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.

Of God Not The World

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom 12:2 KJV)

The world seems to be in a bit of a mess. There are food shortages and inflation appears that it will be hitting a ceiling and beyond very soon. Gas prices are so high that it takes a good chunk out of the paychecks just to get to work to feed ones family and keep a roof over their heads.

The elite worry so much about how we are destroying our planet and recommend that the average person do things to reduce the harm that are simply out of our financial range. It is not only recommended; but,  governments often legislate it. Yet, the carbon footprint that gets left behind by the elite using private aircraft or taking trips into what is barely outer space is pretty unbelievable. If global warming is in fact getting worse then why are these things allowed? Instead of banning truckers from using older trucks as California does to protect the world maybe these leisurely trips of the rich and elite should be banned.

The ways of the world don't make much sense to me. What is good for some is not good for others?

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. (Matt 7:12)

Once, I'm on the subject of what is good for some and not for others: how about the years it takes for politicians and other elite to be investigated for crimes including felonies? It takes years because they can afford great lawyers and that is only necessary if the authorities don't bury the case someplace in some hole in the back room.  Sometimes, it is as simple as who they know. But, the low or middle income person does not receive such assistance. The innocent too often end up imprisoned because they cannot afford the legal fees to fight in their own defense. 

However, we do not have to be conformed to the ways of the world. We know that God is with us even in times of persecution. The way of God for the one who trusts in Him is to do good to all people. In Christ there is no one better or more privileged than another. 

In Christ we live to do no harm! We do not harm others to benefit ourselves. May we all be transformed by the renewing of our minds that we might treat each other as we would wish to be treated and thereby live in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Imprisoned

"Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me.."

                  (Philemon 1:9-11 KJV)

Greetings: 

I remember receiving word that a young friend (a former secretary) had "received life." Now in the Christian context you might assume that he has received Christ into his life; that he has received the promise of eternal life. I wish that I could say that this was so. He "received life" in the worldly context. He received three life sentences in prison, without parole. When I heard the sentence he had received, in grief, I voiced it aloud: 

"HE RECEIVED LIFE." 

Still, there is hope to be found hope in those words. It is my hope that his sentence in this world is a sign to me that he has received life eternal, although he may not realize that fact, yet. I have prayed for him often; that we would be one in Christ; that he would enter into the Body of Christ. It is painful for me to think of one so young living behind bars for another 50 or 60 years. But, it is reality. A reality that may seem cruel, but may also be the very opportunity needed for him to "receive life." This friend of mine received the consequences of his actions in this world; yet, he still has the opportunity for freedom; a freedom that is found only in Christ; for all of eternity. 

St. Paul spent a good portion of his ministry behind bars. Although scripture has no record of how many received the truth of Christ through the word spoken by Paul, I am sure there were quite a few. We read in Philemon, that he who was in prison had converted the young man, Onesimus.  I guess you could say Paul was called to prison ministry, but not in the way most of us view prison ministry. Paul was there, living it. One on one, he experienced the pain and suffering of those in prison with him. Because he suffered the same pain, he understood and because he understood others listened and received life. 

There is a prison that we don't recognize as easily as we do the earthly prison surrounded by bars and barbed wire. That prison is our bondage to sin; our bondage to the desires and ways of this world; our desires to be served rather than serve in the love of Christ. This prison is harder for us to recognize and so often we never even desire freedom from it. Many actually come to like it in these chains. Within the walls of a correctional facility freedom can be found in Christ Jesus; freedom to love and serve as the world is not competing quite as loudly for first place in your life. 

Jesus promised that: "..the truth shall set you fee." (John 8:32) However, for those of us who may be bound in a prison of worldly comforts of self-serving desires and pursuits, it's really hard to see the truth (often preferring not to see the truth, about our need for forgiveness, so we don't ask for it), remaining in bondage to sin. 

As we consider our own freedom; let us ask God to reveal to us whether we are truly free. Let us pray first for salvation, for freedom in Christ. Let us pray for one another, in love, that forgiveness in Christ be received by all God's children who find themselves in prison: both the correctional facilities and those chained to the desires of this world. Let us also pray a prayer of Thanksgiving for our Prison Chaplains and all who work in the Prison Ministry for bringing the Light of Christ into such darkened lives. 

God’s Peace – Judy

Inhumanity At Jamestown And In The Present

Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:

Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:

That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.

They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?

They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.

But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.

Psalm 64:1-7 KJV

Has humankind become more humane over the generations or just better at justifying our inhumanity before others? We must always remember that no matter how we attempt to justify our own inhumanity, we cannot justify it. We are only justified by faith in the blood of Christ shed for us. St. Paul wrote to the Romans: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." (Rom 5:8-9)

I spent a lot of time the other day trying to hook my husband up with PBS Passport so that he could watch the "Jamestown" series. Oye! Oye! Oye! I have been attempting to spend more time with him so have been trying to watch at least some of it with him. "Some of it" being the key phrase. I cannot stay in the room to witness the inhumane words and actions of so many in "Jamestown." The misuse and abuse of others: the Naturals (Native Americans); the African Slaves; the White Indentured Servants; even each other; is just overwhelming. It makes me just a bit crazy to watch such injustice for the sake of wealth and power. Since, I know the outcome of Jamestown, even though I know the series is fiction, I do not doubt that much of what is portrayed in the series is indicative of what actually went on in Jamestown. And, these people of Jamestown, for the most part, claimed to be Christian.

What about today? Around the world people are being imprisoned unjustly. They are being tortured, beheaded, and killed in so many ways so that others may  continue their pursuit of power or wealth or both. How many in this country are unjustly accused and persecuted? For the most part, innocent men and women are not imprisoned or killed here. But, it does happen and it happens with the facade of justice. This too makes me very weary to witness. 

Jesus once told the Pharisees (and ultimately us) "...Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. (Luke 16:15)

There is a better way to live than to climb up any ladders on the backs of others. According to the prophet Micah: "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6:8)

May God help us to live more justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly following  in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus the Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Imprisoned

If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. (1 Peter 4:14-15 NRSV)

I admit it! I am a stickler for the law. I strive to do things according to the law and I like for people around me to do the same. It doesn't always happen; but, that's the way I like to see life go. Everything just seems to go so much smoother when everything is done according to what is right and lawful. Not everyone always appreciates me reminding them what is and what isn't lawful. But, that is who I am. I prefer things to go smoothly and I really prefer not to visit anyone in jail if it can be avoided. It is very saddening to have to visit someone who has lost their freedom because they chose to do the wrong and unlawful thing just because they felt they should be free to do these things.

Unfortunately, there are also innocent people who have found themselves in jail. Some because they were falsely accused. Many followers of Jesus have also found themselves in jails, in prison, even executed for his name's sake. St. Paul spent a whole lot of time in prison before he was executed. His time in prison was a fruitful time, ultimately glorifying God.

If we are going to suffer, let it be to the glory of God and not because we are murderers, thieves, any sort of criminal or even as a mischief maker.

May God help us to live in peace. Pr. J

He Descended Into Hell

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits — to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. (1 Peter 3:14-20a NIV)

He descended into hell...  After being put to death in the body, Peter tells us that, he was made alive in the Spirit and went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits. As Lutherans, we believe and affirm that: “We simply believe that the entire person [Jesus Christ], God and man, descended into hell after the burial, conquered the devil, destroyed hell’s power, and took from the devil all his might” (Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Art. IX).

He conquered the power of death and the power of the devil for you. There is no reason to fear anything in this world or in the spiritual realms for Christ has authority over all. No matter what this world attempts to throw at us, we can be at peace knowing that nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Take comfort and do not fear when the evil one and his minions attempt to destroy you. Jesus Christ has prevailed for you.

God grant you the peace of heart and mind knowing that Jesus lived and died and lives for you!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Live By The Spirit

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Cor 3:6

Oh, yes! The letter of the law can indeed kill our spirit to move forward. It can kill our desire to do anything. But, the Spirit gives life to life here in this world. The Spirit gives us hope to continue forward. It empowers us to do what is good for others. The Spirit empowers us to love and serve our God and our neighbors wherever they may be.

Such a horrible waste of life to life imprisoned by the letter of the law. We have been freed from the letter of the law to live by the Spirit, by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God help us to not succumb to the bondage that we were once under; but, to freely live by the Spirit of the law, which is love. Therefore; in the Spirit of love that God has for us let us all love enough to show justice, have mercy, and feed His sheep!

God's Peace - Pr. J.