This Week With Jesus

  It was December and a cold one at that. An old woman worked in a home for cleaning and washing. One day she complained about the cold to the mistress, about how she could not sleep in the cold at night. The mistress, who was a very thoughtful and kind lady decided to get the old maid a blanket, for Christmas, to keep her warm and so she did. Next day a beautiful woolen blanket was delivered, in beautiful Christmas colors of green, red and white. As the maid was getting ready to leave, the mistress gave her the blanket, but instead of being pleased, the maid scornfully stated she did not want it. On being asked why, she said she didn't like it because it had a white color which would get dirty and she would have to wash it, so she would prefer one without white. The mistress got a bit upset because she had gone through a lot of trouble and expense to get the blanket delivered urgently. "Anyway," she said, "don't take it if you don't want. I can't force y...

The Story of the Christmas Guest by Helen Steiner Ric e It happened one day at December's end Some neighbors called on an old-time friend. And they found his shop so meager and mean, Made gay with a thousand boughs of green. And old Conrad was sitting with face ashine, When he suddenly stopped as he stitched the twine. And he said, "My friends, at dawn today, When the cock was crowing the night away, The Lord appeared in a dream to me. And He said, 'I'm coming your guest to be." So I've been busy with feet astir, Strewing my shop with branches of fir. The table is spread and the kettle is shined, And over the rafters the holly is twined. And now I'll wait for my Lord to appear; And listen closely so I will hear, His steps as he nears my humble place. And I'll open the door and I'll look on his face." Then his friends went home and left Conrad alone, For this was the happiest day he had known. For long since his family had passed away. And Conr...

"Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands " Christmas is around the corner and a time of joy, love, and giving, and is often intertwined with the spirit of charity. It's a season when people are more inclined to think of others, especially those less fortunate. The story of Christmas, especially the birth of Jesus, is often associated with humility, compassion, and selfless giving. By helping others, we not only bring joy to their lives but also experience a sense of fulfillment ourselves. But here is the thing: when we help someone with money or some material things, it often jolts their own self worth. So while we may help them temporarily, we may hurt them permanently. So, taking a cue from Christmas, we try to understand what charity should mean. Jesus took birth to die. We all do. But He took birth to die for us. He knew from the very beginning that he was the scapegoat! He knew His f...

 

Peace is a word most sought after, most misunderstood and most misinterpreted. We are in the second week of advent, with the theme of peace, and yet According to recent data, there are currently around 56 ongoing conflicts worldwide , with some sources stating this is the highest number since World War II, involving numerous countries engaged in conflicts outside their borders. So then, what is this peace? What does it look like? What does it mean? What is the peace of God?  In the Bible, the word Jesus uses for peace in most of these passages comes from the Greek word eiréné , which means harmony, tranquility, and reconciliation. It’s the concept of being in perfect unity and accord with the Lord, living in tune with his commands and ways. It is a deep, inner peace that surpasses human comprehension, a calmness and serenity that can be experienced even amidst difficult circumstances, and is considered a gift from God that guards one's heart and mind through faith in Christ Jesus. ...

While the world celebrates Christmas with merriment & laughter, there are many whose hearts are filled with anguish. Unseen and unknown. Beneath the façade of smiles and laughter, a silent storm often rages within the them. Unseen anguish can manifest in various forms. It may be the quiet desperation of a person grappling with a chronic illness, the silent suffering of a victim of abuse, or the internal turmoil of someone struggling with mental health issues. It can be the gnawing loneliness of an isolated soul or the profound grief of a bereaved heart. The world often overlooks these silent struggles, dismissing them as mere fleeting moments of sadness or temporary setbacks. However, for those who endure them, unseen anguish can be a relentless force, consuming their thoughts and emotions. It can lead to feelings of isolation, worthlessness, and hopelessness. Yet, even in the darkest depths of despair, there is a flicker of hope. Jesus Christ: offering a lifeline, offering underst...

  In our world of immediate gratification, success is measured by grandiose achievements. Yet, God delights in small, everyday acts and things, as He does in those grandiose achievements. For Him, it's the heart of the matter, not the outcome. So today we pray - Heavenly Father, help us to see the value and significance of the small tasks we do every day. May we find joy in the ordinary and the mundane, knowing that you are present in every moment. Give us the strength to be faithful in small things trusting that you can use them in your Glory. We thank you for the recovery of your servant in Australia and those who were sick and needed your intervention. Today DeeSki asks for Gods help and says - "Please god do not let her give up on me and this relationship. I am completely lost knowing I could losing her and my children. I’m asking for all of the prayers I can get and for somehow someway god to help me keep this relationship and family together." David thanks God for ...

                                                     Gods blessings are not limited by our circumstances. He can bring abundance and increase in the most unlikely of places. As we faithfully sow seeds of kindness, love, forgiveness and generosity, we can expect a harvest of blessings in due time. Remember, the harvest may not come immediately, it requires patience, perseverance and unwavering faith. But, rest assured, the Lord will bless us abundantly, according to His perfect timing and plan. Today let us take inspiration from Isaacs story and sow seeds of faith in our own lives, even during adversity, and give thanks and honor to the Lord knowing that every good thing comes from Him. Psalm 91 is a perfect reminder of Gods protection and provision during every adverse situation that may surround us.

                                                    As we relax on Saturdays, its time to not only think about ourselves but also all those people who need our prayers and support. We are sharing some prayer needs so that we all can support each other. We want to pray for peace and normalcy to prevail in Bangladesh and protection of minorities there.  We ask for divine intervention:- For a Pastor in Australia and a senior citizen - : We pray for healing and strength allowing him to continue his work for God.  For a senior in India suffering from Dementia .  We continue to  pray for her peace as well as strength for her caregiver. For a senior in India suffering from a debilitating back pain , we ask for prayer of strength and healing.  Tanu requests prayer saying : Heavenly Father I thank you for the wonderful organization where you h...

Genesis 42 : 21 ESV Then they said to one another, “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul , when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” This is a very popular story about Joseph and his brothers. So popular and familiar that, in fact, that we sometimes overlook the small nuances which is the case in this verse. Nowhere in Joseph's story is it written about what he went through. What he felt. But in this verse, it talks about the anguish he felt as he was left in that pit to die. He was distressed and anguished to his very soul. Such a strong emotion that his soul itself was distressed. Or so he thought. If only he knew Gods plan, he would have happily gone into the pit on his own, singing merrily. Isn't it much like a lot of situations we face in life? We don't know the outcome, so we are distressed and anguished. In that anguished moment we envision the worst outcomes, like probably ...