You Will Have Peace Like A River

Isaiah 48:16-22 KJV; Live in Christ and all will be well with your soul. Live in Christ and live in peace.

Trouble Will Come

And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

                                                                         (Mark 13:5-8 KJV)

Jesus warned the disciples that troubles would be coming but that they should not be troubled about it. They were warned to pay attention so that no one is deceived by the many false saviors that would come. We also need to pay attention to his warning and do some discerning before we go off following a false savior whether human or otherwise.

Trouble has been upon the earth since Adam and Eve decided that they were going to do their own thing in spite of what God had told them they ought not to do. Trouble has always been here and yes it could get worse. In fact Jesus says it will. He says these things are only the beginning of sorrows.

False saviors come and go. They are in Hollywood at least it appears that some of these stars and followers think they are saviors. False saviors abound in Washington D.C.. and in pretty much most political office. False saviors abound even in the church. These false saviors often cause more harm than good as they are looking out for their own best interests and not the interests of the people. Jesus is the only savior who was putting the lives of all the people before his own. An indigent preacher and teacher; he went out and healed the sick. He gave his life on the cross so that through his sacrifice all people could be made whole in the Kingdom of God. He gave his life that we could be saved from our own corruption.

Lots of false prophets, teachers, and preachers in the world and always have been. Do they bring us hope? Or, do they bring us gloom and doom? All prophets will warn about disasters coming. But, a prophet of God will also provide hope and that hope is not found in ourselves. It is not found in the world around us. It is found by faith in Christ alone.

Troubles will come; but, thanks be to God through Jesus the Christ the Kingdom of God is at hand and in it you can know peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

My Inheritance

Psalm 16 KJV

Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;

But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.

The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

+++

The Lord is my inheritance! All the other things that go along with our salvation by faith in Jesus the Christ there are none more precious than our reconciliation with God. Even though we have turned our backs on God we have been saved by God's good grace and mercy. We shall love and honor only one God. False gods have no place in our lives for we are in relationship with the only God and Father of all.

Thanks be to God that He has opened the door to eternal life in His presence because of His great love for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

He Answers Our Prayers

Psalm 116 KJV

I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.

Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.

The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.

Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.

For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:

I said in my haste, All men are liars.

What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?

I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.

I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.

I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.

I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.

In the courts of the Lord's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord.

+++

We love the Lord and give him thanks and praise because he hears our prayers and he answers. We don't always receive the answer that we were expecting. But, we do receive an answer to our prayers. Whether he answers yay or nay we can be assured that he knows exactly what we really need and it is not always what we want or to our liking. Rather our prayers are answered according to his good will for all people.  

"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)

Let us pray: Lord have mercy and deliver your children from the hands of their enemies both enemies that are seen and those that are unseen. We give you thanks Lord for in your mercy you hear our prayers and answer. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Gospel Of The Kingdom

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

                                                                             (Matt 24:3-13 KJV)

I have been hearing doomsday warning since I was a very little girl clinging to my grandmother's skirts. All of the travesties have been occurring my entire life. One think has not. The gospel of the kingdom has not been preached in all the world. Many have not heard the good news that all who believe Jesus' message of the kingdom for all who believe. It has not been heard because even within many churches the good news has been relegated to things of the kingdom like love or peace. I do not mean to downplay the attributes of love and peace. Love and peace surely belong to the kingdom. However, the kingdom must come in its fullness for love and peace to be fully realized.

There are many sorrows in the world today. There have always been and they will continue until the gospel, the good news of the kingdom is actually preached in all of the world. 

May God empower everyone of His children with the courage and wisdom to proclaim this good news!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Shout It Out!

"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart." (Psalms 32:8-11 KJV)

The microphone was turned a little high last night. I am usually speaking from the pulpit; but, last night I was at the lectern and the mic has been set for people who speak much softer than I do. Following the service, I was told that I don't really need a mic. For most people I don't. However, the average age of my congregation is about 80 and a few would not hear even me if I did not use one.

My grand-children often thought I was hollering at them even when I was not. I just talk that way. I usually speak pretty confidently; although, some may describe it as speaking a little too assertively. I speak loud for many reasons. The primary one is that so many people that I speak with have hearing impairments. It makes no sense to speak to them if they cannot hear me. It would be a waste of my breath and a waste of time on everyone's part.

But, there are others reasons to speak loudly and confidently. I believe what I say; otherwise, I would not say it and so I speak confidently (or assertively depending on one's point of view). I believe that God is our Father and Creator; that God is also the Son who died for our salvation; that God the Holy Spirit guides and empowers me to share the Good News of the Kingdom of God. I believe this and so I speak confidently. 

I believe what I say. I rejoice that Jesus is my Lord and so I would shout it not just from the pulpit; but, from every mountain so that all would hear and by hearing come to faith in Jesus; that all would trust in him for their life and salvation.

"Be Glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart." Shout for joy so all may hear that Jesus is the Lord of Lord's and rejoice with you!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Happy Birthday U.S. Marine Corps!

Happy Birthday, U.S. Marine Corps!
Live life; but, please, stay out of trouble!

"What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live..." Eccl 3:9-12
Live life!  I can't even begin to count how many times I have told people to live life; enjoy life! I believe some think, "who is she kidding? She's a Christian and a pastor. What can she know about fun?"  My fun may not be like a lot of people's idea of fun; but, I do know about enjoying life; about enjoying the numberless gifts that God has given me.

My husband has retired twice now. He tried to keep working; but, found life can be pretty boring without work so he is still working. I will retire next summer; but, I have a feeling that I will also continue to work at something.

Howard's first career was as a United States Marine.  Recently, we have been spending the Marine Corps Birthday at our son, John's house, as he also served in the U.S.M.C.. The Marine Corps Birthday brings both joys and sorrows. The sorrows comes in remembering the past and so many lost friends as well as the loss of a lifestyle. The Marine Corps was and is truly a family to those who have served and to their families. The joys also comes in remembering all those people of the and all of the good times shared with them as well as opportunities from time to time to see them once again. I will always be thankful for the years spent as a part of the Marine Corps family.

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.." Eccl 3:1

Happy Birthday, United States Marines! Life live; enjoy it to it's fullest!

God's Peace - Pr. J