I Rejoice When I Do His Will

Psalm 40:8 KJV; God help us to do His will that He might be glorified.

The Indwelling Christ

Ephesians 3:11-21; Ephesians 4:7; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Galatians 2:20; Without the indwelling Spirit of Christ we can do nothing to glorify God.

I Try To Keep Your Statutes

Psalm 119:9-16 KJV; 21 Sun after Pentecost; We try to keep your statutes, Lord, so that we may not sin against you.

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

Hope Found In Christ

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.  (Prov 13:12 KJV)  

In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Rev 22:2)

For the healing of friends; family; the nations; there is only one place to go. That place is our Lord, Jesus the Christ. By his stripes we are healed. (Isa 53:5) In Christ alone our hope for healing lies. 

There are time when our life's circumstances change almost instantaneously. Our hope withers and seems to all but die. Our dreams fade and we must find another. That other is Jesus. Real and lasting hope can come only from Jesus. In him alone is our hope and salvation.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Ignore Outward Appearances

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. (1 Sam 16:17 KJV)

In many cases first impressions are the lasting impressions.

When the Lord sent Samuel out to anoint the next king of Israel he sent him out to anoint a shepherd. He sent him out to anoint the one who was not able to even present himself with his brothers before Samuel because he was in the fields working. The Lord had not chosen any of David's older brothers. He had chosen the youngest one; the ruddy looking one.

I had gone into Walmart a few years back to get some things I needed to work on an outdoor project. I was wearing the clothes I'd been wearing to work in.  I did not really clean up before I went because I would be going straight back to work after I purchased what I needed.  A clerk followed me around the store. I felt like she was watching me to make sure I wasn't stealing anything. I felt like I was being judged by my appearance. This was not the first time this has happened. People do tend to judge by appearances. 

We can never know what the circumstances are surrounding how or why someone may appear to us upon meeting them. Did they have an emergency earlier? Are they ill? Are they disheveled because they are running late or maybe they had to crunch time because someone needed their help?

There are also times when people can put a very good face on at your first meeting. This face does not always reflect what is going on in their hearts and minds. This face could very well be for show. Months or years later you finally get to realize the true intent of their hearts.

This is not to say that all people have bad intents. It is a reminder that we should not be judging people by our first impressions. What they first appear to be is not always what they are. 

Do not judge others by what they look like or even what they say. It takes time to know another's true intentions. You and I might be fooled. But, God is not. Listen to what he tells you deep within your heart. 

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

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

He Loves You

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."

                                          (Deut 6:4-5 KJV)

Lonely, frustrated, tired?

Throughout my life I have spent a lot of time alone mainly due to either my husband's or my careers. I have often been asked if it bothers me to be alone. The answer is no. I am never alone. I have lived long enough to know that there is One who loves me more than all others. He is with me always. He is there for you always.

When we find ourselves tired and weary; lonely or frustrated, there is one we can turn to. Love the Lord your God, who loves you, with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your might. He is always there beside you and for you. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

I Cannot Pray

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." (Rom 8:26 KJV)

It can be most unsettling to have so many things going down at once that you're not even sure what to pray or how. Everything comes bubbling up within your heart and mind at one time lending to confusion. At times like these it feels as though you cannot pray. 

But, thanks be to God, when we cannot pray, the Spirit knows how and what we or those we grieve for needs. The Spirit makes intercession for us in times like these.

God's Peace - Pr. J

He Provides His Kingdom

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

                                                                                    (Luke 12:27-34 KJV)

Where is your heart? Where is your treasure? Is your every waking minute spent worrying about getting ahead in this world? Do you not know that even as God provides so that they flowers might grow; it is God who provides for your needs.

Yes, work; but, find pleasure in the work that God has provided you with. And; yes, enjoy all of the gifts that God has given you in this world. But, seek first the Kingdom of God. Seek His presence and you will know treasures beyond what can be found in this world. Seek His Kingdom and you will know the peace that surpasses all understanding. (Philippians 4:7)

God's Peace - Pr. J