Meditation

03/27/2023

“And a highway will be there; it will be called the ‘Way of Holiness.’ The unclean will not journey on it; it will be those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it.” (Isaiah 35:8)

Holiness and cleansing from sins cannot be separated. The Way of Holiness is so called because it leads to Zion, the holy place. Those who want to travel on God’s highway of holiness will have to be clean from sin. To save His people, God promised to prepare a holy highway on which only His holy, pure people can walk a He leads.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Dear Abba, it is clear that we must be cleansed of sins, before we are allowed to travel on God’s highway, for we must be cleansed of sin, in order to move on it. God never forgets a thing, and always blesses us by providing whatever it takes to help us along His Way of Holiness. Bless all those who are hurting in body, mind, and/or spirit, that they might set aside their issues and let You deal with them on their behalf, and accept their humble repentance of their sins Abba. For those in conflicts around the world with wars and natural disasters, pour out an anointing upon them all, that they too, might feel You near them and take comfort in that knowledge. Amen.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Bible study is not just learning, it is learning how to live and nurture our relationship with family, others, and Almighty God.”

KNOWING GOD:

“I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me” (Jeremiah 33:8)

God cleanses His people from guilt and rebellion. Forgiveness accompanies His cleansing. The doctrine. of salvation teaches that God does not give up on His people when they go astray. Instead, He gently guides us back on the righteous path, once we have sought Him out in prayer seeking forgiveness for our sins, and God then looks at our hearts, to make sure that this is not just words, but deep desire to turn away from sin and back to God with forgiveness and peace and joy of heart and mind.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Husbands, love our wives, just a Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5:25-27)

Although individual members stand justified before God the church as a body looks toward a consummation in which imperfection gives way to perfection. As a bride in beauty and imperfection gives way to perfection. As a bride in beauty and human perfections joins her beloved for marriage, the church in radiant spotlessness will be presented to the heavenly Bridegroom. Complete salvation has a corporate element as well as an individual one. “Word” my be a reference to the formula said over persons being baptized or to their confession of faith. The doctrine of salvation is closely linked with the church ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

As the Lenten Season has begun the process of ending for this year, remember what you have learned in your Lenten Season for this year…:

“Fast from hurting words and say kind words. Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude. Fast from anger and be filled with patience. Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope. Fast from worries and trust in God. Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity. Fast from pressures and be prayerful. Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy. Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others. Fast from grudges and be reconciled. Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.”

Meditation

Sermon for 4^th Sunday in Lent – 03-26-2023

Psalm 130; Ezekiel 37:1-4; Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45

The lesson from Psalm 130 is about endurance. It is one of the traditional 8 penitential psalm, stressing repentance and forgiveness for sins. Without God’s forgiveness, we would be crushed under the weight of our own sins, and we do not suffer all the punishment our sins deserves anyway. God would much rather forgive our sins, than to eliminate us because of them. This is probably the clearest expression of God’s mercy in the Old Testament. The redemption is “full.” For the Christian, redemption in Christ is not merely from sins, but from a natural inclination and dedication to sin. God hears our cry of repentance, grants us mercy, and forgives our sin through His Son, our Savior Jesus. We know Him as the loving Redeemer who will satisfy our hopes. God saves not only from physical distress but also from the spiritual distress caused by sin.

Our Old Testament lesson from Ezekiel reveals the power over a dead nation; no realm—-even death—-is beyond His control. He can save His people no matter what human judgment would say the would say the possibilities, for all God’s actions seek to introduce Himself to all people as Lord. The Hebrew nation was in exile—-dead. God used the graphic symbol of dry bones to reveal how dead they were. Dry bones can live. God promised Ezekiel He would make the dead nation live again. Jesus revealed to us that dead believers will rise again to eternal life.

The lesson from the epistle of Romans is in simple words, that those who live according to Jesus’ teaching that the law of the Spirit of life has set us free from the law of sin and death. The law we used to live by was without power to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature. By sending Jesus His Son in the likeness of sinful mankind to be a sin offering. Thus he condemned sin in sinful man, which made the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, so do not live according to the sinful nature, but according to the Holy Spirit.

From the Gospel of John it opens us with Lazarus falling sick and his sisters, Mary and Martha sent Jesus an urgent message to come, for their brother was seriously sick. Still, Jesus wait two more days before setting off for Judea in response to His friends urgent call. Jesus’ disciples first thought was of Jesus’ safety, as He had almost been stoned the last time He was in the area. Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. Bu those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.” He then continued, “Our friend Lazarus has fall asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.” They thought Jesus was talking about sleep, but Jesus told them Lazarus had died.

Miracles provide opportunities to teach spiritual truth, to lead people to faith, and to reveal the person of Christ. This visit by Jesus was planned carefully. The understanding and faith of the disciples was provoked; the faith of the sisters and people gathered around them was challenged, and all came through when confronted with the gift of new life. After four day he body was decaying, the spirit within him had left his body, and the utter difficulty of the forthcoming miracle was straining everyone’s belief in the miracle, but a bit of faith, the size of a grain of mustard seed.

Jesus heard in his ears, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died. He directed the people to move the stone away. He called to Lazarus and Lazarus came forth. Once again, the religious leaders tried to discredit Jesus, but the many that had come to mourn Lazarus death, stood in wonderment as he came out of his burial place and back to life.

The raising of Lazarus back to continued earthly life was a demonstration in time of the end time power of God to effect the resurrection of believers (5:28-29). Lazarus was raised but would die again. Believers will be raised one day and never again to die again. Beloved, I believe this to be true. Many will agree with me, and there will be those who do not. One day, we will all know the truth and it will surely set us free forever and I pray to see you all in the kingdom. Amen

Meditation

03/24/2023

“Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” (2^nd Timothy 2:10-13)

God knows those who are His. Yet God’s elect must behave with righteous intentions, seeking to achieve God’s noble purposes. The elect often endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. Such endurance is motivated by love for God’s elect church. The Word of God, alive and unchained, cannot be contained by human effort. Even though the messenger is imprisoned the message is never imprisoned.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Dear Abba, You know Your people and that we love You in spite of our occasional failures. You know we are committed to serving You in spite of consequences and that You seek the very best for us, no matter what. Bless all those who are hurting in body, mind, and/or spirit, that they might set aside their issues and let You deal with them on their behalf, and accept their humble repentance of their sins Abba. For those in conflicts around the world with wars and natural disasters, pour out an anointing upon them all, that they too, might feel You near them and take comfort in that knowledge. Amen.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“A cold church is like cold butter, it doesn’t spread well!”

KNOWING GOD:

“We have come to share in Christ. If we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first” (Hebrews 3:14)

Being in Christ is sharing in Him, being a partaker of Him. Those who persevere in their Christian life know that they have come to share in the life Christ gives. Believers who are once in Christ continue to be in Christ. Faith does not come and go. It stays firmly fixed on Christ.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Jesus answered her (Samaritan woman at the well), ‘If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.’” (John 4:10)

Beloved, believers live in Christ much like fish live in water. He is our natural element—-the Water of life. Salvation means being “in Christ,” asking Him for life, and living out the live available only in Him.

As the Lenten Season has begun…:

Meditation

03/23/2023

“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba,’ Father. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of he Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” (Romans 8:15, 22-23)

God’s salvation is expressed in terms of adoption as His sons. Sonship and adoption are synonymous. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of adoption who makes us children of God. He enables us to call God “Abba” is the Aramaic word meaning “Father” or “Daddy.” God becomes the Father of the saved in a seal and intimate sense. Adopted children are no less children of their parents than are their naturally born offspring. Verse 23 reveals a future dimension to adoption into God’s family, which we call glorification. The presence of God’s Spirit assures us we belong to Him. God’s eschatological (end times) salvation will include the whole created order was affected by the advent of human sin, so it will be by future human redemption. A cosmic liberation from decay awaits the final, full redemption of the children of God. The redemption of natures is to be associated with that of Believers’ bodies.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Dear Abba, this expression of ‘sonship’ was one that would eventually be extended to the whole of humanity, except for those who refused it. Believers receive it when we express our faith in God through His Son, Christ Jesus. There will be a second offering, but if rejected at that time, it will be withdrawn forever. Bless all those who are hurting in body, mind, and/or spirit, that they might set aside their issues and let You deal with them on their behalf, and accept their humble repentance of their sins Abba. For those in conflicts around the world with wars and natural disasters, pour out an anointing upon them all, that they too, might feel You near them and take comfort in that knowledge. Amen.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“If you get grief because of your faith, you must be doing something right!”

KNOWING GOD:

“What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were children, we were slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent His son, born of a woman, born under the law, to received the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.” (Galatians 4:1-7)

As God’s creatures and as sinners purchased back by God, we deserve only to be His slaves without personal freedom. In grace He has made us His adopted sons with full inheritance rights and full freedom. The Spirit leads us to know God as our ‘father’ an as the Father.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—-to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us to the One he loves.” (Ephesus 1:5-6)

Christians are saints because they are in Christ Jesus. The Christian’s holiness is a gift to be used in the service of Christ Jesus. God’s glorious grace is cause for praise. He lavishes upon us the riches of His grace through His beloved Son. We have everything we need in the One whom He loves.

As the Lenten Season has begun…:

Meditation

03/22/2023

“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” (Romans 8:29-30)

God adopts us as Jesus’ brother. Our lives no longer conform to the world’s definition of living. God works in us to conform us to Christ. Paul listed a chain of five certainties leading to our assurance of glory. Ultimate glorification is conformity to the likeness of Christ. This is the ultimate restoration of humanity, both in an individual sense and the collective sense of the whole group of the called becoming like his Son.

God is in control of salvation all the way—-from planning it to providing final rewards in glory. Salvation is a process in which God chooses to save, calls people to salvation, works in Christ to provide salvation, and then gives the eternal rewards of Salvation. The entire process is certain because it is God’s process, so it can all be described in past tense.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Dear Abba, this list of glorification requires You to slowly and surely become living likenesses of Your Son Jesus Christ. Guide us Abba to seek to be more like Jesus in the way we interact with others, whether in business or personal actions, and we simply ask that Your will be done as You desire, that others will see us as Jesus in our actions and words, thus Honoring You. Bless all those who are hurting in body, mind, and/or spirit, that they might set aside their issues and let You deal with them on their behalf, and accept their humble repentance of their sins Abba. For those in conflicts around the world with wars and natural disasters, pour out an anointing upon them all, that they too, might feel You near them and take comfort in that knowledge. Amen.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Dusty Bibles = Dirty Lives!”

KNOWING GOD:

“Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, will not the ministry is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness?

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory; and if what was fading away came with glory how much greater is s the glory of that which last?!” (2^nd Corinthians 3:7-11, 17-18)

When God spoke to Moses in the Old Testament, he had to wear a covering over his face, for no one could look at him as his face shone with the glory of God. In the surpassing ministry of the Spirit (the third part of the Trinity) did not require anyone to veil their faces: For Christ makes us right with God and it is the Christ in the full glorious presence of God becomes visible. Belonging to Christ, we are more fully reflecting His glory, because we become more like Him.

Beloved, saved persons are being transformed into the likeness of Christ. Our transformation will become complete at the resurrection. “Transformed” (Greek – metamorphomai) is the same word used of Christ’s transfiguration.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“One of the criminals who hug there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him, ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘Since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ The he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answer him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’” (Luke 23:39-43)

The Anointed of Bethlehem has the power to declare a man God’s love at its highest measure to offer love and compassion when He hurts the most. Dying on a cross, He revealed God’s love at its highest measure to offer love and compassion when he hurts the most. Paradise, which Jesus spoke of is the place of glorification. It is another word for heaven. God in salvation gives us more than we can ask, hope, or imagine. The repentant thief went at death to where Jesus went. Jesus called the place paradise. The term often descried a place of beauty and enjoyment. Heaven in the final sense will be established at the end time; the period until then is referred to as the intermediate state. At death we go instantly back to the Father.

As the Lenten Season has begun…:

Meditation

03/21/2023

“Ephraim’s jealousy will vanish, and Judah’s enemies will be cut off; Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah, nor Judah hostile toward Ephraim.” (Isaiah 11:13)

Israel’s future hope involved reconciliation between the two nations of Ephraim (Northern Kingdom) and Judah (Southern Kingdom). Jealousy and hostility would have no place in their relationship. They were to become friends. Likewise, when persons are reconciled to God they become friends; they bury their hostility and jealousy. The reconciliation foreseen here was ultimately fulfilled through Christ. God is the initiator of their reconciled relationship. Reconciliation with Him leads to reconciliation with any and all enemies.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Dear Abba, Your lesson on reconciliation is important both for us and for You, for our relationship with You deserves to have any negative aspects of our lives removed. However, we cannot seek reconciliation with You, until we have first reconciled with our enemies. Help and guide us in searching out for those we may not have reconciled with, which prevents us from fully worshiping You fully. Bless all those who are hurting in body, mind, and/or spirit, that they might set aside their issues and let You deal with them on their behalf, and accept their humble repentance of their sins Abba. For those in conflicts around the world with wars and natural disasters, pour out an anointing upon them all, that they too, might feel You near them and take comfort in that knowledge. Amen.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Is God your spare wheel or your steering wheel?”

KNOWING GOD:

“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. If you continue in yours faith established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you head and that has been proclaimed by every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul have become a servant.” (Colossians 1:19-23)

Sin and guilt separate us from God, the source of peace. Reconciliation bringing peace and order into creation has been performed through Jesus’ act of redemption. True peace with God is found through Him. Have you even noticed that when people are caught breaking the law and are arrested, they want to cover up their faces as they have been brought into the light? just as their conduct has and they do not want anyone to see them for who they truly are.

God’s reconciliation through Christ is all inclusive. It is a “vertical, reconciliation between persons and God”; and horizontal, reconciliation between persons and persons and between nature and God.” As all humankind and all nature descended from good in the fall of Adam, so all persons and nature itself are restored in the saving work of Christ!

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“That day Herod and Pilate became friends—-before this they had been enemies” (Luke 23:12)

Reconciliation on the human to human level let Herod and Pilate to become friends. When persons are reconciled to God on the divine to human level, they, too, become friends. An unexpected result of Jesus’ trial was political and personal reconciliation. And expected result of Jesus’ ministry is reconciliation in the church. Is this a true statement in your church?

As the Lenten Season has begun…:

Meditation

Today’s meditation is dedicated to my bride of 52 years. She has been beside me in all things, good and bad, and it has been her love of our Lord and perseverance to stand next to me at all times and all situations always, that allowed me to have the courage and honor to love her. Our relationship has been built on our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and this day I just want to say to you thank you, for being my wife, my rock, the mother or our children and grandkids and godchildren and look forward to living out our days on this earth together, until it is time to enter into the kingdom.

03/20/2023

“And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men. ” (1^st Samuel 2:26)

God’s salvation includes sanctification. Sanctification is growth in holiness, or becoming more like God in character and conduct. The child Samuel was being sanctified under Eli’s direction.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Dear Abba, You want all of Your children to be sanctified, because it shows how much we are growing more like You. Some days that is not attainable, as we are humans and tend to have sinful natures; therefore, we must be wise when we fall short of Your glory and seek forgiveness of those sins, that we may then be able to try again. You love us in spite of our shortcomings, yet You also understand more than we may every know about our possibilities that we ever know. We strive each day to honor You Abba, and we promise to seek You out when we fall short. Love us in spite of our ways, and continue to guide us in all righteous living. Be with all those who are hurting in body, mind, and/or spirit, that they might set aside their issues and let You deal with them on their behalf, and accept their humble repentance of their sins Abba. For those in conflicts around the world with wars and natural disasters, pour out an anointing upon them all, that they too, might feel You near them and take comfort in that knowledge. Amen.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Are you too busy acting like a Christian to be one?”

KNOWING GOD:

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1^st Thessalonians 5:23)

God’s sanctification is for our total being, outward and inward. He wants to make us wholly holy. Sanctification is salvation presently at work in us leading us to obey Him and preparing us for the final judgment.

Paul united ethics (behavior) and eschatology (Christ’s final coming). He prayed that the Thessalonians would be kept pure until Christ’s coming. Christians must be made holy so that we may stand innocent before Christ when He comes. We cannot achieve this in our own power and wisdom. God must sanctify us. We know He calls us to salvation. We know He is faithful and fulfills His promises. Thus we know He will sanctity us so we have no need to fear the coming judgment.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17)

Jesus prayed that the Father would separate His disciples from worldliness and dedicate and equip them for His service. Disciples are equipped for God’s work through the truth, which is the Word of God (Psalm 119:142 – “Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true.”). God’s Word, both living and written, is the chief means through which He sanctifies us.

As the Lenten Season has begun…:

Meditation

Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Lent – 03-19-2023

Psalm 23: 1^st Samuel 16:1-13; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41

Our Lesson from the 23^rd psalm is only 6 verses long, and yet it gives us invaluable and comforting information. It reveals many ways that God shows His loving kindness and protecting power. It is a prayer of love of God and His Divine Presence. Though He may not always change our circumstances, we are assured that He is with us throughout the worst of times and the best of times. He is the Loving Shepherd and Caring Host; whom we looked to for leadership, guidance, and protection, but is now situated in the sanctuary, described as the abundance of eternal provision. We can gain confidence in God, and our confidence through our prayers only strengthens our bond with God ever stronger.

From our Old Testament from 1^st Samuel, we read that God had removed Saul as king of Israel and chosen another, a son of Jesse of Bethlehem to be king. Samuel was told by God to take a heifer with him to Bethlehem to sacrifice for the Lord and honor the one to be the new King, for Saul had disobeyed God’s commandments. God had chosen Saul initially, but he heard turned cold to God’s commands and he had grown away from God. God chose David and while neither were of royal lineage, people look at their leaders stature and God looks at the heart. A lesson for anyone who rises to leadership positions, for they were selected for attributes they had, not from their leadership of their hearts.

Samuel stood near the fire and when the people had come, they awaited for Jesse and his sons to arrive. Each walked by and God told Samuel no, not this one until they had all walked by. Samuel told Jesse none of his sons had been chosen by God, then asked: “Do you have?” Jesse answered, “but one is attending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him: we will not sit down until he arrives.” David was for and when he came he was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him: he is the one.” Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power.

From the Epistle from Ephesians talks about Christian Ethics, our character. We ought to present a life-style to the world which projects a stark contrast the world’s ways. A life that exhibits thanksgiving and peace and an inclination to find and express the truth as opposed to the world’s way which lead to darkness of mind and soul. The Bible gives us instructions and descriptions of worship in the New Testament, though somewhat vague. Simplicity is the best word to describe early church worship services. Those services featured praise, thanksgiving, singing, prayer, Scripture reading, exposition, instruction in Christ’s teaching the Lord’s Supper, and fellowship. I submit to you, these things we offer every Sunday morning in our services, there are liturgical scripture teaching between services and multiple people meeting during the week at various times. Fellowship, well we excel at these and enjoy seeing people and meeting new ones at these events, so that others who may wonder what’s going on here Sundays. We also had a calendar of events in our bulletin, which is always full of things within and outside of our church for people to choose from and get involved in. I would hope all would do so at they can and know they can even with disabilities as well.

The Gospel of John concerns Jesus healing a born blind from birth. As Jesus and His disciples passed by this blind man, the disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no man can work. While I am in the world, I am, the light of the world.”

Jesus spat on the ground and then picked is up and made mud with the saliva and put I on the man’s eyes. “God, he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam.” So the man obediently did as Jesus told him, washed his eyes and he could see. Then things get confusing, for the man’s neighbors and others who had seen him day after day began questioning who he was?! He looked like the man they were used to seeing, but now he sees. Is he another man they asked? They asked him, what happened? He answered him, “the man named Jesus made some mud, put It on my eyes, and then told me to go to Siloam and wash.” I did as told and now I see. “Where is he now? He said, I don’t know.

Now the former blind man is brought before the Pharisees to answer for what had happened to him. He repeated what Jesus had done, and he went to Siloam to wash his eyes and he could see, just like that. Some challenged Jesus for not keeping the Sabbath, others said he was a sinner. Finally they asked the former blind man what he thought about him and he said, “He is a prophet.” The Jews were still unbelieving and asked the man’s parents and fearing problems said, “Ask him, he is of age!” He repeated his story and they hurled insults at him from all sins. The man answered, “Now that is is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of a man born blind having his eyes opened. He was thrown out.

Jesus heard he was thrown out and went to him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. Jesus said, “You have now send him, in fact, he is is the one speaking with you.” Then the mane said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. Jesus said to him, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” Some Pharisees who were wit him heard him say and and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not e guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” Jesus was, of course, pointing out their “Spiritual Blindness.” But more later. Amen

Meditation

03/17/2023

“The Lord has vindicated us; come, let us tell in Zion what the Lord our God has done. Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘See, I will defend your cause and avenge you; I will dry up her sea and maker her springs dry.” (Jeremiah 51:10, 26)

God’s salvation is referred to as His vindication. This represents courtroom language. God defends the rights of His people and punishes all who abuse those rights. Thus, humans do not need to seek revenge. We are to be witnesses testifying to what God has done. The Lord promised to defend Israel’s cause and to avenge her against Babylonia. He vindicates all who trust in Him, no matter where they are.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Dear Abba, You want us to not only appreciate our salvation or in this case our vindication. In essence You want us to tell everyone about our own personal story of receiving salvation from You, and to be witnesses for what You had done on our behalf and what that has meant to each of us in our own lives. Be with all those who are hurting in body, mind, and/or spirit, that they might set aside their issues and let You deal with them on their behalf, and accept their humble repentance of their sins Abba. For those in conflicts around the world with wars and natural disasters, pour out an anointing upon them all, that they too, might feel You near them and take comfort in that knowledge. Amen.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“How would the gospel grow if only you spread it?”

KNOWING GOD:

“O Lord you have heard their insults, all their plots against me—-what my enemies whisper and mutter against me all day long. Look at them! Sitting or standing, they mock me in their songs. Pay them back what they deserve, O Lord, for what their hands have done. Put a veil over their hearts, and may your curse be on them! Pursue them in anger and destroy them from under the heavens of the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:61-66)

Here the prophet sought vindication from God against his enemies. God hears our frustrated angry cry for vengeance but does not want us to take vengeance in our own hands. As we share our dark feelings with God, we need to forgive our enemies. In this series of prayers the petitioner was praying with a cry that anticipated God’s action. He had faith to give enemies over to God’s action because he knew God had heard his prayer. God’s answer brings assurance of redemption.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“The Lord spoke to Moses in the Tent of Meeting in the Desert of Sinai on the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites cam out of Egypt. He said: ‘Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one.’” (Numbers 1:1-2)

God’s request for a count had several caring purposes: He wanted Israel to take careful stock of every child of God, for provision and protection. He wanted Israel to realize how many in number they were so they could see God fulfilled His promise of offspring and strength (Genesis12:2). He wanted the people to assess their strength in relationship to warring nations they must face. The detailed numbering of Israelites also organized them for labor and distribution in the Promised Land. The God of order reveals His care an administration of those to whom He is committed.

As the Lenten Season has begun…:

Meditation

03/16/2023

“But in the Lord all the descendants of Israel will be found righteous and will exult.” (Deuteronomy 24:18-19)

Israel’s hope for the future was that God would justify all her descendants. Apart from God’s righteousness there is not hope for anyone’s future. God never stated he would deem anyone righteous, unless they lived their lives in a righteous manner. Nor did He claim anyone would become righteous in the future, for the future is not assured to anyone. Living as a righteous human being, means exactly what it implies; one that lives to serve the Lord and their fellow mankind with equity and respect for are righteous. There is no clearer definition.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Dear Abba, it seems there have always been those who want the title of being a righteous person, but did not live out their life in that manner. A righteous person lives and works with others without envy of what others have or in business transactions tries to get more than they deserve. Righteous persons are well thought of, because they always deal with others in a respectful manner and with equal business ethics. To become righteous, we must become more Christlike each and every day, not to be showoffs; rather, to be responsible members of society treaty the poorest like the richest, showing no favoritism. Be with all those who are hurting in body, mind, and/or spirit, that they might set aside their issues and let You deal with them on their behalf, and accept their humble repentance of their sins Abba. For those in conflicts around the world with wars and natural disasters, pour out an anointing upon them all, that they too, might feel You near them and take comfort in that knowledge. Amen.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Thy will be done on Earth is a call to action, nothing more, nothing less.”

KNOWING GOD:

“Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:39)

Paul preached that by faith Jesus justifies persons from everything the Law of Moses could not. The Law of Moses did not claim to deal with anything but unintentional sins (Let. 4:2; Heb. 9:7). Paul could not not find satisfaction for his sin problem through the Jewish system. He found satisfaction in Christ Jesus, who atoned for all his sins and relieved all his guilt. Only the mercy of God can deal with intentional sin. God revealed that mercy fully in Christ.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘God, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the say way, faith by itself if it is not accompanied by action is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—-and shudder. You foo foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? What not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.,’ and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:14-26)

Christians as devoted as Martin Luther have been troubled by this passage when comparing it to Paul’s teaching of justification by faith alone. Jame argued against a false definition of faith. A definition with intellectual content but no consequences for practical daily life. Faith is not repeating words even demons can repeat (Mark 1:24; 5:7). Faith is commitment to Christ, depending on Him and not on human achievement for salvation, but also serving Him as directed by His Spirit. Paul and James agreed. They simply emphasized different points in the salvation experience and different components of Christian faith. Good deeds do not earn salvation one does not have. They do provide evidence of salvation received in faith.

As the Lenten Season has begun…: