Listen To The Word Of The Lord

2nd Sunday in Lent; Jeremiah 26:8-15 KJV; There are those who would desire to destroy the one who proclaims the word of the Lord. They wanted to destroy Jeremiah for speaking His word.

Friends With Ulterior Motives

Psalm 41 KJV; Help us to help others, Lord. Let us not destroy others by putting our own desires over the needs of others.

Two-edged Sword

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.

Weep With Them That Weep

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.  (Rom 12:15-18 KJV)

I find myself grieving over the death of George Floyd. I did not know him. I do not have to have known him or anyone else to grieve for him or with others. I do not have to have known him to weep over such a horrific event. It pains me to be reminded that not all of our law enforcement have the public's health and safety as a priority. It pains me to know that there are renegades within our law enforcement system that choose to flaunt their authority and use it to willfully damage and even destroy others.

This is not true of all law enforcement. I know many who work in law enforcement. At one point in my life, I worked in Administration for the Criminal Investigation Division at Camp Lejeune. I am still friends with some of the investigators. They were and are honest men and women with integrity. 

Unfortunately, the saying that bad cops get good cops killed is very true. What could and should be peaceful protests in Minneapolis has turned into rioting and looting that endanger not only good officers' lives; but, the lives of those who are protesting with the desire to have their voices heard in a peaceful manner. Destroying or looting local, privately owned businesses because of one (or four) bad cops definitely comes under the category of  paying evil for evil. It will not bring about peace or any justice in the world. 

On the other hand, I have also known others who have been victims of police brutality and believe it or not some of the victims were white and not all of them were male, either. It is so sad that some of our law enforcement communities end up including officers with so little empathy and very little integrity. They are for sure in the minority. Overall, the officers that I know have a great deal of integrity and empathy. People without those attributes tend to stay away from me; probably, because I have a low tolerance for bullies with big egos and I do not have a problem confronting them myself. But, there is a wise way to confront those who disturb peace and justice and there are ways that escalate the situations. When we confront evil, we must be wise in doing so or even more people may get hurt.

It is time for good cops to start exposing the bad cops to ensure that the people of their communities and they, themselves, are safe.

Many of us grieve today. Although, we did not know George Floyd, we weep that there could still be so much discrimination in the world today. We weep because there is so little peace and all too often not enough justice.

Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans that we are not to be high-minded; thinking that we are better than anyone else. We are to not to repay evil with evil. We are to live honestly so that we might all live in peace and then we shall all rejoice!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Get Rid Of False Gods

And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the Lord thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. (Deut 8:19)

I sometimes cannot do anything but shake my head when I consider the many worthless idols that people around me worship. I know that they know better. It is very sad to know that rather than God, people fall into the trap of worshiping these inanimate objects. Even sadder is the fact that they don't seem to realize that they are even doing it; so there is no repentance. There is no change other than sinking deeper into despair as they continue in the worship of the false gods.

I have been told more times than I can count: "I believe. That is enough." But, what do you believe? Do you believe that the money you're trying to win gambling online is going to save you? It's more likely to bury you. And... even if you do win; will it really bring you happiness? Why do you waste the hours, the days, the life that God has given you to such worthless pursuits? Do you really believe that the drugs (even if they are legal prescriptions) and the alcohol are going to bring you peace? What's up with that, anyway? Has all sense departed this world?

Or, do you believe that Jesus truly came to give you life? Do you know? Do you believe that he suffered on the cross so that you could live reconciled to the one true God? If you believe it, destroy those false gods and bow before for the one who was willing to die so that you might live life in his presence now and forever.

God's Peace - Pr. J