Photo by Thanos Pal on Unsplash

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I don’t travel much anymore. Work used to take me on many long trips. My method to survive – crash in the seat and hope I awoke as we started descending. But I usually woke up before then wondering, “Are we in the middle somewhere or near the end?”

Today is Pentecost. Jesus has ascended to heaven. He promised to come back … a day we call the “last day.” As we wait, it’s natural to think, “I wonder when that day will come.” Peter gives us a clue. As he speaks to the crowds on Pentecost, he says, “But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last days it shall be … I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh …’ (Acts 2:16-17)” 

According to Peter we’re in the last days … he said they began when the Spirit was poured out on the disciples. But Peter also mentions the final last day, “the day of the Lord, the great and magnificent day (Acts 2:20).” Jesus will return on the final last day. So … today we’re somewhere in the middle. But, something like waking up in the middle of a long journey, we don’t know where. 

This uncertainty can be problematic. First, distress might set in because we hear about fire, smoke, and the sun turning to darkness … scary things indeed. Or, complacency might set in as we think we’ve got plenty of time to sort things out before the day of the Lord. 

But there’s a third option – “It shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Acts 2:20-21).” As we live in these last days, we trust Jesus’ promise that His return will be a great and magnificent day. So, let’s not be distressed … let’s trust His promise. And let’s not get complacent … let’s serve Him by proclaiming the good news to all we meet in words and deeds that they too might be saved along with us.

                                                                                                In Christian Love,

                                                                                                Pastor Jim

Photo by The Climate Reality Project on Unsplash

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

The Voters’ Assembly … it’s an institution in many congregations used to make important decisions in the life of God’s people. In fact, our congregation has had several of them lately to approve important decisions in response to the COVID-19 crisis and the expenditure of funds to upgrade technology and buildings. There’s one on June 7th to approve our next budget and update people on progress toward reopening the sanctuary for in-person worship. Another item on the agenda is selecting new leaders to replace outgoing servants who’ve completed their faithful work.

The minutes of one of the first “voters’ assemblies” is recorded in Acts 2:12-26. The disciples were down an apostle. Accordingly, they needed to select another. They laid out the qualifications for the office and took nominations from the congregation. Justus and Matthias were put forward. Then the congregation prayed for God’s leading. The vote was left to God as they followed their prayers by casting lots. By the power of the Holy Spirit, the lot fell on Matthias. He became the newest apostle.

The method of selection for this new leader in God’s church is instructive. There was no campaigning. There was no laying out of platforms and policy positions. To be qualified, the person needed to be one who was a disciple throughout Jesus’ ministry. Then they prayed. They asked God to select the next leader in His church. God led them to select Matthias. 

As we make important decisions in the life of God’s church, as well as in our own lives, the model used by these first disciples is instructive. They began with prayer – asking God to lead them. While we may not “cast lots,” God does, in fact, desire to lead us. He desires that we come to Him in prayer. He desires to inspire us by His Word. Led by Him, we’re able to make God-pleasing decisions in all aspects of our lives. Trust God. Go to Him in prayer. Let Him lead you. Then, follow Him in faith.

                                                                                                He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

                                                                                                Pastor Jim

Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

Dear Easter People,

Alleluia! Christ is risen! 

I have spent a lot of time lately in Zoom meetings with other pastors. I’ve been blessed by these conversations, but not as you might expect. To explain, I go to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Paul writes, “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers (Ephesians 1:16).” In speaking to my fellow pastors, I am abundantly thankful for you all! I say that because, I hear what many of our brothers and sisters in Christ are going through right now, as are we. Yet what I hear from others are indications that, despite the difficulties we’re all going through, many are struggling to remain strong in faith in this difficult time. I am thankful for your continued strength of faith … a faith I feel each day through your prayers for me and for God’s people. Quite honestly, Paul’s words to the church in Ephesus could truly be words from my own pen to the church in Calvert County.

Paul wrote many letters to many churches across the Mediterranean. Usually he was addressing a breakdown of faith at some point. However, there was no apparent breakdown of faith in Ephesus. Paul encouraged the Ephesians to continue their faithful worship of the one true God in the face of great pressure to capitulate to the economic and religious forces of the day. Yet, they didn’t! They remained faithful to Christ … “the one body, the one Lord, the one faith, the one baptism, the one God and Father of all (Ephesians 4:4-5).”

As we all face pressures to give up on our faith … even placing it in the “ways of the world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air (Ephesians 2:2)” … it can be very hard to remain faithful to God and His Word. However, I see each day, your strength of faith in God … that His will shall be done. I thank God for you and your singular, faith filled focus on Him.

                                                                                        He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

                                                                                        Pastor Jim

Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash

Dear Easter People,

Alleluia! Christ is risen! 

If you want to get to First Lutheran Church in Huntingtown MD, the route you take depends on where you start. Whether you use GPS, directions from the website, or the old-fashioned map; you plot a route getting you to your destination. Ultimately, regardless of your route, in the end, you need to get to Maryland Route 4 Southbound and the doors of First Lutheran Church. No matter where you start, no matter how lost you might get along the way … the only way to get to First Lutheran Church is to end up on MD-4 southbound.

Jesus says to His disciples, including you and me, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going (John 14:3-4).” Despite all they’ve seen Jesus do, the disciples are lost. Thomas asks Jesus for directions to which He says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).” With these words Jesus tells the world about the only way to enter eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. The only way is Jesus. He isn’t one of many ways. He’s THE way … to the Father and eternal life. However, just like you can ignore GPS or throw away the map and trust yourself, many try to find their own way to heaven ...

The good news for all mankind, regardless of where you might find yourself right now … no matter what route you’re on right now … no matter how lost you are right now … the truth of God’s Word is “recalculating your route” to get you onto the only road leading to the kingdom of heaven. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are led to Jesus. Then, following Him in faith, He leads us directly to our final destination, eternal life.

                                                                                        He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

                                                                                        Pastor Jim

Photo by Loewe Technologies on Unsplash

Dear Easter People,

Alleluia! Christ is risen! 

When I was a kid, one of my favorite comedians was Canadian-born impressionist Rich Little. He could make you think a President or a famous celebrity was in the room. He seemed to perfectly match anyone’s voice. I wonder though if he could trick a fancy voice recognition system into opening a celebrity’s bank account. He’d have to do more than just sound good … he’d need to match perfectly the voice of the celebrity.

In Jesus’ day voice recognition systems didn’t exist. But He tells us, sheep could differentiate between their shepherd’s voice and that of someone pretending to be their shepherd. “The sheep hear (their shepherd’s) voice … the sheep follow him, for they know his voice (John 10:3-4).” Jesus uses this image to help us understand the importance of hearing His voice and then following it … not the world’s voice. 

Many in the world try to lure us away from Jesus by doing impressions of Jesus. They may sound like Him. But, if we listen carefully, we can hear they’re what Jesus calls “thieves and robbers … (whose intent is) to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:8,10).” False prophets, the devil’s workers, use familiar language to make Jesus’ disciples, including you and me, think they’re speaking God’s Word. They attempt to steal us away from God. Their voices may sound good, but they only lead us away from God … into sin and death. 

How do we keep from being stolen away? We listen to Jesus and His Word. If someone tells us something that sounds good, but might differ from what God’s Word says, ask “Where can I find that in God’s Word?” Dare them to show you exactly where it is … have them explain how and why they’re teaching this way. Then pray to God for guidance and wisdom. In this way, you’ll steer clear of lies as you hear the Good Shepherd’s voice. He’ll lead you safely to the rich pastures and refreshing waters of abundant life. 

                                                                                                He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

                                                                                        Pastor Jim

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Dear Easter People,

Alleluia! Christ is risen! 

I’ve never met anybody who willingly undergoes “the knife.” But sometimes “the knife” is necessary. So, in order to correct a serious condition, people have surgery. And when it’s over many say, “Why didn’t I do that sooner?” The surgery might leave a scar. It might leave some residual pain. But it also brings healing and relief from pain – correcting whatever condition might have existed.

While surgery can bring about healing, eventually, due to the nature of life in a sin-filled world, our bodies will fail … leading to death and a more painful condition … eternal separation from God our Father – eternal death.

Peter stood before the house of Israel one day to bring the healing knife of God’s Word to Israel’s ears saying, “‘Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made (Jesus) both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified!’ Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter … ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ (Acts 2:36-37)” 

God’s Word, spoken in sharp truth, cut through their sinful hearts like a razor-sharp scalpel, revealing to them their dire condition. It caused them to see they were helpless, on their own, to do anything about it. But Peter followed the sharp word of the law with the comforting, healing goodness of the gospel … “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. (Acts 2:38)” And that day, over 3000 people were saved from the eternal effects of sin and death.

We too hear God’s Word. We hear the cutting news of the law. It convicts us of our sins. We see our need for the healing word of God’s gospel. Then, as we confess our sins, our God and Father, on account of His Son, Jesus Christ, cuts them away with His forgiveness. As we say, “Why didn’t I do that sooner?” He restores us to full health and eternal life.

                                                                                        He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

                                                                                        Pastor Jim

(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kevin West)

Dear Easter People,

Alleluia! Christ is risen! 

Military members take an oath to “obey the orders of (those) appointed over me.” But there’s a caveat protecting them from unlawful orders. Orders must be “…according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.” One cannot be ordered to break the law.

Peter and the apostles received conflicting orders from those appointed over them. The temple leaders directed them to stop teaching in Jesus’ name (Acts 5:17-28). Peter’s response, “We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)” So, Peter and the apostles, obeying the highest authority, God Himself, continued teaching in Jesus’ name.

Today, the government has directed us to stay in our houses except for essential activities. It keeps us from attending worship services together in our church buildings. It might seem the government’s direction is at odds with God’s direction to come together and worship Him regularly. 

In our current situation it’s important to note, the government isn’t telling God’s people they can’t worship. They’re simply telling them they need to do so in a socially responsible manner. And we are complying with this direction because God’s Word tells us, “Thou shall honor your parents” and “Thou shall not kill.”  From God’s Word, we understand these two commands in these ways. The first includes honoring those authorities God has placed over us to protect us and provide good order in His creation. The second includes “helping and supporting our neighbor in every physical need” by doing what we can to keep them from getting, in this case, sick and possibly dying.

By being obedient to those God has placed in authority over us we are also being obedient to God’s command to love and help our neighbors in need. One day this virus will be defeated and we’ll be able to physically join together in worship. Until then, God has blessed us with technology and many other gifts which still enable us to gather together in worship to hear God’s teachings in the name of Jesus, our risen Lord and Savior!

                                                                                        He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

                                                                                        Pastor Jim