The First Will Be Last

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

                                                                                       (James 4:7-10 KJV)

Ego can be a terrible thing. Narcissism and too big of an ego go hand in hand. The ego tells us that we are way more important; that we are much more intelligent than others. It tells us that we are going in the right way even when we are terribly wrong.

When a person decides that what they desire is more important than the needs of others it will wreak havoc in families and among friends. It will separate us from God as we turn our backs on His good will for us and for all people.

The devil uses our egos to lift ourselves up. It doesn't work that way. Those who think that they are high and mighty will fall back. "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen." (Matt 20:16)

Therefore; let us resist the temptation of the devil to think that we are better than we are; that we are better than others, and humble ourselves so that God will be the one to lift us up. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Do Not Resist Arrest!

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake." 

                                                                              (Romans 13:1-5 KJV)

Message for the day: If you are asked by an officer of the law to stop; STOP. Do not attempt to flee. Do not resist arrest. Do not assault the officer in any manner; physically or verbally. Just, don't do it! It's not the way to go. It will not turn out well for you or anyone else.

There are ways to peacefully protest. Harming or attempting to harm police officers or civilians who might get in the way is definitely not the way to go. Looting or damaging the property others have worked hard to obtain or maintain is definitely not the way in which a Christian would go.

May God grant us peaceful resolutions and reconciliation. May He help us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Remember that Jesus did not raise a hand to defend himself nor would he allow his disciples to fight when he was arrested.

God's Peace - Pr. J

True Man; Unblemished Lamb

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. (Gal 4:4-5 NRSV)

Bullying has been around for a very long time. When I was a child, it was common when we were called names to respond: "It takes one to know one." 

Jesus is definitely not a bully; but, it "takes one to know one" is applicable to him. In order to redeem humankind he had to be human. He was born in to the world the same way all humans are. He was tempted as all humans are. He had to become one of us. He had to be like us in order to save us.

He was like us in; but, in one area he was greatly different.  He was able to resist temptation. He was able to resist sin. He was able to redeem us because he was a truly unblemished human who was able to resist temptation and sin. The devil had no sway over him.

The sacrifice of this sinless man, this unblemished lamb of God, has made it possible for us to be reconciled to God our Father. We who were not his children are now his children.

Gods' Peace - Pr. J.

Evil Begets Evil

Evil begets evil and darkness reigns.

“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets." (Matt 7:12 NIV)

You have heard the saying: "what goes around, comes around." Others refer to it as karma. What really is happening is that when you treat others with disrespect they most likely will treat you in the same manner that you have treated them. It is human nature. People simply have a hard time showing respect for those who disrespect others. When people break the rules of society, there are usually consequences set in place by society as a whole. I dislike this word, karma, immensely. I think a better word for this might be justice.

"Depart from evil, and do good; so you shall abide forever. For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his faithful ones." Psalm 37:27-28

Show respect for others and they might show respect to you. Love others and you will be loved. Do good to all people that it may be well with you and them; that we might all live in harmony and peace. And, in order for this "what goes around comes around" to stop that all might live with more peace Jesus said this: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." (Matt 5:38-39) If or when you are disrespected, when you are used, it is not necessarily as beneficial as you might think to get even with the person by doing the same to them as they have done to you. This will only perpetuate the vicious cycle of miserably dysfunctional living. Evil does produce more evil and darkness will reign. Sometimes it is necessary to stand up against evil; but, be sure that it is not vengeance that motivates you. Vengeance belongs to God.

It is wise not to get dragged into others' evil ways. Move on. Live life. Do what is right and just. Enjoy the gifts that God has given you and may He multiply your joy and your peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Resist and Repent

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7 NIV

Are things going badly for you? Does it seem like you're being attacked because you're not getting your way? Maybe, it is time to consider that you've managed to become partner with the devil. Maybe, your focus has been solely on things of this world rather than seeking the kingdom of God. Maybe, just maybe, it is time to repent.

John wrote, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:8-9)

Acknowledging that we have sinned against God; that we have put ourselves before God and before our neighbors is necessary for us to be able to turn our lives around. If we cannot acknowledge that we have been following the devil and seeking riches, power, glory for ourselves than there is no understanding that we might even need to repent; to turn away from the devil, and we will continue to be pulled into his ways to the detriment of ourselves and the people around us; even to the detriment of the church on earth. But, if we repent, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins.

The devil has no power over us except for the power that we give to him. Resist the devil in the mighty name of Jesus and he will flee from you. Resist the temptations to lift yourself above God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and you will know and live an abundant life beyond what you can possibly imagine. It is not a life of wealth and power and glory for yourself; but, of living in the presence of the glory of God.

Submit to God and know the peace that only He can give.

God's Peace - Pr. J