God Is Our Fortress

Psalm 71:1-11 KJV

In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.

Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.

By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.

I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.

Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.

Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.

For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,

Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.

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The Lord has been with us and will continue with us to protect us from those who would come up against us. They may think that God is not with us and attack us mercilessly but we have every confidence that he is. He is our refuge and our fortress. In him alone do we trust. In him alone do we find peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Freed From Bondage To Love And Serve Others

"And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:

But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes."

                                        (Num 11:4-6 KJV)

God's chosen ones whining! He has just delivered them from bondage and they are complaining because all they have to eat in the desert is manna. They seem to prefer the fish and vegetables they were able to eat as  slaves rather than their freedom from slavery.

Freedom does have its costs. To break free from bondage often requires some sort of sacrifice. In the case of God's chosen in order to receive their own land from God they will travel through the wilderness depending totally on God to protect them and feed them. But, they don't like the food that he feeds them with. They prefer what slavery had to over them.

In any huge change to our lifestyles we need to be prepared to experience more changes than just the change that we want. The Israelites apparently weren't expecting the hardships they endured to get to the promised land.

If you seek the promised land, the Kingdom of God; if you seek to be freed from the bondage you have to a materialistic and self-centered world, you must be prepared to have your lives changed. You must be prepared to do without those things that have kept you in bondage.  Life will not be the same. You will need to trust God completely to lead you through the wilderness. You will need to have faith that He will provide for your daily needs. It was not easy for the Israelites and it will not be easy for anyone today.

In Christ we have been made free. But, our freedom is not so that we might indulge ourselves. We have been freed by the blood of Christ to love and serve  God and to love and serve our neighbor.   

"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."  (Gal 5:13-14)

Even as God chose the Israelites to be His chosen ones, He has called us to be His children as well. He has freed us from the bondage to sin by the blood of his only begotten Son, Jesus, so that we might go forth loving and caring for one another. Jesus loved us enough to die for us. Likewise let us love our neighbors even as he loves you and them.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Transgressions Increase

                                             

When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. (Prov 29:16 KJV)

Whenever I consider how wicked the world can be today, I think about how evil it has been in the past and I don't see the world quite as awful today as we would portray it in our own minds.

Yes, there is injustice. It seems rampant at times. If we read world news we will see that in some parts of the world there is much more wickedness than here in the U.S.A.. 

Yes, there is wickedness in the world and transgressions do seem to be multiplying. But, it would be rather wise not to participate in the evil; rather, do harm to no one for the righteous will see the fall of those who harm others for their own purposes. It may take awhile. But, have patience. Justice is the Lord's. 

St. Paul wrote to the Romans: "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord." (Rom 12:19)

This does not mean that we should not protect ourselves or our neighbors. We should assist all people in time of need; in times of persecution. We should stand with them fearlessly for if we are damaged in the process, we can be assured that God will provide the justice.

In the meantime may the Lord fill us with the Spirit of love, with the Holy Spirit that you might: "... cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1:16-17)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Curses And Blessings

"He went up from there to Bethel; and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, “Go away, baldhead! Go away, baldhead!” When he turned around and saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two she-bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys." 2 King 2:23-24 NRSV

Over the years I've gotten pretty accustomed to hearing curse words. I mostly ignore it. But, listening to people curse every time they speak causes me to get a knot in my stomach. Hearing God's name used recklessly makes me a little more than anxious. I hear words come out of people's mouths and I wonder if they realize that God is listening. When we desire that someone be harmed and we think or speak it; they are not just harmless words. Every word, whether it is a blessing or a curse, is like a prayer before God.

The story of Elisha cursing the boys and the bears coming to retaliate against them for disrespecting and bullying God's prophet is a bit disturbing. It can make one really uncomfortable to think that God would answer this prayer (curse) in such a devastating fashion. It causes me to wonder if Elisha had any clue that God would respond in such a dramatic fashion or did the curse simply slip from his lips in a moment of anger or maybe fear when he faced the mob of forty-two alone? But, he was not alone. God was with him.

God doesn't normally send bears to protect His prophets. But, there is no doubt that He is with all who serve Him and He listens to their pleas. Be careful of what words slip through your lips. If someone offends you consider the possibility that they did not mean it the way that it sounded or looked to you. It is up to each of us to decide whether whether our own words will be the words of a bully, a curse in God's name, or if they will be the words of a blessing; God hears it all. Be careful of what you pray for. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Betrayed

And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. (Matt 26:47-50 KJV)

A follower; a friend, betrayed him. He betrayed him with a kiss. It takes so little sometimes to turn a friend into an enemy. You don't even have to do anything  out of your norm and you could find yourself in the courts because a friend or even a family member has turned you in to protect themselves and what they desire no matter how trivial that desire might be. 

Those charges against Jesus were charges contrived of false accusations because of such things as fear, jealousy, and even disappointment as in Judas' case when he realized that Jesus did not have the same goals in mind that Judas had. 

It is a sad thing when someone you love turns against you to protect and preserve their future. But, it happens and it happens way to much. There are those who will throw their own children under the bus to keep from being hit themselves.

But, that is not the way with Jesus. He knew that Judas would betray him. Yet, he willingly threw himself under the bus to save us. He willingly bore our sins. He was executed for our sins. He did not turn his back on us. 

Judas betrayed the innocent Jesus with a kiss. May God help us to be faithful to the one who would not betray us. Let our love for the Lord be genuine.

God's Peace - Pr. J

He Knows

If you faint in the day of adversity,
   your strength being small;
if you hold back from rescuing those taken away    to death,
   those who go staggering to the slaughter;
if you say, “Look, we did not know this”—
   does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?

Does not he who keeps watch over your soul 

   know it?

   And will he not repay all according to their 

   deeds?

                                  Proverbs 24:10-12 NRSV

He does indeed keep watch over us and knows all things. He knows whether we have protected the innocent or supported our neighbors. He knows if we have turned our backs on others in order to protect ourselves; in order to keep our own lives safe and prosperous.

God knows what is in our hearts and minds. He knows if, rather an trust Him to be with us in the day of adversity we hold back from rescuing others. He knows when we see calamity fall on others and we pretend that we do not see in order to go on with our own self-serving lives.

He knows whether we are about serving others or ourselves.

May God help us to have the strength and the courage to stand beside the innocent who are being attacked in any manner.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Extortion

In you are people who accept bribes to shed blood; you take interest and make a profit from the poor. You extort unjust gain from your neighbors. And you have forgotten me, declares the Sovereign Lord.

I will surely strike my hands together at the unjust gain you have made and at the blood you have shed in your midst. Will your courage endure or your hands be strong in the day I deal with you? I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.
                                                                           Ezekiel 22:12-14 NIV

Although she is no longer living with me, a young member of my family receives credit card offers in the mail at my home from time to time. I look at these offers and wonder how anyone could reach out so unjustly under the guise of helping them. For those young people who are struggling to get on their feet and provide for themselves; how could anyone offer to help them with credit at an interest rate of up to 28%. How could anyone think that they are helping anyone who has fallen onto hard times by charging them such high interest rates help to get them out of hard times? I am sure they could not truly believing that they are helping anyone but themselves. Rather, they are ensuring that the hard times will continue on for years to come.

Years ago when I worked in Administration for Criminal Investigation there was a case where a military wife was lending money to people in need. She was charging around 20% interest. What she was being investigated for was extortion and loan-sharking. It was a crime back then. But now, there are loop-holes that even banks and credit card companies can jump through to charge very damaging rates to those in need without any fear of prosecution. 

Ezekiel was told to judge Jerusalem for forgetting the Lord and for their unjust dealings with others. The people would not protect those who were being used so God promised that He would deal with those who extort unjust gain from others. I wonder why anyone who claims even the slightest connection to Christ would want God to deal with them by extorting large sums from those in need? Do they not realize that would not be a good thing for them?

We are called to help our neighbors and protect all that they own and to not do anything that would cause them further losses or harm. May God change the hearts of those who would use others for their own unjust gains so that people in need can truly be helped.

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

A Mighty Warrior

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV

A might fortress is our God! The Might Warrior is He!

It never ceases to amaze me how God will protect us and bless us in so many ways. There are days when I have to actually laugh out loud as I witness the work of His hands. Yes, there are days that things don't seem like they are going so good. But, in the end; in the following days we can normally see how God worked the good for us as it is promised. (Romans 8:28)

Those who trust in the Lord to save them will see the salvation that He has promised; we will see the good that He has promised.

May the peace of the Lord be with you always! Pr. J

Good Shepherd

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:11 NIV) 

The shepherd cares for and watches his or her flock to safeguard it from anything that might seek to destroy the sheep. It can be a very lonely position to be out in the fields alone watching over all of those sheep that could easily wander off and get lost; fall off a cliff; or be devoured by a wolf. 

How much lonelier was our Good Shepherd while here on earth? No one; but the Father whose purpose was for Jesus to lay down his life for us understood his purpose.

His purpose was solely about his flock of sheep. His purpose was that we might be safe and be saved from our own sins; from wandering off where we do not belong; from being eaten by ravaging wolves and wily coyotes. His purpose was to care for the sheep and to protect us.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd and he laid down his life for you. May God help you to keep from following the nasty wolves in sheep's clothing. May God care for you and protect you from all that is evil through the blood of the one who gave his life that you might live, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Protect The Sheep Or Shake The Dust Off Your Feet?

"But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible."  Acts 17:13-15

It appears that no matter where Paul went the agitators, against him and more importantly against the Word, showed up. He spent a bit of time in prison because of them. At other times, he simply left the area.

In the U.S., we can't be thrown into prison or beaten or flogged for sharing the truth about the Kingdom through Jesus Christ. Yet, we see many pastors who flee communities that they have been called to serve because of the agitators. Sometimes, it may be necessary because the agitators (antagonists) have managed to switch the focus from Jesus to things of much less importance; in fact, to things that cause division and not unity.

Sometimes, pastors simply find it almost impossible to preach the Gospel due to this conflict and leave to go to a community that is willing to hear and willing to serve the living God rather then their own egos. It was actually one of Jesus' directives to leave if the people are unwilling to hear the word of God; the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus.  In Matthew we read: "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet." (Matt 10:14)

So, please consider this: if your congregation is one that is having to look for a new pastor every two or three years; maybe, it is time to find out if there is someone(s) running these pastors out of the area and if the congregation somehow is supporting this person or persons by ignoring the agitation that they are causing; allowing them to switch the focus away from the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ. It may not always be the best choice to flee an area; but, on the other hand as we are called to proclaim the Gospel; sometimes, we need to go where the people will hear it.

Unfortunately, whether they realize it or not the question and the dilemma for many pastors today is as it was in Paul's day:

     Shall I stay and protect the sheep? or, Shall I shake the dust off my feet?

God's Peace - Pr. J.

P.S. Today's blog is edited from one that I previously wrote for "In The Wilderness"