We Are Perishing; Yet Live

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

                                                                                    (2 Cor 4:16-18 KJV)

This morning, my outward body is reminding me that it is perishing. I have been slowly moving stuff into our new home and helping to prepare the house so that we can soon live in it. I shampooed carpets for two days and then we decided that the carpets; although they looked much better, were just too filled with dirt to remain. My husband has severe COPD. It was becoming apparent just from being in the house that the carpets had to go. Thanks be to God that our granddaughter, Ashley, has been working on pulling the old carpets up as her father has been repairing major things like water pumps and replacing drywall in a bedroom. There is a lot of work to be done there that my husband and I could do a few years ago; but, are no longer physically able. 

But, just from what I have been able to do, my body is aching. I slept for over twelve hours last night! I think that is a record for me! My body is getting a bit worn out; but, Christ who lives and dwells in me continues to strengthen me. He  renews my spirit even as my body wears out. There is always hope.

This world is not all there is. The pain and suffering; the trials and tribulations,  the light or heavy afflictions, that we might endure now in these temporal bodies will pass. Our hope lies in living in the eternal presence of God through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Cross Is Foolisness To Those Who Are Perishing

"For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."  (1 Cor 1:18 NRSV)

For awhile; before I went to bed each night, I would listen to different sermons on YouTube. I gave that up awhile ago. I found that way too many YouTube (as well as television) preachers neglected to preach the message of the cross. Many preachers (not all) are not seen (or heard) for what they are: wolves in sheep's clothing.

They would preach about prosperity while they get rich on your offerings. Some preach a message of fear; of hell if you don't do everything exactly right. Others preach that the Good News is all about love and if you love enough that will be counted toward your good works and you will earn your way into heaven. After all; don't all good people go to heaven? They preach about doing good works so that we can manipulate God into getting what we want out of life; again, that is usually about prosperity, sometimes fame. They neglect to preach that the Good News is the Kingdom of God purchased for you by the blood of Christ shed for you on the cross.

The message of the cross is foolishness to false prophets and to those with itching ears who listen to them. You will not hear about suffering from these wolves in sheep's clothing. You will only hear about how God wants to give us everything we want in this world. He wants to bless us with riches (gold and silver) today! But, the truth is that God has already given us the greatest gift. He has given us forgiveness through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son. He has made us His children through the sacrifice of Jesus the Christ. We have been made us heirs of His Eternal Kingdom! We have been saved by the power of the cross of Christ. That is the Good News. It's not about money. The Good News is not about personal fame or notoriety or personal power. And, the Good News is not about what we can do for God! It is about what God has already done for us!

Thanks be to God! It is finished! It was finished on the cross. There is no good work that we can add to the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for us that will save us from ourselves! Jesus did it all on the cross. But, this message about the cross of Christ will continue to be foolishness to those who look only to themselves. 

Consider the cross of Christ. Through Christ alone you have been saved. There is nothing more that you can do to earn your place in the Kingdom.

One more thing to consider. If you hear a sermon and never hear the name of Jesus in that sermon then it's probably time to find another preacher to listen to really quick.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Message of the Cross

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:

                   “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;

                   the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

                                                                              (1 Corinth 1:18-19 NIV)

For those who do not know Christ it is impossible to believe that through death on the cross eternal life is available to all people. It is impossible to believe that in order to live we must die. But, that is exactly what has happened. Christ was put to death to atone for our sins and yet he lives and because he lives, we live. This is foolishness to those who put their hope in the knowledge of the world. Yet, it is most certainly true.

I have not found the wisdom of the world to bring much comfort or peace. The ways of the world cannot save us no matter how wise we might think we are. Only Jesus can save us. Hear the message of the cross: the Good News that Jesus was crucified on the cross that we might live and live life abundantly in the presence of Almighty God for all of eternity. Foolishness? The world may say it is. But; I prefer to live, so I will trust in the message that we are saved by faith in Jesus and his life giving sacrifice for you and for me.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Weathering The Storm

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)

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 consider. 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 our lives. 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; but, 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

Lift The Veil!

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 2 Cor 4:3-5 NIV

It is sad thing when loved ones cannot see the light of Jesus the Christ; when they cannot catch a glimpse of his glory. I am often asked, "why?" Why can they not hear? Why can they not see? If only they could know the joy that comes with knowing our Lord and Savior! We yearn for our loved ones to know the love of God through Jesus the Christ. Yet, it does not happen. The god of this age; the world, itself, seems to have blinded their minds and we hope and we pray that God would open their eyes, their ears, their hearts, and their minds.

Be persistent in prayer for those who live in darkness and proclaim the gospel that reveals the glory of Christ. I have heard way too many sermons that preach about the preacher's life. That is not to say we cannot talk about the journey that God has brought us on. But, our proclamation can never be about us. It must be about what God has done for us and for you. When we preach about our own works we hide the work of Christ with a veil so that others cannot see the true light who is Jesus the Christ. When we proclaim our own good works; others will see only our egos, which only enshrouds the truth with darkness.

We are not the light; although, the light (hopefully) shines through us as we are the servants of God. Jesus Christ is the light and it is him alone whom we are to proclaim. No one can go to the light if they do not see it. Pray for those who live in darkness and do not hesitate to proclaim the Kingdom of God through Jesus the Christ that the veil might be lifted and all might live in the light and the glory of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J