Renew Your Hearts And Minds

Ephesians 4:23-32 KJV; Renew your hearts and minds by the power of the Holy Spirit that you might be loving, kind, and forgiving.

Create In Us Clean Hearts

Psalm 51:9-12 KJV; Blot out our sins and create in us clean hearts.

Healing On The Sabbath

Luke 14:1-6 KJV Jesus healed on the Sabbath. So should we.

Blot Out My Transgressions

1 John 1:8

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PSALM 51 KJV

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

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.

Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

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As we enter into the season of Lent let us remember that we are thoroughly unclean and that only by the blood of Jesus have we been cleansed from our sins. Thanks be to God they are thoroughly washed away by the blood of Jesus! 

It is not just during this season of penitence that we are to consider and repent of our sins; but, every day of our lives for we are sinners through and through and not one day goes by that we do not commit offenses against God. Let us rejoice for Christ alone has saved us from our sinful ways!

May God help us today and always to consider and understand how we betray and turn our backs on Him. May He open our lips so that we might praise Him for cleansing us of our sins by the blood of Jesus the Christ that we might be reconciled to Him and to one another in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Renewed Strength

Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.
                            Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV

Life brings us a lot of challenges. They can seem overwhelming at times. There are even times I'd like to throw in the towel and walk away from everyone and everything. The only thing that can keep me going in times like that is faith in the unfailing and unending love of God. However, that faith must be nurtured. If I were to neglect studying and hearing God's word daily; if I did not spend many hours a day in prayer; my faith would fail me. I would surely fall. I depend on God's word and His promises for my very life.

In order to find the strength and desire to meet the day and any challenges the day might bring I turn to God's word and His presence. I need to be able to talk to him and listen to Him and trust Him. I need to be with the One who I can trust to truly lift me up above the challenges and sorrows of this world. 

We all grow weary and weak at times. Trust in and lean on the One who does not grow weak for His strength never fails Him or us. He will give us the strength to meet the challenges of the day ahead. Trust Him! 

God's Peace - Pr. J 

President Trump; The Energizer President

Whatever may come, we now have a very non-low energy

president.

He gives strength to the weary 
   and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV

Yesterday, was a very tiring day for me. I was exhausted and fell asleep on the living room floor by 6:30 pm as I watched the presidential inauguration activities on television. I had skipped through my quiet time with the Lord in the morning because of my schedule which was probably the reason for my weariness. I woke up this morning thinking about our new president. President Donald Trump, who has at least ten years on me, did not appear to be weary by the time I was falling asleep last night and he still had many hours to go. I smiled to myself. President Trump is like the Energizer Bunny. He just keeps going and going. On top of all of his other attributes; I think God just may have a sense of humor.

Although I am not always too thrilled about the way he has always expressed himself in the past; but, because I trust God, I trust that President Trump has genuine hope for this country and for all of the people of this country. He began his inauguration day (as all; but, one president did since F.D. Roosevelt) by worshipping God. Maybe that was the secret of him being able to get through yesterday with so much energy.

I had laughed when he actually decided to run for president. I thought he was just throwing in the hat for something to entertain himself with. I am still smiling. I definitely would have preferred a much more gentle-spoken man for the position of leader in this country and was disheartened when my preferred candidate dropped out of the race. In the end, I must confess that I do not know the plans that God has for this country. But, I do believe that whatever they are; they are plans for the good. (Rom 8:28) 

Not everyone is going to appreciate President Trump. I have not always appreciated all of our former presidents, either. When Ronald Reagan became president, I grieved. I could not imagine an actor making a good president. But, while ranting and raving about it I heard from the Lord: "You don't have to like him. But, I have appointed him and you need to respect him." There was only one election after his that I grieved over. That one was from the Democratic party. But, I did not go out and destroy property or assault those who voted for him. Not everyone is going to like President Trump. But, we can either choose to work civilly with him and one another for the good of all the people in this country or we can go about burning cars and destroying private businesses and homes or generally trampling on the rights of others because we are dissatisfied with the results of this last election. Each individual can choose whether to work together as a country for the good of all or to divide it even further for the sake of personal agendas. That is up to the individual. Personally, I am a bit tired of the disunity (Yup, working in unity is a part of my personal agenda). Disunity has taken it's toll on the people; on this country. The disunity has diminished the hope of the people. It has made us a very weary people.

May God renew our hope so that we might live in peace and unity. May God help us to trust that He has a plan for the good of the many.

One last word according to St. Paul's letter to the Romans, chapter 13, verses 1-7:

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." 

We may not like all of our public officials and I don't know anyone who appreciates paying taxes. But, there are peaceful means by which we can express our discontent. God has not given us the right to attack or destroy those who disagree with our personal agendas. Let us learn to work together instead of against one another.

May God renew our strength so that we will not grow weary but continue in a pursuit of good for all people. God help this country to soar as on the wings of an eagle.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Those who know me; know that I have very little musical ability. Now you know that my drawing skills are also very limited!

My Jesus!

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Psalm 51:10-11 NIV

Happy New Year!

"My Jesus!" I don't recall what I was dreaming about last night. But, I do remember that just before I woke up, sitting around a huge round table I was asked who I would most like to be with. My response was "my Jesus."

Jesus promised to be with us always and he is. Who could ask for anything more than to abide in the presence of God for all of eternity? Living in God's presence is a gift from God. But, we are not worthy to even kneel at His feet by anything that we say or do or don't say or do. There are no new year's resolutions that are going to get us to heaven. Our hearts; are whole lives, are heavy with the burden of sin. But, thanks be to God, He can change our hearts!

And, so this new year's day we pray: create in us clean hearts, and renew steadfast spirits within us. Do not remove us from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from us. Grant that we should always live in your presence!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Renew Our Minds

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.." Rom 12:1-2 NIV

What does this mean? How are we to be transformed by the renewing of our minds? We cannot perform this feat. It is not within human capabilities. The Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit, renews us and regenerates our very being so that it is not we; but, Christ in us, (Gal 2:20) who transforms us so that, through us, any service that is done does not conform to the standards of the world; but, is pleasing to God and in accordance with God's good will.

Paul urges us to offer up our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. I wonder if that can really be called a sacrifice when what we receive is much greater than ourselves. For in this sacrifice, we receive the Spirit of Christ. We are transformed so that we might come into closer communion with God our Father and our Lord Jesus the Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

May God bless us all abundantly by showering us with the Spirit of Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Renew Our Strength

"...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31 NIV

Each day brings new challenges. New challenges can either invigorate us or wear us out. But, those who trust in the Lord keep moving forward, facing those challenges. We do so, not by our own power or might; but, because the Lord is with us and strengthens us.

Jesus calls us to follow him wherever he would lead. The road is not always easy. It is in fact impossible for mere human beings. But, with God, all things are possible. (Matt 19:26)

Lord, renew our strength that we might follow Jesus and do thy will.

God's Peace - Pr. J