Rev 9:13-21 Sixth Trumpet; Fiery Plagues

Rev 9:13-21 NIV

The sixth trumpet sounds and what is this army that God sends that it would have no impact on the hearts of humankind? John sees a powerful image of hundreds of thousands mounted troops to destroy one third of mankind by three plagues of fire that come out of the mouths of the horses. What a fearsome site that would be! My husband, who as a young man was a "tanker" in the U.S.M.C., always surmised that these horses would actually be something like tanks.

Now, most people have a little fear of fire or at least a little respect of it. If we or someone we know has been burned by fire, we usually figure out that fire is not to be played with. We change the way we do things so that we do not get burned. But, not the people in John's vision. The plagues of fire that God sends do not change the hearts or minds of any of those who were not believers before the great army of mounted riders came. Those who are not killed still cannot comprehend that God is Almighty; that He is God, and He alone is to be worshipped. They do not repent. They continue to worship demons and all sorts of false man-made idols. They do not repent of any of that things they have been doing against God or man.

May God have mercy on humankind and soften our hearts so that all might follow in the way He would have us go.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Revelation 3:1-6 I Know Your Deeds

Revelation 3:1-6 NIV

Sometimes we can seem so faithful to the world outside because of all our good works. But, to the angel of the church in Sardis, Jesus says, "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but your are dead." (vs 1) Wake up and repent! Walk with Jesus, dressed in the white robes of his righteousness.

May we always remember that our good works might fool some of the people; but, they can never fool God. We are saved by faith alone in Christ alone.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 2:22-47 Change

Acts 2:22-47 NIV
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Apostles proclaimed the Good News that Jesus was the Messiah, the one whom David had prophesied would come. Peter warned them to save themselves from the corrupt generation. The multitude heard all of this. Many received the good news of salvation through Jesus and repented of their sins. 3000 were baptized that day.

I have said it myself, even as I have heard it thousands of times: "Change doesn't happen over night." Yet, these 3000 changed in one day. They believed and their lives were turned around. They wanted to lead a new life in Christ. And, so they did... They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. They were filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They met together daily, breaking bread together, praising God, and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

If we are going to try to change ourselves, without the help of God, it indeed may take a very long time and it may never happen. But, with the help of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be changed even in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. Repent and live life as a member of the family of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Join us in a couple of hours as we break bread together and praise the LORD!

Luke 17:1-4 Jesus' Way

Luke 17:1-4 NIV
Only four verses and so much in them!

Jesus warns the disciples and us that we are to be very cautious on how we treat others. We are not to cause any one to sin. In other words, don't be teaching others to sin, either by word or example. And, if someone sins against you, forgive them. Actually what Jesus says is: “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” (vs 4)

Please note that Jesus does not tell us that we are to accept everything that everybody does. Everything is not ok or beneficial. Sin needs to be addressed in order for others to not stumble; in order for us not to stumble. Christians sometimes get accused of not being very Christ-like because they will not accept sin simply as an alternative and acceptable way to be. There is only "One Way" for the Christian. Jesus is "The Way." To teach or approve of any other way is to set up a stumbling block. To close our eyes to sin or say that there is no sin is setting up a stumbling block for ourselves as well as for others. The consequences will be devastating. But, if a brother sins against a Christian, the Christian will bring it to their attention and when they repent will forgive them in order that neither of them will suffer consequences worse than have a millstone tied around their necks and thrown into the sea.

I'm ok.
You're ok.
When Jesus is "The Way." 

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Luke 15 Return

Luke 15 NIV
It saddens parents when they lose their children; even if it is only because they have graduated from school and move on with their lives as we've spent years preparing them to do. But, what a reunion when they come home! Nor does God rejoice in losing one soul; rather, he rejoices when they are found and return to Him.

Return to the LORD, for He is good and His mercy endures forever....

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 13:22-30 Narrow Door

Luke 13:22-30 NIV
I understand that sometimes the door seems too narrow and it's hard to fit through with all one's baggage. You know that the baggage needs to go and one of these days you plan to get rid of it. But, not now. When you retire. When you get old and near death you plan on cleaning your house and focus on The Way to our Father's home.

Jesus reminds us today that once the door is closed, it will not be opened again. Now is the time to free ourselves of the load that bids us pass by the door that is open because the junk you insist on hanging on to won't fit through with you. You must strip yourself of those things that keep you from entering through the door is that is open for you now. Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Luke 13:1-9 Repent; Bear Good Fruit

Luke 13:1-9 NIV
In the parable of the fig tree that refused to produce fruit, Jesus sounds a bit harsh. He says, "Cut it down!" (vs 7) But the man's whose vineyard the fig tree was living in intercedes with Jesus for the life of the fig tree. Give it another chance. Give it one more year.

It may well be time to consider and give thanks for all those people who have interceded for us throughout our lives. There have been times when we have been totally unfruitful, deserving of no more chances. Yet, we have been given what seems to be unlimited opportunities to bear fruit for the Kingdom. But, the opportunities are not quite unlimited. I officiated at another funeral yesterday. The death of a loved one is a reminder that our days are indeed numbered; a reminder that our opportunities on earth to bear fruit are indeed limited.

Repent and bear good fruit for the Kingdom of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 7:36-50 Forgiven and Loved

Luke 36-50 NIV
We all have problems with people we love. (At least I'm pretty sure we all do) It can tear a person apart not being united with the one(s) they love. But, when we forgive and are forgiven; peace reigns both in the world and within our hearts. When we are forgiven by the one whom we have offended; it is a though we have been anointed with oil; love has been poured over us.


And, so it was with the woman who anointed Jesus feet with her tears and perfume. Her sins were forgiven - her love for Jesus was great evidenced by her bold and loving actions. The one who has been forgiven much cannot help but show their relief and appreciation. The one who has not repented has a hard time understanding how anyone could love so much.


God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 5:27-32 The Sick Sinners And Jesus

Luke 5:27-32 NIV
I have heard more times than I care to count that someone will not go to church with a bunch of hypocrites. The reality is that those who say this really don't know what the church is. The church is a bunch of sinners who have been made saints by faith in the blood of Christ that was shed for all people. We are people who have been called to repentance and receive God's Word of grace. We repent and then we fall back, again. Over and over again, day after day, we ask for forgiveness. We ask for healing and wholeness in God's sight. Christians are not so different than non-Christians; except that we know that we are not healthy and that we need Jesus to make us whole. So over and over again, we come to Him, with penitent hearts. Over and over, again, day after day, we give Him thanks for forgiving our sins.

The church on earth is indeed full of sinners. The righteous stay home; while, we sinners seek the LORD. We, who live this double life as both saint and sinner, will fall over and over again; but, no matter how often we fall, we trust in the mercy of God and know that Jesus will pick us back up again. By the shedding of His blood we have been forgiven our sins. We have been reconciled to God. We have been made whole. Saints and sinners; that is who we, the children of God, are.

God 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

Mark 1:14-43 Live Life in the Kingdom

Reading the New Testament can sure be some slow going! There is so much to learn - so much to discuss! Today we hear Jesus proclaim the good news. What is it that he is proclaiming?

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:14-15 NIV)

The good news, the gospel, is this: "The kingdom of God has come near." It has come near for you. It is at hand. It is not some far away place. It is at hand!

We pray, "Thy Kingdom come... Thy will be done... on earth as it is in heaven." What does this mean for us? The Kingdom of God is at hand and it can be seen as we reach out, with the love of God, in the will of God, to love and serve our neighbors. Notice immediately after Jesus is baptized and then is tempted by Satan, he begins his ministry proclaiming this good news of the Kingdom. He goes out to call others into life (ministry) with him; proclaiming the good news and then as a member of that kingdom (as chief member) he goes out and heals the sick and drives out impure spirits so that others might live life. 

Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God and then he proceeded to show us God's will for our lives in that kingdom as he reached out to make whole the people he encountered; to give them life; to help them live life on earth as it is in heaven.

May you live life in the Kingdom of God, even today. May His will be done on earth, even as it is in heaven.

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

Amos 1 - Three Sins and Four

Amos, the shepherd was not a timid man. He warned people vehemently of the coming disaster. He prophesied about the same time as Hosea and Isaiah did. If those two were disliked, Amos was most hated. You will hear very little good news from Amos. He just declares what is going to happen and it's not good. For three sins and for four sins... there will be consequences. He's not talking about different sins. He's talking about the fact that after one sins once; rather than repent, they continue sinning.

How often do we sin and not only not repent; but, make excuses for ourselves as though the sin was not a sin; rather it was something good? I'm thinking probably all too often. Just as no one wanted to hear Amos in his day, no one would probably listen to him today, either. We just don't want to be reminded that we could possibly do anything wrong

Turn to the LORD for He is God and there is only one God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hosea 14 - Repent and Be Blessed

This last chapter in Hosea has a little different tone than the preceding. The preceding chapters were mainly warnings: fall away and suffer the consequences. Today we hear that all who go to the LORD with repentant hearts will be blessed; will be forgiven.

God does not wish for any of us to be separated from Him and from His love. He calls us to turn again (repent) to Him so that we might be made whole.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezekiel 35 - Live Life Not Drama

Today we hear that Israel's enemy, Edom, will fall. Edom has not only come against God's people, but God, as well. They will fall for their sins.

It is a comforting thought to know that God will take care of our enemies. We do not have to.  We should, by all means, pray for our enemies for who knows if God has plans for them to be repent and be our brothers and sisters.

Not reacting to our enemies attacks on us is a hard thing to teach. At least once a week (usually more) I have to tell my grandchildren to let something or someone go; to leave them to God. He will take care of them as well as those who attack them. Why cause more problems for ourselves by reacting in a negative manner, which just begets more negativity and trouble. My grandchildren don't listen very well; therefore, I get to witness a long of teen-age drama!

Trust the LORD and live life (another thing I tell my grandchildren quite often). Live life in Christ and stay off of the path that leads you away from Him. Believe me, drama can quickly take your focus off your life in Christ.

Live life and live in God's peace - Pr. J

Ezekiel 14 - Turn And Be Saved

 ^"Therefore say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!" (Ezekiel 14:6 NIV)

It did not matter who they were, the LORD warned the people that he would cut them off from Him if they continued in their idolatry. Over and over again, idolatry is the issue. The prophets continually warn against idolatry; they warn against worshipping anyone and anything other than the LORD, God. Will they ever learn? Will we?

God's whole point to warning the people and cutting them off is so that they and we will return to Him with our whole hearts and minds. He does not desire that anyone be separated from Him. That desire is in the hearts of mankind, as we are so determined to set up our own gods, in our image, rather than the other way around. God promises that those who repent of this sin; that those who return and worship Him; those who would put their trust in Him, will be saved.

"They will be my people, and I will be their God, declares the Sovereign LORD." (Ezekiel 14:11)

May God bless you with great faith.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Lamentations 5 - Prayer of Jeremiah

"The Prayer of Jeremiah," a lament, confession, and plea to restore God's children to Himself.

"Remember, Lord, what has happened to us;
    look, and see our disgrace.
Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers,
    our homes to foreigners.
We have become fatherless,
    our mothers are widows.
We must buy the water we drink; 
   our wood can be had only at a price." (Lam 5:1-4 NIV)

As I read the first few verses of chapter 5 this morning, I thought that it sounded familiar. It sounds a lot like us, today. There is a difference, though. We think that buying water to drink and purchasing fuel for cooking and warmth is the way it should be. It is definitely common practice. Our children are fatherless and/or motherless. In many cases; they have no parent at all; at least none that act like parents. We have many, many homeless children in this country. And... we don't even have enough sense to know that this is a disgrace.  

Since, we don't know that we have been disgraced; we also can't figure out that we need to repent and be reconciled to God and to one another. That, in itself, is a shame.

With the "Prayer of Jeremiah," let us pray:

"Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return;
    renew our days as of old. (Lam 5:21)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 26 - Don't Kill The Messenger

Don't kill the messenger. If you don't like the message that the LORD is trying to get you to hear and understand, it will not help to persecute or kill the messenger. God is not going to change His mind when He asks you to repent; unless of course, you repent.

Jeremiah proclaims the warning from the courtyard of the LORD's house. The priests, the prophets, and the people are not happy! For some reason they think that if they kill the messenger the message will no longer be valid. If the messenger is killed, then the false prophets can continue to preach their propaganda to please those itching ears and make everyone happy. At least, that seems to be the premise. But, that's not the way it works with God. He will find another messenger and yet another.

The message that Jesus proclaimed was pretty straightforward. “After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”" (Mark 1:14-15 NIV see also Matt 4:17)

It was the same message that John, Jesus' forerunner, had proclaimed. What happened to the two of them? They were both put to death, but the message did not change. Jesus instructions to his followers was to go out and proclaim this very same message - the Kingdom of God. That is exactly what they did.  For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. St. Paul, "...proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!" (Acts 28:30-31) Tradition tells us that Paul was eventually beheaded for the message he bore to the world. But, all those persecutions and executions did not stop the message from being delivered.

The message does not change, just because you kill the messenger.

Keep on proclaiming the Kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our Lord!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Isaiah 30 - Woe To Obstinate Children - Blessings To Children Who Follow In The Way

A woe and a promise....

“Woe to the obstinate children,”
declares the Lord,
“to those who carry out plans that are not mine,
forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit,
heaping sin upon sin;
who go down to Egypt
without consulting me;
who look for help to Pharaoh’s protection,
to Egypt’s shade for refuge.
But Pharaoh’s protection will be to your shame, Egypt’s shade will bring you disgrace." (Isa 30:1-3 NIV)

Woe to those obstinate children who do not listen to the word of the LORD given through the prophet. Those who trust Pharaoh to protect them are going to be very sorry, indeed... God tells Isaiah:

"For these are rebellious people, deceitful children,
children unwilling to listen to the Lord’s instruction.
They say to the seers,
“See no more visions!”
and to the prophets,
“Give us no more visions of what is right!
Tell us pleasant things,
prophesy illusions.
Leave this way,
get off this path,
and stop confronting us
with the Holy One of Israel!”

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:

“In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it."

(Isa 30:9-11, 15)

They are in trouble. They are in fear for their futures, their lives. Rather than turn to God, they turn to Egypt. They run, they flee, to Egypt when all it really would take to be helped is to repent and rest in the assurance of their salvation.

Isaiah 30 provides those who trust in the LORD a promise as well as a great woe for those obstinate children who won't and don't.

"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!

People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Away with you!”

 

He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will graze in broad meadows. The oxen and donkeys that work the soil will eat fodder and mash, spread out with fork and shovel. In the day of great slaughter, when the towers fall, streams of water will flow on every high mountain and every lofty hill. The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the Lord binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted."

(Isa 30:18-26)

Are you in trouble? When you are, what is it that you do? Do you turn (repent) to the LORD and follow in the Way or do you attempt to make a way out of the trouble for yourself? Sometimes, I find that we attempt to do both, carve a path for ourselves while begging God to keep us safe. Isaiah reminds us that there is only one way to salvation... You cannot travel on both ways. May God keep you in His Way.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. I am posting much of Isaiah 30 as a reminder that the point of this blog is that you read scripture. Please, open your Bible and read it...

Isaiah 12 - I Will Praise You, LORD

Into exile - out of exile. Over and over again, the people of God turn their back on Him, they go into exile, they repent, and receive grace, mercy, and a multitude of blessings in their return from the LORD. And... when they receive their freedom they rejoice.

So, too, will all people rejoice as they receive the salvation given to them through Jesus Christ, our LORD.

In that day you will say:

“I will praise you, Lord.
Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned awayand you have comforted me." (Isa 12:1 NIV)

 

God's Peace - Pr. J