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2 Corinthians 5:16-17

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

There is something wonderful about having a truly fresh start.  It could be something as simple as the joy of a beautiful morning, or significant as the beginning of a new job.  Why is a fresh start so wonderful?  In many ways, it is that the past is no longer in the way.  As a dreary or stormy night melts away with the bright sun of a fair weather morning, the troubles of the past melt away when the new has come.

This is what God has done for the world in His Son Jesus.  Jesus, though HIs perfect life, showed us our future home in God.  Through His death on the cross Jesus paid the price we could not bear and won our forgiveness.  God removes the burden of our sin and gives us the ultimate fresh start, enabling us to walk in HIs presence through faith.

The old, which means our old sinful self and the sadness of the grave, has passed away. We now are a new creation in Jesus.  As we confess our sins and trust in Jesus our Savior, the certainty of our standing before God is affirmed and we are strengthened to live the joy of eternal life today through faith in God and love towards one another.

Let us pray

I thank you Lord Jesus for making all things new, forgiving my sins, and raising me to experience your new life.  Help me not to fear the past, for you have won my forgiveness.  Be with all those who have yet to come to know you.  May they too rejoice through faith in you and be made new. In your name I pray, Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

2 Corinthians 5:6-9

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Are you a courageous person?  Most people would probably not picture themselves like that.  In fact, when people who have done something very courageous are later called heroes, they don’t claim the title easily.  They say things like, “I was just doing my job.”  When we think of courageous people we think of superheroes, not regular people just fulfilling their calling.

But, true courage isn’t about superheroes and fantasy.  True courage is precisely about “doing your job” faithfully.  

But, what about extreme situations?  What about when your life really is on the line?  In those situations, you need more.  In that case, it is important to remember Jesus.

Our Lord Jesus was faithful in the greatest confrontation of all time.  He came into the world to face evil for us, and free us from our sins.  He came fully knowing that our salvation would cost Him His life.  Yet, Jesus still came.  Why?  He came because His courage wasn’t simply a lack of fear.  It was a fulness of faith and certainty of the Joy of your salvation.  Jesus was able to face the most ferocious battle and be victorious because His in divine love He could overcome even our sins.

Through faith in Jesus we are given such courage.  How is this so?  Through faith in Jesus we have the forgiveness of our sins and the certainty of His resurrection for our mortal bodies.  We know that there is no loss in this life that can take away the eternal life that God sealed to us in our Baptism.  Through faith in Jesus, our courage is the courage of faith that alone lets us see our eternal life.  We walk by faith, and not simple human sight. 

Therefore, we can be courageous in the fulfilling of our daily calling.  Even though we are usually called to things far less dramatic than those depicted in any superhero movie, we are strong through faith in the Lord.  And should we find our challenges to be most difficult, these challenges are never beyond God’s ability to strengthen us, our Savior’s victory for us and the promise of our resurrection to eternal life.

Let us pray,

I thank you Lord for granting me a courageous faith in my baptism. Help me to remember your victory when I face challenges in my daily work, for I walk by faith and not sight.

In your name I pray, AMEN.  

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

2 Corinthians 5:4-5

4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

This is the time of year when many families are getting ready to go camping.  I have told you about my first camp experience in an outfitters tent when I was a boy.  Though I’m sure it was challenging, it didn’t stop us from camping.  Later in life, it has still not stopped me from tent camping! 

As families head out, the first few night is usually wonderful, but then reality begins to take its toll.  By the end of the first week, most people feel a bit frazzled.  This is especially true if the weather has been difficult, as in hot, rainy, or buggy.

We had one camp that we attempted in the middle of a drought and heat wave.  We ended up just coming home to survive.  I didn’t see it as a defeat.  It was a blessing to have a real home waiting for our return.

Our Heavenly Father sustains us through the trials of this life. He is our real home.  Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection we are His.  This life does have many joys, despite the attacks of the evil one and the sins of evil men.  This is due to our Father’s Love.  But we should not fall in love with our present “tent living” situation.  There is more. There is better.

As Christians we confess the resurrection and eternal life.  We remember that God’s faithful love for us in Jesus includes our eternal Home with Him.  This is our sustaining joy now, and our joyful homecoming at the resurrection. 

Let us pray,

I thank you Lord for sustaining me in all the trials that I face in this life.  I thank you for continuing to bring joy to this creation and peace to my soul.  Most of all, I thank you for the future that you have given me through faith in Jesus my Savior.  Please bless and strengthen all who trust in you.  May we be sustained in our trials, and be found at last in your perfect joy.  In Your Name I pray,  AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Psalm 1

1 

Blessed is the man

    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

2 

but his delight is in the law of the Lord,

    and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 

He is like a tree

    planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

    and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.

4 

The wicked are not so,

    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5 

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

    nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

6 

for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,

    but the way of the wicked will perish.

Do you think that Jesus was a happy person? I certainly think of Jesus as being blessed, but happy?  Is there a difference?

Being blessed is more than just being funny, or friendly, or carefree.  But it also isn’t less than being happy.  In fact, the best way to think of being blessed is to be perfectly happy, balanced, joyful, and at peace.  To me, this describes Jesus.

It takes that kind of happiness and joy, that blessedness, to do the hard work of loving the world.  The sinful world, with all the troubles that are in it, easily sway the mood of anyone whose life is characterized by anything less than heaven’s perfect joy.  Faced with sin, death, and devil, who wouldn’t give up?  The answer is the one who is perfectly blessed, Jesus our Lord.

From the bliss of the Father’s Love, to the cross of Calvary, Jesus came to bring peace to this trouble earth.  Through the pain of sacrifice on the cross, Jesus never lost sight of the joy of your salvation.  It was Jesus’ blessedness, His Joy, His perfect faith, that are the character and substance of unity with the Father.  That blessedness is our eternal future through faith in Jesus.

Let us pray,

I thank you Lord Jesus for bringing the joy of heaven to earth and offering everything to me through faith in you.  Help me to serve in my life and vocation from faith, so that when I meet challenges, your joy will allow me to persevere in all trials.  I ask this in your name, AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Mark 3:31-35

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

31 And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. 32 And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” 33 And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

Sometimes, siblings look alike.  In fact, we usually expect that children from the same parents will look alike.  We expect that they will “match” or “go together” as a family group. But, there is something else that makes us notice a resemblance, even when siblings not only don’t look alike, but are adopted.  I’m talking about the shared values and behavior of a family.  These are actually more important than just appearance.  

Jesus taught that those who do the will of God are His true family.  The people who said that His mother and brothers were looking for Jesus gave Jesus an opportunity to teach them about the most important family, namely the family of our heavenly Father.  Those who do the will of God, show that they are Jesus’ true family as well.

Jesus came to offer Himself on the cross to save us, because His Father is gracious and loving.  God’s generosity is shown in giving everything for our salvation as gift through faith in Jesus.  As we believe in Jesus, we are set free from sin to show our true family resemblance.  God’s love for the world, resulted in Jesus coming to save.  Jesus coming to save, results in our salvation. The Holy Spirit’s work grants us faith and transforms us.  By the Grace of God, we are His workmanship and daily resemble our true family. 

May God grant you joy today as you remember that you are truly Jesus’ family because you believe in Him. Through daily repentance and renewal by the Holy Spirit all people see clearly the resemblance of a Christian to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Let us pray,

Lord I thank you for bringing me into your family through my baptism where I was united personally with Jesus’ saving work.  May your will be evident in my life today so that all people will see you in me.  In Jesus’ name.  AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Mark 3:28-35 

28 “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— 30 for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”

The first time you read this passage and understand that there is such a thing as an unforgivable sin, you may begin to fear that somehow you have indeed committed that very sin.  This is understandable.  As sinners, we deal with guilt all of the time.  So, if we hear of a sin, we very easily can begin to feel that since we feel guilt, we are guilty of that sin.

But, we must also remember that Satan will use our sense of guilt to drive us to despair.  Satan will cause proper guilt to transform into an overactive conscience leading to despair. In this case, the despair would be horrible indeed. For, in the case of the unforgivable sin, there is no recourse, no second chance, and no forgiveness possible.  

So, what is the unforgivable sin?  According to this scripture reading, it is “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.”  What does that mean?  The context of this reading was of people who were rejecting Jesus, even though they knew who He was.  This was even in the face of HIs undeniable miracles and God’s Word that said such miracles were a sign of the true Messiah.  The rejection of the Holy Spirit’s work to preach the truth of Jesus to their hearts and give them faith was complete. They called the Holy Spirit an unclean spirit.  There could be no more total, mindful, rejection of Jesus and the Grace of God than that.  They had placed themselves outside of God’s Grace and forgiveness.

So, have you indeed committed the unforgivable sin?  To sin against the Holy Spirit is to reject His Work, to reject Jesus as your Lord and Savior, even though you know who He is, and to treat the Holy Spirit with blasphemous contempt.  Such a person has no remorse for unbelief and no concern over the unforgivable sin.  If you have more questions about this matter, this would be a good opportunity to call your pastor and discuss your concerns with him personally.

The Holy Spirit preaches that Jesus is true God and true man, who came into the world to save us.  The Holy Spirit teaches all that Jesus did, including His death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, and His resurrection from the dead on the third day.  God the Holy Spirit gives faith to all who believe in Jesus, confess their sins and receive God’s forgiveness.  Without the gifts of the Holy Spirit we would be lost indeed.  Therefore we thank Him for preaching to us still through God’s Word and granting us faith to trust in Jesus.  

Let us pray,

I thank you, O Holy Spirit, for having mercy on me, proclaiming the Love of the Father, the gifts of my Savior Jesus, and granting me faith to believe the Gospel.  I ask for your continued spiritual gifts so that will I remain strong in faith and receive the gift of eternal life.  Grant power to those who proclaim the Gospel to others, that their message may have your power to grant saving faith.  I ask this in Jesus name.  AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Jesus Binds Satan and Sets Us Free

Mark 3:22-27

22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.” 23 And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. 27 But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.

Jesus miracles were undeniable.  Everyone could see that people were being healed, and, incredibly, even those who suffered from demon possession were being set free.  People were overjoyed.  Well, most people were overjoyed.

Those who rejected Jesus saw His miracles as very bad news.  They wanted others to dismiss Jesus as a fake. They wanted to keep their positions of power with the people and the Roman rulers.  To them, Jesus was a threat. Why couldn’t they just be happy for the many people who found relief by God’s Grace through Jesus miracles?  They couldn’t rejoice with them because they idolized their power.  Therefore they were filled with hatred towards Jesus.

Since they couldn’t deny Jesus’ miracles, they took a different approach.  They didn’t deny that the demon possession was real and horrible.  They just claimed that Jesus cast out demons because He was one of them.  They ridiculed Jesus and slandered the Holy Spirit.

Jesus pointed out that their claims made no sense at all. A divided house will fall.  Satan will not cast out himself.  But, what Jesus’ enemies had revealed was their own hatred towards Jesus and their own idolatrous love of power. Their sins against the Holy Spirit would not be forgiven.

Jesus had come to destroy the horrible rule of sin, death and devil in this creation.  The Holy Spirit, who came upon Jesus in power at HIs baptism, bore witness to the love of the Father for the World in Jesus ministry.  Ultimately, on the cross, Jesus bore the sin and sorrows of the world, and in His resurrection broke the bonds of the evil one forever.

Knowing Jesus through faith is a gift of God the Holy Spirit.  Jesus is the one who still sets people free both now and forever.  Though still maligned, the Lord Jesus calls all people to repentance and faith through His church.  May God grant all people Grace to hear and faith to believe His good news.

Let us pray,

I thank you Lord for enduring the scorn of mankind and faithfully fulfilling your ministry for me.  Help me through daily repentance and faith in you to find freedom and the power to walk in your steps.  I ask this in your name.  AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Mark 3:20-21

20 Then (Jesus) he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. 21 And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”

“What was I thinking!”  Have you ever said that to yourself? It is so easy to get so preoccupied with the distractions of life that we miss important things right in front of us.  Perhaps it was overlooking something important on your calendar, or just letting the pot boil over on the stove.  

In Jesus’ case, He was involved with His ministry so much, that He couldn’t even eat.  Those closest to Him thought that He had gone too far!  They thought that Jesus had lost His perspective!  They even wondered if He was out of His mind.

This was far from the case.  Jesus wasn’t out of His mind.  In fact, given the situation, Jesus was the only one who had a true understanding of the needs of all.  He was the only one who was actually in a right mind, because Jesus knew the profound need for salvation that pressed heavily upon all people.  He had come to carry that heavy burden.  Not having time to eat was just the beginning.

Jesus carried all our sins, death, and suffering to the cross.  There Jesus removed our guilt.  It is only through faith in Jesus that we can be in our right mind.  Forgiven and restored we are able to perceive what is actually important, life giving, and loving.

Are you in your right mind?  One good sign is when you make time in your life for the Word of God and prayer.  The Devil, the world and our own sinful distractions will never leave room for Jesus and His Word.  But, by the Grace of God, the Holy Spirit can open our hearts and our schedules to meditation on God’s Word, prayer, and thanksgiving.  God will put us in our right mind, and through faith in Jesus, lead us to have time for everything that is actually vital.

Let us pray,

I thank you Lord for your perfect devotion to your calling and sacrifices for me.  Help me, as I receive my daily bread, to remember your acceptance of hunger for my sake.  Oh Holy Spirit, order my life according to your wisdom and the things that are truly valuable.  Help all your people to repent of our distracted sinful ways and find peace in your word, prayer, and fellowship.  In your name I pray.  AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

2 Corinthians 5:1

Our Heavenly Dwelling

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Have you ever camped in a tent?  When I was a boy, my parents decided we were going camping.  The first time out, they borrowed a tent and headed into the mountains of southern California.  The tent that they borrowed was common for the day.  It wasn’t like today’s tents made of lightweight and waterproof materials, and outfitted with screens and easy to use zippers.  The tent we used was made of canvas, had no windows, no screens, no floor and only had a tent flap that fastened ties. It was what today people would call an outfitters tent.  

I have no bad memory of that first outing.  But, my mother shared her memory.  She said that we were instantly filthy.  So, it wasn’t long until my parents upgraded their camping gear.  They bought a 1961 Shasta Airflyte camper.  That camper went on to become a classic!  It followed our family around for decades and was used for camping, moving, and guest accommodations.  

More wonderful than a beautiful home to an outfitters tent is the the eternal dwelling that God has prepared for us at the resurrection as compared to our earthy existence.  Our mortal bodies, troubled by sin, are often miserable.  But our Lord Jesus has had mercy on us and come to save us.  He suffered with us in this creation and He died for us on the cross.  Through faith in Him we have forgiveness and the certainty of sharing His resurrection and eternal life.  This is our eternal dwelling place and comfort in all earthly losses.

Let us pray

I thank you Lord Jesus for dwelling in a mortal body, and bearing my sins upon the cross.  I praise you for your forgiveness and the gift of eternal life.  Help me in the midst of trials of this life to remember my future with you and find comfort in the eternal home that awaits me.  Help all those who are struggling with sickness, sorrow, depression or anxiety this day. Allow them faith to turn to you and receive the eternal home, peace, and comfort, that only you can provide.  In your name I pray,  AMEN.    

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

John 3: 16-17

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 3:17 follows one of the most memorized verses in the Bible, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”  What more could be said of such a clear statement of the Love of the Father for the world and His intention in sending His Son Jesus than John 3:16?  Apparently, there is more.  There is verse 17!

Verse 17 states the Gospel from the negative perspective!  Here God says clearly and simply why He did NOT send Jesus.  Jesus did not come to condemn the world.  Why is this so important?

The person with a guilt stricken conscience needs to know this.  God’s love is totally unexpected for the one who sees his sin.  The one whose conscience is dead has no fear of God or judgement.  Such a person needs to hear the Law of God clearly so that he or she will repent and not be lost forever.  But, the one who has heard the Law and understood his or her condition, needs to understand the Grace, Love, and mercy of God.  He could never dream such good news. Instead, he would despair!

Therefore, John 3:17 tells us what we would never have expected.  God didn’t send Jesus into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world.  Jesus death on the cross was intended to remove the death we deserved and Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is our sure and certain hope of eternal life.  God’s Word is complete.  It tells us that God sent His Son out of a divine love for the world.  And it tells us that Jesus first came not to condemn but to save.  

At Jesus second coming, He will come to judge the earth.  On that day He will separate the good from the bad, those who believe in Him from those who will not.  Through faith in Jesus, we need have no fear of that day.  In love for all others, we now share the good news of John 3:16 and 3:17 with all who will hear.

Let us pray,

Lord I thank you for coming into the world to save me.  Help me to daily remember you great gift, confess my sins, and trust in your redeeming work.  For all those who are in despair about their life or situation, grant them faith in you to find hope through your salvation for them.  In your name I pray,  AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.