No Excuse for Lack of Love--Oct. 12, 2019

Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd,

but I have acted like a sheep without a shepherd.

Am I unable to learn a lesson and obey your words?

True, I am not an apostle, nor a prophet, nor a teacher;

I have no prophetic powers, understand no mysteries;

I certainly do not have all knowledge or all faith,

but that does not excuse my lack of love.

Forgive me, Jesus; do not forsake me,

but fulfill your purpose for me.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 104; 149; 138; 98

Jer. 35:1-19

1 Cor. 12:27-13:3

Matt. 9:35-10:4

Selected Verses

Ps. 138:8

The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
          your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
          Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Jer. 35:13

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Go and say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Can you not learn a lesson and obey my words? says the LORD. 

1 Cor. 12:29, 13:2

Are all apostles?  Are all prophets?  Are all teachers?  Do all work miracles?  …And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 

Matt. 9:36

When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.