Praise The Lord For All That He Has Done!

Psalm 22:22-31 KJV; Praise the Lord for all that He has done and continues to do.

False Prophets Abound

Mark 13:5-8 KJV; Listen not to the false prophets and fake saviors. There is only one savior and know the peace that only he can give..

Let All The People Praise Him!

Psalm 67:1-7 KJV; 12th Sunday after Pentecost; If only His way would be known upon all of the earth!

Blessed Is The Nation Whose God Is Lord!

Give Thanks to Lord! Celebrate! 

Sing The Glory Of His Name

Psalm 66:1-7 KJV for 4th Sunday after Pentecost. Bless our God you peoples!

Sweet And Bitter

Reading from Revelation 10:1-3, 8-11 KJV The little book with words that are sweet in the mouth; but, will make the belly bitter.

Praise Ye The Lord Psalm 96

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNWxSQAlcr4

Baptized?

And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;

John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. 

                                                               (Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 KJV)

John the Baptist baptized all of the people for the repentance of sins and there were multitudes of them! He told them that one was coming who was greater than he was and that one would baptize them with the Holy Spirit and fire. That one has come. Have you been baptized? Have you shared the Good News and encouraged anyone to be baptized lately?  After all Jesus did command us to:    

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." 

                                                                    (Matt 28:19-20)

Over the years I have encountered so many people who were not baptized and that includes both children and adults. Some were eventually baptized. Many chose not to be. In Baptism your sins are forgiven. In Baptism you are anointed with the Holy Spirit. In Baptism you are a child of God.  What precious gifts from God these are! If you have not been baptized into the Body of Christ what are you waiting for? If your neighbor has not been why are you not teaching them and sharing the Good News of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord?

Receive the gift of life and live life redeemed by the Word who willingly shed his blood for you! 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Praise God For He Reigns!

Psalm 66 KJV

Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:

Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.

Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.

All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.

Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.

He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.

He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.

O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:

Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.

For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.

Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

+++

There is nothing that God cannot do. He has saved his people. He will save his children. He rules over the water; fire; the nations; even our enemies. He rules over all things. Whatever storms might befall us he will bring us through.

Trust in the Lord and rejoice for he reigns over all things and his intent is good for all of his children. Sometimes we just have to wait a bit for him to still the storms or to part the seas for us.

Rejoice! Make a joyful sound praising his holy name for the Lord reigns!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

God's Blessings Upon You

Psalm 67 KJV

God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.

That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.

God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

+++

Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:

The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Amen!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Faith Alone In Christ Alone

Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

                                                                                 (Gal 3:3-7 KJV)

We are indeed foolish if we think that we can be saved by keeping the law for not a one of us can keep the law perfectly. There is only way to be saved. We are saved by grace through faith in the promises of God. We are saved by faith in that Jesus died for us; for our sins.

Just as Abraham was saved by his faith in the promise of God so shall we all be saved by faith. And, where exactly would we expect our faith to come from? It comes from hearing the Word of God. Faith comes from hearing the promises. How can anyone possible believe something that they have not heard? As our reading for Transfiguration Sunday reminded us; "Listen to him." (Matt 17:5, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35) Listen to him!

Rejoice, oh sinner, by faith alone in Christ alone you have been redeemed to live  in peace; to live in the presence of Almighty God for all of eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Covenants With God

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.

And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

"And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.

And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her."

                                                                              (Gen 17:1-7, 15-16 KJV)

They were very, very elderly! And... God blessed Abraham and Sarah. God promised Abraham that he would make him exceeding fruitful. He also promised Sarah that she would be fruitful and bear a son even in her old age.

God has since made a covenant which included those of us who were not of Abraham's tribe. He has promised us eternal life in His Kingdom.  He has blessed us mightily by giving to us His only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ, who sealed a new covenant between God and humankind with his blood.

"And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you." 

                                                                             (Luke 22:19-20)

This new covenant has been sealed for all who would believe in the one who shed his blood for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Your Words In My Mouth

"Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.

Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth." 

                                                                                   (Jer 1:4-9 KJV)

Now, in order for prophecy to be heard it must be spoken. Words must be used and they must be heard for the prophecy to avail anyone. When the Lord informed Jeremiah that He had ordained him to be a prophet to all nations, Jeremiah was not convinced that he was up to that vocation. But, the Lord told him that he was because He would be with him and He would tell him what to say. He touched Jeremiah's and said, "Behold I have put my words in they mouth."

Like Jeremiah, we are often not sure what words to use to share the word of the Lord with others. We are often not sure what words to use to tell people about the love of our Lord Jesus. Yet, if we don't use words the Good News will never be heard. 

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom 10:17)

Help us Father by putting your words in our mouths so that we might tell the world about your great love and mercy toward us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Come Down, Lord!

Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,

As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence! 

                              (Isa 64:1-2 KJV)

This week marks the end of yet another church year. I have this notion that there have been many days this past year when many would have liked for God to come down and fix the mess; fix the divisions; fix everything; and make us to live in his peace. 

The truth is he has come down. Sunday marks the first day of another church year with the first Sunday in Advent. Advent is a time of waiting and watching for the Lord. The people waited and watched for the Messiah. When he came into this world as a mere child some people noticed and were aware. Many did not notice at all. They did not and could not believe. This has not changed in two thousand years. 

The Lord has indeed come down to the earth. He came down to save us from ourselves; our own sinful ways. His name has been made known to us! We continue to proclaim the name of Jesus the Messiah to all people so that all people might hear and tremble in his mighty presence. All honor and glory belongs to our Almighty God! 

The Lord has come down to the earth. He was here as true man. He is here even today. And... he will come again in full glory.  Do not fear. Do not fret. God is with you even now. When Jesus gave the disciples their commission he told them that he would be with them even to the end of the world. 

"And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matt 28:17-20)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

From The Rising To The Setting

Blessed be the name of the Lord
from this time on and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
the name of the Lord is to be praised.
The Lord is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens.
(Psalm 113:2-4 NRSV)

Every morning when I wake the first thing I do is to think about what God has done for me and thank Him for being who He is. I am not sure how people even begin to live life without Him. From the rising of the sun to its setting and from the setting of the sun to its rising God is with humankind. He is with us and for us whether we are for us or not. He is to be trusted above all things because He is above all things.

From the rising to the setting of the sun, as long as we have breath upon our lips, let us give thanks to and praise the Lord our God, who created us and then recreated us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Live life in Christ!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Making Disciples

Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and

teaching them everything he has commanded us.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28:18-20 NIV)

Go and tell! What stories do you share with others? Those of us who have children or grandchildren often talk about what they've been up to; their antics, their successes, the joy that they give to us. Sometimes we talk about our favorite hobbies or our careers. Way too often we find ourselves talking about nothing more than the weather. Day in and day out we muse about the weather! It's too hot. It's too cold. I wish the rain would stop already! But, how often do we talk about what Jesus has done for us?

So many "Christians" are so out of the habit of talking about the greatest love of our lives, Jesus the Christ, that they really don't even know how to begin to talk about him with others. Yet, Jesus gave us a command. Yes, it is a command and not a go ahead and do this if you feel like it suggestion. We have been given a commission to go and baptize people of all nations as we share everything that he has taught us, with both his words and his deeds. We share these things so that others will turn and follow him and ultimately also share the good news.

This command was followed by the first disciples and succeeding generations. The church on earth has grown because of the faithful witness of his followers. What part do you play in growing the church? Are you willing to share the good news that Jesus died for all people? He was crucified so that our sins might be forgiven and that we might be reconciled to God our Father for all eternity. So many who profess to be Christians do not wish to offend their neighbors by sharing this good news. But, we rarely consider the consequences for those who do not hear and believe. How offended are they going to be on judgment day when they stand before the Lord and he says, "I never knew you." 

Growing a church; making disciples is not about inviting people to a social club. Social clubs abound in our society and they come and go. Yes, we are social; but, the church is not a club, for a particular type of people. Everyone is welcome! As soon as someone is bored or unhappy with a social club they move on. But, the church will endure forever. The church is made of Christ's followers. It is made up of disciples who are willing to make more disciples by sharing the Good News of the Kingdom of God.

May God give us the courage to share the Good News of the Kingdom given to all who believe through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

God's Peace - Pr. J

He Is Everywhere And Hears Every Prayer

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’   (Acts 17:24-28 NIV)

Every now and then I get this notion to question how God can possibly hear my prayers and the prayers of so many others all at the same time. He not only hears them; He answers them. The short and only answer is this: "I do not know!"  

I do not know how. But, I do know that He is everywhere and hears every prayer and according to His good will for all people He answers those prayers. I know this because scripture assures me of this. I know this because He has answered my prayers and the prayers of multitudes of His children since the beginning of creation.

God the Creator; God the Father; God the Savior is not far from any one of us. In Him we live and move and have our being. We cannot say how that occurs, either. But, we believe it. We experience His presence. We know Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J

All Things Shall Praise The LORD!

           

               Praise the LORD you great sea creatures!

                                (Manatee - Blue Springs State Park, FL)

         Praise the Lord.

         Praise the Lord from the heavens;

praise him in the heights above.

Praise him, all his angels;

praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

Praise him, sun and moon;

praise him, all you shining stars.

Praise him, you highest heavens

and you waters above the skies.

Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for at his command they were created,

and he established them for ever and ever—

he issued a decree that will never pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth,

you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

lightning and hail, snow and clouds,

stormy winds that do his bidding,

you mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars,

wild animals and all cattle,

small creatures and flying birds,

kings of the earth and all nations,

you princes and all rulers on earth,

young men and women,

old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for his name alone is exalted;

his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

And he has raised up for his people a horn,

the praise of all his faithful servants,

of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 148 NIV

God's Peace - Pr. J

Come Down!

Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down,

    that the mountains would tremble before you!
 As when fire sets twigs ablaze
    and causes water to boil,
come down to make your name known to your enemies
    and cause the nations to quake before you!

                                                      Isaiah 64:1-2 NIV
                          
I know this prayer from Isaiah. No, I haven't memorized it. But, I know it. From the depths of my heart, I have prayed it on many occasions. And, I have a feeling that I'm probably not alone in having prayed a prayer similar to this one from time to time; when things get rough; when you feel persecuted or alone. Is there anyone among us who has never thought or prayed: "This is enough. Please, make your presence known to all people so the world; the whole world could live in peace already!"

Yet, Isaiah reminds us that we have all become like one who is unclean and all of our righteous deeds are like filthy cloth. It's not just everyone else. We are all guilty and our iniquities; our sins, just as the wind, have taken us away out of God's presence.

But, we're not out of God's presence. He is with us. In spite of the fact that we often do not hear nor do we see the answer, the prayer has been answered. For God did indeed come down to us. The great God Almighty; the creator of heaven and earth, came down to earth to meet humankind right where we are. As we drifted further and further away from God's good will for us, He, Himself, broke open the heavens and came down, as a little child, to be one of us.

The one who formed us with his own hands, who breathed his breath of life into us, took on the form of man in order that he might live with us that we might be reconciled to Him and live whole and abundant lives in Him.

There may be and probably will be days when we will think: "Oh, Lord God, break down the heavens already and come down quickly. Show us your majesty. Show us your greatness. Make the mountains quake so that all of the nations will tremble and fall down to honor you." Then may God bring to your remembrance that He, in fact has already broken through and come down to earth; to us. He assumed the very nature of His created humankind and came down, not to destroy His or our enemies; but, to save us all. He came to reconcile us to Himself and to one another through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace – Pr. J

Shout for Joy!

Say among the nations, “The Lord is king!
    The world is firmly established;
     it shall never be moved.
    He will judge the peoples with equity.”Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice;
    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
    let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
    before the Lord; for he is coming,
    for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
    and the peoples with his truth.
                                       Psalm 96:10-13 NRSV

The Lord is King! Like a strong tree firmly rooted in the ground are the children of God. There is not a thing that can cut us down. There may be attempts and there are; but, we will not be moved. We shall stand firmly on the Word of God who is Jesus the Christ. 

Many shall try! But, no axe can harm us. There is no wind or storm that can take us down for we have been rooted in Jesus Christ our Lord. (Col 2:6-7) What a relief that day will bring to God's children; no more unjust persecution, no more tears or sorrow, just joy in God's presence.

So, even as the fields exult; let all God's children sing for joy with the trees of the forest as we wait for his coming to judge the earth with his righteousness and truth.

God's Peace - Pr. J.