Love One Another

"For this is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." 1 John 3:11 

My youngest granddaughter, who is a teen-ager, spent the weekend with me. It has been some time since she has been with me on a Sunday morning. She expressed a desire to come again next Sunday and thought she could volunteer to read lessons and maybe even join the church choir. "I like it there," she had told me. "Everyone is so friendly."

Out in the world things can get pretty rough on young people. People can be so mean without even realizing they are being so cold and heartless. Young people are often brought up thinking that putting other people down is a normal way of life. They have been taught nothing else. If you'd like your children to be able to experience a caring environment bring them to your local church. Worship with them. Hear the Word with them within the community of saints. Guide them as they experience fellowship with the saints in your local congregation. We are not perfect by any means. We make mistakes. We sin. But, with the help of God, we are learning and striving to love even as God loves us; even as God loves you.  

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hand of the Lord

I will open rivers on the bare heights,
    and fountains in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
    and the dry land springs of water.
I will put in the wilderness the cedar,
    the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive;
I will set in the desert the cypress,
    the plane and the pine together,
so that all may see and know,
    all may consider and understand,
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
    the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Isaiah 41:18-20 NRSV




The promises of the Lord are as numerous as the stars in the sky that He created. He created all things. He created even the wilderness which we find ourselves wandering through. The hand of the Lord has done this. Give thanks to the Lord for all His promises; his gifts, to humankind.

God's Peace - Pr. J

One Body Throughout The World

Preaching in Laskela, Russia; to my left is Rev. Antti Lepisto
serving as Finnish Interpreter; while member of church to my
right interpreted in Russian.

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all." Eph 4:1-6

It does not matter where you live geographically; if we live within the Body of Christ, we are members of the same body. We are not separate; but, one in Christ.

Very many years ago, I visited Russian Karelia on a mission trip. I found the region to be very much like the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I also found the people to be very much like the people who live here, as well. They were struggling with very much the same issues; except that their poverty level was much greater than our at the time.

It saddens me that as countries and their leaders battle for political supremacy it seems that sometimes we forget about the people there. It is as if foreign countries are inanimate objects; without flesh and blood or the Spirit. We sometimes seem to forget the many faithful brothers and sisters that live throughout the world. The Body of Christ is beyond comprehension. The members are spread throughout the world. They are in: Syria; Russia; Cuba; Iran; Iraq; Africa; India... They are everywhere; and, yes, even here in the United States. There is only One Body. So let us not forget in our prayers the many members of that body who suffer persecution. As we form our personal political agendas; let love and concern for our brothers and sisters in Christ; as well as for all people, guide our hearts, minds, and our actions.

Jesus died so that all who would believe; might have eternal life in His Kingdom. As Christians, may God help us to remember the "all" that lives in every country and kingdom even here on earth.

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

Ephesians 4:1-17 One Body

Ephesians 4:1-17 NIV
"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." (vs 4-6)

We may be many; yet, we are one in Christ. We are united in His Body as we abide in him and he in us. We, who are members of this Body of Christ have been called and equipped for service in order that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Do you see what that means? Although our good works contributes nothing toward our salvation; we are called to serve the whole body according to the gifts that have been given to us as individuals for the edification and growth of the body of Christ, who is the Church, who is Jesus the Christ. (vs 12-13)

We must all serve in unity, according to the will of God, with the mind of Christ, who is our head, in order for this maturity to happen. What I've witnessed all too often is that when one person tries to do it all nothing much gets accomplished. Too many frying pans in the fire at one time being handled by one person and something is liable to get left undone or burned. Many congregations and even denominations are like that. We equip only a few for service and growth, if there is any, is slow. It's because some of the members of the body of Christ aren't working.

Consider the times that you may have injured an arm or a leg, maybe you had a lung infection or other illness that affected one part of your body. Did that one member of your body not slow you down; maybe, even stop you from doing anything? 

We are all members of one body, meant to work in unity and unison so that the whole body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and knowledge and Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

So lets get with it and equip all of the saints! Train the members of the body so that together we might grow in Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. So much in these 17 verses, one can barely begin to cover the enormity of what they mean for us in a simple blog. Read them and pray for a greater understanding often.

1 Corinthians 1:10-17 Follow Jesus

1 Corinthians 1:10-17 NIV
Good reminder this morning:

1. Only one church. We are all united by Christ, in Christ. We are all baptized into the Body of Christ.

2. We don't need to and should not be worried about who in this world we follow. We shouldn't be following anyone here on earth. We don't need false gods. We don't have time to be arguing about which denomination we belong to. There are differences and that is why there are many denominations. Yet, there is only one Body of Christ. Quit worrying so much about the differences and use the time you would have spent trying to divide to get down to the business at hand and that is proclaiming the gospel.

3. Follow Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Romans 12:3-8 Many Members; One Body

Romans 12:3-8 NIV
Many members; one Body... When I speak to stewardship, I often refer to this concept of Paul's regarding there being many members of the Body in Christ. Each member has gifts given to them by God to serve God and to edify the whole Body. As Christ served humbly, so we are to use our gifts to serve humbly; acknowledging that without the combined gifts of others, our gifts would come to naught. When one member considers their gifts to be greater than another's (due to inflated ego; rather, than service in humility) and starts micro-managing, controlling the gifts of others, lording over others; then I usually get to see division among the members. The Body must serve in unison so that God might be glorified.

May God grant help us to serve with humility, even as Jesus humbled himself in order to save humanity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 10:22-42 Hear and Believe

John 10:22-42 NIV
There are definitely days when I would like a little clearer direction from our Father. Maybe, I'm not paying close enough attention or just maybe I don't want to hear what He has to say to me. Either way, there are times when I would like Him to tell me "plainly" what exactly it is that He would have me do. Sometimes, I get it. Sometimes, I don't until after the fact.

I have also been told by more than a few that they just have a very difficult time understanding what scripture says or means when it is read during worship. They don't get it. At least, not yet. But, they will as long as they continue to hear the Word, they will get it for faith comes by hearing.

The Jews wanted a plain response from Jesus. His parables and the way he just generally talked about things were not easily comprehended by everyone. They didn't get it.

But, many did get it. Many do understand that the Father and the Son are one. Many hear and believe. (Romans 10:17)

Join your local congregation this morning (it is Sunday) for Worship, hear the Word, and believe.

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.

Isaiah 54 - Your Maker Is Your Husband

Now, here is one for those who find themselves alone a lot. At least I relied on it, a lot, in my younger years, when my husband spent more time away from home than he spent at home. We figured it out once. In 21 years, he was gone at least 3/4's of the time. That is, he was either in the field, on a ship, in training in some other country, or on an 18 month (or longer) deployment somewhere. We didn't even begin to count the overnight duties he pulled. The life of a military spouse (and their children) can get pretty lonely. Fortunately, I had two sons with me. Any other relatives were about a thousand miles away. I turned to the church so that our sons and I would have family. It was by wading (or waddling) through those years, that I have come to believe and know that there is a blood that is thicker than blood. It is the blood of Christ that is shed for you. I believe that it was this alone time that opened up the door to my seeking the LORD on a closer and more personal basis (or maybe it was finally opening the door and letting Him in). It was during one of the loneliest times that I finally came to know Jesus as my Redeemer. It was in preparation for an even lonelier and most desolate time that I finally met the Holy Spirit (face to face, so to speak). I spent a lot of time over the years affirming Isaiah 54:5-8 (NIV) for myself. It brought much comfort and ultimately, it helped me to learn to love and trust in the LORD more fully. Maybe it will help at least one of you, so I share it.

For your Maker is your husband—
    the Lord Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
    he is called the God of all the earth.
The Lord will call you back
    as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit—
a wife who married young,
    only to be rejected,” says your God.
“For a brief moment I abandoned you,
    but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
In a surge of anger
    I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting kindness
    I will have compassion on you,”
    says the Lord your Redeemer.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

 

Ecclesiastes 4 - Slow or Faster? Cheetahs and Bombs

Have you seen the latest commercials for the AT&T Apple IPhones? Beck Bennet and a group of children sit around a table discussing things like which is better. Would the children rather have more or less? Is slow or faster better. They, of course, all think that more and faster are are better. The line I love comes in the commercial when they discuss how to make grandma faster. The little boy says: "Tape a cheetah to her back."

Yes, there are times when this grandma wishes she was a little faster and that there was a little more of me to go around to get everything done that I'd like done. I have found that as I have slowed down, more is not better. More means more work. More means more to take care of. Thanks be to God that there are others around me to work with me. I don't need a cheetah taped to my back, although that might prove to be a real interesting experience...

Solomon writes: 
"Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."  (Eccl 4:9-12 NIV)

Two can definitely be better than one. It is good to have someone there to help you in your labors, to pick you up when you fall, to comfort, and to help defend you.  Two is better than one, but it is not perfect. Sometimes when there is more and no matter how fast you are stuff still happens.

Yesterday, April 15, 2013, at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, two bombs exploded. There were many people there. It was a crowd.Which meant even more got hurt. In just a flash, over 140 were hurt and at least 3 were killed in the blasts. 

Two might have been able to defend themselves in Solomon's time. In many cases today, it is just not so. Technology has made our arms able to destroy many more, much faster. Technology has done some great things. It has given us some awesome ways to communicate with one another more and faster. But, technology has provided humankind faster and easier ways to destroy one another, as well. Technology has provided humankind ways to be inhumane without even being present. It is possible for multitudes to be murdered without even realizing that they were in danger. ...with no opportunity to defend themselves.

Two are better than one in many cases. We could afford a few more allies. But, more is not always better when you're gathered together as one target. Yesterday, my desire to live in relative isolation was affirmed.

It might be helpful if I were a bit faster. I really appreciate that the internet is much faster than it was a decade ago. But, still, some things may be better faster, but not all.

There is way too much evil being done under the sun. Let there be peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J