He Calls Sinners

Matthew 9:9-13 KJV; 2nd Sunday after Pentecost; Jesus calls sinners to follow him. He calls us.

Paul and Lydia; You and Me Acts 16

Acts 16: 9-15 KJV

Unworthy

A Good Purpose In Trials

 

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28 KJV)

We are in the midst of Lent. I have found Lent to be a most challenging time, at least for me. Of all the seasons of the year it seems to me that the devil gets a whole lot busier attacking those who love God during Lent. During this time of reflection and repentance; during this time when we are reminded reminded of Jesus' admonition that we are to take up our crosses and follow him; we know full well that we will fall short. We can try to follow in his footsteps. But, we are not Jesus. We are not gods. We cannot do what Jesus did for us. We can do nothing. But, God can and He does. We can take up our crosses and follow the best that we can; but, it must be with the help of God. We cannot stand or walk alone.

No matter what obstacles are set before you; no matter what trials you are enduring, know that God works in and through all of these trials for the good of those who love Him. God is with you through your tribulations. He will show you the way and walk with you on your journey as you carry your cross to the cross of Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

He Has The Best Plan!

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

                                                                        (Luke 1:26-31 KJV)

That ought to be enough to knock your socks off! What a sight! Can you even begin to imagine how you might react if an angel suddenly appeared before you? And... then tells you; although you are a virgin, that you are going to have a child by someone other than you are about to marry.

But, the angel tells her not to be afraid. This coming child may not be in Mary's plans; but, it is in God's plan for her and the world. It is a good plan. It is the best plan ever! Likewise; when things are happening in our lives that have nothing to do with what we have planned for ourselves, we need not fear; but, trust that God has a good purpose for those who love Him. 

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Rom 8:28)

Do not fear! Have faith that God has a good plan for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

He Is With You In Suffering

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Rom 8:32 KJV)

Feeling a bit depressed? Maybe, a whole lot anxious or depressed. Do not give up. Turn to the Lord for help. Remember that you have a God who loves you so much that He was willing to give his only begotten Son to suffer and die for you. Think about it! If He loves you that much do you think that He would abandon you in your hour of need? 

He is with you always and He is for you. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Rom 8:28)

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom 8:38-39)

Do not despair! Nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Trust Him! In Him there is hope. There is peace in His love.

God's Peace - Pr. Judy

Called to Praise Him!

But 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 NIV)

You are chosen by God. You are a member of His household. You are a member of His family. You are no longer who you were; but, are now a member of the royal priesthood and of a holy nation. You are called to privately and publicly praise the one who called you of darkness into his wonderful light.

So, what don't we get about this? If you truly believe that you are saved by God's grace through faith and that Jesus died to bring all people into the light; then why are you not sharing this good, this awesome, this wonderful news with the world? 

The truth is that unless you ask most people if they believe in Jesus Christ you would not be able to tell that they consider themselves to be Christians. So many consider themselves to be going to this place we call heaven when they die a physical death. But, there is no evidence in anything that they say or do that would convince anyone that they have been born again of the Spirit  We have been called so that we can declare the mighty works of God. We have been called to praise His Holy Name. Let's get on it! OK?!

May we all be filled with the Holy Spirit so that we might be empowered to give God the glory in all that we say and think and do!

God's Peace - Pr. Judy