Shrewd Manager

Hello everyone:) Happy Mothers Day to you whom it Does concern :) Love all the wonderful Mothers out there!

I attend our bible study called Mary's Circle, and we learned about the parable Shrewd Manager. Let me tell you.. I read that parable and I thought I can't believe this is the bible! They are teaching people to steal? okay let me back up here. Some of you may not know the parable let me link it for you here. (click the picture) --->


So I hope you read the parable. I HOPE you are as lost as I was when I read it. Why would that EX-Manager get away with doing something so "evil" or "deceitful." right?Well.
Lets just say it was bothering me alot. And At our Study Group we couldn't figure out how this was actually a parable. But You know.. we are a Warped Generation.. and I dont just mean MY generation. I mean.. Since the times of Jesus has past we are worshiper of money.. not that we sit and actually worship money.. We NEED money to live.. WE NEED MONEY to eat.. WE NEED money to buy that bed in our homes or the car we drive.. WE NEED MONEY. Right? Well I goggled this parable. Because I didn't understand it even after we left study group. So here is what I found...

Anne Robertson explained it this way on her blog.

Let's say that a man is convicted of murdering his wife and is sentenced to prison. Further, let's say that on his way to begin serving his sentence he goes past a burning house with a child left inside. Figuring that misery awaits him anyway and figuring that saving a baby can't hurt his reputation, he dashes into the building and saves the child. A pastor is watching and goes home to write a sermon. "Why is it," he says the next Sunday "that this murderer can figure out that saving a child is a good thing and the 16 churchgoers who were there watching the fire burn, did nothing? This convict is smarter than all of them. Use the opportunities life presents to you to enhance God's reputation. The one who risks his own life to save another is living out the Gospel.

That was put so understandably now I get it.. But in the parable we get stuck on the MONEY FACTOR we forget to see the ACTUAL Story. Because Money to us is our Life and Living! Without it we would be in a box or under a bridge. That is Serious I know and Im not trying to make controversy but IN the parable we Take the money factor and Rise that up above all else and so we think to ourselves that WHOA YOU ARE TAKING MY MONEY... instead of seeing the GOOD in the Parable. and with that excerpt that I listed above it makes it easier to understand and makes me realize how much Our world only depends on money.. Its true.

 I hope this helped this anyone understand that confusing parable. I hope You can see the actual meaning of it.

HUGS! Have a Magnificent Day!
Leslie

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, Maker of Heaven and Earth. Thank you for Giving us your word. Thank you for the blessings we receive daily, even If we do not see them right away. Dear Lord, We want to thank you for the lessons you teach to us everyday. So that we can better understand you and your will. Father, we just ask you to help us keep our minds open and our eyes open so that we can better serve you and Others. Please shine down your light on us and help us to keep our minds open to do good things for others and so that we are not serving ourselves. Dear Lord, Please watch over our wonderful Mothers you blessed us with. They are a GREAT creation of yours... Have mercy on us and and hear our prayers. In your name We pray. Amen.

Aspire and Inspire - All My blessings

  So many people are inspiring me. Maybe its because I have found a not so new concept.. But im just seeing the good in people. When I see someone and I look at them and I wish I was like that person. Not in a Jealous way but in a way that I ASPIRE to be like them. Examples:

• I went to my Dr. as I was leaving the Patient room she said "God Bless You" - Never realized that was such an inspiring phrase till I heard it being said TO ME! Kathy is a Blessing! I want to be able to Say that without feeling a little intimidated. I should be PROUD to say it!
• I had surgery and This Lady and her Husband helped me by making food for my family when I couldn't. Her Husband often Helps Erin out with Projects and Erin offers the same to help him. He also found a Car that Erin is hoping to buy that we can afford. -Never realized how much kindness there IS in the world. Corieen and Will are a Blessing!  I want to help Everyone I can without wearing myself out of course. And We ALL should be helping people without them having to ask. Some people (like me) are afraid to ask anything of anyone. SO We should help without having to be asked!
• Went to the kids' school program the pianist for the program came up and asked us to come to their church soup supper - didn't know that people from this town would talk to me Or even accept our family into a church and be considered equal or friends. This Lady is so great :) We have Prayer time together about once or twice a month:) Carolyn is a Blessing:) I will continue to Pray and to encourage my family to pray. God loves to talk with us through Prayer!
• A girl I grew up with (we were neighbors for a long while) posts religious things on facebook and doesn't care what anyone else. SHE LOVES JESUS. - didn't know you could love Jesus and Not have to hide it. She is a Blessing! I should not hide my Love for our Savior. He didn't hide his love for us. Thank you Kori for being someone I aspire to be like!! Hugs!
• A girl I grew up and worked with when I was a younger girl, working in the Nursing Home, Ida. She is an Amazing blessing. - She reminds me (not personally me) that I can have an opinion and I can stand by it. I dont usually have an opinion out loud because I dont want any confrontation. But I CAN HAVE an OPINION and I should be PROUD of my opinion. THANK YOU Sweet Ida for letting me know that I can be ME and I dont have to hide it from anyone. YOU ARE AMAZING and You Have showed me I can be too <3 THANK YOU SO MUCH!
• This Man and Lady in our town gave us a piece of land to make our garden and gives all of us some work to do- Did NOT realize there are people out there that can care about you without being family. They are SUCH A BLESSING! WE LOVE THEM SO MUCH! I aspire to be like Dean and Louise very much. They are selfless, kind, helping, caring, loving, inspiring, and there is just not enough kind words I can say about them. They are so deep in my heart right now I can not even begin to explain it. They are EVERYTHING I aspire to be like. They were an Amazing Gift from God to us and I can't tell you how much they mean to us without tearing up. (too late now, already happenin!) They are definitely the kind of people I want my kids to learn from. AMAZING Gift from GOD:)

Now..Of course.. You have to add in my Mom, Dad, Harlean, and My Grandma (Love you Grandma!! Really Really do!) and My Grandpa (Miss you Grandpa so much) Because You always want to be just like them growing up. Holding hands in the Car on the way to church. (Grandma and Grandpa) and My folks always loving each other and growing up with respect for everyone..Best Family and such a Blessing and LOVE YOU ALL! My family has been blessed to be from such a kind and supportive family. YOU all are in hearts and we couldn't ever HUGS and KISS any of you enough :)

Want to throw another Blessing shout out to Wren (Harlean) I call her Wren..(have forever now I think) She is another Blessing. Can't Say enough how Amazing you are to my family. You have always been a support weather you know it or not. I couldn't be where I am now.. If I didn't have you to talk things thru. You are a good listener. And even tho sometimes You just let me ramble on.. Thank you so much for listening :) You are Like the older Sister I never had :) Made growing up and getting older much easier to have a sister Like you to talk too :) Thank you! Love you so much! YOU ARE ALSO A BLESSING TO ME <3 HUGS! LOVE YOU!

A gift From God.. Are the Blessings that in my life. Everyday.. I can't believe how many more people I find to be thankful for.I always thought it was a little crazy when people said Count Your Blessings. I said.. yes I have 4. My 3 sons and my Husband. That was it.. just 4. But.. as I have been reading the bible.. I realize how much I do have.. and that I can find blessings all around me.. and find them in people that I know! And Now.. I can't count them anymore! There are so many things I am thankful for! THANK YOU DEAR JESUS for Opening my EYES! THANK YOU DEAR JESUS FOR All MY BLESSINGS!

Prayer: Dear Lord, maker of Heaven and Earth. Thank you for blessing us with so many Great things in our lives. Thank you for sending us in the paths that you want us to take. For us meeting people that change our lives. Thank you Dear Lord for opening our eyes to see all the wondrous things in people and the goodness of peoples hearts and continue to open our eyes and see the kindness they have and the goodness.. Bless all these people in our lives and continue to open our hearts and give thanks for them. We Ask that you Watch over these people and just continues to shine your love down on them for they are so special to us. Lord have Mercy and Hear our Prayer. In your name we Pray. Amen!

Who do I Trust?

 

Today I am a bit saddened... it is my OWN doing. First I want to say... I do Not Trust many people at all. I do Not believe that everyone I meet is a person worth Trusting.  I Try to be a person that OTHERS can trust.. But It takes alot of doing to have me trust someone else. That being said.. I am a very blessed person.

 Okay, so why am I saddened? Well I have wanted to get a new puppy.. I KNOW! Lets add that too the plate of busyness right? Well, My dog (Sassy is her name) is getting older now and I can ALREADY tell you if she were to pass today I think I would be wearing Black for a month. SO I have been thinking about this for awhile.. While mom got 2 new puppies this last year. That maybe I should think about getting Sassy a friend and maybe would ease the blow if she ever goes to Doggy Heaven.. 

ok ok ok the story about trust is beginning now... So I see an add for 2 Maltese AKC registered dogs one Male and one Female. So I email the owner and ask him how much and where are they located and all the Questions  you should ask.. and he emailed me back.. and let me tell I am not Grammar Police by any means but I can tell when English is not the persons first language.. Which doesn't mean they are bad! so I read the email and it got me excited of course! $180 per dog because the person was moving and they just wanted to make sure the dogs got a good home and if i took both it would be $300! OH THAT IS NOT BAD!! RIGHT??!! WELLLL.. I emailed them back and said I was interested and I needed to okay with hubby But wanted to make sure 300 was REALLY what it cost for 2 dogs to be shipped from Laplace Louisiana. Needless to say.. that sounds wierd to me... that far and still only 300 for 2 dogs that is MANY MANY MILES away.. so he emailed back and said yes 300 for both dogs and should be delivered to my door in a few hours... so HELLO? anyone else find that LAST STATEMENT FISHY??

I went online. I searched his name and where he was from... :( I found this:  

• Marshall zimmer scam has no pups asks fMoney is not the issue here. I am
  > Located in *LaPlace ,Louisiana*.If you can pick the puppy or puppies
  > up then i will send you my address now. My main reason for re homing them
  > is because i am moving and i can't take all with me. The re homing fee for
  > each puppy is $180 and both pups will cost you $300*{shipping inclusive if
  > necessary}.* Do you intend breeding? Or are you a pet lover? Where
  > precisely are you located? Do you want a male or female puppy? How soon?
  or 300 plus SHIPPING so scam scam scam 

SO...  Now.. I remember why I don't Trust many people. Many people aren't worth giving your trust too. Sometimes it takes a lesson like this to Remember that there is so much evil in the world. Yes It saddens me. As Im sure they have saddened many others.

This lesson I learned today... I can ALWAYS TRUST IN GOD.

Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we TRUST in the name of the Lord our God.

I know that God is always with me by my side. I know that the Holy Spirit was with me when I was inspired to do a search for the name and city. I needed to see if this was legit.. which it was not :(  I know now that Not EVERYONE is trustworthy. And I knew that before But when you are hurt by it, it is a realization that Life is not a Bowl Full of cherries sometimes you get Rotten Cherries too! I know how every other person feels by those that get hurt by fools. I hope you all never get hurt by them.

SO now I will go forward and Watch my step because I Trust in the Lord.. I will Watch for him showing me my paths and He will watch for me, that im safe from all hurt and harm.

HUGS! Leslie
Have a Magnificent and Wonderful day!

Prayer: Dear Lord, Maker of Heaven and Earth, Our Most Holy. THANK YOU for an Amazing chance to Live this life you have given us all. Thank you for opening our eyes to the untrusted. Thank you for giving us wisdom enough to see those who set out to fool us. Thank you Dear Lord for ability to Trust in you to know our path. Dear Lord, Please Watch over others that are being hurt in such deceitful ways. Dear Lord also Watch over those evil doers because they have not seen the evil of their ways. IN your name I pray, Amen.

My Mother.

Hmm today I just had a very long conversation with my Mom. I can't tell you how much it makes me smile to talk about my Mom. It Just does. I miss her every day of my life. I do not live too far from her but... when you are a stay at home Mom you have to make some sacrifices in order to get by. Thus we don't get to travel up to Stanton and see the family as often as I like. ANYWAY... I talked to my Mom for a long while and it was so great. So today I found this verse this seems fitting.

Proverbs 31:25-30

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” 

So True and  I love my Mother Dearly!  And Often with my children I, of course, hope and wonder for their future but I hope I will be the one they call when they need to hear a loving and caring voice. I feel truely blessed to have such a loving and kind mother. She puts up with my constant talking and my asking questions that needs a Nurses touch. She puts up with my ranting and raving when the schools are being crazy. She tolerates my relearning of the bible when I know she has heard most of the stuff I have just learned.. I probably sound like a broken record. Where in the world can you ever find someone like Your mother? I Truely dont think you can. A Blood Related Best Friend.. will never hurt you or turn their back on you. Will never Leave you. Will tell you what you need to hear when you are down. 

We learned this today in Grace Girls.. and I think the Holy Spirit is like a Woman is to their child...

Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

Like the Holy Spirit takes care of us.. A Mother Takes care of their child.

I Love you, Corey Stormo. You are My Mother. You have Saved me more times than you know. You have been a Rock I can lean on. You are the friend I call when I am sad, happy, excited, joyful, and confused. You make me smile. You are apart of many of my past and present memories. I love you.. Thank you for loving me.

 Hugs!
Leslie

Prayer: Dear Lord in heaven, Look down from your amazing throne and hold up all the mothers of the world and give them full hearts so that they know they are loved by their children. Even when the children are far away or maybe too busy. Let the mothers know they are loved and we are thankful for all they do for us. Also Lord, THANK YOU for giving us each a mother and loving us enough to know we needed someone with such compassion and love to make sure we also stay on a straight path to lead us towards you and your word. Thank you for your compassion and love, Dear Lord. In your Mercy, Hear our Prayer. Amen.

Immanuel

This is so True. I snagged this from Facebook. the Link is www.godlywoman.co . Immanuel Means God is with US. I often wake up each day with aches and pains, trying to stand up straight.. I get the kids off to school and I just want to plop down on my computer chair and not move for the rest of the day. BELIEVE ME I HAVE BEFORE.. But then if I dont get back up right away then I might just sit there for the rest of the day. Now, I have to try and stand back up with all the aches and pains again. LOL Okay.. so my point is.. I was in this place in my life before.. where I was in the habit of doing the same thing over and over and over again and I wasn't in a good place. I was sad.. I felt alone.. I felt like the only way I did  not feel alone was sit at my computer and play games and talk to people on facebook or Pin things on Pintrest. But... I felt like I was alone and... well Like I have said before I (WE, My family) have begun the journey to find our Home with Jesus again. And I realized so many things.. and I repeat this to myself EVERY MORNING...

We Live to Serve God, Help Others, and NOT Ourselves.

and I not going to lie.. some days its really really hard to do this. to say this. to feel this.... BUT If I Just remember how much time I have wasted on the computer and NOT with my boys.. I get upset with myself and I RUN TO THE SHOWER and I Stop thinking about myself. I love my boys.. they are my everything, my breath, My heart. They are a HUGE motivation for me.

SOOO the Moral of the story is this.. God is always with us.. When we are in a bad place in our lives.. He is there even when we are feeling lonely.. He Knows whats best for us.. He is pushing us even when we dont realize it. He has been leading me back to his house and that is where He is teaching me all about his word.

He is our best friend, the one we share our hopes and dreams with, and he is always with us. He may not come up to your bed and wake you up in the morning.. he may not add you as a friend to Facebook. But He is there... maybe he helps a friend realize that you need someone to talk to.. maybe he has pushed you by letting you have memories of your kids when they were young and having to get up at 2am to make a bottle. NOOO you are right I do not miss that part.. but.. I wouldn't change it for anything in the world either! They are precious memories. God... IS with us. And He will not leave us... We are Forgiven.. And He loves us.. Just as we love our own children.. :):)

Have a Glorious Day! HUGS!
Leslie

Prayer: Dear Lord, Please be with the Louise and Carita's Families. I know there is many of them but I do not know all of them. Please watch over them as they go thru the process of grief. Although I have heard from many people their father was an amazing man and Im Positive he is in AMAZING place in heaven. Just grant them peace and Happiness. They are an inspiration and a beautiful family. Also Dear Lord, please watch over Curtis tonight as he volunteers to serve over 1500 people for the fish fry in Columbus. I KNOW he will be exhausted when he comes home. Just help him to not give up when the going gets tough. You are an amazing God. We love you and all that you do for us. In your name. Amen.

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Let me Start off by saying.. HAPPY ST. Patrick's Day! Okay..

From Wikipedia: A cultural and religious holiday celebrated annually on 17 March, the death date of the most commonly-recognised patron saint of Ireland.  Saint Patrick's Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early seventeenth century and is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion (especially the Church of Ireland), the Eastern Orthodox Church, and Lutheran Church. 
Much of what is known about St Patrick comes from the Declaration, which was allegedly written by Patrick himself. It is believed that he was born in Roman Britain in the fourth century, into a wealthy Romano-British family. His father was a deacon and his grandfather was a priest in the Christian church. According to the Declaration, at the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Gaelic Ireland.   It says that he spent six years there working as a shepherd and that during this time he "found God". The Declaration says that God told Patrick to flee to the coast, where a ship would be waiting to take him home. After making his way home, Patrick went on to become a priest.

According to legend, Saint Patrick used the three-leaved shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to Irish pagans.

According to tradition, Patrick returned to Ireland to convert the pagan Irish to Christianity. The Declaration says that he spent many years evangelizing in the northern half of Ireland and converted "thousands". Tradition holds that he died on 17 March and was buried at Downpatrick. Over the following centuries, many legends grew up around Patrick and he became Ireland's foremost saint.

Learned: After learning the REAL meaning about this amazing Holiday... It isn't just about Beer and Drinking and Drinking Games. Although, I never had the chance to partake in these festivities... I am undoubtedly thankful that I Never had. I am also thankful for my Pastors Wife for the Children's Sermon... Because She told the True Story of the Holiday. It made me want to research it and find out that it is Actually a Religious Holiday AND It was a Day an Amazing man died. He spread the word of God throughout Ireland. I Truly didn't put up all the history but You get the Jist of it.  It was so Inspiring to me that After being made a slave, He found God. Then went back and spread the word of the bible.. What an amazing person to have such a personal relationship with God.

Now.. it dismays me that.... Our culture. Our time. Our generation. Has turned this Religious Holiday into something that You have to drink Green beer and get drunk.. That you wear a shirt and get it wet for the best wet tshirt contest.. Somewhere along the lines someone stopped teaching people what this day was really about and let them think it was just about drinking.. I'M GUILTY too.. because I did NOT know there was anything about this holiday other than wearing green and Leprechauns... and well.. Drinking!

Well.. Now we know the real Story.. Thank you Marji for letting us know there is more to this day than Just the rituals our culture portrays.


Hugs and Love Leslie


Prayer:

Saul has no Patience

1 Samuel 13:8-14

He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul's men began to scatter.  So he said, "Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings. " And Saul offered up the burnt offering.  Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.  "What have you done?" asked Samuel. Saul replied, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash,  I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD's favor.' So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering."  "You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.  But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command."

 

 

I really liked this excerpt from the bible. We read and studied it in one of my bible classes. So a little history on this story.. Saul was told to wait.. and Obviously He did not... He was in trouble, because he did NOT wait for Samuel or God before He reacted.. After I got to thinking about the passage.. It was very much like Saul was very selfish and Only acted for himself because he thought he was above the law.. Above the law of the Lord. He didn't need to wait for God to help him. HE Was BETTER than whatever God could do... 

 

Honestly, How could this be like us in our lives today? For me? I know I do alot of Reacting before thinking. Reacting before praying. I do alot of acting selfishly. Yes we are all sinners and so we "fall short of the glory of God" but.. Then I think shouldn't I or WE be doing as much as we can to be the best we can be to be like Jesus was? YES! ABSOLUTELY! I know I NEED to Stop reacting immediately to things and call on the lord for HIS guidance, for his knowledge, for his Mercy. I Need to have patience that God will see me thru all things and that He has whats best for me in his heart. He will Help all of us thru our "battles" and situations. We just need to call upon him, speak to him, and Praise him. 

 

 

Prayer: Dear Lord, I know I fall short of your Glory. You have given me so many blessings in life and I had failed to recognize them all. You have provided so much to be thankful for and I thank you so much for that! You are amazing and I love you so much! Lord Grant me patience and understanding that you will always help me thru every battle that I come upon. Grant me the ability to wait and see your blessings you bring to me. I shall never forge ahead without consulting you first in any situation that may arise. Thank you so much Dear Lord for sticking with me when I need you and even more when I dont know I need you. You are always there. In your name. Amen!

Old and New!

I snagged this photo from a Google search. I think it is Extremely fitting for today. My 2 younger sons were baptized today. They did an amazing job. The whole ceremony was a small intimate  gathering of friends and family. It was so great to see the boys take part in something so much bigger than them. Its for the Love of Our God.

My father said this verse 2 Corinthians 5:17 was the first verse he had ever had to memorize. And as i sat and meditated on this verse and what it means to me. I realized to myself.. Us joining this new church and being on this familial Adventure of learning the Love of God.. That is our NEW. The Old of our family is now past and GONE. Our New family is the family US And GOD. And He Loves US. And We LOVE HIM. We didnt realize we loved him so much until we Actually sat down and started to pray to him.. We have a NEW relationship with  him and we are HAPPY.  We didn't know anything was missing before but now.... we found what we weren't Looking for  LOL.

So all this old and new.. Its an amazing adventure. I am so excited for what tommorrow may bring! Aren't you? Do you have any favorite verses that you have learned that you may hold dear? I'd like to read them so that I may also enjoy them!

Hugs and Blessings!
Leslie

Prayer: Dear Lord Please keep all our Emergency responders and firemen safe as they battle the fires and the winds in Nebraska. Grant them the wisdom they need to do their job right so they don't get hurt. Please be with them and keep them from harm. In your name. Amen.

Old and New Testament Reading.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.  

Philippians 4:13

I think many times through our lives and even our days.. we forget what we can do or forget to even Just Try. I think we often put things off for a better time, for when we have more time, or Just because we don't feel we have the ability to do something. But We can! If you Believe, and I do hate to sound cliche.. but if you Believe Hard enough... You can. Now.. BELIEVE... Believe in your goal Yes.. But Believe in the Word, Believe in God, Believe we are saved and you WILL have the Strength you need to do ANYTHING! You WILL have HIS STRENGTH to push you thru. 

Now.. today my oldest son Read the Old and New testament readings for today at church. Now he is amazing because when I ask him if he could do stuff like this He will say " Nah Ma. I dont think I would be good at that. I don't want to do it. " and I say "How will you EVER Know if you are good at something if you keep shutting it down before you even try it?" He said "Nah Ma, I will mix up the words and I will mess up while I'm up there." I said, "You speak VERY well for your age. People are there not to Judge you reading the word. But to hear the word." He said, "Okay Ma, Ill try it." SOOOoo he practiced and then Today came.. and HE DID AMAZING! He took a deep breath before starting like I told him he should do. And Read it without flaw! a little cough and a little throat clear.. but he nailed all the words and the LORD GAVE HIM THE STRENGTH to Make it all the way till the end and it Made sense. He was scared at first there was no doubt in my mind. As we were leaving the church I lost count of the number of people that came up to him and expressed how great he did. I'm so proud of my son, He took something he was nervous in.. He Believed IN the old and New testament he was reading and God gave him strength to do an amazing job. 

Hugs!

Leslie

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for letting us know that we carefully watched over.  It is amazing that in our most time of need you are always there when we need you. You are there to give us Strength so we can overcome any obstacle. You hold us and comfort us when think we are weak. You give us strength to keep going and finish our tasks. Lord, please look after all our children, family, and friends and Help them to realize that there are goals that can be achieved in everything we do as long as we know YOU. Thank you dear lord in your name we pray. Amen.

My Favorite Parable

Matthew 25:31-46

New International Version (NIV)

The Sheep and the Goats

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

This is my favorite parable. It was the first Bible Study I had when I joined my new church. it spoke to me and let me know how selfish I have been all my life. Instead of just living.. and Living for myself and my family.. I... err.. WE should be living for the Lord. To PROVE to him that we love HIM we should be being selfless. We should be thinking of Others, We should be sheep.. When someone needs clothes we should give them. Now this is  not saying run to Walmart and start buying everything they have so you can give it to the poor.. NO.. it means If you have extra clothes that you may have grown out of, or Your kids clothes they grew out of.. Give them to the Rescue Mission! IF someone is Hungry.. Make some food and take it to the Rescue Mission! They Will Never turn away some good food! If you See someone that needs Help Direct them to the Rescue Mission so they can be directed to where they CAN get help! Now.. with how dangerous the times are Don't just Invite people into your home unless you know you and your kids are safe. YOU get what I'm saying.. Every time you help someone.. You are helping a brother or sister of the Lord. YOU are PROVING to him that you Love him. Be Selfless. 

The Sheep are the people that selflessly Help one another without having to be told. You do it out of the kindness of your heart.

This Parable just speaks to me.. and tells me I should be helping others.. I want to help others because... I want them IN turn to become sheep.. Pay it forward.. I was helped by a few when I was recovering from surgery.. THEY were selfless and Cared about me and my family. Its my turn.

Hugs!
Leslie

Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you for Loving Us Unconditionally. Thank you for your Selflessness. You Watch over us and You know what is best for us. I Ask you watch us and Guide us as we Journey on our Paths You have laid out for us. Help each and everyone of us to loyally serve YOU. Help us to understand that Serving Others is the Way to God. Guide us to Be sheep and Not Goats. We Love you. In your name we Pray. Amen.