Archives: Watchword

A bit of scripture, short meditations and stories, prayers, news and maybe a touch of humor.

Worry and Pride

WATCHWORD:

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you — you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34 Continue reading

The Light Within

Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who had died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

 

WATCHWORD:

19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. 20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Revelation 3:19-20 Continue reading

Failure To Respond

WATCHWORD:

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’  ” Matthew 25:41-45 Continue reading

It Doesn’t Matter

WATCHWORD:

5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5-8 King James

5-8 “If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.” James 1:5-8 Message Continue reading

It’s Good News

WATCHWORD:

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.’ John 15:10-12 Continue reading

The Life…

WATCHWORD:

Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it! I will bring great disaster upon all these people; but I will give you your life as a reward wherever you go. I, the Lord, have spoken!  Jeremiah 45:5

28 And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:28-33

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 Continue reading

The Truth…

WATCHWORD:

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. John 3:1-5

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

Continue reading

The Way…

WATCHWORD:

1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. John 14:1-9 Continue reading

Sunday Is Mother’s Day

WATCHWORD:

This Sunday is dedicated to all mothers, you are a blessing in so many lives.

 1-3 It seemed like a dream, too good to be true,
when God returned Zion’s exiles.
We laughed, we sang,
we couldn’t believe our good fortune.
We were the talk of the nations!
 “God was wonderful to them!”
God was wonderful to us;
we are one happy people.
Psalm 126:1-3 Continue reading

Who’s Planning Your Day?

WATCHWORD:

 

22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”
25 The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.
26 So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.”

 Lamentations 3:22-26 Continue reading

Ordinary Times

WATCHWORD:

35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them. John 12:35-36

Give to the Lord the glory that is due His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.  Psalm 29:2 Continue reading

Blessings

WATCHWORD:

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turned his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:22-27

 

Meditation:

Blessings

Throughout the pages of the Bible there are multiple blessings which are part of prayers and prophecies. These blessings are often associated with protection, help, and happiness. The blessings that come through scripture are meant to protect us, to guide us to the path of righteousness, and to give us hope. These blessings we, as children of God, can claim and apply according to the guidance given by our Lord.

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians we find this blessing: “May God supply every need of yours according to his riches and glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Paul is telling us that God promises that as we follow our Lord, we will be blessed. And when is says, “God will supply all your needs”, the Almighty is likely to have a different picture of what we need, rather than what we want.

In the book of James we have this blessing:  “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”  James 1:17

This is a beautiful sentence, somewhat musical in nature. Multiple gifts are implied here, one gift is the act of sharing the bounty you have received, while the second gift is a character trait or the mindset of generosity. The last phrase is saying to us that our giving is not based on our gain or judgments made, but given, freely and with joy.

In the book of Luke we have this familiar blessing: “Give and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put in your lap. For with the measure to use it will be measured back to you.”  Luke 6:38

This blessing it’s part of Jesus continuing to explain how followers should treat those who oppose them. The instruction is actually to let go of the instinct to judge other people and their actions and what they say and to forgive others. They should love those who oppose them, bless them and pray for them. This is often a difficult task for us because too often we are hurt by others actions and words, and to follow Jesus runs counter to our human instincts. Regardless. Jesus tells us to forgive or give anyway, and don’t expect anything in return. Being a Christian is not an easy path.

Many of the blessings touch us where we live and give us a sense of His presence, His graces, and, in turn, His Peace. I believe that we all have our favorite blessing found within scripture. I favor Philippians 4:7 – And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. It’s that peace of God that is at the heart of what we seek each moment of our lives, and the truth is that it dwells within us. So be it.

 

Prayer:

Lord God, we praise your name! We are so grateful that you have put your name on us through Christ Jesus. Through your gift of the Holy Spirit, our seal in Christ, we look to you and desire to be a people after your heart. Protect us from pride, deceit, and lies that seek to destroy our faith and trust in you. We are grateful that you are with us, Lord, and know that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Now may the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Amen.