Dear weekly readers! God’s Peace!
In a few days my son and I will begin two months of travel by car as we do church visits around the USA. The purpose of the trip is to help raise awareness in congregations about the work that the Lord is allowing the Foreign Mission of the ALCA to participate in, in His Vineyard around the world. My urgent request is that you would remember us in your prayers, and that the work would be blessed by God.
Also on this trip we will be at the Annual Convention of the Apostolic Lutheran Church of America (ALCA). During these four days of meetings and services, many sermons will be preached. Please pray that the power of the Holy Spirit would be present, and all in attendance could be feed and nourished by our Lord! If you want to listen to archived recordings of these sermons, email me at foreignmission@comcast.net in late July and I will be glad to give you the information of how to do this.
Since all this travel will make my time very short for the next two months, I will be using articles written by other pastors and believers for the “Weekly Diner.” I will still publish it weekly however, but the day you get it may vary from Monday to Thursday depending on the daily schedule and internet access availability.
For this week, I will not have a long article, but just to ask you for your prayers. They are so important to the continued Work in the Lord’s Vineyard. Please remember that the USA is in a time of a poor economy, and we must all realize that we all need to join in the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. We want to be obedient to the words of our Lord Jesus, in both times of plenty and in hard times! Jesus only said, “Go ye into all the world,.....” He did not say to go only if the economic times are really good. No, we are to go by faith!
This week we were privileged to have a guest Pastor from Sri Lanka in our area. His name in Lynton. He spoke on Sunday night in the church that I attend on the power of prayer! He pointed out many verses from the Bible that show the amazing power of prayer. Please look up the verses on this topic in your Bible and you will be enriched by it. There are so many verses, but if you need, a topical Bible or a study Bible would help you find them. I could give you a list at some point as well if you need.
Pastor Lynton, then also shared with us a verse that goes along very well with the prayer topic. This verse lets us ponder the power of God. Jeremiah 32:27 Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me? Take the time to think ponder on this verse. Do so while you are still and quiet. I am sure upon reflection, you will agree, that NO, there is nothing too hard for God. Therefore, if you add to the fact that there is nothing too hard for God, to the part in His Word that says the prayer of a righteous man availeth much, there is much reason for both Prayer and Rejoicing!
Yes my friend, we can let the Lord take care of us! Yes, we can let the Lord take care of our friends and others! Let’s take all of our cares and concerns to our Lord in prayer, as we pray in Jesus name!
The prayers of the saints go up in Golden vials before God. So important are your prayers!
Please remember us in America in your prayers, and we will surely endeavor to remember you in ours.
May God Bless Your Week.
John R.
"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Isaiah 55:1
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
" The Weekly Diner"
Dear Weekly Readers! God’s Peace!
Jeremiah 15:21 And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.
Such are the promises of our Almighty God towards us! We must remember that the God that made all the promises in the old times, is still our God today, …with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17 He is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
So often the devil would tempt us and tell us that we are surely in big trouble! Yes, sometimes we are in trouble according to the way the world and we as people look at situations. The obstacles in front of us can seem so large and so burdensome. God’s promises are still for us at these times! He will redeem us. Will we give all of our cares over to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith?
Will we allow Him to deliver us, just like God delivered David from the lion and the bear? God gave David these experiences which helped to perfect his faith, so that when it was time to take on the giant Goliath, David was ready and faithful!
Dear Lord, let each one of us realize that each day the victory is won for us by what Jesus has done! Our salvation is complete. Jesus has delivered us and all believers from the hand of the wicked one! The victory is ours! We have been redeemed by the blood of His cross! We are delivered!
Dear Lord, give us the faith to believe this more and more clearly. We as humans are so often doubting and rebellious. We see this in the Old Testament with the children of Israel. When they turned away from God, they would be defeated and lose the battles. When they repented and obeyed God they would succeed and win the battles!
Lord, help us to turn to thee for deliverance! A favorite verse of my favorite president of the USA, Ronald Reagan was 2nd Chronicles 7:14. If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
In many of our countries the governments have not been honest and upright. Our God is much bigger than governments. You will notice in this verse that God is talking to His people! Not governments. All of salvation, Godliness, blessedness and blessings, is individual. Even this verse gives us good reason to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We notice that if the people repent, sins will be forgiven, and their land will be healed!
This great work of repentance, forgiveness, and new life, is one person at a time. The consuming fire of the Holy Spirit moving in the hearts of men can then cause a movement, and our unchanging God will heal our lands!
What precious promises we have! Dear Christian, believe that you are delivered and redeemed! Dear non believer, Repent and believe the gospel, and you too can have rest for your souls! You too will be delivered from the hand of the wicked, and you will be redeemed from hand of the terrible one, the enemy of souls!
Come on me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 Such a sweet rest we have when we find our rest and comfort in our Lord Jesus Christ!
Let us lean on the sure promises of God, enter into the rest of Jesus Christ, and we will be safe and most blessed!
May God Bless your week! John
Jeremiah 15:21 And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.
Such are the promises of our Almighty God towards us! We must remember that the God that made all the promises in the old times, is still our God today, …with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17 He is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
So often the devil would tempt us and tell us that we are surely in big trouble! Yes, sometimes we are in trouble according to the way the world and we as people look at situations. The obstacles in front of us can seem so large and so burdensome. God’s promises are still for us at these times! He will redeem us. Will we give all of our cares over to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith?
Will we allow Him to deliver us, just like God delivered David from the lion and the bear? God gave David these experiences which helped to perfect his faith, so that when it was time to take on the giant Goliath, David was ready and faithful!
Dear Lord, let each one of us realize that each day the victory is won for us by what Jesus has done! Our salvation is complete. Jesus has delivered us and all believers from the hand of the wicked one! The victory is ours! We have been redeemed by the blood of His cross! We are delivered!
Dear Lord, give us the faith to believe this more and more clearly. We as humans are so often doubting and rebellious. We see this in the Old Testament with the children of Israel. When they turned away from God, they would be defeated and lose the battles. When they repented and obeyed God they would succeed and win the battles!
Lord, help us to turn to thee for deliverance! A favorite verse of my favorite president of the USA, Ronald Reagan was 2nd Chronicles 7:14. If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
In many of our countries the governments have not been honest and upright. Our God is much bigger than governments. You will notice in this verse that God is talking to His people! Not governments. All of salvation, Godliness, blessedness and blessings, is individual. Even this verse gives us good reason to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We notice that if the people repent, sins will be forgiven, and their land will be healed!
This great work of repentance, forgiveness, and new life, is one person at a time. The consuming fire of the Holy Spirit moving in the hearts of men can then cause a movement, and our unchanging God will heal our lands!
What precious promises we have! Dear Christian, believe that you are delivered and redeemed! Dear non believer, Repent and believe the gospel, and you too can have rest for your souls! You too will be delivered from the hand of the wicked, and you will be redeemed from hand of the terrible one, the enemy of souls!
Come on me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 Such a sweet rest we have when we find our rest and comfort in our Lord Jesus Christ!
Let us lean on the sure promises of God, enter into the rest of Jesus Christ, and we will be safe and most blessed!
May God Bless your week! John
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
"The Weekly Diner"
Dear weekly readers! Welcome to the Weekly Blog which now has a new name! It is now called the Weekly Diner! I have loved that portion of scripture when Jesus says “ Come and Dine!” Oh that we could dine on His word often. It is the prayer of myself and the Foreign Mission that many souls across the world could be fed and encouraged by this “Weekly Diner.”
This week our article is written by one of our former pastors, Pastor Alvin Holmgren. This faithful servant of God is now elderly and unable to preach, but thankfully we have some of his writings preserved!
May God Bless your week! John
Fellowship in the Early Church
Acts 1 and 2
The Scriptures give a very favorable report of fellowship in the early church. Jesus had numerous meetings with His followers in the
forty-day period between His resurrection
and ascension. Luke explains in the book of Acts that
these various meetings provided infallible proof of the resurrection
and gave additional opportunity for the Lord to speak with
His disciples of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Then in preparation for His ascension, Jesus told the disciples
not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the coming of the
Holy Spirit. They had been baptized with water, but Jesus
promised that they would also be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
The disciples were obedient to the Lord’s command. They
continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the
women and with Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with His
brethren.
When the day of promise came, we are told that they
were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there
came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it
filled all the house where they were sitting. And there ap-
peared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon
each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and
began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)
The power of the Holy Ghost gave the disciples the freedom
and courage to speak the Word to the multitude assembled that
day. Many hearts were pricked by the spoken Word and they
began to inquire, Men and brethren, what shall we do? (Acts
2:37) Apostle Peter, the primary spokesman, said to them,
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of
the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your
children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord
our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify
and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward
(crooked) generation. (Acts 2:38-40)
St. Luke summed up the
effect of the Spirit’s power by saying, Then they that gladly
received his word were baptized: and the same day there were
added unto them about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:41)
The Word of God teaches that faith comes by hearing, and
hearing by the Word of God. God’s Word also teaches that
when we believe, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of
the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.
Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. But if
the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in
you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken
your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. The
Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the
children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and
joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that
we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:9, 11, 16-17)
Pastor Alvin Holmgren
Seattle, Washington
Archived writing
This week our article is written by one of our former pastors, Pastor Alvin Holmgren. This faithful servant of God is now elderly and unable to preach, but thankfully we have some of his writings preserved!
May God Bless your week! John
Fellowship in the Early Church
Acts 1 and 2
The Scriptures give a very favorable report of fellowship in the early church. Jesus had numerous meetings with His followers in the
forty-day period between His resurrection
and ascension. Luke explains in the book of Acts that
these various meetings provided infallible proof of the resurrection
and gave additional opportunity for the Lord to speak with
His disciples of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Then in preparation for His ascension, Jesus told the disciples
not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the coming of the
Holy Spirit. They had been baptized with water, but Jesus
promised that they would also be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
The disciples were obedient to the Lord’s command. They
continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the
women and with Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with His
brethren.
When the day of promise came, we are told that they
were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there
came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it
filled all the house where they were sitting. And there ap-
peared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon
each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and
began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)
The power of the Holy Ghost gave the disciples the freedom
and courage to speak the Word to the multitude assembled that
day. Many hearts were pricked by the spoken Word and they
began to inquire, Men and brethren, what shall we do? (Acts
2:37) Apostle Peter, the primary spokesman, said to them,
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of
the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your
children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord
our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify
and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward
(crooked) generation. (Acts 2:38-40)
St. Luke summed up the
effect of the Spirit’s power by saying, Then they that gladly
received his word were baptized: and the same day there were
added unto them about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:41)
The Word of God teaches that faith comes by hearing, and
hearing by the Word of God. God’s Word also teaches that
when we believe, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of
the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.
Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. But if
the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in
you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken
your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. The
Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the
children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and
joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that
we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:9, 11, 16-17)
Pastor Alvin Holmgren
Seattle, Washington
Archived writing
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Suffering because...
Dear Weekly Readers! God’s Peace!
These days it seems our weeks go by so quickly! We are now one week closer to eternity than we were last week. We do not know if we will see next week, and we know the we are alive now because of God’s Grace! During our life here, we experience many things including sufferings. That is the topic of our article today, which is written today by a guest writer.
Please partake of the message from your “Weekly Diner.” (please let me know if the word Diner means a place to eat, like it does in our country. I am thinking of naming the Blog “ The Weekly Diner” and I would like your feedback on that!)
“Suffering because…”
Suffering is not a pleasant topic. Everyone experiences suffering of some sort. Some suffer more than others. The Old Testament patriarch, Job, is often singled out as one endured a great measure of suffering. Not only did he suffer the loss of health, wealth, and family. But he, also, suffered from so-called “friends” who became accusers rather than comforters.
We all know there are many reasons for suffering. But generally all suffering comes under four major reasons—1) suffering because of willfulness, 2) suffering because of circumstances, 3) suffering because of the love of God, and 4) suffering for God’s purpose.
Suffering because of willfulness is that which we reap because we willfully do or say something that causes us emotional, mental, physical, social, and/or spiritual pain. As Paul wrote to the Galatians, “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (6:7). Whenever our carnal mind is in control we will suffer for our attitudes, thoughts, words, and actions. We can blame no one because we chose the course of action!
Suffering because of circumstances are unavoidable. Accidents happen, disease and illness attack, simply living in this “fallen world” can expose us to consequences over which we have no control. We may or may not understand the “reason” for what happened. If we know the reason and it is in our power to make some changes so that what happened doesn’t happen again, well and good. But we may not ever know the reason.
This brings us to the third general reason for suffering. We may suffer because of the love of God. This is one of the more difficult reasons for us to understand, but Hebrews 12:6 states that, “whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.” We are to believe that our loving, heavenly Father needs to discipline us in order to deepen his work within us.
This suffering is tied closely with the fourth reason for suffering; namely, suffering for God’s purpose. This purpose of God is two-fold: a) internal and b) external. The internal purpose is the sanctifying work of God wherein we are being trained to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The more fully we know him, the more we desire to be like him, and the more our heavenly Potter will be transforming us into the image of Christ. (Read Romans 8:18-28.)
The external purpose of God is our daily, visible, inter-relationship with others as witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the evidence to others of Jesus Christ living and dwelling within us. How we relate to others; especially when under stress, will be a proof to them whether Christ is in control, or are we acting in the flesh. Of course, we all sin, we all fail, and we can be so grateful that there is forgiveness. We all need daily cleaning in the blood of Jesus. But, nonetheless, when Christ is the center of our life and the Holy Spirit is present within us, we are to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. (Rom. 8:9)
This inter-relationship with others includes both Christians and non-Christians. And since none of us as Christians is fully mature, even relationships with brothers and sisters in the Lord may lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, harsh words, anger, division. Hence, we may experience suffering. That can happen with non-Christians, also, but this is a different kind of suffering arising from those who are opposed to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even if we testify to others about Christ in a kind, loving, humble manner, some will react with scoffing, scorn, rejection, hatred and even physical harm. Most certainly this is suffering for God’s purpose since He does not want anyone to perish but that all would come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9).
Suffering for God’s purpose is the highest level of suffering we will ever have in this world. Since our heavenly Father has established His Church, suffering for His sake has been and always will be our lot. Paul wrote to his young “son in the faith” saying: “…all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). Please read the study the whole of Peter’s first epistle in the light of suffering for God’s purpose!
Praise God we have the comforting and assuring word of our Master that if we are faithful unto death we shall receive the crown of everlasting life. (Rev. 2:10) So help us God! Amen!
These days it seems our weeks go by so quickly! We are now one week closer to eternity than we were last week. We do not know if we will see next week, and we know the we are alive now because of God’s Grace! During our life here, we experience many things including sufferings. That is the topic of our article today, which is written today by a guest writer.
Please partake of the message from your “Weekly Diner.” (please let me know if the word Diner means a place to eat, like it does in our country. I am thinking of naming the Blog “ The Weekly Diner” and I would like your feedback on that!)
“Suffering because…”
Suffering is not a pleasant topic. Everyone experiences suffering of some sort. Some suffer more than others. The Old Testament patriarch, Job, is often singled out as one endured a great measure of suffering. Not only did he suffer the loss of health, wealth, and family. But he, also, suffered from so-called “friends” who became accusers rather than comforters.
We all know there are many reasons for suffering. But generally all suffering comes under four major reasons—1) suffering because of willfulness, 2) suffering because of circumstances, 3) suffering because of the love of God, and 4) suffering for God’s purpose.
Suffering because of willfulness is that which we reap because we willfully do or say something that causes us emotional, mental, physical, social, and/or spiritual pain. As Paul wrote to the Galatians, “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (6:7). Whenever our carnal mind is in control we will suffer for our attitudes, thoughts, words, and actions. We can blame no one because we chose the course of action!
Suffering because of circumstances are unavoidable. Accidents happen, disease and illness attack, simply living in this “fallen world” can expose us to consequences over which we have no control. We may or may not understand the “reason” for what happened. If we know the reason and it is in our power to make some changes so that what happened doesn’t happen again, well and good. But we may not ever know the reason.
This brings us to the third general reason for suffering. We may suffer because of the love of God. This is one of the more difficult reasons for us to understand, but Hebrews 12:6 states that, “whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.” We are to believe that our loving, heavenly Father needs to discipline us in order to deepen his work within us.
This suffering is tied closely with the fourth reason for suffering; namely, suffering for God’s purpose. This purpose of God is two-fold: a) internal and b) external. The internal purpose is the sanctifying work of God wherein we are being trained to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The more fully we know him, the more we desire to be like him, and the more our heavenly Potter will be transforming us into the image of Christ. (Read Romans 8:18-28.)
The external purpose of God is our daily, visible, inter-relationship with others as witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the evidence to others of Jesus Christ living and dwelling within us. How we relate to others; especially when under stress, will be a proof to them whether Christ is in control, or are we acting in the flesh. Of course, we all sin, we all fail, and we can be so grateful that there is forgiveness. We all need daily cleaning in the blood of Jesus. But, nonetheless, when Christ is the center of our life and the Holy Spirit is present within us, we are to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. (Rom. 8:9)
This inter-relationship with others includes both Christians and non-Christians. And since none of us as Christians is fully mature, even relationships with brothers and sisters in the Lord may lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, harsh words, anger, division. Hence, we may experience suffering. That can happen with non-Christians, also, but this is a different kind of suffering arising from those who are opposed to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even if we testify to others about Christ in a kind, loving, humble manner, some will react with scoffing, scorn, rejection, hatred and even physical harm. Most certainly this is suffering for God’s purpose since He does not want anyone to perish but that all would come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9).
Suffering for God’s purpose is the highest level of suffering we will ever have in this world. Since our heavenly Father has established His Church, suffering for His sake has been and always will be our lot. Paul wrote to his young “son in the faith” saying: “…all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). Please read the study the whole of Peter’s first epistle in the light of suffering for God’s purpose!
Praise God we have the comforting and assuring word of our Master that if we are faithful unto death we shall receive the crown of everlasting life. (Rev. 2:10) So help us God! Amen!
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