A Good Plan

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.

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

                                                                         (Rom 8:28-32, 38-39 KJV)

There you have it! No matter what is happening in your life you can be assured that God is with you working all things together for the good of those who love Him. 

What is there to fear? Nothing! God is with you and for you!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Let Us Pray

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

(Eph 3:14-21 KJV)

God is not a mere abstract figure. He is above all and in all and through all. Jesus is the one who is able to do all that we ask and more according to the power of the Holy Spirit that works in and through all of our Father's children. 

May God grant all of his children the knowledge of who he is and what he has and will do for us so that we might learn to depend on his grace and his power in all things.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Do You Want To See Jesus?

In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus!

And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.  (Luke 19:2-6 KJV)

In the morning, when I rise give me Jesus. The words to that song have been running through my head a lot lately. It may be because I have been rising early and sitting on the deck watching the sunrise. The beauty of the sunrise reminds how beautiful and glorious is our Lord. 

Zacchaeus "sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature." Zacchaeus was of little stature not only in physical height; but, in social stature as well. He was a tax collector and had made himself wealthy by cheating his own people. Therefore, he was not a popular fellow. No one in the crowd that day was going to move out of his way so that he could see Jesus so he climbed a tree to get a look from a distance. Jesus knew of his desire to see him and so he arranged to make it up front and personal. He told Zacchaeus: "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house." 

Do you want to see Jesus? If you want to see Jesus, just climb down from whatever perch that you've chosen to watch Jesus from afar and welcome Him into your life. Let him in! Today, (and every day) Jesus wants to be welcomed into your home, into your life. 

In the Revelation of John, we hear Jesus' invitation to us: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Rev 3:20)

Open the door and let him in... He is there for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Comprehension of Love

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (Eph 3:17-19 KJV)

I woke up this morning with the realization that I did not just believe in God or as some would say a higher power. I woke up with the comprehension that I actually know him. There was no doubt in my mind that he exists. However, I also realized that I do not pay Him the honor or respect or the love that belongs to Him. 

It is one thing to say that I believe in the one true God. However, it is totally something else to worship Him in spirit and truth. We must be reminded often that God loves us so completely that He was willing to give His only begotten Son to die for people who so reluctantly or even refuse to worship Him. Without the comprehension of how much He truly loves us; of what He was willing to do to save us from ourselves, it is quite impossible to love and worship Him in return as we ought.

Today is also the anniversary of D-Day. A day that so many were willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of others. Can there be anything greater than a love like this? 

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

God grant us the ability to comprehend the true value of the love of God in Christ Jesus that we might all learn to love God and one another even as He loves us.

God's Peace - Pr. J