Families Reconciled in the Lord

For Parents.

Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6:4.

For Children.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Eph. 6:1-3.

http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

 



It is said that blood is thicker than water. What exactly does that mean, anyway? For many it means that we are to stand by and support the lifestyles and actions of family no matter how dysfunctional it gets. For some it might even mean lying for a family member in order to keep them from being incarcerated. Key words in Martin Luther's admonition to obey your parents are the words "in the Lord." God always is the highest authority in our lives. He is our heavenly Father. If He says not to do something, don't do it. If He calls you to do something then just do it. Parents should never provoke or encourage their children to do something that is wrong in the eyes of our Father in heaven.

 

Family is an awesome gift from God. Families make mistakes. They hurt one another. If the family would turn to the Lord they could and would find a way out of the messes that they have wandered into. In turning to the way of the Lord we can find forgiveness and reconciliation. Family is a very good thing. However, we also know that there are times when parents can become so dysfunctional; provoking their children to wrath, encouraging them to do hurtful things to themselves and others; encouraging them to not follow in the ways of the Lord. What is a child to do?

 

Sometimes, even though the parents have done all they could to bring up their children in the way of the Lord, children will turn against their parents, as well. What is a parent to do?

 

For the parents and children who find themselves in these situations and alone without family, don't stop praying for each other that you might all be reconciled in the Lord. Remember, too, that you are a child of God. There is a blood that is thicker than blood and that is the blood of Christ that was shed for you. Our heavenly Father is always with you to support and encourage you in the way that you should go.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 16 Wrath and Justice

Rev 16 NIV

It appears that the seven trumpets only brought a foretaste of the wrath to come. The seven bowls wreak even more devastation. While the trumpets affected only one third of everything, the wrath pours out from the bowls affect the whole of the land, water, and skies. The beast and all who follow the beast are plunged into utter darkness. Yet, none will repent.

Rather than repent, a great army is amassed. Demonic spirits gather the kings of the world and their great army at a place called Armageddon to do battle on the great day of the Lord God Almighty; to make their last stand.

As they gather, the seventh and last bowl of wrath is poured and even greater comes upon the earth and those who follow the beast. An earthquake strikes the entire earth, mountains and islands are obliterated, one hundred pound hailstones fall upon the earth and the people, the earth is devastated. There is no repentance. The people curse God.

Be careful then to examine yourself and repent. Do not blame God or anyone else for your choices and the consequences of your choices. Do not blame God for being just. Be careful not to worship other gods. There is only One God.

There is still time; although, we do not know how much time. God is just. He will save all who believe that His only begotten Son died that we might be reconciled to God our Father and our Lord, Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 15 Seven Bowls of Wrath

Revelation 15 NIV

Now that's a novel idea: God's wrath. It seems to me that many who say they believe; but, lift up other false god's (priorities) and do not actually worship God have kind of discounted God's wrath.

I know that I am accepted by many as long as I say and do everything to please others. But, when I speak a truth that does not condone worshipping other gods, I am not at all accepted by many. If a word of truth that comes from God through me or others who proclaim His Word is not accepted, then how much less is He accepted as He is? God is not to be mocked. He is more than a benevolent spirit. He is who He is and He will do justice. Justice includes judgment. It includes His wrath as well as His mercy.

John's vision of seven angels about to pour out seven bowls filled with the plagues of God's wrath upon the earth reminds us that those who do not worship Him will endure His wrath even while those who have been victorious through the blood of Christ will praise His Holy Name.

God have mercy upon us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 14:14-20 Two Harvests

Rev 14:14-20 NIV
For a couple of decades, every July, we traveled north to Upper Peninsula of Michigan to make hay. It was not exactly my idea of how to spend a vacation; but, family needed help. In good years the farmers get to harvest two crops. The first harvest, beginning around the 4th of July, is usually the best.

John's vision includes two harvests, as well. The first is of those who are found righteous. The second harvest is of grapes that grow from the vine of the earth. These grapes are thrown into the great winepress of God's wrath and from that winepress, that is outside the city of God, flows blood.

Two harvests; one for the those found righteous through Jesus the Christ, the other for those who have followed in the ways of the world.

In which harvest will you be gathered?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 14:6-13 God's Peace or His Wrath

Rev 14:6-13 NIV
Today's reading reminds me of the Gospel from yesterday's service where we heard the story of Jesus calming the wind and the sea. Those who worship the Lord will know peace no matter what the might encounter. No matter what might befall them, they will know the peace that surpasses all understanding because Christ is with them and for them. But, those who worship false gods; anyone who would worship the beast, will know no peace. They will drink the wine of God's fury. They will have no rest by day or night.

May the peace of the Lord be with you always!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 6:12-17 6th Seal

Rev 6 12-17 NIV


The sky turned black
and the stars fell to the earth.
Photo: John Arthur Photography

The sixth seal is opened and the earth and skies are shaken. The world as we know is devastated in the face of the wrath of God. Not only are the earth and heavens shaken; but, the people are shaken at the knowledge of the coming of the Lord. They would hide if they could beneath the falling mountains. They would rather be crushed to death than to face the Lord God in the day of His judgment.

John's visions are horrifying to those who do not worship the Lord; to those who know that they have turned their backs on God. There is still time. We know not how much time. Turn to the Lord. Love and serve the Lord, your God, with all your heart and soul and mind. The visions of the end can be terrifying for those who do not worship the one true God. But, for those who do, we know that all things are for the good for those who love Him; for the coming of His Kingdom.

God's Peace - Pr. J
 

John 3:31-36 - Universalism

John 3:31-36 NIV
So much for univeralism (everyone is saved). "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them." (John 3:31-36) The word of the Lord!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Nahum 3 - Rejoicing Over Fallen Enemies

Nahum warns that Nineveh will fall for her endless cruelty. Her victims will clap their hands; rejoicing for the vengeance God takes upon her. (Nahum 3:19)

We are often told that we should not rejoice when our enemies fall. In fact, we should not. According to the Proverbs: "Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them." (Prov 24:17 NIV)However, when one is persecuted so fully as Nineveh had persecuted, the people, according to human nature, will rejoice! They will rejoice that they are finally free. They will give thanks to God for taking away the enemy that has threatened to destroy them.

We give thanks to God for through the blood of Jesus we are free. We are free from the bondage that sin, death and the evil one would keep us in. We are free to give thanks to God for all things, including our freedom through Christ. Let us not neglect to give Him thanks and praise for all things and at all times and in all places.

Rejoice not that your enemy has fallen at the hand of God. Rejoice that even as Christ has been lifted up; so, too, have you. Rejoice that you have been saved from those age old enemies (sin, death, and the devil) by the blood of Jesus the Christ that was shed for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Nahum 1 - Avenging God

"The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;
    the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath.
The Lord takes vengeance on his foes
    and vents his wrath against his enemies.
The Lord is slow to anger but great in power;
    the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.
His way is in the whirlwind and the storm,
    and clouds are the dust of his feet." (Nahum 1:2-3 NIV)

Nahum prophesies against Nineveh. He warns that those (in this case Nineveh) who go against His people will not go unpunished. Sometimes, in reading some of these prophesies it sounds awfully vengeful and hurtful. Well, vengeance is the LORD's to take and while it may appear to be really bad news to those who worship false idols and persecute those who worship the LORD, it is good news to the people of God. Those who find themselves attacked and persecuted by God's enemies have no other place to turn for hope except in the LORD and His promise that He will deliver them from the hands of their enemies.

He will deliver us! It is the LORD who saves! Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 25 - Cup Of God's Wrath

The nations are to drink from the cup of God's wrath. This is God's command to Jeremiah: make them drink of the cup. They will not be spared. They will not go unpunished.

Drink from this cup... Sound familiar to you?

How about on the night in which he was betrayed...

   "Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
   Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
   Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
   He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”" (Matt 26:36-42 NIV)

Jesus was willing to drink from this the cup of God's wrath for us. He was willing to suffer the penalty for our sins. He was willing to die so that we might be spared. His disciples were not strong enough to even be able to stay awake and watch and pray, let alone pay the penalty for their own sins. We are not. So out of mercy, God interceded on our behalf, sending His only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ, to take the charges and the guilt of our sin upon Himself.

As you read Jeremiah 25 today, give thanks to God that His mercy and grace has been extended to us through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Isaiah 3 - Judah, Jerusalem, & We Are Warned

Prior to being taken into captivity by the Babylonians, Isaiah warns the people of Jerusalem and Judah of their impending judgement. God will take away their supply and support. They will be hungry. They will be without home. Neighbor will rise up against neighbor. The haughty women who parade about flirting, as they flaunt their beads and bangles will lose it all. Their fine jewelry, their fancy clothes will be no more. There will be no honor anywhere.

"Jerusalem staggers,
Judah is falling;
their words and deeds are against the Lord,
defying his glorious presence.
The look on their faces testifies against them;
they parade their sin like Sodom;
they do not hide it.
Woe to them!They have brought disaster upon themselves."  (Isaiah 3:8-9 NIV)

 

My son, John, is working on a set of photographs depicting the 7-deadly sins. He has completed wrath. ( http://johnarthurphoto.com/blog/ )  Yesterday, I was trying to imagine what he will come up with for gluttony. Someone stuffing their face? Then I read an interesting article this morning about gluttony being the desire for anything in excess. http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/practical-faith/socially-acceptable-sin Gluttony could, in effect, pertain to over-indulging in anything: money, fine jewelry, even cheap jewelry. It could pertain to the many compulsive behaviors and addictions that afflict the world. It appears to me that Jerusalem and Judah had become a bit gluttonous - OK - maybe a lot gluttonous. They were the favored people of God. They had it made and so they indulged in a lot of worldly things and began to forget who it was that had blessed them. If they were going to be over-indulgent, it probably would have been a good thing to indulge in loving and worshipping the God who had blessed them so and maybe they would have avoided captivity in Babylon. 

 

But, they did not. They became haughty, self-centered, helping no one but themselves. Each to their own, as they say. And, they suffered because of it. The children of God (including us today) have a really bad habit of forgetting God, of turning our backs on the one who has blessed us and then out in the wilderness, back into slavery, back aimlessly wandering through the wilderness (from whence the name of this blog comes). Sure enough, there is usually repentance for many of God's children once we've been cast out into the wilderness. We realize our sin and turn back to God receiving the blessings of His presence.  You see, that is a huge part of why we end up in trouble. We fail to recognize our sin when we're so busy enjoying it. Everyone does it so, it can't be a sin. Woe to the people when sin is no longer sin!

 

The circle doesn't seem to end, though. Once we repent and have received forgiveness and multitudes of blessings by this generous God of ours; we begin to overindulge, again, worshipping the gifts rather than the Giver, and then back out in the wilderness we go so that we can remember again who God is.

 

Isaiah's prophetic warning was for Judah and Jerusalem. It was fulfilled with the Babylonian captivity. It was again fulfilled when the Romans toppled Jerusalem. Isaiah's warning is for all God's children, even today. Do not allow your gluttonous desire for things of this world kill your desire to worship and serve the LORD your God, by doing His will among you.

 

What did Jesus ask Peter to do?  "Feed my sheep." It's not about you. It's not about me. It's about us being in relationship with one another, serving one another, so that God might be glorified.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J