Our first scripture today, Exodus 34:4-9, is loaded with ugly emotions. Moses has to sheepishly ask for new tablets, the Israelites are just as impatient as ever, and finally Moses has to admit-confess to God, something that God already knows… “this is a stiff-necked people.”
“Early in the morning Moses went up Mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, taking along the two new stone tablets. *Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with Moses there and proclaimed his name, “LORD.” Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out, “The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God,”’ and then… “This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins, and receive us as your own.” *** I believe we can pray for our world & it’s challenges (created by people) that we live in now, and still beg again, “This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins”
***Wouldn’t it be nice… if we could… Genuinely, be happy, even delighted, to see one another walking down the streets of the town you live in?? This is what Paul is calling us to do in 2Cor 13:11-13: Brothers and sisters, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All of us, the holy ones, greet you. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
Our Gospel from John 3:16-18, is at same time a very straightforward warning, but also a loving invitation. God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. **Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. ***Well, that seems easy enough… Listen to God & love God and be ‘invited’ to go to heaven!! If not, well, NOT! May God almighty Father, Son, and Holy Spirit bless you with peace and be by your side always. JOY- JOY- JOY, Thanx for enjoying these musings, MARK “G”.
