Second Commandment: Do not worship Graven Images
United Methodist Church, Harvest Rob Renfroe
Mark 1
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, "Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'" 4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
11 And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men." 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.
23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God."
25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!"
26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you."
38 And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out." 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
40 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean."
41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean."
42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them." 45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.
Two of the Almighty's Universe were observed by Jesus Christ.
One appeared as the Almighty and said," I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I have others fast twice a week; I am given tithes of all that I get. I am Mighty. Merciful. Let's discuss your sin."
And after many days, the listeners were convinced. And began to get down on their knees to One so Glorious. So filled with knowledge. So filled with Beyond. So Superlative. One they could seek and seek and always be puzzled over. The listeners believed their inferiority. Felt lucky to have someone to be so superior over themselves.
The One who appeared as the Almighty said, "And I will need Your Space Ship, so beam me aboard."
The listeners were, of course, Dr. McCoy and Mr. Spock. And the god was not the Almighty and was Zog. I guess. But the name Zog works pretty well. Sadly, there really is a cult in California - were the god is Zog and he tells his followers what is good and what is evil. Discarding the Bible. Saying Zog will explain right and wrong because the Bible always causes wars and Empires and crusades and we need a new system. And Zog has a catch phrase his clients, om believers, can repeat for the very, very skeptical. "But that was so long ago and we don't relate - think of allll the junked up history. Zog works."
And the other man was present day. Sitting as close to the front as he can. Sinner sure. ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ This is a good system. I get to hit people. Have as much substance as I want. Date in the fashion comfortable to me. After all we have all the antibiotics for this we need. My child is fortunate to have another parent on the times, year or so, I am busy. I am well liked. I don't fuss up with sin - Jesus has covered that. I have no worries that I please God - that's pretty old Testament. And I'm well known to God - I'm Zoggy.'
Now to write this post makes me - uncomfortable. Peter once said I'm a sinner in my past. And Paul said I'm a sinner today. Maybe right this moment I am doing exactly what God has asked of me, but I could coat this in:
Corban - giving lip service to my heart to God and look good doing the right things.
I could decide that I have the wisdom to chunk down systems God has put in place and call them out done Tradition.
I could wear a T-Shirt that proclaims I love Jesus and the Gospel and get caught cussing out my family. Or being unbecoming.
Or out of out of my heart ~
I could plot for my advancement and the downfall of another and come up with evil thoughts. Like Balaam.
I could use my mind and have sexual immorality,
theft of material goods or intellectual property
murder in my heart,
adultery in my television or computer,
coveting - making me miserable,
wickedness like sorcery or calling the dead,
deceit, pretense of being righteous
sensuality, all my thought is for seduction
envy,
slander,
pride,
foolishness in my words and my jokes.
All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.
I could be the prophet who is told not to get off the path in the Old Testament. The prophet who stops to visit with the one who is holy for authority and a meal. To find out I have truly angered the Real God Most Holy and have not followed what a Holy God tells me.
The possibility of error could land us in perpetual upset. We could have dreams, like a friend of mine did. In the dream, God did indeed come back for the Rapture and as that person gets to Wednesday Church - they find the Church and 50% of the population has Risen to Jesus, but not 'you'.
John Paul II gave an excellent, excellent re telling of the GOOD NEWS. We are the Easter People and Alleluia is our song.
Our Song covers The Holy Spirit in Creation being longed for to not just hover over the waters.
Our Song Covers the Righteous Son of God giving His Sacrifice to cover us with a Holy, Holy, Holy Name of Jesus.
Our Song Covers our total inability to buy this Salvation.
Our Song Creates a Joy in us to overcome the troubles God says come to all of us. This Song is of Hope, Faith and Love.
Our Song Creates in us a Desire to Try Goodness again today. Our Song Creates in us a desire to taste and see the Goodness of God Again.
Our Song causes our soul to burst open with Living Water. And in that Living Water to pray Jesus be here now and with me.
Our Song is real and a Way and Truth. When we need Jesus for ourselves and for others, Our Song coaxes the Goodness to be seen. To believe in the Goodness of another. Because the New Covenant says God is placing His Holy Spirit in the people who profess Jesus is God. And we will not say God Lies. We will do as Jesus said and see the Good.
God said that when He places His Holy Spirit in someone you love and know they believe Jesus. We look to see the Good.
We are the Easter People and we need Alleluia to be our Song and Encourage the Good. Repeat Good News. Be Bold.
God has endowed us with gifts. Tell the people you like about the gifts God has given you in Your Life By Your Jesus.
God is God and we allow God to Be God. We trust Him and say "Thank You."
Our Song is real and we see Jesus never stepped away from the ones who loved Him and failed Him. We find in Jesus He forgave His Brothers, Sisters, Mother. He forgave His beloved friends. Our Jesus waited for His Brothers to understand and gave a place for them always. Jesus makes Himself known to the one who needs Him with gifts and know that we know. Our Jesus says even the sparrow is known on the earth to Him. Our Jesus crossed borders where humble women saw their child redeemed. Our Jesus crosses class lines to sit with women. Our Jesus crosses racial lines and the Gospels point to this in the Book of Acts. Our Jesus healed the leper. Our Jesus healed and was reviled. Our Jesus did not Quit. Our Jesus Works Today.
That is Our Jesus. Our Jesus tenderly, tenderly loves you. Our Jesus is so Tender that Jesus and His Father may be this entire Universe. And our Jesus gives us the gifts we give to others. We are able to give Jesus our heart, our worship and our thanks and Love.
That is our Jesus.
Psalm 69
29 But I am afflicted and in pain;
let your salvation, O God, set me on high!
30 I will praise the name of God with a song;
I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the Lord more than an ox
or a bull with horns and hoofs.
32 When the humble see it they will be glad;
you who seek God, let your hearts revive.
33 For the Lord hears the needy
and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.
34 Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and everything that moves in them.
35 For God will save Zion
and build up the cities of Judah,
and people shall dwell there and possess it;
36 the offspring of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall dwell in it
Luke 1
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Abba, We thank You for Jesus. Asking Jesus to pray with us
The Old Testament covers the things we'd never wander into. Because God, our God, our Father God was Working! Thank You Father GOD for the Way, Truth and Life You have Shepherded us out of. Alleluia!!!
Father God we give You thanks and real thanks, and real gratitude to be people of our Generation. For steam for infants who are newborn. For pneumonia conquered by antibiotics. For CPR. For Phones bringing us loved ones from far away. For airplanes for the exact reason. For Air Conditioning in Texas in August! For You Tube bringing us Awesome, Wonder filled People of GOD bringing us to tears of Joy. For Social Media bringing us moments of Joy we would never see otherwise.
For Video that decreases injustice and makes paths new in ways pleasing to God.
We give great thanks to the people of God who enable others to stand and Rise to Jesus. We are not the people who proclaim the denominations of the 1960s and 1970s and instead say "I Believe in Jesus Christ. I know Him."
We are the Generation seeing amazing Archaeology telling and revealing and showing and encouraging the love we see all over of People who Love Jesus and Love His Word. We are the Easter People seeing the Bible affirmed as God's Love.
We are the people who believe the Word of God is alive and well. Working God's Good Pleasure. Believing God has the Ability, Desire and Works Today toward Love.
Father God, with my whole heart, I thank You, I lift up those I Love. Knowing Your Capable Hands will tenderly act. I lift up the improbable with this prayer, I lift up all the people who ever asked for prayer from me and you. Our Father God, knows exactly what the One He Loves Needs and Will be Cared and Loved for. And I rejoice knowing some of my improbable prayers are just casually told an impossible miracle and I feel like falling to my knees with the awe of You Working.
We do not pick and choose what You, Father God will answer. And yet Revelations tells us all Prayer is inhaled as sweet aroma to You. And in this Generation - we know suddenly aroma is knowledge. And Your Loving Word tells us this is also Your Love.
I lift up my 5 or 6 benign cysts to You. For healing. I lift up the Good News that Edward's cysts are going to be ok and say Thanks.
I lift up family moving away. I lift up grandchildren unborn. I lift up opportunities unseen. I give You Thanks for Today. Blessings Given and Received with THANKS.
I offer up Blessing prayers for those who have suddenly blessed me.
I offer up Blessing prayers for those who have diligently blessed me.
And I cover Jesus on those who are a little disappointing. Knowing Jesus Loves us All.
May Our Loving Father Bless us with the Joy of Answered Prayer and His Abundant Mercy we ask in Jesus. God sized grace.
In Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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