Be Anxious For The Truth

Psalm 85 KJV; 2nd Sunday in Advent; Turn to the Lord anxiously desiring to hear the truth; desiring to walk in the steps of Jesus.

Who Will Lead Us?

1 Samuel 16:1-13 KJV; We too often choose by outward appearances; while God chooses by what is in their hearts.

Besides Him There Is No Savior

Isaiah 43:10-11 KJV; There is only one God; only one Savior.

A Killer Has A Change Of Heart

Jesus can change the hardest of hearts. Acts 9:1-22 KJV

Freed From Bondage To Love And Serve Others

"And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:

But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes."

                                        (Num 11:4-6 KJV)

God's chosen ones whining! He has just delivered them from bondage and they are complaining because all they have to eat in the desert is manna. They seem to prefer the fish and vegetables they were able to eat as  slaves rather than their freedom from slavery.

Freedom does have its costs. To break free from bondage often requires some sort of sacrifice. In the case of God's chosen in order to receive their own land from God they will travel through the wilderness depending totally on God to protect them and feed them. But, they don't like the food that he feeds them with. They prefer what slavery had to over them.

In any huge change to our lifestyles we need to be prepared to experience more changes than just the change that we want. The Israelites apparently weren't expecting the hardships they endured to get to the promised land.

If you seek the promised land, the Kingdom of God; if you seek to be freed from the bondage you have to a materialistic and self-centered world, you must be prepared to have your lives changed. You must be prepared to do without those things that have kept you in bondage.  Life will not be the same. You will need to trust God completely to lead you through the wilderness. You will need to have faith that He will provide for your daily needs. It was not easy for the Israelites and it will not be easy for anyone today.

In Christ we have been made free. But, our freedom is not so that we might indulge ourselves. We have been freed by the blood of Christ to love and serve  God and to love and serve our neighbor.   

"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."  (Gal 5:13-14)

Even as God chose the Israelites to be His chosen ones, He has called us to be His children as well. He has freed us from the bondage to sin by the blood of his only begotten Son, Jesus, so that we might go forth loving and caring for one another. Jesus loved us enough to die for us. Likewise let us love our neighbors even as he loves you and them.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The First Will Be Last

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

                                                                                       (James 4:7-10 KJV)

Ego can be a terrible thing. Narcissism and too big of an ego go hand in hand. The ego tells us that we are way more important; that we are much more intelligent than others. It tells us that we are going in the right way even when we are terribly wrong.

When a person decides that what they desire is more important than the needs of others it will wreak havoc in families and among friends. It will separate us from God as we turn our backs on His good will for us and for all people.

The devil uses our egos to lift ourselves up. It doesn't work that way. Those who think that they are high and mighty will fall back. "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen." (Matt 20:16)

Therefore; let us resist the temptation of the devil to think that we are better than we are; that we are better than others, and humble ourselves so that God will be the one to lift us up. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Vulgarity Does Not Glorify God

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

                                                                                (1 Peter 2:9:12 KJV)

I was outside drinking my morning coffee in the dark yesterday morning. Children were at their stops waiting for the school bus. A dog was barking and roosters crowing in the distance. Suddenly, I heard a very loud motorcycle revving up its motor within a few blocks from the house. Shortly after this noise began, I heard swearing. A lot of very loud, screaming and very vulgar, swearing! This was not from a neighbor. We have no close neighbors. It was at least two or three blocks away; yet, I could hear every curse word that was screamed. The motorcycle continued roaring on and off for a few minutes then took off. The swearing ceased as well. 

I, unfortunately, have been known to swear a time or two or maybe more. When I do it, I cringe. Yesterday morning, I really cringed at the thought of someone being so out of control of themselves or such little lack of respect for themselves, their neighbors, and for the children waiting for buses, that they would be screaming the f.. word and a bunch of others not so nice words in the quiet of the morning so that all the world could hear. I pray for calmness and peace for that man as well as for the man who was revving his bike up in a way that seemed very intentional so early in the morning.

As Christians, we are a chosen generation, a holy nation. We ought to be speaking gently and truthfully. We ought to be the examples of moderation in all that we do that our Father in heaven might be glorified.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Live Without False Gods

Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.

They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.

Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:

And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

                                                                                 (Isaiah 46:1-4 KJV)

When things get too heavy for us to carry any longer; too rough for us to handle, then it's probably time to get rid of the false gods we keep stooping to carry. Get rid of the excess baggage and worship the one true God. He has promised to carry us. He will deliver us.

So, why is it that over and over false gods which are nothing but a burden are chosen over the One who will carry us? It just doesn't make sense. Give up your false gods and worship Him!

God's Peace - Pr. J

We Are Family

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Gal 3:26-29 NIV)

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. (1 Cor 12:12-13)

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Eph 4:4-6)

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. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

We are one. We are one body. We are one Spirit. We are a holy priesthood. We are a holy nation. We are God's children. We are brothers and sister in Christ. We are family. According to the word of God; we are one. Need I really say more?

God's Peace - Pr. J

A Holy Nation; A Royal Priesthood

"The Lord has made proclamation
    to the ends of the earth:
“Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your Savior comes!
See, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense accompanies him.’”
They will be called the Holy People,
    the Redeemed of the Lord;
and you will be called Sought After,     the City No Longer Deserted."
                                  (Isa 62:11-12 NIV)

The LORD declares through Isaiah the Savior comes! And... through Him the people will be reconciled to God. Through him it is as St. Peter wrote: "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.  Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

How awesome is that! You are a member of a royal priesthood, a holy nation! You belong to God and because you have been called out of the darkness into His marvelous light, you desire to declare praises of Him! That's what those who have been called into relationship with God, those who have been called into His kingdom, do. They proclaim the Good News! That's what Isaiah did! That is what St. Peter did! That is what all members of that holy nation are called to do. How could anyone who has received their inheritance in the holy nation, the kingdom of God, do otherwise?!

So... the question is: are you proclaiming the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord, our  Savior, and our King?

God's Peace - Pr. J

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

God Looks At The Heart

"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'" 1 Samuel 16:7

When the Lord sent Samuel to anoint the next king over Israel, Samuel saw the stature of Eliab and thought for sure this one must be the one. But, the Lord let him know that He had not chosen the next king of Israel by his outward appearance. In the end, it was Jesse's youngest son, just a shepherd in the field, who was called to be anointed to be the next king.

In the spring when the dandelions begin to bloom, my husband is always in a hurry to get rid of them. I see the yellow blossoms as doing no harm. They are a sign of spring and I enjoy their presence in my yard. We each have a different perspective on what we see or hear. We see things differently. My husband sees weeds. I see flowers; a gift from God that are, in fact, consumable.

God see things a whole lot differently than we do. So what does God see when He looks into our hearts? Our neighbors may see our hearts as dark as the night. But, what does God see? Does he see a child in pain who has not yet learned how to deal with life around him? Does he see a heart that is aching for only the peace that He can give? 

No one; but, God, can know what is truly in the heart of another person. Whether good or evil; whether a weed or a flower, only God can know for sure.

Who knows? The next weed that you try to destroy just might be a treasured flower; a beloved and chosen child of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Look, The Lamb Of God!

     The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

     Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

     The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

     When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.

                                                                                                               John 1:29-37 NIV

"Look, the Lamb of God!"

Twice, John saw Jesus and witnessed to those around him that Jesus is the Lamb of God. He testifies that Jesus is God's Chosen One. Because of John's testimony Andrew and his brother Simon Peter became followers Jesus. They became his disciples.

Have you told anyone about the "Lamb of God" lately? How many can say that it was your testimony that pointed them to Jesus; that led them to follow Jesus?

Do you recall the "Great Commission?"

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of  the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (John 21:19-20)

Go and witness to the love of God in Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. Go and witness to what He has done for us in giving His life for us. Go and make disciples for surely the "Lamb of God" the great "I AM" is with you always.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Chosen!

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 God's beloved child, God's special possession. You belong to Him and He is yours. You've probably heard it said that, "God doesn't make junk." He doesn't! So, if you're treating yourself or others like junk, please, stop. You and all who believe belong to the family of God. We are children of our Heavenly Father and so we declare the praises of Him who has called us into His wonderful light.

He has called all who believe in Him to be priests, members of a holy nation. We have been set apart to live in this world to proclaim the Good News of His love for all; proclaiming the Good News of His Kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Live then not as children cowering in darkness; but, live life as children in the light of Christ. Live life fully as children of our heavenly Father. Live life boldly as priests who are called to lift up the name of God our Father who has made us His own through Jesus the Christ our Lord and brother by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Live life in Christ, dear child of God!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Teach Us To Teach By Example

Psalm 119:30

Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance." Titus 2:2 NIV

The Bible verse for the day from Bible Gateway is from Titus 2:2. I'm not trying to pick on older men. But, I wanted to remind all of us, men and women, who especially fall into the "senior" category and claim to have known Jesus for most, if not all of our lives, that we are to be examples to younger persons and newborn Christians.

So, I am using this verse to teach us all and to remind us that through not just our words; but, our actions, as well, we teach others what it truly means to take up our cross and follow Jesus.

May God help us to live lives worthy of God, who calls us into His kingdom and glory. (1 Thess 2:12)

God's Peace - Pr. J