Do In Remembrance

Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19 NRSV

These words imprinted on the front of the altar at Zion sometimes causes me to wonder. I wonder if everyone realize that this is more than a remembrance ritual or a memorial service. I wonder if everyone who eats of his body and drinks of his blood realize that they are actually receiving the body of Christ into themselves.

He comes to abide in us through this Sacrament. As we eat and drink we become one in and with the living Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Communion; A Gift From God

 

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes." 1 Cor 11:23-26 NRSV

It is Sunday morning and I am not leading worship today. I am on vacation. But, I will be worshipping with a small community of saints. Christmas Eve was the last time I received the Sacrament of Holy Communion. I have attended worship since and heard the word; but, there was no Communion offered or received. Over the years, I have found that I need to receive this gift often. Life just seems to go better for me (and everyone around me) when I receive the Lord's body and blood into mine; when I receive this means of grace.

I am a sinner not worthy to come before the Lord let alone to abide in him. Yet, I am able because of his shedding of his blood for me and for all people. It is a gift from God. Who, in their right minds, would turn down the opportunity to receive the Word and Sacrament, the means that God uses to impart His grace to us? So today, I will be attending an LCMS mission congregation, Faith Lutheran in Beaufort, SC so that I might be fed with both Word and Sacrament.

I pray that everyone reading this today is planning on worshipping with their local congregation, as well!

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 Thess 4 - Believe and Live!

1 Thessalonians 4 NIV

 

Do you live in order to please God or your or maybe someone else? Those who live in Christ have no fear of death for we know that all who fall asleep in him will rise from the dead even as he rose from the dead. Abide in him as he abides in you for all eternity. Eternity includes today. God is with you and for you. Trust Him and not the work of your own hands or the work of another.

Because he lives, so shall all who believe in him - so shall all who put their trust in him!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Romans 12:1-2 Transformed Not Conformed

Romans 12:1-2 NIV
Do not be conformed to the world. Be transformed in Christ.

Our discipleship small group has been discussing the difference between being conformed and transformed. Many within the church appear to be conforming to certain standards that they feel appropriate for a Christian. This is adds up to nothing more than good works and we all know that works without faith is not worth a hill of beans. Conformation is only an outward action. In order for our lives to be effective witnesses to and for Christ, we must abide in Christ and Christ in us. We must be transformed. We cannot be witnesses to the world; we cannot make disciples for Christ, unless we are disciples first. And, disciples are not those who have conformed to the world's standards of Christianity or anything else. Disciples are those who have been transformed by the loving, living, abiding presence of Jesus the Christ.

Be transformed. Be a disciple. Make a disciple.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Romans 8:1-17 Child of God

Romans 8:1-17 NIV
"To all believe in Jesus Christ, He gives the power to become the children of God, bestowing upon us the Holy Spirit." I say words similar to this just about every Sunday as I remind you, following confession, that you are forgiven your sins by God's great mercy. Paul writes to the Romans: "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God."

By faith, we are the children of God. We are heirs of God; inheriting the blessings; inheriting the Kingdom that He has promised. The Spirit of Christ dwells within all who believe. Just as he prayed "Our Father;" as Jesus called God "Father;" because the Spirit of Christ abides within us, we, too, call out to "Our Father who art in heaven."

Rejoice, for you are forgiven your sins. You are a child of God!

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 20:24-29 You Don't Have To See It To Believe It

John 20:24-29 NIV
Well, some people really have to see it to believe it. You can warn them; you can advise them; you can give them the Good News, but until they see it with their own eyes, unless they can touch it or taste it or hear it; unless they can experience something with one of their bodily senses, they simply will not believe it.

Sadly, today we do not have the opportunity as Thomas did to see the nail marks in Jesus' hand. We cannot see Jesus as Thomas did on that day so long ago. But, we can see him. We can see him and experience him in our neighbor, in all who abide in him and he in they. We don't need to see Jesus face to face as Thomas did in order to believe. We have the witness of many who saw him risen from the grave. Hear the Good News so that you, too, might believe and be saved.

"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29)

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 17:6-26 Praying for God's Children

John 17:6-26 NIV
Yesterday, we prayed for all of our children. On the first day of Sunday School every fall, at Zion Lutheran, we put the names of all of the children (newborns thru college) in the offering plate. The plate is passed around and congregants, who are willing to commit to praying every day for the next year for a child, draws a name(s) out of the plate. We pray for those little ones who know and believe in Jesus. We pray for their lives in this world and in the Kingdom of God. We pray that they would continue to grow and abide in Christ and he in them.

In his last hours, Jesus also prayed for those who believed in him. He prayed for the disciples who were with him and followed him as well as for all who would believe in him through the disciples.  He prayed that we would be one. He prayed that the Father's love would be in us. He prayed that through faith in him, he would abide in us.

He abides in all who believe. May God grant that Jesus should abide in us that the world might know him and our Father.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 15:9-17 Love Each Other

John 15:9-17 NIV
"Love each other." It is as simple as that. Love fulfills the law. If we have love; then we will do all that we can not to do anything to hurt the people around us. If we have love; we don't need to know and memorize every minute detail of every law; because the law is written upon our hearts. (Psalm 37:31, Jer 31:33, Heb 8:10, Heb 10:15)

In giving his life for us, Jesus showed us how much he truly loves each of us. If we remain in his love we will love even as he loves. Love isn't going to worry about who is going to make it in first at anything. Love tells us it is not only good to be the last in line; the last to receive; sometimes, it is way more preferable for all of our sakes.

Be a friend. Be a good neighbor. Do nothing that might cause any harm or danger to come to others. Do all things for their good that God might be glorified. Love each other. This is the command of Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Today is the first day of the school year; may God help our children to love one another and to leave the bullying behind them.

Matthew 26:17-30 - This Is My Body

In a couple of weeks our third graders will begin preparing to receive their first Communion on Maundy Thursday. At Zion, we remember the night in which he was betrayed and the night that he shared this Passover meal with his disciples, by the washing of our children's feet prior to them gathering at the Lord's Table to receive his body and blood for the first time. Not that they have not already been preparing; but, during Lent they will focus more intently on "What does this mean?" as a part of our pre-confirmation Sunday School curriculum.

I, as well as many of our members, get a little anxious that everyone may or may not understand that in receiving this "communion," we are receiving the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It is not just a memorial. Communion is one of the means of grace, by which Christ comes to abide in us and we in Him. We are emptied of our sin, through the forgiveness received in this Sacrament, and then filled back up with the presence of Christ with the same Sacrament. (So, tell me again, why you're not rushing to the Lord's Table at every opportunity.)

This question is asked of everyone learning about this Sacrament: "How do we know that we are truly receiving the body and blood of Jesus?" The answer I usually receive is: "Because Jesus said it is."  Indeed he did.

   While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

   Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matt 26:26-28 NIV)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Zechariah 1 - Four Horses

Zechariah had some awesome visions. Whenever I read of them, I am also reminded of St. John the Evangelist's visions. Today, we have the four horses.

The four horses (two red horses, one white, one black) of Zechariah's vision seems to have been sent out on a reconnaissance mission of sorts. The horses report back that they have gone throughout the world and have found it living in peace. But, this is not so for God's people. They are struggling under the rule of Persia and know no peace.

The four horses of the Revelation of St. John (Rev 6:1-8) are white, red, black, and pale (whatever color pale is!). Their mission is to conquer the world; bringing hardship, destruction and death. In fact, the red horse is sent specifically to take away the peace of the world - the very peace that is found in the world that the four horses of Zechariah's vision makes report of.

It is understood that the peace that is taken away is a worldly peace. It is not the peace that we experience when we abide in God's presence; for He is our peace. His peace is not dependent on the world's peace or lack thereof. It does not matter whether the world around us is in turmoil; it doesn't matter if the world claims peace when they, in reality, do not live in the peace of God. It just doesn't matter. All who abide in the Christ and He in them; know the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7) no matter what level of peace or war the world is in. There seems to be times, when this peace of God seems to elude us, even His children. We fall back out of fear or anxiety when we begin looking to the world for comfort and peace; rather than God.

The vision from Zechariah is there to remind us that we are not to fear. God will save His people. The LORD will comfort us. We shall live in His peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hosea 6 - Return and Abide with Him

"Return to the Lord. He has torn us to shreds but he will bandage our wounds and make us well. In two or three days he will heal and restore our strength that we may live with him." (Hosea 6:1-2)

Hosea reminds us today that if truly want to live in God's presence it would be most helpful to quit walking away from Him. I have never quite figured out why anyone would want to and actually believe that they would enter the kingdom of God after physical death if they do not desire to abide with him now. I'm thinking it's probably the fear of death rather than the love of God that would motivate such faithless faith.

Our heavenly Father wants you to abide with Him now - even here in this world. Wouldn't life be more pleasant now if you would only open the door instead of slamming it in His face?

"Let's do our best to know the Lord. His coming is as certain as the morning sun; He will rephresh ice like rainrenewing the earth in the springtime." (Hosea 6:3)

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. On my smartphone so hope this is readable. It is hard for me to write on such a small space and wkeyboard real keyboard.

Job 13

Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him! (vs 16)

Indeed no righteous person can stand before God.  However the one who is righteous can.  And... none of us our righteous, unless God the Spirit of Christ dwells (abides) within them.  If Christ abides in you, then you are not godless.  You are not without God. 

And... how does Christ come to abide in you?  By faith.  By God's grace. Christ comes to abide in you by what is called the means of grace - by hearing the Word and receiving the Sacraments. It is the Living Word, who died for you, that has made you righteous. Christ is the righteousness that abides within us.  Without His abiding presence, we are indeed godless through and through.

Job tells Zophar, that he will not be judged by Zophar.  He will bring his case before the LORD, God.  His hope is in the LORD. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.