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..

His Chosen

Deuteronomy 7:6-9 KJV; 9th Sunday after Pentecost; His chosen people...

Ungodly Nations

Of God Not The World

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom 12:2 KJV)

The world seems to be in a bit of a mess. There are food shortages and inflation appears that it will be hitting a ceiling and beyond very soon. Gas prices are so high that it takes a good chunk out of the paychecks just to get to work to feed ones family and keep a roof over their heads.

The elite worry so much about how we are destroying our planet and recommend that the average person do things to reduce the harm that are simply out of our financial range. It is not only recommended; but,  governments often legislate it. Yet, the carbon footprint that gets left behind by the elite using private aircraft or taking trips into what is barely outer space is pretty unbelievable. If global warming is in fact getting worse then why are these things allowed? Instead of banning truckers from using older trucks as California does to protect the world maybe these leisurely trips of the rich and elite should be banned.

The ways of the world don't make much sense to me. What is good for some is not good for others?

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. (Matt 7:12)

Once, I'm on the subject of what is good for some and not for others: how about the years it takes for politicians and other elite to be investigated for crimes including felonies? It takes years because they can afford great lawyers and that is only necessary if the authorities don't bury the case someplace in some hole in the back room.  Sometimes, it is as simple as who they know. But, the low or middle income person does not receive such assistance. The innocent too often end up imprisoned because they cannot afford the legal fees to fight in their own defense. 

However, we do not have to be conformed to the ways of the world. We know that God is with us even in times of persecution. The way of God for the one who trusts in Him is to do good to all people. In Christ there is no one better or more privileged than another. 

In Christ we live to do no harm! We do not harm others to benefit ourselves. May we all be transformed by the renewing of our minds that we might treat each other as we would wish to be treated and thereby live in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Our Exile

Loving and Supporting One Another 
Is Better Done At Close Range

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

                                                                            (1 Thes 5:14-15 KJV)

Warn those who are falling away; comfort those who need comforting; support those who need help of any kind; and do it all with patience. In other words, love one another. 

The powers that be have isolated us from one another to the best of their ability this past year. Humankind was not made to live in total isolation. No one can live life to even near its fullest without interaction with others. We need others to remind us when we are falling away. Written words are helpful even as Paul wrote to the many church. They are helpful. But, we need people in person to comfort us and support us. As Christians, we do not live for ourselves but for the whole Body of Christ. It is difficult for the Body of Christ to work as one when we steer so clear of one another. 

The vaccination is being widely administered quite rapidly. Whether or not it works is a question many people have. But, with faith in this vaccination  hopefully the fear of dying that so many people have will disappear to a large extent soon and we can get back to actually and actively doing doing good. Hopefully, we will get back to actually and actively loving one another. That is... if we haven't forgotten how.

Have we really been looking to God or politicians and government agencies to save us from this isolation; from this exile?  

In the end remember that no matter what happens in this world the only hope any of us truly have is hope in the promises of God through Jesus the Christ. That hope includes living reconciled to God and to one another in the Body of Christ, in the Kingdom of God. Whatever the world says do not neglect what we know to be good: to exhort one another; to support and and comfort one another, with much patience. 

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Rom 15:13)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

There Is One God

And God spake all these words, saying,

I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

                                                                       (Exodus 20:1-6 KJV)

You shall have no other gods! The giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses by God is the Old Testament reading for the third Sunday of Lent (Mar 7, 2021). Theses Commandments remind us how we are to love God and others.

They begin by reminding us that there is only one God and that He is to be first in our lives. It makes no sense to me that anyone would worship anything or anyone other than the creator of all things; the author of life. Why all the foolish incantations to things that are beneath even humankind? Why depend and trust celebrities or politicians that would give themselves authority when in reality they have no real authority? They cannot save you! In way too many instances they worship themselves and put their own agendas before God's. 

There is only one God who has authority over all things. There is only one God who was willing to sacrifice His only begotten Son to save you.

Even as God spoke to Moses, He speaks to us through His word. Listen to Him! Love Him above all others! Worship Him alone and live life!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Rewriting Truth; Changing History

"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour." 

                                                                                        (Psalm 8:3-5 KJV)

"For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.

But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him?

Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man."

                                                                                     (Heb 2:5-9)

How can we know that what others are telling and teaching us as the truth is the genuine truth?  

I have someone close to me who has been insisting that the history of the world bogus. Much of it he claims is made up and we have been teaching lies for generations. History has been rewritten for whatever odd reason.

I use to just smile when he told me this. I am no longer so confident that our history has not been rewritten. Over the last year I have witnessed the rewriting of current events on a massive scale. The rewriting of current events will one day be a false representation of history taught to generations to come. I witnessed "peaceful riots" on television with fires burning in the background, private and government property being destroyed, and people abused and attacked. These things are being written into our history by the media as mostly peaceful demonstrations. I have too often heard from mainstream media as well as in social media how politicians have said or done this or that horrible thing. But, when I go back to watch and hear the actual footage of what that politician actually said, I find that it is not at all what he or she actually said.  It boils down to slander. It boils down to lies. It comes down to rewriting history as it happens. It would be most prudent for us before we slander anyone to go and look for that footage or pull up the proposed legislation and read them before we buy into and perpetuate the rewriting of what is actually being done.

Facts have a way of being changed by people telling the story. It's been going on for generations; probably even since the world began. We need to be careful though that while in search of the truth that we don't buy into another lie.

One of the Biblical truths that has been changed over time and causes me to be most uncomfortable is a false narrative that so many Christians consider to be the truth. Quite a few Christians suppose that when we die we become angels. I have not found scripture to back this up. I am not really sure where this idea came from since angels and humans are two different created beings. Scripture tells us that man was created lower than the angels. And, then in 1 Corinthians 6:3 we are told that man will judge the angels. We simply do not become angels when we die.  I wonder why angels can be so glorified in our mind that we so desire to be like them; to be them. Although Jesus came to earth as true man, lower than the angels (Heb 2:7) through his suffering of death for us he was glorified. (Heb 2:9) And, how awesome is it that according to St. Paul our bodies will be glorified like that of Jesus'! 

"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." (Phil 3-20-21)

Is that not enough for us? 

I have often pointed to a children's fiction book that was published in the 1960's and later became a movie as one example of the false narrative. There have been many others since and probably many before then that I am not aware of. This particular piece of fiction was titled "The Littlest Angel." Some of you might even find this book in the children's section of your church library. In this story a little boy dies and he goes to heaven. In heaven he has become an angel and gifts to the newborn baby Jesus a little box of his treasures. It's a lovely story told to children and unless someone tells them otherwise it instills in them the idea that we will all become angels when we die. It seems to me that we have been indoctrinating others into believing fiction at a very early age without even being aware of it.   

The point of my blog today is a reminder that we ought to be careful what stories we tell or repeat. Not everything you read or hear on television, no matter how widely acclaimed the source is, is the truth. Who can tell what consequences the world might suffer when we revise the truth and our history to fit our personal agendas? 

We were not created to be angels; not in this world or the next. We are human beings who make mistakes and who sin often. As Christians it would be incumbent upon us to seek the truth in all things.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Ask How You Can Serve Others

And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

                                                                                 (Mark 9:33-35 KJV)

Who is more important? Who is more highly esteemed? Whether we like it or not; whether we're willing to fully acknowledge it or not there is a class system in the country; even in the whole world. Some people are put up on pedestals and others are ignored so completely that the world barely acknowledges their presence.  

St. James wrote:

"My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?"                                                                                           (James 2:1-5)

The actor or the sports star is more highly esteemed than the janitor or even the doctor or nurse.  Many people who live in fine houses and wear expensive name brand clothes look down on those who live in ordinary homes and who dress for comfort and work. The politician for some really strange reason often thinks that they are more important than the security guards and the others that protect them. They forget that they are servants of the people and it's not the other way around. And, the people... so many people want the government to serve them; to give them everything that they want. 

In his inaugural speech, President John F. Kennedy said:  “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” What happened to that idea? Of course, not everyone was thrilled with that idea of his. He barely got the popular vote and he was assassinated during his term in office.

So many seem to have either forgotten, never heard, or just don't care that Jesus said "If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all." Not everyone is willing to serve others and so the class system will live on. We can put all the laws on the books that we want. But, the law will not change the hearts of men. It may change a few as it will force them to conform to the rule of law. But, even as the people are forced to conform to the law, the hearts of many will only be hardened.  

Service to others is born out of love not the law. Christ died on that cross because he loves us. He willingly went to the cross for our sakes so that we might reconciled to our Father in heaven and to one another. 

"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Think On Good Things

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. (Philippians 4:8 KJV)

I have not been able to watch the news lately for two reasons. 

1. The news has been way too negative.  2. The news stations don't report much news. 

I watch, maybe, one hour of television a day. That figure is on the high side. So, I really do not know who all of these actors are and I really don't care, either. The news stations apparently think we care and maybe some of you do so a lot of the news that they publish is about what these actors are doing in their private lives and what their political opinions are. Again, knowing what the various sports, music, and actors are up to on any particular day is not high up on my list of priorities. What is put forward as news regarding them is definitely not a focus on positive things in life. It is gossip.

As for reporting regarding politics and politicians; most of what I hear from reporters is hearsay; innuendo; personal opinions; more gossip. These are not positive things. They are things that stress and divide people. 

Paul says we are to think on positive things. Focus on what is good in your life and the lives of those around you. Don't let the devil and his minions drag you into the depths of anger or hate or depression. That is not to say that you shouldn't defend others when they are being maliciously slandered; only that it is not helpful to bury yourself in the hearing of the slander and gossip day after day. Sometimes, we just need to shut off the news.

Think on what is good. Read and hear the Word of God. Focus on the good that God has planned for you and for the people around you. Praise him not your favorite earthly idol. "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Politics and Wisdom

Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:16b-18

Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,

Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?

Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?

Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God.

For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.

Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee.

                                                         (Job 15:1-6 KJV; but, read all of Job 15)

Job's friend, Eliphaz, responds to Job. Eliphaz pretty much tells Job and that he is arrogant thinking that he, himself is wise enough to advise Job.

The story goes on with Job's friend accusing him, attacking him. It is pretty amazing that anyone would do this to an enemy, let alone a friend. But, is that not what we do? Is that not what humanity does? That is: man attacks man. Who is wise?

The wisdom of our news reporters amazes me. It just amazes me that instead of addressing issues they promote their own personal agendas and bias'. They create major news stories not out of actual news; but, from politicians anger and hatred for one another. Instead of informing voters of what a politician stands for, or what actually happened they give us their opinions as to what happened according to their own flavor of politics.

Politicians spend way too much time accusing their opponents, informing us all of what they think their opponents stand for. There is very little truth in any of it. Who can possibly figure out the truth with so much slander being slung? There is just way too much slander, way too many false accusations. By the time the media is done with these assumptions and accusations half of the county considers this slander as fact. 

This is the wisdom of the age: to fund-raise so politicians can tell lies to the public rather than raise funds to help the country feed it's people; rather than to help small businesses, teachers, children. Would it not be wiser to spend less money on slander and tearing down one's opponent and use the finances to help a world in need instead? Maybe the candidates should tithe the campaign funds they raised to the national treasury? (LOL that's not going to happen) Some politicians actually think that they are going to win the race simply because they have raised the most funds and the news will report that. In some cases this is true; but, not all. The scandal of it all is that we continue to contribute to this poor stewardship. We continue to support a system that allows candidates to run on a platform that they claim will help the country while they are slandering their opponents and using funds that could genuinely help the nation for their own agendas. 

There is so much time spent campaigning that I cannot help but wonder how they are doing the jobs that they were already elected to do. That doesn't sound that wise to me. It does not sound like good stewardship of taxpayers' money, either.

It would just be really nice if in our election processes, there would be less arrogance and less slander of one another and not just within the presidential campaign, all of them. The arrogance and slander doesn't actually tell us what they think it tells the people about their opponents. It tells us that much like Eliphaz they cannot be trusted.

I would just appreciate it if politicians would spend more time letting us know what their platforms are rather than spending so much time distorting (lying about) the platforms that their opponents are running on. That seems to me to be a much fairer way to run a campaign for the sake of the people; for the sake of the country.

Ok.. so I'm ranting this morning... Let there be some peace already!

God's Peace - Judy

Tempted

 

"Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him."

                                                                                       (Matt 4:8-11 KJV)

When Jesus was tempted by Satan; when Satan promised Jesus that he would give him all the kingdoms of the world if he would only worship him, Jesus said no. Yet, why is it that although we profess to worship the one true God we still often seek ownership of things of this world; not because we need them to live; but, because we seek the glory of them for ourselves?

We are tempted and often succumb to those temptations. There is nothing in this world that can compare to the glory of Jesus. So why is it then that when we are promised by false prophets and politicians that they will give us this or that we all to often listen and follow them?

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" 

                                                                                            (Matt 6:24-25)

Life is more than the material things we seek and cling to in this world. Money, diverse forms of property, godless gain, prestigious status; none of these things will bring you peace. You might think that money will buy you happiness; but, it does not bring you peace. Only the love of God can do that. All things in this world are temporary; but, the love of God in Christ Jesus is eternal. The Kingdom of God is eternal. The Kingdom of God is peace. Seek that which will bring you eternal peace; not, those things that will rot away. Seek first the Kingdom.

"Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 

                                                                                            (1 Tim 6:5-10)

There is only one God, worship Him alone! Trust in Him above all others!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Be Careful What You Teach

 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1 NIV)

I listen to a lot of other preachers; mostly on the internet before I go to sleep at night. Some of them have been serious reminders that we need to make sure that what we are teaching and preaching can be supported by scripture and I don't mean by cherry-picking which verses we will use because and which ones we're going to ignore.

It is way too easy to wrap our own agendas up with our favorite scriptures that support our own agendas. For instance, love your neighbor as yourself does not mean that we should ignore sin and thereby promote it. Love for your neighbor will call you to share the truth, with gentleness and patience, so that they might repent; turn to God, and be saved. 

There are also those preachers and teachers who are not unlike many of our politicians. They say whatever it is that will profit themselves the most. Begone with the truth if it will make you a buck or buy you a mansion or a new airplane! 

The truth is that we will be held accountable for what we teach and preach. Be careful to diligently study the word so that you might know the truth and not be swayed by the falsehoods of those who pretend to know the word; of those who pretend to love you as their neighbor; but, look only after themselves. 

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16-17) 

Scripture is God-breathed. Listen to it! Teach it!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Gracious Speech

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." Col 4:6

Each morning, I spend a few minutes reading the news online. I don't usually turn on the television because I do not like to start my day listening to commentators who do not know how to be gracious or to speak with integrity. I do not like to start my day listening to any politician or their supporters who season their speech with way too much salt and who have no clue what the words tact or graciousness mean. All of those accusations without an iota of evidence is really becoming wearisome. Many reporters forget that in this country we are innocent until proven guilty. According to scripture there needs to be witnesses in order to convict. There is so much bad news, both in content and in presentation, that I have find it needful to not read or listen to very much of it.

Each morning as I read the news, I stumble across at least a few errors in grammar, spelling, facts, etc.. Because of these errors false information is often given. I know and confess that I make an awful lot of grammatical and spelling errors in these daily blogs that I write. I am also not always the most tactful. I do not have an editor. I write like I speak and consequently mistakes are made. I am not a professional writer. I spend very little time in writing these blogs as they are a hobby. I do not make a living writing these blogs. However, I do believe that professional reporters and editors who are paid to communicate the news to us ought to actually edit what they are writing before they print it so that the news is communicated to us accurately and without attempts to get us to worship their gods as they try to shove their personal bias' down our throats.

Communicating properly is a gift that is greatly needed in our news media, indeed in the world. Yes, a little salt in the news is a good thing. But, a little more graciousness would help others to hear and understand more clearly.    

May God help us all to be a bit more gracious when we open our mouths or place our fingers on a keyboard in attempts to communicate ideas or facts.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Just wondering how many grammatical errors I just made..

A Good Name

A good name is more desirable than great riches;
    to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
                                                     Proverbs 22:1 NIV

If gaining wisdom and knowledge is the purpose of the Book of Proverbs then I am wondering how many people are actually reading this book. There was a time, a long, long, time ago, when a good name was something people worked at achieving and retaining. Retaining a good name was something that was valued. A good name was considered an asset. It did not matter how much money you had; what kind of home you lived in; or, where you lived. What mattered was your character. What counted was being there for others in need. What mattered was whether or not you lived in your integrity. In order to have a good name, we knew that one must respect the rights of others. It was important to respect and obey the laws of both God and humankind. We understood that once a good name is lost, it is pretty hard to ever gain it back.

Today the most well known names are serial killers, movie stars, other social idols, and politicians. Those who strive greatly for silver and gold and having a well-known name rather than a good name seems to be the goal for many today. There is a difference between a well-known name and a good name.  Which would you choose for yourself: a well known name because of your greed and avarice; because of your sins, or a good name because of your faithfulness to God and your love and devotion to others?

There is one name above all other names. (Phil 2:9-11) That name is Jesus the Christ. As Christians we bear the name of Christ. Let us always remember that name is far above all things in this world. It is to be esteemed better than silver or gold or anything that money can buy. Bear that name wisely and with love and integrity.

We each choose our own paths. But, in the end there is only one path; one way, to the Kingdom of God, where there is no end to peace. That way is our Lord, Jesus the Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life. There is no other.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Fake News

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. Philippians 2:24-26 NIV

I read and sometimes even watch a little news every morning. Lately, the amount I subject myself to has become very, very little. The grumbling and arguing of the pundits and the people has become more than a bit much. Fake news has hit an all time high. Fake news being fabricated stories; lies and slander. Do we really have time for all of the dissension and division that goes with it?

We live in a warped and crooked generation. I suppose there are many reasons for this negativity. Mainly; though, I believe, it comes from one's desire to advance their own personal agendas.

It is not just the media who advances the grumbling and negativity for the benefit of their personal self-serving agendas.  Many others, politicians, movie stars, athletes, even Christians, participate in this negativity. But, it does not have to be. It can change. The world does not have to so terribly steeped in dissension. There are an awful lot of Christians in the world (including politicians, movie stars, professional athletes) and if we would but hold firmly to the word of life and share that word; the light of Christ will shine throughout the world. The light will shine and the darkness will disappear from around us. The "stars" of this world are not the shining lights that can guide anyone on the path of life. Only the light of Christ can do that.

Do not get caught in the trap of grumbling or arguing or gossiping about everything little thing according to your own will. Focus on God's word and His will. Hold firmly to the word of life that his light might shine forth through you, so that the world may see the truth, who is Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. I first published this blog on January 17, 2017 on this "Live Life" blog site. I believe it is worth considering once again. The "fake news" hasn't seemed to slow down. And, please, please, please, be a little discerning as to how much information from  conspiracy theorists you ought to believe!

Jesus Is The Truth; Listen To Him

Jesus is the only Truth in a world led astray by the lies of the devil.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Eph 4:25-32 (NIV)

When Pilate was interrogating him, Jesus had told him that everyone who is on the side of truth listens to him. Pilate's response was: "What is truth?" (John 18:37-38) 

Indeed! What is truth? Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life." (John 14:6) Yet, if we listen to what is going on around us in the world it appears that everyone seems to have their own version of the truth. These varying versions of the truth have a tendency to cause division and many other forms of hurt. Protecting one's own version of the truth leads to bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, along with every form of malice. Vehemently promoting one's own version of the truth will not build up the church. It will not build up relationships. It will only give way for the devil to have his way with the world.

During the presidential campaigns, I would sometimes listen to the candidates speak and then I would listen to the paid pundits. It did not matter which political party they were affiliated with, for some reason what the pundits heard and what I heard from the candidates were not usually the same thing. The key, I believe, is the word "paid." The pundits are hired servants that promote the cause of the employer or master that they serve. They definitely have personal agendas and they hear what they want to hear. They say what they want to say according to how it will profit themselves.

I am not saying that they are lying; well, not exactly. They simply cannot see the truth because what they wish is the truth is so overpowering that is all they can see or know.

The truth is that if we truly want to know the truth we must listen to Jesus because he is the truth. If we truly want the world to be a better place for the following generations we must know the truth and speak it for the sake of the world and not just for ourselves. 

May God open the hearts of all people to know the truth and to speak the truth who is Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Shine Like The Stars!

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. Philippians 2:24-26 NIV

I read and sometimes even watch a little news every morning. Lately, the amount I subject myself to has become very, very little. The grumbling and arguing of the pundits and the people has become more than a bit much. Fake news has hit an all time high. Fake news being fabricated stories; lies and slander. Do we really have time for all of the dissension and division that goes with it?

We live in a warped and crooked generation. I suppose there are many reasons for this negativity. Mainly; though, I believe, it comes from one's desire to advance their own personal agendas.

It is not just the media who advances the grumbling and negativity for the benefit of their personal self-serving agendas.  Many others, politicians, movie stars, athletes, even Christians, participate in this negativity. But, it does not have to be. It can change. The world does not have to so terribly steeped in dissension. There are an awful lot of Christians in the world (including politicians, movie stars, professional athletes) and if we would but hold firmly to the word of life and share that word; the light of Christ will shine throughout the world. The light will shine and the darkness will disappear from around us. The "stars" of this world are not the shining lights that can guide anyone on the path of life. Only the light of Christ can do that.

Do not get caught in the trap of grumbling or arguing about everything little thing according to your own will. Focus on God's word and His will. Hold firmly to the word of life that his light might shine forth through you, so that the world may see the truth, who is Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Real Beauty Is Found Within

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Prov 31:30 NIV

One of my favorite songs as a child was "If You Want To Be Happy" sung by Jimmy Soul. My mother would sometimes sing it to me. I sang this song to my sons on way more than one occasion when they were teens:

"If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
Never make a pretty woman your wife
So from my personal point of view
Get an ugly girl to marry you."

Okay, I was a little crass. My sons did not really appreciate this song. They didn't appreciate my singing at all! But, having brought them up to know Christ, I wanted them to look deeper than the skin as they attempted to form lasting relationships. It doesn't matter what one looks like on the outside. One really cannot judge a book by its cover. Beauty comes packaged in all shapes and sizes. It shines through much better when the package doesn't have a lot of glitter and glitz covering it.

The fact is that is that God doesn't make ugly. God makes us all beautiful. We are all unique. But, it is wise to find a partner in life that doesn't put his or her looks before their love of the Lord. You will avoid a lot of unnecessary heartache if you look beyond the surface. You may be young and marrying a Christian may not be all that important to you today; but, when you are old and have grown wiser you may find that it would have been much wiser to marry one who knows the Lord and will share your love for Him because your love for Him will grow with time. 

From birth to death our looks will change. Some will stay perpetually young and beautiful according to the eyes of the world thanks to money and good cosmetic surgeons. Actors, actresses, and many politicians depend on this youthful look to further careers. But, because one looks youthful doesn't mean that are honest or have integrity or have any virtues. Youthful beauty does not equate with honesty and trustworthiness or faithfulness. Doesn't mean it can't. It is just wiser to get the real person buried underneath the mask.

Jimmy Soul's song was a pretty silly song. Jimmy started out his life praising the Lord as a young preacher and gospel singer and ended up in prison and dying of a drug related heart attack at age 45. One can never know which path we or anyone else will take through life. It is helpful, for the sake of our eternal lives to find friends and a partner to share our lives with who will fear and praise the Lord.

May we all look past what is on the outside and look a bit deeper for the true beauty as we discern between what is truly good and what is not.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. One of the most beautiful women I have recently met is 100 years old. She has had no cosmetic surgery to make her look eternally young. She is eternally young for she has eternal life in Christ. The Spirit of Christ is with her and it is just awesome to be in their presence.

We Can See The Goodness Of The Lord!

Psalm 27:13-14 NIV

I remain confident of this:I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;

be strong and take heart
 and wait for the Lord.

It is an election year and there are times when between the politicians and the news media we might wonder if we will ever see goodness any more. Yet, we will. If we would open our eyes; if we actually listened with our ears, we would see and hear it all around us.

God is very good. He has blessed us abundantly. Let us give thanks to the Lord for all that He has done for us. Let us give Him thanks and praise. May He empower us all to live actively sharing His goodness that the evil one's face is not the only face that we can see.

Help us Lord to see and live your goodness, even here, in this land and all around the world.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Tongues More Dangerous Than Alligators?

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:7-8 NIV

All kinds of evil comes from uncontrolled tongues. We all speak way too hastily, at times; out of anger, out of lust, out of greed; and damage, even death, to self and others is the result. But, when we have time to think about it, it would be wise to not open our lips if we are going to spew forth venom. It benefits everyone when we do not open our lips to speak lies. We are given the command not to bear false witness against our neighbor, so then why is it done so often and so intentionally?

Why? Why do politicians and other leaders, who most often claim to be Christian, insist on speaking falsely about others and about themselves? Can they not control their tongues so that riots do not ensue? Peaceful protests are a way of speaking what is on our hearts and minds. They can be used to reveal the truth that is being hid by those who would twist the truth with their tongues. But, there is a difference between a peaceful protest and a riot. Riots kill. They destroy the property and even life. They inhibit the rights of individuals. Genuinely peaceful protests do not destroy. They are means of speaking the truth in love and in unity. Apparently, not everyone understands the difference.

When my granddaughter came home from work last night, she had to stop to wait for an alligator to cross the road. He was moving pretty slow. She's young and it's a little difficult for her to wait for anything. But, with the alligator there is no choice. He gets his way.

For, at least a few minutes every day, I sit in the backyard and watch the alligators who lives there swim about. I feel much more at peace with the alligators as it is way less dangerous watching them play than to listen to a politician or leader of any profession who will lie and falsely speak ill of others for their own benefit to the detriment of the whole world around them.

May God help us to tame our tongues so that we might live in a little more peace and unity.

God's Peace - Pr. J