Message to Sunday School Families from St. John Rochester on Vimeo.
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He who has ears let him hear…reading your bible while driving!
I will be honest I have struggled to stay up on my reading of the Gospels through Lent. I knew that I would at some point fall behind, but I was committed to try and read during Lent. Yesterday I realized I was almost a week behind. I had about an hour drive for something yesterday by myself and thought I should catch up. I am sure you all are thinking while you drive you shouldn’t be reading your bible. And you are right. Driving and reading is not a good a idea unless you want to really meet Jesus face to face.
Instead of reading I got on my Bible app (before driving) and had it read to me. I would not say it is my favorite way to read the scripture. I like to highlight and take notes but it is what I needed. So there I was in the car by myself and I got to the gospel of Mark. Over and over in the first few chapters where those words:
And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Mark 4:9 (ESV)
We don’t always like to listen. I don’t like to listen. Life can get so busy that I forget to be in the word or prayer. I can get caught up in all the memes, social media, and life drama and miss Jesus speaking to me.
So are you listening to Jesus? As we make our way to the cross are we listening to Jesus. I hope as we journey toward the cross I don’t get this far behind again. My prayer for all of us is that we take the time to listen and hear through the power of the Holy Spirit what Jesus is saying to us today and always.
The Road…Letting God do it.
Here is a copy of the message I had the privilege of sharing during our lent service.
THE ROAD | STEP 3 from St. John Rochester on Vimeo.
Reading the Gospels in Lent…Compassion and Hope.
So I have made it a couple of days through my reading of the Gospels. I will be honest I have never been very good and being consistent with reading the scripture on a daily basis. So as I keep reading I pray God will continue to speak in these words to you and me. If you would like to journey by reading in this way don’t be afraid to start up.
If she could only touch his garment. Those words from Matthew 9:21-22 touched me this week.
Matthew 9:21-22 English Standard Version (ESV)
21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.
This story has always been one that gets to me. Here is a women who has no hope in anything but Jesus. As a women who bleeds she couldn’t go to the temple or be with God. She would have been an outcast in her community. She would have been an outcast and no one would have had any compassion on Her. All she had left was Jesus. In her head she says those words. If only I could touch him. Then I will be healed. Then I will be made well
I had two questions for us this week. Do you and I long for Jesus in this way? Do you and I think if I could just get to Jesus then my life might be different. I know for myself I try to fix it all on my own most of the time. I trust I can fix everything but when things get out of hand and things get beyond my skills and abilities I don’t always do this. I want to be someone to thinks, if I could only get to Jesus!
The second question to ponder this week is are you alone. Do you feel like no one has any compassion on your or care that you are here. Where are you on your journey? Are you at the point in your life where you just need Jesus. Are you at the point in your life where you feel you are an outcast or lost and it seems no one sees you are can help?
If you are in this place come to my friend Jesus. He has compassion on you and He can make you well.
As we read more over the coming weeks I pray we all see Jesus bring us who are outcasts and lost closer to Jesus. My prayer for all of you this week is that you will get to touch Jesus who has compassion on you.
Matthew 9:36 English Standard Version (ESV)
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Reading The Gospels During Lent
I have neglecting my time of reading God’s word far too much lately. This Lenten season I want to be in the Word and today I decided to read through the Gospels as part of my Lenten Journey. If you want to join me I will be sharing some thoughts through the week about what I am seeing and learning. You can also print off this PDF I made based on the break up of the readings. I pray you all can hold me accountable for reading God’s Word this Lenten season. Have a great day and may your Lenten Journey to the cross remind you of the great love Jesus has for you and me.
youthguysteve 