Spare The People, O Lord

"Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God?

Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:

Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.

Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?

Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people.

Yea, the Lord will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen" 

                                                                                  (Joel 1:12-19 KJV)

"Spare the people, O Lord."  I have and a lot of people that I know have been praying for help for the people around them and for the whole country especially during this past year.  It seems very true that hardship will soften the hearts of many. When we sink so low in the muck and mire there is only one place to go to for help and that is the Lord God, creator of heaven and earth.

Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. It is the beginning of Lent. This season is when we follow Jesus to the cross; recognizing the life he lived for us; the hardships he endured for us; the death he suffered for us. It is a rough journey to the cross as we recognize our sinful selves. Yet, we have hope because we know, evidenced by his resurrection, that because he lives we shall live also. 

Lent is a time to examine ourselves; to recognize our sinful selves and to repent of our own parts in the hardships that humankind suffers. How will you observe Lent? Will you take just a little more time to understand what Jesus actually did for you? That he loves all of humankind enough to die for us?

Lent is also a time when Christians have traditionally given up something for the season. Some fast from certain foods or habits. Others might give up a bit more of their time to study God's word or to worship.  Others might give up a bit more of their time to volunteer in some worthwhile project that will help others. Jesus' sacrifice was a blessing for us? Will you be a blessing to others this season?

There are many ways to fast. What will you be fasting this season? The little that we give up can in no way compare to what Jesus gave for us. So put a smile on your face and serve the Lord and his children with joy and gladness.

May God grant that we should all turn to the Lord with our whole hearts, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Open our hearts that we might turn to you Heavenly Father for you are both merciful and kind.  

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Seek The Presence Of The Lord; Live By The Spirit

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Gal 5:16 NRSV)

I hear this scripture all too often for my liking. It's not that I don't agree with it. I do. It's that I am tired of hearing it preached by people who don't live by it. It is not just the prosperity preachers who promote gratifying their flesh by their actions. It is also a lot of other clergy and lay people who would judge the prosperity preachers. The way we live; our actions, should at least come close to what preachers tell others they must do. If the Spirit of Christ abides in us, we will be more concerned about seeking the kingdom of God rather than seeking things. 

Those who insist on saying that others must live by the Spirit and not gratify the flesh; then it would beneficial for them to examine themselves. If getting your car detailed is more important than serving or supporting others then I'd say you ought not be telling others to be living by the Spirit. If you have hours to spend shopping for that perfect, very expensive, dress for the weekend while insisting that you are spiritual, then I'd say your actions do not coincide with the words of your mouth. 

Whether you live by the Spirit or the desires of the flesh is up to you. But; please, do not pretend that you love the Lord while you are busy trying to satisfy your self-gratifying desires.

Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. (Gal 6:7-8)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jesus Welcomes Sinners

Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table.

                                                                               Luke 22:17-21 NRSV

Jesus is known for welcoming everyone. He is most well known for dying for all people. He reaches out to everyone; that all who believe him might be saved.

I have been excluded from more than one communion table. Lately, I have heard from others who also have been. I must admit that there have definitely been times when I considered excluding someone from the Lord's Table. But, I did not. I knew that if I did, it would probably have been because of my bias and desire to just not see that person receive the gift of forgiveness and reconciliation with the Body of Christ, at least not at that time. But, the Sacrament of Holy Communion is not mine to impart or withhold. It is a gift from God. 

I also find it a bit of problem with inviting all who believe and are baptized to the table (as is the tradition of my denomination) then tell them publicly once they arrive at the table that the invitation didn't include them. Who; after all, am I to judge them? 

St. Paul instructed the people at Corinth to discern for themselves whether they were worthy or not. He wrote: "Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world." (1 Cor 11:28-32) 

St. Paul was not just addressing people who did not recognize the real presence of Jesus. He was also addressing the inability of the people to recognize all of the members of the Body of Christ. They did not wait for others before they ate. They thought only of themselves. They judged themselves to be better than the others and did not consider that they should have to wait to eat and drink with them. St. Paul encouraged them to examine themselves and we should do this and not just before partaking of the Lord's Supper; but, daily. St. Paul did not encourage them to examine others. He did not encourage them to confess anyone's short-comings; their lack of faith; their sins; but, their own. (If, in fact, I felt someone was grievously harming themselves by partaking of this Holy Meal, I would invite them to discuss it; but, in private.)

According to the Gospel of St. Luke, Jesus shared the meal which he declared was his body and blood with all of the twelve and one of them he knew full well would betray him.

Jesus welcomed sinners and still does. 

God's Peace - Pr. J