He Will Give You Rest

Matthew 11:25-30  KJV; 6th Sunday after Pentecost; Jesus will give you what the world cannot give. He will give you rest for your soul.

Patience From Trials

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (James 1:2-3 KJV)

2022 seems to have already been filled with all kinds of temptations to be upset; to be angry; to be anxious. Crime has skyrocketed over the last few years. Wages have gone up; but, as many of us predicted, inflation has gone up even higher.  The supply chain has gotten incredibly slow.  

Our vehicle went into the shop yesterday. There is something wrong with the gear shift that caused the key to get stuck in the ignition on accessory when we try to take the key out. The mechanic was able to clean it up a bit so hopefully we can continue driving it until the part comes in. The part is expected in about four weeks.  For this kind of test, patience is required. We will attempt to not drive it unless necessary and hopefully it will last until they can do a more permanent fix. We are retired so this is probably doable for us. But, what about those who have to go to work every day? What happens when their only means of transportation goes down and they can't get the part to fix it? That would definitely be a temptation to much frustration, anxiety, and even anger. It would be a very trying test of one's faith.

As I've gotten older, I have noticed that generations below me have much less patience than I had at their ages. I accepted the temptations as reality and dealt with them. Yes, I would get upset at times; but, not usually enough to take it out on the world around me. 

It would be very wise for those who get so anxious that they can't function when they are faced with trials and temptations to remember that this will all pass and a new trials will come. That is the way of the world and until we learn to patiently deal with whatever comes our way  the anxiety that comes with trials and temptations will be compounded.

With faith; rejoice for God is with you in whatever you are going through and this too shall pass.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Do Not Fear The Dead

And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.

But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.

For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.

For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.

Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:

For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. 

                                                                                                          (Mark 6:14-20 KJV)

John the Baptist had made Herod just a bit anxious.  Herod had married his brother's wife and John had called him out for it. His wife, Herodias, wanted John killed. But, Herod would not kill. He did; however, through him into prison. Eventually Herodias tricked Herod into beheading John.  So when King Herod heard about Jesus he got nervous as he thought it was possible that John that Baptist may have risen from the dead. He know that John had been a just and holy man and was most probably anxious that this holy man had come back to trouble him some more about his illegitimate wife.

John did not come back from the dead to torment anyone. But, Jesus who was crucified for our sakes did. He did not come back to torture us but to save us. By his death and resurrection it has been confirmed that all who believe in him will not perish but have everlasting life. 

No one who believes that Jesus died and lives again should ever fear the dead. Jesus came to save you. He has risen from the dead! 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

God Is In Charge

Snow, be thou on earth

God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend. For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength. (Job 37:5-6 KJV)

God is in charge. He has been from even before the beginning and will be forever. God, who can still even the snow and rain, can calm the hearts of any anxious person. Whatever He sees fit to do, He can do.

Let God be in charge. Quit trying to do everything and have everything your way. Only He can comprehend what is truly good for us so quit fighting His will and follow in the way that He would have you go.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Stand Fast And Rejoice!

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 

                                                                             (Philippians 4:1, 4-9 KJV)

Just about the whole world has been on lock down for a few weeks now and a whole lot of people are pretty disheartened with being limited as to what they can do and where they can go. So many people are doing without paychecks so that they can provide for themselves and their families. Personally, I find it most disheartening that houses of worship have been closed. I am well enough acquainted with the habits of human beings to know that once someone is out of the habit of attending a weekly worship service, it is difficult for them to make the step back to worship. Many churches may end up closing permanently if this lock down continues for too much longer. Many businesses might close as well. To consider these possibilities is disheartening indeed.

That being said, my life has not changed much. I stay at home as much as I can anyway. But, I am not young and I am retired. The young have a much harder time living with these stay at home guidelines and restrictions.

There are many times in this world that we become disheartened. Depression may even get the best of us for a time. St. Paul reminds us just as he did the Philippians to stand fast in the Lord and to rejoice! St. Paul endured trial after trial; yet, he continued to stand fast and rejoice in the Lord.

Think for just a moment about the problems you have encountered through life. Did God not see you through them all? Was He not with you? Those problems are now nothing more than a memory. Rejoice then that any trials and tribulations you may be encountering today will also pass. Continue on in the way of the Lord. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (vss 6, 7)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Nothing To Fear; Yet, We Do

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel..." 

                                                                                       (2 Tim 1:7-10 KJV)

What is there to fear? After all; Christ has abolished death and has brought to light life and immortality through his own suffering and death and life.

There is nothing to fear. Yet, the reality is that there are things that do frighten many of us. Death for ourselves is not one of those things. But, the possible deaths of loved ones who do not know and believe in Jesus can cause us to fear for them. The refusal of people that we care about to get to know Jesus can cause us many anxious moments. 

There are a few ways to combat those anxious moments. The first is to turn to God in prayer. The second is to be bold in our testimony of our Lord; to share what God has done for us and continues to do for us through Jesus Christ our Lord and our Saviour.

May God grant you peace of heart and mind and faith to all whom you love and know.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Let Him In!

Open the door and let him in.

And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, 

And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.

And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.

So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.

But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.

Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

                                      (John 6:16-21 KJV)

Who wouldn't be a bit afraid if you were out in the storm and someone came walking on the water toward you? The disciples were just that. They were frightened. But, Jesus speaks to them, "It is I; be not afraid." They recognize his voice and they let him in the boat.

Jesus is anxious to get in the boat with you. He is knocking at the door. He is already with you and for you. But, he will not force himself on you. It is not enough to know about Jesus. Let him into your small boat so you have a chance to really get to know him. 

There are many who profess to be Christians; however, they have no real clue who this Jesus of ours is. They may have heard of him; they may know about him; but, they wouldn't recognize his voice if he spoke to them because they don't know him. There is a difference between knowing who Jesus is and knowing Jesus. Knowing Jesus is about having a relationship with him. His sheep will hear his voice and answer. His friends will hear his voice and answer. 

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Rev 3:20)

Answer the door and let him in so that you might have a relationship with the living God; the Almighty God, our LORD and Savior. Do not be afraid. He is there for you in the storms that you encounter. Let him into your boat, open the door, and let him in. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Which Direction?

 

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 NRSV)

The word of the Lord through Jeremiah to the exiles in Babylon was for them to seek the welfare of the city that they have been exiled to. They were to build homes; to have families; to live life in Babylon. He gave them direction according to His plans for them.

Lately, I've been waking up each morning wondering what direction the Lord would have me go. I am at an age where I could retire. But, is that what I am supposed to do? There are a lot of possibilities for the future. At this point, I have no clue in which direction the Lord would have me go. I would like to retire and be able to be a little more spontaneous in every day life. Unfortunately, I am a bit of a workaholic and I am not sure what I would do if I was not working. I get bored and restless even now during the hours that I am not working. 

I have heard from many in the past who simply wanted a straight forward answer from God regarding the direction that they should go. I can empathize with that. I know that the Lord has a good plan for me. (Rom 8:28) But, I have a feeling that I have been so anxious about what it is that He would have me do, that I haven't taken the time to be still and listen to Him. 

May God help us all to trust that He will lead us in the direction He would have us go.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Trust and Rejoice!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

There are many times in this world that we become anxious or disheartened. Depression may even get the best of us for a time. Life does not always dish out pleasantness. St. Paul reminds us today, as he did the Philippians, not to worry; but, to present our requests to the Lord. In bringing our needs before Him in prayer, we find the confidence to trust that all things are in His hands and He has a good plan for those who love Him. (Rom 8:28)

The trials that St. Paul endured were many and hard. If he could stand, trusting in and rejoicing in the Lord until the day of his execution, surely so can we. 

Think for just a moment about the problems you have encountered throughout your life. Did God not see you through them all? Was He not with you? Those problems are now nothing more than a memory. Rejoice then that any trials and tribulations you may be encountering today will also pass. Continue on in the way of the Lord. Trusting and rejoicing in Him!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Great Things For Us!

"For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name." (Luke 1:49)

Mary was beside herself with joy and wonder at the amazing things God was doing in her life. Wonder and joy are probably not the only words that could be used to describe how Mary felt. Anxious, nervous, afraid might be a few other descriptions. We like to think that we are at least in charge of our own lives; of our own destinations. But, God blessed Mary with a gift that she had never requested; one that she never could never had anticipated. Her life and ours was forever changed by this gift. In her, God's Son was conceived. Through her, God's only begotten Son was born.

God gave this gift of His son not just to Mary; but, to the world. He has done this great thing for all of us. Thanks be to God for this precious child born to save us from ourselves. May God continue to do great things for us; turning us from ourselves to love and serve the living Lord.

The Savior lives! He is risen! He is risen, indeed! 

God's Peace - Pr. J

God's Love Sustains Us

Baptism in Huron River, Baraga County, MI

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:18-19

At times, I find myself a bit anxious. I think that we all do. I am not alone in that. I find the world a bit tedious. I also find it a bit reassuring that anxiety came even to the psalmist now and then.

Life can be a lot of work over things that really have no significance; over the small stuff. The book written by Richard Carlson, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff... And It's All Small Stuff reminds us not to be stressing over the minor details of the day. There is just too much life to live to spend our days anxious about small stuff. 

May God help us all to stay focused on what is truly important and that which sustains us: the unfailing love of God for all people through Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen

God's Peace - Pr. J