Psalm 112 Law And Gospel

Psalm 112:1-9 KJV; 5th Sunday after Epiphany - the Psalms are full of the law while at the same time they bring comfort and promise to those in times of trouble.

No Grumbling Or Arguing!

Philippians 2:14-16; No grumbling; nor arguing so that you might shine like stars on the day of Jesus the Christ.

Sing and Rejoice

Psalm 95

O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.

The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,

Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.

 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:

Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

+++

Let us rejoice for the God of our fathers; for our God who has saved us and is with us always for the good. It may not always feel good but we know that he has had a good plan. Let us steadfastly follow in the way that he leads us on. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

We Get To Serve The Lord!

O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee! 

                                                                             (Psalm 71:17-19 KJV)

It has been about thirty-two years since I asked God to allow me to serve Him and to teach me how He would have me serve Him. I did not care what would happen to me so long as He opened doors that I might serve Him. My own stubbornness has made me veer from this path on more than one occasion. I have failed to do His will too many times. It has been an awesome journey. But, despite my advancing age I am convinced that He is not finished with me yet. He will continue to show me the way; opening doors and empowering me to do His will; to share with others the great things that He has done.

I retired from pastoral ministry a few years ago. Retirement for me was a mistake. Since that time I have wandered about feeling lost without the many opportunities to serve Him. Fortunately, He has opened a few doors. I am most fortunate for having the privilege to serve Him on the board of Sola Publishing this past year. Recently the opportunity opened up for me to serve Him further working with St. Paul Lutheran Seminary. As my hair grows grayer with each birthday and I am not as agile as I once was there are always opportunities to tell others; to teach others about the great and awesome things that God has done for us.

Thanks be to God for the privilege of serving Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Spirit Told Him To Go

"And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus."

                                                                                   (Acts 8:26-35 KJV)

Philip heard the Spirit send him to the eunuch and so he went. He did not make excuses for not going. He did not say I have other things to do right now. He did not say I will wait for the eunuch to come to me. He just went so that he could help the eunuch understand the word of God. Philip preached Jesus to the Eunuch.

The Spirit calls and sends each and every Christian to go and share with others that Jesus is the Christ. Will you listen? Will you go?

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Rom 10:14)

Listen to where the Spirit sends you and then go wherever he sends and tell about the love of God through Jesus the Christ, our Savior and Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Harden Not Your Heart; Rejoice!

Psalm 95

O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.

The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,

Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.

Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:

Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

+++

Harden not your heart; but, rejoice and enter into God's presence with thanksgiving. He has done great things for us. Let us look to those things that He has done instead of dwelling on the evil so often found in this world.

Do not spend so many hours looking back at would have been nor worry about what tomorrow might bring. But, live each moment that God has given you more fully and you will find a whole lot less to worry about. Harden not your heart as humankind is so prone to do; but, look around and rejoice in what God has done for you. Rejoice and live the life that God has given you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Highly Favored

"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women."     Luke 1:26-28 KJV

During the Advent season our thoughts turn to the upcoming celebration of Christ's birth. There is wonder in the fact that God chose a young virgin to give birth to His only begotten Son. Mary was truly highly favored. But, let us not forget that we are all favored as well. For this child of God grew to be a man who would give his life so that we, who are sinners, might receive forgiveness of sins and be reconciled to God now and forever. Because of this we are so favored that all who would believe in him have received eternal life.

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  Romans 5:8

How favored is that!

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." 1 Peter 2:8-10

God's Peace - Pr. J

Vulgarity Does Not Glorify God

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

                                                                                (1 Peter 2:9:12 KJV)

I was outside drinking my morning coffee in the dark yesterday morning. Children were at their stops waiting for the school bus. A dog was barking and roosters crowing in the distance. Suddenly, I heard a very loud motorcycle revving up its motor within a few blocks from the house. Shortly after this noise began, I heard swearing. A lot of very loud, screaming and very vulgar, swearing! This was not from a neighbor. We have no close neighbors. It was at least two or three blocks away; yet, I could hear every curse word that was screamed. The motorcycle continued roaring on and off for a few minutes then took off. The swearing ceased as well. 

I, unfortunately, have been known to swear a time or two or maybe more. When I do it, I cringe. Yesterday morning, I really cringed at the thought of someone being so out of control of themselves or such little lack of respect for themselves, their neighbors, and for the children waiting for buses, that they would be screaming the f.. word and a bunch of others not so nice words in the quiet of the morning so that all the world could hear. I pray for calmness and peace for that man as well as for the man who was revving his bike up in a way that seemed very intentional so early in the morning.

As Christians, we are a chosen generation, a holy nation. We ought to be speaking gently and truthfully. We ought to be the examples of moderation in all that we do that our Father in heaven might be glorified.

God's Peace - Pr. J

They Will Praise The Lord

Hebrews 2:12

Let this be recorded for a generation to come,

   so that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord:
that he looked down from his holy height, 
   from heaven the Lord looked at the earth,
to hear the groans of the prisoners, 
   to set free those who were doomed to die;
so that the name of the Lord may be declared in Zion, 
   and his praise in Jerusalem,
when peoples gather together, 
   and kingdoms, to worship the Lord.                                   (Psalm 102:18-22 NRSV)

How and why will a people yet unborn praise the Lord?

It began with those first followers of Jesus. They shared what they saw. They repeated what they heard and the next generations did the same. The next generation will praise the Lord when the Good News of the Kingdom of God for all who believe in Jesus will be shared with them. They will praise the Lord when by the power of the Holy Spirit they understand that they have been set free from the bondage to sin. They will praise the Lord when they understand that Jesus overcame the power of death over us. They will praise the Lord when they hear the Word.

It is New Year's Eve. Let us resolve to share the Good News loudly and clearly that the next generation might genuinely praise the Lord!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Blessed Are They...

Praise the Lord.

Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
  who find great delight in his commands.
Their children will be mighty in the land;
  the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in their houses,
  and their righteousness endures forever.
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
  for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,

  who conduct their affairs with justice.

                                                Psalm 112:1-5 NIV

So often I hear people complain about how the younger generation does not worship the Lord; is selfish and greedy; and really does not care about anyone's well-being except for their own. How did the world get like this? 

I would surmise they have learned it from the generations before them; that would be us. Not just the non-Christians; but, Christians also are guilty of not teaching that God so loves the whole world and not just you or me. When we teach children to worry more about themselves than others than that is exactly what they will do and those children will teach their children to do the same with each generation being more and more self-centered willing to do whatever it is they need to do to get what they desire. Consequently, each generation sees less and less justice. Each generation will be less willing to be compassionate and generous.  When I was young, I knew a few narcissists. Today, I know multitudes who are the center of their universes and not only the center they are their whole universe. No one else matters to them.

May God teach us to teach our children to turn to him and to live compassionately and generously as he compassionately and generously has given to us through his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Listen To His Voice

So, as the Holy Spirit says:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
     do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion,
    during the time of testing in the wilderness,
 where your ancestors tested and tried me,
    though for forty years they saw what I did.
 That is why I was angry with that generation;
    I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray,
    and they have not known my ways.’
 So I declared on oath in my anger,
    ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

                                                                                                              (Heb 3:7-13 NIV)

It was not only Israel that has seen and heard what God had done for them. If we are honest with ourselves; we, too, have seen and heard what God has done for us. God has done great things for all people. Yet, many refuse to see. They refuse to hear. They harden their hearts as in the great rebellion. They refuse to follow in "the way." Sadly, those who continue to rebel against the Lord our God will never enter His rest as He has promised. Sadly, some of those people who reject Him are people that we care about and love. It is up to those who do believe to continue to encourage others and remind them that it is a privilege and a blessing to hear his voice. It is up to God's children to remind all people to listen to Him.

May God open our ears to hear and our eyes to see and our hearts that we might desire to listen and follow in His way. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Shine Like A Star

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.  (Philippians 2:14-16 NIV)

Most people (maybe all) end up grumbling about something or arguing with someone at one time or another. But, as children of God we are to make every attempt to stay away from these things. They will drag us down and into situations that are detrimental to our spiritual and physical health. 

When we find ourselves being pulled into these warped and crooked lifestyles we ought to do all that we can to turn away from them and to the way that Jesus would have us go. Turn to the Word for wisdom and strength. We are to immerse ourselves in the word of God found in the Holy Scriptures so that we might have guidance and peace. We will shine like stars among the darkness brought into this world by grumbling and  arguing as we hold firmly to the word of life.

May God keep us in the Word so that we might be recognized as His children on the day of Jesus the Christ. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Listen And Follow For Your Own Sake

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
They are a garland to grace your head
    and a chain to adorn your neck.

My son, if sinful men entice you,
    do not give in to them.
If they say, “Come along with us;
    let’s lie in wait for innocent blood,
    let’s ambush some harmless soul;
let’s swallow them alive, like the grave,
    and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
we will get all sorts of valuable things
    and fill our houses with plunder;
cast lots with us;
    we will all share the loot —
my son, do not go along with them,
    do not set foot on their paths;
for their feet rush into evil,
    they are swift to shed blood.
How useless to spread a net
    where every bird can see it!
These men lie in wait for their own blood;
    they ambush only themselves!
Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
    it takes away the life of those who get it.

Proverbs 1:8-19 NIV

                                             

It is so disheartening to hear the daily news.  It is as if all regard for not just others; but, for themselves as well, has been lost to this generation. I am not speaking of just our young people. Many elderly, as well, are arrested and convicted daily of crimes against others. It is not only strangers or neighbors that they hurt. But, they throw away their own lives and hurt their families as they commit crimes in attempts to fulfill their worldly desires. I am pretty sure that at least a majority of them think that they will never be caught; that they will not end up spending their lives locked down in a cell. The paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain takes away even the life of those who get it.               

There are riches worth having. They are more pleasant than any thing found in this world. Seek the Kingdom of God. It is a free gift from God to all who would believe.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for all who believe.  (Eph 1:18-19a)

God's Peace - Pr. J.                                                                                                                                         

Shine Like The Stars!

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. Philippians 2:24-26 NIV

I read and sometimes even watch a little news every morning. Lately, the amount I subject myself to has become very, very little. The grumbling and arguing of the pundits and the people has become more than a bit much. Fake news has hit an all time high. Fake news being fabricated stories; lies and slander. Do we really have time for all of the dissension and division that goes with it?

We live in a warped and crooked generation. I suppose there are many reasons for this negativity. Mainly; though, I believe, it comes from one's desire to advance their own personal agendas.

It is not just the media who advances the grumbling and negativity for the benefit of their personal self-serving agendas.  Many others, politicians, movie stars, athletes, even Christians, participate in this negativity. But, it does not have to be. It can change. The world does not have to so terribly steeped in dissension. There are an awful lot of Christians in the world (including politicians, movie stars, professional athletes) and if we would but hold firmly to the word of life and share that word; the light of Christ will shine throughout the world. The light will shine and the darkness will disappear from around us. The "stars" of this world are not the shining lights that can guide anyone on the path of life. Only the light of Christ can do that.

Do not get caught in the trap of grumbling or arguing about everything little thing according to your own will. Focus on God's word and His will. Hold firmly to the word of life that his light might shine forth through you, so that the world may see the truth, who is Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J