Television A Necessity?

Lately, about the only thing I have been watching on television are reruns of Mother Angelica. That's because I really haven't been able to find anything else worth watching. I woke up this morning and turned the television on so I could listen to some news and no satellite connection; so, no television. I often wonder why we waste the money on television. Oh, yes, I remember: football and no it is not me who watches football.

I don't watch too much television. I usually read the news online. Just about every time I sit down to watch something on television I think about the amount of money spent on this mindless entertainment.

I know more than a few people who are and have been unemployed for more than a year and no longer receive unemployment compensation. They are no longer counted in our lowering unemployment rates either. They are having a very difficult time putting groceries on the table; heating their homes; paying their rent or mortgages as others of us throw a hundred dollars a month away to watch blank television screens, football for a season, and reruns of Mother Angelica. I do find her interesting; but, not that interesting. It is not that I feel so guilty. It is more like disgusted. On the eve of the celebration of our Saviour's birth, when so many are struggling to keep shelter over their and their children's heads; when there are so many homeless in this country of such great wealth, how do we reconcile the extreme extravagance? I won't talk about the extreme amounts spent on cell phones this morning in order to "keep up with the Jones'." I, along with so many others, really must confess that I am not the steward of God's gifts that I could be.

I am; however, most grateful today and every day for all that God has given me. But, this Christmas Eve, I am praying for employment for the unemployed so that they might not have to worry over having enough for the very basics of life.

Heavenly Father, give all in need of gainful employment the means to provide their families with their daily bread.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. The wind just changed direction so the satellite signal is back on.

Rev 13:1-10 Beast of the Sea and Idolatry

Rev 13:1-10 NIV
If you are a Christian, expect persecution. The dragon, who is Satan, has been exiled to the earth and he is not happy. He will give authority to the beast who comes out of the sea to rule the nations and make war against God's people. Anyone who will not fall down and worship the beast will be persecuted. It will not be easy. It is not easy. With faithful patience and endurance we are to reject all forms of idolatry, whether they are to things that might bring us earthly pleasures or people in power. God is with you. But, do not be deceived. Do not think that this is something that all will just happen in the future for the devil is also very near to you. He will use all means to detract you from your relationship with God our Father and Creator. He is busy, very busy, trying to break your relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord. Do not succumb and fall down and worship anything or anyone other that our Father, our Saviour, our Protector.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 12:22-34 God Provides

Luke 12:22-34
It has been a long winter, but I believe it's finally over for a few months. The birds have returned and they are busy living life. The geese and ducks are busy saying good morning outside my back door. Quite a bit of music they make in the mornings. Robins had returned before the snow had even left the ground this year. I would have thought they might have starved to death with no ground to eat from. Yet, they survived. God somehow managed to provide for them.

Jesus told his disciples that they are not to worry about their lives. They are to trust their Father to provide for their earthly needs. They are to seek his kingdom and the things they need will be provided. He said, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (vs 32-34)

Where is your heart today? Is it focused on things of this world or the Kingdom of God that has been promised to you by the shedding of our Saviour's blood? Our Father has blessed us abundantly in this world; what more could we want than to live in His presence; singing his praises with even the geese and the ducks?

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. This is a link to the songs of joy I heard last night :) A pleasure to hear! Creation sings for joy. Summer is finally here! (You will have to view in full screen if you want to see as well as hear.)
 

Mark 15:33-41 - Kingdom Rushes Forth

Mark 15:33-41 NIV
"With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom." (vs 37-38)

Today we have one of the most beautiful pictures in words that I can think of. It is finished. Jesus breathes his last breath as true man and the temple curtain is torn in two. I see not just a curtain ripped, but the wall being torn down. The gate has been opened between us and the Kingdom of God; between Paradise and us. It is not just that we now have access into the Kingdom, but the door has been opened and the Kingdom rushes forth.

Receive that Kingdom. Live in it, for it is yours through the sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus the Christ. Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Isaiah 62 - Member Of A Holy Nation; Kingdom of God

"The Lord has made proclamation
    to the ends of the earth:
“Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your Savior comes!
See, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense accompanies him.’”
They will be called the Holy People,
    the Redeemed of the Lord;
and you will be called Sought After,
    the City No Longer Deserted." (Isa 62:11-12 NIV)

The LORD declares through Isaiah the Savior comes! And... through Him the people will be reconciled to God. Through Him it is as St. Peter wrote: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

How awesome is that! You are a member of a royal priesthood, a holy nation! You belong to God and because you have been called out of the darkness into His marvelous light, you desire to declare praises of Him! That's what those who have been called into relationship with God, those who have been called into His kingdom, do. They proclaim the Good News! That's what Isaiah did! That is what St. Peter did! That is what all members of that holy nation are called to do. How could anyone who has received their inheritance in the holy nation, the kingdom of God, do otherwise?!

So... question for the morning is: are you proclaiming the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord, our Saviour, and our King?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Job 17 - Christ, Our Security and Saviour

"Who else will put up security for me?" (vs. 3)

In the darkness of the night, when we are lonely and persecuted who indeed will put up security for us?  Who will save us?  There is none other than our Lord, Jesus the Christ, who is our security, our comforter, our saviour. 

When all else fails; when we finally figure out that humankind cannot save us; where do we turn?  We turn to our Lord and Savior.  In Christ alone will we find rest and security.

God's Peace - Pr. J

A very short devotion for this morning - my mind is working on a devotion, sermon, newsletter, stewardship, etc... all at the same time!  Oh, yes, and I need to catch up with the speaker for our retreat coming up next month to do some planning.  The later along in the week we get, the further behind it seems I get. May God bless the work of our hands, the words of our lips, the meditations of our hearts and minds, every step that we take, that all that we say and think and do will be acceptable in His sight and glorify Him, our Rock and our Redeemer.  Amen.