Together

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

                                                                                                      (Eph 1:5-10 KJV)

God's purpose: to unite us with him and one another through Jesus the Christ. Unfortunately, the world and the devil would see us separated from one another and have us turn our backs on God.  It's too much to attend worship and hear the word of God with those hypocrites! It's too much to share the peace with one another! We might get sick. 

What is sick is being separated from God and one another. That is not God's purpose for humankind. Thankfully a goodly part of the world is getting back together to love and serve one another; to love and  to serve God together.

It is the good will of God that we be reconciled to him and to one another. God help us to gather together in unity and in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Wipe The Dismal Look Off Of Your Face, Please!

“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."                                                                             (Matthew 6:1, 16-18 NRSV)

The look of the dismally pious has a tendency to make me wonder who they think they are fooling. Do they not understand that when many of us see pious, dismal looking Christians we do wonder whom they are truly serving? Are they serving God or themselves? Witnessing people serving the Lord, with love, usually brings a smile to my face and joy in my heart because those who are truly serving the Lord and not doing works to get the approval of humankind or trying to win their way in to heaven are very grateful to have the opportunity to serve Him. Whether we are serving the Lord out of love for him or out of self-righteousness is usually visible on our faces; in our very demeanor.

I am not saying that you should be walking around happy, happy, happy all of the time. I am simply saying that if you never find joy in your Sunday routine of worshipping the Lord simply because it is nothing more than a routine for you; if you never find joy in helping your neighbor or visiting a sick friend in the hospital; if you never find joy in serving the Lord by serving others then there is a problem. 

Worshipping and serving the Lord is not a mere ritual that will keep you from the fires of hell. Worshipping and serving the Lord is an act of love. Because he first loved us, we love him. And, as the song goes, "They will know we are Christians by our love." (John 13:34-35)

As you follow in the footsteps of Jesus, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites; but, rejoice for in him for you have been reconciled to God our Father. Rejoice, for you who were not his children are now his children! The gates to paradise have been opened for you. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Give To God Your Whole Life

Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

                                                                      (Matthew 22:17-21 NIV)

Have you paid your taxes? There is only a couple of more days before the deadline for filing income taxes. I think most people probably get a little worried that they will make a mistake on their taxes and the IRS will be knocking on their door. That is why so many people hire tax accountants to do their taxes even if they are simple 1040 EZ's that they are filing. We worry about being charged with not giving to the government what is owed.

If we are so concerned about making no mistakes when it comes to paying our taxes to the governing authorities; why then are we so lax in giving God the thanks and praise that belongs to Him? 

The governing authorities use our tax money to build roads and support hospitals and schools and all kinds of things that we deem necessary for life. But, it is God who gives life to all. It is God who gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Do not hold back on paying your taxes to the governing authorities. Do not hold back from dedicating your whole life to God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Whitewashed Tombs And Dead Bones

St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." (Matt: 23:27-28 NIV)

One of the highlights of my visit to Ireland was going to be a visit to the beautiful St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. But, I did not find it so! It is a museum. Certain areas of the church are quite beautiful; but, if you step back for the bigger picture, it is quite cluttered with artifacts, statues, and unused chairs as well as other "stuff" being stored in open areas quite visible from the sanctuary. I was told that only one or two dozen worship in that sanctuary on any given Sunday. That huge sanctuary and it is empty!

Just because something or someone may look beautiful at first glance does not mean that they are truly beautiful or useful. Churches around the globe have become like museums; beautiful on the surface; but, on closer examination they have become very much like museums; devoid of life.

Not only have the buildings which we call churches become like tombs, devoid of life; so too are many who call themselves children of God. They do not find life in Christ. They seek life in this world. Alas, so many who would call themselves by the name of Christ have become like empty tombs because they prefer museums than living their lives in real relationship with God and one another. How the church looks; whether we "look" righteous, whether we "look" clean, with all the right furniture and all the right people have become the all important factors that go into building up the visible church. Beautiful hymns have all become like funeral dirges of long ago. Rather than the lifting up of what God has done for us in joyous or triumphant song; they have become devoid of hope. They are devoid of life.

Alas, the visible church on earth is full of bones of the dead and everything unclean! Turn to the Lord and worship Him and may God give life to all the dead bones.

God's Peace - Pr. J