Aug 20, 2017
Operation True Hope

Matthew 13:18-23New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Parable of the Sower Explained

18 “Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away.[a] 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23 But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
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  • Aug 20, 2017Operation True Hope
    Aug 20, 2017
    Operation True Hope

    Matthew 13:18-23New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

    The Parable of the Sower Explained

    18 “Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away.[a] 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23 But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
  • Jul 30, 2017Being a Person of Peace in our World
    Jul 30, 2017
    Being a Person of Peace in our World
    Being a Person of Peace in our World
     
    When Jesus leaves his peace with the disciples we are freed to take that peace throughout the world. It will rarely be an easy road but we are equipped with peace that can change our lives and the world for the better.
     

    John 14:23-27

    23 Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. 25 “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate,[a] the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
  • Jul 23, 2017Being a Person of Peace in our Community
    Jul 23, 2017
    Being a Person of Peace in our Community
    Being a Person of Peace in our Community
     
    Our local community is always in need of peaceful influences. How do we carry the peace of God out from this building and into our neighborhoods? Can we be peaceful at the park? The baseball field? The PTA meeting? Jesus does not hold peace within a small group but unleashes it into the community, even into the life of a Roman occupier.
     

    Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant

    After Jesus[a] had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.” And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

  • Jul 9, 2017Being of Person of Peace at Home
    Jul 9, 2017
    Being of Person of Peace at Home
    “The Peace that Passes Understanding: How to Have Peace in Unpeaceful Times”
    Being of Person of Peace at Home
    As much as we try, our homes are not always as peaceful as we would like. Even Mary and Martha seem to be wrestling with how to handle their home life. Is it possible that Jesus offers us a peace that can transform our home and our family for good?

    Jesus Visits Martha and Mary

    38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42 there is need of only one thing.[a] Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
  • Jul 2, 2017What Would Jesus Do With Sickness?
    Jul 2, 2017
    What Would Jesus Do With Sickness?

    Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers

    11 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus[a] was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten lepers[b] approached him. Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus’[c] feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 18 Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”
     
     
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