Grace, Mercy, Peace Be With You

2 Timothy 1:1-8 KJV; God grant you faith through the hearing of the Word that grace, mercy, and peace may abide in you.

Walk In The Way Of The Lord

Psalm 1:1-4 KJV; Do what is right. Walk in the way that the Lord has shown you.

Execute Judgment, Lord!

Psalm 119:81-88 & 2 Chronicles 7:14 Execute judgment, Lord, upon those who persecute others for their own profit and glory.

The Wisdom To Change The Things We Can

Reading from James 1:5 KJV with brief meditation. Some things we can change. Somethings we can't. May God grant us the wisdom to know which is which.

In Times Of Trouble God Is With You

The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.

I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.

Behold, the Lord God will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. 

                                                                                  (Isa 50:4-10 KJV)

When it is said that the Lord will help us it does not necessarily mean our lives will be all peaches and cream.  It means he will be with us in the times of trial. The Lord will comfort us and give us the strength to stand under the unjust scrutiny and persecution that is directed at us. Sometimes we will see relief from the trials immediately. At other times it may take some time to see our way out of darkness that surrounds and threatens us. Know this: God is with you and for you, trust in the name of the Lord and you shall see the light even as those who condemn you unjustly shall wax old like a garment.

Christians will see persecution from even family and friends. They will be some who will try to extinguish the light of Christ that shines within and through you. Have no fear. Jesus told us that even as he would despised so shall his followers be despised. 

"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you." 

                                                                                         (John 15:18)

Jesus was despised by many. He was persecuted and killed because he was feared; because he was even hated. Yet, he lives. He rose from the grave and because he lives all who believe in him shall also live. On the night he was betrayed and arrested he had told his disciples:

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also."

                                                                                       (John 14:18-19)

God grant everyone who is being troubled unjustly comfort and peace by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus our Savior and Lord we pray. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Love Is Fulfillment Of The Law

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (Rom 13:8 KJV)

This should be very easy for us to understand. If we love one another we would do or say nothing to harm others. Unfortunately, we are sinners through and through and it is impossible for us to never do any harm to others. The commandments that God handed down to us through Moses are broken every day. For this reason God sent his only  begotten Son to be the fulfillment of the law for us. 

It is only in Christ that we can even begin to truly love one another. May God grant us His Holy Spirit; His Spirit of love in Christ Jesus that we might do no harm.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Fear Not

"Fear not: for I am with thee..." (Isa 43:5a KJV) 

How often we need to hear those words! Do not be afraid. God is with you. We often find ourselves in bondage to a variety of issues we are struggling to figure and work out for ourselves or someone we love. Maybe it's financial difficulties or relationship issues that are causing anxiety. The Corona Virus today has an untold number of people today in a state of fear. The level of panic in so many today absolutely astounds me. There is definitely reason to be cautious. But, caution and fear are not the same thing. Being cautious and taking precautions is the wise thing to do. Panicking only causes more problems.

There are times when we may feel overwhelmed with fear; as though we are lost in a thick forest with no clue how to find our way out. We might find ourselves journeying through the wilderness and feeling like we are making that journey quite alone. But, fear not. You are not alone. The LORD, who created and redeemed you has not deserted you. He is with you. The word of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior, promises this.

Fear not for God is with you. May God grant you the peace that only He can give.  

God's Peace - Pr. J

Comfort and Peace

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (2 Cor 1:3-4 KJV)

I have found over the years that the best place to go when I'm in trouble is to God. In Him there is a comfort that one can find no where else.

If the whole world would only turn to Jesus in times of trouble we would all know comfort and peace and a whole lot less times of trouble.

Turn to the Lord and trust the Spirit of Christ to guide you through the troubled times so that you might be comforted. Jesus had promised to send us his Spirit, the Comforter, so that we might know both comfort and peace. On that first Pentecost after his ascension that promised gift of the Holy Spirit was received unto the world.

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

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 14:26-27)

Ask and you shall receive the Holy Spirit that has come to bring you comfort and peace. Jesus told the people and he tells us through the word:

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)

You who are troubled, why do you not ask God for the comfort and peace that only God, the Holy Spirit can give?

May the Holy Spirit comfort you and grant you the peace that only God can give.

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

Serenity, Courage, Wisdom

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5 KJV

Every now and then, as I attempt to fix the things that I cannot fix, I am reminded of the Serenity Prayer that was written by Reinhold Niebuhr. 

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.

It is difficult to watch others suffer. Sometimes we can help them. Sometimes, we cannot do anything except to pray for them. Sometimes, we lack the wisdom to know the difference so we go about spinning our wheels trying to fix that which only God can fix.

Wisdom will help us to determine what we can and should change and what we must trust to God alone. When God gives us the knowledge and the wisdom of how we are to proceed, it would be very wise indeed to follow His directions. Ignoring what God has taught or told you (whether directly or through others) is definitely not wise.

May God grant us all the wisdom to listen to Him and the courage to do what He asks of us and go where He would send us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

His Blessings; His Peace

There are a lot of people hurting in this world. So much so that many are so lost in their own pain that they do not even consider that their neighbors; their loved ones might also be hurting.

What can we do to help? How do we reach out to others? How do we reach them? How do we get others to understand that the Lord desires that all people would receive his blessings and live in his peace? We cannot do a thing for anyone without the Lord's help. But, with him all things are possible.

Let us begin by asking God's blessings on others. Let us begin with prayer for and with others. Let us pray...

"The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace." Num 6:24-26

God's Peace - Pr. J

Grant Us Wisdom

"If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you." James 1:5 NRSV

Every now and then, as I attempt to fix the things that I cannot fix, I am reminded of the serenity prayer that was written by Reinhold Niebuhr.       

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference.

It is difficult to watch others suffer. Sometimes we can help them. Sometimes, we cannot do anything except to pray for them. Sometimes, we lack the wisdom to know the difference; so we go about spinning our wheels trying to fix that which only God can fix.

Wisdom will help us to determine what we can and should change and what we must trust to God alone. When God gives us the knowledge and the wisdom of how we are to proceed, it would be very wise indeed to follow His directions. Ignoring what God has taught or told you (whether directly or through others) is definitely not wise.

May God grant us all the wisdom to listen to Him and the courage to do what He asks of us and to go where He would send us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Here Comes The Sun

It's all right, here comes the sun.

One of my favorite Beetles songs was "Here Comes the Sun." It speaks of smiles returning to our faces when the sun shines. There are times in life when we are confronted with one challenge after another. Even when the sun is shining, there are times when we don't even notice because the challenges can bring a darkness that overshadows the sun.

But, the light of the Son of God cannot be overshadowed. His light shines in the darkest corners of the universe; in the deepest and darkest corners of our lives. When dark times threaten to overshadow you; rejoice! For, here comes the Son with his light to shine upon you!

“The Lord bless you and keep you;The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”

Num 6:24-26 (NKJV)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Wise Choices

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do."

James 1:6-8

Today, I am very pleased with the choices my granddaughter has made. She is enrolling in a Medical Assistant Program, with the hope that will enhance her future life here in this world. She hasn't always listened to my advice so I am relieved that she is making wise choices on her own.

James wrote that we are to ask God for wisdom. For years, I have been asking Him for her. Lately, I have been asking Him to help her listen and follow in the direction He would have her go. I did not doubt that He would answer that prayer. I am just so very thankful that she made this wise choice sooner than later.

May God grant us His wisdom as well as the ability to act upon it.

God's Peace - Pr. J