Gather Together Often!

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

And if they were all one member, where were the body?

But now are they many members, yet but one body.

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 

                                                                        (1 Cor 12:18-25 KJV)

As I attended a meeting for the South Eastern Conference SEC of the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) last night I could not help but wonder why the various members of the Body of Christ are reluctant to come together. I am not only speaking of those who profess to be Christians and rarely gather with others to worship God. I am also speaking of whole congregations who prefer to be isolated from the rest of the Body. 

Sometimes it is doctrinal difference particularly when it comes to gathering with others of a different denomination. Sometimes, it is because they have genuine animosity toward a brother or sister in Christ of another congregation.  Sadly; sometimes, it is also because we do not want anyone interfering in the power that we may have in the congregation that we are in. We simply do not want anyone interfering with the little bit of control that we think we have in our place of worship. Yes, sadly, there are members of congregation who do not have care for one another; but, only to build themselves up. They want no outside interference reminding people that we are all members of the One Body of Christ and that every person is as important as the next in the growing up of the Body. There are those who actually think that we do not need one another and that we are not a part of the same Body. 

The list of excuses used for not gathering together with other Christians is too long to be able to go over them all. But, remember that we are One Body and one member is not better than another. God gives each of us gifts to the growth of the Body and they must be used together "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." (Eph 4:12)

St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians:

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

                                                                      (Eph 4:1-7, 11-12 KJV)

The LCMC South Eastern Conference in conjunction with St. Paul's Lutheran Seminary is sponsoring a conference on the "Two Kingdoms" on Jekyll Island” on April 19 and 20 this year. Join us! More information can be found at this link: https://semlc.org/conference-registration/

Let us not neglect to gather together in the bond of peace often!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Love Them And Show The Children The Way

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.." (Psalm 127:3 KJV)

For a few of generations now, I have witnessed children being neglected. Sure, most, but not all, have adequate food, shelter, clothing, etc.. Most of the children are physically provided for. But, not all of them. 

This morning, the neglect that I'm thinking of isn't due to lack of caring for physical needs. The neglect that I'm thinking of is when love is withheld. This neglect happens when these precious gifts from God are ignored by their parents. Some are even left to raise their parents because their parents put themselves before all others. They put themselves before God. They put themselves before their children. Sometimes, they have a lot of fun with their children. They horse around and play with them because that makes the parents feel good for the moment and then they are off to do their own thing.

There are some who say that many children raising children. Sadly, in many cases it has gone beyond that. The children are raising their parents and the children are not equipped. I am not saying that the whole world or all parents are being raised by their children. But, way too many are. It really is up to the parent to raise up a child in the way that they should go. It is not up to the child to take care of the parents' needs and desires.

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

Wake up, as they say, and smell the roses. Your children are a gift from God. Care for them, guide them, teach them, love them as God loves you. Love your children even as they love you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Armor of God

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

                                                               (Ephesians 6:10-13 KJV)

Sometimes we forget that the battle is not against each other; but, against the spiritual forces that attack every one of us. We forget and when we forget we neglect to pray even for our enemies that they might change (repent) and receive the peace of the Lord so that we all might live in peace; so that we all might live in the joy of His presence.

Yes, the evil one does manifest himself in humankind and we do find ourselves in conflicts and wars. To protect those who cannot protect themselves there are times that we must engage in physical warfare. But, even in those times the spiritual warfare must be paramount. We can never forget to wear the armor that the Lord has provided us. We are to at all times and in places wear the belt of truth, a breastplate of righteousness, shoes to help us go out and proclaim the gospel of peace, the shield of faith so that the evil one's arrows will be thwarted, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God). (Eph 6:14-18) Even as we venture forth wearing this armor we should always and in all places remember to pray.  Pray in the Spirit that we do the Lord's will and not our own. Pray that God is with us; that, the battle might be won.  

God's Peace - Pr. J

Blood That Is Thicker Than Blood

There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.

And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.

And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?

And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

                                                                                      (Mark 3:31-35 KJV)

Family... Most of us have families that we are close to. But, many do not. Many have been abused or neglected by their families. Others have lost them to death. We may not have birth families to celebrate with; to grieve with; to live and walk with; but, we can still have a family. 

I have known too many people who have been judged because they have chosen for their own physical, spiritual, or mental health that they must distance themselves from their families of birth. There is a prevailing sense that those of the same "blood;" the same family, must support one another no matter what. Unfortunately, it cannot always be so. When one family member endangers you or others by their words or actions those actions should not be supported. Sometimes family members and friends will have to walk away for the sake of everyone involved. 

The Good News is that there is a family that will support you. We have a Father who does all things for the good of those who love him. There is indeed a blood that is thicker than blood. It is the blood of Christ that was shed for you. Because he was willing to die for us, we are willing to follow Him, doing our Father's will. We can say "Our Father" because through Jesus we have been made children of God. We have been adopted into his family.

Jesus was not disavowing his mother or his brothers when he asked and answered the question. "Who is my mother, or my brethren?" He loved them. He loved his mother; for, even as he was suffering on the cross he appointed John to look after Mary. Jesus was making the point that all who believe and follow are his family. Thus, we have the Church; the family of God.

There is the blood that is thicker than blood. It binds us together, forever. It is the blood of Christ shed for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Would You Deny Him?

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.

And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all. 

                                                                                (Mark 14:26-31 KJV)

"I will not deny thee" is one of the saddest statements that we hear from the scriptures. In fact we know that Peter did deny him as he was being interrogated and persecuted for our sakes. Peter had been a faithful follower of Jesus; yet, he denied that he even knew him.

It causes us to wonder what we would have done if we had been there. Would we have denied him to save our own skins? What about today? How often do we actually deny that we know Jesus? How often do we miss opportunities to testify to his great love for us? How often do we neglect to tell others what he has done for us.

"I will not deny thee" is such a sad statement to hear because we know that we are not so different from Peter. Although many have stood firm and died declaring that Jesus is our Savior; the question haunts us. Would we?

God's Peace - Pr. J.

We All Need To Grow

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

                             1 Peter 2:2-3 KJV

It is not just babies who need good nutrition to grow so does everyone who has lived for decades. All kinds of ailments attack bodies that do not feed themselves properly.

As Christians grow older, all too often they do not feel the need to read or hear the word of God. I have heard on more than one occasion that someone does not need to read the scriptures because they learned it in Sunday School or Confirmation classes. That is totally absurd! No one can know it all. Even most pastors know that they need to continue reading and studying the word in order to grow in faith as well as in love.

The small catechism that we use to teach children and new members was written by Martin Luther for parents to use to teach their children because he found that pastors in his day really did not have a clue about the word of God.

Have a clue! Many churches have closed due to the corona virus. Start a new habit. Open your Bibles and read the word. Hold a daily Bible Study with your family and grow in faith!

In times like this we worry about our physical health. Let us not neglect to care about our spiritual health. Stay in the word. Crave and seek the spiritual milk of the word of God so that you may know the grace of God through our Lord Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Message Is Found In Scripture

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

                                                                             (Rom 16:17-20 KJV)

We've all heard them; those who with smooth talk teach a false gospel. Those who tell you that God will provide you with everything you want if you would only do this thing or that thing. They neglect to tell you that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ Jesus. They neglect to tell you that there is no earthly treasure that can even begin to compare with the gift of living reconciled to God; living in relationship with Jesus.

It is no different today than it was in St. Paul's day. There is one way to tell if something proclaimed to you is the truth; know the scriptures, read them and hear them. The message proclaimed to us through the prophets is found in them. The fulfillment is found in them. Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promises to us.

Do not let your itching ears lead you to believing smooth talkers whose aim is not to glorify God; but, to satisfy their own egos; their own bellies. This desire to have it our own way rather than according to the will of God will only cause dissension and divisions. It will cause much strife; much pain. It is neither wise nor safe to accept any doctrine that cannot be supported by scripture. Scripture supports scripture. 

Read your Bibles daily and have a blessed day; a blessed life in Jesus Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.