We Do Not Abuse Family

Romans 8:12-17; Romans12:18; KJV As member of earthly families as well as adopted members of the family of God we support one another that God might be glorified.

We Are Wonderfully Made; Have Blessed Mother's Day!

Psalm 139:13-14 KJV; Don't believe or worry about what others may say about you. Know this:  You have been wonderfully made by God who loves you. He loves you more than it is possible for any human to love. 

You Won't Be Too Popular

1 Peter 4:1-4; KJV You won't be too popular when you leave behind the ways of the world and follow in the way that the Lord would lead you.

Welcome The Children

And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,

Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

                                                (Mark 9:36-37 KJV)

Make no mistake. The person, man or woman, who would reject a child for any reason rejects Jesus and the one who rejects our Savior also rejects the Creator; the God and Father of all.

Usually (but, not always) those who would neglect or destroy children because they have other priorities will in fact admit that they do not accept Jesus as the Christ. They do no accept that it was God who created the heavens and the earth. They simply do not believe. That is the way it is. The only thing we can do about it is to pray and proclaim the Good News that Jesus died for all people no matter what we may have done. He died that we might be forgiven our sins and reconciled to God and to one another; even reconciled to the children that we have forsaken.

Children are not given to us to used as pawns. They are not given to us to be used for political purposes. They are not given to us to use and and abuse. Children are a gift from God. 

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,

The fruit of the womb is a reward.

                                       Psalm 127 (NASB)

God help us to appreciate and love the gift of children that God has given us. Help us to protect and care for them. Help us to welcome them even as we would welcome our Lord Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Blood That Is Thicker Than Blood

There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.

And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.

And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?

And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

                                                                                      (Mark 3:31-35 KJV)

Family... Most of us have families that we are close to. But, many do not. Many have been abused or neglected by their families. Others have lost them to death. We may not have birth families to celebrate with; to grieve with; to live and walk with; but, we can still have a family. 

I have known too many people who have been judged because they have chosen for their own physical, spiritual, or mental health that they must distance themselves from their families of birth. There is a prevailing sense that those of the same "blood;" the same family, must support one another no matter what. Unfortunately, it cannot always be so. When one family member endangers you or others by their words or actions those actions should not be supported. Sometimes family members and friends will have to walk away for the sake of everyone involved. 

The Good News is that there is a family that will support you. We have a Father who does all things for the good of those who love him. There is indeed a blood that is thicker than blood. It is the blood of Christ that was shed for you. Because he was willing to die for us, we are willing to follow Him, doing our Father's will. We can say "Our Father" because through Jesus we have been made children of God. We have been adopted into his family.

Jesus was not disavowing his mother or his brothers when he asked and answered the question. "Who is my mother, or my brethren?" He loved them. He loved his mother; for, even as he was suffering on the cross he appointed John to look after Mary. Jesus was making the point that all who believe and follow are his family. Thus, we have the Church; the family of God.

There is the blood that is thicker than blood. It binds us together, forever. It is the blood of Christ shed for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Do Good! Do What Is Right!

Do good! Do what is right!

For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

                                                                                    (1 Peter 4:2-5 KJV)

No, you won't be too popular if you leave behind those things; but, you will be much more at peace with yourself as you begin to live in Christ.

As a former substance abuse counselor, one of the toughest things to deal with is that when someone finally decides to trust their higher power (God) for their recovery they lose most, if not all, of their old friends. It can be a lonely time. It takes a bit of work to realize that the only reason they hung with you was because your substance abuse justified theirs. Once that is gone, they are out of there. "They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you." (1 Peter 4:4 NIV) 

But, new friends will come with time. Friends that will share in the joy of living as a member of the Body of Christ with you. In Christ you are a new creation. "So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." (1 Peter 4:19 NIV)

May the peace of the Lord be with you always! Live in his peace and ignore the drama this world would throw at you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

By Word and Deed Glorify God

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (1 Col 3:17 NRSV)

Working in a youth correctional facility as a substance abuse counselor, I heard a lot of stories from the young men in group. One of the stories included a fight that started in a church. It happened that a few members of two different gangs went to worship the same morning with their mothers. One of the teens represented his gang by wearing their colors. That did not go over well with the other gang. It was not too long after leaving the sanctuary that he was attacked. 

Representing anything or anyone, other than the Lord, at Worship is just not right. That goes not only for the sanctuary; but, wherever we happen to be. The whole world is the Lord's. As Christians we represent our Lord. In everything that we say or do or no matter where we are, Christians represent the Lord. 

All honor and glory belong to the Lord not to what group or anyone or anything else we might belong to in this world. 

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Dead or Alive?

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:12 NIV)

There is a town, which will remain unnamed, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan that I have referred to as the home of the "Walking Dead." Drug abuse was so rampant that all you had to do was walk down the street to see the devastation wrought by the illegal use of various drugs in the faces, in the eyes, of the people walking by. It is not just an affliction of the young. People in their very advanced years are also using and peddling various mind altering drugs. This is not a problem in just that one town. It is a serious problem throughout the United States.

People have turned to mind altering drugs (this includes abusing alcoholic beverages) for a bit or a lot of pleasure or escape or a whole multitude of other excuses. When this happens, mind altering drugs can very easily become their gods; false gods.

Once caught in the seduction of these drugs many become like the walking dead. Yes, they move and breathe. Many are able to hold regular jobs. But, whether they are fruitful employees or not is a whole other question.

Mind altering drugs; false gods will steal your life away. Live life! The Son of God gives life.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Losing Friends For Living With Christ

Do good! Do what is right! 

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.                                                                                                                        1 Peter 4:1-4 NIV                

No, you won't be too popular if you leave behind those things that the pagans choose to do; but, you will be much more at peace with yourself as you begin to live in Christ.

As a former substance abuse counselor, one of the toughest things to deal with is that when someone finally decides to trust God for their recovery they lose most, if not all, of their old friends. It can be a lonely time. It takes a bit of work to realize that the only reason they hung out with you was because your substance abuse justified theirs. Once that is gone, they are out of there. "They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you." (vs 4)

But, new friends will come with time. Friends that will share in the joy of living as a member of the Body of Christ with you. In Christ you are a new creation. "So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." (1 Peter 4:19)

May the peace of the Lord be with you always! Live in his peace and ignore the drama this world would throw at you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Do What Is Right!

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

                                                                                                                          1 Peter 4:1-5

 

Do good! Do what is right! "For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry." (vs 3) No, you won't be too popular if you leave behind those things; but, you will be much more at peace with yourself as you begin to live in Christ.

As a former substance abuse counselor, one of the toughest things to deal with is that when someone finally decides to trust their higher power (God) for their recovery they lose most, if not all, of their old friends. It can be a lonely time. It takes a bit of work to realize that the only reason they hung with you was because your substance abuse justified theirs. Once that is gone, they are out of there. "They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you." (vs 4)

But, new friends will come with time. Friends that will share in the joy of living as a member of the Body of Christ with you. In Christ you are a new creation. "So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." (vs 19)

May the peace of the Lord be with you always! Live in his peace and ignore the drama this world would throw at you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Losing Friends For Living In Christ

Do good! Do what is right!

For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. (1 Peter 4:3-4 NIV)

No, you will not be too popular if you choose to quit participating in the lifestyle of a pagan; but, you will be much more at peace with yourself as you begin to live in Christ.

As a former substance abuse counselor, one of the toughest things to deal with is that when someone finally decides to trust their higher power; when they turn to God, for their recovery they lose most, if not all, of their old friends. It can be a lonely time. It takes a bit of work to realize that the only reason they hung with you in the first place was because your carousing and substance abuse justified theirs. Once that is gone, they are out of there. "They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you."

But, new friends will come with time. Friends that will share in the joy of living as a member of the Body of Christ with you. In Christ you are a new creation. "So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." (1  Peter 4:19)

May the peace of the Lord be with you always! Live in his peace and ignore the drama this world would throw at you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Say No To Temptations

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Cor 10:13 NIV)

Having lived my entire life with people who had substance abuse problems; when the "Just Say No" slogan was being used in the school systems it rather irritated me. After all, I wondered did the people who were pushing the "Just Say No" program have any clue how difficult it really is to get clean? It is; after all, a disease.

Fast forward to today and, having served as a substance abuse counselor myself, now I feel confident that:  Yes, they most probably did know. Most of the people who I have known who treat substance abuse addictions have gone through it themselves. They know how hard it is. They also are living examples that it is possible to live a much fuller life without mind altering substances.

The first step in any twelve step program is to first admit that you have a problem and that you need help. Unless you recognize a problem there is no way that you will desire to seek help and it is virtually impossible to go into recovery without help. Paul writes to the Corinthians that God will provide a way out. He will help. It is always very tempting to just keep doing the same old thing. It is difficult to change our way of living. It is difficult to say no. But, God does not tempt us beyond the place where we can say no. He always provides alternatives to succumbing to temptation. 

The second and third steps of the 12-step recovery program are to believe that a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity and make a  decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God. 

God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can say no to. You really can "Just Say No" but, it is necessary to trust God to provide a way out; an alternative lifestyle and then to help you live that new life in Christ. 

May God help all who suffer from addictions to trust in Him as they seek His help.

God's Peace - Pr. Judy

What Motivates Meanness?

Psalm 70 NIV

Hasten, O God, to save me;

    come quickly, Lord, to help me.

May those who want to take my life
    be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
    be turned back in disgrace.
May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
    turn back because of their shame.
But may all who seek you
    rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
    “The Lord is great!”

But as for me, I am poor and needy;
    come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
    Lord, do not delay

                                    

The Psalmist makes another plea for help. He prays to be saved from his enemy, again! David appears to have a lot of enemies. He faces much persecution and he faces it often.

I often find myself wondering exactly why it is that so much of humankind thinks that it is necessary to bring ruin to others. I particularly have a hard time understanding, not so much the outright meanness, but the pervasive passive-aggressive verbal, mental, and emotional abuse that is so commonly inflicted upon others. What motivates people to be so hateful? I am not sure if they even have a clue how much they hurt others, by their self-centered life-styles. If they did, would it stop, would they stop?  Or, would the meanness just get worse as they revel in their ability to persecute others?

The only thing that I can surmise is that they simply do not know the LORD. They may imply or even say that they are Christians, but the fruit does not bear witness to that claim. They know a little about Jesus, but they do not know Him.  I cannot help but feel empathy for them.  It must be a very lonely place that they are at. In the meantime, they continue to attack even those who love them.

So, for this morning, I think I shall pray: Hasten, O God to save our enemies, open ears, hearts, minds to a greater understanding of Your Word, Your good will for them and all people, that we all might be helped.  

'The LORD is great!" (vs 4) He is greater than great! He is my help and my salvation. He is your help and your salvation!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Do Good! Do What Is Right!

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. (1 Peter 4:1-4 NIV)

No, you won't be too popular if you leave behind those things; but, you will be much more at peace with yourself as you begin to live in Christ.

As a former substance abuse counselor, one of the toughest things to deal with is that when someone finally decides to trust their higher power (the one true God) for their recovery they lose most, if not all, of their old friends. It can be a lonely time. It takes a bit of work to realize that the only reason they hung with you was because your substance abuse justified theirs. Once that is gone, they are out of there. "They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you."

But, new friends will come with time. Friends that will share in the joy of living as a member of the Body of Christ with you. In Christ you are a new creation. "So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." (1 Peter 4:19)

May the peace of the Lord be with you always! Live in his peace and ignore the drama this world would throw at you.

God's Peace - Pr. J