Do Good To Others

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Gal 6:7-10 KJV)

Do good! Be careful in what you say and do for whatever you put out there you will likely come back to you whether it is a good thing or a bad thing. If you are hateful toward others you will be despised. What you do to others will inevitably come back to you as they seek revenge. 

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. (Luke 6:31)

Support one another without great concern about your fleshly needs because God will provide for you and he desires to provide for others through you. Love one another as he loves you. 

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:34-35)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Our Father Doesn't Slander Our Name

But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. 

                                                                         (Isa 43:1-7 KJV)

Talk about slander and name calling!  I was riding home with my husband yesterday. He insisted on listening to the news; news that made me nauseous. So much vitriol! So much anger because everyone does not think alike. The reality is we don't. The anger; the slander; the name calling is dividing the people. It is a great attempt to cover the world in darkness. But, it will not succeed. The light of Christ shines. The One who overcame death has overcome all obstacles for the children of God.

Fortunately, all who believe and are baptized into the Body of Christ have been united in Christ. We have a Father who does not slander us. He calls us by name and not hurtful names. He calls us because of his great love and not out of anger; not out of revenge. He did not send his only begotten Son to accuse the world of not listening to Him and obeying His law. He did not send his Son to condemn the world. He sent His Son so that all who would believe in the Son and the Son's life giving sacrifice would be forgiven and be reconciled to him and to one another. 

Do not fear for the One who knows us so intimately calls each of us by name. He calls us and leads us out of the darkness into the light. He is with us through every trouble that might assail us because we are His children and He will not abandon us.

Listen to the One who never forgets your name. Listen to the One who created you and glorify His Holy Name.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Where Is The Abundant Life?

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. (Prov 21:21 KJV)

Where do we find life and not just life but abundant life? Where do we find righteousness? Where is the honor? In all of my years, I know of only one place. That place is in Jesus the Christ. That place is in his Kingdom.

If you are looking for these things to come from the world, you are looking in the wrong place. The normal direction we go in when we travel by any means is forward. Sometimes, we might have to back up or go sideways around an obstacle. But, in order to reach our goals we focus on what is in front of us. 

If our focus is on revenge or justifying ourselves or getting ahead of someone else we are seeking things that will not move us forward. We are seeking things that will not add to our life.  We are not seeking anything honorable. They will distract and detract. 

Those who follow righteousness and mercy will know abundant life. They will know mercy. "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." (Matt 5:7)

In the end it all depends on what you are looking for in life. Do you want abundant life? The genuine abundant life (and I don't mean silver and gold) is found only in the Kingdom of God through Jesus the Christ our Savior and Lord. 

Jesus advises us: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matt 6:33)

Election Day Peace

How very good and pleasant it is

    when kindred live together in unity!
                                    (Psalm 133:1 NRSV)

Today is election day. I am pretty sure that there will be very few, if any, who are completely pleased with the election results. When all of the ballots are in, I pray that we can accept the voice of the people who have taken the time to vote. We do have a voice in who our elected officials will be. It is expressed on election day. It can also be expressed through opinion throughout every day. However; let us do this respectfully; without bullying; without threatening; without trampling on the rights of others.  As the author of the Psalms reminds us "How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!"

Even though we may not like (not even one iota) everyone who will be elected to public office today, according to scripture we are to give them honor and respect. Yes, we can and should speak our minds about their policies, we have the freedom to do that. But, we should do it out of love for one another so that we might live in the bonds of peace. 

In the first letter of  Peter to the Christians in Asia Minor, he reminds that that: "As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor." (1 Peter 2:16-17)  He advised them to honor and respect those in authority; but, as Christians we must put God even above those whom he has placed in authority. When the two conflict; go in the way that the Lord has shown you. That way is Jesus Christ. 

We are to follow in the footsteps of the who went to the cross to bring unity to all who believe in him; to reconcile us to God and to one another. "The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." (John 17:22-23) 

Jesus was not in the habit of physically attacking people just because he did not agree with them. Rather, than threaten to kill anyone who disagreed with him, he went to his death instead. He freely died so that others might live. He did not send his followers out to threaten anyone. He sent them out with the Good News of the Kingdom of God; a Kingdom where all God's children would live in peace and harmony.

So, this election day and in the coming years; let us live in unity, respecting the voice of the people; honoring those who are elected to office whether we agree with them or not. Do continue to speak out against injustice; but, do so with justice in mind and not hateful revenge because you didn't get what you wanted. Hateful revenge is not justice. Physically attacking or threatening to attack your neighbor because they don't agree with you will not bring about any peace or unity. The bullying must stop. 

We may be unhappy with some of the results today; but, for the sake of the Body of Christ; let us be kind; listening to one another; honoring those whom God has put authority over us; that we might live in peaceful unity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Be Reconciled In Peace

"Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord." (Lev 19:18 NIV)

What good is it to be angry with others? There is a righteous anger that strives to set things right peacefully without any vengeful intent. But, there is the most prevalent anger that causes even more anger and unrighteousness to occur. This unrighteous anger will only destroy us as we seek to destroy others. 

It is better to live in peace than in constant anxiety, fear, or anger. When unrighteous anger prevails there is no room; no time, for love. There is no room in our hearts or the time for a relationship with God and with others.

To be reconciled to God and one another is the very reason that Jesus died for us. He died so that our sins might be forgiven; so that the divide between us would fall; so that we could live united peacefully in God's presence now and for all eternity.

Let his death not be in vain. Let us live in peace not striving for vengeance out of anger.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Avoid Vengeance

“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord." (Lev 19:18 NIV)

Revenge is a waste of both time and energy. Avoid any thoughts of it. There is not enough time in this world to waste it on someone who is so negative that they would hurt you at any opportunity. Step away if you must. Do not give them room to hurt you. Keep your conscience clear so that you might go about enjoying the life that God has given you. Do not fill your heart or mind with those things that will rob you of your peace. Revenge only creates more drama. If you want to live in peace let the Lord who is Almighty handle your enemies. Vengeance is His. We must focus on living life in Christ.

"'Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.'" Rom 12:17-19

May God give you the wisdom and courage to let go and let God take care of your enemies so that you might live in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J