Help Us To Endure

James 5:7-11 KJV; 3rd Sunday of Advent; Even as Job endured with patience; help us to endure.

The Lord Is Our Shepherd

Psalm 23 KJV; #4th Sunday of Easter; The Lord is our shepherd. He is with us always.

Hope Like Job's

Job 19:22-27 KJV; pray for hope like Job's in seeing the Lord face to face one day.

Stop Lying

Romans 12:16b-18; Job 15:1-6 KJV; Stop lying about yourself and your political opponent. Stand up and tell the truth and not stories you've manufactured.

We Are Not God's Advisors

Job 38:1-11 KJV; 5th Sunday after Pentecost; Who are we to think we know better than God? Listen to Him!

Believe The Witnesses!

 

"Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen." Mark 16:14 KJV

The disciples did not believe that Jesus had risen because they had not yet seen him. When they did see him, he chewed them out for being so stubborn; so bullheaded. They had not really believed the witness of Mary or the others who had, in fact, testified that they had seen him alive and walking around.

That is the reason for many not believing it today, either. What they cannot see with their own eyes; what they cannot touch with their own hands, they refuse to accept as truth. In their stubbornness they will not accept what they have not witnessed themselves. Even then, some will continue in their bullheadedness. A man walking on the moon is still a fabricated myth to some. Others still believe the earth is flat. Sadly, some even deem the Holocaust during World War II as a fabrication.

How hard-headed are those who refuse to believe the testimony of those who have seen Jesus! How hard-hearted are they who would follow in their own self-centered and self-motivated ways rather than the Way that Jesus prepared for us; for all people, into the Kingdom of God. Their bullheadedness will harm only themselves in the end when before the throne of God every knee will bow.

There was a man named Job. He lost everything. Yet, his faith; his belief, in God did not waiver. He trusted the Lord. He had not seen God with his own eyes, yet. But, he was convinced that he would. He was convinced that he would see him with his own eyes and not just through the testimony of others. Job, too, was in a sense very bullheaded. Although, he suffered much; he never gave up hope in his Redeemer.

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. (Job 19:25-27)

May God help us to trust the testimony of the saints before us, as found in the Holy Scriptures, so that we might have hope in the one who died and yet lives for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Listen To Your Elders

With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding. Job (12:12 KJV)

The wisdom of our elders should not be neglected. It should be listened to. It should be heard. I admit that sometimes the wisdom of the elders is faulty; but, that, does not mean it should not be heard. I also admit that I did not listen well when I was young. Yet, it still amazes me that so many will not listen to the wisdom learned through the life's lessons of the elders. Instead, many turn to their peers or even those who are much younger and who have experienced even less than they have. I am not discounting the knowledge or the wisdom of the younger people. I am merely wondering why we would ignore what has already been proven.

Much grief could be averted if we listened to one another; especially if we listened to those who have already learned life's lessons.

May God open our ears and our hearts to hear and receive wisdom so that we might live abundant lives in righteousness.

God's Peace - Pr. J

This Too Shall Pass; Everything Will Be All Right!

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" (Phil 1:6 KJV)

We all have days; sometimes, months, and even years that nothing seems to go right. We might even start thinking that we've messed up our whole lives; that we are complete failures. Take heart! God is with you and can make good things come out of even those things that are totally messed up. 

Those times of adversity can teach us how to grow in the way of the Lord if we are paying attention. They will help us to change so that we can live in peace with God; with others; and with ourselves!

There are times; though, when hard times come to us to no fault of our own. Consider the trials of Job. He lost everything when Satan tested his faith. Yet, he was blessed even more richly by God after losing so much.

All is not lost. Have faith; be confident that as God as begun a good work in you, he will continue to work in your life until the day of Jesus Christ. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

My Redeemer Lives

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:" (Job 19:25 KJV)

What comfort those words from Job can bring! When life feels desolate; when peace seems like a distant dream, we can look forward with hope to the day when there will be no more suffering and pain because we know that our Redeemer lives! We can look to the latter day when every knee shall bow before the Lord. We can look to the day when we see Jesus in full glory.

May God grant you hope for a future of joy and peace in His presence.

God's Peace - Pr. J