This Love Will Never Leave You

"Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Psalm 73:25-26 NRSV

Family and friends are great. But, sometimes they are simply not there for you. Sometimes, they do not seem to be able to comprehend what you might be enduring. But, there is one who does understand everything you are going though. He is there for you always. His love for us gives us the strength to endure all things.

We know that He is always there for us. He will always love us. We are never alone. It is difficult not to desire even more of He who loves us so much.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Symbol of Hope

"When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” Gen 9:16

I haven't seen a rainbow in a few months. I am human. I get tired and weary at times. Every once in awhile, I would like to see a rainbow to remind me that God is with me; to remind me of His glory.  In Ezekiel's visions of God he saw the glory of God. "Like the bow in a cloud on a rainy day, such was the appearance of the splendor all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord."  Ezekiel 1:28

We have many dreary days; days when we just can't see the glory of God; days when there are no rainbows. There many be no rainbows today; but, we will always have the cross. In the cross there is always hope.

May God grant you eternal hope in the victory won for you on the cross, by Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J
 

My Light and Salvation

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
    of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me
    to devour my flesh—
my adversaries and foes—
    they shall stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me,
    my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
    yet I will be confident.

                                                                                   Psalm 27 NRSV

 

When you are engulfed in a storm on the Great Lakes or on coastal waters; you look for a lighthouse to help guide you on your way.

 

Life brings about many storms of many kinds. Some are small and some are huge. But, no matter what kind or how large the storm you are facing; no matter who brings it; no matter how dark it gets; the light of Christ shines in the darkness to bring you to safe harbor. Follow the light of Christ and you can walk in the confidence that no matter who or what storm is attempting to bring you down; you will survive; you will live in God's presence for all eternity.

 

The Lord is our stronghold. We have no need to fear anything or anyone. God is with all who believe in Him.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Marriage: Partners for Life

Partners for Life

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” So out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said,

“This at last is bone of my bones
    and flesh of my flesh;
this one shall be called Woman,
    for out of Man this one was taken.”

Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh. Genesis 2:18-24

 

Someone gave my husband the photo above not long ago. It was taken a very long time ago. We had been married for about ten years when it was taken. We will celebrate forty-four years together this winter. So, we've been together for awhile. The photo reminded me of all the up and downs of married life. Living and serving in Rota was one of our periods together when we had way more ups than downs. It was a very good time, indeed. 

 

We have not always worked like partners. Marriage can be very hard work as two individuals attempt to live out their individual and mutual callings together. We have, at times, definitely worked against each other rather than with each other. But, no matter what struggles we have gone through; no matter how many times we may have thought that maybe the partnership should end; we have always gone back to the fact that it was God who joined us together. He gave us each other to help and support one another even to the end of our days on earth. 

 

Our days are getting shorter. We are both too old to spend too much time working against each other. But, it does still happen. Even while we are one in Christ, we still have different gifts; different calls and we find ourselves going in different directions. At times like that, we've found it's best to give each other a little space to grow and serve God in the direction He calls us as individuals. We give a little space even while we continue to help and support one another. 

 

Marriage can be very difficult; but, it is also a very great blessing. God has given you a partner for life in your husband or wife. May God help us to make the most of this great gift of marriage.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Revelation 1:1-3 Revealed to John

Revelation 1:1-3 NIV
St. John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, while exiled for his faith on the isle of Patmos, had a vision from God. It was a rather long vision or a series of long visions as recorded in the book of Revelation. As we begin this book, let us remember that it is just that: a vision with much symbolism to be interpreted. We need also to be careful to understand and remember that no one can know the exact time and the place that many of these visions will take place. We cannot know if we will even still be in the flesh when the day of the Lord comes. And... we are to be careful about pointing the finger at others saying they are the anti-christ or there is Babylon.

Before we begin this final book of Holy Scripture, I would direct your attention to verse 3: "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." As we journey through Revelation, read the scripture aloud. "... faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." (Rom 10:17) Read Revelation aloud so that you might hear it and have a better understanding of what it's message really is. Read it and all scripture aloud that in hearing your faith might grow.

May God help us to have a better understanding of this vision of John as we begin to read through it daily.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Galatians 5:13-26 Love; A Fruit Of The Spirit

Galatians 5:13-26 NIV
Love - a fruit of the Spirit of God! There are days that I just shake my head in wonder at the lack of love that I witness around me. People using people to get what they want. I believe that everyone wants love but they have no clue that gratifying the desires of the flesh isn't going to get it. Sexual immorality, anger (temper tantrums and tirades), idolatry, etc. isn't going to get you love. Love is of the Spirit, not of the flesh. Love is not self-seeking. Love seeks unity with one's neighbor. Love seeks good for others and not harm.

According to St. Paul: "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like." (vs 19-21) He warns us that those who live like this will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

On the other hand, those who live by the Spirit of God, will have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. They will produce fruit of the Spirit. "...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control..." (vs 22)

Can you imagine a world in which the fruit of the Spirit is more plentiful than the desires of the flesh? What an awesome way to live that would be!

May God help us to love others, even as He loves us. May His Kingdom come - His will be done on earth as it is done in heaven.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 6:25-58 Eat This Bread

John 6:25-58 NIV
The crowd has followed Jesus to the other side of the lake. Maybe you thought that they followed him in order to be closer to their LORD. It really doesn't appear that way. Jesus knows what's going on in their hearts and minds. They follow him because they want him to continue blessing them with food for their stomachs. They don't want Jesus. They want supper.

Well, we all have to eat. But, bread made of flour will not sustain us for eternity. There is only one bread that can do that. It is the Bread of Life. Jesus is the Bread of Life. Whoever, in faith, eats of His Body at the Lord's Supper will be sustained for eternity. He is the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6)

Today is a Sunday. I will be leading three Worship Services as most congregations worship on Sundays. Please remember to attend Worship somewhere so that you might receive the Word of Life; the Bread of Life, and may the peace of God be with you for all eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Just in case you didn't read the scripture that is attached above here is another reminder to feed on the Word and the Sacrament often!: "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”  (John 6:56-58)

Matthew 26:36-46 - Pray One Hour

  Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
  Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
  Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt 26:36-41 NIV)

We were having a prayer vigil. Individuals and families volunteered to come to the sanctuary to pray for one hour during the hours beginning right after the Maundy Thursday Service until the Good Friday Service. I had volunteered for three hours, from 3 a.m. until 6 a.m., as I lived right next door and I thought it would be easier for me than others who would have to drive to the church at such early hours. I began my hours praying, kneeling in front of the altar, next to the baptismal font. I was awakened by the couple, who was to follow me, to find them kneeling and praying at the altar. They had come in quietly and didn't want to disturb me. I had fallen asleep, on my knees, leaning against the baptismal font. Every Maundy Thursday, I recall this time. Apparently, it is not only those first disciples who cannot keep watch, stay awake, and pray for "one hour."

The spirit is willing, but so often the flesh is weak.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Daniel 10 - Princes in Heavenly Realms

Who are these princes that this scripture speaks of? It appears that they are angels and the trouble that is occurring is occurring or at least instigated in the heavenly realms. Daniel has been fasting for three weeks (21 days) and on the twenty-fourth day he receives a vision of a really awesome looking man, dressed in linen. This man tells him, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia." (Dan 10:12-13 NIV)

Michael, it would seem, is the archangel, Michael. He is the angel who is reputed to lead God's armies against the forces of evil. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Eph 6:12)

There are times, when we just really need to back up and understand that it is not our neighbor who is the enemy, but that it is the great adversary who is attacking. And... understand, too, that the adversary is not just attacking you, but attacking your neighbor as well, through you. Stand your ground, stand on the Word of God, that the schemes of the princes who do not find favor in God's sight may be thwarted. Pray unceasingly for help, for yourself as well as for your neighbor, that the enemy will have no hold over us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 25 - Cup Of God's Wrath

The nations are to drink from the cup of God's wrath. This is God's command to Jeremiah: make them drink of the cup. They will not be spared. They will not go unpunished.

Drink from this cup... Sound familiar to you?

How about on the night in which he was betrayed...

   "Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
   Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
   Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
   He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”" (Matt 26:36-42 NIV)

Jesus was willing to drink from this the cup of God's wrath for us. He was willing to suffer the penalty for our sins. He was willing to die so that we might be spared. His disciples were not strong enough to even be able to stay awake and watch and pray, let alone pay the penalty for their own sins. We are not. So out of mercy, God interceded on our behalf, sending His only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ, to take the charges and the guilt of our sin upon Himself.

As you read Jeremiah 25 today, give thanks to God that His mercy and grace has been extended to us through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 144 - Prepare for Battle

Whoa! There is so much I could say about Psalm 144! But, the first thing that strikes me is verse 1: "Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle." (NIV)

Now that is most interesting. God trains us for battle.  For 21 years, I followed my husband, a U.S. Marine, around the world. He was prepared for war and I was engaged in battle then, even as I am now. The battle can be tiring. There are times when it may even feel like you're losing the battle, but be assured, the LORD armies will not, cannot, be defeated. He is the Supreme Commander and is at the helm.

Be not afraid to: "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Eph 6:11-13 NIV)

God's Peace - Pr. J