Time Management

Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. (1 Peter 5:8-9 NRSV)

Be prepared. I am really big into time management. It takes a bit of self-discipline; but, it is well worth it in the long run. I understand that people can get a bit frustrated with me for being so persistent in wanting to plan ahead; to organize my time and schedule. 

I like to organize my time. My desk is not always very organized. But, I do like my time to be organized so that if an emergency comes up I can rearrange my schedule in order to meet that emergency head on and still stay on track with those other things that I have planned to do. I also like my time to be organized so that if I decide to do something spontaneous (like take a nap or jump in the kayak) I can easily find time to rearrange my schedule a bit and just do it. 

For instance, I begin working on my sermons on Sunday after worship or early Monday morning. I do this just in case an emergency comes up on Friday or Saturday and I won't have time. I like to be prepared for Sunday morning and to be ready for anything else that may jump in front of me in need of my attention.

The devil is always going to be there looking for ways to get the upper hand on you; to distract you from the path you should be following. He will throw many temptations in your path so that you are side-tracked from doing what is good and right for you and for the people around you.

Discipline yourselves and keep alert so that you might be prepared for the walls and miry bogs the devil might set before you to lead you on a path around them that you should not enter on.

Be prepared; discipline yourself; keep alert!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Boast Only Of The Lord

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast. (Eph 2:8-9 NRSV)

Because we have done nothing to earn our own salvation; let us quit with the boasting. There is no reason for any of us to boast. Christ has done it all for us. Christ is our all in everything. 

One of the most common things that will set off my cringe reaction is seeing someone within the visible church doing something for no reason other than to boast about how wonderful they are. They do this. They do that. They have to be the center of things. They will not lend a hand to the ministry unless they can be at the front and center in order to receive the most attention; the most applause. 

Oh, yes, that applause for something someone has just done or said or sang would be a cringe factor; one of my serious pet peeves. I really don't have a problem if Sunday School children do special music or a program and receive applause. But, I do have a big problem with applauding adults, those who ought to be a little more mature in their faith, by now. I do take issue with people who are feigning to worship God when they are merely looking to be worshipped for their gifts, themselves. I take issue with those who serve within the church so that they may boast of themselves. 

Consider this: have you ever heard anyone applaud after the scripture lessons were read? Have you ever heard anyone applaud after absolution is pronounced or the Good News is read? I certainly have never heard anyone applaud what God has done for us; only what people do within the worship setting. Is not what God has done for us worthy of our applause; given that we would consider applauding the talent of one whom he has created?

I know that we are Lutherans and we don't normally say things like Amen or Hallelujah or Praise the Lord spontaneously during worship. But, praising the Lord spontaneously when we are reminded what God has done for us is appropriate; whether that reminder of what he has done is in a reading, a prayer, a sermon, or a hymn. Praising people for using the gifts that God has given them really sets off, not just my cringe factor, but; the cringe (that just felt so yucky) factor in others, as well. Praising God during a worship setting is most appropriate; praising God's creation at worship is not. We worship the giver not the gifts.

Worship is not about being entertained. It is about worshipping God; about giving thanks and praise and glory and honor to the one who is above all things; the one who has saved us from ourselves. Those who would entertain you with the gifts that God has given them cannot save you. You are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. All applause; all glory and honor, belongs to God, not to humankind. Applause for a particular word or act may be appropriate in a secular setting or even at a Christian concert; but, I definitely question whether it is appropriate to applaud anyone other than God in a worship setting.

Stop the boasting... It only reveals our false god. Sadly, we are usually the false god that we reveal. Praise belongs only to the Lord, for in him is our salvation.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Son

He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, and leased it to tenants, and went to another country for a long time. When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants in order that they might give him his share of the produce of the vineyard; but the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Next he sent another slave; that one also they beat and insulted and sent away empty-handed. And he sent still a third; this one also they wounded and threw out. Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ But when the tenants saw him, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance may be ours.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Heaven forbid!”
                                                                        Luke 20:9-16 NRSV

The tenants refused to give a portion of their harvest to the landlord to pay the rent. They assaulted the collection agents, so the landlord sent his son thinking they might respect his son. Yeah, right! They rejected the son, too. They killed the son! They killed him thinking that they would then receive the land as their inheritance. It just doesn't work that way.

God sent many prophets to help guide the people in loving and serving the Lord. They didn't want to hear it. They wanted what they wanted. They killed the prophets. God sent his only begotten Son. We killed him, too. Rejecting the Son doesn't get us what we want. It doesn't earn us any inheritance. In the end, anyone who rejects the Son will be crushed.

There is only one way to the Kingdom of God, into the inheritance promised by the Father through the Son and that is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Saved By Grace Through Faith

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous will live by faith."  (Rom 1:16-17 NRSV)

Today, as many of us celebrate the "Reformation," we remember the words of scripture that were Martin Luther's "ah ha" moment; that were his epiphany. These life-giving words, "The one who is righteous will live by faith," changed the life of Martin Luther and they changed the church. Through these life-giving words, people finally came to understand that there were no good works that they could do to wipe out their sinful pasts. They could not purchase their own salvation with their good works nor could they purchase it with any amount of money. 

Not a one of us is better than the next one. We are all sinners. Yet, there is one without sin. There is one who could and has purchased our salvation. Jesus purchased it for us and for all who believe when he willingly shed his innocent blood on the cross for our sins. He was and is our sacrifice. Through his blood we are washed clean. Through him we have been declared innocent. In him and only in him is found our righteousness. 

"But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus."  (Rom 3:21-26)

Rejoice! The gospel is the very power of God for salvation! We are not saved by anything that we can or do not do. We are not saved by our wealth or our status or any power of our own. We are saved by God's grace alone through faith alone in the one who gave himself for us.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast." (Eph 2:8-9)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Gifts To Serve

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

But each of us was given grace              according to the measure of Christ’s 

   gift. Therefore it is said,

“When he ascended on high he made    captivity itself a captive;

   he gave gifts to his people.”

The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. 

                                                                          (Eph 4:4-7, 11-13 NRSV)

We may be many; yet, we are one in Christ. We are united in His Body as we abide in him and he in us. We, who are members of this Body of Christ have been called and equipped for service in order that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Do you see what that means? Although our good works contributes nothing toward our salvation; we are called to serve the whole body according to the gifts that have been given to us as individuals for the edification and growth of the body of Christ, who is the Church, who is Jesus the Christ.

We are to serve in unity, according to the will of God, with the mind of Christ, who is our head. What I've witnessed all too often is that when one or two people try to do it all nothing much gets accomplished. Too many frying pans in the fire at one time, being handled by one person, and something is liable to get left undone or burned. Many congregations and even denominations are like that. We equip only a few for service and growth, if there is any, is slow. It's because some of the members of the body of Christ are not using the gifts that God has given them for His glory. 

Consider the times that you may have injured an arm or a leg, maybe you had a lung infection or other illness that affected one part of your body. Did that one member of your body not slow you down; maybe, even stop you from doing anything? 

We are all members of one body, meant to work in unity and unison so that the whole body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and knowledge and Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

So lets get with it and equip all of the saints! Train the members of the body so that together we might grow in Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Pray Without Ceasing!

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thess 5:16-18 NRSV

There is so much to be thankful for. The reasons to rejoice never end because "we know that all things work together for good for those who love God." (Rom 8:28) Yet, we know that there are those whom we love who do not love God; who do not know the Lord, and so we pray without ceasing. We pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that they may be strengthened in their inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith, as they are being rooted and grounded in love. We pray that they may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that they may be filled with all the fullness of God." (Eph 3:16-19)

Because we love even those who do not love or know God, we will never stop praying for them. We will joyfully give thanks for we know that God hears our prayers and answers, according to His good will.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Storms

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they put out, and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. They went to him and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?”
                                       Luke 8:22-25 NRSV

In the midst of a storm, Jesus calms the disciples and he calms the seas. He commands the winds and the waters. They listen to him. 

Whenever I read this story, I am reminded that the storm did not begin until after they got into the boat with Jesus. Following Jesus is no guarantee that there will not be any storms in your life. In fact, it might guarantee even a few more. 

If you truly follow Jesus you will face obstacles and opposition of all kinds. Jesus never promised that we would not have troubling or stormy times. Only that with him, we would weather them. We would live. We can live in peace knowing that the one who has power over all things is with us always.

There is no need to fear the storms. The one who commands the winds and the waves is with you and for you. Sometimes; though, you will need to experience a few storms on the sea before you can reach the other side.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jesus Welcomes Sinners

Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table.

                                                                               Luke 22:17-21 NRSV

Jesus is known for welcoming everyone. He is most well known for dying for all people. He reaches out to everyone; that all who believe him might be saved.

I have been excluded from more than one communion table. Lately, I have heard from others who also have been. I must admit that there have definitely been times when I considered excluding someone from the Lord's Table. But, I did not. I knew that if I did, it would probably have been because of my bias and desire to just not see that person receive the gift of forgiveness and reconciliation with the Body of Christ, at least not at that time. But, the Sacrament of Holy Communion is not mine to impart or withhold. It is a gift from God. 

I also find it a bit of problem with inviting all who believe and are baptized to the table (as is the tradition of my denomination) then tell them publicly once they arrive at the table that the invitation didn't include them. Who; after all, am I to judge them? 

St. Paul instructed the people at Corinth to discern for themselves whether they were worthy or not. He wrote: "Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world." (1 Cor 11:28-32) 

St. Paul was not just addressing people who did not recognize the real presence of Jesus. He was also addressing the inability of the people to recognize all of the members of the Body of Christ. They did not wait for others before they ate. They thought only of themselves. They judged themselves to be better than the others and did not consider that they should have to wait to eat and drink with them. St. Paul encouraged them to examine themselves and we should do this and not just before partaking of the Lord's Supper; but, daily. St. Paul did not encourage them to examine others. He did not encourage them to confess anyone's short-comings; their lack of faith; their sins; but, their own. (If, in fact, I felt someone was grievously harming themselves by partaking of this Holy Meal, I would invite them to discuss it; but, in private.)

According to the Gospel of St. Luke, Jesus shared the meal which he declared was his body and blood with all of the twelve and one of them he knew full well would betray him.

Jesus welcomed sinners and still does. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Riches

Treasure at the end of a rainbow?

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

                                                                                (Matt 13:44-46 NRSV)

It is has been said that one cannot reach the end of the rainbow. I beg to differ. Years ago, I was driving along U.S. 45 in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and to my great surprise and delight witnessed the end  of a rainbow resting in a farmer's field. My heart was filled with joy at the sight of this occurrence which I had heard was impossible. 

Of course, being a wee bit Irish, I immediately thought of the mythical leprechauns who bury their pots of gold at the ends of rainbows and I smiled. But, what brought real joy to my heart was the gift of seeing this rainbow that God had promised up so close. It was a reminder to me of a treasure much greater than any silver or gold. It was a reminder that God is with us now and always. It was a reminder that, through the blood of Jesus, I and all who believe are heirs of the kingdom of heaven; a treasure much greater than anything that can be found here on earth.

Why seek riches in this world when we are already heirs of even greater riches? "So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." (Col 3:1)  Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness... (Matt 6:33)

The kingdom of heaven is the treasure to be sought after. Yet, there is nothing that we can or have to do to receive it. There is nothing to dig up. There is no good work that we can do to gain this treasure. It rightfully belongs to all who believe that our beloved Lord sacrificed, himself on the cross, for us, that we might live in the kingdom of our God for all of eternity.

Rejoice then for the greatest treasure is ours; purchased through the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Listen To Instruction

Those who ignore instruction despise themselves,
   but those who heed admonition gain understanding.

The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
   and humility goes before honor..

                                              Prov 15:32-33 NRSV

There is no better instruction than to respect the Lord. Do not place yourself and anything else before Him. Listen closely to His Word so that you might gain understanding from the one who knows all and is all. Not listening to those who would share this wisdom will only bring us trouble.

No good will come from lifting ourselves up before Him. We must remember that He is the creator and we are the created. We are not greater than the creator. We are not greater than the redeemer.  

It is right to fear the Lord and to give Him all honor and glory. To love the Lord with all your heart is  wisdom worth listening to. There is nothing better; more pleasing than to be in a loving relationship with our creator; our redeemer; our counselor.

Humble yourself and listen to the Word. Listen to those who would help you on the Way. Do not despise them; but, listen. Listen and believe that you might gain understanding; that you might live life most fully in the presence of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Pray For Your Enemy

Those who surround me lift up their heads;
   let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!
Let burning coals fall on them!
   Let them be flung into pits, no more to rise!
Do not let the slanderer be established in the land;
   let evil speedily hunt down the violent!
                                                  Psalm 140:9-11 NRSV

We find the author of Psalms a little more than upset this morning. He wants the persecution against him stopped. He wants vengeance in a big way!

My memory tells me that I have indeed prayed this way myself. But, I know that there is a more excellent way. According to Jesus, we are to "...love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matt 5:43-45)

It is undeniable that there are many who persecute the children of God. The arrogant lay out snares for the innocent seeking to damage or utterly destroy them. But, anger and vengeance only propagates the enmity. Pray for peace; pray for protection; pray for mercy; pray that the LORD will be your strong deliverer; but, also pray for your enemy. Pray that those who hate and persecute you will repent. Pray that they will come to know the LORD and then you will have lost an enemy and gained a brother or sister in Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

What is the Good News?

The Good News; the Gospel of our Lord Jesus the Christ; what is it? What is it the Good News that we are supposed to be sharing?

What was John the Baptist's proclamation?

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matt 3:1 NRSV) 

What was the proclamation of Jesus? 

From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”  (Matt 4:17)

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”  (Mark 1:14-15)

What did Jesus tell the twelve disciples to proclaim when he sent them out?

"As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.'" (Matt 10:7) 

What did Jesus tell the seventy was their mission when he sent them out?

Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.  (Luke 10:8-11)

So there we have it. We are to proclaim the Good news of the kingdom of God to all who would hear. That good news is not about physical wealth in this world. The Good News is not about what we should or have to do. The Good News is about what God has done for us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him, we have received forgiveness of all our sins. Through him, we have been reconciled to God our Father and to our Lord Jesus the Christ by the awesome power of God the Holy Spirit. Through him, the gates of the kingdom have been flung wide open and we can live in His paradise; in His Kingdom; in His presence now and forever. Forever and eternity do include now; after all.

The Good News is not just about the kingdom of God for you after you die a physical death. The Good News of the kingdom includes the present for all who would believe Jesus. Rejoice, for the kingdom of God is not something far away! The Kingdom of God is near; so near that it has already broken into and present in our lives today. It is all around us. It is not something that awaits us up above the clouds. It is right here among us.   

Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.” (Luke 17:20-21)

The kingdom life is a life of joy and peace knowing that we live in God's presence even today; knowing that we have been reconciled to our Father and Creator and to one another through the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Even as Jesus, John the Baptist, the twelve and the seventy proclaimed the Good News of the kingdom that is also the Good News that we are to proclaim. There is no Good News that is better or greater than the kingdom of God for you through the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. That is the Good News that will shine a light of hope on and in the hearts of those who are in distress.

Go and share the Good News of the kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord so that all who would hear and believe might rejoice in their salvation; in their reconciliation to God; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Confess Your Own Sins

Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye. (Luke 6:41-42 NRSV)

One of my former confirmation classes really got hung up on the commandment: "You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain." Sure they knew that they shouldn't actually use God's name to curse anyone or anything.  But, they really didn't realize how often they actually did it by the use of various slang words to replace the name of Jesus and how often they used that infamous f.... word in conjunction with the name of Jesus or how often they damned others in the name of God.

These young people were also friends. They hung out with each other not just at the church; but, at school and after school, as well. They decided they should start policing each other's vocabulary. They began coming back to me; letting me know how others in the group had sinned by using God's name wrongly.  

It was all in fun at first; but, then it got so bad that I finally had to tell them: "You do not get to confess your neighbor's sins. You only get to confess your own." 

We only get to confess our own. Unless we are called as a witness for something or have to report a crime that's been committed or about to be committed, in addition to not taking the Lord's name in vain, we do not get to confess the sins of others. We do not get to gossip. 

One means of "evangelism" that particularly bothers me is when "christians" use examples of what other people do and what they should not be doing as examples of what is not the Christian life. It is done with this reverse maneuver in an attempt to get them to understand what is an acceptable Christian life-style and how this life-style is beneficial. This sort of evangelism, where the sins of others are confessed, is not sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God for you. It is the preaching of morality. Our good works and our supposed morality will not save us. Only Jesus saves.

Confessing the sins of others to make ourselves look better than them will not save us. Plucking at the speck in our neighbor's eye will not remove the log in our own. Plucking at the speck in our neighbor's eye only reveals to the world, the log in our own. If you are willing to share the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ then share the Good News. Do not point out to everyone, their sins. Share the Good  News and let the Spirit of God do the rest.

We are not to be pointing out the speck in the eyes of others; it is probably only a reflection of the log in our own eyes, anyway. This is something all Christians might want to consider before they open their mouths to proclaim anything other than the Kingdom of God for you and for all who believe through the blood of Jesus Christ. 

Morality does not save us; only Jesus saves.

God's Peace - Pr. J