In The Congregation

Your Words In My Mouth

"Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.

Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth." 

                                                                                   (Jer 1:4-9 KJV)

Now, in order for prophecy to be heard it must be spoken. Words must be used and they must be heard for the prophecy to avail anyone. When the Lord informed Jeremiah that He had ordained him to be a prophet to all nations, Jeremiah was not convinced that he was up to that vocation. But, the Lord told him that he was because He would be with him and He would tell him what to say. He touched Jeremiah's and said, "Behold I have put my words in they mouth."

Like Jeremiah, we are often not sure what words to use to share the word of the Lord with others. We are often not sure what words to use to tell people about the love of our Lord Jesus. Yet, if we don't use words the Good News will never be heard. 

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom 10:17)

Help us Father by putting your words in our mouths so that we might tell the world about your great love and mercy toward us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Ambassador In Bondage

 

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

                                                                                    (Eph 6:18-20 KJV)

As St. Paul closed his letter to the Ephesians he asked them to pray always for all saints as well as for himself.  He asked that they pray that God would help him to continue to speak boldly what the Lord would have him speak. 

This would have been a very difficult time for most people to continue to share the Gospel as Paul wrote this letter from prison in Rome. Yet, he was well aware that was exactly where he was supposed to be. As a prisoner he would be able to share the news about Jesus not only with the faithful through letters but also to people who would not normally hear it.

Most of the country, indeed the world, has been placed in positions of semi-lockdowns due to Covid-19. We do not have the opportunities to see or fellowship with others as much as we were able to a year ago. But, we do have opportunity to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ. God provides those opportunities, even if it is no more than social media which could be considered akin to writing a letter. Thanks be to God we do still get to see people although not quite as many nor as often as we use to. We can still be ambassadors of Christ to others even within our bonds.

May God open our mouths so that we might proclaim the Gospel and to proclaim it boldly whenever and wherever we might be.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Ask How You Can Serve Others

And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

                                                                                 (Mark 9:33-35 KJV)

Who is more important? Who is more highly esteemed? Whether we like it or not; whether we're willing to fully acknowledge it or not there is a class system in the country; even in the whole world. Some people are put up on pedestals and others are ignored so completely that the world barely acknowledges their presence.  

St. James wrote:

"My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?"                                                                                           (James 2:1-5)

The actor or the sports star is more highly esteemed than the janitor or even the doctor or nurse.  Many people who live in fine houses and wear expensive name brand clothes look down on those who live in ordinary homes and who dress for comfort and work. The politician for some really strange reason often thinks that they are more important than the security guards and the others that protect them. They forget that they are servants of the people and it's not the other way around. And, the people... so many people want the government to serve them; to give them everything that they want. 

In his inaugural speech, President John F. Kennedy said:  “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” What happened to that idea? Of course, not everyone was thrilled with that idea of his. He barely got the popular vote and he was assassinated during his term in office.

So many seem to have either forgotten, never heard, or just don't care that Jesus said "If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all." Not everyone is willing to serve others and so the class system will live on. We can put all the laws on the books that we want. But, the law will not change the hearts of men. It may change a few as it will force them to conform to the rule of law. But, even as the people are forced to conform to the law, the hearts of many will only be hardened.  

Service to others is born out of love not the law. Christ died on that cross because he loves us. He willingly went to the cross for our sakes so that we might reconciled to our Father in heaven and to one another. 

"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Blinded By The Light

At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 

                                                                                      (Acts 26:13-18 KJV)

Blinded by the light as he met the ascended Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul was sent by Jesus himself to open the eyes of all who could not see Jesus; to turn them from darkness to the light of Christ. 

His testimony to King Agrippa was compelling. It was so compelling that the king would have set him free had Paul not requested to make an appeal before Caesar. Paul's intention by appealing to Caesar was not to be found not guilty. It was so that even Caesar might hear the truth about Jesus and would see the light. 

As Paul was blinded by the light his eyes were opened so that he could see the truth who is Jesus the Christ. 

May God open the eyes of all people by the power of the Holy Spirit that all might step out of the darkness into the marvelous light of Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Even The Devils Believe

And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. 

                                                                                   (Mark 1:21-22 KJV)

After Jesus' baptism as he began his ministry it was not the disciples or any living human being who recognized him as the Holy One of God. It was an unclean spirit. The unclean spirit knew that Jesus had the power to destroy it. And... all the people were amazed. His fame spread throughout the region. Yet, the people did not recognize who he truly was. 

As they followed Jesus for the next three years; although they saw many miracles and witnessed many amazing events in Jesus life, the disciples never fully realized that Jesus was the Holy One of God. They never truly grasped that he had come not to overthrow the powers of the authorities on earth; but, to overthrow the power of sin, death, and the power of the devil for them. They did not understand that he came to die for them. The demons understood this. They knew that he had the power to destroy them. As St. James put it:  "the devils also believe, and tremble." (James 2:19)

So you say you believe? Even the devils believe! They know he exists. But, they do not love and worship him. Do you? 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Prophets

The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

"I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?

When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him." 

                                                                           (Deut 18:15, 18-22 KJV)

There appear to be a lot of false prophets speaking in the Lord's name what the Lord has not told them to speak today. Most of those prophets have spoken words of doom. Many have like "Chicken Little" declared the sky is falling. Who knows? It may yet fall! But, take note; the sky did not fall and the world did not end when they said it would. 

Why would anyone prophesy falsely in the name of the Lord except to advance their own egos and agendas and maybe their pocketbooks? Do not fear them. The only one we should fear is the Lord.

"And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul..." (Deut 10:12)

The word of the Lord to Moses was that we should not fear the false prophets. We should not fear their prophecies.  We should; however,  listen to the prophet that God sent to us. Listen to the words of Jesus!  

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit." 

                                                                                      (Matt 7:15-17)

Listen to the words of Jesus. Do not worry about or fear the words of false prophets. Listen to the words of Jesus! According to St. John we are to test the words of those who claim to be prophets. 

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." 

                                                                                       (1 John 4:1-3)

Be very careful who it is that you are listening to. Be careful who you follow and do not waste your energy fearing the false prophets or their words.

May God grant us the wisdom; the courage; and the strength; by the power or the Holy Spirit, to always listen to and follow Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Praise Ye The Lord

PSALM 111 KJV

Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.

He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.

He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.

The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.

They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.

He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

+++

The works of the Lord are glorious. When you consider all that He has done for you, you will praise Him with your whole heart!

Trust in the Lord for He has and will do marvelous things. He alone has power and wisdom and strength above all things. This God is your God. He has saved you. Give Him praise and thanks!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Repent; The Kingdom Of God Is At Hand

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.                                                                                                              (Mark 1:14-15 KJV)

The good news, the gospel, is this: "The kingdom of God has come near." It has come near for you. It is at hand. It is not some far away place. It is at hand! Into this dark and dreary world the kingdom has indeed come. 

We pray as Jesus taught us to pray: "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." (Matt 6:10) What does this actually mean for us?  By the grace of God the Kingdom of God has broken into this dark and dreary world. 

The Kingdom of God is at hand and it can be realized as we reach out, with the love of God, in the will of God, to love and serve our neighbors. Notice that immediately after Jesus is baptized and is then tempted by Satan, he begins his ministry proclaiming this good news of the Kingdom. Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God and then he proceeded to show us God's will for our lives in that kingdom as he reached out to make whole the people he encountered; so that they might live life on earth even as it is lived in heaven; loving and serving God and one another..

May you live life in the Kingdom of God, even today. May His will be done on earth, even as it is in heaven.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ask For Wisdom

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 

                                                                                  (James 1:5-6 KJV)

Solomon asked for wisdom and received it so that he could be a good ruler to the people. James encourages everyone who lacks wisdom to ask God for it. If we ask faith we shall receive it.  The only problem with that is that too many of us are wise in our own eyes and have no clue that we actually lack wisdom. We think that we have no need to learn anything new. We have no need to get anyone else's opinion or advice. We definitely don't think that we should ask God to let us know what is really what since we think we already know everything. We don't ask so we don't receive wisdom or knowledge that would be helpful in not only living our own lives but in helping and serving others. 

Now knowledge and wisdom are not the same thing. There are those who are both knowledgeable and wise. But, the learned are not always wise and the wise are not always learned. It is not wise to trust the wisdom of man for the wisdom of man would tell us that the wisdom of God is nothing but foolishness. And if we believe that the wisdom of God is worthless as many would tell us then we are in for a very difficult road ending in destruction.

We trust not the wisdom of humankind. We put our faith in the wisdom that God has revealed to us in His Son who lived and died and lives again for us.  

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 

                                                                                   (1 Cor 1:18-21)

Ask your Father in heaven to place His wisdom upon your heart. Ask in faith and you will receive.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Ask; Receive

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

                                                                               (Matt 7:7-11 KJV)

Most parents do give good gifts to their children. However, there are some who never give them anything but grief and bad examples. They don't even help to raise them. Thankfully the latter are not the majority.

All parents make mistakes. We are human. But, most of us will give good gifts to our children when they ask and often even when they don't ask.  Most parents will strive to do what is best for their children even grieving when they are not able to do as much as they desire to do or give. But, our Father in heaven is not human. He does not make mistakes or sin like human parents. He does not fall short. He is able to and indeed gives, according to Jesus, even more abundantly to his children who ask for good things; who ask according to His good will.

Ask and it will be given you. Ask for good things. Ask for a greater knowledge and understanding of God's great love for us and His good plan for us. Ask to live in His presence always and to be filled with the living Spirit of Christ. Ask and you shall receive. Ask and live life in Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Will You Follow?

Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him. (Mark 1:16-20 KJV)

They immediately followed him! The disciples did not tell Jesus that he'd have to wait for them to follow him till after they retired from fishing. They didn't make any excuses not to follow him. They dropped everything and followed him. It was not as if James and John left their father without help. He had hired laborers to assist him in continuing on his business. They were not irreplaceable as fishermen.

I have heard a lot of excuses from those who profess to be Christians for not actually following him. There always seems to be an excuse to do the Lord's will at a later date. The world seems to take precedence an awful lot in a lot of peoples' lives. I have actually heard from more than a few that they will able to serve the Lord after they retire. In the meantime, they were busy one or two days a week with leisure activities that they were committed to. No time to worship or serve the Lord? I am not buying it. Whom then shall you serve?

The commandments that were given to us through Moses include: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3) We must ask ourselves what in our lives is keeping us from more fully following Jesus? That is the god that we put before the One Lord our God. 

Near the end of his life Joshua asked the people to reaffirm their faith and their loyalty to the God who had saved His people over and over again. He asked them to choose which god they would serve.

"Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods.." (Josh 24:14-16)

The Lord has saved you and has called you to worship and serve him above all other gods; to follow wherever he will lead you. Whom or what will you serve?

God's Peace - Pr. J.

 

The Good News Of The Kingdom

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 

                                                                                   (Mark 1:14-15 KJV)

The Good News; the Gospel, that Jesus preached is the Kingdom of God! 

There was a time when I asked people (particularly pastors) what they thought the  Gospel was. I heard a lot of different answers. Mostly they were things like: love, joy, peace...  No one, that I recall, answered the question with what Jesus preached: the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God does indeed include love, joy, peace, and many other much desired states of being. But, outside of the Kingdom of God, we search for these things in vain. 

The Christian lives in this material world. But, the Christian is also a resident of the Kingdom of God. God does reign in both of these kingdoms. He is the after all the Creator and Lord of all things. The Kingdom of God is often portrayed as something that will come to us in the future. But, Jesus said it is near to us. It is not of this material world so it is not seen by the naked eye.

And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:20-21)

It is unfortunate that so many Christians live solely for the world and for the time after death or when Jesus returns in a manner that the whole world will see with their eyes. It is unfortunate because they do not recognize that with the death of Christ the Kingdom of God has already broken into this world. We are heirs and citizens of that Kingdom and live even now in the presence of God. 

St. Paul wrote to the Colossians:  "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Col 1:12-14)

Translated us into the Kingdom is past tense. It has already been accomplished. It is done. The Kingdom of God is ours today as well as in the future. 

The Kingdom of God is indeed peace, love, and joy and much more. It is all of those things because we who were not God's children are now God's children and live in His eternal presence even now. I often wonder how it is that if we choose the kingdom of the world over the presence of of God in His Kingdom today why we would even want to live in His Kingdom after death. I also think that maybe it is that we profess to be Christians because ultimately we are afraid of death. So, maybe we should consider if the reason we might profess our faith is because of the fear of dying or because we actually love God.

As Christians, we live in both kingdoms. God ordained it to be that way. He reigns in both. In the kingdom of the world we will continue to strive after things that really don't matter much. But, in the Kingdom of God we can find joy and peace and love because in that Kingdom we can know God's presence even today.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Jonah Did Not Want To Warn Them

And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying,

Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.

So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.

And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.

So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

                                                                             (Jonah 3:1-5,10 KJV)

The story of Jonah is quite a story! The end result of finally doing God's will and going to Nineveh to prophecy their impending doom if they did not repent was that they repented!

Way too often in today's world those who are sent by God to warn others of the disaster that will fall upon them if they do not change their ways do not warn anyone. They would rather pretend that there is no sin where there is sin just so they can be liked by everyone; to get along with everyone. 

At first, Jonah didn't want to speak up. He did not want to go and warn the people. When the Lord told him to go he tried to run away from God, as if that were even possible. "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 1:3)

Jonah ended up with much hardship himself for not obeying the word of the Lord. He ended up in a major storm on the sea; thrown into the sea to save others; saved from drowning by being swallowed by a big fish. When Jonah finally repented of not doing God's will; God had the fish vomit him out onto land where Jonah finished the mission to Nineveh. 

The story of Jonah's call to prophesy to Nineveh is prophetic in itself. It is a warning to all who are called to share the word of God to actually share the word of God. It is a warning to those who are called to proclaim the truth of God's word. We are not called to come up with another gospel that pleases itching ears. We are not called to water it down. We are not called to hide from the truth or hide the truth from others; but, to proclaim it. Jesus told the truth shall make you free.

If the truth, which is the Word of God, is not proclaimed; how will anyone know that they are on a path to destruction. If we truly love our neighbors we will let them know that no matter what they have done God loves them so much that he sent His only begotten Son to die for their sins. And... that is the crux of the matter. We must be able to recognize and call a sin for what it is: a sin. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8)

Because Jonah had finally warned the people of Ninevah they repented and God forgave them.

Jesus told the disciples "the truth shall make you free." (8:32) The truth is that we are all sinners in need of forgiveness. We are all in need of being reminded of that from time to time. Let us not hide the truth or hide from it; but, share it with all in need of forgiveness and that would be all of us. We are all in need of God's grace and His mercy.

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

Our Refuge And Strength

Psalm 68 KJV

Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.

He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.

How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.

They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.

Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.

God is indeed our refuge and fortress. No matter what is going on in our lives we can trust him. We can trust that He has a good plan; a good purpose, for us as has been promised to us. (see Rom 8:28) That good plan was set into motion when Jesus died on the cross for us. The Kingdom of God is now at hand for all who love him. Our inheritance in that Kingdom was purchased by his blood that was shed for us.

Trust in him at all times and pour out your heart to him for God is our refuge and our strength! He is our salvation!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

God Worketh In You

 

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 

                                                                                     (Phil 2:13-16 KJV)

God has a plan for us; a good plan. He does not leave us alone to do it. He works in and through his children that his will be done on earth as it is in heaven. But, often we object to his plan and purpose. We rebel and complain that we should have to assist others in their time of need. We complain because we have to be responsible children of God serving Him and others.

God has a plan for us. His desire was to reconcile us to Himself even though we rebelled against Him. He sent His only begotten Son to suffer and die for our sins that we might receive forgiveness and be reconciled to Him. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) Jesus did not complain about the work he did for us on the cross. "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." (Isa 53:7)

Let the world around you complain and argue with one another about what they should or should not be doing instead of doing what they ought to do or refraining from doing what they ought not do. The world tends to be overrun with too many talkers who do not know what it means to actually do. Followers of Jesus have better things to do than to complain about what they already know within themselves is good and right. We are to be the light to the people around us doing what God has called us to do; yet, it is not us who do these things, but, Christ who does all things through us. (see Gal 2:20; John 15:4,5)

Quit complaining and "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matt 5:16)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Transgressions Increase

                                             

When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. (Prov 29:16 KJV)

Whenever I consider how wicked the world can be today, I think about how evil it has been in the past and I don't see the world quite as awful today as we would portray it in our own minds.

Yes, there is injustice. It seems rampant at times. If we read world news we will see that in some parts of the world there is much more wickedness than here in the U.S.A.. 

Yes, there is wickedness in the world and transgressions do seem to be multiplying. But, it would be rather wise not to participate in the evil; rather, do harm to no one for the righteous will see the fall of those who harm others for their own purposes. It may take awhile. But, have patience. Justice is the Lord's. 

St. Paul wrote to the Romans: "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord." (Rom 12:19)

This does not mean that we should not protect ourselves or our neighbors. We should assist all people in time of need; in times of persecution. We should stand with them fearlessly for if we are damaged in the process, we can be assured that God will provide the justice.

In the meantime may the Lord fill us with the Spirit of love, with the Holy Spirit that you might: "... cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1:16-17)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Truth Is?

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 

                                                                                       (John 8:31-32 KJV)

What is truth? Seems like in the world today it is acceptable to have many versions of the truth. But, can there really be many versions? 

I had a few rough moments when I was going through seminary. One particular professor wanted me gone. I had dared to debate him publicly over something he said. He professed that there could be two completely opposing interpretations of scripture and both interpretations be perfectly valid. I disagreed. I viewed this as sacrificing truth for unity. 

The truth should never be sacrificed. Whether it has to do with spiritual truth or truth that pertains to the world it should never be sacrificed for then we will function according to the lies that we perpetuate. We will be in bondage to these lies. When it is then distortion of the truth; out right lies becomes accepted as truth. When we hear calls for unity we must ask ourselves if these calls to unity require us to accept as truth what is not the truth? Are we willing to accept lies for the sake of unity? Are we willing to live our lives miserable and drowning in the lies that we have been told and accept for the sake of unity?

St. Paul suggested otherwise. It does our neighbor no good to speak lies to him or her. Deception will not bring us together. Only the truth can unite us. If we are to be one, we ought to be truthful. "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another." (Eph 4:25)

Neither freedom nor unity come from lies. Half truths and gross exaggerations are lies. Lies only lead to more bondage; bondage to the lies themselves and to the ones who taught us the lies and who we believed. 

Know the highest and best truth of all. Know that Jesus the Christ is the truth who lived and died and lives for you. He is the only truth that can truly set you free!

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

Test Every Spirit

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 

                                                                               (1 John 4:1-6 KJV)

Try the spirits! Discern whether the words; the promises; the prophecies; that you hear or read of God or of the world?

Those who are not of God will refuse to hear or accept the truth. They will also  consequently refuse to proclaim it themselves. They will do everything in their power to keep others from learning the truth that whatever they do is to glorify and profit themselves. Do not follow in the way of the world and the worldly for it will only lead to destruction.

This world is not all there is. There is so much more to life than what the world offers. We can live that abundant life even here by being in relationship with God our Father. All people have the privilege of knowing him and being in that relationship by virtue of the sacrifice made for us on the cross by Jesus. That is the truth that we need to rely on and not on the lies that are being proclaimed as truth today. There is no need to listen to false promises from soothsayers when you listen to Jesus. When you listen to Jesus you have the truth.

The false prophets that we should not be giving heed to are not just some Christian prophets as some would propose. They can be of any religion or even no religion. False prophets, no matter who they are, will attempt to lead you away from the truth. They will attempt to lead you away from Jesus as they keep you focused on the world. They will lead you and the world to destruction even as they claim that they are trying to save you. They cannot save. Only the truth who is Jesus the Christ can save you. Listen to him!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

New Creatures Are Reconciled

 

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 

                                                                                  (2 Cor 5:17-21 KJV)

Reconciliation seems to be the last thing on most of our politicians minds. They really seem to like attacking one another. One would think they have better things to do. As they call for unity, they stir up division. The devil must be enjoying himself immensely.

For God our Father calls us to unity. He calls us to be reconciled to Himself and to one another. He desires it so much that He sent His only begotten Son, who knew no sin to be sin for us. Our sin was crucified on his cross. Yet, it seems like we really want our sin to be resurrected as we continue to live in sin. 

Have the old things really passed away? If not, we have the opportunity to start anew every single minute of every single day. We have the opportunity to repent; to change our ways. 

If we are new creatures in Christ then let us be ambassadors for Christ, proclaiming the Kingdom of God purchased for all people through his blood. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Lord Knows Everything About You

PSALM 139:1-10 KJV

O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

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What a blessing! The Lord is with us wherever we go. He is with us at all times and in all places. According to the Psalmist even if we make our beds in hell, God is with us. He is with us to hold us and to lead us to green pastures and beside still waters where we will know peace. 

Have no fear for the Lord of Hosts is with you and is your strength and your salvation. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Speak, Lord, For Your Servant Listens

And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;

And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.

And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.

And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.

Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.

And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.

Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

                                                                           (1 Sam 3:1-10 KJV)

Three times the Lord called out to Samuel. But, Samuel did not recognize the voice until Eli told him that it was the Lord trying to speak with him. 

How often does the Lord speak to us and we do not hear him? Too much noise; too many distractions; too much of everything going on to be still and listen to Him? Maybe you don't listen for His voice because you don't believe that He will actually talk to people in this day and age. 

Praying is not just about telling God what your "give me this list" is. It is not just about thanking him. It is both of those things. But, it is also about listening to Him; listening for God to whisper your name and to affirm that He truly loves you and is with you.

There's a lot of prophecy flying around on the internet these days. I've heard many "prophets" say the Lord told me this or that is going to happen. It can be difficult to know what is real prophecy from God and what is not.  I haven't really seen much, if any, of it come to fruition. The word of the Lord, coming to us in the form of prophecy, does not usually tell us what is going to happen as many of these prophets have been telling us. Prophecy, the word of the Lord, does not work like a fortune teller; it is not like a crystal ball. He does not  tell us the future, especially not in full detail. He has given us free will, so the future can change. As in the days of Jonah, prophecy is most often a warning that there will be consequences if we don't change our ways; if we don't repent of whatever it is that we are doing that we ought not be doing. 

God does speak to us. He speaks to us through the word found in the Holy Scriptures.  He speaks to us through others who know Him. He speaks to us in the stillness of our hearts. But, we can't hear that voice unless we slow down and listen. A little warning here... Have you noticed that many of the prophecies have done nothing more than cause you to be a bit or a lot anxious about the future?  The devil and his minions have no problem with pretending that they are the Lord speaking to you. Make sure the whisper that you hear is from the Lord and not some other entity trying to stir up trouble and that the word you hear is supported by the word found in the  Holy Scriptures.  

In the darkness and the quiet of his room Samuel heard the voice of God call to him. May God help us to change our ways and take the time in prayer to really be still and ask Him to "Speak Lord, for your servant listens." Then listen! Listen to His promise that He loves you and is with you always to comfort and guide you in the way of our Lord Jesus the Christ. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.