ICHABOD, THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED - explores the Age of Apostasy, predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, to attack Objective Faithless Justification, Church Growth Clowns, and their ringmasters. The antidote is trusting the efficacious Word in the Means of Grace. John 16:8. Isaiah 55:8ff. Romans 10. Most readers are WELS, LCMS, ELS, or ELCA. This blog also covers the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the National Council of Churches.
Thank you Pastor Jackson for your prayers! I am feeling much better and steadily regaining my strength. I think I over exerted myself putting temporary fence up to contain my bull. It seems everything needs to be done all of a sudden. I have three more cows to calve and one perhaps two are having trouble carrying their calf to full term. My 33 ewes begin lambing May 1.
In Christ,
Tom Fisher
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GJ - It is a pleasure to see the modern farms at work, to realize how much is reflected in the Scriptures today.
Today's posting marked 121,145 views in a day. Some are reading, maybe only glancing, perhaps studying the material.
In years' past, many people counted on wisdom by reading well known literature. The Scriptures and the hymnals were precious worn books, kept at home for their use, many of them tiny and carried around as treasures.
I cannot imagine the ancients (1800s) doing anything alike ours today.
Psalm37Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
When I was touring through the Psalms - not from the first psalmic numbers - I was struck by its later use from various sources, more of awisdom gold-mine in three reminders. Luther (a Psalm genius) and others expressed this ancient form. Given our recently loss of recreating and remembering, this gem will be forgotten, not held up for individuals.
Psalm 37 should be the ultimate now; instead, it is now overshadowed by cute little quips.
Back to the topic. Psalm 37 is a great magnet that gathers the actual power of God, Who is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Lucky children long ago got to remember and repeat the meaning of "fret." Naw, it is too old-fashioned now.
Fret notthyself is central to all our individual troubles, which ultimately come from us. And so simple - troubles do not come from others so much as they come from ourselves (though we are eager sponsors of the trouble). When we acknowledge our own trouble, we are likely to see the other one or ones change as well.
The Confession of Sins The Absolution The Introit p. 16
Introit
As newborn babes: desire the sincere milk of the Word.
Hear, O My people, and I will testify unto thee:
O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto Me.
Psalm. Sing aloud unto God, our Strength:
make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
The Gloria Patri The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Collect
Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who have celebrated the solemnities of the Lord’s resurrection may, by the help of Thy grace, bring forth the fruits thereof in our life and conversation; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.
The Epistle and Gradual
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
V. Christ, our Passover, is sacrificed for us. Hallelujah!
The Preface p. 24 The Sanctus p. 26 The Lord's Prayer p. 27 The Words of Institution The Agnus Dei p. 28 The Nunc Dimittis p. 29 The Benediction p. 31 Hymn #285How Precious Is the Book Divine
Prayers and Announcements
In our prayers] - Sarah Buck, Pastor Jim Shrader and Christine, Kermit Way,
Dr. Lito Cruz, members and friends.
Pray for our country, our Constitution and our Bill of Rights.
KJV 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
KJV John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
First Sunday After Easter
Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank Thee, that of Thine ineffable grace, for the sake of Thy Son, Thou hast given us the holy gospel, and hast instituted the holy sacraments, that through the same we may have comfort and forgiveness of sin: We beseech Thee, grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that we may heartily believe Thy word; and through the holy sacraments day by day establish our faith, until we at last obtain salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
He Knows and Guides Us
KJV John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
Everything was darkness and fear, uniting for strength against the Jews and the stout door. Not knowing is scary. We have lights, locks, chains, extra doors, and noises - and we hope that will do the job. This is the extreme on both sides - the disciples were completely lost and afraid - Jesus was there human/divine - the Word of Creation in Genesis 1 and John 1.
The time between the tortured crucifixion of Jesus and His Resurrection were frightening and chaotic. He knew what had to happen, and everyone either read, heard, or dismissed such passages as Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. The disciples were so afraid of the Jewish leaders that they barred the door shut. Jesus appeared to them and said the most comforting Word - Peace be to all of you (plural).
20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
They were mixed up, confused, and afraid, but the Good Shepherd was fearless and compassionate. There were so many episodes in the past.
The disciples even accused Jesus - Do you not care if we die?
When Jesus suggested help for a huge group of pilgrims following them, "We don't have enough money!" Our tendency is to respond to fears and agony, pressures and confusion, often - simply the reality of the seemingly unknown future. Our response is not adequate because the Son Himself has us in His hands.
21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
Peace and forgiveness go together in the New Testament. That is because faith in Jesus Christ gives us access to God's grace. Jeru-salem means "a place of peace," which is ironic, only because they would not listen to God as the catastrophic battle moved to an end (70 AD). Another revolt and the city was smashed even worse (Bar Kokba Rebellion, 132-36 AD, obliteration.) The Christian believers were scattered before the Roman Army arrived, because the believers were already driven away. That war increased the Christians and saved many lives as a result. They were not counting the numbers, but the faith.
Breathing on and speaking to the disciples was not new by itself, since they were led by the Holy Spirit, but they were assured of Jesus' forgiveness through this act, carried out to the believers and among the believers. Thus the primary work of the Holy Spirit is to
John 168 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
John 16 8 και ελθων εκεινος ελεγξει τον κοσμον περι αμαρτιας και περι δικαιοσυνης και περι κρισεως 9 περι αμαρτιας μεν οτι ου πιστευουσιν εις εμε
Thus this act in the locked room is to carry out the primary work of the Spirit - to conquer sin through faith in the Savior, whose many miracles and Resurrection give people forgiveness of sin through faith in Him.
24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
If someone has never doubted the Savior, then that person should re-examine the situation. This is important because we all doubt Him in various ways. Therefore, we need a constant stream of trust in the Good Shepherd and thankfulness for that forgiveness. The Son of God is so great and we are so tiny that we tend to move in the wrong direction, which should begin in forgiveness and continue on the True Vine (John 15).
Enchanted Peace is derived from the famous WWII Peace Rose.
I looked out on the front parsonage garden this morning, after some rain. At least 60 roses are in full bloom, all waiting to become seeds (hips) and in some cases pruned away. Jesus Christ has given us clear, simple examples to understand His ministry to us. Remaining with Him means being fruitful in His Kingdom. Cleansing (being forgiven) makes us fruitful. The rose (or grape vine) is never dormant but can become that way without the source.
26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Doubting Thomas is really Believing Thomas, because he traveled to Kerala, India with the Gospel and established Christianity there. We got to know a family from Kerala and attended the wedding of the older daughter. We often talked about how the Gospel there spread in various parts of the world, truly a global network.
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
This event is unique to the Fourth Gospel and easily remembered by its drama and meaning. The mainline/apostate ministers and teachers mock this passage (and the Fourth Gospel), thus proving their inability to let the Gospel take effect and guide their lives. Nothing is more powerful than the Spirit working to teach us about Christ and His benefits. The longer we live, the more we realize that truth.
People are tempted to start at Psalm 1 - and then - debate how to question the earliest orders of those songs. Readers can quickly find the favorites and choose their favorites. They can also favor the shorter ones.
Like any ancient works, there are examples of all types and often puzzlement as well. Like a musical instrument or singing, good results follow over time.
I may have overdone known songs like Psalm 91. But they are highly regarded for good reason.
Psalm 37 is powerful in lifting up sadness, opposition, difficulties, and sorrow. Try this - read all of Psalm 37 while considering the problem. See if the Holy Spirit follows suit, as they say.
Psalm 37:1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
"Fret not!? That's just plain hill-billy! Stop fretting about that aching head and sour look!"
Open up a comfortable KJV reading of Psalm 37 and notice what the healing song comes from the page. Yes, it is longer than Psalm 91, much shorter than television or games. I suggest that Psalm 37 will always lift one up, listen to God's advice, and stop fretting!
When looking for Psalm advice, look for new ones and pursue the Psalm favorites of all time. They are like Handel's Messiah because Handel has hymnified the Scriptures.
