Photo by qinghill on Unsplash

Dear Saints,

I’m not sure if you’re familiar with the locust tree. Some call them beautiful. For me, they’re something to be cut down. I first encountered them several years ago as major pests in my yard … damaging my house, blocking my satellite TV signal, and making a mess of things when they shed their leaves and pods. So, I got out my chain saw and cut them down. That was that! Until a couple years later, I noticed new locust trees where the old ones stood … growing from the stumps I left behind. This tree, though it looked dead, sprouted leaves, flowers, and fruit! Things were looking up for it!

Around 700 B.C. God sent His prophet Isaiah to His people Judah. Long before Isaiah, a man named Jesse had a son named David. God anointed David as king of His people (1 Samuel 16:1-13). And for a time, Israel, under King David was obedient to God and His Word. However, eventually the mighty kingdom God established under David fell into depravity. But God, remembering He made a promise to David centuries before that David’s kingdom and throne would be established forever (2 Samuel 7:12-17), reminded His people of His promise through Isaiah, saying “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit (Isaiah 11:1).” Nevertheless, in time, God cut down the kingdom of Judah and it’s evil, wicked kings. He had them carted off to exile in Babylon. The stump looked, for all who saw it, dead …

Then one night, in a small, unimportant village a small shoot emerged from the family tree of Jesse. It wasn’t much to look at … the first ones to hear its cry were probably some cows and sheep and goats foraging for a midnight snack in the stable … who found a baby lying in the place their food should’ve been. The first people to hear its cry, besides the poor girl and carpenter husband who were its parents, were some lowly shepherds. Yet this baby was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s 700-year old prophecy. Jesus, the Son of God, was the shoot from the stump of Jesse (Matthew 1:6-16) … a shoot that became a branch which bore much fruit for His Father in heaven. Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection all who believe in Him … though dead in sin, receive new life in Christ Jesus. Things are looking up!

Mankind, because of sin, is nothing more than a forest of lifeless stumps. However, Jesus, the Living Water (John 4:14) and the Light of the World (John 8:12), gives new life to lifeless stumps! Through the waters of baptism lifeless, rotting stumps have been brought to new life. By the power of the Holy Spirit, given in baptism, we believe in God the Father’s promise of forgiveness and eternal life that comes to all who believe in His Son, Jesus. Raised from mere stumps to living branches, we also begin to bear the good fruit of the Spirit in God’s creation. Fruit which God uses to raise more dead stumps to new life. So, let’s give thanks to God for enabling us to see that things are, in fact, looking up!

                                                                        In Christ’s Love,

                                                                        Pastor Jim

Photo by eniko kis on Unsplash

Dear Servants of the King,

“Look out!” Whew … that was close. Many of us have had the experience of being in a close call with danger. Fortunately, while we were oblivious for whatever reason, someone was alert enough to warn us, wake us up, and get us to move to safety. It happened to me … or should I say … to my commander once. Lieutenant Colonel Charles was on alert with me, Second Lieutenant Kent, in Wyoming. He was starting to change a light bulb powered by a 240-volt, 20-amp circuit. As he readied his screwdriver to pop out the light bulb, I noticed he hadn’t opened the circuit breaker. As I slapped his hand, knocking him over, I yelled, “Look out! … Sir.” My warning saved my commander from a shocking experience. He thanked me … and let me take over the rest of the maintenance.

For many this time of year is filled with commotion. The hustle and bustle of shopping, parties, and decorating occupies our eyes, ears, and minds to the point of distraction from things that truly matter. That’s what the season of Advent is for … it’s a period of waiting in which God, through His Word, tells us, “Look out!” In His Word, God warns us to keep our senses attuned to the truly important thing this season … and throughout the year.

Much of our distraction is focused on one day … Christmas … the day we celebrate our Savior’s birth. However, if we pay close attention to what God tells us this season, we see He’s got a more important day for us to focus on. It’s true, Jesus Christ, our Savior, was born into the world and we celebrate that blessed day on Christmas. However, Jesus was born for a reason … He was born to “save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).” He was born to die on the cross and then, to rise from the dead to defeat the power of sin and death over all who believe in Him (Romans 10:9). But God is still warning us this Advent, “Look out!”

Through Paul, He urges us “Look out!” saying, “You know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed … the day is at hand. (Romans 13:11-12).” God warns us because, while Jesus first appeared in a lowly stable … He is going to return. The day of His return is drawing closer with each hour and minute that passes. On that day, the King of kings, Lord of lords will return to judge all mankind, living and dead. So, “Look out! … Cast off the works of darkness (orgies, drunkenness, sexual immorality, sensuality, quarreling, and jealousy) and put on the armor of light (the Word made flesh, the Lord Jesus Christ) (Romans 13:12-13).”

God doesn’t keep His love for His people secret. He truly desires that all come to faith in His Son Jesus, born over 2000 years ago so that when He returns, on a day and hour that nobody knows (Matthew 24:36), He will find a world teeming with faith that will be brought into His eternal kingdom. Look out!

                                                                                                        In God’s Peace,

                                                                                                        Pastor Jim

Photo by Paul Zoetemeijer on Unsplash

Dear Fellow Subjects,

It’s hard to think of ourselves as subjects. Most think of “subject” as a topic in school or of personal interest … math, politics, sports, auto mechanics, computers and technology. From American History, most of us recall that, refusing to be subject to a king, we declared our independence from kings in 1776 and fought a war of revolution to earn independence. So, in one respect, we’re no longer subjects.

This fierce American independent streak continues. And, by our influence, it continues in many parts of the world where our nation fought to secure independence from rulers in the name of freedom. This “independent” streak runs deep … unfortunately.

Unfortunately?! Yes, because despite our belief that we’re independent – no longer subjects to any king or ruler, privileged to choose our own leaders – we’re still subjects … subjects to the King of kings, Lord of lords, Jesus Christ.

Today, the last day of the church year, is Christ the King Day. Today we pledge our allegiance to … a king … the King of kings … Jesus Christ. All people, like it or not … whether President of the United States, Queen of England, Supreme Leader of North Korea, or a person stuck in traffic on Route 4 in Calvert County Maryland … are subjects to a king. We’re all subjects to the King, Jesus Christ. Paul makes this abundantly clear writing, “(God our Father) has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,” (Colossians 3:13) who is Jesus Christ. It doesn’t matter if you’re Donald Trump, Queen Elizabeth, Kim Jong-un, or Jim Kent, “For by Him (Jesus Christ) all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether on thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities” (Colossians 3:16) … or those in rush hour traffic … by the Word made Flesh (John 1:14), all were created … and are subject to their creator, King Jesus.

A “king” rules over his dominion. He states the rule of law and enforces it through his words. By his words, his subjects’ loyalty is measured. Those who trust their king – following his word – are judged loyal. Those who don’t trust the king – following others’ words – are judged disloyal. However, in executing his judgment, a king also has the privilege of granting mercy as he sees fit, forgiving those who, though disloyal at times, understand their disloyalty, repent, and declare their allegiance once again.

While there are kings, presidents, prime ministers, and supreme leaders, there is only one “King of kings” … Jesus. So, when we’re caught between what different kings might say, only the King’s word matters … that’s the Word of God. In times of conflict between ourselves and the kings of this world remember what God’s servant Joshua said to the nation Israel, “Choose this day whom you will serve … as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). In baptism, God declares us to be King Jesus’ subjects. Whenever we momentarily commit treason, sinning against Him, He is merciful to forgive us all of our sins (1 John 1:9). When He returns as promised, He’ll bring us and all His loyal subjects into His eternal kingdom.

                                                                        Subject of Christ,

                                                                        Pastor Jim

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

When I was a kid, there weren’t many 24-hour TV channels. When the broadcast day ended, the station would play the “Star Spangled Banner” and an announcer would say, “This is KZAZ, Channel 11, in Tucson, Arizona signing off.” Then a “test pattern” … a series of circles or bars … would appear on the screen. And that would be it … silence … until the next morning, when the sun rose and a new broadcast day began.

Malachi is the last Old Testament book. After over 1500 years of continuous broadcasting, God signed off the air with Malachi. His sign off was pretty ominous, “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze … it will leave them neither root nor branch.” (Malachi 4:1) God gave a pretty clear warning to His entire creation that things wouldn’t end well for those who live counter to Him and His Word. However, as God most often does, He doesn’t keep secret His desire for His people to return to Him … or how they can return to Him. Or … what He’s willing to do to bring them back to Him one day.

He reminds His people, “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.” (Malachi 4:4) In the law, God teaches His creation how He designed His creatures to live with Him and each other. God gives a clear description of what love truly looks like … love of God and love of neighbor (Matthew 22:34-40). However, the “arrogant and all evildoers” deliberately ignore God’s call to love. They create their version of love in their own image. Instead of giving of what God has blessed them with, they steal from another and give that instead (Malachi 1:13). Instead of proclaiming God’s Word in truth, they twist God’s Word to suit their own desires and use it to justify their sinful ways (Malachi 2:8). Instead of raising their children in the ways of the Lord God, they commit ultimate child abuse … allowing their children to pursue the idols of the world (Malachi 2:15). Despite these grievous sins, God still loves His people … He promises, “But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.” (Malachi 4:2)

For over 400 years, God remained off the air … silence. Until one night, in Bethlehem, the “Sun of Righteousness with healing” rose. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Word made Flesh was born. He heals the sins of all who believe in Him. His people will cling to His Word of truth. Children and parents will turn to each other and to their heavenly Father. It’s a new day for us! God is broadcasting 24-7 to us. In His Word and response to our prayer, He guides us all in the work He’s called each of us, His children, to do in His creation so that, when the Day of the Lord comes at last, we and all who believe in Him will be brought into His eternal kingdom.

                                                                        In Christ’s Love,

                                                                        Pastor Jim

Photo by Kiy Turk on Unsplash

Dear Saints,

You may not know; but, before I became a pastor, I was an electrical engineer. As an engineer, English classes weren’t my strength. Then I went to seminary … I learned more about English taking Greek and Hebrew than I ever learned in my few English classes. So … here’s a short English grammar lesson. A “present tense” verb indicates an “action in process or a current state of being.” It’s not something that takes place later on … or that took place a long time ago.

God uses the “present tense” frequently. That shouldn’t be a surprise. Those who analyze languages note the “present tense” is the most frequently used verb tense. And this “present-ness” should give us great comfort as we read God’s Word … especially as we celebrate “All Saints Day.” The Lutheran definition of “saint” is “believers on earth and in heaven.” “Saints” include not just the faithful departed, living in eternity with our heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ – but also all, this side of heaven, who believe in Him.

God’s Word tells us, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are … Beloved, we are God's children now.” (1 John 3:1-2) Using the “present tense” God tells us the current state of being for anyone who believes in Jesus – “child of God.” That’s what we are … right now … God has adopted each of us as His children. As His children, we’re also saints … now. This isn’t a future we’ll someday have; it’s a “present tense” reality for all who believe in Jesus Christ. Being saints now though doesn’t mean we’re perfect in any way. In fact, we’re also “sinners.” But, by the grace of God, “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) All who believe in Him are also currently, presently “forgiven sinners.”

These are words of comfort for all of us who believe in God’s promises. Jesus teaches us in His Sermon on the Mount, not only are we sainted children of God, but we’re also blessed. In the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12), Jesus uses the “present tense” to tell us, “Blessed are …”  He doesn’t say, “Blessed will be …” or “If you do these things, blessed are …” He simply says, “Blessed are …” His disciples, living in the “present tense” know they’re God’s blessed children. However, living in the present, that might not seem to be the reality as we see so much suffering and pain caused by sin all around us. But it won’t always be that way. While we are, in fact, God’s children now … blessed now … there’s more to come.

John writes, “What we will be has not yet appeared … we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2) With all the saints who’ve gone before us, we too will join with them before the throne of God in His eternal presence (Revelation 7:15). So, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.” (Matthew 5:12) That, fellow saints, is our “present reality” as we long to be with Him and all the saints!

                                                                        In Christ,

                                                                        Pastor Jim

Dear Fellow Forgiven Sinners,

There are many sayings along the lines of “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” The idea behind them, driven by our need to earn what we receive because we don’t want to feel like we owe someone anything. It’s a natural reaction for us to do things for someone in exchange for receiving things from them. And if we do get a free lunch … we likely ask, “What’s the catch?”

This isn’t a modern dilemma. It probably goes back as far as the first time Eve went to the store to get new fig leaves for the family. It was certainly the cause of Martin Luther’s extreme anxiety back in the early 1500s. He struggled mightily with the idea that he simply wasn’t good enough … hadn’t done enough … to earn God’s favor. Stories of Martin’s self-abuse are legendary as he tried to earn God’s favor, and thus His forgiveness. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Martin Luther believed this with all his heart, soul, and mind. However, due to his many fallings short, he couldn’t accept God’s grace and mercy; because he, as a sinner, hadn’t done anything to deserve it. And this left him distressed and overcome by guilt.

Then Luther read Romans 1:17, in the original Greek, as opposed to the Latin used in the church at the time. In reading the original Greek, Luther discovered that it wasn’t his adherence to the law that earned him God’s grace, but rather … it’s through simple “faith,” which God gives freely to all who believe in Jesus Christ, that God gives His righteousness, justifying them … making believers right with Him … by forgiving their sins. Luther finally understood that “I’ll scratch your back, if you scratch mine” doesn’t apply when it comes to God’s grace and mercy. True enough “all have sinned” … but equally, and more importantly, “All … are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.” (Romans 3:24) This life changing discovery changed the course of Luther’s life … leading him to join many others in his day to reform the Christian church and its doctrine on how God’s Word actually tells us we’re freed from the power of sin, death, and the devil.

As Martin Luther posted in famous 95 Theses, his intent wasn’t to create a new denomination, but to get the church talking and thinking about changes to correct errant teachings on how God saved His people through His grace and mercy, found only in His Word. The church of his day didn’t appreciate Luther’s, or many other reformers’, ideas on reform, labeling them heretics. Thankfully, by the power of the Holy Spirit, God protected Luther and enabled him and the many other reformers to bring about needed change so that today, God’s creation, including all mankind, can hear and believe Jesus’ promise that, “If the Son sets you free (from sin), you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36) … and … there’s no catch whatsoever! Rejoice fellow saints … you’re forgiven!

                                                               Your Fellow Forgiven Sinner,

                                                               Pastor Jim

Photo by John Banks on Unsplash

Dear Saints of First Lutheran,

It takes a certain kind of person to answer the call to serve in the military. My thanks to all who have served … and currently serve. I recognize and thank you and your families’ for your service, especially on Veteran’s Day. As a veteran myself, I understand the call to serve. When we hear the call, we answer without knowing, really, what to expect. I know when I joined the military, the U.S. hadn’t fired a shot … or been fired on … in anger in some time. Yet, inherent to military duty is the danger associated with defending the country from “all enemies, foreign and domestic” as the military’s oaths of enlistment and office state. In accordance with this oath, our military veterans and current members vowed to stand firm against those enemies in order to protect the rest of us from harm. So … thank you for your service to us and our nation.

As Christians, God calls us, His children, to serve Him. We might look at Moses’ for an example. One day, while tending his sheep, Moses saw an unusual sight. It was a bush which was on fire, yet, unlike a normal fire, it wasn’t consuming the bush. Then the bush called out to Moses. And this is where God calls Moses into His service to be the means by which He would free His people from slavery in Egypt. Moses recognized the possibility of danger that lay ahead. Here he was, now a lowly shepherd, who years before had escaped Egypt with his life following his killing of an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew (Exodus 2:11-15). But God promised His protection to Moses saying, “But I will be with you.” (Exodus 3:12) So, Moses, trusting God, went as God asked and stood firm, under His protection, before Pharaoh until … Pharaoh released God’s people from slavery. Throughout the ordeal, Moses resolutely held to God’s call to him as God protected him while he stood firmly against Pharaoh.

We often think Moses was a mighty man of God who boldly answered and carried out God’s call. When, in fact, Moses was anything but bold. He seriously doubted his ability to serve God. Moses first response, “How can I stand up to Pharaoh?” … God said, “I’ll be with you.” Then Moses figured the people wouldn’t believe him, “Who do I say is sending me?” … God said, “The God of your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (Exodus 3:11-15) Moses next attempt to get out of his call, “They won’t believe me” … God said, “OK, I’ll give you some signs of my power.” And He did. Finally, Moses tried, “I’m not very good with words” … God said, “I’ve got you covered. I’ll send Aaron, your brother. He’s great with words.” (Exodus 4:1-17) We also, like Moses – doubting our own abilities, might try to come up with excuses to avoid serving as God calls us. But know that, also like Moses, God never sends us alone. He knows we’d fail on our own, so He sends us with the Holy Spirit to help us stand firm (Mark 13:10-11). God’s strength becomes our strength (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Fear not His call to serve!

                                                                        Your Brother in Christ,

                                                                        Pastor Jim