We Are Lifted With WIngs Like Eagles

Reading from Isaiah 40:28-31 KJV - We shall not fall down. The Lord will lift us up as though we had the wings of an eagle.

Arise And Shine

"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee."  Isaiah 60:1

There are some days when evening comes that I feel as though nothing was accomplished. I feel as though an entire day has been wasted. I may have been up and about; but, I feel like I may as well have slept the day away. This doing nothing is a bad habit to get in to. Before we know it our days on earth will have come to an end and we will have spent them as though we were fast asleep.

Get up! Live life! Let the light of Christ shine on, in, and through you. Live the fleeting moments that God has given you here on earth. He gave them for a purpose and living in the darkness was not it.

Live in the light and have a very blessed day!

God's Peace - Pr. J

With Jesus There Will Be Storms

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

                                                                               (Mark 4:35-41 KJV)

When Jesus got into the boat a tremendous storm arose. Expect it! Expect storms if you are a follower of Jesus. His journey on this earth was not an easy one nor should we expect ours to be. There were many in cahoots to destroy him. He was persecuted and put to death in spite of being totally innocent.

Jesus told his followers and he tells us:  "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also." (John 15:18-20)

Do not be surprised if the world is against you for your faith in Christ. Do not be surprised when other berate you for your faith in Christ for when we step into that boat as a follower of Jesus we are promised that storms will arise.

But, the good news is that even when those storms arise and they will, the Christ is with you. He can calm the storm. He will save you. He will bless you with peace. Have faith. Trust him!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Fallen Asleep

On the night he was betrayed the disciples slept.

Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

                                                                                 (Matt 26:36-56 KJV)

The disciples slept while tragedy was about to strike their beloved teacher. While Jesus was preparing for his earthly demise by praying the disciples were totally oblivious. It was not as though Jesus had not told them. He had warned them his life would be taken. But, for some reason they were oblivious. 

Nuorena Nukkunut or Fallen Asleep While Young written by Frans E. Sillanpaa is the story of The Maid Silja. Silja was, as were so many people of her time and place, oblivious to the tragedy that was stalking the Finnish people and lands. She had a pretty hard life and consequently focused on her own life and the very small circle of people around her. She was asleep as were so many others to what was going on in the larger world until it affected her. She had no clue that there was a movement afoot that would threaten to take their freedoms away.

Years ago, my congregation held an overnight prayer vigil. We were to pray for the church, the community, and the world at large. I was to pray during three very early morning hours as no one else would sign up for them. I knelt next to the baptismal font in front of the altar. My three hours were completed when I woke up to see the husband and wife who were after me kneeling at the altar praying. I had fallen asleep while praying. Falling asleep while praying is not all that an uncommon a thing. Knowing that did not make me feel less guilty for sleeping when I had committed myself to praying. 

Even if the disciples had stayed awake they would not have been able to prevent Jesus' persecution and death. There are many things that happen that we cannot control. But, God can and we can stay awake enough to know what is truly going on in the world around us. We can stay awake and we can pray. 

The disciples slept as tragedy was about to strike. Even though they could not have stopped it if they had stayed awake. They could have been there for their friend. 

Jesus died to make us free; free to love and serve our God and one another. I wonder how many sleep today while many plot to take our freedoms away. They might try. But, God has a plan just as he had a plan for his Son, Jesus. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Forgive And Pray For Your Enemies

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. 

                                                                                    (Acts 7:55-60 KJV)

There are times when we might think that we will never be able to forgive someone. Yet, here is Stephen following in the footsteps of Jesus, forgiving those who are putting him to death. A young man Saul, is witness to this event. This young man you probably know better as St. Paul, missionary to the gentiles. Yes, Paul the great persecutor of Christians was there to witness and encourage the stoning of Stephen. 

Saul persecuted Christians. That is, he persecuted them until the day that he met the ascended Lord on his way to Damascus to hunt down even more Christians. In that encounter with the Lord, the Lord asked Saul why he was so busy persecuting him. That was the day that the old man in Saul died and Paul began to live and serve the Lord even to his own death. One of the most ardent persecutors of Christians became one of the greatest missionaries ever once he met the Lord. We can never know what the Lord has in store for any of us, not even our enemies.

Forgive your enemies and pray for them, even as our Lord Jesus and Paul and many other saints have gone to their deaths, praying for and forgiving their enemies. For our hope is not in this world. Our hope lies in the promise that as we draw our last breaths that we, too, might look to the heaven and see the glory of God, with Jesus standing at His right hand.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Trust Jesus To Calm The Storms

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

                                          (Mark 4:37-41 KJV)

It has felt, to many, that we have been in the midst of a storm since before 2020 even began. There is only one answer to this storm and that is faith in Christ. We must trust that he will calm this storm. We will get through all of this and the sun will be shining brightly. Children will once again be playing arm in arm for God does not will that we should be so disconnected from one another. His plan included unity and reconciliation; not division and anarchy. His will is not for his children to live their lives so centered on themselves that they have no concern for the people around them or the people that are spread throughout the world.  

Jesus told his disciples and us: "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."  (John 15:12-13)

The self-centeredness; the self-love, of humankind has brought about many storms. But, the one who can calm the great storms of winds and waves can also bring a calm to the world. Is it not time yet to trust him enough to love and care for our neighbors and live in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Keep Awake - Be Prepared!

"Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”  (Mark 13:35-37 NRSV)

Keep awake! No matter what day or hour it is, be prepared. When I was a child, I remember, certain people I knew use to make fun of people of a certain denomination because they would go out drinking and carousing on one evening and then go to confession the next day. They thought it quite strange that people should think that they can go and do things they knew full well they'd be repenting of the next day. The weird thing about it was that the same people who pointed fingers at those making confession actually were out carousing with them; but, they didn't go to confession. 

Doing things that we know we are going to repenting of probably is not a very good idea. It's just not a good idea to be thinking we can manipulate God. Jesus certainly died for our sins; but, does that make it right that we should continue to do those things we know we should not do with the understanding that we can be forgiven? Was Christ's sacrifice worth so little? 

Besides, how do you know that the hour will not come for you to stand before the throne of God while you are in the midst of purposely doing what you know you ought not be doing? 

Keep awake - be prepared! Do not let our Lord return and find you on a path that you should not be following.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Storms

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they put out, and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. They went to him and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?”
                                       Luke 8:22-25 NRSV

In the midst of a storm, Jesus calms the disciples and he calms the seas. He commands the winds and the waters. They listen to him. 

Whenever I read this story, I am reminded that the storm did not begin until after they got into the boat with Jesus. Following Jesus is no guarantee that there will not be any storms in your life. In fact, it might guarantee even a few more. 

If you truly follow Jesus you will face obstacles and opposition of all kinds. Jesus never promised that we would not have troubling or stormy times. Only that with him, we would weather them. We would live. We can live in peace knowing that the one who has power over all things is with us always.

There is no need to fear the storms. The one who commands the winds and the waves is with you and for you. Sometimes; though, you will need to experience a few storms on the sea before you can reach the other side.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Falling Asleep?

Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” (Mark 14:41-42 NIV)

On the night in which he was betrayed, the disciples completely oblivious to the inner torment that Jesus was experiencing, fell asleep. Rather than pray with or for Him; instead of being there for him, they fell asleep.

How often have we fallen asleep when our neighbors or friends or family were in need? How many times have we turned our back on others because we had better more personal things and often more enjoyable things to do? How often? Every time we have, we have turned our back on Jesus for what we do or do not do for others; we do or do not do for Jesus.

How many times have we paced the floors in the middle of the night or fell on our faces praying throughout the night, asking God to deliver us or someone else while everyone else was fast asleep oblivious to the trouble around them or about to come upon them? We pace, we pray, until peace comes upon us and the resolution is at hand. 

The resolution for Jesus was to be betrayed with a kiss by a follower, a friend. What comes for Jesus is death and ultimately resurrection. Sometimes, (OK - often) the resolution that comes is not an immediate reprieve; but, a journey through even darker times; a place where even our friends will desert us. What comes is a journey through the valley of the shadow of death so that ultimately, not our; but, God's will is done.

In order to get to the place where we can know peace no matter what God's will is for us, we pray. We find solace in His presence.

May God grant that we should live in His presence now and always.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Arise and Shine!

"Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you."

Isaiah 60:1

There are some days when the day is over and I feel as though nothing was accomplished; like an entire day has been wasted. I may be up and about; but, I feel like I may as well have been sleeping the day away. This not doing much is a bad habit to get in to. Before we know it our days on earth will have come to an end and we will have spent them as though we were asleep.

Get up! Live life! Let the light of Christ shine on, in, and through you. Live the fleeting moments that God has given us here on earth. He gave them for a purpose and living in the darkness was not it.

Have a blessed day!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jesus Calms The Disciples And The Storms

   One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out.  As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.  
   The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

   He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

   In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

                                                                           Luke 8:22-25 NIV

Jesus calms the disciples and the seas. He commands even the winds and the waters. They listen to him. But, there is something else we need to remember. The storm did not begin until they were out on the sea with Jesus.

Following Jesus is no guarantee that there will not be storms in your life. In fact, it might guarantee even a few more. If you truly follow Jesus you will face obstacles and opposition of all kinds. Jesus never promised that we would not have troubling or stormy times. Only that with him, we would weather them. We would live. We can live in peace knowing that the one who has power over all things is with us always.

There is no need to fear the storms. The one who commands the winds and the waves is with you and for you. But, sometimes, you will need to experience a few storms on the sea before you can reach the other side.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Spirit Willing; But, Flesh Is Weak

  Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
  Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
  Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt 26:36-41 NIV)

We were having a prayer vigil. Individuals and families volunteered to come to the sanctuary to pray for one hour during the hours following the Maundy Thursday Service until the Good Friday Service. I had volunteered for three hours, from 3 a.m. until 6 a.m.. I lived next door to the church and I thought it would be easier for me than others who would have to drive to the church at such early hours.

I began my hours praying, kneeling in front of the altar, next to the baptismal font. I was awakened by the couple, who was to follow me, to find them kneeling and praying at the altar. They had come in quietly and didn't want to disturb me. I had fallen asleep, on my knees, leaning against the baptismal font. Apparently, it is not only those first disciples who cannot keep watch, stay awake, and pray for "one hour."

The spirit is willing, but so often the flesh is weak.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Proclamation By Word And Deed

Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!”  Acts 20:9-10 NIV

The purpose of preaching is not to bore someone to death. It is not for putting anyone to sleep; but, to shake them up; wake them, up to good news of the Kingdom through Jesus the Christ for all who would believe in him. 

Paul was pretty excited to share the good news that the Messiah had indeed come. He was so enthused that he talked and talked and talked and Eutychus got so tired that he fell asleep and off the third story balcony or window ledge or from wherever he was seated. He died from that fall. But, Paul took him in his arms and Eutychus lived.

My sermons are usually not very long. But, I must confess that I have indeed sat with friends long into some nights talking about the wonderful gift that we have in Jesus. I hope that those conversations were not all one-way conversations with me doing all the talking. That would put anyone to sleep.

The Word of God brings life. We must proclaim this good news. But, it is not necessary to make long, long winded speeches. Sometimes, it takes fewer words and a little more action to see the truly inspirational love of God. Sometimes, along with the words, there needs to be a little action. That life giving action just might be to take someone who is hurting, who may be spiritually dead, in your arms and just hold them.

Proclaiming the good news is necessary; but, so is living the good news by loving even as Jesus loves you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Gift Of Life

"For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thess 5:9-11

We have received an amazing gift of life from God, in Him. He breathed the breath of life into humankind and we live in this world. It is a wonderful world. Life in this world is a marvelous gift from God, stained only by our sinful natures. But, God in His mercy sent His only begotten Son to die for us that we might be redeemed from the power of sin and live in His presence, in His Kingdom for all eternity.

In Christ, sin has no power over us. Death has no power over us. All who believe in Jesus' life giving sacrifice shall live in him whether these mortal bodies continue to breath or not; whether we are awake or asleep.

Let us live an abundant life! May God help us to always abide in Christ as we encourage one another to do the same.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Gift Of Life

"For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thess 5:9-11

We have received an amazing gift of life from God, in Him. He breathed the breath of life into humankind and we live in this world. It is a wonderful world. Life in this world is a marvelous gift from God, stained only by our sinful natures. But, God in His mercy sent His only begotten Son to die for us that we might be redeemed from the power of sin and live in His presence, in His Kingdom for all eternity.

In Christ, sin has no power over us. Death has no power over us. All who believe in Jesus' life giving sacrifice shall live in him whether these mortal bodies continue to breath or not; whether we are awake or asleep.

Let us live an abundant life! May God help us to always abide in Christ as we encourage one another to do the same.

God's Peace - Pr. J