Our Refuge And Strength

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
  will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

  my God, in whom I trust.”
Surely he will save you

  from the fowler’s snare

  and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,

  and under his wings you will find refuge;

  his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,

  nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

  nor the plague that destroys at midday.
                                                   (Psalm 91:1-6 NIV)

Yes!  God is our refuge and our fortress.  We can find refuge and rest, under His wings, no matter what kind of storms ravage around us. We can trust in Him to be there for us.

The enemy may attack, but there is no reason to fear. There is no reason to be so paranoid that one would should themselves up so that the world cannot reach them. When one spends their whole lives protecting themselves and boarding themselves up behind closed doors; the world may or may not be able to reach them; but, neither can they reach out to the world; with the love of God. The world will not become a safer place without the help or the love of God. Do not fear. Step out and be who God intends and calls you to be. Do not fear for He is with you.

What comfort it is to know that all who call on His name are afforded the love and protection of the Most High, our Almighty God, the most magnificent that ever was, is, and ever shall be.  We are His!  Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Signs And Supermoon

Supermoon by John Arthur Photography

“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:25-28 NIV

I had looked forward to taking a peek at the supermoon that occurred the other night; however, the sky was filled with clouds. Legends and myths tell horrifying stories of the effects of the full moon on both the physical world as well as on the human mind. Thus, we get the word lunacy. Fortunately, with the recent full moon I did not personally hear anyone blaming the supermoon for their bad behavior. They were too busy blaming other more earthly things like the electoral process. There is a slightly higher tide during full moons which myths and folklore attribute to floods and earthquakes, even tsunamis that might occur during this phase of the moon. The full moon is also responsible for those frightening stories of werewolves, who prey would prey upon humankind. What's a person to do? What's a Christian to do?

Jesus tells us that there will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars. But, he also reminds us that these things are good signs. When they take place, we should lift up our heads, because our redemption is drawing near. Many will faint from terror; but, we should not fear. Do not worry about the signs. Do not worry about full moons. Jesus is Lord of both the heavens and the earth. Rejoice for the Kingdom of God has come near to you. The Kingdom belongs to all who believe! 

As Christians, we have way too many better things to do than cower in the corner worrying if the end of the world is about to come. We are preparing for the King of Kings to show up in full glory by proclaiming the Good News of his Kingdom (in word and deed) so that all might hear and believe.

There is way too much good that God can do through each of us for us to fritter away what time we do have on earth worrying about signs of the end times. Lift up your heads! Rejoice! Live life! Your redemption is drawing near!

God's Peace - Pr. J