Let Us Not Wander From Your Word

Psalm 119:9-16 KJV: Let us not wander from your law. Let us not wander from your love. Let us not wander from your Word who is Jesus the Christ.

Too Much Negative Social Media?

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

The LIght Of Love

Romans 13:8-14 KJV: Live in the light of Christ's love and share it with others.

Love and Live

And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

                                                                            (Mark 12:28-31 KJV)

There is only one who can love perfectly. That one is God. Yet, we hear the commandment to love and by the power of the Holy Spirit we are encouraged and empowered to love even our enemies. But, even as the Spirit of Christ dwells within us the old man, Adam, also fights within us to rebel against this law of love. To do it our own way. 

The greatest commandment is to love God. When we truly love Him the second greatest commandment to love our neighbors becomes evident in our lives as well. Love does overcome fear. It overcomes hatred. It enables us to live together in peace. That does not mean we should not speak against evil. Rather out of love we call what is a sin a sin and do not pretend that everything is okay. This is done out of love for them so that they too may know the peace and joy that living in the presence of our loving God and one another can bring.

Love the Lord your God and you neighbor as yourself that you might live life in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Love Fulfills The Law

"Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am the Lord.

Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord." 

                                                                                 (Lev 19:15-18 KJV)

What has scripture to say about treating some people in your community; in your congregation, better or worse than others?    

The law reminds us that we are not to base the way that we treat others on their status in this world; whether they have money or if they have none. Do not gossip about them to bring about their demise.  Rebuke your brother or sister in Christ out of love for them not wishing them harm and definitely not causing them harm.

"Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

                                                                                       (Matt 22:35-40)

The law reminds us that we are to love God and to love one another. Jesus fulfilled the law in that he loved us so much that he was willing to die for a world full of sinners that we might be reconciled to one another.  His loving sacrifice was given that we might live in peace in the presence of God our Father for all of eternity. 

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Rom 13:10)

Let us love one another that we might be reconciled to God and to one another; that we might live in peace. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Love Your Neighbors

Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord. (Lev 19:18 KJV)

Love your neighbor as yourself. According to Jesus this is the greatest commandment following love the Lord with all your heart. 

"Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." 

                                                                                     (Matt 22:35-40)

Just because we feel slighted does not necessarily mean that our neighbor meant to offend us. Feeling offended does not mean we get to offend our neighbor by causing them undue harm. There are systems of justice both in this world and in the spiritual realms. If the rulers of this world cannot take care of the injustice; God, surely will. That justice may not always be to our liking. But, be assured it will taken care of according to God's will. He knows exactly what needs to be done for the good of all people.

There would be a whole lot less injustice in the world if we could only remember to love the Lord with all of our hearts and with all our souls and with all of our minds. If we did that we would also love our neighbors as ourselves and not take vengeance into our own hands for they too are the children of God, created in his image. His will is that we love one another and not  do harm to those who might make us feel uncomfortable.

Love the Lord and all of His creation that we might live in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Love Or Lust?

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

                                                John 3:16-18 KJV)

It is not so difficult to tell someone that you love them. People do it all the time in order to get something or someone that they desire. But, desire is not love. Lust is not the same as love.

Love is expressed not just with words; but, in the way we treat one another; in what we do for one another. That is not to say that telling others that we love them is totally unnecessary. It can be a great comfort even as using our tongue to let people know that we hate them causes them great distress.

Jesus' love for all of humankind was so great that he was willing to die for us. Is there anyone that you are willing to die for?  Most parents (I believe) would die for their children. But, would you die for a neighbor or for someone that you do not even know so that they might live?

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:34-35)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Swearing: Using God's Name In Vain

 

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (Exodus 20:7 KJV)

"The Second Commandment.

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain.

What does this mean?-

-Answer.

We should fear and love God that we may not curse, swear, use witchcraft, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks."

                                               (http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php)

I confess that every now and then my lips will release a word or maybe two or three that should not be spoken. I am very aware that I have sinned as soon as something slips out of my mouth that ought not to have.

It is troubling though, that so many do not even seem to recognize when they have taken God's name in vain. I know many love Him; but, for some reason they don't always recognize when they are speaking against Him. Sometimes, it needs to be brought to their attention.

Yes, sometimes I find myself asking others not to be swearing. No, I do not always ignore it when people take God's name in vain; when they blaspheme His Holy Name. I will ask them to please not take my God's name in vain; to not blaspheme against my God. I usually stress "my God" in attempts to make it clear that because of their language they have made it evident to me and others who might be around us that He is not their God; that they do not worship Him. If He were their God, they would not be using His name in such a manner and so very often.

There have been times when I've been in discussions (usually with younger people) and I've gotten responses like "OMG" or "Oh My G_ _!" (Father, forgive me for even writing it as an example.) My response to that is usually "I am not your God" and I walk away.

I find the language today atrocious. There is very little respect for one another and definitely not for God in many conversations. His name is thrown around like it was something cheap and disposable. It is even called upon when used to bully others; to persecute them.

I have also been known to use the phrase "speak with integrity" on rare occasions. Admittedly, the lies have to be pretty bad before I do that. Sometimes you have to let people know that if they want me others to understand what exactly is going on they will have to get their stories straight. Sometimes stories get so twisted, in order to justify one's own actions, that it can be difficult to glean the truth from the tale. This lack of truth-telling also blasphemes the Name of God when the one who is speaking claims to bear the name of Christ.

His Name is above all names and it is eternal. It ought not be used in rampages meant to hurt others or to justify our own sinful ways. It can and should be called upon for the healing of the nations. Use it wisely. 

May the Lord our God bless the words of our lips that we might glorify His Holy Name in all that we say and think and do.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Lay Down Your Life

“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 lay down his life not just for his friends; but, for all who were his enemies, as well. He lay down his life for those who rejected and refused to live in the truth.

Today is Armistice Day or more commonly known as Veteran's Day. Armistice with Germany went into effect on the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Although fighting in some areas did not stop until that evening the 11th hour of that 11th day was designated to put at least a temporary end to the hostilities.

Today, we remember all Veterans of the many wars that this country has been involved in since our inception. It is for freedom's sake that our armed services generally find themselves in armed conflicts or war. It is not for their own sakes that they fight; but, for the sake of loved ones; friends; people they do not even know around the world. For the sake of others they are willing to lay down their lives.

Today and every day we give thanks that Jesus was willing to lay down his life for our sakes. We give thanks for all people who are and have been willing to lay down their lives that others might live and lively freely. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Do No Harm

For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

                                                                                   (Rom 13:9-10 KJV)

St. Paul wrote to the Romans that we should do no ill to our neighbors. Those neighbors include everyone and not just those who live next door. In the parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus tells us that the one who not only does no harm; but, shows mercy and helps the one in need is the good neighbor. You don't have to know them to help them. You don't have to live next to them to have mercy.

It also follows that sometimes our actions harm people we aren't even aware that we harm. Lately,  I have been hearing "Do no harm" a lot. What does this mean? For those who remember their confirmation class days you might remember that purposefully breaking the commandments does harm to others. Unintentionally breaking them does as well. But, as Christians we try not to break them even as we acknowledge we are not always successful in those attempts.

These attempts to follow the law can be most fruitless if we follow the law for the sake of the law. The law will not save us. Only Jesus saves. His love saves us. It is love for others that will empower us to do what is right and to not harm others. It was love for us that drove Jesus to the cross for us. It is his love; the spirit of his love, that empowers us to do good rather than to harm our neighbors. 

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us."  1 John 4:7-12) 

Do no harm. Cast off the ways of darkness and live life! Walk honestly and strive to do no harm to your neighbors both known and unknown to you. Be kind! "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." (Luke 6:31)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Vengeance is God's

For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

                                         (Hebrews 10:30-31 KJV)

Those who do not know Christ often call it karma. In other words what goes around comes around. We most often get to suffer consequences for our own bad behavior. In Paul's letter he wrote that God is in charge of vengeance. Vengeance is one of those negative things that will come back around and bite you if you for some reason you imagine that you have the authority to avenge anything or anyone. God is in charge of vengeance. Yes, we are to call out injustice for what it is. We do have recourse for injustices done to us or others. There are legal and civil means both in the world and in the church for justice to be served. We do not have to be perpetual victims.

I have found, over the years, that those who take vengeance out on others usually  prefer not to use authorized legal means because they themselves do not desire to have their own crimes found out.

Vengeance is God's. It is not ours. 

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

                                                                          (Matt 22:37-39)

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.  (Luke 6:35)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Trust Jesus To Calm The Storms

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

                                          (Mark 4:37-41 KJV)

It has felt, to many, that we have been in the midst of a storm since before 2020 even began. There is only one answer to this storm and that is faith in Christ. We must trust that he will calm this storm. We will get through all of this and the sun will be shining brightly. Children will once again be playing arm in arm for God does not will that we should be so disconnected from one another. His plan included unity and reconciliation; not division and anarchy. His will is not for his children to live their lives so centered on themselves that they have no concern for the people around them or the people that are spread throughout the world.  

Jesus told his disciples and us: "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)

The self-centeredness; the self-love, of humankind has brought about many storms. But, the one who can calm the great storms of winds and waves can also bring a calm to the world. Is it not time yet to trust him enough to love and care for our neighbors and live in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

My Rock And Fortress

 

Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. 

                                                                  Psalm 71:3-4 KJV

Sully or Bubba as he is more often called is a huge English Mastiff. He weighs in at 210 pounds. He is becoming a bit aged and has arthritis so walking can be difficult for him at times. Yet, he remains a rock. He goes about his business with focus and determination. You can nudge him; but, unless he wants to move, it's not going to happen. Fortunately, he is a gentle giant and listens quite well. He is totally non-aggressive and most lovable. But, if he's standing by your side, most people would think twice about approaching you in any manner other than in a most amiable way. 

Jesus is our rock of refuge. He is our fortress. The unjust and cruel will not prevail over those who dwell within the walls of that fortress, which is the Body of Christ. As much as I trust that by Bubba's side I will be safe; I only see him a few times a year. But, Jesus is with me always. It is he who will save and keep us for all eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Denying Jesus

Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.

Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.

Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

                                                                                  (John 13:33-38 KJV)

Peter loved Jesus. He wanted to be with him wherever he was. But, when the possibility of being arrested with him came up, he did indeed deny him as Jesus said he would.

Sometimes fear; sometimes self-preservation, will cause even those who love someone to desert them. But, Jesus does not and will not desert us. He did not run from the cross. He did not run from death. He went willingly to his execution because of his great love for us.

May God grant us the courage and strength to always stand on the truth and to not deny the truth; to not deny Jesus, in any attempts to save our own skins in this world. 

He, who is the truth, died for us. Let us live in the truth. Let us live in him.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Love and Charity

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; (1 Cor 13:4-5 KJV)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (1 Cor 13:4-5 NIV)

In the thirteenth chapter of Corinthians some translations use the word charity for love and in others the word love is used instead of charity. The two words are intricately connected. Love promotes charity. Unfettered charity is most usually a result of love. We give because we love. We love because Jesus loves us so much that he was willing to give his life that we might live.

It is unfathomable to me that anyone would put their personal pleasures before the needs; the safety; the well-being of someone that they claim to love. But, it happens. It happens a lot! Children are neglected and abused because the parent has priorities for themselves than truly loving their children. Elderly parents are neglected because children have better things to do. 

I am not sure how we've come to this place where narcissism is so prevalent. Maybe, it has always been there; but, we just never noticed because we too were stuck in that place where we thought that we have to love ourselves before we can love others. When we think like that we can get stuck in a place where there is no love or charity for others because we never quite to the place where we love ourselves unconditionally. What happens instead is that we keep striving to make ourselves happy; but, we keep failing because happiness and joy actually comes from being in relationships with God and with others which we have neglected in the pursuit of making ourselves happy.

St. Paul wrote to the Philippians: "If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." (Phil 2:1-4)

Jesus gave us the commandment to love others as he loves us. "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34-35)

May God grant us all a spirit of love and charity that we might live in joy and in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Love The Lord And One Another

Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. (Psalm 97:10 KJV)

I don't know when it exactly happened. But, some where along the line the Holy Spirit worked in me a very strong dislike for those things that are evil. I don't mean just those things that are in your site evil. The insidious things that society accepts as right but that end up hurting themselves, others, and society also turn my stomach.

I rarely watch television shows or movies all of the way through. When these fictional characters make choices that I know (often from my own experience or witnessing the experience of others) are going to hurt themselves or others I have to shut my eyes or leave the room. I cannot stand self-imposed suffering. There is enough suffering in the world without humankind adding to it for their self-centered purposes. 

Hurting other people to get what you want is evil. The world may not see anything wrong with some of our actions. But, God is the judge. 

"Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matt 22:35-40)

We are to love God and to love one another even as God loves us. We ought to be kind and put the needs of others before our own selfish desires so that none may suffer because of our sinful natures. 

"Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." (Rom 13:10)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Commanded to Love

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

"Love each other." It is as simple as that. Love fulfills the law. If we have love; then we will do all that we can not to do anything to hurt the people around us. If we have love; we don't need to know and memorize every minute detail of every law; because the law is written upon our hearts. (Psalm 37:31, Jer 31:33, Heb 8:10, Heb 10:15)

In giving his life for us, Jesus showed us how much he truly loves each of us. If we remain in his love we will love even as he loves. Love isn't going to worry about who is going to make it in first at anything. Love tells us it is not only good to be the last in line; the last to receive; sometimes, it is way more preferable for all of our sakes.

Be a friend. Be a good neighbor. Do nothing that might cause any harm or danger to come to others. Do all things for their good that God might be glorified. Love each other. This is the command of Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Be Kind

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Eph 4:32 KJV)

It really doesn't take that much to be kind and to help ease the burden of others. Or, we can be unkind and add to their burdens. 

We have no clue what other people may be going through; what challenges they face each day. If we find that our attitudes are such that we cannot be kind; then walk away; stay home. Do whatever you must; but, how we treat others is on us.

There is sp much to be thankful for. Do a mental or a written list of all the things you have to be thankful for when you find that you feel the urge to snap at others. Life can be hard for everyone. It's not up to us to make it worse for others. It is up to us to be there for them to ease their burdens. And, if we can't due to our sinful natures then we should stay away until we can.

Every now and then some preacher or teacher will ask the congregation or class to share what they are thankful for. To tell you the truth, when I am asked that question, I usually don't respond. That's not because I don't find anything to be thankful for; but, because the list of things that I am thankful for each day is so overwhelming I do not know where to begin.

But, first and foremost, we thank God for the love that he has for us.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. 

                                                                      (Rom 5:8-11)

Because he first loved us, we love him and ought to love; we ought to be kind to one another, as well.

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. (John 13:34)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Love One Another

"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  (John 13:34-36)

Some of you may remember the Beatles song "All You Need Is Love." Love, love, love... Is that all we need? No, it is not. But, when we love one another, we will strive to make sure that all of our neighbors needs for daily life will be met. We will not let them go hungry, or without shelter, or without warmth, or any of the necessities to support physical life.

Jesus had just humbly knelt to wash the feet of his beloved disciples; Judas had just left to betray the one who loved him; when Jesus gave the command to love others even as he loved them. Love, in this sense, is not just a noun. It is a verb. We are to humble ourselves and to actively love and show care and concern for the people around us; even for people around the whole world as Jesus went forth and died for the world.

This is his commandment: that we are to love one another.

God's Peace - Pr. J

All You Need Is Love

 

"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34-36

Some of you may remember the Beatles song "All You Need Is Love." Love, love, love... Is that all we need? The truth is that we do need love. But, we do not need the kind of love that says I'm with you today and tomorrow when you really need love, I will be gone. Genuine love provides for more than just one's emotional needs. Love is great; but, when someone is left hungry or without shelter or heat where is the love? When we love one another, we will strive to make sure that all of our neighbors' needs for daily life are met. We will not let them go hungry, or without shelter, or without warmth, or without any of the necessities to sustain physical life.

Jesus had just humbly knelt to wash the feet of his beloved disciples; Judas had just left to betray the one who loved him; when Jesus gave the command to love another even as he loved them. Love, in this sense, is not just a noun. It is a verb. We are to humble ourselves and to actively love and show care and concern for the people around us; indeed, even around the whole world, even as Jesus went forth and died for the world.

This is his commandment: that we are to love one another.

God's Peace - Pr. J