Broken Heart

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:1-3 NRSV

Sometimes not allowing your heart to be troubled is a whole lot easier said than done. I spend a whole lot of time in prayer so that I can be reassured by God's presence that He is actually with me and with those whom I love. I spend a lot of time in the word so that I might be reassured of God's promise of eternal reconciliation with the One who loves me and the whole world enough to die for us.

As I consider what most troubles my heart, I find that it is concern for those who have not accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord. My heart is most often troubled with concern for those who do not follow in the Way. My concern is that their hearts will be indefinitely troubled. My concern is that they might never know Jesus as I know that there is no healing for the broken heart except in Jesus the Christ.

I can do nothing except for pray and continue to encourage, with the word, those who do not follow Jesus to turn around and follow him.

My heart is troubled. Yet, there is still peace to be found in the promise of eternal peace in the home that Jesus has prepared for all who believe.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Peter 2:4-25 Holy Nation

1 Peter 2:4-25 NIV
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (vs 9)

I dislike having to check the box for my race as is required on so many forms. I especially dislike having to check a box if it is related to something within the church. That may be partly due to the fact that I am a "mutt." But, more than that is that no matter how many tribes or nations I may have inherited through family; my first nation is the one I was adopted into by the blood of Jesus. If there is a blank line for other, I usually write in "Holy Nation."

Each race has it's own culture and even within specific ethnic groups the culture may vary depending on the geographical region. That is also true for the people of a "Holy Nation." There may be variances in the way we live and worship; but, together we make up one truly awesome spiritual house. The differences really make no difference. What is important to understand is that we belong to the spiritual house built on the precious cornerstone, who is Jesus the Christ; the one who gave himself for us.

Since, we are members of this spiritual house, this Holy Nation, we ought also live as members of the holy priesthood, living in reverence and loving service to the King of all kings. According to St. Peter that means to live in loving service to one another. It's not about us. It's about all of us together living in reverence to God our Father and our Lord, Jesus the Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hebrews 3 - He Leads Us

Hebrews 3 NIV

"For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. ^'Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,' bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory." (vs 4-6)

We are his house. He is faithful to us. May God help us to be faithful to him. God saved His people from the Egyptians. He delivered them from bondage. They followed him into the wilderness. But, once there, they began to rebel. They complained against God. They were not happy following in the way that He lead them. Those who rebelled perished in the wilderness. They never got to see the promised land.

God has delivered us from our own sinful nature by the blood of His Son, Jesus. He leads us through the wilderness. What shall we do there? Shall we rebel? Shall we complain against Him because the way is not always to our liking?

"Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house." We are his house. We are his children. Will we be faithful to him and follow through whichever wilderness he would lead us to the promised land?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Philemon 1 All Brothers and Sister in Christ

Philemon 1 NIV

Brother, sister, home... Paul uses these words when writing to Philemon regarding the slave Onesimus. Philemon apparently hosts a house church. That is, his home is where their brothers and sisters in Christ gather to share the good news of Jesus with one another and to worship. He makes a point of calling both Philemon and Onesimus brothers as he appeals to Philemon to accept the runaway slave back, not as a slave; but, as a fellow servant of Christ; as a brother in Christ.

Whether we worship in a house church or a more traditional sanctuary, we should never forget that we have been born again through the waters of baptism into the family of God. We are brothers and sisters in Christ; children of the heavenly Father. We are to treat one anther like beloved children of God; with love and respect, even as we would wish to be treated. One is not above the other. There are no slaves and masters for we are all servants of the most high God.

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit." (vs 25)

God's Peace - Pr. J

2 Corinthians 5 Earthly Tent or Father's House?

2 Corinthians 5 NIV
There is a longing deep within the soul for something more. That something more that we long for is God. We cannot know him fully while in these mortal bodies. It is by faith, not by sight that we have the reassurance that He is with us. It is by faith that we are reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.

We remain in these bodies; in these earthly tents, so that we might proclaim this message of reconciliation to God our Father through faith in Jesus Christ that all people might enter into God's Kingdom. Yet, it is, as Paul says, that we "would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord."

One day knowing the full glory of God; one day seeing Him with mine own eyes (Job 19:26-27), is my hope.

Let us rejoice for the gift and sacrifice of His Son that has made this reconciliation in our Father's house possible.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 8:1-3 Dragged Into Prison

Acts 8:1-3 NIV
Around the world today, people are persecuted for their faith. They are dragged out of their homes and into prison for what they believe.

After St. Stephen was killed, people went their own ways hoping that they wouldn't be noticed by the persecutors. They were afraid and rightly so; for their lives were on the line. But, the apostles did not run. They stayed in Jerusalem. They may have been afraid; I know not, for sure. But, they did not run. There was only a handful of men left in the church in Jerusalem to take the heat. The church in hiding only served to empower Saul's boldness and desire to destroy the church. "Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison." (vs 3). They were easy prey as they stood and hid alone.

In the face of persecution, may the church on earth, stand boldly and face our accusers with the authority of Christ that the devil will have no power over us.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

John 14:1-7 Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled

John 14:1-7 NIV
Today, we have one of my top ten readings. I have officiated at close to 300 funerals since I began ministering here in Baraga County. This lesson, next to Psalm 23, is probably the most read, by me, when ministering to family and friends at a funeral or memorial service.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe. Believe that a place has been prepared for you in our Father's house; for Jesus has gone before us to prepare it. He is the way, the truth and the life. In him and through him, we are reconciled to God our Father in the Kingdom prepared for all who believe in him. Believe and follow him.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Jesus died so that all who believe in him, might live life eternally in our Father's house, in His presence.
God's Peace - Pr. J

John 2:13-23 Zeal For Our Father's House

John 2:13-23 NIV
Zeal for our Father's house should help us to refrain from allowing it to become a place for personal gain. Today, that goes not only for the sanctuary made of brick and mortar or wood and steel. On the third day, the temple, which is His Body, was raised from the dead. You and I, all who believe are members of His Body, a Holy Temple. May God help us to not use that temple for our own personal gain; but, grant that all that we say and do should glorify Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 11:14-28 The House Will Fall

Luke 11:14-28 NIV
"A house divided will fall.." (vs 17)

There are times, many times, that people in a family, a church, or a community will disagree with one another. But, that disagreement should not necessarily lead to division. Divisions detract us from our purpose; our mission. We are so busy worrying about how to get our way that we forget to proclaim the Kingdom of God. We forget to share the love of God in Christ Jesus with others.

Sometimes separation is inevitable as Jesus reminds us that if someone will not hear or receive the Word of God we should depart and find someone who will. (Luke 9:5) But, often it is just the devil that divides us by stirring up things like greed or envy or maybe self-righteousness.

So the next time you don't care for the color of the carpet that the committee picked or the janitor they hired, remember that a house divided will fall. I know it's probably not the intent of any within the local churches to have it fail; but, when we switch our focus from Jesus to how we're going to get our own way in the church over material things in the church that is exactly where we are heading.

Whoever is not with him is against him, and whoever does not gather with him scatters.

Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 3:7-35 House Divided

Will demons kick out demons?

As the people flocked to Jesus and were healed and exorcised of their demons, they recognized who this Jesus was. They would cry out: "You are the Son of God." (Mark 3:11)  Jesus has the authority to remove demons. He also gave this authority over demons to his twelve disciples.

Yet, the teachers of the law accuse him of being possessed himself. They say, "He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons." So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan?  If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house." (Mark 3:22-27)

Why indeed would Satan destroy his own house? It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that demons fall and run. (see vs. 28) Jesus has been anointed by this Spirit. His disciples, also have been given authority, in the Spirit. What is evil is all around us. Do you stand in the Spirit so that the evil will fall or run? Or do you accept it as something that is just because it is? The devil has no power over us; the demons have none; except that we allow evil to enter into our lives by denying the power of God.

A house divided cannot stand. Is your house divided between God and Satan? Do you allow God into some parts of your life and Satan into other? Stand, in the name of Jesus, who is the Son of God, before all evil that threatens you and your house.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 21:12-13 - House of Prayer

"Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 'It is written,' he said to them, 'My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” (Matt 21:12-13 NIV)

The story about Jesus throwing the money changers out of the temple has always made me just a little anxious. Small congregations (maybe large ones, too) often have fund-raisers to support their budgets. We sell stuff in order to pay the bills. Sometimes, these fund-raisers come in the form of meals or maybe art and craft fairs or even a rummage sale. I worry that maybe we're not trusting God to provide for us through the generosity of His children's offerings to Him and His work through the congregation. I am of the mind that anything that comes in to support God's work through the church should be a free-will offering to the glory of God and not an exchange for services. After all, when Jesus paid our debt on the cross, he did that freely and willingly. I guess, in today's economy, purchasing a product or service could be considered a way of supporting a congregation and mission. At least the world would see it that way. I'm not so sure God sees it that way. Even the U.S. Government does not consider that a charitable contribution. 

We do have traditional fund-raisers at Zion. I call them traditional because they have existed since long before I was born. Events like the Hunter's Supper, Women's Bazaar, or Ice Cream Social can be great times of fellowship and evangelism. I am always praying that everyone involved keeps the focus on welcoming our neighbors; rather than, primarily exchanging goods for money. For the last two summers, I have helped the youth organize a rummage sale at Zion for youth retreats. We do not put a price on anything, which makes the organizing a whole lot easier. We ask for donations of whatever one feels the items are worth to them and that they can afford. The results are very good, indeed. We also have fund-raisers, usually concerts, where proceeds go directly to other charitable organizations, such as St. Vincent De Paul, or Toys for Tots, or to support mission congregations in Russia. Members of the whole community provide the music as well as a light lunch for all of our guests following the concerts, again with no charge. These latter fund-raisers have no entrance fees; free-will offerings are suggested for the concert, but not imposed. The congregation usually over-flows into the narthex and the library with these events. These are wonderful opportunities to welcome and fellowship with our neighbors as we support those in need.

But, I am always on guard to keep the focus of "fund-raisers" on welcoming people to God's house, rather than selling. This is, after-all, a house of prayer. May God help us to continue trusting in Him alone for all our needs. May God help us to continue welcoming people into His house of prayer, in all that we might do for His glory.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. All are welcome at Zion!

Haggai 1 - Build Up The Temple Of God

A message from the LORD of Hosts through the prophet Haggai: 

“Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”

Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”

This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord. “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the olive oil and everything else the ground produces, on people and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands." (Haggai 1:4-11 NIV)

The people had become complacent; spending all their time caring for their own homes; their own needs rather than trusting God to care for them. Because they worried so much about themselves, they were neglecting the rebuilding of God's Temple.

The message today is simply this: build up the LORD's house - His Holy Temple. Now, I am not speaking of a building of wood or brick or mortar, but the Body of Christ, wherein dwells the Spirit of God. That Body is the Church. We (those who follow Jesus) are the Church. We are to be about building up this Spiritual Temple and we do this by hearing and proclaiming God's word, by receiving and sharing the Sacrament of His Body and Blood. Yes, the church building is an important factor in the life of a Christian. It is where we gather to be nourished by God as a family.  A loving family gathers as often as they can at their home and cares for that home and others in it. We, who are members of the family of God; likewise, gather often to be nourished as brothers and sisters in Christ, fellow members of the Body of Christ, for the mutual edification (building up) of the Body of Christ, which is the Church, the Temple of God.

Build up the Temple of God - hear His Word, receive the Sacraments which He has freely given you by the very death of His Son, Jesus Christ our LORD. And... do not neglect to fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Joel 3 - Valley of Decision

Joel 3 brings us a picture of something many of us are quite familiar with. It is the valley of decision. It refers to the day when God will judge all nations. He will try all nations for what has been done to His people.

"Multitudes, multitudes
    in the valley of decision!
For the day of the Lord is near
    in the valley of decision.
The sun and moon will be darkened,
    and the stars no longer shine.
The Lord will roar from Zion
    and thunder from Jerusalem;
    the earth and the heavens will tremble.
But the Lord will be a refuge for his people,
    a stronghold for the people of Israel.

“Then you will know that I, the Lord your God,
    dwell in Zion, my holy hill.
Jerusalem will be holy;
    never again will foreigners invade her.

“In that day the mountains will drip new wine,
    and the hills will flow with milk;
    all the ravines of Judah will run with water.
A fountain will flow out of the Lord’s house    and will water the valley of acacias."  (Joel 3:14-18 NIV)

For those who persecute God's people, these words should bring a sobering thought. But, for God's people these words provide hope. The same Word brings condemnation to those who refuse God's word and good news to those who receive it (Him).

God is our refuge and strength...

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 7 - Den Of Thieves

"Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of thieves in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,” says the Lord." (Jer 7:11 NKJV)

Jeremiah 7:11 is the scripture Jesus is referring to when he says: “...It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’”  (Matthew 21:13, see also Mark 11:17, Luke 19:46) Jesus is at the temple overturning the tables of the money changers and those who are selling small birds so that the people can make appropriate offerings when he refers to Jeremiah. 

I have struggled with this selling "stuff" in the church for as long as I can remember. The sales of anything within the church really makes me uncomfortable. I always recommend that there be no price set for fundraising meals or for rummage sales or anything that has to do with selling things in the church. Sometimes my recommendations are heeded. Sometimes they are not. Usually, when they are and we simply take a free-will offering the fund-raiser is much more successful. Even this makes me uncomfortable as the church should not have to do fund-raisers to support the work of the ministry. The ministry should be supported freely with free-will offerings. However, I will concede that due to the hardness of heart and lack of stewardship education sometimes fund-raising is necessary and I will also concede that there is (possibly) a distinction between fundraising for the church and individuals making profit by exchanging money in the courts of the LORD's house. Catch that? There is a difference between raising funds to support the ministry of the whole church (that is the proclamation of the Gospel) and individual selling "stuff" for personal gain.

Both Jeremiah and Jesus are reminding us that we are to act justly - to care for our neighbors. As Jeremiah puts it: "... do not oppress the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, or walk after other gods to your hurt." (Jer 7:6) Feeding God's less fortunate children and caring for them does sometimes take a special effort or event. In October, again this year, we will hold a concert for Toys for Tots at Zion. It is a time to gather together to bring our gifts so that all the children of this county will have gifts on Christmas morning. The musicians all donate their time and there is no charge for this concert. A free-will offering of a gift for a child is suggested and if brought, is placed on the altar.

The temple is a place of worship. It is a place of prayer and of communing with God and with other children of God. It is not for personal gain of any sort. Personally, I am thinking that if we spent more time worshipping God and communing with Him through prayer, the church on earth wouldn't have to be quite so worried about fund-raising. If we would just listen to Him as He speaks to us through the scriptures; as He speaks to us through prophets like Jeremiah; as He speaks to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, our LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Just a reminder, don't read this blog without reading the scripture that goes with it. These blogs are only my first impressions as I read the scripture daily. There is way more to understand in everyone of these chapters than I can begin to address in a blog.

 

Ecclesiastes 9 - Welcome Your Neighbor; Help Those in Need

There is a lot to reflect on in this chapter as there is in any chapter. As I keep reminding you, this blog is to help you continue reading your Bible one chapter at a time. The blog entries are simply my first impressions and random thoughts after I read the chapter. It is meant to help you study and think about what the word is saying to you and to all of us as a whole.

A couple things jumped out at me this morning. First, is the way I dress. As Solomon talks about living a joyful life, he writes: "Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil." (Eccl 9:8 NIV)

On a recent retreat with our youth, I somehow managed to forget to bring a coat. Temperatures were in the 30's and it was raining. I had to buy a jacket. It was white with pictures of bears on it. My other jackets and coats are all black. After we got back, I wore this jacket to the church. I received a compliment on the jacket from a friend. She was glad to see me out of black. It being the middle of Lent, I had not just been wearing my black outerwear, but had also had occasion to be  wearing a lot of black skirts and suit jackets - more than usual. I often talk to my grandchildren about dressing appropriately as people who don't know you will often judge a person by what they see. Wrong first impressions have a tendancy to build walls and cause problems that aren't even there. Until this friend told me that it was nice to see me in something besides black, I hadn't realized that people may have been seeing my life in Christ as depressing.  

Years ago, I was a Lutheran missionary to a church without walls. The "church" covered a couple counties. The mission was to build up "house" churches in homes, a store front, a community center, even a couple of historic churches that were no longer in use in remote communities. Most people welcomed me quite warmly as the local missionary. A few years after I had moved to another county and another call, I went kayaking around the counties I had previously served. I remember one stop where I had previously felt especially welcomed. This time, I was wearing camouflaged pants and jacket over my swimsuit and had sandals on my feet. This time, I was not welcomed. It was if I was a stranger in their midst. Many did not even recognize me or at least they acted like they didn't. Actually, it was kind of strange, because it was mainly the Lutherans (I am Lutheran) who did not recognize me. Those who did recognize me and welcome me were Roman Catholic or Baptists. Go figure!

Human nature causes us to judge people by what they see and the day that I reentered that community, I entered looking like a vagabond. It is kind of sad when I think about it. Are we not called to welcome all people and to not show partiality to those who are rich or who have positions of authority? But, that is just what human nature leads us to. As for me, I will try to wear more light colored clothing so that the spirit of joy may be more apparent when I encounter others.

The other verses that struck me this morning were:

The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded
than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but one sinner destroys much good.  (Eccl 9:17,18)

 

I'm thinking of all the noise this week on the news. So many opinions and so few facts! Not many quiet words - lots of loud shouting. News is news! Reporters these days do a bit too much surmising and before you know it people are thinking that what they are hearing are the facts. Need evidence! Need a fair trial! Not sure how I feel about martial law being imposed without it being called what it was - martial law. But, that's just me. I've heard a lot  (a lot of second guessing) about the two brothers who allegedly were involved in the Marathon Bombing. I've even heard crazy statements like parents are responsible for their children's actions even when their children are in their 20's and 30's! Just strange comments, that don't seem to have much wisdom attached and lead to confusion, fear, hurt, and even more anger. But, you know what? I have never heard how many people actually lost their homes in Texas in the fertilizer explosion. I never heard about the genuine needs of the people who were affected there. How we can help those people in need. This week, I've only heard about the need for more laws - more regulation (including from the highest office in this land) - not about how we can reach out to those who have been thrust into conditions that have put them on the fringes, put them in places of poverty and need.

 

Welcome your neighbor. Reach out to them in their time of need - no matter who or where they may be.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Proverbs 27 - Planning And Boasting Not The Same Thing

Planning ahead has never been part of my husband's routine. He's finally come around to letting me know what is on his schedule for the next day so that I can plan my schedule so that we will have time together.  I have planned many vacations just to go on them alone or with our children or our grandchildren. He built an addition on our house a few years ago. It's a real nice addition. But, he had not planned anything in advance. There was no blueprint of any kind! At least none that he would share with me. We went to the hardware store and lumber yard as each step of the project advanced and he decided what he needed at the time. There was no estimating the cost in advance of the project. I don't think my husband had ever read or heard Luke 14:28-30 (NIV). “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?  For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’"

From childhood, he; however, had this first verse from Proverbs 27 engrained into his being. "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring." Somehow, for him, boasting and planning had become synonymous.

The verse says "do not boast." It does not say, do not plan ahead. Proverbs is a whole bunch of wisdom sayings put together, one after another. But, as with all of scripture, we read need to read them in the context of all scripture. When we take a look a the story from Luke it says we indeed should be planning ahead, and Proverbs would be reminding us not to boast of things not yet accomplished.

I'm a planner. I like things organized so I know what is coming up. I like things done quickly and efficiently. Planning helps me with this. After 40 years, I am finally getting use to not knowing what my husband is planning and he's finally coming around to wanting to have some kind of plan.

Planning with others what you will do tomorrow is not the same thing as boasting about what you will do tomorrow.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Psalm 101 - The Wicked Silenced

"Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land; I will cut off every evildoer from the city of the Lord." (Psalm 101:8 NIV)

The LORD is tired of the evil that people do to one another.  He promises to put an end to the evil.  I pray that those who are unjustly persecuted will find relief in Him.   It is a sad state that so many have to endure injustices by others who simply like to do injustice, who simply like to harass and bully others, whether it is in the school systems or in a job.  It is just plain crazy that this happens.  Can you imagine going to work and being able to do your job well, because no one is harassing you.  There are a lot of people in this country and world who live under these circumstances and it kind balloons out on us.  Someone makes you miserable and since you're miserable others around you end up being miserable, as well.  Seems like it is just human nature.  But, when will it stop?  When will the greed, selfishness, the self-centeredness stop?  When will the anger and hatred stop?  When will the unjust back-stabbing stop?  I guess, the best answer to that is when God will put a stop to it.  Humankind doesn't seem capable of loving, of caring.

It just amazes me that people don't get that if people treated one another with open minds and justice, we'd all live a little better.  The sad thing is that so many in our governments as well as the public sector claim to be Christian.  Do they not know that it is the faithful, those who do not do wicked and deceitful things to our neighbors, that will live in God's presence, in His House, His Kingdom?

And... if there is to be vengeance for the ill done to you, trust that to the hands of God. He promises to cause the wicked to be silent.  You will only help wickedness to grow in this world and in your own life, by thinking that vengeance belongs to you. The LORD is just, trust in Him to defend and deliver us.  Trust your lives to His hands. 

Speak no evil of your neighbor. Do not persecute him. Rather, spend your days, singing God's praises; singing of His love and justice.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 84

I am reading from the CEV this morning because it is the only Bible  at the hunting shack. I am blogging from a smart phone. It is not working real well:-)

Some things can be a challenge - like learrning how to use a smart phone. But, whether the challenge is in this world or the Kingdom, those who live in the house of the LORD thank God and sing His praises for all that He his done, through the challenges that He has provided us with.

And... may the LORD God All-Powerful continue to bless all who trust in Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 23 - The LORD Is Our Shepherd!

Well, here is one I don't have to read.  I pray it every day, not just for me, but for all of you, as well. 

The LORD is our shepherd!  Thanks be to God that He is with us now and always, guiding us wherever He would lead us!  Yea, though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we shall fear no evil, for God is with us. 

As long as we live in this world, death looms large in front of us.  It is still before us and we live in its shadow.  But, God is larger.  Thanks be to God, Christ has overcome the power of death for us. On this side of death there will always be trials and challenges to overcome.  We will endure persecution for the sake of the Gospel (that is the good news of the Kingdom in Jesus the Christ).  We will suffer, but we know that even as these days might present themselves as a shadowy darkness, God is with us.  Our shepherd is is with us in the face of the enemy, even as He anoints our heads with oil, leading us to green pastures and still waters. 

His goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives.  We are confident that the LORD, our Shepherd, will be present with us even as we dwell in His presence, in His House, in His Kingdom, forever!  Amen!
God's Peace - Pr. J
 

Psalm 15 - Jesus is our Righteousness

From the reading today, I think we might be in a bit of trouble.  Who is blameless?  Who does what is righteous and speaks the truth from their hearts, all of the time?  Is there any one of us who does these things all of the time?  The last few days, we've thought a bit about our sinful natures and hopefully we all understand that none of us our righteous if the thoughts of our hearts and minds, if the work of our hands are what are counted toward our righteousness.  If we depend on our own righteousness to dwell in the LORD's tent, upon His holy mountain, His Kingdom, then we are lost.

Thanks be to God, that we are found righteous, not because of our good works, that is the works o the law, but by faith in the One who is righteous, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and LORD.  As Paul wrote to the Romans: 

"But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished — he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."  (Romans 3:21-26 NIV)

We shall indeed dwell in the LORD's house, not because we are so good, but because the LORD who loves us is so good and was willing to shed His blood as a sacrifice of atonement for our sins.  It is by faith, in Him, that we are saved from ourselves and inherit our place in His kingdom.  Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J