Lanterns Fueled By The Light Of Christ

"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

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.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

                                                                                  (2 Cor 4:5-7 KJV)

Nothing is done; nothing is said, for our glory but for the glory of God. We have no light within ourselves that is of ourselves. The light that shines in the darkness is the light of Christ. It shines from within us as he abides in us. The light shines around us and is shared with others by Christ through us.

We are but empty earthen vessels without Christ. Without Christ we are like lanterns without fuel. But, with Christ the power of God brings light and life to the lantern that it; that we bring the light of Christ to all the world. 

It is that light of Christ within us that gives light of the knowledge of the glory of God to all the world. The light of Christ reveals all that God has done for us. The abiding presence of the light of Christ brings glory to God! It is not our doing; but, God's doing through Jesus Christ our Lord by the power of the Holy Spirit.

All glory belongs to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Bread of Life

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 

                                                                                          (John 6:32-35 KJV)

We can eat the most sumptuous meals and still be hungry. We can have everything that we have ever desired and still feel empty. But, if we have Jesus  we will be filled. He promised that if we went to him, believing in him we would never hunger or thirst again.

Jesus is the bread that gives us life. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Go And Tell!

Go and Tell!

Upon arriving at the tomb, the Mary Magdalene and the other Mary encounter the angel of the Lord sitting on the stone that had been used to seal the tomb. The tomb is no longer sealed. Jesus is not there. He is risen and on his way to Galilee! The women are a bit fearful, but filled with joyful excitement, as the angel tells them to go and tell the disciples what has happened. The guards are also there. They appear to be in some sort of shock at the sight of the angel and the empty tomb.

Mary and Mary meet Jesus as they hurry to tell the disciples what they have heard and seen. “Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.” (Matt 28:10 KJV) Go and tell!

The two women go and tell the disciples what they have just seen and heard. The guards go and tell the chief priests what they have seen and heard as well. The chief priests were not happy and told the guards they should lie about it. But, the first two women who were witnesses of Jesus' resurrection also went and told what they had seen and heard. 

According to the gospel of Matthew, "Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 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 28:16-20)

Go and tell! We all share stories of our lives, of our loves, and of our fears. What is the story you share with others? Without sharing the story of Jesus life on earth; his gift of life to us; how can disciples be made? Go and tell!

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Good Shepherd Be With You This Advent

"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep."                                                                              (John 10:14-15 NRSV)

Today is the first day of Advent. The secular world (with the help of a lot of Christians) has made Advent into a happy time; a time to celebrate. But; for many, it is not so. It is a time when many are drawn to thoughts of loved ones who are no longer with them. The empty chair at the table draws them into even deeper sadness. Many families will take out "Christmas" loans, if they can get one, in order to provide their children with gifts for their children, simply because this is the tradition of the world. They do not want to disappoint their children and so they will go even deeper into debt so as not to disappoint them on Christmas morning. Did I mention the parties? No? Hmmm.... Well, the trouble that comes from all that "Christmas Cheer" speaks for itself. More trouble... More depression... More loneliness... More divorces... More deaths and more empty chairs to grieve over during the next Advent and Christmas seasons.

Advent can be a very lonely and depressing time for many. The world thinks we should be happy, happy, happy; so smiles mask the emptiness and sadness; because that is what is expected, by the world around us.

Advent, is indeed a time for hope. But, there is little hope if we expect the world to give us answers. The only hope to be found is in the good shepherd. He is humble and he is kind. He is not full of things of this world. His concern is for you. He will care for you. While the world is busy worrying about "things," Jesus is there for  you. He is with you; watching over you. He loves you enough to lay down his life for you. What greater gift can there be than having someone love you so much they would give their all, their very life, for you?

May God help us to see as the Good Shepherd sees and to live as he lives caring for others enough to be with those who are hurting; those who are alone; those who are in any need, not just this Advent season; but, all year round.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Go And Tell!

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
                                                                                                         Matthew 28:5-10 NIV

Upon arriving at the tomb, the two Marys encounter an angel of the Lord sitting on the stone that had been used to seal the tomb. But, now the tomb is no longer sealed. Jesus is not there. He is risen and on his way to Galilee! The women are a bit fearful, but filled with joyful excitement, as the angel tells them to go and tell the disciples what has happened. The guards are also there. They appear to be in some sort of shock at the sight of the angel and the empty tomb. 

The women meet Jesus as the hurry away to tell the disciples what they have heard and seen. "Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Go and tell!

The guards go and tell the chief priests what they have seen and heard. The chief priests respond by telling the guards to go and tell everyone that you fell asleep on guard duty and that Jesus' followers came and stole his body. The chief priests, a bit fearful of the truth that Jesus had taught would continue on and change their lives forever, wanted the truth stopped. Go and tell! Go and tell a lie!

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt 28:16-20)

Go and tell! We all share stories of our lives; of our loves; and of our fears. What is the story you share with others? Without sharing the story of Jesus life on earth; his gift of life to us; how can disciples be made? Go and tell!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Appearances Can Be Deceiving

Appearances can be deceiving. In my Florida room lives my one and only pet. Izzy is a bearded dragon. He is so easy to care for; much easier than any furry pet we've ever had. You do not have to worry about leaving bearded dragons alone in the house. They do not make a mess. When Izzy sheds his skin I can pick it up in one piece and I don't have to get the vacuum out. He also enjoy being held (sometimes). Izzy opens his eyes and lifts his head whenever he hears me talking. But, bearded dragons are not for everyone. Some people simply do not like them because they crawl on their bellies like snakes. And... anything snake or serpent-like really doesn't have too good of a reputation.

We often jump to unfair judgments based on appearances. It is not just lizards we jump to conclusions about; but, people, as well, by their outward appearances. But, when Jesus came, he turned all that around. It was the widow who put but two copper pennies into the offering that Jesus said had given more than the rest. (Mark 12:41-43) Tax collectors and other various sinners were chosen by Jesus as his dinner companions. (Matthew 9:10-12) He healed gentiles and even lepers; physically touching, at times, those who were thought by others too unclean to be touched. (Mark 7:24-30; Luke 7:21-23) And... who were the first to be called by Jesus? Fishermen! (Luke 5:1-11) He called mere fishermen; or at least they were mere in the eyes of many of the day. Have you any clue what a man or woman who makes their living fishing looks and smells like after a long day or night out on the boat? Jesus does not call anyone because they look good on the outside or even because they act so good. He calls whom he will call to follow him.

Appearances can be deceiving. There are those who smile on the outside and are happy, happy, happy whenever you are around. But, on the inside are like empty tombs. There are others who may appear to be most ferocious; but, within them a great concern for the well-being of humankind.

Appearances can be deceiving. Do not judge one another by appearances. Take the time to look more deeply into the person or the matter.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Whom Are You Looking For?

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”  John 20:15 NRSV
Indeed, whom are you looking for? He is there with you, right now. Can you not see him? Then, maybe, it's really not Jesus that you are looking for. Maybe it's someone or something else that you think might satisfy you. Maybe you're looking in all the wrong places. The tomb is empty. Jesus is not among the dead; but, among the living. If you're looking for Jesus, look no further than around you. Jesus is Risen! He lives with you. He is with you now and always.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Advent And Hope In The Good Shepherd

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:14-15 NRSV

Advent is a time for waiting; for watching; for preparing. However, the secular world has made Advent into a time when everyone is suppose to be happy. I have nothing against people being happy or celebrating. But, for many of our brothers and sisters, happiness is not a major part of the Advent season. In fact, for many, it is just the opposite. Advent is a time when many are drawn to thoughts of loved ones who are no longer with them. The empty chair at the table draws them into even deeper sadness. Many families will take out "Christmas" loans, if they can get one, in order to provide their children with gifts, simply because this is the tradition of the world. They do not want to disappoint their children and so they will go even deeper into debt so as not to disappoint them on Christmas morning. Did I mention the parties? No? Hmmm.... Well, the trouble that comes from all that "Christmas Cheer" speaks for itself. More trouble... More depression... More loneliness... More divorces... More deaths and empty chairs to grieve over during the next Advent and Christmas seasons.

Advent can be a very lonely and depressing time for many. The world thinks we should be happy, happy, happy; so smiles mask the emptiness and sadness; because that is what is expected, by the world around us.

Advent; though, is indeed a time for hope. But, there is little hope if we expect the world to give us the answers. The only hope to be found is in the good shepherd. He is humble and he is kind. He is not full of things of this world. His concern is for you. He will care for you. While the world is busy worrying about "things," Jesus is there for  you. He is with you; watching over you. He loves you enough to lay down his life for you. What greater gift can there be than having someone love you so much they would give their all; even their life, for you?

May God help us to see as the Good Shepherd sees and to live as he lives caring for others enough to be with those who are hurting; those who are alone; those who are in any need, not just this Advent season; but, all year round.

God's Peace - Pr. J