For The Sake Of Others

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." John 15:12-13 NRSV

Jesus lay down his life not just for his friends; but, for all who were his enemies, as well. He lay down his life for those who rejected and refused to live in the truth.

Today is Armistice Day. Armistice with Germany went into effect on the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Today, we remember all Veterans of the many wars that this country has been involved in since our inception. It is for freedom's sake that our armed services generally find themselves in armed conflicts or war. It is not for their own sakes that they fight; but, for the sake of loved ones; friends; even enemies; for the sake of the whole they are willing to lay down their lives.

Today we give thanks for all who are willing to lay down their lives that others might live and lively freely.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 16:11-15 Down To The River To Pray

Acts 16:11-15 NIV

I have always had a very strong inner desire (maybe need) to be near water. I spent most of my married life, until a few years ago, looking for a little piece of land on the water that we could actually afford. But, I finally found it. It is a very small piece, indeed, on a river at the head of a bay. It took a bit to convince my husband that we should purchase it. He doesn't appear to have the same desire to live near what as I have. He referred to it for a long time as the swamp. We purchased it for a get-away camp and ended up living in it. It is small; but, it is ours. I drive down the tree-lined driveway and thank God for giving it to us. Here, I am able to know peace. It is my place of retreat. Here near the water, I have my place of prayer.

When Paul and his fellow missionaries arrived in Philippi, a city with very few Jews, they knew where to look for the local prayer meeting. They headed down to the water to look for the Jews who would be gathered there to pray.

In Jesus' day thee needed to be ten men in order to establish a synagogue. In lieu of this, the people met for prayer near the water if possible. I tried to find out if there was any reasoning behind this meeting being near water; but, my research was in vain. I do not know why the Jews gathered at the water to pray. I know a few of the reasons that I do. First of all, it is very quiet and peaceful here. But, more importantly it reminds me that in the beginning water covered the whole earth and God pulled back the water so that there was land. Then, taking some of that land that had been under the water (mud), He created humankind. We are people of the mud - taken from what my husband would call a swamp... Living near the water I am also constantly reminded of my baptism into the Body of Christ and that my sins have been washed away through the death of my God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, my Lord. Through the waters of baptism, I have been freed from all bondage. So let's all go down to the river to pray...

For a bit of listening pleasure here's one of my favorite songs:  Down To The River To Pray - Alison Krauss  

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 13:36-38 Will You Lay Down Your Life For Me?

John 13:36-38 NIV
Today, we consider, for ourselves, the question that Jesus asked of Peter. "Will you lay down your life for me?"

We make so many commitments. We plan to do so much including share the love of God in Christ Jesus with all people. Yet, we often fall short. Peter loved Jesus. He fully intended to be a faithful follower. He wanted to. But, he is not ready to follow Jesus to his death. This faithful follower would desert Jesus when Jesus was arrested and taken to his trial and execution. In the end, Peter did indeed follow Jesus as Peter was crucified on a cross thirty some years following the crucifixion of Jesus.

Jesus loves you so much that he was willing to lay down his life for you. Will you take up your cross and follow. Will you lay down your life for him?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Proverbs 14 - Wise Woman

We have a slight change this morning. So far, we've been hearing a lot about what the wise son does. This morning, Proverbs 14 tells us about the wise woman.  "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down." (Prov 14:1 NIV) Sadly, the foolish one is not even aware that she's tearing down rather than building up and so it continues. They feel secure even as they are destroying their own lives. 

Just a few of the things that a wise woman will do:
     She thinks about what she will say and do. She watches the words that come from her lips. She will not bear false witness. She will not mock others. She will not laugh at those who have repented of their sins and turn to the LORD. Rather, she will support her neighbors in their every need.

Listen, then, to wisdom and follow in the way that the LORD would have you go, so that you might live life not just wisely, but abundantly in His presence for all eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J