Jesus Is The Word; Jesus Is The Light!

Psalm 119:103-105; John 8:12; John 14:6 KJV; Jesus is the light of our salvation. Through him we have been reconciled to our Father in heaven.

He Will Wipe The Tears From Our Eyes

Isaiah 25:6-9 KJV Death is inevitable. But, the day will come when the Lord will wipe the tears from our eyes.

Do What Is Right And Live Life In Peace

1 Peter 3:8-12 KJV; Do what is right and live life in a more peaceful manner.

Help Comes From The Lord

When evil comes to us we must look to the Lord for help..

Psalm 121:1-2 KJV

Eyes to See

The beggar followed in the way of Jesus

And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

                                                                                     (Mark 10:46-52 KJV)

The story of the blind man begging Jesus to have mercy on him is a reminder that Jesus does indeed hear our prayers and answers.  The beggars eyes are healed. They are opened so that he might see the world around him. Jesus declares that he has been made whole. Being made whole the once blind man can now see to follow in the way of Jesus. When one is touched by the love and mercy of Jesus they are made whole.

We can never make ourselves whole. It is God in Christ Jesus who makes us whole. It is he who gives us new life; a life of wholeness in the Body of Christ; in the Kingdom of God. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Justice Will Come On the Day Of The Lord

 

The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.

O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!

Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.

Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth. 

                                                                                       (Hab 1:1-4 KJV)

Habbakuk wants to know of the Lord why evil persists raising up strife and contentions.  We ask this same thing today. Why do we find ourselves being grieved by the very people who have sworn to protect us? Rather than protect they subjugate the population that does not agree with them. They actually sujugate the whole population; but, many have eyes that do not see; ears that do not hear. Laws upon laws, mandates upon mandates are made and change so regularly that it is impossible to keep up with what the newest rules are. Taxes are added on top of taxes; fines on top of fines and those sometimes without the people's consent. Where is the justice? When will it come?

It will come in the day of the Lord. We can know peace even in the times of trouble today because we know that although our governments make many wrongful judgments, the Lord has a plan; a good plan, for those who love him. (Rom 8:28) His people may endure hardships for a time; but, in the end we will know peace in the presence of Almighty God. 

"The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.

For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low..." 

                                                                                           (Isa 2:11-12)

We wait patiently (sometimes not so patiently) for the day of the Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Vengeance Will Be God's

"Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water..."

                                                                                     (Isa 35:4-7a KJV)

I am sorry for my attitude; but, I am waiting for that day that the Lord will come even with vengeance to save his children who are persecuted and killed all day long.  How evil can the world be to turn a blind eye to those who are suffering; to those who are being hunted down and persecuted?  Of course, not everyone has turned a blind eye. But, so many do, especially those in power and control of others. Minimizing the suffering of others to make oneself look good is just so totally political. It has nothing to do with doing what is right but what is good for the politicians and their behind the curtain puppet masters.

I wait for the day when all eyes and ears will be opened to see and hear how the choices of these few men and women have destroyed the lives of others. Will it ever happen in my lifetime here on earth? Will we ever see real justice? Will we ever see a time when we do not turn our backs on those who are being hunted down and persecuted  and even killed because they do not think or believe or live like those in control think that they should? Genocide by any other name is still genocide! It is a crime against all of humanity.

Will we ever really see the widow and the orphan protected and cared for no matter who they are or where they live? We talk a lot about it. But, will this generation ever see it?

Just because someone lives half way around the world from us; does that mean we should not be there for them?  My heart and mind hears the cries of the many in hiding today: "Help us! Why have you deserted us?"

The prophet Isaiah reminds us that God will bring vengeance upon those who have caused so much fear in the lives of others. It is promised that he will deliver those who are fearful. May God bring that promise to fruition quickly! 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Submit One To Another

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

                                                                                                               (Eph 5:21-28 KJV)

St. Paul admonished husbands and wives to submit to one another. What does this mean?

It means even as the Lord Jesus gave himself up for the sake of humanity we are to give our own pitiful and self-serving desires up for the sake of the person we have committed to live and love forever; for the sake of our marriages.

If we could but love as Christ loves the world would be in excellent shape. We are sinners; but, that does not mean that we should not try with all of our beings to love and support each other.  As people, born again into the Body of Christ, the Spirit of Christ dwells within us and reminds us when we are about to do something that will cause physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual damage to our spouses. It also empowers us, as hard as it may seem, to say no. I love him or her too much. I have committed myself to that person in the eyes of God and will put their needs before my own desires for the sake of out marriage; for the sake of the whole family of God. 

The love that God has imparted to us through Jesus Christ empowers us to do what is right for others, for ourselves; for our marriages. When we do what is right; when we submit to one another, as the Spirit guides us, our lives will know a much greater amount of both love and peace. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Help Us To Help

PSALM 14 KJV

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.

There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.

Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge.

Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

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Is there any understanding of the good will of God for all people? The Psalmist doesn't seem to think so. Indeed, we are all sinners. We look out for our own welfare while eating up our neighbors (next door and around the world). We desert those in need for our own welfare and prosperity. What a shameful world it can be!

May God grant us all eyes to see; ears to hear; and open hearts so that we might come to the aid of others according to the good will of our Father in heaven.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Knowing God Is God

Psalm 46:10

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.                                                                               

                                                                                     (John 6:35-40 KJV)

Doubt can creep in when one is least expecting it. Trouble may came and you wonder where God is. Does he really exist and if he does why would he allow this to happen. We cannot see him face to face now and sometimes it might be hard to grasp this Father in heaven. I have heard him described as a bearded old man living in the clouds or other such absurd analogies and those descriptions coming from adults! SMH!! It is absurd to make fun of something or someone that one does not know. 

But, those who worship him, do know him. As Job declared that he would one day see God face to face so do those who know and love him declare it. 

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. 

                                                                                             (Job 19:25-27)

Our God is not some far away god who sits on a cloud. He is here with us, in us, above us, all around us. He is not an old man either. He is eternal and he is God Almighty. We do not have to see him face to face in order to know him. We read and hear the testimony of his many children. We witness his acts of love and kindness everyday in the Christians around us. We behold his creation and we are in awe of his handiwork.

Thomas knew Jesus. He was a follower of Jesus. They were friends. Yet, when Jesus rose from the dead Thomas doubted that this could possible be true. He had see him with his own eyes to believe it.  

"Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." (John 20:29)

We don't have to see him to believe. We are witnesses to his grace and his mercy and his love. Blessed are you who believe for you have received everlasting life in the presence of God Almighty!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Look To The One Who Dwells In The Heavens

Psalm 123 KJV

Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us.

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.

Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.

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Look to the One who created you in the time of trouble. Look to the One who created all things in times of peace. Look to the one who dwells in the heavens. He has shown us mercy. He will have mercy upon us. Wait upon Him. Trust not  in the world or anything else in the heavens or on earth to rescue you. God is with you. He can. He will rescue you.

Thanks be to God for through faith in Christ we have been saved!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Life In These Old Tents

 

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

                                                                            (2 Cor 4:14-18, 5:1 KJV)

Day be day these fleshly tents we live in grow sick. They grow weary as we advance toward the day when we will shed these earthly tabernacles to live in the eternal heavens; the kingdom of God. Even as the bodies advances toward destruction; the spirit does not. The spirit continues to hope for the kingdom which is not seen while in the body; while in these old tents. 

No matter what troubles we may face in our daily lives we know that they are temporary. The trials of this world are temporary; but, in Christ we have eternal life! We have eternal peace. For now we endure the light afflictions even as we look to the day when "...God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Rev 21:4)

Life in these old tents can be trying for sure; but, there is also a lot of joy in the life that we live today. While we wait for that day when the things we do not see become completely realized in our lives may God help us to live life with the abundance he has given us for life in these earthly tabernacles he has provided us with.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Trust God And Know Peace

Proverbs 3:1-12 KJV

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:

For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

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There is a path that leads to peace. Our Lord has shown us the way if we would only listen to Him. I have fallen off that path more than a few times. Thanks be to God for loving me enough to lead me back to the path that He has set before us! 

I have learned over the years and after being corrected by God more times than I can count that the way to live a peaceful life is to live trusting that the Lord will provide for us and by  honoring Him for all that He is and for all that He does. 

I have found that it is best to listen to Him rather than my own desires. The Lord provides all things including a peace that surpasses all understanding. (Phil 4:4-8)  As a young married couple so many decades ago my husband and I often struggled trying to make ends meet. We struggled and didn't get most of the things we desired. We did not get any extra conveniences. But, we were never without our daily needs being provided for.

It is a wise move to listen to the Lord and trust Him. Follow in the way that He has shown you and live in peace.

God's peace be with you always - Pr. J.

He Bore Our Sins

"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." 

                                                                                    (1 Pet 2:21-24 KJV)

It is causes us much grief to witness someone suffering. How much more grief we bear when we understand that the suffering and death that Jesus went through was solely for our sakes. On that cross he bore our sins in his body. He bore our sins that we might be healed; be made whole in the eyes of God.

Because of his suffering you are forgiven all of your sins! God forgives you. Don't neglect to receive that forgiveness and live life in Christ!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Live In The Light Of Christ

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 

                                                                                     (1 John 1:4-10 KJV)

The light reveals all things. Yet, so many prefer that those secrets; those sins, that are committed against God and one another stay hidden. After all, if we allow those sins to come into the light it just might require us to make some changes to our lives. So in hiding our sins we choose to live in darkness and stay far from the light where we would find real joy in the presence of God.

God is light. Hiding out in the darkness will keep us from fellowship with God as we be spending more time attempting to hide our secrets rather than living in the love of God and focusing ourselves on loving Him and the people around us.  

The light shines brightly. Open your eyes and walk in the light of Christ that your sins might be forgiven and that you might be reconciled to God and to another. Live in the light that your joy might be full!

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

Blinded By The Light

At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 

                                                                                      (Acts 26:13-18 KJV)

Blinded by the light as he met the ascended Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul was sent by Jesus himself to open the eyes of all who could not see Jesus; to turn them from darkness to the light of Christ. 

His testimony to King Agrippa was compelling. It was so compelling that the king would have set him free had Paul not requested to make an appeal before Caesar. Paul's intention by appealing to Caesar was not to be found not guilty. It was so that even Caesar might hear the truth about Jesus and would see the light. 

As Paul was blinded by the light his eyes were opened so that he could see the truth who is Jesus the Christ. 

May God open the eyes of all people by the power of the Holy Spirit that all might step out of the darkness into the marvelous light of Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Open Our Eyes To See

Help me to see; illumine me!

And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.

And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.

And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?

They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.

So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

                                        (Matt 20:30-34 KJV)

Open our eyes Lord that we might see all that you would have us see! Help us to see your truth so that we might follow in your way.

There are more ways than one to be blind. When one is spiritually blind we cannot see the plight of others. We look only to our own well-being. The spiritually blind  cannot see that their quest for more for themselves is only taking them further into the darkness. They cannot recognize the truth.  

The blind men begged Jesus to open their eyes! And, he did! They had walked in darkness long enough and Jesus was willing and able to make them see. May God open our eyes so that we might see the way, the truth, and the light, who is Jesus the Christ.

             Open my eyes, that I may see
             Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
             Place in my hands the wonderful key
             That shall unclasp and set me free. 
              Silently now I wait for Thee,
              Ready my God, Thy will to see,
              Open my eyes, illumine me,
              Spirit divine!

•                       Clara H. Scott, 1895

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

Endure The Truth

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 

                                                    (2 Tim 4:2-4 KJV)

The time has come when people will not endure sound doctrine. They will not endure sound anything. Lies are preferred over truth as long as those lies promise them what they think might make them  happy in this world. In other words, if the promises, whether promised with integrity or not, give them hope in worldly things then they will follow after those who give them false hope. 

May God open the ears and eyes and hearts of all people to know the truth and strive for the kingdom for all people rather than what will appease their own lusts.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Do What Is Just

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

                                                                                   (Phil 4:4-9 KJV)

Rejoice! Do what is right. Do what is good! Do what is virtuous!

Trouble comes in larger quantities when we focus on twisting the truth; when we focus on vengeance rather than justice; whenever we put ourselves first to the detriment of others.

St. Paul encourages the Philippians and us to do what is right and rejoice. I have heard such slanderous gossip lately that it just boggles my mind. The only positive thing that comes from it, if there is one, is that the true spirit of those who do this is revealed. All we can do is pray that their eyes, ears, and hearts be opened so that they might repent and give glory to God for the good things that he has ordained for us.

Vengeance and attacks on perceived enemies will get us no where except stuck in the muck and mire. It will cause much animosity. However, when we focus on and follow in the way that Jesus, who is the truth, has set before us the peace of God will be with us.

Do what is right. Do what is just. Live in peace and rejoice!

God's peace - Pr. J.

Dwell In The Shadow Of The Lord

 

PSALM 91 KJV

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

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Dwell in the shadow of the Lord and live life abundantly!!!

God's Peace - Pr. J.