He Calls Sinners

Matthew 9:9-13 KJV; 2nd Sunday after Pentecost; Jesus calls sinners to follow him. He calls us.

Meeting Jesus

2 Timothy 4:6-8 KJV We meet Jesus in the Word and Sacraments.

Servant To All

And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. (Mark 9:35 KJV)

And... that is exactly what Jesus did. He did not use his power or authority to laud it over us. He became as a servant to all people when he suffered and died on the cross for our sins. The King of Kings suffered and died for us so that we might live in his Kingdom; in the presence of God Almighty.

He who was without sin was willing to suffer and die for the sinner.

The King of heaven and earth made himself to be last for us. He became our servant so that we might have life. May God help us to live lives serving others; putting the needs; putting the very lives of others before our own desires.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

His Mercy Endures Forever

PSALM 107:1-9 KJV

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.

They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.

Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

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If you are a sinner (and we all are) give thanks to the Lord for his mercy that endures forever. Give thanks that he has redeemed you even from yourself for in Christ Jesus you have been forgiven all of your sins. Once forgiven they do not reappear. God doesn't bring back what He has already forgiven through Jesus. Once forgiven, always forgiven. As God forgives us, we must remember that He has forgiven us and so we ought to forgive ourselves. 

Do not give sway to your enemy the devil and cling to your guilt. Your guilt has been washed away by the blood of Jesus. Let it go. Clinging to the sins that Jesus died for will only cause you more grief. Focusing on your past guilt will cause many distresses. Your soul will continue in anguish as it is filled with hunger and thirst. Continually remembering and grieving sins that have been forgiven by God will stop you in your tracks. It will keep you from following in the right way. 

Focus not on your sins; rather, focus on following Jesus that you might be led forth in the way that he would have you go.

Grieve your sins for a moment as you confess them and then let them go giving thanks to God for His mercy endures forever. He forgives you. Speak it aloud! The Lord is good. He has redeemed me and His mercy endures forever!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Live In Peace

"Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy." Prov 12:20 NIV

Very, very tired this morning after reading the national news. It is draining to see so much animosity toward those who do not believe the way some might think everyone should believe.

There is way too much evil in the world. There is way too much bullying of those who do not think or act like some think everyone ought to think or act. Apparently, it has once again gone way past bullying; but, has advanced to actually destroying other people's property. The bullying has advanced to interfering with the rights and freedom of others.

Jesus, himself, did not get involved in the politics of the world. He got involved in the world, for sure. He forgave the sinner. He fed the hungry. He healed the sick. He did not promote violence against those who would not accept his ways. In fact, he loved all people so much that he was willing to die for us. He died that we might live in the peace that only God can give as we are reconciled to God through the shedding of his blood on the cross for us. He died for those who denied him. He died for those who crucified him. He died for you and me. This is the epitome of love; of unconditional love.

Jesus said, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." (John 15:12-14)

This is true love; that we should give our all for others whether we agree with them or not. Unconditional love calls for sacrifice. It calls for peace and reconciliation; not plotting evil against those who disagree with us.

May God help us to respect and love our neighbor no matter who we might think they are; no matter whether we agree with their politics or not, because we are all children of God. 

God's Peace - Pr. J