Thanks Be To God For All The Saints

St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians:

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;" 

                                                                              (2 Cor 9:8-13 KJV)

Today is all Saints Sunday. Christians all around the world will be remembering their loved ones who have gone before them as well as many faithful who are still with us who have helped us on our journeys through this world. Some have fed us with food for our bodies; while others have fed us spiritually.

Christ has worked through many to help us on our journey; to bring us closer to God; to help build up our faith by sharing the Word with us. They have given and continue to give much for the sake of the Body of Christ. Some have given food and shelter. Some have fed us with the Word of God. Some have even given their whole lives for us. So, today we give thanks to God for those saints who so generously have given of their love.

Let us give thanks, today and every day, for the generosity and the willingness of others to make Christ known to us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Fruit Of The Spirit

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. (Gal 5:22-23 NRSV)

There is no law against being nice. There is no law against being good. Wouldn't it be great if we got to truly enjoy the fruits of the spirit instead of being so focused on the works of the flesh which are according to St. Paul: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these? St. Paul warns us that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal 5:19-21)

Life can be pretty rough. But, it doesn't have to be. We cause a lot of strife and damage to our own lives by not living according to the fruit of the Spirit which is a gift from God. Do we not consider that once we set aside our petty (and many are truly petty) differences and personal preferences the fruits of the Spirit would be much more evident in our lives and in the world around us? Once our ego dies and we become more concerned about the welfare of our neighbors we will rise with wings like an eagle and truly live life!

We are free, in Christ, to live fruitful, Spirit filled lives. There is no law against that. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

For All The Saints; Give Thanks

St. Paul wrote: "You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God." 2 Cor 9:11-12

Today is all Saints Day; a much uncelebrated holy day. Most congregations, if they celebrate this holy day at all will put it off until that one hour that they worship the Lord on Sunday.

Today, much of the church on earth remembers all of the saints who have left this world; who are no longer with us. But, it does not hurt to remember and celebrate those saints are still alive in this place. In St. Paul's second letter to the Corinthians he is thanking and blessing the people who have been generous in assisting with the needs of the saints. So, we remember those who through words and deeds have introduced us to our Lord, Jesus the Christ, and all that he has done for us. We remember those who have supplied us richly with the word of God and have helped us to follow in the way which we should go.

Where would the church on earth be if it were not for all of those saints that have gone before us and are still with us? Where would the church be if it had not been for the teachings and the fellowship of those first disciples and of the many that came after them? There would be no church on earth without all of the saints; because, no one would hear the word; no one would know what our Lord has done for us. 

Christ has worked through many to help us on our journey; to bring us closer to God; to help build up our faith by sharing the Word with us. They have and continue to give much for the sake of the Body of Christ. Some have given food and shelter. Some have fed us with the Word of God. Some have given even their whole lives for us. Today and every day, we give thanks to God for those saints who have so generously given of their love and their lives!

Let us give thanks for the generosity and the willingness of others to make Christ known to us and to all of the world.

God's Peace - Pr. J