The Lord Will Renew Your Strength

Isaiah 40:29-31 KJV; The Lord will live us up. He will renew our strength.

His Loving Kindness

Psalm 42:8 KJV We can know that the Lord loves us. His presence is with us always.

By Grace Through Faith

Reading from Romans 7:15-25a KJV - We are all sinners; saved only by God's grace through faith in the one who faced and overcame sin, death, and the power of the devil.

John 12 We Must Die To Self

God Saves The Rich And The Poor

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

                                                                       (Mark 10:23-27 KJV)

Is it impossible for the rich to enter the kingdom of God? Jesus says no.

It is not impossible because the rich and the poor are in the hands of God. It is impossible for us whether rich or poor to enter eternal life on our own merit. We are saved only by faith alone in Christ alone. The rich may have a difficult time with this faith part though because they are so busy amassing wealth that they do not have the time to hear the word which is essential to a growing and thriving faith. As St. Paul wrote: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom 10:17)

Our ultimate concern must always be our heavenly Father who sent His only begotten Son to die for us that we might be reconciled to our Father in heaven and to one another. The worldly goods and pleasures that we seek can be a major distraction from having a relationship with the One who loves us and gave Himself for us.

No, it is not impossible for a rich man to receive eternal life. It is not impossible for anyone. Yet, we are not saved by the work of our hands. We are not saved because of how much we have or don't have. We are saved by God's grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

No One Is Good

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

                                                                        ( Mark 10:17-22 KJV)

No one is good. No, not one. We cannot do enough good things to save ourselves. If we do any good things is because of the Spirit of Christ that abides in us and guides us. His love inspires us to follow him reaching out and helping others.

What then is required to inherit eternal life? To give everything for the sake of others?  To put others before yourself? That's what Jesus himself did. He was willing to give even his last breath on earth that we might be reconciled to our Father in heaven for all of eternity.

There will come a day when we will realize that the possessions we have on earth count for nothing as we stand before the King of Creation. There will come a day when in humility we understand the lust for power was misplaced.  

It is in the giving of ourselves and all that we are to others that we are lifted up even as Christ was lifted up on the cross that all who would believe in him would inherit eternal life.

We are saved by faith alone in Christ alone.

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.

Faith Alone In Christ Alone

Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

                                                                                 (Gal 3:3-7 KJV)

We are indeed foolish if we think that we can be saved by keeping the law for not a one of us can keep the law perfectly. There is only way to be saved. We are saved by grace through faith in the promises of God. We are saved by faith in that Jesus died for us; for our sins.

Just as Abraham was saved by his faith in the promise of God so shall we all be saved by faith. And, where exactly would we expect our faith to come from? It comes from hearing the Word of God. Faith comes from hearing the promises. How can anyone possible believe something that they have not heard? As our reading for Transfiguration Sunday reminded us; "Listen to him." (Matt 17:5, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35) Listen to him!

Rejoice, oh sinner, by faith alone in Christ alone you have been redeemed to live  in peace; to live in the presence of Almighty God for all of eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hungry Souls

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.

It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.

He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.

He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.

He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.

For the Lord will not cast off for ever:

But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.

                                                                                                (Lam 3:22-33 KJV)

The very sad thing is that humankind should find themselves in just despair that they sit alone. But, that is a reality. Humankind tends to think only of themselves without considering how they affect the people around them and so the whole world suffers.

There is one place we can go when our souls hunger. That place is to our Father in heaven. In Him we have hope through our Lord Jesus the Christ. Seek His presence. In Him you will find peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Redemption: A Gift From God

PSALM 130 KJV

Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.

Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

+++

If God would count our sins who would be found guiltless? The first letter of John reminds us that none of us are without sin: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:8-9)

Thanks be to God for he is merciful. he, himself, has forgiven us; he has redeemed us by taking our place on the cross for us. God in Jesus Christ held himself accountable for the consequences of our sins.

Thanks be to God by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone you are forgiven. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" (Eph 2:8)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Purchased By The Blood Of Christ

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" (1 Pet 1:18-19 KJV)

You've heard it said that money can't buy you love. It can't buy your salvation, either. I don't care how many times we go mindlessly to church and put our offerings in. Both worshipping and assisting the church with its mission are good things. But, they will not buy our salvation. Nothing that we do or give can save us.

We have been saved by faith alone in Christ alone. We are saved by the sacrifice of the one who offered himself for us. Our salvation has been purchased with the blood of the lamb who is Jesus the Christ. Thanks be to God for the precious gifts of life and salvation.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."(Eph 2:8-9)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Irritated By The Risen Christ?

"And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand." 

                                                                                 (Acts 4:1-4 KJV)

For sure! People were irritated then and they may be irritated now if and when you share with them the Good News that Jesus was resurrected from the dead. They may be irritated; but, many will also hear and believe unto their salvation. 

Jesus commanded us to go and tell people everywhere about him and what he has done for us.   

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." 

                                                                                 (Matt 28:19-20 KJV)

So, do you? As a professed Christian do you share the Good News that Jesus lives and he lives for all people? No matter who you are or what you may have done, Jesus loves you enough to die for you and because he did all who believe will be saved and live in his gracious and loving presence forever.

If we love Jesus as he loves us; if we desire to love others as Jesus loves them, we will share the Good News of salvation through faith alone (not by our good works) in Christ alone. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Still Waters

 

He Leads Me Beside Still Waters And Restores My Soul

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (Psalm 23:1-3 KJV)

I have pointed out in many blogs that it is necessary for the followers of Jesus to gather together often to worship God. It is also necessary for his followers to spend time alone with him for our own well being for he is the shepherd that will lead us through this life. He is the only one who can restore our souls. 

Jesus, himself, spent time alone in the wilderness with our Father in heaven, communicating with Him; praying. 

According to the Gospel of Luke just prior to appointing the twelve to be Apostles Jesus spent the night alone in prayer. "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." (Luke 6:12)

Luke also tells us that after the multitudes had come to hear him and be healed by him Jesus separated himself from them and went into the wilderness to pray. (Luke 5:15-16)

On the night in which he was betrayed he separated himself from the disciples in the garden and went to pray alone.  (Luke 23:39-44)

Jesus spent time in the wilderness to be alone with his Father, our Father. It is good, even necessary, for us to spend time alone with the Good Shepherd to be in his presence; to be hear where he would have us go; what he would have us do; and to be refreshed; to have our souls restored.

Shut everything off and take a walk in green pastures or beside still waters. Get more closely acquainted with the Good Shepherd who lived and died and lives again for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The New Covenant

 

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:

But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. 

                                                                               (Jer 31:31-34 KJV)

The promise of a new covenant has been fulfilled. It was sealed by the blood of Jesus. The old covenant was too much for humankind. We could not keep our end of the agreement. We could not keep the law. But, this new covenant is not dependent on our promise. It is not dependent upon our good works or the keeping of the law. This new covenant is solely dependent upon our God who can and does keep His promises. It rests solely on God's grace alone through faith alone. 

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." (Eph 2:8)

In Christ your sins are forgiven and you are reconciled to God our Father for all of eternity!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Alone: A Good Or Bad Thing

"But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed."  (Luke 5:15-16 KJV)

Is being alone a good or a bad thing? It can be either.

Scripture tells us that it is good that people should support one another. We should not be without fellowship. We should not isolate ourselves from others but live and serve the Lord and one another together.

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up." (Eccl 4:9-10)

And then we have St. Paul telling us that it would be better not to marry so we can better serve the Lord. Yet, if we can not restrain ourselves then it is better to marry. 

"I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn." (1 Cor 7:8-9)

Paul may not have been devoted to a wife. Yet, he was not alone. He served the Lord in fellowship with other followers and above all God was with him.

So shall we live alone or must we, as so many people seem to think, live in some type of committed relationship with another? 

It is good to have someone to share life with. But, in search of that special person be very careful that you are not stepping into a lonely state of being even while you are not physically alone. The loneliness that is sometimes experienced even while you are with someone can be far worse than being alone. 

Despite what some people have conjured up in their minds and promoted, no where in scripture do we find that Jesus himself was in any type of committed relationship with any one individual other than his Father in heaven. For sure, he surrounded himself with people as he served them. He surrounded himself with those he was teaching. Those are good things. But, he would also often withdraw himself from the community in order to talk one on one with his Father, our Father in heaven. "And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed." (Luke 5:16)

Whether we commit to spend our lives with someone is entirely our choice. May that choice be one based on mutual love and a mutual desire to serve God and all whom God has created. 

It would; however, be very unwise to put any one person before the Lord your God. It is most beneficial to do as Jesus did and withdraw from others at least for short periods of time every day and spend time in prayer; in communication, with our Father in heaven. 

He will be there for you always and He will guide you in His ways. Seek His presence and spend intentional time with Him daily for He loves you as no other can.  

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Be Of Good Cheer

"Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
                                                                                      (John 16:32-22 KJV)

Jesus was never alone nor are we. No matter how many people might give us up our Father in heaven never does. He is always with us. No matter what kind of tribulations that might be occurring there is one thing that is constant. That one thing is the presence of God our Father. Do not be afraid. In the knowledge of His presence and in the knowledge that Jesus has overcome the world we can be of good cheer. We can know peace. 

"Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love." (2 John 1:3)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Thankful For Your Charity

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth..." (2 Thess 1:3 KJV)

This morning as I begin my day, I am thankful to God for the multitude of faithful men and women around the world. We do not live and serve the Lord in a vacuum. We are not alone. We have a crowd of witnesses with us who are always willing to witness to the love of the Lord by loving and serving those who are in need.

Charity, it is said, begins at home. Charity, indeed, must be exercised at home. But, it cannot stop there. Charity is inspired by our faith in the one who loves the whole world enough to die for all people. Because Jesus was willing to give even his life for us; those who love him are willing to give to others.

This morning, I thank God for all whose faith in God is strong enough to give unconditionally to those who suffer without any concerns for their own self-centered needs.

May God bless us all with faith, love, and charity that the world might know our living God.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Sing Of His Mercy

But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

                                                                             (Psalm 59:16 KJV)

King David, the one who as a boy slew the giant Goliath, lifted up the Lord as his and as Israel's defense against their enemies. He was a powerful king. Yet, he knew that his power came from God alone. This great king sang of God's mercy for he knew that God was his only defense and refuge in the days of trouble. David was a sinner just like the rest of us; but, he had the wisdom to know who God was and he knew that he and we are not. He placed his trust and his hope in the Lord alone.

If one with so much authority gave glory to God for all that God had done for him and for the people of Israel, why is it so difficult or us to see and turn to Him as our refuge and defense?

Trust the Lord in your time of need and sing aloud of His mercy every morning!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

You Are Not Alone

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (Deut 6:4-5 KJV)

Lonely, frustrated, tired?

Throughout my life I have spent a lot of time alone mainly due to either my husband's or my careers. I have often been asked if it bothers me to be alone. The answer is no. I am never alone. I have lived long enough to know that there is One who loves me more than all others. He is with me always. He is there for you always.

When we find ourselves tired and weary; lonely or frustrated, there is one we can turn to. Love the Lord your God, who loves you, with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your might even when you think you don't need Him. That is when you really need Him the most. He is there for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Saved By Grace Through Faith

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast." Eph 2:8-9

Often we cling to sins that we may have committed years ago. That's not to say we keep repeating them. But, sometimes, no matter how hard we try to forget them, we do not. The devil keeps reminding us of our past acts against God and against humanity. And... we continue to live in our guilt. 

There is nothing we can do to undo those sins of our past. We cannot "fix" them by the works of our hands. Our sins cannot be cancelled out by anything good we might think we do. Just about when we might think we're balancing the scales the devil will rear his ugly head and remind us of yet another sin that we need to atone for. It's a never ending cycle. Do not fall for the devil's tricks. Do not fall for his lies. You have been saved by God's grace through faith. Do not throw that precious gift away.

It is time to quit living in the past; carrying and living with the sins of your past. Your sins have been washed away by the blood of Jesus. There is only one way that you can be saved from your past and your present sins. By the grace of God you are saved through faith. Salvation is not something that you can earn. Salvation is a gift from God. Have faith that this gift is for you. Receive it! Live in this truth and tell the devil to depart in the name of Jesus Christ for your sins are forgiven.

God's Peace - Pr.