Stay Out Of The Mud!

"... but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

                                                                                            (Phil 4:6-8 KJV)

If you don't want your feet to get dirty then stay out of the mud. There are actually things that we can do that will make our lives a bit easier. If you don't want to live in constant drama or chaos then quit focusing on the bad and think on those things that are of good report; of things that are lovely. 

St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Cor 15:33) There would be a whole lot less drama in our lives if we would just avoid being around people who love drama. That is not to say that we should not help them. We should. But, we should not be so involved that it ends up infecting our lives and drawing us away from the peace which God would give us through Christ Jesus.

But, even when we try to focus on the things of good report, we are still human and  there will be times that we will get drawn to situations that we would rather not be in. There may be times that we find ourselves sinking in quicksand and there is no possible way out except by the help of God.

If you prefer not to live in the muck and the mire of sin; if you prefer not to live with drama and chaos in your life; then turn to the Lord and focus on his promises. Trust yourself to the one who can truly lift you out of any mess. Give him thanks for with him your feet will be clean and your heart and mind will be at peace. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Tossing Sea

Peace, peace, to the far and the near, says the Lord;
    and I will heal them.
But the wicked are like the tossing sea
    that cannot keep still;
    its waters toss up mire and mud.
There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked.
 Psalm 57:19-21

Always trying to stir up mud and mire; to create dirt and filth; there is no room for peace in the lives of those who plot evil.

Yet, those who pursue peace; those who assist their neighbor in the pursuit of peace, will live in peace. Those who seek to live reconciled to God and to one another will know the peace that only He can give no matter what storms the evil doers would create for them. They will know peace because God is with them.

God's peace be with you all. Pr. J

Wicked Are Like The Tossing Sea

Peace, peace, to the far and the near, says the Lord;
    and I will heal them.
But the wicked are like the tossing sea
    that cannot keep still;
    its waters toss up mire and mud.
There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked.
 Psalm 57:19-21

Always trying to stir up mud and mire; to create dirt and filth, there is no room for peace in the lives of those who plot evil.

Yet, for those who pursue peace; those who assist their neighbor in the pursuit of peace, will live in peace. Those who seek to live reconciled to God and to one another will know the peace that only He can give no matter what storms the evil doers would create for them. They will know peace because God is with them.

God's peace be with you all - Pr. J

Bored Much?

Tortoise at the Jacksonville, FL Zoo

This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Eph 5:14

This tortoise was born the same year as my husband and that is more than a few years. I cannot help but wonder how any living creature could deal with just lying around in the mud for that many years. 

God gave us life here on earth for a purpose. In spite of Solomon's lament that everything is meaningless; life has a purpose. God has a reason for all things. We are not tortoises or turtles. Let us rise up and live making the most of the gift of life that He has given us!

Have a blessed and fruitful day!

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Wicked Cannot Keep Still

But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest,

    whose waves cast up mire and mud.

“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

Isaiah 57:20-21 NIV

Those who spend so much time trying to stir up trouble for others should not be surprised when they can find no peace within themselves. Stirring up trouble for others; almost always leaves one in a state of trouble themselves. They have to spend a lot of time covering their own tracks in order not to be caught in their deceptions. They cannot rest as they toss about trying to figure out the best way to make their next move without getting caught in the traps they set. As they cast mud upon others, it is inevitable that some of that mud will be seen on their hands as evidence. They spend countless hours trying to figure out which lies will best justify their own actions and cast doubt upon the innocent. There is no peace for them. But, for those who live in Christ, they will know peace no matter what kind of mud is slung at them. They will know peace because they know the one who is our peace, Jesus the Christ.

May God help us all live to keep in step with the Spirit of Christ. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other that we might live in His peace. (Gal 5:22-26)

God's Peace - Pr. J.