Bless The Words Of Our Lips

Psalm 19:14 KJV May all that we think and say be acceptable to the Lord.

Help Comes From The Lord

When evil comes to us we must look to the Lord for help..

Psalm 121:1-2 KJV

Children Of God

Reading from Galatians 3:29-4:1-7 KJV for the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost. Heirs of God most high; we are His children through Christ.

Forgiven And Forgotten

Hosanna To The King

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.

Knowing God Is God

Psalm 46:10

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.                                                                               

                                                                                     (John 6:35-40 KJV)

Doubt can creep in when one is least expecting it. Trouble may came and you wonder where God is. Does he really exist and if he does why would he allow this to happen. We cannot see him face to face now and sometimes it might be hard to grasp this Father in heaven. I have heard him described as a bearded old man living in the clouds or other such absurd analogies and those descriptions coming from adults! SMH!! It is absurd to make fun of something or someone that one does not know. 

But, those who worship him, do know him. As Job declared that he would one day see God face to face so do those who know and love him declare it. 

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. 

                                                                                             (Job 19:25-27)

Our God is not some far away god who sits on a cloud. He is here with us, in us, above us, all around us. He is not an old man either. He is eternal and he is God Almighty. We do not have to see him face to face in order to know him. We read and hear the testimony of his many children. We witness his acts of love and kindness everyday in the Christians around us. We behold his creation and we are in awe of his handiwork.

Thomas knew Jesus. He was a follower of Jesus. They were friends. Yet, when Jesus rose from the dead Thomas doubted that this could possible be true. He had see him with his own eyes to believe it.  

"Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." (John 20:29)

We don't have to see him to believe. We are witnesses to his grace and his mercy and his love. Blessed are you who believe for you have received everlasting life in the presence of God Almighty!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Let The Words Of Our Lips Glorify God

PSALM 19 KJV

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

+++

There is no place that God is not. He is "...above all, and through all, and in you all." (Eph 4:6)

He sees all things. He knows all things. It is truly good and right for us to declare the glory of the Lord even as the heavens and all the rest of his creation declares his glory.

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)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

He Is The Lord Of All

The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

                    (Psalm 103:19, 22 KJV)

Bless the Lord who is the creator and redeemer of all! He rules over all things.

The Lord God through the Word, who is Jesus the Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit has created all things; both the seen and the unseen. Alas, the world decided to go it's own way and reject the Kingdom of God. But, just because the Kingdom of God is refused by humankind does not mean that His rule is diminished. Whether we like it or not our Lord is the King over all Kings. God is in charge!

Because humankind rejected his Kingdom, by rejecting His rule and despising His love and mercy, God sent His only begotten Son to redeem us from our sins. We who were separated from God's loving presence; from His Kingdom, are now reconciled to Him through the blood of Christ. We have been redeemed by His loving mercy. The Kingdom of God and His loving presence is with us now and always through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. This is the Good News!

Let us bless and love the Lord at all times and in all places for the marvelous works He has done for us!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Acceptable In His Sight

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)

Psalm 19 is one of my favorite prayers from scripture. I pray it before just about every sermon or message that I share aloud. Pastors like to talk and sometimes the words of our lips can get away from us as we jump from topic to topic on subjects that have more to do with personal agendas than anything that will glorify God. We are all sinners, sanctified in Christ Jesus. As sinners, we ought to pray that the Lord, himself, will guide our lips and our hearts in a way that is acceptable to him.

Lord, God, help us to speak those things that will be acceptable in your sight. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Perfect Peace

 

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 

Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength: 

                                                                                             (Isa 26:3-4 KJV)

I would love to say that my life has been lived in perfect peace. It hasn't. That is  probably why so many of my blogs are focused on peace. I have had a lot of garbage thrown at me over the years. It has been very rough at times. Yet, I know that my Redeemer lives. I know that I am loved by God. I know that Jesus died for me and as I stay focused on living in his presence, I can know peace. I can be at peace no matter what kind of turmoil is going on around me.

Sometimes, it is more difficult than at other times to stay focused on Jesus and the peace of mind that only he can give. It is more difficult; but, it is not impossible. After all; when things seem to go from bad to worse where else do we have to turn except to our God who gives His all for us?

Live in Christ! Live in peace!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Bless The Words Of Our Lips...

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)

I have been church shopping. Sounds bad to many of us, right? Hopping around from church to church without having a place to really settle in and becoming a part of a congregational family sounds like one might be avoiding becoming committed to serving.

As a retired pastor who did not move away from the area where the congregation I served is, it is inappropriate for me to stay in the congregation I retired from. A lot of people don't understand this. So, let me explain. It is simply because what often happens, unintentionally or intentionally, is that the retired pastor interferes with the relationship between the new pastor and the congregation. It seems to be human nature to want to control how things work.... People will ask for your advice as the former pastor and if you give advice that is contrary to how the new pastor serves then you are interfering. I would not do anything that might harm the congregations I have served. So, I find myself church shopping. 

This past Sunday I worshiped with a United Methodist Congregation and could not help but smile when the pastor began his sermon by praying pretty much the same prayer that I pray at the beginning of every sermon. "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts and minds, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, our Rock, and our Redeemer. Amen" The prayer put me at ease and opened my heart and mind so that I would be willing and able to hear the Word proclaimed.

Prayer is an amazing thing! God answers even these prayers that might seem little to some. Jesus warned us about praying long vain laden prayers just before he instructed the disciples how to pray using the "Lord's Prayer" as an example. He said: "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." (Matt 6:7) 

You don't have to be long winded for God to hear and answer your prayer. I have often used this one word prayer: "Help!" God knows what's in your heart. Just talk to your Father in heaven. He hears you and He answers. 

May the words of our mouths, the meditations of our hearts and minds, be acceptable in thy sight, this day, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Peace Like A River

Peace Like A River - At Home For The Summer

This is what the Lord says—

your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

“I am the Lord your God,

who teaches you what is best for you,

who directs you in the way you should go.

If only you had paid attention to my commands             

your peace would have been like a river,

your well-being like the waves of the sea.” 

                                    (Isa 48:17-18 NIV)

The hymn "When Peace Like a River" or "All Is Well With My Soul" is a favorite among many. It is one of my favorite hymns. It was written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873. Not long before he wrote it; his four daughters had died in a collision with another ship as they crossed the Atlantic. His wife survived and sent him this message, "Saved alone." Later, as he, himself, crossed the Atlantic and neared the spot where his daughters had died, he was inspired to write this hymn. The LORD, in His mercy has taught us that no matter what befalls us, it can be well with our soul. All who abide in Christ will know the peace that only He can give.

We have returned to Aura for the summer. It is my peaceful place. I do not recall a day that I have been here that I have not thanked God for landing me in this awesome place. I still haven't figured out what I'm going to be doing in my retirement; but, I know that many of those days will be spent in peace.  Since Lake Superior and it's bays appear to be at an all time high water level, I will be able to launch my kayak right from the back door! I will not have to navigate around anything to get out into the bay; no dragging it through the marsh. Smooth sailing! Peaceful paddling.

Thanks be to God for all that He has given us!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Listen To Instruction

Those who ignore instruction despise themselves,
   but those who heed admonition gain understanding.

The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
   and humility goes before honor..

                                              Prov 15:32-33 NRSV

There is no better instruction than to respect the Lord. Do not place yourself and anything else before Him. Listen closely to His Word so that you might gain understanding from the one who knows all and is all. Not listening to those who would share this wisdom will only bring us trouble.

No good will come from lifting ourselves up before Him. We must remember that He is the creator and we are the created. We are not greater than the creator. We are not greater than the redeemer.  

It is right to fear the Lord and to give Him all honor and glory. To love the Lord with all your heart is  wisdom worth listening to. There is nothing better; more pleasing than to be in a loving relationship with our creator; our redeemer; our counselor.

Humble yourself and listen to the Word. Listen to those who would help you on the Way. Do not despise them; but, listen. Listen and believe that you might gain understanding; that you might live life most fully in the presence of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acceptable to the Lord

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14 NRSV)

If you have ever heard me preach then you have most likely heard Psalm 19:14 in some translation or version. It is the verse, that we pray, before the sermon at any and almost all of the Worship services that I lead, whether it is Sunday Worship, a funeral, a wedding, or whatever the occasion.

I begin every sermon with this prayer and I end it with a prayer, as well.  You see, I need God's help.  In fact, I need God to speak through me, because I really don't know what it is that He would have me say to all of you.  I don't need to use a lot of words. A lot of words would most probably come out of my own ego and would not be helpful to too many people. But, God can touch each of us with a whole lot less words.   

Just prior to the beginning of each service; I also usually pray something to the effect of:  "Send your Holy Spirit that your people might hear your Word, your will for them, and not mine." I depend upon the Spirit of God to open the ears of each of the hearers so that everyone one might hear God's word, his will for them. His word, his will and not mine.

One of the rules I try to follow in sermon writing is to never talk politics. I cannot even begin to imagine myself endorsing a candidate from the pulpit! I have been asked about this by a few people as there are  some who seem to think that this is the preacher's job.  However, the pulpit is for preaching the Good News of the Kingdom of God.  It is not for promoting a partisan view of the kingdom of this world. In regards to preaching politics, I am confident that it would definitely be my political views that would be expressed and not God's. 

Sharing the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ is not about pleasing man.  It is about pleasing God. In fact; often, people will not be pleased with the message that pleases the person sitting in the pew next to them.  Sometimes the very same sermon that will bring comfort to one hearer, will bring conviction to another.  That, my friend, is the work of the Holy Spirit.  God knows who is going to be at Worship on any given Sunday and He knows what they need to hear.  And, if they have ears to hear, they will hear just what He wants them to hear.  Thanks be to God!

It always amazes me when people tell me after the sermon that they were so moved when I talked about..... (whatever it was they heard).  I don't tell them that I didn't actually say what they heard. If that's what the Spirit wanted to say to them, if that's what they needed to hear, then so be it.  And... the glory belongs to God!

Help us LORD!  May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts and minds always be pleasing in your sight, O' Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.

God's Peace - Pastor J.

Are You Listening?

"Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise." Deut 6:6-7

I do a lot of reciting of both the law and the gospel. But, there are times when I just have to shake my head and wonder if anyone is listening? Do they not understand the there is only one true God and that God is almighty; all powerful; all loving; all merciful? It is not wise. It is not a good thing to worship other gods; to put anyone or anything before our Creator and Redeemer. I simply have a difficult time understanding how anyone would refuse to love and serve the only God who can save them from sin, death, and the power of the devil. How could anyone not love someone who was willing to die for them?

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart." Deut 6:4-6

May our Father in heaven, forgive us for not loving Him as we ought; for not loving Him even as He loves us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Words Of Our Lips

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
    be pleasing in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

                                                      Psalm 19:14 NIV

Our faith; what we believe, is evidenced in the things that we say and do. Do we promote God's will even as we pray that His will be done on earth as it is done in heaven? Or, do we promote false gods of this world by what we say and do? 

Those things that we profess that we believe should agree with the things that we say and do in the various aspects of our lives. When we say that we believe one way and purposely do something else; we not only become traitors to God; but, to the words of our own lips. We cannot teach others to live in God's way that He might be glorified while we live in a way that contradicts what we say.

May God help us to live with integrity; that the words of our lips and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in His sight and glorify He who is our Lord, our rock and our redeemer.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Our God; Not Idols

"Some will say, ‘I belong to the Lord’;
others will call themselves by the name of Jacob;
still others will write on their hand, ‘The Lord’s,’

and will take the name Israel.

“This is what the Lord says—
Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty:
I am the first and I am the last;

apart from me there is no God."

(Isa 44:5-6 NIV)

Herein, we find the promise of God to call people who were not his people. He will save those who belong to Him. He promises to bless them and their descendants, pouring out His Spirit upon them. 

Through the lips of Isaiah, God once again reminds us that He is God. He is the creator of all things. He reminds us again how worthless false idols are. They are fashioned, created, with the minds and hands of mere mortals. How, then can the created create something greater than God who created the world and all that is in it?  It's a puzzle, that man could delude himself so, But, he often does.

Worship the Lord Almighty, our King and Redeemer and only Him!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Bless That Which We Say And Think And Do

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart    
    be pleasing in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
                                              (Psalm 19:14 NIV)

As we go through this day and all the days following let us consider if what comes out of our mouths is actually pleasing to the Lord. Would we dwell upon it; would we say it if God Almighty were standing next to us? He is, you know! He hears and see all things that we say and think and do. He knows if we are tearing up the Body of Christ. He knows if we are ripping apart His children. He also knows when we are lifting them up for His glory.

May the words of our lips and the meditations of our hearts; all that we say and think and do be acceptable in His sight at all times and in all places.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Integrity

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 NIV

Our faith; what we believe, is evidenced in what we say and do. Do we promote God's will even as we pray that His will be done on earth as it is done in heaven? Or, do we promote the false gods of this world by what we say and do? 

Those things that we profess that we believe should agree with the things that we say and do in all aspects of our lives. We all slip at times; but, when we say that we believe one way and consistently and purposefully live in another way; we not only become traitors to God; but, to the words of our own lips. We cannot teach others to live in God's way that He might be glorified while we live in a way that contradicts what we say.

May God help us to live with integrity; that the words of our lips and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in His sight and glorify He who is our Lord, our rock and our redeemer.

God's Peace - Pr. J