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I'm here to give you...

Illustration
Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
"I'm here to give you a free set of encyclopedias," he said at the door. You knew there was a catch to it. No company is going to train a guy to go out and give away their products. The real motive of the salesman was to sell you a set of encyclopedias and in return receive a commission for his sale. The manner in which the sale took place was always questionable. Isn't it great that we do not have to put deception into our presenting the Good News to others? All we have to do is live the Christian life day in and day out, and it tells its own story.
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For August 3, 2025:

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Object: The object of the lesson is a gesture you will teach the children.

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Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. (vv. 9-10)

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Jesus warned against with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God. Through our worship today let us pledge ourselves to seek our treasure only in God.

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Jesus, sometimes we envy others because of all they possess.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we desire all that money can buy.
Christ, have mercy.

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For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.... Let those who are wise give heed to these things, and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
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How do you focus on something unseen? How can we set our minds on that which we can't touch, or taste, or verify scientifically? Most practical people want proof. Abstract propositions are difficult to get our arms around, especially if they are from another time and place.
Thomas A. Renquist
This story begins with gift -- with blessed gift -- with miraculous, blessed giftedness. And I will even tell you now the theme of the story: if you keep your eye on the giftedness of everything, then you yourself can be a gift, you can be a giver, rather than a hoarder.
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" 'It was I who taught Ephraim how to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them' (11:3). They did not know me. Do you?

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