Standing Inside The FIre

Zechariah 13:9 KJV; God refines His children. It is not easy but it is well worth it!

Good Works Come From Faith

1 Peter 1:17-25 KJV; 2nd Sunday after Easter; Good works come from faith that God loves us without respect of persons and because He does, we love Him and desire to do His will here on earth even as it is done in heaven.

Ill-gotten Riches And Reputations

Proverbs 22:1 KJV Ill-gotten riches and reputations are nothing compared to a good name.

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.

+++

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.

Bringing Gifts

They followed the star

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. 

                                                                                  (Matt 3:9-11 KJV)

Reminiscent of the journey of the three wise men who followed the star bearing gifts for the baby Jesus people around the world give gifts to the children during the Christmas season. 

Annually, U.S. Marines around the world, have toy fund-raisers so that they can give gifts to children. Santa Claus normally delivers them for the Marines. When we lived in Rota, Spain these gifts were given on Epiphany which is also known as Three Kings Day after the three wise men. Three of the Marines would dress up as the wise men and deliver the gifts to  the children at the local orphanage.

The wise men followed the star to bring gifts to the baby Jesus to worship and honor him. They blessed this child with lavish gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. May God help us to honor and bless every child born as they did our Savior not just one a year but every day as Jesus himself is the gift that keeps on giving.  Thanks be to God for Jesus the King above all kings.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Standing Inside The Fire

Cassie Standing Inside The Fire
Photo by Uncle "John Arthur Photography"

"And I will put this third into the fire, refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'They are my people'; and they will say, 'The Lord is our God.'” Zech 13:9

When she was younger, I called her Sassy Cassie. She can still be a bit sassy. She, as most of us do, has fought the refining process as hard as she could. Although it helps us to grow, the refining process is not all that easy to endure. However, it doesn't do much good to try to avoid it because  when we try to avoid it the fire just seems to get all the more hot.

Refining is not a quick and easy thing. It continues throughout our lives here on earth. We can grow in Him pretty slowly as we reject what we have learned through the process of refining.

Thankfully, He is patient and loves all of his children and continues always to soften our hearts toward Him so that we might live abundant lives in Him. The refining is not easy on the person that is being refined or on anyone around them. But, it is better to withstand the fiery ordeal of refining then to never step inside those refining fires. It is better to withstand the refining process while young so that as we grow old we can live life joyfully saying, "The Lord is my God." He has got me to this day and to who I am.

Life is much more pleasant when we get up and actually experience the awesome life and all the gifts that God has given us. Focus on truly living life in Christ and you will know joy and peace no matter what fires you might find yourself in.

Garth Brooks reminds us in his song:

Standing outside the fire

Standing outside the fire

Life is not tried it is merely survived

If you're standing outside the fire

Do not fear the refining fires. Have faith that God is with you always, working in and through you, even in and  particularly through those fires.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Let The Words Of Our Lips Glorify God

PSALM 19 KJV

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

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.

+++

There is no place that God is not. He is "...above all, and through all, and in you all." (Eph 4:6)

He sees all things. He knows all things. It is truly good and right for us to declare the glory of the Lord even as the heavens and all the rest of his creation declares his glory.

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.

Live In Peace

Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. (Prov 28:6 KJV)

What a miserable state to find oneself in: rich and perverse! Poor and perverse is not so good either! But, he that walks in uprightness will be able to lay down at night and get a good nights sleep. He will be able to rise in the morning and be at peace with himself and with life because he knows that he walks with his integrity intact. 

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. (Prov 22:1)

He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known. (Prov 10:9)

There are enough people in this world who seek pleasure in the perverse things of this world. There are enough who in the pursuit of their own riches and enjoyment who will trample on others. They will know no peace. Do not follow in their footsteps. Seek what is good; do what is right; and live a life of peace! 

God's Peace be with you all - Pr. J.

Healed By Jesus

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

                         (Acts 3:6-7 KJV)

And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 

                                                                              (Acts 4:7-10 KJV)

    

Peter and John were interrogated by the cohorts of the high priest as to how they healed the lame man. They took no credit for the healing. It was simple. The lame man was healed by him whom they had crucified, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

This man who begged for a living because he could not work was not given silver or gold. He was given life with the opportunity to earn his own keep. He was given the opportunity to walk and to live life more abundantly. He was certainly most grateful for this gift as evidenced by entering the temple walking and leaping and praising God.

In Christ Jesus, we too are made whole. Let us rejoice and be glad for the precious gift of life in him.

God's Peace - Pr. J.  

Walking, And Leaping, And Praising God

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. 

                                                                                (Acts 3:1-11 KJV)

Lame at birth; now healed, he held onto and followed Peter and John into the temple praising God. The man had only asked for help to exist and received so much more. He received a life in which he would no longer have to beg and be looked down upon. He could walk! And, had so much more reason to praise God.

Miracles happen in our lives all of the time. If we would only look back on our lives and see how the hand of God has touched us in so many wonderful ways.

It may sound cliche; but, sometimes it is most worthwhile to "count our blessings." If and when we do we will surely praise God for the life He has given us in Jesus Christ our Lord.

"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

                                                                                      (Eph 3:14-21 KJV)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Adorn Yourself With A Gentle Spirit

 Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair, and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing; rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:2-4 NRSV

Although, it keeps commerce going, I have never quite understood why someone would need to have so many piercings or wear so much make-up that it distracts from the person that they are within. I am not saying that I think women shouldn't wear any make-up. But, I would think that the purpose for make-up would be to enhance one's features and not an attempt to mask who you are. 

God has made everyone and every one is precious in God's sight. Let the world see the person God created you to be. It does not matter what you look like on the outside. Appearances can be very deceiving. There is nothing more beautiful than a child of God who exudes the loving and gentle spirit that comes from knowing that they are a child of God. 

May God help each of us to cherish the lasting beauty of the gentle and quiet spirit of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Where Is The Abundant Life?

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. (Prov 21:21 KJV)

Where do we find life and not just life but abundant life? Where do we find righteousness? Where is the honor? In all of my years, I know of only one place. That place is in Jesus the Christ. That place is in his Kingdom.

If you are looking for these things to come from the world, you are looking in the wrong place. The normal direction we go in when we travel by any means is forward. Sometimes, we might have to back up or go sideways around an obstacle. But, in order to reach our goals we focus on what is in front of us. 

If our focus is on revenge or justifying ourselves or getting ahead of someone else we are seeking things that will not move us forward. We are seeking things that will not add to our life.  We are not seeking anything honorable. They will distract and detract. 

Those who follow righteousness and mercy will know abundant life. They will know mercy. "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." (Matt 5:7)

In the end it all depends on what you are looking for in life. Do you want abundant life? The genuine abundant life (and I don't mean silver and gold) is found only in the Kingdom of God through Jesus the Christ our Savior and Lord. 

Jesus advises us: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matt 6:33)

A Good Name

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. (Prov 22:1 KJV)

It is terribly easy to destroy your own reputation. All it takes is one misstep and the gossip will take over. We all make mistakes. We all sin. To do so knowingly and willingly in order to have great riches or an ill-gotten reputation is folly, indeed! Yes, there is a generation (more that one generation) that thinks being popular, by any means, is something to be proud of. Unfortunately, this ill-gotten reputation actually harms one's future prospects. Opportunities will be closed to those who cannot be trusted.

We all make mistakes. We all sin. Stuff happens to us and by us that shouldn't happen; that does not contribute to our peace or our reputations. 

But, there is hope. In Christ our sins are forgiven. In baptism our sins are washed away and we can begin each day anew. By faith in Jesus, we bear a good name. That name is Jesus. Let us live each day rejoicing for all that has been done for us in his good name.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Be Prepared

But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? (2 Peter 3:8-12 NRSV)

Who can tell when the Lord will come and take us to himself?

As we enter Advent, the time of preparation for the coming of the Lord, are we prepared? During this season prior to Christmas, I am often asked if I am ready for Christmas. My answer is always: "Of course, I am. After all; if I cannot be ready to celebrate the birth of the Christ child who has already come, how can I expect to be ready for him to come again?" 

We do not know the day or the time when he will come again. We are told that he will come like a thief in the night, unexpectedly. No one; but, God knows when that day will be. Do not wait thinking that there is still time for you to get to know the Lord and to love him. Be prepared, not with silver or gold; but, with a living faith, a love that is alive for our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. 

Be prepared, may the warm light of his love shine in and through you. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ultimate Concern?

The young man said to him, “I have kept all these; what do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions. (Matt 19:20-22 NRSV)

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. (Matt 10:5-10)

I often fall asleep listening to something on YouTube and I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night listening to something horrific! Last night it was a televangelist wife saying things like:  Do good for your own self; and something to the effect of, you don't got to church to worship for God's sake, you do it for yourself.  She is right in part. God does not actually "need" us to worship Him.  He desires and even expects our devotion; but, He does not actually "need" anything from us. And, yes, because of our sinful nature we probably do go to church for our own sakes. We are selfish, self-centered people and a whole lot of what we do, if not all that we do, is truly for our own sakes. But; just because we are self-centered, that does not mean make it right. 

As I rolled this late night sermon  around in my head for awhile and considered with great discomfort all those very rich pastors, I decided I should get out of bed and see what kind of budgets their congregations actually have. What I found was pretty interesting and pretty disconcerting. I decided to compare the estimated budgets of Joel Osteen's Lakewood Congregation with the budget for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). I chose the ELCA because it is one of the largest denominations in the country. I found what I wanted. The ELCA has about 4,000,000 members. Lakewood Church has about 50,000 members. The ELCA's estimated budget for 2018 was around $90,000,000.. Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church budget was also estimated at about $90,000,000.. Amazing! How does it happen that one congregation; albeit a very large one, has a budget comparable to an entire denomination? I have only served small congregation so maybe I simply just don't understand budgets for humongous congregations.

It is the fall and the fall tends to be the time when many of us begin looking at stewardship of finances and our budgets. Unfortunately, budgets and numbers in the pews are all that some pastors, councils, and congregations worry about. They have not yet figured out that the church is not about surviving and surviving happily, happily, happily. We are supposed to be about sharing the Good News of the Kingdom of God given to us freely through the sacrifice, the bloody sacrifice of our Lord and Savior. 

Please, don't get pulled into the happy, happy, happy and wealthy, wealthy, wealthy theologies that false preachers present to you. It is not all about you. It is not all about me. It is not all about being happy and wealthy in this world. It is about Jesus willingly giving his life so that all who believe in him might receive eternal life in his presence in the Kingdom of God. It is about Jesus who died for you.

Although; we do have to deal with them, budgets are not our ultimate concern. Proclaiming the Good News through Jesus the Christ is or at least it should be.

May the whole church on earth focus on our ultimate concern, who is Jesus Christ our Lord and our Savior.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Standing Inside The Fire

Cassie Standing Inside The Fire
Photo by Uncle "John Arthur Photography"

And I will put this third into the fire,
    refine them as one refines silver,
    and test them as gold is tested.
They will call on my name,
    and I will answer them.
I will say, “They are my people”;

    and they will say, “The Lord is our God.”

                                                    (Zech 13:9 NRSV)

When she was younger, I called her Sassy Cassie. She is still a bit sassy. She, as most of us do, has fought the refining process as well as she could. Thankfully, God is patient and loves all of his children continuing always to soften our hearts toward Him that we might live abundant lives in Him. The refining is not always easy on the person that is being refined or on anyone around them. But, it is better to withstand the fiery ordeal of refining than never to step inside those refining fires. It is better to withstand the refining process while young so that as we grow old, we can joyfully say, "The Lord is my God."

For most of her life, I have reminded Cassie to "live life." Life is not only much more pleasant; but, exciting as well, when we get up and actually experience the awesome life and all the gifts that God has given us. When we focus on truly living life in Christ, then we will know an abundant life; even while standing inside the fire.

Garth Brooks reminds us in his song:
     Standing outside the fire 
     Standing outside the fire 
     Life is not tried it is merely survived 
     If you're standing outside the fire

Do not fear the refining fires. God is with you even in those fires. Live life!

God's 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

Children of God

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.    (John 1:9-13 NIV)

What does it take to be a child of God? 

Usually, I take people at their word. I have a habit of believing people when they tell me that they are members of another denomination or congregation. I have a habit of believing people when they tell me that they are Christians. So often, I neglect to witness to them, because I believe them. The question, I ponder this morning, is if they know what it means to be a member of the family of God.

We do not enter into this family just because our parents or their parents belonged to the Body of Christ or any particular congregation. We are not born in the natural way into the family of God. We are adopted into God's family. In order for us to be adopted into God's family there was a price; a much greater price than we have to pay to adopt a child in today's society. The purchase price for our adoption was not silver or gold. The blood of God's only begotten Son paid the ultimate price for our adoption into His family.

Our DNA; our bloodlines, connects and confirms our earthly families; but, the blood of Christ makes us children of the most High God. We do not enter God's family by any goodness of our own. We do not enter God's family because of any earthly connections we might have. We enter by the virtue of the one who gave himself for us; that we might be reconciled to our Father in heaven for all of eternity. There is only way to become a child of God. There is only one way to the Father. That way is through Jesus the Christ.

There is more to being a Christian than just saying that you are one. By the power of the Holy Spirit, may God grant you faith in the one who died that all might live as children of the most High God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Fair Days Labor

Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.  (James 5:1-6 NIV)

Justice in regards to pay can be a balancing act. On the one side there are those in this world who get rich off of the unfair wages and labor of others. There are those who do not get paid fair wages for an awful lot of work. The rich get richer on the backs of the poor who get poorer. However, on the other side there are also those who would have everything given to them without a fair days labor given for those wages.

As some employers get rich while paying their employees minimum wages; others lose their businesses because they cannot keep up with the continual rising costs of having employees. The cost of unemployment taxes, workman's compensation, and other insurances can be prohibitive for many small businesses, eventually leading to not only loss of jobs for employees; but, for the employer, as well. I know more than one small business; although their employees do not get rich, the owner actually makes less than their employees while contributing more time and work. Just because someone owns a small business we ought to be careful not to consider that they are getting rich on the backs of their employees. Some suffer in order to provide their employees employment.

We live in a country where we have many freedoms that people in many other countries do not have. We are still one of the richest countries in the world. We thank God for this economic freedom; but, at the same time we must beware that this economic freedom does not become a god in itself for us. As individuals, as Christians, we must strive to pay fair wages in exchange for fair labor. As individuals, we ought to strive to provide fair labor for the fair wages we are paid. We need to try to ensure that our corroded gold and silver don't become testimonies against us.

Whether we are employers or employees; whatever we do, we do it unto the Lord; so that God is glorified. Do justice for your employee and your employer so that all may eat and none should suffer.

God's Peace - Pr. J