Do Not Worship False Gods!

2 Thessalonians 2:1-8 KJV; 22nd Sunday after Pentecost; Do not worship false gods or listen to false prophets.

Sing of God's Glory

Psalm 66:1-7; Make a joyful sound unto the Lord. Praise His glorious name! Forgive the poor quality of video. I hope to be back on my other one with better lighting tomorrow.

Isaiah Prophesied Jesus' Suffering

Isaiah 53:3-7 KJV; Isaiah prophesied Jesus suffering and dying for our sins.

What Shall We Wear

Matthew 6:31-34 KJV; What shall we wear? Don't worry about it! Seek first the Kingdom of God.

For The Sake Of Others

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:12-13 KJV)

Jesus gave us the commandment to love one another. Then he showed us how much we should be willing to love by dying on the cross for us. 

Today is Memorial Day; the day we remember the many that died so that others might live in freedom; freedom to worship; freedom to speak the truth; freedom to live without persecution. They died to preserve freedoms here at home and around the world. They died not just for their friends; but, for people they did not even know. 

Today is a day not just to remember what they have sacrificed for us; but, maybe it should be a day to ask ourselves what we would be willing to give for love and for the sake of others. Would we give up our own safety for the sake of the well-being of others? Sadly, from what I am seeing in this country today; many would not. Safety, it seems, too often comes before serving those in need. 

As we remember the fallen today, let us thank God for the men and women who have loved humanity so much that they were willing to give their lives for us. 

Today as we thank God for the sacrifice that the many made so that we could enjoy our freedoms; let us not neglect to thank God for the sacrifice of His Son on the cross for us. Let us thank God, for Jesus who showed us what it means to truly love one another.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Are Strangers Really Welcome At Your Table?

And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. (Luke 15:2 KJV)

I grew up in an area steeped in the Finnish-American culture. Finns like to feed people. One never went for coffee anywhere without having the table heaped with goodies, if not a full meal. My mother was an awesome hostess. She was a great cook. She often invited friends and strangers into our home. She and my dad would meet strangers as they wandered around the countryside. She would invite them to come and visit. Many did visit and when they came, she would welcome them like they were royalty.

Whenever I travel, I try to find a place to worship; a house of God where my brothers and sisters in Christ will welcome me as well as all strangers. There is usually a multitude of choices. Maybe because of the culture I grew up in, I am acutely aware of whether or not I am really welcome to eat at the Lord's Table or even be there. Many congregations do not provide this meal to nourish the traveler or stranger. Others make it painfully obvious that strangers are not welcome at their table. They appear to be afraid that our sins are too great to allow us to partake of the food which will nourish our souls. They would keep us from the very Body of Christ that was given for our salvation.

May God help us to welcome both neighbor and stranger to receive the good gifts that God has provided us through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

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

Peaceful and Safe Deployment

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.  (Psalm 23 KJV)

Those still waters are awesome! I love being near the water; big or small waters. This morning my husband and I decided to attend the Beachside Community Church Worship Service on the beach in Flagler Beach. It would be the last time I would have the opportunity to worship with Pr. Christian Magnell before he is deployed. It was a beautiful morning and an inspiring service.

I would pray that God be with Pr. Chris on the deployment; but, I don't have to because I know that God will be with him. I pray though that he will know green pasture and still waters. I pray for goodness and mercy for him and his entire unit. May God grant them a peaceful and safe deployment.

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