Earthly Road, Heavenly Walk

We have been given a righteous judge…

Even with the miracles given to them, even seeing God all around them, the children of Israel found themselves turning from His path. So to is it with us, even with all we are shown of Gods love we are prone to sin and iniquity. Yet in God’s great love we are given a judge who, through his great sacrifice redeems us of our guilt.

May we then be resolved to see his life and love amidst us in all we do that we may turn from sin and love the Lord in all we are and all we do.

Readings:

Psalm 31 Isaiah 7:10-25 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 Luke 22:14-30

Sermon:

“Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.” Isaiah 42:1-7

Grace, Mercy and Peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.

There will be one who rises to bring judgment, the divine Judgment of the Lord, and, in him, the path of the righteous shall be restored….

Sin dwelt, sin dwells everywhere. This was no less true of the children of Israel. Having seen the miracles of God as He lead them from Egypt, caring for them amidst the vast wilderness of the desert, as He lead them to victory over their enemies at Jericho and Soloh even as it seemed as if they were destined for defeat, as He worked His will in their lives with each and every step they took, they were still prone to sin, to look to the laws of God and then turn their backs to it, finding ease and convenience with the idols of this world that expected nothing of them except that they give into their baser human nature.

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There had to be an easier way…

There had to be an easier way for Mary then to try and explain how it was that she became pregnant. Immaculate conception, even today, is a hard concept to grasp. And yet there she was a pregnant, unwed mother.

But, as God revealed Himself and His plan to her Mary trusted that He would open the hearts of those she loved and loved her to the truth. And there we find the lesson of our faith, trust in God even when the road seems hard and the plan seems difficult and He will always give us the care we need.

Readings:

Psalm 119:25-48 Isaiah 6:1-13 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 John 8:1-11

Sermon:

“The angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”Luke 1:30-38

Grace, Mercy and Peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.

Scared… mystified… confused and perplexed…

Imagine, for a moment, a young woman of faith, very much in love with the man that she is to marry, but determined to stay pure for him until the day of their blessed union. She lives her life in quiet devotion to her God, a woman of no particular wealth or special traits except for the trust that she places in her Lord.

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