Help Us To Give!

Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46 KJV; Christ the King; Help us to recognize your abiding in presence in others. Help us to give even as you have given.

Be Present For Others

Romans 12:9-21 KJV; Love one another. Be kind to others even your enemies. Be present with them. Rejoice when they rejoice. Weep with them when they weep. Be there for them.

Put Not Your Trust In Princes

Psalm 146:1-10 KJV; Put not your trust in leaders who claim to want to help the world; yet, only help themselves. Put your trust in the Lord and know that many who say that they are oppressed have actually become the oppressor and in the end the Lord will turn their ways upside down.

No Room For Others?

Luke 2:6-7 KJV; Imagine spending Christmas or any day homeless. The governments apparently have no fix; too many other things to spend taxpayer's money on. Jesus told Peter and us if you love me; feed my sheep.

Hear This You Who Trample On The Needy

Amos 8:4-7 Surely the Lord will not forget the deeds of those who  bring the poor to an end.

Peace Be Still

God's Promises: A Reason To Rejoice

Zephaniah 3:14-20 KJV

Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.

In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.

Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.

At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord.

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Not everyone rejoices during the Advent season.  As we prepare for the celebration of Christmas; the day that we celebrate the birth of our Savior, many do without. They cannot celebrate with their families; their children, as many of the neighbors might be doing. They have no financial means to do so.  Many are homeless. Many are ill. Many are falsely imprisoned. Others are persecuted and some in hiding. The Advent and Christmas seasons are not joyful times for multitudes.

However no matter how many hardships that we might endure there is one thing in which we can rejoice: the promise of God to undo all that afflicts us. As we look to the celebration of the birth of our Savior we also look to his coming again. This time he will come in full glory and every knee shall bow before him.

This promised savior has come.  He is with us even now. He will come again!  Rejoice and give thanks to God for his love and mercy endures forever!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Jesus Is The King Over All Kings

Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
Psalm 72:11

Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.

He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.

The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.

He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.

They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.

He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.

In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.

He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.

The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.

For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.

He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.

He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.

(Psalm 72:1-14 KJV)

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There is one King and on King alone that can save us. His name is Jesus the Christ!

For some unknown reason many have deluded themselves into thinking that the government can help us. We even think that the government is going to make sure we are fed. The government will make sure that we have a roof over our heads. Look around. That has not happened. It has not happened in capitalist or socialist countries. 

The governments around the world are made up of fallible human beings who have their own agendas. However, this King Jesus who abides in all who love him helps those in need through you. His agenda that is to love you.

After Jesus had risen from the grave he asked Peter, who had denied him three times at his trial, if he loved him. When Peter said that he did, Jesus told him three times that if he did he would go and feed his sheep.

"He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep." (John 21:17)

Jesus didn't tell governments to go and feed his sheep. He told you. He told us to. 

At one of the parishes that I previously served; I not only had local people stop by the parsonage for assistance with their needs, I often had travelers stop by my home (usually near midnight) who needed assistance. Some needed gas or a ticket home; some needed shelter (motel for the night); some needed food. Many of the travelers seemed to be coming from Canada. In fact there were so many coming from Canada, I finally asked one of the travelers how he found me since neither the church or the parsonage were on the main highway. I jokingly asked if there was a sign at the Canadian border in Sault Ste. Marie with my address for anyone needing help. He laughed, as well, and told me that he had stopped by the State Police and they gave him my address. 

I cannot help but wonder with all the shut-downs due to COVID-19 how many people in need knocking on church doors to seek assistance are finding the churches closed and no one to help. I am assuming that not too many Police Departments are handing out pastors' addresses so those in need can knock at their homes. 

The governments of the world cannot; do not; and will not help everyone in need and sometimes when they do attempt to they actually cause more hunger and homelessness with their rules and regulations that go along with the assistance. We have been witness to that. 

But, the King of all creation can help. He helps through you. He helps through everyone of his followers who hear his call to "feed his sheep."

There is only one King who can save us. His name is Jesus!

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

The LIght Of Life

And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

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 8:3-12 KJV)

Advent; a season to prepare for the coming of the Lord. How shall we prepare? We began the season of Advent with John the Baptist calling people to "repent for the kingdom of God is at hand." (Matt 3:1-2) 

When the scribes and Pharisees were about to stone the woman accused of adultery, Jesus shines the light on the sins of those who are about to stone her by telling them that the person without sin ought to be the first to cast a stone against her and then stoops down to write something in the dirt. He looks up and her accusers are gone. They have been confronted with the truth and the truth is that we are all sinners living in darkness and need the light of life.

After her accusers depart he tells the woman that neither does he condemn her and that she should go and sin no more. She too has been reminded of the darkness of sin that dwells within her. 

That marvelous light, that light of life, does not shine so that we can see the sins of others around us. It shines for each of us so that we can see the darkness within ourselves. That light shines on and in us so that each of us can recognize our need for repentance; for a change; for a change of direction. It shines on us so that as individuals we can step out of the darkness to follow Jesus who is the light of life. 

Advent can be a very dark season for many of us. Not only are the hours of daylight shortened, it is a season when the world around us expects us to be celebrating; but, many are not. Many are grieving. Many are hurting. Many are hungry and homeless. Many feel less than because they do not live up to what they think the expectations of the world around them. Are we even supposed to live up to the world's expectations? Did John the Baptist live like the status quo? Did Jesus?

We cannot shine the light of Christ unto the world if we ourselves do not walk in the light. Jesus is the light of life! Live in that light and follow him! Be a light to the world.

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

Called To Love

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8 KJV)

We are called to love one another even as Jesus loves us. Because of what Jesus has done for us we are of the mind to follow in his footsteps, humbling ourselves, putting the welfare of others before our own. We care for the sick. We care for the hungry. We care for the homeless. We care for those who have lost their jobs and cannot care for themselves or their families adequately. We care for those who are disabled. We care for the elderly. We care for the young. We care for the persecuted and for those who are unjustly accused. 

We do not fear. We step up and care for those who are in any need because that's what Jesus did and does. If Jesus truly abides in us then we will be of like mind with him; putting the welfare of others before our own.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

A Time To Refrain From Embracing

A Time and Season for Everything

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Eccl 3:1-8 KJV

There is a time and a season for everything. Covid-19 has pretty much dictated to the world that it is a time to refrain from embracing depending upon who it is that you plan on embracing. If it's your children or spouse and you have been practicing safe distancing in public, embracing may be crucial to the mental health of your loved one and yourself. As hard as it might be for "huggers", if it's someone outside of your own household then it is not a very good idea at this time.

The world is going through a tough time right now. But, do not worry. This too shall pass for we know that there is a time and a season for everything and there will once again be a time for embracing. In the meantime, we can embrace one another with the words of our lips as we encourage one another. We can embrace one another by helping to feed the hungry and shelter the homeless by whatever means that are available to us. We can embrace one another with words of comfort and with prayer.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we ask you to comfort all in any sorrow or need. Embrace them with your loving arms; embrace them by the power of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus's name. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Homeless?

The thought of my affliction and my homelessness

   is wormwood and gall!
My soul continually thinks of it
   and is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind,
   and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
   his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
   “therefore I will hope in him.”
                       Lamentations 3:19-24 NRSV

I realized last night that my husband and I are about to become homeless. But, not like the truly homeless. We have an offer on our home in Florida and plan to be living most of the year in an RV. According to state standards, that would make us homeless. Truth be told, this does not make me in the least bit unhappy. It is a planned way of life that many people have chosen. I find it to be a kind of unshackling; to do with less stuff to care for. Managing less stuff will hopefully give us time to enjoy more life and to spend more time in service of God. That, to me, is not homelessness. It is not wormwood and gall. That is freedom. 

Unfortunately, state and local standards often cause many to be truly homeless. They live on the streets or in parks without benefit of any shelter. Some are able to cover themselves with blue plastic tarps. The more fortunate ones may find an abandoned building to sleep in. They wash up in public restrooms and beg in order to eat. After all, who will hire them when they have no clean clothes; no means to bathe; and no way to get to work? Where is the hope for those who find themselves without a home to lay their head at night? It is the same as for all of us. Genuine hope can only be found in God. Many people are generous and will help a bit. But, is a bit enough? There are so many things to overcome.  

Building codes, zoning laws, taxes, high rents and interest rates, and the list goes on all can contribute to the difficulty, if not impossibility of finding adequate shelter for those who may suddenly find themselves homeless. I read an article not long ago that gave me hope for the homeless in Jacksonville, FL. A Tiny House Village was being built for homeless Veterans there. At the same time, I could not help but wonder how many zoning laws around this country would prohibit this. 

Recently, a local city was preparing to move all of its homeless population to a very remote state park. How does that help? Out of sight; out of mind? I have often lamented that Christians from the United States send missionaries to third world countries not so much to share with them the Good News of the Kingdom of God or to give them what they need to thrive; but, what we think they need according to our standards of living. Our standards of living may be what we think is best and it may be for people here in this country. But, is that necessarily so for people of other cultures in other lands? It may not even be the standards that everyone in this country considers necessary. Yet, we've made law upon law so that instead of helping people up we push them down in attempts to exile them to places where we do not have to see that there are truly people in need. 

The state park idea did not work out as a place to exile the homeless in this county. Thanks be to God! When people are suffering we do not exile them so that we do not have to be reminded of the pain and poverty they are enduring. When people are suffering, Christians are called to give them a hand up, not out. Jesus tells us that if we truly love him then we are to "feed his sheep."  

Lamentations says:  "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end." In the caring for his sheep; that steadfast love is shared with others, his people will have hope, and God will be glorified. It is not up to the Christian to depend on the government to care for their neighbors. It is up to the Christian who would follow Jesus to love and care for all in need. 

I am looking forward to living in an RV even if it is considered by many, including the state, as being a state of homelessness. I am grateful to God that I will not be truly homeless. May God open our ears, eyes, and our hearts to a greater understanding of his love for all people so that all people might come to hope in Him. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Spit Out Of His Mouth

"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." (Rev 3:14-16 NIV)

A good percentage of the church on earth appears to be quite lukewarm; neither openly denying Christ or openly affirming Christ. There are way too many who confess that they are Christians on Sunday morning or in any Christian gathering of people. But, when it comes to witnessing to those who do not know Jesus; the church becomes pretty quiet. Yes, of course, there are all those television evangelists who make mega-bucks for their proclamation. But, then there is also the question regarding what they are really proclaiming. Do they proclaim that in order to be followers of Jesus we must deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow him? (Matt 16:24) Does our message include the fact that the road Jesus took here on earth was not one of self-indulgence; but, of a homeless man (Matt 8:19-20) who endured much persecution (John 15:20) and then went to his execution (Matt 27:32-37) for speaking the truth. 

There are way too many who profess to be Christians who really are not ready or willing to get off the fence and follow Jesus. They are afraid for their hearts to be on fire for Jesus. It might mean they have to focus on the Kingdom of God rather than the material things of this world. It will mean persecution. (2 Tim 3:12) 

God did not push the people of Laodicea off of the fence. He warned them and he warns us that if we do not want to be spit out of his mouth, we need to get off of the fence. 

May our hearts be set on fire for the Lord Jesus!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Visiting Angel

"Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." (Heb 13:1-2 NIV)

Whenever I read or hear these verses I am reminded of "Michael on The Way." Michael was a visitor to a congregation that I served years ago. I had only been there a couple of months. Michael was homeless, traveling, "on the way," from North Dakota to Florida for the winter. (The northern states are really not good states to be homeless in the winter.) He stopped to worship with us, coming in after the service started with his paper bag and guitar case in hand heading straight for the front pew - definitely not Lutheran. I was a little nervous. No, not because of him. But, because my sermon repeated verse 2 "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." Would we see the sermon lived out by the congregation that day, I wondered. Michael fidgeted a lot during the service.

During the sermon it appeared that he was leaving when he stood up. I stopped and introduced myself and asked him to stay so that we could visit after the service. When he told me his name was Michael, I got even a bit more anxious given the context of the sermon. My first thought on hearing his name was "archangel." He stayed. The congregation had proved to be very welcoming, indeed. He got lots of hugs during the sharing of the peace! He and I went out to breakfast afterwards to a place he had been asked to leave a couple of hours earlier. He had also visited another congregation in town that morning; but, only for a few minutes. He had not been welcomed there. I brought him down to the main highway after breakfast that morning so that he could continue his journey to places much warmer.

I asked the council at our next meeting to pray with me for Michael's journey. They agreed to also add him to our prayer list where he stayed for a few years. Not all of the council had been aware that Michael was really a homeless man. Since, they did not know me that well; they had thought I had set the whole thing up to go with the sermon. But, only God can mastermind events that well! It was a good lesson for me. I learned that day that the congregation I was serving truly did love and respect their neighbors, even the strangers. I also learned (again) that God is truly in charge and works things out for the good of those who love Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Why Is There No Room In The Inn?

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:6-7 NIV

What does this mean? What does this mean for you?

Traveling, Joseph and Mary found themselves without a place to sleep. In labor, Mary had no place to give birth except for in a barn.

When I first began traveling cross country alone so many years ago, I would just pull into a road side park, lock the car doors, and sleep when I became tired. I did not see a need to find an inn as I would only be sleeping for a few hours at the most. Today, this is not something that I would do. Today, I find an inn and sleep for a good five to six hours before I travel again. I do this not just because I'm aging and know that I need more than a couple of hours of sleep before I'm rested enough to drive; but, because today, it is much more dangerous to be sleeping alone in a roadside park. It's just not a good idea. It is also illegal in many areas of the country.

In the midst of the winter, when temperatures drop, my sense of what the homeless endure is heightened. What can be done for the homeless? In the north, where temperatures tend toward freezing and below, there are many towns and small cities without even one homeless shelter. There are no "inns" for them. Larger cities don't appreciate the homeless sleeping in tents or in makeshift shelters in their midst. Some even take away their tents or destroy their shelters. I get frustrated at the naivety of posts on social media that suggest we could build decent looking tiny, tiny houses for the homeless. That's a great idea. But, most of these suggested tiny shelters have no running water and would not be allowed in most of the country because of local zoning laws. We need to do more!

What is a world to do to help those who have no place to lay their heads at night? Why is there no room in the inn?

God's Peace - Pr. J 

More Precious

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matt 6:26

As awesome as it is to be among the birds of the air or the animals of the forests; yes, our brothers and sisters in Christ are even more awesome. We often take one another's uniqueness for granted. We just don't listen. We just don't see. Behold the child of God sitting next to you. Behold the children of God wherever you may be. Many are hungry. Many are cold. Many are homeless. God will take care of them and He wants to help them through you.

More precious than silver is God's whole creation. More precious than gold are God's children.

God's Peace - Pr. J.