Rejoice In The Lord Always!

Philippians 4:4-9; Rejoice in the Lord always especially when you're feeling down.

Healing On The Sabbath

Luke 14:1-6 KJV Jesus healed on the Sabbath. So should we.

The Just For The Unjust

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

                                                                (1 Pet 3:18-22 KJV)

The just one, Jesus the Christ, died for us the unjust. He sacrificed his body for our sakes. 

Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom while he walked upon the earth as true man. Then he sacrificed himself for all of the unjust; for each and every sinner that we might live in that Kingdom in the presence of God. St. Peter tells us that even in death he went and preached the spirits who were in prison; those who had been disobedient in the days of Noah.

The Word of the Lord is meant to be preached to every nation; to every man, woman, and child that they too might hear the Good News and believe.

It is by hearing the Word that we come to faith and by faith alone in the Word alone who is Jesus the Christ we are saved.

Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Only One Light Of Salvation

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

                                                                                      (1 John 4:1-6 KJV)

There are many spirits; but, only one true God. We must be careful which one we are listening to and following. 

The One will lead you into the light of his presence. The others will lead you into the darkness. Everything may look all well and good; but, be careful. Discern carefully the spirits. They are not all looking out for you. As St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (2 Cor 11:14)

There is only one God who was willing to give his life for you. All others ask you to give them our lives. Jesus the Christ is our light and our salvation. Worship him and him alone!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Even The Devils Believe

And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. 

                                                                                   (Mark 1:21-22 KJV)

After Jesus' baptism as he began his ministry it was not the disciples or any living human being who recognized him as the Holy One of God. It was an unclean spirit. The unclean spirit knew that Jesus had the power to destroy it. And... all the people were amazed. His fame spread throughout the region. Yet, the people did not recognize who he truly was. 

As they followed Jesus for the next three years; although they saw many miracles and witnessed many amazing events in Jesus life, the disciples never fully realized that Jesus was the Holy One of God. They never truly grasped that he had come not to overthrow the powers of the authorities on earth; but, to overthrow the power of sin, death, and the power of the devil for them. They did not understand that he came to die for them. The demons understood this. They knew that he had the power to destroy them. As St. James put it:  "the devils also believe, and tremble." (James 2:19)

So you say you believe? Even the devils believe! They know he exists. But, they do not love and worship him. Do you? 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Prophets

The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

"I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?

When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him." 

                                                                           (Deut 18:15, 18-22 KJV)

There appear to be a lot of false prophets speaking in the Lord's name what the Lord has not told them to speak today. Most of those prophets have spoken words of doom. Many have like "Chicken Little" declared the sky is falling. Who knows? It may yet fall! But, take note; the sky did not fall and the world did not end when they said it would. 

Why would anyone prophesy falsely in the name of the Lord except to advance their own egos and agendas and maybe their pocketbooks? Do not fear them. The only one we should fear is the Lord.

"And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul..." (Deut 10:12)

The word of the Lord to Moses was that we should not fear the false prophets. We should not fear their prophecies.  We should; however,  listen to the prophet that God sent to us. Listen to the words of Jesus!  

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit." 

                                                                                      (Matt 7:15-17)

Listen to the words of Jesus. Do not worry about or fear the words of false prophets. Listen to the words of Jesus! According to St. John we are to test the words of those who claim to be prophets. 

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." 

                                                                                       (1 John 4:1-3)

Be very careful who it is that you are listening to. Be careful who you follow and do not waste your energy fearing the false prophets or their words.

May God grant us the wisdom; the courage; and the strength; by the power or the Holy Spirit, to always listen to and follow Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Good Works Don't Fool God

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
                                                                                  (Rev 3:1-5 KJV)

Sometimes we can seem so faithful to the world outside because of all our good works. But, to the angel of the church in Sardis, Jesus says, "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but your are dead." (vs 1) Wake up and repent! Walk with Jesus, dressed in the white robes of his righteousness.

May we always remember that our good works might fool some of the people; but, they can never fool God. We are saved by faith alone in Christ alone.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Confess and Follow Christ Alone

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

                                                                                      (1 John 4-2-4 KJV)

There are so many false gods in this world that one cannot even begin to count them. There are so many spirits that are not of Christ that I cannot begin to fathom the number.

I have come to a point in my life that I have become weary of telling people that they must stay away from tarot cards, horoscopes, fortune tellers, and calling upon the dead to guide them. This is very dangerous business. When we call upon any other entity to guide us we are simply asking for trouble. When we do not trust the one true God to guide and protect us; to show us the way, we will end up on the path that leads to destruction. Do not listen to anyone who would encourage these things. Do not listen to anyone that would tells you that there are many paths to heaven. Jesus, himself, tells us: "...Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

There is only one Spirit that will lead you on the path of Christ and that is the Spirit of God. When we confess that Jesus is the Christ sent by God; we profess our faith; our trust, in his spirit to lead us on the path that he has set before us.

May God help us to not waiver from following on that path.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Whatever Happens; God Is With You

My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4 NRSV) 

Growing in Christ does mean that we will face trials. There was a time when I could actually smile at those trials that I would face, knowing that it would be a learning and growing experience. Then, I would just get to it. Today, I am more likely to find myself weary of facing one trial after the next. Maybe, it's more like I've learned to simply endure them. I look out into the world and see all the trials that people endure simply because of our sinful natures, I get tired of seeing so much unnecessary suffering. I know that trials produce endurance so that we might mature and grow in Christ. However, it saddens me to know that those trials are often born out of disrespect for the world; for the people around us; and, for God.

Sadly; to live in this world, we do need endurance and endurance comes from facing and overcoming trials. But, we are not alone. We are never alone. God is with us and we will prevail. We will grow  and mature in Christ. We can rejoice in that knowledge.

God grant that we should have joyful spirits as we face the trials before us, in the knowledge that God is with us and for us. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Angels

Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. 

                                                                                  (Col 2:18-19 NIV)

So what about angels? Every now and then I am jolted by the reality that someone I know depends on angels more than they depend on Jesus. They pray to the angels to protect them. Why ask the angels? Why not ask the Lord to send his angels to protect you. God is in charge of angels. He directs them. He sends them out.

Just because something or someone exists in the spiritual realms does not mean that we should worship them or put our trust in them. Angels are created beings. We do not worship the creature. Rather, we worship and put our trust in the one who has charge over the spiritual realms; the one who created the spiritual realms; the one who created all things.

Angels have many purposes. Some are messengers. Some have been deliverers of God judgment. Some are ministering spirits. Angels ministered to Jesus after his temptations by the devil in the wilderness. Angels are beings created by God to serve according to God's will not our will.

Do I believe that angels exist? Of course, I believe that. But, I do not put my faith in them. We cannot serve two gods. Angels are not creators. They are created beings. Angels did not die for you. Jesus did. By worshipping and honoring angels; by lifting them up and trusting in them more than we do Christ, we lose the connection we have with the head, from whom the whole body grows, who is Jesus the Christ. We are to worship the one who has charge over angels and not the angels.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Gentle Words

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Prov 15:1 NIV)                                                                                                                                           Humanity really seems to enjoy arguments, divisions, even wars. Maybe that is not so true. Maybe it is only that we like to have be the ones who are always right; always better than the next person; always the one to have the last word. Are we as a species addicted to living in drama? Because being number one all of the time leads to just that: drama!

Sometimes, it is necessary to not even disagree with someone that you know is totally off the planet wrong; but, to keep your lips zipped. Don't say a word. Smile. Walk away. Let things calm down before you attempt to resume the conversation if ever you even need to resume the conversation.

It is not necessary to belittle others with harsh words. It is more necessary to get along or walk away for your sake and for the sake of everyone around you. 

Harsh words stir up anger. Anger stirs up hate and contempt. Hate and contempt kills not just bodies; but, the soul as well.

May God grant us gentle tongues and gentle spirits.

God's Peace - Pr. J

A Gentle Tongue Is A Tree Of Life

I know that I have been guilty of having spoken wrongly or too quickly on more than one occasion resulting in hurting the spirit of others.  However, I usually realize I have done so as soon as I've done it and can attempt to rectify it or at least apologize.

I have difficulty understanding why some people do not understand how badly they have hurt someone with their witty comments. Maybe don't realize how damaging their tongues can be to the spirits; the lives of the ones who bear the brunt of their wit. Sarcasm really is not that funny. It is hurtful. Intentional sarcasm breaks the spirit.

May God help us to speak with gentle tongues that we will do no harm to the spirits of others.

God Peace - Pr. J

Be Filled With The Spirit Not spirits

"Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Eph 5:15-20

Another way that I can say it is this, "Choose this day whom you will serve." (Joshua 24:15) Will you serve the spirits of alcohol and other drugs or will you serve the Lord? Has your addiction so taken over your life so that you can no longer even work or play unless you are at least a little high or drunk just to take the edge off? Do you need the aid of one of these false gods to even get you moving in the morning? Can't wait for your day off so you can really get toasted? I am not saying that alcohol and even the legitimate use of marijuana don't have their place. But; sadly, alcohol and marijuana, as well as a multitude of other illegal drugs, have become the gods that way too many people live for. These false gods are succeeding at destroying families; destroying communities; and are even pretty successful at causing problems within the visible church on earth.  Choose ye this day whom you will serve! 

Addiction is a serious ailment. It cannot be cured by the use of other or more drugs. In fact, there are those who say it cannot be cured at all. But, there is relief for those who suffer this sickness. The Lord can make you whole. Turn to Him; for He is your helper. Be filled with the Spirit and sing songs of joy to the Lord, for He alone can save you from the false gods that hold you captive.

Be filled with the Spirit not spirits and rejoice for this too shall pass. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

He Descended Into Hell

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits — to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. (1 Peter 3:14-20a NIV)

He descended into hell...  After being put to death in the body, Peter tells us that, he was made alive in the Spirit and went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits. As Lutherans, we believe and affirm that: “We simply believe that the entire person [Jesus Christ], God and man, descended into hell after the burial, conquered the devil, destroyed hell’s power, and took from the devil all his might” (Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Art. IX).

He conquered the power of death and the power of the devil for you. There is no reason to fear anything in this world or in the spiritual realms for Christ has authority over all. No matter what this world attempts to throw at us, we can be at peace knowing that nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Take comfort and do not fear when the evil one and his minions attempt to destroy you. Jesus Christ has prevailed for you.

God grant you the peace of heart and mind knowing that Jesus lived and died and lives for you!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mary's Song; Our Song

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. Luke 1:46-47, 49 NIV 

Mary's song ought to be our song. He hears our prayers and He answers. But, He has done and continues to do so much more than we can even imagine or ask for.

Mary was indeed blessed to be chosen to be the mother of God. What a fearsome and awesome gift that must have been. Yet, we are also greatly blessed in that God is with us always. That gift to Mary is also a gift to us.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this."
                                    (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Let us rejoice and be glad for our Savior has come and his Kingdom shall never end. May all of our souls glorify the Lord and our spirits rejoice in God our Savior and King!

God's Peace - Pr. J