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.

We Rejoice Because He Loves Us

1 Peter 1L3-9 KJV; We cannot see Jesus as we see the world; yet, we rejoice because by faith we know that he loves us.

Trials During Lent

Luke 9:22-25; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5; KJV; Every trek to the cross each Lenten season seems to bring about more than the usual types of trials. But, those trials can be a good thing.

Patience Comes Through Tribulation

Romans 5:1-5 KJV; 3rd Sunday of Lent; Patience comes by trial.

The Lord Will Renew Your Strength

Isaiah 40:29-31 KJV; The Lord will live us up. He will renew our strength.

Trials Produce Patience

James 5:7-11; KJV; 3rd Sunday of Advent 2022

I Will Worship And Serve The Lord No Matter What

Reading from Psalm 3:1-8 KJV for 2nd Sunday of Pentecost. We can be our own worst enemies. Put aside all anger, jealousy, greed, all malice and live life in love and peace through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.

Patience From Trials

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (James 1:2-3 KJV)

2022 seems to have already been filled with all kinds of temptations to be upset; to be angry; to be anxious. Crime has skyrocketed over the last few years. Wages have gone up; but, as many of us predicted, inflation has gone up even higher.  The supply chain has gotten incredibly slow.  

Our vehicle went into the shop yesterday. There is something wrong with the gear shift that caused the key to get stuck in the ignition on accessory when we try to take the key out. The mechanic was able to clean it up a bit so hopefully we can continue driving it until the part comes in. The part is expected in about four weeks.  For this kind of test, patience is required. We will attempt to not drive it unless necessary and hopefully it will last until they can do a more permanent fix. We are retired so this is probably doable for us. But, what about those who have to go to work every day? What happens when their only means of transportation goes down and they can't get the part to fix it? That would definitely be a temptation to much frustration, anxiety, and even anger. It would be a very trying test of one's faith.

As I've gotten older, I have noticed that generations below me have much less patience than I had at their ages. I accepted the temptations as reality and dealt with them. Yes, I would get upset at times; but, not usually enough to take it out on the world around me. 

It would be very wise for those who get so anxious that they can't function when they are faced with trials and temptations to remember that this will all pass and a new trials will come. That is the way of the world and until we learn to patiently deal with whatever comes our way  the anxiety that comes with trials and temptations will be compounded.

With faith; rejoice for God is with you in whatever you are going through and this too shall pass.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Do Good; Live In Peace

Psalm 37:1-11

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.

For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

+++

Do not fret! Do not be angry or jealous of those who appear to have more or be happier than you are! The Lord will provide for you. Those who live life focusing on the good gifts of God will delight in an abundance of peace.

So much time is spent feeling sorry for oneself; for lamenting their perceived trials and troubles. There are real troubles in this world and then there are also those that are contrived in one's head. That is not to say that we should not strive to help those in real trouble. But, sometimes it might be good to recognize that others have much more serious problems than our own.

When Jesus died he gave it all for us. He gave his life for us and then he rose from the dead to reign in the Kingdom that we hope for. That old addage that says it is better to give than to receive is not wrong. He gave it all! What would we be willing to give? 

It does not do any good to complain about our lives. Take a look at the world around you and consider what you might do, following in the footsteps of Jesus, to do good for others. If and when you do this you will find that your own perceived troubles will begin to disappear. You will not have time to fret about your life. Those things that once bothered you will mean very little to you.

Do not fret! Trust in the Lord! He will provide for you.

God's Peace - Judy

A Good Purpose In Trials

 

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 KJV)

We are in the midst of Lent. I have found Lent to be a most challenging time, at least for me. Of all the seasons of the year it seems to me that the devil gets a whole lot busier attacking those who love God during Lent. During this time of reflection and repentance; during this time when we are reminded reminded of Jesus' admonition that we are to take up our crosses and follow him; we know full well that we will fall short. We can try to follow in his footsteps. But, we are not Jesus. We are not gods. We cannot do what Jesus did for us. We can do nothing. But, God can and He does. We can take up our crosses and follow the best that we can; but, it must be with the help of God. We cannot stand or walk alone.

No matter what obstacles are set before you; no matter what trials you are enduring, know that God works in and through all of these trials for the good of those who love Him. God is with you through your tribulations. He will show you the way and walk with you on your journey as you carry your cross to the cross of Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

You Have Received Eternal Life

 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

Do you get this? It does not matter what you have done or left undone. If you believe in the Son who willingly died for your sins those sins are forgiven. You have been reconciled to God by the blood of Jesus the Christ. You have received eternal life.

There is so much more than the daily struggles that humankind meets. There is peace in the Kingdom of God. There is peace knowing that God is with you and for you. Live in His peace. Live life. Quit focusing only on the troubles that you think are before you as that is only making them larger than life. Rather than have a narrow focus on problems; focus on the gifts that God has given you even in the midst of those trials!

Believe in Jesus who has given you the gift of eternal life. That gift does not begin after death in this world. That gift belongs to you now. Believe in him and live life in Christ!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Trials; Patience; It's All For The Good

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

                                              (James 2-4 KJV)

I am thinking God may be thinking that he needs to work patience in me or maybe it my husband he's working patience in. It has been a week (month - many months) full of trials and I am barely able to keep up with my day to day routines like doing the dishes! It's not because I'm depressed. It's just that there doesn't seem to be enough time to get things done. Among other things, with age, we tend to slow down a bit.

Monday was full of appointments for my granddaughter and my husband. Tuesday, I had a lumpectomy and was told not to do anything for at least a week - no repetitive motions with my right arm (no vacuuming) - no lifting anything over ten pounds. I can walk and rest. Wednesday, the surgeon called to let me know that there were no cancer cells. So any worries over that are over.

Wednesday evening about 9:30 my husband informed me that his blood pressure was sky high and had been experiencing severe chest pain for a couple of hours. He insisted I drive him to the ER rather than call an ambulance. He can be stubborn about things like that. So, I sat in the ER with him until about 1:30 am Thursday when they admitted him for observation. He had a stress test that didn't turn out so good on Thursday so they scheduled a heart catheterization for Friday. The prognosis was that he needs a triple by-pass and would be transferred to Advent Health in Daytona Beach within a few hours for surgery. There were no beds available in Daytona Beach. My guess is that it might be due to "Bike Week." During "Bike Week" there can be quite a few emergencies. So, today we will wait as patiently as we can for a bed so he can get his heart fixed.

There's been a lot going on and it's hard to keep up. I don't feel like I'm running out of patience because to tell you the truth I am too tired to feel tired and a few things out of the normal have been and are being taken care of. There are positives that have come out of this week. 

We purchased a repossessed home a couple of months ago. This repossession  needed a lot of repairs which have not all been completed yet. A lot has been done; but, there are still many smaller projects to get done. On Thursday, my granddaughter and her boyfriend painted a good size section of our fence that we hadn't had time to get to. Yesterday, my son's girlfriend and her two children finished painting it. That is one more project that we no longer have to think about! 

It was a relief (especially to my husband) to find out for sure that I do not have cancer. 

At least one of my husband's health problems is being taken care of. He has been suffering with health issues for quite awhile. It may take a while for him to recover from this; but, I am convinced that he will recover and have in the end a fuller life. I am grateful for his cardiologist at Advent Health who insisted on tests and more tests to get to the bottom of why he would have chest pains. All those tests require a bit of patience waiting for results.

As I sat in my husband's room yesterday waiting for the transfer that didn't happen, I realized that even in that there was a blessing. I have been working on cleaning out the pond in our yard and sitting with him was keeping me from the  temptation to pick up the rake which I should not be touching right now!

Trials come and with trials patience. But, in the end God works all things for the good of those who love him. (Rom 8:28) Trust the Lord in times of trial. Trust that he is working things out for you.

So, this may be more than you care to know about; but, the bottom line is that no matter what happens trust the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures forever!.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Christ Is Our Peace

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 15:33 KJV)

I realize that I blog a lot about peace. That's because the world is full of trouble and tribulation. The world will do its' best to work against you while Christ has done a good work for you.

Even as Christ overcame tribulations directed at him as true man; he also has overcome the world for you. In him we can know the peace that our hearts so long for. Read and hear the Word. Trust in that Word and you too will know peace no matter what the world throws at you. The Word who is Jesus the Christ is our peace!

God's Peace be with you! Pr. J.

Temptations and Faith

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

                                             (Romans 5:1-5 KJV)

To be honest, I do not always glory in tribulations.  They can be pretty tough. Tribulations have definitely given me more patience though. They have given me a lot of experience and overall they have taught me that there is hope in the love of God for us. There is  also hope in what God's love can do through us.

I get a lot of prayer requests. Whenever anyone asks me to pray for them to have patience, I ask them if they are sure they want God to answer that prayer. Patience does not come without tribulation. God works patience in us through trials. 

I have a friend who, when her children were teenagers, was having a tough time with their choices and life styles. She confessed that she had asked God for patience and everything went really south for her. She has had quite a challenging life. Today, she is the epitome of patience. But, that patience did not come without a lot of tears.

God answers prayers. Go ahead. Ask him to give you patience. But, at the same time remember to ask him for the strength, the courage, and the wisdom to meet the days ahead. Ask him to grant you faith in that he will be with you and your loved ones no matter what might assail you.

God does answer prayers. Ask wisely for the gifts you desire. Patience is worked through much tribulation. But; with faith, you will know the peace that comes from living in Christ no matter how tough life gets.

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Matt 21:22)

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

Whatever Happens; God Is With You

My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4 NRSV) 

Growing in Christ does mean that we will face trials. There was a time when I could actually smile at those trials that I would face, knowing that it would be a learning and growing experience. Then, I would just get to it. Today, I am more likely to find myself weary of facing one trial after the next. Maybe, it's more like I've learned to simply endure them. I look out into the world and see all the trials that people endure simply because of our sinful natures, I get tired of seeing so much unnecessary suffering. I know that trials produce endurance so that we might mature and grow in Christ. However, it saddens me to know that those trials are often born out of disrespect for the world; for the people around us; and, for God.

Sadly; to live in this world, we do need endurance and endurance comes from facing and overcoming trials. But, we are not alone. We are never alone. God is with us and we will prevail. We will grow  and mature in Christ. We can rejoice in that knowledge.

God grant that we should have joyful spirits as we face the trials before us, in the knowledge that God is with us and for us. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Tested Beyond Our Strength?

No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. (1 Cor 10:13 NRSV)

Life can be pretty rough at times. There are times when we really think that we are so near the edge of what we can endure that we are likely to go over the cliff. But, Paul is convinced that God will be with us and supporting us as we are tested. He reminds us that God will not test us beyond what we are capable of handling. 

Life is rough. There will be much pain. There will be much grief. But, our hope is not in this world. Our hope is in the promises of God through Christ Jesus.

May God help "...us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful."  (Heb 10:23) Do not fear the trials or temptations that assail you for God is with you and for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Get Behind Me, Satan!

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
                                                                                                                     (Mark 8:31-33 NIV)

I am pretty sure that if I told anyone to "get behind me, Satan!" it would cause a bit of a ruckus. I once told an elder, in regards to his universalist beliefs and teachings within the church, "anyone who believes that is going to hell." Yup, if you guessed that he left the congregation, you would be correct. He left. But, he is no longer teaching (at least not around me) that everyone is saved no matter what they believe. He probably still believes it. I do not believe his mind has been changed; but, he now has a much smaller audience to repeat that lie to.

Not everyone appreciates the truth. Peter did not want to hear that Jesus was going to be killed. He rebuked Jesus for predicting and for accepting his own execution. Jesus turned around and rebuked Peter in front of the rest of the disciples. "Get behind me, Satan!" If that were said by any one of us that would probably be the end of any possible positive relationship between us and the person we spoke to. It would most probably even cause dissension within the community. But, not so with Peter. Peter handled the rebuke. He heard the truth and he did not turn his back on Jesus because he was uncomfortable with the truth. He did not leave the community of followers.

The truth is we often reject the truth. We reject the will of God. We often consider human concerns even when it comes to the visible church, the church building, before we consider the will of God. Even though we pray so often "Thy will be done" we don't always mean it. His will meant the death of Peter's and our beloved Jesus. His will might mean death to us and especially to our egos and our wills.

We must be cautious that we are not doing the will of the evil one by promulgating lies. Following Jesus is not a picnic in the park. There will be trials. There will be temptations. There will be refining. But, he will be with you as you walk that path; as you follow in his footsteps.

Let us always speak the truth whether we are comfortable with the truth or not. We are not saved by any good works that we think we do. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus the Christ who lived, who died, and who lives again for us.  

God's Peace - Pr. J  

Patience

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Pet 3:9 NIV) 

Everything will happen in it's own time. So often it seems like things can get delayed forever and ever. But, they don't. Yes, sometimes God says no and it simply doesn't happen. But, often things are delayed for a time; sometimes for years. We just have to be patient and wait on the Lord and trust that His timing is perfect.

There have been many days that I wondered why the Lord was not just ending it all and taking us home to be with Him. Why not now? Why delay? He already knows who will be saved in the end and who will not. But, that's not His will. Instead; in patience, he waits for us to repent and to love Him as He loves us.

Patience is lovely virtue. But, it does not come so easily to humankind as it does to God. Patience does not come without trials. Through trials we learn to be patient and to wait on the Lord and on His time. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Peace In The Storm

Eastern Shore of Puerto Rico

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you." 2 Thess 3:16

One of the most peaceful places I have ever visited was Puerto Rico. The warm winds were blowing as they do all year. We made the journey a couple of years ago to visit a friend who was in hospice. We did not make it in time to visit him as he died before we even got on the plane. We were able to visit with his wife and sons.

In spite of the grief, there was serenity surrounding the visit. The wife, a friend of mine, is a very faithful woman. No matter what trials or tribulations she has faced over the decades, she has faced them with courage and with the peace of heart that only God can give.

Today we watch the weather as once again a mighty storm, Hurricane Irma, threatens the island as well as the many islands in the region. The winds and rain; the stirring up of the ocean will create much havoc. It is a troubling time for the people in these Leeward Islands. It may be a devastating time for not just those on the islands; but, for the people on the mainland coasts. Who can tell where that mighty wind will go!

We face many storms in life. They come and go. As we face the storms, whether they are physical or spiritual, may God grant us His peace at all times and in all ways. The Lord be with you all!

God's Peace - Pr. J