One Body Throughout The World

Preaching in Laskela, Russia; to my left is Rev. Antti Lepisto
serving as Finnish Interpreter; while member of church to my
right interpreted in Russian.

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all." Eph 4:1-6

It does not matter where you live geographically; if we live within the Body of Christ, we are members of the same body. We are not separate; but, one in Christ.

Very many years ago, I visited Russian Karelia on a mission trip. I found the region to be very much like the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I also found the people to be very much like the people who live here, as well. They were struggling with very much the same issues; except that their poverty level was much greater than our at the time.

It saddens me that as countries and their leaders battle for political supremacy it seems that sometimes we forget about the people there. It is as if foreign countries are inanimate objects; without flesh and blood or the Spirit. We sometimes seem to forget the many faithful brothers and sisters that live throughout the world. The Body of Christ is beyond comprehension. The members are spread throughout the world. They are in: Syria; Russia; Cuba; Iran; Iraq; Africa; India... They are everywhere; and, yes, even here in the United States. There is only One Body. So let us not forget in our prayers the many members of that body who suffer persecution. As we form our personal political agendas; let love and concern for our brothers and sisters in Christ; as well as for all people, guide our hearts, minds, and our actions.

Jesus died so that all who would believe; might have eternal life in His Kingdom. As Christians, may God help us to remember the "all" that lives in every country and kingdom even here on earth.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Malachi 2 - Keeping the Covenant; Semper Fi

  "Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another?" (Mal 2:10 NIV)
     Good question, hey?! Malachi is speaking specifically regarding divorce. Why would we break the covenant we have with the one whom we have committed to share our whole lives with here on earth? Malachi reminds us that one of the issues in many divorces is that one partner in that commitment may strive to keep the covenant that has been made with the one true God; while the other serves another or, maybe, many false gods. Sometimes (often) the one who worshipped God will turn away from him. More and more often, the tension, caused by not having God in the relationship, will bring the union to an end. If we truly intend to keep our covenant of marriage then it is a very good thing to base that covenant on the covenant that God has made with us. It is a good thing to have the marriage blessed; but, it is also imperative that we trust God for the blessing. If we do not live in the covenant we have with God, it is going to be pretty rough going trying to keep our covenant with another human being.
     It reminds me of a motto the U.S. Marine Corps has been fond of: "God, Country, Corps." That might sound trite to some. But, it is not. When someone commits to the armed services, it is much like a marriage. It is a 24/7 and 100% commitment. However, in order to keep the commitment to country and Corps, it should be recognized that God must come first in our lives. He will help us keep our commitments. (Of course, this motto was used much a few decades ago. They may have done away with it, by now, to be politically correct.)
     Semper Fi - Always Faithful - is another U.S. Marine Corps motto. May God grant that we should always be faithful to Him above all others as well as to those whom we have committed to share our lives with here on earth.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Proverbs 28 - Rules Who Pursue Righteousness and Justice For all Wanted!

Proverbs 28 is chock full of wise sayings; sayings worth paying attention to and maybe changing one's life a bit. For example:

"The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion." (Prov 28:1 NIV) 
"A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father." (Prov 28:7)
"Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their 
     fill of poverty." (Prov 28:19)
"The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper." (Prov 28:25)

The one that strikes home the most this morning is verse 2: "When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order."

I'm thinking that when a country has a strong leader, one that pursues righteousness for all people, one who does not pursue agendas either for the rich or the poor, for the strong or the weak. When a country has leader that will rule with justice for all people, then the people will be united with one another, helping and supporting the whole country in times of need. But, when the leader is weak, doing what is righteous in his own eyes, the people will go in many directions, following various leaders as they look for what is right for themselves, not for all people, and there will be much strife, as the people dispute amongst themselves, who shall be the greatest and who shall be the least.

Just praying for a bit more order in this country, today. There is way too much self-righteousness, where our leaders think they can do no wrong. There are way too many leaders, who lead with their egos, rather than with the discernment and knowledge of the wisdom and the will of God for all people, causing frustration and rebelliousness in the land.

Pray for this country, that the rebellious hearts of her people will be softened towards the needs of one another and of the country as a whole; that her rulers will lead with one heart and mind, trusting in the will of the LORD, so that we might once again prosper.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 77 - Fiscal Cliff

Lots of people thinking about the "fiscal cliff" as the year 2012 comes to a close. There is no doubt that going over the edge is going to hurt a lot of people. I know that it will cost me a bit.  I tried to deposit a third party check earlier this month (same check I've sent every month for years) to a charge account.  They put a hold on it for seven days.  When I asked why, I was told that it's due to the financial state of this country. They wanted to make sure the check cleared before they deposited it.  In the meantime, I got charged for seven extra days of interest. The financial status of this country is on pretty shaky ground. But, the closer we get to that day, the less I seem to worry about it. It will be what it will be.  Our elected officials don't seem to be able to do or want to do much about it so there is nothing left except to remember that it is the LORD who is Almighty. He is in charge. Let Him be.

He will not reject us forever. Look back to where you have been, where we have all been, and we shall see that the LORD has been with us.  We have had some pretty murky times in the past.  He has led us through some turbulent waters and it is He who will save us even now.  Of course, we also have to remember, that sometimes, in order to save us, we have to go through some even more troubled waters. There may be a positive side to this "fiscal cliff" - to remind us of who God is and it is not us - it is not the elected leadership of this country. That lesson might hurt a bit, but in the end, His people will follow in His path through the sea, through the mighty waters, even though His footprints cannot be seen. He will lead His people like a flock to the other side and we will all meditate on and rejoice over His mighty deeds.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 4 - Who Will Bring Us Prosperity

Last night, I flipped back and forth between the second "Presidential Debate" and "Law and Order."  I do this when I watch movies with a lot of killing in it, too.  Don't they realize how frustrating and scary it is watching grown men, leaders of this country, be so manipulative and disrespectful of each other?  Do they not know that these shananigans are killing the spirit of this county? It is especially scary to watch men who are planning to hold the highest office in this country do this.  Why can't politicians just answer the questions without justifying themselves by lieing about the other? Politics, over all, just seems to bring out the worst in people. 

As the questions are avoided or talked around, they not only disrespect each other by not answering the questions straight forward, they also disrespect the American people.  Most of us, I think, would really like to know:  “Who will bring us prosperity?” (Ps 4:6) We have been in major economic hard times for awhile now. Multitudes are hungry and homeless.  Multitudes without jobs so that they can feed their families and provide adequate shelter.  Which candidate will best guide this country out of these hard times?  Which candidate will best give the people the confidence in the economy to begin rebuilding this country?

Of course you probably know that I believe that, without the help of God, neither candidate can do this.  May God help us to discern the better candidate.  May God bless this country by shining His face shine upon us; filling our hearts with joy as grain and new wine abound.  May we lie down and sleep each night in safety and in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Nehemiah 11 - God Bless the City Dwellers

Not sure what to make of this...
     "Now the leaders of the people dwelt at Jerusalem; the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to dwell in Jerusalem, the holy city, and nine-tenths were to dwell in other cities.  And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem." (vs 1-2, NIV)

Was it really that horrible to have to live in the city of Jerusalem, that the people drew lots to see who would have to live there and blessed those who willingly offered to live there?  The text doesn't exactly inform me as to why this would be.  Then again, for some reason, I did not sleep well last night and I may not be thinking so well this morning.  Maybe, I'm just not getting it!

But, I sure can empathize with the thinking that living in a city would be a sacrifice.  I know that there are people who would have it no other way.  But, coming back from the NALC Convention in Golden Valley, MN last week and driving about 10 mph all the way through the Twin Cities on I-94 was a good reminder that I did not want to ever live in a city again.  Personally, I like the woods!  I enjoy the solitude.  I can hear distant cars.  But, when I wake up in the morning it is the birds chirping and some of the larger birds even squawking that I hear.  During the warmer seasons, the frogs and crickets sing me to sleep at night.  One New Year's morning, I heard a baby bear crying as (I assume) it was being born.  Much better sounds to me than roaring engines and screeching brakes and neighbors partying.

Yes, let us pray for and bless all those who live in the cities and in the country, too.  Bless all whom God has called to serve as they serve, live where they live.  And... God bless you too.  

Pr. J.