I Love Thy Law

PSALM 119:97-104 KJV

O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

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The law indeed accuses and failure to obey the commands of the Lord can end up pretty disastrous. 

For example: what are the possible consequences of stealing. Well for starters you could end up in jail and when found out you could make a lot of enemies that you don't need.  Enemies can make life pretty miserable. If you are caught stealing while breaking into someone's home; again, you could end up dead.

And what about adultery?  Both men and women can get pretty jealous over this one and again you could end up dead or at least seriously hurt. If that doesn't happen the one who has been cheated on might end up so depressed that they do harm to themselves.

It is a wise person who can understand the consequences of breaking the law. Be wise like David thought he was. Although, he did make a few mistakes and suffered the consequences. Maybe, the consequences that occurred because of the part he played in the death of Uriah, whose wife he had committed adultery with, gave him a little more insight into why it would be good thing to listen to the Lord.

Open our eyes, Lord, that we may behold wondrous things out of thy law. (see Psalm 119:18)
 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Imprisoned

If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. (1 Peter 4:14-15 NRSV)

I admit it! I am a stickler for the law. I strive to do things according to the law and I like for people around me to do the same. It doesn't always happen; but, that's the way I like to see life go. Everything just seems to go so much smoother when everything is done according to what is right and lawful. Not everyone always appreciates me reminding them what is and what isn't lawful. But, that is who I am. I prefer things to go smoothly and I really prefer not to visit anyone in jail if it can be avoided. It is very saddening to have to visit someone who has lost their freedom because they chose to do the wrong and unlawful thing just because they felt they should be free to do these things.

Unfortunately, there are also innocent people who have found themselves in jail. Some because they were falsely accused. Many followers of Jesus have also found themselves in jails, in prison, even executed for his name's sake. St. Paul spent a whole lot of time in prison before he was executed. His time in prison was a fruitful time, ultimately glorifying God.

If we are going to suffer, let it be to the glory of God and not because we are murderers, thieves, any sort of criminal or even as a mischief maker.

May God help us to live in peace. Pr. J

Fear Nothing

Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. With the Lord on my side I do not fear. What can mortals do to me? (Psalm 118:5-6 NRSV)

Fear is a horrible thing. Fear of failure is one of the most horrible of all. It will stop us in our tracks. It will keep us from trusting our own abilities. It will keep us from reaching out to others for help, for love, for anything. Fear will destroy any chances of happiness; any chances of joy or peace. Fear will keep us from glorifying God.

What can man do to us? Humankind can do nothing to us without the Lord knowing. Often when I faced things that might make me a few powerful enemies, I considered what Jesus told his followers: "Do not fear, those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matt 10:28) We are to fear no one.  After all, what can humankind do to us that would be worse than being separated from God forever? Throw us in jail? Kill us? There is nothing worse than not knowing the love of God. There is nothing worse than not abiding in Christ and in the Kingdom of God. There is nothing anyone can do because they do not have the authority to take away the inheritance that was purchased for us by the blood of Jesus.

All who love the Lord and abide in Him do not have a thing to fear for God is with them. Things may get rough (they often do); things may cause distress. Call upon Him in your time of trouble and He will be there. Do not fear; but, live the life that God has given to you. Be all that He created you to be and that, my friends, is not someone who is afraid to live or to die in Christ.

Have courage and be who God created you to be for His glory.

God's Peace - Pr. J

We Do Not Serve Alone

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:3-6 NIV

There are times when we can get very weary. I may seem that we are serving the Lord alone and to very little avail. Paul was alone in a prison cell when he wrote the letter to the Philippians. But, he knew that although separated from the Christians at Philippi; separated from the world outside of the prison, he was not alone. As a Christian, he was in a partnership with every other Christian in the world doing the work that Lord had begun in each of them.  

Paul served faithfully, in and out of prison; but, he did not serve alone. We do not serve alone, either. Though we may not always see it with our eyes, we know that God works in and through every member of the Body of Christ to complete the good work that He has begun in all of us. No matter what kind of bondage the world would put us in; whether in prison or out; we will serve the Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J