Speaking Against God

Numbers 21:4-9 KJV; 4th Sun of Lent; Repent for things can get even worse than they were. 

Fear Not; Sing Joyous Songs!

Isaiah 35 KJV; for 3rd Sunday in Advent; Do not fear but rejoice for the Lord has saved you and is with you on the highway that he leads you on.

Meeting Jesus

2 Timothy 4:6-8 KJV We meet Jesus in the Word and Sacraments.

The LIght Is Jesus The Christ

John 3:16-21 KJV

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.

Taxed

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 

                                                           (Luke 2:1,3-7 KJV)

It is that time of year when we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Unfortunately, it is also that time of year when it's time to start thinking about paying income taxes.  It can be a taxing time for many. It is not unheard of to receive a letter after paying your taxes that you need to send another check because the IRS has decided that you owe more taxes and unless  you have a lot of time to find all the paperwork you need and the money to pay for a tax lawyer you really are going to have to pay it whether you owe it or not or you could end up having even your home taken from you. I remember hearing something about an unfair tax on tea before this country was born. It ended up in a party known as the Boston Tea Party. 

Joseph and very pregnant Mary traveled to Bethlehem to be taxed. Caesar had declared that the whole world had to go to their hometowns to be taxed. That sounds like madness to me. But, God had another plan.  Jesus was born during that tax paying journey in Bethlehem as had been prophesied. God turned a bad thing into a good thing.

During this season and everyday let us rejoice for the good things that God has given us in confidence that no matter what happens God has a good plan for you.

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 8:28)

Trust the Lord!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Wait, Watch, and Pray

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. 

                                                                     (Mark 13:33-37 KJV)

Today is the observance of Christ the King. The gospel according to Mark is a reminder that he will come again. This time not as a humble man; a man without even a home of his own, who is willing to sacrifice his all for us.  This time he will come as King of Kings will all authority and power. 

Next Sunday is the beginning of Advent. It is a season that we are also encouraged to watch and wait. It is reminisce of the years that God's people waited for their savior. We wait not only for the day of the celebration of his birth; but, are encouraged to pray, to wait, to watch for the day when he will come again in full glory.  We are encouraged to be prepared for that day.

Christ has come. Christ is here. Christ will come again. Pray that he not find us sleeping. 

Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. (Eph 5:14)

  

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Lord Provides

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.

Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.

And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.

And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.

And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.

And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. 

                                                                               (1 Kings 19:1-8 KJV)

Jezebel is after him so Elijah is on the run. She has sworn to kill him because he has killed her prophets. His departure is so quick that he doesn't take any provisions for his journey. The escape wore him out so after a ways he lays down under a tree and falls asleep.

Of course, the Lord knows all that Elijah has done to let the people know that their false gods and prophets are just that: false. And, the Lord still has plans for him. He sends an angel to care for him; to feed him and to give him drink. The Lord provides for his servant in need. 

The Lord still provides for his servants. He provides our daily bread. Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

We Get To Serve The Lord!

O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee! 

                                                                             (Psalm 71:17-19 KJV)

It has been about thirty-two years since I asked God to allow me to serve Him and to teach me how He would have me serve Him. I did not care what would happen to me so long as He opened doors that I might serve Him. My own stubbornness has made me veer from this path on more than one occasion. I have failed to do His will too many times. It has been an awesome journey. But, despite my advancing age I am convinced that He is not finished with me yet. He will continue to show me the way; opening doors and empowering me to do His will; to share with others the great things that He has done.

I retired from pastoral ministry a few years ago. Retirement for me was a mistake. Since that time I have wandered about feeling lost without the many opportunities to serve Him. Fortunately, He has opened a few doors. I am most fortunate for having the privilege to serve Him on the board of Sola Publishing this past year. Recently the opportunity opened up for me to serve Him further working with St. Paul Lutheran Seminary. As my hair grows grayer with each birthday and I am not as agile as I once was there are always opportunities to tell others; to teach others about the great and awesome things that God has done for us.

Thanks be to God for the privilege of serving Him.

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.

The Gift Of Life

 

Psalm 16 KJV

Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;

But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.

The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

+++

On this Holy Saturday we remember that Jesus is the way to life. He is the only way to life in the peaceful presence of God. And... only he can and has shown us the way.

Throughout Lent we have followed him on his journey to the cross. We observed his final earthly entrance into Jerusalem with much fanfare. We grieved when his followers deserted him and one was responsible for betraying him. Our hearts were torn open when we once again heard of his torture and death on the cross for our sakes. Today we wait for the celebration of his resurrection of our Lord and our Savior.

We followed him to the cross and grave with sadness; but, tomorrow our hearts will be filled with joy as we celebrate his resurrection from the dead. We rejoice because we know that in his suffering all who believe in him are forgiven their sins and will receive life everlasting in the presence of Almighty God.

So many emotions have run through our hearts and mins us these last weeks as we remembered his life, his death, and his life now among us as he leads us on the path of eternal life.

With sorrow we know that his suffering and death was rightly our suffering and death. But, we also rejoice for a love so great that he was willing to do that so that we might have and truly live life. 

Let us give thanks to Almighty God this and everyday for the gift of life through His Son Jesus the Christ. Amen!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Hinds' Feet; High Places

"The Sovereign Lord is my strength;

he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,

he enables me to tread on the heights." 

(Hab 3:19 NIV)

"The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places." 

(Hab 3:19 KJV)

It has been many years since I read, "Hinds Feet On High Places," an allegory, written by Hannah Hurnard. It is the story of Much-Afraid and her friends Sorrow and Suffering, as they follow Shepherd who takes them through many dangers to the high places, where they will walk as on hinds' feet. It is a long journey. They must have patience. They must have persistence. But, in the end, they (we) will dance in the presence of God.

This is a familiar story to many of us as even daily we journey through many difficult times in anticipation and the hope of the promised land.

Just as Habakkuk prayed and waited patiently for the LORD to deliver God's people from the enemy, from the many dangers that surround them; we, too pray and wait patiently (sometimes not as patiently as at other times) for the LORD to deliver His people from the turmoil and dangers we encounter as we journey through the dark shadows of the valley of death.

The Lord is our strength. With Him we shall walk through dark valleys to the high places where the light does surely shine.

God's Peace - Pr. J NIV)

A Good Purpose In Trials

 

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 8:28 KJV)

We are in the midst of Lent. I have found Lent to be a most challenging time, at least for me. Of all the seasons of the year it seems to me that the devil gets a whole lot busier attacking those who love God during Lent. During this time of reflection and repentance; during this time when we are reminded reminded of Jesus' admonition that we are to take up our crosses and follow him; we know full well that we will fall short. We can try to follow in his footsteps. But, we are not Jesus. We are not gods. We cannot do what Jesus did for us. We can do nothing. But, God can and He does. We can take up our crosses and follow the best that we can; but, it must be with the help of God. We cannot stand or walk alone.

No matter what obstacles are set before you; no matter what trials you are enduring, know that God works in and through all of these trials for the good of those who love Him. God is with you through your tribulations. He will show you the way and walk with you on your journey as you carry your cross to the cross of Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Spare The People, O Lord

"Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God?

Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:

Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.

Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?

Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people.

Yea, the Lord will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen" 

                                                                                  (Joel 1:12-19 KJV)

"Spare the people, O Lord."  I have and a lot of people that I know have been praying for help for the people around them and for the whole country especially during this past year.  It seems very true that hardship will soften the hearts of many. When we sink so low in the muck and mire there is only one place to go to for help and that is the Lord God, creator of heaven and earth.

Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. It is the beginning of Lent. This season is when we follow Jesus to the cross; recognizing the life he lived for us; the hardships he endured for us; the death he suffered for us. It is a rough journey to the cross as we recognize our sinful selves. Yet, we have hope because we know, evidenced by his resurrection, that because he lives we shall live also. 

Lent is a time to examine ourselves; to recognize our sinful selves and to repent of our own parts in the hardships that humankind suffers. How will you observe Lent? Will you take just a little more time to understand what Jesus actually did for you? That he loves all of humankind enough to die for us?

Lent is also a time when Christians have traditionally given up something for the season. Some fast from certain foods or habits. Others might give up a bit more of their time to study God's word or to worship.  Others might give up a bit more of their time to volunteer in some worthwhile project that will help others. Jesus' sacrifice was a blessing for us? Will you be a blessing to others this season?

There are many ways to fast. What will you be fasting this season? The little that we give up can in no way compare to what Jesus gave for us. So put a smile on your face and serve the Lord and his children with joy and gladness.

May God grant that we should all turn to the Lord with our whole hearts, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Open our hearts that we might turn to you Heavenly Father for you are both merciful and kind.  

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Jonah Did Not Want To Warn Them

And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying,

Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.

So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.

And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.

So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

                                                                             (Jonah 3:1-5,10 KJV)

The story of Jonah is quite a story! The end result of finally doing God's will and going to Nineveh to prophecy their impending doom if they did not repent was that they repented!

Way too often in today's world those who are sent by God to warn others of the disaster that will fall upon them if they do not change their ways do not warn anyone. They would rather pretend that there is no sin where there is sin just so they can be liked by everyone; to get along with everyone. 

At first, Jonah didn't want to speak up. He did not want to go and warn the people. When the Lord told him to go he tried to run away from God, as if that were even possible. "But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord." (Jonah 1:3)

Jonah ended up with much hardship himself for not obeying the word of the Lord. He ended up in a major storm on the sea; thrown into the sea to save others; saved from drowning by being swallowed by a big fish. When Jonah finally repented of not doing God's will; God had the fish vomit him out onto land where Jonah finished the mission to Nineveh. 

The story of Jonah's call to prophesy to Nineveh is prophetic in itself. It is a warning to all who are called to share the word of God to actually share the word of God. It is a warning to those who are called to proclaim the truth of God's word. We are not called to come up with another gospel that pleases itching ears. We are not called to water it down. We are not called to hide from the truth or hide the truth from others; but, to proclaim it. Jesus told the truth shall make you free.

If the truth, which is the Word of God, is not proclaimed; how will anyone know that they are on a path to destruction. If we truly love our neighbors we will let them know that no matter what they have done God loves them so much that he sent His only begotten Son to die for their sins. And... that is the crux of the matter. We must be able to recognize and call a sin for what it is: a sin. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8)

Because Jonah had finally warned the people of Ninevah they repented and God forgave them.

Jesus told the disciples "the truth shall make you free." (8:32) The truth is that we are all sinners in need of forgiveness. We are all in need of being reminded of that from time to time. Let us not hide the truth or hide from it; but, share it with all in need of forgiveness and that would be all of us. We are all in need of God's grace and His mercy.

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

Taxation: A Good Thing

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

                                                                                    (Luke 2:1-5 KJV)

It's that time of the year again. My email has been bombarded with advertisements from TurboTax. Yes, the Christmas season will soon be upon us; but, so will the dreaded tax season. 

Although my grandchildren do because they usually get every penny that the government took back, I don't know a lot of people who enjoy doing their taxes. Those who have to pay in after those taxes are done usually are not too excited about it. Nor are we too excited about where our tax money sometimes goes. But, taxes are a part of life. Some form of taxation has been a part of life for just about forever.

Because of the Caesar Augustus' taxation decree Mary and Joseph ended up just where they were supposed to be, according to the prophecies, when Jesus was born. I imagine very few people appreciated having to travel to their home towns to pay this tax. Of course a few may have appreciated the opportunity to see family members they hadn't seen in a long time just as a funeral often brings people who haven't seen each other in a long time together. 

Benjamin Franklin wrote: "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." This is true. The world will face both. Whether this Caesar's taxation edict was a good thing or a bad thing probably depended on the individual. Today, it depends on whether we trust God and His plan for us or not. 

There was a time when I felt something close to fear of doing my taxes and of the IRS. But, there came a point in my life when I realized that even if I messed up the taxes nothing that I should fear would actually occur. After all, what can be done that could extinguish the promise of eternal life in the Kingdom of God? 

St. Paul wrote to the Romans: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom 8:35:39)

In Joseph's and Mary's day the journey was probably a hardship for many. But, for all who believe in Jesus Christ it turned out to be a good thing for that journey to pay their taxes was necessary in order for the prophecy to be fulfilled. 

When things don't seem to be going the way we desire; when such things as taxes and death interfere in our lives we can still rejoice for as St. Paul wrote: "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 8:28)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Be Prepared And Wait

 

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

                                                                           (Mark 13:31-37 KJV)

The end is near! I seem to hear that a lot in conjunction with the attempt being made to do a total reset on the economy and yes even the whole world. The proclamation that the end is near has been announced ever since Jesus walked the earth. Is it really?

Jesus said that no one knows that day or hour. No one knows when it will be except for the Father. Jesus also warns us that because no one knows we should always be prepared. We should always be watchful. Are we prepared for his return in full glory?

Today begins the season of Advent. It is a time to remember not just the first coming of the Christ; but, to look to his return in full glory. 

I have often been asked if I am ready for Christmas. My response is always something like: if we are not ready for Christmas; if we can't figure out how to get ready for one Holy Day; then we are not ready for Christ to return to take us to himself.

Yes, one day the earth will pass away. But, the Word, who is Jesus the Christ, will never pass away. Prepare yourself by getting to know the Word. Be prepared for he may come again today. But, it may also be a very long time from now and in that case you still need to be prepared and watch and wait.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Messiah; The Christ; Follow Him

And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.

He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God. 

                              (Luke 9:18-20 KJV)

Who is this Jesus? Jesus wanted to know who his disciples thought he was. Peter confessed that Jesus was and is the Christ; the Savior sent by God. Do you also believe this? If you do, what are you going to do about it? Will you share that Good News? Will you follow Him? Will you be His disciple?

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:23-26)

Following Jesus is not an easy road. But, Christ went before us and is still with us on the journey so I'm thinking following Him is the best journey to undertake. He is after all, the Messiah; the Christ!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Dust To Dust

And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

                                                                                   (Gen 3:17-19 KJV)

We begin the season of Lent remembering that from dust we have come and to dust we shall return. We will all face death. As Adam and Eve sinned against God, so do we all. Intentionally or unintentionally we turn our backs on God and on one another all of the time. 

Our Lenten journey to the cross can be a tough one as we remember what Jesus did for us and how much God truly loves us even in our sinful states. But, the journey must be made, for without it; without these forty days, without Holy Week, without Good Friday, we would not be able to truly experience the relief and miraculous joy of Easter Sunday. 

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Rom 6:23) Thanks be to God for His great love for us!

We do not deserve life. Yet, by faith alone in Christ alone it is God's gift to us. Lent is yet another opportunity to get to know the one who lived and died and lives for us. Don't let that opportunity to get to know the one who loves more than all others do pass you by.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Beginning The Journey Again

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

                                (Lam 3:22-23 KJV)

Last week I was in the Keweenaw and had a few minutes so drove up to the beginning of US 41 as I usually do when I am in Copper Harbor. This sign reminds me how much life has changed over the ages. I am grateful that I have a vehicle to drive from Michigan to Florida. That was not so for those who traveled ages ago. To get where they wanted to go; they simply put one foot in front of the other and kept on going. They may have stumbled and fell a few times. But, then if they wanted to get where they were going, they would pick themselves up and kept on going. 

The beginning of US 41 is a reminder to me of the journey we as Christians make. It can seem long and it may be very hard at times. We may and most likely will stumble and fall at least a few times. But, God is with us. His compassion is great. He picks us up and we keep going, yearning for the goal at the end of the journey. 

I am reminded when I visit the "Beginning of US 41" that there is always the opportunity to begin again. When we falter on the journey, we can start again. We can put our past behind us as we have been forgiven through the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus and begin again. 

Each and every morning we can begin the journey anew because the Lord's mercy and compassion fail not.

God's Peace - Pr. J