Jesus calls us to deny ourselves. To give ourselves up, that we may follow Jesus and bear our cross. Just like Jesus' cross was unpleasant, so are our crosses that we must bear. We don't want to have to go through suffering, to deal with issues, problems, and other pains in life. We'd rather avoid suffering, pain, and difficulty altogether. Yet Jesus calls us to follow him, picking up the crosses we all must bear and thorns in our sides. Yet, how can we do this? Jesus gives us the strength, example, and the glory of his cross that he bore. By following Jesus, we don't just do hard things and bear difficulty that is unique to us all. We embark on the journey Jesus has laid out for us, not looking to the things of man, but by bearing all things by the strength of Christ in us, following his example, and looking to him for the glory that is to come. We bear our crosses when we find strength in Jesus, look to his example for us to follow, and keep our eyes focused on his promises of everlasting life.

The Peace and Seymour communities gather to worship, spend time in community together, and hear about God’s goodness and see how he works even in our daily lives.

Many things that Jesus say make us wonder what he really means. Is Peter the rock of the church? Will armies of demons come marching at us from the gates of hell? Why does Jesus tell his disciples not to share this great news? If Jesus is supposed to be so clear about who he is and what's happening? Then why does so much of what he says bring confusion? Jesus did not come to bring confusion, but clarity. It's in Jesus that we find the truth about the world and how God is working in it. Jesus shows us that the simple answer to all these questions, is himself. Jesus is the head of the church, upon which no one else may stand. He is the one who protects his church and will not allow it to be overcome by hell or high-water. His secrecy is established, that people may see with their eyes who he truly is for themselves. Jesus brings clarity, not confusion. Jesus is the head of the church, the protector who will not allow his church to fall, and he is Christ, the son of the living God and shows who he is to all people.

Often it feels like God is far from us. That he is distant from us. That he is apathetic and unfeeling towards our problems and issues. It seems that Jesus acts the same in this instance. We can often feel as though our problems are not God's problems. That we are simply weak, sinful creatures that are too small and too unclean for God's care. People disregard, ignore, and cast our problems away, so why would God be different? God is not uncaring towards his creatures, rather he cares for and loves us as his own people. Even the smallest, weakest, outcasts are not far off from him. It is not that faith comes from being good enough, clean enough, but from trusting in God's compassionate care, even for the littlest among us. God cares for all, even those unworthy for his care and compassion and mercy. In this woman, we see Jesus' compassion for those who trust in him and know that he is our savior, and we are never too small, too weak, or too far from his love for us. God's love is for those who are in need, call out for his care, and have faith that he will restore and give us all good things.

God calls many to be his guest in his kingdom, yet many do not return the invitation. Many are called, but few are chosen. We often find ourselves with his invitations going unanswered. We receive his call to come hear his word every Sunday, to study his word and promises with our families and spouses, to have faith in his promises. We get distracted, preoccupied, and we don't think it's a 'big deal' when God invites us to his kingdom, but it's the most important thing in our lives. Yet, God puts out his invitation to us, and there's still time to RSVP. There's still time to get that answer from that plus one you want to bring. There's time to hear his call, that you might be included in that feast when it starts. No need to bring anything with you. God provides it all. He even has your clothes ready for you. The clothes of righteousness that Jesus has purchased for you! You look fantastic in them! We hear and faithfully respond to God's invitation of faith, when we are surrounded by his word, put on the righteousness of Jesus, and invite others to the feast.

We want everything in life to be fair. We want equality. We want fairness. We especially want that for ourselves. Our sinful broken selves desire everything to be equal for us. We want the same or better as what everyone else gets. If we put in our time, money, and effort, then we want to be paid fairly. Rewarded for it. This goes for our employment, our home life, and our life in church. God is unfairly equal. That's a good thing. The reward for faith for all people in God's church is the same: life with Jesus. No one gets special perks or privileges for serving in God's church. No one gets better than another. In God's family, we are all equals. Whether you're a lifelong Lutheran, or have a deathbed confession—whether you have given hours and hours to your church or have never served—whether you have given thousands or even millions, or never gave a single penny, all are members of God's family. All are equal. All have the same reward in Jesus, of life everlasting. God is unfairly equal, because we are all his baptized children, we are all given life in Jesus, and we are to love each other equally in God's family.

As imperfect sinners, we often give up the most valuable thing, for the worthless things. We sacrifice God's law and life with him, for our sinful heart's desires, preferences, and wants. We chase after idols, we worship false gods, and we ignore the life that God intends and wants for us. We take the gift of life with God, and throw it away, to try and satisfy ourselves with that which never can give us what we truly need. Though we chase after junk, Jesus gives it all up for a treasure. We may throw away the good gifts of God, but Jesus gives everything away to buy what he truly wants. While we throw away what God has given us, Jesus gives his life away, that we may be his own. We should give up everything for the Gospel and promises of life with Jesus, because he has given up everything on the cross, to have you and I. We are God's priceless treasure, bought by the blood of Jesus, made Jesus' own, and we are to throw everything away that we may trust in his promises and follow him.

We are often quick to judge. We jump to conclusions. We speculate about our neighbors. We assume rather than search for the truth. We talk behind the scenes like we have the whole story, but we only recycle old rumors. We think we know all there is about an issue, a person, and even someone's faith, yet the truth is, we don't know as much as we think. God is patient. He waits to act. He desires that all would be saved. God does not judge too quickly or too severely, that by the Holy Spirit, he might save some. He has shown his patient love for us, and we in return out of this beautiful gift, are to show such love, patience, and kindness to others. We endure evil in this world even, that by chance, God's love may reach into the hearts of others, and root out all evil. God waits patiently for us because of his love for us, and he calls us to act patiently with others, that they may experience the life-changing love of Jesus.

Often, we are hesitant to share God's Word. We're worried about if people will believe it. If they'll receive it. They fear and worry about the potential reaction to talking about Jesus or sharing God's Word. Will this person laugh? Will they get offended? Will they be awkward? Will they stop being my friend? We often shrink from sharing about Jesus and living out our faith, because of our fears and anxieties about how it will be received. When it comes to God's Word, it lands anywhere. God doesn't discriminate in making his word known in rough, hostile, desert, or fertile places for his word to grow. Our job as followers of Jesus, is not to decide when and where to plant God's Word. It's to live a life of sowing. To live a life that points to Jesus' promises both in what we say and what we do. We don't know where that will lead us, or if faith will grow, but we know that the more we sow, the more chance there will be of a beautiful harvest. We live as a persistent sower when we share the Gospel without discrimination, without fear, and with trust in the work of the Holy Spirit.

Heaven sounds great, but is that all there is? What comes after heaven? If heaven is simply living as a soul floating with Jesus, then is there more for us? Do we see our loved ones again? Do we get to do what we loved to do on earth, or is just being with Jesus enough? Heaven sounds good, but shouldn't there be more? Heaven is living with Jesus in paradise, but God has even more planned for us! He doesn't just let us live forever as disembodied spirits. He will raise our bodies that we have now from the dead, and make all things new! God will resurrect and remake all things! A new heaven, a new earth, and a new life with God forever! When Jesus returns, he will wipe away tears, redeem what's been lost, and he will make all things new.