One Heart; One Soul...

Acts 4:32-35 KJV; 2nd Sunday of Easter; With one heart; one soul, they shared all things with those in need.

The Light Of The World

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

                                                                               (Matt 5:14-16 KJV)

A candle lit from the candles on the altar is often given to the newly baptized with these words: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." 

The light that is taken from the altar to remind us that without the light of Christ, we have no light of our own. Jesus is the light of the world. 

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)

Without him we live in darkness.

His light is a gift to us to be shared with others. What good is it if we do not let our light shine; if we do not profess Christ and as we at least attempt to do what is good and right? 

Again, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Praying Often; Always

And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. (Matt 14:19 KJV)

Most of you have probably heard the story about how Jesus fed the multitude on five loaves and two fish. They were so fed heartily with this meager meal, after Jesus prayed over the the food and the disciples shared it with the people, that there were leftovers. 

We are encouraged to pray and give thanks to the Lord not just on Sunday but always for everything and everyone. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians: "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thess 5:16-18)

The other evening after shopping my husband and I stopped to eat at "Steak and Shake," an almost fast food hamburger restaurant. Service is really quick; but, you actually get a friendly server and a few minutes to look at the menu. While waiting for our meal, I saw something that I don't get to see too often. It was a family of five (with at least two teens) holding hands and praying before they ate. There were no cell phones at the table.  What there was after they prayed was quiet conversation as they ate. I don't get to see many people praying publicly so it caught my attention. I pray that God blesses every member of that family with faithfulness all the days of their lives. Those young people are off to a good start...

May God help us all to remember to pray often, even unceasingly, giving thanks for all that He has done and continues to do for us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J

In God We Trust

"Even my close friend, someone whom I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me." (Psalm 41:9)

I use to be one of the most trusting people around.  Some would say naïve. I trusted everyone. I set myself up to be hurt. Sadly, the experiences hardened me a bit. OK, maybe, more than a bit. Eventually, I came to trust no one.  But, life's "hard knocks" turned out to be a good thing and after enough "hard knocks" I finally turned to the only one who can be trusted completely.  I finally got to a point where I realized that the only place I could place my trust was in God.  By trusting in Him, it is much easier to trust others because I know that no matter what happens, God is with me. Nothing else really matters. 

The good news is that once you recognize and accept God as the One in whom you can place your trust, then you will be free to love and serve others no matter who they are. When it is God whom we trust then peace will flow like a river and we can reach out, once again, without fear, to our neighbors.

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.  Amen and Amen. (Psalm 41:13)

God's Peace - Pr. J