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You won’t always feel joy, but you will always know the weight of the responsibility to love.
Hebrews 12:1–11 (NRSVue) The Example of Jesus
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls or lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children—
“My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord
or lose heart when you are punished by him,
6 for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves
and chastises every child whom he accepts.”
7 Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children, for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? 8 If you do not have that discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children. 9 Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. 11 Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Reflections:
Prayer: Lord, may we, when feeling empty from loving others, call upon you, God, for strength to endure. May we love well, whether we feel like it or not. Amen.
Hebrews 12:1–11 (NRSVue) The Example of Jesus
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls or lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children—
“My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord
or lose heart when you are punished by him,
6 for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves
and chastises every child whom he accepts.”
7 Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children, for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? 8 If you do not have that discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children. 9 Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. 11 Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Reflections:
- How often do I feel empty?
- Am I willing to remain empty for God’s work? For how long am I willing to feel empty?
Prayer: Lord, may we, when feeling empty from loving others, call upon you, God, for strength to endure. May we love well, whether we feel like it or not. Amen.
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Introducing the Wesley Prayer ChallengeWesley Prayer Challenge, Day 1: "I AM ..."Wesley Prayer Challenge, Day 2: “… NO LONGER MY OWN …”Wesley Prayer Challenge, Day 3: “… BUT THINE.”Wesley Prayer Challenge, Day 4: “PUT ME TO WHAT THOU WILT …”Wesley Prayer Challenge, Day 5: “… RANK ME WITH WHOM THOU WILT.”Wesley Prayer Challenge, Day 6: “PUT ME TO DOING, …”Wesley Prayer Challenge, Day 7: “… PUT ME TO SUFFERING.”Wesley Prayer Challenge, Day 8: “LET ME BE EMPLOYED BY THEE OR LAID ASIDE FOR THEE, …”What is CRESP?Haymount Kids July 2024Pastor's Column July 2024Wesley Prayer Challenge, Day 9: “… EXALTED FOR THEE OR BROUGHT LOW FOR THEE.”Wesley Prayer Challenge, Day 10: “Let Me Be Full, …”Wesley Prayer Challenge, Day 11: “… LET ME BE EMPTY.”Wesley Prayer Challenge, Day 12: “LET ME HAVE ALL THINGS, …”Wesley Prayer Challenge, Day 13: “… LET ME HAVE NOTHING.”Wesley Prayer Challenge, Day 14: “I FREELY AND HEARTEDLY YIELD ALL THINGS TO THY PLEASURE AND DISPOSAL.”Wesley Prayer Challenge, Day 15: “AND NOW, O GLORIOUS AND BLESSED GOD, …”Wesley Prayer Challenge, Day 16: “… Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, …”Wesley Prayer Challenge, Day 17: “… THOU ART MINE, AND I AM THINE.”Wesley Prayer Challenge, Day 18: “SO BE IT.”The DiapasonEnd of year report for 2023Wesley Prayer Challenge, Day 19: “AND THE COVENANT WHICH I HAVE MADE ON EARTH, …”Wesley Prayer Challenge, Day 20: “… LET IT BE RATIFIED IN HEAVEN.”Wesley Prayer Challenge, Day 21: “AMEN.”
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