A New Year And A New Path To Follow!

Isa 43:16, 18-19 KJV; As you make plans for changes in the new year; include the will of God in those plans!

The Word Of The Lord Endures Forever

1 Peter 1:23-25; The Word of the Lord does not change no matter how much we'd like it to.

Patience

                                                                        1 John 1:8

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. 

                               (James :7-9 KJV)

Holding grudges against others does no one any good including ourselves. There can be no peace within ourselves when anger fills our hearts. If living reconciled to others is actually our desire then we will forgive and not harbor judges in our hearts.

If there is a desire to live harmoniously with others then it starts within ourselves. Called to repentance we must each look within ourselves not to remember the harm that others may have in reality or in our perception harmed us but how we may have harmed others. Change will begin when we can recognize our own short-comings. Change does not come by oppression or bullying others in any way. Change comes with repentance for the things that we have done that has harmed others; when we can recognize how our egos and our false gods have been directing our lives. To repent means to turn around; to change our ways.

Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord. (Lev 19:18)

Peace would be nice. Harmony would be nice.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Serenity, Courage, Wisdom

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5 KJV

Every now and then, as I attempt to fix the things that I cannot fix, I am reminded of the Serenity Prayer that was written by Reinhold Niebuhr. 

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.

It is difficult to watch others suffer. Sometimes we can help them. Sometimes, we cannot do anything except to pray for them. Sometimes, we lack the wisdom to know the difference so we go about spinning our wheels trying to fix that which only God can fix.

Wisdom will help us to determine what we can and should change and what we must trust to God alone. When God gives us the knowledge and the wisdom of how we are to proceed, it would be very wise indeed to follow His directions. Ignoring what God has taught or told you (whether directly or through others) is definitely not wise.

May God grant us all the wisdom to listen to Him and the courage to do what He asks of us and go where He would send us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Avoiding the Mire

Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. (Psalm 69:14)

There is small spot on one of the islands in front of my home of sinking sand. It is a little over a foot wide; yet, it's a bit unnerving to accidentally step into it. As one's ankles and then calves become engulfed in sand you will not tarry. You will step out of it quickly and change your course just as fast. I do not know how much of a person it would swallow if one chose to test the sand. I have never desired to find out.

Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. We go in ways that are dangerous to ourselves and may even be active in leading others in the wrong way, as well. We stray from the path that Jesus prepared for us and purposefully attempt to travel the path of the unrighteous. There are many dangers on this path that leads away from our Father's house and His will. Sinking in mucky, uncharted swamps is only one of them.

When we find ourselves in danger of sinking in the mire it is time to change course. It is time, to ask for God's help to get back on the path that He has prepared for us.

If you find yourself alone and sinking fast know there is one who can rescue you. There is only one who can save you. Ask and He will lead you on the path of eternal life in His Kingdom. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Paul and the Snake

After we had reached safety, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The natives showed us unusual kindness. Since it had begun to rain and was cold, they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us around it. Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood and was putting it on the fire, when a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man must be a murderer; though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were expecting him to swell up or drop dead, but after they had waited a long time and saw that nothing unusual had happened to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god. 

Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It so happened that the father of Publius lay sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Paul visited him and cured him by praying and putting his hands on him. 

                                                              (Acts 28:1-8 NRSV)

Snakes have never bothered me much. When my sons were young, they were always bringing home different sorts of creatures to care for. They were usually allowed to keep and care for them when my husband was deployed. He wasn't too big on creatures in the house and so they were not allowed when he was home. 

My eldest son brought home a whole slew of baby water moccasins when he was in Jr. High. We kept them for a while in a covered bowl on the kitchen table; at least, until the day I came home from work and they had all escaped. I rounded them up and released them into the National Forest behind our home. No more snakes. I also drew the line at the bats he tried to bring into the house. But, most other creatures, slimy, scaly, feathered, or furry were welcome. 

Many people understand snakes to be bad omens. The people on Malta figured that Paul was being punished by the gods for some heinous crime he may have committed when a snake latched onto his hand. They figured he was as good as dead. But, no. Paul merely shook the snake off of his hand into the fire and remained unharmed. 

Opinions do change. The people then wondered if he was a god. How much more they must have thought that when he prayed and laid hands on Publius' father and the man was healed. No, Paul was not a god. But, God was with him on Malta as God led him to Rome to stand trial. The power of God continued to minister to others through Paul until the day of his death. 

Paul was not afraid. He was calm as he shook the snake off his hand. He did God's will without hesitation as he prayed for and healed the sick man. May God help us to serve Him and all of His people, one day at a time, one step at a time, wherever he will lead us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Time For Change?

They said to him, “John’s disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking.”

Jesus answered, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.”

He told them this parable: “No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’”

                                                                                                                Luke 5:33-39 NIV

Sometimes, change is okay. Sometimes, change is required for new or renewed life. Not everyone in Jesus' time on earth was happy about the fact that his disciples spent more time eating and drinking than fasting and praying. There are appropriate times for things and while Jesus was with them there were more important things for them to do than focus on fasting. They were busy learning and serving.  

Being open to what others are being called to sometimes means we have to change our ways of thinking and our ways of doing just a bit. Sometimes, we have to change a whole lot. I've heard all too often "this is the way we've always done it."  For some reason we like to think that the old is better. Sometimes, it may be. Sometimes, it definitely is not. Sometimes, the new is better. We must be open to change or we'll be stuck in an old testament life instead of rejoicing in the promise of the new covenant with Jesus Christ our Lord.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. (Eccl 3:1) 

God grant that hearts and minds be open to changes that may be needed according to His times and seasons.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Serenity

"If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you."  (James 1:5 NRSV)

Every now and then, as I attempt to fix the things that I cannot fix, I am reminded of the serenity prayer that was written by Reinhold Niebuhr.  
     

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference.

It is difficult to watch others suffer. Sometimes we can help them. Sometimes, we cannot do anything except to pray for them. Sometimes, we lack the wisdom to know the difference so we go about spinning our wheels trying to fix that which only God can fix. And... sometimes in the spinning of our wheels we end up making things worse.

Wisdom will help us to determine what we can and should change and what we must trust to God alone. When God gives us the knowledge and the wisdom of how we are to proceed, it would be very wise indeed to follow His directions. Ignoring what God has taught or told you (whether directly or through others) is definitely not wise.

May God grant us all the wisdom to listen to Him and the courage to do what He asks of us and go where He would send us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Change

Baptism in the Huron River, Michigan

Acts 2:38-47

  Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

  With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

  They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

As the Holy Spirit came upon him on that day of Pentecost, Peter and the rest of the apostles proclaimed the Good News that the promise of forgiveness for people far and near had come through Jesus Christ. Peter warned them to save themselves from the corrupt generation. The multitude heard all of this. Many received the good news of salvation through Jesus and repented of their sins. 3000 were baptized that day.

I have said it myself, even as I have heard it thousands of times: "Change doesn't happen over night." Yet, these 3000 changed in one day. They believed and their lives were turned around. They wanted to lead a new life in Christ. And, so they did... They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. They were filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They met together daily, breaking bread together, praising God, and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

If we are going to try to change ourselves, without the help of God, it indeed may take a very long time and it may never happen. But, with the help of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be changed even in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. Repent and live life as a member of the family of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

His Word Does Not Change; It Endures Forever

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For,

“All people are like grass,
    and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
    but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

And this is the word that was preached to you.

                                         (1 Peter 1:23-25 NIV)

The word of the Lord endures forever. It doesn't change to suit the whims of the people. It is the same yesterday and today and it will remain tomorrow.

Over the ages various interpretations of scripture have been used to suit the desires of those who would misuse God's word to validate their sins. It is no secret that people have used and still use scripture, taken way out of context, to validate their own personal desires and agendas.

I would remind those who tell me that times have changed that even though the times may change the word of the Lord has not changed. His word endures forever. Hold fast to that word that you might live life more fully in this world and eternally in the Kingdom of God. Living according to the world's standards is not becoming to one who has been born again through the living and enduring word of God, who is Jesus the Christ. It is not becoming nor is it wise or safe. Jesus came to reconcile us to God and to one another in His Kingdom. Let us rejoice in our salvation and not preach another gospel.

Our glory may fade even as the flowers of the field will fade. But, the glory of the Lord will never fade. It will endure forever.

Remember the word that was preached to you. May God grant us the discernment to live according to His word and His will for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Bearing Christ's Name

Some of Christ Lutheran's Worship Team That Ministers to

residents at Princeton Senior Living, Palm Coast, FL

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. (Luke 24:45-48 NIV)

Those first disciples were witnesses. We, too, are witnesses. We must have seen or heard or experienced something in order to bear the name of Christ. What was it? Surely, you do not call yourself Christian because you belong to a specific earthly congregation. There is more to being a Christian than being on someone's membership rolls. As one of my friends use to remind her congregation, "Sitting in a garage doesn't make you a car anymore than sitting in a church makes you a Christian."

Christian's bear the name of Christ and we are to bear it to the entire world. We are to proclaim, in Christ's name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins, to all nations; to all people. Now, repentance does not mean simply apologizing. It means change. It means turning around and doing things in a way that will reflect the love of God for all people. It means, even as Christ put others before himself, even his own life; we are to put the needs of others before our own desires. We are to set aside our own desires so that the will of God may be done.

We do not bear the name of Christ for our sakes alone. We ought not hide our faith for a hidden faith is no faith at all. Our faith may be personal; but, it cannot be private. We are to proclaim the mighty works of God through our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, to all the world, for as Christians, we are witnesses to the great love that God has for all people.

May God help us to be more faithful witnesses to all that He has done for us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Yielding Fruit?

Blessed is the one
   who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3 NIV)

At the least change or disruption to life there are those who cause so much drama one would think the world was ending. These ones not only do not bear good fruit; but, often cause more disruption. They are like grass blowing in the wind; mowed over at the landowners earliest convenience. Afraid that their personal sovereignty will end with change, they will fight it tooth and nail, interfering with growth; interfering with the bearing of much fruit.

But, the one who loves the Lord and considers the way He would have us go is like the tree that is firmly planted in soil beside streams of water. On the riverbanks of my home in Aura and on the canal where I now live in Flagler Beach, many of the trees have been blown about by the winds. They are old and have been bent down by the winds of time. They have changed immensely since they were seedlings. Yet, they continue to grow with their roots planted firmly within the soil. The winds nor the waves have been able to take them down.

Change does not necessarily mean death. It often means new life. Even as the trees change with the season, so do all living things. When winter comes, the trees often look like they are dying or even dead. But, then comes spring and new life begins to bear another season of fruit.

The one who drinks of the water of life will live and yield much fruit. Such is the person who delights in the law of the Lord. They change and adapt to the various seasons. They bend from time to time. But, they will not break.

May you drink abundantly of the streams of living water provided by Jesus Christ, our Lord that you might follow wherever he would lead bearing much fruit.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Who's Father? Our Father!

This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."  (Matt 6:9 NIV)

Who's father? Our Father.

 

While I hear that there are some who object to God the Father being male; I rejoice that I have a Father in heaven that I can trust; who is always there for me. I "get it" that there are some who were neglected or abused by their fathers on earth and may cringe at even the title father. But, as for me, since early childhood, knowing that I have a Father in heaven that truly loves and care for me has given me great comfort. He has been with me no matter what trials I have faced in life. It is good to be able to trust someone to be there to listen to you when you need someone. Our Father is always there for us.

When people tell me that they refer to God the Father as a woman, I am liable to respond by reminding that Jesus said that we are to pray: "Our Father" and that I don't believe that I am up to the task of giving God a sex change. But, they can go for it if they think that they are.

 

I give thanks that my true Father, who is in heaven, truly loves me and He truly loves you.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

He Is God And We Are Not

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

                                           Psalm 46:10-11

We can run around trying to fix things all we want; but, we need to understand that we may just be spinning our wheels. Things don't always have to go our way. It is more important that they are done according to the will of God; after all, He is God and we are not.

It is best to try to avoid trouble by seeking the will of God and doing as He would direct you. When trouble does come sometimes we have to consider if maybe we've been going in the wrong direction and need to change our course. But, sometimes, the best and only thing to do is to just be still and trust the Lord. After all, He is God and we are not.

God's Peace - Pr. J

My Jesus!

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Psalm 51:10-11 NIV

Happy New Year!

"My Jesus!" I don't recall what I was dreaming about last night. But, I do remember that just before I woke up, sitting around a huge round table I was asked who I would most like to be with. My response was "my Jesus."

Jesus promised to be with us always and he is. Who could ask for anything more than to abide in the presence of God for all of eternity? Living in God's presence is a gift from God. But, we are not worthy to even kneel at His feet by anything that we say or do or don't say or do. There are no new year's resolutions that are going to get us to heaven. Our hearts; are whole lives, are heavy with the burden of sin. But, thanks be to God, He can change our hearts!

And, so this new year's day we pray: create in us clean hearts, and renew steadfast spirits within us. Do not remove us from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from us. Grant that we should always live in your presence!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Time and Season for Change

There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under the heavens.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV

Every season brings change. People must adapt to the season. We must be prepared for every season or in the winter we will freeze; in the summer we might suffer from heat stroke. The earth itself has changed over the generations. It has not only had four seasons; but, seasons of entire climate change. There were times of great flooding. There were times of almost global drought. There was that ice age. In order to survive, people had to adapt. Recently, Hurricane Matthew came through. That called for a few weeks of doing things differently for millions of people. Change sometimes has to happen whether we are comfortable with it or happy about it. Sometimes, we have no choice; but, to reevaluate how things are done and make some changes for the well-being of all people.

The church has its seasons as well; both short term and long term. If we do not adapt, if we flat out refuse to change to meet the changes that come with each season; we may find ourselves suffering. We will leave others out in the cold to suffer and die. We may find ourselves all alone without water to sustain either our bodies or our souls. 

Change comes with growth. Growth comes with change. What was good for yesterday is not always what is good for today. What we are called to do specifically to help God's children depends on the circumstances surrounding us. What are their needs? Are they spiritual? Do they need to be lifted up at this present point in time? Maybe they need food or shelter? Maybe, their physical needs are so great that until those needs are met we cannot begin to address spiritual needs or maybe as we meet those needs their emotional and spiritual needs will also be addressed?

There is a time and a season for every purpose under heaven. May the church on earth be granted the wisdom and ability to know when and how to change with the seasons for the glory of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

A New Life In Christ

"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." Romans 6:4

We get to live a new day, every day. Every day brings new challenges; opportunities to learn; to grow. Each new day brings changes; some big changes, some so small you do not even notice them. Regardless of the size of change, the new opportunities will be there. We can ignore them and live our days in the old, tired way allowing our egos to run the show or we can celebrate those changes as new opportunities to live and grow in Christ.

In Christ, we have the opportunity to live a new life. May God help us to accept this gift of new life and live in His presence.

God's Peace - Pr. J.