Friday’s Verse:
From Mark 8:36 ESV
“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”
At the cancer center on Thursday, a man was staring at me across the waiting area, glaring so much that even the person sitting next to me asked, “Hey, Father, do you owe that guy money?”
When my name was called to go to the back, I walked up to the guy wearing a Rolex watch and, as a nurse told me, black alligator shoes and a suit that none of us could afford, and asked, “Do you have a problem with me?”
He said, “Yes. I have a problem. Do you think that wearing that Jesus outfit is supposed to mean something?” I was wearing a black clergy shirt that cost me $15 on sale (Amazon’s July sale); Lands End jeans I purchased for $35 on sale; sneakers that cost under $50 and were bought at Walmart; and socks that were probably seven or eight years old.
Before I could say anything, Nurse Ratched, who was watching this along with two other nurses and a security guard, came over to get me. The security guard said something to the man, but the nurses dragged me away so I couldn’t hear what he said. One of the nurses said that the man was a billionaire from New York. Apparently, a few weeks ago he did something similar to a woman wearing a cross around her neck. I was told she wished lightning would strike him so he would wake up, believe in God, and stop being a (bad word).
Rosie, the nurse, said to me, “The guy has the whole world at his fingertips, and he acts like that.”
Jesus wants us to look at what we are chasing after. Whether that be success or material things like black alligator shoes, it will not bring us the life we want. What is great about the Gospel is that we don't have to work harder to receive our soul. We have a Savior that worked for us. At the cross, we can see that we are more valuable than what we can achieve because we have a Savior.
Say a prayer today for the unnamed man. Pray that he and all unbelievers can one day join the family of faith. Lightning not needed or included.
Today’s Prayers
Almighty Father, help us let go of things that will fade away and trust in Your grace. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
The photo above was created by Gemini (gemini.google.com)