Do Not Worry

Matthew 6:25-34 KJV; Do not worry. It's ok to plan; but do not worry about your planning.

The Flesh Dies

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

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.

                                                                                (John 6:32-35 KJV)

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 

                                                                                (John 6:63 KJV)

The flesh is but a tent within which we live life. It is the spirit that gives life. The words that Jesus has given us are filled with the Spirit and with life.

The material things of this world matter very little. Of course, we need some of them for the fleshly tent to continue housing the spirit. But, too often we worry about the feeding the flesh and totally neglect the spirit within with the end result being that life becomes very wearisome and we become quarrelsome. Like the grass the withers and the flowers that fall the flesh too will pass away. (1 Peter 1:24-25) It will wither and die. What then shall become of your spirit; of your life if it has not been fed with the bread of life?

The spirit must be rejuvenated in order for us to live. It must be fed. Care for your spirit by feeding it with the truth, with the true bread from heaven, with the Word of God, who is Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

He Alone Brings Forth All Things

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. 

                                                                                        (Isa 61:10-11 KJV)

It is God alone who created the plants of the earth. The garden grow. The flowers bloom. It is He alone who causes them to bring forth the fruit of their seed. So it is He who will cause us to rejoice as righteousness not just survives but thrives for the world to see. 

Rejoice in the Lord who gives us all good things. Praise Him who saves us!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Death Is Not The End

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.                                                                    

                                                                                        (1 Peter 1:4-5 KJV)

We will all die. Unless the Lord comes before that time and takes us bodily to himself, we will all die. Death of the flesh is inevitable. But, thanks be to God through Jesus Christ this is not the end. Despite that some (including some clergy) say that death is the end, according to the word of the Lord, it is not the end! 

In St. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians he wrote:

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

                                                                                 (1 Cor 15:50-55)

Christ has destroyed the power of death with his death. If we do not have to fear even death than why do we so often fret over the little obstacles in this world. Jesus, himself, tells us that we should not be worried; but to believe in him; to trust that he will take us to be with him.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 

                                                                                (John 14:1-3)

Do not be afraid. Trust in the word of the Lord and live in peace no matter what would attack you; no matter what obstacles you might have to face. Just as the grass withers and the flowers fade so must our flesh. But, the word of the Lord stands forever. That word is the gospel, is the good news, of the eternal kingdom of God is at hand and is for you through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Do not fear. Trust in the word of the Lord that brings you such good news!

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

                                                                                 (John 14:17)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Word Endures Forever

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

                                                                                    (1 Pet 1:24-25 KJV)

My Easter flowers are fading fast. Today, I will replant the lilies and throw away the cut flowers. Winter has died. With spring flowers and trees are beginning to  to show beautiful signs of life again. The grass has also returned to a point where it must be mowed every week. The flowers and the grass each have their own short seasons to live. But, each spring, sometimes with a lot of extra care, they rise from their sleep and live again.

We too have a short season to live here on earth. But thanks be to God and to His Word, who is Jesus the Christ, we too will rise from death and live. Through His Word we have His promise that though our flesh will die; yet shall we live. (John 11:25-26) The Word, the promise of good news, endures forever. Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Lord, our Redeemer!

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

A Fertile Heart

In Stony Places

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

                                                                                  (Luke 8:11-15 KJV)

I thoroughly enjoy the scenery at Pte. Abbeye. I love the sound of Lake Superior crashing against the rocks; the view of the Huron Islands in the distance; the walk through the woods to get to the point. The woods is lush and green. However, the point itself is rock upon rock. Amazingly you will see grass and flowers growing in the crevices. They are few and far between. They are pretty; yet, they are very fragile. They are highly vulnerable to the elements. The waves get a little to big and they will be washed away. The sun beating on the rocks may cause them to wither and die. 

It is very difficult for anything to grow in rocky places. It is just as difficult for the word of God to flourish in a cold and stony heart or mind as it is for flowers to grow in a bed of rocks. 

If your heart has grown cold and stony, do not despair. There is nothing too hard for the Lord. He can turn that stony heart into a heart that is warm and ready to be sown with the seed that will produce much fruit. This is the Lord's promise:  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (Ezek 36:26)

May God bless you with a fertile heart so that the seed which he plants may flourish.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. 

                                                            (Song of Solomon 2:12-13a)

The grass is growing in most of the yard. The flowers are blooming. The birds are singing. I drank my first cup of coffee outside in the dark this morning listening to the birds sing. I love it out here. 

We turned the keys to our last home over to the new owners yesterdays and have just about finished moving into the RV. The RV, in our son's yard, will be where we stay when we are in Florida.

I have been working on a butterfly/fairy/gnome garden for Paige and myself. The photo above is the very beginning of it. There is a long way to go. It will be a work in progress for awhile. 

Nine months ago this chunk of land was completely wooded. It is now a home. God has blessed us richly. May God bless you, as well.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Gifts From God

But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8 NRSV)

 

God showers the earth with flowers

It is St. Valentine's Day. Flowers are a cherished gift by many. People around the world will be giving flowers, chocolates, and miscellaneous gifts today to the ones whom they love. 

But, there is one who loves us more than it is possible for any human to love. Look around and you will see the marvelous gifts that he has given us, including flowers that grow wherever he would choose. 

But, the greatest gift that he could possible give us is the gift of his Son. 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. (John 3:16)

May God grant that you should live in His love and His light now and forever.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Word Endures Forever

Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. For

“All flesh is like grass
   and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
   and the flower falls,

but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

That word is the good news that was announced to you.
                                                       (1 Peter 11:22-25 NRSV)

This is what we Christians do: we announce the word, which is the good news of Jesus Christ. Yes, we share the word: Jesus died for you.

Jesus is the Word. The Gospel of St. John (1:1-9, 14) tells us:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

Jesus is the word, which brings us truth and love light! May the Word of God abide in and through you forever.

God's Peace - Pr. J

                                                                                    

Flowers Fade

The life of mortals is like grass,

they flourish like a flower of the field;

the wind blows over it and it is gone,

and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting

the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children’s children—

with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts.

Psalm 103:15-18

It is always nice to be reminded of death. Not! Most people would probably prefer to think that they have decades and decades upon decades of life left here on earth. Considering that we are dust and to dust we will one day return or like flowers in a field that fade away is not something that is generally a mood pleaser. But, it is reality. We must make the most of our days here on earth for the time here is very short.

But; for those who fear and love the Lord, we know that this world is not all there is. There is more. His love will abide with us for all eternity and we will abide in His love from everlasting to everlasting.

The grass withers and flowers fade; but, love lasts for all eternity. God's love will keep us close forever. 

God's Peace – Pr. J

Flower Or A Weed?

"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'" 1 Samuel 16:7

When the Lord sent Samuel to anoint the next king over Israel, Samuel saw the stature of Eliab and thought for sure this one must be the one. But, the Lord let him know that He had not chosen the next king of Israel by his outward appearance. In the end, it was Jesse's youngest son, David, just a shepherd in the field, who was called to be anointed to be the next king.

In the spring when the dandelions begin to bloom, my husband is always in a hurry to get rid of them. I see the yellow blossoms as wonderful signs of spring and I am grateful that they and spring have arrived. We each have a different perspective on what we see or hear. We see things differently. My husband sees weeds. I see flowers.

God see things a whole lot differently than we do. So what does God see when He looks into our hearts? Our neighbors may see our hearts as dark as the night. But, what does God see? Does he see a child in pain who has not yet learned how to deal with life around him? Does he see a heart that is aching for only the peace that He can give?

No one; but, God, can know what is truly in the heart of another person. Whether good or evil; whether a weed or a flower, only God can know for sure.

Who knows? The next weed that you try to destroy just might be a treasured flower; a beloved and chosen child of God.

Pr. J

Blessings on Mother's Day

"The grass withers and the flowers fall,
   but the word of our God endures forever.”
                                                Isaiah 40:8 NIV

Many women will receive flowers day in thanks for their loving service as mothers. I am not sure how we came up with holidays like Mother's and Father's day; but, we have them just the same. Holidays come and go. Just like the flowers that fall; one day the holiday is here and the next day it is gone and nothing more than a fleeting memory. 

Most of the people that I have previously served probably remember that I have never really felt inclined to observe secular holidays in the church. Unless, someone reminds me that they are coming up, I usually do not even consider them. I do not remember them. My number one and only priority in the pulpit is to proclaim the word of God; to feed the sheep with the food (the Word of God) that will sustain their souls. 

May God bless all Mother's this day; but, let us not forget that we too are like the grass that withers and the flowers that fall without the word of our God. The word of God will endure forever as will all who believe that our Lord and Savior died for us that we might live eternally in the presence of God our Father. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Flowers are an awesome gift for mothers. But, what most Christian mothers would really like to see is her children worshipping the God whose word endures forever.

The Lord Provides!

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!" (Luke 12:27-28)

The Lord provides! He finds many ways and many people to do this. Sometimes, it is through grandparents. Sometimes, it is through others. But, for those of us with even a little faith, He does provide.

It has always kind of amazed me that often those with very little feel abundantly blessed and those with an abundance sometimes feel and act like they live in poverty. They do not recognize the gifts that God has already given them. They do not treasure what they already have.

Jesus reminds us that God clothes even the grass of the feel with beautiful flowers; He will also clothe us - we who have such little faith. Trust in the Lord and give thanks for all that He has done!

God's Peace - Pr. J

His Word Does Not Change; It Endures Forever

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For,

“All people are like grass,
    and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
    but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

And this is the word that was preached to you.

                                         (1 Peter 1:23-25 NIV)

The word of the Lord endures forever. It doesn't change to suit the whims of the people. It is the same yesterday and today and it will remain tomorrow.

Over the ages various interpretations of scripture have been used to suit the desires of those who would misuse God's word to validate their sins. It is no secret that people have used and still use scripture, taken way out of context, to validate their own personal desires and agendas.

I would remind those who tell me that times have changed that even though the times may change the word of the Lord has not changed. His word endures forever. Hold fast to that word that you might live life more fully in this world and eternally in the Kingdom of God. Living according to the world's standards is not becoming to one who has been born again through the living and enduring word of God, who is Jesus the Christ. It is not becoming nor is it wise or safe. Jesus came to reconcile us to God and to one another in His Kingdom. Let us rejoice in our salvation and not preach another gospel.

Our glory may fade even as the flowers of the field will fade. But, the glory of the Lord will never fade. It will endure forever.

Remember the word that was preached to you. May God grant us the discernment to live according to His word and His will for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Born Again Through The Word Of God

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:23-25 NIV

Whenever I read these scripture verses, I imagine a hay field that has not been mown for many years. Wildflowers mingle among the swaying blades of mature; yet, dying hay. Come winter, it will all die. The snow will bury the entire field, grass and flowers alike. So it will be for all that has been born of perishable seed

But, for those who are born again, through the living Word, they will rise again. Death has no victory over all who abide in the Word, who is Jesus the Christ.

May God grant that you abide in His Word and His Word abide in you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

It Is God Who Makes The Flowers Bloom

"Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these." Matt 6:27-29 NIV

The flowers do not labor or spin and when it comes to growing a flower garden; neither do I do much work. My life has been so full of other things that I do not spend a lot of time gardening. I enjoy seeing the flowers grow and come to full bloom. But, other than planting the seeds and a little watering when it is needed, I do not do much. I leave the scattered seeds in God's hands. Most often, they grow to beautiful flowers most haphazardly positioned. Sometimes, they don't.

It is the same with planting the seeds for the Kingdom.  "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how." (Mark 4:26-27) All we can do is plant the seed and maybe do a little fertilizing and watering.

Do not worry about whether the work of your hands will flower and bloom. All that we can do is scatter the seeds and trust God to provide the growth. Whether it will grow or not or how it will grow is up to the Spirit of Christ.

St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians (1 Cor 3:6-7) "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."

Even as St. Paul and the many saints before us planted many seeds and watered them, may the abiding Christ scatter many seeds through us as we trust Him to provide the growth for all in His Kingdom.

God's Peace - Pr. J