Father, Son, Holy Spirit

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.   (Matt 28:16-20 KJV)

Today is Trinity Sunday. Usually, on Trinity Sunday, I focus a bit on the essence of the triune God. But, with the state of the Union as it is today I am reminded greatly of what or rather who it is that can save us. Who it is that forgives us all of our sins, reconciling us to God and to one another. God through Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit is our only real help in times like these.

We, too often, get caught up in the physical world, we forget that our battle is with spiritual forces. St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians: "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." (Eph 6:12)

Yes, we must stand up for what is right in this world. We must protect our neighbors. But, we cannot forget that what is behind the chaos are spiritual forces that aim to destroy us. We must engage in battle with these spiritual forces. We do that by doing exactly what Jesus commanded: teaching all people, baptizing in name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them everything that Jesus commanded to be taught. And, what he taught is good news for all people. We are to proclaim that Good News! We are to let people know that all power and authority has been given to Jesus in heaven and on earth. That will bring to us adversity. But, we must trust him to help us as we proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom for all who believe in him. We must rely on his (not ours, not any government's) authority and power to overcome the chaos. 

We thank God our Father this and every day that through the Son and by the power of the Holy Ghost we can stand firmly, facing all adversity, so that all people might know that freedom and the peace that God would give to us.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

It's Time For The Old Adam To Die

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!" (Matt 18:6-7 NIV)

I was watching an episode of Last Kingdom last night. It is fiction based on the life and reign of King Alfred the Great. A couple things occurred to me while watching it:

1. That all those wars and rumors of wars that I hear are escalating today really have been around for a long, long time. As King Solomon said there really is nothing new under the sun. The hateful lust after power; control; and wealth turning humankind against God and neighbor is not a new thing. The sinful nature of humankind has been around since Adam. It has not gotten better. It doesn't appear to have gotten much worse, either. It is just there. Sin continues to reign in the hearts of many and atrocities occur. Woe to those

2. The church was not any different than the leaders of the various tribes and regions. The lust for power was immense and so false teachings prevailed. I pray that the church is different today. Unfortunately, the old Adam still reigns in many hearts and the lust for personal power creeps in and the focus is switched from the cross of Christ for the reconciling of the nations to God and one another to worldly endeavors; to personal power; to absolute control; for financial success. When the church focuses on such things it causes many to stumble.

Woe to the person who would cause any who believe in Christ to stumble by their false words and deceptive actions. Woe to those who would cause any who believe in Christ to stumble.

May God help us to always lift up the cross of Christ; proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom of God through the loving sacrifice made for us by Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J