He Is My Rock And Salvation

Psalm 62 KJV; Turn to the Lord in times of trouble for He is the only one who can save you.

Love Your Enemy

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.

Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

                                                                          (Luke 6:27-36 KJV)

When Jesus says love your neighbor, he does not mean that we just get to smile when encountering those who hate us. It means we really need to care about them; even when they're not looking. We are to do good to others. 

It does our enemies nor ourselves any good to continue to be hateful. There is no peace to be found in constant battles with one another. There is no peace to be had in constant slander or anything else done to get a one up on an enemy.

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (vs 28) "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (vs 36)

Afterall, how often do our own thoughts or words or actions offend God; yet, in his great mercy he continues to love us. He continues to care for us. Let us be merciful as our Father in heaven is merciful. Let us love others just as our Father in heaven loves us.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

What You Give; You Will Receive

Loving our enemies may be tough; but, it is right to do.

"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." 

                                                                            (Rom 12:9-10, 11-18 KJV)

Live peaceable with others as much as is possible. Sometimes it is difficult to be at peace with others; especially with those who appear to be enemies. However, the word of the Lord reminds us that we are to bless those and do not curse those who persecute you.  Scripture reminds us that what we put out will return to us.  If we judge others we will be judged. If we despise and persecute others we too will be despised and persecuted. But, if we love others and strive to live with others in peace then we shall be loved and loved in peace. If we want others to see us in the best light then we ought also to put the best construction on who they are and what they may or may not have done.

We are sinful human beings and sometimes no matter how hard we try we do not always think or speak or act charitably regarding other. However, according to Luther's Small Catechism we teach that we are to put the best construction on everything that our neighbor says or does. 

"The Eighth Commandment

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

What does this mean? — Answer.

We should fear and love God that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, slander, or defame our neighbor, but defend him, [think and] speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything."

Do not dwell on the faults of those who hate you; but, pray that they might come to know peace; pray that they might learn to love as Christ loves them; be merciful as God is merciful. In doing so your enemy may in the end become your best ally and friend.

"But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

                                                                                           (Luke 6:35-28)

Keep guard over what you think and say and do for what you do to others may well turn around and be done to you a thousandfold.

"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." (Phil 4:8)

There are so many scripture verses that pertain to loving even our enemies I cannot possibly list them all in a blog. The bottom line is do good to others. No one needs the stress that comes with anger or hatred or vengeance either  through the given of it or receiving of it. Live life in Christ! Live in peace!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

He Pardons Iniquity

 

Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. 

                                                                                   (Micah 7:18-19 KJV)

Unfortunately, humankind does not pardon iniquity easily. We can hold a grudge forever and in doing so we bring about even more iniquity.  We usually cause more iniquity; we often sin when we are angry or hurt. 

Jesus tells us to love one another and not to hate even those who persecute you.

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."

                                                                                   (Matt 5:44-45)

The Lord desires that we should forgive one another. But, we are not required to stay in situation or relationships that will provoke us to continue to live in a sinful manner. St. Paul wrote to the Romans: 

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." (Rom 16:17)

Micah tells us that God will subdue our iniquities. If God will do that for us; if God will forgive us our sins; why would we walk right back into that which inspires us to sin? Daniel could walk into a lions den and live. You and I should most probably not try that if we want to live. We should not test God. 

When the devil took Jesus up and set him on a pinnacle of the temple he told Jesus that if he really were the Son of God then he should jump and God will send His angels to save him.

"Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." (Matt 4:7)

If the very Son of God would not test his Father in heaven, neither should we.

Yet, when we do test God by going against His will, God is willing and able to pardon our iniquities. Unlike us, God does not retain his anger forever. Unlike us, He is always ready to be merciful. 

Forgive one another; but, try to stay out of situations that will require you to receive forgiveness yourself later. It will make life a whole lot easier to live.

May the God of mercy, subdue our iniquities and forgive us all of our sins.  

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Our Refuge And Strength

Psalm 68 KJV

Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.

He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.

How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.

They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.

Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.

God is indeed our refuge and fortress. No matter what is going on in our lives we can trust him. We can trust that He has a good plan; a good purpose, for us as has been promised to us. (see Rom 8:28) That good plan was set into motion when Jesus died on the cross for us. The Kingdom of God is now at hand for all who love him. Our inheritance in that Kingdom was purchased by his blood that was shed for us.

Trust in him at all times and pour out your heart to him for God is our refuge and our strength! He is our salvation!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Too Salty? Nah!

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot." (Matt 5:13 NRSV)

I admit, like an old sailor, I can be a bit salty. In fact, the older I get, the saltier I seem to become. This does not always please everyone around me. It does not please those who think that the word of God can be twisted around or manipulated to appease the world's self-serving agendas. 

I am not here to please the world; to serve others, yes; but, not to make everyone around me happy, happy, happy. The truth does not always fill egos with joy. But, the truth will set us free. So, it is imperative that we proclaim the truth, who is Jesus the Christ, at all times and in all places.  

There are times when I consider that my saltiness is just a bit too salty. But, there are also times when I think that maybe I was not salty enough. I let things slide and then I wonder if by doing that I have actually encouraged unfaithfulness to God. But, do not worry. I have been seasoned with age and I am only getting older and saltier. 

"As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."

                                                                            (Gal 1:9-10)

Have a blessed day in Jesus the Christ!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Be Careful; Vengeance Is God's

He loved to pronounce a curse—
may it come back on him.
He found no pleasure in blessing—
may it be far from him.
He wore cursing as his garment;
it entered into his body like water,
into his bones like oil.
May it be like a cloak wrapped about him,
like a belt tied forever around him.
May this be the Lord’s payment to my accusers,
to those who speak evil of me.
                                          (Psalm109:17-20 NIV)

Vengeance is the LORD's.  I have learned over the years that it is not my place to take vengeance on those who accuse me.  God will take care of me. He will take care of those who are falsely accused or accosted. He will take care of those who falsely accuse or unjustly attack others. No, I am not a pacifist. I definitely will defend others when they are attacked. There are times when we need to defend ourselves. There are times when we need to seek assistance from the law. However, there are also times, I think, that we should step back when it is we who are being attacked and let go and let God, as the saying goes.

Years ago when I was very young, I was selling insurance door to door.  At one home, a man, arrogant and full of deceit attempted to assault me.  I was pretty shaken, but I got away unharmed.  I wanted to press charges.  A co-worker, an older Christian man, talked me into not doing that. The man who had attempted to harm me was pretty wealthy and well known in the community.  I was a stranger.  He was a local politician. I was an insurance salesman. "Do nothing, he said. Who are the authorities going to believe? Let us pray together and leave the vengeance to God.  Let us pray that the evil he intended upon you return to him." So we did.

Did God answer our prayers?  You tell me.  The following week, while the man was at work, his  wife left him. With his new convertible filled with his precious electronics in the trunk, she and her boyfriend sped away from the house and wrecked his vehicle. It hit the newspapers. The car and the contents were totaled. His wife and her boyfriend were unharmed, but his ego was definitely done in. He was no longer the prideful man he had been the week before.

Sure, there are still days when I would like to take vengeance.  But, I learned that day, almost forty years ago, to leave vengeance to God. He will take care of me. He always has. Why would He not continue?

Remember, your curses against others are prayers. Prayers that just might return and turn upon you. Watch what comes out of your lips - prefer blessings to curses - as what you do to others may be done to you.

"He loved to pronounce a curse—may it come back on him." (vs 17)

God's blessings and peace - Pr. J

Bless Not Curse

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade." 1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV 

Before I left Zion Lutheran, Skanee, MI; the discipleship team was practicing greeting people with "God's peace be with" rather than just saying "good morning" or "hi." We were actively practicing blessing and praying for others. Since, I moved to Flagler Beach and Christ Lutheran Church in Bunnell, FL; I have heard "May God bless your day" more times than I can count. Many of those blessing my day were complete strangers out in the community and had no clue who I was; no clue, whether I was a Christian or not. I think that is just awesome! I am sure these brothers and sisters in Christ are blessing others; as well, throughout the day.

In a world that is often very negative and even depressing a lot of the time; it is quite refreshing to hear words of blessing rather than cursing. What a wonderful way to remind us in a sin-filled world that there is hope and that our hope is found in Jesus the Christ. May God help us to bless rather than curse so that all of our days will be more peaceful.

May God bless your day with grace and peace in abundance!

God's Peace - Pr. J