Spiritual Stamina

This is the final podcast from Cycle B of the Christian Church's Year where we have journeyed with the Gospel of Mark. This coming Sunday, November 21st is Christ The King Sunday where we bow to our redeemer King. The Gospel reading is from Mark 13:32-37. Here Mark quotes Jesus who is directing us to be alert and keep awake - to ready ourselves for the second coming of Christ. Our joys, sorrows, and anxieties often keep us awake. Knowing we can cast those cares to God and be embraced with the power of Jesus's love certainly removes any distractions. Therefore - be alert, engage Jesus, and stay awake.

Matthew 5:1-12. The Beatitudes are read on All Saints Day to affirm that our deeds have ultimate significance. We celebrate the saints – living and dead – who have sacrificed to do the right thing. They, like us, have done deeds that involved sacrifice or have caused suffering, or that nobody pays attention to, and we have done things that seem to be part of losing causes. Jesus tells us that these deeds: mercy, love, peace, mourn the dead, and suffering persecution in my name matter. They matter to Jesus, to us, the world, the kingdom. Be Blest!

The appointed Gospel for Reformation Day is John 8:31-38. It is the truth that Jesus speaks. His words abide with us through out our journey. Take these words to heart. Make Jesus the center of your lives. We need to be freed from the power of sin so we can live and have our being.

What blinds us? Are we bold enough to call out to Jesus? In Mark 10:46-52 we hear a story of faith healing. Jesus simply says…what would you have me do for you? Let Jesus work His miracle in you as he did for the blind man. Be persistent, bold and confident in your faith and it will make you well.

Make the paths straight. Repent and prepare for the change that is coming. Invite Jesus into your life and it will never be the same.

Thoughts on the First Week of Advent using Isaiah 64.

November 1 2020 Gospel is Matthew 5:1-12. The Sermon by Jesus begins is radical fashion by upending the social strata of the day. Blessed are...

The Church is always reforming. The power of the Spirit gathers and sanctifies the Church from the heart of Christ. Luther's symbol puts us in right relationship with God by centering are lives on His saving Grace in Christ Jesus.

The Gospel reading for Sunday, October 18, 2020, continues the engagement between Jesus and the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. This passage is a seeming simple question designed to entrap Jesus. Yet, Jesus is cleaver and provides a clear picture of discipleship and Jewish understanding - God is priority One! It's a good message to hear since we often operate on the belief that God=Country. Honor God by making Him first - always.

Matthew 22:1-14. Please come. When the banquet is set by a king, consider it a privilege. As you live as the chosen people, follow the true King, Jesus Christ. The alternative is disastrous. Make sure everyone knows they are invited as well.

God expects good fruit from His vineyard. As good tenants of the church we build a community that reflects the best of God's creation.

Matthew 20:1-16 The liberty of God to accept those into His vineyard is the key to widening God's Kingdom. No matter when you come to the waters of baptism you are welcome into God's vineyard. You will receive full compensations of salvation.

Matthew 18:21-35 Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. Simply, forgive one another unconditionally. I know it takes time, but otherwise you will be imprisoned by our your own guilt. Forgiving frees both sinners.

Matthew 18:15-20 We are accountable to God and to one another. Jesus is present always and when we find ourselves in conflict with one another He can mediate. Let Jesus - his actions and words - serve as an example on how to forgive and manage sinful behavior. Many times we rely on human ways of handling hurt and injury.. This passage gives us a firm understanding on how accountability for our behavior is to be handled.

Matthew 18:10-14. Lost sheep...even just one are important to God. Jesus seeks the lost one as if it was the only one of the herd. We are called to follow that example to grow and preserve the community.

Matthew 18:5-6. The Baptized should take on the character of the child of God they are. Discipline yourselves to become trusting of God, honest, self correcting, innocent as doves. Do not tempt or cause fellow disciples to stumble or fall. Go everywhere in the name of Jesus.

Gospel lesson for this week is Matthew. 18:1-20. Today we read from verses 1-5. Child-like qualities are welcomed and affirmed and desirable in the Kingdom of Heaven. Be humble, trusting, and thirst for learning.

Matthew 16:21-28. Taking up our cross is difficult. Yet through the pain and suffering we bring glory to God by fixing our lives on following Jesus and brining his message of salvation to the world.

Matthew 16:21-24. Jesus rebukes Peter...and us. Humans are selfish creatures and easily distracted. Keep your focus on Jesus and His mission.

Matthew 16:24-25. Taking up your cross means to struggle with everyday challenges. Within the challenges are pain, anguish and even death. On the other side of the cross, out of the suffering is new life.

Matthew 16:21-28. The first of three predictions of Jesus' death and resurrection. We encounter what it takes of us to journey with Jesus and be a disciple.

Matthew 16:13-20 unlocks God's will for our lives. God gives us keys to life, relationship and salvation. A primary key is to practice forgiveness.

Matthew 16:13-20. The Church built on the rock can withstand the conflict between good and evil. *recorded Aug 19.

Matthew 16:21-30. Today we encounter the clear message to remain linked with God to understand His authority over both heaven and earth. God alone can forgive repentant sinners. Our mission is to lead people to the waters of forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

Matthew 16:21-30. This week the Gospel lesson for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost is the first prediction by Jesus of His Passion. Who do we say Jesus is? Peter answers and now it's our opportunity to do the same in our setting.

Matthew 15:28. Because The Canaanite woman came to Jesus, kneeled at his feet her daughter was healed - instantly. That is good news for all of us when we come to Jesus knowing that grace extends to us.

Matthew 15:25-27 is a passionate, pleading of the woman for Jesus to heal her Daughter. She simply prays...Lord, Help Me. Go to Him in prayer, simply and with the assurance your prayer will be answered.

Matthew 15:23-24. Jesus does not answer. Very uncommon. Jesus accepts the challenge to define his true mission to Israel. At the same time opens up salvation to the gentiles. We are included. Thanks be to God.

Matthew 15:21-28 is the Gospel lesson this week. Jesus ventures to the gentile territory and encounters an opportunity to show mercy.

Matthew 14:31-33. Jesus' outstretched hand is always there. Even just a little faith can save us. Amid the doubt and distractions of this world, God's promises are firm and fully realized in Jesus Christ.

Matthew 14:28-33. Peter asks Jesus to let him come. Jesus says COME! Peter, like you and me, steps out of the boat. Whatever compelled Peter to step out it was a bold move. People of faith need to step out - move forward to make Christ known. Its faith over fear - even just a little faith - that the world needs to see.

Matthew 14:25-27. Jesus shocks the disciples by walking to them on water. Yet when he speaks they and nature are calmed. Put away your fear. Don't exaggerate your problem...together with Jesus helping you can find solutions.

Matthew 14:22-24 sets the stage for the moments after the feeding. Jesus compels disciples to get into the boat and he withdraws to pray. Prayer nourishes our soul and reenergizes our faith as we listen and dialog with God.

Gospel lesson for this week is Matthew 14:22-33. Jesus tells Peter...Come. He does and in the midst of his water walk turns his attention from Jesus to himself. He begins to sink. Jesus grabs his hand and saves him. The self-righteous will parish. Trust Jesus and live.

Matthew 14:13-21 is our Gospel this week and as we end the week...it is us to whom it speaks most loudly. Never take the provisions of God for granted. Honor God and share your bread.

Matthew provides his explanation of the Feeding of the 5000 to mark the transition from classroom disciples to disciples who engage in ministry. Just like a young bird leaving the nest for the first time we are destined to put our learning into action. We will fall, look awkward and lose a few feathers along the way - but the Kingdom of God is at hand - go! Its time for you to fly.

Matthew 14: 13-16. Jesus comes ashore and sees the crowds and has compassion on them. They hunger for hope and comfort. Jesus simply heals the sick among them invoking the name of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Those that seek healing find a cure in Jesus' touch. Seek this Jesus, be healed.

Matthew 14:13-21 describes the miracle of the feeding. In the midst of some urgency the Disciples beckon Jesus to advise them in a crisis. Jesus directs them to feed them. We are also directed to feed those around us.

This week the Gospel lessons move from Parable to Miracle. Matthew 14:12-27 is the account of feeding the 5000.

Matthew 13 contains 8 parables of Jesus. Jesus has revealed to the world an important revelation about the Kingdom of God. As we become competent and confident in the Word, we are called to continue this revelation as St. Paul describes in Ephesians 3:8-11.

Matthew 13 is textbook Jesus as teacher. The series of parable gives us a clear message about the Kingdom of God and also the last day. When Jesus comes again it is God's desire that all humanity enter the Kingdom. The role we have is to evangelize all to give everyone opportunity to stand with Jesus.

Matthew 13:44-52. At the end of the readings Jesus talks about the ability of scribes to draw from the old and the new. These Secretaries of State for the High Priest and the Roman Prefect issue decrees. As a scribe...we draw upon the treasure who is Jesus Christ...the way, the truth, the life.

Matthew 13:31-33. Another series of parables about the Kingdom of God. If we see our life as beginning like a mustard seed but can provide shelter and rest for others as we grow to maturity...we can understand what Jesus is teaching.

This week our Gospel reading is Matthew 13:44-52. This parable has stories of finding treasure that brings great joy and results in actions of selling everything. Selling everything is a process or journey. But to find treasures you need to search. Staying in a state of stagnation will be to your peril at the end of the age. Search and you shall find....begin first in your own heart.

Today we journey into Psalm 78. Jesus quotes Ps. 78:2 in Matthew 13 when explain the parables. We have a story and God expects us as disciples to bring glory to HIm through our lives. So tell your children, grandchildren and anyone who will listen about God's salvation in Jesus Christ through your life's lessons. Just as Jesus did - make salvation personal.

Matthew 13:24-30, 34-43 is the Gospel reading form Sunday July 19. Today we encounter the harvest. While we learn to cope and persevere alongside the weeds. God will remove the weeds - sinner and evil doers - at harvest time. The most important fact is that Jesus is alongside of us every moment...we are not in this alone. Together, we will shine like the sun on the last day.

Matthew 13:37-39. The weeds grow along with the wheat. The wheat holds steadfast to the good news. Rootedness in the world does not produce a fruitful harvest.

Matthew 13:30. One verse explains how the Kingdom will be perfected at the harvest. Even though evils may appear to temporality prevail...be patient and trust that God's promises will always be fulfilled.

Matthew 13: 34-43. Portions of this scripture segment describe the use of parable by Jesus. The world thirsts for hope and assurance in the coming Kingdom...but what will the Kingdom be like? Jesus shares in everyday storytelling.

Gospel for this week is: Matthew 13:24-30, 34-43. The Parable of the Weeds and Wheat.

Gospel Part II Matthew 13:18-23. Jesus explains the Parable of the Sower. We are called to continue to scatter seeds everywhere no matter the outcome...but keep on mission.