Bless The Words Of My Lips

Psalm 19 KJV; 3rd Sunday of Lent; The heavens declare His glory; may the words of our lips and the meditations of our hearts do likewise.

We Do Not Abuse Family

Romans 8:12-17; Romans12:18; KJV As member of earthly families as well as adopted members of the family of God we support one another that God might be glorified.

Being Fruitful?

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 

                                (John 15:5,7-8 KJV)

So... do we even desire to live life fruitfully or would we rather sit around and complain about how life has not given us any fruit?

Jesus tells us that in order to be fruitful; in order to have a fruit producing and fruit filled life we need to abide in him. Those who have been baptized in to the death and the life of Jesus the Christ do indeed abide in him and he in us. He is the giver of life. He is the source of all goodness and love within us.

Do not delay; cling to his words, live life in and for Christ and be fruitful that our Father in heaven is glorified.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Be Kind

For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. (1 Peter 2:15-16 KJV)

It does very little good to respond harshly to the harsh words or actions of others. That will only create more dissension and division. It brings about more drama and stress to one's life. It does not glorify God!

Rather God is glorified when we show kindness to those who attack us. If we must and sometimes we must correct someone it is out of love for them.

St. Peter encourages us to to put to silence the ill-speaking tongues our actions. St. Paul's letter to the Romans does the same and adds that by doing so we heap coals of fire upon their heads. It is up to God to decide whether vengeance is warranted and then He will take care of the vengeance. It is our call to love our neighbors and to serve them according to their needs; but, not necessarily their wants as wants are often self-serving and do not glorify God.

"Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

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)

God help us to glorify Him by being kind even to our enemies and live in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Bless The Work Of Our Hands

Backyard in Aura, MI

Psalm 90:12-17 KJV

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Return, O Lord, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.

O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.

Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.

And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

+++

Traveling no longer makes me glad in my days. Although, the land that God has given us is beautiful and I enjoy the scenery.  I do not enjoy the traffic.

We are back home in Florida with prayers that our home in Michigan is sold quickly.  There are things to do here; fruitful things things to do. For the next couple of days I will be unpacking, sorting things out, putting them away and doing a lot of cleaning. I am hoping that in the near future I will be able to plant a garden or two now that I am not having to rush things between our seasons of moving between two states.  

May God bless the work of our hands that He might be glorified.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Remain In His Love

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 

                                                                                    (John 15:9 -12 KJV)

Love each other. Love fulfills the law. It is as simple as that. If we have love; then we will do all that we can in order to not do anything to hurt the people around us. If we have love; we don't need to know and memorize every minute detail of every law; because the law is written upon our hearts. (Psalm 37:31, Jer 31:33, Heb 8:10, Heb 10:15)

In giving his life for us, Jesus showed us how much he truly loves each of us. If we remain in his love we will love even as he loves. Love isn't going to worry about who is going to make it in first at anything. Love tells us it is not only good to be the last in line; the last to receive; sometimes, it is way more preferable for all of our sakes.

Be a friend. Be a good neighbor. Do nothing that might cause any harm or danger to come to others. Do no harm. Do all things for the good of others that God might be glorified. Love each other. This is the command of Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J

In His Time

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.

                                                                                       (John 11:1,3-7 KJV)

Jesus did not run to keep his friend Lazarus from dying. He took his time so that God might be glorified. He takes his time so that the power of God will be revealed. 

One of the most interesting parts of the story for me is found in the two words of verse 35: "Jesus wept." Jesus surely did not weep for Lazarus as he knew Lazarus would be rising from the dead when he called to him in the grave. Jesus was weeping for those who grieved; whose hearts were breaking over the loss of their loved one. They were the ones suffering. They were the ones living in the shadow of the valley of death (Psalm 23:4 KJV). Jesus cares for them. 

He loves them and He loves you. He does not wish to see in you in sorrow or pain. This does not mean that you will not suffer in this world. But, when you do, trust him for in God's time, he will raise you up, again, for the glory of God our Father. 

Just as knew all about what was going on with Lazarus, he knows exactly what is going on in your lives and he has a good plan for your future. Listen to him. When he calls you out of darkness, listen to him! Follow him and live life!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Work With Integrity

Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord.

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. 

                                     (Prov 20:10-11 KJV)

One of my pet peeves is working without integrity. Someone gives you a job; then thank God that you have a job and the ability to support yourselves and your family. It is not up to anyone else to support you in perpetuity. There is help when you need help and there are many people who genuinely need help.  There are also many who can work and won't or they do such a poor job that it takes two or more people to do the job that one can do.  If you can work then work and do the best that you can for yourself and for the person who has employed you. 

I see a lot of complaints on the news and social media that minimum wage needs to be raised to fifteen dollars an hours and complaints about the self check-outs taking away job in various businesses. I personally use the self check-outs in these establishments. 

Just prior to Christmas, I was shopping for a nice tie for a young boy who likes to dress up. I had to ask three people in one store before they could direct me to them. None of the three even smiled. In fact, they acted like I was disturbing their day. When I finally found the children's ties there were no nice ones. I ended up purchasing him a necklace with a superhero logo. That took standing around at the counter for about ten minutes before anyone showed up after the call for help. That person was not friendly either. I had definitely disrupted her morning routine. Although, there was not anyone at the check-outs with cashiers, I went to the self check-out. I had no desire to have another encounter with another employee who was not happy to be doing their jobs that morning.

For the sake of yourself and others: do yourself a favor; do for your employer what is right and do the work that you have been hired to do and do it with integrity. If in any way you serve the public; serve like you actually like people and want to help them.  It may not always be easy. It may seem like an uphill battle at times; but, do it any way. Work with integrity and do what is right and good so that there might be peace in the workplace and that God might be glorified.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Who or What Abides In You?

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." (John 15:5,8 KJV)

It is only in Christ that the Father is glorified. All power and authority resides in him. His disciples are those who abide in him, that they might bear much fruit. The works of Christ's disciples will always glorify our Father in heaven and not themselves. 

There are three tall (about 100 feet tall), beautiful pine trees in my backyard. At least, last summer they were beautiful. Something bad abides in them. They are called tree beetles. The trees are dying. There is nothing left to do. They are so huge that there is no pesticide that can heal them. They will one day fall to the ground unless we have them removed before then. We have protected the other trees in the yard with pesticides that will protect them from the beetles. The three though were noticed after the beetles had already invaded them and began abiding in them.

Be careful then what you allow to abide in you. May Christ abide in you and you in him that you might have life!

"Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

                                                                                   (Matt 7:19-21)

May the fruit that is produced be produced by the abiding presence of Christ for it is by him that the Father is glorified. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Receiving A Kingdom

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

                                                                              Hebrews 12:28 KJV

If it weren't for the hope of the kingdom, I would find this world much more difficult to endure. By acknowledging that the kingdom of God is my inheritance by the grace of God, I can stand and keep on keeping on. It's not always easy as my sinful nature likes to creep in and tell me otherwise.

But, in the end, it is the love that I know that God has for me that wins out. I can rejoice in that knowledge.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

                                                                                     Romans 8:16-18

God's Peace - Pr. J

Commanded to Love

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

                                              John 15:12-13 KJV

"Love each other." It is as simple as that. Love fulfills the law. If we have love; then we will do all that we can not to do anything to hurt the people around us. If we have love; we don't need to know and memorize every minute detail of every law; because the law is written upon our hearts. (Psalm 37:31, Jer 31:33, Heb 8:10, Heb 10:15)

In giving his life for us, Jesus showed us how much he truly loves each of us. If we remain in his love we will love even as he loves. Love isn't going to worry about who is going to make it in first at anything. Love tells us it is not only good to be the last in line; the last to receive; sometimes, it is way more preferable for all of our sakes.

Be a friend. Be a good neighbor. Do nothing that might cause any harm or danger to come to others. Do all things for their good that God might be glorified. Love each other. This is the command of Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Servants Of All

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. 

                                                                                (1 Cor 9:19-23 KJV)

As servants of Christ we become servants to all. Servants of God do not lift themselves up above others. The only one they lift up is God. When we lift ourselves up over others, we make ourselves into a god; a false. Christians do not idolize or worship any man or woman. 

Paul did not consider himself to be above others; although he could have as he had stature in the world of that time both as a Jew and as a Roman citizen. He considered himself a servant of God; a servant sent to deliver the message of Jesus Christ who died and rose from the dead for all who would believe in him.  He delivered the message of forgiveness through the sacrifice of Jesus the Messiah.

We are created equal, each with his own gifts. None is greater than another. We do simply what we are called to do, use those gifts for the gospel's sake. In order to share the Gospel it is most helpful not to be lording our lifestyles over another's. It is most helpful to humble ourselves and meet people where they are.

There is only one God. He is the only one that we lift up. We do not idolize politicians, media celebrities, sports figures, religious personalities, or anyone else. That would be idolatry. And, we definitely need to ensure that no one is making a false idol out of us!

So save the applause and say Hallelujah, all praise to the living God, Amen!

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Light of the World

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." (Matt 5:14-16 NRSV)

Can you tell if someone is a Christian or not when you first meet them? Do you see the light shine in and through them? My guess is that it probably doesn't happen all that often. 

I have met more than a few people that I have been able to recognize almost immediately as people who truly love Jesus. There have been a few; but, not near as many as the number of those who claim to be Christians.

Jesus tell us that we are the light to the world. If that light is not shining, is it not natural to suspect that there is no light in us?

Let your light shine so that our Father in heaven might be glorified!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rise Up and Live Life!

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.” And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”.”
                                                                 (Mark 2:5, 9-12 NRSV)

We've all been there: feeling down; feeling sick; feeling sin sick. The guilt that can come with knowing that you have sinned; knowing that you have damaged another human being can drag a person down not just spiritually, but physically as well. When times like this present themselves; there is nothing more healing than hearing these words, "You are forgiven." Your sins are forgiven. The debt is erased. Get up and live life!

Such few words, but for the sin-sick soul they bring such relief; such healing; such wholeness. Your sins are forgiven you! Rise up and walk! Rise up and live the life that God has given you through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Glory

After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.  (John 17:1-5 NRSV)

Children love to look good in their parents' eyes. In fact, probably a more than a few are willing "exaggerate" about the good they do and the evil their brothers and sisters do in order to be "glorified" in their earthly father's eyes.

But, when Jesus prayed to be glorified he also knew that:

1. as he is glorified; the Father is glorified. It was not for selfish reasons that he prayed to be glorified. It was to do the will of His Father and that His Father in heaven be glorified.

2. That in order to be glorified he would be lifted up on the cross and put to death. Glory doesn't come by deception that makes others look bad or us look better than we are. Glory has nothing to do with deceit. It has everything to do with being lifted up as a sacrifice to death for others. God was glorified in the suffering and death and subsequent resurrection of His Son, Jesus the Christ.

If one feels the desire to pray for God's glory to come upon them, it is the same as praying: I am willing to die; I will give up everything, even my life, so that you, Father, may be glorified.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Attitude Like Christ

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom 15:5-6 NIV)

Jesus did not die for just you or just me. He did not put himself before us when he was tried and crucified. He could have left the area. Instead, he went to Jerusalem knowing what would happen. He could have tried to defend himself. But, he did not. He was not acting to protect himself. He was acting to save us.

Likewise, Paul encourages the Christians in Rome and us to have the same attitude of mind that Christ Jesus had for others; for us.

May God help us to always consider the good of others before our own personal desires so that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Trials

  

Toksovan Lutheran Church, Russia (2002)
A church, then communist meeting hall,
now a church. There is always hope for
those who persevere.

  "Paul, Silas and Timothy,
  To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

  Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.   We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

  All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels." (2 Thess 1:1-7 NIV)

  

In the face of persecution by friends, family, community; how easy it would be to just give up and follow in the ways of the world! But, for those who are confident in the Lord and in His justice, we do not give up following in the Lord's way. Our hope is in the Lord and in His promises. We know that in the end God will work all things out for the good to those who love Him and He will be glorified.

Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians begins with words of encouragement. He commends them for their perseverance and faith. They are enduring many persecutions and trials; yet, they remain faithful.

We are tried, daily, in many ways. We suffer many injustices here in this world. Yet, we know that our trials will bear fruit for the good of all of God's children. May God help us to persevere in faith 'till the day that we will see His glory in all its fullness.

God's Peace - Pr. J

He Will Answer

"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."  (John 14:12-14 NIV)

Be careful what you ask for in Jesus' name. You may not appreciate the answer to your prayers when the answer comes as much as you thought you might. God's will; after all, does not necessarily agree with our will. A friend of mine once told me that she was very sorry that she asked God for patience. He had answered her prayer and she was receiving this gift in a very hard way. She was learning it.

Jesus tells us that whatever we ask in his name, it will be given to us. We ask for all kinds of things and the reality is that the answer to some of those prayers is "no." Jesus did not say we could have anything our hearts desire. He said, "I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son." (vs 13)

Our prayers are not answered so that we can be glorified; rather, that our Father be glorified. Whatever we ask in Jesus' name that will glorify God will be answered in His way. We may not like the way in which He answers. His will; His ways are not necessarily our will; our ways.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Integrity

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 NIV

Our faith; what we believe, is evidenced in what we say and do. Do we promote God's will even as we pray that His will be done on earth as it is done in heaven? Or, do we promote the false gods of this world by what we say and do? 

Those things that we profess that we believe should agree with the things that we say and do in all aspects of our lives. We all slip at times; but, when we say that we believe one way and consistently and purposefully live in another way; we not only become traitors to God; but, to the words of our own lips. We cannot teach others to live in God's way that He might be glorified while we live in a way that contradicts what we say.

May God help us to live with integrity; that the words of our lips and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in His sight and glorify He who is our Lord, our rock and our redeemer.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Love

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Love is not self-serving; rather, it is about serving others. In other words love is not all about me. That word "love" gets thrown around a lot. There are many kinds of love. We love our friends in one way. We love our spouses in another way. We even love our enemies and pray for them. Whomever it is that we love, we ought to understand that genuine love calls for a commitment. Genuine love will make sacrifices for those whom we claim to love even as God sacrificed His only begotten Son on the cross because of His great love for us.

Love is not just a word. Love is action. It calls us to put the welfare of others before us. It calls us to take up our cross and follow Jesus for the sake of others that God who loves us so deeply might be glorified.

Love the Lord your God. Love others in the Spirit of Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J