Ordinary Time: Thursday, July 13, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Deuteronomy 3:18-28

We see a couple of things here. God was beginning the process of equipping Joshua to take Moses place. Moses had served God for many years and it one of the saints of the Bible. But, he would not live forever here upon the earth. The torch must be passed. And, God was making a plan for that.

All of us are important to God, and all of us have a mission and a unique gift and calling from God. But, we are not the end all and be all of Christianity. Long after I'm gone, there will be ministry being done. I'm just a vessel that God uses, and then when my time has come, I will pass from life to true life, but here upon the earth, God's work will continue. I tell folks at church this; Coy was here before I got here, it will be here after I leave. God's work was bigger than Moses, and God's work is bigger than you or me.

In spite of the fact that Moses would not make it across the river, God allows him to see the promised land. While God's work is bigger than any of us; He does reward His servants for their work.

New Testament Lesson

Romans 9:19-33

We see at the end of this passage that key truth. Righteousness comes through faith. We can strive after it all that we want through our actions and deeds, but true righteousness from God comes from our faith and trust in Him.

Our hearts must be right first. Our love for Him must come first. All the acts of religion, all the faithful rituals of our church, all of these things are meaningless without a heart that is in love with Jesus Christ.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 24:1-14

The one truth that those that endure, they will gain the victory. Jesus doesn't promise us a bed of roses. He doesn't say that we won't have to deal with trouble and pain. But, He did promise that He would be there and these temporary troubles will not last. For He will return. We affirm that each Sunday in the Apostle's Creed. We have hope that this world is not the end, and the troubles that we endure here will not last forever. So, hang on!