The Spirit Intercedes For Us

Romans 8:26-28 KJV; When we know not how or what to pray the Spirit intercedes for us.

Rejoice in Lent Mar 4 2022

Eternal Life Is A Gift

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom 6:23 KJV)

No, not a one of us is without sin. We have sinned against God and one another over and over again. Each and everyone of us have earned the penalty of death. But, thanks be to God for the sacrifice made on our behalf by our Lord, Jesus the Christ! "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

That everlasting or eternal life is not just life after physical death. All who have been raised up by faith into the family of God live in that everlasting kingdom even now. That kingdom is a life of joy and peace no matter what obstacles we might face. 

St. Paul wrote to the Romans: "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Rom 14:17)

We live in this world; yet, the kingdom of God is here, as well. When Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God would come, he replied: "Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:21)

Live life and live it abundantly in the presence of God; in His Kingdom even now!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Soaring Above Obstacles

Let Us Soar Above All Obstacles

He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.
                             (Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV)

We all get weary at times. Sometimes, a person can get so weary that they would rather not get out of bed in the morning. It can be very wearisome dealing with hateful people so often. It is wearisome to see people publicly and viciously attacked for no other reason than they don't agree with everything they say or do; because they are not getting their own way all of the time. It is wearisome to have to take care of any of the numerous things we have to take care of in this world and trust that others who are supposed to be helping you know what they are doing. And... when you find out that they don't know what they're doing; it is wearisome to have to do the job that they are being paid for in order for you to get done what needs doing.

Life can be very wearisome; but, for those who hope in the LORD, the obstacles will not get you down. They will not put you out. Those who hope in the LORD will have their strength renewed and they will keep on going. No matter who slanders them; no matter what obstacles are put before them, those who hope in the LORD will rise up in strength and soar above all the troubles as though on the wings of an eagle.

We may feel a bit overwhelmed at times; but, we will not faint. We will rise up and run. We will win the race with the help of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jesus Calms The Disciples And The Storms

   One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out.  As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.  
   The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

   He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

   In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

                                                                           Luke 8:22-25 NIV

Jesus calms the disciples and the seas. He commands even the winds and the waters. They listen to him. But, there is something else we need to remember. The storm did not begin until they were out on the sea with Jesus.

Following Jesus is no guarantee that there will not be 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. But, sometimes, you will need to experience a few storms on the sea before you can reach the other side.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hallelujah! Our God Reigns!

 Then a voice came from the throne, saying:

“Praise our God,
    all you his servants,
you who fear him,
    both great and small!”

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah!
    For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
    and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
    and his bride has made herself ready.

Revelation 19:5-7

I often (daily) pray for crabby Christians. It can be difficult to be around people who are always so negative so I pray that they might rejoice in the multitudes of gifts that God has given them. We have so much to be thankful for; so much to be positive about, that I fail to understand why there is not more rejoicing within the church on earth, except (maybe) on Sunday mornings. As Christians, we ought to be rejoicing for our King is above all kings. This King loves the world so much He was willing to give His utmost so that we might be reconciled to Him and to one another; reconciled in His peace. He has overcome sin, death, and the power of the devil for us. So what's there to be crabby about? The biggest obstacles ever have been overcome.

Let the whole multitude of God's people should "Hallelujah! Our God reigns!" 

God's Peace - Pr. J