2 Corinthians 8 Give Joyfully!

2 Corinthians 8 NIV
I am sure glad that this lesson came up today. I paid all of our bills for the month a couple of days ago. I don't know how I did it; but, I forgot to write a check for our offering to the church. That hasn't happened in years! Offerings are usually the first checks that I write. Then I pay the bills. I learned to do this because sometimes when I wrote the check to the church last, I would find the checkbook very lean and would really have work hard at convincing myself not to give less. In order to avoid not being a joyful giver; I give first; before I start paying my obligations to electric and gas companies, mortgage companies, hospitals, etc..

St. Paul encourages the church to give generously out of love. It is for the sake of the gospel that we give - that all people might know the love of God through Jesus Christ. Our mission is; after all, to proclaim the gospel to all people and that is not a small job. There have been times over the years when I've heard excuses for withholding offerings like "The church needs  a new (you name it) and instead we're sending it to support (you name the mission or need). Until the council gets their priorities straight, I'm not giving any more." The truth of the matter is that congregations do not exist to serve themselves. They exist to serve Jesus. They exist to reach out with the good news of his love for all people whether that is in word or deed. If they are hungry; whether it be, for spiritual or physical food; feed them. Just as Christ fed the multitudes with the word and with loaves and fish; he continues to feed them through the church; through you. Do not withhold your offerings because of self-serving thoughts that we ought to serve ourselves before our neighbor. Jesus did not do this. His first followers did not do this. Why would we? Give joyfully so that all might see the love of God in Christ Jesus through you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 20:13-38 The Way Is Not A Walk In The Park

Acts 20:13-38 NIV
Is it not the hope of any parent, whether physical or spiritual, that those whom we have taught will follow in The Way? To bring them up in The Way so that they too might revel in the love of Jesus to the degree that their heart's desire is to share the Good News of the Kingdom with others. The primary work of a disciples or a follower of Jesus is to make more disciples; more followers, of Jesus.

Paul has taught the people of Ephesus. He has discipled them. But, now on his way to Jerusalem to face much persecution he calls the elders of the church in Ephesus to himself. It is pretty much his permanent earthly farewell to them quite like Jesus warned his disciples of his impending death. But, Paul is not concerned for himself. His only goal is to finish the task the Lord Jesus gave to him. He has gathered the elders to encourage them to continue in The Way; shepherding the people; making disciples, when he is gone. He knows that he will in all probability be put to death; yet, his life is nothing to him compared to preaching the Kingdom through Jesus. Nothing has nor will stand in Paul's way of testifying to the good news of God's grace.

Paul faced many hardships. Those who are faithful to testifying to the Kingdom of God in Christ Jesus will face hardships. The Way is really not a walk in the park. It can be most difficult. Not everyone wants to hear the truth. There will be those even among the flock who will make it most difficult for this testimony to be heard. There will be wolves in sheep's clothing to confront. There will be persecutions. But, God is with you. The Spirit of God will guide you in the way even as the Spirit led Paul.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Please remember to read the scripture of the day. Just click on the scripture link at the top of the blog.

Acts 13:4-12 Darkness for Children of the Devil

Acts 13:4-12 NIV
Bar-Jesus (Elymas the sorcerer) was spiritually blind. He was a Jew; in spite of the fact that Jews were forbidden to participate in any type of sorcery. Bar-Jesus worked hard at keeping Proconsul Sergius Paulus from accepting the truth about Jesus the Christ that Barnabas and Saul (also called Paul here) proclaimed. Paul confronted the sorcerer; calling him a child of the devil. He cursed Bar-Jesus with physical blindness for a time.

Of all people, Paul would have understood what it meant to have been spiritually blind. For once his eyes were shut to the truth, as well. His spiritual blindness had been healed as God had given  him physical blindness for a time, as well. The scriptures do not say whether Bar-Jesus came to accept the truth about Jesus the Christ. But, his physical blindness due to Paul's confrontation definitely convinced Sergius Paulus of the truthfulness of Paul's proclamation.

The inability to accept spiritual healing and wholeness sometimes leads to physical ailments even today.  It is not all that unusual for the darkness within us to overwhelm our physical beings, as well. When we choose to act like children of the devil, by undermining the Word of God, we should not be surprised when darkness surrounds us, either.

May God grant us healing and wholeness of body, mind and spirit.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 9:1-19 Saul's Eyes Opened

Acts 9:1-19 NIV
God can heal anyone he chooses of blindness. God can call whomever He chooses to serve Him. Here is the story of Saul's spiritual healing; his conversion. On the way to Damascus, this murderous enemy of God and God's people has an encounter with the ascended Jesus. He has, in short, a conversion experience. Saul loses his physical sight even as he gains spiritual insight. Through yet another vision to him; as well as a vision to a disciple named Ananias; he regains his physical vision even he is filled with the Holy Spirit. This man, who just days earlier, is on his way to destroy Christians, desires and is baptized into the Body of Christ. He receives the Holy Spirit, is baptized and sets forth on the mission God has called him to; to proclaim the Word to the gentiles and kings and all of Israel. In just one encounter with the Lord he is converted from persecutor to persecuted.

And, so we pray for our enemies, even as Stephen prayed for his in the moments he was being stoned to death. We pray and hope that the Lord would call, even our worst enemies, to serve him. It can happen. Just read the story of Saul (whom we know as St. Paul) and you will have hope even for those who would destroy the church on earth. One can never know whose eyes God will open or whom He will call.

Again, it is said that we should love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. (Matt 5:4)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Mark 9:1-13 Rising From The Dead

They had just seen Moses and Elijah talking to Jesus on the mountain. Moses and Elijah had both died long before; yet, the three disciples had seen them with their own eyes talking with Jesus.

"As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant." (Mark 9:9-10 NIV)

We still discuss this among ourselves today. What does it mean to rise from the dead? Is it a spiritual awakening? Is it a physical resurrection? For Jesus, it meant that even though he died a physical death and was buried; he rose from the dead. He lives, again! Yet, in the garden when Mary was looking for Jesus, she did not recognize her until he called her by name. Had his physical appearance changed so much? How did those three disciples even recognize Moses and Elijah on the mountain? They had never met them. There were no photographs of them for the disciples to have seen. Yet, they recognized them.

It is most certainly a physical resurrection with a transfiguration as we see in the case of Jesus. But, there is a spiritual resurrection that occurs, as well. Through faith, the old Adam dies and the new man in Christ arises. We shall live, not in the darkness of the tomb; but, in the light of the living Christ. Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 9 - Your Sins Are Forgiven

We have, in chapter five, six different episodes or movements. Jesus is busy healing both physically and spiritually. In the episode in which he is eating with the tax collector Matthew whom he has called to "follow" him, Jesus is questioned regarding eating with sinners. His response connects the physically ill with spiritually ill:  "On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matt 9:12-13 NIV)

Sadly, I have witnessed many a person who, for whatever reason, do not have as full relationships with Jesus Christ as they could have. Although, they confess Christ, they have not quite gotten to the place where they fully trust him for their daily needs; to forgive them their trespasses; or that the kingdom has come for them, even now, through his death and resurrection. They live day to day, suffering in many ways; without really being able to enjoy the life that God has given to them. Ultimately; although, they are still quite young, they are quite worn out spiritually, emotionally, as well as physically.

This is definitely not to say that we don't need doctors. God has provided us some tremendous gifts in the advancement of medicine and many men and women who know how to apply that knowledge and gifts. It is a reminder that the physical and spiritual work hand in hand. When our spirits are low, often we are more susceptible to physical ailments and when we are physically ill our spirits are in danger of becoming ill as well. The whole person must be cared for. In order to be made whole, we need to be able to hear and receive these words: "Your sins are forgiven."

Jesus did a lot of wandering around, getting in trouble, for forgiving the sins of others. Ultimately, he died on the cross to take away the sins of the world. "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2) He died that we might be made whole.

But, there is a whole world out there that does not know this. They do not the great and awesome works of God. Someone must tell them.

"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matt 9:35-37)

As Jesus, called that sinful tax collector, Matthew, to follow him, so he calls you. Will you follow? Will you have compassion on those who are harassed, helpless, and like sheep without a shepherd. Is the Lord of the harvest, asking you to go out into his harvest field?

But... before you head out to that harvest field; take this bit of knowledge with you: your sins are forgiven you, too, in the name of Jesus Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Proverbs 24 - Too Much Sleep=Poverty

Hunting Island Lighthouse
 

Sayings 20 - 30 and more...


God provides us with many opportunities. He provides opportunities to do good or not to do good. He provides us with opportunities to work and to build up our houses, as well. He provides us with opportunities to build up our lives.

What will we do with these opportunities? 

"A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. "Provers 24:33-34.  

This poverty can be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual.  Most often, I have seen that it can lead to poverty of all of the above. Poverty of any of these, due to sleeping too much, (that would be laziness) can eventually lead to the poverty of all.

There is another thing that I, quite often, hear that people desire and for whatever reason has been eluding them: that is to know what God's will is for them. The Psalms remind us that the word of God is the light which will help us on His way. "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." (Psalm 119:105) Read the Holy Scriptures and you will hear His merciful and graceful word, His will, for you. You will understand the wisdom that He desires for you to hear and live by. "Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." (Prov 20:14)

"But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise," (Eph 5:13-15)

Listen!  And... live life!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 63 - Myriads of Thoughts...

O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water. 
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory. (Psalm 63:1-2)

This morning, multitudes of hearts ache for the loss of lives yesterday in the Connecticut school shooting.  As in a dry land, our souls are parched, we search for answers, we look for God's help, for His help. 

Though very few facts are in, I can't help but remember our Bible Study this past Wednesday at Zion.  We discussed, for a bit, the issue of a growing population with very serious mental health issues. We discussed mental health issues that go undiagnosed, that are misdiagnosed, treatment that is refused by the patient, and treatments that may actually do more harm and be more dangerous to society than if none were administered.  Some of these diseases are very physical; while, others are psychological, brought on by stress in or the circumstances of one's life. Although we know it, we seldom truly accept that physical and psychological health are both affected by and effect our spiritual health. We have a long way to go in recognizing, diagnosing and treating mental illness.  In the meantime, a lot of people suffer, both the one who is ill and the people around them - all of society.

There are also those who are already using this latest shooting as an excuse for tighter gun control.  And, there are those who lament the fact that God has been outlawed in public schools.  In fact, God has not been outlawed in public school.  No one can stop you from voluntary praying.  They can; however, stop you from forcing children to pray to your specific God.  I would be very happy, indeed, if we all believed in the one God, whom I trust.  But, we do not.  We live in a country where we have freedom of religion and, as Christians, we rejoice that we are free to do that.  However, we have to remember that freedom of religion, in this kingdom, extends to all people. So, let me ask you this question.  If organized prayer were allowed in your child's school, would you be willing to have a Wiccan or a Satanist lead those prayers?  They are after all both recognized as religions, whether we agree with them or not.

I think it's time to stop blaming the increased violence in the world on guns and the lack of prayer in schools.  Will you be praying with your children or grandchildren when they wake up this morning?  Will you be praying with them before they lay down to sleep at night?  Will you be bringing them to the house of God to hear God's promises and to give Him thanks for all that He has done?  If God is missing in this society, I think maybe we should look at what we as individuals, as families, and as a church can do to change ourselves and by result change society around us.  Don't wait until there is a major catastrophe to teach your own children and your neighbor's children about what God has done and will do for them and the world around them.  And, don't be blaming others if you neglect to teach them this.  

For years, I was frustrated with our Sunday School material.  What it boiled down to was that we were teaching morality.  We don't need to teach them morality.  We need to teach them who Jesus is, who God their Father is, who God the Holy Spirit is.  So we quit purchasing material and have made the Holy Bible the text book.  We are confident that once children (and adults) get to know who this God is; once they get to know Him; once they get to a place where they have a real relationship with God, that thing we call morality will fall into place.  Our focus is no longer on how to make them act like real Christians (did you realize that this is what much of our Christian curriculums are actually doing - teaching them to behave?) but not how to have a genuine relationship with God, so that Christ might abide in them and they in Him.  When Christ abides in one, then good things, actually may be accomplished.

Without God, nothing good can be accomplished.  But, as Christ abides in us, it is He who accomplishes good through us. As St. Paul wrote, "... it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."             

So how does all this relate to Psalm 63?  Do your lips praise God?  Do you meditate on Him? In the morning, all through the day, and in the night?  Or has He been forgotten in your home?  Do you bless God so others might hear of His glorious deeds?  Seek the LORD, thirst for His Righteousness....  Quit blaming guns... Quit blaming schools... Quit blaming the government.... What are you doing to teach your children to live in health and in peace?

Ok... so this is a lot of rambling.  Hard to focus in light of yesterday's events...  The only peace we will ever truly know comes when we recognize who this God of ours is.  He can quench our thirst for peace, for equity, for all things good.  He and only He can accomplish these things.

God's Peace - Pr. J