I Don't Know; But, God Does

We had been planning a special service for All Saint's Day for some time. Then schedules got turned around and we couldn't do it, so I focused on something totally different than had been previously planned. At worship, yesterday, it turned out the schedules weren't as turned around as we had thought. We could have gone with our original plan; but, we didn't. I believe it went the way God intended it to go. He knows what's coming up long before we do.

Within the past week, we have had three deaths of family members from our congregation. I wrote my Sunday sermon early last Monday, focusing on the promise of eternal life in the kingdom of God with all the saints. I did not realize until I actually started preaching that what I planned was exactly what was needed as two of the deaths occurred after I wrote it. I did not realize on Monday how many would need a reminder of comfort and hope in the eternal kingdom for all who believe until I was actually preaching it and seeing the response in their faces. But, God did. He knew long before Monday.

Years ago, while I was being trained to visit shut-ins, my mentor and I were sitting in the parking lot of a bar in a very small town discussing our plan for the day. A woman, who had been using the pay phone outside, came over, introduced herself, and invited us over to visit her mother and her. Until that day, neither of us knew of her. After our scheduled visits we went over to visit them. Her mother and my mentor were busy discussing the history of the area when all of a sudden he's talking about the death of a young person in his family. I was aghast. It seemed to come out of no where. It just seemed so off the wall and we were there to bring encouragement and comfort; not to be comforted ourselves. The woman who invited us in, began to cry. She related that she was visiting her mother because her husband had just died and she was having a very difficult time with the grieving process. This pastor's story opened the way for her to be able to begin talking about it and to be reminded that all who believe; yet, even though they die, shall live with all the saints in the kingdom of God. What seemed like a very odd turn in the conversation, turned out to be exactly what was needed to bring about a bit of peace and hope for the woman. I had no clue where this pastor was going. He didn't, either. But, God knew exactly where He was leading him.

Sometimes, we just have to follow the Spirit's guidance. We don't always know for what purpose we are being called or sent. We don't always know why we feel compelled to say things that would not normally fit the circumstances. But, God does. Listen to him. Follow where He will lead you. Do not be afraid to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God!

God's Peace - Pr. J
 

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 Now is the Time!

2 Corinthians 6:1-2
"And Immediately!" That is the title of my sermon for Sunday. I am a little later than usual getting this blog written, because I felt the urge to work on Sunday's sermon immediately upon waking this morning, while the focus of where I was to be going with it was still fresh in my mind. When God calls us to do something, let's do it immediately. Don't wait until the football game is over. Don't wait until you retire. Don't wait. Do it now! When God gives you a gift, receive it now. He has given you the gift of salvation. Receive it now! Don't be trying to wait until the day of your death or later!

After writing the sermon, imagine my joy when I read the lesson for today's blog. Paul wrote: "I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation."

It is now. It is today. It is not tomorrow. It is not after we die and are buried in the ground. Salvation has come to you through Jesus Christ, our Lord. The Kingdom of God has already come. Quit waiting around to live in that Kingdom. Quit waiting around to live in His presence. Quit waiting around to serve the Lord. Quit waiting to share the Good News! Do it now! Do it immediately! Now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Couldn't help all the exclamation marks, it is imperative that we receive His grace now in order to truly live life! Quit procrastinating! What are you waiting for? Live life in Him now!

Matthew 6 - Lord's Prayer

WOW! So much in one chapter! Read all about giving to the needy, prayer and fasting, treasures in heaven and why you should not worry in Matthew, chapter six.

I remember being questioned by a Christian from another denomination as to why Lutherans (as well as many other denominations) insist on praying the Lord's prayer every time we gather to worship. The answer is very simple. Jesus instructed us to pray in this manner.

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.'"  (Matt 6:9-13 NIV)

It should be our daily prayer. It is not just for Sunday mornings. It is an awesome prayer for those times that you are feeling lost or helpless or hopeless and do not know how to pray, but have a need just to have a talk with our Father in heaven, then pray it as often as you need even if it be seven times seventy times in one day.

And... the Sermon on the Mount continues....

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 5 - Sermon on the Mount; Two-edged Sword

Chapter five of Matthew begins the "Sermon on the Mount," the most awesome sermon ever, at least in my humble opinion! I usually deliver this sermon in its entirety at least once a year. Although, many see it as pure gospel, I hear it as a prime example of the two-edged sword. Depending where you are in your journey, you might hear it as good news or you might hear it as law.

I know that there are a few out there who would dispute that the "Sermon on the Mount" is both law and gospel so let me give you an example of how I have come to this conclusion.

The first time I proclaimed these words in their entirety for a sermon. I was up on a mountain, working at a youth correctional facility. I did not edit. I did not do or say anything else. I did not try to elaborate on it's meaning. I simply stood up and gave the "Sermon on the Mount" and then I sat down. I was reported the next day, by a young man, for telling him that he and his mother were going to hell. I did no such thing! The word of God - which is a two-edged sword both convicts and it heals, according to what God feels is the need of the people.

Where are you, today? Does this sermon of Jesus' bring you conviction or hope?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Isaiah 20 - By Word and Deed

Those of you who have heard my sermons have heard this exhortation quite often: "Go and proclaim the Good News by both word and deed."  The Gospel needs to be proclaimed so that other might hear and believe. But, in proclaiming it with our lips our actions need to fit what we preach. Our lifestyles are reflections of what we say. Others hear not only what we say, but what we do.

Prophets often took this "doing what you speak" to the extreme. According to God's word to Isaiah, the prophecy against Egypt and Cush was to be lived or acted out by Isaiah. He was to strip himself of the sackcloth and sandals that he wore as the prophecy that "the king of Assyria will lead away stripped and barefoot the Egyptian captives and Cushite exiles, young and old, with buttocks bared—to Egypt’s shame." (Isa 20:4 NIV)

I'm thinking that none of us quite measure up to being the dedicated and faithful servant of God as Isaiah was; none of us will probably be asked to strip as a sign that our enemies will be overthrown and shamed. I'm not sure how Isaiah managed it. But, I'm quite sure we'd be arrested long before three years was up and locked away someplace for some time to come.

While we may not be as zealous as some of the prophets called by God, that does not negate the fact that we have been called by God and are to share the good news of the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ to people near and far. We do this with word and deed. We do this by sharing the story with those who would hear and by living our new life in Christ for all to see.

And, we are zealous about it. Maybe, not as zealous as Isaiah; but we zealously share this good news because it is Good News, indeed!

God's Peace - Pr. J