The Tomb Is Empty! He Is Risen!

Mark 16:1-8; Easter Sunday; He Is Risen! He Is Risen, Indeed! 

Go With Haste To Hear The Promise

Luke 2:16-20 KJV: Go with haste to hear the promise fulfilled by that baby born in a manger.

Share The Message Of Salvation

Matthew 1:20-21; 3rd Sunday in Advent 2023; Go and tell. 

Chosen!

Luke 1:46-55 KJV; Mary was chosen for a very great purpose and you have been chosen for a good purpose as well!

He Is Risen!

Matthew 28:1-10 KJV: Blessed Resurrection Day for He has risen for you! 

Jesus Wept

Gospel according to St. John, Chapter 11; KIV 5th Sunday in Lent; Jesus wept because he was saddened by the grief of Lazarus' family and friends.

The Shepherds Told What They Had Seen

Luke 2:8-17 KJV; The Shepherds Told What They Had Heard And Seen. Jesus, the child born in Bethlehem is our Savior and Lord.

Paying Taxes

Luke 2:1,4-5 KJV: In this world paying taxes is as inevitable as being born and dying. But, in the Kingdom of God neither exists. 

Joseph Heeds What The Angel Says

Matthew 1:18-25 KJV; Conceived by the Holy Ghost; born of the virgin Mary, Jesus comes into the world and is with us even now even as he will come again in full glory to take us to the place he has prepared for us.

Humbled To Be His Chosen Children

Luke 1:46-49 KJV; Mary was humbled to be the bearer of God's only begotten Son. We are humbled to be God's children adopted through the blood of that Son, Jesus the Christ.

The Lord Is With Thee

Luke 1:26-38; 1 Peter, 2:9; Matthew 28:20; An angel visits Mary. The Lord is with her and with thee as well.

Mary And Martha

Reading from the Gospel of St. Luke 10:38-42 KJV Mary and Martha; practicing the presence of God with unceasing prayer no matter what you are doing.

He Is Risen - Easter 2022

Bringing Gifts

They followed the star

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. 

                                                                                  (Matt 3:9-11 KJV)

Reminiscent of the journey of the three wise men who followed the star bearing gifts for the baby Jesus people around the world give gifts to the children during the Christmas season. 

Annually, U.S. Marines around the world, have toy fund-raisers so that they can give gifts to children. Santa Claus normally delivers them for the Marines. When we lived in Rota, Spain these gifts were given on Epiphany which is also known as Three Kings Day after the three wise men. Three of the Marines would dress up as the wise men and deliver the gifts to  the children at the local orphanage.

The wise men followed the star to bring gifts to the baby Jesus to worship and honor him. They blessed this child with lavish gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. May God help us to honor and bless every child born as they did our Savior not just one a year but every day as Jesus himself is the gift that keeps on giving.  Thanks be to God for Jesus the King above all kings.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Taxed

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 

                                                           (Luke 2:1,3-7 KJV)

It is that time of year when we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Unfortunately, it is also that time of year when it's time to start thinking about paying income taxes.  It can be a taxing time for many. It is not unheard of to receive a letter after paying your taxes that you need to send another check because the IRS has decided that you owe more taxes and unless  you have a lot of time to find all the paperwork you need and the money to pay for a tax lawyer you really are going to have to pay it whether you owe it or not or you could end up having even your home taken from you. I remember hearing something about an unfair tax on tea before this country was born. It ended up in a party known as the Boston Tea Party. 

Joseph and very pregnant Mary traveled to Bethlehem to be taxed. Caesar had declared that the whole world had to go to their hometowns to be taxed. That sounds like madness to me. But, God had another plan.  Jesus was born during that tax paying journey in Bethlehem as had been prophesied. God turned a bad thing into a good thing.

During this season and everyday let us rejoice for the good things that God has given us in confidence that no matter what happens God has a good plan for you.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28)

Trust the Lord!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

My Soul Magnifies The Lord: Advent 4 2021

Decided to do a video blog this morning rather than write one. I do this now and then but it takes a bit of time so I often choose the written.

Joseph Believed The Word

He believed the word of the Lord brought
to him by the angel of the Lord.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. (Matt 1:20-21 KJV)

You're going to be a father even though you are not the father! Can you imagine what was going through Joseph's mind when he found out that Mary was pregnant? Yet, Joseph trusted; he believed the words of the angel of the Lord and took Mary and the child to be his family. 

Being a parent is a big responsibility; but, being the parent to the Son of God! How big of a responsibility is that!?

Joseph knew that this child that he and Mary would raise would inevitably save God's people from their sins.  Not only a big responsibility for the people who would raise him; but, how confusing that must have seemed. How would this child save them? What would the child's future be like? What would their lives be like? 

Anyone who finds themselves about to be a parent might have similar concerns no matter how joyful they might be over the upcoming event. Will I be a good parent? Hopefully, those who ask this question understand and are willing to give more of themselves to raise the child. Sometimes, it calls for a change in lifestyles or where one lives; even where one might work. Sometimes and usually bringing children into the world means we must be less selfish and make the children's needs over our own desires. 

Thanks be to God for picking Joseph to be the father of Jesus! Joseph was willing because he trusted in the word of the Lord brought to him by the angel of the Lord.

May God help us to trust the Lord's promises. 

"And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children." (Isa 54:13 KJV)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Unborn Recognized The Unborn

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. 

                                                                 (Luke 1:39-45 KJV)

How old do you have to be before you know Jesus?  Do you have to have a certain amount of knowledge taught to you by humankind before you can know him? 

St. John the Baptist, the one who later introduced Jesus to the world,  recognized Jesus and leaped for joy while still in his mother's womb! John had not seen Jesus but he felt his presence. He knew Jesus even before he was born. 

It is not by any knowledge that the world gives us that Jesus comes into our lives.  It is by faith alone which is purely a gift from God. 

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God..." (Eph 2:8)

May God open our ears, eyes, minds, and hearts so that we might know the abiding presence of Jesus the Christ, for he is with us always. Help us dear Lord to live life more fully in his presence.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

He Is Risen - Easter Sunday 2021

Together We Celebrate The Birth

Gather to Worship
(Heb 10:24-25)

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. (Luke 2:16-20 KJV)

Unlike the shepherds we don't have to get off our couches to celebrate the birth of Christ this year. There doesn't have to be any traveling. We don't have to go to far. Thanks to COVID restrictions many will be making haste to their computer screens this evening and/or tomorrow morning to watch the celebration of the birth of Christ, the one who has made us free to live as children of God. They will be watching. But, there will be no live participation; no interaction. Maybe some will join in the hymns of praise from their living rooms; but, probably not many. 

Many, more fortunate, will also be celebrating the birth of the Son of God in the traditional manner; within congregations, as they glorify and sing praises in the company of other Christians. St. Paul encouraged us to gather together often: "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 10:24-25) 

If you can, go and gather with others to celebrate the birth of our King! But, I hope that no matter where you are observing the birth of our savior from, like the shepherds, you will go and make known to others the good news of this miracle by praising and giving glorify to God in word and deed. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.