Jesus Is The Word; Jesus Is The Light!

Psalm 119:103-105; John 8:12; John 14:6 KJV; Jesus is the light of our salvation. Through him we have been reconciled to our Father in heaven.

There Is Forgiveness

Psalm 130:1-8 KJV; Our sins are so great we cannot begin to count them. But, there is forgiveness in Christ our Lord.

The Lamb Of God

John 1:29-37 KJV: The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

The Prophets Foretold

Matthew 11:2-15 KJV; 3rd Sunday in Advent; The prophets foretold the coming of John the Baptist. They foretold the coming of Jesus the Messiah. Many believed. Many did not then nor do they today..

Apart From Jesus We Can Do Nothing!

John 15:4-8 KJV; Apart from Jesus we can do nothing to glorify God!

He Finds The Lost Sheep

Luke 15:1-10 KJV Our Lord seeks us out to bring us home to the Kingdom of God.

His Loving Kindness

Psalm 42:8 KJV We can know that the Lord loves us. His presence is with us always.

Enemies Abound

Psalm 143 KJV for Pentecost Sunday 2022

The Spirit Abides With You

John 16:12-14 KJV

Fruitful Seeds

The Word Is Like A Seed Planted

Hear Him Transfiguration Sunday Feb 27 2022

Hear And Study The Word Of God

(Col 1:9-10 KJV)

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 

                                                                   (Luke 2:40-46 KJV)

Twelve years old and Jesus stayed behind when his parents left Jerusalem to go home. He stayed behind to hear the word of God. He stayed behind to learn.

This past year I began working with St. Paul Lutheran Seminary as a student coordinator. I still have a tremendous amount to learn about the position and all that we offer. Education is important to me and it should be to everyone. That doesn't necessarily mean you have to aim for the highest degree in everything. It means, to me, that you keep on learning so that you can actually use the gifts that God has given you to the utmost so that he might be glorified. St. Paul has courses for everyone. There are courses for the lay members of congregations to help enhance evangelism and outreach. This fall we once again held a course to teach lay people to preach when they could not find pulpit supply when needed or even to share the word of God at nursing homes or other such places as part of their congregation's ministry. We have programs for those who are interested in obtaining a Parish Service Certificate designed to train lay people to serve in congregations in various way including congregations who do not have ordained pastors for whatever reason. We also have programs for the Masters of Divinity as well as the Doctor of Ministry. There is something for everyone who wants to learn no matter what your plans are for future service of the Lord.

I am not sure exactly how or when I managed to agree to it; but, I am also a student. God manages to get his will done whether I am in agreement or not at times. I am working toward a Doctor of Ministry. To be truthful, the degree is not all that important to me; but, the opportunity to learn is. Albert Einstein once said: "Once you stop learning, you start dying" And...  I want to truly live life for as long as I have breath in my body. My first class this last semester was taught by Dr. James Nestingen. What an opportunity that was and is!

Jesus' parents found him in the temple learning from the doctors of theology. His disciples did not receive diplomas as I've been reminded by many people. However, we cannot disregard the fact that they did receive about three years of training from the master himself. They gave up everything to learn from him. They gave up everything for the most intensive internship ever. They had to because they needed this knowledge in order to be able to do the ministry that they had been called to do.

May God grant that we will all be fruitful witnesses and glorify our Father in heaven in all that we say and think and do in this upcoming new year!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Justice Will Come On the Day Of The Lord

 

The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.

O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!

Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.

Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth. 

                                                                                       (Hab 1:1-4 KJV)

Habbakuk wants to know of the Lord why evil persists raising up strife and contentions.  We ask this same thing today. Why do we find ourselves being grieved by the very people who have sworn to protect us? Rather than protect they subjugate the population that does not agree with them. They actually sujugate the whole population; but, many have eyes that do not see; ears that do not hear. Laws upon laws, mandates upon mandates are made and change so regularly that it is impossible to keep up with what the newest rules are. Taxes are added on top of taxes; fines on top of fines and those sometimes without the people's consent. Where is the justice? When will it come?

It will come in the day of the Lord. We can know peace even in the times of trouble today because we know that although our governments make many wrongful judgments, the Lord has a plan; a good plan, for those who love him. (Rom 8:28) His people may endure hardships for a time; but, in the end we will know peace in the presence of Almighty God. 

"The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.

For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low..." 

                                                                                           (Isa 2:11-12)

We wait patiently (sometimes not so patiently) for the day of the Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Vengeance Will Be God's

"Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water..."

                                                                                     (Isa 35:4-7a KJV)

I am sorry for my attitude; but, I am waiting for that day that the Lord will come even with vengeance to save his children who are persecuted and killed all day long.  How evil can the world be to turn a blind eye to those who are suffering; to those who are being hunted down and persecuted?  Of course, not everyone has turned a blind eye. But, so many do, especially those in power and control of others. Minimizing the suffering of others to make oneself look good is just so totally political. It has nothing to do with doing what is right but what is good for the politicians and their behind the curtain puppet masters.

I wait for the day when all eyes and ears will be opened to see and hear how the choices of these few men and women have destroyed the lives of others. Will it ever happen in my lifetime here on earth? Will we ever see real justice? Will we ever see a time when we do not turn our backs on those who are being hunted down and persecuted  and even killed because they do not think or believe or live like those in control think that they should? Genocide by any other name is still genocide! It is a crime against all of humanity.

Will we ever really see the widow and the orphan protected and cared for no matter who they are or where they live? We talk a lot about it. But, will this generation ever see it?

Just because someone lives half way around the world from us; does that mean we should not be there for them?  My heart and mind hears the cries of the many in hiding today: "Help us! Why have you deserted us?"

The prophet Isaiah reminds us that God will bring vengeance upon those who have caused so much fear in the lives of others. It is promised that he will deliver those who are fearful. May God bring that promise to fruition quickly! 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Help Us To Help

PSALM 14 KJV

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.

There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.

Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge.

Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

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Is there any understanding of the good will of God for all people? The Psalmist doesn't seem to think so. Indeed, we are all sinners. We look out for our own welfare while eating up our neighbors (next door and around the world). We desert those in need for our own welfare and prosperity. What a shameful world it can be!

May God grant us all eyes to see; ears to hear; and open hearts so that we might come to the aid of others according to the good will of our Father in heaven.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Try Jesus; You Just Might Love Him

Open The Door And Let Him In

 

Psalm 34:4-8 KJV

I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

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There are some social media posts going around that want to know what foods you like and which ones won't you eat. I haven't found anything that I won't eat or at least try. There are a few that if I have a choice I would definitely choose something else. The reality is that unless you try it you will never know if you actually like it.

The psalmist tells us to taste and see that the Lord is good. How do you know he's not to your liking if you've never really got to know him or to be in relationship with him? How will you know if you've never opened the door to your heart even a crack to let him come in? In St. John's vision he heard:

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Rev 3:20)

He's there. He loves you. He want you to be in a loving relationship with you. He wants to help you. Trust him. Let him in. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed are you who trust in him.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Gladness Springs

Psalm 34:1-3

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

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Gladness springs from our very beings when we consider what God has done for us. His gifts to us are endless; but, the one gift is truly eternal. That gift is the gift of eternal life in his presence through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ, for us. 

Bless the Lord always and join together often to exalt his holy name with songs of joy and praise!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Psalm 30

PSALM 30 KJV

I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.

O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy
cometh in the morning.

And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.

Lord, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.

I cried to thee, O Lord; and unto the Lord I made supplication.

What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?

Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord, be thou my helper.

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

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A good night's sleep can indeed make everything look a little brighter in the morning. But, nothing help's the disposition more than a trusting relationship with God. He is our helper. He is our provider. Let us not be silent but give Him thanks and praise for His never ending love and mercy. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Only One Light Of Salvation

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

                                                                                      (1 John 4:1-6 KJV)

There are many spirits; but, only one true God. We must be careful which one we are listening to and following. 

The One will lead you into the light of his presence. The others will lead you into the darkness. Everything may look all well and good; but, be careful. Discern carefully the spirits. They are not all looking out for you. As St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (2 Cor 11:14)

There is only one God who was willing to give his life for you. All others ask you to give them our lives. Jesus the Christ is our light and our salvation. Worship him and him alone!

God's Peace - Pr. J.