God Loves You

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." John 3:16

God loves you. No matter how alone you feel in the world, there is One who will always love you. Such good news for a sin sick world!

Depression runs rampant in this world. It is a sadness to witness those who already suffer from depression often made even more depressed by the bullying and self-serving tactics of others. The sadness overwhelms so many people that I know and care about. They feel alone and unloved. If only their ears and eyes and hearts could be opened to understand how much God loves them and how much the people in whom Christ abides loves them. They are not alone; but, they do not comprehend that.

Sadly, even as Christ is at work in and through his followers so the devil is at work in and through his followers spreading lies and hatred and anger and gossip and greed. All these things lead to death. It is so disheartening to hear a young one explain why they don't believe in God. Some adult taught them this lie. Some adult allowed the devil to work through them so that these children would live without love and without hope.

Little children, do not despair. Hear the Word of the Lord. God loves you. You are not alone. Those in whom He abides love you. You do not have to be alone or lonely. Seek out the brothers and sisters of Christ that you might hear and know this great love that God, with all of the saints, has for you. (God help anyone who professes to be a follower of Christ and would not welcome one of these little children!)

God's Peace - Pr. J

I Saw You

When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!”  Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” John 1:47-49 NRSV

Some of us take a long time before we make the move to get to know Jesus. It is sometimes even longer before we begin to actually follow him. It was not so with the first disciples. They pretty much dropped everything immediately to get to know him and to follow him. Nathanael was amazed that Jesus knew who he was before he met him. This knowledge was enough to get Nathanael to want to know Jesus.

It might take us some time to even begin to get an inkling as to who this Jesus is. But, it takes no time for Jesus to get to know us. Whether we know him or not. He knows us. He has always known us. He is always with us. He knows what we are doing even before we do it. He is the Son of God, after all. Won't you take the time to get to know the King of Israel; the King of Kings?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Dark Days and Nights

It's been quite a few days since I have seen the sun. I have never quite gotten use to living in so much darkness. The winds blew; the rain came down along with a bit of hail all day yesterday. A little before 8 p.m., the power went out. I have been living in this home long enough that I can navigate around it without any light. I figured I should take advantage of the darkness and lay down for the night.

It was so dark that whether my eyes were open or shut, it made no difference. All was dark. Yet, even in the deepest darkness there is no reason to worry or fear. God is with us. The light of Christ abides in all who believe. He will help us to navigate through the darkest of places. In Him we can live and rest in peace.

The sun is not yet up this morning and I'm not really expecting to see it today; but, the light of Son, who is Jesus the Christ will always shine. Let us rejoice and be glad for even in the darkest of nights, the Light does shine.

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
    which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
    they do not know what they stumble over.

Prov 4:18-19 NRSV

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Son of Righteousness Shines

There is snow on the ground and snow on the trees; but, the sun still shines, at least for a few hours most days.

Winters in the Upper Peninsula can be cold and dark. Many retirees choose to move to warmer and sunnier locations during the winter. We call them snowbirds as they mimic the flight of many migratory birds: south in the winter; north in the summer.

For those of us who are left here; we rejoice every time the sun comes up and shines it warm light on the frozen wilderness. But, even in the darkest and coldest of days, for those who revere God's name the sun of righteousness shall rises, with healing in its wings. (Malachi 4:2)

May the Son of Righteousness shine his light upon you and in you and through you for all eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

For The Forgiveness Of Sins

"While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Matt 26:26-28)

Who does not need forgiveness? Is there any one who is without sin?

Some time ago, our congregation decided that they would receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion every Sunday. Some of our members have to work on Sundays. Some of our youth were out of town with the other custodial parents on some Sundays. There are also those who worship only occasionally by choice. There are many reasons that prevent God's children from worshipping every Sunday.

It is not our place to figure out why. It is not our place to say that if they wanted to hear the Word and receive the Sacrament, they would come. It is our place to hope and pray for those who cannot or will not hear the Word and receive the Sacrament regularly. We choose to make the Sacrament available to those occasional visitors and members so that they could be reassured that Christ died for the forgiveness of all. Our prayer and hope is that many would come and be relieved of their sins. Our hope and prayer is that in receiving the Sacrament, they will be renewed in the Body of Christ.

May God speak to the hearts and minds of all people; encouraging them to come and receive His Son; to forgiveness of their sins in and through him.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Punished For The Sins of Your Father?

What Does God Say of All These Commandments?

Answer.

He says thus (Exod. 20:5f): I the Lord, thy God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me, and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me and keep My commandments.

What does this mean?--Answer.
God threatens to punish all that transgress these commandments. Therefore we should dread His wrath and not act contrary to these commandments. But He promises grace and every blessing to all that keep these commandments. Therefore we should also love and trust in Him, and gladly do [zealously and diligently order our whole life] according to His commandments.

(http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php)

What God says about these commandments usually brings a few questions from youth during confirmation class. They are sometimes just a bit concerned about whether God will punish them for their parents sins.

I try to reassure them that if a parents rejects God; but, the children love God, God will not punish them for their parents unbelief. Read what Ezekiel 18:14-20 has to say regarding this matter of children being punished for their parents' sins:
“But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things:

 “He does not eat at the mountain shrines
    or look to the idols of Israel.
He does not defile his neighbor’s wife.
 He does not oppress anyone
    or require a pledge for a loan.
He does not commit robbery
    but gives his food to the hungry
    and provides clothing for the naked.
He withholds his hand from mistreating the poor
    and takes no interest or profit from them.
He keeps my laws and follows my decrees.

He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live. But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people.

“Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.

And, in Deuteronomy 24:16 we find:  ^"Parents are not to be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their parents; each will die for their own sin."

So what does it mean for iniquity of the fathers to be visited upon the children unto the third and fourth generation? Children will often follow in the ways that they have learned from their parents; but, not always. Although, we are born with sinful natures; we also learn sinful behaviors. Sometimes, sinful behaviors are learned from and even encouraged by our parents. However, there are those who will find their parents' ways so detestable that they will go in the way in which the Lord leads them.

As parents, we are to teach, with both the words of our lips and our lifestyles, the way in which our children ought to go; the way that is most pleasing to the Lord. We must use caution that our lifestyles do not lead our children in a way that they will experience most unpleasant consequences in this world and the next. As children, we are to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and not necessarily in the way that our parents and the world would teach us.

May God help us to love and trust in Him, and gladly live according to His will.

God's Peace - Pr. J

2 John 1 - What is Truth?

2 John 1 NIV
Live in the truth! What is truth?

There are many ways to distort the truth so that it becomes a lie. Today, the "truth," who is Jesus the Christ, is often co-mingled with fables and fairy tales so that the "truth" becomes a lie. Philosophy and spiritism and all sorts of other fabrications of the mind add or subtract from the word that we have read and heard in the scriptures in order to justify our own sinful lifestyles. Stay away from these stories. Continue living in the truth. Continue living in his love.

In his letter to a woman chosen by God, St. John commends her and her children for knowing and living in the truth even while he warns her to stay away from those who deny the truth. We are warned to stay away from those who do not acknowledge that Jesus the Christ has come in the flesh. Stay away. Do not let their deceitful teachings infiltrate your thoughts; your life.

"Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work." (vss 9-11)

May the grace, mercy and peace of God the Father and our Lord, Jesus the Christ, be with you in truth and love, now and forevermore.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 John 5 - Love Does God's Will

1 John 5 NIV

Wow! I find it absolutely unbelievable how some who claim to be Christian can absolutely disregard our Father's will for them and for all of humankind. St. John wrote: "This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands." (vs 2) I understand that our human nature is difficult at times. There are many times that we slip and we aren't even really aware we're slipping until we are caught. But, those who love the Lord will at least attempt to not be stealing or lying about or in any way disrespecting their brothers and sisters in Christ.

We are to love the Lord our God with all our hearts and souls and minds. We show this love by loving and respecting His children.

The world throws temptation after temptation at us. The world would tell us we have to look out for ourselves first. "Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." (vss 5-6)

May God bless us with faith and a desire to do His will; loving and respecting Him and all of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 John 4:7-21 Love

1 John 4:7-21
It can be quite frustrating to love someone and not be loved in return. You can give your life for
someone and have that love and you treated like it was nothing. But, the one who loves does not stop loving. They will continue to love even as they ache inside. Most of us probably have probably known the feeling of loving someone and not being loved in return.

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (vs 9-10)

Our Father in heaven loves us so much He was willing to have His one and only Son suffer and die for us. His Son, Jesus the Christ, loves us so much he was willing to do his Father's will for us. What will our response be? Will we love because he first loved us? Or will we turn our backs on genuine love and seek the earthly desires of our hearts?

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 John 2:12-29 Who is the antichrist?

1 John 2:12-29 NIV
So, exactly who is the antichrist? According to St. John the antichrist is anyone who would deny
that Jesus is the Christ. Whoever denies the Son also denies the Father. Whoever denies either is a liar and the antichrist.

Next question: How does one deny that Jesus is the Christ? Response: By trusting in our own good works for our salvation. When we trust the world, ourselves, anything or anyone before Jesus the Christ we are denying him; we are denying his power and authority to save us.

The antichrist is not some mythical being. Generations have looked for this one and pointed their fingers at various political or religious leaders saying, "he is the antichrist; these are the last days." Pointing the finger at one person only distracts us from looking within ourselves to see who it is that actually abides in us. Is it Jesus the Christ or the antichrist?

May the Word of God abide in us and we in him. May God help us to trust Him above all others.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 John 2:3-11 First Comes Like

1 John 2:3-11 NIV

In any relationship, for us to believe and trust someone, we must get to know about someone. Recently, I saw a commercial that I actually like. It was a Zoosk commercial "Love does not comes first. First comes like."  I liked it because I know more than a few teen-agers (and at leas a few adults) who should really pay attention to this. Before genuine enduring love occurs, we must first get to know one another and actually learn to like each other despite all those little things we might not appreciate so much. Genuine love grows as we get to know about each other. There might be a whole lot less break-ups and divorces if we spent more time learning to like each other before we commit ourselves to loving and living with someone forever.

Our relationship with God is not so very different. In order to say that we truly love Him, we first must get to know Him. When we get to know about Him, love will come in the getting to know Him and what He has done for us. We do that by reading His word in the Holy Scriptures; gathering together to hear His Word in fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ; by receiving Jesus in the Sacraments; and by spending time talking with Him in prayer.

Get to know God our Father; walk with God the Son; take the time to listen to the Holy Spirit and then your love will be made complete.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Peter 1:1-12 Grace and Peace Be Yours In Abundance

1 Peter 1:1-12
I was recently asked to think about the most awesome thing that has ever happened to me. I will tell you. It happened about 30 years ago. It was the day that I met the Holy Spirit. On that day I got to know the Spirit as a living reality. Previously, I had known about the Holy Spirit; but, did not know the Spirit. That day, kneeling beside my bed praying, I came to know the Spirit. No man laid his hands on me. God did. By God's grace I came to know and experience life in and with the Spirit of Christ. Words cannot even begin to describe the joy and peace that I experienced that day and since. Nothing in this world can compare to being in relationship with God the Father; God the Son; and God the Holy Spirit. If you are looking for joy and peace in this world give up that search. It is not here. These things come living in relationship with the living God, not by possessions in this world. As children of Almighty God, we have an inheritance much more precious than any silver or gold.

God had been preparing me for things to come; for immediately following this introduction, I was tested tremendously. But, I persevered (not just persevered; but grew in Christ) because God was with me. Listen to the words of St. Peter: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials." (vs 3-6)

In Christ, you have been born again. There will be trials; but, in the midst of these trials God is with all His children. Persevere in faith and you will know joy and peace even in the times of trials.

May grace and peace be yours in abundance, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Pr. J.

Hebrews 8 - Covenant of Love

Hebrews 8

The New Covenant in Christ gives life!

Jesus established the new covenant making the old one obsolete. The old covenant consisted of law. It consisted of what we must do. In following the law; although, we often try, we all fail miserably. So, in His wisdom and love God, sent His Son, as high priest, to make the ultimate sacrifice for us establishing this new covenant between God and man.

This new covenant is not about what we must do; but, what God has done for us.

Thanks be God for His love and mercy is great!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hebrews 3 - He Leads Us

Hebrews 3 NIV

"For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. ^'Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,' bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory." (vs 4-6)

We are his house. He is faithful to us. May God help us to be faithful to him. God saved His people from the Egyptians. He delivered them from bondage. They followed him into the wilderness. But, once there, they began to rebel. They complained against God. They were not happy following in the way that He lead them. Those who rebelled perished in the wilderness. They never got to see the promised land.

God has delivered us from our own sinful nature by the blood of His Son, Jesus. He leads us through the wilderness. What shall we do there? Shall we rebel? Shall we complain against Him because the way is not always to our liking?

"Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house." We are his house. We are his children. Will we be faithful to him and follow through whichever wilderness he would lead us to the promised land?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hebrews 2 - Pay Attention; What Is Mankind?!

Hebrews 2 NIV
“What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    a son of man that you care for him?
 You made them a little lower than the angels;
    you crowned them with glory and honor
    and put everything under their feet.” (vs 6-8)

What indeed is mankind that God would so favor us? Why would God do that? Rest assured there is nothing so great about us. We are favored simply because God chooses to favor us. He chooses to bestow His grace and mercy upon us.

He chose to send His only begotten Son, born fully human, to live among us. He chose to send Jesus to die so that we might live. It was not for His sake or even the sake of the angels that this was accomplished. It was that mankind might inherit places as children of our heavenly Father; as brothers and sisters to Christ. We have done nothing to earn this family status. In fact, we have turned our backs on our Father; our brother, Jesus; and all of our brothers and sisters in Christ a multitude of times.

He invites you to a family gathering. Come and hear the stories of all that our marvelous Father and brother have done for us. When was the last time you joined your brothers and sisters in Christ at the table our Father has set for His children? Come and eat at the table that He has prepared for us. Don't miss the family reunion at your local congregation. By His Word, He calls you to be reconciled to Himself; to live as a member of His holy family.

May we all pay attention to our heavenly Father so that we would not neglect His Word that He has given us in Jesus Christ; so that we will not reject our Father's will for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ephesians 4:1-17 One Body

Ephesians 4:1-17 NIV
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (vs 4-6)

We may be many; yet, we are one in Christ. We are united in His Body as we abide in him and he in us. We, who are members of this Body of Christ have been called and equipped for service in order that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Do you see what that means? Although our good works contributes nothing toward our salvation; we are called to serve the whole body according to the gifts that have been given to us as individuals for the edification and growth of the body of Christ, who is the Church, who is Jesus the Christ. (vs 12-13)

We must all serve in unity, according to the will of God, with the mind of Christ, who is our head, in order for this maturity to happen. What I've witnessed all too often is that when one person tries to do it all nothing much gets accomplished. Too many frying pans in the fire at one time being handled by one person and something is liable to get left undone or burned. Many congregations and even denominations are like that. We equip only a few for service and growth, if there is any, is slow. It's because some of the members of the body of Christ aren't working.

Consider the times that you may have injured an arm or a leg, maybe you had a lung infection or other illness that affected one part of your body. Did that one member of your body not slow you down; maybe, even stop you from doing anything? 

We are all members of one body, meant to work in unity and unison so that the whole body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and knowledge and Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

So lets get with it and equip all of the saints! Train the members of the body so that together we might grow in Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. So much in these 17 verses, one can barely begin to cover the enormity of what they mean for us in a simple blog. Read them and pray for a greater understanding often.

Galatians 4:1-7 Child and Heir

Galatians 4:1-7 NIV
Rejoice! The time has come. The time has been fulfilled. You have been set free by the blood of Jesus Christ. You are a child of God; an heir of the eternal Kingdom!

All thanks and praise to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Galatians 2 Christ Lives In Me

Galatians 2 NIV
Remembering the poor is a good thing. But, sometimes we can get so wrapped up in doing good, those things that our traditions dictate, that we forget that we are not justified by our good works and go about acting like they amount to something that could be credited to us. Paul had to confront Peter about this. Although Peter accepted and even approved Paul's ministry to the gentiles, Peter kept himself  apart from the gentiles. He was saying grace... but, living by the laws of the his tradition.

Paul reminds us that righteousness cannot be gained through the law. It is by the grace of God that we are found righteous. It is by the grace of God that we are saved. We earn none of it. We deserve none of it. And.. if good works are done through us let us remember these words of Paul. "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Gal 2:20)

So when we start thinking that we are accomplishing much, let us remember that it is not we who accomplish these things. Thanks be to God for the abiding presence of Christ!

God's Peace - Pr. J

2 Corinthians 5 Earthly Tent or Father's House?

2 Corinthians 5 NIV
There is a longing deep within the soul for something more. That something more that we long for is God. We cannot know him fully while in these mortal bodies. It is by faith, not by sight that we have the reassurance that He is with us. It is by faith that we are reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.

We remain in these bodies; in these earthly tents, so that we might proclaim this message of reconciliation to God our Father through faith in Jesus Christ that all people might enter into God's Kingdom. Yet, it is, as Paul says, that we "would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord."

One day knowing the full glory of God; one day seeing Him with mine own eyes (Job 19:26-27), is my hope.

Let us rejoice for the gift and sacrifice of His Son that has made this reconciliation in our Father's house possible.

God's Peace - Pr. J

2 Corinthians 3:7-18 Glory

2 Corinthians 3:7-18 NIV
Paul was not afraid to proclaim the gospel. He faced persecution and death; yet, that would not stop him from proclaiming the good of news of Jesus Christ. In Jesus, the veil that left the people in the darkness; that is the veil that had shrouded God glory, had been lifted. Paul wanted everyone to contemplate the glory of God. He was willing to do all that he could that everyone would live in the hope of knowing His glory.

Have you seen it? Do you know it? Has the veil been lifted for you. Do you know Jesus the Christ? Do you contemplate the glory of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Be not afraid. Be not afraid to share the glory of God in Christ Jesus with others. For He is the source of all hope.

God's Peace - Pr. J