... spirit properly clothed? With power? With love? With hope? We must clothe each other, whether one is wearing actual rags or robes, in robes of integrity and humanity. Jesus did not say to his disciples "Be careful out there." Jesus said "They're hungry out there." Jesus said, "They're thirsty out there." Jesus said, "They're hurting out there." Clothes do make a difference.
... in talking about jewelry, especially the luster and transparency of the finest jewels. Water is nature's jewelry, the very elixir of life. Both the Exodus and John texts deal with the human need for water. In the Exodus text, the people are so thirsty they threaten Moses' life and wish themselves back in Egypt. What the people don't realize, however, is that the water they most desperately need is the living water of faith that God provides. Despite Moses' warnings, the people seem oblivious to anything but ...
... super-predators" think nothing of burning down the house or business of a rival to "even the score." But the most terrifying thing about this new breed of super-criminals our culture has created is their age. The most sociopathic, conscienceless, blood-thirsty, remorseless killers, thieves and rapists are typically between the ages of 12 and 18. Sometimes younger. Juvenile crime has doubled since 1960. From 1960 to 1990, the proportion of children born to unmarried mothers ballooned from one in 15 to one in ...
... a young child, too small to reach the sink, is still completely dependent on a parent to get a drink. The same tenderness is implied in Isaiah’s image - the mighty creator God who makes whole rivers race through the land will still stoop to hold a cup to the thirsty lips of the children God “formed for myself." Once that thirst is quenched, however, v.21 reminds the reader, everyone has a responsibility to say "thank you," praising God again and again for the very staples of life.
... serious threat to his own position and the future of the Exodus trek. In verse 4, Moses now directly petitions the Lord - but still not specifically for water. In fact, the only concern Moses expresses is for his own continued well-being, not that of the thirsty people: "They are almost ready to stone me." Moses perceives the threats and insubordination as the only real and active danger in the present situation. Whether it is his supreme faith in God's ability to take care of and provide for the people in ...
... sweet (v.25). The second confrontation came shortly thereafter. Israel found itself traversing the hard land of Sin (or Zin) located between Elim and Sinai - roughly the "middle of nowhere." This time the Hebrews complained to Moses that they were starving, not thirsty, and would surely die a miserable death if something were not done to meet their needs. Their mood was so mean-spirited that they sarcastically wished they had died "fat and happy" as slaves in Egypt. While Moses' initial petition to the ...
... be judged less on what we did in our lives and more for what we did not do. Recall that both the sheep and the goats ask the judging Son of Man the same question "When was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink?" The "sheep" did not intentionally share their goods, their compassion, their love with others in order to grow in righteousness and serve Christ. But that was the result. The "goats" did not intentionally ignore the needs of others in order to deny ...
433. Walking the Walk
Luke 24:36b-48
Illustration
Carlos Wilton
A Civil War chaplain approached a wounded soldier on the battlefield and asked if he'd like to hear a few verses from the Bible. The wounded man said, "No, I'm so thirsty, I'd rather have some water." The chaplain gave him a drink, and then repeated his question. "No sir, not now – but could you put something under my head?" The chaplain did so, and again repeated his question. "No," said the soldier, "I'm cold. Could you cover me up?" ...
Job 38:17, (34-41), Psalm 104:1-35, Mark 10:35-45, Hebrews 5:1-10
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... conviction. Grant wisdom to all who are called to lead local congregations, regional organizations of the church, national and international churches and councils of churches. May their concerted efforts bring healing to the sick, food and drink to the hungry and thirsty, clothing to the naked, visitation to prisoners, and the preaching of the good news to all who are captive. Universal Spirit, draw together people of goodwill in all nations that they may discourage the forces of destruction and foster the ...
... . Amen PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Maker of men and women, Parent of growing children, Teacher for all learners, we give thanks for all whose compassion is shown in more than overflowing emotions, who feed the hungry, find warm beds for weary travelers, carry water for thirsty workers, stop to help the stranded motorist. We praise the generosity of those who give freely to the poor, who give the shirts off their backs, who loan their cars and machines, who risk what they own on those whose credit is uncertain at ...
Psalm 15:1-5, Micah 6:1-8, Matthew 5:1-12, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... there may be no cracks in the pillars of your temple, and may gates of your holy place stand wide open to all who will come to you. May the Spirit and the church say, "Come." And let everyone who hears say, "Come." And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. Grant peace in our time, O Lord. Bring an end to boastful rivalries, cruel threatenings, and crippling fears that lead to war and rumors of war. Bless every organization that seeks a negotiated end to ...
Genesis 29:15-30, Psalm 105:1-45, Matthew 13:31-35; 44-52, Romans 8:26-39
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. May the church graciously offer your sacraments with generosity, that those who come to you may never be hungry and those who believe in you may never be thirsty or work again for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life. Creator and Sustainer of life, give your blessing to the earth that it may bring forth its increase abundantly and that farmers may gather in a great harvest and ...
Matthew 14:13-21, Psalm 17:1-15, Genesis 32:22-32, Romans 9:1-29
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Pastor: Friends, believe the Good News! People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Exhortation Share the bread of forgiveness and the cup of salvation with others who are hungry and thirsty for God's love. PRAYER OF THE DAY Feeder of multitudes, enable us to find the hidden resources in ourselves and our neighbors, to share the spiritual food of your loving words so that the hungry in spirit do not go away searching aimlessly for ...
Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 78:1-72, Matthew 21:23-32, Philippians 2:1-11
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
READINGS Psalter - Psalms 78:1-4, 12-16 First Lesson - A miracle is required for God to provide water in the wilderness for the thirsty Israelites. Exodus 17:1-7 Second Lesson - Paul gives the Philippians the prime example of genuine humility that all of us require. Philippians 2:1-13 Gospel - Jesus uses some provocative language and a parable in replying to the chief priests and elders of the people. Matthew 21:23-32 ...
Genesis 12:1-8, Psalm 121:1-8, John 3:1-17, Romans 4:1-25
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... called us as a people to share the good news with all the nations of the world. Bless and add to your church those who are coming to themselves and returning to the home of their parents in the faith. Pour your water of life on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground. Pour your Spirit upon your posterity, and your blessing on your offspring. Call your people to more constant prayer, more victorious faith, and such confidence in you that the coming of your rule may not be delayed by half-heartedness ...
... seeking him that they needed bread that endured unto eternal life. They said to him, “Sir . . . give us this bread.” Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” Is there an emptiness in your life today? Have you come in search of Jesus? 1. Marlene Nance, Decision, Dec. 2000, p. 36. Fr. Jerry Fuller, http://www.rockies.net/~spirit/sermons/a-ad03-fuller.php. 2. Synthesis, Sept. 2003. Cited by Dr. W. Scott Dillard ...
... shelves: It's what the teachers are themselves. Brent Lamb captured this so well in his little song, "Monkey See, Monkey Do": Daddy's on the porch with an ice cold beer, It sure gets hot this time of year. Junior wants a drink ‘cause he's thirsty too, Daddy, be careful…monkey see, monkey do. Mama's in the kitchen, got her apron on, Spreading gossip on the telephone. Daughter's in the den listening too, Mama, be careful…monkey see, monkey do. Those little eyes are watchin' you, So don't do something ...
... his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church." (vv.28-29) It doesn't get much stronger than this. What does a man do with his body? He satisfies it. When the body is hungry he feeds it; when the body is thirsty he waters it; when the body is tired he rests it. Likewise, when your wife needs strength, you give her strength; when she needs encouragement you give her encouragement. You meet every single she has at every single opportunity that God gives you. I'm not an expert ...
... with water in front of them and Pharaoh's army behind them. What did God do? He parted that Red Sea, brought them safely to the other side and destroyed the Egyptian army in the process. Later we read where for three months as these Israelites wandered, they got thirsty and when they did, God would open up a rock and pour out water for them. When they got hungry, He fed them every day with what the Bible calls, "manna", which was bread from heaven. It was only after God had set His people free that He gave ...
... reminded the people of Israel that He had already provided everything that they needed? Did you know one of the names of God is Jehovah Jireh - "The God that provides". For nineteen chapters in the Book of Exodus, God had proven to the Nation of Israel, when you were thirsty I gave you water. When you were hungry I gave you manna. When you were in the dark I gave you a pillar of light. When you were in danger I parted the Red Sea. I've already proven that I will provide everything you need. When God gave ...
... of bread". Jesus made it plain that if you come to Him and trust Him and receive Him and through His word feed at His table, you will never hunger and thirst again. The Prophet Isaiah asked a great question in Isaiah 55 and it goes like this, "Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink - even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk - it is all free! Why spend your money on [bread] that does not give you strength? Why pay for [bread] that does you no good? Listen and I will tell you where to ...
... the way back to Adam. "The son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God." (Luke 3:38, NASB) While He was on this earth, Jesus Christ was fully human, just like you and just like me. He was tempted, hated, persecuted, beaten, hungry, thirsty, and broken-hearted just like you and just like me. It is a reminder that every single human being that ever lived or ever will live is important to the heart of God. As strikingly stunning as, that is the central point of Luke's genealogy is the fact ...
... shock occurs when a person has suffered the loss of a large amount of blood. The heart tries to pump blood that isn't there. The blood pressure drops. The kidneys stop producing urine to maintain what volume of blood is left and a person becomes very thirsty, craving fluids to make up for the lost blood volume, all of which you see clearly happening to Jesus before He was even crucified. In other words, Jesus was already in critical condition before He was even nailed to the cross, but the worst was yet to ...
... advice is - kill them with kindness. It is not enough just to leave your enemies alone. When you get a chance you need to demonstrate your love to them. Solomon said in Proverbs 25:21-22, "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you." (Proverbs 25:21-22, NASB) What does it mean to "heap burning coals on this head"? Quite frankly, it doesn't mean what you think, because I know that is ...
... judgment, that in a sense, the Second Coming has already occurred. Not the Final Coming, mind you, but a Second Coming where Christ identifies himself with the last and the least of the human procession. Did he not say when they asked, "When did we see you hungry and thirsty and naked and in prison?" those awesome words: "In as much as you did it not to one of the least of these, my brethren, you did it not to me"? I repeat, in a sense Christ has returned already, and he is now exactly where he spent his ...