Wounded For Our Transgressions

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 

                                                                                      (Isa 53:3-6 KJV)

Wounded for our transgressions! He was bruised for everyone of our iniquities! I can't even begin to fathom how many sins he died for. Yet, we continue to sin. Many don't even attempt to refrain from sinning against God and doing harm to others in words or deeds. 

Like sheep we have a tendency to want to do things our own way and do what makes us happy not necessarily what is good and right. Like sheep that have gone astray we end up in thorny bushes or going over the edge into deep ravines that we cannot climb out of without help. 

Who will have the wisdom to turn to the one who died for them; the one who died so that whoever believes in him will receive forgiveness, when they find themselves overwhelmed by the consequences of the wrong that they have done?

Lent and particularly Holy Week is a reminder to us that we are all sinners and without the love of God through Christ Jesus none of us are saved. 

God grant that ears, eyes, and hearts be opened to know and appreciate what God has done for us as he reconciled us to Himself and to one another through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

An Example Of Service

He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?

Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

                                                                            (John 13: 4-15 KJV)

The followers of Jesus sometimes referred to him as "teacher."  He taught not only with words but by example. 

Before they ate on the night that the disciples had their last passover meal with Jesus he knelt down and washed their feet. Peter thought that was a bit over the top. He felt that kneeling before them and taking hold of their dirty feet was beneath Jesus. Jesus disagreed. 

Jesus, the Son of God, was an example of service for the sake of others. He came to earth to serve humankind. Ultimately he served us by dying on the cross for our sake; for our sins. He saved our lives by giving his own for us.

He is the ultimate example of leading by serving others. Rulers are called to lead by serving others not themselves; not their own egos. 

      

"But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."

                                                                             (Mark 10:42-45)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Praise Ye The Lord

Psalm 116:12-19 KJV

What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?

I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.

I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.

I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.

I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.

In the courts of the Lord's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord.

+++

What, indeed, shall we render to the Lord for of his benefits toward us? 

Because he loves us so much that in spite of our sinful natures he has saved us we give him thanks and praise. We do not worship him in order to be saved. We worship him and give him thanks and praise because he has already done this marvelous thing. 

"Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." (Psalm 106:1)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Passion of Christ According to St Matthew

Would You Deny Him?

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.

And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all. 

                                                                                (Mark 14:26-31 KJV)

"I will not deny thee" is one of the saddest statements that we hear from the scriptures. In fact we know that Peter did deny him as he was being interrogated and persecuted for our sakes. Peter had been a faithful follower of Jesus; yet, he denied that he even knew him.

It causes us to wonder what we would have done if we had been there. Would we have denied him to save our own skins? What about today? How often do we actually deny that we know Jesus? How often do we miss opportunities to testify to his great love for us? How often do we neglect to tell others what he has done for us.

"I will not deny thee" is such a sad statement to hear because we know that we are not so different from Peter. Although many have stood firm and died declaring that Jesus is our Savior; the question haunts us. Would we?

God's Peace - Pr. J.

He Sees; He Knows

And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?

And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.

And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.

And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 

                                                                               (Mark 14:12-16 KJV)

The two disciples were able to make the preparations to observe the passover just as Jesus had told them. How did Jesus know about this upper room and that the owner of the house would allow them to use it for the passover?  They had no telephones. They didn't even have telegraph. It makes no mention of anyone carrying a message back and forth between Jesus and the homeowner prior to them coming into Jerusalem. And, if Jesus had sent anyone to make the arrangement to use his property it would have been one of the disciples he sent to make the preparations with the landowner. How does Jesus know what is going to happen?

How does Jesus know that he will be betrayed by Judas? How does he know that he will be executed and be resurrected from the dead? How does he know? 

He knows! He knows what tomorrow will bring even when we do not. He even knows what we are thinking; what we are worrying or rejoicing about; what we are planning in our hearts. He knows and he cares and is with you no matter what you may be facing.

Listen to him and follow in his footsteps for he knows that death has no power over those who would believe in him. He knows that life in the Kingdom awaits you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.  

Indignant And Arrogant

And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. 

                                                                               (Mark 14:3-10 KJV)

Indignant and I'd say a bit arrogant were some of the disciples. Why should this woman waste money on such an extravagant gift for Jesus?

Was Judas, the disciple in charge of their money, upset to see such waste? Or, was he upset because he thought Jesus was making excuses for this mere woman who was being so forward? Maybe, he felt offended because Jesus reminded them that they could help the poor whenever they wished. Maybe Judas felt that Jesus was hinting that they themselves, including Judas, could do much more to help the poor.

Apparently Judas' feelings were hurt. He was one of the indignant. So indignant that he wanted to get even with Jesus so he betrayed him and handed him over to be tried.

Judas isn't the only one. Humankind has a habit of striking back when things don't go exactly their way. Humankind also has a habit of pointing fingers at others and blaming these others for the poor in the world. They could help so much more if they were only willing! But, here Jesus reminds us "For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good."

Do good to one another. Help those in need. It is not just the government's job to do that. It is ours. It is up to each of us as individuals and as members of the Body of Christ to help those in need. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Every Knee Will Bow

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

                                                                                     (Phil 2:5-11 KJV)

Who would not honor one who saved their lives? I am really not sure why one wouldn't. But, there sure does seem to be a whole lot of people who don't take what Jesus did for us all that seriously. Yes, we can chalk that up to a lack of faith. 

Years ago I was overseeing one of my granddaughters as she was participating in an online history class. The historical Jesus was talked about and yes this was an online public school. She looked at me and said. "Jesus really was real?!" That really floored me. She had been brought up in a church; attending Sunday School and Worship just about every Sunday. I was her pastor as well as her grandmother. Her reaction caused me to wonder where I had gone so wrong that she thought I would dedicate my life to teaching and preaching about something or someone that was nothing more than a nice story; a fairy tale. Until this public school teacher relayed to her that Jesus had been a real live person she simply could not believe any of it.

There are a whole lot of people who do not know or believe that Jesus died for us. There are a whole lot of knees that do not bow at the name of Jesus. But, one day they will. One day they will see him and know that he is not just a myth. One day every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God our Father.

That day will come when he returns in full glory. On that day every knee will bow before the one who gave his life that we might have life in the eternal presence of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Hinds' Feet; High Places

"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)

It has been many years since I read, "Hinds Feet On High Places," an allegory, written by Hannah Hurnard. It is the story of Much-Afraid and her friends Sorrow and Suffering, as they follow Shepherd who takes them through many dangers to the high places, where they will walk as on hinds' feet. 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.

This is a familiar story to many of us as even daily we 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; we, too pray and wait patiently (sometimes not as patiently as at other times) for the LORD to deliver His people from the turmoil and dangers we encounter as we journey through the dark shadows of the valley of death.

The Lord is our strength. With Him we shall walk through dark valleys to the high places where the light does surely shine.

God's Peace - Pr. J NIV)

Rejoice And Give Thanks

Psalm 118:19-29 KJV

Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord:

This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.

I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.

God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.

Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Grace, mercy, peace: the world is not filled with an over abundance of any of these three. But, God is. His Kingdom is filled with His grace, His mercy, and His peace. He is our salvation. He has opened the gates of righteousness for us by sending His only begotten Son to be the sacrifice that atones for ours sins. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross has cleansed us from our sins so that all who believe in him might enter into the Kingdom of God.

Rejoice and give thanks for His mercy endures forever!  

God's Peace - Pr. J.

To Be Persecuted And Die

And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,

Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:

And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

                                                                                   (Mark 10:32-34 KJV)

They knew that going into Jerusalem could be dangerous. Jesus let them know that where they were going would lead to his persecution and death. They were afraid; but, they followed him anyway.

They followed him to Jerusalem; but, when it came to his arrest some fled, some kept their distance in order not to be arrested themselves. 

On this sixth Sunday in Lent we are reminded that following Jesus to the cross can be a fearful thing. Those who follow him will be persecuted. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke we hear Jesus telling us that to follow him we must deny ourselves and take up our cross. In order to save our lives we must lose it. 

"And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. 

                                                                                       (Mark 8:31-35)

Peter objected to the very thought that Jesus would die. He loved Jesus. In return for wanting Jesus to continue to live in this world and to save this world according to Peter's will, Jesus called him Satan. Whenever I hear or read that verse, I cannot help but smile when I consider what the reaction would be if I called someone Satan when they reject the will of God. I do not think it would be good! 

Even as Jesus was persecuted, his followers will be persecuted. In order to follow Jesus he tells us that we must take up our cross, deny our own will, and follow in his footsteps.

May God grant us the wisdom and courage to follow in his way.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Desire Spiritual Food

Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 

                                                                                      (1 Peter 2:1-3 KJV)

Babies can be pretty focused on their needs and what they want. When they are hungry they cry until they get the milk that they desire and which will nourish them; helping them to grow. There is very little that can stop their yearning. We might rock them and they might quiet down for a bit. But, it won't be long before they once again let us know that they are hungry. 

Christians should be so focused in our desire for spiritual milk; the milk which will help us grow in the Body of Christ. Give yourself a break and desire that which is good for your soul setting set aside malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, slander, which will lead you to waste away.

Drink the spiritual milk that the Lord has provided and see that the Lord is good. "O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." (Psalm 34:8)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Grief

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

                                                                                 (Eccl 3:1-2,4 KJV)

As much as I sometimes regret retiring from parish ministry, this week I was once again reminded of one of the reasons to retire. I spent many years serving one particular congregation and got very close to them. They were and are still like family. I had the good pleasure of being there at births, at graduations, of baptizing them, marrying them, of being there to celebrate for a lot of very special occasions. There was much laughing and singing and dancing over the years.

But, I was also there to witness much grief. I was there for sickness, for losses of employment, and for divorces as well as many other rough times. I buried hundreds, many who were very close to me, witnessing and grieving with their loved ones. The closer I got to any of them during their lives the harder is was for me to preside at their funerals. I no longer could refrain from weeping during the sermons as I looked into the eyes of the family sitting in front of me. I did not weep for the deceased. I had hope in the promise that all who people have eternal life. I wept for the families. I wept to see such pain. 

During most of this time I was also the home health care and hospice chaplain for the local hospital. One would think that I would have grown used to death. Death is inevitable. For the faithful death is not the end. We have hope. Yet, when someone is ripped from our lives grief is also inevitable. As we hear from the preacher in Ecclesiastes there is a time to weep and a time to mourn. 

This past week, a young friend died; a father of young children died. His parents were neighbors and also friends. It saddens me greatly to even think about the grief his family is enduring. It grieves me to think of his young children growing up without their father. 

Over a year ago, after I had retired, I had been asked to preside at the funeral of another man much younger than myself. He was survived by a teenage son whom I had known since birth.  The boys mother, who had been a friend, had died some time before. To see such a beloved child of God in so much grief and pain I could not refrain from weeping as I proclaimed the Gospel. It was a very tough sermon to get through. It was the last funeral I presided at. 

It was a reminder of how close I had gotten to the community (not just the congregation) that I had served in and that I no longer was able to control my own emotions as I witnessed the grief experienced by others. 

I have reminded myself over the years as I wept with those who grieved that even Jesus wept when he met Lazarus' sisters after Lazarus' death and saw them in so much pain. Pastors grieve too. Pastors are allowed to shed tears. But, today I find that grief overwhelms me too often as I witness the grief of others and that is one of the reasons it was best that I retire from parish ministry. That doesn't mean I quit serving God. It will just be in other ways. 

May God grant all who grieve peace of heart and mind in the assurance of everlasting life for all who believe.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Hope Fills Us With Joy

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:13 KJV)

It can be difficult to continue hoping for something for years and years and never get to see that thing that we hope and pray for. Yet, we continue to hope. We continue to believe that no matter how bad things might get today God has a good plan for those who believe. (Rom 8:28)

As difficult as it can be to get through some days and weeks and even years we trust in the Holy Spirit to guide us and to comfort us; to give us hearts filled with peace and with hope.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 

                                                                                               (Rom 5:1-5)

May God grant that we should put our faith in the Father who is the great I AM and in the Son who is Jesus the Christ and in power of the Holy Spirit that our hope in God's promises will fill us with joy. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Still Waters

 

He Leads Me Beside Still Waters And Restores My Soul

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (Psalm 23:1-3 KJV)

I have pointed out in many blogs that it is necessary for the followers of Jesus to gather together often to worship God. It is also necessary for his followers to spend time alone with him for our own well being for he is the shepherd that will lead us through this life. He is the only one who can restore our souls. 

Jesus, himself, spent time alone in the wilderness with our Father in heaven, communicating with Him; praying. 

According to the Gospel of Luke just prior to appointing the twelve to be Apostles Jesus spent the night alone in prayer. "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." (Luke 6:12)

Luke also tells us that after the multitudes had come to hear him and be healed by him Jesus separated himself from them and went into the wilderness to pray. (Luke 5:15-16)

On the night in which he was betrayed he separated himself from the disciples in the garden and went to pray alone.  (Luke 23:39-44)

Jesus spent time in the wilderness to be alone with his Father, our Father. It is good, even necessary, for us to spend time alone with the Good Shepherd to be in his presence; to be hear where he would have us go; what he would have us do; and to be refreshed; to have our souls restored.

Shut everything off and take a walk in green pastures or beside still waters. Get more closely acquainted with the Good Shepherd who lived and died and lives again for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The New Covenant

 

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:

But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. 

                                                                               (Jer 31:31-34 KJV)

The promise of a new covenant has been fulfilled. It was sealed by the blood of Jesus. The old covenant was too much for humankind. We could not keep our end of the agreement. We could not keep the law. But, this new covenant is not dependent on our promise. It is not dependent upon our good works or the keeping of the law. This new covenant is solely dependent upon our God who can and does keep His promises. It rests solely on God's grace alone through faith alone. 

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." (Eph 2:8)

In Christ your sins are forgiven and you are reconciled to God our Father for all of eternity!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Thy Word

Psalm 119:9-16 KJV

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.

With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

I started another round of reading through the Bible last night. It has been a few years since the last time I read it through. Actually, I am not reading it. I am listening to it. My eyes don't function real well when I am reading up close any more.

I decided it was past time to spend more time meditating on his word as lately I have noticed that I don't feel quite as connected to God as I usually am. I am thinking that it is because I am not as involved in the life of any congregation as I once was. Bible studies have been cancelled. So other than my personal times in prayer with God throughout the day, I am not being fed much of the word except on Sunday mornings.

The world has a tendency to sneak into places in our lives and will interfere in our relationships with God if we are not careful. We must stay in the word. We need to meditate on it. We need to be reminded of what God has to say to us through the word so we do not forget it. There is life and hope found in the word and I prefer to live life than to merely exist in the world.

Let us with our whole hearts seek to hear His word and to declare it to the world around us instead of the world preaching to us.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Light Is Christ Lent 4 2021

Assemble Together

 

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

                                                                                       (Heb 10:22-25 KJV)

It is Sunday morning. It is the day that many Christians gather together to hear the word of God and to worship God. In this time of COVID-19 many have been subjected to mandatory stay at home orders and have followed them. During this past year some Pastors have ended up arrested for not following those orders. Many congregations have cancelled the Sacrament of Communion for the duration. Others are only singing one verse of any hymns or songs they sing to avoid spreading the virus. That, in spite of the fact that they are all wearing masks and sitting six feet apart. 

Over this past year we have also seen a distancing of people from one another. There have been many mandated separations depending on which state you live in. Families haven't been able to visit one another; but, for some reason it's okay to go to one of those big retail stores. Senior citizens have been locked down in long term cares and nursing homes without the benefit of close contact with family whom they love. Depression and suicide have been on the rise. It is difficult to thrive without the love and support of others. I am not sure how one is expected to maintain unity with others when we do not gather together often as family and as the family of God.

It has been a horrific year for many. My prayer is that those who have been avoiding worship for the sake of their health do not stay away once their local congregations are fully open as over the years I have seen that once someone gets out of the routine of gathering together to worship God staying away become the new routine.

I am fortunate enough that closest congregation to where I live has not closed down at all. It's definitely a plus that the preaching has been very good. I am even getting used to sermons that can last around forty minutes!

St. Paul wrote to the Romans:  "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom 10:17)

I pray that each of you are able to find a place to worship. It does not matter the denomination; but, remember to gather with others to hear God's word and to worship Him if you are able. If you are not able please check out online worship from a local congregation; a congregation that you could possibly connect with when you are able to worship in person again. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Holy Spirit Knows

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 

                                                                                      (Rom 8:26-27 KJV)

Troubles can weigh us down and leave us feeling like we are in between places and time; in a state of confusion. We can be in such a state that we are not even sure what is really troubling us and definitely don't know how to fix the problems as we find ourselves unsure of which direction we should take and not even sure how we should pray. 

At times like this we thank God for the Holy Spirit who knows exactly what is troubling us; knows exactly what we need; knows exactly what we should pray for. When we cannot figure out what to do we must trust the Lord. When we do not even know what or how to pray, the Spirit knows and makes intercession for us when we find that we cannot.

Do not fear. God knows what you need. 

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Phil 4:19-20)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Our Exile

Loving and Supporting One Another 
Is Better Done At Close Range

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

                                                                            (1 Thes 5:14-15 KJV)

Warn those who are falling away; comfort those who need comforting; support those who need help of any kind; and do it all with patience. In other words, love one another. 

The powers that be have isolated us from one another to the best of their ability this past year. Humankind was not made to live in total isolation. No one can live life to even near its fullest without interaction with others. We need others to remind us when we are falling away. Written words are helpful even as Paul wrote to the many church. They are helpful. But, we need people in person to comfort us and support us. As Christians, we do not live for ourselves but for the whole Body of Christ. It is difficult for the Body of Christ to work as one when we steer so clear of one another. 

The vaccination is being widely administered quite rapidly. Whether or not it works is a question many people have. But, with faith in this vaccination  hopefully the fear of dying that so many people have will disappear to a large extent soon and we can get back to actually and actively doing doing good. Hopefully, we will get back to actually and actively loving one another. That is... if we haven't forgotten how.

Have we really been looking to God or politicians and government agencies to save us from this isolation; from this exile?  

In the end remember that no matter what happens in this world the only hope any of us truly have is hope in the promises of God through Jesus the Christ. That hope includes living reconciled to God and to one another in the Body of Christ, in the Kingdom of God. Whatever the world says do not neglect what we know to be good: to exhort one another; to support and and comfort one another, with much patience. 

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Rom 15:13)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

A Good Purpose In Trials

 

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28 KJV)

We are in the midst of Lent. I have found Lent to be a most challenging time, at least for me. Of all the seasons of the year it seems to me that the devil gets a whole lot busier attacking those who love God during Lent. During this time of reflection and repentance; during this time when we are reminded reminded of Jesus' admonition that we are to take up our crosses and follow him; we know full well that we will fall short. We can try to follow in his footsteps. But, we are not Jesus. We are not gods. We cannot do what Jesus did for us. We can do nothing. But, God can and He does. We can take up our crosses and follow the best that we can; but, it must be with the help of God. We cannot stand or walk alone.

No matter what obstacles are set before you; no matter what trials you are enduring, know that God works in and through all of these trials for the good of those who love Him. God is with you through your tribulations. He will show you the way and walk with you on your journey as you carry your cross to the cross of Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

By Grace We Are Saved

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:1-10 KJV)

Sinners, dead in our sins; yet, Saints alive in Christ Jesus. We are sinners. That is a fact. Everyone of us sin, even daily. We lust after things of this world. We fall prey to following in the ways of this world rather than in the path that Jesus has set before us. There are no excuses that will justify our sinful natures. The only thing that justifies is the blood of Christ shed for the sins of the world.

We cannot save ourselves. No matter how many good things we try to do they will never balance out or cancel out our sins. Our salvation is a free gift from God. We cannot earn it by any good works. It was given when His only begotten Son worked out our salvation for us by hanging on the cross; by suffering and dying for our sins. Since we can do nothing to save ourselves we thank God for this gift of life in His kingdom; in His presence.

By grace through faith we are saved. It is not our work the procures our salvation. It is a gift from God.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Things Could Be Worse; Repent!

And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.

And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

                                                                                (Numbers 21:4-9 KJV)

Life can be a major struggle even as getting to the promised land was a struggle for the Israelites. The path that God leads us on is not always as easy as we would like it to be. We don't get everything we want and we are often not willing to make the slightest sacrifice to reach the desired goal. 

God had led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. When they did not have the food that they desired, God sent them quail and manna to eat every single day. But, they didn't particularly like the manna that they called "light bread" and they complained. So, the Lord sent serpents to bite the people to apparently teach them that they had not had it so bad. Things could be worse. Sometimes, it is most beneficial to be thankful for what the Lord has provided us with. 

As multitude died from this pestilence the people woke up and repented of their sins of complaining about God and what He had given them. The Lord told Moses to make a serpent made of brass and hang it upon a pole; that if anyone was bitten by a serpent they should look at it and they will be healed. And... it was so.

Humankind continues to take the gifts of God for granted. We speak against Him often. We act against His will continuously. Simply put, we take Him for granted. Yet, all who would repent of their sins against Him; all who would turn to the cross of Christ, to Christ who was hung on the tree for us, will be forgiven their sins and be made whole.

Maybe it's time to quit complaining and thank God for what He has given us. Let us never take the good gifts of God for granted but be ever grateful that He has released us from bondage; He has healed us, by the blood of Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

His Mercy Endures Forever

PSALM 107:1-9 KJV

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.

They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.

Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

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If you are a sinner (and we all are) give thanks to the Lord for his mercy that endures forever. Give thanks that he has redeemed you even from yourself for in Christ Jesus you have been forgiven all of your sins. Once forgiven they do not reappear. God doesn't bring back what He has already forgiven through Jesus. Once forgiven, always forgiven. As God forgives us, we must remember that He has forgiven us and so we ought to forgive ourselves. 

Do not give sway to your enemy the devil and cling to your guilt. Your guilt has been washed away by the blood of Jesus. Let it go. Clinging to the sins that Jesus died for will only cause you more grief. Focusing on your past guilt will cause many distresses. Your soul will continue in anguish as it is filled with hunger and thirst. Continually remembering and grieving sins that have been forgiven by God will stop you in your tracks. It will keep you from following in the right way. 

Focus not on your sins; rather, focus on following Jesus that you might be led forth in the way that he would have you go.

Grieve your sins for a moment as you confess them and then let them go giving thanks to God for His mercy endures forever. He forgives you. Speak it aloud! The Lord is good. He has redeemed me and His mercy endures forever!

God's Peace - Pr. J.