Turn Around The Kingdom of God Is Near You!

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives. 2 Peter: 3:10-11 NIV

Know ones knows the day that our Lord will return in full glory. Know one knows when our final day on earth will come. There is no time to delay. It could be years from now. It could be today or tomorrow. Do not delude yourself into thinking that there will be time to get to know him when that day comes. Today is the day to turn to the Lord and receive the Kingdom of God!

If your desire is not for a genuine relationship with God then what is your hope in eternal life for? Is it out of love for the One who loves you so much? Or, is it merely the fear of death that motivates you? If it is, indeed, a desire for a relationship with God; to be reconciled to Him, then today is the day! The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe!

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Light Is Jesus The Christ!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5 NIV

The light shines in the darkness.  We are nearing the end of the secular calendar year even as we have already begun a new church year.  The church year begins with Advent, the time we prepare for the celebration of the light to come into the world. That light is God incarnate.  That light is Jesus the Christ.

Those who walk in the light know that no matter what happens; God is with them.  Almighty God, through whom all things were made, has a good purpose for those who love Him.  We shall not fear no matter how dark the valley of the shadow of death might be, for we see and we know the light that has come into the world.  The darkness can never overcome that light.  The world may pass away, but the Word, who is Jesus the Christ, shall never pass away.

Scripture tells us, the Word tells us, that no one may know the when the world will pass away. We cannot know the day or the hours.  Even though, we might see the signs and know that the time is coming, no one can know their last day in advance.  But, as for Christians, for those who follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, seeking the Kingdom of God, this is not a worry.  This is the day of celebration we wait for with hopeful anticipation. This will not be a dark day.  It will be a day filled with the glorious light of Christ and we will rejoice when we see God face to face, when we see Him with our own eyes and not the eyes of another!

Do not fret.  Christ has come, ushering in His Kingdom.  Christ is present.  Christ will come again bringing His Kingdom in all its fullness, in all its glory!  This is good news for all who believe!

May the light of Christ shine in and through you no matter how dark the days may become.  May the peace of the LORD, Jesus Christ, be with you during this Advent and Christmas season.

Pr. J.

Your Children Will Return To The Lord

Persevere in faith for the Lord is with you and for you

through the rockiest of times.

But this is what the Lord says:

“Yes, captives will be taken from warriors,
    and plunder retrieved from the fierce;
I will contend with those who contend with you,
    and your children I will save. Isaiah 49:25 NIV

Do not doubt; but, believe. Believe that the evil one has no power over you or your children. I often hear the stories of parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles whose hearts are breaking as they wonder what will happen to the children that they love. Many parents heart break as their children go astray led captive by the ways of the world which the devil has made to look so alluring. What can be done to save your child?

You cannot save your child. But, God can. Pray to the One who can rip your child from the clutches from the enemy. Ask the One who is our Lord and Savior to open his ears and eyes and heart that he might see a better way. The child may be obstinate and refuse at first. But, do no lose hope. Persevere in faith, patiently. The Lord will not give up on your child, nor should you. This enemy of God may have attempted to steal your child; but, he will not prevail. The Lord, our God, prevails. He will retrieve your child from the clutches of the fierce warrior who would steal their lives from them.

Do not doubt; but, believe. Trust that God will contend with those who contend with His children; and your children He will save making them His own.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Sunday of Hope

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV

Long before Jesus was born as a mere baby in a barn, the people of Israel trusted that he would come. They believed God's promises long before anyone saw it come to fruition with their own eyes. The people of Israel had hope.

Today is the first Sunday in Advent. It is the Sunday of hope. The celebration of Messiah's birthday is but a few weeks away. We look for the celebration of his birth even as we wait in hope for him to come again. If the Israelites could wait for generations with confidence in God's promise that he would come to reign over them, we who have been made aware that he has come, ought to be able to live our lives in the confidence; in the hope that he has come, he is here, he will come again.

May God grant us all hope that God is even know accomplishing all things for the good of those who love Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Shakings

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe..." Heb 12:28 NIV

Stability does not seem to come easily to people in the world today. Maybe, it never has. There are always challenges. Just when we think that we are doing well and the world around us is making progress or at least running at a comfortable pace something happens to set us back. Our world is shaken and we are not quite as comfortable as we were the day before.

Today, many grieve while many others celebrate the shaking up of the Castro regime. Their world got a real shaking up when Fidel Castro came to power almost 60 years ago. Yesterday, the world of many Cubans was shaken once again with his death.

There were many who were shaken with the election of Donald Trump as our next president. There were many who were just as shaken when Barack Obama was elected. That is just the way it is. Not everything or everyone will fit into our personal dreams. But, somehow we must attempt to come together so that the effects of these shakings will not devastate the world as we know it nor decimate the people that inhabit this world. Sometimes it is not the shaking up that brings the damage; but, how we react to the shakings.

With time, comes change. Sometimes the change is dramatic and shakes human kind to its core. Sometimes the change is so slight and so slow that the shaking up that it causes is barely perceptible. The world has experienced much shaking up since it's beginning. No one can know for sure what tomorrow will bring.

But, this we can know: that we are heirs of a kingdom that cannot be shaken. All who believe that Jesus died that we might be reconciled to our Father in heaven are heirs of the Kingdom of God; the only kingdom that cannot be shaken.

Trust in the one who has prepared this unshakeable Kingdom for you. Trust Him with all your heart, and soul, and mind.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Live Thankful Lives In Christ

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Col 2:6-7 NIV

God has blessed the people of the United States as well as many other countries with many opportunities to serve Him and to serve others all around the globe. He has given us opportunities to grow in the Body of Christ. Our government has set aside a day to recognize that and to give thanks to God for all of His blessings. Today is not "turkey day." It is a day of thanksgiving for all the blessings that we have received. Let us remember that. Today is meant to remember and give glory and thanksgiving to the God who created us and then, after we fell through our own sinful natures, recreated us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

May God strengthen our faith so that we may more fully live our lives in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Give Thanks

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:4-5 NIV

Well, I woke up this morning feeling a sense of loss. It is the eve of our national holiday Thanksgiving. Yes, Thanksgiving is the day that our government set aside many years ago for the citizens of this country to give thanks to God for all the bounty that He has blessed us with.

This evening will be the first time in decades that I have not led a Thanksgiving Worship Service. Yet, I will give thanks as I do every day for I do not know and do not want to know what I would be without the Lord's blessings. The greatest blessing of all being that He gave His only begotten Son; that through Jesus, I have been reconciled to God, our Father. Not, just I; but, all who would believe in Jesus and his life-giving sacrifice for you.

Wherever you are and whomever you are with; please remember to thank Him for all His goodness to you and to this country. And, if you find yourself alone on the holiday, remember that you are not alone. God is with you always. He love endures forever; his faithfulness never ends.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Forget The Former Things

Luke 6:35 NIV

“Forget the former things;    do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland.
The wild animals honor me,
    the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
    the people I formed for myself
    that they may proclaim my praise."
Isaiah 43:18-21 NIV

Sometimes we get so stuck in the past that we cannot move forward. We get stuck feeling sorry for ourselves and forget to remember and praise the Lord for all the gifts that we have received. Sure, you've been hurt badly by someone. Most people have been. But, that does not mean that everyone is out to get you. Have you considered that the one that you feel wronged you may feel that you wronged them? Have you repented of the wrong you may have done to them? It is not wise to remember perceived wrongs especially when our perception usually comes from our own desires; what we want and not necessarily what may have been for the greater good.

We must learn to trust that all things will work for the good of those who love the Lord. Maybe we ought to begin by asking ourselves if we hate our perceived enemies more than we love the Lord. That is not what God desires of us. He desires us to love our neighbors; even our enemies. We are to do good to those who hurt us; not slander them.

Repent and put God and the love of God first in your life. Forget your anger and bitterness over things past and give praise to the Lord who loves you and loves even your enemy. Then you will you be able to be a faithful witness to the Lord.

May God help us to quit dwelling on the past and move forward according to the good will of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Persevere

"As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." James 5:11

Trials will come. We are tested daily. We are tested not only by confrontations with natural disasters; but, with many man made disasters as well. There are many days when I consider throwing in the towel. There are days when I might think that the world is lost anyway so why bother. It is just too much work to help others who often don't even realize that they need help.

Yet, I do not give up hope. I continue to do what I can to help others who are suffering; others who are in need. When the help I have attempted is thrown back in my face, I am saddened; but, I do not lose hope. My hope is in the Lord. He will save me. He will save all who love him.

I am not alone in these trials. Multitudes of Christians whose intent is to serve the Lord by serving others in need often do so without any form of acknowledgement in return unless that acknowledgement is a proverbial slap in the face. Do not give up. Persevere in the face of these trials and temptations for the Lord is with you. He is full of compassion and mercy. He will guide you through the darkest shadows of death. You will see the light of Christ, the glory of God in its fullness. He will lead others to the light of Christ through you.

Take heart, persevere in faith, and you will see the Kingdom of God where trials and temptations will forever be behind you. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rejoice And Sing Songs Of Praise

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. Psalm 95:1-2

It is Sunday morning. It is time to celebrate with our brothers and sisters. Let us turn our hearts and minds to the Rock of our salvation and rejoice for through Jesus, we who once were lost have now been found. Consider all the things that he has done for us and together let us sing songs of joy for he has saved us!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, and his mercy endures forever!

God's Peace - Pr. Judy

Follow In The Way

Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what

is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful

is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. 1 John 3:7-8

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1:1-2

If you're going to be led astray by those who would mock God and His good will for all people then stay away from them. It's as simple as that. Unless, of course, you're going to be the strong one and helps guide them on "The Way." But, that can be very wearisome to the soul. Being in the almost constant presence of those who insist on following the ways of the world; of those who insist that everything has to be done their way; can really wear the spirit out. 

For the sake of sharing the good news sometimes we have to put ourselves in those positions. But, we must also make sure that we spend much more time meditating on the word of God so that we might be refreshed and empowered to walk in "The Way."

May God protect us, that the wicked one has no power over us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

My Prayer Is Not For Them Alone

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you." John 17:20-21 NIV

Jesus' prayer in the garden of Gethsemane was not just for those who followed him at that time; but, for all who would follow him in the future, as well. How exactly would they come to follow him if he was no longer in the world? They would hear the good news through those who presently followed; those who were witnesses of his life; his death; his resurrection; and his ascension. That good news would be passed on down through the generations by those who followed him.

That is what the church is about; proclaiming the good news of the kingdom through Jesus the Christ. Everything that the church on earth should be about is reaching out and reconciling others to God and to one another through this good news. That is; after all, what Jesus prayed for just before he died for us.

It is because others were willing to share this message with us that we know Christ. Shall we do less for those who are wandering, lost in this world?

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Word Is The Light To Guide Our Way

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Psalm 119:105  NIV

I often hear that the Bible doesn't answer all of our questions. Well, maybe it doesn't tell us how to dress for the next party. Then again, maybe again it does. "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight." (1 Pet 3:3-4)

God's word, as found in the Holy Scriptures, doesn't tell us when to go to sleep or when to wake up. But, then again, maybe it does. "How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?" (Prov 6:9) Scripture warns us that nothing good will come to those who spend their lives resting. At times, depression will come over most people and they will find themselves hiding out under the covers in even more darkness. This does not help depression. It does not help our lot in life to retreat even further into the darkness. Scripture reminds us: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you." (Isa 60:1) 

St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians (5:13-15)

"But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,
    rise from the dead,
    and Christ will shine on you.”

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise

The word found in the Holy Scriptures can indeed be a guide for us on how we are to live. The word points us to the Living Word, who is Jesus the Christ. In him we have real life. In him is the one true light.

Read and hear and study the word so that your life might be illuminated by the Word, the true light that in came into the world as John the Baptist foretold. He will guide you through this dark world in The Way that you should go.

Send us your light, dear Lord, and your faithful care, let them lead us; let them bring us to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.  (Psalm 43:3)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Signs And Supermoon

Supermoon by John Arthur Photography

“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:25-28 NIV

I had looked forward to taking a peek at the supermoon that occurred the other night; however, the sky was filled with clouds. Legends and myths tell horrifying stories of the effects of the full moon on both the physical world as well as on the human mind. Thus, we get the word lunacy. Fortunately, with the recent full moon I did not personally hear anyone blaming the supermoon for their bad behavior. They were too busy blaming other more earthly things like the electoral process. There is a slightly higher tide during full moons which myths and folklore attribute to floods and earthquakes, even tsunamis that might occur during this phase of the moon. The full moon is also responsible for those frightening stories of werewolves, who prey would prey upon humankind. What's a person to do? What's a Christian to do?

Jesus tells us that there will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars. But, he also reminds us that these things are good signs. When they take place, we should lift up our heads, because our redemption is drawing near. Many will faint from terror; but, we should not fear. Do not worry about the signs. Do not worry about full moons. Jesus is Lord of both the heavens and the earth. Rejoice for the Kingdom of God has come near to you. The Kingdom belongs to all who believe! 

As Christians, we have way too many better things to do than cower in the corner worrying if the end of the world is about to come. We are preparing for the King of Kings to show up in full glory by proclaiming the Good News of his Kingdom (in word and deed) so that all might hear and believe.

There is way too much good that God can do through each of us for us to fritter away what time we do have on earth worrying about signs of the end times. Lift up your heads! Rejoice! Live life! Your redemption is drawing near!

God's Peace - Pr. J

God's Will; Not Ours

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Rom 12:1-2 NIV

Those things that may please man do not necessarily please God. Often when we as human beings made decisions or even offer an opinion we do with our personal best interests in mind. But, God who is merciful and just considers a bigger a picture; a picture so big that we cannot fathom it.

In order to even begin to grasp God's will there must be, by the power of the Spirit of Christ, be a transforming of our minds. Then, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we will be better able to have a better sense of how we are to glorify God.

A general rule of thumb that I have used when making decisions is this:  Will it glorify God or is the purpose to glorify me? When making decisions for the church the rule is this: Will it glorify God or is it meant to satisfy and glorify the church on earth? You see, we will usually pick what is most comfortable for us. Without the transformation of our hearts and minds, we will most often decide to take short cuts. There were no short-cuts for Jesus on the road to Golgotha and it was not a comfortable and easy journey. But, what Jesus did, he did for the sake of many because it was his Father's good and perfect will.

Only those who have had a genuine renewing of the heart and mind, by the power of the Holy Spirit, are able to begin to discern our Father's good and perfect will, for without the transformation that is brought about by the Holy Spirit we will always decide for ourselves. Without the Spirit of Christ to lead us on our journey's, we will most often take what appears to be the easy road.

May God empower us through the Holy Spirit to know and do His good, pleasing and perfect will for His glory!

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Lord Is God; There Is No Other

I am the Lord, and there is no other;    apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
    though you have not acknowledged me,
so that from the rising of the sun
    to the place of its setting
people may know there is none besides me.
    I am the Lord, and there is no other.
I form the light and create darkness,
    I bring prosperity and create disaster;
    I, the Lord, do all these things.

Isaiah 45:5-7

Enough said? When will God's people understand? He is God. There is no other. He not only creates light and darkness; but, He gives life and He can take it away. Live the life that He has given you. Truly live it and do not fritter it away on the false gods that cannot bring you peace or joy or eternal life or any of the other precious gifts that the one true God wishes for you to receive.

There is only One God. May God help us to worship and honor Him in all that we say and think and do.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Submit To Authority For The Lord's Sake

Do not use your freedom to sin.

Do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil!

"Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the
supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves." 1 Peter 2:13-16 NIV

This weekend we are celebrating the holiday known as Veterans' Day, formerly known as Armistice Day. We celebrate as not just protests are breaking out across this country; but, riots. There is upheaval because not everyone is willing to accept the results of the process for elections that we have been using for a good many years. I have not always been happy with the results of presidential elections. In fact, I was near tears on a couple of occasions. One of the occasions was when a Republican that I did not care for took office. The other occasion was when a Democrat won. I was very shaken when Ronald Reagan won the election. I was so shaken that I had nightmares. One night, as I was tossing and turning, I came under conviction and I heard this message from the Lord, "Judy, you do not have to like him. But, you do need to respect him." I paid attention and with time I learned that the media had painted him in a really bad light and I had believed them. He was not who they said he was. He was not the anti-Christ and the world did not end.

We do have a democratic process in this country. For good or bad, we have a system and we, the people, have a right to vote. That right came at the expense of many good men and women who fought for our freedoms many long years ago. Our freedoms continue because many good men and women are willing to lay down their lives so that not just we; but, people around the world might live in a just society; free from tyrannical governments and free from the minority of tyrannical people who would trample on the freedoms; the rights, of others to get what they want and to get it now. These freedoms came at a price to others. Let us not take them for granted by abusing them.

We give thanks to God that every citizen of this country is granted certain freedoms and rights under the constitution. But; God, nor does the majority of the country, expect us to use our desire for personal freedom to do whatever we want or to trample on the rights of others. Let all God's people strive to do what is right and not use our freedom as an excuse to do what is wrong. We are not to use our freedom as a cover-up for evil rather we are to strive to do good. We are to strive to be reconciled to one another in Christ Jesus. It is God's will that by doing good the ignorant talk of foolish people will be silenced.

We may not always like everyone and everything; but, may God help this country to learn to love even as God loves us, to respect one another, and to realize that whether we like it or not, God is in charge. Jesus is the true King.

God's Peace - Pr. J

We Shall Never Stop Praying

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Col 1:9-14 NIV

Paul's letter to the Colossians includes a reminder that the people of Colossia are being lifted up in prayer that they might share in the inheritance of God's holy people in the kingdom of light; in the kingdom of God. 

That is our mission. It is our hope that all people should come to know our Lord, Jesus the Christ, and live in that Kingdom even now. By his blood, we have been rescued from the dominion of darkness so let us live in the Kingdom of the Son, even now. For those who know him, we are called to be witnesses to those who know him not. We are called to pray for all who live in the darkness so that they too might live in his marvelous Kingdom of light.

Let us never stop praying for all who live in darkness that they might enter into the marvelous Kingdom of light through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Live In Peace

"Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy." Prov 12:20 NIV

Very, very tired this morning after reading the national news. It is draining to see so much animosity toward those who do not believe the way some might think everyone should believe.

There is way too much evil in the world. There is way too much bullying of those who do not think or act like some think everyone ought to think or act. Apparently, it has once again gone way past bullying; but, has advanced to actually destroying other people's property. The bullying has advanced to interfering with the rights and freedom of others.

Jesus, himself, did not get involved in the politics of the world. He got involved in the world, for sure. He forgave the sinner. He fed the hungry. He healed the sick. He did not promote violence against those who would not accept his ways. In fact, he loved all people so much that he was willing to die for us. He died that we might live in the peace that only God can give as we are reconciled to God through the shedding of his blood on the cross for us. He died for those who denied him. He died for those who crucified him. He died for you and me. This is the epitome of love; of unconditional love.

Jesus said, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." (John 15:12-14)

This is true love; that we should give our all for others whether we agree with them or not. Unconditional love calls for sacrifice. It calls for peace and reconciliation; not plotting evil against those who disagree with us.

May God help us to respect and love our neighbor no matter who we might think they are; no matter whether we agree with their politics or not, because we are all children of God. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Storms Of Life

"God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’" Job 37:5-6 NIV

When storms break out and they do all of the time we often find ourselves angry or sad. Storms can do a lot of damage to what we perceive to be good. But, God has a better plan and sometimes the storms that are brought into our lives are God's way of cleansing our hearts and minds so that we are able to welcome the gracious gifts that He so desires to give us.

Do not fear the change that storms will bring. God's way is not our way. The great things that He does is beyond our understanding. Have patience and trust that He has good plan for those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Truth

An honest answer
    is like a kiss on the lips.

Prov 24:26 NIV

Well, the 2016 Presidential Elections are over. It has left the pundits shaking their heads in wonder. What did the American people see in Mr. Trump? Why him? Mr. Trump can be very crass. But, then again, if you listened closely, so were the words of his opponent. She just did it more politically correctly.

I am not sure why the country so strongly got behind Mr. Trump. There are many opinions flying around about that. But, I have a feeling it had something to do with honesty. He did more trash talking than was necessary. He was really crass at times; but, he appeared to speak what he thought to be the truth. He spoke what was on his heart and in his mind. He didn't cover up his ideas or his feelings in order to be politically correct. Maybe, the whole country could learn a lesson from this. The truth sometimes hurts. But, it can also be a wake up call to the genuine needs of others that may ultimately bring about a change necessary for the good of more people than the elite few. We shall see... Only God knows what is actually in store for us.

I have seen more than a few elections. In the end, what I know is that we ought not fear the changes that might come and they will come regardless of who our earthly leaders are. Do not worry. This world is not all that there is. Ultimately, it is God who is in charge in this world as well as in the eternal Kingdom that Jesus prepared for you. And, so we have hope.

It is so very good to have the elections and all the trash talk behind us. The people have chosen a new President and Commander in Chief. Mr. Trump is definitely a different sort of politician. And, yes! I would think that becoming the incumbent president confirms his status as a politician. May God help him to always speak the truth and even a little more gently.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Choose Ye This Day

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Anyone who has listened to me preach on a regular basis has heard this verse from Joshua from my lips on more than one occasion. The false gods of alcohol, money, sex, expensive homes, expensive cars, expensive toys, leisure, celebrities, self, and the list goes on... have taken a predominant place in the American household and that includes a enormous number of Christian households. Ultimately, we worship ourselves as we put our worldly desires before the Kingdom of God. We worship false gods and then wonder why our lives are a mess.

I woke up this morning thinking about how those who worshipped false gods sacrificed their children in hopes of being blessed themselves. In Leviticus (20:2-3) the Lord instructs Moses to: “Say to the Israelites: ‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing in Israel who sacrifices any of his children to Molek is to be put to death. The members of the community are to stone him."

Those who sacrificed their children to Molek did so that they, themselves, would benefit. They put their own desires before their children's lives. As much as what I am going to say may upset you, I am going to say it anyway. Abortion (all the way through the third trimester) is often committed for the same reasons as these pagan sacrifices were. It is all too often done in order that the mother and in some cases both parents may live a more prosperous life without the burden of raising a child. In this country a mother has been given rights. But, is it right to sacrifice a child on the altar of a false god, in the hope that your life will be more blessed without the child?

The only one who can truly bless anyone is the Lord our God who was willing to sacrifice His own Son, that our children and we, ourselves, will not die; but, have eternal life. The sacrifice of our own children will get us nowhere. The only sacrifice that benefits us is the sacrifice of the perfect lamb of God who gave himself for us.

Choose ye this day...

God's Peace - Pr. J

Pray For Our Leaders

Pray that our leaders might also desire peace among all the people they serve.

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."  1 Tim 2:1-2 NIV

Just one more day before election day. Many of us have already voted. It's been a rough election year for both the candidates and the voters. It has been very divisive. There has been a lot of name-calling and bullying from both dominant parties. I have a feeling this will not stop when the election is over. But, those of us who would like to live a little more peaceful and quiet lives pray that it will.

Paul, in his first letter to Timothy, encourages to pray for all people including those in authority for, not just their sake; but, for ours as well. No matter what happens on Election Day, let us pray for all of those who are in the running so that peace may prevail and that's God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven.

As the elections seems to get nastier each election year, let us also pray that God would bring a sense of civility not just to the candidates; but, to all people so that we might hear a little more debate and a lot less slander that we might make more informed decisions, based on the truth and not slander or lies, in the future.

God's Peace - Pr. J

"...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chron 7:14

Alone With God

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Matthew 14:22-24 NIV

When my grandchildren were young they would often ask me to take them to school or other local events. If it was something that they were going to be actively participating in, I would usually agree. If it was something they were just going to as spectators so they could hang around behind the bleachers, I would tell them. "No, gramma can't do that." Of course, they would ask "why not?" My response to that would be "because gramma is a hermit."

I am not really a hermit. I have no problem with huge crowds. But, I like to have a good reason to be in the big crowds. Proclaiming the good news; feeding the hungry; supporting family or friends in whatever activity they are actively involved in or raising funds for those who are less fortunate than we are (Toys 4 Tots is on my list of priorities) are all good reasons for participating in crowded events. I don't mind crowds. But, I really do like my alone time. I have to have my alone time with God. Even when I am alone, I do not like to have "noise" as some people like noise. I do not want televisions or radios or any other noise in the background so that I don't feel alone. I am never alone. God is with me and that is way more than enough. Listening to "noise" when I alone with God, to me, is like a teen-ager who constantly looks at their cell-phone at the dinner table. Parents don't like to be ignored. I have a feeling our Father in heaven doesn't much care for it either.

When life around me crowds out my alone time with God, I get pretty cranky. I need to talk to Him. I need to listen to Him. I need to be in His presence. In the end, it may sound pretty selfish. But, I do need Him above all others. I need Him to help me be with and help others. Without Him, I can do nothing.

Jesus spent a lot of time in crowds proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom; healing the sick, kicking out demons. But, he also spent time alone with our Father in heaven. This being in the presence of our Father in heaven is even more than a need. It is a heartfelt desire.

You will not regret taking the time to be in a closer relationship with our Father in heaven who loves you dearly. Talk to Him. Listen to Him. Abide in His presence.

God's Peace - Pr. J

More Precious

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matt 6:26

As awesome as it is to be among the birds of the air or the animals of the forests; yes, our brothers and sisters in Christ are even more awesome. We often take one another's uniqueness for granted. We just don't listen. We just don't see. Behold the child of God sitting next to you. Behold the children of God wherever you may be. Many are hungry. Many are cold. Many are homeless. God will take care of them and He wants to help them through you.

More precious than silver is God's whole creation. More precious than gold are God's children.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Live By The Spirit

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Cor 3:6

Oh, yes! The letter of the law can indeed kill our spirit to move forward. It can kill our desire to do anything. But, the Spirit gives life to life here in this world. The Spirit gives us hope to continue forward. It empowers us to do what is good for others. The Spirit empowers us to love and serve our God and our neighbors wherever they may be.

Such a horrible waste of life to life imprisoned by the letter of the law. We have been freed from the letter of the law to live by the Spirit, by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God help us to not succumb to the bondage that we were once under; but, to freely live by the Spirit of the law, which is love. Therefore; in the Spirit of love that God has for us let us all love enough to show justice, have mercy, and feed His sheep!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Real Beauty Is Found Within

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Prov 31:30 NIV

One of my favorite songs as a child was "If You Want To Be Happy" sung by Jimmy Soul. My mother would sometimes sing it to me. I sang this song to my sons on way more than one occasion when they were teens:

"If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
Never make a pretty woman your wife
So from my personal point of view
Get an ugly girl to marry you."

Okay, I was a little crass. My sons did not really appreciate this song. They didn't appreciate my singing at all! But, having brought them up to know Christ, I wanted them to look deeper than the skin as they attempted to form lasting relationships. It doesn't matter what one looks like on the outside. One really cannot judge a book by its cover. Beauty comes packaged in all shapes and sizes. It shines through much better when the package doesn't have a lot of glitter and glitz covering it.

The fact is that is that God doesn't make ugly. God makes us all beautiful. We are all unique. But, it is wise to find a partner in life that doesn't put his or her looks before their love of the Lord. You will avoid a lot of unnecessary heartache if you look beyond the surface. You may be young and marrying a Christian may not be all that important to you today; but, when you are old and have grown wiser you may find that it would have been much wiser to marry one who knows the Lord and will share your love for Him because your love for Him will grow with time. 

From birth to death our looks will change. Some will stay perpetually young and beautiful according to the eyes of the world thanks to money and good cosmetic surgeons. Actors, actresses, and many politicians depend on this youthful look to further careers. But, because one looks youthful doesn't mean that are honest or have integrity or have any virtues. Youthful beauty does not equate with honesty and trustworthiness or faithfulness. Doesn't mean it can't. It is just wiser to get the real person buried underneath the mask.

Jimmy Soul's song was a pretty silly song. Jimmy started out his life praising the Lord as a young preacher and gospel singer and ended up in prison and dying of a drug related heart attack at age 45. One can never know which path we or anyone else will take through life. It is helpful, for the sake of our eternal lives to find friends and a partner to share our lives with who will fear and praise the Lord.

May we all look past what is on the outside and look a bit deeper for the true beauty as we discern between what is truly good and what is not.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. One of the most beautiful women I have recently met is 100 years old. She has had no cosmetic surgery to make her look eternally young. She is eternally young for she has eternal life in Christ. The Spirit of Christ is with her and it is just awesome to be in their presence.

Chosen!

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 NIV

You are God's beloved child, God's special possession. You belong to Him and He is yours. You've probably heard it said that, "God doesn't make junk." He doesn't! So, if you're treating yourself or others like junk, please, stop. You and all who believe belong to the family of God. We are children of our Heavenly Father and so we declare the praises of Him who has called us into His wonderful light.

He has called all who believe in Him to be priests, members of a holy nation. We have been set apart to live in this world to proclaim the Good News of His love for all; proclaiming the Good News of His Kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Live then not as children cowering in darkness; but, live life as children in the light of Christ. Live life fully as children of our heavenly Father. Live life boldly as priests who are called to lift up the name of God our Father who has made us His own through Jesus the Christ our Lord and brother by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Live life in Christ, dear child of God!

God's Peace - Pr. J

To Know Him

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Eph 1:17

That is the goal... that we might know Him better. Here is our Father in heaven. Here is the one who created us. Here is the one who saves us. Why would we not want to get to know Him better? The purpose of being reconciled to God our Father through the blood shed by our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, is so that we can come before God's presence. It is so that we might walk with Him, not just in this world, but for all eternity. The gates to Paradise were closed. Humanity was exiled. But, now the gates to Paradise have been flung wide open. Your sins are forgiven. Enter into the Kingdom that has been prepared for you. Enter into His presence and get to know Him better. He is; after all, your Father in Heaven!

May God give to all the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that we might know Him and His good will for all people better.

God's Peace - Pr. J