Victorious Over Death

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 15:55-57 KJV)

I have attended many church conferences, retreats, and convocations over the last decades. Some were helpful. Some were not. At one such retreat that I found to be totally unhelpful; the speaker, a pastor and an author, insisted emphatically that we need to remember that the "dead are dead." She was confident that scripture; that the Word of God, would not bring anyone comfort. I beg to differ with her and was amazed that she would profess to be a Christian and a pastor considering her lack of faith in the resurrection of Jesus our Savior. I am not sure what she was suggesting we should do or say to comfort others in their times of grief.

The Word of God is our only real comfort in times like that.. Scripture would remind us that even though we die we shall live. It is a great mystery. We cannot totally understand it; but, those who believe that Jesus died and was risen from the grave are confident that they and all who believe will follow in his footsteps though the gate of death into eternal life. Death does not have the victory over us. Jesus has victory over death. We have been given victory over death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

He is risen and ascended! He lives! So shall we!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Marvelous Things

Thus saith the Lord the maker thereof, the Lord that formed it, to establish it; the Lord is his name; Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. (Jer 33:2-3 KJV)

I wish that I had figured out that I could really talk to the Lord when I was much younger. I made so many foolish mistakes and followed in ways that were definitely not good for me or anyone else. But, I did not comprehend that talking to God mean more than just asking for things. I wasn't asking him to help me to better understand who he really was. I wasn't asking for a closer relationship with him. I was asking for much more worldly things. Things like: get me out of the trouble I just put myself in! 

Now, I hope that the younger people (and not just younger) that I know and love would have enough sense to want to get to know this great and awesome and loving God that we have. Having him in our lives is enough. He is more than enough! 

Talk to him and not just talk to him; but, listen to him and he will show you great and mighty things which you cannot know or understand without him.

Our God is an awesome God. Call upon him and then listen and follow in the way that he would have you go and you will better understand and appreciate all of the marvelous things he has done for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Paul Speaks the Truth

Old Sheldon Church Pulpit

"I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart." (Romans 9:1-2 NRSV)

This verse never fails to bring a smile to my face. It reminds me of a child when he's trying to justify something he's done by making up some story to cover him or herself. It can be very difficult to know when someone is truly speaking the truth and so we must depend upon the Holy Spirit to help us discern the truth. I do; however, believe that we can believe Paul when he says that he is telling the truth. 

Paul is grieved because not everyone who he would have accept Jesus as the Messiah has accepted him. He has come to terms with the fact that some Jews are merely God's people in the flesh and not of the spirit. So; too, many pastors grieve as they look out over the congregations they have served for years and recognize that not all who sit in those pews know Jesus as their lord and savior. They may have been "born" into the church and raised in the church; but, their spirits have somehow managed to not know Jesus.

It is hard to swallow that people whom we love do not love God; that they do not even know him. It grieves many pastors; many parents; many a spouse; and, many friends to know that their loved ones do not know the love of God or the peace that surpasses all understanding. 

May God open the hearts of all people during this Advent and Christmas season to know; not just know about; but, to know Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

No Fear Of Death

Old Sheldon Church, Beaufort, SC

At a pastor's conference, years ago, the speaker informed us that everyone is afraid to die, including Christians. I was offended by this revelation. I know many Christians who are not afraid of death. St. Paul certainly was not. He wrote: 

"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this    will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am   hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you." (Phil 1:21-24 NKJV)

As a pastor and former hospice chaplain I have sat beside more than a few who have been breathing their last breaths in this world. I have indeed witnessed the fear of death in the faces of some. But, I have also witnessed the peace and the joy of those who know that their hope to depart and to be with Christ is about to be fulfilled. In those latter times, I was reminded of St. Stephen's martyrdom.

But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

                                                                           (Acts 7:55-60)

Stephen saw the glory of God. He saw Jesus. Up until his very last breath, Stephen followed in the footsteps of Jesus to further the gospel as he prayed, even as Jesus had prayed with his last breath, for the forgiveness of those who were putting him to death. 

Not long after Stephen's stoning, St. Paul, who is this same Saul who stood and watched the murder of Stephen, met the ascended Jesus on the road to Damascus. His whole life changed. He became a willing and ardent follower of Jesus; living his life as a testimony for Christ. He was not afraid of prison. He was not afraid of death. He longed to be with Jesus; yet, he was willing to do whatever God's will was for him. He was willing to be attacked and persecuted in this world if it would advance the gospel.

No, we are not all afraid of death. Those who believe that Jesus lived and died; rose from the dead; and now reigns in the Heavenly Kingdom look forward to the day when we will see the full glory of God even while we understand that it might be necessary for others that we stay here in this world a while longer. 

While we live we will give testimony of all that God has done for us, to His glory.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Cursing The Name Of Jesus

Sunrise at Old Sheldon Church, Beaufort, SC

"Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit."  1 Corinth 12:1-3

I am not sure what to make of this. I have heard people profess that Jesus is their Lord; Jesus is their savior and the very next day they will be taking his name in vain, "cursing up a storm." So how is it that it might appear that they can be speaking by the Holy Spirit in one instance and definitely not the next? How quickly the tide can change!

We are all sinful human beings. We all are led astray from time to time. May God help us to stay in "His Way" so that we are not led by other spirits; by false idols, to take the name's Lord in vain; to curse the name of Jesus. May God help us to profess and glorify His Holy Name!

God's Peace - Pr. J