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

 

Politicians: Do not take the name of the Lord our God in vain! Do not bear false witness in His name!

Sunrise at the altar of Old Sheldon Church, Beaufort, SC
May the Son of Righteousness shine upon the candidates
as well as all people.

My child, if sinners entice you,
    do not consent.

Proverbs 1:10 NRSV

I spent last evening watching the GOP candidates debating. There was indeed some debating going on. But, there were also a lot of attempts to entice candidates to act and speak rashly against one another. Questions were posed in attempts to get the candidates to speak negatively about one another and to fight amongst themselves rather than actually letting the voters know exactly where they stood on various issues. A few of the candidates managed to not get pulled into the breaking of the commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." They managed to deflect the enticement to sin even while speaking truthfully from their hearts and minds. It seems at least some of them are wise enough to know that they don't need to give fuel to anyone from an opposing party for later debates.

Now, many of the candidates sound as though they are attempting to appeal to a Christian base. However, I did not recognize the Christianity in some of what was said last night. Just because someone says they are a Christian doesn't make it so. I've seen more than one local politician decide it's time to start showing up for worship just prior to elections. Please, don't use the name of Jesus to get elected. Do not consent to sin by taking the Lord's name in vain.

Thanks be to God for those candidates who have managed to not get pulled into breaking the second or eighth commandments and who are not confusing their own (the world's) brand of morality with Christianity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Thou shalt not take name of the Lord, thy God, in vain.

The Second Commandment.

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain.

What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not curse, swear, use witchcraft, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.

(http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php)

 

I confess that every now and then my lips will release a word or maybe two or three or even that should not be spoken. I am very aware that I have sinned as soon as something slips out of my mouth that ought not to have.

 

It is troubling; though, that it seems many do not even recognize when they have taken God's name in vain. I know many love Him; but, for some reason they don't always recognize when they are speaking against Him. Sometimes, it needs to be brought to their attention.  

 

Yes, sometimes I find myself asking others not to be swearing. No, I do not always ignore it when people take God's name in vain; when they blaspheme His Holy Name. I will ask them to please not take my God's name in vain; to not blaspheme against my God. I usually stress "my God" in attempts to make it clear that they because of their language they have made it evident to me and others who might be around us that He is not their God; that they do not worship Him. If He were their God, they would not be using His name in such a manner.

 

There have been times I've been in discussions (usually with younger family members) and I've gotten responses like OMG or Oh My God! (Father, forgive me for even writing it as an example.) My response to that is usually "I am not your God" and I walk away. 

 

I find the language today atrocious. There is very little respect for one another and definitely not for God in many conversations. His name is thrown around like it was something cheap and disposable. It is even used in conversations to bully others; to persecute them.

 

I have also been known to use the phrase "speak with integrity" on rare occasions. Admittedly, the lies have to be pretty bad before I do that. I have let people know that if they want me to understand what exactly is going on they will have to get their stories straight. Sometimes stories get so twisted, in order to justify one's own actions, that it can be difficult to glean the truth from the tale. This lack of truth-telling also blasphemes the Name of God when it is one who claims to bear the name of Christ that is speaking.

 

His Name is above all names and it is eternal. It ought not be used in rampages meant to hurt others or to justify our own sinful ways. It can and should be called upon for the healing of the nations. Use it wisely. May the Lord our God bless the words of our lips that we might glorify His Holy Name in all that we say and thing and do.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Corinthians 12:1-3 Cursing the Name of Jesus

1 Corinthians 12:1-3 NIV
I am not sure what to make of this. I have heard people say Jesus is my Lord; Jesus is my savior and the very next day they will be taking his name in vain, "cursing up a storm." So how is it that they can be speaking by the Holy Spirit in one instance and definitely not the next? How quickly the tide can change!

We are all sinful human beings. We all are led astray from time to time. May God help us to stay in "His Way" so that we are not led by other spirits; by false idols, to take the name's Lord in vain; to curse the name of Jesus. May God help us to profess and glorify His Holy Name!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 4:23-31 Hindrances To Proclamation

Acts 4:23-31 NIV
Why, indeed, do the people plot in vain; rising up against the LORD and His Anointed One? 
 
At times, it can be very difficult proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom. The world seems to have set up obstacles all around. There seems to be way too many times when the proclamation that would bring comfort to the people is hindered simply because the time is being spent on distractions caused by dissension. (Rom 16:17-20)

Peter and John had been jailed for proclaiming the Good News for the healing of the lame man. But, they did not allow this distraction to hinder them. They continued to pray and to trust that the LORD would enable them, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to speak His word with great boldness. They prayed that the LORD would stretch out His hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the Jesus.

Do not let the world stand in the way of proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom for all people. Know that God is with you with, guiding and empowering you by the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ, our LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezekiel 6 - Calamity Not In Vain

"And they will know that I am the Lord; I did not threaten in vain to bring this calamity on them." (Ezekiel 6:10 NIV)

It is sometimes (no, most of the time) difficult to find any good news in the prophecies of old. The prophets warned the people over and over again to turn to the LORD and worship only Him. But, they did not listen and suffered greatly for it. In today's reading the LORD reminds us that there is a reason: that the remnant might realize that He is the LORD and return to Him.

Sadly, we do not listen to God's word and often we have to learn the hard way that when our feet follow paths we should not follow, destruction follows those footsteps. It is when destruction happens, when we are brought low, by the worship of our false gods, that we realize that we have to turn to the LORD for help. He is our help in every time and need.

"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

God's Peace - Pr. J