Fear No Storm

 

Proverbs 29:25 (KJV)

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.

Storms of every kind will come into our lives; but, he who trusts in the Lord does not have to fear. The Lord is with you and will guide you through every storm.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Light Of Christ

Psalm 112:4-5 (KJV)

Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. 

The light of Christ who is gracious, full of compassion, and righteous shines upon a world that can be very dark. The world can also be full of the light of Christ. But, many love the darkness because the darkness will hide their sins. There will be legislatures that will make what is wrong right so that their own sins may be hidden. There will be many who support this subversion of justice. 

But, those who know Jesus live in the light that the truth may be seen. They live bathed in the light of Christ that they might live in comfort and in peace. 

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. 

                                                                         (John 3:17-21)

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

                                                                             (2 Cor 4:6)

Jesus the Christ is the light that was sent into the world. Live life! Live it in the light of Christ to the glory of God!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Spirit Told Him To Go

"And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus."

                                                                                   (Acts 8:26-35 KJV)

Philip heard the Spirit send him to the eunuch and so he went. He did not make excuses for not going. He did not say I have other things to do right now. He did not say I will wait for the eunuch to come to me. He just went so that he could help the eunuch understand the word of God. Philip preached Jesus to the Eunuch.

The Spirit calls and sends each and every Christian to go and share with others that Jesus is the Christ. Will you listen? Will you go?

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Rom 10:14)

Listen to where the Spirit sends you and then go wherever he sends and tell about the love of God through Jesus the Christ, our Savior and Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Hope Fills Us With Joy

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:13 KJV)

It can be difficult to continue hoping for something for years and years and never get to see that thing that we hope and pray for. Yet, we continue to hope. We continue to believe that no matter how bad things might get today God has a good plan for those who believe. (Rom 8:28)

As difficult as it can be to get through some days and weeks and even years we trust in the Holy Spirit to guide us and to comfort us; to give us hearts filled with peace and with hope.

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

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

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

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

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

                                                                                               (Rom 5:1-5)

May God grant that we should put our faith in the Father who is the great I AM and in the Son who is Jesus the Christ and in power of the Holy Spirit that our hope in God's promises will fill us with joy. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Alone: A Good Or Bad Thing

"But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed."  (Luke 5:15-16 KJV)

Is being alone a good or a bad thing? It can be either.

Scripture tells us that it is good that people should support one another. We should not be without fellowship. We should not isolate ourselves from others but live and serve the Lord and one another together.

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up." (Eccl 4:9-10)

And then we have St. Paul telling us that it would be better not to marry so we can better serve the Lord. Yet, if we can not restrain ourselves then it is better to marry. 

"I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn." (1 Cor 7:8-9)

Paul may not have been devoted to a wife. Yet, he was not alone. He served the Lord in fellowship with other followers and above all God was with him.

So shall we live alone or must we, as so many people seem to think, live in some type of committed relationship with another? 

It is good to have someone to share life with. But, in search of that special person be very careful that you are not stepping into a lonely state of being even while you are not physically alone. The loneliness that is sometimes experienced even while you are with someone can be far worse than being alone. 

Despite what some people have conjured up in their minds and promoted, no where in scripture do we find that Jesus himself was in any type of committed relationship with any one individual other than his Father in heaven. For sure, he surrounded himself with people as he served them. He surrounded himself with those he was teaching. Those are good things. But, he would also often withdraw himself from the community in order to talk one on one with his Father, our Father in heaven. "And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed." (Luke 5:16)

Whether we commit to spend our lives with someone is entirely our choice. May that choice be one based on mutual love and a mutual desire to serve God and all whom God has created. 

It would; however, be very unwise to put any one person before the Lord your God. It is most beneficial to do as Jesus did and withdraw from others at least for short periods of time every day and spend time in prayer; in communication, with our Father in heaven. 

He will be there for you always and He will guide you in His ways. Seek His presence and spend intentional time with Him daily for He loves you as no other can.  

God's Peace - Pr. J.

God Does Great Things

Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.

Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.

He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.

Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.

Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy. 

                                                                                (Psalm 99:7-9 KJV)

The misdeeds of Israel did not go unpunished. Their sins did not go unpunished. Yet, they continued to call on and exalt His name and the LORD continued to speak to them. He led them through the wilderness. They called on His name and He led them through the wilderness to the promised land.

We are all guilty of misdeeds. We are all sinners. That does not mean the LORD has turned His back on us. Speak to Him and listen, for He will guide us on our way. Pray to Him and He will answer. Bow down and worship the one true God. God will forgive us our sins against Him. He will lead us on our journey through every wilderness, every dark valley. 

Take a lesson from the Israelites who wandered in the desert for so many years because they were afraid to take the land the LORD had promised them. Do not fear to follow in the way He would have you go. Listen to Him. For He is just and merciful. Do not turn away from Him, but follow wherever He may lead. 

How many times have we found ourselves in an anxious place, a dark place, where we cannot see to find our way out? There is a way. Speak to the LORD, ask Him to show you the way out. The LORD our God will lead you out of bondage. It may take a little time in the wilderness, but you will enter the promised land. God will do what He has promised and He has promised justice and equity. In Jesus Christ, He has promised you peace that surpasses all understanding. Speak to Him and listen, for He will guide you on your way. 

Great is the LORD our God. He is exalted over all the nations. Worship Him and only Him for the Lord our God is holy.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Confess and Follow Christ Alone

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

                                                                                      (1 John 4-2-4 KJV)

There are so many false gods in this world that one cannot even begin to count them. There are so many spirits that are not of Christ that I cannot begin to fathom the number.

I have come to a point in my life that I have become weary of telling people that they must stay away from tarot cards, horoscopes, fortune tellers, and calling upon the dead to guide them. This is very dangerous business. When we call upon any other entity to guide us we are simply asking for trouble. When we do not trust the one true God to guide and protect us; to show us the way, we will end up on the path that leads to destruction. Do not listen to anyone who would encourage these things. Do not listen to anyone that would tells you that there are many paths to heaven. Jesus, himself, tells us: "...Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

There is only one Spirit that will lead you on the path of Christ and that is the Spirit of God. When we confess that Jesus is the Christ sent by God; we profess our faith; our trust, in his spirit to lead us on the path that he has set before us.

May God help us to not waiver from following on that path.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Do Not Let Sinners Entice

Hear, my child, your father’s instruction,

   and do not reject your mother’s 

   teaching;

for they are a fair garland for your 

    head,

   and pendants for your neck.
My child, if sinners entice you,
   do not consent.

                    (Prov 1:8-10 NRSV)

Last night I dreamed that I was looking in a mirror. At first, I saw myself. Then I saw my eldest granddaughter and then gradually her younger sister was looking back at me. It was a bit strange. The oldest looks a bit like me; but, the youngest looks more like her mother. I could not help but wonder if in my dream I was worrying that my granddaughters would be following in my footsteps having to make the same mistakes I had made as a young person. But, then I also considered that maybe it was my subconscious reminding me that in the end they would also accept Jesus as their only Lord and Savior. 

Who can tell for sure what it is that our subconscious is trying to tell us? Who can tell if our off-spring will heed our warnings and follow not in our ways; but, in the way of Jesus the Christ?

May God guide them all in the way that He would have them go and not in the way of those who would entice them to stray.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Christ Alone

He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

                                                                                       Col 1:28-29 NIV

You're kidding right?! There's that look I have whenever anyone lifts up their own good works. Over and over and over again I remind people, through proclamation in the pulpit and out of the pulpit, that without Christ we can do nothing to glorify God. We can do nothing to save ourselves! Our striving is useless without the energy; without the power of the Spirit of Christ that works in and through us. 

Get over it! Without Christ we are nothing.  With him we can do all things through him who strengthens us. (Phil 4:13) It is Christ who lives in us who does all things. (Gal 2:20)

It is time to give it up and trust God in Christ Jesus to lead you and be the strength that is required to follow wherever he will lead you; as the Good News is proclaimed through you. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

He Knows You

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.

                                                              Psalm 139:1-12 NIV

Don't be trying to hide from God! It will not work. He sees everyone and everything. We can try to hide who we are or what we do from our neighbors or our families or our friends. Some of them may even buy into the mask that we wear. But, God does not.  He discerns our every thought; our every move. He is with us even now. He is with us every moment of every day no matter where we might be. He sees and knows everything we think and do whether it be for the good or for the not so good.

The good news is that he loves us in spite of knowing us so well. So, return to the LORD, for His mercy and His love endures forever. Return and do what is good in His sight for the sake of the one who died that we might be forgiven and live life eternally in His presence. Return, so that His hand might guide you through the darkness into the marvelous light.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Deeds Of Darkness Exposed

"Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them."  Eph 5:10-11

You're in a bind, again?! We all get in binds sometimes. We can step right into traps without even considering where we're placing our feet. Sometimes we step into those dark places on purpose thinking that we are smart enough to be able to avoid getting lost or trapped. 

Here's a suggestion from St Paul. "Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord." Quit working so hard at trying to please or be like the rest of the world. You will just find yourself in darkness. Seek the Lord while he may be found. Seek out what will be pleasing to the Lord and you just might find yourself walking in the light and participating in His life; real life.

May God guide you in His light.

God's Peace - Pr. J

God Is With You Everywhere You Are

Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.

Psalm 139:7-10

I often hear things coming out of the lips of Christians that make me wonder if they truly realize that there is nothing we can do or say that God is not aware of. If Jesus were standing right in front or beside you, would you do what you are doing; say what you are saying?

The reality is that he is right beside you. There is no place in the world that you can go to hide from the Spirit of God. He is with you always to guide you. Listen to him. Follow in his footsteps; wherever they will lead you.

May the Lord, our God, make known his presence to you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

In God We Trust

But I trust in you, Lord;
    I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in your hands;
    deliver me from the hands of my enemies,
    from those who pursue me.

Psalm 31:14-15 NIV

When I was young, I trusted everyone. Some would say I was naïve. As I grew older, experiences taught me to trust no one. Finally, I came to know the Lord and I trusted Him. Because I trust Him and know that my entire life is in His hands, I am no longer afraid to follow wherever He will lead. I am free from the bondage of fear and distrust to serve Him and my fellow human beings.

Trust in the Lord to guard and guide you. He is with you now and will be forever.

God's Peace - Pr. J