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.

Healed By Jesus

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

                         (Acts 3:6-7 KJV)

And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 

                                                                              (Acts 4:7-10 KJV)

    

Peter and John were interrogated by the cohorts of the high priest as to how they healed the lame man. They took no credit for the healing. It was simple. The lame man was healed by him whom they had crucified, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

This man who begged for a living because he could not work was not given silver or gold. He was given life with the opportunity to earn his own keep. He was given the opportunity to walk and to live life more abundantly. He was certainly most grateful for this gift as evidenced by entering the temple walking and leaping and praising God.

In Christ Jesus, we too are made whole. Let us rejoice and be glad for the precious gift of life in him.

God's Peace - Pr. J.  

Walking, And Leaping, And Praising God

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. 

                                                                                (Acts 3:1-11 KJV)

Lame at birth; now healed, he held onto and followed Peter and John into the temple praising God. The man had only asked for help to exist and received so much more. He received a life in which he would no longer have to beg and be looked down upon. He could walk! And, had so much more reason to praise God.

Miracles happen in our lives all of the time. If we would only look back on our lives and see how the hand of God has touched us in so many wonderful ways.

It may sound cliche; but, sometimes it is most worthwhile to "count our blessings." If and when we do we will surely praise God for the life He has given us in Jesus Christ our Lord.

"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

                                                                                      (Eph 3:14-21 KJV)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Offended By The Truth

Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

                                                                          (Luke 7:22-26 KJV)

It seems people get offended at the slightest things these days and that includes the gospel when it is being shared. If worship isn't entertaining then many will just look for another church or stay home. If both the law and gospel are preached, people become offended. I've personally known a couple of pastors who were told by council members that they were not to be talking so much about the law. I know them personally and know that neither one of them preach only law. I also know the council members. They wanted only those things preached that will make everyone feel good about themselves in order to keep the membership and offerings up.

Yes, many who attend worship as a weekly (or monthly or annual) ritual are offended by Jesus. They are offended at the thought that they are sinners. They do not want to be reminded because they are good people, after all. Many do not want to hear that Jesus had to die because of their sins. He had to die to save us. 

Unlike Jesus, many who profess to be Christians are often like reeds shaken with every wind that blows and think so highly of themselves that they have to be treated delicately so that they are not offended.

The truth that we are all sinners and genuinely need the grace and mercy of God offends way too many. But, that should not stop the truth from being shared. 

St. Paul was definitely not a follower of Jesus who shook with every wind that blew. He was definitely not delicate! He did not stop proclaiming the good news that Jesus died for us not so that we might live like kings in this world; but, that we might live as heirs of the Kingdom of God. He was not slack in proclaiming Jesus as our Savior even as he faced the prospects of persecution, prison, and death because of the people that were offended by what he preached. 

We are all reminded even as he exhorted Timothy to:

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

                                                                                           (2 Tim 4:2-4)

May God open our ears and eyes and hearts so that we might never be offended to hear the truth in Christ Jesus. God help us to proclaim the gospel in both word and deed that all might be blessed.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Keep On Sharing The Good News!

Acts 4:23-31 NIV
 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

“‘Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
against the Lord
    and against his anointed one.

 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Why, indeed, do the people plot in vain; rising up against the LORD and His Anointed One?
 
At times, it can be very difficult proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom. The world seems to have set up obstacles all around. There seems to be way too many times when the proclamation that would bring comfort to the people is hindered simply because the time is being spent on distractions caused by dissension. (Rom 16:17-20) Peter and John had been confronted by the authorities for proclaiming the Good News and for the healing of the lame man. But, they did not allow this distraction to hinder them. They continued to pray and to trust that the LORD would enable them, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to speak His word with great boldness. They prayed that the LORD would stretch out His hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the Jesus.

Do not let the world stand in the way of proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom for all people. The Good News is for all people; but, all people have not heard it. Someone must speak it. Know that God is with you to do just that, guiding and empowering you by the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ, our LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J

I Cannot Come

Come to the banquet!

“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come." (Matt 22:2-3 NIV)

Oh, yes, a goodly number of us want to go this banquet after we are dead and buried; but, how about today? Are we willing to sit at that table today? Maybe, there's a more enticing table set someplace for you than at the Lord's Table? Not everyone that's been invited will be at the table eating and drinking; receiving the "foretaste of the feast to come." Some will decline for a "better" offer.

While serving at Zion Lutheran in Skanee, MI, on the occasions that this parable was our Sunday reading, the choir usually sang "I Cannot Come To The Banquet." (I could not find the author's name - possibly The Medical Mission Sisters, 1966?) It is quite the lively song; but, cuts right to the heart of things.

I cannot come.
I cannot come to the banquet, don't trouble me now.
I have married a wife.
I have bought me a cow.
I have fields and commitments
That cost a pretty sum.
Pray, hold me excused,
I cannot come.

A certain man held a feast on his fine estate in town.
He laid a festive table and wore a wedding gown.
He sent invitations to his neighbors far and wide
But when the meal was ready, each of them replied:

I cannot come.
I cannot come to the banquet, don't trouble me now.
I have married a wife.
I have bought me a cow.
I have fields and commitments
That cost a pretty sum.
Pray, hold me excused,
I cannot come.

The master rose up in anger, called his servants by name,
"Go into the town, fetch the blind and the lame,
Fetch the peasant and the pauper for this I have willed,
My banquet must be crowded, and my table must be filled."

I cannot come.
I cannot come to the banquet, don't trouble me now.
I have married a wife.
I have bought me a cow.
I have fields and commitments
That cost a pretty sum.
Pray, hold me excused,
I cannot come.

When all the poor had assembled,
There was still room to spare,
So the master demanded: "Go search ev'rywhere,
To the highways and the byways
And force them to come in.
My table must be filled before the banquet can begin.

I cannot come.
I cannot come to the banquet, don't trouble me now.
I have married a wife.
I have bought me a cow.
I have fields and commitments
That cost a pretty sum.
Pray, hold me excused,
I cannot come.

Yes, no? What will it be? All are invited! Will you come to the banquet?

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Hope to see you at the Lord's Table.

A Good Name

Crazy Horse

"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all." (Prov 22:1-2 NIV)

I have often reminded young people that keeping their name good, by conducting their lives in a manner that will glorify God, is going to be most beneficial to them. It will help them greatly, not just today by keeping them out of trouble and from being with their parents; but, it will help them as they become adults. In small communities (in fact the whole world is getting to be a small community) word about one's character gets around pretty fast. Even if they don't know you, information about you can be accessed quite easily. A quick look at your Facebook alone can give a reference, good or bad, in no time flat. If one ends up getting arrested, it will not take future employers hardly any time or trouble to get your records. To get the best jobs, to have greater opportunities, even to get loans for school or a home or a small business your name will affect the outcome of the application.

If you build up a name that is esteemed by serving and helping others; others will be much more likely to trust you. If your name becomes synonymous with trouble, then when trouble comes, they will come looking to accuse you, whether you did it or not. If your name has been muddied by past conduct, you may often find yourself alone and lonely as others, in order to keep their name good, will tend to shy away from you. Those who will cling to you are those who make a habit of muddying up their own name. That may not seem fair or the best thing, but it is human nature.

Riches and gold can buy you acquaintances. But, it cannot buy you genuine friendship or love. If you attempt to buy it with these things, you have only dishonored your own name.

The LORD is the creator of all, both rich and poor. He is LORD and maker of all, both those who have kept their names relatively good and those who have disrespected themselves and their own names. In reality, there is only one whose name is truly good.  Turn to the LORD and maker of all, bear His Holy Name. Bear the name of Jesus Christ no matter where you are or what you do. In this you will find much peace and reconciliation for a past that attempts to follow you. On the cross, Jesus was willing to clear your name, so that you might bear His, as you face the world before you; as you seek the Kingdom of God. Christian, bear the name of Christ, for His name is good. It is better, far better, than silver or gold.

Remember the story of the man who had been lame since birth, sitting in the temple gate begging for money so that he could eat?  Peter and John came up to him and "Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God." (Acts 3:6-8)

Silver and gold could not buy this man health, but in the name of Jesus Christ, he was healed. Bear the good name of Jesus. It will bring health and wholeness to the world around you.

What's in a name? You were given a name in Christ at baptism. Jesus calls you by that name. What will you do with that name?

God's Peace - Pr. J