Consequences To Not Sharing The Word

1 Samuel 3:11-20; KJV the rest of the OT reading for this coming Sunday the 2nd Sunday of Epiphany; Eli's household suffers for the sins of his sons and for not restraining them from their vile sins.

Go Ye Therefore

Matthew 28:18-20; The Great Commission is not a mere request.

Rejoice In The Truth!

1 Corinthians 13:6-7 KJV: Rejoice not in the iniquity that you do; but, rejoice in the truth who is Jesus the Christ!

Justice Goes Forth Perverted

Habakkuk 1:1-4 The wicked way too often have their way. Where is justice?

Walk In His Ways

Psalm 128 KJV

Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.

For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.

The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.

+++

The Psalm today sounds a lot like "IF" you do this the Lord will bless you. The plain truth is that the Lord has shown us a fruitful way to live. Do good! Doing what is contrary to the way that God has shown you to live will lead you into trouble of your own making. 

He has shown us the way to live lives of peace. Dwell in his Word. Abide in Christ and follow in the way. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Wise Choices

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

Life is short. Humans make a lot of mistakes. We can make a lot of wrong choices. Some of those mistakes can be avoided by doing what is right. Some of those mistakes have major consequences.

God help us to make better choices in this new year. Help us to choose wisely who or what we will follow. Help us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus who is the way, the truth, and the light! Help us to live life in his light! Amen. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Wounded For Our Transgressions

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 

                                                                                      (Isa 53:3-6 KJV)

Wounded for our transgressions! He was bruised for everyone of our iniquities! I can't even begin to fathom how many sins he died for. Yet, we continue to sin. Many don't even attempt to refrain from sinning against God and doing harm to others in words or deeds. 

Like sheep we have a tendency to want to do things our own way and do what makes us happy not necessarily what is good and right. Like sheep that have gone astray we end up in thorny bushes or going over the edge into deep ravines that we cannot climb out of without help. 

Who will have the wisdom to turn to the one who died for them; the one who died so that whoever believes in him will receive forgiveness, when they find themselves overwhelmed by the consequences of the wrong that they have done?

Lent and particularly Holy Week is a reminder to us that we are all sinners and without the love of God through Christ Jesus none of us are saved. 

God grant that ears, eyes, and hearts be opened to know and appreciate what God has done for us as he reconciled us to Himself and to one another through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

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.

Speak, Lord, For Your Servant Listens

And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;

And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.

And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.

And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.

Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.

And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.

Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

                                                                           (1 Sam 3:1-10 KJV)

Three times the Lord called out to Samuel. But, Samuel did not recognize the voice until Eli told him that it was the Lord trying to speak with him. 

How often does the Lord speak to us and we do not hear him? Too much noise; too many distractions; too much of everything going on to be still and listen to Him? Maybe you don't listen for His voice because you don't believe that He will actually talk to people in this day and age. 

Praying is not just about telling God what your "give me this list" is. It is not just about thanking him. It is both of those things. But, it is also about listening to Him; listening for God to whisper your name and to affirm that He truly loves you and is with you.

There's a lot of prophecy flying around on the internet these days. I've heard many "prophets" say the Lord told me this or that is going to happen. It can be difficult to know what is real prophecy from God and what is not.  I haven't really seen much, if any, of it come to fruition. The word of the Lord, coming to us in the form of prophecy, does not usually tell us what is going to happen as many of these prophets have been telling us. Prophecy, the word of the Lord, does not work like a fortune teller; it is not like a crystal ball. He does not  tell us the future, especially not in full detail. He has given us free will, so the future can change. As in the days of Jonah, prophecy is most often a warning that there will be consequences if we don't change our ways; if we don't repent of whatever it is that we are doing that we ought not be doing. 

God does speak to us. He speaks to us through the word found in the Holy Scriptures.  He speaks to us through others who know Him. He speaks to us in the stillness of our hearts. But, we can't hear that voice unless we slow down and listen. A little warning here... Have you noticed that many of the prophecies have done nothing more than cause you to be a bit or a lot anxious about the future?  The devil and his minions have no problem with pretending that they are the Lord speaking to you. Make sure the whisper that you hear is from the Lord and not some other entity trying to stir up trouble and that the word you hear is supported by the word found in the  Holy Scriptures.  

In the darkness and the quiet of his room Samuel heard the voice of God call to him. May God help us to change our ways and take the time in prayer to really be still and ask Him to "Speak Lord, for your servant listens." Then listen! Listen to His promise that He loves you and is with you always to comfort and guide you in the way of our Lord Jesus the Christ. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Reaping What We Sow

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Gal 6:7 KJV)

Yesterday, I wrote about enduring persecutions. As I thought about it throughout the day, I considered that there are many who may feel like they are being persecuted when in reality they are really suffering the consequences of their own poor choices. Often these poor choices or sins involved persecuting others in the first place.

If we break a law, we are not being persecuted if we end up ticketed or arrested. We are suffering the consequences that come with breaking the law. If we end up in divorce court facing huge child support payments because of such things as abuse or infidelity it is because of our own sinful behavior. 

When we suffer because of our own poor choices we don't get to claim victimhood. In many cases we need to recognize that our choices actually harmed others whether it was directly or indirectly. We need to recognize our sin and our need to repent. We need to change our ways and live lives that don't persecute others. 

If we choose to do what is not right and teach others to do the same we need to accept that we shall reap what we have sown.

However, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

May God grant us new and clean hearts that we might live in peace in His loving presence. Amen

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Choose Justice; Choose Peace

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

                      (Prov 13:20-21 KJV)

I have been accused of being legalistic on more than one occasion. I am not (at least not usually). I have been accused of it because I truly prefer to attempt to obey the law and not offend God or harm any other persons.  I would genuinely love to live in peace. I consider obeying the law, no matter how trivial the law may seem, as a small way to keep peace around me and in the world. I am not saying that I never break the law. We all sin in some ways and breaking the law is sin because it causes a break in community. Sometimes, we do this with intent. At other times, it just happens. It may possibly "just happen" because we haven't bothered to think about the consequences of our words or actions. Often, our desire to break with the law, causes damage to ourselves or others. There are  consequences to our words and actions whether good or bad.

However, there are times, that we might (must) act in peaceful civil disobedience for the good of others; for the sake of justice. When we do this we also acknowledge that there still may be consequences. This is also not to say that there are not any times when we  might actually have to defend ourselves or others for the sake of justice and hopefully peace. Conflicts and wars are, at times, necessary to protect ourselves or others.

But, to follow in the ways of anyone whose purpose is solely to profit themselves without considering others is not the wise path to follow. There will be consequences. Hanging out with those who would consistently do what might harm others; that might harm society as a whole, is not wise. It will lead you on a path that is not according to the will of God. That also is not to say that you should never minister to them. We definitely should. But, do so with the integrity and with the strength to say no when you are invited to join in the sinful; the unlawful, way.  

Choose justice. Choose to live in peace and do what is right in the eyes of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Imprisoned

"Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me.."

                  (Philemon 1:9-11 KJV)

Greetings: 

I remember receiving word that a young friend (a former secretary) had "received life." Now in the Christian context you might assume that he has received Christ into his life; that he has received the promise of eternal life. I wish that I could say that this was so. He "received life" in the worldly context. He received three life sentences in prison, without parole. When I heard the sentence he had received, in grief, I voiced it aloud: 

"HE RECEIVED LIFE." 

Still, there is hope to be found hope in those words. It is my hope that his sentence in this world is a sign to me that he has received life eternal, although he may not realize that fact, yet. I have prayed for him often; that we would be one in Christ; that he would enter into the Body of Christ. It is painful for me to think of one so young living behind bars for another 50 or 60 years. But, it is reality. A reality that may seem cruel, but may also be the very opportunity needed for him to "receive life." This friend of mine received the consequences of his actions in this world; yet, he still has the opportunity for freedom; a freedom that is found only in Christ; for all of eternity. 

St. Paul spent a good portion of his ministry behind bars. Although scripture has no record of how many received the truth of Christ through the word spoken by Paul, I am sure there were quite a few. We read in Philemon, that he who was in prison had converted the young man, Onesimus.  I guess you could say Paul was called to prison ministry, but not in the way most of us view prison ministry. Paul was there, living it. One on one, he experienced the pain and suffering of those in prison with him. Because he suffered the same pain, he understood and because he understood others listened and received life. 

There is a prison that we don't recognize as easily as we do the earthly prison surrounded by bars and barbed wire. That prison is our bondage to sin; our bondage to the desires and ways of this world; our desires to be served rather than serve in the love of Christ. This prison is harder for us to recognize and so often we never even desire freedom from it. Many actually come to like it in these chains. Within the walls of a correctional facility freedom can be found in Christ Jesus; freedom to love and serve as the world is not competing quite as loudly for first place in your life. 

Jesus promised that: "..the truth shall set you fee." (John 8:32) However, for those of us who may be bound in a prison of worldly comforts of self-serving desires and pursuits, it's really hard to see the truth (often preferring not to see the truth, about our need for forgiveness, so we don't ask for it), remaining in bondage to sin. 

As we consider our own freedom; let us ask God to reveal to us whether we are truly free. Let us pray first for salvation, for freedom in Christ. Let us pray for one another, in love, that forgiveness in Christ be received by all God's children who find themselves in prison: both the correctional facilities and those chained to the desires of this world. Let us also pray a prayer of Thanksgiving for our Prison Chaplains and all who work in the Prison Ministry for bringing the Light of Christ into such darkened lives. 

God’s Peace – Judy

Jealousy Kills

  "And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him."

                                                                                 (Gen 4:4-8 KJV)

It appears that the Lord favored Abel's offering over Cain's because his offering was raised up through hard work. The Lord told Cain that if he had worked well to present this offering it would have been accepted. Cain was not happy. He was so jealous that his brother had found favor and he had not that he killed his brother.

Jealousy destroys. It kills and there are consequences for the sin. If the jealousy over how much accomplishment or honor others receive with their hard work continues it will build up within you until the consequences of the sin become very tough. Cain was exiled to become a fugitive and a vagabond. He would indeed have to work very hard just to survive. 

It is not any different today than it was in Cain and Abel's day. Jealousy will prevail if it is not put in check quickly. It will destroy your future and the future of those around you. God has given you many gifts so that you might be fruitful. There are  consequences for not even attempting to use those gifts as well as you can. The outcome and possible consequences have nothing to do with what your neighbor does. It has everything to do with what you do or do not do with the gifts of God. In the general confession we pray that God will forgive us for sins known and unknown; for things we have done and for things that we have left undone. For the sake of love for the one who lived and died and yet lives for us, it would behoove us to leave a whole lot less undone.

May we always use the gifts that God has given us so that He might be glorified.

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men." (Col 3:23)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Best To Leave God's People Alone

"In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.

Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.

Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord."                                                                                       (Isaiah 54:14-17 KJV)

What a heritage! Our God is a Mighty God. I have relied on these passages, quite a few times, to keep me from seeking vengeance. I trust the Lord to provide justice when justice is due. This justice may not come about in the way that we expect it to; but, it will come in God's time and in His way. 

This does not mean that we should not stand up and defend ourselves or others; but, that we should not seek revenge just for the sake of revenge. We should not stoop down to the level of those who would attack others for personal agendas.

It is not a good idea to attempt to oppress the children of God. So, the next time anyone would consider plotting against a child of God or against the church  for their own personal welfare or prosperity, it would be a very good idea if they would first consider both the possible short-term and the eternal consequences.

"The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence." (2 Sam 22:3)

God's Peace - Pr. J

How Much Do You Love Your Neighbor And Yourself?

He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matt 22:37-39 NRSV)

First comes loving God. It strikes me that loving the one who loves you so much that he would die for you just seems to be a logical reaction to me. How or why would you not love him?

Jesus reminds us that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Too often I witness people expressing their love for others by staying out of their affairs. For some reason, a large part of society thinks that loving someone means ignoring what they do; no matter how damaging it might be to their futures?

So, if you love others as you love yourself, I ask you: how much do you love yourself? Do you love yourself enough not to do damage to yourself? Do you not do things that are going to burden you with negative moral or legal consequences? I would think that people who love themselves will avoid participating in activities that would damage their futures. If that is true for you and you desire to love your neighbors as yourself; then, I would also surmise that you would also not encourage or ignore activities that people whom you love to participate in that which will damage their futures.

Loving someone sometimes means saying the hard things. It sometimes mean warning people that they what they are doing or about to do will hurt them and hurt others that they love. That would be the loving thing. That would be the kind thing. That would be the compassionate thing to do.

Often, I hear people saying things like, "It's not my place to judge." It is not judging someone to warn them that they ought to not jump off a cliff or stick their hands into a fire. It is not judging someone to warn them that they have fallen off the path and that they ought to turn around and get back on it. That is simply an expression of love.

Saying nothing is sometimes the most unloving thing one can do. Speaking the truth, and I remind you once again that Jesus is the truth, is the loving thing to do. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Choosing The Wrong Way

The clever see danger and hide;

but the simple go on, and suffer for it. 

(Proverbs 22:3 NRSV)

We are free to do as we please. We are free to do what is good for us as well as what is not good for us. But, we must understand that whatever it is that we choose to do there will be consequences. Every action that we take moves us forward in a specific direction. Sometimes, that direction is good for us and for the people around us. Sometimes, that direction takes us to places we would not choose to go and we suffer for it.

There is so much suffering in this world. Some, of which, we cannot avoid. Some, of which, we could avoid by going in the other direction to avoid danger; to avoid the suffering. 

A lot of our suffering and trouble could be avoided if we would but follow in the way that the Spirit of Christ shows us.

May God bless you with the wisdom to recognize and the courage to follow in His Way.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Sacrificing Children

But as for you, come here,
    you children of a sorceress,
    you offspring of an adulterer and a whore.
Whom are you mocking?
    Against whom do you open your mouth wide
    and stick out your tongue?
Are you not children of transgression,
    the offspring of deceit—
 you that burn with lust among the oaks,
    under every green tree;
you that slaughter your children in the valleys,
    under the clefts of the rocks?
Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion;
    they, they, are your lot;
to them you have poured out a drink offering,
    you have brought a grain offering.
    Shall I be appeased for these things?
Upon a high and lofty mountain
    you have set your bed,
    and there you went up to offer sacrifice.
Behind the door and the doorpost
    you have set up your symbol;
for, in deserting me, you have uncovered your bed,
    you have gone up to it,
    you have made it wide;
and you have made a bargain for yourself with them,
    you have loved their bed,
    you have gazed on their nakedness.
You journeyed to Molech with oil,
    and multiplied your perfumes;
you sent your envoys far away,
    and sent down even to Sheol.
You grew weary from your many wanderings,
    but you did not say, “It is useless.”
You found your desire rekindled,
    and so you did not weaken.

Whom did you dread and fear
    so that you lied,
and did not remember me
    or give me a thought?
Have I not kept silent and closed my eyes,
    and so you do not fear me?

 I will concede your righteousness and your works,
    but they will not help you.
 When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you!
    The wind will carry them off,
    a breath will take them away.
But whoever takes refuge in me shall possess the land
    and inherit my holy mountain

                    Isaiah 57:3-5, 7-13 (NRSV)

During Isaiah's time, children were sacrificed to false gods and idols for the benefit of the parent. Parents were willing to kill their children in order to live the lives they wanted to live. 

There are so many false gods; so many idols that parents worship today. How many lives of children have been taken to reap the imagined benefits of worshipping these idols today? It is a very sad thing that the leading cause of death today is abortion. It is not just sad. It is abhorrent!

Promiscuity is a common and acceptable thing today. But, with sleeping around in the hopes of some kind of pleasure or benefit there are many risks. However; whether in a committed relationship or not; pregnancy is only one of the consequences of sexual relationships. Unfortunately, today it appears that the natural consequence of having a sexual relationship is not all that acceptable to the parent(s). But, killing the child that is conceived so that one can go on living in a life style that is pleasing to the parent is.

Being a parent is not highly revered today. But, enjoying one's life to its fullest seems to be no matter who might die in the interim. So many women (especially young women) have been duped by the media and by health care professionals as well as others and have regretted their decisions after the fact. There are consequences that often come with abortions; physical, emotional, and mental consequences. The people of this country (and many churches that claim to profess Christ) really ought to quit lying to themselves by saying that killing children is acceptable. Our personal pleasures; our dreams; our personal goals are not more important than life itself! They are not more important than the life of a child.

So what or who is it that you worship? Do you worship the one true God who created you and redeemed you?  Do you worship yourself?

If you say that you are a Christian than please read the Holy Scriptures! There is only one God and we are not Him! May God have mercy upon our souls.

God's Peace – Pr. J

Free To Do What Is Right

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame. 1 Cor 15:33-34 NIV

Watching a television show the other night about the Civil War, I wondered if there were any women left with character like that of Harriet Tubman. Jeopardizing her own freedom, she helped to secure the freedom of multitudes. Of course, there are many women today who like her are willing to sacrifice their own lives so that others might have the opportunity to live freely and in peace. I even know some of them. But, I would be most comforted in seeing many more. So many, many people dedicated and continue to dedicate their whole lives so that all people might live in freedom. Yet, those sacrifices are often taken for granted by the very people who have received freedom through their efforts. The freedom that we have received is often frittered away on momentary sensual pleasures. It is wasted on worrying more about what makes one happy without any consideration that what we do may have devastating consequences for others.

Yes, we are free to do whatever we choose. But, why would anyone choose to become slaves to sin? Why would we choose to live lives that will only lead others astray? There are many who do!

But, we are free to be the  children of the most high God by the blood of Christ shed for us. He gives to us good and gracious gifts. We enjoy many freedoms in this world; in this country, because of the sacrifices others made for us. Would we throw it all back in the face of God and in the faces of those who gave their lives for our sake? 

Why choose slavery to sin, for the sake of some few worldly pleasures? Our freedom to be children of God cost Jesus his life. Our freedoms, including the freedom to worship God publicly, cost many men and women their lives.

May God help us to not be the bad company that helps to corrupts character; but, the light that shines in the darkness of night to lead God's children home.

God's Peace – Pr. J

It Is Wise To Live In Peace

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.  (James 3:17-18 NIV)

I wonder what life on earth would really be like if the wisdom from heaven actually abided in the followers of Christ. What would it be like if, at least, the majority of Christendom had pure intentions; was truly peace-loving; considerate of others, submissive to the will of God, full of mercy and good fruit; did not make decisions according to personal bias'; but, sincerely sought the good of all people? What would life be like if we truly sought after peace rather than building ourselves up at the expense of others with the consequences of lives full of strife?

Instead of living according to our own desires; out of our own knowledge; let us give the wisdom of God a real opportunity to work through us that we might live in peace.

May God grant us His Wisdom.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Consequence Of Breaking Faith

But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel. (Joshua 7:1 NIV - read all of Joshua 7 for the consequences the whole people face)

Have you ever noticed how in a family or a church or any type of community for that matter; when everything seems to be going great and the people are enjoying immense blessings, someone decides they have to break faith and do something really stupid and it throws everyone into chaos?  Everyone gets to suffer the consequences of one persons bad choices.  I see it happen all the time.  People forget that no matter what it is that they do, no matter how little or big, their actions will affect others for the good or the bad.

The whole of Israel suffered the consequences of the sins of Achan.  When he was caught, the cost of his sin against God and his people was his life.

We do not live in a vacuum as some might suppose.  I have heard more times than I can even remember, "I'm not hurting anyone but myself."  That is wrong.  Whenever we choose to break faith with God or anyone else who loves us, to do what seems to be pleasing and most beneficial for ourselves, we hurt everyone around us.  Whenever we choose to live life in a self-serving manner our children learn from us and consequently their lives will exhibit the chaos, the loneliness, the broken relationships that comes from a broken faith and broken relationship with God.

It is like throwing a pebble into the water, the effect is that the ripples just keep spreading outward.  Just as everyone around us suffers from our breaking the faith with God and pursuing false gods, so everyone benefits from the goodness of the one who did not/does not break faith with Him, Jesus Christ our LORD. 

May God help us to put aside the false gods that we think will benefit us and to pursue those things that will benefit the whole community, the whole Body of Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J