Our God Has Come!

Transfiguration Sunday; Psalm 50:1-6 KJV; Jesus promised to be with us always even to the end of the world. He is with us even now.

The Sign Is Immanuel; God with Us

Isaiah 7:10-14 KJV; 4th Sun Advent/Christmas Eve; Jesus is the sign that God promised.

Do Not Fear The False Prophecies

2 Peter 3:9-13 KJV; The end will not come by floods; but, by fire. Do not fear the end for all who trust in the Lord will not die but have eternal life.

Pray For Those In Authority

1 Timothy 2:1-2; Philippians 4:6-9 KJV: Pray for the authorities that we might live in peace. 

Grass Withers So Shall We

1 Peter 1:24-25 KJV; As the grass withers so shall we. But, as it thrives again when it springs for when winter passes, we too shall live again! Thanks be to God!

A Light To Lighten The Gentiles

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

                                                                       (Luke 2:15-32 KJV)

How patiently are you waiting? Simeon waited for the day that he would see the savior as the Holy Spirit had promised. When the day that Jesus was presented at the temple; Simeon rejoiced. He rejoiced for he had met, in person, the salvation that God has prepared for all people. He had met the light that was to shine on the gentiles. He had met Jesus the Christ.

Simeon had waited and the promise of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled. As gentiles we too have received the promise of salvation through Jesus the Christ. Trust that the Lord fulfills this promise. 

And.... Rejoice as you live your salvation in the light of Christ!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

He Was; He Is; He Is To Come

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.

And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.

                                                                           (Micah 5:2-4 KJV)

The one who was promised has come. Jesus has come. He is here. He will come again. He has always been and he will always be. He abides even now in the world and the people around us.

There are those who would say that Jesus' life began when he was born. But, according to scripture that is not true. Micah prophesied that one who was to come is "from of old, from everlasting."

The Gospel according to St. John begins:  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."  (John 1:1-3)

He has come. He is present even now. He will come again in full glory. S Thanks be to God for his abiding and eternal presence for without him we would have no hope; we would have no peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

His Face Shone; They Were Afraid

And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.

And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.

And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them.

And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him in mount Sinai.

And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face. 

                                                                          (Exodus 34:29-35)

An encounter with God can last for all of eternity! 

For whatever reason, God chose Moses to lead his people out of Egypt. He chose to reveal himself to Moses, first in a burning bush and then later on the mountain when he gave Moses His law. These encounters were life changing and not just for Moses. Yes, they changed his life. The encounter on the mountain actually changed his countenance. His face absolutely shined. The glow of the light on his face was so much that the people were afraid to go near to him. 

Moses' encounters with God not only affected him but also had an effect on the people of God. Although he was never able to enter the promised land, he led the people there. He was with them to let them know what God was promising them as well as what God expected of them. 

No matter who it is that God reveals himself to that person is changed for all of eternity. God has revealed himself to us through Jesus. Encounters with Jesus; getting to know him will change us forever. And, yes... people will be a bit wary of the followers of Jesus. Some will even be afraid of those who follow him. Not everyone will understand. 

No matter what people may think of you remember that you have the light of Christ within you.  "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Cor 4:6)

Do not be afraid to let others see the light of Christ that shines through you. Do not worry about what they may think. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matt 5:16)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Tears To Joy

PSALM 126 KJV

When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.

The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south.

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

+++

Times can be very difficult. People can be very mean to one another. Without thought; without care, they will slander one another just to feed their own self-righteous egos; to attempt to justify their own sinful natures.

Psalm 126 is a reminder that though we may have tears in our eyes today we can also have hope. We wait and hope for the day when those tears will turn to joy as the Lord has promised. Trust in the Lord for He is with you through these troubled times.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

By Faith We Move Forward

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went."

                                                                                   (Heb 11:6-8 KJV)

Fear can easily coerce us into doing absolutely nothing or running in the opposite direction. Yet, Noah and Abraham, as well as many others who trusted God before us, moved forward. They did what God asked of them because they trusted Him. 

Believing an unseen God and building an ark so that he and his family might live was a major change in Noah's life. It may have seemed foolish to the world around him. But, the results proved that it was not.

Abraham left his birth family; his home country, to be led by God through the wilderness to a land promised to him and his descendants was a major undertaking. It all rested on his trust in God. 

Moses, too, believed the words of God and led the Israelites out of captivity to journey to a promised land. The journey was long and hard, made harder by the many trust issues along the way among the Israelites. Moses actually never got to enter that promised land; but, he was able to lead the people of God to it because he trusted in the Lord and followed Him.

Hardships are encountered daily by the human race. There are wars and rumors of wars. There are natural disasters and diseases that threaten to take us down. But, fear should never be allowed to keep us from moving forward to receive the promises of God. If fear can do anything positive, it should move us to hear the word of the Lord and listen attentively to it so that we might know the way in which to go.

Faith overcomes fear of things that might stand in our way of moving forward. Remember, the promises of the Lord and keep in mind what St. Paul wrote to the Romans: "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) Walk in faith. God has a good purpose for you. Do not let the fear that permeates the world around you stop you from receiving the good plans He has for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Choose You This Day

Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

                                                                                   (Josh 24:14-15 KJV)

The journey is over. The Israelites have been promised the land for generations. They have been led through some hard times. They have been blessed by the LORD. Joshua's days are almost over. He reminds the people of all that the LORD has done for them and tells them to decide for themselves whether they will serve the LORD or false gods. 

Who indeed will you serve? Which gods? Will you revere the LORD in sincerity and in faithfulness? As Joshua encouraged the Israelites to recall their history with the LORD God, you are encouraged to do likewise. Who brought you out of bondage? Did any of your false gods really help you? You cannot serve two gods. Choose ye this day, whom you will you serve. And, whichever one you choose know that they will each desire faithfulness from you. Will you choose the One who first chose you, who is faithful, and has always been faithful to you? Will you choose the one who loves you so much that He was willing to die for you? Or will you choose to lift up a lesser god; a god that does not love you; a god that will only take from you; a god that will take your very joy and leave you alone and helpless? Choose ye this day... And, do not be deceived there is only one God that loves you. Put away all those false gods, for you cannot serve them all and live.

God's promise to you is a for an abundant life in His Kingdom; in His very presence. Do not settle for a lesser gift than this. Do not turn your back on the LORD who loves you and gives you life.

God's Peace - Pr. J

God Does Great Things

Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.

Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.

He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.

Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.

Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy. 

                                                                                (Psalm 99:7-9 KJV)

The misdeeds of Israel did not go unpunished. Their sins did not go unpunished. Yet, they continued to call on and exalt His name and the LORD continued to speak to them. He led them through the wilderness. They called on His name and He led them through the wilderness to the promised land.

We are all guilty of misdeeds. We are all sinners. That does not mean the LORD has turned His back on us. Speak to Him and listen, for He will guide us on our way. Pray to Him and He will answer. Bow down and worship the one true God. God will forgive us our sins against Him. He will lead us on our journey through every wilderness, every dark valley. 

Take a lesson from the Israelites who wandered in the desert for so many years because they were afraid to take the land the LORD had promised them. Do not fear to follow in the way He would have you go. Listen to Him. For He is just and merciful. Do not turn away from Him, but follow wherever He may lead. 

How many times have we found ourselves in an anxious place, a dark place, where we cannot see to find our way out? There is a way. Speak to the LORD, ask Him to show you the way out. The LORD our God will lead you out of bondage. It may take a little time in the wilderness, but you will enter the promised land. God will do what He has promised and He has promised justice and equity. In Jesus Christ, He has promised you peace that surpasses all understanding. Speak to Him and listen, for He will guide you on your way. 

Great is the LORD our God. He is exalted over all the nations. Worship Him and only Him for the Lord our God is holy.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Speaking the Truth in Christ

"I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost," (Rom 9:1 KJV)

This verse never fails to bring a smile to my face. I find it a bit bewildering and amusing that a man of St. Paul's faithfulness would have to defend his integrity. 

Yes, before he knew Jesus, he hunted down Christians to put them to death. Even in that, as horrific as it was, he was ferociously dedicated to what he believed was God's will for the good of the people. But, once he met Jesus his life changed. He was convinced that Jesus was the promised Messiah and was totally dedicated to proclaiming the truth in Christ.

It is good when we one say with Paul that I am speaking the truth, my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit. But, sadly that is not always the case. The truth of Christ Jesus is often tainted with personal desires. It is difficult to know when someone is truly speaking the truth and so we must depend upon the Holy Spirit within us to help us discern the truth.

Paul's truth in Christ, sometimes hurt people. The truth is not always pleasing to hear. May we always speak with integrity for the good of those whom God loves.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

From Dust Or Ashes?

This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. (Genesis 2:4-8 NIV)

From the dust you were created once. From the dust God can raise you from the dead. Whenever a death occurs I usually get to hear questions about cremation. There is a fear that if we are cremated that we cannot be risen from the dead. My response (with a smile) is usually something like: "What did God do after He pulled back the waters from the land? Did he not form us from the dust of the ground? If he could create us from dirt once; He can surely do it again whether it is from ashes or from the dust of the earth. No matter what; if it is His will we will rise from the dead. And... what about the faith-filled who have died in fires or other catastrophes where their earthly bodies no longer exist in human form? Do you suppose that He would not give them the eternal life that He has promised to all who believe?"

Do not fear; but, believe. All who believe, though they die will live. Jesus told Martha when she was grieving the death of her brother, Lazarus: "... I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25)

Do not fear; but, believe. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) That is the promise to you." 

God's Peace - Pr. J

High Places

"The Sovereign Lord is my strength;

    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,

    he enables me to tread on the heights."

(Hab 3:19 NIV)

"The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places."

(Hab 3:19 KJV)

It has been many years since I read, "Hinds Feet On High Places," an allegory, written by Hannah Hurnard. The journey of Much-Afraid and her friends Sorrow and Suffering, as they follow Shepherd to the high places, where they will walk as on hinds' feet, takes them through many dangers.  It is a long journey. They must have patience. They must have persistence. But, in the end, they (we) will dance in the presence of God. 

This is a familiar story to many of us as, daily, we journey through many difficult times with anticipation and the hope of the promised land.

Just as Habakkuk prayed and waited patiently for the LORD to deliver God's people from the enemy, from the many dangers that surround them; we, too pray and wait patiently (sometimes not as patiently as at other times) for the LORD to deliver His people from the turmoil and dangers they encounter as they journey through the dark shadows of the valley of death.

The Lord is our strength. With Him we shall walk through dark valleys to the high places where the light does surely shine. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

He Leads Us

"For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. ^'Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,' bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory." (Heb 3:4-6)

We are His house. He is faithful to us. May God help us to be faithful to Him. God saved His people from the Egyptians. He delivered them from bondage. They followed Him into the wilderness. But, once there, they began to rebel. They complained against God. They were not happy following in the way that He led them. Those who rebelled perished in the wilderness. They never got to see the promised land.

God has delivered us from our own sinful nature by the blood of His Son, Jesus. He leads us through the wilderness. What shall we do there? Shall we rebel? Shall we complain against Him because the way is not always to our liking?

"Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house." We are his house. We are his children. Will we be faithful to him and follow through whichever wilderness he would lead us to the promised land?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Choose Ye This Day

The journey is over.  The Israelites have been promised the land for generations.  They have been led through some hard times.  They have been blessed by the LORD.  Joshua's days are almost over.  He reminds the people of all that the LORD has done for them and tells them:

"Now therefore revere the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness;   put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the Rive and in Egypt, and    serve the LORD.  Now if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."  (Josh 24:14-15)

Whom, indeed, will you serve?  Which god or gods?  Will you revere the LORD in sincerity and in faithfulness?   As Joshua encouraged the Israelites to recall their history with the LORD God, I encourage you to do the same.  Who brought you out of bondage?  Did any of your false gods really help you?  You cannot serve two gods.  Choose ye this day, whom you will you serve.  And, whichever one you choose know that they will each desire faithfulness from you.  Will you choose the One who first chose you, who is faithful, and has always been faithful to you?  Will you choose the one who loves you so much that He was willing to die for you?  Or will you choose a lesser god, a god that does not love you, will only take from you, a god that will take your very joy and leave you alone and helpless?  Choose ye this day...  Do not be deceived. There is only one God that loves you.  Put away all those false gods, for you cannot serve them all and live.

God's promise to you is a for an abundant life in His Kingdom - in His very presence.  Do not choose to receive a lesser gift than this.  Do not turn your back on the LORD who gives you life.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Persevere

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:35-36

Believe me, there are days when I'd like nothing better than to just throw in the towel. But, I don't. I wake up the next morning and ask God, once again, to carry me through the day and to be with, guiding and protecting, those whom I love. Life can be rough for all of us. Intentional sin can make it rough not just for ourselves; but, for everyone who loves us, for everyone around us. There are consequences to sin. There are consequences to breaking the law and they are usually not nice consequences. But; even then, if we turn back to God, He will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Reluctantly, I read the news online this morning. Again, mass murders! What in the world is wrong with humanity? I guess, I may have just answered my own question. We have a tendency to follow in the ways of the world, turning away from God.

Without the gift of being able to be in God's presence, trusting in Him, I would have no hope for the world. But, He gives me the confidence to keep on praying for the people I love, for people that I don't know, even for the whole world trusting that He has a good plan and knowing that in the end His will will be done.

Help us, Lord, to keep from throwing in the towel and to trust that your good will will be done for all whom we love.

God's Peace - Pr. J

High Places

"The Sovereign Lord is my strength;

    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,

    he enables me to tread on the heights." (Hab 3:19 NIV)

"The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places." (Hab 3:19 KJV)

It has been many years since I read, "Hinds Feet On High Places," an allegory, written by Hannah Hurnard. The journey of Much-Afraid and her friends Sorrow and Suffering, as they follow Shepherd to the high places, where they will walk as on hinds' feet, takes them through many dangers.  It is a long journey. They must have patience. They must have persistence. But, in the end, they (we) will dance in the presence of God. 

This is a familiar story to many of us as even daily we journey through many difficult times in anticipation and the hope of the promised land.

Just as Habakkuk prayed and waited patiently for the LORD to deliver God's people from the enemy, from the many dangers that surround them; we, too pray and wait patiently (sometimes not as patiently as at other times) for the LORD to deliver His people from the turmoil and dangers they encounter as they journey through the dark shadows of the valley of death.

 

The Lord is our strength. With Him we shall walk through dark valleys to the high places where the light does surely shine. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Through The Valley Of The Shadow of Death

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

Psalm 23:4 NIV

My favorite Psalm, as it is for many, is Psalm 23. I pray it daily; sometimes a few times a day. There is so much chaos in the world that it can be most unsettling to wonder which path loved ones are following. Have they gotten themselves lost? Will they end up on the wrong path? Will they follow in the footsteps of Jesus into the Kingdom of God where they will know peace of heart and mind? Will they walk with God? One can never tell for sure.

The only sure thing I can do about these unsettling feelings is to pray this prayer of affirmation, trusting God to be with them and for them as He has promised even as He is with me. As I pray for my loved ones, I am sometimes reminded of Job who rose up early every morning to make offerings for every one of his children. Instead of burnt offerings, I lift up all whom I love to the Lord in prayer.

I do not fear for myself; for God is with me. But, I pray often that all whom I love will trust God to walk with them, guiding and comforting them.

May the Lord, the Good Shepherd, be with you always to guide you through the valley of the shadow of death.

God's Peace - Pr. J