Author: Peter Loeffelbein

Dt 34

This passage reminds me of the sovereignty of God. He has the ultimate authority in our lives, even if we don’t acknowledge his existence but especially if we do follow and believe in him.

My finish line may not be the finish line. I trust God to lead me in his way. I confess that I typed those words with trepidation.

Moses got to climb a a mountaintop and see the goal line but he would not get to cross it. The Israelites were camped on the east side of the Jordan river. The promise land was on the west side. 40 plus years Moses had led the people. He was 80 when God spoke to him from the burning bush. He was now 120 years old and as strong as ever yet God said he could not cross over.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have now allowed you to see it with your own eyes, but you will not enter the land.” So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, just as the Lord had said. The Lord buried him in a valley near Beth-peor in Moab, but to this day no one knows the exact place. Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever.”

Deuteronomy 34:4-7 –

It seemed so minor, Moses’ infraction, his blunder, his sin and yet it kept him out of the promised land.

“But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!” This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means “arguing”) because there the people of Israel argued with the Lord, and there he demonstrated his holiness among them.”

Numbers 20:12-13 –

God is sovereign. We may think we have a plan but God’s will prevails.

“But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken. What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance. The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. From his throne he observes all who live on the earth. He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do. The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory— for all its strength, it cannot save you. But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.”

Psalm 33:11-22 –

This morning I read Ruth chapter 1.

It is a simple little book about a family from Bethlehem who suffered great loss. Naomi went with her husband and 2 sons to Moab to escape a famine in Israel. Her sons find Moabite wives. But then one by one her men die and she is left with her 2 daughters in law, Orpah and Ruth.

(I want to mention that the family were called Ephrathites. I live in Ephrata Washington and am also an Ephrathite. Our town was called Ephrata because it reminded a visitor of the area around Bethlehem.)

Naomi heard that God had blessed Israel with a good harvest so she decided to go back. Her daughters in law both said they would return with her. She dissuaded them and Orpah returned to her parents but Ruth said this: “But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”

Ruth 1:16-17 –

Ruth’s devotion is touching, but it becomes history changing. Because she would become a part of the lineage of Jesus.

Thank you Ruth for you loyalty and dedication and thank you God for having a plan to save me…and all the other folks too.

(originally posted July 20, 2016)

When you get called by your formal name….

“Peter James!”

Just typing that sent chills of fear through my body because even though you couldn’t hear it, there was my mothers voice in my ear ringing with an angry tone as I typed.

John 21

I think that is what the apostle Peter heard in our text today. Jesus used his given name, Simon son of John.

“15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”’

Jesus used his given name, Simon son of John. There is language here that’s worth looking into if you have the time but what I got this morning was Jesus telling Simon Peter that he would never deny Jesus again.

He had denied Jesus. He denied him 3 times. The last denial was vehemently and with cursing.

On this day, through the catch of fish Jesus provided for this ex-fisherman, he gave him his mission, feeding the sheep Jesus would provide for him and he told him that peter would die a horrible death rather than deny Jesus again.

It’s a good thing to hear that Jesus doesn’t hold grudges. Even open denial can be forgiven.

Thank you Jesus for forgiving that Peter and for forgiving this Peter all of our sins.

Joshua 2

This morning I read this. It is Rahab the prostitute speaking with the Israeli spies.

“I know the Lord has given you this land,” she told them. “We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror. For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed. No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.

Joshua 2:9-11 –

I believe in and serve a ancient God. He is the lord God of the heavens above and the earth below. He is also a God of compassion and forgiveness.

People with a past can have a future because God uses broken people. Rahab the prostitute became part of the human lineage of Jesus. Rahab believed in God and God used her in his plan to provide a savior for the world.

An excerpt of Jesus’ lineage from the book of Matthew:

“Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse.”

Matthew 1:5 –

Jesse is King David’s Father.

God can use broken people, people like me and people like you.

7 On this mountain he will destroy

the shroud that enfolds all peoples,

the sheet that covers all nations;

8 he will swallow up death forever.

The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears

from all faces;

he will remove his people’s disgrace

from all the earth.

The Lord has spoken.” Isa 25:7,8.

The hill was Golgotha, the place of the skull where Jesus died once for all. He defeated death and sin. Sin and death like unholy debt collectors waiting to haul us each away but Jesus paid it all for everyone of us. that day. On that hill.

(Originally posted July 14, 2016)

There were 2 missing. One was dead, suicide, and the other was AWOL.

John 20

Where was the second guy? The group had been tight for 3 years now it seemed to be unraveling. The missing mans name was Thomas.

I speculate that Thomas was being proactive. He was moving on to plan B. Plan A had been a miracle working messiah but he was dead. I think Thomas had seen Jesus body some where, either on the cross or on the way to the tomb. He couldn’t shake the sight of his teacher/leader/friend/messiah being dead.

“Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin,[a] was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Purpose of This Book

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

I don’t blame Thomas. I have seen dead bodies before. My uncle Charlie and my mom. They don’t look the same. Jesus was dead. But not for long. Thomas said “unless I see, unless I touch”. He got to do that but today we don’t have that option. We do however receive a blessing by believing without seeing.

Jesus suffered and died. He was dead. But he came back to life in a way that a doubter could see and believe.

What do you believe about Jesus?

There is a lot weighing in the balance of your answer. Believe and come home to our Father.

He did it without a cape.

No costume. No mask. No sidekick.

It cost him his life but he did it. Jesus saved the world.

John 19 & 20

Superheroes are doing it all the time, supposedly saving the world but they never fight our two worst enemies; sin and death.

Jesus took on the battle over sin and death and beat them both.

“After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Jesus’ Side Is Pierced

31 Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. 36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”’

It doesn’t read like a victory but wait, there’s more to the story.

Jesus rose from the dead.

“11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic,[b] “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.”

From the cross Jesus said “it is finished”. The battle over sin in our lives has been won. Sin wants to enslave us but Jesus paid for all of us and all of it on the cross. What is left for us is to confess our need of forgiveness and to receive the gift. It sounds too simple.

Paul summed it up in his letter to the Romans, ” if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”’

Today could be the day that changes eternity for someone. If you have already received Jesus’ gift then take the next step and tell someone. Once everyone has heard we get to go be with Jesus in the home he has built for us. Maybe the last person that’s waiting to hear the good news is sitting across the aisle from us at work, or lives across the fence from us, next door. We need to Tell our story.

Jesus has defeated sin and death.

No cape, just a cross.

I found a bible reading plan in the back of our new bible. It’s the Jesus centered bible NLT version. Each reading from the Old Testament will have a reference to or reference by Jesus. Yesterday’s reading was from Leviticus 4. Today’s is from Leviticus 19. Chapter 4 talks about sin offerings. Sin offerings were animal sacrifices, bulls for priests, rulers sacrificed young bulls, leaders sacrificed male goats, ordinary people could sacrifice female goats or sheep. The were killed before the altar and their blood was to be poured out at the base of the altar. But some of it was to be put in the horns of the altar as a fragrant offering.

When Jesus died he said “it is finished” and the temple curtain that separated the holy place from the Holy of Holies was torn, not from bottom to top, but from top to bottom.

So much symbolism here. I will only mention a couple of things. Christianity is the only world religion where God reaches down to man. The curtain was torn from top to bottom. Man and God were separated in the temple by this curtain. Through Jesus’ death we are no longer separated from God. Through Jesus’ death, all the sacrifices are completed. His one death is the better sacrifice than all the animals. God has reached down to us and for us.

Today’s reading is from Leviticus 19. Three verses stood out.

“The Lord also said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the entire community of Israel. You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy. “

How can we be Holy? Only Jesus’ blood can make us Holy.

“Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin.”

We receive forgiveness in Jesus but we are only forgiven if we also forgive others.

“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”

Jesus said The 2 greatest commandments are to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, our soul, our mind and our strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Leviticus 19:1-2,17-18 –

Yes Jesus changed things and removed the need for animal sacrifice but the principles have stayed the same. Jesus made the way to God accessible, but it’s only through Him. God created us and loves us but our sin has separated us from him. Through the sacrifice of his son Jesus, if we accept his sacrifice as payment for our sins and believe that God raised him from the dead, then we can be reunited with our God. God has stooped down to rescue us. God is gracious. God is merciful. God loves me. God loves you.

Do not attempt this at home.

I was feeling down and grumpy. Every person that came into my mind made me angry. If everyone makes me angry, maybe the problem is me.

I repented for being so unloving and said a simple prayer of “God, how do you feel about me?” Then I opened my bible. My bible opened to Romans 8 and my eyes fell to these verses.

“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” ) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:31-39 –

God loves me enough to send his only son to die in my place. His only son Jesus loves me enough to willingly come to earth and suffer and die and to be raised to life, for me. And yet He holds no grudge.

How does God feel about me? He loves me. He loves you too. Have you accepted his gift of salvation yet?

(I originally posted this on this day in 2016 and I have reposted it every year since. It is one of my favorite scenes from the night of Jesus’ arrest. His power over the soldiers tells us he willingly went. He died willingly for you and for me.)

Meekness is power under submission. In the dictionary there should be a picture of Jesus next to the word.

John 18

“When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.

2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”

5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.

8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”[a]

10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

When the soldiers fell to the ground, was it Angels doing sweep kicks to the back the knees? It could have been the force of his breath. The one who created the air and the wind that moves it was speaking. Maybe the ground was yanked like a throw rug. However it was accomplished it shows that Jesus was in charge even while he was submitting to His Fathers’ plan to be arrested, tried, convicted and executed.

That plan would lead him to die on a cross. That death would change my eternity. Change eternity for all people. We now have a way back to our Father God. The door, the path, the way, the only way is through Jesus death on the cross.

He went willingly because he loves us. Will you accept his gift of life today? If you have already accepted His gift, will you tell someone who hasn’t heard the good news yet? God has forgiven our sin. We can come home.

I found this label on the ground. I think one or all of us may have dropped it . It is adhered to us when we receive God’s gift of grace in Jesus. We are accepted in the beloved, just as we are.

“just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

Ephesians 1:4-7

We are, i am, you are, accepted in the beloved.

Today I opened my bible to Luke 14 and 15. I read most of both chapters. Luke 15 has the story of the prodigal son. The son can’t wait for dad to die so can inherit his share and get out on his own. He squanders it all on prostitutes and partying and ends up broke and alone. He comes to his senses and decides to return to his father, repent and become a hired hand. His father sees him a long way off and…, well let’s just read it together.

““When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.”

Luke 15:17-

The one son repented and returned. The other son the older son, I forgot to say there were two, was indignant and would not join in the festivities. My understanding of this part of the story is not as clear. The father attempts to reconcile the brothers. The point of this part of the story may be like the parable of the vineyard workers who were paid the same amount, whether they worked the whole day, or just a couple hours. Here is how Jesus told it:

““The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’ “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

Luke 15:28-32 –

Positionally I am more like the older son. But relationally I am more like the prodigal. I left Christianity even while attending church every Sunday. When I was in high school I created my own rules of conduct and did what pleased me. It was a life devoted to my pleasure. Eventually I did realize my moral bankruptcy and spiritual poverty and came to God, repenting and received sonship through the sacrifice of Gods son Jesus.

But now I am more the older son, who has labored in the kingdom for 38 years. How will I respond when wayward brothers come home? Do I, will I remember my own prodigal journey? Will I be gracious and merciful like my Father is?

There is more to this story and I’m not sure I’m getting all of it. But I am grateful to God for fresh remembering of his grace and mercy towards me. His love is open to everyone.

I have recently been exposed to a group of people who have a different view of the Bible. The word bible just means book. I should say the Holy Bible. By adding Holy to Bible I set the book apart because the word Holy means separate, different, revered, hallowed, sanctified. When we say God is Holy it means that he is not part of creation, he is not like us, a created being, he is the “I am”, the pre-existing one. I have been raised and taught to believe that the Bible is God’s word, him speaking and so his word has the same qualities that he possesses, immutability, he doesn’t change, and his so his word doesn’t change. The denomination that I am a member has a Bylaw that says every church building of its denomination will have in its sanctuary this scripture from the book of Hebrews 13.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8 – God does not change.

On Monday morning, after a rough weekend of harsh words, most coming from me because I felt like I had to defend God and his word. I got up exhausted after not sleeping well, still emotional and hurting and I, more out of duty than longing to hear anything, opened my bible randomly to Nehemiah 8.

To set the stage, the nation of Israel had been taken captive to Babylon. 70 plus years went by, God foretold them how long the captivity would last, then they were allowed to return to the land of Israel (Judah of Israel) and rebuild. The people had rebuilt their homes but had not rebuilt the temple of God or the city walls. One reason for this is that they had lost contact with God. God gave us his word so that we can know Him. We can’t know Him if we don’t hear and know his word. The leaders gathered the people and did this:

“all the people assembled with a unified purpose at the square just inside the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had given for Israel to obey. So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand. He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law. Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. To his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah. To his left stood Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet. Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

Nehemiah 8:1-6 –

I need to know God and so I need to know his Word. I believe his word is like him, unchangeable. God is. He is always the same. I believe in, read and study an ancient book. The most recent parts of it are 2000 years old. The message is timeless. God loves us, but we are separated from him because of sin. God has sent his son to die for us to pay for that sin. Jesus death has erased the separation and when he came back to life, his life shows us God’s power over death.

We have standards of weights and measures. A pound is a pound no matter where you go in the US. A gallon in Washington state is the same as a gallon in Florida or Maine. Standards. We have number standards that are even more universal. 1+1=2. In China the math is the same. It may be written differently but the truth of the numbers is the same. Truth doesn’t change. God is truth. He doesn’t change.

Jesus, being God in the flesh said “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

John 14:6 – God is truth. God does not change.

I don’t like the tone of what I’m writing, the truth is there but the tone is not filled with grace. Let me end with this.

God loves us. He loves us. He loves you. He loves me. Sin, which is something we all have, has separated us from him so he made a way back for us but it is a narrow way, anyone can use it but there is only one way and that is through accepting Jesus death as payment for our sins, and believing that he did not stay dead but was raised to life by God.

This is truth and it will not change.

I am damaged goods. I’m not just talking about my body. My heart, my soul are damaged. They are always wanting their own way. I am sitting in church listening to songs about how much God loves me, but my mind keeps flashing back to my failures, telling me I don’t belong here. Then over all the other voices and memories I hear Jesus words from the cross, “it is finished”.

Jesus finished the work it took to forgive my sins. I entered black with sin, but bathed in his red blood I am washed white. I don’t understand it but I cling to it like a drowning man to a life raft.

Join me if not in this place at least in this position. I have Asked Jesus yet again to cleanse me and his blood is just as effective today as it was the very first time a I called out to him to save me.

Church starts at 10 am here but there are church’s every where and if you can’t make it to church Jesus is available 24/7 and makes house calls.

Join me.

Can people really change? Does meeting Jesus and having him become our master really have any affect on us?

(Col 4)

Once upon a time there was a slave who lived in Colosse. He was a young man born into slavery. He stole some money from his master and ran away to the big city of Rome. He was hoping to lose himself in the crowds. In stead he met a man named Paul who introduced him to a God/man/savior named Jesus. This slaves name was Onesimus. Paul had this to say about the character of this guy; “He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.”

And this “Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10 that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus,[b] who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.”

The second quote is from the book of Philemon. Philemon was Onesimus’ owner. How strange to own another human yet he did and it was within his rights to do anything to his slave. Paul asked for mercy and forgiveness.

The name Onesimus means useful.

Jesus can change people from useless to useful. He can set the the heart of one enslaved free, even if his body is still owned.

There are many modern slaveries that we get sold into. Jesus can set us free by washing away sin and breaking chains, spiritual chains the keep us locked into patterns and behaviors.

Can people change? Hmmm. Can Jesus change people? Yes.

Get a long little doggy?

No, get along little doggy.

Colossians 3 (and a tiny part of 4)

The next bit of bible I’m going to quote is how to get along with people. How to live in community. The very next sentence is a very controversial, counter cultural bit of advice. The way our society recoils at it you would think it said that God hates puppies. God doesn’t hate puppies. He loves puppies. You know what he loves more than puppies? Us. People. Men and women. And he wants us to live in the best possible way. Since he created us he probably (probably?) knows how we can best live. He gives us the manufacturers recommended way to use this thing called life.

Here it is:

” 18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

21 Fathers,[c] do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.

4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.”

Jesus loves us and has died to pay for all of our sin and now he lives forever and we can too, with him.

If we fail….when we fail at the above list of interpersonal relationships we have forgiveness in Jesus.

I recently read this in this very same book;

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[d] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

Get along little people.o

Good morning Christian soldier. Have we Lost our focus or mission? It’s easy to do.

Col 3

Here is a recap:

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

We have a mission and purpose. Not everyone has heard the good news yet and some who have heard it haven’t seen it in action. We need to speak it and display it.

Proverbs 31 – The first half

I opened to this chapter twice in the last week. It could be coincidence, but it was two different bibles, one new one, one older one so i think God may want me to read what’s here.

The first half of this chapter has a Mother’s advice to her son on how to rule well. Her son was a king, King Lemuel. One thing she tells him is to not drink beer or wine.

“It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.”

Proverbs 31:4-5 –

I usually avoid alcohol. The second to last beer I had was with a meal with friends in Leavenworth in 2006. The last beer I had was with a meal with friends last week. We were at a pub that makes beer and I thought I would try one. The couple we were with told me ahead of time what made this beer special. When i tasted it? It was wasted on me. It was beer. I didn’t like how it made me feel.

I’m not a king. Even so, I don’t think I’ll be taking up beer drinking.

There is another set of verses in this chapter that caught my eye.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.”

Proverbs 31:8-9 –

My thoughts went to the babies who won’t get a birthday because their parents decided that they don’t want them.

I heard a statistic lately that the opioid crisis has killed 200,000 people. I was shocked. Then they said that that was over the last 20 years. I was shocked again. 200,000 over 20 years and it is a crisis. Yes that is true. Also true is this. Since Roe v. Wade passed we have killed around a million babies every year. Opioid deaths are a crisis. Then what is the abortion situation? In the same period of time we have legally killed 100 times more innocent babies. If 200,000 makes one kind of death a crisis,What is a crisis times 100? I would call it a mega-crisis.

There is forgiveness and restoration to all who have had babies aborted. Jesus forgives sin.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.”

John 3:16-18 –

God is in the forgiveness business. What can he do? He hates sin but loves sinners? What he did do was provide the forgiveness of sin through the death of his own son Jesus. Jesus’ death covers all of our sin.

What can we do for this socially accepted mega-crisis? Can we promote adoption? Can we support families better? How Can we work to make abortions unnecessary? Locally there is a great resource for help with an unwanted pregnancy and how to deal with it at crossroads pregnancy center. They can also help with post abortion counseling either there or through recommending counselors.

https://www.pregnancywa.com/

(800)-712-HELP

There is help.

There is forgiveness.

There is hope.

There is love.

We’re all travelers, my advice? pack light.

(Col 2, Matt 6)

Mary and I were talking a few nights ago as we sat out under the stars and watched the planes fly over. Seeing the planes makes us think of our adventures in Italy. We want to go back but we would change one thing. We would pack lighter. Images of the two of us taking busses, trains and boats with 3 suit cases pops into our heads. It was comical.

Have you ever been lugging around baggage (or is is bagging around luggage?). Carrying more than is comfortable? It’s so hard. Pulling around a huge box of stuff that seemed so very important at the time. It was meant to be an asset but in actuality becomes a liability.

I went to a family gathering this recently . One thing that happened there is that it reminded me of baggage that I carry of things done in my past. Things done Not to me, but by me.

Colossians 2 says this about our sins:

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[d] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

I know Jesus has forgiven me, but I haven’t done the next step and and confessed and repented to the offended. With every year it seems more difficult to do. Soon. I’m really tired of carrying this luggage or lugging this baggage.

I don’t hold any grudges, not with my family anyway but that’s another set of bags that we can drag around with us.

There is a warning at the bottom of the Lord’s Prayer, one that states Our own forgiveness hinges on whether or not we forgive others.

“9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

10 your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us today our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]

but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Forgiving others is like having your luggage sent ahead, like checking it at the gate. Something I wish Mary and I could’ve done on our leg of the trip that took us to Venice so we both could enjoy all that we were experiencing.

We are all travelers. How much luggage or baggage are we carrying unnecessarily? My goal is to lose as much as I can so I can be free to enjoy the journey. All of the “Venice’s” of this life are much easier to enjoy without baggage.