He Will Wipe The Tears From Our Eyes

Isaiah 25:6-9 KJV Death is inevitable. But, the day will come when the Lord will wipe the tears from our eyes.

He Hears Our Prayers And Answers

Psalm 116:1-14 KJV: 2nd Sunday after Easter; God is merciful and kind. He hears our prayers and answers according to His good will for us.

Helping Our Neighbor

Romans 15:1-7 KJV

Eyes to See

The beggar followed in the way of Jesus

And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

                                                                                     (Mark 10:46-52 KJV)

The story of the blind man begging Jesus to have mercy on him is a reminder that Jesus does indeed hear our prayers and answers.  The beggars eyes are healed. They are opened so that he might see the world around him. Jesus declares that he has been made whole. Being made whole the once blind man can now see to follow in the way of Jesus. When one is touched by the love and mercy of Jesus they are made whole.

We can never make ourselves whole. It is God in Christ Jesus who makes us whole. It is he who gives us new life; a life of wholeness in the Body of Christ; in the Kingdom of God. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Come Quickly Lord

Psalm 116:1-8

I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.

Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.

The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.

Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.

For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

+++

Come quickly Lord to help me! How often have we thought this thought; prayed this prayer? 

There is comfort; there is relief in the knowledge that the Lord is with us and has a good plan for  those who love him. (Rom 8:28)  There is peace in the knowledge that he will answer our prayers and give our souls rest in times of trouble. 

Do not fear. Call upon the name of the merciful and gracious Lord in both good times and bad. Live life in his presence. Live life in his peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Light Of Christ

Psalm 112:4-5 (KJV)

Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. 

The light of Christ who is gracious, full of compassion, and righteous shines upon a world that can be very dark. The world can also be full of the light of Christ. But, many love the darkness because the darkness will hide their sins. There will be legislatures that will make what is wrong right so that their own sins may be hidden. There will be many who support this subversion of justice. 

But, those who know Jesus live in the light that the truth may be seen. They live bathed in the light of Christ that they might live in comfort and in peace. 

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. 

                                                                         (John 3:17-21)

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

                                                                             (2 Cor 4:6)

Jesus the Christ is the light that was sent into the world. Live life! Live it in the light of Christ to the glory of God!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Hope Fills Us With Joy

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:13 KJV)

It can be difficult to continue hoping for something for years and years and never get to see that thing that we hope and pray for. Yet, we continue to hope. We continue to believe that no matter how bad things might get today God has a good plan for those who believe. (Rom 8:28)

As difficult as it can be to get through some days and weeks and even years we trust in the Holy Spirit to guide us and to comfort us; to give us hearts filled with peace and with hope.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 

                                                                                               (Rom 5:1-5)

May God grant that we should put our faith in the Father who is the great I AM and in the Son who is Jesus the Christ and in power of the Holy Spirit that our hope in God's promises will fill us with joy. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Greatest Commandments

"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Thou shalt not kill.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Thou shalt not steal.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's."

                                                                              (Exodus 20:12-17 KJV)

When I have asked confirmands which sin is the worst sin they inevitably respond murder. But, in reality any breaking of the law can destroy others. If it does not end in a physical death, it can still break a persons spirit.  How, I've been asked is committing adultery as deadly as killing someone. Again, it can certainly kill a person's will to go on living. From adulterous relationships have also come many suicides and murders. Consider the damage that breaking the commandments regarding your relationships with others can truly cause. Consider how you would react if these things were done to you. Would you not be hurt? Would you not be harmed by the actions of others against you?

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. (Luke 6:31)

Jesus tells us the Ten Commandments are all about loving God as well as all of our neighbors. We are to do no harm to others in any way.  Rather, than harm we are to help and support others. 

"Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." 

                                                                               (Matt 22:36-40)

Do no harm. Love your neighbors. "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. (2 Cor 13:11)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Word Shall Stand Forever

The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

                                                                                    (Isa 40:6-8 KJV)

Like all things material, our flesh will wither and fade away. But, the word of God will never fade away. No matter what or who might work to extinguish the word it will never happen. No one, nothing can destroy the word of God.

Take comfort in the fact that although there have been societies that have previously tried to stamp out the word of God it has not happened. For years the Soviet Union tried to eliminate Christian but it did not happen. Thousands of clergy were rounded up and sent to prison or executed. Christians were  ordered not to teach their own children about Jesus. Yet, Christianity persevered. The word of God continue to be heard and taught and passed down to the following generations. 

Persecution of Christians continues this day in many countries. But, take comfort in the fact that the word belongs to God and he will never let it fade away. The word will always be there for you and for your children and your children's children. Teach them so that they too might know the comfort of the eternal promises that the word brings.  

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Comfort and Peace

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (2 Cor 1:3-4 KJV)

I have found over the years that the best place to go when I'm in trouble is to God. In Him there is a comfort that one can find no where else.

If the whole world would only turn to Jesus in times of trouble we would all know comfort and peace and a whole lot less times of trouble.

Turn to the Lord and trust the Spirit of Christ to guide you through the troubled times so that you might be comforted. Jesus had promised to send us his Spirit, the Comforter, so that we might know both comfort and peace. On that first Pentecost after his ascension that promised gift of the Holy Spirit was received unto the world.

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." 

                                                                                         (John 14:26-27)

Ask and you shall receive the Holy Spirit that has come to bring you comfort and peace. Jesus told the people and he tells us through the word:

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)

You who are troubled, why do you not ask God for the comfort and peace that only God, the Holy Spirit can give?

May the Holy Spirit comfort you and grant you the peace that only God can give.

God's peace be with you always - Pr. J

He Leads Me

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
    for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff—
  they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
 my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
  all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
 my whole life long.

Psalm 23 NRSV

 

May your day be richly blessed with God's peace.  Pr. J

 

The Consolation of God

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. (2 Cor 1:3-4 NRSV)

Lately, I've been noticing that whenever I hear words relating to death or dying that I feel a strange sort of comfort come over me. My whole body relaxes and my spirit is quieted. I can only attribute this to the knowledge that Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live..." (John 11:25)

When I am afflicted and that seems to be quite often, I remember St. Paul's words to the Philippians: "It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again." (Philippians 1:20-26)

There is great comfort in the knowledge that what is visible to us today is not all there is. There is more. God is the more in which lies our hope. Living in His perpetual presence is the consolation we find no matter what trials we might encounter here in this world. 

So, yes, I find comfort in the hope of living in the Kingdom of God; in His presence, where there will be no more mourning or crying or pain for His people. (Rev 21:3-4) May God grant you his comfort and peace in the face of any and all afflictions.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Plans for Future

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jer 29:11-13 NIV)

It is a relief to know that someone has plans for me. It is particularly good to know that it is our Father in heaven who does! Because; as of this moment, I do not have much of a plan for myself. 

Today, I will finish writing this and then get ready and go to Sunday School, Worship, and fellowship. After, that the list of possibilities is way too long to decide where to start and what to do. It is tax season and mine are sitting on my desk half done. I may need to go looking for a lost sheep today unless I hear from or about her. I could go visit family. I've been working on a butterfly garden for a young girl that I should get to work on. There is a house to clean and get ready to put on the market. There are just way too many options just for today. What about tomorrow and the next day? Should I retire completely? Where shall we live? Do we really need another home?

There are just way too many possibilities and I must confess it is troubling trying to figure out what the plan is. The only comfort in it all is that although I haven't got a clue; God does. He has a plan for my future and for all of you. It is a good plan; a plan to give us hope and a future.

Seek Him. Listen to Him! He is our hope and our future.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Last Of All

“Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” (Mark 9:35-37 NRSV)

So who exactly does the world want to welcome: Jesus, God the Father. the little child? 

For a whole lot of the world, these words from Jesus are absolutely worthless. A large part of the world thinks more of themselves than any of these. Believing and following Jesus calls us to be last in the world. Following Jesus means to open our arms to all and that includes the little children. Our comfort; our convenience does not come before serving others according to their needs. 

Jesus was a servant to all. He healed those who were sick. He raised them from the dead. He fed the hungry. He washed his followers' feet. Our Lord, was willing to die that we might live. Our Lord and our King; was willing and even desirous of serving humankind that we might be welcomed by our Father into His presence; not just for life after death; but, so that we could live in His glorious presence even today.

The firstborn of creation; the firstborn from the dead (Col 1:15, 18) became last; the servant of all for all of God's children.  

May God help us to put the lives of all God's children, young and old, before our own comfort and convenience.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Our Refuge And Strength

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
  will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

  my God, in whom I trust.”
Surely he will save you

  from the fowler’s snare

  and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,

  and under his wings you will find refuge;

  his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,

  nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

  nor the plague that destroys at midday.
                                                   (Psalm 91:1-6 NIV)

Yes!  God is our refuge and our fortress.  We can find refuge and rest, under His wings, no matter what kind of storms ravage around us. We can trust in Him to be there for us.

The enemy may attack, but there is no reason to fear. There is no reason to be so paranoid that one would should themselves up so that the world cannot reach them. When one spends their whole lives protecting themselves and boarding themselves up behind closed doors; the world may or may not be able to reach them; but, neither can they reach out to the world; with the love of God. The world will not become a safer place without the help or the love of God. Do not fear. Step out and be who God intends and calls you to be. Do not fear for He is with you.

What comfort it is to know that all who call on His name are afforded the love and protection of the Most High, our Almighty God, the most magnificent that ever was, is, and ever shall be.  We are His!  Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J

A Mighty Fortress

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
                                        Psalm 62:5-8 NIV

A mighty fortress is indeed our God! When times get hard and even in good times to whom shall we go? Let us always seek the Lord, for in Him we cannot be shaken. Through Him comes comfort and hope. Our salvation and our honor depend solely on God.

Our honor, without Him, truly does not exist. For there is only one who is honorable. There is only one who is truly faithful. There is only one who was willing to carry the sins of the whole world for our sake and for the sake of our salvation. In him we shall trust. He is our rock and our salvation and on that rock we shall stand trusting in our salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J

He Descended Into Hell

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits — to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. (1 Peter 3:14-20a NIV)

He descended into hell...  After being put to death in the body, Peter tells us that, he was made alive in the Spirit and went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits. As Lutherans, we believe and affirm that: “We simply believe that the entire person [Jesus Christ], God and man, descended into hell after the burial, conquered the devil, destroyed hell’s power, and took from the devil all his might” (Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Art. IX).

He conquered the power of death and the power of the devil for you. There is no reason to fear anything in this world or in the spiritual realms for Christ has authority over all. No matter what this world attempts to throw at us, we can be at peace knowing that nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Take comfort and do not fear when the evil one and his minions attempt to destroy you. Jesus Christ has prevailed for you.

God grant you the peace of heart and mind knowing that Jesus lived and died and lives for you!

God's Peace - Pr. J

A Time To Smile And A Time To Not

There is a time for everything,    

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

    a time to weep and a time to laugh,

    a time to mourn and a time to dance...

Eccl 3:1,4

The dolphin appears to have a pleasant and peaceful disposition. Most appear to have perpetual smiles upon their faces. Even the killer whale, a species of dolphins, has a smile on its face.

I have learned over time to be just a little suspicious of those who have perpetual smiles on their faces; those who are always happy, happy, happy...  I am especially suspicious of preachers who smile and laugh all of the time.

That being said, I admit, I smile a lot. My kindergarten teacher nick-named me "Miss Sunshine." I am aware that at times it is irritating to others, especially when I smile as I am confronting someone. Yes, I confront people from time to time. It's in my job description to "comfort the afflicted and afflict the too comfortable." However, I also cry a lot. I tend to cry when I think that God was willing to sacrifice His only begotten Son for my sins; for the sins of the world. I tend to cry when I consider what he suffered for us. I tend to weep when I see the suffering that humankind would inflict upon one another.

There is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. Let us grieve our sinful natures and our inability to live lives that bring peace and reconciliation in the world around us; yet, let us rejoice that through our Lord Jesus we have been reconciled to God and one another in His Kingdom, even now.

God's Peace - Pr. J

An Unexpected Journey

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. Mark 1:16-19

I watched The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey again last night. It was probably the third or fourth time I've seen it. I can't remember, for sure, how many times it's been. In fact, I didn't remember many of the scenes, so it was like watching it for the first time all over again. I first read the book forty-two years ago - a little strange that I can remember that!

I love that little hobbit, who took a chance; left his family and friends; left the comfort and safety of his home (most unlike a hobbit) to go on a very unexpected journey with some very strange traveling companions.

My life has been a strange and unexpected journey. By the time, I was thirty-five years old my life had been more full than I could ever have imagined it could be. I was ready to go home to my Father's house. But, the journey goes on. Yes, I have had to leave behind family and friends on more than one occasion. But, wherever I have been, I have found people to love and who care about me.

I have also had to face much adversity, including more than a few proverbial monsters. Adversity comes with the territory. Facing dragons and orcs happens; confronting evil happens, when one is in the company of Jesus. But, do not be afraid! God is with you! What can be more awesome than that?

It's been quite a journey! A journey that has not quite ended and never will as long as I stay in Jesus' company. Won't you come with me? Won't you walk with Jesus? I promise the journey with him is far more exciting than walking alone or staying at home where there is a perceived comfort and safety in this world. With him, you will know real peace regardless of the turmoil around you.

When Jesus called those first disciples, they didn't say, I have to do this or that first. They didn't say I have other obligations. They left everything and everyone behind to begin a very unexpected journey. There lives did not become peaches and cream. But, they were definitely action packed as they learned how to fish for people.

God's Peace - Pr. J