Stay Out Of The Mud!

Phil 4:6-8 KJV; Stay out of the mud and live in peace.

Take It To The Lord In Prayer

Philippians 4:6-7 KJV; Take it to the Lord in prayer that you might know the peace that surpasses all understanding.

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.

Rejoice In God's Peace

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

                                                                         (Phil 4:4-7 KJV)

Every day; all day long I pray with thanksgiving that He is with me.  Without Him I would have no peace at all.  The world is a mess. It seems to always have been. So many spend their lives filling their own desires with so very little consideration for how that fulfillment might be detrimental to others. Where is the peace in being so self-centered? It gets you know where.

Christ's whole purpose in dying for us was so that we could be reconciled to God and to one another. Self-centeredness divides it does not reconcile. It brings no peace.

But, abiding in Christ, who was totally selfless, can and does bring peace. Live life in Christ and live with peace that surpasses all understanding no matter what the world throws at you.

Give thanks and rejoice for the peace of God that is given you!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Think On Good Things Not Bad

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

                                                                                (Phil 4:4-8 KJV)

I was walking around the yard checking out the buds on the magnolia trees early the other morning. I could not hear the frogs or the crickets. I heard no birds chirping. I did hear screaming though. I heard people screaming at each other from three homes from north, south, and east of my home. I cannot see any other houses from my home; yet, they were all screaming at each other so loud that I could hear them all. I felt bad for them. I can't imagine starting a day with a screaming match.

God did and does not intend for us to be so distraught over daily living that we treat loved ones (or anyone else) with such disrespect. I cannot believe that he would have us start our days with such unrest. But, it happens. It happens all too often.  We think on the bad things and forget all the blessings in our lives. We forget that we do have people who love us. Most of us have all that we need to live by as well as many additional comforts. We have life and above all we have a God who loves us and is there for us always. When we forget the good things; the blessings, and think on the things that bother us we make our own lives and the lives of others miserable. 

One of my granddaughters tells me that when she was upset as a little girl I would tell her "This too shall pass." I don't remember saying that to her. But, she does. When we look back at our lives we will see many times we felt much despair and not we wonder why we were in such turmoil for that time surely did pass and life went on. Life does go on. Make the best of it. Rejoice and live in peace so that you do not bring trouble where there would be no trouble.

Talk with God. Tell Him your what is on your heart and mind and rejoice for the peace of God which he will give to all whose hearts and minds are on Christ Jesus.  Praise the Lord and thank Him for the blessings that he has given you and thank him for the opportunity to love others and to love him. 

Think on the good things; the blessings of God, and not the bad things which seem to interfere with your days and know a peace that surpasses all understanding in good times and bad. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Stand Fast And Rejoice!

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 

                                                                             (Philippians 4:1, 4-9 KJV)

Just about the whole world has been on lock down for a few weeks now and a whole lot of people are pretty disheartened with being limited as to what they can do and where they can go. So many people are doing without paychecks so that they can provide for themselves and their families. Personally, I find it most disheartening that houses of worship have been closed. I am well enough acquainted with the habits of human beings to know that once someone is out of the habit of attending a weekly worship service, it is difficult for them to make the step back to worship. Many churches may end up closing permanently if this lock down continues for too much longer. Many businesses might close as well. To consider these possibilities is disheartening indeed.

That being said, my life has not changed much. I stay at home as much as I can anyway. But, I am not young and I am retired. The young have a much harder time living with these stay at home guidelines and restrictions.

There are many times in this world that we become disheartened. Depression may even get the best of us for a time. St. Paul reminds us just as he did the Philippians to stand fast in the Lord and to rejoice! St. Paul endured trial after trial; yet, he continued to stand fast and rejoice in the Lord.

Think for just a moment about the problems you have encountered through 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. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (vss 6, 7)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

                                                               Phil 4:4 KJV

St. Paul reminds us, as he did the Philippians, to rejoice in the Lord always! St. Paul endured trial after trial; yet, he continued to stand fast and rejoiced in the Lord. 

Think for just a moment about the problems you have encountered through 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 for God is with you through every trial and tribulation. Continue on in the way of the Lord. "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:6-7)

Trust in the Lord, in times that appear good and those times that seem bad. Focus on the fact that he loves you so much that he was willing to die for you. Rejoice, for the God of all creation is for you and not against you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Be Filled With The Holy Spirit

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph 5:15-20 NIV)

Another way that I can say it is this, "Choose this day whom you will serve." (Joshua 24:15) Will you serve the spirits of alcohol and other drugs or will you serve the Lord; the only one who can bring you real peace and joy beyond measure? St. Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica "You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." (1 Thess 1:6) 

The Spirit of God is the bringer of joy and peace no matter what adversity we might be facing. Trust Him to be with you and to guide you in the truth always. Speaking from my own experience, I can testify that in doing so, you will find joy and peace that surpasses anything that this world might offer.

May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Richness of His Love

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Eph 3:16-19 NIV)

How deep the love of God is in Christ Jesus! Until one can begin to grasp this love of God one cannot fathom how marvelous He is; how marvelous His love is!

May God grant that we should all know the fullness that comes with being reconciled to our Father in heaven through Jesus Christ, by the power of His Spirit!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Your Decrees Are My Delight

Even though princes sit plotting against me,

    your servant will meditate on your statutes.
Your decrees are my delight,
    they are my counselors.

Psalm 119:23-24 NRSV

I suppose that it is within the sinful nature of humankind to plot against one another; to delight in the fall of others, especially if they have played a hand in the fall. We see and experience it all the time; all around us. It may be a natural inclination; yet, it is still sin.

When we feel that we are being plotted against, it is not the time to retaliate; but, to keep our peace by meditating on the decrees of the Lord. We are to meditate not just on the law; but, on his promises so that we might truly know the peace of heart and mind that surpasses all understanding.

When we are wronged; when we are plotted against, we are to pray for our enemy, that they and we might be reconciled to God our Father and our Lord, Jesus the Christ; that we might live in peace.

May God help us to stay in His Word, in His truth, and the truth shall set us free.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Love That Surpasses Understanding

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Eph 3:16-19 NIV)

Is not Paul's prayer for the Ephesians the same prayer that Christian parents around the world pray for their children and grandchildren? Is it not the same prayer that we pray for our neighbors and for all whom we love?

What greater gift could we ask for than that those whom we love should know the love that surpasses all knowledge and understanding? What greater gift is there than for all whom we love to be filled with the fullness of God?

May you be filled with the Spirit of Christ, that he might dwell in your hearts, establishing you; establishing your life, in the love and in the power of God. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Be Not Afraid!

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:8-11 NIV)

Fear not! Don't be afraid! We read an awful lot in scripture that we are not to fear. We are not to be anxious about anything. Angels showing up and bringing you a message of peace actually would probably cause a little anxiety just in the fact that angels have shown themselves to you.

Yet, in the midst of anxious times, we can have peace. The angels proclaimed to the shepherds, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2: 14) This peace that God brings is kind of amazing. As we grow in the LORD, we will find that we do know a sense of peace no matter what kind of chaos is around us. It may still be troubling, but we can be at peace knowing that God has a good plan for it all.

The point is sometimes things happen in our lives that might cause us a little anxiety; but, we should know that God is with us and in that knowledge we can know peace no matter what is going on in our lives. Can you imagine a pregnant young woman and the man she was engaged to traveling cross country to sign up to pay taxes? When they get to their destination there is no place for them to stay so they stay in a barn where the baby is born. Can you imagine sitting in a field with the guys watching the sheep settle in for the night and you have this heavenly host singing in the heavens? I'm thinking it was probably, at least, a little unsettling. Yet, the shepherds listen to the angel and go and see this baby that is to bring peace to the world.

Anxiety and peace - sometimes you can have them almost simultaneously. Being anxious about something is human nature; yet, in the midst of unsettling times, we can know that God is with us and we can His peace that surpasses all understanding. Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J