Houses Built On Foundations of Sand

Matthew 7:24-29 KJV; Hurricane Idalia is coming near the coast. The wise man builds his house upon a rock. The wise man hears the Word of God and actually does the will. Support and help your neighbor in time of need.

One In Christ Jesus

Galatians 3:26-29 KJV: Why do the children of God discriminate against one another?

The Lord Is Our Shelter

Psalm 91:1-10 KJV; 4th Sun after Pentecost; The Lord is our shelter. He will lift us up out of the darkness.

The Many Become One In Christ

Valaam Monastery, Russian Karelia

And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

                                                                                (Gen 2:18, 21-24 KJV)

And the Lord God said "they shall be one flesh." 

God decided that the man he created needed a help meet; a partner, so he created woman from the man. The one man became two people. And the Lord God said that the man shall cleave unto his wife and they shall be one flesh.  

Thankfully most (but, not all) people in this country realize that man is not more equal than woman. Each has their gifts and abilities that they bring to the union. One is not more important than the other because they are partners and each uses their own gifts to make the union a fruitful one and not just fruitful for themselves; but, for others around them as well.

It is a great mystery how God created man and then woman making two out of one and then then brings them together to make one again. But, once one realizes the wisdom of this act of God living life becomes much easier.

On the sixth day of creation God said that "it is not good for the man to be alone." It is not good for any human being to live in isolation from the rest of the world. But for many reasons there are those who do not have a help meet in life. There are many challenges to living without a help meet. Especially for those who have no individual to live life wholly with them we hope and pray that the community of God is there to help and support them; to help our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

St. Paul compares the union between a man and a woman to the union of Christ and the church. It is a great mystery. But, we know that when we are baptized into the death and resurrection of Christ we are united with Christ. We become one with the whole church. As members of the body of Christ; as partners in the church, we support one another. We support the couples, the families, the single persons for we are all united in Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Blood That Is Thicker Than Blood

There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.

And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.

And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?

And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

                                                                                      (Mark 3:31-35 KJV)

Family... Most of us have families that we are close to. But, many do not. Many have been abused or neglected by their families. Others have lost them to death. We may not have birth families to celebrate with; to grieve with; to live and walk with; but, we can still have a family. 

I have known too many people who have been judged because they have chosen for their own physical, spiritual, or mental health that they must distance themselves from their families of birth. There is a prevailing sense that those of the same "blood;" the same family, must support one another no matter what. Unfortunately, it cannot always be so. When one family member endangers you or others by their words or actions those actions should not be supported. Sometimes family members and friends will have to walk away for the sake of everyone involved. 

The Good News is that there is a family that will support you. We have a Father who does all things for the good of those who love him. There is indeed a blood that is thicker than blood. It is the blood of Christ that was shed for you. Because he was willing to die for us, we are willing to follow Him, doing our Father's will. We can say "Our Father" because through Jesus we have been made children of God. We have been adopted into his family.

Jesus was not disavowing his mother or his brothers when he asked and answered the question. "Who is my mother, or my brethren?" He loved them. He loved his mother; for, even as he was suffering on the cross he appointed John to look after Mary. Jesus was making the point that all who believe and follow are his family. Thus, we have the Church; the family of God.

There is the blood that is thicker than blood. It binds us together, forever. It is the blood of Christ shed for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Our Exile

Loving and Supporting One Another 
Is Better Done At Close Range

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

                                                                            (1 Thes 5:14-15 KJV)

Warn those who are falling away; comfort those who need comforting; support those who need help of any kind; and do it all with patience. In other words, love one another. 

The powers that be have isolated us from one another to the best of their ability this past year. Humankind was not made to live in total isolation. No one can live life to even near its fullest without interaction with others. We need others to remind us when we are falling away. Written words are helpful even as Paul wrote to the many church. They are helpful. But, we need people in person to comfort us and support us. As Christians, we do not live for ourselves but for the whole Body of Christ. It is difficult for the Body of Christ to work as one when we steer so clear of one another. 

The vaccination is being widely administered quite rapidly. Whether or not it works is a question many people have. But, with faith in this vaccination  hopefully the fear of dying that so many people have will disappear to a large extent soon and we can get back to actually and actively doing doing good. Hopefully, we will get back to actually and actively loving one another. That is... if we haven't forgotten how.

Have we really been looking to God or politicians and government agencies to save us from this isolation; from this exile?  

In the end remember that no matter what happens in this world the only hope any of us truly have is hope in the promises of God through Jesus the Christ. That hope includes living reconciled to God and to one another in the Body of Christ, in the Kingdom of God. Whatever the world says do not neglect what we know to be good: to exhort one another; to support and and comfort one another, with much patience. 

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Rom 15:13)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Love Your Neighbor

 

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Matt 22:37-39 KJV)

Do no harm! And... don't stand by and watch anyone do harm to others. It was many years ago in Spain. One of the Marines had witnessed an assault on someone. He did nothing more but witness the event. He ended up in a Spanish prison for not going to the aid of the victim. When we stand by and do nothing but witness the harm being done to others are we also not sinning? 

When we strive to love as God loves we will not only do no harm; but, we will help and support them in any way that we can as we learned from the Small Catechism that Martin Luther wrote for us so that we might better understand the word of God.  

"Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." (Matt 13:8-10)

Love is seen when we do all that we can to help our neighbors in time of need. But, we must be careful that we do not support anyone to further victimize others.  

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Mic 6:8)

And... last but not the least thought for this morning:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Cor 13:4-7 NIV)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Reaping What We Sow

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Gal 6:7 KJV)

Yesterday, I wrote about enduring persecutions. As I thought about it throughout the day, I considered that there are many who may feel like they are being persecuted when in reality they are really suffering the consequences of their own poor choices. Often these poor choices or sins involved persecuting others in the first place.

If we break a law, we are not being persecuted if we end up ticketed or arrested. We are suffering the consequences that come with breaking the law. If we end up in divorce court facing huge child support payments because of such things as abuse or infidelity it is because of our own sinful behavior. 

When we suffer because of our own poor choices we don't get to claim victimhood. In many cases we need to recognize that our choices actually harmed others whether it was directly or indirectly. We need to recognize our sin and our need to repent. We need to change our ways and live lives that don't persecute others. 

If we choose to do what is not right and teach others to do the same we need to accept that we shall reap what we have sown.

However, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

May God grant us new and clean hearts that we might live in peace in His loving presence. Amen

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Support Those Who Are Falsely Slandered

A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. 

A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. 

                                                                             (Prov 16:28-29 KJV)

Somewhere, somehow, we must take a stand and protect the innocent from slander. There is so much slander, so much aloneness in this world, and so much depression resulting from it. It often comes from one source: the ego or maybe it would be more accurate to say the devil who resides within us. Those in whom the Spirit of Christ does not reside often attack their neighbors; their friends; their enemies unjustly, causing much chaos, pain, and sorrow. Standing idly by because you do not want to become involved or become the next target is not all that helpful. Rather, as most of us confess on Sunday mornings, we end up sinning by what we have not done; by not supporting and helping our neighbor in need. 

We should not support sin. We do need to confront those who would entice others in a way that is not good even while we support and protect those who are falsely accused. 

We teach our children in Sunday School and in Confirmation classes that the eighth commandment; "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." We also teach them as Luther taught that this means: "We should fear and love God so that we do not betray, slander, lie or gossip about our neighbors, but defend them, speak well of them and put the most charitable construction on all that they do." How soon we forget what we have learned!

May God help us to love our neighbors and not cause them to suffer any form of anguish because of our actions or inactions.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Free To Assist Those In Need

Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. (Isa 1:16-17 KJV)

Living in peace does not always require passivity. There are times when we must be involved in ensuring justice. We cannot just sit by and watch others be harmed. Our in-actions; our passivity can contribute to even more harm to those who are oppressed in any way. However, actively defending those who are oppressed does not mean oppressing others unjustly either. As one defends their own freedom to not be oppressed we must be cautious not to unjustly stand in the way of the freedoms of others.

Each one must look to their own lifestyles to ensure that our activity or our passivity does not advertently or inadvertently stand in the way of freedom and justice for others; that it does not cause harm to others. Just because we can do something  or not do something doesn't mean our actions or in-actions actually promote what is good for ourselves or for those around us.

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. (1 Cor 10:23)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

No Stealing

The Seventh Commandment.

Thou shalt not steal.

What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not take our neighbor's money or property, nor get them by false ware or dealing, but help him to improve and protect his property and business [that his means are preserved and his condition is improved].
(http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php)

In times past, I served at a Juvenile Correctional Facility in various capacities. I enjoyed it very much. Although many tried to justify their actions; the youth knew why they were there. They had been confronted in a court of law and found guilty. Being able to recognize and acknowledge that one has sinned is a good first step in making necessary changes to one's life so that one can live a fuller life and that God might be glorified. As a pastor, part of my call is to visit those who are in prison. I have had the rare occasion where someone who is incarcerated pre-trial actually confesses their sins and asks for forgiveness. It is always a relief when this happens and I am able to reassure them that although they will have to answer for their crimes in this world; God forgives them their sins and through the blood of Jesus they have been reconciled to our Father in heaven.

For those who deny their guilt, it is much more difficult. I remember speaking with one woman who swore that she had never stolen anything. She was quite adamant (and loud), in spite of the fact, that she had already been convicted of credit card fraud and had spent time in prison for it, that she had never stolen anything from anybody. She could not relate stealing to using someone else's identity to obtain credit cards and then use them for her own profit. Frankly, this conversation was pretty frustrating. It is beyond me how someone can steal something, get caught, be found guilty, go to prison and still deny that they have ever stolen anything. Of course, this person did not claim to be a Christian. But, she does claim to be a "good" person because according to her she has never stolen (paper) money. Semantics! It reminds me of something my grandchildren would often do when they were young. I would make the mistake of asking them who they were talking to when they were on their cell phones. Their response was usually "no one." Of course, they weren't talking to anyone. They were texting or messaging. I had to change the question to: "With whom are you communicating?" That seemed to cover most everything they might be doing on their phones. Semantics!

Semantics won't make a thief less a thief. Either you have stolen from someone or not. It's best to be "Not!" It is also best not to be compounding the sin by lying about it. Confess and live in a way that brings peace and harmony to life with your neighbors. As Christians, we are not only commanded to not take our neighbor's property or money; we are to do all that we can to help our neighbor keep his or her property and even improve it. Whenever we do anything unjustly that would cause our neighbor to lose the use or the possession of his property we are stealing from them whether we end up with physical possession of the property or not. All the semantics in the world will not justify our sins. Only the blood of Jesus justifies.

May God help us to help and support our neighbors.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Love as Jesus Loves

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Eph 5:1-2 NIV

God has given us a very clear example of what true love is. Saying "I love you" just doesn't quite cut the mustard. Love is more than just saying these three words. Love is being able to commit your all for the sake of another. Even as Jesus was willing to give his life that all people might be reconciled to him, to our Father in heaven, and to one another in his Kingdom; those who truly love will be willing to make sacrifices for the sake of those whom they claim to love. They will be willing to die to self (ego) that the other might live a more fulfilling and fruitful life.

Genuine love is not just an emotion. It is a commitment to care for and support someone no matter what problems they might encounter. The cross was a problem for Jesus. It was the means of death for him. But; through the cross, he brought life to all who would receive his love.

Help us, Lord, to love even as you love.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

It's Time To Love

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Eph 5:1-2

It is time. It is way past time for the children of God to start loving as Christ loved us. Imagine a world where it's not all about "me, me, me and my ego." Imagine a world where we genuinely care about others; where the genuine needs of others come before our personal desires.

There is a lot of loving to do. It is time to follow in the way of Jesus the Christ who gave himself for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J