Let not your heart be troubled..

Dear Friends! God's Peace! This week our letter is written by Pastor Rod Johnson.



Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the

world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

True peace will never be complete in this world in which

we live. That peace depends on many various factors that

will always be very uncertain at best, for there are so many

things in life over which we have no control. It is for this reason

that Jesus directs our thoughts and desires to Him and His

Word in the above quote from the Gospel of John.



For the very reason of human concern, Matthew 6:33-34

records these words of Jesus: But seek ye first the kingdom of

God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added

unto you. Take therefore no thought (do not be anxious) for the

morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of

itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil (or its own trouble)

thereof.



Recently, worldwide, we have heard of many serious

situations: natural disasters, hurricanes, cyclones and ongoing

wars. Commonly we deal with health issues, financial concerns,

persecutions, etc. as daily aspects of life here on earth. Even

today the fear of the disaster of the US economy is reported in

the news media. The Word guides us in this, Love not the

world, neither the things that are in the world… (I John 2:15)



When our love is to the Lord, the things of earth grow strangely

dim as we rely on the graciousness of God!



So what do we do? Worry, fret, complain, curse God as Job

was told to do? Or, by faith, commit all things into the hand of

God, trusting in His promises and grace? Jesus clearly told us

what to do in the verses above; but because our sin nature

always wants to be in control and have assurances that everything

will be well we may have anxieties that overwhelm us.



We have hopes in this world, but they are often unfulfilled.

We pray, but the Lord does not always grant our will because

He has other plans that go beyond our knowledge. Therefore,

our only sure hope and peace must be found in Jesus Christ

and His assurance that lasts into eternity that we may possess

the peace that passes all human understanding.



Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct

thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he

that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a

rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah,

being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with

fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which

he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness

which is by faith. (Hebrews 11:6-7) Noah relied on the providence

of God for all things unseen or unknown, trusting that

God was faithful to His promise. The future was in the Lord’s

hand for him as it is also for us.



In the Gospel of John, in what is known as ‘The High

Priestly Prayer,’ Jesus prays for victory for His own over that

which is of the world. He forewarned us that we will have

trouble in this world but not to give up hoping in Him. Therefore,

He said, These things I have spoken unto you, that in me

ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation:

but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)


Living in His peace! Praying that you are also!


In the Love of Jesus Christ,

Pastor Rod Johnson

Laurium, Michigan

Christian Friends!

Dear Readers around the World!

God’s Peace!

Our long journey around the USA continues, as I am doing presentations for The Foreign Mission in many different ALCA churches. The travel can get a little tiring, but it is such a great joy being with Christians in so many places.

As I pondered what topic to write on this morning, I thought writing about the benefits and joys of having Christian friends would be appropriate. It has been so comforting to find so many welcoming Christians on this journey.

Sometimes we can feel like we are alone in our problems and struggles. Remember that the Word of God says Hebrews 12:1
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

As Christians, we are not in this battle alone. There are other believers we can turn to with our problems, with our struggles. If we have sins that we have fallen into, remember, these Christian friend have the power of the keys given to us by our Lord Jesus when he said, . Matthew 16:19
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
It is a wonderful time that we live in when brother can turn to brother and say, thy sins be forgiven thee.
We are encouraged in Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. What a beautiful thing it is if we can live peaceably with all men.

2 Peter 3:14 ….. be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. Our peace is complete in the Lord Jesus Christ. We do not need to be, and must not be in unrest and turmoil with men here on earth. If we have this problem, we need to search our hearts, and ask the Lord to reveal to us, where we are going wrong. Have I strayed from the love of the brethren because of something I have done?

The scripture also gives us these words of instruction.
James 4:11
Speak not evil one of another, brethren….
2 Thes. 3:15
Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

We are able to find so many such verses all throughout the Holy Word of God. Our Lord wants us to love one another. How then can we have troubles with other people and even other believers in our lives? I believe it is because we ourselves have not taken full heed to God’s Word. I know that some men are very hard to deal with, and can give us trouble that we did not cause. However, even in these times there is instruction for us in the Word of God. Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
You see, we need to look at other Christians as ones that can and will help us on our journey to be with our Lord Jesus in heaven one day. Do not look upon them with covetousness or jealousy. Rather, let us be refreshed by our brothers, as we read in
Philemon 1:7
For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

Be encouraged, all my dear brothers and sisters that know and believe by faith in the complete saving work of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose robes are washed white in the blood of the Lamb, that one day soon, we will be united fully in Heaven! We will then have complete joy as together be praise and glorify our Lord eternally!

Bread of Life and Living Water

Dear Readers, God’s Peace!

I am so thankful and happy to report that our church conventions went very well! This was a time of refreshing for us. The theme the host congregation had picked out for this convention was, Lord, bind us together in Love. I can truly say, that there was a spirit of Love and unity that was working throughout these services. All Thanks, Honor, and Glory for this go to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

We were blessed to have many more people than expected. Our economy is poor and many people do not have much work. Still, the Word of God drew them with the power of God’s might, and people came to the services! We thank God for this as well!

As always in times of many sermons, we hear from many parts of God’s Holy Word. Is it not amazing that no matter how many sermons we hear, or no matter how many times we read the Bible, it never gets old? When it comes to other books, I have almost never in my whole life read the same book twice. The Bible however is not a regular book. This is the Word of God. The Word of the One that created the entire universe and all that is in it! This is the Word of Life!

The Holy Word is the Bread of Life! Matthew 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
The Word of God is our strength.

Also many times in the Bible, the Word and Salvation through Christ are depicted as water, or the water of life.

. John 4:10-11
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. 11The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

John 4:13-15
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 15The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

I pray that each one reading this article has been made partakers of this Living Water. I pray each one know both the Maker of the water, and the one that has made the water Live!

When Jesus died on the cross, we remember that He shed His blood to the last drop. Then water flowed out from His side. Remember, Jesus shed all His Blood for you! All men must repent and believe His Gospel! Believe truly for yourself that when Jesus cried out from the cross, IT IS FINISHED, that truly the whole price had been paid for you. You can rest from your own labor, from your own works. You can leave those sinful habits, those addictions, and all those things you need or desire from your flesh. IT IS FINISHED Jesus said! There is nothing that we must do, or that we can do. Jesus has done it all for us!

What a joy and what a relief to believe this by faith! Oh that many more in this world could come to this knowledge of the Living Saviour. The Saviour that said it is finished. The One whom the grave could not contain! The One who rose again on that first Easter Morn. The One the Lives forever! It is Him that we must come to.

Come and Dine! Come to partake of the Living Water. If you do, you will never thirst again! These are the Words of Jesus! Take them to heart by faith!

Rev. 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely

One day, all believers will hear that beautiful word, Come, one last time! That is when our Lord invites us to Come to be with him in Heaven eternally! What a Day that will be, when our Saviour we see in that Beautiful City of Gold!

May God Bless your week! John

Garden Part 2

God’s Blessings to each reader today! Well, these weeks on the road in the USA are going so fast that it seems like I just typed the story of the Garden! I will endeavor now to do Part 2 of this story. As I said last week, we want to cover the nurturing of the plants in the Garden, as well as the Harvest!

The seeds have been planted in that prepared soil. The sun is shining brightly! God’s Grace is so good and plenteous, that He supplies all that we need. These newly planted seeds are like the newly born Christians, ones that have repented and believed the Gospel. The Bible says of these in 1 Peter 2:2 (KJV)
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Newborn children naturally can only handle milk. No solid food. New seedlings in the garden can only handle a little bit of water, not a whole flood at once. New seedling could not hold up to too much water, or they would uproot and be destroyed.

New believers also cannot hold up to too much strong talk or learning.
We must remember to use much grace in our speech, and so much the more to the new born babes in Christ! Ephes. 4:29 (KJV)
… but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
There will be time later to move on to teaching the deeper things in the Word of God. Do not expect the young to be able to handle too much! Give them time to grow in the Grace and Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Lord will continue to do the work that is needed, just be willing to be one of the ready tools in the tool shed. Be ready to work in the Garden of God’s Love and Grace. Be ready to nurture the newborns in Christ!

In the vegetable gardens that we keep, we are well knowledgeable that there is a time to plant and then much later a time to harvest. Eccles. 3:2 (KJV)
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
Why is it then that sometimes in Christianity, we want to see people repent as soon as we start to preach? The planting (sowing) is when we begin to preach to a group or individuals. God word will not return void, it will do what it will if it is preached in truth and purity. Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Do not be worried about the Harvest on Planting day. However, by the same token, do not neglect the harvest. This is important work. Luke 10:2 (KJV)
Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

Notice how the Word says His harvest. This is not ours. It is the Lord’s Harvest. God does work through the agency of man however. Men are the laborers.

It is my prayer that each living child of God, would be willing laborers in His Kingdom. All the various jobs need doing. We must be willing to turn to His Word, keeping all things in perspective according to the Bible, as go forth as His servants.

Are you and I willing, faithful, obedient servants? I pray that we would be, because the Lord is coming soon, and He desires that man would be saved. Oh that much sowing, watering and nurturing, would take place in the day of Grace, so that when it is time for His Harvest, many souls will be eternally saved!

Have a most Blessed Week!

Please pray for our annual Apostolic Lutheran Church Convention which is this week!

John

The Garden of God’s Love

This morning as I sat awake alone in this little apartment in Michigan, USA, I began to think and pray what to write for this week’s article. After many weeks of dry weather in this area, the last few days have been quite wet and dreary. Perhaps because of this, but most importantly by God, my thoughts seemed to be directed toward the vegetable garden which is outside our place here.

Before this garden, or any other garden was planted, the soil had to be prepared. The soil must be turned, broken up, made soft. The soil must be made ready before the seed is planted. Is this not the same way it is spiritually?
Luke 8:15 (KJV)
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Only when the heart is ready to receive can the preached Word do good and take firm root. Pray that this work of turning over, changing, making ready, and softening of men’s hearts would be done by God in your communities so that when the Word of God is spoken, it will fall upon good ground.

Once the soil is made ready in a natural vegetable garden here on earth, then the seed can be planted. This is called sowing.

2 Cor. 9:6 (KJV)
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
Matthew 13:37 (KJV)
He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
Mark 4:14 (KJV)
The sower soweth the word.

Share the Word with the people. Sow the seed! Do not decide that today I will not sow, or I will only sow a little. No, sow liberally. Sow the Word. Preach it dear Pastor, preach it dear Christians everywhere. Share it with your friends young and old! Share it with anyone that will listen. Remember as in our scripture verses above, if the seed is sown only sparingly, it shall reap also sparingly! In this garden outside our place here, the vegetables are coming up in fine rows. The whole of the garden plot is used, if not I am sure the gardener would not have turned the soil as large and then only planted a few seeds. No, rather many seeds were used!

Another thought about sowing seeds. If you plant a carrot seed, you will get a carrot. Whatever seed is planted, that is the type of vegetable that will be harvested if the Lord allows it. Never will something else take shape. Galatians 6:7 (KJV)
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

God’s plan and Word is so perfect. We must be aware that if we sow evil or destructive talk, if we sow discontent or mistrust, then we will also reap the same. But Praise be to God that it is also true that if God’s Holy Word is sown, then the great and everlasting benefits will be harvested according to the Grace and Mercy of our Lord!

Now we must remember that scripture says in 1 Cor. 3:7-8 (KJV)
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

Man must do his part in both the natural vegetable garden, and in the work of the Lord. However, God gives the increase! Nothing will become of any effort of man without God giving the blessing and the increase. We do not have control of this! God does, and God is good! 1 Cor. 3:6 (KJV)
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

Also in a vegetable garden, weeds pop up! These must be rooted up so they do not choke out the sun and moisture from the real plants.
Matthew 15:13 (KJV)
But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
So complete is the Word of God that He has put all these pictures are in our Bibles for us to be able to understand! Do not allow roots of bitterness to spring up in your life. These must be plucked out for a healthy home or church life to grow.

There is so much more to speak about in this garden example but I am afraid this is article is getting too long. If the Lord so wills, next week I will continue with Part 2 of this Garden Story. We will cover the nurturing (watering and feeding), and the Harvest!

I leave you this final word of encouragement this week about the word planted!

Romans 6:5 (KJV)
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: