He Holds The Children In His Hands

In you, O Lord, I take refuge;
    let me never be put to shame.

In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
    incline your ear to me and save me.
Be to me a rock of refuge,
    a strong fortress, to save me,
    for you are my rock and my fortress.

Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
    from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.
For you, O Lord, are my hope,
    my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
Upon you I have leaned from my birth;
    it was you who took me from my mother’s womb.
My praise is continually of you.

Psalm 71:1-6 NRSV

 

My birth family did not attend worship. I never attended Sunday School; but, thanks to some wonderful neighbor ladies I was able to go to Vacation Bible School. I was confirmed; but, that was because I wanted to affirm my baptism. I would find rides or walk the few miles to the classes at church. I attended services with my grandmother when I was very young and stayed with her at times. I remember some of those services being in the Finnish language, which I did not understand. But, in spite of a very minimal formal Christian education, I came to know and to trust God. He came to me when I was not able to go to Him.

 

Family life as I grew up was pretty chaotic and there were many times, as a young child, that I simply had no one to turn to. I feared for my safety and felt very alone. So, I turned to God for comfort and for safety and for love. There were many nights that I could not sleep because of troubles in the household. Weekends were usually the most rough. I remember hiding knives and ammo in the evenings before our parents came home on Friday and Saturday nights. But, I must stress that in spite of the many times of trouble, there were also many good times, as well. There are many children growing up today who do not have the benefit of these good times.  

 

But, where and to whom shall a child turn when they are afraid? One of the few songs that I knew from Vacation Bible School was "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands."  In order to rest without fear and to be able to fall asleep in peace, I would often envision myself laying in the comfort and safety of God's great hands. He came to me. He was and is my strong fortress to save me. He is my refuge and strength. He was and is with me always. He is with you always. 

 

There are children today who live in much greater fear than I did. My heart goes out to them and I pray that they will live and rest in the comfort and safety of God's hands.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Sinking in Sand

"rescue me
    from sinking in the mire;
let me be delivered from my enemies
    and from the deep waters." Psalm 69:14

There is small spot on one of the islands in front of my home of sinking sand. It is a little over a foot wide; yet, it's a bit unnerving to accidentally step into it. As one's ankles and then calves become engulfed in sand you will not tarry. You will step out of it quickly and change your course just as fast. I do not know how much of a person it would swallow if one chose to test the sand. I have never desired to find out.

Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. We go in ways that are dangerous to ourselves and may even be active in leading others in the wrong way, as well. We stray from the path that Jesus prepared for us and purposefully attempt to travel the path of the unrighteous. There are many dangers on this path that leads away from our Father's house. Sinking in mucky, uncharted swamps is only one of them.

When we find ourselves in danger of sinking in the mire it is time to change course. It is time, to ask for God's help to get back on the path that He has prepared for us.

If you find yourself alone and sinking fast know there is one who can rescue you. There is only one who can save you. Ask and He will lead you on the path of eternal life in His Kingdom. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Lift High The Cross

 

But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

Matt 16:23-25

 

God grant that we should lift high the cross and follow in the footsteps of Jesus, while knowing that there will be things that must be left behind to die in order that we might live in Christ. 

 

God's Peace - Pr.

Who Will Help?

"Behold, the Lord God helps me; who will declare me guilty?" Isaiah 50:9


The Lord helps you. Almighty God, creator of heaven and of earth is with you and for you. So who in the world would dare to attack you? The answer to that is a lot of people; a lot of people who live in the darkness; who do not know the Lord or to what length He will go and has gone to save those whom He loves.

The Lord vindicates all who walk in His light. There is no need to fear as the enemy closes in on you. Trust Him for He is stronger than any adversary. God is your helper. He will save you from your enemy.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Rock

Be to me a rock of refuge,
    a strong fortress, to save me,
    for you are my rock and my fortress.

Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
    from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.

                                            Psalm 71:3-4 NRSV

 

Sully is a huge English Mastiff. He is a rock. He goes about his business steady and sure. You can nudge him; but, unless he wants to move, it's not going to happen. Fortunately, he is a gentle giant and listens quite well. He is totally non-aggressive; but, if he's standing by your side, most people would think twice about approaching you in any manner other than in a most amiable way. 

 

Jesus is our rock of refuge. He is our fortress. The unjust and cruel will not prevail over those who dwell within the walls of that fortress, which is the Body of Christ. As much as I trust that by Sully's side I will be safe; I only see him a few times a year. But, Jesus is with me always. It is he who will save and keep us for all eternity.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J 

1 Timothy 1:13-20 Confronting False Doctrine

1 Timothy 1:13-20 NIV

Zeba Camp Meeting
 

Paul urges Timothy to stay in Macedonia so that he might command people not to teach false doctrines any more. I am a little nervous about this word "command." Have you tried commanding anyone to do anything lately? Personally, I find that it is productive only a very small percentage of the time. Sometimes people listen, often not. Sometimes, it ends up in endless and wearisome debates over things of the law. Sometimes, it ends by having to shake the dust off of my feet and move on (Matt 10:15) in order to share the good news of Jesus with others who have not heard.

Recently, I have had to talk to more than one person about the false things that they believe regarding the Sacrament of Baptism. It seems that more than one person I know wants to be re-baptized. They can reaffirm their faith often; but, I will not officiate at the re-baptisms of anyone. Doesn't matter how old you were or what congregation you were baptized at. We are not baptized into a church, but into the "Church" which is the Body of Christ. I also remind them that baptism is not our work; that it is a gift from God and to be re-baptized is to deny the gift that has already been given by God. I hope that I present the truth with enough grace so that they will not turn away but will continue to grow in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit received at their baptisms. Since, it is the Holy Spirit that works in them, I am confident that they will.

While it is necessary to confront false doctrines and myths, it can be very time consuming and wearisome work to which at times there seems no end. We have to be careful about how we confront false doctrine and blatant lies about Jesus. Constant arguing or commanding people to believe and teach the truth is not always the best way to confront false doctrines. Civil discourse is necessary; otherwise, confronting false doctrine can become a testimony of divisiveness in the church to the world; when we should be proclaiming unity in Christ to the world.  Confronting false doctrine is necessary; but, if we are busy proclaiming the truth of the good news to all people there will be less false doctrines to confront. May God help us to spend our energies in proclaiming the truth even as Paul put it to Timothy: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (vs 15-17).

God's Peace - Pr. J

2 Corinthians 10 Boast in the Lord

2 Corinthians 10 NIV
If we're going to boast, let us boast in the Lord. It is He who calls us. It is He who empowers us.

Paul finds himself in a situation where he must defend himself and his ministry in order to minister to the Corinthians. There will always be those who attack the servants of God in order to undermine them; in order to undermine God's Word. It is important that we understand that we are not in a battle with the world; but, with spiritual darkness. We may live in the world and feel attacked in the world. But, we do not fight alone. It is by the power of God that such battles are won. The battle is of a spiritual nature. With the help of God, we fight with spiritual weapons. We fight with the two-edge sword; which is the Word of God. One edge destroys what is evil; while the other edge for cicatrizing the wound; for the healing of the world.

Sometimes, it is necessary, as Paul tells us repeatedly, to confront those within the community that the evil that is being done might be brought to an end through repentance that the one who spreads the ill-will (evil) will be healed and reconciled to the Body of Christ. His words were often like a two-edge sword. He would attempt to destroy false beliefs and false thoughts, steering the people away from wrong actions and lifestyles even while he encouraged the people to continue in the Lord that they and all whom they knew or would know might be saved in Jesus Christ. The words of his lips and pen were meant to destroy those things that destroy lives and heal the people that God had sent him to serve.

Paul also knew that it was not he; but, the power of God in him who would fight this battle. Yes, Paul boasted. He boasted in the Lord and what the Lord was doing through his followers.

God's Peace - Pr. J

2 Corinthians 1:1-11 Trouble Can Be A Good Thing

2 Corinthians 1:1-11 NIV
There are times when we come to a point of feeling totally helpless; like we have fallen into the most miry pit.

Like Jonah being swallowed by a big fish this helplessness is not necessarily a bad thing. After all, if it had not been for that big fish, Jonah would have drowned. God sent that big fish to save Jonah from death so that Jonah could and would go and proclaim the message as God had directed him to.

It is when we are at our lowest point; when we have no reasonable way of helping ourselves, that we must accept our helplessness and rely on God.  Like Paul, when it feels like everything is lost, our hope remains in God who delivers us. We understand that there are those who wish our hope to die. They would desire that our message of the Kingdom of God in Christ Jesus would die. But, it will not die. Our hope, our desire for the Lord, will only be strengthened in the persecution received at the hands of those who reject our faith; by those who reject God.

May the peace of the Lord be with you in all circumstances. God is with you.

Pr. J

1 Corinthians1:18-31 Message Of The Cross

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 NIV
Ugh! Frustrating! I wish that everyone would receive our Saviour, Jesus the Christ. But, no matter how much I try it seems to be impossible for me to get some people to understand that the message of the cross is the power of God. It is not just a nice story of a man dying because he loved humanity so much. It is not just a piece of historical fact that we read about and set aside. It is not foolishness as the world would have us believe. Rather, it is foolishness not to believe. The message of the cross holds within it the power to save.

In the end, I always have to go back to another simple fact. I cannot save anyone. I cannot even convince anyone. I can only proclaim the message and trust that the power of God within the message (the Word) saves. Usually, when people tell me that my sermon was great or they thank me for saying something that helped them; I remind them that it is not me; but, Christ in me (Gal 2:20). Sometimes, I will tell them that from my lips to your ears the Holy Spirit is working so that you hear (and receive) what God wants you to hear and have; not what I want.

The world can scoff at the faith of those who trust in the cross of Christ for their life and salvation. But, that, dear friends, is the power of God! Whom will you trust: the world, yourself, or God who created all things and has recreated us in Jesus Christ, our Lord?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Romans 15:1-13 Ramblings

Romans 15:1-13
Soon and very soon (like tomorrow night, Christmas Eve) our sanctuaries will be filled with people who have come to praise God. It is a pleasure to see so many "Gentiles" gathered together to glorify His Holy Name.

St. Paul encouraged the followers to lift one another up with endurance; that all would hear what the scriptures would teach us. His hope was that God would give us all "the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice we might glorify God." May it be so, not just on Christmas Eve or Easter morning; but in all times and in all places.

We are given the scriptures so that we might learn who this Jesus is. Hear them. Read them. Study them. We are given the Holy Spirit that we might understand and be empowered to follow this one who came down to earth to save us from ourselves (and each other). Have mercy on one another, as Christ has mercy. Love one another, as Christ loves. Enter this Christmas season with a desire to do go to our neighbors; to live in unity and peace that God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ might be glorified in all that we say and think and do.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Not sure what to title this.... It has been a long night and sadly, I have rambled... Have a peaceful Christmas!

Acts 22 The Lord Said

Acts 22
Because, the Lord said. The Lord said to Paul, "Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles." (vs 21) This was Paul's defense for proclaiming the Good News. Of all the people in the world, Paul's history was such that he would be the last one that anyone would expect to be a follower of Jesus, doing the Lord's will. He was both a Roman and a Jew. He persecuted Christians; standing by and approving of Stephen's death. But, the ascended Lord, Jesus, came to him. The Lord, Jesus, sent him to proclaim the Good News.

So what do you do when the Lord sends you? Do you go as Paul went, even in the face of hardship, persecution; even if you might have to face death? Or, is your reaction more like Moses' first reaction when he made excuses and tried to reject God's call to go to the people to save them. Moses did not want to God; but, he ultimately went because the Lord said.

God knows who is capable. God knows who and how He has been preparing those whom He will send. Paul's history made him an unlikely candidate to be sent by God according to human understanding. But, it was exactly his history that prepared him for that mission. God knows what He is doing. He does not send unless He prepares us first.

Those first disciples were ordinary men. They were not perfect. They were not all highly educated. But, God prepared them. They followed Jesus around for three years, learning, being disciple. The Lord is preparing you. The Lord said, "Go and make disciples of all people." Will you listen? Will you go?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 21:37-40 God Chooses Whom He Will Choose

Acts 21:37-40 NIV
God chooses whom He will choose. He calls whom He will call. If you hear Him call; answer Him. No matter what you think; He doesn't make mistakes.

Paul is a prime example of this. He was one of the greatest persecutors of the Christians; yet, God called him to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ to all people no matter who they were or what their heritage was. He was both a Roman citizen and a Jew so he was able to be all things to all people. When others would have been crucified without a second though; Paul was able to call on his citizenship; his heritage, to save him; to prolong his life so that he could continue to serve as God had called and sent him to serve.

If God is calling you; answer. God doesn't make mistakes.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 10:1-21 Good Shepherd Doesn't Run

John 10:1-21 NIV
When a person truly loves another, with their whole hearts and minds; they are willing to do anything for them. They are willing even to lay their life down for their beloved. This kind of love; this kind of commitment to others seems (at times) to be in very short supply. We are willing to run when things get tough; to divorce our spouses, to leave our children, to abandon our friends.

But, the Good Shepherd is not willing to run. He is and was willing to die so that we might be saved from all evil and harm. He is there always for us. He hasn't and won't run from us. He calls each of us by name so that we might follow him in safety and in peace; that we might have life.

Jesus is the gate to eternal life. Any other way leads to destruction. He calls to you. Follow the Good Shepherd and live life most abundantly in the presence of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 21:1-11 - Save Us, We Pray

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matt 21:9 NIV)

As I was reading this morning's scripture verses, I wondered what exactly the word Hosanna meant. I know that it is used by us and was used by the people in the story of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem as a shout of acclamation and praise. But, what does the word actually mean? So, I googled. The definitions included pray and save, which didn't help me much. That just didn't seem to fit in to the context of the acclamations of praise. I finally ran across this [Old English osanna, via Late Latin from Greek, from Hebrew hōshi `āh nnā save now, we pray] at http://www.thefreedictionary.com/hosanna . This ordering of words helped me to understand the word, hosanna, a bit better. "Save now, we pray, Son of David! Save now, we pray, in the highest heaven."

It was within the week that Jesus accomplished this life giving, life giving act of salvation that they people prayed for. It was within that very week that Jesus died for us.

May the God of peace, save us we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 8 - Jesus and Storms

Faith is a major theme in our chapter today. Trusting in the LORD to make us whole. In today's reading we find Jesus healing the sick and kicking out demons. He, also, tells everyone that there will be a cost to following him. One must be willing to leave everything else behind them in order to truly follow him.

But, the story from chapter eight that has always really intrigued me is the story of Jesus calming the sea. You see, the part that is often missed in this story is that the storm does not begin until after the disciples follow Jesus on to the boat. They join him on the boat and then the rain comes down, the wind rages, the seas roll. Jesus is resting peacefully as if there is nothing to be worried about and there is not anything for them to worry about. Jesus is with them. He has the power and the authority to calm the most raging of seas.

As we leave behind the safety and comfort of all that we have known to follow Jesus there will be many storms. As you get on board with Jesus you will face many obstacles. But, fear not. Jesus is with you through each and every one of them. He will calm your storms. He will calm your fears. Have faith. He will save you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 12 - God's Justice

Jeremiah's starting to sound a little fried. Yes, I know what "fried' is. Been there... Many of us have. Jeremiah is sounding just a little unhappy with God's kind of justice. He's not thrilled that the wicked prosper and the faithless live in ease. He's not thrilled that while he is busy doing the LORD's will and being persecuted for it, the persecutors go about doing as they please. I think Jeremiah's getting just a little tired of being "refined" as he does the LORD's will. For, indeed, the LORD will refine even His children so that they can endure every trial and be made even stronger through each of them. Trials build character - or so I've been told. Could Jeremiah possibly be tired of all this character building? There seems to be just a tinge of self-righteousness in him today.

Like Jonah (unhappy that the people repented and were saved) and many others, Jeremiah just doesn't seem to get that God's justice, His will, includes welcoming those who are not His people, as His people. The LORD reminds Jeremiah that even to those who go against God's people, all who turn from their false gods and call upon the name of the LORD, He will show mercy. He will make even the enemy His own. "But after I uproot them, I will again have compassion and will bring each of them back to their own inheritance and their own country. And if they learn well the ways of my people and swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives’—even as they once taught my people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among my people." (Jer 12:15-16 NIV)

God's plan and His mercy is for all people. Jeremiah's role and the role of all whom God has called is to seek out the lost, seek out those who do not know God, and introduce Him (by proclamation) so that they too might hear and believe, and be welcomed into the Kingdom, the family, of God. And... that, my friend, includes even you and me. "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. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." (1Pet 2:9-10)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 136 - Great Hallel

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever." (Psalm 136:1 NIV)

This song is familiar to all who have celebrated the Passover meal as it is one of the psalms sung during the meal. It is known as the Great Hallel. Sound familiar? Sound a bit like Hallulajh! The Great Hallel gives thanks and glorifies God for all that He has done: creating all things, saving the people from bondage, and all the miracles that went with both of those activities. The Great Hallel is a reminder what God had done, is doing, and will do for His children. 

Be assured, His love for you endures forever. Give thanks for He is good and is with you, now and forever, protecting, providing, caring for every aspect of you and your life. Give Him thanks and praise for all that He has done! Hallelujah... we can depend on Him for our lives!

God's Peace - Pr. J