Be Sober; Be Vigilant!

1 Peter 5:6-11 KJV; 7th Sunday of Easter;  Be aware of what is going on for the devil is always aware of what you are doing and will catch you up if you are not paying attention.

Help Us To See Your Goodness

Psalm 27:9-14; 1 Peter 5:-6-7 Help us to wait on you and to see your goodness, Lord.

Love One Another

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8 NIV

I just finished reading an article about crime in Chicago that saddens me greatly. Almost 3000 people have been shot so far in this year of 2016. That amounts to about one shooting every two hours. The number includes little children.

What can possibly motivate a society to be so unsympathetic and hateful toward one another that our crime rate is so terribly high? There are way too many motivations to count them all and no one but only God can know the real reasons why. We spend much time pointing the finger and blaming others, the past, our environment, the schools, parents, and the list goes on. Instead of trying to fix blame on the past events; how about if we try to change the future?

How about if we listen to the admonition of St. Paul?
   Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
   Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
   Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  Romans 12:9-21

We can always point the finger at others; but, as the saying goes: "If you are not a part of the solution; you are a part of the problem." Or, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

God's Peace - Pr. J

Bless Not Curse

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade." 1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV 

Before I left Zion Lutheran, Skanee, MI; the discipleship team was practicing greeting people with "God's peace be with" rather than just saying "good morning" or "hi." We were actively practicing blessing and praying for others. Since, I moved to Flagler Beach and Christ Lutheran Church in Bunnell, FL; I have heard "May God bless your day" more times than I can count. Many of those blessing my day were complete strangers out in the community and had no clue who I was; no clue, whether I was a Christian or not. I think that is just awesome! I am sure these brothers and sisters in Christ are blessing others; as well, throughout the day.

In a world that is often very negative and even depressing a lot of the time; it is quite refreshing to hear words of blessing rather than cursing. What a wonderful way to remind us in a sin-filled world that there is hope and that our hope is found in Jesus the Christ. May God help us to bless rather than curse so that all of our days will be more peaceful.

May God bless your day with grace and peace in abundance!

God's Peace - Pr. J