The Lord Is Our Refuge!

Psalm 46:1-11 KJV; Reformation Sunday; The Lord is our refuge. No matter how troubled the world is we need not fear for the Lord of Hosts is with us.

Have Patience; He Hears Our Prayers

Hebrews 10:35-36 KJV; Have patience; trust the Lord; He hears your prayers and answers according to His time.

I Will Declare What He Has Done

Psalm 66:8-20 KJV; I will declare what God has done. He has saved me from sinful self.

Pray For Healing

James 5:13-16 KJV Is anyone afflicted? Let him pray. I am home and still have a bit of healing to do. Thank you for your prayers.

Do What Is Right And Live Life In Peace

1 Peter 3:8-12 KJV; Do what is right and live life in a more peaceful manner.

Call Upon The Lord!

Reading from Jeremiah 33:1-3 KJV Call upon the Lord for He will answer your prayers according to His will for the good of all of his people.

Mary And Martha

Reading from the Gospel of St. Luke 10:38-42 KJV Mary and Martha; practicing the presence of God with unceasing prayer no matter what you are doing.

The Lord Is My Shepherd

Pray For Peace And Reconciliation

Acceptable To The Lord

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

One of my favorite daily prayers first prayed by King David that the Lord would bless the words of his mouth so that he would speak to the glory of God. He prays that all that he thinks and says would glorify Him.

May God grant that all that we say and think and do will be acceptable in his sight and glorify His Holy Name.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Bless The Work Of Our Hands

Backyard in Aura, MI

Psalm 90:12-17 KJV

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Return, O Lord, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.

O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.

Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.

And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

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Traveling no longer makes me glad in my days. Although, the land that God has given us is beautiful and I enjoy the scenery.  I do not enjoy the traffic.

We are back home in Florida with prayers that our home in Michigan is sold quickly.  There are things to do here; fruitful things things to do. For the next couple of days I will be unpacking, sorting things out, putting them away and doing a lot of cleaning. I am hoping that in the near future I will be able to plant a garden or two now that I am not having to rush things between our seasons of moving between two states.  

May God bless the work of our hands that He might be glorified.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

He Answers Prayers

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. 

                                                                              (James 5:13-20 KJV)

Pray and praise the Lord for in His he hears or prayers and answers.

What ails you? Pray to the Lord for healing and wholeness. Then thank him with songs of praise for answering your prayers.

It is difficult for one who refuses to acknowledge their own sins; yet, complains about the sins of others to have a deep faith. How can we say that we have faith in God when our faith lies in our own actions or inactions? How can we say that we have faith in God when we insist that we are not guilty of any wrong-doing?

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8)

If we have no part in the injustice and ills of the world; if we are not guilty of committing sins against God and our neighbors then why did Christ die for us?

"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Gal 2:21)

Let us not frustrate the grace of God! Christ did not die in vain. He died so that we might be forgiven our sins and reconciled to God our Father in heaven. Confess your sins; pray for healing and God in Christ Jesus will make you whole.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Rejoice; Live In Peace

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

                                                                                        (Phil 4:4-7 KJV)

Trust in the Lord. Trust that he hears our prayers and answers. 

Human beings are often anxious about something; sometimes about everything! The knowledge that God hears our prayers and answers gives us both peace and joy. We have peace because we know that God is for us.  We have joy because we know that God Almighty, our Savior and Lord, is present with us to protect and to lead us, even now. 

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm 16:11)

Rejoice in the Lord always and may the peace of God be with you keeping your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Miracles Happen

And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.

For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:

The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.

But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.

And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.

And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.

And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.                                                                                                                                                                     (Mark 7:24-30 KJV)

Even in a land of gentiles, Jesus is sought after for miracles. And... a miracle happens. 

The removal of an evil spirit from a young girl did not require her to be physically present with Jesus. All it took was a mother to ask Jesus to help her daughter and yes with a little uncomfortable conversation it happened. The devil left her daughter.

When seeking help if you were confronted with a reminder that you are nothing to the person you are seeking help from, would you stay around and continue to argue for help?  This woman trusted that Jesus could help her daughter. She loved her daughter and her only hope for her daughter's healing was Jesus. She had so much faith in him that she did not leave upon being rebuffed. She hung in there for her daughter's sake.  

We cannot see Jesus as this woman did. But, we know that he is with us now and always. We know that he hears our prayers.  God help us to trust in his healing power.  God fill us with an abundance of faith!

God's Peace- Pr. J.

He Answers Our Prayers

Psalm 116 KJV

I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.

Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.

The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.

Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.

For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:

I said in my haste, All men are liars.

What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?

I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.

I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.

I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.

I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.

In the courts of the Lord's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord.

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We love the Lord and give him thanks and praise because he hears our prayers and he answers. We don't always receive the answer that we were expecting. But, we do receive an answer to our prayers. Whether he answers yay or nay we can be assured that he knows exactly what we really need and it is not always what we want or to our liking. Rather our prayers are answered according to his good will for all people.  

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Rom 8:28)

Let us pray: Lord have mercy and deliver your children from the hands of their enemies both enemies that are seen and those that are unseen. We give you thanks Lord for in your mercy you hear our prayers and answer. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Signs and Wonders

So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.

Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.

Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.

Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.

So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. 

                                                                                 (John 4:46-53 KJV)

"Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.." (vs 48)

How many signs and wonders have we seen and yet our faith is less than a mustard seed? It always amazed me that whenever I led or attended healing services they were so very poorly attended. Does no one want to be healed? Does no one believe that God will answer our prayers for health and wholeness?

Actually, I believe that maybe many of us are afraid to see the signs and wonders of God. That might mean our lives will change forever and we kind of like living in our sickness. We sort of like sin. We don't want to be made whole because if we are made whole we might stand up, walk, and follow Jesus.

In reality, we have all seen signs and wonders. We just fail to acknowledge them. We have seen the lame walk; the cancer victim live years after doctors predicted they would die. As we have gotten to know Jesus a little more intimately, we have already seen radical changes in our lives and in our lifestyles. But, does get any credit or glory for this new life; for the healing of our spirits? In some case, yes. In other cases, I am afraid that our egos step in and claim credit for it all.

Miracles abound. They are all around us. Healing and wholeness occur. 

May the Holy Spirit open our ears and our eyes and our hearts to a greater understanding of all that God has done for us. He has granted us wholeness in Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Do What Is Just

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

                                                                                   (Phil 4:4-9 KJV)

Rejoice! Do what is right. Do what is good! Do what is virtuous!

Trouble comes in larger quantities when we focus on twisting the truth; when we focus on vengeance rather than justice; whenever we put ourselves first to the detriment of others.

St. Paul encourages the Philippians and us to do what is right and rejoice. I have heard such slanderous gossip lately that it just boggles my mind. The only positive thing that comes from it, if there is one, is that the true spirit of those who do this is revealed. All we can do is pray that their eyes, ears, and hearts be opened so that they might repent and give glory to God for the good things that he has ordained for us.

Vengeance and attacks on perceived enemies will get us no where except stuck in the muck and mire. It will cause much animosity. However, when we focus on and follow in the way that Jesus, who is the truth, has set before us the peace of God will be with us.

Do what is right. Do what is just. Live in peace and rejoice!

God's peace - Pr. J.

Our Rock And Fortress

 

In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.

For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.

Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.

Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth..

Psalm 31:1-5 KJV

Quickly, Lord; right now; hurry up; please! How often we turn to the Lord as beggars looking for help and right now!

Whenever we stand on the name of Jesus or strive to do the will of God in opposition to the will of the world, we can pretty much expect to be attacked. There are those in this world who just do not appreciate God's will being done when it interferes with their personal comfort zones and agendas. So, I find myself praying for myself, my family, my community and the world a whole lot. "Rescue us quickly. You who are our rock and our fortress. Please, remove the trap that has been set for us. And... Into your hands I commit our spirits."

Thanks be to God! The Lord hears our prayers and answers! He is our rock and our fortress. His righteousness has delivered us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Do What Is Right; Live In Peace

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

                                                                                        (1 Pet 3:8-12 KJV)

Do what is right and live in peace!  Rioters and looters have committed unimaginable harm to people they don't even know over the last few months. There can be no doubt about that! It must stop!

My question this morning is what can we do to help make the world a better place to live in. How about do what is right so that we might live in more relative peace? We know that in this world there will never be total peace. People will have strong and differing opinions. But, as individuals we could at least attempt to be courteous and seek peace.  As individuals we could at least attempt to stop verbally assaulting people (swearing and screaming at others) and physically threatening others when we don't like what is said. We can actually voice our opinion without being bullies.

May God help us to be kind; to do what is right; and to live in peace!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Curses And Blessings

"He went up from there to Bethel; and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, “Go away, baldhead! Go away, baldhead!” When he turned around and saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two she-bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys." 2 King 2:23-24 NRSV

Over the years I've gotten pretty accustomed to hearing curse words. I mostly ignore it. But, listening to people curse every time they speak causes me to get a knot in my stomach. Hearing God's name used recklessly makes me a little more than anxious. I hear words come out of people's mouths and I wonder if they realize that God is listening. When we desire that someone be harmed and we think or speak it; they are not just harmless words. Every word, whether it is a blessing or a curse, is like a prayer before God.

The story of Elisha cursing the boys and the bears coming to retaliate against them for disrespecting and bullying God's prophet is a bit disturbing. It can make one really uncomfortable to think that God would answer this prayer (curse) in such a devastating fashion. It causes me to wonder if Elisha had any clue that God would respond in such a dramatic fashion or did the curse simply slip from his lips in a moment of anger or maybe fear when he faced the mob of forty-two alone? But, he was not alone. God was with him.

God doesn't normally send bears to protect His prophets. But, there is no doubt that He is with all who serve Him and He listens to their pleas. Be careful of what words slip through your lips. If someone offends you consider the possibility that they did not mean it the way that it sounded or looked to you. It is up to each of us to decide whether whether our own words will be the words of a bully, a curse in God's name, or if they will be the words of a blessing; God hears it all. Be careful of what you pray for. 

God's Peace - Pr. J