Rejoice For The Lord Is At Hand!

Philippians 4:4-9 KJV; Let not your heart be troubled no matter what troubles you encounter for the Lord is with you and for you.

Believe, Hope, Endure All Things

 

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. (1 Cor 13:6-7 KJV)

Yesterday was a very good day. I had succumbed a couple of times to believing the worst might come about. Fortunately, I had been able to continue to believe that God had His hand in it and would work everything for the good. It could have ended up horribly; but, it did not. I will continue with endurance to hope and rejoice that God will see all things through to His glory.

It seems as though this past year more and more people have succumbed to rejoicing in anything bad. A lot of people have been lifting up what is bad as good and attempting to destroy what is good. In fact, some will make up stuff to make the world around them and people they dislike seem even worse than they could possibly be. For too many people this past year has been a year of opportunity to devise chaos. People have been rejoicing to see the downfall of others. That rejoicing in causing others to fall is a grievous iniquity, especially when attacks against them are totally unjustified and done only for the purpose of personal gain or glory.

Slander is a grievous iniquity. May God help us to always seek the truth and rejoice in that. May God keep us from slandering others to benefit ourselves.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

This Too Shall Pass

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Cor 2:9 KJV)

Recently, my granddaughter reminded me that when she was still living at home, that I often told her "This too shall pass." I don't remember that; but, it is probably true as she had a lot of turmoil in her life.

Unfortunately, life does not always feel wonderful. Depression can often set in and when it does it is difficult to see any of the goodness that God has planned for those that love Him. 

It is difficult to grasp the future goodness God has planned when we're in the midst of turmoil; but, His promise is true.

"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)

These words are for you. Whatever you are going through, know that the Lord has a great plan for you and this time and probably many more trying times shall pass and in the end you will be rejoicing in the goodness of God. You will find peace in His presence.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

A Good Name

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. (Prov 22:1 KJV)

It is terribly easy to destroy your own reputation. All it takes is one misstep and the gossip will take over. We all make mistakes. We all sin. To do so knowingly and willingly in order to have great riches or an ill-gotten reputation is folly, indeed! Yes, there is a generation (more that one generation) that thinks being popular, by any means, is something to be proud of. Unfortunately, this ill-gotten reputation actually harms one's future prospects. Opportunities will be closed to those who cannot be trusted.

We all make mistakes. We all sin. Stuff happens to us and by us that shouldn't happen; that does not contribute to our peace or our reputations. 

But, there is hope. In Christ our sins are forgiven. In baptism our sins are washed away and we can begin each day anew. By faith in Jesus, we bear a good name. That name is Jesus. Let us live each day rejoicing for all that has been done for us in his good name.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Trust and Rejoice!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

There are many times in this world that we become anxious or disheartened. Depression may even get the best of us for a time. Life does not always dish out pleasantness. St. Paul reminds us today, as he did the Philippians, not to worry; but, to present our requests to the Lord. In bringing our needs before Him in prayer, we find the confidence to trust that all things are in His hands and He has a good plan for those who love Him. (Rom 8:28)

The trials that St. Paul endured were many and hard. If he could stand, trusting in and rejoicing in the Lord until the day of his execution, surely so can we. 

Think for just a moment about the problems you have encountered throughout your life. Did God not see you through them all? Was He not with you? Those problems are now nothing more than a memory. Rejoice then that any trials and tribulations you may be encountering today will also pass. Continue on in the way of the Lord. Trusting and rejoicing in Him!

God's Peace - Pr. J