He Healed Them And Cast Out Devils

5th Sunday after Epiphany; Mark 1:29-39 KJV; Jesus ministered to all; healing them and casting out devils.

Tired?

Tired?  Feed his sheep anyway...

Even The Devils Believe

And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. 

                                                                                   (Mark 1:21-22 KJV)

After Jesus' baptism as he began his ministry it was not the disciples or any living human being who recognized him as the Holy One of God. It was an unclean spirit. The unclean spirit knew that Jesus had the power to destroy it. And... all the people were amazed. His fame spread throughout the region. Yet, the people did not recognize who he truly was. 

As they followed Jesus for the next three years; although they saw many miracles and witnessed many amazing events in Jesus life, the disciples never fully realized that Jesus was the Holy One of God. They never truly grasped that he had come not to overthrow the powers of the authorities on earth; but, to overthrow the power of sin, death, and the power of the devil for them. They did not understand that he came to die for them. The demons understood this. They knew that he had the power to destroy them. As St. James put it:  "the devils also believe, and tremble." (James 2:19)

So you say you believe? Even the devils believe! They know he exists. But, they do not love and worship him. Do you? 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Sinking In The Mire

"Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters." Psalm 69:14 

There is small spot of sinking sand on one of the islands in front of the home I stay in during the summers. It is a little over a foot wide; yet, it's a bit unnerving to accidentally step into it. As one's ankles and then calves begin to become engulfed in sand you will not tarry. You will step out of it quickly and change your course just as fast. I do not know how much of a person it would swallow if one chose to test the sand. I have never desired to find out.

Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. We go in ways that are dangerous to ourselves and may even be active in leading others in the wrong way, as well. We stray from the path that Jesus prepared for us and purposefully attempt to travel the path of the unrighteous. There are many dangers on this path that leads away from our Father's house. Sinking in mucky, uncharted swamps is only one of them.

When we find ourselves in danger of sinking in the mire it is time to change course. It is time, to ask for God's help to get back on the path that He has prepared for us.

If you find yourself alone and sinking fast know there is one who can rescue you. There is only one who can save you. Ask and He will lead you on the path of eternal life in His Kingdom. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Birth of Warriors

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

                                                                                   (Eph 6:11-13 KJV)

On November 10, 1775 the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Marines. Last night we celebrated the birthday with other Marines and their families. We heard the Commandant's message and observed the cake cutting ceremony. It was overall a very informal and relaxed birthday party. 

Today, even as I honor the birth of the United States Marine Corps, I thank God for the birth of another mighty warrior: Martin Luther. His battle was against false teachings prevalent in the church at the time. There remains false teachings in the church on earth today. Let down your guard and the devil sneaks the lies right back in. The battle continues; the battle against forces that would dilute or change the word of God to the harm of all whom God has called; to the harm of all who unknowingly follow false teachers and prophets.

"A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood

of mortal ills prevailing.

For still our ancient foe

doth seek to work us woe;

his craft and power are great,

and armed with cruel hate,

on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,

our striving would be losing,

were not the right man on our side,

the man of God's own choosing.

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is he;

Lord Sabaoth, his name,

from age to age the same,

and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,

should threaten to undo us,

we will not fear, for God hath willed

his truth to triumph through us.

The Prince of Darkness grim,

we tremble not for him;

his rage we can endure,

for lo, his doom is sure;

one little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers,

no thanks to them, abideth;

the Spirit and the gifts are ours,

thru him who with us sideth.

Let goods and kindred go,

this mortal life also;

the body they may kill;

God's truth abideth still;

his kingdom is forever."

                        Martin Luther

It seems that it never ends. The battles for what is right and true; the battles to release people from bondage continue to be fought on air, land, sea, as well as in the spiritual realms. May God bless the warriors who fight for right and freedom. May God bless us all with the courage to stand on the Word.

Happy Birthday! 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

His Name Is Praised

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised. (Psalm 113:3 KJV)

When asked if you believe in Jesus, what do you say? Do you say "I believe" and leave it at that? Seems to me a whole lot of people say they believe; but, what do they believe? Do they believe that God is the creator of all of heaven and earth? Do they believe that the Lord is our only salvation? Do they trust him for with their futures and their very lives? 

To say that one believes that their is one God really isn't saying all that much about in who or what you place your faith. According to James: "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." (James 2:19) 

When one truly believes and trusts in God; their appreciation for what the Lord has done for them would show not in seeking things of this world; but, in praising and worshiping him alone.

The Lord's name is praised above all others; all things by those whose trust is in him and who love him.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Reverence And Godly Fear

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:28-29 KJV)

With reverence and godly fear; what a concept! God is who He is and He is much more than is often apparent when observing the life of the church. We forget that He gives life and He can take it away. (Job 1:21) He gave us the kingdom through the further gift of His Son. But, do we really want it? Or, is it the world that we desire? So often, the way things are done are done merely for expediency or to please individuals we think might benefit us or even the church. 

No one can benefit us as God has done! God gives us all things. Some of those things we may not appreciate as much as others; at least, not until He takes them away. Then they are missed. We ought not consider any gift from God as a trifling thing. The greatest gift that God has given us is the life of His Son through whom we have received God's grace; through whom we have received the kingdom. There is nothing more important in our lives than that. Will we respect and honor the gifts of God? Or, will we continue to strive after things of this world disrespecting the one true God who has given us so much? 

Saying, I believe, and not worshiping God with reverence and godly fear is no more than the devils do. (James 2:19) We should so fear and love God. What does this mean? It means we should honor him in all that we say and think and do. And, just because no man is capable of doing that perfectly; that does not mean that we should not live our lives striving to honor Him and glorify His name. 

God has given us so much. He can also take it away. He is God. Set aside the false gods. Let your ego die that Christ might live in and through you that our Father in heaven is served with reverence, love, and godly fear.

God's Peace - Pr. J