Rejoice And Be Glad!

"Hallelujah!
    For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
    and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
    and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean,
    was given her to wear."
                                          Rev 19:6b-8

We have a lot to rejoice in. St. John exiled on Patmos for his faith did not give up hope. St. Paul did not give up hope. The many saints before us never gave up hope. They looked to the day when they would be reconciled to God our Father and our Lord Jesus the Christ in the home that Christ prepared for us.

Life can be pretty confusing and tough at times. In times like those, remember, that today will pass and tomorrow will come whether we are here in this world or in the Kingdom prepared for us. For all who believe in Jesus and his gifts of forgiveness and salvation for us, life will go on. It is eternal.

By the blood of Jesus we have been reconciled to God and one another even now. So, rejoice and be glad and give God the glory! Give God the glory in all that you say and think and do. Whatever you do, do it as if to the Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Not With Silver Or Gold

All too often; all too many people, have a tendency to think that just because they have brought their tithes before the altar that they have "paid their dues" and will receive their places in the heavenly home. Know this: your offerings will not buy you a place in the kingdom of God. There is only one offering that saves us. Jesus willingly offered himself up as a ransom for us all.

"You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish." 1 Peter 1:18-19

May God help us all to appreciate more the offering that was given for us in Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 21:9-27 City of God

Rev 21:9-27 NIV
The vision of the Holy City, the City of God, is awesome. However, the beauty of the city is not the most amazing thing about this vision.  The city is built as a perfect square, just as the first earthly temple was built. God's Name dwelt in that earthly temple. But, in this heavenly temple God not only dwells there; the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple. We will abide in that temple of God, who is God, Himself.

It makes me just a little "crazy" when I hear people speak of the riches that Christians will inherit in the city of God. I remember a Sunday School teacher telling her students that for every good deed they do they would receive a jewel in their crown when they get to heaven. Really!? That's why we want to receive eternal life? To receive jewels and a crown?

The Holy City of God is much more than the gold and precious jewels seen in John's vision. In this Holy City we will be totally reconciled, abiding with and in Him for all eternity. What can be more precious than that? What can be more precious than dwelling with and in Him; walking in His most intimate presence for all time?

May God help us to understand that He is to be treasured more than any silver or gold.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 14:1-5 144,000?

Rev 14:1-5 NIV
I cannot wait to meet these 144,000 who have never lied; who have remained virgins; who are completely blameless. Well, actually verse five says no lie was found in their mouths. In fact, all who believe in the life giving sacrifice of Jesus have had our sins washed away by the blood of the lamb. They no longer exist.

But, I am not sure if this 144,000 refers to all who have been saved by the sacrifice of Jesus or if this vision of 144,000 refers specifically to a sub-group of God's people.

Years ago, I studied with a group who believed that only 144,000 would enter into God's kingdom. The rest of us believers were going to get to live awesomely perfect and eternal lives here on earth. I couldn't quite get that picture into my head. You see, they already knew that the 144,000 slots had been filled and I was informed that I would not get to go to heaven. There was no room left for me. If I joined their church I would get to live here on earth with my family. That was a bit confusing as I am not sure who my family would be. Would that be my children and their children and all their spouses? Would it be my parents and siblings and their multitudes of spouses? How about my husband's family? Would we all be living under the same roof? I have to tell you just as I told them that I want to be with Jesus. I want to be with my Father in heaven. I do not want to live on a new earth no matter how perfect anyone suggests it might be. Eventually, I got shunned by this group of people for insisting living in God's presence would be much more desirable than living eternally in a new house, in a new world, here on earth.

144,000 or so many more than can even be counted, I believe that all who believe that Jesus is Lord will inherit their places in the Kingdom of God for that is what Jesus promised. There will be more than a few of us, who have been washed by the blood of the lamb, singing a new song.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 12 At War With Satan

Revelation 12 NIV
A great war breaks out in this vision of John between Michael's legion of angels and the dragon and his angels. Michael prevails and the great dragon, that ancient serpent who is called the devil or Satan, is hurled to the earth. Satan could not win against the angels of God so he attacks the people of God. But, neither can he prevail against God's chosen people. By the blood of the lamb, Satan and by the word of God that old serpent, the devil, will be defeated. He will not prevail. No evil can prevail against the Word of God. No evil can prevail over the blood of the lamb, who is Jesus the Christ.

Take heart, no matter how grim some of these visions may appear for humankind; they are good news for the Kingdom of God; for all who love our Lord and King and long to be with him forever.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 5: Lamb of God

Rev 5 NIV
"Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."

No one was found worthy to break the seal and open the scroll except for the lion of Judah who is the lamb of God. Jesus was deemed worthy because he was slain and with his blood he purchased for God people from every tribe and language and nation. (vs 9) He alone died for the sins of the world. He is worthy to be praised. And... in this vision of John, he is praised. Every creature in heaven and on earth praises him saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” (vs 13)

What an awesome vision this must have been! All people will come before the lamb who was slain for them. For those who have believed in him it will be a most joyous moment. For others it may not be quite so joyful. Jesus died for all people. He desires that all who would believe in him would follow him in his kingdom. He died for you. Receive him into your life. Enter into the kingdom of God as a priest to serve our God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

James 2:14-26 Works Follow Faith

James 2:14-26 NIV
It appears that Martin Luther had a bit of a problem with James. Given the state of the church that he belonged to, it was not unreasonable for him to worry that some might misunderstand James to say that we need faith plus works for salvation. This is not the case. The only good work that can save us is the work that Jesus completed on the cross for us. We are saved by faith in Christ alone!

However, if we truly believe that he died for our salvation, we will love him. We will love him so much that this love will overflow to us in service to others even as his love was so great he was willing to give even his life for us.  Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me." "Yes," Peter responded three times. Jesus said simply: “'Feed my lambs.' 'Take care of my sheep.' 'Feed my sheep.''' (John 21)

We are not saved by our works. But, we will care for his sheep if we truly love the one who gave himself for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hebrews 9 High Priest Enters the Sanctuary

Hebrews 9 NIV

Church of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
St. Petersburg, Russia

Under the first covenant God directed that a tabernacle be set up. This sanctuary made with human hands was only a copy of the true sanctuary of God. Within this sanctuary was an inner room in which only the high priest could enter. He could not enter this Most Holy Place without blood. With fear and trembling he would enter to offer the blood of animals for the unintentional sins of the people. This imperfect ritual had to be repeated over and over again for imperfect people.

But, when the Christ who is the high priest came he, himself, was the lamb that was sacrificed. The sacrifice did not take place in an earthly tabernacle. He went through the greater and most perfect tabernacle in heaven itself. He entered into the Most Perfect Holy Place willingly shedding his blood and giving his own life for the sins of the people. This most perfect sacrifice in the most perfect place needs no repeating. He died once for the many who would believe.

We live under a new covenant established for us by the great high priest, Jesus the Christ. Through the offering of his blood our sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God we need have no to fear to enter into the heavenly tabernacle which has been opened to us by the blood of the lamb. We have been redeemed by the blood of the lamb; by the blood of the Great High Priest, himself.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 21:15-25 Feed My Sheep

John 21:15-25 NIV
If you love me, feed my lambs... feed my sheep... feed my lambs. If you love me, follow me.

Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times. Now, he is called to affirm that he truly does love Jesus the same number of times that he denied him.  What is more, Jesus tells him to feed his flock; show the world that he is his follower by feeding his lambs, feeding his sheep. Go forth, following in his footsteps, doing the things that he has done. Feed his people both physically and spiritually. He is to follow Jesus and take up his cross, even to death.

We too, have denied Jesus in many ways and for most of us many more times than Peter did. What will we do to show the world that we truly love the one who was willing to die for the sins of all people?  How will we testify to this great love? Will we take up our cross? Will we follow, feeding his sheep along the way?

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 1:29-42

John 1:29-42 NIV
"Look, the Lamb of God!"

Twice, John see Jesus' and witnesses to those around him that Jesus is the Lamb of God. He testifies that Jesus is God's Chosen One. Because of John's testimony Andrew and his brother Simon Peter became followers Jesus. They became his disciples.

Have you told anyone about the "Lamb of God" lately? How many disciples can say it was your testimony that pointed them to Jesus? Remember the "Great Commission"?

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of  the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (John 21:19-20)

Go and witness to the love of God in Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. Go and witness to what He has done for us in giving His life for us. Go and make disciples for surely the "Lamb of God" the great "I AM" is with you always.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 18:15-30 Get Rid of the Baggage

Luke 18:15-30 NIV
According to Jesus, the way to enter the kingdom of God would be like a little child. That would be unencumbered by the riches of the world; free of all the baggage that we pick up in this world. A little child owns nothing (although some of them think they do). Get rid of the baggage and follow Him into the Kingdom. You cannot get into the kingdom carrying all of your stuff in packs on your back. It would be like a pack camel fully loaded trying to get through the eye of needle. Some have surmised that this "eye of the needle" refers to a very narrow gate in Jerusalem.

Leave the stuff behind you, your sins have been washed away by the blood of the lamb, that you might walk freely and unencumbered through the gate into the eternal kingdom.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 22:23-33 - Married To Man Or To The Lamb

We have today one of my many favorite scripture readings.

First, we need to make note that the Sadducees were once again testing Jesus as they did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. I understand that is why they were "sad, you see?" (sorry, couldn't resist temptation)

Secondly, I have never quite figured out how this desire to be reunited with our family after death has become such a priority in our concept of the Kingdom of God. I imagine that this imaginary widow may have (or may not have) loved at least one or more of these seven brothers. She may (or may not have) genuinely grieved the loss of every one one of them. My personal desire is to be reconciled to God first and then all my brothers and sisters in Christ. As, I have said, on many occasions previously. "There is a blood that is thicker than blood. It is the blood of Christ shed for you." All who believe will be and are united with God and with one another in the Kingdom of God.

Years ago, I studied with a certain Christian sect. They were pretty insistent that in the New World we would live with our families. I just could never figure out which family that was. I would live in the same house with my husband and children, my husband's parents and their children and their children; as well as my sisters and their children and their multiple husbands' parents and all of their brothers and sisters and children. Families could get quite large and I could just never figure the point of it all. Sounds just a might carnal for a spiritual kingdom to me. But, that's just me. I'm thinking that maybe (just maybe) in the Kingdom of Heaven we will find amazing joy and the peace that surpasses all understanding; as we find ourselves in the presence of God.

The marriage I am looking for in the Kingdom is found in Revelation 19:9: "Then the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' And he added, 'These are the true words of God.'"

God's Peace - Pr. J

Isaiah 65 - God Calls Even The Lion And Wolf

“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me;
    I was found by those who did not seek me.
To a nation that did not call on my name,
    I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’" (Isa 65:1 NIV))

The LORD chose us. He chose to reveal Himself to those who did not know Him, even those who did not seek Him. God does what He does simply because He is God.

Verse 24 tells us "Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear." Often as I finish a prayer rather than say something like: Lord, in your mercy, hear my prayer; I thank God for in His mercy, He has heard my prayer and answered. That is, I use the past tense, knowing that God has already accomplished it. God knows what we need. He knows what we want. He knows way in advance of us even knowing it. Therefore, we confirm that He has heard our prayers and answered even before we asked. We may not be able to comprehend that answer at the time we ask it, but we are confident that He has heard and answered. That's just God. He can do that. We cannot.

He can even cause the wolf and the lamb to feed together, the lion to quit preying on others. Imagine that! Nothing is impossible with God! After all, look what He was able to accomplish through Saul, that is St. Paul! He makes peace within His kingdom. He reconciles even the most unlikely characters simply because He is God and that is what He chooses to do.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Isaiah 11 - The Wolf Will Live With The Lamb As A Little Child Leads Us

A blog can't even begin to touch these marvelous prophecies of Isaiah! They are the predictions of not only Israel from the Assyrians, but they look even more forward than that.  The Davidic line will be no more than a stump, the tree having been cut down. But, from that lineage which has been pretty much decimated, will spring forth a branch, a leader, a king, who wears righteousness as his belt and faithfulness as a sash around his waist. (Isa 11:5 NIV) Isaiah predicts the coming Messiah, who is Jesus the Christ.

The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.
The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lordas the waters cover the sea. (Isa 11:6-9)

I find it providential that this lesson is coming up today, even as I have been working on another blog article regarding the wolf. In it, I ponder how to discern the difference between a sheep and a wolf in sheep's clothing and how dangerous it is to the flock to knowingly allow a wolf in disguise to be active in a congregation. So, as I consider this chapter from Isaiah, I wonder if the time has come that has been prophesied where the figurative wolves and the sheep (lamb) can live in peace alongside one another, doing God's will. You all know what I'm talking about. There are wolves in almost every congregation and some of them border on being very carnivorous. They are those antagonists who smile a lot, yet manage to stir up a lot of divisions between the members and sometimes even between the members and the pastor. They come disguised as a little lamb, but inside are ravenous wolves. Yet, God manages to bring it all around to a good purpose and even what seems to be the worse case scenario to us, where the congregation actually closes its doors, maybe in the long run we will see the good that God intended from that, as well. All I know is that somehow He manages to produce fruit through even the wolves. Wolves, sheep, lion, ox, cow, bear all gathering together. Even I can be a bear, at times. In fact, I'm thinking, would I rarely, except maybe by some of our youngest children ever be likened to anything as peaceful as a lamb. We live together, as the one who came to us as a little child, leads us. (Isa 11:6)

Peace is good. It is very good, indeed! May the righteousness of God be the rule in our lives. May peace abide in us and we in the Prince of Peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J 

2 Chronicles 35 - End of a Faithful Leader

Once more we see the end of a faithful king.  Although, it seems we haven't seen too many faithful kings!  God had promised Josiah that he would not see the suffering that God was about to bring on the people for the sins of their fathers, for the sins of the people.  To put it bluntly - Josiah is killed.  He is dead and the people grieve for this king who tried to make things right between them and the LORD.  He did what was right and the people loved him.

Can you imagine that Passover Feast?  Josiah and the leaders of the people were so concerned that God be worshipped; that the Passover be observed; and that the people's sins were covered by the blood of the Passover lamb that they, themselves, gave the sacrifices that were to be offered for the lay people.  Now that is a great king! Seems to me, that is what the King of Kings also did, for us.  But, in this latter case, the Passover Lamb was Himself and the blood was His own.  He was willing to give all for the people.

Josiah did what was right in the sight of God and the people loved him.  Tomorrow, in our final chapter in 2 Chronicles, we will see Jerusalem fall under the leadership of a king who will not do what is right in God's eyes.

There is a moral to this story (probably more than one).  It would be good if the leaders of our various countries would hear the stories of what has happened to countries whose kings would not lead them according to God's will.

May we set aside our meager false gods and worship the one true God that it may be well with us and our children and their's.

God's Peace - Judy