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Scripture Reflection: Disciples Being Strengthened and Encouraged!

10/25/2018

“There they [Paul and Barnabas] strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, ‘It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.’” Acts 14: 22

We have Paul and Barnabas traveling from city to city proclaiming the good news and causing many to become disciples of Jesus Christ, then they returned to Antioch and spoke these words. They wanted the disciples to be strengthened in their souls and to be encouraged in their faith. Think about the times when you have been strengthened and encouraged by people around you, and when you were able to do the same for others.

This has happened many times in my life, and one of the major times was after my late wife’s second surgery to remove a brain tumor. After this operation she couldn’t talk, walk, or move her right side. She spent twelve weeks in two different hospitals and a nursing home recovering from the effects of the procedure, having radiation, and relearning her life functions again.

Needless to say that was a very trying time for my family and me. I was with her every day for some period of the day during that time, and thus grew extremely tired and became emotionally drained. Even though it was very demanding, we were nevertheless strengthened and encouraged by the many people who prayed for us, visited us, called us, sent us cards, gave us meals, and were there to support us and help us in any way that they could.

That experience certainly changed me and caused me to see so many things in life differently. I know that I am more empathic to others who go through something similar. I will always remember those who aided us and became God’s love for us. Without this love and compassion that time period would have been more challenging and lonelier. May you also be like Paul and Barnabas and our friends and family and strengthen the souls of others and offer encouragement in their faith, so that they can feel God’s love through you! Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2018 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Scripture Reflection: Following Instructions

10/18/2018

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“When he [Jesus] had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break.” Luke 5: 4-6

In this chapter from Luke we have Jesus calling his first disciples. Jesus tells Simon (Peter) to go out into the deep water and let his nets now again. Even though Simon had fished all night and came up empty, he did what he was told. The catch was so big that his nets were strained and Simon had to get his partners to help out with the haul. Simon and the others were in awe at what had just happened. After this passage Jesus tells these individuals that they would be soon fishing for people. After getting to shore, all of them left their boats and followed Jesus.

As you take part in this spiritual pilgrimage, you may also be asked to do something that in human terms maybe quite remarkable. However, if the instructions and discernment come from the Lord through the Holy Spirit, hopefully, we will be like the first disciples and do as we are guided.

Something like this happened to me the summer after I got out of high school. I didn’t quite know what to do afterwards, I wasn’t guided to go to college, or enter the military. I worked for a time at a few odd jobs. I didn’t have a lot of self-confidence at that time and was somewhat shy. Therefore, going out and trying to find a full-time job, or find out what I was meant to get involved with, was a very frightening task. A couple of men at my church helped me get interviews with two of the steel mills that were in town. I lived in Youngstown, Ohio and the steel mills were still a going concern for the community. However, this was an industry that I knew very little about, and had never been in one before. So, it took a lot of strength and faith on my part to enter this world.

I applied at one mill called Republic Steel, and they told me that they would call me later on if they wanted to hire me. I also applied at Youngstown Sheet & Tube Company, and they offered me a job on the spot and said I could start in a few days. A few days later Republic Steel called back and offered a job as well. I thought about it, and decided to go with Youngstown Sheet & Tube.

That really worked out for me in the long run. I was laid off less working for them, rather than for Republic over the next eight years. I was also able over time to work shifts, which allowed me to go to college part time, and eventually leave after getting my college degree. I became somewhat comfortable in those surroundings; however, it wasn’t very easy at first and took a long time before I got used to going to work every day. The mill environment could be very daunting and sometimes dangerous. Thus, interviewing for the steel job and then staying with that job took me way out of my comfort zone.

I didn’t fully know of the importance of that decision, however for my journey it was extremely significant. My life has been far from being perfect, and I have made my share of mistakes both large and small ones, however, over the years I have increasingly sought the instruction and discernment of the Holy Spirit on my daily walk.

As you take part in this pilgrimage and with your spiritual practices may you like the early disciples listen for Jesus’ voice coming through the Holy Spirit calling you to do things for the kingdom of God that you never thought you could do before! Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2018 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Scripture Reflection: Time Alone

10/11/2018

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“Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself . . .” Matthew 14: 13a

In Matthew 14: 1-12 we have the death of John the Baptist described. After Jesus heard this, he was sad and had to get away. Even though he was the Son of God, this event greatly grieved him, and he had to be alone so that he could mourn the death of someone he loved very much.

We may have times in our lives when we have to be alone to think about, grieve, or contemplate something that has happen to us. Like Jesus we want to remove ourselves from the noise and strain of the world around us. However, notice what occurred in the verses that follow this one, Jesus was moved by the crowds and went to them and ministered to them. Thus, at some point after our periods of grief and reflection, and we are the only ones who know when that time is, we ought to think about getting active again in the community that we live in.

I experienced something like this, after my late wife, Judy, died after a long struggle with cancer. We had been married for more then twenty-eight years when she passed away in January, the middle of winter when the days are short. My time of grieving for her was when there wasn’t much day light, and I remember sitting in my living room alone after work, with it being dark outside, it really was a very trying and painful period for me.

I was alone a great deal in the evenings, for I needed to grieve and process what had happened. Of course, she was missed, and I didn’t know how my life would unfold. It took a lot of prayer, energy, patience, and support to make it each day. Spring did come, and I began to feel somewhat better. Looking back that time away from doing a lot extra activity was important for my healing, and for my moving on.

On your spiritual pilgrimage you may have the occasion when you need to get away to pray, grieve, or reflect on events in your life. If that is needed, please do so, remember Jesus did the same thing. However, realize that just as Jesus did, at some point we may need to get back into our surroundings in order to do the ministry that we have been called to do, and to continue with our healing! Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2018 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Scripture Reflection: Growing in the Knowledge of God

10/4/2018

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“For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1: 9-10

As this passage notes, for those who are on this spiritual pilgrimage, we are to grow in God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Our knowledge about the Lord’s will in our life, and about God’s kingdom will change and evolve over time. Being a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ carries with it the responsibility to always be looking for ways to grow in our faith and in the knowledge about God and God’s word.

I entered Trinity Lutheran Seminary because I thought that was what God wanted me to do. I didn’t know why I was going, only that I was meant to go. I had always thought that I knew the Bible fairly well and was firm in many of my faith beliefs. However, the first quarter at Trinity was one of the most challenging and demanding times of my life. The remaining quarters had their stresses as well, but that first quarter was off the charts.

A number of things that I believed to be true about the Bible were radically changed or altered during that period. Some of the classes and discussion around the classes caused me to sincerely reflect on some of my long-held faith beliefs. It took a tremendous amount of emotional and physical energy to get through those classes. I made it, but what an effort. I continued my class work and in two years received a Master of Theological Studies Degree from Trinity. Even with this degree, I still read, reflect, and learn, and continue to be challenged regarding my knowledge and beliefs.

Be open on your spiritual pilgrimage to receiving new wisdom and understanding about God’s will in your life. Also, endeavor to grow in the knowledge about God’s word. On this spiritual walk you may be asked to change your beliefs or to alter what you once thought to be truth! Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2018 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Scripture Reflection: Disciples Being Strengthened and Encouraged!

Scripture Reflection: Following Instructions

Scripture Reflection: Time Alone

Scripture Reflection: Growing in the Knowledge of God

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