Exalt Him!

1 Chronicles 29:11; The Lord is over all things. Exalt Him above all those other things.

Heal Us; Heal Our Land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV; If we would only humble ourselves, pray and seek the face of the Lord that we might hear his good will for us and all of the land.

Execute Judgment, Lord!

Psalm 119:81-88 & 2 Chronicles 7:14 Execute judgment, Lord, upon those who persecute others for their own profit and glory.

He Will Heal Our Land

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.

Heal The Land

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chron 7:14 KJV)

IF... What is God talking about.... IF? 

I often hear thing like if God is so good why did he allow such and such to happen. The reality is that we do have choices to make. God will not force His will on anyone. He allows us a certain freedom to do what we will rather than His will. If we choose to destroy the land; if we choose to destroy one another, should we blame God because we made those choices?

Yet, God does hear those who would turn from their destructive ways to follow in His way. He hears. He answers. He will forgive our sins. He will heal all that is broken due to our sinful ways. 

May God help us to see the way in which He would have us go. May God give us the strength and the courage to follow in that way.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Humbly Pray For The Healing Of The Land

"...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chron 7:14 NIV)

Yesterday was the National Day of Prayer; but, we need to pray everyday for this country, for our communities, for our congregations, and for our family, friends, and neighbors.

The Lord promised Solomon that if we figured out that we were not God and turned to Him in prayer rather than pursuing our wicked ways, he would heal the land. He will make us whole. 

God sent His Son to die for us that we might be forgiven and be made whole. Yet, the land; the people, are a mess! The forgiveness of our sins; the healing of the land and ourselves are precious gifts from God. But, unless we accept these gifts they are of no use to us. It is like receiving an awesome birthday gift and then putting it on a shelf in the closet to enjoy at a later day. But, that later day never comes. We get distracted and forget to turn to that gift, take it out of the closet, use it, and enjoy the gift.

If we would have God heal us, then in humble prayer we ought to confess our sins. We ought to turn to Him and receive the precious gift of forgiveness; the precious gift of life; a life of wholeness in His sight. 

May we never forget to pray daily for the healing of our land; our country, our communities, congregations, and for our family, friends, and neighbors.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Prayer of Jabez

Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from hurt and harm!” And God granted what he asked. (1 Chron 4:10 NRSV)

Among the descendants of Judah, is Jabez. In the middle of the list of Judah's descendants is a description of this one obscure son. He is born in pain. He is a humble man who prays to the God of Israel, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!" (4:10) God answered his prayer. It does not say how. It just says that he answered this prayer.

Now, I'm thinking the fact that he prayed for these things and that God answered has to be pretty important; otherwise, why would this man's prayer be placed in the middle of this genealogy? I have heard many critiques of this prayer. Yet, I pray it often for others, whom I love. It is a simple prayer. Jabez asked God to bless him, to keep him from harm and to enlarge his borders or territories. The critique I've often heard is that the enlarging territories is about riches. Presumably there are some who would turn Jabez' humble prayer into a selfish prayer.

However; for Christian, our borders are on the mission field. We do not look at this prayer as a magical means to fill our pockets, but a prayer that God would bless us with missions, with outreach to the whole world.

Who would not want their loved ones to be blessed by the LORD, to be kept from harm and know no pain and to have ever expanding borders to proclaim the praises of God? Oh, LORD, expand our territory so that we might reach out to even more, to the multitudes, with the Good News of your Kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Not Safe To Travel

If you must travel; stay close to home!

In those days it was not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil." 2 Chronicles 15:5 NIV

Okay; so I've taken the unsafe travel scripture way out of context! But, If I ever decide I must travel on the day after Christmas again; someone, please remind me to not do it!

My husband and I went to visit our youngest son and his family in South Carolina Christmas day and came home yesterday. That is the second time in recent years that I have traveled a distance on the day after Christmas. Yesterday was not as bad as the last time; but, it was not good. I did a lot of gritting my teeth and my lower back is sore this morning from all the tensing up. Over an hour before we reached Jacksonville the traffic was quite heavy and the GPS was warning us about an accident on US 95 south of Jacksonville. By the time we reached the accident it had still not been cleared out. The GPS rerouted us along a slightly faster route; but, of course everyone's GPS was trying to reroute them and many changed their course as we did. Traffic was not light, to say the least!

I thoroughly enjoyed the visit; but, not the drive. The holiday travel season is not over, yet. So, beware and be careful as we come upon the celebration of the secular new year. Drive with caution as roads will be crowded and not everyone driving will be sober. I personally make it a habit to stay at home on New Year's Eve to help ensure that I will live to see the new year. Of course, even that is in God's hands. And, may He be with you to keep you safe whether you are traveling or not. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Give God The Glory!

Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. (1 Chron 29:11 NIV)

I don't seem to be able to help it; but, I get just a little crazy (maybe a better word is overwhelmed) when things or people other than God are exalted over God. Yes, it happens. It seems to happen way too often. I'm not sure if people are even aware that they are doing it when they are doing it. It is just the way things are today. The thing being that we take God for granted. He is there when we need something; like a fairy god-mother. But, we are not there for Him. We are not there to lift His name above all others. In fact, when things seem to be going our way, we often forget Him.

May God help us to always exalt Him; to glorify His Holy Name, above all others.

God's Peace - Pr. J

We Are One Church; The Body Of Christ

"...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place."

                                                                                                                       (2 Chron 7:14-15 NIV)

Yesterday, was the National Day of Prayer. I had the opportunity to attend both the Flagler County Sheriff Department's Prayer Breakfast and the National Day of Prayer in Bunnell. Since, I am relatively new to the area, it was a great opportunity to meet and connect with others of the faith community. I noticed that many of the prayers, including my own, referenced the scripture above from 2 Chronicles.

If those who are called by His name would only humble themselves and pray and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways is not a call to the atheist or the agnostic or anyone else who does  not believe the one true God. It is a call and a promise to those who say that they believe. If it is truly healing that we desire for the communities around us it needs to begin with a change in us; those who profess to follow Christ. We must humble ourselves and confess that we are a part of the problem when the Good News, that has been entrusted to us, is the answer. We often allow the devil to distract us with personal agendas leaving very little time or energy left to share that Good News either in word or deed. We often think so highly of ourselves that we cannot see anyone or anything else; but, the things and persons in our own little circle of friends or family. God's family is not restricted to our own little circle. He desires that all would be members of that family. But, how can they if they have not heard; if they have not been invited?

There is only one Church. With that one Church, which is the Body of Christ, there are many, many members. We are not all of the same congregation or denomination. We do not always share the same doctrines. But, we share the same faith in the one who lived and died and lives again for us and for all people. Let us learn to put aside our differences; our own egos; humbling ourselves so that we might serve together as many members of the one Church; the Body of Christ.

May God help us to turn from our wicked ways so that He may use the church on earth more fully to bring healing and wholeness to the people around us. God keep the church from being a stumbling block to others!

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Trees Sing For Joy!

Let the trees of the forest sing, 
let them sing for joy before the Lord,
    for he comes to judge the earth.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:33-34 NIV

It is no secret that I love wooded areas and the water! Their majestic nature reminds me that God created all things beautiful. We have so much to be thankful for. Let us rejoice in those things rather than dwell on the things that we may not appreciate so much. We give thanks not just for the beauty of His creation; but, for the gift of His most beautiful Son, who gave his life for us. Through his blood we have been promised the gift of eternal life in His Kingdom; in His glorious presence!

Let not just the trees sing for joy; but, let us all rejoice before the Lord! Give thanks to Him, for he is good; his love endures forever.

God's Peace - Pr. J