He Will Save His Flock

Ezekiel 34:20-24 KJV; Christ the King Sunday; He will save His flock from those who prey upon them.

His Steadfast Love

Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
    your salvation according to your promise.
⁴² Then I shall have an answer for those who taunt me,
    for I trust in your word.
                                   (Psalm 119:41-42 NRSV)

It is always hurtful when we realize that someone we care about does not care in the least about us. It is in times like those that we remember the great love that our Lord has for us. His steadfast love shall sustain us. It keeps us from despair. 

It can be very tiring to be attacked by those we are called to serve. It is in times like those that we trust in his word and lean on his promises. There is nothing that humankind can do to us that the Lord does not know about. He will empower us to answer, with his word, those who would attack us. We do not have to trust in ourselves. The Lord is with us now and forever.

Rejoice, for our Lord loves us and has "....saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace." (2 Tim 1:8) Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jesus Is Our Crutch

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2 NIV)

I was once told that people who believed in Jesus were using that as a crutch. This was told to me by a very bitter woman who held every one's actions to the fire except her own. She was very good at condemning others. In her later years, she would bounce regularly between law and Gospel. One day she would judge others for trusting Jesus and the very next day she would be using Jesus as her "crutch." I hope that she finally learn to trust him fully.

Jesus is indeed our "crutch." We need him! He is the one we lean on. He holds us up when we are about to fall. He helps us to stand and to walk when we cannot do it without help. We; who were bound by the law of sin and death, have been set free by the Spirit of Jesus Christ to live without fear of death; to live without fear of judgment; to live without fear of condemnation. We have been set free to live peaceable lives in the presence of Almighty God.  

Thanks be to God, we have been set free through Jesus sacrifice for us! We have been set free by the power of the Holy Spirit!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Lean On The Rock

Sully

I love you, Lord, my strength.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:1-2

Sully is my grand-puppy. He is a huge English Mastiff and as solid as a rock. He is one of the most gentle breathing creatures that I have ever known. But, it is wise to be cautious around him. He may be a comfort to be around; but, he also likes to be comforted himself. He will lean against you in order to get a bit of extra attention when you are standing and unless your feet are planted firmly on the ground you may end up on the ground yourself.

We all need someone to lean on. We need someone to run to for refuge from time to time. There is one who is always there for you. The Lord, our God, is our rock and our fortress. This Rock of our Salvation loves you. He invites you to lean on Him not only when times are hard. Lean on Him when times are good; as well, that you might know the comforting peace that can only be found in His presence.

God's Peace - Pr. J