He Holds Us In His Right Hand

Psalm 139:1-10 KJV; 2nd Sunday of Epiphany; Those who love Him are comforted because we trust that the Lord is with us; even holding us in His right hand.

Fear Not; Sing Joyous Songs!

Isaiah 35 KJV; for 3rd Sunday in Advent; Do not fear but rejoice for the Lord has saved you and is with you on the highway that he leads you on.

Keep Us From Wickedness

Psalm 5 KJV; Keep us in your truth, Lord. Keep us from wickedness.

Troublemakers and Rumors of Wars

Be Careful What You Say

Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 

                                                                                      (James 3:4-8 KJV)

For good or for bad the tongue can set the course of our futures.

James compares the tongue to a ship's rudder.

Although, small in comparison to the rest of the ship the rudder steers the ship. Likewise what proceeds from our mouths can have a great effect on our futures as well as the futures of those around us.

James also compares our tongues to fire. The humongous fires out west and north of us have had some serious effects on the people around the country. The air we breathe has become difficult to breathe at times especially for those who have asthma or allergies or other like diseases. Who even know why these fires start? Some start from lightning strikes. Some are accidental. Others are started by arsonists. The fires spread out. The smoke moves through the air directly affecting people even a thousand miles away. The smoke dissipates and travel around the globe. Fires affect more than just the people who are in their immediate vicinity.

Likewise our tongues can start some major fires. The evil; the lies, that we speak can spread like wildfire harming not just the people that we intend to harm; but, can have a lasting negative effect on people all around us and sometimes world-wide depending on who is spreading the evil. If it is the national media then the wildfire can spread pretty far and fast.

The words that we speak can have a positive or negative effect on the community. May God help us to control our tongues so that we do not steer the ship in the wrong direction or purposely start any wildfires in order to harm others.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Vengeance Will Be God's

"Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water..."

                                                                                     (Isa 35:4-7a KJV)

I am sorry for my attitude; but, I am waiting for that day that the Lord will come even with vengeance to save his children who are persecuted and killed all day long.  How evil can the world be to turn a blind eye to those who are suffering; to those who are being hunted down and persecuted?  Of course, not everyone has turned a blind eye. But, so many do, especially those in power and control of others. Minimizing the suffering of others to make oneself look good is just so totally political. It has nothing to do with doing what is right but what is good for the politicians and their behind the curtain puppet masters.

I wait for the day when all eyes and ears will be opened to see and hear how the choices of these few men and women have destroyed the lives of others. Will it ever happen in my lifetime here on earth? Will we ever see real justice? Will we ever see a time when we do not turn our backs on those who are being hunted down and persecuted  and even killed because they do not think or believe or live like those in control think that they should? Genocide by any other name is still genocide! It is a crime against all of humanity.

Will we ever really see the widow and the orphan protected and cared for no matter who they are or where they live? We talk a lot about it. But, will this generation ever see it?

Just because someone lives half way around the world from us; does that mean we should not be there for them?  My heart and mind hears the cries of the many in hiding today: "Help us! Why have you deserted us?"

The prophet Isaiah reminds us that God will bring vengeance upon those who have caused so much fear in the lives of others. It is promised that he will deliver those who are fearful. May God bring that promise to fruition quickly! 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Everyone Will Know He Is Lord

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:9-11 KJV)

You may not bow before the name of Jesus now. You may not confess that Jesus Christ is Lord now. But, there will come a day when you will. There will come a day when you will come face to face with God Almighty and you will recognize that Jesus is the truth and he is the way that was meant for you to follow. Prayerfully, on that day, when you meet him face to face, you will already know him and love him. 

Many will say that I do not need love. I do not need anyone. The truth is that we all need to be loved and to love. We were not created to live in isolation. Without love, we may exist. But, we will not thrive and God intends for us to thrive. He intends for us to live abundant lives and not so much abundant in more things that we need or even can use; but, to live life in peace and with joy in communion with God as well as in community. 

Make no mistake; whether you will bow at the name of Jesus now there will come a day when everyone will confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Don't wait too long to live life knowing our Lord and Savior.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Love Or Lust?

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

                                                John 3:16-18 KJV)

It is not so difficult to tell someone that you love them. People do it all the time in order to get something or someone that they desire. But, desire is not love. Lust is not the same as love.

Love is expressed not just with words; but, in the way we treat one another; in what we do for one another. That is not to say that telling others that we love them is totally unnecessary. It can be a great comfort even as using our tongue to let people know that we hate them causes them great distress.

Jesus' love for all of humankind was so great that he was willing to die for us. Is there anyone that you are willing to die for?  Most parents (I believe) would die for their children. But, would you die for a neighbor or for someone that you do not even know so that they might live?

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.

Psalm For Good Friday

Psalm 22 is a reminder of one of the darkest days in history. But, the darkness of that day has brought us great joy as the darkness turned to light for all who believe in him. With tears of both sorrow and joy for the covenant sealed with his blood as we observe his death with our eyes looking forward to the resurrection.

Psalm 22 KJV

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.

They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.

But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,

He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.

I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.

Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.

Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.

They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.

They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me.

Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.

Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.

For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.

The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

For the kingdom is the Lord's: and he is the governor among the nations.

All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.

A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.

They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this. 

Love In Deed And Truth

"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3:18 KJV)

I have witnessed a lot of not so loving actions over the past year.  It amazes me that so many profess that we have to have more unity and love; that if we love we will strive for justice for all people. When in fact they speak of love; but, their actions show otherwise. 

Riots that included damage to personal property of others and attacks on others do not in anyway show love of neighbor nor does it show justice. Calls for unity while verbally attacking people who do not agree with one's principals or lack of principals. Verbal attacks can very well be deeds as they are attacks against the spirit. Physically or verbally attacking those who will not compromise their beliefs by encouraging harmful and or sinful behavior is not in any way a show of love. It does do much harm.

We can talk about unity, peace, justice, and love 'till the cows come home. Yet, if out of one side of the mouth we speak of these things and out of the other side comes hatred and false accusations we are only deceiving ourselves when we claim that we love. But, we are not and cannot deceive God regarding the state of our hearts. Until we actually start acting in love toward one another it is just fruitless talk and often harmful speech. 

Jesus showed his love and mercy for us by dying on the cross for us. May God help us to love one another not just with words but in deed and truth. And, may God help us to not compromise the truth. Only when we live in the truth will there be any real semblance of peace and love. We need to quit justifying our sinful behavior by trying to put the blame on others. 

A word of wisdom regarding mercy and truth from Proverbs: 

"Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." 

                                                                                    (Prov 16:5-7)

A man's way pleases the Lord when he shows love by acting upon both mercy and truth.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Lord Knows Everything About You

PSALM 139:1-10 KJV

O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

+++

What a blessing! The Lord is with us wherever we go. He is with us at all times and in all places. According to the Psalmist even if we make our beds in hell, God is with us. He is with us to hold us and to lead us to green pastures and beside still waters where we will know peace. 

Have no fear for the Lord of Hosts is with you and is your strength and your salvation. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Tears To Joy

PSALM 126 KJV

When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.

The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south.

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

+++

Times can be very difficult. People can be very mean to one another. Without thought; without care, they will slander one another just to feed their own self-righteous egos; to attempt to justify their own sinful natures.

Psalm 126 is a reminder that though we may have tears in our eyes today we can also have hope. We wait and hope for the day when those tears will turn to joy as the Lord has promised. Trust in the Lord for He is with you through these troubled times.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Cussing

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (Eph 4:29 KJV)

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. (Prov 15:4)

People swear, I get that. Every now and then the most kind and gentle people utter things that they wish they hadn't uttered. But, I am not sure why some people think it is acceptable to use four letter cuss words in every sentence that comes out of their mouths or in every post that they post on social media.  

These curses can be very hurtful and destructive to others even to people we care about. 

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Rom 13:10)

Words can either a curse or a blessing. What will they be? May God bless the words of our lips that they might edify and not harm others. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Do What Is Right; Live In Peace

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

                                                                                        (1 Pet 3:8-12 KJV)

Do what is right and live in peace!  Rioters and looters have committed unimaginable harm to people they don't even know over the last few months. There can be no doubt about that! It must stop!

My question this morning is what can we do to help make the world a better place to live in. How about do what is right so that we might live in more relative peace? We know that in this world there will never be total peace. People will have strong and differing opinions. But, as individuals we could at least attempt to be courteous and seek peace.  As individuals we could at least attempt to stop verbally assaulting people (swearing and screaming at others) and physically threatening others when we don't like what is said. We can actually voice our opinion without being bullies.

May God help us to be kind; to do what is right; and to live in peace!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Fearful Will Sing With Joy

in the habitation of dragons shall be grass...

Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 

                                                                                 (Isaiah 35:4-10 KJV)

The Lord will make those with fearful hearts sing with joy. That is His promise. He will lead us on The Way where there is nothing to fear. He will save us. He has saved us! We will live in peace as we make our journey through the land that He has prepared for us.

May the peace of the Lord be with you always! Pr. J.

Children Are A Joy

Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

                                                                        (Luke 1:57-66 KJV)

So much excitement over the birth of John the Baptist! His father, Zacharias, praised the Lord at his circumcision.

Reading these verses this morning caused me to think about the joyless pregnancies we hear about today. What if Elizabeth or Mary had opted to terminate the pregnancies? Of course, Elizabeth would never have. She and Zacharias had for so long wanted a child. Mary, so young, was in a pretty inconvenient position when she became pregnant, though. But, the mothers of both John and Jesus loved their children and would have done them no harm; neither before or after birth.

Times were not easy in Zacharias' and Elizabeth's day nor are they for everyone today. But, the thought of having a child brought joy to them. If only it were so for those who find themselves with child today. 

I thank God for the birth of John and most especially for Jesus. I do not even want to consider what the world would be like today without their ministries and mission.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Speak Gently And Walk Away From Those Who Will Not

"Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot."

                                                                                    (Prov 9:6-7 KJV)

There appears to be an awful lot of division in the world today. There are still the major conflicts between countries; but, there is also an immense amount of division between individuals who have differing opinions. 

These differing opinions often become quite hostile as each side attempts to shut down the voice of the other. This shouting will not change minds. Gentle deliberate speech will have a greater effect than berating those whose opinions differ than ours.

We must allow freedom of speech on every side. However, we do not have to accept those who stir up riots. It is not only illegal; it is totally unbiblical to cause harm to others for our own purposes. As Christians, we do not get to conduct ourselves in a way that hurts others (in word or deed) simply because we disagree with them. We are to be living in peace with one another. 

St. Paul's epistle to Titus tells us what we are to do when someone refuses to listen. We do not get angry or nasty. 

He wrote: "As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned."  (Titus 3:10-11)

Yes, we must speak the truth. But, we must make every effort to do it in love and if they refuse to listen, then move on. There are others who need to hear the truth; others who may hear and repent and follow in The Way. Speak the truth loudly if you must; but, speak it with kindness, with a heart motivated to help not harm. I guarantee you that name calling will not prove fruitful. It will only cause more division.

When Jesus sent the twelve out to share the Good News of the Kingdom he gave them these instructions. "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."  (Matt 10:14-16)

If Jesus told us to walk away from those who refuse to hear the truth and the Good News of the Kingdom, I am not sure why we would think that hanging around those who do not and will not listen to matters regarding this world would be a fruitful thing to do. If they only attack you and will not give you an opportunity to speak; shake the dust off your feet and move on to someone who will listen. Move away from those who, with malice, would inflict their opinions on others. To do otherwise, only incurs more division and strife.  Yes, speak what you know to be the truth. We are fortunate that in these United States we have the freedom to speak freely. But, if you would like to be heard, speak it gently and speak it in love.

"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger." (Prov 15:1)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Peace Not Drama

In my distress I cry to the Lord,
that he may answer me:
“Deliver me, O Lord,
from lying lips,
from a deceitful tongue.”
What shall be given to you?
And what more shall be done to you,
you deceitful tongue?
A warrior’s sharp arrows,
with glowing coals of the broom tree!
Woe is me, that I am an alien in Meshech,
that I must live among the tents of Kedar.
Too long have I had my dwelling
among those who hate peace.
I am for peace;
but when I speak,
they are for war.
Psalm 120

Some people just like drama! They like to stir up trouble and dissensions and division; even wars. I don't know why. But, some people just can't seem to live without it. So, when the drama is on the decline they will make things up, usually about other people, just to get the drama going, again. Maybe their lives are so empty that they are trying to fill them up. It's seems as though they must have their own personal soap operas going and that they must be the star. Personally, I have never made a habit of watching soap operas. I don't have the time. I have a pretty full life already and don't need to observe someone's fake life on the television daily. There are way better things to focus on in life than this kind of drama. The outcome of a lot of this drama is that the deceitful tongue that often goes with it hurts others and then it boomerangs and comes back on the one with the deceitful tongue. Everyone gets hurt.

You want a life? Skip the drama. "Live Life" in peace - in the peace of Jesus Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Sin Leads To Death

Sin Leads to Death

There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. 
                                                (Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV)

I have always asked my confirmation classes what they think the worst sin is. Of course, the response is always murder. I then proceed to go through all ten of the commandments and teach them how breaking any one of the ten commandments can lead to the death, to the murder of, either or both, the body and the spirit. It usually opens at least one or two eyes to the fact that things like gossiping, bullying, lying, stealing, adultery, and even coveting can actually contribute to physical or spiritual death.  All sin, no matter what it is, drives a wedge between God and us; as well as between our neighbors and ourselves.

God detests all sin. One sin does not make us purer or worse than the next person. It is all detestable to God.  Keep busy, doing the work the Lord has called you to. Keep busy, loving your neighbor as yourself and you will have much less time to stir up trouble for anyone, including yourself. 

And... may the peace of the LORD be with you all...  Pr. J

Seven Detestable Things

There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
   haughty eyes,
   a lying tongue,
   hands that shed innocent blood,
   a heart that devises wicked schemes,
   feet that are quick to rush into evil,
   a false witness who pours out lies
   and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
                                      (Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV)

When teaching confirmation classes I have always made a point of asking the youth what the worst sin is. As expected, the overwhelming response is always murder. I then proceed to go through all of the Ten Commandments and teach them how breaking any one of the Ten Commandments can lead to the death; the murder, of both body and the spirit of others. It usually opens at least one or two eyes to the fact that things like gossiping, bullying, envy, lying, stealing, and adultery can actually contribute to physical and/or spiritual deaths. All sin, no matter what it is, drives a wedge between us and God as well as between us and those who would be our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Sin divides family and communities. It was sin that drove Adam and Eve out of the garden; out of God's presence. It is sin that drives us out of God's presence; as well, as it causes us to turn our backs on him and seek other things. Sin separates us from our Father in heaven.

God's purpose for sending His only Son to die for us was not to divide us but to unite us. Jesus died that we might be reconciled to our Father in heaven and with all who believe in him. May God help us to understand how damaging our words and actions can be and help us to avoid those things that would separate us from Him and our brothers and sisters in Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J