The Word Shall Stand Forever

The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

                                                                                    (Isa 40:6-8 KJV)

Like all things material, our flesh will wither and fade away. But, the word of God will never fade away. No matter what or who might work to extinguish the word it will never happen. No one, nothing can destroy the word of God.

Take comfort in the fact that although there have been societies that have previously tried to stamp out the word of God it has not happened. For years the Soviet Union tried to eliminate Christian but it did not happen. Thousands of clergy were rounded up and sent to prison or executed. Christians were  ordered not to teach their own children about Jesus. Yet, Christianity persevered. The word of God continue to be heard and taught and passed down to the following generations. 

Persecution of Christians continues this day in many countries. But, take comfort in the fact that the word belongs to God and he will never let it fade away. The word will always be there for you and for your children and your children's children. Teach them so that they too might know the comfort of the eternal promises that the word brings.  

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Be Prepared And Wait

 

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

                                                                           (Mark 13:31-37 KJV)

The end is near! I seem to hear that a lot in conjunction with the attempt being made to do a total reset on the economy and yes even the whole world. The proclamation that the end is near has been announced ever since Jesus walked the earth. Is it really?

Jesus said that no one knows that day or hour. No one knows when it will be except for the Father. Jesus also warns us that because no one knows we should always be prepared. We should always be watchful. Are we prepared for his return in full glory?

Today begins the season of Advent. It is a time to remember not just the first coming of the Christ; but, to look to his return in full glory. 

I have often been asked if I am ready for Christmas. My response is always something like: if we are not ready for Christmas; if we can't figure out how to get ready for one Holy Day; then we are not ready for Christ to return to take us to himself.

Yes, one day the earth will pass away. But, the Word, who is Jesus the Christ, will never pass away. Prepare yourself by getting to know the Word. Be prepared for he may come again today. But, it may also be a very long time from now and in that case you still need to be prepared and watch and wait.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Open Our Eyes To See

Help me to see; illumine me!

And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.

And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.

And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?

They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.

So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

                                        (Matt 20:30-34 KJV)

Open our eyes Lord that we might see all that you would have us see! Help us to see your truth so that we might follow in your way.

There are more ways than one to be blind. When one is spiritually blind we cannot see the plight of others. We look only to our own well-being. The spiritually blind  cannot see that their quest for more for themselves is only taking them further into the darkness. They cannot recognize the truth.  

The blind men begged Jesus to open their eyes! And, he did! They had walked in darkness long enough and Jesus was willing and able to make them see. May God open our eyes so that we might see the way, the truth, and the light, who is Jesus the Christ.

             Open my eyes, that I may see
             Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
             Place in my hands the wonderful key
             That shall unclasp and set me free. 
              Silently now I wait for Thee,
              Ready my God, Thy will to see,
              Open my eyes, illumine me,
              Spirit divine!

•                       Clara H. Scott, 1895

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

Blameless

"I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." 

                                                                                   (1 Cor 1:4-8 KJV)

Blameless! We shall be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ! How can that be? We all know we are sinners. We know that we are guilty of sinning against God our Father and against one another. Yet, in the day of our Lord we will be found innocent. Thanks be to God!

Thanks be to God for the grace that has been given to us by our Lord Jesus the Christ. For on the cross he bore our guilt. He was crucified for our sakes that we might be forgiven our sins. As John the Baptist told the crowd upon seeing Jesus coming toward them: "...Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)

Indeed, he has! "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" (1 Pet 3:18)

Thanks be to God for through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord our sins are washed away. (see Rev 1:5)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Feast Of The Ingathering

Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine: And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates. (Deut 16:13-14 KJV)

Thanksgiving is a day specifically set aside to give thanks for the bountiful blessings that we have received. Contrary to popular opinion days of thanksgiving have been set aside in the fall for thousands of years by various cultures and religions. A day of thanksgiving is celebrated in many countries throughout the world. In the United States the date of celebration has changed a few times. Originally it was thought to be celebrated in October or possibly late September as the earliest settlers celebrated it as a way to give thanks to God for the ingathering of their crops. This tradition for Christians originated from God's command to his people through Moses to observe the Feast of Tabernacles or the Feast of the Ingathering.

The tradition of giving thanks for the gathering of the fall harvest has lasted through many generations in many forms. Christians are not the only ones who set aside a day of thanks. The Jewish community continues to celebrate the Feast of the Tabernacles. Pagans, druids, witches and many others celebrated (some still do) some sort of day of thanksgiving in the fall for the blessings they have received over the year. 

Today families and communities all over the United States will gather together to celebrate a day of thanksgiving. Unfortunately, there will be many who will celebrate alone. Families have scattered around the country and the world. Gatherings in some states have been limited to ten or less people due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

Most of us do not have an ingathering today. We do not farm. We do not even have small gardens. Yet, we can give thanks to God for the farmers and the truckers and for all who ensure that we have food to eat. We can give thanks for family, for friends, for the church and especially for the gift of his Son our Savior. Although many will be alone today for this day of thanksgiving we can look with hope to the day that we will rejoice and celebrate with the whole family of God.

And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.

And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.

He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.

And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

                                                                                      (Isaiah 25:6-9)

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: 

The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. 

                                                                                         (Num 6:24-26)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Stay Out Of The Mud!

"... but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

                                                                                            (Phil 4:6-8 KJV)

If you don't want your feet to get dirty then stay out of the mud. There are actually things that we can do that will make our lives a bit easier. If you don't want to live in constant drama or chaos then quit focusing on the bad and think on those things that are of good report; of things that are lovely. 

St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Cor 15:33) There would be a whole lot less drama in our lives if we would just avoid being around people who love drama. That is not to say that we should not help them. We should. But, we should not be so involved that it ends up infecting our lives and drawing us away from the peace which God would give us through Christ Jesus.

But, even when we try to focus on the things of good report, we are still human and  there will be times that we will get drawn to situations that we would rather not be in. There may be times that we find ourselves sinking in quicksand and there is no possible way out except by the help of God.

If you prefer not to live in the muck and the mire of sin; if you prefer not to live with drama and chaos in your life; then turn to the Lord and focus on his promises. Trust yourself to the one who can truly lift you out of any mess. Give him thanks for with him your feet will be clean and your heart and mind will be at peace. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Walk In Him

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (Col 2:6-7 KJV)

What exactly is the point of receiving Jesus into your life if you are not going to walk with him? What is the point if you are not going to follow him wherever he goes. If he abides in you and you in him how is it that you are not going in the same directions as he is?

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:6)

May the Lord our God help us to follow in the way of Jesus with both joy and thanksgiving. May the Lord our God help us to live with and in Jesus the Christ!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Come Down, Lord!

Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,

As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence! 

                              (Isa 64:1-2 KJV)

This week marks the end of yet another church year. I have this notion that there have been many days this past year when many would have liked for God to come down and fix the mess; fix the divisions; fix everything; and make us to live in his peace. 

The truth is he has come down. Sunday marks the first day of another church year with the first Sunday in Advent. Advent is a time of waiting and watching for the Lord. The people waited and watched for the Messiah. When he came into this world as a mere child some people noticed and were aware. Many did not notice at all. They did not and could not believe. This has not changed in two thousand years. 

The Lord has indeed come down to the earth. He came down to save us from ourselves; our own sinful ways. His name has been made known to us! We continue to proclaim the name of Jesus the Messiah to all people so that all people might hear and tremble in his mighty presence. All honor and glory belongs to our Almighty God! 

The Lord has come down to the earth. He was here as true man. He is here even today. And... he will come again in full glory.  Do not fear. Do not fret. God is with you even now. When Jesus gave the disciples their commission he told them that he would be with them even to the end of the world. 

"And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matt 28:17-20)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Dubious Accusations

And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.

To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.

 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:

But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.

                                                                             (Acts 25:14-20 KJV)

Paul finds himself in custody; being questioned by Festus; being accused of things that are not even criminal offenses by the Jews. Paul has challenged them to send him to Caesar to be tried since it is his right as a Roman citizen. But, Festus can find no charge that he can bring to warrant sending Paul to trial.

We see it all the time. People are falsely accused publicly. Reporters seem to be  getting real good at it in recent years.  They judge situations before all of the story is actually in. The stories explode without the truth ever being uncovered. By the time the accusations get to court, everyone has their opinions about guilt or innocence based on biased reports; sometimes out right lies. Innocent men and women's reputations are dragged through the mud without any good cause.

Usually the cause has to do with things like a desire for things that don't belong to you or maybe just a desire for more power. Forget your ego; forget your desire for power. Live life and let others live their lives as well! 

There is enough real crime in the world to have to deal with. Why waste anyone's time with petty and slanderous disputes? Petty disputes can be taken care of without going to court. All it takes is a little bit of empathy and the willingness to listen to and to talk to one another without attacking them. 

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 

                                                                                          (Col 3:12-15)

God's Peace - Pr. J

He Seeks The Lost

He Seeks The Lost

For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. 

                                                                                    (Ezekiel 34:11-12 KJV)

The Lord God seeks his sheep to bring them into his fold. The truth is that he know where you are and what you are doing. He knows all who have been busy trying to hide from him; trying to run from him. Just maybe it's time to quit hiding and thank the Lord God that he desires to make you his own. Maybe it is time to listen to his voice and follow him to where he would have you go.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Harden Not Your Heart; Rejoice!

Psalm 95

O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.

The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,

Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.

Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:

Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

+++

Harden not your heart; but, rejoice and enter into God's presence with thanksgiving. He has done great things for us. Let us look to those things that He has done instead of dwelling on the evil so often found in this world.

Do not spend so many hours looking back at would have been nor worry about what tomorrow might bring. But, live each moment that God has given you more fully and you will find a whole lot less to worry about. Harden not your heart as humankind is so prone to do; but, look around and rejoice in what God has done for you. Rejoice and live the life that God has given you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Vengeance Is Not Justice

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. 

                                                                               (Rom 12:14-21 KJV)

Avenge not yourselves! I have heard a lot about justice; particularly social justice, this past year. There were multitudes of people rioting for the sake of social justice. But, is it justice to destroy whole communities because you want justice? Is it justice to destroy whole communities that most probably need justice done for them in the first place? 

When we seek justice, we need to ask ourselves if the justice that we seek really justice for the people in need of justice or is it merely to going to feed our own egos; to accomplish our own self-centered and hate filled goals?  

Is it justice to falsely produce evidence or exaggerate claims against someone because you have decided that they are an evil person and they need to be taken down. Vengeance is not justice!

Justice does not happen when we destroy or take anything that belongs to someone else without having earned it. Justice happens when we freely give a drink of water to the thirsty; when we freely feed the hungry. 

Micah prophesied: "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Mic 6:8)

Before we step out to do justice let us consider if what we plan is going to actually do justice or will it do more harm to others who are not even involved. There can be a lot of collateral damage in avenging ourselves. Consider this is what you are about to do going to cause others to take vengeance on you? We ought to humble ourselves when we consider whether what we desire to do will actually bring about justice or will it cause more harm. 

May God help us to do real justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with him.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Thy Word Is Truth

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.  As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.  And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;  That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 

                                                                                  (John 17:15-21 KJV)

On the night that Jesus was betrayed he prayed that his followers might be sanctified through the truth which comes by God's word. He prayed not just for his followers of that day; but, for all followers who would come in the many generations to come. Without ever seeing Jesus in the flesh those generations would be sanctified and united with the Father and one another by hearing the word of God; by hearing the truth. And, it is so. 

Evangelists of every sort have been proclaiming the Kingdom of God through Jesus the Christ for two thousand years and through that word proclaimed many have come to believe that Jesus died that they might live eternally in the presence of God in the Kingdom of God.

Let us continue preaching this Good News for faith comes by hearing the word of God; hearing the truth. 

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10:13-17)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

How Will They Know We Are Christians?

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Gal 5:22-23 KJV)

I was listening to a Christian speaker on YouTube the other night. His topic was "how can we tell if someone is a Christian other than just by them saying they are?" The first thing that came to my mind was the song "They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love." But, that was not what he was directly getting to. His response was the verse from Galatians that reminds us that if the Spirit of God dwells in us we will produce the fruit of the Spirit which does indeed include love. 

In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus tells us that we can know whether a prophet is true or not. He said, You will know them by their fruits. "Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them." (Matt 7:16-20)

Yes, in faith and in faithfulness Christians will produce good fruit. They will love. They will be joyful. They will suffer much, showing gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance in order that all might live in peace. 

What fruits do we bear as we profess to be Christians? Can anyone tell that we are truly followers of Christ by the fruits that we bear?

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Not A Victim

"Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. (Jonah 1:1-3 KJV)

Jonah was given a calling by God. God sent him to Ninevah to warn the people that they needed to change or he would destroy them. But, Jonah did not want to go. He ran so that he wouldn't have to go and face this challenge that God had called him to. Poor Jonah, God was picking on him.

Poor Jonah! The ship that Jonah used to try to run away from his calling; his responsibilities was about to sink in a storm. In order to save his shipmates' lives he confessed that he was the cause of the storm because he was trying to run away from God. He had them throw him into the sea to save themselves where he was swallowed by a very large fish. Poor Jonah!

Jonah repented of not listening to God and God had the fish spit him out onto the land. Jonah went to Nineveh reluctantly and warned the people that they must repent or be destroyed. Unbelievably, they repented and they were spared! But, Jonah was not happy. All that he had to go through and those horrible people actually repented. Why did God put him through all of this? Jonah felt sorry for himself. He felt like a victim.

Not everyone who thinks they are a victim actually is a victim of others. They may however be a victim of their own stinking thinking as Jonah was. There are many legitimate victims in this world. They suffer horrendously at the hands of others. Many are tortured and killed. But, just because we don't like our circumstances at any given moment, that does not make us a victim. It may make us unhappy; but, not necessarily a victim. Sometimes, maybe often, those things that make us uncomfortable are challenges that we need to face so that we and even the people around us might grow. Those challenges may not be attacks on you personally; but, God calling you to do his will. It just may be that you are being called to follow Jesus and that may mean that your ego must die. But, do not worry. If or when he calls you, he will be there working in and through you for the good of all people.

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Heb 13:20-21)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Who Shall Feed Us?

He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. (Prov 28:19 KJV)

Last night as I was considering how so many people seem to be complaining these days about having to work in order to eat; in order to have shelter; in order to do just about anything; I wondered what it might be like if no one worked. What if every farmer decided to stop farming? Who would grow food? Would those who do not want to or like to work actually grow there own food? Or, would putting a shovel or hoe to the ground be too much work? What if every truck driver quit delivering our goods to the store or to our door? What if every grocer decided running a store was way to much work and quit? 

St. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians: "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." (2 Thess 3:10) This is not to say that those who can work should not help provide for those who really can't work. According to St. James: "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." (James 2:15-17)

Someone has to work in order for each of us to be provided for. Those someone's are everyone who is able to work.

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." (Col 3:23-24)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Be Prepared!

 

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 

                                                                                     (1 Thess 5:1-6 KJV)

No one can know when their last breath will be taken. As a thief in the night, the Lord will come in full glory and we cannot know when that will take place. But, we can be prepared. 

To guard against thieves in the night there are many precautions we can take. Surely, we can at least lock our doors. I prefer it to be quiet in the house so that I am easily awakened by any unusual noises. I also do not go to bed intoxicated by anything. If someone breaks in, I would like to be of sober enough mind to at least know it and be able to either defend myself and/or at least call for help. There are many other ways that we can secure our homes and ourselves against thieves who do their mischief at night.

We can also prepare for the day when the Lord comes unexpectedly like a thief in the night. Scripture tells us we will not and cannot know the day or the hour. But, we can and should prepare for that day by reading and hearing his word. We can prepare by listening to him as well as bringing our concerns to him so that he might lead us in the way he would have us go. 

There are many ways that we can prepare for his coming. Do not delay your preparations for another day, another year, another time. No one knows when that day will come. It could be today, tomorrow or a thousand years from now. It makes no difference. Watch! Wait! But, be prepared to see the Lord in full glory!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Life Is Short

Isaiah 40:8

Psalm 90:1-12 KJV

Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.

For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up.

In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.

For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.

Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.

For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

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We've heard it said in many ways: Life is short. Don't waste it. How many of us when we get up there in years wonder how the years have escaped us and we wonder why we weren't a bit wiser in the way we lived our lives; especially our youth?  The years have gone by quickly; too quickly. Yet, there is the promise of hope that all who believe in Jesus the Christ will not perish will have eternal life. So then all who believe never truly get old for how old can you get if you have eternal life? How old can you get if you are eternally a child of God?

Yet, life on this earth is short. Don't waste it. It is much better to live this short life with wisdom and and with justice than to seek those things that will wither away like the grass of the fields. It is wisdom to hear the word of the Lord and to truly listen to Him so that we might live life in the hope of living eternally in the presence of God our Father, through faith in Christ Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

His Will

"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;" (Col 1:9 KJV)

Eta is going to put a stop to my morning prayer walk today. I will still pray; but, I will miss the walk. It's raining and the wind is blowing pretty good. It is not terrible; but, not good enough to be walking in either. The last time I took my prayer walk in the wind and rain my umbrella was blown inside out. 

I have found that I can focus more intently on prayer if I am walking outside as I can pray out loud. I can actually have a conversation with God. And... everyday, I pray for all my loved ones and all whom I know some of the same things that Paul prayed for the Colossians: that they might be filled with the knowledge of God's will and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do that will. 

May God grant that our ears and eyes and hearts and minds be open to a greater understanding of His will for us and fill us with the Holy Spirit that we might be inspired and empowered to follow in the way that He would have us go.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Lay Down Your Life

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:12-13 KJV)

Jesus lay down his life not just for his friends; but, for all who were his enemies, as well. He lay down his life for those who rejected and refused to live in the truth.

Today is Armistice Day or more commonly known as Veteran's Day. Armistice with Germany went into effect on the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Although fighting in some areas did not stop until that evening the 11th hour of that 11th day was designated to put at least a temporary end to the hostilities.

Today, we remember all Veterans of the many wars that this country has been involved in since our inception. It is for freedom's sake that our armed services generally find themselves in armed conflicts or war. It is not for their own sakes that they fight; but, for the sake of loved ones; friends; people they do not even know around the world. For the sake of others they are willing to lay down their lives.

Today and every day we give thanks that Jesus was willing to lay down his life for our sakes. We give thanks for all people who are and have been willing to lay down their lives that others might live and lively freely. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

God Is In Charge

Snow, be thou on earth

God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend. For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength. (Job 37:5-6 KJV)

God is in charge. He has been from even before the beginning and will be forever. God, who can still even the snow and rain, can calm the hearts of any anxious person. Whatever He sees fit to do, He can do.

Let God be in charge. Quit trying to do everything and have everything your way. Only He can comprehend what is truly good for us so quit fighting His will and follow in the way that He would have you go.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Today He Died For You

For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. (Psalm 90:4 KJV)

Was it two thousand years that our Lord Jesus suffered and died on that cross for us? Or, was it just yesterday? 

I often think that we tend to write off what Jesus has done for us as mere history from long ago; a history that is slightly relevant to our time or maybe it is not relevant at all. It has become almost a myth for many who actually profess to be Christian. 

Jesus' death and resurrection was a reality. It is a reality. It is as real today as it was two thousand years ago. It is not just ancient history. 

God's time is not our time. He does not count days like we count days. St. Peter wrote "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8)

In your devotions today and tomorrow consider this: today is the Lord's day; everyday is the Lord's day. Today is the day that Jesus died for you. It is the day that he rose from the grave for you. It is the day that he lives for and with and through you. May God grant us all fuller appreciation of this glorious day. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Endure The Truth

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 

                                                    (2 Tim 4:2-4 KJV)

The time has come when people will not endure sound doctrine. They will not endure sound anything. Lies are preferred over truth as long as those lies promise them what they think might make them  happy in this world. In other words, if the promises, whether promised with integrity or not, give them hope in worldly things then they will follow after those who give them false hope. 

May God open the ears and eyes and hearts of all people to know the truth and strive for the kingdom for all people rather than what will appease their own lusts.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Speak With Integrity

"I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost..." (Rom 9:1 KJV)

In his letter to the Romans, Paul assures them that he is speaking the truth in Christ - that he is not lying. This verse never fails to bring a smile to my face. It reminds me of children when they are trying to create a defense when being confronted by a parent or other person in authority. 

We also swear to tell the truth when we have to be in a court of law before we are able to testify from the stand.

It is good when we can say with Paul I am speaking the truth, my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit. But, sadly that is not always the case. It is difficult to know when someone is truly speaking the truth and so we must depend upon the Holy Spirit within us to help us discern the truth.

Paul's truth in Christ, is not always pleasing to hear. Sometimes it is a word of correction out of love. Sometimes it is a word of pure love and grace that is most pleasing to hear. 

God grant that we should we always speak with integrity for the good of those whom He loves.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Seek Him; Trust Him

ISAIAH 55:6-13 KJV 

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

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.

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

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Four years ago I stayed up to watch the election coverage until they announced who had one. I stayed up long into the night as did multitudes of others. Last night, I prayed and went to bed at my usual time. I did not watch election coverage as I was pretty sure that when I woke up I would find out and the world would be pretty much the same as when I went to sleep.

Well, no... It is morning and we still don't know who has been elected. We have no clue. But, God knows. We can wonder and worry about what tomorrow will bring; but, what good does it do? We can get pretty worked up and distracted with problems of the world; of trying to fix things and to fix people. 

There are days times when there just seems to be more chaos than normal. National elections can be times like that. The country can get pretty worked up about them. We need to remember that no matter who is elected or what happens God is still in charge. Jesus is still king and it would be a good thing if we spent as much time seeking him as we do seeking our personal agendas; our preferred candidates; and ways of this world. 

The Word of the LORD reminds us to seek Him and His Way. God's ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. And... it may also be a good thing to remember that no matter how bad things get, God is still in charge doing his thing not ours; not the worlds. He can turn the greatest tragedy into the most marvelous triumph. From the most troubled time, He can lead us out in joy and lead us forth in peace - the peace that only He can give.

Seek first the LORD and his Kingdom and trust that he is in charge of the rest. 

God's Peace - Pr. J