Give Generously

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

                                                                                                                  (2 Cor 8:1-9 KJV)

Because of their faith in Christ who gave himself for all people, the Corinthians gave generously. 

That is the Christian duty. It is not the Christian duty to delegate generosity to others no matter how rich or poor the others might be. It is the individuals and the churches duty to give generously to those in need. It is not our place to decide whether someone is too sinful for us to help. We don't get to question whether they really deserve it or not. We just get to assist the saints in need. However, we must always remember that Jesus did not question whether we deserve his gift of life for us through the giving of his life. He gave his very life even though we most clearly did not deserve it. This, of course does not mean we should send the scam artist on the telephone or internet thousands of dollars. We do need to be careful not to allow them to steal from us so that we have nothing to give to those in genuine need. Be very careful that robbers do not take what should be used to help the poor.

Give generously. The law will, when able, according to the limited abilities of the law will hold those who take advantage of your generosity accountable. Unfortunately, the law is very fallible. The law is not perfect; but, God is. God whose abilities are unlimited will judge and hold accountable those who would lie in order to steal from the mouths of others by abusing your generosity to a point that you have nothing left to give to those in genuine need.

May God help us to love and care for his people. Give generously.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Stand Fast And Rejoice!

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 

                                                                             (Philippians 4:1, 4-9 KJV)

Just about the whole world has been on lock down for a few weeks now and a whole lot of people are pretty disheartened with being limited as to what they can do and where they can go. So many people are doing without paychecks so that they can provide for themselves and their families. Personally, I find it most disheartening that houses of worship have been closed. I am well enough acquainted with the habits of human beings to know that once someone is out of the habit of attending a weekly worship service, it is difficult for them to make the step back to worship. Many churches may end up closing permanently if this lock down continues for too much longer. Many businesses might close as well. To consider these possibilities is disheartening indeed.

That being said, my life has not changed much. I stay at home as much as I can anyway. But, I am not young and I am retired. The young have a much harder time living with these stay at home guidelines and restrictions.

There are many times in this world that we become disheartened. Depression may even get the best of us for a time. St. Paul reminds us just as he did the Philippians to stand fast in the Lord and to rejoice! St. Paul endured trial after trial; yet, he continued to stand fast and rejoice in the Lord.

Think for just a moment about the problems you have encountered through life. Did God not see you through them all? Was He not with you? Those problems are now nothing more than a memory. Rejoice then that any trials and tribulations you may be encountering today will also pass. Continue on in the way of the Lord. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (vss 6, 7)

God's Peace - Pr. J

We All Need To Grow

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

                             1 Peter 2:2-3 KJV

It is not just babies who need good nutrition to grow so does everyone who has lived for decades. All kinds of ailments attack bodies that do not feed themselves properly.

As Christians grow older, all too often they do not feel the need to read or hear the word of God. I have heard on more than one occasion that someone does not need to read the scriptures because they learned it in Sunday School or Confirmation classes. That is totally absurd! No one can know it all. Even most pastors know that they need to continue reading and studying the word in order to grow in faith as well as in love.

The small catechism that we use to teach children and new members was written by Martin Luther for parents to use to teach their children because he found that pastors in his day really did not have a clue about the word of God.

Have a clue! Many churches have closed due to the corona virus. Start a new habit. Open your Bibles and read the word. Hold a daily Bible Study with your family and grow in faith!

In times like this we worry about our physical health. Let us not neglect to care about our spiritual health. Stay in the word. Crave and seek the spiritual milk of the word of God so that you may know the grace of God through our Lord Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Marriage: A Major Commitment

"A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord." (1 Corinth 7:39 NIV) 

Today, my husband and I celebrate the 46th anniversary of our marriage. For the first couple of decades it was pretty up and down. There were times that the only thing that kept us together was the verse from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. The only thing that kept us together was our promise "till death parts us." Marriage is not always "a piece of cake" or a "walk in the park." In fact, it can be quite difficult at times. There will be times that you will not feel "in love" or that you even love the person in any way, shape, or form. Depending on the feeling of love to keep a marriage together is not going to cut it. A genuine commitment is what will keep the marriage together and growing. A genuine commitment to love one another will help the love in a marriage grow.  

The only way to stay together is to stay together no matter what happens. I am not advocating for anyone who is in an abusive relationship to continue to be abused. There are times when two people are also so unequally yoked that they must separate or they risk destroying each other's lives. What I am advocating is that people take a serious look at who it is they are planning to marry. If you are a Christian, it would be very wise to marry a Christian. Paul reminds us in the sixth chapter of 2 Corinthians that we are not to be yoked with unbelievers. It's not a good thing for a Christian to plan to live the rest of their lives with an unbeliever. You will be tried and tested more than you can even imagine. You may even turn your back on Jesus after years of being worn down. 

And... as to this foolishness of sleeping with anyone and in some cases anything... well, that is way more than foolishness. This lifestyle will destroy your life. You will carry a piece of every person you sleep with for the rest of your days even after you finally find the person you will spend the rest of your days here on earth with. When God joined Adam and Eve they became one. When we are united with another, we become one. You may leave that person. You may move on to another. But, you will always be connected to everyone before.

It is a common misperception that we must have a piece of paper to be joined with another in the eyes of God. He sees all. He sees who you are with today and will see who you are with tomorrow. He sees who you are joining yourself to. He doesn't need the state to tell Him who is married and who is not.

Prior to the 16th century, Christian churches did not require any kind of permission from the state for a couple to be married. All that it took was the couple committing (exchanging vows) to live as man and wife and they were married in the eyes of the church. Sadly today, we have come to believe that the only commitment that is valid is the one that we agree to when we sign on the line. Marriage is way more than a written commitment. It is a commitment, for sure. It is a permanent commitment. By using the state authorization to marry, we have given ourselves an escape route. If the marriage doesn't work, we can go through the state so that our marriage is legally dissolved and we are absolved or so we think. The question we must ask ourselves is if it is really dissolved just because the state says so. When we claim that the only valid marriage is one that is authorized by the state we attempt to justify any promiscuous behavior prior to the marriage or after. We attempt to circumvent God's good plan; His will for us. 

I am also aware that there are many who would use what I have just said about not needing the state to approve our unions as an excuse to not make a commitment at all. When I hear people saying I don't believe in marriage meaning they don't believe in legal marriage, I usually also grasp that they mean that they don't want to have to go through the trouble of a legal divorce when they're done with their latest partner. Beware then of those who say they love you but are unwilling to risk making commitments.

There is a big difference between what is legal in this country and what is good and right according to scripture. If you want a good life; if you want peace in your life and you must be with someone then wait for the right person. Jumping around, trying out new partners is really only going to cause you grief. Who has time for that kind of grief? Be faithful to your spouse and be faithful to the one true God. 

May God bless your relationship with your spouse and even more importantly with Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Give Generously and Joyfully

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

                                                                                                     2 Corinthians 8:1-7 NIV

Churches around the world are dying; particularly in North America and in Europe even while Christianity is spreading by leaps and bounds in many other countries. The question is why. During this month when we focus on stewardship, I cannot help but consider that it is because congregations that are growing may be growing because they are busy generously and joyfully reaching out to others with both the richness of the Gospel as well as helping to meet the physical needs of others in their communities. 

The early church grew by leaps and bounds and if we take a good look at that church they were not focused on themselves. They were focused on doing the mission that Jesus had left us with; going into all the world. A church that has turned inward and is only concerned about it's own needs is no longer a church of God. 

Imagine for a moment that the first followers of Jesus decided to worry only about their own well being; play it safe and stay within their little spaces or upper rooms. There would be no church today. Christianity would have died with the Apostles. Not a one of us would be saved. Not a one of us would be children of the Most High God!

St. Paul encourages the church to not only share the riches of the Good News of the Kingdom; but, to give generously out of love to advance that Kingdom. It is for the sake of the gospel that we give - that all people might know the love of God through Jesus Christ. Our mission is; after all, to proclaim the gospel to all people and that is not a small job. There have been times over the years when I've heard excuses for withholding offerings like "The church needs  a new (you name it) or we just don't have enough to give or until the council or the pastor gets their priorities straight, I'm not giving any more." The truth of the matter is that congregations do not exist to serve themselves. They exist to serve Jesus. They exist to reach out with the good news of his love for all people whether that is in word or deed. If they are hungry; whether it be, for spiritual or physical food; feed them. Just as Christ fed the multitudes with the word and with loaves and fish; he continues to feed them through the church; through you. Do not withhold your offerings because of self-serving thoughts that we ought to serve ourselves before our neighbor. Nothing that Jesus did was for love of Himself. All that He did was for the love of all people. His first followers selflessly gave of their time, what finances they had, the various gifts that God had given to them. They did not withhold anything; except for maybe Ananias and Sapphira who met with a very unhappy ending for withholding their offerings and lying about it (Acts 5:1-11)  If we expect the church to grow as it did in those first years maybe it would not hurt us to try to follow in The Way that they went.  

If Jesus was willing to give his all for us; if those first followers were willing to share all that they had so that the Kingdom of God could be advanced; why wouldn't we? May God help us to give joyfully and generously so that all might see the love of God in Christ Jesus through us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Lukewarm? Get Off The Fence!

   "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

   These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

   Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

   To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

                                                                                    (Rev 3:14-22 NIV)

For my evening devotions I usually include either listening to scripture on YouTube or a sermon or commentary or two. Last night I listened to, I don't know who, speaking on the seven epistles of Jesus. He was referring to the seven letters to the churches that John transcribed as they are found in the book of Revelation.

The speaker compared the church in Laodicea to a church of the end time; the church of today. I would say that it is probably not true of all congregations around the world. But, that it is true of a good many, at least in the United States. The members of these congregations are neither hot nor cold. They are just there. A barely decent choir song puts more fire into the hearts of many than does the hearing of the gospel. They will clap and even give the musicians standing ovations. But, nary a smile of joy or anticipation when the Gospel acclamation is sung or the Word of the Lord is proclaimed. It seems it is enough to be there. There is no need to actually worship with our whole hearts and minds the Lord our God, a God whom we cannot see. Do we think that He cannot see us as we half-heartedly fulfill some imaginary obligation by showing up. We are not saved by showing up every Sunday. We are saved by faith in the One who lived and died and lives again for us. If we truly believe that we would be thankful. We would be on fire.

Like the church in Laodicea was lukewarm so are the members of many congregations in the United States. I say "members of congregations" rather than members of the "Body of Christ" because if you read the letter to the Laodiceans you will find that those who are lukewarm will be spit out of the mouth of God. There is a difference between being a member of a church and a member of "The Church" which is the Body of Christ. God will not consider those who are lukewarm members of the Body of Christ. He will not consider them a part of His family. He will spit them out of His mouth.

This letter to the Laodiceans has been on my mind for decades. I consider it often as well as the fact that I, too, am probably lukewarm. I cannot help but wonder how many times I have watered down the Word of the Lord in order to keep members in the church so that the bills can be paid and so that members don't get upset because I ran people out with the truth. If I speak too much truth; people tend to leave. Their feelings get hurt. The last time someone told me that they believed there were many paths to our Father in heaven and that Jesus wasn't the only way, I responded very quickly (without thinking) that if they believed that and taught others to believe that they would be going to hell. They decided they would leave the church. So in many ways, and on many days, I look forward to retirement from "church" work. I look forward to truly having the freedom to proclaim the Gospel without having to worry about who may be upset; who may leave the congregation. I do not want to preach a watered down word so that the church doesn't end up closing. I don't want to preach any more morality or how to live. I just want to preach Jesus. And, yes... I am saying that the lukewarm church has had the ability to stifle the whole truth and not just from me; but, from many clergy; from many lay people; from those who truly are or were on fire for the Lord. Lukewarm Christians are not Christians at all; because, they simply are not speaking the truth. They are twisting it; watering it down; even ignoring it in order to be friends with the world. May God forgive us all.

The truth of the matter most probably is that the remnant will be a whole lot smaller than we would hope for. Sadly, many congregations, many who claim to know Jesus in the United States as well as many other countries, are on fire for something. But, they are not on fire for Jesus.

May God send upon each of you reading this His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, that you might be on fire with love for the one who loves you so much that He was willing to die that you might be forgiven your sins and reconciled to God our Father in heaven.

God's Peace - Pr. J