New Day

"So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" 2 Cor 5:17 NRSV

Who doesn't need start fresh every now and then? 2015 is behind us. A whole new day; a whole new year is before us.

We all make mistakes. We all sin. We all hurt others wittingly and unwittingly. We often carry this baggage with us. Guilty consciences often affect our relationships with God and with one another. In spite of the fact that we know that God forgives us all of our sins; sometimes, we have a difficult time forgiving ourselves.  Today is a new day. Receive the forgiveness that Christ so willing purchased for you on the cross that you might be reconciled to God and to one another. Let not this gift given at the cost of Jesus' blood be given in vain. Receive it! Rejoice! For in Christ, everything, including you, has become new.

God's Peace - Pr. J

 

New Year Thanksgiving

Another year has come and gone. My husband and I have taken to celebrating New Year's Eve with our son, John, and his wife, Jessica at a fund-raiser ball for Jessica in Beaufort, SC. Jessica has cystic fibrosis and received a double lung transplant during the fall of 2014. That does not mean that the cystic fibrosis has gone away. But, now she can breathe again, at least for a few more years, without being connected to an oxygen tank. Cystic fibrosis, itself, is not curable. She will be under her doctors' watchful eyes and on medications for the rest of her life. The co-pays for the medications and hospital visits are astronomical. They cost more a month than many people that I know earn per month. Thus, the fund-raiser.

The first successful double lung transplant occurred in 1986. Modern medicine is amazing. Human kind is always striving to better the lives of those who suffer. God gives to each of us gifts. I give thanks this new year that God has given to so many the gift of healing through knowledge (another gift) of modern medicine. I give thanks for the many caring and generous people who have helped Jessica on her journey.

May God bless us, this year, with even more knowledge and advancements in the various sciences so that there might be found a cure for the many incurable diseases that presently exist.

God's Peace - Pr. J

If you'd like to know more about Jessica go to http://cotaforteamjessicam.com/

A New Year; A New Path?

"Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:16, 18-19

Today is the eve of the new year. It is a time when we typically take stock of the previous year and plan for a new and better year ahead. It can be a good thing to remember where we have been and what we have done. We can give thanks for the good things and resolve not to repeat the bad things. Remembering the past can help us with the future. But, it is not always such a wise thing to cling to the past. Forget it. Forgive yourself and others. It is time to move forward. The Lord has a new life in store for all who may have lost their way this past year.

May God help us to follow in His way in this new year that we might celebrate life in Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Only One Way

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NRSV

There are no short-cuts. There is no magic involved in being reconciled to our Father and Creator. There is only one way and that is through Jesus the Christ.

It never ceases to amaze me how many people will pick up new age rituals or beliefs thinking that this is going to make them more spiritual or that it will be another path toward reaching the Kingdom of God. There is only one way. The path is not always easy. There will be those who choose to get in our face and try to steer us on another road. Sometimes, we may even listen and get side-tracked for awhile. But, for those who truly believe; for those who have a relationship with God our Father and our Lord Jesus they will soon recognize that the road is leading them somewhere that they do not want to go. They will hear the good shepherd calling them and turn back to the path that he sets before them.

There is only one way to the Father. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Follow him so that you might live life more abundantly as you abide in God's presence.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Confess; Live Life In Christ

Fourthly.
What does such baptizing with water signify?--Answer.

It signifies that the old Adam in us should, by daily contrition and repentance, be drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts, and, again, a new man daily come forth and arise; who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Where is this written?--Answer.

St. Paul says Romans, chapter 6: We are buried with Christ by Baptism into death, that, like as He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

 

We all sin. But, that does not mean we should go around carrying that old hurtful, ugliness with us into each new day that we encounter. If our sin is not let go of, that nasty baggage will just keep piling up and steal away our new life. There is only one who can rid us of our sin. He died for that purpose on the cross. In Jesus, your sins are forgiven! They are completely washed away; drowned in the waters of baptism by the Word.

 

Because of our sinful natures, we continue to be tempted and we continue to sin. St. John reminds us, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:8-9) If we do not recognize and confess that we have sinned, it is tantamount to saying that we have no need of forgiveness and that Jesus died in vain.  Therefore; we should daily set aside time and take a good look at how we have sinned against God and others; not to revel in our sinful ways; but, in order that we can bring them before God and have them permanently eradicated. We do not need to carry them into the new day.

 

We recall our sins of yesterday and ask God to give us the strength to not continue in those sins so that we might live life more fully in a manner that will glorify Him. We remember them and then thank God that He has forgiven us through Jesus the Christ with the full assurance that we are forgiven indeed. Our sins are no more. God has forgiven and forgotten them and so should we so that we don't carry that nasty life draining baggage into the new day. 

 

It is very dangerous to cling to our sins. Our sins are like a wall that separate us from God and from one another. The wall gets thicker and taller each day. Because Jesus died for us there are those who would say it doesn't matter what they do and continue to intentionally live sinning and separating themselves from God and one another. They do not and maybe cannot recognize the damage that they do to themselves and the ones they purportedly love around them.

 

You, who have been baptized into the Body of Christ know that you were baptized not just into his death; but, into his life. The old man was drowned in baptism. Your sins were drowned in baptism. They do not need to be resurrected; but, you do. Live life in Christ!

 

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

Hebrews 8 - Covenant of Love

Hebrews 8

The New Covenant in Christ gives life!

Jesus established the new covenant making the old one obsolete. The old covenant consisted of law. It consisted of what we must do. In following the law; although, we often try, we all fail miserably. So, in His wisdom and love God, sent His Son, as high priest, to make the ultimate sacrifice for us establishing this new covenant between God and man.

This new covenant is not about what we must do; but, what God has done for us.

Thanks be God for His love and mercy is great!

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Corinthians 2:6-16 United With The Mind of Christ

1 Corinthians 2:6-16 NIV
Others may not have a clue to the mysteries that we have comprehended and sometimes we may forget that they don't. We expect them to understand what we might even call "common sense." But, it is not common sense that leads us to follow Jesus and to discern God's will for us. It is the Spirit of God who does this.

By the Spirit of God we are united in Christ. We are one. We who are of the Body of Christ have the mind of Christ. He is our head. Is it any wonder that we should be able to discern the things that come from God?

My prayer this New Year's Day is that God would open eyes, ears, hearts, and minds that all whom we love would be able to discern God's gracious and loving will for them and for all people.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Malachi 1 - Unwanted Fruitcake; God's Offering?

     We have finally come to the last prophet and the last book of the Old Testament. Next week we will begin to read the New Testament. I am relieved in a sense that the many dire warning from God will cease.  Well, no, they will not actually cease.  We are warned over and over again in the New Testament to turn to the LORD and to give God the glory; but, we will see much more grace as we hear about the God who was willing to die for our sakes. We will hear much more of the Good News of God's reign in the Kingdom inherited by us, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
     That is what Malachi, chapter one is about: sacrifice. God is not at all happy with the sacrifices of the people or the priests. They do not bring the first fruits. They bring defiled food. They bring blemished animals to the altar of the LORD. Can you imagine giving God our left-overs? Of course we can! It's like giving God that fruitcake that we got for Christmas, that we didn't want. So, instead of the trash can, you give it to God. The Good News, that we know, is that God, Himself, will provide the unblemished lamb, His only begotten Son, as a sacrifice for us. What we have failed to do, God has done for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

BTW - I love fruitcake!

Amos 9 - God's Promise Thru Amos

After many warnings of destruction to those who do not listen to God, Amos ends with a promise.

“In that day

'I will restore David’s fallen shelter—
    I will repair its broken walls
    and restore its ruins—
    and will rebuild it as it used to be,
so that they may possess the remnant of Edom
    and all the nations that bear my name,^'
declares the Lord, who will do these things.

'The days are coming,' declares the Lord,

'when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman
    and the planter by the one treading grapes.
New wine will drip from the mountains
    and flow from all the hills,
    and I will bring my people Israel back from exile.'" (Amos 9:11:14 NIV)

 

God's awesome promises - the Good News of His Kingdom - is for all nations who will bear His name. Shall we then bear His Holy Name - proclaim it to all people - that all might live in His loving grace?

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezekiel 47-48 - Now God's People

“You are to distribute this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners residing among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel." (Ezekiel 47:21-22 NIV)

We have come to the final vision in Ezekiel. He is given a vision of the restored Jerusalem. In that restored Jerusalem, the land is allotted not only to the Israelites, but to all the foreigners who reside among them who have children. They are to be considered Israelites.

The Book of Ezekiel ends in much the same was as the Book of Revelation in the New Testament. John, too, had a revelation of a new Jerusalem. In both, there is a tree-lined river. In Revelation it is for the healing of the nations. That is, for many people of different nations. In both Ezekiel and Revelation, those people who were not God's people, are welcomed among God's people.

As God desires that we live in harmony with one another, may His Kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezekiel 40 - 42 - Visions of New Temples

We're covering three chapters today simply because I really cannot get into trying to comprehend all the measurements!

In this vision Ezekiel is given a vision of a new temple. Ezekiel is instructed to make sure he relays every detail of the vision including every dimension of everything he is shown. Lot's of measurements to remember, way too many for me!  In any case, God delivers a detailed blueprint of the new temple to the people through Ezekiel's vision.

So we too have been given a blueprint, of sorts, through the vision of St. John: "I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple." (Rev 21:22 NIV)

The temple of God is no longer just a building made of bricks and mortar by human hands. According to St. Paul: "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." (Eph 2:19-22)

The Lamb, who is Jesus the Christ, is the temple and as we are members of the living Body of the Christ; we are the temple of God.  As St. Paul wrote: "Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?" (1 Corinth 3:16)

How awesome is that!? God is with you now and always as "there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Eph 4:4)

Now, is that not Good News!?

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Ezekiel 38 - God Has The Victory

Gog and Magog will gather with their allies against God's people. This is the word of the LORD. It is apparently being done so that everyone will know that the LORD is God for in the end they will not prevail. God will help His people. He will deliver them from the hand of the enemy.

Just as trial and tribulations have come to the old covenant church, they come to those in the new covenant as well. We should not unduly worry or fear troubles that comes to us here. Jesus promised us this:  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)

No matter what or who attacks you, know this: God is with you. Even at times when you might think that the enemy is prevailing, know this: God will always have the victory!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Jeremiah 31 - Old & New Covenants

More good news! The people will be restored. They will be reconciled to the land that God has given them. But, even more importantly they will be reconciled to God.

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
    “when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel
    and with the people of Judah.
It will not be like the covenant
    I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
    to lead them out of Egypt,
because they broke my covenant,
    though I was a husband to them,”
declares the Lord.
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
    after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put my law in their minds
    and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people." (Jer 31:31-33 NIV)

God's people broke the old covenant (contract) that they had with Him. Essentially, they attempted to divorce Him and marry others. They went chasing after false idols. Still, God loves them and wants them to be restored to Him. This prophecy was written for those in exile at the time, but it also pertains to us and any future generations that might follow. He desires that we be reconciled to Him in a loving relationship. He desires to be our God and that we should be His people. Under the old covenant we cannot be restored. But, in His mercy, He sent His only begotten Son to be the new covenant with and for us. Thanks be to God! We are restored and reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, our LORD!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Isaiah 24 - Grandfatherly Figure; Not!

If everyone actually read the old testament, maybe, we would appreciate and not take for granted the new covenant that has come to us through Jesus the Christ, just a little bit more.

I don't know how many times I've had people tell me that they just can't believe in a grandfatherly figure sitting up some where up on the clouds. Read the old testament and you will find a picture of God that they probably did not teach you in Sunday School.

The picture that Isaiah 24 paints is one of devastation for the people of the earth. The earth has been defiled by the people according to this prophecy and their will be consequences.  But, there is good news in this chapter as well. There is good news for those who love their creator and redeemer. "The moon will be dismayed, the sun ashamed; for the Lord Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before its elders—with great glory." (Isa 24:23)

You see, it doesn't really matter whether you believe or not. It doesn't change God one iota. God is still God and He will reign! Worship the LORD, your God and give Him thanks for He has sent One and only One to redeem the world.

God's Peace - Pr. J