Obey God Before Men

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.

With Jesus There Will Be Storms

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

                                                                               (Mark 4:35-41 KJV)

When Jesus got into the boat a tremendous storm arose. Expect it! Expect storms if you are a follower of Jesus. His journey on this earth was not an easy one nor should we expect ours to be. There were many in cahoots to destroy him. He was persecuted and put to death in spite of being totally innocent.

Jesus told his followers and he tells us:  "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also." (John 15:18-20)

Do not be surprised if the world is against you for your faith in Christ. Do not be surprised when other berate you for your faith in Christ for when we step into that boat as a follower of Jesus we are promised that storms will arise.

But, the good news is that even when those storms arise and they will, the Christ is with you. He can calm the storm. He will save you. He will bless you with peace. Have faith. Trust him!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Serve The Creator of Heaven And Earth

"If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,

And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;

Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him."

                                                                                    (Deut 13:1-4 KJV)

I do not care if the prophecy comes true because the prophet made a good guess, maybe an educated guess, or if the prophet got the message from some other god than the one true God. If anyone tries to steer you away from serving the Creator and Redeemer of all the heavens and earth you ought to be running! Turn around and get away from that foul person.

There is only one God! To listen to and serve any other is asking for trouble in this world and in the next.

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

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."

                                                                                             (1 John 4:1-3)

Pr. J

Storms

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they put out, and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. They went to him and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?”
                                       Luke 8:22-25 NRSV

In the midst of a storm, Jesus calms the disciples and he calms the seas. He commands the winds and the waters. They listen to him. 

Whenever I read this story, I am reminded that the storm did not begin until after they got into the boat with Jesus. Following Jesus is no guarantee that there will not be any storms in your life. In fact, it might guarantee even a few more. 

If you truly follow Jesus you will face obstacles and opposition of all kinds. Jesus never promised that we would not have troubling or stormy times. Only that with him, we would weather them. We would live. We can live in peace knowing that the one who has power over all things is with us always.

There is no need to fear the storms. The one who commands the winds and the waves is with you and for you. Sometimes; though, you will need to experience a few storms on the sea before you can reach the other side.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Flowers Fade

The life of mortals is like grass,

they flourish like a flower of the field;

the wind blows over it and it is gone,

and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting

the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children’s children—

with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts.

Psalm 103:15-18

It is always nice to be reminded of death. Not! Most people would probably prefer to think that they have decades and decades upon decades of life left here on earth. Considering that we are dust and to dust we will one day return or like flowers in a field that fade away is not something that is generally a mood pleaser. But, it is reality. We must make the most of our days here on earth for the time here is very short.

But; for those who fear and love the Lord, we know that this world is not all there is. There is more. His love will abide with us for all eternity and we will abide in His love from everlasting to everlasting.

The grass withers and flowers fade; but, love lasts for all eternity. God's love will keep us close forever. 

God's Peace – Pr. J

Look, The Lamb Of God!

     The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

     Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

     The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

     When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.

                                                                                                               John 1:29-37 NIV

"Look, the Lamb of God!"

Twice, John saw Jesus and witnessed to those around him that Jesus is the Lamb of God. He testifies that Jesus is God's Chosen One. Because of John's testimony Andrew and his brother Simon Peter became followers Jesus. They became his disciples.

Have you told anyone about the "Lamb of God" lately? How many can say that it was your testimony that pointed them to Jesus; that led them to follow Jesus?

Do you recall the "Great Commission?"

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.” (John 21:19-20)

Go and witness to the love of God in Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. Go and witness to what He has done for us in giving His life for us. Go and make disciples for surely the "Lamb of God" the great "I AM" is with you always.

God's Peace - Pr. J

In The Storm With Jesus

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

                                                                       (Matt 8:23-27 NIV)

It would be very nice if we encountered no storms in life. Or would it? If there were no storms how would we recognize peace? How would we know quiet? Quite often people have the mistaken idea that once a person accepts Jesus as their Lord all will be well with their lives. There will be no more storms. Everything will go smooth from here on out. That is just not so.

The story of Jesus calming the storm reminds us that the storm did not even begin until Jesus got into the boat. Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:34 that he did not come to bring peace; but a sword. Troubles will come in this world. They came to Jesus. They will come to his followers. But, we can also be assured that in the midst of those troubles we can know the peace of heart and mind that comes with trusting Jesus. St. Paul wrote to the Philippians:  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-8)

Yes, the storm began after Jesus got into the boat with the disciples. But, do not fear the storm. God hears your pleas and Christ is with you in the midst of every storm so that as you trust in him, you will know the peace that comes from being in the presence of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

His Home Is With You

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." Matt 14:23 NIV

It would be good, indeed, if we could obey every one of Jesus' teachings. This can be most difficult as he teaches us to love our Father in heaven above all things and our neighbor as ourselves. He teaches us to turn the other cheek. Human nature takes over and sometimes (no, often) our egos take over. We all fall short of following his teachings. We know this and daily go to him, asking our Father's forgiveness, being renewed by his promise of love and faithfulness, even in our feeble attempts to obey his teaching to love even as he loves us.

Because he loves us so much that he was willing to die for us; we love to listen to his teachings and strive to follow them even as we are reassured that the Lord is with us to guide and help us. If he was for us at Calvary, he is for us even now.

Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him,
    we will also live with him;
if we are faithless,
    he remains faithful,
    for he cannot disown himself.

2 Tim 2:11, 13

He is faithful! Thanks be to God for He has come to make his home with us and is with us now and always, even to the end of the age!

God's Peace - Pr. J