Follow The Shepherd That Can Save You!

3rd Sunday in Lent; Psalm 95:1-9 KJV; There is only one shepherd that can save you. Turn away from the false ones.

 

Peace Not Chaos

Colossians 3:1-15 KJV; Live peace with one another by means of charity and love.

Jesus Is The Light Of The World

Genesis 1:1-5 KJV; In the beginning light was created by the Word. And now we celebrate that the Word of God who is Jesus the Christ is the light of the world.

Rejoice!

This is the day to rejoice!

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 KJV)

This is the day the Lord has made. In fact, He has made every day. Let us rejoice and be glad for it. 

Life brings both its ups and down. It seems like this year of 2020 we've a bit more downs than usual. Darkness threatens to overwhelm many lives. That doesn't mean though that we haven't seen good and that everything that is happening won't and can't be turned around for the good. 

There is good all around us. But, sometimes we get so stuck in the media frenzies that all we can see is the chaos. Remember, out of darkness God spoke and there was light. Creation began from a void; from nothing, and it was good; even very good. Sometimes, we may just have to sit down and count our blessings in order to see how much good there really is.

Words do have power. They have the power to create as God used the Word to create all things beautiful. So, use a few words as you thank God for the blessings He has given you. Words also have the power to destroy. The lies that are spoken today in the realm of politics and elsewhere for personal agendas are creating chaos and bringing forth darkness. 

Do not worry; but, rejoice for the Lord is the Lord of light and His light shines in the darkest of night. Do not worry; but, rejoice for the Lord will have His way. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Rom 8:28 KJV)

This and everyday is the day that the Lord has made! Rejoice in it! The darkness has no power over you. The darkness can no overcome the light. Therefore; let the light of Christ shine in and through you that others might rejoice with you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Help Us To See Your Goodness

Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. 

                                                                            (Psalm 27:9-14 KJV)

Sometimes it seems as though the Lord is not paying attention to the needs of His people. That is not so. He sees and hears and knows everything that is going on. No matter what is going on around us He can and will work all things for the good for those who love Him. (

In times like these when chaos appears to have taken over some of our cities even our country and world at times, we need to trust in the Lord and His great love for us. Humankind may not have a great love for one another; but, the Lord does. 

Be of good courage and he shall strengthen your heart. Wait upon Him and you shall see His goodness. (

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Blessed Is The Nation Whose God Is The Lord

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. (Psalm 33:12 KJV)

Today many of us celebrate the independence of our nation from Great Britain. We celebrate that we live in a country where we are free to do so many things people of other countries do not have the privilege or right to do. Others are not so celebratory. They appear to be attempting to tear down, whether intentionally or unintentionally, all that has been built up by others over the years. It has taken over two hundred years to get us where we are today. We have come a long way and there is still much change that is needed. But, tearing down what has been built upon the blood, sweat and tears of others does not guarantee that the changes will be a good change. Forced changes will only bring about more animosity; more division. 

There is chaos in many cities; in many states; as well as in many churches. We, as Christians, often forget that we are a people of God. We forget that Christ died for all people. We forget that God's will is a good will for us. We do not worship or serve Him as we ought. We too often serve our own imaginations and have created the chaos in the darkness of our own hearts and minds.

Christ did not just die for a few. He died for all people; that all who would believe in him might be saved. Riots and the destruction of others and the property of others will not change anything for the good. As has been seen with the riots of late, no one has been saved; but, many have been harmed; too many have died as a result.

When the Pharisees accused Jesus of serving the devil his response was: "...Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand." (Matt 12:25) We might want to consider those words when we consider in what direction our country is going. We are a divided people. Will we continue to stand? Will we continue to grow? And, if that is our desire what will accomplish that? The answer can be found in the word of the Lord to Solomon.

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

From what we've been experiencing, especially in this year 2020, our land is in serious need of healing. Let us begin by humbling ourselves and praying for our beloved country and indeed the whole world.

The Lord bless us, and keep us:

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

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

                                                                 (from Numbers 6:24-26)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 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 28:16-20 KJV)

Today is Trinity Sunday. Usually, on Trinity Sunday, I focus a bit on the essence of the triune God. But, with the state of the Union as it is today I am reminded greatly of what or rather who it is that can save us. Who it is that forgives us all of our sins, reconciling us to God and to one another. God through Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit is our only real help in times like these.

We, too often, get caught up in the physical world, we forget that our battle is with spiritual forces. St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Eph 6:12)

Yes, we must stand up for what is right in this world. We must protect our neighbors. But, we cannot forget that what is behind the chaos are spiritual forces that aim to destroy us. We must engage in battle with these spiritual forces. We do that by doing exactly what Jesus commanded: teaching all people, baptizing in name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them everything that Jesus commanded to be taught. And, what he taught is good news for all people. We are to proclaim that Good News! We are to let people know that all power and authority has been given to Jesus in heaven and on earth. That will bring to us adversity. But, we must trust him to help us as we proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom for all who believe in him. We must rely on his (not ours, not any government's) authority and power to overcome the chaos. 

We thank God our Father this and every day that through the Son and by the power of the Holy Ghost we can stand firmly, facing all adversity, so that all people might know that freedom and the peace that God would give to us.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

No Peace For The Wicked

I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him.

But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.

There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked..

Isaiah 57:19-21

Always trying to stir up mud and mire; to create dirt and filth, there is no room for peace in the lives of those who plot evil. One cannot know peace if they are busy stirring up chaos.

Yet, those who pursue peace; those who assist their neighbor in the pursuit of peace; they will live in peace. Those who seek to live reconciled to God and to one another will know the peace that only He can give no matter what storms the evil doers would create for them. They will know peace because God is with them. 

God's peace be with you all. Pr. J