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

Romans 16:1-16 Greet One Another With A Holy Kiss

Romans 16:1-16 NIV
Paul commends both men and women to the church at Rome; to work with and assist Phoebe in her ministry and to greet other servants of the Lord.

Greet one another with a holy kiss, he tells them. I am a hugger and a kisser. I have gotten pretty good at refraining from hugging people without their permission. I have to admit, though, that on rare occasions I sometimes slip and someone gets hugged who probably prefers that I not invade their space.

I remember when the "sharing of the peace" first became popular during Worship Services years ago. Many people were really put off by this "touching." We have come a long way since that time. Sometimes, I wonder if we've gone overboard. My congregation is filled with very welcoming and loving brothers and sisters in Christ. At Zion, the sharing of God's peace among those worshipping can sometimes take up to five minutes even though we are not a large congregation by any means. There are many holy kisses shared. I wonder, at times, if I should put a stop to it. Not! In these words; "God's peace" or "God's peace be with you" we are asking to have peace continue or in some cases to be restored between us. We are essentially asking for or granting absolution for any sins we may have committed against each other. We are asking that any walls that we may have built, knowingly or unknowingly, between us and others in the community, by our words or actions, be torn down and that we be reconciled to one another in Christ Jesus. The physical action that comes in shaking hands or sharing a holy kiss (or hug) can be likened to tearing down the wall between us even as the void between us is breached. By the time the sharing of the peace is accomplished, I am usually standing at the altar waiting; but, I refrain from stopping this display of Christian love and reconciliation. I remind myself that only God knows who in the congregation may need to be reconciled to one another with the peace of God before they receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. I trust that He is doing that while I wait trying not to hurry His work along.

God's peace be with you all.
Pr. J.

Acts 28:11-22 Accepted or Rejected

Acts 28:11-22 NIV
Forever and ever... It seems like there were always be those who support the servants of God and there will also always be those who will do anything and everything to subvert the message brought by God's servants.

Paul has finally made it to Rome under guard. The believers from the area went to meet him when they heard that he was there. The local Jewish leaders also want to hear from him. But, they want to hear because they have heard only bad things about this Christian sect. Whether it is accepted or rejected, Paul, the prisoner, is still  provided opportunities by God to proclaim the message of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ to many people.

Sometimes, we will share the Good News with people whom we think might be open to it. At other times, we will keep our lips closed for fear that the message (and we) will be rejected. This was not the way that Paul followed. It was definitely not The Way of Jesus. The Good News is for all people. Do not be afraid to share it.

We are called and sent to share the message of forgiveness and reconciliation in the Kingdom through the sacrifice of Jesus. Maybe we should ask ourselves what news it is that we share most often with others. Is that message about our favorite sports team or politician or maybe television star or musician? Or maybe what we talk about is the latest blow-out or party favor (the illegal kind)? Hmmm... We humans tend to place a lot of emphasis on false gods. What about sharing the message of peace - the peace that is received in the knowledge of what Christ has done for us? For the Christian, there can be no greater focus than on sharing the message of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord with those who do not know him. Do not be afraid to do that! Whether the message is accepted or rejected, it is still the message that saves lives. Give them a chance to know it and know Him!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 28:1-10 Paul on Malta

Acts 28:1-10 NIV
Snakes have never bothered me, too much. When my sons were young, they were always bringing home different sorts of creatures to care for. They were usually allowed to keep and care for them when my husband was deployed. He wasn't too big on creatures in the house. I felt it was good for them to learn about God's other creatures. My eldest son brought home a slew of baby water moccasins when he was in Jr. High. We kept them for a while in a covered bowl on the kitchen table; at least, until the day I came home from work and they had all escaped. I rounded them up and released them into the National Forest behind our home. No more snakes. I also drew the line at the bats he tried to bring into the house... But, most other creatures, slimy, scaly, feathered, or furry were welcome.

The people on Malta figured that Paul was as good as dead when a snake latched onto his hand. But, no. Paul merely shook it off into the fire and he was unharmed. Opinions change. The people then wonder if he is a god. How much more they must have thought that when he prayed and laid hands on Publius' father and the man was healed. No, Paul was not a god. But, God was with him on Malta as He led him to Rome to stand trial. The power of God continued to minister to others through Paul to the day of his death.

Paul was not afraid. He was calm as he shook the snake off his hand. He did God's will without hesitation as he prayed for and healed the sick man. May God help us to serve Him and His people, one day at a time, one step at a time, wherever he will lead us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 26 Door of Opportunity

Acts 26 NIV


Doors
Ft. Boonesborough, KY

God will provide opportunities to proclaim the Gospel. Some opportunities come in gentle ways; others, not so gentle. Even while Paul is imprisoned he manages to tell others about Jesus. He is able to tell the story of Jesus to rulers, even kings because of his bondage. In fact, he seems to relish the idea as he has asked to be sent to Caesar for trial. In spite of the fact that King Agrippa finds him innocent; to Rome he will go, simply because Paul has asked to go.

Paul has chosen the not so gentle way to get the Word out there. Yet, even in the face of more false accusations and more bondage, he freely gives his life so that others might be saved through faith in Jesus the Messiah. There will be plenty of opportunities for each of us to share the life saving message of Jesus the Christ with others. When opportunity knocks, open the door, and enter in. God will be with you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

John 19:1-16 The State Listens

John 19:1-16 NIV
He tried but he just couldn't do it. The religious leaders kept insisting that the state do something about this Jesus who had broken their religious law. Yet, their accusation against him is that he opposes Caesar by claiming to be king. Pilate is in a bind. If he frees him; he goes against Caesar himself as the religious leaders claim this man claims he is greater than Caesar. Pilate finds no guilt in Jesus; yet, he cannot allow the crowds to make him (Pilate) look bad in the eyes of Caesar, either. That could be major trouble for him with Rome. He wants no trouble with Rome. It is apparent that the religious leaders want this man to disappear from the face of the earth and Pilate must and will do their bidding.

So, as hard as Pilate tries to reason with the crowd; he ends up handing Jesus over to be crucified. There are times when we may feel thoroughly tired of reasoning with people, as well. Not everyone will bow before the King of Kings (at least not, yet). Many will worship false gods, things and/or people of the secular world. There are many who wish this Jesus and his followers would just go away so that they might not be reminded of their sin. They do not wish to be reminded that Jesus died to take away the sins of the world; their sins because they'd rather think that they have not sinned. They will make many loud pleas to the state to take away this reminder from their sight. In some cases the state has surely listened.

God's Peace - Pr. J