Jesus Is The Light Of The World

Genesis 1:1-5 KJV; In the beginning light was created by the Word. And now we celebrate that the Word of God who is Jesus the Christ is the light of the world.

Who Is The Word It Is Jesus

John 1 KJV; He was in beginning of creation. He is the Word that created all things. He is the Word made flesh.

Jesus Is The Light For The World

John 1:1-14 KJV; Jesus is the life and the light. He is the Word that created all things. Live life in the light! Live life in Christ!

The Marvelous Light Of Christ

Brief meditation and reading from Psalm 119:30; John 1:1; John 12:46 - Jesus is the Word that gives light to the world. 

He Is From Everlasting

Micah 5:2-4 and John 1:1-3 KJV

Merry Christmas

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.                                                                       (John 1:1-4 KJV)

In the beginning was the Word who is Jesus the Christ. What a wonder! The Word became flesh, born to us as a sweet baby child some 2000 years ago. His human life came to an end when he died on the cross for us. Yet, he lives! Jesus the Christ is eternal. He was in the beginning; is now; and will live eternally. 

Today we remember and celebrate his birth. We do this in many ways. Most people will put up an evergreen tree as a symbol of the eternal life of Jesus and of all who believe in him.

I have stuffed my turkey, baked the pies, and in a few minutes will be preparing to leave to worship, giving thanks to God for the Word who is also the life and the light of men; who is Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Merry Christmas

Pr. J.

He Was; He Is; He Is To Come

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.

And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.

                                                                           (Micah 5:2-4 KJV)

The one who was promised has come. Jesus has come. He is here. He will come again. He has always been and he will always be. He abides even now in the world and the people around us.

There are those who would say that Jesus' life began when he was born. But, according to scripture that is not true. Micah prophesied that one who was to come is "from of old, from everlasting."

The Gospel according to St. John begins:  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."  (John 1:1-3)

He has come. He is present even now. He will come again in full glory. S Thanks be to God for his abiding and eternal presence for without him we would have no hope; we would have no peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Come Away; Live Life And Love

 

The Voice Of The Turtle Is Heard In Our Land

My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

                                                                    (Song of Solomon 2:10-13 KJV)

A story of living and loving is presented to us in the Song of Solomon. A story of putting behind what is behind and moving forward to live and to love.

As human beings we often dwell in the past. We cannot seem to get past the past. But, the past is over. It is time to quit groaning over what was done or said in the dark days of winter. Spring has come upon us. The flowers bloom. The turtles have come out of hiding and sun themselves on the shores. And, yes! Birds of all sorts are making a beautiful racket even as the frogs are croaking out a love song in the ponds.

Let us leave the dark days behind us where they should be left. We have no need to dwell on them for today the Lord has given us a new day; a new beginning. Spring has sprung. Come away from the cold darkness and live and love in the marvelous light of Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Work For Six Days?

 

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. 

                                                                             (Ex 20:8-11 KJV)

I have always stressed observing the Sabbath Day and our need to actually rest. But, today I am going to get a little legalistic and say something about the other six days. Lately, when doing any type of business, whether in the stores or offices or on the telephone, it seems that the employees aren't really thrilled that they have to do their jobs. They can be rude and appear to be most unhappy that they have to even be there. There seems to be a lot of people who really don't care about the quality of the services their work provides. 

When Adam and Eve were placed in the garden they actually had no work to do. God took care of their daily needs. There was an abundance of food in the orchard. But, they sinned by disobeying God and eating from the one tree they were told not to eat from. The consequence was that humankind would have to work for their food. They would also have to work so that they would have a home since they were cast out of paradise.

God had labored for six days to create heaven and earth and then he rested. In the beginning humankind had to do nothing like that; at least not until they decided that they should eat of the tree that the serpent told them would make them like gods. We could say that in part that came to fruition as now we get to work six days and rest for one even as our God worked for six days and then rested.

Today, most people (at least in the United States) would be offended by the thought of having to work six days. They simply would not do it. It seems it has become an imposition to have to work to earn an income in order to live. It takes away from the way more than one day of rest that we think we deserve to mow the lawn or otherwise take care of our homes and property. So many end up stressed out because they don't have enough time to do nothing. They end up worried about how they are going to manage financially.

Although I cannot recall the original early American author of the quote, it would do us all well to remember that we should "work not worry." If in fact we would focus more on our work; our vocations, then we will have a lot less to worry about.

May God bless your work days and grant you refreshment on the Sabbath.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Live In The Light Of Christ

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

                                                                                   (John 1:1-13 KJV)

I, along with many others, have been waiting to see the Christmas Star. The star app on my phone showed Saturn and Jupiter aligned last night. The clouds hid the light of these planets from my view last night. Who knows, maybe tonight?

Sadly, it appears that Jesus the Christ who is the true light of the world is also unseeable by many. But; for those of us who abide in his light, no star, no planet, not even the sun shines so brightly.

It has been a very troubling year for most of the world's population. As troubling as it has been there are so many who cannot see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. Rather than look for and at the light that has come and is in the world it appears that we would much rather live in the darkness. Rather than get on with life, the world has been dwelling in darkness. 

It is time (past time) to quit dwelling on what has been and even what is and look to the promise; the hope, that the light brings. Our lives are not just physical. We are also spiritual beings. Yesterday is gone. Today is fast flying by. But, those who dwell in the light shall live eternally in the presence of God. We have a future!

When we find ourselves slipping into the darkness; when we find ourselves dwelling on the mistakes and regrets of the past; when we find ourselves judging not only others but ourselves as well; it is not time to look to rock stars or politicians or governments to save us. It is time to lift up our heads and look to the true light who is Jesus the Christ. It is time to accept that in him we have been forgiven our sins. In him we have new life. It is time to live life in his light.

Children of God, do not forget that in Christ you are forgiven your sins! They have been washed away by the blood of our savior Jesus the Christ.

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.

Changes For The Glory Of God

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.  (Psalm 90:12 KJV)

It is never too late to change. Then again, it may be too late. We can never know when the number of our days runs out and there is no more time to live life; to enjoy life. 

When the number of our days comes to an end what will we have contributed to humankind? Will we have contributed to the well being of others or have we been a detriment to the life and growth of others.

Jesus did not live and die for himself. He lived and died and lives again for the sake of humankind. He did not think about himself before he willingly sacrificed himself for us. He sole purpose was to save us from ourselves; from our own sinful ways.

So what shall we do as Christians? Shall we live solely for ourselves and our own gratification or live life to the glory of God following in Jesus' footsteps to the cross?

It is the beginning of a new year, maybe it would be wise to take stock of how we have lived our lives and maybe make a few changes that we might live life more fully in the presence of God.

Let us all pray for the wisdom of God that we might live our lives to the glory of God in thankfulness for what Jesus' has done for us. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Live Life In The Light

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.” 

                                          (Genesis 1:1-4 KJV) 

God saw that the light that he had created was good. It's probably a good idea; therefore, to live life in the light.

Constantly seeing the negative things of daily life; constantly complaining about how horrible things only drags a person deeper into darkness and despair. The light of Christ, on the other hand, bring life. Living in the light of Christ brings peace and joy and reconciliation with one another.

Live life in the light of Christ!

Pr. J

Beginning The Journey Again

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.

                                (Lam 3:22-23 KJV)

Last week I was in the Keweenaw and had a few minutes so drove up to the beginning of US 41 as I usually do when I am in Copper Harbor. This sign reminds me how much life has changed over the ages. I am grateful that I have a vehicle to drive from Michigan to Florida. That was not so for those who traveled ages ago. To get where they wanted to go; they simply put one foot in front of the other and kept on going. They may have stumbled and fell a few times. But, then if they wanted to get where they were going, they would pick themselves up and kept on going. 

The beginning of US 41 is a reminder to me of the journey we as Christians make. It can seem long and it may be very hard at times. We may and most likely will stumble and fall at least a few times. But, God is with us. His compassion is great. He picks us up and we keep going, yearning for the goal at the end of the journey. 

I am reminded when I visit the "Beginning of US 41" that there is always the opportunity to begin again. When we falter on the journey, we can start again. We can put our past behind us as we have been forgiven through the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus and begin again. 

Each and every morning we can begin the journey anew because the Lord's mercy and compassion fail not.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Order Out Of Chaos

My husband and I usually spend a bit of time watching television every evening together. It becomes very difficult for me at times to actually sit there as some of what comes through the media is quite disturbing. The world around me has enough chaos within it so I do not find observing more chaos on the television to be very relaxing. I simply do not like the drama. I have gotten to the point where if we are watching even a simple family type program and anyone says anything that I know is going to cause drama or negative consequences; even though I know this is just fiction, I go and sit in the Florida Room and play with Izzy, my bearded dragon. Izzy does not cause drama. Izzy just is.

Last night, my husband was preoccupied with Michael Cohen's testimony regarding President Trump before the House Oversight Committee.  Personally, it is gut-wrenching for me to listen to allegations (gossip) that cannot be backed up by evidence. In addition to this being so contrary to Christian ethics, I view these types of occurrences, which seem to be happening nationally more frequently cause division. They cause chaos. On the other hand, there was international news that could genuinely further world peace and less chaos was barely touched upon in contrast to the hearings in Congress. Even in this act of reaching out to bring peace to countries across the world that have been enemies for years and years, there are those who have only disparaging things to say. Does the world love chaos and division so much that we gravitate toward those things which disparage anything and anyone that we don't personally agree with? 

So much drama and division in this world and why? Do we really enjoy the hatefulness; the anger that seems so prevalent today? How do we get out of this dark place that we seem to have become so deeply entrenched? I would suggest that the better way is to entrench ourselves in the Word. For, in the beginning, there was darkness; there was a great void and that darkness disappeared when the Word spoke. 

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. (Gen 1:1-5)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (1 John 1-5 NRSV)

It was through a positive; an affirming word; that the Word created all things. It was through the Word that the void was filled; that the light came into the world and overcame darkness. Jesus Christ is the Word. Jesus Christ is light of the world. We must seek him so that the chaos of darkness does not overwhelm us.

May God help us to stay in His Word so that the darkness, the chaos, will not overcome us; that order will come out of this chaos. Let us speak words of peace and reconciliation; not gossip that leads to division.

God's Peace - Pr. J

He Speaks And It Is So

O Lord, how manifold are your works!
    In wisdom you have made them all;
    the earth is full of your creatures.
                     (Psalm 104:24 NRSV)

God has created all things. By His Word all things came into being. He said, "Let there be..." and there it was.

In the beginning whatever God desired, it was. Just because it is so many years later that has not changed. God's will will be done. We can fight Him all we want. We can go against His will. But, he is still God and will be for all of eternity. Quit fighting Him! Quit rebelling and it will go a whole lot easier on us all!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Word Endures Forever

Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. For

“All flesh is like grass
   and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
   and the flower falls,

but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

That word is the good news that was announced to you.
                                                       (1 Peter 11:22-25 NRSV)

This is what we Christians do: we announce the word, which is the good news of Jesus Christ. Yes, we share the word: Jesus died for you.

Jesus is the Word. The Gospel of St. John (1:1-9, 14) tells us:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

Jesus is the word, which brings us truth and love light! May the Word of God abide in and through you forever.

God's Peace - Pr. J

                                                                                    

The Word Is God

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1:1-5 NRSV)

Many of us have a few favorite Bible verses. John 1:1-5 are ones that if you don't already know, I hope that you will remember. These verses remind us that Jesus is not a separate god from God the Father. He and the Father are one. Over the years, I have had more than one discussion with non-Trinitarians regarding the oneness of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These opening verses of John 1 give heartache and headache to those who say that they believe in Jesus Christ; yet, deny his deity.

Let me repeat verse 1: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." 

Jesus the Christ is the Word. He is true God. He is the light of the world.

God's Peace - Pr. J.   

(Since John 1 refers back to the creation story; please, take a moment to also read and contemplate what it means for the Spirit to also have been present, hovering over the waters. (Gen 1:1-2 NIV))

Live in the Kingdom Today!

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,  (Philippians 3:20 NIV)


Yes, we live here in this world; but, our hope is to enter into the heavenly kingdom for all eternity as promised to all who believe. The Kingdom of God, we are told, is eternal. So what are you waiting for? Why do we wait to enter that Kingdom until after we pass through the gateway of death? Eternity is forever. There is no end to eternity. There is no beginning. These words, "You have eternal life," what do they mean to you? Do you believe that eternal life begins after death or are you already living in eternity? Our citizenship is in heaven. The Kingdom of God has already broken into this world. Live your life as a citizen of the heavenly kingdom today. Do not wait until tomorrow! Live life in Christ.


God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Light Is Good

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.”
                                                                                                                Genesis 1:1-4 NIV  

                                                      

God saw that the light that he had created was good. He did not say that the darkness was good. The light is good. Therefore, it's probably a good idea to live life in the light.

"... you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9)  Step out of the darkness and live in his marvelous light! 

 

God's Peace - Pr. J