Confess The Name Of Jesus

atthew 10:21-33 KJV; 4th Sunday after Pentecost; Do not fear to confess Jesus before others for in him you have eternal life.

A Way To Escape

1 Corinthians 10:13; verses from Romans 7 and 8; We are sinners; but, Paul tells us that all who are in Christ Jesus are forgiven their sins.

The Light That Saves And Comforts

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. 

                                                                    (John 3:16-21 KJV)

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)

The light who is Jesus the Christ has come into the world. He came so that we do not have to live in the darkness; but, to live in his light. He is the light of hope and comfort in the darkness of the world surrounds us. He did come into this world; after all, to save us. 

It is truly good to find rest in him; in his light.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

With Jesus There Will Be Storms

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

                                                                               (Mark 4:35-41 KJV)

When Jesus got into the boat a tremendous storm arose. Expect it! Expect storms if you are a follower of Jesus. His journey on this earth was not an easy one nor should we expect ours to be. There were many in cahoots to destroy him. He was persecuted and put to death in spite of being totally innocent.

Jesus told his followers and he tells us:  "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also." (John 15:18-20)

Do not be surprised if the world is against you for your faith in Christ. Do not be surprised when other berate you for your faith in Christ for when we step into that boat as a follower of Jesus we are promised that storms will arise.

But, the good news is that even when those storms arise and they will, the Christ is with you. He can calm the storm. He will save you. He will bless you with peace. Have faith. Trust him!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

What You Give; You Will Receive

Loving our enemies may be tough; but, it is right to do.

"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." 

                                                                            (Rom 12:9-10, 11-18 KJV)

Live peaceable with others as much as is possible. Sometimes it is difficult to be at peace with others; especially with those who appear to be enemies. However, the word of the Lord reminds us that we are to bless those and do not curse those who persecute you.  Scripture reminds us that what we put out will return to us.  If we judge others we will be judged. If we despise and persecute others we too will be despised and persecuted. But, if we love others and strive to live with others in peace then we shall be loved and loved in peace. If we want others to see us in the best light then we ought also to put the best construction on who they are and what they may or may not have done.

We are sinful human beings and sometimes no matter how hard we try we do not always think or speak or act charitably regarding other. However, according to Luther's Small Catechism we teach that we are to put the best construction on everything that our neighbor says or does. 

"The Eighth Commandment

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

What does this mean? — Answer.

We should fear and love God that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, slander, or defame our neighbor, but defend him, [think and] speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything."

Do not dwell on the faults of those who hate you; but, pray that they might come to know peace; pray that they might learn to love as Christ loves them; be merciful as God is merciful. In doing so your enemy may in the end become your best ally and friend.

"But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

                                                                                           (Luke 6:35-28)

Keep guard over what you think and say and do for what you do to others may well turn around and be done to you a thousandfold.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Phil 4:8)

There are so many scripture verses that pertain to loving even our enemies I cannot possibly list them all in a blog. The bottom line is do good to others. No one needs the stress that comes with anger or hatred or vengeance either  through the given of it or receiving of it. Live life in Christ! Live in peace!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Don't Let Fear Corral You!

 

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jer 29:11 KJV)

The evil in the world is worse than it has ever been! The world is falling apart! The world will end if so and so is elected! Not! I do not believe a word of it. It is time to quit listening to the fear and hate mongering media!

Evil has been in the world since the dawn of time. The world will end when God decides it is time for it to end and not a second before. There is no reason to fear for those who trust the Word of God. The end that God has in mind for all who believe is an unexpected and good end. It is not an end that we should fear. After all; Jesus reminded his followers over and over again not to fear; not to be afraid.

According to St. Paul: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Rom 8:18)

Hate and fear mongering has corralled many into dark places. It is time. It is past time to step out into the light and live life! Trust that God has a good plan for you!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Pray For Your Enemies

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 

                              (1 Tim 2:1-4 KJV)

There are more than one reason to pray for your enemies. Since humankind tends to be a bit self-centered there among those reasons is a very good; albeit, maybe a bit selfish reason to pray for those who hate us. It is so that as they come to know the Lord Jesus, we too might live in peace rather than stuck in chaos and drama. 

Jesus said:

"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. 

                                                                                    (Matt 5:44-45 KJV)

Life on earth is so short. Why waste it on anger and vengeance? If you are the one who persecutes others than please repent so that you might live in peace. Be kind! And, if you are the one who is persecuted pray for your persecutor to repent and to live life in Christ so that you too might live in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Love The Lord And One Another

Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. (Psalm 97:10 KJV)

I don't know when it exactly happened. But, some where along the line the Holy Spirit worked in me a very strong dislike for those things that are evil. I don't mean just those things that are in your site evil. The insidious things that society accepts as right but that end up hurting themselves, others, and society also turn my stomach.

I rarely watch television shows or movies all of the way through. When these fictional characters make choices that I know (often from my own experience or witnessing the experience of others) are going to hurt themselves or others I have to shut my eyes or leave the room. I cannot stand self-imposed suffering. There is enough suffering in the world without humankind adding to it for their self-centered purposes. 

Hurting other people to get what you want is evil. The world may not see anything wrong with some of our actions. But, God is the judge. 

"Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 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 22:35-40)

We are to love God and to love one another even as God loves us. We ought to be kind and put the needs of others before our own selfish desires so that none may suffer because of our sinful natures. 

"Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." (Rom 13:10)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Dead to Sin; Live Life!

So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. 

                                                                            (Rom 6:11-14 NRSV)

Just cut it out! 

The reality is that we are all sinners. We will continue to sin in many ways and way too much of the time. But, our sinful natures are not excuses for us to purposely live in sin. There are times when we have way more than enough time to say no to sin. We do not have to follow in every which way the world would have us go.

Know this, the One True God is not a far away god. He is with you now. He is with you no matter where you go. He knows exactly what you do minute by minute. Imagine that God is standing or sitting there next to you because He is. No matter what you are doing; He is all seeing, all knowing and He knows when you are ignoring or disrespecting Him. He also knows when He is being worshipped and praised. 

We do not have to live according to the hate filled chaos of the world around us. That is not living. That is death. But, by the blood of Christ you have been brought from death to life. By the grace of God, we can live knowing His loving presence every minute of every day even now. Walk with Him. Live with Him, now! Live life!  

God's grace and peace be with you all!
Pr. J

Peace Not Drama

In my distress I cry to the Lord,
that he may answer me:
“Deliver me, O Lord,
from lying lips,
from a deceitful tongue.”
What shall be given to you?
And what more shall be done to you,
you deceitful tongue?
A warrior’s sharp arrows,
with glowing coals of the broom tree!
Woe is me, that I am an alien in Meshech,
that I must live among the tents of Kedar.
Too long have I had my dwelling
among those who hate peace.
I am for peace;
but when I speak,
they are for war.
Psalm 120

Some people just like drama! They like to stir up trouble and dissensions and division; even wars. I don't know why. But, some people just can't seem to live without it. So, when the drama is on the decline they will make things up, usually about other people, just to get the drama going, again. Maybe their lives are so empty that they are trying to fill them up. It's seems as though they must have their own personal soap operas going and that they must be the star. Personally, I have never made a habit of watching soap operas. I don't have the time. I have a pretty full life already and don't need to observe someone's fake life on the television daily. There are way better things to focus on in life than this kind of drama. The outcome of a lot of this drama is that the deceitful tongue that often goes with it hurts others and then it boomerangs and comes back on the one with the deceitful tongue. Everyone gets hurt.

You want a life? Skip the drama. "Live Life" in peace - in the peace of Jesus Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

War or Peace?

Whoever of you loves life
   and desires to see many good days,
keep your tongue from evil
   and your lips from telling lies.
Turn from evil and do good;

   seek peace and pursue it. 

                      (Psalm 34:12-14 NIV)

I have been seeing and hearing a lot of fear and war mongering again coming through the various media outlets. Some of it makes me so ill I must either shut it off or block it. I cannot for the life of me understand why so many people desire to stir up strife rather than make peace. There are those who seem to strive to enter into war much more than they strive for peace and they absolutely will not support those who do desire peace. At least it appears so. Maybe they don't understand how damaging their disrespect toward others can actually be for the whole world. Maybe they don't care and that is their goal.

The Lord desires that we live reconciled to him and one another. Reconciled means living in peace. Yet, there are so many who prefer to bully and disrespect those who seek peace and pursue it. This is done with so much disrespect that it can do nothing but make more enemies. Do we really want to live the rest of our days at war with our neighbors; at war with other countries? 

This country, I have heard is the land of second chances. Well; if it is, then maybe we ought to quit digging up skeletons from the past unless maybe the purpose to dig them up is to forgive and move on. Holding these long held grudges does no one any good; not those we wish to disrespect and bring down and surely not ourselves.

It is time to forgive and be reconciled to God and our neighbors remembering that our neighbors are not just the people who live next door; but, all around the world. It would really be nice if everyone would support the efforts of those who are advancing peace and not war.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Loving Money

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:13)

This is not to say that if you have a lot of money that you do not love or serve God. Maybe you are one whom God has richly blessed and you use what He has given you wisely and for His glory. He is your first love, the riches are merely a tool to reach out to others, glorifying His Holy Name. Be wise; though, and understand that the pursuit of gaining money and things can quickly take over your life and in the end you may realize that it was not God (the one who blessed you) that you loved; rather, it was riches in this world. Be careful that the love of things does not bring you down a path with pain and sorrow at the end.

Use the gifts that God has given use in a manner that might advance the Kingdom and glorify His Holy Name.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Gentle Words

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Prov 15:1 NIV)                                                                                                                                           Humanity really seems to enjoy arguments, divisions, even wars. Maybe that is not so true. Maybe it is only that we like to have be the ones who are always right; always better than the next person; always the one to have the last word. Are we as a species addicted to living in drama? Because being number one all of the time leads to just that: drama!

Sometimes, it is necessary to not even disagree with someone that you know is totally off the planet wrong; but, to keep your lips zipped. Don't say a word. Smile. Walk away. Let things calm down before you attempt to resume the conversation if ever you even need to resume the conversation.

It is not necessary to belittle others with harsh words. It is more necessary to get along or walk away for your sake and for the sake of everyone around you. 

Harsh words stir up anger. Anger stirs up hate and contempt. Hate and contempt kills not just bodies; but, the soul as well.

May God grant us gentle tongues and gentle spirits.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Live In Peace and Harmony!

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Rom 12:9-13 NIV)

Just, be nice and do what is right, already! That's it! Quit playing games! Quit doing what is unlawful! Quit doing things just to disrupt the peace. Be devoted to one another. Do what is good for all people and think a whole lot less about what it is that you want.

Paul admonishes the Romans to love one and another and treat one another with respect so that we might live in harmony with one another and in peace. Stealing from your neighbor; arguing with them in minor disputes; disrespecting them; selling alcohol or drugs to their children disrupts the harmony and peace in any community. Do what is right for you neighbor and the whole community.

May God open the eyes and hearts of those who would divide our communities by doing what is harmful. May all of our children and their children live in health, wholeness and prosperity. May we all live in peace and harmony.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Remember Your First Love

   To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who hold the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I known your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
   Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and removed your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
   Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
                                                                                                                   Revelation 2:1-7 NIV

Bishop Frederic Baraga, missionary to the Ojibwa during the 1800's, often reminded the people to "remember their first love." In his vision, St. John was instructed to warn the church at Ephesus about their falling away from their first love, who is Jesus the Christ.

Whenever we put anything or anyone before our God, we are committing idolatry. God must always come first and everything else will fall into it's proper place. How often we neglect to put God first in our lives! It is so very disheartening to see those who profess to be Christians putting so many other things of this world before worship and service to God.

The message to the people of Ephesus there is both a warning (law) and a promise (good news). Jesus, in John's vision, commends the church for their hard work and perseverance; for the fact that they cannot tolerate wicked people; and have confronted those who claim to be apostles and are not. Even as they are being commended for their faithfulness in these areas; they and we are being warned against idolatry.

"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." (vs 7)

May God help us to be victorious in keeping the Lord as our first love.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Cannot Serve The Lord And Money

1 Timothy 6:10

 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Matt 6:24

Oh, my... so many unworthy masters; false gods in the lives of those who profess to be Christians! I seem to have to warn people about false gods way too much. Over and over again over many years I have been warning people I love about the evil that comes with the love of money. I hope that this is not a season that I will be, again, reminding the same people to beware of the false gods of greed and of money and material things; for these false gods will sneak into your lives without you even knowing it. If you are not very careful, they will drag you down and pull you away from the master who truly loves you.

I am not implying that if you have a lot of money that you do not love or serve God. In fact, maybe you are one whom God has richly blessed and you use what He has given use wisely and for His glory. He is your first love, the riches are merely a tool to reach out to others, glorifying His Holy Name. Be wise; though, and understand that the pursuit of gaining money and things can quickly take over your life and in the end you may realize that it was not God (the one who blessed you) that you loved; rather, it was riches in this world.

Use the gifts that God has given use in a manner that might glorify Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Time To Live

A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to live life in between those times.

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the  
    heavens:

   a time to be born and a time to die,
   a time to plant and a time to uproot,
   a time to kill and a time to heal,
   a time to tear down and a time to build,
   a time to weep and a time to laugh,
   a time to mourn and a time to dance,
   a time to scatter stones and a time to gather

    them

   a time to embrace and a time to refrain from

    embracing
   a time to search and a time to give up,
   a time to keep and a time to throw away,
   a time to tear and a time to mend,
   a time to be silent and a time to speak,
   a time to love and a time to hate,
   a time for war and a time for peace.

                                           (Eccl 3:1-8 NIV)

 

There is a time for everything. The reading for my mother-in-law's funeral was this very familiar one from Ecclesiastes. There is a time for everything. I am sure of it. Sometimes the time gets a little crunched and I wonder if there will be actually be enough time to ever live life and to really enjoy life. It sometimes seems as though I have been running steady my whole life and have taken time for a few naps only because I was totally exhausted and could not go any more.

 

But, the wisdom writer from Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is time to for everything. There is time to enjoy life. It is time to grab hold of that time; slow down, and live life. This is a gift from God.

 

Carpe diem! It is time to seize the day and live the life that God has given you here on earth; live it fully to the glory of God!

 

Gods Peace - Pr. J

 

 

Love One Another

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8 NIV

I just finished reading an article about crime in Chicago that saddens me greatly. Almost 3000 people have been shot so far in this year of 2016. That amounts to about one shooting every two hours. The number includes little children.

What can possibly motivate a society to be so unsympathetic and hateful toward one another that our crime rate is so terribly high? There are way too many motivations to count them all and no one but only God can know the real reasons why. We spend much time pointing the finger and blaming others, the past, our environment, the schools, parents, and the list goes on. Instead of trying to fix blame on the past events; how about if we try to change the future?

How about if we listen to the admonition of St. Paul?
   Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
   Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
   Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  Romans 12:9-21

We can always point the finger at others; but, as the saying goes: "If you are not a part of the solution; you are a part of the problem." Or, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

God's Peace - Pr. J

A Blood Thicker Than Blood

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." 1 John 3:1

There is a blood that is thicker than blood. It is the blood of Christ shed for you. Jesus told us that the world would not understand those who believe. In fact, even as Jesus was persecuted, those who cling to this world will also fear, hate, and persecute Christians in various ways. Genealogically connected family members will even look with suspicion upon believing brothers and sisters. They, too, will join in the persecution of those who love the Lord. Families will suffer division.

But, the good news is that the family of God is reconciled to God and to one another for all time. There is nothing that can separate us from our Father's love which is found in Christ Jesus. (Rom 8:39) There is nothing in this world that can destroy the family of God.

There is a blood thicker than blood. It is the blood of Christ, shed on the cross, that binds us together as family.

God's Peace - Pr. J