Teach Me Thy Ways

Psalm 119:57-64 KJV; 8th Sunday after Pentecost; We confess that we don't always keep the promises we make to God and we ask the Lord to teach us the way he would have us go.

Bless The Lord Oh My Soul

Psalm 103 KJV; Bless the Lord for all that He has done.

Give Us Understanding

Psalm 119:169-176 KJV May the abiding presence of the Spirit of Christ abide in us that we might have understanding of His Word; His will; His love for us.

Helping Our Neighbor

Romans 15:1-7 KJV

I Love Thy Law

PSALM 119:97-104 KJV

O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

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The law indeed accuses and failure to obey the commands of the Lord can end up pretty disastrous. 

For example: what are the possible consequences of stealing. Well for starters you could end up in jail and when found out you could make a lot of enemies that you don't need.  Enemies can make life pretty miserable. If you are caught stealing while breaking into someone's home; again, you could end up dead.

And what about adultery?  Both men and women can get pretty jealous over this one and again you could end up dead or at least seriously hurt. If that doesn't happen the one who has been cheated on might end up so depressed that they do harm to themselves.

It is a wise person who can understand the consequences of breaking the law. Be wise like David thought he was. Although, he did make a few mistakes and suffered the consequences. Maybe, the consequences that occurred because of the part he played in the death of Uriah, whose wife he had committed adultery with, gave him a little more insight into why it would be good thing to listen to the Lord.

Open our eyes, Lord, that we may behold wondrous things out of thy law. (see Psalm 119:18)
 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

His Way

Show Us The Way

 

Psalm 119:9-16

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.

With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

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Lord, let us not wander from your way!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Walk In His Way; Do His Will

Psalm 128:1-6 KJV

Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.

For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.

The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.

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It is a good thing to walk in the ways of the Lord; to do His will.  God did not make rules just to punish us. The law reminds us what can and cannot do if we would live peaceably with God and with one another. After all the essence of the commandments can be summed up in one word: love. We are to love God and our neighbors.

When the Israelites listened to God things went pretty smoothly. But, the Israelites, like us, had a tendency to do their own will; make their own rules, rather than listen to God. They often fell away as we do.

Blessed is the one that walks in the ways of the Lord!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Water Runs Down My Eyes

Psalm 119:129-136

Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.

Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.

Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

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Rivers of water run down mine eyes over the travesties that occur because of those who would oppress others for no reason other than they apparently want to prove that they can do what they want for their own sakes; for their own power and status. They do not care who they hurt so long as it might help them to look like someone really special in the eyes of others. The problem is the light does shine even on the secret intentions of our hearts. There is no dark spot that can hide forever from the light. In the end the light will reveal the truth of all things.

The Word of God is light. The Word which is light is Jesus the Christ. Seek the light! Listen to him and live life. Let others live life!

God's peace - Pr. J.

Wash Your Hands!

Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 

                                                                              (Mark 7:1-9 KJV)

My hands have gotten a little wrinkled with all the washing that's been going on the past year and a half. Part of that probably has something to do with age. The Pharisees really came down hard on the disciples for not keeping the law by not washing their hands before they ate. So, what did Jesus say? He rebuked them for being so oriented toward keeping the traditions of the elders. You see those Pharisees, just as many today, would attack anyone who did not obey the laws of God as they chose to interpret it. They did not comprehend that the letter of the law can too easily destroy people. They did not comprehend that the Spirit of the law is love. Jesus said this about the greatest commandments; the greatest laws:

"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 22:37-40)

Yes, it is definitely a good thing to observe health codes. It can even be a loving thing. But, it is not a loving thing to judge those for whatever reason neglect or forget to. Judging others whether they follow man-made traditions regarding washing their hands or not (or wear a mask or not) hardly seems the loving thing to do. In fact, it can be a most unloving thing to do especially when it involves cursing at the person we  are busy judging.

The letter of the law and the man-made traditions that we impose can destroy people, even societies as it brings division. The Spirit of the law unites because the Spirit of the law is love.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

We Have Hope In His Goodness

Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. 

                                                                               (Psalm 119:114-116 KJV)

Since the beginning of time as we know it people have endured much hardship. The troubles often come at the hands of others; sometimes by our own poor choices. Sometimes we allow ourselves to be led astray into some serious "stinking thinking" through social media or hanging out too much with others whose lives are lived in darkness. Sometimes natural disasters are the cause of our grief. 

When troubling times come we often turn to the Lord and either blame Him or  maybe we have enough faith and good sense to trust him to see us through these times. There are definitely times in our lives when the only thing that can keep us up is prayer and hope in His Word; His promises.

We have hope because we trust God and we trust His Word. No matter how horrible things may seem God can work it out for the good for you and already has a good plan for you. Trust him and live with hope in His Word.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Remain In His Love

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

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 15:9 -12 KJV)

Love each other. Love fulfills the law. It is as simple as that. If we have love; then we will do all that we can in order to not do anything to hurt the people around us. If we have love; we don't need to know and memorize every minute detail of every law; because the law is written upon our hearts. (Psalm 37:31, Jer 31:33, Heb 8:10, Heb 10:15)

In giving his life for us, Jesus showed us how much he truly loves each of us. If we remain in his love we will love even as he loves. Love isn't going to worry about who is going to make it in first at anything. Love tells us it is not only good to be the last in line; the last to receive; sometimes, it is way more preferable for all of our sakes.

Be a friend. Be a good neighbor. Do nothing that might cause any harm or danger to come to others. Do no harm. Do all things for the good of others that God might be glorified. Love each other. This is the command of Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Love Is Fulfillment Of The Law

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (Rom 13:8 KJV)

This should be very easy for us to understand. If we love one another we would do or say nothing to harm others. Unfortunately, we are sinners through and through and it is impossible for us to never do any harm to others. The commandments that God handed down to us through Moses are broken every day. For this reason God sent his only  begotten Son to be the fulfillment of the law for us. 

It is only in Christ that we can even begin to truly love one another. May God grant us His Holy Spirit; His Spirit of love in Christ Jesus that we might do no harm.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Thy Word

Psalm 119:9-16 KJV

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.

With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

I started another round of reading through the Bible last night. It has been a few years since the last time I read it through. Actually, I am not reading it. I am listening to it. My eyes don't function real well when I am reading up close any more.

I decided it was past time to spend more time meditating on his word as lately I have noticed that I don't feel quite as connected to God as I usually am. I am thinking that it is because I am not as involved in the life of any congregation as I once was. Bible studies have been cancelled. So other than my personal times in prayer with God throughout the day, I am not being fed much of the word except on Sunday mornings.

The world has a tendency to sneak into places in our lives and will interfere in our relationships with God if we are not careful. We must stay in the word. We need to meditate on it. We need to be reminded of what God has to say to us through the word so we do not forget it. There is life and hope found in the word and I prefer to live life than to merely exist in the world.

Let us with our whole hearts seek to hear His word and to declare it to the world around us instead of the world preaching to us.

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.

There Is One God

And God spake all these words, saying,

I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

                                                                       (Exodus 20:1-6 KJV)

You shall have no other gods! The giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses by God is the Old Testament reading for the third Sunday of Lent (Mar 7, 2021). Theses Commandments remind us how we are to love God and others.

They begin by reminding us that there is only one God and that He is to be first in our lives. It makes no sense to me that anyone would worship anything or anyone other than the creator of all things; the author of life. Why all the foolish incantations to things that are beneath even humankind? Why depend and trust celebrities or politicians that would give themselves authority when in reality they have no real authority? They cannot save you! In way too many instances they worship themselves and put their own agendas before God's. 

There is only one God who has authority over all things. There is only one God who was willing to sacrifice His only begotten Son to save you.

Even as God spoke to Moses, He speaks to us through His word. Listen to Him! Love Him above all others! Worship Him alone and live life!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Love Your Neighbor

 

"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." (Matt 22:37-39 KJV)

Do no harm! And... don't stand by and watch anyone do harm to others. It was many years ago in Spain. One of the Marines had witnessed an assault on someone. He did nothing more but witness the event. He ended up in a Spanish prison for not going to the aid of the victim. When we stand by and do nothing but witness the harm being done to others are we also not sinning? 

When we strive to love as God loves we will not only do no harm; but, we will help and support them in any way that we can as we learned from the Small Catechism that Martin Luther wrote for us so that we might better understand the word of God.  

"Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." (Matt 13:8-10)

Love is seen when we do all that we can to help our neighbors in time of need. But, we must be careful that we do not support anyone to further victimize others.  

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Mic 6:8)

And... last but not the least thought for this morning:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Cor 13:4-7 NIV)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Praise Ye The Lord

PSALM 111 KJV

Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.

He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.

He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.

The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.

They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.

He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

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The works of the Lord are glorious. When you consider all that He has done for you, you will praise Him with your whole heart!

Trust in the Lord for He has and will do marvelous things. He alone has power and wisdom and strength above all things. This God is your God. He has saved you. Give Him praise and thanks!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Abide In His Love, Joy, And Peace

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

                                                                                      (John 14:4-12 KJV)

I do believe that fruitful means a whole lot of different things to those who abide in Christ and those who do not. 

In this world fruitful appears to me to mean how fast we can destroy our enemies; how much havoc we can create for others even if it means lying and cheating to get our personal agendas fulfilled. But, to those who abide in Christ it means something more like bringing the good news of the Kingdom of God to all people that we might all live life in love, joy and in the peace that only the abiding presence of Christ can bring. 

To those who abide in Christ, it is not our personal agendas; but, the will of God that produces good fruit. Abiding in Christ and he in us produces much fruit.

May the abiding presence of our Lord Jesus the Christ bring you much peace!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

God Will Deliver You

"And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you." (Isa 46:4 KJV)

Thanks be to God that He who created us is with us and delivers us. There are times when sorrows are so deep that we might wonder how He will deliver us. There are times when it feels as though the world around us has gone absolutely mad as everyone looks to their own interests and cannot recognize that the good of others is in their best interest. It is in their best interest to live in peace with one another and with God.

Yet, without the love of God, we are not capable of living in that peace. Without the blood of Christ shed for us there would be no reconciliation with our Father in heaven. There would be no peace.

According to St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians Jesus is our peace.

"For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh." (Eph 2:14-17)

In Christ we are one body. We are the family of God created and delivered to live in peace with one another. Do not fear. It is the great "I Am" who has created and delivered you. He is with you now and always even as he promised.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matt 28:18-20)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Where Two Or Three Are Gathered

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matt 18:19-20 KJV)

I have not yet found a permanent place to worship since my retirement. I have resisted leading Worship or Sunday School in my home - until yesterday. There were three of us including a young girl who has also been wanting to be able to learn more about Jesus. Our scripture lesson was from Matthew: the two greatest commandments according to Jesus. We also discussed how those two commandments cover all ten that were given to Moses. 

We are a small group. It reminds of my time serving Keweenaw Lutheran Ministries as a mission developer in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in 1990's. I led worship at four or five different locations every week in addition to a couple of Bible Studies. Attendance could get very low. There was one time that Eva Komula (keyboard musician) from Mohawk and I were leading worship at the historic Lutheran church in Jacobsville. It was the first service after the church was opened in the spring. The snow was still on the ground and it was cold! We had to walk in to the church from the road because the driveway was still too snowy to drive in. We were the only one's there. Eva insisted that we should worship even though there were only two of us. We did. What a wonderful, faithful companion in the ministry she was! There were only two of us in the flesh present that evening; but, Jesus was with us as he is whenever two or three are gathered in his name; as he is all of the time. Fortunately, the following Sundays were a bit warmer and less snowy and attendance grew. 

There were three of us gathered to hear the Word of the Lord yesterday morning: three plus Jesus. If it is God's will, we will grow. But, in the meantime where two or three are gathered Jesus is there so we will continue in the knowledge that he hears our prayers and answers.

God's Peace - Pr. J.