25-Aug-24 (John 6:56-69)

Following Jesus is not easy and it's usually not intuitive either. We have to listen to God's Spirit very carefully to understand what we are really called to do. There are some parts of it that are easy to understand (and yet still take a lot of effort to do well:)
The scriptures are clear that we are to represent the love of God that we know through Jesus by loving others. We can do that with words, but this is one case where actions speak much more clearly.
We can visit the suffering and sit with them, providing a calming presence. We can meet the physical needs of others for food, shelter, and safety.
We can give of our time, our efforts, and our abilities to do this. We can also lend our financial support and send others to do the work. That's what we have an opportunity to do right now as we take up our offering for today.

Prayer:

Please join me now in prayer.
God, who has blessed us with resources to live and make our way in this world, we may not always appreciate it, but we thank you for the challenges that Jesus gives to us to live up to being your hands and feet in this world, to share your love with others in word and deed.
Help us to bring healing and hope to those we encounter.
Bless these gifts, returned to your hand, to aid in that work as well.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Christ, AMEN.