Wisdom

"If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you." James 1:5 NRSV

Every now and then, as I attempt to fix the things that I cannot fix, I am reminded of the serenity prayer that was written by Reinhold Niebuhr.       

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference.

It is difficult to watch others suffer. Sometimes we can help them. Sometimes, we cannot do anything except to pray for them. Sometimes, we lack the wisdom to know the difference so we go about spinning our wheels trying to fix that which only God can fix.

Wisdom will help us to determine what we can and should change and what we must trust to God alone. When God gives us the knowledge and the wisdom of how we are to proceed, it would be very wise indeed to follow His directions. Ignoring what God has taught or told you (whether directly or through others) is definitely not wise.

May God grant us all the wisdom to listen to Him and the courage to do what He asks of us and go where He would send us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Thess 2 - Persecution For The Good News

1 Thessalonians 2 NIV
The gospel is not always received well. There will be opposition to the good news of salvation through Jesus the Christ. St. Paul continued to proclaim it for the sake of others in the face of much opposition. The truth can be quite offensive to those who follow in their own ways. The light of truth can bring us to rejoice in in Jesus; but, for those who reject the truth it sometimes sends further into the darkness in attempts to hide from the truth. The truth sometimes stirs up fear and hatred and with that persecution of those who believe. In spite of hardship and persecution, those who follow Jesus will continue to share the good news with others so that all might know the joy of living in relationship with God our Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ.

May God grant us the knowledge, wisdom, courage and strength to speak the truth no matter what the opposition might be so that we might all know the glory of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 24 Truth

Acts 24
Have you ever been in the position where no matter what you say to defend yourself; what you believe or what you have done, you continued to be attacked? It seems that there will always be those who just always have to be right and refuse to hear the truth. They refuse to accept the truth and they will go to all lengths to persecute those who desire to speak the truth. Jesus was not found guilty; but, he was crucified. Paul is tried over and over again. He has not been found guilty; but, his accusers are always ready to accuse him in their attempts to be rid of him. Paul, an innocent man, spends an inordinate amount of time under guard as the Jews continue to attempt to discredit him.

Paul is locked up and one would suppose that this would keep him from speaking the truth about the resurrection through Jesus. At least, that's what the Jews want; for the truth to be silenced. But, no, it does not have that effect. In fact, the bondage enables him to testify over and over again to the truth. There are still jailers and judges as well as the Jews, themselves, who accuse him who must listen over and over again to the truth of Jesus the Messiah.

I know I'm repeating this; but, let me say it again.... God knows what He's doing. He has a plan. Speak the truth. Testify to His goodness through Jesus Christ. Do not be afraid. He is with you now and always and works all things for the good of those who love Him according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

May God grant us the strength and the courage to speak the truth in love, always, for His glory.

God's Peace - Pr.

Acts 1:1-11 Power To Be Witnesses

Acts:1-11 NIV
The Acts of the Apostles begins with a summary of the Gospel of Luke. Before Jesus ascends into heaven, he promises the disciples that they will receive power by the Holy Spirit. They are to await in Jerusalem until this power comes upon them and then they are to go to the very ends of the earth as Jesus' witnesses.

We, too, have received power by the Holy Spirit. We who have been called to be witnesses have received the power of God. When a person is bestowed authority or power in the secular world they normally use it, don't they? Sometimes it is used for the good of all; sometimes for their own personal good; sometimes for the detriment of everyone concerns. Power can certainly corrupt. But, it is not so with the power of the Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit is to be used to be Jesus' witnesses. It is to be used to proclaim the Kingdom of God through Christ Jesus. It is to share the love of God. It is to glorify God. Yes, I know that sometimes it may seem like this power has been used to hurt others. But, it is not the power of the Holy Spirit that does that. When God's children; his servants, are given worldly authority and power (for example in the visible church); sometimes they might put their will over the will of God and people get hurt. It is not God's will that does this. It is not the power of the Holy Spirit that enables this. It is our sinful natures that take over.

We have received the power of the Holy Spirit so that the Kingdom might continue to grow and be edified; not for our own personal power or glory. We have received the Holy Spirit so that we might have the faith and the courage to be witnesses in all the earth.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 13:18-30 - Desert Him?

John 13:18-30 NIV
It is not all that uncommon for someone who does not get his or her own way; who becomes disappointed in the direction that their leader or friend is going, and deserts them. This is exactly what Judas did. He became disenchanted with The Way that Jesus was heading. He had desired things of this world and wasn't quite so interested in serving God according to God's will. Becoming disappointed because Jesus was not going to be a great ruler and king of this world; he betrayed Jesus. He turned him over to the authorities for what was more desirous to him: money.

Judas had different goals than Jesus did. Often, we, too, put our own desires over the will of God for us and for all humankind. We desert him in order to pursue our desires, our priorities.

Judas really isn't so different from most of us. We may sit down to eat with a "friend" one day and the next we turn away from them because they don't think or act like exactly like us. May God help us to love our neighbor without prejudice so that we would not desert them in their time of need. May God grant us wisdom and courage so that we should never desert Him or turn from His good will for us to seek after things of this world.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 23:26-31 Take Up Their Cross

Luke 23:26-31 NIV
"Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children." (vs 28)

Life is tough! What makes it even sadder, at times, is that some don't seem to have enough of a clue about the reality of what is going on in their children's life to even weep for them. They are just too busy to be able to notice what is going on. They do not comprehend what the children are going through and have even less of a clue how to help them.

A part of the solution can be found in today's reading. Simon Cyrene was compelled to carry the cross for Jesus. Do you love your children, your neighbor, your spouse enough to help carry the load when they are stumbling under the weight of it? This is not about covering up their sins for them. It is about setting aside your own desires (not by compulsion; but, out of love) so that you have the time and the energy to help others carry their cross. It is about teaching the way in which they should go and then and only then will they know real peace. And... the way is the way of the cross. Show them that your love for them is so great that you would carry their cross for them and they will, in time, have the courage and strength to do the same for others.

Life is tough. But, it doesn't have to be as tough as it is, at times. Help carry your loved one's (and even your enemies) cross and make their load a little lighter.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 5:1-11 Fishing

Luke 5:1-11 NIV
When Jesus took them fishing, Peter, James and John caught so many fish that their nets were breaking. Then he told them that from then on they would be fishing for people. "So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him." (vs 11)

What does this mean to leave everything behind to follow Jesus? Does it mean to spend an hour at Worship on Sunday mornings? Does it mean we share the good news when it's convenient and easy to do? What does it mean to you? These men made their living at fishing. They left their boat and nets and followed to learn a new thing. They left their very livelihood behind to follow Jesus. If they are like most fishermen that I know, they loved fishing. They left this thing that they loved behind them and went off to follow this itinerant teacher and preacher. They trusted that they would not starve to death. They trusted that he would be with them to lead them. They were unafraid to go follow this new vocation: fishing for people.

Jesus is with us. May God grant that He teach us and give us the courage to fish for people.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 35 - Prayer of Protection

When the little children come to the altar for a blessing, one of the prayers I find myself praying for them most often is for their protection.  Sometimes, we underestimate their fears.  Sometimes, we even underestimate the actuality of those fears. I pray that God would walk beside them protecting them all their days and I pray that He would grant them courage and peace.

Looking back to what I remember as a child, I remember a lot of fear.  Some of it was legitimate.  Most of it was not.  Most of it was just being afraid of the unknown.  There is a lot of "unknown" for little children.  They will learn to face many of their fears or simply outgrow them.  In the meantime, we pray for their protection, their courage, and for them to know God's peace.

I can't even begin to imagine what the fear of the enemy is like for children growing up in countries,  where they are dodging missiles.  But, they need our prayers.

Protect your children, O LORD.  Keep them safe from all evil, harm, and danger.

Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent. Do not be far from them, Lord. Awake, and rise to their defense! Contend for them, our Lord and our God.

God's Peace - Pr. J