The Lord Knows When We Lie

Jeremiah 17:9-10 KJV; The Lord knows our hearts and minds. May God help us by the power of the Holy Spirit to speak the truth.

Bad Company Corrupts

1 Cor 15:33-34; Bad company includes more than the the people physically present with you. Watch what you're listening to. Watch what you're watching!

Love Rather Than Bullying

1 John 4:8-12 KJV; Enough bullying!  Love one another as God loves you.

Too Much Negative Social Media?

2 Thessalonians 3:10-14 KJV: Spending more time gossiping on social media than being productive?

Try Jesus; You Just Might Love Him

Open The Door And Let Him In

 

Psalm 34:4-8 KJV

I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

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There are some social media posts going around that want to know what foods you like and which ones won't you eat. I haven't found anything that I won't eat or at least try. There are a few that if I have a choice I would definitely choose something else. The reality is that unless you try it you will never know if you actually like it.

The psalmist tells us to taste and see that the Lord is good. How do you know he's not to your liking if you've never really got to know him or to be in relationship with him? How will you know if you've never opened the door to your heart even a crack to let him come in? In St. John's vision he heard:

"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)

He's there. He loves you. He want you to be in a loving relationship with you. He wants to help you. Trust him. Let him in. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed are you who trust in him.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

We Have Hope In His Goodness

Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. 

                                                                               (Psalm 119:114-116 KJV)

Since the beginning of time as we know it people have endured much hardship. The troubles often come at the hands of others; sometimes by our own poor choices. Sometimes we allow ourselves to be led astray into some serious "stinking thinking" through social media or hanging out too much with others whose lives are lived in darkness. Sometimes natural disasters are the cause of our grief. 

When troubling times come we often turn to the Lord and either blame Him or  maybe we have enough faith and good sense to trust him to see us through these times. There are definitely times in our lives when the only thing that can keep us up is prayer and hope in His Word; His promises.

We have hope because we trust God and we trust His Word. No matter how horrible things may seem God can work it out for the good for you and already has a good plan for you. Trust him and live with hope in His Word.

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)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

In Fellowship; In Christ

 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

                                                                                  (Acts 2:42-43 KJV)

They continued in fellowship... I suppose fellowship of sorts can be done via social media. But, that is not the fellowship that was enjoyed by those first followers. The coming together to break bread and to pray; being together is what communing is all about. Yes, social media is good to keep in touch with one another when we cannot be together. It is great that we have the opportunity to share the Gospel by means of the world wide web!

But; when it is all over, Christians must gather together to hear the word; to pray; to sing praises; to worship the Lord; to break bread together; and to fellowship with one another. Being a Christian means being a member of the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ is one body and not many separate bodies. We cannot delude ourselves into thinking that we can be Christian yet never truly connect ourselves with other Christians. As members of a Body we much be connected in order to be fruitful. As St Paul wrote to the Corinthians: 

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

For the body is not one member, but many.

If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

And if they were all one member, where were the body?

But now are they many members, yet but one body.

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

                                                                                     (1 Cor 12:12-21)

And, once I'm rambling this morning one more question: How are we going to know how to serve others if we cannot ever hear them or see them face to face to know what their needs are? 

I watch many Bible Studies and Worship services online. Many people are hearing the Gospel that have never heard it before because of social mediajust as many people heard the Good News because of St. Paul's letters to the various communities. This safe-distancing that we live with today, in one regard has enabled a great deal of evangelism. It has also put a bit of a hamper on "feeding the sheep" as there are many who do not have social media available to them and that would include many faithful members of the Church. 

I see many small congregations who are either worshiping with social distancing or in their vehicles. I am very grateful for those congregations who are affording those opportunities to hear the Good News and Worship if even at a distance. But, there are many who are not taking advantage of the opportunity. They have found no real alternative ways to continue as evangelists and I cannot help but wonder if they will ever be able to open their church doors back up again. 

I just pray that as we hear the Gospel online, we will not consider this the end all. As soon as it is possible the Body of Christ has a great need to come together in worship; in prayer; in praise; in thanksgiving; in receiving the Sacraments; in breaking of the bread; in fellowship with one another; in community. We cannot succumb to thinking that we can be Christ-like without being connected to the Body of Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Work With Integrity

Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord.

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. 

                                     (Prov 20:10-11 KJV)

One of my pet peeves is working without integrity. Someone gives you a job; then thank God that you have a job and the ability to support yourselves and your family. It is not up to anyone else to support you in perpetuity. There is help when you need help and there are many people who genuinely need help.  There are also many who can work and won't or they do such a poor job that it takes two or more people to do the job that one can do.  If you can work then work and do the best that you can for yourself and for the person who has employed you. 

I see a lot of complaints on the news and social media that minimum wage needs to be raised to fifteen dollars an hours and complaints about the self check-outs taking away job in various businesses. I personally use the self check-outs in these establishments. 

Just prior to Christmas, I was shopping for a nice tie for a young boy who likes to dress up. I had to ask three people in one store before they could direct me to them. None of the three even smiled. In fact, they acted like I was disturbing their day. When I finally found the children's ties there were no nice ones. I ended up purchasing him a necklace with a superhero logo. That took standing around at the counter for about ten minutes before anyone showed up after the call for help. That person was not friendly either. I had definitely disrupted her morning routine. Although, there was not anyone at the check-outs with cashiers, I went to the self check-out. I had no desire to have another encounter with another employee who was not happy to be doing their jobs that morning.

For the sake of yourself and others: do yourself a favor; do for your employer what is right and do the work that you have been hired to do and do it with integrity. If in any way you serve the public; serve like you actually like people and want to help them.  It may not always be easy. It may seem like an uphill battle at times; but, do it any way. Work with integrity and do what is right and good so that there might be peace in the workplace and that God might be glorified.

God's Peace - Pr. J

In Sheer Silence

And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

                                                                             (1 Kings 19:11-13 KJV)

What indeed was Elijah doing at Mount Horeb? Was he merely running from Jezebel? Was he frustrated, confused or tired and needed to leave behind his call as a prophet for awhile? After all, all that he had done didn't seem to have any kind of lasting effect on the people. Or, was he simply in need of direction; maybe just a single word, from the Lord? 

We all need direction. We all need to hear from the Lord. We may know that we need it and even want it. But, take a lesson from Elijah. You're not likely to hear His voice in chaos. It may be there; but, you're probably not going to hear it in the deafening roar of noise. You will be too distracted to listen. You are more likely to hear it as a whisper when you take the time to be still and listen for it. Be still, slow down, and listen for it.

You are more likely to hear it as you worship in the sanctuary when the only thing that you hear is the reading of the word or the preaching of the sermon when no one or nothing else is making a racket. You are more likely to hear it as you are quietly contemplating your morning devotions. 

Shut off the television. Shut off the music. Look away from your social media for a bit. Meditate on the word and listen so that you might hear the slightest whisper of the Lord. In the midst of sheer silence you just might hear the words you need to give you the direction that you desire that will remove your frustration and confusion. It is the word of God that will refresh your soul and bring joy once again to your heart and mind.

God's Peace - Pr. J