We Cannot Hide Our Secrets

Jeremiah 23:23-24 KJV; Don't bother trying to hide your sins. There is no place that you can hide from God. Repent and receive forgiveness.

Pastors Are Not The Head Of The Church; Christ Is

1 Corinthians 3:1-9; 1 Corinthians 12:7-14; KJV; 6th Sunday after Epiphany; All parts of the Body are equal. They may all have different gifts; but, all gifts and members are necessary. 

To Sweep The Streets Of Heaven

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

                            (1 John 3:1-2 KJV)

To be a janitor and sweep the streets was what one of my pastors once told me he'd like to do when he gets to heaven. Some can't wait to sing in the heavenly choir. Others have said they hope they get to go fishing or see their friends and family who are no longer here on earth. We all have differing views of what heaven is like or what we will do there. No one knows for sure.

What I am convinced of though is that those who abide in Christ and he in them can get a taste of heaven even here on earth. We can know the peace that living in God's presence can bring. And... that, I am convinced, no matter what else heaven might be like, is what life after death to this world is. It is living in the presence of our heavenly Father the one who loves us so much that He has given us the privilege of being His children through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. We who were not his children, by God's grace through faith, are now his children.

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Gal 3:26)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Once Was Enough

And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. 

                                                                                                   (Heb 7:23-28 KJV)

Pastors come and go. They do not live to serve the world forever. We live. We die. But, Jesus lives!. He is risen! He is ascended! He is with you now and always!

The ancient priests interceded for humankind. Prayers and blood offerings were made on the behalf of the people. There is no more bargaining with God. We can't buy Him off because Jesus paid for the price for our sins. He was the ultimate sacrifice. The only begotten Son suffered and died for us and that was enough.

We are saved by God's grace through faith in the one who lived and died and lives again for us!

Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Serve Together In Love

Love one another; serve in unity

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:

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

                                                                                        (Eph 4:11-16 KJV)

Do we ever really grow up?  To truly grow up can take a lifetime and usually a lot of heartache. Society, today, gives us about eighteen years to help our children grow up and then we turn them loose on the society. As Christians, we do our best to teach our children who Jesus is and what he has done for us and why. We pray that they will follow him. But, the devil prowls and not everyone would have our children go in "The Way" that they should go for their own good and for the good of society. But, with the help of God, we do what we can and then continue to pray for them until the day we die.

It would be most helpful for our children and for society if we could all work together using the gifts that God has given each of us to help all of our children grow up into him who is the head; who is Jesus the Christ. 

I have been following an interesting and energetic young Christian man who has established a school for teens in Albany, GA. He has just turned 22 years of age yet has accomplished amazing things. His group is known as "the X for Boys."  King Randell is intent on not only making sure that they complete their High School educations; but,  to also prepare them for their futures teaching them life skills as well. A couple of the projects they've been working on are automotive repair and carpentry. 

He uses his God-given gifts to help (not hinder) his community as a whole as he teaches these young men to grow up in Christ and to use their gifts to help themselves and others. What a wonderful world this would be if we would all use our gifts to serve the whole community in love.

God's Peace - Pr. Judy

Feed Not The Itching Ears

"Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord.

Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord.

And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.

And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord." 

                                                                                            (Jer 23:1-4 KJV)

One of the many ways to scatter the Lord's flock is to feed his people with a different gospel than the one that Jesus proclaimed. When pastors preach a word that pleases itching ears rather than pleases God people will eventually have their fill of being pumped up in that place. They will want more. They will find other ways and places to be entertained (false gospels usually are nothing more than entertainment) and not necessarily a place of Christian worship. 

When the flock hears too much law as in if you don't repent and choose for Jesus, without the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ for them; without the benefit of absolution, they will soon tire of being judged every Sunday as they listen to the pastor beg them to choose for Jesus. They will walk away or begin to talk with one another behind the pastors back stirring up strife within the congregation causing even more of the sheep to be scattered.

To be fed a false gospel does not bring us closer to Jesus. To buy into it in order to make ourselves feel good does not reconcile us to God.

St. Paul wrote to the Galatians:  

"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." 

                                                                                        (Gal 1:6-10)

The pastor is not sent to scratch the itching ears. I was told by my mentoring pastor when I received my first call as a missionary to a "church without walls" that I was being sent to comfort the afflicted and afflict the too comfortable. This is done with the word of God through the Word of God who is Jesus the Christ.

May God help us to be faithful to his word in all that we say and think and do. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Good News Of The Kingdom

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 

                                                                                   (Mark 1:14-15 KJV)

The Good News; the Gospel, that Jesus preached is the Kingdom of God! 

There was a time when I asked people (particularly pastors) what they thought the  Gospel was. I heard a lot of different answers. Mostly they were things like: love, joy, peace...  No one, that I recall, answered the question with what Jesus preached: the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God does indeed include love, joy, peace, and many other much desired states of being. But, outside of the Kingdom of God, we search for these things in vain. 

The Christian lives in this material world. But, the Christian is also a resident of the Kingdom of God. God does reign in both of these kingdoms. He is the after all the Creator and Lord of all things. The Kingdom of God is often portrayed as something that will come to us in the future. But, Jesus said it is near to us. It is not of this material world so it is not seen by the naked eye.

And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:20-21)

It is unfortunate that so many Christians live solely for the world and for the time after death or when Jesus returns in a manner that the whole world will see with their eyes. It is unfortunate because they do not recognize that with the death of Christ the Kingdom of God has already broken into this world. We are heirs and citizens of that Kingdom and live even now in the presence of God. 

St. Paul wrote to the Colossians:  "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Col 1:12-14)

Translated us into the Kingdom is past tense. It has already been accomplished. It is done. The Kingdom of God is ours today as well as in the future. 

The Kingdom of God is indeed peace, love, and joy and much more. It is all of those things because we who were not God's children are now God's children and live in His eternal presence even now. I often wonder how it is that if we choose the kingdom of the world over the presence of of God in His Kingdom today why we would even want to live in His Kingdom after death. I also think that maybe it is that we profess to be Christians because ultimately we are afraid of death. So, maybe we should consider if the reason we might profess our faith is because of the fear of dying or because we actually love God.

As Christians, we live in both kingdoms. God ordained it to be that way. He reigns in both. In the kingdom of the world we will continue to strive after things that really don't matter much. But, in the Kingdom of God we can find joy and peace and love because in that Kingdom we can know God's presence even today.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Know The Word; Know The Truth

And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

                                                                               (John 17:13-17 KJV)

On the night that he was betrayed Jesus prayed for his disciples. He prayed that they and we might be sanctified through the truth; that we might know the truth. 

There was a lot of heresy in the church of Martin Luther's day. There was a lot of superstitious nonsense promulgated by the clergy. I don't think that all of the clergy did this maliciously. I believe that they simply did not know the truth. Not all of them had regular and actual access to the word found in scripture. They taught and preached what had been taught and preached to them. A whole lot of that lacked truth.

Thankfully, much of that changed with the reformation. During that time period, Martin Luther translated the Holy Bible into German so that the pastors and lay people could read the word of God for themselves.

We have that access today in whatever language we speak. Yet, I often hear really crazy un-truths about what the word of God says coming from not just lay people; but, clergy as well. The lay people get many of these false ideas from the clergy.  They simply don't bother to read what the word has to say for themselves. 

I am not saying that you should not attend worship and hear the word of God through the clergy. You should!  Rather, I am saying that we all need to spend more time in daily devotions reading and meditating on the word of God so that we might know the truth. 

Thank God for the many saints who have come and gone before us. Thank God for the saints who have witnessed to the through the many generations since our Lord gave himself on the cross for us. Thank God and get to know him! Thank God for the word of truth who is Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Bless The Words Of Our Lips...

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

I have been church shopping. Sounds bad to many of us, right? Hopping around from church to church without having a place to really settle in and becoming a part of a congregational family sounds like one might be avoiding becoming committed to serving.

As a retired pastor who did not move away from the area where the congregation I served is, it is inappropriate for me to stay in the congregation I retired from. A lot of people don't understand this. So, let me explain. It is simply because what often happens, unintentionally or intentionally, is that the retired pastor interferes with the relationship between the new pastor and the congregation. It seems to be human nature to want to control how things work.... People will ask for your advice as the former pastor and if you give advice that is contrary to how the new pastor serves then you are interfering. I would not do anything that might harm the congregations I have served. So, I find myself church shopping. 

This past Sunday I worshiped with a United Methodist Congregation and could not help but smile when the pastor began his sermon by praying pretty much the same prayer that I pray at the beginning of every sermon. "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts and minds, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, our Rock, and our Redeemer. Amen" The prayer put me at ease and opened my heart and mind so that I would be willing and able to hear the Word proclaimed.

Prayer is an amazing thing! God answers even these prayers that might seem little to some. Jesus warned us about praying long vain laden prayers just before he instructed the disciples how to pray using the "Lord's Prayer" as an example. He said: "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." (Matt 6:7) 

You don't have to be long winded for God to hear and answer your prayer. I have often used this one word prayer: "Help!" God knows what's in your heart. Just talk to your Father in heaven. He hears you and He answers. 

May the words of our mouths, the meditations of our hearts and minds, be acceptable in thy sight, this day, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Lobbyists In The Church!

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (John 18:35-37 KJV)

On trial, Jesus told Pilate that his kingdom was not of this world. Jesus did not fight political battles. His message was about the Kingdom of God. 

A decade ago, I left my former denomination. A decade prior to that I had begun to speak openly regarding their mission priority being one of political lobbyists in this world rather than sharers of the Good News of the Kingdom in Christ Jesus. 

I am not against individuals speaking regarding their political beliefs, no matter what party they belongs to. In fact, I think they should speak up as individuals. But, they should speak with tolerance and as individuals and not as representatives of the church. 

I find it abhorrent that an entire denomination would decide via delegates what the politics of every member of the denomination should be. It causes division. It makes those who disagree with any new resolutions of the church on earth like they are being told their political belief system is wrong and that they are not a part of the church unless they agree with the resolutions and the actions of church lobbyist. It takes away from the true mission of the church. It will destroy the church on earth. It will destroy congregations and denominations.

Yes, indeed we are to speak up and defend the helpless. But, who the helpless actually are can be a matter of differing opinions even within the church. For example there are those who defend the woman's right to abort a child. They consider themselves to be defending the helpless woman. But, there are also many of us who choose to speak up and defend the helpless child who can now in some states be aborted at birth. 

My husband is a retired U.S. Marine. Many years ago, a member of my denomination; but, not of my congregation, confronted me over the U.S. Marine and the Tanker stickers we had in the back window of our 4-wheel drive pick-up as this Christian did not support the military in any way, shape, or form. He also wanted to know if my congregation approved of me using the salary they paid me to purchase and drive such a gas guzzler. The truth is that on my salary as a female pastor, I could not have afforded the truck. It was my husband who paid for the truck. Without that 4-wheel drive truck, I could also not visit some of the people I had to visit as their pastor, especially in the spring when some of the back roads I drove on had mud that was knee-deep. 

Over the years, I have been careful not to espouse my politics from the pulpit. That is not the place for it. Political lobbyists do not belong in the church. In fact, many church constitutions (agreements with the state) have some restrictions on it, which are often ignored.

I am retired and not leading any congregation now and do not have to worry about dividing a congregation over my political opinions. As a citizen of the Kingdom of God who lives in this world, I feel much more freedom to express my worldly opinions which I believe are based mostly on my faith. I have the right, as an individual, to speak up for what I believe is right. I do not believe that any congregation or denomination has a right to tell the whole flock what they must believe politically. Every member of the church on earth has the inalienable right to voice their opinions whether on politics or anything else. As Christians, we do not have the right to bully others into thinking like we do. We, as individuals can choose to protest. But, the church on earth; no Bishop, no pastor, should consider that they can tell us that we must.

Jesus spoke the truth. He called sin a sin; the disciples didn't get to vote on it. But, the Good News, at least for us, is that he willingly died to take upon himself those sins. His disciples didn't get to vote on that either. What he taught affected the world and although he was not political; what he taught does and will affect what we believe politically. He was not engaged in overthrowing Caesar or any of his cohorts. His Kingdom, he said, is not of this world. 

May God help us to live in peace with one another no matter what our political persuasion happens to be. May God help the church on earth as a whole to focus more on sharing the Good News of the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ than on lobbying for special interests in the world.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Called To Serve? Count The Cost!

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 

                                        (Luke 14:27-28 KJV)

I have been concerned of late, to the rising number of newly ordained clergy who do not seem to quite grasp what it means to follow Jesus. There are a few too many who seem to not have counted the cost of answering the call to follow Jesus.

There are those who think pastors are dearly loved by all. Think again! There will be some who love you. But, there will also be those who will not and they will come against you. 

Even if you are called as a part-time pastor you are on call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The congregation may pay you for part-time hours; but, Jesus calls you to feed his sheep and that doesn't mean once you have your hours in for the week you get to sleep or party or whatever it is that you like to do in your off hours. Certainly there will be time to socialize as you share the Good News in word and deed with both your family and friends (the Church). But, when the sheep need you, as a disciple of Jesus, you will be there for them no matter what time of the day or night it happens to be. So, if you have a family make sure that they are prepared for you to pick up and go whenever and wherever you are called. If they cannot be then maybe the call that you think you have isn't as legitimate as you might think.

My eldest granddaughter spent much of her growing up years with me. When a call came in the middle of the night, she would wake up and begin getting dressed while I was still on the phone. As soon as I got off the phone, she would typically ask, "Who died?" I would then drop her off with her grandfather who worked nights at our adult foster care or with her dad on my way to whatever crisis I was on my way to. She never complained. She was just as concerned about those who were in crisis as I was. 

There is a cost to being in ministry. The cost is to leave behind our cares and go and care for others, sharing with them the love of God, whether it is in word or deed.

The call of the ordained minister is not to go out and make everyone happy. It is not to go out and tell jokes, especially not off color jokes. It is to share the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ. 

If you happen to be in the midst of discerning whether God is calling you to ordained ministry, count the cost. 

And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

                                                                                   (Luke 9:57-62 KJV)

Jesus left everything behind him to do his Father's will and his Father's will was for Jesus to die so that we might be forgiven and live reconciled to God. He loves us so much he was willing to give up everything. He was willing to live a life in which he would be loved by some and hated by many. He had no home to call his own. He was willing to sacrifice every creature comfort for our sake. He was willing to give his life for us.

"Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first." 

                                                                                     (Matt 19:27, 29-30)

Jesus became a servant to all; willing to suffer and give his life on the cross for all. His personal needs came last. He is now first in his Kingdom. He is the King of Kings! As a pastor, you need to consider if you are really willing to be last. Are you willing to put the rest of God's children before yourself? 

If you are considering a call into the ministry consider two things: 1. Is God really calling you to the ministry? 2. Have you counted the cost to yourself and to your family? 

One last reminder of what it might cost:

"While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."

                                                                                                        (Matt 12:46-50) 

As a pastor, your family will be greatly enlarged. The joys will be increased and so will the number of sorrows. The Christian brother who is in need of spiritual care takes priority over your spouse for his moment of need. You get to leave the picnic and go! The family who is grieving the death of a child takes precedence over your own children. 

It is a privilege to serve the Lord and his people, are you really ready for a privilege like dropping your personal life to go and share the Good News? Count the cost!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Beware of Wolves in Sheep's Clothing!

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
                                                                          (Matt 7 15-16, 21-23 NIV)

Every congregation seems to have at least one or two antagonists. It just goes along with being Christians. If Jesus was persecuted so shall the true sheep be persecuted. Those antagonists, those sheep in wolves' clothing will often be seen in the congregation as one of the most caring, loving people one could know. That's what wolves do. 

In the fairy tale the "Little Red Riding Hood, the wolf stalked Little Red Riding Hood. Skulking behind the trees in the forest, he watched her as he concocted his plan to overpower her. His plan was good. He befriended her on the path to her grandmother's house giving her directions and stalling her. The Big Bad Wolf got to the grandmother's house in time to either tie up the girl's grandmother and shove her in the closet or eat here depending on whose version of the story you are reading. Either way the wolf is not as friendly as he appeared to be on the path to grandma's house. He then jumped into grandma's bed pretending to be here when Little Red Riding Hood got there. The sad end to the story is that the Big Bad Wolf gobbled Little Red Riding Hood all up. 

And, the moral of the story is... Way too often congregations are deceived by wolves in sheep clothing. They skulk behind the closed doors planning to deceive so that they might overpower others and have their own ways. They want control. They have no clue or desire to know what God's will is for the congregation. They want what they want and they do not care who they destroy: pastor, council members, the entire congregation. Maybe, they aren't even aware how damaging their words and actions might be. Maybe they do. Either way they are dangerous to the life and the health and the growth of the congregation. Congregations must be aware that not everyone is a true sheep or a shepherd. Not everyone is a friend of Jesus. Yes, we are to pray for them and to love them. But, we are not to allow them to damage anyone in the sheepfold. The good shepherd protects the sheep. (John 10:1-18)

How do you deal with them? A congregation that I previously served wrote into their constitutions the scriptural response to that. 

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

                                                                                  (Matthew 18:15-18)

May God help us to protect his sheepfold that none should be lost.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Kingdom Of God Is At Hand

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:44-49 NIV)

Rip! The temple curtain was torn in two. Do you recall how St. Mark described what happened after Jesus' baptism? "Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove." (Mark 1:9)  So what exactly is the significance of the temple curtain being torn in two at Jesus' death?

I was taught, as a child, that it meant that we now all have direct access to God. We are free to directly communicate and relate with and to God. The High Priests are no longer needed to stand between us and God. In the Christian church on earth, it meant that regular lay people, not just the pastors and priests could approach the altar and even go beyond the altar rail without fear of God's wrath, at least not too much fear. As a child, I was taught that it was such a holy place that it was really best not for me, a young female with no business behind the altar to dare enter that area. That was just a little too much law because as Jesus died on the cross for all of us, he freed us from our sins so that we are worthy to come before God, even at the altar in a church building! That is good news, indeed!.

But, let us rejoice for there is even more to that curtain being torn than that. When a door is opened it is open to everything and everyone on both sides of the door. Behind the temple curtain was the Holy of Holies; God's earthy dwelling place. Only the High Priests could enter and have access to God.  Just as when the heavens were opened and the Spirit of God descended upon Jesus; when the temple curtain was torn the Spirit of God rushed out upon the world. God's dwelling place on earth was no longer contained to a specific place. His dwelling place; his Kingdom, rushed out into the world as Jesus breathed his very last breath. 

The Kingdom of God has come near. It is truly at hand! (Mark 1:15) Live in it!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Sin

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
                                                                                                                    Matthew 18:15-18 NIV

No, not everything that is done within the church must be overlooked for the sake of loving our neighbors. Turning a blind eyes to the sins that occur within the church is not love. Sometimes loving our brothers and sisters in Christ means that confrontation must occur for the sake of all.

So many problems within congregations stem from the inability to call sin a sin. Sins against others and against God are overlooked and so the sin continues to hurt others. The hurtful sins that are allowed to continue will steer visitors right back out of the door.

I remember a woman from years ago who had the habit of snapping at people who tried to help her in the kitchen. She ran more than person from the church. I was told that her family had been founding members and that was just who she was and there was nothing that we could or should do about it. The inability of pastors and councils to follow the guidelines of church discipline as given to us by Jesus in Matthew 18 has been the cause of problems in many congregations that detract from the mission of the church: proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Let us forgive one another. Let us love one another. Within the church, let us love one another enough to call a sin a sin that we might repent and grow closer to God and to one another.

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Rejecting the Truth and the Truth-bearers

   We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.  Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;  in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;  in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

    We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.  As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

                                                                                                                  2 Corinthians 6:3-13 NIV

St. Paul's ministry is not only questioned by people outside the church; after all that he has done for the sake of the gospel and for the sake of the people of Corinth. He and his authority are questioned by the people of the church, as well. This also seems to be a common problem within the church today. If we don't like what is said or done; we would like to be freed from our leaders. Get rid of them! If our pastors speak too much truth, members will work hard to get rid of them. If they do or say anything to offend anyone's ego or other personal gods, then they are gossiped about. Some congregations spend more time attempting to rid themselves of their shepherds than they do listening to and sharing the Good News of the Kingdom.

Sometimes, it is necessary to remove a pastor as in cases of wolves in sheep's clothing. However, most of the time it is merely a personality conflict or a control issue. I have a friend who when talking with me will, at times, refer to "the boss." By "the boss," he is not referring to me. He is referring to our heavenly Father, the one to whom we are accountable. He is "the boss." We will all ultimately answer to God for what those things that we have said and done; those things that we have left unsaid and undone. So when you object to your pastor's objection to bowing to false gods remember that your pastor answers to a higher authority than you. In fact, you will answer to a higher authority, as well.

Through Jesus Christ, God our Father granted us the freedom to proclaim the Gospel, by the power of the Holy Spirit. The world may not recognize this freedom; but, God our Father does and that's the only thing that matters. We may suffer and die in this world because we make use of this freedom in Christ to proclaim the truth. But, it is better to suffer and die so that the Good News of the Kingdom of God may be advanced in a world that rejects Him than to deny this freedom purchased for us by the blood of Christ.

Thanks be to God for Jesus the Christ, the one we proclaim has granted us freedom to serve our heavenly Father by the giving of his life for us!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Listen and Learn!

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14

Okay! So, since the grace of God teaches us to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, when are we going to learn? Do not get me wrong. I know a tremendous number of Christians who are truly passionate about live for Jesus. Unfortunately, I also know a tremendous number of people who are more passionate about worldly things and endeavors than about doing what is good and right in and for the Kingdom of God.

Pastors can preach and preach about the grace of God; about the glory of our great God and Savior; but, it does a person no good if they are not willing to listen and learn. It takes more than just sitting in a pew to have a relationship with our Lord and Savior. Our attention needs to be on the Word, who is Jesus the Christ, so that we can get to know him; so that we can truly understand how much our God loves us. He loves us enough to die to redeem us from all wickedness creating in us hearts that are eager to do our Father's will.

The grace of God and the hope of the appearing of his glory should be enough to instill in us a desire to follow in the footsteps of Jesus; offering ourselves for the sake of others. Do not let worldly desires pull you away from experiencing the great grace and love that God has for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.