Temptations and Faith

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

                                             (Romans 5:1-5 KJV)

To be honest, I do not always glory in tribulations.  They can be pretty tough. Tribulations have definitely given me more patience though. They have given me a lot of experience and overall they have taught me that there is hope in the love of God for us. There is  also hope in what God's love can do through us.

I get a lot of prayer requests. Whenever anyone asks me to pray for them to have patience, I ask them if they are sure they want God to answer that prayer. Patience does not come without tribulation. God works patience in us through trials. 

I have a friend who, when her children were teenagers, was having a tough time with their choices and life styles. She confessed that she had asked God for patience and everything went really south for her. She has had quite a challenging life. Today, she is the epitome of patience. But, that patience did not come without a lot of tears.

God answers prayers. Go ahead. Ask him to give you patience. But, at the same time remember to ask him for the strength, the courage, and the wisdom to meet the days ahead. Ask him to grant you faith in that he will be with you and your loved ones no matter what might assail you.

God does answer prayers. Ask wisely for the gifts you desire. Patience is worked through much tribulation. But; with faith, you will know the peace that comes from living in Christ no matter how tough life gets.

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Matt 21:22)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Everything Was Created Beautiful

The Beauty of Creation

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. . Eccl:3:11-12 NIV

There are very few things that I enjoy more than being able to experience the beauty of God's creation. He has made both man and animal; He has made everything beautiful; everything awesomely wonderful, in it's own time. His handiwork is way too much for us to be able to fathom. Yet, humankind has worked very hard at making things ugly by striving after things that do not really make us happy; by not doing what is good for all of God's creation. 

I know it sounds just a bit arrogant; but, just think about it... What was the last thing that God created? According to God's word, it was us. He created humankind on the sixth day. All those others things were done prior to our being. Before they were created the earth was not ready for us to inhabit. They were created for us and not for us to abuse or destroy; but, for our benefit. And, not just our benefit; but, for the benefit of generations to come. Therefore, we must care for all of God's creation that the beauty of it all might be a pleasure to behold for every generation to follow us. 

May God help us to see the beauty of His creation and care for it that it might bring delight to our children and their children until the day of the Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Forgiven Much; Love Much

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
                                             (Luke 7:44-47 NIV)

There was a time when people that I knew accused me of using Jesus as a crutch. I was offended at the time. But, you know what? Call it a crutch as if that's a bad thing if you want. But, the reality is that Christians are supposed to lean on him. We are to trust and depend on him for all things. Why wouldn't we? We who have sinned much; have been forgiven much; and, consequently love and trust him much.

Trusting in ourselves, in our own righteousness will get us nowhere. The bottom line is that we are all sinners and Jesus came to forgive and to save us sinners. If you think that you do not sin; that you are righteous without the grace of God in Chris Jesus, you will not be able to experience the peace that comes with knowing that your sins are forgiven; that you have been made right with God; that you have been healed and made whole.

Jesus said that those who have been forgiven little love little. When we acknowledge the abundance of our sins; we also acknowledge that we have been forgiven greatly. St. Paul, the missionary to the gentiles, had no problem confessing his sins. He served the Lord and the people he was sent to with an unwavering love. It seems that at times he actually reveled in publicly confessing them. But, he also reveled in the fact that all of his sins were forgiven by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. Your many sins have also been forgiven. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.

May the abundance of our sins be forgiven that we might love and serve the Lord with all our hearts and with all our souls and with all our strength.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Servant Of All

The Last Shall Be First In The Kingdom of God

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35

Who would like to be a servant to everyone? Practically no one would be my guess. Except, of course, those who are actually active in serving others. Those who have sincerely tried it find that serving others can be a most rewarding experience.

We've often heard that it is better to give than to receive. We often tell our children that just before the Christmas season. A gift given that is truly needed and appreciated will lift the giver's spirits as well as the spirits of the one who receives it.

Jesus' words that tell us that if we want to be first we must be last can be hard on the ego. But; if we listen to them, they will, in the end, bring much joy to our spirits. Though the Son of God most high, Jesus was willing to put himself at the very last. He was willing to give everything, even his very life that all people might live reconciled to God and to one another. He was willing to be beaten and hung on that cross so that you and I and all who would believe in him might receive eternal life. What greater gift can one give.

Jesus, was willing to serve us at the cost of his life. He was willing to be last for our sakes. Are we willing to be last in order that others might reap the benefits of our service; that others might come to know the loving gift of life in Jesus Christ, our Lord?

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Deeds of Darkness Exposed

"Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light." Eph 5:11-13 NIV

It is not in anyone's best interest to consider that they might involve themselves in any deeds of darkness and keep it a secret. The truth will come to light eventually. Even as the deeds of darkness are being considered the truth is often known to the people around them. Those who live in the light know when the evil one approaches to secretly do harm. No, they may not be able to prove it; but, they will know it.

I have been asked on many occasions throughout my life when dark secrets are finally brought into the light: "How did you know?" I can and many others can know, as well, because we have lived many years. Some of that darkness we have entered into ourselves in our younger years. We have been there, done that, don't want to go there again, and we don't want you to go there, either. We have witnessed the lies before and we have seen the devastation that has come from the fruitless deeds done in secret. These fruitless deeds of darkness are not something new to us or to the world. Sin came into the world long before any of us. It has been around since the beginning of time. We have seen it and some of us have learned from it.

Those who know the Word of God can usually recognize the difference between good and evil. We can usually know the difference between the darkness and light; although the devil will attempt to fool us disguised as an angel of light. St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians to be aware of those who masquerade as Christians. "For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. (2 Cor 11:13-15)

Paul warns us to be aware and because he does we know that it is possible to be able to discern whether the light that we see is a masquerade or if it is the true light, who is Jesus the Christ, abiding in others as well as ourselves.

It is said that darkness does not actually exist; that darkness is merely the absence of light. If the abiding light of Christ does not shine through you; then, there is only darkness. There is nothing but an empty shell striving to be filled with something. That striving often leads us into even darker places where we would very wise to avoid at all costs.

The deeds of darkness are destructive not only to oneself; but, to all whom we think we might care about or love. Compounded they are destructive to the world.

It can be most difficult to step out into the light where your deeds might be known by others. It might be embarrassing. But, the consequences will last only for a short while as those who walk in the light have eternal life! 

May God help you to see the light and enter into His precious presence for all of eternity. Live life!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Experience Peaceful Waters

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters." Psalm 23:2

Some of us really enjoy green pastures and still waters. It is a place where we can experience God's presence and His peace more fully. Others do not do not appreciate it so much. Others prefer the chaos so often found in the world.

Like a descended, the things of this world often attempt to descend upon the glory of God's Kingdom so that we cannot see or experience clearly the gift of peace that comes with following Jesus. But, God is always there for us; to lead us out of the fog and into His glorious light.

May God grant that the fog be lifted for all who would believe that we might live in His peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J