Today's Verse: Matthew 16:19 (NIV)
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[e] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[f] loosed in heaven.
[e] Or have been
[f] Or have been

Jesus says these words to Peter when Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Today's Comments: The Book of Acts is full of stories about miracles that were performed by the disciples. Paul talks about the gifts of the spirit. While there is no evidence that our belief in Jesus Christ, as the Son of the living God gives us the same powers that were documented in the Book of Acts, we do have the power to change men in both action and mind. Each of us was created with a purpose known to God. If we can pray to God and in thoughtful discernment find that purpose, then live it, I am sure that we will be given the necessary powers to fulfill God's plan for us.

We must also remember that we are part of the Church of God. The publication Concise Theology reminds us that each local church is a part of the family of God., and there are two marks of a true church:

1. The faithful preaching of the Word of God
2. The right use of the sacraments.

Last Thursday, there was an article published in the Orange County Register about my parish, Blessed Sacrament and its priest Father David Baumann. I truly believe that Fr. David uses this formula in his guiding us at Blessed Sacrament. Click on this link to read the article. While the article focuses on the ordination of homosexual clergy, the underlying reasons that we practice a theology which is orthodox are stated above. We preach the Word of God, which was and will be the same for all time, and we honor God by the proper use of His sacraments in the church.

Today's Verse: John 15:6 (NIV)
If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

Christ said these words in his Farewell Discourse when He spoke to His disciples. If we are not a part of Christ, then we are a part of nothing. We are like the branch of a tree that has fallen off the tree and now is only good for firewood.

Today's Comments: It is through God's grace which enables our faith in God, that we remain a part of Jesus Christ, and He remains in us. And because we belong to Christ, we also belong to each other, as well. We are a part of a tree in which its branches are members of Christ's Church. This is not just the Episcopal Church or the Anglican Church. It is Christ's Church, the fellowship of all believers. God is not "my father" in the Lord's Prayer. He is "our father." Those who split the church through either heresy or schism are guilty of hurting the other members of God's church. On the other hand, if we are truly united in Christ, then we are united in one another. And we must strive to keep that unity and pray not only for our own soul, but for all of our souls, together.

Today's Verses: 1 John 5:4-5 (NIV)
4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

These verses and those surrounding them tell us that because of our faith in Jesus Christ, and only Jesus Christ, we have overcome the world. It is through our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, that we receive strength and power to carry on the struggle against evil.

Hymn of the Day: FAITH IS THE VICTORY - John H. Yates, 1837–1900

Encamped along the hills of light, ye Christian soldiers rise,
and press the battle ere the night shall veil the glowing skies.
Against the foe in vales below let all our strength be hurled;
faith is the victory, we know, that overcomes the world.

His banner over us is love, our sword the Word of God;
we tread the road the saints above with shouts of triumph trod.
By faith they like a whirl-wind’s breath swept on o’er ev’ry field;
the faith by which they conquered death is still our shining shield.

On ev’ry hand the foe we find drawn up in dread array;
let tents of ease be left behind, and onward to the fray!
Salvation’s helmet on each head, with truth all girt about:
The earth shall tremble ’neath our tread and echo with our shout.

To him that overcomes the foe white raiment shall be giv’n;
before the angels he shall know his name confessed in heav’n.
Then onward from the hills of light, our hearts with love aflame;
we’ll vanquish all the hosts of night in Jesus’ conq’ring name.

Chorus: Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory that overcomes the world.

Osbeck, Kenneth W.: Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions. Grand Rapids, Mich. : Kregel Publications, 1990, S. 320

Today's Comments: Faith is about overcoming the world. While we are in the world, we are redeemed by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Christians we are sanctified, or set aside from the world. And in being sanctified, we also may be called to defend our faith as soldiers fighting a spiritual war against the forces of evil in the world. It is because of our faith in God, who is revealed to us in Holy Scripture, that we are charged to take the Gospel to the world.

My friend, Roger Rose will be preaching a sermon tomorrow. I conclude today's entry with the text of that sermon. It is about our faith and the sanctification which is given to us by faith in Jesus Christ:

Pentecost 13, 2009

S. Matthew 16. 13-20

As Jesus and His disciples entered the area of Caesaria Philippi, Jesus asked them, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" They gave various answers to the question. Then Jesus asked them, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ (the Messiah), the Son of the Living God." Jesus responded by telling Peter that his answer was the God-given answer.

As you and I know, that question comes up in our minds --and in many minds. It always has come up in people's minds. From the very start, Christians have answered that question in different ways. But, the answer that Christians came to very early was one in four words: "Jesus Christ is Lord." Every one of those words has a lot of meaning. That is the earliest creed of the Church. It is the foundation for our Nicene Creed that we use now. Anyone who wants to receive Baptism and come into the Church needs to study and think about what those four words mean: "Jesus Christ is Lord."

As you and I also know, people give a lot of answers to Jesus' question: "Who do you say that I am?" Some reflect the accepted teaching of the Church, but others do not reflect accepted teaching. Maybe some people respond to that by saying, "So what? Why does it matter if people give answers that do not reflect accepted teaching? Why not let people choose their own answers to the "Who is Jesus" question? Why not let people make up their own minds about who Jesus is?"

Yes, why not? Many people today are well-educated. They have to make up their own minds about a lot of questions. Just read the morning newspaper, and you see so many questions that challenge us to give answers to them. Of course, we do, indeed, give our own answers. So, why not say, "Just make up your own minds about who Jesus Christ is?" It sounds so inclusive, so respectful, to say that.

Yes, why not? Well, here is one answer to "Why not?" Simply this: The answer that we give to the "Who is Jesus" question determines what we do with Jesus Christ . I grew up in a small town near Chicago. I was in the Methodist Church there. We had a pastor who came from Canada. One of the questions that he used to ask was this one: "What will you do with Jesus Christ?" But, the answer that we give to that question comes from who we believe Jesus Christ is.

We live in a time when some people believe that Jesus is someone who serves their own agendas. In one way or another, people did the same years ago, of course. Rulers and kings have used Jesus to serve their own need for power. The tsars who ruled Russia for centuries used Jesus to control people. As you probably know, the Russian Church was like a government department. Those who hold power in China today want to use the Church politically to control people, as well.

The wish to use Jesus is common in our culture now. What people try to do with Jesus Christ is to "capture" Him for what they believe in. Imagine, for a moment, that Jesus returns in person to this country. He goes to a Republican convention and sits down with a group of the party faithful. He poses the question: "Who do you say that I am?" They answer, "You are the inspiration for individual initiative; you are the encouragement to cut the size of government, and you are the key to reducing taxes."

Then Jesus goes to a Democratic party convention. He gathers a group of the party faithful and asks the same question, "Who do you say that I am?" They answer, "You are the inspiration for the social safety net, you are the encouragement for health care reform and you are the key to reducing the national debt." And Jesus walks away, muttering to himself.

Sometimes we think of Jesus and use the language of current fads. I guess people want to sound smart and clever or in touch with what people talk about. There is a story that Jesus visited an Episcopal Church seminary one day. He thought that people there study the Bible and should know who He is. So, he gathered a group of students and asked the question, "Who do you say that I am?" They answered, "You are the transcendent ground of being who overcomes the contradictions of life, our liberator from existential confusion, and the validator of all our interpersonal relationships!" And Jesus said, "Will you please repeat that?"

Some of you know that I am not very happy with some of the official actions of The Episcopal Church. I've been a priest for 44 years in this diocese. I have watched us move into a time when some in the Church think it's smart to approve questionable lifestyles. We did not do that years ago. But today we approve personal relationships that the Bible does not approve. Those who promote these lifestyles twist the Bible's teachings to make them agree with what they want to do. They do it with the language of "inclusiveness" and "justice." Those who champion these things ignore the evident dangers that these relationships pose. It's a questionable use of Jesus Christ. They have answered the question, "What will you do with Jesus Christ?" in their own way. Their answer suggests a lot trouble for us ahead.

Maybe I sound too critical. If so, I can criticize myself even more. I know a lot about "using" Jesus from my own experience. I started attending college with the plan to prepare myself for seminary and then ordination. But, by the time I graduated from college, I thought that the ministry of the church was unimportant, certainly not a career for me. My idea of Jesus Christ changed. After college, I saw Jesus Christ as a revolutionary. I answered the question, "Who do you say that I am?", with something very different than what the Church says.

So, I was involved in left-wing politics. I worked for the Socialist Party. I also became an activist for peace. I was an anti-war crusader. I could tell you a lot more. But my anti-war crusading led me to break the law. My family said, "Don't do that." But, I did not listen. I knew it all. Or, so I thought.

So, the FBI came and arrested me. The judge said, "Three years." I became a jailbird --for quite a while. After my release, I went home. I continued to think to think about a career in some kind of social or political activism. But, to be credible, I had to have a graduate degree. So, I applied to enter graduate school at two universities. But, no school was willing to accept me. I applied for various jobs. But, those doors were also closed.

I was in a blind alley with no way out. With unusual humility, I began to realize that maybe the Lord allowed all this to happen so that I could again start to listen to Him. For the first time in years, I began listening. It was clear: the Lord wanted me to go to seminary, to prepare for the ordained ministry.

So, in 1953 I started theological seminary, first at USC, then at Yale. The rest is history. After some years, I was given a Presidential Pardon by President Lyndon Johnson. Probably I'm the only priest in the Church who's an ex-convict.

I tell you all this to say: It's important how we answer those two questions, "Who do you say that I am?" And the question: "What will you do with Jesus Christ?"

We can find help in our Church with both questions: "Who do you say that I am?" and "What to do with Jesus?" I believe that each one of us has had enough experience as a Christian to talk with other people around us. We will find people who do not know Jesus Christ. We will find people who have never worshipped as we do. Each of us, I believe, has been touched and changed by Jesus Christ. We will find people whose lives, also, will be touched and changed deeply by Jesus. It's not just the clergy who have experienced this. All of us have experienced it, as well. It's a good place to start.

As you know, I lead a home Bible study group in San Gabriel. Members of the group come from various backgrounds. Two of us grew up in this country. The rest of the group come from Taiwan, the Philippines and from the ROC (China). The other day I was chatting with a man who lives nearby. His name is Ken. I gave him some help on a recent day when his car would not start. He came by to thank me. He is from mainland China and teaches in a private school nearby. Well educated, he speaks English very well. I told him about our Bible study group and invited him to attend, to "come and see". He said, "I'm not a Christian." I tried to assure him that did not matter, and that he would find help in coming. I hope that he will. At least, he knows that we care.

There are a lot of people around us who are, in some ways, like Ken. I suspect that many are not Christians. What could happen if we visited them and invited them to something that we have here? What could happen if they come to see that we care? There's one way to find out.
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Today's Verses: Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV)

23 If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; 24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

God guides or orders the steps of good men and does not allow them to fall. While we will encounter obstacles, grace will be given to us so that we can overcome whatever obstacles that are put into our way.

Hymn of the Day: ALL THE WAY MY SAVIOR LEADS ME - Fanny J. Crosby, 1820–1915

All the way my Savior leads me; what have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy, who through life has been my Guide?

Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell!

For I know whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me, cheers each winding path I tread,

gives me grace for ev’ry trial, feeds me with the living bread.

Though my weary steps may falter, and my soul athirst may be,

gushing from the Rock before me, lo! a spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me; Oh, the fullness of His love!

Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father’s house above.

When my spirit, clothed immortal, wings its flight to realms of day, t

his my song through endless ages: Jesus led me all the way.

Osbeck, Kenneth W.: Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions. Grand Rapids, Mich. : Kregel Publications, 1990, S. 259

Comments: The bottom line is that God does not give up on His chosen. We stray, He corrects us. We trip and fall, He picks us up. One might picture God who, like the faithful dog, is always patient, waits for us to come home, always ready to be at our side when we need him.

Yesterday, I received an email that I would like to share with you. Listen in and enjoy GoD and DoG. You should then understand what I meant in the previous paragraph.

Today's Verse: 1 Corinthians 5:9 (NIV)
I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—

Paul, in this verse. refers to those people within the church.  He qualifies this later by enumerating the offenses of sexual morality, greed, idolatry, slander, drunkenness, and slander.  His advice is to expel the wicked from the church.  His reference is conduct in the church.

Today's Comments: The New American Commentary: 2 Corinthians suggests that Paul may be concerned here about the formation of spiritual identity, as compared with the surrounding world.  The Pulpit Commentary: 1 Corinthians suggests that flagrant violation of morale law by those in the church is a justifiable reason that we should separate ourselves from them.  It is to show them that their conduct is unacceptable.  Yet, such separation should be designed with repentance, recovery, forgiveness and restoration in mind.  For, we are not free from sin, but we are forgiven for the sins that we commit. 

Does this mean that we should expel homosexuals from the church, because of the acts that they commit?  I don't think that I am ready to go that far.  But when the church condones homosexual acts,  even between committed, consulting adults, I think that it has gone too far.  While I do not think that my parish, Blessed Sacrament, needs to leave the Episcopal Church, it has an obligation to condemn those who profess that homosexuality is something that is ordained or gifted by God.  And, we must be sure that we make our situation clear to the world that we are separated from Episcopal Church  on this and other heretical beliefs held by them.

Today's Verses: Matthew 15:5-6 (NIV)
Jesus said: 5 But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ 6 he is not to ‘honor his father[c]’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
[c] Some manuscripts father or his mother

In this passage, Jesus refers to the traditional concept of "corban" in which some Jews would dedicate money that they would normally give to their parents, instead, to the Temple. They would then make the excuse that, because the money was given to God, there was no need to give it to their parents.

Today's Comments: This verse is a good example of the practice of Jewish legalism. While the Pharisees were criticizing Jesus for the failure to ceremoniously wash His hands or to heal on the sabbath, they were twisting their own laws or traditions so that, if they did not want to monetarily help their fathers and mothers in their old age, they could dedicate that money that would normally be used for that purpose to use in the temple, thus completely ignoring their obligations to take care of their parents.

Another example of such Jewish legalism is found in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Both the Priest and the Levite bypassed the traveler in need, because they did not want to make themselves unclean by handling what they considered to be unclean.

We have legalism in our churches today when we use tradition to prevent us from loving our neighbor. When tradition commands us to disobey God's Great Commandments, it is wrong. It is scripture which needs to be viewed as our final authority. And yet, as we find in this postmodern Christian world, if scripture becomes another subject for literary criticism, we now only have tradition upon which to fall back. When we demote scripture to that which is is culturally interpreted, we permit cultural tradition to become our standard of behavior, and we miss the whole purpose and content of God's revealed word.

Today's Verse: Matthew 16:25 (NIV)
For whoever wants to save his life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.
[a] The Greek word means either life or soul

In this passage, Jesus has just finished telling His disciples about the death that he is to face. He also tells them that they, who follow Him, will also suffer for His sake, and doing so, they will find true life--- life eternal with God.

Hymn for the Day: MUST JESUS BEAR THE CROSS ALONE?
Thomas Shepherd, 1665–1739
Osbeck, Kenneth W.: Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions. Grand Rapids, Mich. : Kregel Publications, 1990, S. 311

Must Jesus bear the cross alone and all the world go free?
No, there’s a cross for ev’ry one, and there’s a cross for me.

The consecrated cross I’ll bear till death shall set me free,
and then go home my crown to wear, for there’s a crown for me.

How happy are the saints above, who once went sorrowing here!
But now they taste unmingled love, and joy without a tear.

Shall Simon bear the Cross alone, and other Saints be free?
Each Saint of Thine shall find his own— And there is one for me.

O precious cross! O glorious crown! O resurrection day!
Ye angels, from the stars come down and bear my soul away.

Today's Comments:

Discipleship is very clear, and the Prosperity Gospellers have it all wrong. Being a disciple has nothing to do with riches and wealth that pour down because we do everything right in His honor. Discipleship suggests that, at times, we are to exhibit self-denial and bear our own cross fer periods of time for the sake of the Gospel. We are challenged in our Christian Commitment and are reminded that an earthly cross precedes a heavenly crown.

Today's Verse: James 1:4 (NIV)

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

The Bible Exposition Commentary suggests that James provides us with a picture of the marks of the mature Christian:

I. HE IS PATIENT IN TESTING—chapter 1

• A. Trials on the outside—1:1–12
• B. Temptations on the inside—1:13–27

II. HE PRACTICES THE TRUTH—chapter 2

• A. Faith and love—2:1–13
• B. Faith and works—2:14–26

III. HE HAS POWER OVER HIS TONGUE—chapter 3

• A. Exhortation—3:1–2
• B. Illustrations—3:3–12
• C. Application—3:13–18

IV. HE IS A PEACEMAKER, NOT A TROUBLEMAKER—chapter 4

• A. Three wars—4:1–3
• B. Three enemies—4:4–7
• C. Three admonitions—4:8–17

V. HE IS PRAYERFUL IN TROUBLES—chapter 5

• A. Economic troubles—5:1–9
• B. Physical troubles—5:10–16
• C. National troubles—5:17–18
• D. Church troubles—5:19–20

Wiersbe, Warren W.: The Bible Exposition Commentary. Wheaton, Ill. : Victor Books, 1996, c1989, S. Heb 13:20

Today's Comments: When one reads the previous verses in James, Chapter 1, he or she realizes that, unlike what the prosperity gospellers, for instance the Kenneth and Gloria Copelands of this world, would tell us, we should expect our faith to be tested. Only in testing do we become mature in our faith. When we are tested, we will either give in, or we will persevere. Sometimes, I think, we often give in, only to be tested again and again, until we finally realize our errors and finally do that which the Lord wants us to do. God perseveres to work in us as much as we think that we persevere to do His will.

The bottom line is that in whatever God wants us to do, He will win, even if we resist. Consider the reluctant Jonah. It was God who persevered to teach him a lesson. All Jonah did was persevere in running away. It was not until Jonah had no place to go (he was trapped in the belly of a fish) that he finally gave in---- and even then, reluctantly. In whatever God wants for us, He will persevere, even if we don't.

Today's Verses: John 1:4-5 (NIV)

4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood[a] it.
[a] Or darkness, and the darkness has not overcome

In John's Gospel, we are shown that Jesus is God the Son and existed before His human birth, coequal with God the Father who is the source of light and life. As the source of all life, Jesus is the focus of all our hopes. And despite the powers of darkness that rage against the light revealed in Jesus, that light cannot be hidden from us.

Today's Comments: The implication of this verse is that Jesus is and was always. It also suggests that light testifies to the existence of God. It is that light, I believe, that Paul refers to when he says in Romans 1:20:

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

It is interesting that the Library of Congress, which was created in 1800, was set up primarily to assist Congressmen in their work of legislation. Numerous quotations from scripture can be found on the walls of that building, one of which is

The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not. (John 1:5)
Federer, William J.: Great Quotations : A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Quotations Influencing Early and Modern World History Referenced According to Their Sources in Literature, Memoirs, Letters, Governmental Documents, Speeches, Charters, Court Decisions and Constitutions. St. Louis, MO : AmeriSearch, 2001

Is it not ironic that it is these very same legislators that have declared prayer in our schools unconstitutional and seek to erase any evidence of Christianity from our heritage?

A Sleepless Night

Today's Verse: Luke 10:19 (NIV)
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

Jesus said these words and sent out the seventy-two. Two by two, they went ahead of them, to every place and town where he was about to go.

Today's Comments: As in the Gospel verse above, Jesus sends us out, also, to do His work. In fact, it is almost 2 AM, and I am having trouble sleeping, because He has given me work to do. I have to get up at 5:15 AM for my usual Saturday Morning meeting with the men. But, my pastor has suggested that, as Deacon in the church, I should take on more responsibility. First, I am going to give the announcements. Second, I will be sending our Lay Eucharistic Ministers out with the Sacrament the sick. This sending or commissioning is in direct reference to the verse above. So, as Jesus sent his disciples out, so the deacon sends out those who bring the Sacrament to the sick and home-bound.

This is the statement that I have written. If anybody is reading this, I would appreciate their comments:

In the name of God and this congregation, take the Blessed Sacrament to ___________.

Remind them of God's love for us, our love for them, and the bond that we share in the partaking of His most precious Body and Blood.

Today's Verses: 2 Timothy 2:8-9 (NIV)
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.

Paul reminds Timothy that he must focus of Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of the scriptures, even if, like Paul, it means suffering like a criminal.

Today's Comments: When Paul wrote his letter to Timothy, he knew that he would eventually suffer the punishment of death. Paul did not preach the prosperity gospel. He told his disciples that they would have to suffer. As the New Topical Textbook points out, our afflictions are made beneficial through various means, which include:

• 1. In promoting the glory of God. Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19.
• 2. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God. Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11.
• 3. In teaching us the will of God. Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9.
• 4. In turning us to God. De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7.
• 5. In keeping us from again departing from God. Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11.
• 6. In leading us to seek God in prayer. Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1.
• 7. In convincing us of sin. Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18.
• 8. In leading us to confession of sin. Nu 21:7; Ps 32:5; 51:3,5.
• 9. In testing and exhibiting our sincerity. Job 23:10; Ps 66:10; Pr 17:3.
• 10. In trying our faith and obedience. Ge 22:1,2; Heb 11:17; Ex 15:23-25; De 8:2,16; 1Pe 1:7; Re 2:10.
• 11. In humbling us. De 8:3,16; 2Ch 7:13,14; La 3:19,20; 2Co 12:7.
• 12. In purifying us. Ec 7:2,3; Isa 1:25,26; 48:10; Jer 9:6,7; Zec 13:9; Mal 3:2,3.
• 13. In exercising our patience. Ps 40:1; Ro 5:3; Jas 1:3; 1Pe 2:20.
• 14. In rendering us fruitful in good works. Joh 15:2; Heb 12:10,11.
• 15. In furthering the gospel. Ac 8:3,4; 11:19-21; Php 1:12; 2Ti 2:9,10; 4:16,17.

Such suffering is exemplified in the following:

• a. Joseph’s brethren. Ge 42:21.
• b. Joseph. Ge 45:5,7,8.
• c. Israel. De 8:3,5.
• d. Josiah. 2Ki 22:19.
• e. Hezekiah. 2Ch 32:25,26.
• f. Manasseh. 2Ch 33:12.
• g. Jonah. Jon 2:7.
• h. Prodigal’s son. Lu 15:21.

Torrey, R.A.: The New Topical Text Book : A Scriptural Text Book for the Use of Ministers, Teachers, and All Christian Workers. Oak Harbor, WA : Logos research Systems, Inc., 1995, c1897

So, we may not have to suffer for the Gospel, but we must be prepared to do so, if we have to.

Testing the Spirits

Today's Verse: 1 John 4:4 (NIV)
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Today's verse is written in the context that advises us that we must test men's spirits so that we may determine whether we are dealing with the spirit of truth or the spirit of falsehood. Because, as Christians and children of God, the Holy Spirit is within us, we are protected from the spirit of the Antichrist. John says that the spirit of the Antichrist does not acknowledge that Jesus is from God. Of course, at the time of writing, John was concerned with schism in the Church and a group of secessionist opponents, and John wanted to assure and encourage those orthodox Christians who had not departed from the apostolic faith. John said that those who confessed their faith that Jesus is the Son of God exhibit the mark of the true believer, while those that refused to accept His divinity were not to be trusted.

Today's Comment: This verse and the context which surrounds it strikes a familiar cord, when one thinks about the apostasy that exists in the Episcopal Church. It seems to me that a Presiding Bishop who suggests that there are many ways to God and that Christianity is only one of those many may have failed the test to which John refers.

In reference to a recent interview on the NPR program Here and Now, the Roman Catholic blog site Cystos Fide commented:

Ms. Katharine Jefferts-Schori Interview

A recent interview on the NPR program 'Here and Now' had the new Episcopalian primate of the United States Katharine Jefferts-Schori. I'll admit I have a hard time referring to her as a 'bishop' only because it is a heresy in my Christian faith to change any teachings of Jesus to accommodate radical secularists. The interview touched on a previous TIME magazine interview that Ms. Jefferts-Schori gave.

In it when asked if Jesus was the only path to salvation she answered, "We who practice the Christian tradition understand him as our vehicle to the divine. But for us to assume that God could not act in other ways is, I think, to put God in an awfully small box".

Robin Young (RY) who interviewed Ms. Jefferts-Schori (KJS) pinned her down by asking, "they say Scripture says that Jesus says he was The Light and The Way and the only way to God the Father."

Ms. Jefferts-Schori went into alternate-universe spin mode...

KJS: Christians understand that Jesus is the route to God. Umm... that is not to say that Muslims, or Sikhs, or Jains, come to God in a radically different way. They come to God through... human experience.. through human experience of the divine. Christians talk about that in terms of Jesus.

RY: So you're saying there are other ways to God.

KJS: Uhh... human communities have always searched for relationship that which is beyond them.. with the ultimate.. with the divine. For Christians, we say that our route to God is through Jesus. Uhh.. uh.. that doesn't mean that a Hindu.. uh.. doesn't experience God except through Jesus. It-it-it says that Hindus and people of other faith traditions approach God through their.. own cultural contexts; they relate to God, they experience God in human relationships, as well as ones that transcend human relationships; and Christians would say those are our experiences of Jesus; of God through the experience of Jesus.

RY: It sounds like you're saying it's a parallel reality (emphasis mine), but in another culture and language.

KJS: I think that's accurate.. I think that's accurate.

This makes me wonder what the Apostle John would say about Katherine Jefferts-Schori.

Give to the Lord that which is His

Today's Verses: Malachi 3:11-12 (NIV)
11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.

The prophet in this section is pointing out the fact that Israel was robbing God of that which was his. Israel was commanded to offer in the form of the tithe the first fruits of their labor. His promise was that He would keep the locusts from their fields and would bring His blessings to the land--- a land which would be well pleasing to God.

Today's Comments: As God was faithful to his promises during the times of the Bible, he is faithful to us. While the Old Testament commands us to tithe, the New Testament does not speak of tithing. Yet, the implication is that, if we are to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, and soul, and if we are to love our neighbor, we may be called upon to give more than that commanded by the Old Testament. The tithe, thus, is the minimum standard of living. Jesus Christ gave His all for us. If we are to be like Jesus, then we should be prepared to do the same.

Faith of Our Fathers

Today's Verse: Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) -
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

The Pulpit Commentary on Hebrews tells us that

• Faith demonstrates invisible realities: the reality of God, and the reality of the soul.
• Faith assures us of the life to come
• Faith is the foundation of life: it assures us of our future.
  

Today's Hymn: Faith of Our Fathers -

Faith of our fathers, living still
in spite of dungeon, fire and sword—
O how our hearts beat high with joy
whene’er we hear that glorious word!
Refrain: Faith of our fathers, holy faith,
we will be true to thee till death.

Our fathers, chained in prisons dark,
were still in heart and conscience free;
how sweet would be their children’s fate
if they, like them, could die for thee!
Refrain: Faith of our fathers, holy faith,
we will be true to thee till death.

Faith of our fathers, we will love
both friend and foe in all our strife;
and preach thee too, as love knows how,
by kindly words and virtuous life.
Refrain: Faith of our fathers, holy faith,
we will be true to thee till death.

Osbeck, Kenneth W.: Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions. Grand Rapids, Mich. : Kregel Publications, 1990, S. 319

Today's Comments: I truly believe that through faith in God, we understand our purpose in life. Without faith, we wander, never knowing why we were created, what is our goal, or how we should conduct ourselves. The verses of today's hymn reminds us that faith helps us through our adversities and it guides us in our behavior. Faith provides us with moral compass, a foundation for living, and hope for the future in Jesus Christ, our King and Savior.

Let us Pray for our Governement

Today's Verse: 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV) -　
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Paul is advising Timothy that he should pray for everybody, including rulers and politicians, that they may live their lives as He has commanded--- loving the Lord their God and loving their neighbors.

Today's Hymn: The Star Spangled Banner, Verse 2 -

O thus be it ever, when free men shall stand

between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!

Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land

praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just;

and this be our motto: “In God is our trust!”

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave

Today's Comments: We must not forget that God created not only us, but He also created governments, rulers, and those who have power over us, as well. The Old Testament, especially, tells us that holy wars were fought. God does not prohibit war. However, when we go to war, we should look to God and seek His counsel. Today's hymn refers to "our heav'n rescued land" and the power that had made and preserved us as a nation. When we cease to acknowledge that power, then we will loose it.

Let us pray that our President and those in authority decide to return to Christian prayer and remember that without God on our side, we have no way to survive.

Cast Your Bread upon the Waters

Today's Verse: Ecclesiastes 11:1 (NIV)
Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.

The writer of this book is telling us that, if we live by faith, life is an adventure. It is equivalent to saying that what we sow is what we reap or that what goes around comes around. It also means that we should not be so fearful of the future that our fear causes us to do nothing. Sometimes God blesses us, when we least expect it.

Today's Comments: Today, I have been feeling a little down. My ex-girlfriend, who has been staying with me while her house is being remodeled, is in the process of moving back to her house, which will be completely finished by the end of next week. For the past few days, we have been involved in constant fighting and bickering. Needless to say, what each of us have been casting on the waters has not been very good for either of us.

Often, when we are feeling a bit down, things happen to cheer us up. And that happened to me this afternoon. As I started writing this letter, I received a call from a good friend of mine who invited me to a reception and a free Chinese dinner. I am now feeling so much better, and I thank God that my friend called me when I was in such a bad mood.

The teacher is right, life is an adventure. My whole trip of becoming a deacon has been an adventure, and I pray to God that it continues.

Today's Verse: Romans 5:5 (NIV)
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

When one reads Galatians 5, Love is mentioned as the first fruit of the Spirit in verse 22. It is through the Holy Spirit that we receive this gift.

Hymn for the Day: SPIRIT OF GOD, DESCEND UPON MY HEART - George Croly, 1780–1860

Each stanza contributes an important truth for our spiritual benefit:

Stanza One— A desire to change the focus of one’s life from things temporal to things spiritual.

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart:
Wean it from earth, through all its pulses move.
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,
and make me love Thee as I ought to love.

Stanza Two— The total dedication of one’s self to God.

Hast Thou not bid us love Thee, God and King?
All, all Thine own—soul, heart and strength and mind.
I see Thy cross—there teach my heart to cling:
O let me seek Thee, and O let me find.

Stanza Three— A prayerful concern for knowing fully the Spirit’s abiding presence.

Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh;
teach me the struggles of the soul to bear—
to check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh;
teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.

Stanza Four— A most beautiful metaphor of a Spirit-filled life: “my heart an altar, and Thy love the flame.”

Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love,
one holy passion filling all my frame:
The baptism of the heav’n descended Dove—
my heart an altar and Thy love the flame.

Osbeck, Kenneth W.: Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions. Grand Rapids, Mich. : Kregel Publications, 1990, S. 153

Today's Comments: Christian love implies that we treat others the way that God treats us. Christian love is the love of our neighbor, as expressed in the parable of the Good Samaritan. It is love that pushes us to do what needs to be done. It is based upon the same sacrificial love that was given to mankind by Jesus Christ. It is a giving love through which we imitate Jesus. It is His love that works in us through the Holy Spirit.

Today's Verses: Hebrews 4:9-11 (NIV) -
9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.

These verses, from the Book of Hebrews, remind us to keep holy the Sabbath. Just as God took His rest when he finished His work of creation, so we should take ours when we have finished our work. As believers, we have been given that day of rest by God. It is a day that has been created for the people of God.

Today's Comments: There is a well known hymn that was written by Christopher Wordsworth, nephew of the famous English poet, William Wordsworth, that tells us about this day that God created for us:

O day of rest and gladness, O day of joy and light,
O balm of care and sadness, most beautiful, most bright:
On thee, the high and lowly, thru ages joined in tune,
sing “Holy, Holy, Holy,” to the great God Triune.

On thee, at the creation, the light first had its birth;
on thee, for our salvation, Christ rose from depths of earth;
on thee, our Lord, victorious, the Spirit sent from heav’n;
and thus on thee, most glorious, a triple light was giv’n.

New graces ever gaining from this our day of rest,
we reach the rest remaining to spirits of the blest.
To Holy Ghost be praises, to Father, and to Son;
the Church her voice upraises to Thee, blest Three in One.

Osbeck, Kenneth W.: Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions. Grand Rapids, Mich. : Kregel Publications, 1990, S. 268

Our day of rest, that was given to us by God, is a day that should be devoted to Him. It is a day that we should put Him first in our hearts and minds. It is a day to honor Him and give thanks to him for His creation and our preservation. It is also a day that reminds us that Jesus is our hope, refuge, and our rest. Through His death and resurrection, he brings rest to our weary world, if only we believe in Him. We should also look forward to perfect rest, when Jesus returns to establish God's Kingdom here on earth.

Guard My Mouth and Watch My Lips

Today's Verse - Psalm 141:3 (NIV):
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.

In the psalm, in which this verse appears, David prayed to keep his temper, which was hasty , impetuous, and required significant control that he often could not keep. He asked for grace to resist temptation to sin in thought, word, and deed.

Today's Comments: We need to keep praying that the Lord will direct our words, thoughts and actions in the right direction. Our words can hurt, and we must guard against allowing ourselves to hurt others with them. We need to pray for the mercy to accept what we do well, the grace to keep us from doing ill, and the wisdom to understand how to use our words, thoughts, and actions in accordance with God's will, not our own.

The Gifts of God for the People of God

Today's Verse - 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV):
God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Paul is telling the church in Corinth that God freely gives to them enough, not only for their own need, but also for the needs of others.

Today's Comments: God does not just give us the order to love our neighbor; he also gives us the means by which we can love our neighbor. He wants us to share our time, talents, and treasures with others. We are created with a purpose; and along the way, God provides us with gifts to fulfill our purpose. God gives us our time to do His will, our talents to enable us to pursue His will for us, and our treasures to help others. Finally, He gives us the food of the Blessed Sacrament to sustain us, as we accomplish His purpose.

Today's Verse - Matthew 26:41 (NIV):
Jesus said, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

These were Jesus' words in the garden at Gethsemane, after He found His disciples sleeping. Jesus was asking them to be watchful, because temptation would come and prayer would be needed to avoid it. Perhaps He was also urging that they should not allow themselves in the hours to come to be vanquished or defeated by the events which were to come. It was a warning that, although the disciples were willing to die with Jesus, their intentions would be, as in the case of Peter's denial of Jesus in the courtyard, overcome by their own physical weakness and that they would yield to the temptation of running away, as they did when they went into hiding.

Today's Comments: Jesus exhorted His disciples to be better, after they could not stay awake with Him during even one hour of prayer. Like them, sometimes our efforts to "stay awake" in Christ are meager. Like the disciples were urged, we need to be spiritually vigilant. We must be constant in prayer and ask the Father that we not allow ourselves to be led into temptation, but that we be delivered from evil. Instead of falling asleep during the watch, we must learn to stay awake at the helm.

Today's Devotion - Psalm 136:1 (NIV):
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.

God does not change. His love does not change. He created us out of love, and He sustains us out of love.

Today's Comments: What more do we need to hear? When man committed sin, God came down in human form to sacrifice himself for our sins and was willing to die upon the cross so that mankind might be saved. That was the ultimate act of love. This psalm, in its totality testifies to the love that God has for his chosen people, Israel. And, because of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, it testifies to the love that God has for us.

Today's Verse - John 4:14 (NIV):
......whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Jesus spoke these words when he encountered the woman from Samaria at the well, when He asked her for a drink of water. Her response was that she wanted this water so that she would no longer be thirsty and have to draw water from that well.

Today's Comments: In this story, Jesus eventually reveals that He was the Messiah for which the Jews were waiting. In John's Gospel, Jesus also spoke about himself as being the "bread of life." If one thinks about it, human beings need two things to sustain them physically-- food and water. Without food, people die of starvation. Without water, people die of dehydration. In Biblical times, bread was the food upon which all life was centered. These passages about bread and water suggest to us that, like we need food to physically sustain us as human beings, spiritually, we need Jesus to sustain us. The difference, however, is that physically, that sustenance is temporal and finite, while our sustenance in Jesus Christ is both spiritual and eternal.

Today’s Devotion - Joshua 1:9 (NIV):
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

These were the words with which Joshua was charged, just before the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into the land that God promised for them.

Today’s Comments: Does not God command us to be strong and courageous, today? If He is at the center of our activities, then He will be with us always, including those times of trouble or times of need. However, if we fail to make Him the center of our lives, then we cannot expect His support.

The history of the nation of Israel demonstrated that when they responded to God’s love, they were blessed, and when, in their apostasy, they ignored God and tried to operate on their own devices, they suffered. The nation of Israel is an example to us of what happens to a nation that displeases God. How can our nation, or the Episcopal Church, fare any differently, if they continually ignore God or His word?

Today's Verse - Romans 10:10 (NIV):
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

There are two steps to being saved. The first is to believe in your heart. The second is to proclaim Jesus Christ with your mouth. That is, we should publicly confess our faith in the Lord.

Today's Comments: Today's verse tells us that we are called to proclaim the word of God. I don't think that requires that we should start yelling Christian slogans from the rooftop. And, perhaps, St. Francis of Assisi was thinking of this passage when he said, "Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary use words."

Today's Verse - Isaiah 55:7 (NIV)
Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

The prophet, Isaiah is encouraging Israel to return to God's ways and to participate in the covenant which He is to establish with them. To do so, they need to return to spirituality, repent of their evil ways, and amend their lives to follow the ways of God. In return, God will forgive them. If only man will turn back to God, God will multiply his pardons, as He promises in 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Today's Comments: Like the Israelites, God is willing to pardon us, if we return to His ways. His ways are not the ways of same sex unions or relationships. His ways are not the ways of self-aggrandizement.

My friend, The Rev. Roger Rose, wrote the following letter to the Los Angeles Times. It summarizes his feelings about the recent National Convention of the Episcopal Church, which took place in Anaheim last month:

From: Roger F Rose
To: letters@latimes.com
Date: Mon, 3 Aug 2009 00:22:15 -0700
Subject: Acceptance at the Altar attn: Jim Newton

The Episcopal Church's General Convention held last month in Anaheim voted the Church's approval of resolutions favoring the election of openly-gay bishops and of blessing same-sex unions, as well as same- sex marriage. The votes of approval came in spite of counsel and appeals from orthodox bishops and deputies, concerned for our relationships with brother and sister Anglicans in the global south and in Asian-Pacific lands. Not only were Anglicans in Africa ignored, but also those in the Far East. I spent a school year studying in Taiwan and returned much more aware of how negatively Taiwanese Anglicans view The Episcopal Church's increasingly self-assured stance toward blessing homosexual unions and same-sex marriage.

The closing line of your editorial: ("Supporters of Proposition 8 weren't the only ones to cloak prejudice with piety.") is an arrogant cheap-shot. Is it really necessary for you to indulge in name-calling, pillorying all of us who voted Yes on 8 as people cloaking "prejudice with piety? If that's an accusation of intellectual dishonesty, then it equally applies to Episcopal bishops and deputies who torture Scripture to arrive at approval of homosexual practices. Arrogance comes in many guises.

The Rev. Rog F. Rose
Assisting Priest,
St. Thomas Episcopal Church,.
Hacienda Heights

It is time for the Episcopal Church to heed the words above from Isaiah and return from the ways of man to the ways of God. Failure to do so, in my humble opinion, will reap additional repercussions on a church with a membership that is hemorrhaging and a body which is loosing its ties with the majority of the Anglican Communion.

Today's Verse - 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV):
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Peter, here, is stating that we don't need to be worried, since God has given us all things necessary fro our salvation. We only need to seek knowledge of God, and we will find what we need.

Today's Comments: The first place to seek knowledge of God is in scripture. If we reject scripture, then, in effect, we reject God. Isn't this what the Episcopal Church is doing, when its leaders accept and encourage same sex relationships and ordain practicing homosexuals as bishops? How is it that those in the Episcopal Church can come to a position which allows them to bless same sex unions and select active homosexuals as candidate for Bishop without rejecting the knowledge that scripture gives us concerning these things? How can they come to these positions without rejecting God?

The lamp is dimming, and the light may be going out of the Episcopal Church

Today's Verse - Psalm 119:105 (NIV):
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

This well known psalm verse praises God for his guidance. God truly lights up the path that we walk on. It shows us where to go, both day and night.

Today's Comments: According to Proverbs 6:23, God's commands are the lamp, His teaching is the light, and His corrections are the way to life. If we take the analogy further, God's commands are found in scripture, and His teaching is found in the Gospels. Therefore, it will be interesting to find out what corrections that God will bring to the Episcopal Church after their current actions, as reported in the Los Angeles Times of August 2:

Episcopal Church leaders in Los Angeles today nominated an openly gay priest and an openly lesbian priest as bishops, becoming one of the first dioceses in the national church to test a controversial new policy that lifted a de facto ban on gays and lesbians in the ordained hierarchy.

The nominations of the Rev. John L. Kirkley of San Francisco and the Rev. Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool of a Baltimore-based diocese are likely to further inflame theological conservatives in the U.S. church and their global partners in the Anglican Communion, who have repeatedly warned about the repercussions of such action.

This action on their part could also have serious repercussions with respect to my own parish, Blessed Sacrament, because, although we are under the alternative oversight by the conservative Bishop of Northern Indian, Ed Little, we are still administratively attached to the Diocese of Los Angeles. We have already lost several professors who teach at Biola University out of their fear of retribution by other teachers at Biola and Talbot who do not understand our relationships. And, as I look back on the recent convention and this news article, it is obvious to me that the lamp and light that God has provided to us in scripture is being ignored by the Episcopal Church, and our way to life is being seriously impaired by those in the Episcopal Church who we have appointed to guide us.

Today's Verse - Numbers 14:9 (NIV):
Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.

This is one of many times, the Israelite mistrusted Moses and Aaron and complained about their wandering in the desert. They wished that they had never left Egypt. Joshua's words to the people can be read in today's verse. And yet, the people continued their rebellion. The result was that it would take forty more years and a new generation until they would see their promised land.

Today's Comments: Shall we trust in God, or shall we leave our fate to our own devices? During the Exodus, God continued to show his people that the impossible was possible. When they were in imminent danger from Pharaoh's armies, a path through the Red Sea opened up for them. When they were hungry and thirsty, food and water were provided by God. And yet, they still rebelled. And, perhaps we still rebel today. We rebel by failing to heed God's revelation in scripture. We rebel by putting ourselves before God and our neighbor. We rebel by putting our riches and worldly rewards before our devotion to God.

This afternoon a friend sent me a video of a sermon preached by David Wilkerson. It addressed how much we in the church have failed to set ourselves apart from the world and is therefore worth watching. Just click on this link.

Live in Truth

Today's Verse - 2 Corinthians 6:17 (NIV): “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

The verse above references Isaiah 52:11 and Ezekiel 20:34 and 41. In previous verses, we are told that we are not to be yoked to unbelievers. Paul is probably referring to the immoral behavior and influence of non-believers, and the uncleanliness probably refers to those who are unclean because of sin.

Today's Comments: In modern terms, perhaps this verse is telling us that a bad apple spoils the whole barrel. Paul may have been referring to marriage or intercourse between Christians and non-Christians or participation in pagan rituals. In any case, Paul is asking us to draw a line or boundary with respect to our relationship with unbelievers. Only by maintaining that line could the Christians of that day, or of any day, maintain their righteous relationship with God. Only by setting themselves aside, could the people maintain themselves as God's people. Perhaps then, as well as today, the idea of "if you can't lick em, join em" became too tempting a solution and was one against what Paul preached. Maybe that is what is happening with respect to the Episcopal Church, in a world which wants Christianity to give in to the temptations and lusts of the world for convenience and pleasure. My answer: "Let us not abandon truth as it is given to us in scripture. Instead, let us embrace scripture, search for the truth, and live in obedience to God's Holy Word.