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.

Jesus Is The King Over All Kings

Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
Psalm 72:11

Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.

He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.

The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.

He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.

They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.

He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.

In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.

He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.

The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.

For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.

He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.

He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.

(Psalm 72:1-14 KJV)

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There is one King and on King alone that can save us. His name is Jesus the Christ!

For some unknown reason many have deluded themselves into thinking that the government can help us. We even think that the government is going to make sure we are fed. The government will make sure that we have a roof over our heads. Look around. That has not happened. It has not happened in capitalist or socialist countries. 

The governments around the world are made up of fallible human beings who have their own agendas. However, this King Jesus who abides in all who love him helps those in need through you. His agenda that is to love you.

After Jesus had risen from the grave he asked Peter, who had denied him three times at his trial, if he loved him. When Peter said that he did, Jesus told him three times that if he did he would go and feed his sheep.

"He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep." (John 21:17)

Jesus didn't tell governments to go and feed his sheep. He told you. He told us to. 

At one of the parishes that I previously served; I not only had local people stop by the parsonage for assistance with their needs, I often had travelers stop by my home (usually near midnight) who needed assistance. Some needed gas or a ticket home; some needed shelter (motel for the night); some needed food. Many of the travelers seemed to be coming from Canada. In fact there were so many coming from Canada, I finally asked one of the travelers how he found me since neither the church or the parsonage were on the main highway. I jokingly asked if there was a sign at the Canadian border in Sault Ste. Marie with my address for anyone needing help. He laughed, as well, and told me that he had stopped by the State Police and they gave him my address. 

I cannot help but wonder with all the shut-downs due to COVID-19 how many people in need knocking on church doors to seek assistance are finding the churches closed and no one to help. I am assuming that not too many Police Departments are handing out pastors' addresses so those in need can knock at their homes. 

The governments of the world cannot; do not; and will not help everyone in need and sometimes when they do attempt to they actually cause more hunger and homelessness with their rules and regulations that go along with the assistance. We have been witness to that. 

But, the King of all creation can help. He helps through you. He helps through everyone of his followers who hear his call to "feed his sheep."

There is only one King who can save us. His name is Jesus!

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

Depression and Hope

A video message on this Sunday after Easter on depression and hope during Covid-19 shut-in

Home Based Christian Education

And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 

                         (Luke 18:15-16 KJV)

And, exactly how would we expect them to go to Jesus unless someone teaches them who he is and that they can go to him? For generations now, teaching children about Jesus has been left to the church basically on Sunday mornings for nine months of the year. Now that most of the public schools in the country are closed, parents and other guardians have figured out that they can actually  supervise the education of their own children in their homes. 

So now that you know you can; maybe, it would be wise to expand their at home education to include a Christian education as well. There is no reason that you cannot teach your children the stories from the Bible at home. There is no reason that you cannot teach them the basics of our faith. There is no reason that you cannot tell them who Jesus is and what he has done for them. There is no reason  that you cannot pray with them. 

Since so many of us are from a generation where we also did not get a steady home based Christian education, then adults that teach their children at home might receive a good refresher course at the same time. And, when Sunday School and Worship begin again this summer or fall in your local congregation; please, don't neglect to take your children so that they might worship God with the community of saints; that they might get to know Jesus more intimately.

God's Peace - Pr. J.