Jacobs Thoughts and Doings

Boston and Maryland grands explore the ponds.  Great fun.

They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

John 17:15

Jesus prays for us – now and always.  His major prayer, it seems, is that we as his believers, his disciples and followers, need constant attention.

To begin, we need to think about the consequences of our new birth, our new life in Christ.  That work of the Spirit of God, receiving us in faith, is the most important thing in the heart of God and in us.  I must keep in mind that Jesus never presented himself as of this world, but as a stranger here. I suppose we could have expected that.  But Jesus, here in the hours before his death on the Cross reminds us that we will never get reconciled to the things of this world because we have been born into a new reality – by the Spirit of our Lord.

He goes on to explain that has come into the world to sanctify us.  In our time, these words say little.  But to Jesus and his disciples, they were the most important words that can be uttered.   Jesus came to sanctify himself.  That included the Cross the loomed before.im.

That is the way of sanctification, of cleansing, of purification, of separation.  Jesus endured the Cross to sanctify himself and us.

Even though we do not use the English word, sanctify, it is front and center in the plan of God and the heart of Jesus’ death and life for us.

Jane planted this beauty.  A new flower for us.  The world of God’s creation is breathtaking.  Illustrated by this yellow flower with a black insect visitor.

Every year these lovely blossoms grace our lives.  The blooms seem so exuberant.

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  But to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

John 1:11 – 13

Born of God.  At first this seems like an impossibility.  But, it is at the heart of our faith in the Lord.  If it would not be attainable, John would have not pointed it out as the basis of our relationship with God, the Father. That is not only possible but essential.  This is not for the few “chosen ones,” but for all who will believe no matter what century, what culture or, as we might say, any other creature. All human beings stand in the same place!  All must be born again “of God.”

I must stop now and let this sink in!  It takes away one’s spiritual breath.  Is it really possible?  It must be or God would not offer it!  So, in faith I embrace it will all my heart and will.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. 

Proverbs 3:5, 6

I want to let this passage of Scripture enter the deep places of my being.  It begins with a difficult plea for people like me. Trust in the LORD.  That hits the nail on the head, I might say.  My tendency is to trust many things, like my determination, my Christian history, my family, my denominations and the list goes on.  This word from God clears all other “trusts” and encourages me to trust in the Lord!  That is like a sharp knife that cuts cleanly.  I hear the word in my ears, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.”

All my heart?  Really?  That is the basis of all that follows.  The word of God warns us against placing our own understanding as important.  Of course we must use the intelligence that God has given me to do what is necessary, deny any hope in anything but God himself, and nothing else. What is more intelligent than that?

This is not just some mental jargon.  It is at the heart of being a follower of the Lord.  I means lifting up the Lord as my one and only hope. That means that I will obey the commands of the One who called me to follow Him!   He knows how hopeless we human beings are, so He himself becomes our strength and hope!  Praise Him always and forever and ever!

It is always painful to lose a pastor, especially a young, talented one, with his lovely family.  This coming Sunday we will bid farewell to Derrick, Jan and family.  They certainly do merit our thanks and praise.  They have carried the leadership role in our congregation for quite a few years.  They feel to make a change, and we as a cogregation want to wish them the blessing of the Lord as they make this move.  That have become such an integral part of our congregation that it is hard to see them go!

On Saturday night, many young people came to enjoy the evening together.  We did not try to find out the reason for the tent, nor that group who gathered there.  They are celebrating the graduation of their only living son this month.  That may be it. It was a subdued group.  After their festivities they set off a few fireworks – one loud fellow!  All part of the fun.

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

John 16:7

This morning’s Daily Light reading refers to the coming of the Holy Spirit again.  As Jesus begins to walk through his dark days – suffering and death – and Resurrection, He assures his disciples, including us, of course, that he will be gone physically, but present in the Spirit is a blessed new way.  He emphasizes what he is saying by his word, “Very truly I tell you.”

I am thinking about his promise, “I will send him to you.”  I do not think enough about this most wonderful promise, made by my Jesus and yours, that even though He can not be here in the flesh, he is here in the Holy Spirit!  That is far better, of course.

So, this morning, as we prepare to be with our congregation for our weekly time of communal worship, this promise rings as true today as when Jesus spoke of it.

The gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit is one of the most precious gifts from God than can be imagined.  Let us embrace Him as we do Jesus and the Father of all!

 Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2

I can not praise God enough for these words, not simply words but truth, loud and clear.  What I look at determines pretty much how I act.  If I look at my problems, I am lost!  If I look to Jesus, and at Him, that is life indeed.  So much is determined by what I look at!

If I look at Jesus, I give him the honored place in my life.  He satisfies me and empowers me to love and serve others, especially my wife and those close to me.

Only Jesus can turn my doubts to faith in Him.  Jesus stands there with me to help me to do what I must do.  If He and I agree, it will be so.  That is the promise of God.

I see Jesus enduring the cross, with all the shame and pain that brings.  I also see Jesus, risen from the dead, now sitting with the Father in glory surrounded by the presence of the Holy Spirit.  So suffering and great joy are not enemies, but, in Christ, they bless my soul marvelously.

So today, I fix my eyes of Jesus, who saves and keeps me.  My path includes suffering and honor.  Like Jesus!