Daily Confession

Colossians 2:10-15 KJV; Confess and receive forgiveness.

Baptized

Matthew 28:18-20 KJV; Those who believe and are baptized shall be saved forever.

Give God The Glory!

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 

                                   (Rev 14:6-7 KJV)

Immediately following John's vision of a Lamb standing on Mt. Sion he sees an angel who carries the gospel to be brought to all people declaring that we are to give God the glory. Indeed, all glory belongs to God for giving the Lamb, His only begotten Son, as the sacrifice for our sins that we might receive forgiveness of sins and be reconciled to God and one another.   

To God belongs all glory for all the marvelous things He has created and  not just for creating us in the first place but for loving us enough to recreate us in the image of His Son. Our baptisms into Christ brings about the death of the old man that resides in us and gives us a new life in Christ. 

We do not have this new life because of anything we have done. It is a gift from God who deserves all glory and honor! God help us to live life more fully in Christ!

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

Small Boat

"And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him." Matt 4:18-20 KJV

Simon Peter and Andrew immediately left their nets to follow Jesus. I wonder if those who are not fishermen attached to the waters understand how difficult it would be to just leave it all behind. 

Although, I was never really good at it, I grew up fishing. My family spent a lot of time on lakes and rivers and creeks. I love the water. Today, I spend summer mornings looking out over a river. I look out over the water and am reminded of all the things that Jesus has done for me. The waters remind me of the washing and cleansing we have received through the blood of Christ. The waters remind me of my baptism into his death and resurrection. I have a kayak boat that sits off my deck; but, rarely gets used. It reminds me that I have been called to abandon my small boat and to go fish for people.

Following Jesus sometimes requires that we give up a thing or two that we love and enjoy so that we and others will know the greater joy of living in His presence. Now let's go fishing... for people. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Wilderness Follows Baptism

"And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness.And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him." 

                                                                                 (Mark 1:9-13 KJV)

Immediately following his baptism; immediately after being anointed by the Holy Spirit, Jesus is sent by that same Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. He is there for forty days.

During my years of public ministry this is what I have observed: following baptism or affirmation of baptism by people of consenting age; they often disappear into the wilderness, sometimes never to return. A few will return after a time for special holy days once or twice a year. Sometimes they will come for someone else's baptism or maybe for a wedding or funeral. Thanks be to God that there will be a few who never leave! I have tried to warn them all prior to receiving the Sacrament of Baptism that with the anointing of the Holy Spirit in Baptism they will also be tested by Satan. The devil will not be happy that they have received this sacred gift from God. But, my warnings usually fall on deaf ears; ears that do not hear. They simply do not get that becoming a child of God is about more than getting to heaven when they die. The devil gets it; but, we do not.

We are anointed at our baptisms with the Holy Spirit for very good reasons. One being; that we will need the Spirit with us as we journey through the wilderness.  We will need the Holy Spirit to remind us when to say no to temptations and to reveal to us when temptations are upon us. 

It would also do us well to remember that it was the Spirit that sent Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted in the first place. The journey through the wilderness; the temptations that will come; are the Spirit's way of preparing us for our entire life's journey as children of God; for our ministry as followers of Jesus. Remember, that Jesus' ministry did not begin until after he was baptized and after he was tempted in the wilderness.

Baptism is not just a mere ritual by which we gain entrance into the church. Do not take it lightly. As we become children of God, we are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. That will include journeying through the wilderness; being tempted by Satan; ministering to others; actually worshiping, loving, and serving our Father in heaven, doing His will. 

But, do not fear for you have been anointed by the Holy Spirit. God will be with you on your journey.

God's Peace - Pr. J

We Cannot Live By Bread Alone

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matt 4:4 KJV)  

Hungry? Thirsty? Eat, eat, eat and never get satisfied; only want for more? 

Food was meant to nourish our bodies.  It can be a pretty strong temptation to eat way more than one needs to meet their physical needs. Food might give you temporary satisfaction; but, that sense of satisfaction will be forgotten within an hour or two; maybe less. One meal; not even two or three, will not last you a lifetime. But, the Word of God will nourish you soul for all of eternity.

The tendency to give in to the temptation of momentary satisfaction can lead to all kinds of problems for us; particularly if it goes against the word of God. Temptations to depend on momentary happiness rather than the Word can lead to disasters for us.

After Jesus had fasted in the wilderness for forty days after his baptism; he, like we too often are, was tempted by the devil to turn stones into bread so that he could eat. He; unlike what we would do if we had the ability, refused. "... he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

No, most of us do not have the strength to refuse a temptation like that. If we could we would. But; then again, most of us do not have the fortitude to fast for forty days and nights, either. Our cravings are too much to attempt that. 

Heavenly Father, "... lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." (Matt 6:13)

God's Peace - Pr. J