The Cup Of Salvation

Pray For Peace And Reconciliation

Reconcilded Through Christ

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Cor 5:19-20 KJV)

What a gift!  Even though we don't in any way deserve to be united with the Father, by the blood of Christ that was shed for us, we are!  Thanks be to God! 

I cannot think of anyone or anything that could bring me more joy than being in a close relationship with God our Creator and our Father! Just think about it. We who were not his children are now his children! Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen!

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

A New Day; A New Year, With Peace

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

                                                                        (2 Cor 5:17-19 KJV)

May God bless this new year richly for each and everyone of us!  I believe that he will. The old has gone away so let us not cling to our old ways.  This year let there be reconciliation with God and with one another for all people. Let there be peace.

The last two years have seen an influx of crime; of hate, in this country. It is time to stop living in the darkness and relish the good things that God has provided us with. Such an old saying; but, "Take time to smell the roses!"

In Christ we have been forgiven our sins so why do we continue, in so many cases, to willfully sin?  Just, why!! As Christ has forgiven us, let us forgive one another and live in peace!

May God help each and every one of us to strive to live reconciled to one another in peace in the coming years. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Rejoice In God's 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)

Every day; all day long I pray with thanksgiving that He is with me.  Without Him I would have no peace at all.  The world is a mess. It seems to always have been. So many spend their lives filling their own desires with so very little consideration for how that fulfillment might be detrimental to others. Where is the peace in being so self-centered? It gets you know where.

Christ's whole purpose in dying for us was so that we could be reconciled to God and to one another. Self-centeredness divides it does not reconcile. It brings no peace.

But, abiding in Christ, who was totally selfless, can and does bring peace. Live life in Christ and live with peace that surpasses all understanding no matter what the world throws at you.

Give thanks and rejoice for the peace of God that is given you!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Rejoice In Your Salvation!

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.                                                                                                     (Psalm 51:10-12 KJV)

Each and every morning we have the opportunity to start all over again. We do not have to keep living in the same old mess. We can take a look at yesterday and know what we might need to be changed so some things don't happen again today. That is called repentance. We don't have to keep doing the same old stuff that keeps dragging us down day after day. 

In repentance we turn to God and He will lift us up with His Spirit. We have a mighty God who can take hold of our hearts and make them clean. God is with us.  He will not abandon us. Trust not in yourself; but, in the one who by his blood has gifted us reconciliation with the one who has created us and makes us whole.  He has saved us! Therefore; rejoice in your salvation!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

God Will Deliver You

"And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you." (Isa 46:4 KJV)

Thanks be to God that He who created us is with us and delivers us. There are times when sorrows are so deep that we might wonder how He will deliver us. There are times when it feels as though the world around us has gone absolutely mad as everyone looks to their own interests and cannot recognize that the good of others is in their best interest. It is in their best interest to live in peace with one another and with God.

Yet, without the love of God, we are not capable of living in that peace. Without the blood of Christ shed for us there would be no reconciliation with our Father in heaven. There would be no peace.

According to St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians Jesus is our peace.

"For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh." (Eph 2:14-17)

In Christ we are one body. We are the family of God created and delivered to live in peace with one another. Do not fear. It is the great "I Am" who has created and delivered you. He is with you now and always even as he promised.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matt 28:18-20)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Remember Not My Sins

Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving kindnesses; for they have been ever of old.

Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O Lord.

Psalm 25:1-7 KJV

I have heard many a person say that they would like to be young again. Not me! I made way too many mistakes; committed way too many sins as a young person that I would prefer to forget. Some of them, I probably have forgotten. Others, I have not. I know that if I were to be back in the days of my youth, the lack of my knowledge and faith in what Jesus has done for me would most probably have me making the same mistakes and committing the same sins. I am sorry for them and would not like to repeat them.

As I remember them from time to time, I am thankful that God, according to His mercy, those sins are washed out. I may remember them; but, I also remember that that God is a God of tender mercies and loving kindnesses. He sent His only begotten son that through the shedding of his blood on the Cross all who would believe in him would not perish. We would be forgiven our sins and reconciled to God for all of eternity.

By faith alone, in Christ alone, we are forgiven. The sins of the past are in the past. They are done with and dead. In Christ we have new life and a new way of living.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." (2 Cor 5:17-19)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Our Own Way

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isa 53:5-6 KJV)

Yup! That's what we like. We prefer to do things our own way. For some reason we have tendency to think our way is better than God's way. It is not. According to the Gospel of St. John: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

When we follow in our own ways, we often end up in a heap of trouble. We end up on some really dangerous paths. But, when we follow in the way that Jesus has set before us the path leads to reconciliation and peace with our Father in heaven.

Jesus was sent to us so that we who had turned our backs on our Father could be reconciled to him and live in his eternal presence. It was not a mission that any of us could complete. This innocent man was punished for our sins. He was tortured and executed for the sins that we commit. Simply put: he died that we might live.

Let us live life in thanksgiving for all that he has done and continues to do for us. Let us be wise enough to follow in the way that he would have us go.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Do Not Resist Arrest!

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake." 

                                                                              (Romans 13:1-5 KJV)

Message for the day: If you are asked by an officer of the law to stop; STOP. Do not attempt to flee. Do not resist arrest. Do not assault the officer in any manner; physically or verbally. Just, don't do it! It's not the way to go. It will not turn out well for you or anyone else.

There are ways to peacefully protest. Harming or attempting to harm police officers or civilians who might get in the way is definitely not the way to go. Looting or damaging the property others have worked hard to obtain or maintain is definitely not the way in which a Christian would go.

May God grant us peaceful resolutions and reconciliation. May He help us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Remember that Jesus did not raise a hand to defend himself nor would he allow his disciples to fight when he was arrested.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Live Life In The Light

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.” 

                                          (Genesis 1:1-4 KJV) 

God saw that the light that he had created was good. It's probably a good idea; therefore, to live life in the light.

Constantly seeing the negative things of daily life; constantly complaining about how horrible things only drags a person deeper into darkness and despair. The light of Christ, on the other hand, bring life. Living in the light of Christ brings peace and joy and reconciliation with one another.

Live life in the light of Christ!

Pr. J

Only The Spirit Knows

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Cor 2:14 KJV)

We too often view the world with the natural eyes; with what makes sense to us, without considering what it is that God might want for the world. As humankind struggles to try to find peace with what is going on around us, we forget that God has a plan. Through all of the struggles that we encounter, God is at work showing us the way in which He would have us go.

That Way is Jesus the Christ. He would have us follow Jesus to the cross and to eternal life in His presence. But, it cannot happen for us as individuals if we continue to cling to our own egos; to our own self-righteousness. We must see as Christ sees, with love for humankind and most of all for our Father in heaven within our hearts. We must be willing to give our lives for the sake of others. To give up our petty differences and strive to come to understand what others may be going through. This does not happen through lies or gossip. It does not come through assaulting those who have done nothing to us or anyone else just so that we can prosper. 

Reconciliation with God and with one another by any means, especially by the love of God through Jesus Christ, is foolishness to those who put their worldly desires before anything or anyone else. 

As carnal human beings we cannot know the mind of God. But, the Spirit of Christ, that abides in those who believe, knows all things. Listen to the Spirit of God so that you might know reconciliation with the Father and that you might know His peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Message Is Found In Scripture

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

                                                                             (Rom 16:17-20 KJV)

We've all heard them; those who with smooth talk teach a false gospel. Those who tell you that God will provide you with everything you want if you would only do this thing or that thing. They neglect to tell you that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ Jesus. They neglect to tell you that there is no earthly treasure that can even begin to compare with the gift of living reconciled to God; living in relationship with Jesus.

It is no different today than it was in St. Paul's day. There is one way to tell if something proclaimed to you is the truth; know the scriptures, read them and hear them. The message proclaimed to us through the prophets is found in them. The fulfillment is found in them. Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promises to us.

Do not let your itching ears lead you to believing smooth talkers whose aim is not to glorify God; but, to satisfy their own egos; their own bellies. This desire to have it our own way rather than according to the will of God will only cause dissension and divisions. It will cause much strife; much pain. It is neither wise nor safe to accept any doctrine that cannot be supported by scripture. Scripture supports scripture. 

Read your Bibles daily and have a blessed day; a blessed life in Jesus Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Free To Not Devour Others

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.      
                                                                                      (Gal 5:1, 13-15 KJV)

We are free to love; to stand up for one another; to defend and help those who need defending and help. Jesus did not die so that we can attack others to get an edge up over others. He came that we might be reconciled to our Father and to one another. Snarling at others; biting and attempting to devour each other has nothing to do with our Father's good will for humankind. 

I watched about two minutes of the Democratic Presidential debate last night and had to shut it off. Maybe it was the worst two minutes of the debate. But, oh my! How rude they were to each other in those two minutes. That seems to be indicative of all political debates no matter who is involved and that will not reconcile anyone to one another. The same goes for each of us in our daily lives. Reconciliation does not come by spitting at each other. 

The sacrifice made by Christ for all humankind has made us free to love and serve one another. Fighting and attempting to degrade those one might actually agree with for personal power or recognition is not freedom; but, bondage to worldly desires. Christ has set us free to love not to destroy our neighbor.

St. Paul wrote to the Galatians: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (Gal 5:22-26)

It would be nice if when we disagree with others we could all learn not to belittle and degrade them.

God's Peace - Pr. J

What is the Good News?

The Good News; the Gospel of our Lord Jesus the Christ; what is it? What is it the Good News that we are supposed to be sharing?

What was John the Baptist's proclamation?

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matt 3:1 NRSV) 

What was the proclamation of Jesus? 

From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”  (Matt 4:17)

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”  (Mark 1:14-15)

What did Jesus tell the twelve disciples to proclaim when he sent them out?

"As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.'" (Matt 10:7) 

What did Jesus tell the seventy was their mission when he sent them out?

Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.  (Luke 10:8-11)

So there we have it. We are to proclaim the Good news of the kingdom of God to all who would hear. That good news is not about physical wealth in this world. The Good News is not about what we should or have to do. The Good News is about what God has done for us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him, we have received forgiveness of all our sins. Through him, we have been reconciled to God our Father and to our Lord Jesus the Christ by the awesome power of God the Holy Spirit. Through him, the gates of the kingdom have been flung wide open and we can live in His paradise; in His Kingdom; in His presence now and forever. Forever and eternity do include now; after all.

The Good News is not just about the kingdom of God for you after you die a physical death. The Good News of the kingdom includes the present for all who would believe Jesus. Rejoice, for the kingdom of God is not something far away! The Kingdom of God is near; so near that it has already broken into and present in our lives today. It is all around us. It is not something that awaits us up above the clouds. It is right here among us.   

Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.” (Luke 17:20-21)

The kingdom life is a life of joy and peace knowing that we live in God's presence even today; knowing that we have been reconciled to our Father and Creator and to one another through the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Even as Jesus, John the Baptist, the twelve and the seventy proclaimed the Good News of the kingdom that is also the Good News that we are to proclaim. There is no Good News that is better or greater than the kingdom of God for you through the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. That is the Good News that will shine a light of hope on and in the hearts of those who are in distress.

Go and share the Good News of the kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord so that all who would hear and believe might rejoice in their salvation; in their reconciliation to God; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

God's Peace - Pr. J

God's Peace Be With You

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” John 20:21-23 ESV

Peace be with you. I know that there are some who really dislike sharing the peace during Worship. I hear lots of reasons for this. "It's flu season and we don't want to get sick" is one of the biggest reasons. But, often I see congregations using that only as an excuse for not wanting to be too close to other brothers or sisters in Christ. 

Most of you have who know me have probably noticed that when I greet people, I usually greet them with these words, "God's peace be with you" or simply "God's peace." When we share this greeting with others, we are letting them know that we do not want there to be any animosity between us. We are in essence telling the other person that whatever sins they have committed against us, they are forgiven. When we share the peace of the Lord, we are saying let us be reconciled to one another through our Lord, Jesus Christ because by the blood of Christ we are reconciled, so let us live in that truth!

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding comes when we know that we have been forgiven our sins and are now reconciled to God our Father through the blood of Jesus Christ. We, you and I have received the Holy Spirit so that we might go out proclaiming this Good News of reconciliation through Jesus so that others also might know this peace. So, if the Holy Spirit truly abides within us, then I would think that we would actually go and share the peace with others; forgiving them their sins; being reconciled to one another.

When we share God's peace, we are not only forgiving others any offenses, we are also asking them to forgive us for anything we may have done to offend them. In order for there to be peace; in order for their to be genuine reconciliation, we must forgive and be forgiven.

God's peace be with you all - Pr. J

Live In Peace

"Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy." Prov 12:20 NIV

Very, very tired this morning after reading the national news. It is draining to see so much animosity toward those who do not believe the way some might think everyone should believe.

There is way too much evil in the world. There is way too much bullying of those who do not think or act like some think everyone ought to think or act. Apparently, it has once again gone way past bullying; but, has advanced to actually destroying other people's property. The bullying has advanced to interfering with the rights and freedom of others.

Jesus, himself, did not get involved in the politics of the world. He got involved in the world, for sure. He forgave the sinner. He fed the hungry. He healed the sick. He did not promote violence against those who would not accept his ways. In fact, he loved all people so much that he was willing to die for us. He died that we might live in the peace that only God can give as we are reconciled to God through the shedding of his blood on the cross for us. He died for those who denied him. He died for those who crucified him. He died for you and me. This is the epitome of love; of unconditional love.

Jesus said, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." (John 15:12-14)

This is true love; that we should give our all for others whether we agree with them or not. Unconditional love calls for sacrifice. It calls for peace and reconciliation; not plotting evil against those who disagree with us.

May God help us to respect and love our neighbor no matter who we might think they are; no matter whether we agree with their politics or not, because we are all children of God. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Live Life In The One Who Is Life!

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

The title of this blog is "Live Life." It is often my plea that those whom I care about learn to live life in Christ. Peace can only be found in him. Reconciliation with God and with those around us can only truly be found in Christ.

Why should we live in so much turmoil when there is another way? Jesus is that way. In him, you will find what your heart seeks. In him, no matter what goes on around you in the world, you will find peace. In him, you will be reconciled to our Father in heaven, in His Kingdom, even now.

Live life in the Kingdom and you will know real joy!

God's Peace - Pr. J