Rev 17: Babylon the Great

Rev 17 NIV
Who is Babylon the Great, the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth? I have heard many theories. Some say that it is Iraq; others have said Rome; and others I've heard claim that it is either New York or Washington D.C.. There are many theories. It does appear; though, that the angel makes it clear that kings and indeed people from all over the world will follow Babylon. They will not worship the Lord. They will join in persecuting those who do worship the one true God.

All the surmising over who or what Babylon the Great is will not bring us any closer to God. It will only detract from what we are called to do and that is to proclaim the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ our Lord for all who would believe.

Worship the Lord your God and do not bow your knee to any false god, no matter what kind of riches or pleasures they might promise you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 7: The Multitudes

Revelation 7 NIV

What a vision the multitudes praising God must have been. I cannot wait to see it for myself with my own eyes. That great multitude who have come though the tribulation and have been sealed by God are promised:
"Never again will they hunger;
    never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’
    nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne
    will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’
    ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (vss. 16-17)

Thanks be to God for salvation belongs to our God and we will live with Him in His kingdom forever!

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 1:29-42

John 1:29-42 NIV
"Look, the Lamb of God!"

Twice, John see Jesus' and witnesses to those around him that Jesus is the Lamb of God. He testifies that Jesus is God's Chosen One. Because of John's testimony Andrew and his brother Simon Peter became followers Jesus. They became his disciples.

Have you told anyone about the "Lamb of God" lately? How many disciples can say it was your testimony that pointed them to Jesus? Remember the "Great Commission"?

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of  the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (John 21:19-20)

Go and witness to the love of God in Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. Go and witness to what He has done for us in giving His life for us. Go and make disciples for surely the "Lamb of God" the great "I AM" is with you always.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 13 - The Kingdom Of Heaven Is Like...

Jesus tells parables to explain what the Kingdom of God is. But, not everyone understands them. He has to explain them even to his disciples.

I find it so very sad that no matter how many times, I proclaim the Kingdom of God, there are many who still don't get it. They don't totally get it (or they forget it shortly afterward as in the parable of the sower) and thus miss out on living an abundant life in that kingdom, even now. I'm not talking about abundance as is taught by some prosperity gospel preachers. I am talking about the abundant life we enjoy that comes from just living in the presence of God - being with Him. I am talking about the joy that Jesus likens, in his parables, to finding a treasure hidden in a field or the joy of the merchant who finds a pearl of great price. Jesus is that pearl and when we realize what a treasure we have in our relationship with him, we are willing to give everything so that we can keep that treasure. There are no riches in this world that can even begin to compare to the richness of God's love for us, through Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior.

May God help us all to live in the richness of His love.
God's Peace - Pr. J

Jonah 1 - Just Do It!

The story of Jonah... Guess what? I believe the story! That is the bottom line... Anyway, the point of the story is not to give us a reason to debate whether a great fish is able to swallow a man and then spit him out later; rather, it is about this man who was called by God to serve Him and His people and decided to go in a different way.

How many of us have done that? I've known that I was called to serve as a pastor since I was about eleven or twelve years old. It took me decades to follow in the Way He would have me go. I heard the call many times. Repeatedly, I rejected it and put my priorities and the priorities that others set for me before His priorities. Repeatedly, I went the wrong way and found myself frustrated and unhappy and in more trouble than I anticipated - way more than I wanted!

My point is this: If God is calling you; if He is sending you somewhere to do His will; just do it. You most probably will in the end anyway; because, He will keep calling. Just trust Him and go for it!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 141 - Great Vespers

"May my prayer  be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice." (Psalm 141:1 NIV)

In years past (it's been quite some time) I was able to worship with the Society of St. John at the Holy Transfiguration Skete in the Keweenaw Peninsula, at the Saturday evening Vesper's Service. I now live about two hours away, so it has been quite awhile. The sounds within the sanctuary so reminded me of the Holy Spirit present with us: the waves of Lake Superior crashing at the shore just outside the monastery, the wind blowing through the open windows above, even the rustle of the monks clothing as they moved about the sanctuary.

But, more than that, I love the liturgy of the Great Vespers and greatly appreciated being able to participate in Worship at the monastery. At the monastery there is no accompaniment to the chanting - just voices - praying and praising God. My favorite is: "Let my prayer rise like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands as an evening offering." I miss it so much, I attempted, a couple of years ago, to actually use a Vesper's Service at Zion during Lent at our Wednesday evening service. It did not go over. Not Lutheran enough, I was told :)  Although, some enjoyed it, others in the congregation really did not appreciate letting our prayers rise up like incense even though we did not use incense. It's just something they are not use to. It was unfamiliar.

So this morning, I am remembering that place of prayer and peace, the Holy Transfiguration Skete and thanking God for the gift of having had the opportunity to Worship in that place, with those servants of the LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Job 9 - His Mercy is Great!

“If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together, someone to remove God’s rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more." (vs 33, 34)

Thanks be to God, since the time this story of Job was written, God in his mercy, has sent us a mediator, someone to remove God's rod from us. 

Job presents the awesomeness of God.  God is so awesome that Job cannot dare to stand before him and present a defense of his innocence.  All one can do is beg for God's mercy.  All we can do is trust in His mercy.

And, that mercy is seen in the giving of His Son, Jesus the Christ, for the world.       

Thanks be to God, for His mercy is great!

God's Peace - Pr. J