One Sacrifice

One sacrifice for sins for ever!

And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 

                                                                (Heb 10:11-14 KJV)

That one offering was the life of Jesus the Christ. The offerings of sheep or goats or birds no matter how unblemished they appeared to be could never atone for all of our sins. Those sacrifices had to be repeated over and over again. But, the sacrifice of the life of the only begotten Son of God could and it did. Jesus willingly sacrificed himself that we might be forgiven our sins and reconciled to our Father. The promise of the Lord as revealed to Isaiah has been fulfilled in the Christ. Our sins are wiped away by faith in his loving sacrifice for us.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isa 1:18)

It is good to consider ones sins and to repent of them. But, all too often the devil and the world around us will remind us of our pasts. The devil will cause us to wonder if we have been truly forgiven. Do not let him cause you to doubt what Christ has done for you. 

In Christ you are forgiven!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

My Inheritance

Psalm 16 KJV

Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;

But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.

The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

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The Lord is my inheritance! All the other things that go along with our salvation by faith in Jesus the Christ there are none more precious than our reconciliation with God. Even though we have turned our backs on God we have been saved by God's good grace and mercy. We shall love and honor only one God. False gods have no place in our lives for we are in relationship with the only God and Father of all.

Thanks be to God that He has opened the door to eternal life in His presence because of His great love for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

To Sweep The Streets Of Heaven

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

                            (1 John 3:1-2 KJV)

To be a janitor and sweep the streets was what one of my pastors once told me he'd like to do when he gets to heaven. Some can't wait to sing in the heavenly choir. Others have said they hope they get to go fishing or see their friends and family who are no longer here on earth. We all have differing views of what heaven is like or what we will do there. No one knows for sure.

What I am convinced of though is that those who abide in Christ and he in them can get a taste of heaven even here on earth. We can know the peace that living in God's presence can bring. And... that, I am convinced, no matter what else heaven might be like, is what life after death to this world is. It is living in the presence of our heavenly Father the one who loves us so much that He has given us the privilege of being His children through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. We who were not his children, by God's grace through faith, are now his children.

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Gal 3:26)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Together

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

                                                                                                      (Eph 1:5-10 KJV)

God's purpose: to unite us with him and one another through Jesus the Christ. Unfortunately, the world and the devil would see us separated from one another and have us turn our backs on God.  It's too much to attend worship and hear the word of God with those hypocrites! It's too much to share the peace with one another! We might get sick. 

What is sick is being separated from God and one another. That is not God's purpose for humankind. Thankfully a goodly part of the world is getting back together to love and serve one another; to love and  to serve God together.

It is the good will of God that we be reconciled to him and to one another. God help us to gather together in unity and in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

His Mercy Endureth Forevev

Psalm 42 KJV

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?

When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

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Where are you, Lord?  There are times we may feel totally deserted; completely alone. There are times when we long to feel and know His presence most fully. We may even question why God has left us. But, He has not forgotten us. He is with us and is working out good things for those who love Him. (Rom 8:28)

Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psalm 106:1)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

By the Spirit

Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 

                                                                                        (2 Cor 3:3-6 KJV)

We serve not because of fear of the law; but, by the indwelling spirit of God. The Holy Spirit works through us to lift up the lives of others around us. We are ministers of God serving others not because we are so good; not because we are so capable; but, because the love of God in Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit empowers us to do so.

The Spirit of God sets us free to live life to love and serve God; to love and serve others even as the Spirit of Christ loves and serves others through you. Live life in Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Baptized For Renewal And Regeneration

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 28:18:20

What is baptism? Is it something that we choose to do because we want to give ourselves to Jesus or is it truly a gift from God for the growth of His Church; His Kingdom? According to what the Lutheran Church as teaches from Luther's Small Catechism:

First

What is Baptism?

Answer: Baptism is not simple water only, but it is the water comprehended in God’s command and connected with God’s Word.

Which is that word of God?

Answer: Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Matthew: Go ye into all the world and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Second

What does Baptism give or profit?

Answer: It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.

Which are such words and promises of God?

Answer: Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Mark: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Third

How can water do such great things?

Answer: It is not the water indeed that does them, but the word of God which is in and with the water, and faith, which trusts such word of God in the water. For without the word of God the water is simple water and no baptism. But with the word of God it is a baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Ghost, as St. Paul says, Titus, chapter three: By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Savior, that, being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying.

Fourth

What does such baptizing with water signify?

Answer: It signifies that the old Adam in us should, by daily contrition and repentance, be drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts, and, again, a new man daily come forth and arise; who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Where is this written?

Answer: St. Paul says Romans, chapter 6: We are buried with Christ by Baptism into death, that, like as He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

                                                   http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

Baptism is not the same as taking a bath. Water alone may wash the outside of the body; but, it cannot cleanse our souls. Water with the Word received in the Sacrament of Baptism; however, washes us through and through.

I am often asked why I would baptize infants. My answer (in short, because this is just a blog) is that first we are commanded to baptize all nations; all people. That does not exclude children. Jesus said we are not to hinder the children from going to him. I have also been told that babies cannot believe so therefore they should not receive this Sacrament. Jesus also said that in order to enter into the kingdom of God we must become like little children. (Matt 18:2-3) Knowledge or intelligence does not necessarily equate with faith. Just because little children do not have the same knowledge that some adults have we should not equate that with an inability to have faith. Faith, itself, is a gift from God and is not something we muster up on our own. Many of the little children that I've known probably have more than most adults Christians as they have not yet been subjected to the doubts of this world.

Most importantly, baptism is a gift from God, for the washing and regeneration of all people and for renewing by the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan, the Holy Spirit came down upon him in the form of a dove. When we are baptized, we are anointed by the Holy Spirit, for regeneration and renewal. I would not presume to withhold this gift of God; His very presence, from anyone, especially a child. Would you demand that a child go through life without this gift?

My parents were not church going people. But, they saw fit to have me baptized at home at about age five. I thank God that they did this for me. I thank God that Pr. Leslie Niemi was willing to officiate at our home. I know that it is preferable that baptism take place within the church. But, I thank God that Pr. Les was not willing to withhold this Sacrament from me for any reason. I remember that day; although, it has been so long ago and details are getting a little foggy. I thank God for the regeneration by the power of the Holy Spirit that began so many years ago. I do not want to even consider where and what I would be today if it had not been for the events of that day. Thank you Pr. Les for being a servant of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Greatest Sermon Ever

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

                                                                       (Matt 5:1-12 KJV)

For many years serving small congregations I used not just the Gospel designated for All Saints Sunday; but, I preached the greatest sermon that is and ever was. No it was not my sermon. It was Jesus' sermon. It is the entire Sermon on the Mount.  I only had a couple people object to my doing that. Of course, some did. LOL

One youth at a correctional facility reported me for saying his mother was going to hell. I did not!  I did not use any of my own words to preach the word. I stood on a hill outside of the correctional facility with the youth sitting around me and just preached the words as they were written. 

The only other time that I heard complaints about not writing my own sermon for All Saints Sunday it was because I did not write my own sermon. Can you imagine that! Critiqued for preaching the words that Jesus preached according to  the Gospel of St. Matthew! SMH

The Holy Spirit extraordinarily opens the ears of those who are listening. The many will hear exactly what they need to hear. Some will not like what they hear and turn away. Others will find peace in the word of God. This is not because the preacher is so good. It is because the word of God is like a two-edged sword. It can strike down or it can bring healing to the wounded soul depending upon what is needed. Sometimes the striking down is necessary so that the word of God which is like a two-edged sword can bring the healing necessary. The preacher doesn't do this. He or she is just a mouthpiece so that Christ can carry on the work of salvation through us. 

Since I am retired from preaching every Sunday and will not be preaching the greatest sermon ever this coming Sunday please click on the link I'm providing and read it for yourself: Sermon on the Mount

Have a blessed week!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

P.S.  Just a reminder that I use the King James Version as there are no copywrites on it and I don't have to count words. 

Praise God!

Psalm 149 KJV

Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.

Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.

Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;

To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;

To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;

To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.

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Praise ye the Lord for He is an almighty God. He lifts up His children. He takes pleasure in them. Let all of the saints joyfully give thanks to God and give Him all glory for all that He has done and will do.

Trust that His promises are and have been fulfilled. He loves you now and will love you always. Rejoice in His glory!

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

Jesus Is Lord

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

                                                                                        (1 Pet 5:6-11 KJV)

We are not gods. Maybe, lords of our households; but, not the King of the Universe!  But, even as lords of our households we can really mess up and cause problems for ourselves and those who live with us. The devil is aware of that and uses it to his advantage as he seeks to devour everything and everyone around us. It behooves us to trust God to open our eyes to see the evil that the devil purposes to use us for and to fight against it. We fight not with our own power; but, with the power of the Spirit of Christ in us. Jesus is the only one who has been able to resist his power. We must humble ourselves and trust in that power. He is after all the King of all kings and has authority over everything and everyone.

Let not the devil use us to devour those around us. God help us to not empower the devil by falling into the trap of judging others and causing more division. But, by the grace of God who has called us to His eternal glory through Jesus Christ, strengthen us so that we may stand against the wiles of the evil ones. For, he is like a wolf in sheep's clothing creeping up on those who are unaware to steal the peace that only God can bring to us.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  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 6:10-12)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

By Grace Through Faith

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Eph 2:8-9 KJV)

I don't seem to be able to say it enough!  We are not saved because we consider ourselves good or that we've done so much good in the world because we aren't so good.  None of is declared righteous by our own merit. None of us are that good. We are saved only by the grace of God through faith in the one who lived and died and lives again for us. If we could be saved by our own righteous then Christ has died in vain!

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Gal 2:16, 20-21)

We ought to love one another. We ought to help and support others! In fact, we are commanded to do it. But, do not think that these good works will save you. Your salvation is purely a gift from God. It is not of your own doing.

Lord, God, open the ears, hearts and minds of all people that they might comprehend and receive your grace and your love through faith  in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Love and Live

And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

                                                                            (Mark 12:28-31 KJV)

There is only one who can love perfectly. That one is God. Yet, we hear the commandment to love and by the power of the Holy Spirit we are encouraged and empowered to love even our enemies. But, even as the Spirit of Christ dwells within us the old man, Adam, also fights within us to rebel against this law of love. To do it our own way. 

The greatest commandment is to love God. When we truly love Him the second greatest commandment to love our neighbors becomes evident in our lives as well. Love does overcome fear. It overcomes hatred. It enables us to live together in peace. That does not mean we should not speak against evil. Rather out of love we call what is a sin a sin and do not pretend that everything is okay. This is done out of love for them so that they too may know the peace and joy that living in the presence of our loving God and one another can bring.

Love the Lord your God and you neighbor as yourself that you might live life in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Grass Withers

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (1 Peter 1:24-25 KJV)

We don't get to live forever here on earth. In the end all things must die. But, thanks be to God even as the grass withers and dies it will usually come back and live in the spring. Our hope rests in the spring that God has promised us. It rests in the good news that although we are sinners and deserve nothing but death we will live.  Christ died that we might be made righteous by his work on the cross. We cannot be made righteous no matter how good; how godly we attempt to be. We will all fall short. But, Jesus did not. He was tempted and overcame every temptation including the temptation to not go to the cross for us.  

As the grass withers and springs back to life so shall who believe in the saving grace of God through Jesus the Christ. Our flesh will die; but, we will live. Because he lives so shall we!

God's Peace  - Pr. J.

Give God The Glory!

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 

                                   (Rev 14:6-7 KJV)

Immediately following John's vision of a Lamb standing on Mt. Sion he sees an angel who carries the gospel to be brought to all people declaring that we are to give God the glory. Indeed, all glory belongs to God for giving the Lamb, His only begotten Son, as the sacrifice for our sins that we might receive forgiveness of sins and be reconciled to God and one another.   

To God belongs all glory for all the marvelous things He has created and  not just for creating us in the first place but for loving us enough to recreate us in the image of His Son. Our baptisms into Christ brings about the death of the old man that resides in us and gives us a new life in Christ. 

We do not have this new life because of anything we have done. It is a gift from God who deserves all glory and honor! God help us to live life more fully in Christ!

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

Love The Lord

Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:

That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. 

                                                                                            (Deut 6:1-9 KJV)

Loving and serving the Lord is not just for the hour you might sit in a church building one day a week. We are called to love him with our whole hearts, our entire souls, and with all of our might all of the time. Do the people around you know that you love and serve him? 

Our love is evidenced by what we say and do. 

Praise the Lord in all things; in what you say and do and at all times that others might in turn come to love Him as well.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Desire To Do What Is Right

Psalm 119:1-8 KJV

Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.

Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

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Oh, if only I could keep his statues. But, I have learned from experience that I cannot.  If it were not for the grace of God through the giving of our Lord Jesus Christ I would be; we would all be lost.

St. Paul wrote to the Romans:

For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

                                                                                        (Rom 7:14-26)

We desire to do the will of the Lord with all of our hearts and minds; yet, our flesh rebels against it. Thanks be to God for through the sacrifice of Christ for us we have not been forsaken because of what we do or do not do. We have been saved by faith alone in Christ alone!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Instruct Those Who Would Hear

He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

                                                                                                     (Prov 9:7-10 KJV)

There is only one God. As our Small Catechism teaches we: "We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things."

This one God loves us and was and is willing to give all to us. Not everyone understands this nor does everyone want to. There are times, after a person attempts to share the Good News that our God would have everyone receive, that one must shake the dust off of their feet and walk away. There are plenty of others yearning to hear the Good News of the kingdom through Jesus the Christ. They yearn for it so it would behoove us to ensure that they get to hear it. 

"And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet." (Matt 10:14)

God grant that the ears of all people be opened to hear this Good News and to receive it as a blessed promise to them through Jesus Christ our Lord and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Our Rock And Salvation

Psalm 28 KJV

Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.

Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.

Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.

Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.

Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.

Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.

Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.

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Most of us have probably had people we cared about in our lives who acted as though they cared about us as well. Then something happened. We may have heard some gossip that they were spreading about us that was simply untrue. It is a sad thing to endure; but, it happens.

In times like these and in all times we can be at peace knowing that the Lord is our rock and redeemer. He will give us the strength and loving graceful hearts to see us through those times.  He will help us and bless us with the inheritance of a place in his eternal kingdom.

Don't worry about the slights we must endure. Do not fear. Trust the Lord. He can turn even the worst of situations into good. He has a good plan for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Once Was Enough

And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. 

                                                                                                   (Heb 7:23-28 KJV)

Pastors come and go. They do not live to serve the world forever. We live. We die. But, Jesus lives!. He is risen! He is ascended! He is with you now and always!

The ancient priests interceded for humankind. Prayers and blood offerings were made on the behalf of the people. There is no more bargaining with God. We can't buy Him off because Jesus paid for the price for our sins. He was the ultimate sacrifice. The only begotten Son suffered and died for us and that was enough.

We are saved by God's grace through faith in the one who lived and died and lives again for us!

Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Eyes to See

The beggar followed in the way of Jesus

And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

                                                                                     (Mark 10:46-52 KJV)

The story of the blind man begging Jesus to have mercy on him is a reminder that Jesus does indeed hear our prayers and answers.  The beggars eyes are healed. They are opened so that he might see the world around him. Jesus declares that he has been made whole. Being made whole the once blind man can now see to follow in the way of Jesus. When one is touched by the love and mercy of Jesus they are made whole.

We can never make ourselves whole. It is God in Christ Jesus who makes us whole. It is he who gives us new life; a life of wholeness in the Body of Christ; in the Kingdom of God. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Forgiven and Reconciled

Psalm 51:1-12 KJV

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

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We, through our own sins, have separated ourselves from God. The Good News is that through Jesus the Christ our sins our blotted out. There is nothing we can do to erase them. Because Jesus was willing to pay the penalty for our sins we who turn our backs on God are forgiven and are reconciled to Him. As forgiven children of God the Holy Spirit creates in us clean hearts and renews a right spirit within us.

The Psalmist prays that the Lord will not take His presence from us. Rejoice for through Jesus Christ he has not! He is with us always; for all of eternity. Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J.