His Plan In His Time

2 Peter 3:8-9 KJV; We may want things to move faster; but, we must have patience as God has a good plan to be executed in his time, not ours.

Trust The Lord Before All Others

Psalm 146 KJV; We can trust others because we trust the Lord first. We trust that the Lord will care for us and has a good plan for us no matter what the plan of others is for us; whether good or bad..

False Prophets

Reading from Jeremiah 23:16-29 KJV; Listening to false prophets has consequences. Sin is still a sin no matter what they say.

All That We Say And Think And Do

Psalm 19:8-14 KJV

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

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The law of the Lord is most difficult for us to keep. We are sinful human beings and the truth is we do not and cannot keep it perfectly. But, we can understand when we do not keep them. We can know and we can repent and ask the Lord to help keep us from sin even as we ask in the Lord's Prayer that he keep us from all temptations. 

The Law if it could be kept would keep us in harmony with God and with one another. Yet, it is broken every minute of every day. Therefore our Father in heaven sent his only begotten Son, Jesus, to take our sins upon himself and be put to death for our transgressions. He was tried, sentenced and executed for our sins. Through this one act of love for humankind forgiveness belongs to us. For all who believe in him; in his act of love by dying for us, will inherit eternal life, reconciled to our Father and to all of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

We cannot keep the law perfectly. But, out of love for the one who loves us so much we ask and trust that the Spirit of Christ, who has redeemed us, will give us strength to glorify his holy name in all that we say and think and do.

Let us always pray:  "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)

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.

The Just Shall Live By Faith

So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

                                                                                  (Rom 1:15-17 KJV)

Paul was eventually taken to Rome where he would be executed. He was fully prepared to go to his death if it afforded him the opportunity to share the Good News of Christ. This man who once put fear in the hearts of men was not afraid to die in order that by faith all who believe in the life giving death of Jesus the Christ would be found righteous in the eyes of God. All who believe; no matter who they are or what they had done, who receive life in the eternal presence of God.

It is not because he proclaimed the Good News that Paul is considered righteous before God. He proclaimed the Good News because he knew that he was considered righteous by faith in the One who loved him so much that he was willing to die for him.

Paul took Jesus' words literally. "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23) By faith alone in Christ alone, Paul gave up his old life to follow Jesus even to his own execution.

Let us not be ashamed or afraid to share the gospel of Christ. It is the power of God unto salvation for all who believes!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Love Your Neighbors Even If They Are Your Enemies

"Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord." (Lev 19:18 KJV)

"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)

What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself? How about don't be doing to others what you would not want done to yourself! 

Vengeance is not ours. It is not ours to take the law into our own hands. We are sinners and way too often judge by our feelings and not the facts. Would we want to be judged, persecuted, and even killed because someone has a bad feeling about us based on their own bias'? 

That is exactly what happened to Jesus. The people demanded that he be executed based on the false witnesses and their personal reasons for demanding his death. The people were incited to the point of near rioting so Pilate gave him over to death to avoid more trouble. The innocent one was put to death. The guilty Barrabas was set free based on feelings and not fact. 

Jesus was not loved by everyone. He is not. We are not loved by everyone even though the command of God is to love others even as we would love ourselves. The command to love our neighbors includes even those we might consider our enemies. Yet, we do not. 

Jesus said: 

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? (Matt 5:43-46)

Being that we are sinful human beings loving our enemies can be tough. So, if we really can't act in love toward others then the loving thing to do might be to walk away from them instead of causing harm to them. Let them live life without the turmoil that we would cause them. Would we not desire that if someone hated us that they walk away from us rather than attempt to exact their own idea of vengeance or justice upon us?

"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them..." 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Our Own Way

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isa 53:5-6 KJV)

Yup! That's what we like. We prefer to do things our own way. For some reason we have tendency to think our way is better than God's way. It is not. According to the Gospel of St. John: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

When we follow in our own ways, we often end up in a heap of trouble. We end up on some really dangerous paths. But, when we follow in the way that Jesus has set before us the path leads to reconciliation and peace with our Father in heaven.

Jesus was sent to us so that we who had turned our backs on our Father could be reconciled to him and live in his eternal presence. It was not a mission that any of us could complete. This innocent man was punished for our sins. He was tortured and executed for the sins that we commit. Simply put: he died that we might live.

Let us live life in thanksgiving for all that he has done and continues to do for us. Let us be wise enough to follow in the way that he would have us go.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Betrayed

And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. (Matt 26:47-50 KJV)

A follower; a friend, betrayed him. He betrayed him with a kiss. It takes so little sometimes to turn a friend into an enemy. You don't even have to do anything  out of your norm and you could find yourself in the courts because a friend or even a family member has turned you in to protect themselves and what they desire no matter how trivial that desire might be. 

Those charges against Jesus were charges contrived of false accusations because of such things as fear, jealousy, and even disappointment as in Judas' case when he realized that Jesus did not have the same goals in mind that Judas had. 

It is a sad thing when someone you love turns against you to protect and preserve their future. But, it happens and it happens way to much. There are those who will throw their own children under the bus to keep from being hit themselves.

But, that is not the way with Jesus. He knew that Judas would betray him. Yet, he willingly threw himself under the bus to save us. He willingly bore our sins. He was executed for our sins. He did not turn his back on us. 

Judas betrayed the innocent Jesus with a kiss. May God help us to be faithful to the one who would not betray us. Let our love for the Lord be genuine.

God's Peace - Pr. J

What's To Become Of The Child?

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.   (Luke 2:16-20 KJV)

Mary pondered this miracle birth; this miracle baby in heart. That's what mothers tend to do. Ponder the lives of their children in their hearts. They wonder if they will raise their children to grow up in the way they wish them to grow. They wonder if they have it in them to be good mothers. They wonder what their child will grow up to do or to be. Mothers who love their children ponder these things in their hearts. They love their children. They worry about them. They pray for them.

What sadness Mary would have known if she had known what would become of this beautiful baby boy cradled in her arms. He would grow up to be hanged on a cross for her sake and for the sake of all people. He would live very few years into adulthood and be executed for the crimes; the sins, of others.

While the shepherds shared the news of this birth of our Savior, Mary pondered these things within her heart. During this Christmas Holy Day may we all ponder the wonderful things that God in Christ Jesus has done for us!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Imprisoned

If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. (1 Peter 4:14-15 NRSV)

I admit it! I am a stickler for the law. I strive to do things according to the law and I like for people around me to do the same. It doesn't always happen; but, that's the way I like to see life go. Everything just seems to go so much smoother when everything is done according to what is right and lawful. Not everyone always appreciates me reminding them what is and what isn't lawful. But, that is who I am. I prefer things to go smoothly and I really prefer not to visit anyone in jail if it can be avoided. It is very saddening to have to visit someone who has lost their freedom because they chose to do the wrong and unlawful thing just because they felt they should be free to do these things.

Unfortunately, there are also innocent people who have found themselves in jail. Some because they were falsely accused. Many followers of Jesus have also found themselves in jails, in prison, even executed for his name's sake. St. Paul spent a whole lot of time in prison before he was executed. His time in prison was a fruitful time, ultimately glorifying God.

If we are going to suffer, let it be to the glory of God and not because we are murderers, thieves, any sort of criminal or even as a mischief maker.

May God help us to live in peace. Pr. J

A Life For A Life

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.  (1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV)

I often wonder how many actually get that we are truly sinners. We are not so good that we're all going to go to heaven by our own merits. We all ought to know this by now; but, do we all really believe it? I would think if we really believed it we would actually try just a little harder to be thankful to the Lord for all he has done and follow in the Way he would have us go. Or, are we still going about business as usual according to the way that makes us the most comfortable; steeped in sin? 

Do not believe the lie that we are all saved and everything is good just that way it is. Do not believe it for our salvation cannot be bought or earned by anyone; but, the one who is without sin and that only one is Jesus. 

He gave his life for us. We were not bought by silver or gold. It was a life for a life. In order that we might live eternally with our Father in heaven; his only begotten Son gave his life in exchange for our sins. Jesus, an innocent man, was willing to be persecuted, tortured, and executed in the place of the guilty, in our place. He gave his sinless life for our sin-filled lives that we might live.

May God help us to love more fully the one who exchanged his life for our life; through whom all who believe in him shall receive eternal life. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Desire To Depart And Be With Christ?

Safely home means you made it home; but, does not mean you

escaped all trials and tribulations in the getting there.

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. (Philippians 1:20-24 NIV)

I have just finished reading Eric Metaxas' Bonhoeffer Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy and highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a very good book to read. In recent years, I have not read much literature outside of the Holy Scriptures for at least a couple of reasons. First, I really haven't found much recent work that was worth reading; and secondly, my poor eyesight requires me to wear bifocals which are a bother and to continually adjust the position of the book in order to see the letters. But, when this book was given to me I felt I should at least try. In the reading of Bonhoeffer I recognized another reason that has probably steered me away from reading too much. That reason is because "good literature" is born out of the human condition and the human condition is not in such a good state. What I see in the world around me today is bad enough without being reminded of even more sorrows.

Bonhoeffer brought me to tears more than once as I read about Dietrich's struggle to discern the will of God and then to do it for the good of the people. He strived to be faithful to God and to his call as a child of God and as a pastor. He was unwilling to serve in the German Army, not because he was afraid of dying; but, because he would not participate in the murder of innocent people. Yet, at the same time he was willing to put his own life on the line as he conspired to assassinate Hitler.

I read with tears over and over again the words from a sermon that he preached while he was pastor in London:

No one has yet believed in God and the kingdom of God, no one has yet heard of the realm of the resurrected and not been homesick, from that hour, waiting and looking forward joyfully to being released from bodily existence.

Dietrich knew and desired to be at home with our Father in the Kingdom prepared for us. Yet, very much like St. Paul, while he lived in the flesh here in this world he was willing to serve God and humankind whenever and however God directed him to serve even if it meant being tortured and executed. Executed; after all, would return him home to our Father.

Yes, I wept much through the reading of the book. I wept to see such great love in a man for our God and for all of humankind.  Such love seems so rare.

God help us to love enough to be willing to sacrifice our personal needs so that the will of God is done through us for the good of others.

God's Peace - Pr. J

With Great Joy!

"And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God." (Luke 24:50-53 NIV)

You watched your friend executed and then a few days later you see him walking around. You talk with him. He is risen! Can you imagine the joy in your heart at seeing your friend who was dead now lives? If that's not enough to give you joy that overflows your heart and mind, now you are outside of the city and you witnessing him being carried up into heaven. No wonder scripture tells us that the disciples "returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God."

So what's changed for us today? Jesus is still risen! He has ascended to our heavenly home; the home that he has prepared for us! This is great news! Receive the reality of this promise and share it with the people around you. Help them to know the joy that comes from knowing that Jesus lives and he lives for you and all people. Make a joyful noise, sing His praises, as you bless the Lord, your God

God's Peace - Pr. J

Receive The Crown Of Life

We may undergo many tests on our journey; but, the crown

of life is worth any hardships we might endure.

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."  (James 1:12 NIV)

We all undergo trails and tests at various times throughout our lives. Those who follow Jesus should definitely expect no less than others. In fact, we will often endure even more for his name's sake. These tests may cause us to wonder if we are actually following Jesus or following our own wills. How can we know? Questions to ask ourselves in times like this are: Will what I do glorify God or myself? Is what I say the truth or am I misrepresenting the truth to justify myself or my personal agenda?

As we journey to the cross this Lenten season, let us remember that Jesus was tested and tried and not just by the devil immediately after his baptism. He was tested and tried throughout his short life and; although he was innocent, was ultimately tried, convicted, and executed. As we follow Jesus to the cross we can and should expect nothing less than to be tried and tested by the evil one and his minions. We will face hardships; but, the one who overcame them for our sakes, is with us.

May you always trust that the Lord is with you as you follow in his footsteps.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Betrayed For The Truth

After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” John 13:21 NIV

On the evening before he was executed, Jesus sat down for his last meal with his friends and followers. He was troubled over the events which were about to transpire. He knew that one of those men would betray him and hand him over to be put to death. He also knew that it was the will of our Father in heaven that such a tragedy should occur.

It disturbs most human beings when we discover that we have been betrayed.  When one whom we thought was our friend turns against us because their desires are more important than the greater good; more important than God's good will for others. It hurts when we find ourselves being attacked because of our stand on the Word of God. But, stand we must not just for our sakes; but, for the sake of the world; for the sake of future generations.

Luther was attacked over and over again for taking his stand on the Word of God. It may not be pleasant; but, it is a reality for those who love the Lord, who is the only way, the truth, and who is our life. (John 14:6) 

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Matt 24:9-14

May God help us to all "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Eph 6:14-17

God's Peace - Pr. J

Humility

Three of my favorite children (they are all my favorites) at the celebration of their

first Communion as they remember the night in which our Lord was betrayed; the night in which he humbled himself and bowed down to wash the disciples feet; when he broke bread with those who would betray and desert him;

the night before he humbled himself and was executed on the cross in our place.

Micah 6:8 NIV
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.    
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God."

I am preparing for tomorrow's sermon... We will consider humility. What is it? How does it come to us?

It comes to us when we recognize that we are sinners. We have turned our backs on God and on one another and we continue to do it. Daily, we continue to seek our own wills rather than the will of God to love mercy and act justly toward others. We deserve the death sentence.

Humility comes to us when we understand that God loves us so much; that His only begotten Son loves us so much; that he was willing to pay the penalty for our sin; for our crimes, by being executed on the cross in our place. The penalty for our sin has been paid in full by another. What can be more humbling than that.

It would be very good indeed for this world, if we all just did the good that the LORD has shown us. Can you imagine what the world would be like if every professing Christian actually made it a priority to act justly and love mercy as we walk humbly with our God?

One of my favorite descriptions of humility was written by Washington Allston. He wrote: "Humility is also a healing virtue; it will cicatrize a thousand wounds, which pride would keep for ever open."

Jesus was willing to humble himself and die for us that we might be healed; that we might be made whole.

But He was wounded for our transgressions,He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:5-6 (see also 1 Peter 2:24-25)

Let us then set aside our pride as we walk humbly with our God, so that justice and mercy might prevail.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Joy Of Salvation!

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:12

So the world's bogging you down? Not everything going the way you want it to?

There are more important things than the little details of every day living. Supper does not have to be on the table exactly the right time. The employee that was late may have had problems with the car; that's why she's late. Or, maybe, they had some unexpected emergency at home. Children will not always do what you want them to. Maybe you don't care for the way the presidential race is being run. Relax, you are not alone. Not many people are happy about it. In the big picture, these are all minor things. There is something more important and that is your salvation. Do not let the devil steal the joy of your salvation!

We all make mistakes. We all sin. Sometimes those sins are unintentional. Sometimes those sins are very intentional. The bottom line is: Jesus knew this when he went to the cross for us. Even though he knew that we would intentionally and unintentionally turn our backs on him and on one another, he was willing to bear the consequences of our sins, even our most grievous sins. He loves us so much that he was willing to be executed in our place so that all who believe in him might be declared innocent. The debt has been paid! Rejoice in your salvation!

May the knowledge of a love so great for you, restore in you the joy of your salvation!

God's Peace - Pr. J