Give Their Lives For Others

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

                                                                         (John 15:12-13 KJV)

Veteran's Day is set aside to remember the many who have fallen in support of this country and for the freedom of others around the world. 

Last summer my husband and I visited the Arlington National Cemetery. Arlington is such a quiet and peaceful place unlike it's neighbor next door, Washington, DC. It was a time of reflection as well as awe at the reminder of how many have been willing to give their lives for the sake of others.

As I remember the fallen, I am pained also by the knowledge of why so many died to protect others; why so many wars were fought in the first place. If it had not been for so many greedy and power hungry rulers and people; who were willing to persecute; to destroy people who did not agree with them or follow and worship them there would have been no reason to have to defend others by giving their lives. In other words if there were no sin; there would be no wars.

This past year due to Covid-19 I have watched a lot of television. Most of the shows were either documentaries or fictional stories based on history. It has been gut-wrenching at times to recognize the atrocities that humankind would inflict upon one another. I have had to walk out of the room many times to avoid watching or hearing about the most grievous atrocities. It grieves me to know that so much, if not most, of the violence was brought on by either political or religious beliefs or both. Over the years I have been questioned by some as as to why I believe so strongly in separation of church and state. It is because history tells me that when they get together really bad things happen to people who don't agree with the decision makers and rulers. Wars happen! Persecution and even murder continue to happen all over the world even today as countries decide one religion must dictate the law or when the governments say that there can be no religion at all.

The loss of lives over the centuries; from the beginning of time, due to wars is astronomical. We grieve those losses. We remember today and are most grateful for those who were willing and continue to be willing to give their lives in the hope of giving others better lives.

It is way past time to stop persecuting others for either their political or their religious beliefs. I am not saying stop evangelizing. We can continue evangelizing with peaceful and loving hearts. I am saying stop destroying people just because they don't believe what you believe. Don't persecute them. Pray for them.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" (Matt 5:44)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Trust God And Know Peace

Proverbs 3:1-12 KJV

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:

For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

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There is a path that leads to peace. Our Lord has shown us the way if we would only listen to Him. I have fallen off that path more than a few times. Thanks be to God for loving me enough to lead me back to the path that He has set before us! 

I have learned over the years and after being corrected by God more times than I can count that the way to live a peaceful life is to live trusting that the Lord will provide for us and by  honoring Him for all that He is and for all that He does. 

I have found that it is best to listen to Him rather than my own desires. The Lord provides all things including a peace that surpasses all understanding. (Phil 4:4-8)  As a young married couple so many decades ago my husband and I often struggled trying to make ends meet. We struggled and didn't get most of the things we desired. We did not get any extra conveniences. But, we were never without our daily needs being provided for.

It is a wise move to listen to the Lord and trust Him. Follow in the way that He has shown you and live in peace.

God's peace be with you always - Pr. J.

He Is The Lord Of All

The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

                    (Psalm 103:19, 22 KJV)

Bless the Lord who is the creator and redeemer of all! He rules over all things.

The Lord God through the Word, who is Jesus the Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit has created all things; both the seen and the unseen. Alas, the world decided to go it's own way and reject the Kingdom of God. But, just because the Kingdom of God is refused by humankind does not mean that His rule is diminished. Whether we like it or not our Lord is the King over all Kings. God is in charge!

Because humankind rejected his Kingdom, by rejecting His rule and despising His love and mercy, God sent His only begotten Son to redeem us from our sins. We who were separated from God's loving presence; from His Kingdom, are now reconciled to Him through the blood of Christ. We have been redeemed by His loving mercy. The Kingdom of God and His loving presence is with us now and always through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. This is the Good News!

Let us bless and love the Lord at all times and in all places for the marvelous works He has done for us!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

No Bearing False Witness; No Gossip

In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 

                                                                                        (Luke 12:1-4 KJV)

Do good to others. Do no harm in  word or deed. It is too bad that there are those who would spread gossip (even if it may be partially true) to purposely put a bad light on someone's life. Gossip can destroy a person physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

The explanation of the eighth commandment in Luther's Small Catechism reminds us that we are not to harm other; but, in all things to help them. 

"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

What does this mean? — Answer.

We should fear and love God that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, slander, or defame our neighbor, but defend him, [think and] speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything."

We can whisper behind someone's back and think it will never get back to the one that is being gossiped about. But, I have found that in most cases the gossip is found out and inevitably causes much turmoil and stress for the target of the gossip. Gossip shared in the darkness almost always brings more darkness to both the target of the gossip and the gossiper. It may be awhile before the person being gossiped about may find out about how they have been disrespected by the gossipers; but, don't be deceived. God knows all things we say or think whether it is good or bad.

Therefore; we ought not fear those who speak behind our backs to cause us harm. Words spoken in darkness will eventually be revealed by the light. Sooner or later the closet doors will open. Sooner or later the sun will come out and the truth will be known. But, for now it is enough that God knows the truth.

Do no harm. Speak in the light of day. Speak with integrity. Speak with truth. Live in the light of Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

No Understanding Without God The Spirit

"There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?" 

                                                                                                               (John 3:1-9 KJV)

Call them riddles. Call them mysteries. We can even call them conspiracy theories. There are things about life and faith we simply do not understand. I am not going to suggest that we resign our efforts to understand. Of course not. The search is on!

This coming Sunday congregations around the world will be celebrating Trinity Sunday. How to explain the Trinity is a challenge that isn't ever completely accomplished to our satisfaction. I have always enjoyed employing the Athanasian Creed as our confession of faith when I led worship on Trinity Sunday. I could not help but smile as I looked at the many shell-shocked faces who had just confessed this faith. Most of them seemed to have had no clue what the church teaches and what we believe. There were usually questions about why we believed and confessed all of that following the service as they were amazed by that confession that many of them had never heard before.

Nicodemus was amazed at the many miracles that Jesus performed. He was also a little surprised and confused when Jesus told him he had to be born again; born of water and of the Spirit if he wanted to see the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus response was don't be so surprised at this. "The wind blows where it will blow." And, it does. The Spirit blows where the Spirit will blow. The Spirit will enlighten those whom the Spirit will enlighten through the word of God.

The great mysteries of life in this world and in the Kingdom of God will never completely be solved in this life. But, whether or not we know everything about how the new life actually comes about; we know this much: it comes about because God our Father is the creator of all things visible and invisible; Jesus is our savior who died that all who would believe in him would receive forgiveness of sins and inherit places in the presence of God Almighty; the Holy Spirit who enlightens us that we might have faith in that which we are not able to see with our own eyes.

Nicodemus didn't understand everything. Neither do we need to understand all the intricate details of the workings of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We don't need to understand because by faith we know their reality. 

In addition to the Athanasian Creed the Lutheran Church also teaches and confesses the  Apostle's and the Nicene Creeds. In the third article of the Nicene Creed found in Luther's Small Catechism we teach and confess that without God the Holy Spirit enlightening us we cannot come to faith. Our faith is not something that we conjure up but is a gift from God. 

"I believe in the Holy Ghost; one holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

What does this mean? — Answer.

I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He forgives daily and richly all sins to me and all believers, and at the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and will give to me and to all believers in Christ everlasting life. This is most certainly true."

Our understanding of the totality of God is very limited. We cannot fathom all who God the Father and creator of all is; who or why God the Son was willing to sacrifice himself for us.  But, regardless of our lack of understanding we are thankful that God the Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens us keeping us with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Whom Will Go?

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:

And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. 

                                                                                                     (Isa 6:1-8 KJV)

"Whom shall I send." In his vision, the Lord spoke to Isaiah, "Whom Shall I send?" Who indeed? Isaiah responded that he would be sent. What about us? What about you? Will you go and share the good news of the Kingdom through Jesus? Will you tell your neighbor, even your enemy, that there is one who loves them so much he was willing to die that they might live in the presence of God for all of eternity? Will you tell them that their sins have been purged by his own blood?

Do you love Jesus as he loves you? And, if you do will you feed his sheep even as Jesus told Peter if he loved him he should feed his sheep? (John 21:15-17)

There are many ways to feed his sheep. We can spiritually feed others by sharing the good news of our salvation through Jesus with others. We can physically feed those who are hungry. We can aid anyone in physical, spiritual, or emotional need. The question is though: can the Lord send you to feed His sheep? 

Whom shall the Lord send? Will you go? Will you answer "send me?"

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Voice Of The Lord

 

PSALM 29 KJV

Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength.

Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters.

The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.

He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.

The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire.

The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness; the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.

The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever.

The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.

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How majestic is the voice of the Lord!  By His word he created all things. He says it and it is so. All glory belongs to Him who is above all things. Rejoice in the Lord who gives us both strength and peace that we might endure all things.

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

The Fight Is Against The Devil (Not Your Neighbor)

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" 

                                                                                                              (Eph 6:10-18 KJV)

The lockdowns around the country this past year put a curtail on a lot of Christian gatherings whether for worship or for fellowship. There were many congregations who refused to shut down their worship services. There were also many who completely closed there doors; some opting to do virtual worship on the world wide web. This had it advantages as it reached many people who were not attending worship prior to the lockdowns. It also had many disadvantages. 

As congregations are attempting to get back to worship and fellowship as it was prior to March of 2020 many are finding that the devil had his way in separating us from one another and even turning us away from God to focus on lesser things. These lesser things for some congregations sadly are about numbers. When someone gets out of the weekly habit of worshiping it is not so easy to get back into the habit of regularly gathering for worship and fellowship.  Attendance goes down and consequently so do the offerings. When finances are hit divisiveness often follows. It's got to be someone's fault; must be the pastor's! Could be that person in the back pew that offended your neighbor. Who knows. Lots of excuses and finger pointing arise when the budget isn't being met.

In the pursuit of raising those numbers the word can end up being compromised in order to appease the itching ears and bring back the numbers. When we focus on entertaining people in order to bring back the attendance and offerings we tend to lose the focus on what worship is about. It is about worshiping God and about hearing His word. It is not about making the congregation feel good about themselves. It is, of course, a relief to know that God has forgiven our sins and made us to be His children by faith in our reconciliation to Him through the Good News of Jesus the Christ.  The faith that we have that we have been saved is found solely in the work of the Christ for us. It has nothing to do with any decisions we have made or any good things we have done. We cannot earn our salvation; therefore, worship is about worshiping the one who earned it for us. It is not to enflame the egos of the congregation. It is not to please "itching ears!"

These are all tricks of the devil to diminish our faith. This is not the time to point fingers or blame others for the state of your congregation rather stand firm against the wiles of the devil.  Do not attack your brother of sister in Christ. If you're going to point fingers then point them at the devil and stand firm, wearing the  whole armour of God:  gird your loins with truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness; shod your feet with the gospel of peace; take the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God and pray... As a warrior for Christ put on the armour of God and pray; pray in Jesus' name that the devil depart and leave you, your loved ones, and your congregation alone. Defeat the wiles of the devil. Attacking your brothers or sisters in Christ only empowers the devil and his minions. He is smiling as he undermines your commitment to sharing the Gospel of peace in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Children of God

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is."  (1 John 3:1-2 NIV)

Are you a child of God? In the third chapter of the first epistle of St. John he reminds all of God's children to not let anyone lead us astray. We have the Spirit of Christ abiding in us. We know the difference between right and wrong by the indwelling Spirit.

It is easy to be led astray. The world does not know the love of God. The world will despise the children of God. But, we want to be accepted. We want to be loved by the people around us. This desire might even overcome us we may end up finding ourselves following in the footsteps of those who are not the children of God; of those who do not know Him.

No one wants to be an outsider. No one wants to be persecuted. But, in order to follow in the path of Jesus both will most likely occur. The world will not have it otherwise. If God's only begotten Son was persecuted; so shall be all who are adopted into His family through the blood of Jesus the Christ.

May God help us to live as children of our Most High God.

God's Peace - Pr. Judy

Be Not Consumed By Anger

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

                                        (Gal 5:13-15 KJV)

The Holy Scriptures remind us over and over again that we are to love one another. Anger does very little good. There are a times when anger can motivate us to do as when we someone being abused. But, we do not turn that anger into hate. (Eph 4:26-27) We use it to try to make the world a better place to live in by serving others.

Anger damages the person our anger is directed at. But; it also damages the one who is angry for end up living without peace. As St. Paul advises us in Galatians: "...if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another." 

Peace is found in being reconciled to God and to one another by the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus. It is a gift from God. Living in anger with others will give us no peace. 

"Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." 

                                                                                         (Matt 5:42-45)

Love your neighbor. Bless them that curse you and do good to those who hate you. Live in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

What You Give; You Will Receive

Loving our enemies may be tough; but, it is right to do.

"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." 

                                                                            (Rom 12:9-10, 11-18 KJV)

Live peaceable with others as much as is possible. Sometimes it is difficult to be at peace with others; especially with those who appear to be enemies. However, the word of the Lord reminds us that we are to bless those and do not curse those who persecute you.  Scripture reminds us that what we put out will return to us.  If we judge others we will be judged. If we despise and persecute others we too will be despised and persecuted. But, if we love others and strive to live with others in peace then we shall be loved and loved in peace. If we want others to see us in the best light then we ought also to put the best construction on who they are and what they may or may not have done.

We are sinful human beings and sometimes no matter how hard we try we do not always think or speak or act charitably regarding other. However, according to Luther's Small Catechism we teach that we are to put the best construction on everything that our neighbor says or does. 

"The Eighth Commandment

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

What does this mean? — Answer.

We should fear and love God that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, slander, or defame our neighbor, but defend him, [think and] speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything."

Do not dwell on the faults of those who hate you; but, pray that they might come to know peace; pray that they might learn to love as Christ loves them; be merciful as God is merciful. In doing so your enemy may in the end become your best ally and friend.

"But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

                                                                                           (Luke 6:35-28)

Keep guard over what you think and say and do for what you do to others may well turn around and be done to you a thousandfold.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Phil 4:8)

There are so many scripture verses that pertain to loving even our enemies I cannot possibly list them all in a blog. The bottom line is do good to others. No one needs the stress that comes with anger or hatred or vengeance either  through the given of it or receiving of it. Live life in Christ! Live in peace!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

With Kindness Receive One Another

"Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God."                                                                                 

                                                                               (Rom 15:5-7 KJV)

Be likeminded toward one another. Be nice! Receive one another as a brother or sister instead of attacking one another because you don't believe like them or live like them work together that you might live together in peace and glorify our Father in heaven.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Destroying The Oceans

What Kind Of Stewards Are We?

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Gen 1:28 KJV)

Watching the television documentary series "Drain The Oceans" the last couple of days has caused me a bit; no a lot, of concern over the way humankind has not been very good stewards of any of God's creation. It seems apparent that wars occur for no reason other than one person or a small group of people are greedy for wealth or power or both and have no problem with multitudes dying so that they can get what they want. They also don't seem to give any forethought to destroying the oceans or any living creature or plant that depends on water to live.  

I could not help but wonder how it is that submarines were invented and used during the Civil War; way before automobiles were even invented! Motivation to destroy others; to get wealth and or power over others seems to be a really strong motivation to get things accomplished.

It was devastating to see how many ships lie at the bottom of the oceans because of war. It was devastating to consider how many lives were lost because kings and queens and all sorts of other rulers wanted to rule the world.

I had totally forgotten about the testing of nuclear bombs during the Cold War. Testing in the Pacific Ocean; blowing up ships and islands as well as burying the nuclear waste in the ocean! I could not help but wonder how far the radiation had spread not just in the air; but, in the oceans. How far did the currents carry the garbage? What kind of effect did it have on the created life that exists in the ocean. After being bombed at the test site, the USS Independence was towed into the San Francisco harbor so that the Navy could study nuclear decontamination. It was later towed out about 30 miles so that it would sink out of everyone's sight and not in the harbor. I am certainly not an expert and that may be why I get concerned over stuff that I can only view as detrimental to not only human life; but, of all life. 

Then there were those four nuclear missiles that the United States accidently dropped on Spain in 1966. Three were found on land. The fourth was eventually found and retrieved from the Mediterranean Sea. How does that even happen!  How much nuclear garbage is hidden in our oceans left by the United States and Russia during the Cold War? 

After each day of creation God saw what He created and declared that it was good. When He created humankind He said it was very good. He gave us dominion over all that He created. I am pretty sure that by giving us dominion that He meant for us to take care of all that He created and not to destroy it.  If we destroy it there will be nothing left to have dominion over! 

Greed for wealth and power have been destructive forces in our world since the very beginning. May God help us to think a whole lot more before we do things that will further damage our world; before we destroy each other. Let us consider the consequences before we act on our impulses.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

God Is With You

PSALM 139:1-14 KJV

O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

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There is no sense in trying to hide who we are or what we do from God. The Spirit of God is always right there next to us and knows everything about us and is for us. God was with us from the beginning. He was with us in our mother's womb and he will be with us always.

Let us always give thanks and praise to God for loving us and being there for us no matter who we are or what we may do. We have been wonderfully created in His image. In Christ we have been re-created by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thanks be to God for His love and His mercy is good!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

We Can't Know It All

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 

                                                                                  (Rom 11:32-33 KJV)

There are some things we can know and there are other things that are way beyond our capability to know. We can read scripture. We can study it and glean many things from it. We most assuredly can know that He loves us and is with us always. He has saved us from sin, death, and the power of the devil. He has saved us from ourselves by sending His Son to take our sins upon himself and die for us.

The one thing we can know for sure is that "Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so."

Search the Bible as much as you can.  From it you will gain an immense amount of knowledge and wisdom. But, be assured that you will never know the complete mind of God so don't try to second guess him. God is God. He knows what is good for those who love Him. Listen to Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

His Beloved

"The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." 

                                                                                            (Zeph 3:17 KJV)

He has saved us. With the life of His only begotten Son, Jesus, we have been spared. 

No matter what is going on in our lives here on earth we can know that He is with us and loves us. He loves us more than is possible for any human being to love. Rejoice in Him as He rejoices in you. 

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." 

                                                                                         (1 John 3:1-2)

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!  You are His beloved child!

God's Peace - Pr. J.  

God Knows The Way We Should Go

As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. (Eccl 11:5 KJV)

There are some things we cannot know for sure. It can be difficult to plan ahead because we simply do not know what tomorrow will bring. We are after all not God. We can listen to the weather men or women to help us make plans for tomorrow or the next day. But, that they are not always very accurate.  We can listen to the news and try to decipher what is true and what is not. We can listen to the advice of friends; but, their lives' stories are not the same as ours and may not have the same end result as ours if we follow in their path. 

In the end it is best just to listen to God. Seek to know His will and follow in the ways He would have you go. Ask and He will show you the way.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

You Are Wonderfully Made

"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." (Psalm 139:14 KJV)

God does not create garbage. We are not garbage. We do; however, tend to create garbage ourselves. Many even attempt to make garbage out of themselves. This cannot; this should never happen. God did not create you that way. You do not have to live that way. Always remember that you are a marvelous creation of God and so are all of the people around you. You are a child of God; created in His image. (John 1:12; Genesis 1:27)

Remember that and know that God created you for a good purpose. He also gives you the gifts to fulfill that purpose. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jer 29:11)  Hear the word of the Lord and do not let anyone convince you otherwise!  

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

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Believe And Be Baptized

"Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?" 

                                                                                   (Acts 8:35-36 KJV)

"Secondly.

What does Baptism give or profit?--Answer.

It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.

Which are such words and promises of God? Answer.

Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Mark: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

                                                   http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php



I have run a across a very sad thing. There are those within the church on earth who have not been baptized! How does this happen? How is it that a believer has not received the Sacrament of Baptism? What has hindered them from being baptized?

I've heard a few reasons. For some it has come down to the embarrassment of not having been baptized earlier, as a younger person. There are those who have not been baptized within the church and yet are receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion. They will rarely just tell you of their own volition that they have not received the gift of baptism. You will have to ask them.

I first ran across this years ago when I was working on membership rosters and the official congregation records. We were missing information that should have been in the books: things like birth and baptismal dates that would have been registered decades earlier. I thought that this might be a good reason to do some extra home visits and get to know some of the congregation a little better. A very elderly woman whom I regularly visited in a nursing home was on the list for missing baptismal dates. When I asked her where and when she'd been baptized, she was relieved that I asked her because no one else ever had. She confessed that she had never been baptized. When she was a child, they had a circuit pastor, who normally did baptisms during hay making season. Her family was in the fields (Yes, even on Sunday) working when the pastor came around. After she got older and got more active in the congregation no one ever asked her about her baptism and she was a bit embarrassed to admit that she hadn't previously been baptized. That's the short version of a very long story. Ultimately, she received the Sacrament of Baptism in the nursing home with her children and grandchildren around her about a week before she died.

This was not a lone incident. Most I've encountered were eventually baptized. A few have declined to receive this gift from God.

We are to go and teach and baptize (Matt 28:19-20) so that others might come to faith and be assured that they have received forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation. The mission field is huge. It begins within our own congregations. Do not assume that someone is saved just because they attend worship once or twice a year or even every Sunday. Do not assume that they know Jesus. Do not assume that they have received the Sacrament of Baptism. Proclaim the Good News to all people and encourage them to receive this life saving gift from God. And... don't forget to tell them about all of the benefits of Baptism, which is truly a gift from God for them.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Live In Peace

Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. (Prov 28:6 KJV)

What a miserable state to find oneself in: rich and perverse! Poor and perverse is not so good either! But, he that walks in uprightness will be able to lay down at night and get a good nights sleep. He will be able to rise in the morning and be at peace with himself and with life because he knows that he walks with his integrity intact. 

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. (Prov 22:1)

He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known. (Prov 10:9)

There are enough people in this world who seek pleasure in the perverse things of this world. There are enough who in the pursuit of their own riches and enjoyment who will trample on others. They will know no peace. Do not follow in their footsteps. Seek what is good; do what is right; and live a life of peace! 

God's Peace be with you all - Pr. J.

Empowered By The Spirit

Zeba, MI; United Methodist Camp Meeting

 

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 

                                                                                      (Act 1:4-11 KJV)

Just before he ascended into heaven Jesus informed the disciples that they would be baptized and empowered by the Holy Spirit to go out into the whole world to be witnesses of Jesus. And, so they were. And, so they did.

What do you believe you were baptized for? Baptism is a gift from God. It endows us with many gifts. In baptism we are forgiven our sins. We are born again as children of God most high. We, as the first disciples were, are anointed by the Holy Spirit and empowered to go out into the world to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. Do we use that gift? Do we go out? Do we share the marvelous things that God has done and continues to do through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit?

"May God fill us with the desire to go forth '...and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.'" 

                                                                                        (Matt 28:19-20)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Sing His Praise

PSALM 47 KJV

O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.

He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.

He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.

For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.

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Sing praises to God with a joyful spirit for He is the King of all the earth. He sits on His throne above all princes of the people and He reigns above all of them.  

There are many who would like to control our lives; but, they cannot for we have been freed from bondage by the blood of God's only begotten Son Jesus the Christ.

Thank the Lord and sing praises to Him for He has done a marvelous thing!

God' Peace - Pr. J.