We Cannot See It; Yet We Believe It

Romans 8:28

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

                                                                         (Heb 11:1, 3-8, 11 KJV)

Faith is seen in the ability to believe what we do not see. It is a gift from God. (Eph 2:8) 

Our forefathers believed God even though they could not and some never did see the promises that God fulfilled. It didn't matter. God was and is God and they believed His word. They trusted Him. Life was not always easy for them. But, they had faith that God would fulfill His promises and they knew that God was with them always.

There are days when even Christians today wonder if they will ever see the promises that we have heard but have not seen fulfilled. But, we remember that Abraham did have so many descendents that none but God can count. Sara did have a child in her old age.  And... well... the promise that we read and hear throughout the old testament of a savior; a kind; that too has been fulfilled.  

"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."

                                                                                       (Gal 4:4-7)

This Son has fulfilled the law for us. This Son is the one in whom our faith lies for he has redeemed us and made us to be children of God; that we should inherit our places in the Kingdom of God living in the peaceful presence of God. Although, this Kingdom is not visible; we have faith. We believe the testimony of those who witnessed his life; his death, and his resurrection. We have faith; we know in our hearts and minds that we have received the promises of God through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Vengeance Is Not Justice

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.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. 

                                                                               (Rom 12:14-21 KJV)

Avenge not yourselves! I have heard a lot about justice; particularly social justice, this past year. There were multitudes of people rioting for the sake of social justice. But, is it justice to destroy whole communities because you want justice? Is it justice to destroy whole communities that most probably need justice done for them in the first place? 

When we seek justice, we need to ask ourselves if the justice that we seek really justice for the people in need of justice or is it merely to going to feed our own egos; to accomplish our own self-centered and hate filled goals?  

Is it justice to falsely produce evidence or exaggerate claims against someone because you have decided that they are an evil person and they need to be taken down. Vengeance is not justice!

Justice does not happen when we destroy or take anything that belongs to someone else without having earned it. Justice happens when we freely give a drink of water to the thirsty; when we freely feed the hungry. 

Micah prophesied: "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?" (Mic 6:8)

Before we step out to do justice let us consider if what we plan is going to actually do justice or will it do more harm to others who are not even involved. There can be a lot of collateral damage in avenging ourselves. Consider this is what you are about to do going to cause others to take vengeance on you? We ought to humble ourselves when we consider whether what we desire to do will actually bring about justice or will it cause more harm. 

May God help us to do real justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with him.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Training Children

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it."  Proverbs 22:6

I am not sure about the wisdom from Proverbs 22:6. I have seen evidence to the contrary. I have seen parents who have been just awesome parents raise their children up in the church; in a loving family. I have known parents who have lovingly taught and disciplined their children and yet...? What went wrong. One child might not depart from the way they were taught to go; while another does depart. The truth be told parents are not the only influence on our children today. They are not even the main influence any longer in many cases. There are schools and peers who are not being raised up in the way the Lord would have them go to influence them. There is television and all sorts of social media that they can get their hands on to lead them down the wrong path. Even if parents monitor what they watch or listen to or read at home. Parents do not have the capability from shutting out the negative influences when they are not with them. 

But, then again I have seen children who head off in the wrong direction and when they are old; they remember what they were taught and return to the Lord.  Maybe we just have to give it more time and more patience and more love and lots of prayers that they will all return to the way that their parents and our Father in heaven would have them go.

The Wicked Cannot Keep Still

But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest,

    whose waves cast up mire and mud.

“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

Isaiah 57:20-21 NIV

Those who spend so much time trying to stir up trouble for others should not be surprised when they can find no peace within themselves. Stirring up trouble for others; almost always leaves one in a state of trouble themselves. They have to spend a lot of time covering their own tracks in order not to be caught in their deceptions. They cannot rest as they toss about trying to figure out the best way to make their next move without getting caught in the traps they set. As they cast mud upon others, it is inevitable that some of that mud will be seen on their hands as evidence. They spend countless hours trying to figure out which lies will best justify their own actions and cast doubt upon the innocent. There is no peace for them. But, for those who live in Christ, they will know peace no matter what kind of mud is slung at them. They will know peace because they know the one who is our peace, Jesus the Christ.

May God help us all live to keep in step with the Spirit of Christ. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other that we might live in His peace. (Gal 5:22-26)

God's Peace - Pr. J.