No One Is That Good!

Romans 5:1-11; KJV; 2nd Sun of Lent; We are not justified by our good works. No one is that good. We stand justified by the blood of Christ shed to make atonement for our sins.

Praise Almighty God

Psalm 111 KJV; The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Praise His holy name.

We Wash Our Hands In The Blood Of Christ

Psalm 26; KJV; 14th Sunday after Pentecost; We can only be found righteous when we are washed by the blood of Christ.

Camp in St. Augustine, using my laptop without lighting; 1 bar on the cell phone from which I am using a hotspot. Posting is going really slow this morning!

Scoffers

Proverbs 9:7-9; Correcting someone who is a mocker will not help them or you. Sometimes you have to consider being and sharing with those who are not afraid to listen and grow.

Saved By Faith In Christ!

Psalm 119:1-8 KJV; Not by keeping the law are we saved for no one can keep it perfectly. We are saved by faith alone in Christ!

Muck and Mire

Psalm 69:14: Step out of the muck and mire and change your course.

We Are Sinners

1 John 2:1-2, 8; John 17:21-23; We are sinner; yet, are saints by faith in Christ who shed his blood as a sacrifice for our sins.

Do What Is Right And Live Life In Peace

1 Peter 3:8-12 KJV; Do what is right and live life in a more peaceful manner.

A Tree Planted by Water

PSALM 1

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

He Will Have Mercy On The Righteous

Reading from Genesis 18:20-33 KJV - He would save the city for 10 righteous people; but, he could not find 10 righteous. They sought after their own desires and did not pay heed to the desires of the Lord.

Trust In Him Psalm 146

The Grass Withers

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (1 Peter 1:24-25 KJV)

We don't get to live forever here on earth. In the end all things must die. But, thanks be to God even as the grass withers and dies it will usually come back and live in the spring. Our hope rests in the spring that God has promised us. It rests in the good news that although we are sinners and deserve nothing but death we will live.  Christ died that we might be made righteous by his work on the cross. We cannot be made righteous no matter how good; how godly we attempt to be. We will all fall short. But, Jesus did not. He was tempted and overcame every temptation including the temptation to not go to the cross for us.  

As the grass withers and springs back to life so shall who believe in the saving grace of God through Jesus the Christ. Our flesh will die; but, we will live. Because he lives so shall we!

God's Peace  - Pr. J.

By Grace Through Faith In Christ

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. 

                                                                                       (Gal 2:16-21 KJV)

Forgiveness of sin is a free gift from God. It was given to us through the sacrifice of his Son Jesus the Christ. So, if you have any notion that just because you think you are a good person; just because you think your good works outweighs your sin; think again... We are all sinners forgiven by God's grace alone.

"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" (Rom 3:10)

"And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God." (Luke 18:19)

Christians live; they love God as Christ loves them. It is the abiding presence of Christ in us that loves and through us it is he would does good works. Without Christ we would be lost. Without Christ any good works would be worthless. Without Christ it is we who live in vain.

Do not frustrate the grace of God. He has sent his only begotten Son to die that we might receive forgiveness of sins and so that we might live life in his eternal presence; in his kingdom. If we could, which we can't, do enough good works to earn these things by our good works, Christ has died in vain. For those who live by faith he did not die for nothing. 

We live life by faith in the Son of God who loves us and gave himself for us.

Please think again if you think somehow we have earned God's grace; that we have earned life in his presence! We have eternal life by God's grace alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

People Groan When Wicked Rule

Psalm 29:1-6 KJV

He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, 

 will suddenly be broken beyond healing.

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,

but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,

but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

By justice a king builds up the land,

but he who exacts gifts tears it down.

A man who flatters his neighbor

spreads a net for his feet.

An evil man is ensnared in his transgression,

but a righteous man sings and rejoices.

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I have been grieving with a great portion of the world this last week. Sadly, not everyone grieves. There are way too many rejoicing over the fact that we left Afghanistan without showing any concern for the  endangered civilians that were left behind. Over the last few months I have seen and heard organizations working hard to get them out; but, a lot of governmental red tape was hindering them. Then comes the choice to withdraw the military before the endangered civilians of various countries were removed. 

Indeed, I was astounded when a previous president decided he needed to increase our forces there by great numbers. Even then I could see a not so good outcome. But, I never imagined that the outcome would be as horrific as it has become these past weeks. 

How can anyone pretend that they are righteous? How can anyone think that they are great when they have left so many vulnerable civilians to the devices of those who would destroy them? 

I have a feeling that I and most of the world will be grieving over this for a long time to come.

Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Help Us To Help

PSALM 14 KJV

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.

There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.

Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge.

Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

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Is there any understanding of the good will of God for all people? The Psalmist doesn't seem to think so. Indeed, we are all sinners. We look out for our own welfare while eating up our neighbors (next door and around the world). We desert those in need for our own welfare and prosperity. What a shameful world it can be!

May God grant us all eyes to see; ears to hear; and open hearts so that we might come to the aid of others according to the good will of our Father in heaven.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Do Good; Seek Peace

Psalm 34:12-22 KJV

What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

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Depart from evil; do good and seek peace! What person would not want that? I suppose even a person whom we might consider does a lot of evil desires peace in their life. They may desire it; but, don't know how to go about pursuing it. Do they really know that the evil that they have been pursuing not only harms those they perceive as their enemies as well as themselves? Do they know the difference between what is good and what is bad; what is sin and what is not sin?

We are all sinners. That is a fact. However, those who trust in the Lord; those who listen to him; have contrite spirits and they seek peace with him. They not only seek it; they receive it for they are promised that those who trust in him are redeemed. The Lord delivers them. They shall not be desolate. Their lives shall be full. Their spirits will be at peace as they live life in the presence of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Light Of Christ

Psalm 112:4-5 (KJV)

Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. 

The light of Christ who is gracious, full of compassion, and righteous shines upon a world that can be very dark. The world can also be full of the light of Christ. But, many love the darkness because the darkness will hide their sins. There will be legislatures that will make what is wrong right so that their own sins may be hidden. There will be many who support this subversion of justice. 

But, those who know Jesus live in the light that the truth may be seen. They live bathed in the light of Christ that they might live in comfort and in peace. 

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. 

                                                                         (John 3:17-21)

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

                                                                             (2 Cor 4:6)

Jesus the Christ is the light that was sent into the world. Live life! Live it in the light of Christ to the glory of God!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Who Is Righteous?

PSALM 1 KJV

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

I remember as a very young person learning that we are not saved by our good works; rather, that because we are saved we do good works. Also, our good works are not counted toward our righteousness for no man is righteous according to the law. We all sin. We are found righteous only by faith in the only one who is righteous, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Those who have been forgiven much love much. They love enough to serve the Lord and one another to the utmost of their ability which will also fall short of perfection. Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ who died that through faith in him and his sacrifice we might be found righteous.

"Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead." (Phil 3:8-11)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Live In Peace

Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. (Prov 28:6 KJV)

What a miserable state to find oneself in: rich and perverse! Poor and perverse is not so good either! But, he that walks in uprightness will be able to lay down at night and get a good nights sleep. He will be able to rise in the morning and be at peace with himself and with life because he knows that he walks with his integrity intact. 

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. (Prov 22:1)

He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known. (Prov 10:9)

There are enough people in this world who seek pleasure in the perverse things of this world. There are enough who in the pursuit of their own riches and enjoyment who will trample on others. They will know no peace. Do not follow in their footsteps. Seek what is good; do what is right; and live a life of peace! 

God's Peace be with you all - Pr. J.

We Shall Not Fear

 

How blessed are those who put their trust in the Lord! He is our rock and our salvation. Into his hands we commit our spirits. Be of good courage. We shall not fear for God will deliver us.

PSALM 31 KJV

In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.

For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.

Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.

Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.

I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the Lord.

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.

For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.

I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.

For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God.

My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.

Let me not be ashamed, O Lord; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.

Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

Blessed be the Lord: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.

For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.

O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J.