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Scripture Reflection: The Lord’s Prayer

10/31/2019

He (Jesus) was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’” Luke 11:1

In Luke 11 and Matthew 6, Jesus gives his disciples the words of what is now known as the Lord’s Prayer. It is the perfect prayer that covers all areas that would be needed in a prayer. It is used during many worship services across the Christian world, and many learn it as a small child. Many have reflected on these words, and used them daily in their spiritual pilgrimage.

In my prayer practices it is used as well, and I would encourage any of you who want to start or enhance your spiritual practices to use it also. Even if you don’t have any regular prayer rituals yet, at least use this prayer as a way to turn your thoughts, mind, and soul towards God’s kingdom and doing God’s will in your life. You will joining countless others who are praying it as you do; and as many have done since Jesus’ time. Peace. Vernon T.

Copyright © 2019 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Scripture Reflection: Wisdom and Understanding

10/24/2019

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“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established.” Proverbs 24: 3

Wisdom and understanding are words that can be looked at from many different angles. In the book of Proverbs, wisdom is often referred to as the figure of Woman Wisdom. Some scholars believe that this wisdom refers to Proverbs’ teaching being done in the form of a woman who reaches out to humankind. The book of Proverbs has many wise sayings; some that may confuse as well as help us. However, I would encourage those who are open to it, to read and reflect on them, to have a better understanding of them, and how they may benefit our spiritual walk and daily lives.

No matter if you are building a house, a family, a business, a career, or anything else; these words can indeed provide wisdom and understanding for the process. Some of the more challenging issues in our life can be better handled when looked at through the lens of scripture. Peace. Vernon T.

Copyright © 2019 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Scripture Reflection: Bearing Fruit

10/17/2019

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“I [Jesus] am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you.” John 15: 1-3

I don’t claim to know much about farming or growing gardens; however, I have known many people who were really good at it. One such person was my late wife’s father, Vito, who knew a lot about growing things. He had a huge lot on his property in Ashtabula, Ohio where he generally put in a very large garden, until his health slowed him down.

He loved seeing things grow and of course grew more then he could use, thus he always gave much of it away. When we were able to visit him during the summer, we always came away with wonderful fruits and vegetables from his garden. Every morning, before the sun got too hot, he would get out into his garden to weed, clear out, prune, and water his garden. He knew in order to have a good harvest much work was needed, which he was willing to do.

What Vito and countless other gardeners and farmers have done, is what Jesus is saying about branches (in him) that require pruning. As followers of Jesus we are like branches in need of pruning in order to bear more fruit. Jesus said that his disciples have already been cleansed (pruned) by his words. This removing of the unfruitful branches and the pruning or cleansing may at times be painful or cause us some discomfort, however, it is a necessary step for us to bear the fruit of God’s kingdom. We may not fully understand about this process when it is going on, but generally later on during our pilgrimage we can see why the removal or pruning was needed.

As you take part in the spiritual practices of prayer, Bible study, and reflection, may you be open to allowing God’s word and the Holy Spirit to remove, prune, and cleanse those parts of your inner being that will allow you to become the person that God wants you to be! Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2019 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Scripture Reflection: God’s Kingdom in Our Daily Lives

10/10/2019

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“And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his [God’s] kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” Luke 12: 29-32

The beginning of this passage begins with the words, “he (Jesus) said to his disciples.” Thus, it is implied that the message that followed was for those who were his closest followers; and not specifically for the crowds who were mainly interested in following Jesus because of the miracles he performed, or the religious leaders who wanted to be there when Jesus did something wrong in their eyes.

As he tells his disciples, they were to strive first for the kingdom of God in their daily lives and trust that the Lord would provide for whatever else was needed. This is a very challenging concept in our world today that places a lot of emphasis on being overly concerned about one’s stock earnings, retirement nest egg, and status in society, etc. Striving first for God’s kingdom before anything else, is not for the faith of heart, and for us who are trying to live in our modern culture.

This is a lesson that I have had to learn over and over again in my life, and it continues to be a challenge for me. One of the first major times that I encountered this was when I was working full time in a steel mill and going to college part time. Twice during that time, I was forced to sit out a quarter from taking college courses because my grade point average was too low compared to the number of hours I was taking. I kept thinking that I could do more than I was capable of and couldn’t pull up my grades fast enough, and thus was forced to sit out and think about what was going on.

I was able to get off probation for a number of reasons, but the major one was that I consciously tried to strive for God’s kingdom while taking my classes. I had to try to put God’s will and kingdom first in my life, versus anything else. This focus didn’t happen overnight, but slowly my heart and mind tried to strive for God’s kingdom in my life on a daily basis, and it impacted how I prepared for my class work, and how I saw my college experience.

During your spiritual pilgrimage, may you recognize the importance of striving first for God’s kingdom on a daily basis; versus anything else that you may encounter on your earthly journey! Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2019 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Scripture Reflection: Spirit of Adoption

10/3/2019

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“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abby! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” Romans 8: 14-16

For those who are being led by the Spirit of God are also children of God. When we engage in our spiritual practices, and invite the Holy Spirit to come into our lives, we come to realize that we are indeed children of God. This point should influence how we live and interact with those around us, for as children of God our focus is on God’s kingdom, and the Lord’s will in our lives versus the things of the world.

The point of being adopted by God holds special meaning for me and may also hold importance for those of divorced families. My parents were divorced, and both of my grandparents were divorced; this made for some challenging dynamics in and around my family. I am sure whom I am today was impacted by this situation. As a child I didn’t fully understand about being a child of God and what that meant.

However, as an adult on this spiritual pilgrimage, I become increasing more aware that as a child of God, the Lord loves me no matter what may happen in my life. That even when humans can cause me pain and fail me, because they are human; God is love and can’t help but love me and will never fail me.

It doesn’t matter what your situation is in life, if you are from a divorced family, or if you are recently divorced, or you have been hurt by a divorce, please know that because of this spirit of adoption, you are a child of God. and the good Lord wants to give you an infinite grace-filled love! Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2019 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Scripture Reflection: The Lord’s Prayer

Scripture Reflection: Wisdom and Understanding

Scripture Reflection: Bearing Fruit

Scripture Reflection: God’s Kingdom in Our Daily Lives

Scripture Reflection: Spirit of Adoption

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​Scripture Reflection: The Lord’s Prayer

​Scripture Reflection: Wisdom and Understanding

​Scripture Reflection: Bearing Fruit

​Scripture Reflection: God’s Kingdom in Our Daily Lives

Scripture Reflection: Spirit of Adoption

Author

Archives

Categories

Scripture Reflection: The Lord’s Prayer

Scripture Reflection: Wisdom and Understanding

Scripture Reflection: Bearing Fruit

Scripture Reflection: God’s Kingdom in Our Daily Lives