Daily Scriptures from Reverend Dan Johnson ~ Tuesday, 29 October 2013

Daily Scriptures from Reverend Dan Johnson ~ Tuesday, 29 October 2013 ~ "Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”~~Deuteronomy 5:16

What does honor mean in this context anyway?  In John Wesley’s Notes on the Bible, he summarizes the actions that express honor in five ways:  1. an inward esteem of them, outwardly expressed, 2. Obedience to their lawful commands (Ephesians 6:1-3), 3. Submission to their rebukes, instructions and corrections, 4. Acting with consideration of parental advice, direction and consent, 5. Giving comfort and providing for physical needs of aged parents.  This is applicable to guardians as well.  Wesley believed it was also applicable to those of secular and spiritual authority. 

Like I said yesterday, the commandment to honor one’s parents is counterpart to the honor due God; it creates a bridge that unites the duties toward God and toward humans.  Even after the parenting is done, and the child is grown up, the responsibility still exists.  In ancient times the elderly were more revered than they are today (at least in our culture), but they could also become a liability.  Sometimes it seems as though the parent-children role is reversed when the parents get older, and the parent then becomes dependent on the child for physical and emotional needs.  The relationship between parents and children is a sacred one.  It seems like God always has a way where those in need are the responsibility of those who can help.  God does not want anyone to lack care or to lack love and respect. Do you know of someone who is unable to care for themselves or is having difficulty doing so any longer?  How can you show them that someone cares?  Today, how can you honor those who have cared for others their whole lives?

Esther 

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Pursuing the Possibilities (Our Fall Stewardship Focus) - praying that every member makes a pledge

and that every pledge be/become a Tithe (10%).

Trinity's new "modern worship" service begins Dec. 1, 11:00;

Youth Building: PRAY for it; TELL others about it; VOLUNTEER for it.

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Trinity United Methodist Church

4000 NW 53rd Avenue

Gainesville, FL 32653 United States

(352)376~6615

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