His Peace In All Times

Taken from the back door

"The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
²⁵ the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
²⁶ the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace."
                       (Numbers 6:24-26 NIV)

I just got off of the phone from talking with my husband, Howard. He is not a real happy camper this morning. He is on vacation at our home in Michigan. Our home in Michigan is at the mouth of a river leading into a bay. On top of the normal tides moving in and out because the bay is on Lake Superior; he has experienced a couple of seiches since yesterday. This morning, we video chatted and the water was up to the top of the deck at the back of the house. The dock is floating around and it is not a floating dock. He is going to have a mess to clean up after the water quits moving so much.

He is not a happy camper. But, like the tides that go in and out, so does just about every aspect of every one's lives. That is the way it is. All we can do is pray this wonderful prayer for one another. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord look upon you with face and grant you His peace.

Due to the storms there have been a lot of areas and homes that have been devastated (destroyed) in the past few weeks in the Upper Peninsula. We are fortunate on Huron Bay. The mess at our home is nothing more than a mess. It can be cleaned up with a bit of work.

May God grant you His peace!

God's peace - Pr. J

The Work Of His Hands

Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
   though lofty, he sees them from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
   you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;

   with your right hand you save me.

The Lord will vindicate me;

   your love, Lord, endures forever—

   do not abandon the works of your hands.

                                        (Psalm 138:8 NIV)

I was cleaning out spaces the other day. I was getting rid of those things that I have not used and have had hidden away for many years. Some of the things I ran across were hand-drawn or colored pictures; paintings; short-stories, that my children and grandchildren had created many years ago. I did not throw them away. I hung on to the things that had been created by the work of their hearts, hands, and minds.

If we who are human attempt to preserve those things that we have created; how much more do you suppose that God would preserve those things that He has created. You have been created by the works of His hands. He will never abandon you. He is there with you no matter what befalls you; both good and bad, to preserve your life; to preserve your eternal life. His right hand saves you.

Thanks be to God! He loves you; the work of His hands.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Patience

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Pet 3:9 NIV) 

Everything will happen in it's own time. So often it seems like things can get delayed forever and ever. But, they don't. Yes, sometimes God says no and it simply doesn't happen. But, often things are delayed for a time; sometimes for years. We just have to be patient and wait on the Lord and trust that His timing is perfect.

There have been many days that I wondered why the Lord was not just ending it all and taking us home to be with Him. Why not now? Why delay? He already knows who will be saved in the end and who will not. But, that's not His will. Instead; in patience, he waits for us to repent and to love Him as He loves us.

Patience is lovely virtue. But, it does not come so easily to humankind as it does to God. Patience does not come without trials. Through trials we learn to be patient and to wait on the Lord and on His time. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Ego Must Die

"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." (Matt 16:25 NIV)

Yes, I am talking about egos, again. I do not understand why it is so difficult for so many people to understand that we do not live for ourselves. We are to live to love and serve God and all of God's children. We may not like everything that everyone does or is. But, that does not negate the fact that we are to love others as ourselves. If they are in need; their needs come before our wants.

We do not get to not love people we disagree with. We do not get to persecute people we disagree with or people we want to control. Yes, there are instances where to avoid conflict and greater harm we may need to stay away; but, that does not negate the fact that we are to love one another.

We must in some way come to the understanding that our life here on earth is nothing compared to the eternal life we have in the presence of our Heavenly Father. We must to at least a minimal degree come to grasp that if we cling to life in this world and all that we can grab for ourselves from this world, we will lose our lives; because, in fact, there is no life in us. 

Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. (John 14:6) Without him, there is no life. With him, we will seek to enhance the lives of others without regard to our own.

In order to live life we must live in Christ and Jesus did not put his own ego before the lives of others. He was willing to give everything, even his life, so that we might live. Yes, Jesus died. Yet, he lives and because he lives so shall all who die to themselves to live in him. 

Egos and personal agendas don't matter in the kingdom of God. The only agenda that matters is God's. 

God grant that we not be afraid of death; of either physical death or the death of our egos and self-centered desires in this world so that we might live more fully in Christ according to the will of our Father. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Be Reconciled In Peace

"Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord." (Lev 19:18 NIV)

What good is it to be angry with others? There is a righteous anger that strives to set things right peacefully without any vengeful intent. But, there is the most prevalent anger that causes even more anger and unrighteousness to occur. This unrighteous anger will only destroy us as we seek to destroy others. 

It is better to live in peace than in constant anxiety, fear, or anger. When unrighteous anger prevails there is no room; no time, for love. There is no room in our hearts or the time for a relationship with God and with others.

To be reconciled to God and one another is the very reason that Jesus died for us. He died so that our sins might be forgiven; so that the divide between us would fall; so that we could live united peacefully in God's presence now and for all eternity.

Let his death not be in vain. Let us live in peace not striving for vengeance out of anger.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Secret Places

Secret Hiding Place

Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord. (Jer 23:24 NIV)

When my granddaughters were very young, the three of us had a secret place near Gay, MI on the shore of Lake Superior. It was inside an abandoned concrete building that had fallen down. We called it our secret place; but, it really wasn't a secret place at all. It was out in the open for anyone who passed by to see. It was secret only in that not a lot of people ever passed by. But, my granddaughters were convinced that no one else knew where our hide-out was and they were happy with that.

We can pretend that where we are and what to do is unknown to others. Usually, there will be at least a few people who will stumble on our secrets. But, always God knows the deepest secrets of our hearts. We cannot hide anything from Him. He knows exactly where we are and what we are doing every second of every day because He is with us. He fills the heaven and the earth. He is everywhere. He fills all in all.

You cannot run from God. You cannot hide. He is with you and He is for you. May this knowledge be a delight and not a burden to you so that you might live a life glorifying Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Soaring Above Obstacles

Let Us Soar Above All Obstacles

He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.
                             (Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV)

We all get weary at times. Sometimes, a person can get so weary that they would rather not get out of bed in the morning. It can be very wearisome dealing with hateful people so often. It is wearisome to see people publicly and viciously attacked for no other reason than they don't agree with everything they say or do; because they are not getting their own way all of the time. It is wearisome to have to take care of any of the numerous things we have to take care of in this world and trust that others who are supposed to be helping you know what they are doing. And... when you find out that they don't know what they're doing; it is wearisome to have to do the job that they are being paid for in order for you to get done what needs doing.

Life can be very wearisome; but, for those who hope in the LORD, the obstacles will not get you down. They will not put you out. Those who hope in the LORD will have their strength renewed and they will keep on going. No matter who slanders them; no matter what obstacles are put before them, those who hope in the LORD will rise up in strength and soar above all the troubles as though on the wings of an eagle.

We may feel a bit overwhelmed at times; but, we will not faint. We will rise up and run. We will win the race with the help of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Pupose

Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord, my soul.
I will praise the Lord all my life;
    I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Do not put your trust in princes,
    in human beings, who cannot save.
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
    on that very day their plans come to nothing.
Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,

    whose hope is in the Lord their God.
He is the Maker of heaven and earth,

    the sea, and everything in them—
    he remains faithful forever.
He upholds the cause of the oppressed
    and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
    the Lord gives sight to the blind,

    the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
    the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the foreigner
    and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
    but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
The Lord reigns forever,

    your God, O Zion, for all generations.

                                               (Psalm 146 NIV)

I woke up this morning wondering, again, what the purpose of life really is. We are born. We live. We die. Life, here on earth, is so short! And... there is so much pain and suffering here in this world. The truth is the pain and suffering is mostly brought on by our own desires to be more than we are. It is brought on by our desire to be our own gods. We have a tendency to thing that we can actually achieve something worthwhile. The reality is, without God, there is nothing. Our plans will come to nothing. But, God has a plan... He has a plan because He loves you. We can't always know what that plan is. But, we can trust that He has one. He created us for a reason. We may not know what the reason is; but, we can be sure that whatever it is, He will not be deviating from the reason or the plan.  He will be faithful to it and to us.

Those who trust in His plans and not our own, praise the LORD all the days of their lives. They will find peace in the midst of the most confounded times. Praise the LORD! Praising the Lord is enough purpose for any of us. Praise the LORD; sing His praises as long as you shall live!

 God's Peace - Pr. J

He Is My Refuge And Fortress

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.
                                                          (Psalm 91:1-2 NIV)

I woke up this morning wondering what life was going to be all about today; what kind of "walls" I'd run in to. I decided to not get up and move for awhile. Instead, I just thought about how comforting it is to know that no matter what happens today or any day, God is with me. I am not alone for I rest in the shadow of Almighty God. In God I an always trust.

It is a great comfort know that world is not all there is. There is so much more. But, even while here in the body we can find comfort in the knowledge that all who trust in Him are afforded the love and protection of the Most High, our Almighty God, the most magnificent that ever was, is, and ever shall be.  We are His!  Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Gain World or Forfeit Your Soul?

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? (Mark 8:36 NIV) 

 

What good is it, indeed! 

 

What good is it to have riches of this world, yet lose your soul. I am very rich even though my husband and I have no large sums of money. We do have enough though because God has always provided us with those things that we need and even with a few luxuries. I have been busy focusing on liquidating and simplifying our lives as much as I can. The more "stuff" one has; the more there is to care for and there can be no comparison between caring for stuff and caring for God's children. 

 

What good is it to become one of the celebrities in the world and have no time or energy left to love and serve the Lord our God? Life in this world is very short. Eternal life in the presence of Almighty God, promised through faith in Jesus Christ, is just that: eternal life.

 

What good is it to indulge in the momentary pleasures of this world and sacrifice your  soul? Why seek the momentary pleasures that comes with the use of drugs or alcohol or any other such vice that steals away your life. They will not only steal you life away here on earth; but, threaten to do steal away your soul. Let the presence of God in Christ Jesus bring you peace and joy beyond measure. Nothing else can compare to His loving presence.

 

It is not for us to love or fear the things of this world. We should not fear anything of this world; but, strive in all things to serve the Lord above all things. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matt 10:28)

 

We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things. (Martin Luther; Small Catechism) Place your hope and your whole life in the One who loves you so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die for you. Fear, love, and trust Him more than anything or anyone in this world. In this your soul will know peace here in the world and for all eternity in the Kingdom of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

God Pleasers Not People Pleasers

Speak the Truth; Jesus is the Truth

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1 NIV)

 

Today, I have officially reached retirement age. No, I'm not retiring; although, I have just gone down to a commitment of very reduced hours in order to mentor a seminary student for the next year. Then, I will retire or at least find something else to do besides pastor a congregation. The older I get the more guilty I feel for not correcting or confronting those things that dishonor God and disrespect humankind more often than I do. There are times that I have chosen to keep my lips sealed to avoid further conflict. I am not sure that this has always been the right way to go. Yes, of course, I have confronted flagrant offenses more often than not; but, there are so many days I wonder if I have done it enough. I have been told that I am not to be judging others. Is telling the truth really judging?

 

Years ago, I worked at a Juvenile Correctional Facility as the Substance Abuse Director. I was also the volunteer chaplain. One Sunday, I did nothing more than read the Sermon on the Mount to the youth. I did not preach. I merely presented them the truth according to the words of Jesus from St. Matthew. The next day I was called into the office because one of the teen-age boys claimed I had said his mother was going to hell. I did no such thing. I simply read the Gospel. Confronted with truth we often find ourselves guilty.

 

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Heb 4:12)

 

As each year passes I wonder more and more if I am guilty of not speaking the truth enough by choosing to keep my lips shut. I am hoping that the closer I get to actual retirement the more I will be able to open my lips no matter what kind of kick back I receive and no matter who the truth offends. After all; who am I supposed to be pleasing: God or humankind?  St. Paul wrote to the Galatians, "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people?  If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Gal 1:10) This is a question every pastor and teacher; every Christian must ask themselves.

 

May God help us to be truth speakers; God pleasers, not people pleasers.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rain and More Rain in the U.P.

Waiting for that Rainbow!

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” (Gen 9:12:16 NIV)

 

I am only a few days into my vacation and I am waiting on that rainbow. We arrived in the U.P. on Friday afternoon. There had been a storm in the morning so there was no Verizon service in most of the county. Howard could not remember where he put the password for the internet so there was no way to communicate with family to let them know we arrived safely. Within an hour of arriving at the house the power in half of the house went out. I found the password for the internet and was able to get online and after Howard ran a few extension cords from the part of the house that did have power he was able to watch Netflix and Amazon after we got unpacked. 

 

What a relief! We were thinking we might have to have the whole house rewired. On Saturday, we called the electric company and by the afternoon we had power again in the whole house. We managed to get the house in order on Saturday. It rained most of the day.

 

I woke up in the wee hours of Sunday morning to a flashing bright light. The lightning was flashing so hard and so fast it was. Without the internet, I also don't have the ability to make phone calls so I could not call the phone company to report the outage and I could not work on a blog. It was one of the rare days that I missed doing that over the years. There is no cell service at our home here in the U.P. so we connect through the internet. I don't know how Verizon has managed that; but, they have and it is great as long as we have wi-fi.

 

We arrived at the church expecting to hear either Pr. Jimalee Jones or Pr. Gunderson preaching. That did not happen, either. The storm was so bad between their home and Skanee that the roads were impassable. Pr. Peter Suomela (a member at Zion) had been called to do a quick pulpit supply. He did an outstanding job especially since he had no time to prepare. It was very good to see old friends and neighbors at worship.

 

Following worship we were going to head to the closest Wal-Mart to purchase a coffee maker (ours had sprung a leak over the winter) and a printer so that I could get some work done. We had to go to Marquette, MI as we could not go to the closest Wal-Mart in Houghton, MI. All roads in or out of Houghton and everything north of Houghton in the Keweenaw were closed. The storm during the night took out many of the roads. I believe the Upper Peninsula may now have more sink holes than Florida! Nah! Probably not. But, over 60 sink holes in one night is a bit much. I can't even begin to imagine how long it will take to clean up that mess. Roads were destroyed. Homes and businesses were destroyed. There are photos of the disaster at the WLUC-TV 6 Facebook page. 

It rained Sunday afternoon and evening; the power went out again for a little over an hour, again.

So, here we are on our fourth day at our home in Michigan. It is raining. There are no rainbows in site. This is beautiful country with wonderful neighbors and friends. But, I am waiting for that rainbow, even as I am reminded of one of the reasons I had decided it was time to move to Florida a couple of years ago. The summer before I left my driveway never dried out. Most of the summer was wet with cloudy, gloomy looking skies. I like the sunshine! I don't mind the rain. I even enjoy a thunderstorm now and then. But, I would also like the sun to shine and to make those beautiful rainbows every now and then, as well. I am sure I will seen one day before my vacation ends. They are a symbol of hope and promise. No matter how gloomy things appear there is always hope because we have God's promises.

There is always hope. May God lift up all who are suffering from the losses incurred due to the disaster in Houghton County. May their rainbows shine some light and hope on all of our lives.

God's Peace - Pr. J

 

 

Time For Change?

The grass is long. The water low.

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the

    heavens.

                                         (Eccl 3:1 NIV)

 

There is a time for everything. I absolutely thank God for the years I've been able to spend on the beautiful Silver River and Huron Bay. This morning; though, I'm wondering if it is time to make a permanent change. My husband and my intentions for retirement were to be able to spend the summers in the Upper Peninsula. But, this is getting a little old.

 

We pulled into the yard that looked more like a hay field. The grass is long. The water in the river was very low. For those of you who do not realize it; but, the Silver River has tides coming in and going out. So within an hour the river was back up to the back porch. There was not too much damage from the rising and receding water levels. Logs piled up and the bridge to the river is slightly damaged. Nothing much changed about that. We have gotten used to it over the years. Upon entering the house, we noticed a slight mildew smell. We were relieved as last summer the entire house had to be scrubbed in bleach which took my entire two weeks of vacation. So, we were pretty happy with the way we found the place. But, then the lights started flashing on and off and within a short while the power went completely out in half the house; to include the kitchen, two bedrooms and the bathroom. The office and most of the living room are still up and running. So, today hoping we can find an electrician who can find the problem and maybe even fix it before I head back to work.

 

In the meantime, I am beginning to wonder if this spending summers up north is going to work for us. Howard mentioned last winter that maybe we ought to sell. This property really deserves year round care and as it is looking right now; it is something that we cannot do. This morning I find myself considering it. This morning I find myself wondering if it is the time and the season to move totally on.

 

May God help us to discern the times and the seasons in each of our lives.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Journey

Rocky Pass

And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. (Isaiah 35:8 NIV)

Life has its' ups and downs. It can be a wonderful journey or not and sometimes it depends on what day or month or year it is. It also depends on which way we choose to go. Will we choose the Way that Jesus has provided for us or will we choose the way that only the unwise would go? The journey on the Way of Holiness; the Way of Jesus, is the Way to life. Any other way leads to destruction.

May God grant that we should all strive to follow in His Way.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Live in the Kingdom Today!

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,  (Philippians 3:20 NIV)


Yes, we live here in this world; but, our hope is to enter into the heavenly kingdom for all eternity as promised to all who believe. The Kingdom of God, we are told, is eternal. So what are you waiting for? Why do we wait to enter that Kingdom until after we pass through the gateway of death? Eternity is forever. There is no end to eternity. There is no beginning. These words, "You have eternal life," what do they mean to you? Do you believe that eternal life begins after death or are you already living in eternity? Our citizenship is in heaven. The Kingdom of God has already broken into this world. Live your life as a citizen of the heavenly kingdom today. Do not wait until tomorrow! Live life in Christ.


God's Peace - Pr. J.

War or Peace?

Whoever of you loves life
   and desires to see many good days,
keep your tongue from evil
   and your lips from telling lies.
Turn from evil and do good;

   seek peace and pursue it. 

                      (Psalm 34:12-14 NIV)

I have been seeing and hearing a lot of fear and war mongering again coming through the various media outlets. Some of it makes me so ill I must either shut it off or block it. I cannot for the life of me understand why so many people desire to stir up strife rather than make peace. There are those who seem to strive to enter into war much more than they strive for peace and they absolutely will not support those who do desire peace. At least it appears so. Maybe they don't understand how damaging their disrespect toward others can actually be for the whole world. Maybe they don't care and that is their goal.

The Lord desires that we live reconciled to him and one another. Reconciled means living in peace. Yet, there are so many who prefer to bully and disrespect those who seek peace and pursue it. This is done with so much disrespect that it can do nothing but make more enemies. Do we really want to live the rest of our days at war with our neighbors; at war with other countries? 

This country, I have heard is the land of second chances. Well; if it is, then maybe we ought to quit digging up skeletons from the past unless maybe the purpose to dig them up is to forgive and move on. Holding these long held grudges does no one any good; not those we wish to disrespect and bring down and surely not ourselves.

It is time to forgive and be reconciled to God and our neighbors remembering that our neighbors are not just the people who live next door; but, all around the world. It would really be nice if everyone would support the efforts of those who are advancing peace and not war.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Meaningless Without God

Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,
   and the golden bowl is broken;
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
   and the wheel broken at the well,
and the dust returns to the ground it came from,

   and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

⁸ “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.

   “Everything is meaningless!”

                                                  (Eccl 12:6-8 NIV)

Remember the Lord your God. Get to know Him while there is still time. You can have all the silver and gold in the world; but, without God you have nothing. Everything is totally meaningless without the love of God. 

Who has not wondered what the purpose of life is? Life here on earth is so very short. One day we are here and the next day we may not be. When we are young we begin to fritter it away and before we know it most of our years are behind us. And, what becomes of what we have done? The world changes. Times change. Accomplishments, even people, of the past are forgotten. So many lives are as if they never existed. It is as if nothing has ever existed. Yet, by the love of God everything exists. It is in Him and because of Him that we have eternal life; a life filled with peace and joy only because we exist in His loving presence. 

How meaningless are the things of this world. How wonderful is the love of God through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord!

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Narrow Road

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."  (Matt 7:13-14 NIV)

I'm only taking a guess; but, I'm thinking that only a few find that narrow gate because it is not the vast majority that is actually looking for it. People seem to generally like that wide road that allows them a lot of latitude in what they say and do. That narrow road has a tendency to keep us on the straight and narrow. On that narrow road there is only one way to go and it is not our way. It is God's way.

I've often been told that people wished that there was a manual that told us what we should do in certain situations. There is one. It is called the Holy Bible. I've also been told that people need a road map for life. There is one. Follow Jesus. Follow in the way that he would have you go. 

If you're looking for destruction; go ahead and take the broad road. If you're looking for genuine life; then seek out that narrow gate, who is Jesus the Christ, and follow on that straight and narrow path that he has set before you.

May God help you to follow in the way that He would have you go.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Loving Money

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:13)

This is not to say that if you have a lot of money that you do not love or serve God. Maybe you are one whom God has richly blessed and you use what He has given you wisely and for His glory. He is your first love, the riches are merely a tool to reach out to others, glorifying His Holy Name. Be wise; though, and understand that the pursuit of gaining money and things can quickly take over your life and in the end you may realize that it was not God (the one who blessed you) that you loved; rather, it was riches in this world. Be careful that the love of things does not bring you down a path with pain and sorrow at the end.

Use the gifts that God has given use in a manner that might advance the Kingdom and glorify His Holy Name.

God's Peace - Pr. J

I Cannot Come

When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”

Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’

 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’

 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’

 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.'"                                                                                                                   (Luke 14:15-23 NIV)

We all have excuses. Everyone, it seems, wants to be present at the great banquet table in the Kingdom of God after they enter through the gateway of death. But, not so many realize that the banquet table of the Kingdom is prepared just about every Sunday (sometimes more; sometimes less). This feast of Jesus Christ is for you. He invites you. The one who died for you and has prepared a place for you welcomes you. Yet, what is the response? Is it "I cannot come?" What better things do you have to do this Sunday?

The Kingdom of God is at hand. The table has been prepared for you. You have been invited. "Come, for everything is now ready."

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Hinds' Feet

"The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
    he enables me to tread on the heights." (Hab 3:19 NIV)

"The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places." (Hab 3:19 KJV)

I remember a book I read years ago. "Hinds Feet On High Places," an allegory, written by Hannah Hurnard, gets its' name from Habakkuk 3:19 (KJV). The journey of Much-Afraid and her friends Sorrow and Suffering, as they follow Shepherd to the high places, where they will walk as on hinds' feet, takes them through many dangers.  It is a long journey. They must have patience. They must have persistence. But, in the end, they (we) will dance in the presence of God. 

I can't remember too many of the details of the book, as it has been quite a few years since I read it. But, I can look around me daily and watch (and even join) others as they journey through many difficult times in anticipation and the hope of the promised land.

Just as Habakkuk prayed and waited patiently for the LORD to deliver God's people from the enemy, from the many dangers that surround them; I, too pray and wait patiently (sometimes not as patient as I ought) for the LORD to deliver His people, who I also love, from the turmoil and dangers they encounter as they journey through the dark shadows of the valley of death.

God's Peace - Pr. J