God Of Hope

Romans 15:13 KJV; Do not be troubled for our God is a God of hope.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, 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 28:16-20 KJV)

Today is Trinity Sunday. Usually, on Trinity Sunday, I focus a bit on the essence of the triune God. But, with the state of the Union as it is today I am reminded greatly of what or rather who it is that can save us. Who it is that forgives us all of our sins, reconciling us to God and to one another. God through Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit is our only real help in times like these.

We, too often, get caught up in the physical world, we forget that our battle is with spiritual forces. St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians: "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." (Eph 6:12)

Yes, we must stand up for what is right in this world. We must protect our neighbors. But, we cannot forget that what is behind the chaos are spiritual forces that aim to destroy us. We must engage in battle with these spiritual forces. We do that by doing exactly what Jesus commanded: teaching all people, baptizing in name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them everything that Jesus commanded to be taught. And, what he taught is good news for all people. We are to proclaim that Good News! We are to let people know that all power and authority has been given to Jesus in heaven and on earth. That will bring to us adversity. But, we must trust him to help us as we proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom for all who believe in him. We must rely on his (not ours, not any government's) authority and power to overcome the chaos. 

We thank God our Father this and every day that through the Son and by the power of the Holy Ghost we can stand firmly, facing all adversity, so that all people might know that freedom and the peace that God would give to us.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Power Of The Holy Spirit

"In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"  (John 7:37-39 KJV)

There are times when I become fully aware that someone I know does not understand who this Holy Spirit is as I assumed they knew. It saddens me that there are so many who do not have an inkling of the power of the Holy Spirit that abides in and with all who believe. If they did, I believe that they would not be so quick to judge those who do believe.

The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, does abide in all who believe opening our eyes, and our hearts, and our minds to a greater understanding of God's love and will for all people. This Spirit of Christ, that abides in you and me connects and unites us in a way that is not humanly possible. 

Today is Pentecost Sunday. It is the day that the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples as Jesus promised. It is considered the birthday of the church as on that day the disciples were given the power by the Holy Spirit to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with all people. No matter in what language the disciples spoke to that great assembly; the hearers heard and understood it and many came to believe. Rivers of living water flowed forth by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" 

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."           (Acts 2:1-8, 38-41)

I am sure that Peter spoke with many more words than are recorded in Acts. The words he spoke were living words that gave hope to the people in that the Savior who had been promised had come. The prophecies had been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. All who believe will receive eternal life.

Neglect not and do not minimize the power of the Holy Spirit. With the coming of the Holy Spirit the church on earth was born over 2000 years ago. 

Do not underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit that abides in and with all who believe.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Peace Be With You

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. 

                                                                               (John 20:19-23 KJV)

"Peace be with you!" "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 

Jesus was sent into a broken world; a world full of sin, of anger, hatred, violence and self-centeredness. He came into the world so that by his sacrifice the world might receive forgiveness and might be reconciled to one another and to God the Father through him. Jesus was sent into the world to proclaim this Good News of the Kingdom for all who would believe in him. 

And, so He sends us, promising us peace, breathing on us the Holy Spirit, that we might go forth proclaiming the Good News of reconciliation with God and with one another. This will not be without hardship. It will not be without pain. Jesus suffered much in order that we should know our Father in heaven; so shall we suffer if our brothers and sisters are to know and love Him. But, knowing that God can and will work all things for the good of His Kingdom gives us the peace of heart and mind to be able to continue in His way.

May you be blessed with the Holy Spirit, with the Spirit of peace and of love.

God's Peace -Pr. J