Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Easter: Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Today, we'll have just a quick devotional thought.  Those of you that are United Methodist, remember to be in prayer for our General Conference, which meets every four years to set policy for the United Methodist Church. And, for all of us, let us remember each other in prayer.  

found a great quote by John Wesley today that I wanted to share with you:  This was his advice of Wesley to Christians with bad attitudes. 

"Sour godliness is the devil's religion."


Does that describe us today? Are are godly, but sour?  Shouldn't we as Christians be the most joyful?  But, are we sometimes the most negative?  Do we talk about the love God with a look of disgust on our face? Do we look for reasons to put down? To criticize?  It is not just that we should talk about how much we love God, we should let God's love shine through!  

Remember, today, it is not just that we should talk about God, we should live for Him with abandonment.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Easter: Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Leviticus 26:1-20

We see the Lord tell the people that if they will keep the covenant, He will bring rain, He will protect, He will keep them. If they will worship Him, and Him alone, He will take care of the people. But, we know from reading the rest of the Bible, the people didn't do that. They turned from Him, and turned to worshiping false idols. The would worship, for instance, Baal.  

Baal was the pagan god of plenty, and of agriculture.  Their neighbors believed it was Baal that caused their fields to grow, and if they didn't grow, than Baal must be mad at them. So, when Israel began to worship Baal, that was most of all about trust. They thought, yes, the LORD will take care of our needs, He will cause our fields to grow, He will protect us.  But, we had better have a back up plan. So, they began to worship Baal to cover all their bases. 

The Lord promised to take care of them, but they didn't fully trust Him. They turned to other things. How do we do? Sure, we may not have a false idol in our living room, but instead of trusting in God fully, do we turn to other things, "just in case."  Today, He promised to take care of us. May we trust in Him.  

New Testament Lesson

1 Timothy 2:1-6

This has one of great verses of Scripture within it. Remember, that God is a god that longs for everyone to be saved.  He is not looking to cast people away, He does not delight in judgement, He does not want to reject anyone. He is a god that longs for all creation, and each of us to know Him.  He would go to the furthest reaches of creation to make sure that we have a chance to know Him.  We must simply accept what He has done. His desire is for each us to know Him, know His love, mercy, and grace. 

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 13:18-23

We see that seed is sown in many ways to many people. God will always seek to sow His seed of grace within our hearts. The question must ask ourselves is, then, what type of dirt are we?  Are we the soil that will receive the word?  Are we the soil that is ready to hear what God has to say to us? Are we the kind of soil that will respond to the grace given?  Or are we the soil that is too busy, too rushed, too hurried to allow the seed to grow roots deep down. 

May our hearts always be the type of soil where God's grace can grow deep.  

Monday, April 28, 2008

Easter: Monday, April 28, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Leviticus 25:35-55

One of the great truths we see in the Law is the concept of fairness.  You are supposed to treat each other as you would like to be treated. As my mama would say, you are supposed to "do right" by each other. We see in this passage if someone falls into such poverty they have to sell all they have and come work for family, they are not supposed to be treated like slaves. They are be treated as family, for that is what they are.  You are supposed to treat everyone with the grace and dignity they deserve as the children of God. 

Today, let us treat one another, even those that we struggle with, let us treat them with the grace that our Lord would have us to.  And in doing that, we show God's love and mercy to a hurting world. 

New Testament Lesson

James 1:12-18

This is one of the best verses in scripture that shows our weakness and need for God. When we are tempted, let us not say that we are tempted by God, but rather let us know that we are tempted by our own flesh, our own desires, our own wants. And, in that, we must be aware of what tempts us. We must be aware of things that trip us up. We must be aware of the things that can cause us trouble. And then, stay away from them!  Turn from them, and turn to God. For He will give us the strength.

Temptation is coming for us today.  Let's not go looking for it. And when it does come, let us turn to God.  

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 13:1-16

Lots of folks heard Jesus. They just didn't hear hear HIm. He spoke to them, they just didn't hear what He was saying.  He was speaking, but their hearts where not ready, their thoughts were other places, they just did not hear what He was trying to say. 

Today, our God will Speak.  May we have the grace to Hear what He has to say.  

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Ask Andy Podcast "Why do Bad Things Happen?"

This the Podcast for the Sunday, April 27, 2008 "Ask Andy" Class. The Question I'm answering is "Why do Bad Things Happen to Good People?


Sermon, April 27, 2008 Podcast

This is my sermon from Sunday, April 27, 2008. The text is Acts 17: 22-32, and it is entitled, "It IS Who you Know."


Thursday, April 24, 2008

Easter: Thursday, April 24, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Leviticus 19:26-37

We see here in this passage two sets of commands. Believe it or not first paragraph was concerned with worship. All the things forbidden by the Lord were things that the pagan religions all around took part in. The Lord's concern was that the people not take on the practices of those all around them. For if their practices change, so will their heart. If our actions change, it will change our heart and the way that we feel about God. 

We see this in our own lives. You miss one week of church, that turns into two, which turns into a month, which turns into months. And we look up 6 months later and see we havent' been in church in forever. But, I bet, that we would look up as well and see that our hearts are not as close to God as they need to be. Our actions affect our heart.  

New Testament Lesson

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

We see here Paul saying that one day the Lord will return and bring justice and vengeance. Remember, that is the Lord's work, not ours.  The word teaches us that "vengeance is mine, says the Lord," (Romans 12:19).  Some times we feel like that is our job, or even our responsibility. Remember, thought, that it is the Lord that is the righteous judge. Let us remember that He is the one that all will be judged by.  As a professor of mine once said in seminary, it is a scary thing to start calling down God's judgement from heaven, for none of us can stand up to God's judgement or stand before Him with clean hands.  

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 6:25-34

This is a passage I should read to myself every moment of every day.  I will confess, as I did last Sunday in worship, that I am a worrier.  I get it honest, though, my mama is a worrier too.  It runs in our family.  I know I shouldn't but I just can't help it sometimes.  

Many of us are worriers, so I tell this to you this morning knowing that I'm preaching to myself as well. We can't accomplish anything through worry. God will take of us. He will not leave nor forsake us. We can rest easy in the palm of His hand. Through Him, we don't have to worry.  Now, I know it's easier said than done, but today, if just for today, lets take this time to rest easy in Him. And we'll know that He will take care of us.  

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Easter: Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Leviticus 19:1-8

We see here the instruction to be Holy as God is Holy. That's a loaded phrase. What does it mean to be Holy as God is Holy. Does that mean we should be upright in our actions?  Yes.  Does it mean that we should stick close to the Bible in making our decisions?  Yes. It means a lot of things. But, in all the things that it means, it means that we are to be different. We are to live in a different way, love in a different way, forgive in a different way than the way that world does. 

We should be the most forgiving, for we have been forgiven the most. We should be the most loving, for we have been loved. We should be the most understanding, for we have been understood. We should be the most graceful, for we have been showed grace.  God has been Holy towards us, so may we be Holy towards others. 

New Testament Lesson

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Paul always ends his letters with words of encouragements. And they are encouragements to do right. To forgive.  To live right.  To be patient and kind. To give God grace and glory. They are always short and quick, but always paint the way for a good life. 

Sometimes a good life is not the complicated things. Sometimes it is just doing the right things, the simple things, and doing them in a way that gives God all the glory.  

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 6:19-24

We see our Lord remind us today, we cannot serve two masters. God must be first.  We cannot think we can equally serve God and anything else.  He must come first. And when He does, we find peace, joy, and grace that we can find under no other master. If we devote our lives to chasing anything but God, we will come up empty. But, if we devote our lives to chasing God, we will find all that we could ever want or need

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Easter: Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Leviticus 16:20-34

We see in this passage not only the sins of individuals are atoned for, but the community.  The entire body repents and asks forgiveness of its sin.  Sin is personal, but it is also cooperate. Sometimes we must ask the question, "does the body live as it ought?"  Do we as the church, or do we as families live as God would have us to? Are we serving? Are we loving? Are we helping?  Are we forgiving? Are we feeding the hungry? Are we clothing the naked? Are we caring for the sick?  

We as individuals need to pause and reflect upon how we live. But, we as bodies must pause and reflect as well.  

New Testament Lesson

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

So many spend so much time trying to figure out the return of Christ. Folks write lots of books about it.  People spend a lot of time worrying about it. Paul tells us here, don't focus on that. Don't concern yourself with that. Live as you ought, and all else will be as it should. Today, let us focus on living for God, and we know that He will take care of everything else. 

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 6:16-18

Jesus continues to remind us, let us do our works for God for Him to see, not for anyone else.  Let us remember that He is the one we live for and He is one whose praise that we most seek to know.  Let us today, and always, live for Him!

Monday, April 21, 2008

Ask Andy - Podcast

Yesterday in my Sunday School Class, "Ask Andy" I answered the question, "What Happens when you die?"  You can click below to listen, or click here to subscribe to my podcasts. 


Sermon Podcast - Sunday, April 20, 2008

You can click below to listen to my sermon from yesterday, or click here to subscribe to my podcasts.

Easter: Monday, April 21, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Leviticus 16:1-19

One of the things that we see, even in the Old Testament, is that is always wanting His people to have forgiveness for their sins. That is a constant theme within scripture. God longs to forgive His people, and will do all that He can do to forgive His people.  He will go to all the extremes to bring His people home, and will work as hard as He can work to restore that relationship. 

We have to do our part as well.  He has offered forgiveness and grace and mercy to us. All we have to do is receive the grace He longs to give!  

New Testament Lesson

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Paul reminds us that there is hope for all. God forgets no one. Some folk in his day worried that the dead may not have a part in the resurrection, while others thought that only the dead would be resurrected, who knew what would happen to the living?  Paul says, no, God's life is a gift to all. At the last judgement, the dead in Christ shall rise, and those that remain shall meet Him in the air! And the hope of eternal life is there for all that know Him.  

Today, and this is good to know on a Monday, we know that this life is not the end. There is more out there that we cannot see. There is life eternal, make for those that believe! Today, True life awaits for us.  May we live in it! 

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 6:1-15

Jesus reminds us that our faith is not about show.  We are not to hide our faith; we are to deny are faith; we are to live our faith. But, we are not to live our faith in way that puts down upon others. We are not to live our our faith in a way that makes us look superior or "holier" than others. We are not live our faith in a way that shows off. We are simply to live for God in all that we do, and in every action that we take, we try to glorify God. 

Today, let us live for Him. Not to show off for others, but simply because of all that He has done for us!

Friday, April 18, 2008

Ask Andy - Baptism

I'm teaching a new Sunday School Class called "Ask Andy." This week I answered the question, "What's the deal with Baptism and different denomations?" You can listen to my lesson by clicking below, or you can subscribe to my podcast feed by clicking here.


Thursday, April 17, 2008

Easter: Thursday, April 17, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Exodus 34:1-17

The Lord shows us two things of great importance. First, He shows that He is a forgiving God.  He had every reason to destroy the people and start over.  But, He didn't.  He was true to His promise, and He forgave them.  He did say, though, that sin has consequences. The consequences of sin is that is passed down to the children. So, if someone is full of hate, they will teach their children to hate. Our kids and grand kids do what we do. That is why sin is passed down.  It is learned from the parents. 

And secondly, we see the Lord tell the people that they should not, must not worship idols, only the Lord. To worship an idol is to give it devotion and love ahead of God. That is the temptation we face sometimes. Not to make a gold calf to worship, but to place other things ahead of God.  We must be careful that we do not fall into the same trap that the Israelites did.  

New Testament Lesson

1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

Just as sin can be passed down, so can righteousness. Paul here says how proud he is the people, for they are living in the way that they were taught.  Just as with our lives can teach children bad habits, we can also teach them good. We can teach them faith, devotion, love, prayer; things such as this. Now, they must still claim it as their own; but we can be good examples. 

And what makes you more proud and happy than to see your child or grandchild accomplish something?  Imagine the joy and pride we can feel and have felt when we have seen them grow into faithful followers of Christ.  

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 5:21-26

And we see in this passage what it means to be a faithful follower of Christ.  It starts in the inside. It starts in heart.  If our heart is devoted to Christ, so will our actions be.  If our heart is in love with Christ, so will our actions be.  If heart keeps from sin and hate, so will our actions. 

Let us live with faithful and obedient hearts. And our lives will follow. 

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Easter: Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Today, just a quick thought from our friends at Christian Quote of the Day

The tragedy of life and of the world is not that men do not know God; the tragedy is that, knowing Him, they still insist on going their own way.

William Barclay

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Easter: Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Exodus 32:21-34

We see in this passage just how serious God takes sin, and we see the effects of sin. Sin is a dangerous thing, it is not something that we should play with. You know how a child wants to touch things that make look interesting, but will hurt them? That is how sin is for us. And just as we tell the child, no, that will hurt, that will burn, so does God tell us, no sin will destroy you. One of my favorite quotes about sin comes from Max Lucado, "The reason why God hates sin so much is because of what it does to His children."

Sin will destroy us, and destroy those that we love. But, it also looks so tempting. It is in the time of temptation that we must turn to God. For, we don't have the strength ourselves to resist. But, through God's power, God's strength, and God's grace, we can resist. For, His grace can allow us to do more than we ever think possible!

New Testament Lesson

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10


Paul says something here that I love. He says that their faith has become so well know in the areas around them that they don't even have to speak about it; people just have seen their lives and have seen the changes that God's grace has brought. Sometimes it is hard to speak about our faith. Sometimes we don't know the right words, don't know exactly what we ought to say. Now, we need to allow God's grace to work through us so that if He has something for us to say, we can say it.

But, the loudest words we'll ever speak are not with our mouths. They are with our lives. God doesn't really need more folks to talk about Him, He needs more folks to live for Him. The words our lives are the most important words we speak. When we treat others with respect, with love, with honor, with forgiveness, when we treat them as we would like to be treated ourselves, we preach the gospel. Remember, today as we live grace filled lives, we can preach the gospel of our Lord!

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 5:11-16

As our Lord tell us, when we let our light shine before others, praise will be given to God. When we let the light of Christ shine through in our lives, God is glorified. And that is something we can all do! Remember God doesn't always ask us to climb that high mountain, He just asks us to be faithful. And, when we are faithful, He'll do the rest. Today, let's let God's light shine through in our lives, and let's see all the great things He can do!

Monday, April 14, 2008

Easter: Monday, April 14, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Exodus 32:1-20

The thing that is most amazing about this passage is that Moses was up on the mountain, literally in front of their eyes.  If they just would have looked up to the mountain, they would have seen the very presence of God.  Instead, they choose to look down at their circumstance, at their fear, at their desire, and they wound up worshiping idols.  All because they didn't see what was right their in front of them. 

In life sometimes we get so focused on all the stuff going on around us that we can lose our way.  Instead of looking up to God, we look down at our circumstances. And just like the Israelites, we can think that God is not there with us. All we have to do is look up.  Open our eyes, open our ears.  Let the Holy Spirit speak. And, we will know that He is there. Today, let us look up, and know our God is with us.  

New Testament Lesson

Colossians 3:18-4:18

One of the boundaries that we are to treat everyone by in the faith is to be fair. To treat everyone the same. To treat everyone with love and respect.  To, as our Lord said, do unto others as we would have them do unto us.  We see that notion here in this passage. Each person here is suppose to treat one another with the respect that is due a child of God.  So today, let us treat one another as we would like to be treated.  

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 5:1-10

We see here in this passage that the blessings aren't alway to who we think that they may be. The blessings are to those that turn their hearts to God. And blessings themselves are not always what we think they may be.  The truest blessing is that close walk with God, and blessings that go with a heart that is close to God. For then we see that the truest blessings come from God. Today, may we realize how blessed we are

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Easter: Thursday, April 10, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Exodus 20:1-21

We see here the 10 Commandments. Books, essays, sermons, all these have been written about the 10 Commandments. This may be the most formative document given in human history. What can we say about it in this limited space?  When we look at these commands, notice what they are concerned with. They are concerned with our relationship with God: idolatry, the Lord's name, etc. They are also concern about our relationship with each other: murder, theft, adultery, etc.  God's commands for us revolve around two great and important things. Our relationship with Him (God) and our relationship with each other (neighbor).

A guy comes up to Jesus and asks him what most important command is, and Jesus love the Lord your God with all of our heart, your soul, your mind and your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. 

Love of God, love of neighbor. We see in the 10 Commandments, we see it in the life and ministry of Jesus. That is our greatest calling and greatest command in life. Love God, love each other.  If we do that, everything else will work out.  

New Testament Lesson

Colossians 1:24-2:7

As Paul reminds us here, it is Christ that we proclaim and He is the point of being for the church, and for the individual Christian. He is what we are about, He is who we are called to follow, His life is the life we are called to live.  It is a life of love, mercy, peace, joy, compassion, and devotion to God.  We proclaim Him with our words, and with our lives. Let us live for Him today.  

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 4:1-11

We see that just as we are tempted each of our life, so was our Lord tempted.  We serve a God that we tempted as we are, yet remained sinless. So, in our moment of trail and temptation, we know that we can turn to Him, for He understands.  He has been where we are, He has walked a mile in our shoes. He understands, He knows, He sympathizes.  In our moment of need and doubt and temptation, let us turn to Jesus, for He has been where we are and will give us the strength to stand.  

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Easter: Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Exodus 19:16-25

One of the concepts we see all the time in the Old Testament is just how Holy God is. He is other than we are.  He is Holy, and the Bible paints the picture that we cannot even look at Him, for being human we could not handle it.  He is different than we are.

So, how stark a picture of love is it for this Holy and different God to become human in the person of Jesus Christ, to embrace our humanity.  He loves us enough that He humbles Himself to become one of us to save us. 

It is an amazing picture of who God is, that humility is a part of who He is.  He humbles Himself.  In an age that does not like humility, and age that is full of pride and arrogance, we serve a God that was humble. May we take the same spirit ourselves.  

New Testament Lesson

Colossians 1:15-23

I love the first phrase of this passage.  He is the visible image of the invisible God. So, to see God, we look at Jesus.  To know God's character, to know God's love, to God's desire for salvation, we look at Jesus. Through Jesus, we see a picture of God's heart. We see the lengths that He would go to, and goes to, to see us come back home.  Through Jesus, we see God.  And we see His desire for us to be reconciled and restored, we see how far God goes to show us His love.  

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 3:13-17

We see in Jesus baptism, something happened.  God worked and moved and spoke in a powerful way.  In that moment, we see the movement and the power of God's grace. So is it when their is a baptism in the church.  When someone is baptized, when they are marked as God's very own, the grace of God is made known to all.  I know the two proudest days of my life thus far have been when when my two children were baptized.  It was an amazing thing to see them marked as God's very own and to know that at moment, He was beginning that work of grace in their lives that would lead them to His saving grace. 

Remember your baptism today. Remember that He has marked you.  Remember He has called you. Remember you are His!  May we rejoice in His grace today!  

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Easter: Monday, April 8, 2008

Today, another quote, we'll resume our normal format tomorrow. This is a quote that was sent out recently by my good friend Dr. Rocky Henriques

In the name of Jesus Christ, who was never in a hurry, we pray, O God, that
You will slow us down, for we know that we live too fast. With all of eternity before us, make us take time to live-time to get acquainted with You, time to enjoy Your blessings, and time to each other.
--Peter Marshall


Monday, April 7, 2008

Easter: Monday, April 7, 2008

Today, just a quick quote from our friends at Christian Quote of the Day

When Jesus Christ shed his blood on the cross, it was not the blood of a martyr; or the blood of one man for another; it was the life of God poured out to redeem the world.
    ... Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)


Today, remember the depth of our God's love for us!  

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Easter: Thursday, April 3, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Exodus 16:10-22

We see the Lord provide for their needs. We see Him provide food for them. We see Him provide for them the stuff of life. But notice, they are only to get enough for one day. They are not to get enough for two days, they are not get extra, they are not to gather in a "savings" if you will. Why?

Remember the prayer our Lord taught us to pray? Give us this day our daily bread? In this passage they are to get their daily bread? Why did the Lord say daily bread? Why are they only to do enough for that day? They (and we) must learn to trust Him every day, day by day for our needs. We must learn to put our faith and hope for this day not in our own strength but in His.

And we must learn to not worry about tomorrow. Focus on today. He will provide for us tomorrow. Today is the day that we are to focus on. Tomorrow will take care of itself. For just as He provides today, He will provide tomorrow.

New Testament Lesson

1 Peter 2:11-25


We see Peter tell us that sometimes we will suffer for doing right. Sometimes we may suffer for following God. Following God is not a protective hedge against all harm and suffering. God's people will suffer like others.. In fact, sometimes our suffering will come because we serve God. But, we have hope and strength in the midst of whatever we are going through, because God is with us. And if we suffer for His sake, if we suffer for doing His will, He will reward us. Today, in all that we go through, let us rejoice in Him!

Gospel Lesson


John 15:12-27

He leaves with us one great command, one thing that we are called to do above all us. Of all the things that a Christian is supposed to do, that is called to do, that is commanded to do, this is the most important, this is the most vital, this is who we are supposed to be, this shows our faith above all else. Love. We are called to Love. We are called to love God, and we are called to love each other. That is the command of the Christian, that is the path of the Christian life.

Today, let us love. Let us love God, and let us love each other. For if we do that, we are following the command of our savior.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Easter: Wednesay, April 2, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Exodus 15:22-16:10

In the day before this passage, the people saw God deliver them from the Egyptians. They saw His power and His strength. The saw what He could do and who He was. Now, a few moments later. they begin to doubt and complain. They had already forgotten what God had done and did not think about what God could do.

Today, instead of complaining about things in life that we don't like or can't control, let us remember what God has done,and let us place our faith in Him in every situation in life.

New Testament Lesson


1 Peter 2:1-10

Just as in building, you need that good foundation, that good cornerstone. So is it life. We need the good foundation of Christ. He is the cornerstone, He is the living stone, He is the one that everything in our lives should and must be built upon. If life is built upon Him, then there will be life. If it is built around anything else, we are set up for a fall. Today, may we build upon Christ.

Gospel Lesson

John 15:1-11

Just as the branches must stay connected to the vine to grow and have life, so must we stay connected to Jesus to have and know true life. We stay connect through prayer. Through scripture. Through worship. Through service. Through communion. John Wesley called these things means of grace. They are the things that we do through which we receive grace. Today, let us stay connected to the vine of life in all that we do. For only through Him do we find true life.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Easter: Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Exodus 15:1-21


One of the lessons that we learn from Scripture is God's mighty strength. Many words or phrases describe who God is. He is powerful, mighty, and strong. We see Him protect His people. We see Him working for His plan and His will. We see Him bringing down those that oppose His will and His way. We see Him making the way straight for His people.

We must always remember that is at work on behalf of His plan and His people. So, if we are working for God, if we are following His plan, what have we to fear? For greater is He that is in us and for us than he would stand against us. The Lord's strength becomes our strength, and the Lord's strength is greater than we could ever imagine.

New Testament Lesson

1 Peter 1:13-25

To be holy is to be set apart, it is to be different. So, when we are called to be holy, that means that we are called to be different than those around us. That means in a world that does not forgive, we are called to forgive. In a world of hate, we are called to love. In a world that tears down, we are called to build up. In world that pushes God away, we are called to draw near to God. In a world that tears families apart, we are called to build fa miles up.

In a world where our worth comes from who we are and what we've done, we are called to know that our worth come from who He is and what He has done. We are called to be holy. We aer called to be different.

Gospel Lesson

John 14:18-31

He tell us that while He is going to the Father, He will not leave us orphaned. He will not leave us. For while He sits at the right hand of the Father, the Holy Spirit, was sent and fills us. Where there is grace and mercy, there is the Spirit. Where there is leading and guiding and direction, there is the Spirit. Where there is love, there is the Spirit. He did not leave us orphaned, He did not forsake us. For through the Spirit, we are drawn closer to God and drawn into the life that the Triune God longs for us to have.