They Will Praise The Lord

Hebrews 2:12

Let this be recorded for a generation to come,

   so that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord:
that he looked down from his holy height, 
   from heaven the Lord looked at the earth,
to hear the groans of the prisoners, 
   to set free those who were doomed to die;
so that the name of the Lord may be declared in Zion, 
   and his praise in Jerusalem,
when peoples gather together, 
   and kingdoms, to worship the Lord.                                   (Psalm 102:18-22 NRSV)

How and why will a people yet unborn praise the Lord?

It began with those first followers of Jesus. They shared what they saw. They repeated what they heard and the next generations did the same. The next generation will praise the Lord when the Good News of the Kingdom of God for all who believe in Jesus will be shared with them. They will praise the Lord when by the power of the Holy Spirit they understand that they have been set free from the bondage to sin. They will praise the Lord when they understand that Jesus overcame the power of death over us. They will praise the Lord when they hear the Word.

It is New Year's Eve. Let us resolve to share the Good News loudly and clearly that the next generation might genuinely praise the Lord!

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Word Endures Forever

Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. For

“All flesh is like grass
   and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
   and the flower falls,

but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

That word is the good news that was announced to you.
                                                       (1 Peter 11:22-25 NRSV)

This is what we Christians do: we announce the word, which is the good news of Jesus Christ. Yes, we share the word: Jesus died for you.

Jesus is the Word. The Gospel of St. John (1:1-9, 14) tells us:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

Jesus is the word, which brings us truth and love light! May the Word of God abide in and through you forever.

God's Peace - Pr. J

                                                                                    

We Shall Not Be Weary

Even youths will faint and be weary,

    and the young will fall exhausted;

but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their        strength,

   they shall mount up with wings like eagles,

they shall run and not be weary,

   they shall walk and not faint.

                              (Isaiah 40:30-31 NRSV)

We all get weary from time to time. Physical weariness can sometimes actually be quite satisfying when it comes from a long, hard day of work. However, I have not found emotional, mental, or spiritual weariness to ever be satisfying. It is a struggle for many to overcome this type of weariness that often brings depression. 

Depression and emotional weariness is not overcome alone. There is no just getting over it. We wait on the Lord and trust Him to renew our strength. He will send helpers; friends and sometimes professionals, to walk beside us as we go through the valley of darkness. He will send His Spirit upon us so that we might once again soar like the eagle through the trials that assail us. 

In Christ, we shall rise again. We shall run and not be weary. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Merry Christmas!

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isa 9:6 NRSV)

Presents will be given and received this morning as people around the world celebrate Christmas. People will be celebrating the birth of Christ into the world for us. Prayerfully, they will be celebrating the Holy Day and not merely the holiday that has become very secular. For unto us the greatest gift has been given; Jesus Christ, that baby born in a manger, Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Have a very blessed Christmas!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Go and Tell!

So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2:16-20 NRSV)

The shepherds did not waste any time. When they heard about this miracle child they went and saw him for themselves and then they went and told what they had seen to others.

What has God shown you? What miracles have you beheld? When was the last time you shared the story about our miraculous and awesome God with others? 

During this Advent and Christmas season; above all other times of the year, we have been given the opportunity to share the Good News that accompanies the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

Go and tell, glorifying God for this precious child!

May your Christmas and New Year be filled with hope, love, joy, and peace!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

As One We Glorify God

Valaam Monastery on Lake Ladoga, Russian Karelia 

May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles,
   and sing praises to your name”;

and again he says,

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people”;

and again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,

   and let all the peoples praise him”;

                                       (Rom 15:5-11 NRSV)

Soon and very soon (like tomorrow night, Christmas Eve) our sanctuaries will be filled with people who have come to praise God. It is always a pleasure to see so many "Gentiles" gathered together to glorify His Holy Name.

St. Paul encouraged the followers to praise God and to rejoice in Him as we welcome one another. We are to welcome all people even as Christ welcomed us. It does not matter whether one is Jew or Gentile, young or old, or where they are from. Their ancestry nor their station in life matters. We are to praise God together, with one voice, so that others might hear and also glorify God.

There is no room for "me" and especially not "poor me" in the Body of Christ. We are one in Christ Jesus and are to live in harmony; lifting one another up with endurance; that all would hear what the scriptures would teach us. Paul's hope was that God would give us all "the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice we might glorify God." 

We are given the scriptures so that we might learn who this Jesus is. Hear them. Read them. Study them. We are given the Holy Spirit that we might understand and be empowered to follow this one who came down to earth to save us from ourselves (and each other). Have mercy on one another, as Christ has mercy. Love one another, as Christ loves. Enter this Christmas season with a desire to do go to our neighbors; to live in unity and peace that God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ might be glorified in all that we say and think and do.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Do Not Fear; The Lord Is With You

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:8-11 NRSV)

Do not afraid; do not fear! We hear this words not just from the angel speaking to the shepherds; but, from Jesus on more than a couple of occasions in the Gospels. Who are they kidding? We would be very afraid, indeed, to have an angel appear before us with the glory of the Lord shining all around us.

Do not fear. The Lord is with you always. (Isa 41:10) The Lord who loves you and gave himself for you is always with you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

What Will You Give?

Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”   (Luke 18:28-30 NIV)

John the Baptist wandered alone in the wilderness announcing the coming of the Messiah and baptizing for repentance. His family did not join him as he ate locust and honey. The disciples of Jesus left everyone and everything behind them to follow Jesus. Mary lost her son. He was crucified. Since that time, multitudes of Christians have given their very lives for the faithfulness in proclaiming Jesus as their Savior and King.

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? (Luke 9::23-25)

Are we truly willing to give even our lives to follow Jesus? (Just something we ought to give serious consideration to every once in awhile throughout our lives.) What are you willing to give?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Going Home

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. (Luke 2:1, 4-5 NIV)

Joseph took his fiancé, to his hometown so that they could be counted in the census. While there she gave birth to Jesus. 

When our children were young and we lived far from our hometown; but, we often went home for Christmas. My husband called it home, anyway. I did not. Wherever I lived is where I had always considered home. 

We moved a lot over the last 47 years. I no longer even consider the place we live in as home. Over these many long years I have developed a desire to go home; but, not to an earthly home. My true home is the home that Jesus has prepared for me and for all who believe in him. (John 14:2-4)

Paul wrote to the Philippians: "But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:20)

The world may require us to participate in census' so they can keep track of who lives where. It is pretty necessary for us to have physical addresses of some sort. (Although, not everyone does.) But, as Christians, we will recognize that our true home is in the Kingdom that was opened for us by the one who was born to that couple traveling to their hometown so long ago.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Paul Speaks the Truth

Old Sheldon Church Pulpit

"I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart." (Romans 9:1-2 NRSV)

This verse never fails to bring a smile to my face. It reminds me of a child when he's trying to justify something he's done by making up some story to cover him or herself. It can be very difficult to know when someone is truly speaking the truth and so we must depend upon the Holy Spirit to help us discern the truth. I do; however, believe that we can believe Paul when he says that he is telling the truth. 

Paul is grieved because not everyone who he would have accept Jesus as the Messiah has accepted him. He has come to terms with the fact that some Jews are merely God's people in the flesh and not of the spirit. So; too, many pastors grieve as they look out over the congregations they have served for years and recognize that not all who sit in those pews know Jesus as their lord and savior. They may have been "born" into the church and raised in the church; but, their spirits have somehow managed to not know Jesus.

It is hard to swallow that people whom we love do not love God; that they do not even know him. It grieves many pastors; many parents; many a spouse; and, many friends to know that their loved ones do not know the love of God or the peace that surpasses all understanding. 

May God open the hearts of all people during this Advent and Christmas season to know; not just know about; but, to know Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Love The One Who Loves You

Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. 

(Deut 6:4-5 NRSV)

Lonely, frustrated, tired?

Thoughout my life I have spent a lot of time alone mainly due to either my husband's career or mine careers. I am often asked if it bothers me to be alone. The answer is no. I am never alone. I have lived long enough to know that there is One who loves me more than all others. He is with me always. He is there for you always.

When we find ourselves tired and weary; lonely or frustrated, there is one we can turn to. Love the Lord your God, who loves you, with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your might even when you think you don't need him. That is when you really need Him the most.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Do Not Fear

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"   (Matt 6:25-27 NRSV)

There have been times in my life that I have been quite confrontational when it comes to injustice. Where others were shrinking back and warning me that I should too for safety's sake, I have advanced. I did indeed consider the worst case scenarios before I advanced. What is the worst thing that could happen to me? What is there to fear? Nothing, not even death! I have eternal life.

When considering a new venture; whether it be a new job or investing in a project or a person or whatever challenge the day might bring; again, the same question. What have I to fear? Nothing! Life in this world is temporary. It will all pass. I have eternal life.

Jesus knowingly went forward to the cross; to his death, that we might live. He could have gone in the other direction. He could have; but, he did not. He did not shrink back from saving the world; even though much of the world would reject him. He did not pretend that everything in the world was okay. He was willing to give even his life because the world was not okay.

Do not fear. Our Father in heaven loves you. Believe this and you too will have nothing to fear. You will be much more able to attempt to make radical changes within yourself and in the world around you with the knowledge that God is with you and for you. The world may abandon you. You may even lose many things in this world that you now treasure. But, there is nothing to fear. By faith, you have received eternal life.
 
May God help us to always stand in His truth; in His Way, no matter what possible dangers may lay before us. May He help us to remember that we have nothing to fear for through God's own Son, Jesus the Christ, we have eternal life.

God's Peace - Pr. J

My Soul Glorifies The Lord

And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord

   and my spirit rejoices in God my 

  Savior,"

                         (Luke 1:46-47 NIV)

How glorious it would be if every preacher, every Christian, could just say with Mary, "My soul glorifies the Lord! He is my Savior!"

No matter how many times we are reminded that we cannot save anyone; that only Jesus saves, we still want to claim that good work for ourselves. We think that if we talk long enough and word the command to do God's will just right, that we can convince others to believe. 

Yes, share the Good News. But, the Good News is not what we have to do to be in God's grace. The Good News is about what God has done for us through Jesus the Christ. He has reconciled us to Himself through the sacrifice of His beloved Son that we might abide with Him for all of eternity.

Whatever good that we might think we do, we must remember that if in fact good has been accomplished, it is not us, but, the Spirit of Christ who works in and through us that has done these things. 

All glory belongs to God! Let us rejoice and give Him the glory!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Sing To The Lord

Christ Lutheran Cantata 2017

O sing to the Lord a new song;
   sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
   tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
   his marvelous works among all the peoples.
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
   he is to be revered above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
   but the Lord made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before him;
   strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
   ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
   bring an offering, and come into his courts.

                                                    Psalm 88:1-6 NRSV

This afternoon, Christ Lutheran, will hold their Christmas Cantata. It will be an hour of Advent and Christmas music.  "Music," it is said, "soothes the savage beast." Indeed, it can calm a uneasy spirit if the right music is being listened to. It can also stir up in our inmost being anxiety, anger, fear.  Good or bad, music helps to embed ideas and ideals into our minds. It often glorifies the escapades of humankind. 

Christian music can be a teaching tool, as well. It tells the story of what God has done for us. Christian music glorifies God. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Lord Is With You!

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:26-28 NRSV)

Can you just imagine! What a fearful moment it would be to have an angel come to you visibly and speak to you. You hear the words: "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." Fear and joy are commingled.

The Mary visitation will not be repeated. There can only be one mother of Jesus. But, you have received the promise of being a favored one. You have received the promise that the Lord is with you. 

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9)

"...And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt 28:20)

Rejoice! Beloved child of God, the Lord is with you!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Less Is Often Best

...and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” (Matt 2:4-6 NRSV)

I come from the country and I love the country. I enjoy small towns where everyone knows everyone and where just about everyone cares for their neighbors.  There are also those who love the hubbub of busy city life. They enjoy the seemingly unending activities that can be found in the city. One is not better than the other. For me less is usually better. Less crowds, less noise, less traffic; less is better. 

Jesus came from what many would consider less.  He was born to a very young woman (a teen-ager) with no real social standing. He was born in a barn. He was born in Bethlehem, which at the time was nothing more than a small village. Out of the least of these places came the shepherd who would rule God's people. 

The least is often times the best of things to be. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

True Man; Unblemished Lamb

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. (Gal 4:4-5 NRSV)

Bullying has been around for a very long time. When I was a child, it was common when we were called names to respond: "It takes one to know one." 

Jesus is definitely not a bully; but, it "takes one to know one" is applicable to him. In order to redeem humankind he had to be human. He was born in to the world the same way all humans are. He was tempted as all humans are. He had to become one of us. He had to be like us in order to save us.

He was like us in; but, in one area he was greatly different.  He was able to resist temptation. He was able to resist sin. He was able to redeem us because he was a truly unblemished human who was able to resist temptation and sin. The devil had no sway over him.

The sacrifice of this sinless man, this unblemished lamb of God, has made it possible for us to be reconciled to God our Father. We who were not his children are now his children.

Gods' Peace - Pr. J.

How Majestic Is Your Name

O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
to silence the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?

Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet,
all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Psalm 8 NRSV

A Savior Comes

“But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
    who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
    one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
    from ancient days..” 

                                             (Micah 5:2 NIV)

The prophecy of the one who would be born in Bethlehem... The people of God looked for and waited for this promised savior to deliver them; to bring them peace. He is the one whose birth we celebrate on Christmas morning. The Christ child, Jesus, was born in a stable in Bethlehem as God, through Micah, promised. The savior has come. The bringer of peace is here. He came to bring His peace so that the people of God would be one with God and with one another. The divide would be forever destroyed as it has been for all who would live and abide in His name, through His death; His resurrection and His ascension.

During this Advent season, we remember how the people longed for this savior to be born. We remember; and, as children of God, we prepare for Him to come again in full glory.

Remember always and prepare your hearts for He has come! He is Risen! And... He will come again!

God's Peace - Pr. J