Families Reconciled in the Lord

For Parents.

Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6:4.

For Children.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Eph. 6:1-3.

http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

 



It is said that blood is thicker than water. What exactly does that mean, anyway? For many it means that we are to stand by and support the lifestyles and actions of family no matter how dysfunctional it gets. For some it might even mean lying for a family member in order to keep them from being incarcerated. Key words in Martin Luther's admonition to obey your parents are the words "in the Lord." God always is the highest authority in our lives. He is our heavenly Father. If He says not to do something, don't do it. If He calls you to do something then just do it. Parents should never provoke or encourage their children to do something that is wrong in the eyes of our Father in heaven.

 

Family is an awesome gift from God. Families make mistakes. They hurt one another. If the family would turn to the Lord they could and would find a way out of the messes that they have wandered into. In turning to the way of the Lord we can find forgiveness and reconciliation. Family is a very good thing. However, we also know that there are times when parents can become so dysfunctional; provoking their children to wrath, encouraging them to do hurtful things to themselves and others; encouraging them to not follow in the ways of the Lord. What is a child to do?

 

Sometimes, even though the parents have done all they could to bring up their children in the way of the Lord, children will turn against their parents, as well. What is a parent to do?

 

For the parents and children who find themselves in these situations and alone without family, don't stop praying for each other that you might all be reconciled in the Lord. Remember, too, that you are a child of God. There is a blood that is thicker than blood and that is the blood of Christ that was shed for you. Our heavenly Father is always with you to support and encourage you in the way that you should go.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Husbands and Wives

Honor One Another!

For Husbands.

Ye husbands, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered. 1 Pet. 3:7. And be not bitter against them. Col. 3:9.

For Wives.

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord, even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 1 Pet. 3:6; Eph. 5:22.

http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

 

I am not quite sure what Martin Luther meant when he wrote that husbands should dwell with their wives according to knowledge. Was there some specific knowledge he was speaking about or was he merely saying "Don't be stupid! Treat your wives with honor."?

 

Yesterday, my husband and I held a graduation party for our eldest granddaughter. He was setting tables and chairs out. Cassie and I were preparing the meal when my husband pointed out that I didn't make the coffee the way he thought it ought to be made. I have been making the morning coffee for almost forty-four years. Forty years ago, letting me know that he didn't think that I knew how to make coffee would have been fighting words. Yesterday, I let him remake the coffee without saying a word.

 

As we grow old; as we grow in faith; as we grow in love for one another; we find that there are just some things that are not worth arguing about. We remember that we are both heirs of God's grace and mercy. Respect and honor one another that you might live in peace with one another all the days of your life.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Keep Us From Temptations

The Sixth Petition.

And lead us not into temptation.

What does this mean?--Answer.
God, indeed, tempts no one; but we pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our flesh may not deceive us, nor seduce us into misbelief, despair, and other great shame and vice; and though we be assailed by them, that still we may finally overcome and gain the victory.

http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

 

Every day we face temptations. To some of these we succumb. To others we do not. Often we fail to even recognize that we are being tempted to do or say or think something that we ought not. The world around us tells us that what is wrong is right and what is right is wrong. It can be very confusing.



 

It can be especially confusing for young people who grow up with just a little knowledge of God; but, with way more knowledge of the progressive and materialistic world we live in. They have been taught to follow in the ways that they think will provide them with happiness in the moment and not to consider too much the long term consequences of their choices. 

 

It can be very difficult to discern what is right and what is wrong in many circumstances and so we pray that God would guard and keep us from temptation and when we are tempted that He would help us to be able to stand and say no to them.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Thy Will Be Done

The Third Petition.

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

What does this mean?--Answer.
The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.
How is this done?--Answer.
When God breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will which would not let us hallow the name of God nor let His kingdom come, such as the will of the devil, the world, and our flesh; but strengthens and keeps us steadfast in His Word and in faith unto our end. This is His gracious and good will.

http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

 

Do we really want His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven? I know we pray this often; but, do we really mean it? Are we really willing to let our own selfish wills die in order that His will be done for the greater good; for the good of others? If it were not so, why would He be willing to send His only begotten Son to suffer and die for us? Jesus died for others. He was willing to suffer all hardship and die for us. Our will is usually only for our own personal good. God's will is for the good of all.

 

The devil, and we, can throw all kinds of obstacles in the way of God's will being done; nevertheless, ultimately, His will is done (He is; after all, God) so I am not sure why we are always fighting His will. 

 

May God keep us all steadfast in His Word and in faith, according to His good and gracious will.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Col 2:9-15 Confession and Forgiveness

Colossians 2:9-15 NIV


St. Patrick's Cathedral
Dublin, Ireland

The list of sins that I recall during confession every day can get long at times. Sometimes, it is a lone sin that plagues me to the point where it is most difficult to rid myself of the feelings of guilt because I know the potential damage that the words of my lips or my actions can cause unless God will intercede on the behalf of others. There is nothing I can do about it once something is said or done; except to repent and ask God to protect others from my sinful words or actions. I cannot go back and undo the damage I have done. I can go back and apologize and ask forgiveness. I can trust that God is with those whom I might harm (intentionally or unintentionally) and accept that on the cross my sins were forgiven.

Our sins are forgiven. They are washed away by the blood of Christ. However, in spite of this awesome gift from God, we continue to sin. Martin Luther was well aware of this war within us. That old sinful man keeps rearing its ugly head in spite of the fact that we have life in the body of Christ. Martin encouraged us to daily repentance and renewal. In the Small Catechism Martin Luther answers the question:

"What does Baptism mean for daily living?"
It means that our sinful self, with all its evil deeds and desires, should be drowned through daily repentance; and that day after day a new self should arise to live with God in righteousness and purity forever.

St. Paul writes in Romans 6: We were buried therefore with him by Baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

There are none of us who is without sin. May God help us to remember that it is not just others who might be in need of daily repentance; but, each of us should recognize what our sinful natures are capable of; repent; and be renewed by faith in the one who lived and died and yet lives for and through us.

When your sins plague you with feelings of guilt; remember that Jesus died so that your sins might be forgiven. "He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." (vss 13-15)

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 Discern The Body of Christ

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 NIV
 "For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep." (vs 29-30)

It is necessary to discern the context in which we are reading this reminder to discern the Body of Christ. Paul is reminding the people that when they come together their are divisions among them. Some think of themselves more highly than others. They lift their own desires and needs before others.

When Jesus instituted the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper he said, "This is my body. This is my blood." We believe this. We receive His Body when we receive the Sacrament. Also, it is good to keep in mind is that each member who receives this Sacrament is a member of His Body. When we receive His Body in the Sacrament without discerning that these others with us are members of His Body; that He resides in them and they in us, we are disrespecting Jesus (Big Time!). We are eating and drinking judgment upon ourselves.

Therefore; if you have something against your brother or sister in Christ make every opportunity to be reconciled before you come to the Table. For we are one in Christ. We, who receive His Body are the Body of Christ. Do not disrespect His Body. It is as simple and as mysterious as that.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Sorry, woke up late this morning and on my way out, already. Martin Luther had a lot to say on this and I wish I had more time to elaborate. This lesson requires much more time and effort. If members wish for me to elaborate, we could do a class or workshop on this. Let me know if any are interested...

Isaiah 8 Today

A prophetic warning: because the people have rejected what God has given them, Assyria will attack them. They will go to battle.  God has warned Isaiah not to follow in the way of the people. Apparently, God's children have strayed, again. They're not following in His way.

 

There are a couple of things that really jump out at me from this chapter from the perspective of 2013. First off, do not be afraid of things of this world.

 

“Do not call conspiracy
everything this people calls a conspiracy;
do not fear what they fear,
and do not dread it.
The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy,
he is the one you are to fear,he is the one you are to dread." (Isa 8:12-13 NIV)

 

It reminds me of how Luther responds to "What does this mean?" in regards to the 10 Commandments. "We are to fear and love God, so that..." And... so often I am asked by confirmands, "what does it mean to fear and love God? Why would you fear someone you love?" And... my response is usually something like: "God is God. He gave you life and He can take it away." This fear of God is a healthy respect for who He is and we love Him because of who He is and what He has done for us. The point I want our young people to be aware of is that the world can do nothing to take away our life in the Kingdom of God. Do not fear their threats, for God is with you and will always be with you. For this, He rightly deserves our respect and our love. Jesus said:

 

"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.  But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." (Luke 12:4-7).

 

And... the second thing that really jumps out at me this morning is this:

 

 When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness. (Isa 8:19-22)

 

If you are seeking the assistance of a fortune teller, CUT IT OUT! The future is not going to be so good for you is you are seeking their assistance before the direction of the LORD, your God. I don't know how many Christians I've known who have no clue that consulting mediums is quite contrary to the will of God. CUT IT OUT! You don't want to living in distress, darkness and fearful gloom.

 

The LORD is there for you. Follow Him.  

 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Psalm 12 - Faithful or Faithless?

"Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race." (vs 1 NIV)

My only question this morning is:  was there really a time when someone was totally, completely, 100% faithful.  The only one I can think of that was truely faithful was and is Jesus the Christ.  We all like sheep, have gone astray.  (Isaiah 53:6) It is true that many have turned and returned to the shepherd of our souls.  (1 Peter 2:25)  Yet, can any of really say that we are completely faithful?  When was the last time we put ourselves first and doing the will of the LORD second or maybe third or fourth?  Yesterday?  Maybe, it was the moment you got up out of bed this morning? 

We sin against God and one another without even realizing it.  We might pray for relief from our enemy, but who might be praying for relief from us? That is why in our corporate confession at worship we often ask God to forgive our sins both known and unknown to us. 

Often in our weekly Bible study, we discuss the amazing things that were accomplished through the first followers (miracles, if you will).  We wonder if God has stopped producing miracles or is our faith and our faithfulness so wanting that nothing (or very little) can actually be accomplished through us? 

No, not one is completely faithful anymore, except the Son, Jesus the Christ.  He is faithful. We have all turned our backs and like sheep have gone astray.  But....  I remind you of Luther's explanation of the third article of the Apostle's Creed:  "I believe that by my own reason or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him.  But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in true faith, just as he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth and preserves it in union with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.  In this Christian church he daily and abundantly forgives all my sins, and the sins of all believers, and on the last day he will raise me and all the dead and will grant eternal life to me and to all who believe in Christ.  This is most certainly true.

We, are sinners, indeed.  We are faithless.  Yet, the Spirit of the one who is faithful, keeps us in the true faith.  Quite the paradox! But, thanks be to God!  This is most certainly true!

God's Peace - Pr. J