God's Promises To All Who Believe

Romans 11:1-2a, 13-15, 28-32 KJV; 12th Sunday after Pentecost; God shows mercy to all who trust Him; who trust His Word.

Love Does No Harm

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

                                                                       (1 Cor 13:1-7 KJV)

The New International Version and the New King James Version of the Bible both translate charity as love.  Love is charitable because it puts the other's needs before our own desires. It will reconcile us when things might otherwise divide us. Real love does no harm to others as it considers not just what the consequences for oneself might be; but, what the consequences of our words or actions might be upon others. Love and charity care about others. 

When Jesus hung on that cross for us he did it out of love for us. He knowingly and willingly suffered and died so that we might live in the presence of God for all of eternity. He bore our sins on that cross for us and the consequence of that loving act for us is that we are forgiven our sins and reconciled to God our Father. We, who have sinned against God and one another so many times that we cannot count them are forgiven by faith alone in Jesus' life giving sacrifice.

"We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19) We love others because he loves us all so much!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Christ Is Everything!

 

Tell Everyone About Jesus Who Saved Your Soul!

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Gal 2:20 KJV)

Not I; but, Christ in me. It is most reassuring to know that on the cross our sins have been wiped out and we have been given a new life. That new life is a life in Christ who abides in every believer. 

At one time (not so much any more) I attended a lot of group meetings and Bible Studies. It would make me a bit irritated as we were asked to go around the table and tell everyone something about ourselves. It would make me uncomfortable because it is not and should not be about me. My story is not about what I have done or will do because I can do nothing without the abiding presence of Christ in me. All that we say and think and do should be about what Christ has done and continues to do for us and through us.

I use to visit an elderly Finnish lady who was homebound. We greeted one another when I entered her home and went directly to receiving the Sacrament of Communion together. When I had finished the blessing she would say: "Now what should we talk about Jesus?" She did not want small talk about what she or I or anyone else was doing. She wanted to talk about what Jesus had done for us and  continued doing in the world around us. I often think of her and our talks about Jesus.

A song I've been listening to a lot lately is "Nobody" by Casting Crowns. It  is a reminder that who we should want everybody to know is not us but Jesus and what he has done for us. 

"Cause I'm just a nobody

Trying to tell everybody

All about Somebody

Who saved my soul

Ever since You rescued me

You gave my heart a song to sing

I'm living for the world to see

Nobody but Jesus

I'm living for the world to see

Nobody but Jesus"

Luther's Small Catechism teaches regarding Baptism. It indicates that we and our egos should die daily so that life in Christ emerges. That new life does not occur without the abiding presence of Christ. I have printed what Baptism is from Luther's Small Catechism because many of us who have been told may have forgotten. 

"What is Baptism?

Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s word.

Which is that word of God?

Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Matthew: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matt. 28:19)

What benefits does Baptism give?

It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.

Which are these words and promises of God?

Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Mark: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)

How can water do such great things?

Certainly not just water, but the word of God in and with the water does these things, along with the faith which trusts this word of God in the water. For without God’s word the water is plain water and no Baptism. But with the word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a life-giving water, rich in grace, and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul says in Titus, chapter three: “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.” (Titus 3:5–8)

What does such baptizing with water indicate?

It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Where is this written?

St. Paul writes in Romans chapter six: 'We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.' (Rom. 6:4)"

The abiding presence of Christ is revealed in the new man that emerges. It is not we; but, Christ in us who is revealed and who does all things. We are nothing without Jesus. 

But, we are, as the Great Commission tells us, to go and tell about Jesus and make disciples of all people. It is not about us. It is about Jesus! Go and tell!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Sin Is Sin

1 John 1:8

One who justifies the wicked and one who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

                       (Prov 17:15 NRSV)

What is a sin is a sin. There is no getting around that. It may be fully legal in this world so do something; but, that does not justify a Christian purposefully committing a sin. We can be justified by only one means and that is by faith alone in Christ alone, who gave himself as a sacrifice for our sins.

We are also not justified by condemning the righteous simply because they believe in Jesus and desire to follow in The Way that he would have us go. But, of course, many who believe are accused of being narrow minded and condemned because we do believe that Jesus is the only way and we will strive to follow him. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us that we are to: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matt 7:13-14) 

Jesus also said: “...I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) This the Christian truly believes. This the Christian will proclaim. It is not to say that the Christian will force others to believe this. Everyone in this world has a right to believe as you choose; to do what you desire in accordance with the laws of the land. The government, at least in the United States, grants us these rights. But, the Christian does not belong to this world and answers to a Higher Power. That Higher Power, for us, calls us to follow in a path that is not self-serving; but, is lived in service to God and to others. 

Therefore; to pretend that the wicked, who in service to themselves, trample on the rights of others is not a sin is a sin in itself and must be recognized as such. We do no one any favors by ignoring sin. To condemn those who follow in The Way that Jesus calls them is also sin. 

Whether the secular world chooses to believe it or not; we can call a sin out for what it is and still love the one who sins. We after all are all sinners, justified only by the blood of Christ shed for us on the cross. In fact, if we truly love others, as Christ loves them and us, we will not pretend that all is well; but, point them to "the way, and the truth, and the life," who is Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Gifts From God

But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8 NRSV)

 

God showers the earth with flowers

It is St. Valentine's Day. Flowers are a cherished gift by many. People around the world will be giving flowers, chocolates, and miscellaneous gifts today to the ones whom they love. 

But, there is one who loves us more than it is possible for any human to love. Look around and you will see the marvelous gifts that he has given us, including flowers that grow wherever he would choose. 

But, the greatest gift that he could possible give us is the gift of his Son. 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. (John 3:16)

May God grant that you should live in His love and His light now and forever.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Love Is...

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Cor 13:5-7 NRSV)

These verses from Corinthians are a favorite among those who are about to be married. They are about relationships. However, they are not specific to marital relationships. They apply to us all.

The Youth Correctional Facility, that I previously worked at, used Cognitive Behavior Therapy to try to help these young men to live fuller lives after they were released. They were called on every arrogant and rude thing that came out of their mouths and every arrogant and rude act that they committed. The hope was that they would learn to have empathy for those who they would otherwise victimize.

One of the goals we worked with the teen-agers on was to not be attempting to justify their words or actions with more words or actions. Simply put, the "blame game" was often played. It was a ruse to make themselves look better than others. Words were used to try to explain why they were right in what they said or did because someone else was wrong. Of course, when someone employed the "blame game," they were not totally direct about it. They often insinuated things in hopes that they would not be called on trying to justify their own harmful words or actions.

Unfortunately, it is not only those who are incarcerated who attempt to justify their sinful actions. Many Christians also have a tendency to try to justify their words or actions by pointing their fingers at someone else. They sometimes try to manipulate people into believing that they are right and everyone else is wrong. Often, they are arrogant enough to think that everyone around them is buying their stories.

There is one who will never buy the lie. That is God. He knows our heart's intentions. He knows every one of our thoughts. We are very fortunate that He is a loving God and gives us many opportunities to turn around and follow in the Way that He would have us go. 

These verses in First Corinthians about love are about relationships. They remind us that we are to love God and one another even as He loves us. That means that we ought not be rude or arrogant to the people around us and we definitely should not be blaming others for our rudeness or our arrogance.

May God help each of us to love and respect one another and to not be attempting to justify our own sins. Jesus is our only justification. He bore the penalty for our sins so that we could live new lives in Him. Let us live those new lives!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Thirsty in a Dry and Weary Land

O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1 NRSV)

We are a very thirsty people; both thirsty and hungry. There is so much turmoil in the world. It causes one to feel worn out; dried out. Those first followers of Jesus often felt the same way. St. Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians: "To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed and beaten and homeless, and we grow weary from the work of our own hands." (1 Cor 4:11-12a)

But, there is a way to be refreshed. Seek the Lord. After Jesus had fed the multitudes on a few loaves and fish; he said to the crowds who followed him to the other side of the sea that they only followed he had fed them when they were hungry. He said that it was his father who gives them the true bread which gives life. They asked for this bread. "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'" (John 6:35)

God our Father has truly given us the bread of life. He has given us living waters that will refresh us no matter how dry and weary the land becomes. Refresh yourself; partake of the precious gift of life in the bread of life, who is Jesus the Christ given for you. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

You Are Not Alone

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." John 3:16 NIV

God loves you. No matter how alone you feel in the world, there is One who will always love you. Such good news for a sin sick world!

Depression runs rampant in this world. It is a sadness to witness those who already suffer from depression often made even more depressed by the bullying and self-serving tactics of others. The sadness overwhelms so many of the people that I know and care about. They feel alone and unloved. If only their ears and eyes and hearts could be opened to understand how much God loves them and how much the people in whom Christ abides loves them. They are not alone; but, they do not comprehend that.

Sadly, even as Christ is at work in and through his followers so the devil is at work in and through many spreading lies and hatred and anger and gossip and greed. All these things lead to depression. They can lead to death. But, do not despair. Hear the Word of the Lord. God loves you. You are not alone. Those in whom He abides love you. You do not have to be alone or lonely. Seek out the brothers and sisters in whom Christ abides that you might hear and know this great love that God has for you. He loves you and your children and all whom you love so much that He was willing to give his only begotten Son for you.

May God grant that you be filled with the knowledge of His abiding presence through the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J