Muck and Mire

Psalm 69:14: Step out of the muck and mire and change your course.

Walk Humbly With God

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8 KJV)

Do Good! Do what is just! 

The word of the Lord unto Micah was that what he wanted out of humankind was for us to humble ourselves and treat each other with loving mercy. 

The world is full of people who try to do just that. But, often our egos take over and we do not even recognize how we may be harming others. We become so engaged in seeking happiness for ourselves that in the end happiness and any semblance of peace end up eluding us because  we have not recognized that the injustice and lack of love that we have for others is engulfing us in a blanket of darkness.  

Why choose the darkness when you can be engulfed in the light of Jesus the Christ? Walking in the light of Christ we will be following in his very steps. As we walk in his light we will do for others as he did for us; humbly and lovingly putting the needs of others before our own desires;  doing justice; doing what is right; doing what is good. 

The light who is Jesus the Christ has come into the world to show us the way. That same light will guide us if we would but follow wherever he will lead us.

"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." (Isa 60:1)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Humbly Serve

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (James 4:10 KJV)

When men and women think too highly of themselves they are bound to be exposed and with exposure they will find themselves naked, out in the cold. There is no sin that will not be uncovered. 

If you are to serve God and God's creation, then humble yourself and remember that you are a servant. You are not God. You are not better than the people that you serve. You are also not better than the people that you serve with.

As a retired pastor, a former substance abuse counselor, a former juvenile corrections counselor, and a former bartender; I've heard enough fake stories and confessions to know that those who lift themselves up over those who they are supposed to be serving or serving with; those who belittle and attack the character of others in order to win the favor of others do so only in order to justify their own sins. 

Know this: the only justification that is to be found for sin is the blood of Jesus. We are all sinners. It would be much wiser to humble yourself and follow in his footsteps rather than the ego which rules your life and attempts to control the lives of others. You think that you are free because you can attack others. No, you are not. You are a slave to sin and you will not succeed at lifting yourself up. "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up." 

There is only one God and none of us are Him. Only He can lift you up out of the muck and mire you've gotten yourself engulfed in.

God bless each of us with tongues that do not falsely accuse others. May He bless each of us with tongues that will inspire peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rescue Me!

"Rescue me from the mire,
    do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me,
    from the deep waters."
                              Psalm 69:14 NIV

On one of the islands in front of my home in Aura there is a small spot of sinking sand. 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 become engulfed in sand you will not tarry. You will step out of it as quickly as possible and change your course just as fast. I do not know how much of a person this sinking sand would swallow if one chose to test it. 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 lead us 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