Authority Over Unclean Spirits

Mark 1:21-28 KJV; 4th Sun after Epiphany; The unclean spirits recognize Jesus and know that he has the authority to destroy them.

Do You Recognize Jesus

Luke 24-13-35; 3rd Sunday of Easter; Do you recognize Jesus when eating at his table?

God be merciful to me a sinner

 We are all sinners; therefore, we all have a need to humble ourselves, repent, turning to Jesus for life and salvation.

Ashamed of the Gospel?

 

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Rom 1:16 KJV)

I am not ashamed to say that I believe that I have been reconciled to God by the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus my Savior and Lord. I do not always display that reality for which I am most sorry for. There are times that I slip. There are times that we all slip and don't represent Jesus as we could.

In one of my small recovery groups that I led for teen-age boys who had been convicted of felonies, one of the young men, who professed to be a Christian, shared a story about how he ended up fighting with someone following a worship service at his home church. He had worn the colors of his gang to the church service. In other words, he represented someone other than Jesus when he entered that building and it irritated (to put it mildly) a rival gang member who was also there.

It is one thing to profess that we are Christians. It is much more difficult to be representatives of Christ. False gods abound and the majority of us can be led astray; deceived, by them to some extent. 

God help us to recognize these false gods. Help us to be of good courage so that we might share the Good News of the one died on the cross for the salvation of all who would believe in him.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Reaping What We Sow

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Gal 6:7 KJV)

Yesterday, I wrote about enduring persecutions. As I thought about it throughout the day, I considered that there are many who may feel like they are being persecuted when in reality they are really suffering the consequences of their own poor choices. Often these poor choices or sins involved persecuting others in the first place.

If we break a law, we are not being persecuted if we end up ticketed or arrested. We are suffering the consequences that come with breaking the law. If we end up in divorce court facing huge child support payments because of such things as abuse or infidelity it is because of our own sinful behavior. 

When we suffer because of our own poor choices we don't get to claim victimhood. In many cases we need to recognize that our choices actually harmed others whether it was directly or indirectly. We need to recognize our sin and our need to repent. We need to change our ways and live lives that don't persecute others. 

If we choose to do what is not right and teach others to do the same we need to accept that we shall reap what we have sown.

However, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

May God grant us new and clean hearts that we might live in peace in His loving presence. Amen

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Rest For The Weary

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.                                                                                                  (Matt 11:28 KJV)

Everyone gets weary from time to time. As I get older, it seems that I am more heavy laden than in years before. It may not seem like much to others. In fact, others may even say some of the things I take on are not mine to take on. 

The problem with that is that as a Christian I feel compelled to help those who are in need and so I take on more. I hope that when people are alone, I will be able to recognize that and be there for them. Yes, there are times when I may be taken advantage of. But, those rare times are not worth the giving up on others. And, who can tell if, even in being taken advantage of, others may come to know Jesus through you? 

When I am weary; I find rest; I find peace, in knowing that Christ is with me and inspiring me to do what I can for others.

There is rest for the weary. It comes with a relationship with Jesus.

May we always abide in Christ and Christ in us.

God's Peace - Pr. J.