Praise the Works of God

Psalm 145:1-14 KJV; 6th Sunday after Pentecost; Praise the works to each generation that all might hear and believe.

 

Serving The Lord And Others

Mark 9:35 KJV; We are called to be servants.

Rebuke The Devil And His Minions

Ephesians 6:12-13 KJV; The battle is against powers that manifest spiritual wickedness.

A Virgin Conceived

Isaiah 7:14-15 KJV; By the power of the Holy Spirit a virgin conceived and Christ was born to save us from our sins.

Watch And Wait

Matthew 24:36-44 KJV; 1st Sunday in Advent; No one knows the hour or day that the Lord will take us to be with Him.

Come Let Us Worship

Psalm 95:6-9 KJV; Come let us worship together as brothers and sisters in Christ.

My Hope To See The Lord Face To Face

Psalm 71:14-18 KJV, We do not know how many days we have left; but, we thank God that we will one day see Him face to face.

Made Whole By The Name Of Jesus

Acts 4:1-12 KJV; 4th Sunday of Easter; filled with the power of the Holy Spirit the disciples proclaim the name of Jesus for the salvation of humankind.

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

All Glory And Honor

Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. (1 Chron 29:11 KJV)

Thine is the glory, O Lord!  

It is God and God alone to whom all glory belongs. We often lift up personalities in this world as being savior-like. It is a lie to depend on any man or woman to save us. Only by faith in Christ can we be saved. He has the authority and the power to save. 

As a pastor, I was always a bit leery about lifting up any one person's good works. That is because only God is truly good. It is also because most Christians try to do the best they can to serve God and the community of saints. One individuals' attempted good works is not better than another person!  God gives each of us gifts. We serve according to His will and the gifts that He has given us. So, also, we must be careful about lifting up and showing preferential treatment to those who give materially more than others. The faithful will give according to their ability. Because someone seemingly gives much because they have much does not necessarily mean they are giving generously in proportion to the their actual ability. I refer you to the story of the widow's mite and how Jesus pointed out that though she gave little, she gave everything she had.  (Mark 12:41-44)

Our habit of lifting up individuals for special honor whether they are in the congregation or not is often done to gain personal favors or special favors for the church or other organizations. It is also a very sad form of idolatry. It is important to thank people for their service. But, we are not to be discriminatory in giving that thanks for service rendered by lifting up one individual over another when all that they have done is what they have been called to do. 

Remember, that whatever is done ought to be done for the glory of God not for our own glory and not for the glory of people we have decided to personally hold in high esteem. 

All glory and honor belongs to God. We can do nothing that deserves that glory. St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Cor 10:31) 

Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. (1 Chron 29:11 KJV)

Trust in the One who can do all things. Trust in the Lord, your Savior and King!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Armour Of God

"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.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

                                                                                                 (1 Pet 5:6-11 KJV)

Day to day, we struggle against our adversary the devil. Evil lurks around every corner waiting to seduce you. If there is a chink in our armor that he can squeeze into, he will try. St. Paul advised the Ephesians to put on the armor of God so that they might stand against the wiles of the devil. He wrote:  

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

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.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"

                                                                                                    (Eph 6:10-18)

 

Temptations will indeed come to all people. But, in Christ, the battle is won. Therefore,  we ought to wear the armour that he has provided us with. "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The God of Power and Glory

Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. (1 Chron 29:11 KJV)

So, your life seems totally messed up? The whole world is against you! Everything bad that happens is someone else's fault. If so, just maybe it's because you are worshiping a false god. I know, you are a Christian. The reality is many Christians don't really comprehend what it means to follow Christ. It means he comes first. He comes first before us. He comes before our personal desires that actually go against the will of God.

God is the greatness, the power, and the glory! When we put anyone or anything else before him we are deluding ourselves and setting ourselves up for a fall. We are short-changing ourselves and setting ourselves up to live in a very dark place. 

May the light of Christ shine in and through all of His children that He might be exalted in all of the earth.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Betrayed

And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.

But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?

And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?

When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

                                                                                (Luke 22:47-53 KJV)

Jesus was betrayed when a disciple, a friend, kissed him. It is sad to think about; but, how often do friends betray friends? Under the cover of darkness, a friend is betrayed. Under the cover of darkness, darkness reigns.  It is difficult to know who will betray you. It is difficult when you are betrayed by someone who has at least pretended to be your friend or maybe they are even someone who has claimed to love you. It is most difficult when you realize that the relationship has not been about concern for you or your relationship with them; but, about concern to protect or prosper themselves. Whatever the reason; it is difficult when one finds out that the love and concern you perceived has been a lie all along.

Jesus knew all along that Judas would betray him. Yet, he did nothing about it. He knew that his betrayal had a good purpose in the end. The good purpose was worked through a trial, suffering and death. But, in the end, we can see that the betrayal played a huge part in God's blessing of all people.

When betrayed or persecuted, be not afraid. God is with you. He can turn the worst circumstances into a blessing for you and for others.

God's Peace - Pr. J