John 5:31-47 Believe the Testimony

John 5:31-47 NIV
Jesus knows you. He knows whether you have the love of God in your heart or not. He knows whether you believe or not. John the Baptist came to testify to the truth that we might be saved. The prophets testified to Jesus coming into the world. Yet, the world refused to believe. Holy Scripture gives testimony of Jesus. Yet, do we believe? Do we believe the Scriptures or even though we read the word about the Word does it fail to make its way into our hearts and minds?

Jesus testifies that the people study the Scriptures diligently because they think in them they have eternal life. The Scriptures direct us to Jesus. We read the Scriptures (now and then?); yet, how many of us refuse to go to him for life and salvation?

At the NALC Convocation this past week, one of the speaker's asked us to consider on a scale of 1 to 10 where our level of passion for the LORD is. Where is it? Is it a 5 or maybe just a 2? Hopefully, many can say that it is much higher than that. Is our passion for God low because just maybe our faith is waning? Who can hear what Jesus has done for us without being filled will love and passion for Him? Only those who are not really paying attention to the testimony of Scripture.  

In order to keep your passion from waning, dive into the Scriptures. Read them, study them, hear them and may God open our hearts and minds that we might believe and be saved.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John:22-30 Ego or Joy in Christ?

John 3:22-30 NIV
John the Baptist has been a major player until now; until Jesus shows up on the scene. But, there is no jealousy between John and Jesus. John knows full well who the Messiah is and it is not John. John has come only to point the way to the Messiah. The Messiah has come and rather than jealousy, John is filled with joy. He is satisfied with becoming less as Jesus becomes known to all people.

And, so it is with us. In order for Christ to live more fully in and through us; we must become less. Our own egos must die so that the Christ may live and minister more fully in and through us.

Come, Lord Jesus, so that our joy in you might be complete.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 1:6-28 John's Witness

John 1:6-28 NIV
As I live in a land and a time where egos reign, I often think about the faithfulness of St. John the Baptist. His mission was to be a witness to testify to the light that was coming into the dark world. That light was Jesus Christ. John was a humble man. That's not to say he was timid; rather he was quite bold in his proclamation and did not worry who might not like to hear his words. He did not brag about himself. He did not worry about his daily or his future needs; after all, he was a wandering missionary, whose meals came from the wild and whose only clothes were made of camel hair. His only concern was to announce the coming of the Savior into the world.

May God help us all to remember that our main concern is (or should be) the proclamation of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ our LORD, which was purchased for you by the shedding of his blood.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. A reminder that I hope you are reading the Scriptures that this blog is linked to... That is; after all, the purpose of this blog to help you read through the Scriptures on a daily basis.

Luke 16:16-18 Law and Kingdom

Luke 16:16-18 NIV
Until the time of John there was only the law and hope for salvation to come in the future. But, John brought more. He brought the Good News of the Kingdom at hand. Yes, it was still hope; but, the realization of the fulfillment of that hope was closer than ever before and the people were excited. Jesus was/is the fulfillment of that hope. No, not one law has disappeared from the books. But, it has been fulfilled in Jesus. The one without sin died for us sinners. He was the living sacrifice so that we might receive mercy through trusting that through Him we might receive forgiveness for the laws that we have broken.

After John the Baptist the good news of the Kingdom of God was preached. In Jesus Christ, it is definitely at hand. It has come near. Now, that is something to be excited about!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 7:18-35 Testimony

Luke 7:18-35 NIV
John the Baptist wants to know if Jesus is the One so he sends two of his disciples to ask him.  Jesus l tells them to report back to John what they have seen and heard. He tells them to share with John what they have witnessed.

What have you seen? What have you heard? Just because you may be a Lutheran does not mean that you cannot give your testimony! Has he healed your body? Has he healed your sin-sick soul? Go tell - share what He has done for and through you.
God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 3:1-20 - Repent!

Luke 3:1-20 NIV
Now John baptized people for the forgiveness of sins. According to Luke, he admonished people to repent of their sins. It does not appear that he was a light-hearted jokester. His words were not meant to please the itching ears of humankind. He appears to be a pretty serious character and an unafraid character, as well. The people who came to him to be baptized, he called a "brood of vipers." He rebuked Herod Antipas for divorcing his wife and marrying his brother's wife. He was not afraid to be a truth teller. He was thrown into prison for it.


People flocked out to be baptized by John; yet, he was hated by many.  And, so goes the way of the those who strive to speak the truth. It and the purveyor of truth will be accepted by some. Others will do all they can to destroy the truth sayer in hopes of destroying the truth with him.

Repent and receive forgiveness. Let your sins be washed away. Repentance is not as easy as some may think. Because, before we can repent of our sins, we must first acknowledge them. If we cannot recognize our sin, our brokenness, then what is it that we think we are going to repent of? How are we going to change if we refuse to acknowledge that maybe there is room for change in our lives?


John's words may sound harsh to our ears at times. “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (3:7-9)

It sounds harsh to those who refuse to repent; to change their lives and follow Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 1:57-80 - Thanks Be To God!

Luke 1:57-80 NIV
God's will has been and will be done.

The elderly Elizabeth gives birth to her long awaited son. Thanks be to God!

Zechariah's mouth is stopped until the day of the circumcision and the naming of their child. Thanks be to God!

Zechariah is filled with he Holy Spirit and prophesied regarding the future of his child. Thanks be to God!

"....the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel" (vs 80) proclaiming the coming of the Savior of the world; proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 1:39-56 - Sharing and Caring

Luke 1:38-56 NIV
There are times in our lives when we truly need a friend. We need to be able to sit back and share our joys, our sorrows, our hopes and dreams, even our fears with someone who cares.

Mary went to see her cousin Elizabeth. They could relate to one another. They had something in common. They had something to share with each other. They were both to bear very unusual children. Elizabeth would bear John the Baptist, the one who would announce our Savior's coming into the world. Mary would give birth to Jesus, the Son of God, our Lord and Savior.

May God grant that we should all have someone to share our lives with; our joys, our sorrows, our hopes and dreams, and even our fears.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 6:14-29 Love Not Lust

Love or rather lust can really lead one astray. Have you ever promised someone that you thought you were in love with something and then found yourself backed in a corner having to do something you know you ought not be doing?

That's Herod's story. He married his brother's wife, which he ought not have done in the first place. That man, John, whom Herod understands to be a holy man, lets him know that he has done wrong. Herod's wife is embarrassed by John and wants his head. So, she tricks King Herod into promising to have John beheaded by having her daughter dance for him. Isn't there inherently something wrong with having your daughter dance for your husband to please him? But, King Herod is pleased and has put himself into the position of being embarrassed by John or embarrassed by his wife. He follows through with his promise to his wife. John is killed and his head served up on a platter.

True love would not call a man to do something that goes against his conscience. But, lust will. Lust for his brother's wife; lust for his brother's wife daughter; lust will get us into all kinds of predicaments that we would have preferred to avoid.

Another famous biblical character that got himself into a whole lot of trouble over lust for a woman was Samson. He was to be a savior for his people; but, driven by lust, he ended up betrayed by the woman he thought he loved and who he thought loved him.

There is a definite difference between love and lust. Love does no harm to others. It certainly does not end in the death of our loved one's enemies to satisfy our loved one's egos.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 1:1-8 John The Baptist

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way”—
 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,    make straight paths for him.’” (Mark 1:1-8 NIV)

We begin the Gospel according to St. Mark with "The beginning of the good news about Jesus..." The messenger is Jesus' cousin John. John the Baptist is one of my favorite characters. I often wonder what would happen; how everyone would react, to a character like him in their community today. A man wandering around in the wilderness; dressed in camel's hair; eating locusts and wild honey; ever reminding people to repent. I'm pretty sure he'd be avoided in most communities. But, in that time, he; apparently, had crowds coming to be cleansed of their sins through repentance and water baptism.

I often wonder how people would react to me, if my approach to the good news were more like that of John the Baptist. Would anyone listen? But, on the other hand, do they now? There are times when I feel quite sure that eyes do not see nor do ears hear. But, then I also know the word of the LORD and am confident that "...faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." (Rom 10:17) As long as we keep preaching the good news about Jesus;  people will hear and they will receive faith in the Messiah, the Son of God. It may not be as quickly as we (I) would like. It will be in God's time. Faith will come.

God calls us all to be messengers of His love through Jesus Christ, our LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 3 - Brood of Vipers; God's Children

John the Baptist is one of my favorite characters. Can you imagine if I went around saying to people, "...You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance..." (Matt 3:7-8 NIV) Well, actually I do say things similar to this at times, I just don't recall actually calling anyone a viper. Oops, I take that back, too. I do recall an occasion or two when I've let someone know that they were acting like a snake.

Here is John, baptizing with water for repentance and along comes Jesus, the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, to be baptized by John.
     "But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
     Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
     As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matt 3:14-17)

Anointed by the Spirit of God at baptism, we hear from that same Spirit, that same God, welcome us into His family with these reconciling words, "You are my beloved child, with whom I am well pleased."

A brood of vipers, we are. Yet, by His grace, we are His children.

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Proverbs 30 - Who is Agur?

Our last few weeks during our Wednesday Bible Study at Zion, Skanee, has been interesting. We are studying "Acts of the Apostles" and are trying very hard to keep all the names straight. So many men had the same name and others had them changed. Simon is Peter or Simon Peter not to be confused with the other Simons. Mark is John Mark or John who is also called Mark, not to be confused with John the Baptist or the Apostle John who was exiled to Patmos.

So who is the Agur son of Jakeh whose sayings we read in Proverbs, chapter 30? We don't know. That's it. We really don't know. This name is not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture. The first verse is a little confusing in light of the rest of the sayings attributed to Agur. "I am weary, God, but I can prevail." Then he goes on to say that he has no understanding and asks God, who does, to help him. How then can he say that he can prevail? It is not he, but God who prevails for him. It is the son, whom Agur speaks of in verse 4, that prevails for us all. It is the Son, Jesus the Christ, who prevails for us all.

So who is Agur son of Jakeh? He was a man inspired by the Holy Spirit to confess that he was but a brute, who lacked understanding and wisdom. That he could not know the knowledge of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J