say that they are without sin, He does say that they were no more sinful than everyone else. Repentance, He states, will keep us from perishing. Though we all will eventually pass away, our life with God can go on. It is important that this everlasting relationship begins sooner than later. Life is unpredictable and can often be shorter than expected.

This scripture also reminds me of the book of Job. He followed the Lord with all his heart, and yet had all his possessions and most of his family taken away from him. This act was seen by his friend’s as God’s punishment. However, later in the book God reveals that all that happened to Job was not a punishment. We too might be looking at others or at our own life wondering if we or others are being disciplined for sins. But one of the main points Jesus is making is that we should not judge. We are not the jury and have no say on who is innocent and who is guilty. Frankly, we are all guilty. All of us can also be forgiven. When bad things happen to others instead of pointing and blaming we should lend a helping hand.

Time of Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go (http://nethymnal.org/htm/o/l/oltwnlmg.htm)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, and serve the Lord
Thanks be to God