Ascension Of Our Lord

Luke 24:44-53 KJV The disciples witnessed his ascension into heaven where he lives and reigns at the right hand of God our Father.

Rejoice You Are Not A Victim But A Victor!

Isaiah 52:7-10 KJV; Rejoice!  You are not a victim; but, a victor through Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord!

Trust The Lord Before All Others

Psalm 146 KJV; We can trust others because we trust the Lord first. We trust that the Lord will care for us and has a good plan for us no matter what the plan of others is for us; whether good or bad..

Christ Is King!

Luke 23:27-43 KJV; Today you will be with me in paradise he told the criminal being crucified with him. Today the criminal was told he would be with him in the Kingdom where Christ reigns.

The Lord Reigns Above All Things

Jesus Did Not Run

Praise God For He Reigns!

Psalm 66 KJV

Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:

Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.

Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.

All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.

Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.

He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.

He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.

O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:

Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.

For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.

Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

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There is nothing that God cannot do. He has saved his people. He will save his children. He rules over the water; fire; the nations; even our enemies. He rules over all things. Whatever storms might befall us he will bring us through.

Trust in the Lord and rejoice for he reigns over all things and his intent is good for all of his children. Sometimes we just have to wait a bit for him to still the storms or to part the seas for us.

Rejoice! Make a joyful sound praising his holy name for the Lord reigns!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

He Is The Lord Of All

The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

                    (Psalm 103:19, 22 KJV)

Bless the Lord who is the creator and redeemer of all! He rules over all things.

The Lord God through the Word, who is Jesus the Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit has created all things; both the seen and the unseen. Alas, the world decided to go it's own way and reject the Kingdom of God. But, just because the Kingdom of God is refused by humankind does not mean that His rule is diminished. Whether we like it or not our Lord is the King over all Kings. God is in charge!

Because humankind rejected his Kingdom, by rejecting His rule and despising His love and mercy, God sent His only begotten Son to redeem us from our sins. We who were separated from God's loving presence; from His Kingdom, are now reconciled to Him through the blood of Christ. We have been redeemed by His loving mercy. The Kingdom of God and His loving presence is with us now and always through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. This is the Good News!

Let us bless and love the Lord at all times and in all places for the marvelous works He has done for us!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Our Lord Reigns

"And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."  Luke 1:30-33 KJV

What can I say more? The Word of the Lord and it is so!

Thanks be to God for our Lord Jesus the Christ, born of a virgin, reigns!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Happy Are They Whose God Is Lord

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
  he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
  the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord,
  the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.                                               Psalm 33:10-12 NRSV

Are we a happy people or not? Some days, yes. Many days, it seems as though, as a nation, we are not. There is way too much division and that division comes because, as a people, we do not listen or follow the will of the Lord. But, we must know that the Lord is God and His will will be done whether we listen, like it, or follow him or not. The further we pull away from him to do our own will, the less peace and joy we will know.

We can know the will of the Lord and we will all know it if we bother to listen to him. Happy would be the nation whose God is their Lord.

It is an absolute truth. The Lord reigns! Listen to his counsel!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ultimate Concern: Last Day?

Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. (1 John 2:18-19 NKJV)

Was it the last hour? I guess that depends on what John meant by last hour. Most people today appear to believe the last hour is when the world will come to an end and Christ will come again; not necessarily in that order. How long did John figure the last hour was going to last, anyway? I do not know the answers. I do know that unless the world ends before then, my last hour on earth will be when I breath my last breath. The world did not end in St. John's day or any where near it. Many people today also believe that the world is about to come to an end and that we are indeed in the last hour. Way too many preachers focus their whole ministry on it. Maybe we are in the last day. Maybe we aren't. In the whole scheme of things, does it matter? Is our ultimate concern really the end of the world? 

Yes, we know that many antichrists have come. There are many who dwell so much on the "last day" that they forget that Christ is with us even now. They forget to preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God; the Kingdom for you through Jesus Christ. They dwell so much on the signs of the times that the Good News of salvation through Jesus is often neglected. This causes me to wonder if these fearmongers are some of the many antichrists that were predicted to come. If not, why then are they not preaching that Jesus was crucified, died, and yet lives again? They preach as though he were still dead and will rise again or that maybe he's in hiding someplace. Do they not believe that he truly lives and reigns today? Do they not believe that he lives in and through all who believe in him? Why are they not preaching that the Kingdom of God has indeed come to all who believe instead of worrying about the end of this world? 

Yes, this world is a mess! There are days I would like to see the last day. But, it will come when God decides it will come. In the meantime; let us rejoice that we have been reconciled to God our Father, in His Kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord! Let us rejoice and share the Good News. God is with you!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Kingdom of God; Our True Home

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” (John 18:36 NIV)

We fight to keep the places that we feel that we deserve in this world. We want what we want and we're going to get it. The only thing Jesus wanted was for us to be reconciled to his Father, our Father, in heaven and to one another. He was willing to die so that might happen. He did not even want his followers to fight for his life here on earth. 

So, if the Kingdom that is our true home is not of this world, why are we so often fighting for our places in this world? Why do we fight over something that we will lose when we leave this place; something we cannot take with us when we go to the home that Jesus has prepared for us? 

God provides us with the things in this world that are necessary for us to be able to live and to serve the Lord. But, there are also things that will only distract us from following Jesus and living the kingdom where he reigns. There are things which will keep us from following Jesus and living with him. There are things worth fighting for and there are things that are not. May God give us the wisdom to discern the difference.

And, may God help us to place as a priority being reconciled to him and one another even as we live in this world today.  

God's Peace - Pr. J

Evil Begets Evil

Evil begets evil and darkness reigns.

“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets." (Matt 7:12 NIV)

You have heard the saying: "what goes around, comes around." Others refer to it as karma. What really is happening is that when you treat others with disrespect they most likely will treat you in the same manner that you have treated them. It is human nature. People simply have a hard time showing respect for those who disrespect others. When people break the rules of society, there are usually consequences set in place by society as a whole. I dislike this word, karma, immensely. I think a better word for this might be justice.

"Depart from evil, and do good; so you shall abide forever. For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his faithful ones." Psalm 37:27-28

Show respect for others and they might show respect to you. Love others and you will be loved. Do good to all people that it may be well with you and them; that we might all live in harmony and peace. And, in order for this "what goes around comes around" to stop that all might live with more peace Jesus said this: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." (Matt 5:38-39) If or when you are disrespected, when you are used, it is not necessarily as beneficial as you might think to get even with the person by doing the same to them as they have done to you. This will only perpetuate the vicious cycle of miserably dysfunctional living. Evil does produce more evil and darkness will reign. Sometimes it is necessary to stand up against evil; but, be sure that it is not vengeance that motivates you. Vengeance belongs to God.

It is wise not to get dragged into others' evil ways. Move on. Live life. Do what is right and just. Enjoy the gifts that God has given you and may He multiply your joy and your peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rejoice!

"Hallelujah!
    For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
    and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
    and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean,
    was given her to wear."
                                          Rev 19:6b-8

We have a lot to rejoice in. St. John, exiled on Patmos for his faith, did not give up hope. St. Paul did not give up hope. The many saints before us never gave up hope. They looked to the day when they would be reconciled to God our Father and our Lord Jesus the Christ in the home that Christ prepared for us.

Life can be pretty confusing and tough at times. In times like those, remember, that today will pass and tomorrow will come whether we are here in this world or in the Kingdom prepared for us. For all who believe in Jesus and his gifts of forgiveness and salvation for us, life will go on. It is eternal.

By the blood of Jesus we have been reconciled to God and one another even now. So, rejoice and be glad and give God the glory! Give God the glory in all that you say and think and do. Whatever you do, do it as if to the Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Threats? So What Of It?

     At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”
     He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! (Luke 13:31-35 NIV)

Run! Herod wants to kill you, some Pharisees had warned Jesus. Oh well! Whatever! Jesus had a mission and he was not going to run from Herod. He would continue driving out demons and healing people until he reached his goal. His goal was the cross. He was going to die, so what difference did it make whether Herod was looking to kill him or not. He wasn't about to let a few threats dissuade him from continuing the work he was called to do.

Personally, I get a bit weary of the threats. I am not Jesus. But, he is with me and gives me the strength to continue onward wherever he will call or send me. I will continue to proclaim the Good news. I will continue to pray in the spirit. I will continue. He has led me this far. He is with me always. He will lead me home. I know that even though Jesus' journey took him to death on the cross; it also took him through death to the Kingdom of God where he reigns. So, threats may wear me down a bit, but they will not strike me down completely. I will continue with faith and hope toward the goal, by the power of the Holy Spirit, even if it includes a journey to the cross.

God's Peace - Pr. J

I Believe In Jesus Christ

The Second Article.

Of Redemption.

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

What does this mean?--Answer.

I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won [delivered] me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, in order that I may be [wholly] His own, and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

As, together, we affirm the second article during worship, we affirm not just that we believe that Jesus was a living breathing man who lived on earth some 2000 years ago; but, that with his precious and innocent blood we have been redeemed. We, who were lost and condemned, have been purchased by His blood; that we might live life in His presence, in His kingdom, for all eternity. Not with silver or gold, not with the works of our hands; but, by His death, we have been saved from eternal death. That is what we believe.

That is how much our God loves and cares for us. He was willing to come to earth and live as we live. He was willing to suffer and die that we might also live as He lives: eternally in the Kingdom of God.

It would behoove us to not just affirm this every Sunday at worship; but, every morning when we rise lest we forget what our Lord has done for us and turn to other gods. To Him be all honor and glory.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Lord, My Helper, Is With Me

"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?"
Hebrews 13:6 NIV

Lately, it seems that an unusual amount of people are asking me if I am okay. Not, "how are you?" but, "are you okay?" That, I assume, is a form of greeting that I am not accustomed to. However, when I've replied, "I'm fine," that first question is followed up by another: "Are you sure?" (LOL) Of course, I am sure. I am a child of God. There is nothing that gets better than that. But, I'm beginning to wonder a bit about that follow up question. Are they just super concerned about my well-being or do they know something I don't know? Do I look sick? Am I acting depressed? Is there an enemy lurking about; yet, unseen by me?

It doesn't really matter. I know that my whole life is in God's hands. He has taken care of me my entire life. Nothing happens to me without Him knowing. There have been some really rough times; but, those rough times just helped me to learn to trust in God even more. There is no reason to be afraid of sickness, turmoil, friends, enemies, life, or death. He is my helper. I have eternal life in Christ.

Do not be afraid of anything the world may throw at you. The Lord is with you and for you. All who believe have already entered into the Kingdom, where Jesus reigns!

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. I do appreciate all of the concern. It is good to know that people care. I really am okay. God is with me and always will be.

Hallelujah! Our God Reigns!

 Then a voice came from the throne, saying:

“Praise our God,
    all you his servants,
you who fear him,
    both great and small!”

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah!
    For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
    and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
    and his bride has made herself ready.

Revelation 19:5-7

I often (daily) pray for crabby Christians. It can be difficult to be around people who are always so negative so I pray that they might rejoice in the multitudes of gifts that God has given them. We have so much to be thankful for; so much to be positive about, that I fail to understand why there is not more rejoicing within the church on earth, except (maybe) on Sunday mornings. As Christians, we ought to be rejoicing for our King is above all kings. This King loves the world so much He was willing to give His utmost so that we might be reconciled to Him and to one another; reconciled in His peace. He has overcome sin, death, and the power of the devil for us. So what's there to be crabby about? The biggest obstacles ever have been overcome.

Let the whole multitude of God's people should "Hallelujah! Our God reigns!" 

God's Peace - Pr. J