Speak Lord And I Will Listen

1 Samuel 3:1-10 KJV; 2nd Sunday of Epiphany; Instead of focusing on the world and your own troubles take the time to listen to what the Word of the Lord has to say to you. When He speaks to you; be still and listen!

A Reprieve

Psalm 138:1-7 KJV; 13th Sunday after Pentecost; God is with you with great love and kindness. He will help you in times of trouble.

Prophesy Peace

Jeremiah 28:5-9 KJV; 5th Sunday after Pentecost; The prophets of old prophesied trouble and it was so. God grant that we should live with the peace of heart and mind that was promised us through Jesus the Christ.

God Is Our Help In Times of Trouble

Psalm 46:1-3 KJV with brief meditation. There is no need to fear. God is with you.

We Cry Unto The Lord

Reading from Psalm 138 KJV - We cry to the Lord; He hears and answers. His mercy endures forever.

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.

The Lord Is Your Helper

Psalm 54 KJV

Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.

Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.

For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.

Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.

He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.

I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O Lord; for it is good.

For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.

+++

It doesn't matter what you face, the Lord will not leave your side. He is with you and for you. He is your helper and the helper of all who would support those who love him.

Trust him for he will deliver you out of all of your troubles. He will bring down those who unjustly persecute others.

May the Lord bless you and keep you all the days of your life.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Come Quickly Lord

Psalm 116:1-8

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.

+++

Come quickly Lord to help me! How often have we thought this thought; prayed this prayer? 

There is comfort; there is relief in the knowledge that the Lord is with us and has a good plan for  those who love him. (Rom 8:28)  There is peace in the knowledge that he will answer our prayers and give our souls rest in times of trouble. 

Do not fear. Call upon the name of the merciful and gracious Lord in both good times and bad. Live life in his presence. Live life in his peace.

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.

To Whom Shall We God

 

But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

                                                                                 (John 6:64-49 KJV)

Where will we go? In times of severe trouble people sometimes stay away from their places of worship. Some are embarrassed because they think that people will  know about their problems and judge them. Others might be grieving and or depressed. There are many reasons that people use to not attend worship and hear the promises of God. But, that is exactly where we need to be when things get bad. We need to go and hear the promises of God in his Word that our faith might be strengthened (Rom 10:17) and to receive the gift of Communion with our Lord, the Son of the living God, and with one another that we might be refreshed.

When things get rough do you turn away from the Lord or do you turn to him to help you in your time of need?

When Jesus gave his followers a hard teaching, the teaching that they must partake of his body and blood, many turned away. It was too much for them. But, Peter and the other apostles would not turn away. Where would they go he had asked. After all, Jesus was the Christ. He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Why would you turn away for anything less?

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Do Not Fear The Dead

And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.

But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.

For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.

For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.

Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:

For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. 

                                                                                                          (Mark 6:14-20 KJV)

John the Baptist had made Herod just a bit anxious.  Herod had married his brother's wife and John had called him out for it. His wife, Herodias, wanted John killed. But, Herod would not kill. He did; however, through him into prison. Eventually Herodias tricked Herod into beheading John.  So when King Herod heard about Jesus he got nervous as he thought it was possible that John that Baptist may have risen from the dead. He know that John had been a just and holy man and was most probably anxious that this holy man had come back to trouble him some more about his illegitimate wife.

John did not come back from the dead to torment anyone. But, Jesus who was crucified for our sakes did. He did not come back to torture us but to save us. By his death and resurrection it has been confirmed that all who believe in him will not perish but have everlasting life. 

No one who believes that Jesus died and lives again should ever fear the dead. Jesus came to save you. He has risen from the dead! 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Take It To The Lord In Prayer

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 KJV)

The line "Take it to the Lord in Prayer" from the favorite hymn "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" reminds us that no matter what we are going through, the Lord cares; he hears; and he helps us in our time of need. We may still have to go through the struggle but with the Lord's help we will not be discouraged. We can face all things with a peaceful heart and mind because we know that the Lord is with us and for us.

Life is not always easy. We all have times of trouble. But, we can find peace by the knowledge that he works all things for the good of those who love him. (Rom 8:28)

God's peace be with you always - Pr. J.

Our Own Way

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isa 53:5-6 KJV)

Yup! That's what we like. We prefer to do things our own way. For some reason we have tendency to think our way is better than God's way. It is not. According to the Gospel of St. John: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

When we follow in our own ways, we often end up in a heap of trouble. We end up on some really dangerous paths. But, when we follow in the way that Jesus has set before us the path leads to reconciliation and peace with our Father in heaven.

Jesus was sent to us so that we who had turned our backs on our Father could be reconciled to him and live in his eternal presence. It was not a mission that any of us could complete. This innocent man was punished for our sins. He was tortured and executed for the sins that we commit. Simply put: he died that we might live.

Let us live life in thanksgiving for all that he has done and continues to do for us. Let us be wise enough to follow in the way that he would have us go.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

He Is Home! Thanks Be To God!

Rejoice evermore.

Pray without ceasing.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

                                                                             (1 Thess 5:16-18 KJV)

Giving thanks this morning that my husband was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon. He is home! Thanks be to God!

We are so thankful for the staff at Advent Health in Palm Coast and Daytona Beach. The doctors on staff did not send him home when at first they did not find anything serious. They kept looking until they found the cause and took steps to fix it. 

I am thankful that he was able to be released yesterday. When I got to Daytona Beach yesterday, the hospital was on lockdown for about an hour. Visiting hours were restricted to 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and only for those who had medical authority for the patients. Those restrictions will probably tighten up in the near future. 

There is a lot of trouble in the world today. But, good people with integrity  also abound. Let us consider the good that is all around us. Let us give thanks to Almighty God as we live in the hope of God's good will concerning all of us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Sing Of His Mercy

But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

                                                                             (Psalm 59:16 KJV)

King David, the one who as a boy slew the giant Goliath, lifted up the Lord as his and as Israel's defense against their enemies. He was a powerful king. Yet, he knew that his power came from God alone. This great king sang of God's mercy for he knew that God was his only defense and refuge in the days of trouble. David was a sinner just like the rest of us; but, he had the wisdom to know who God was and he knew that he and we are not. He placed his trust and his hope in the Lord alone.

If one with so much authority gave glory to God for all that God had done for him and for the people of Israel, why is it so difficult or us to see and turn to Him as our refuge and defense?

Trust the Lord in your time of need and sing aloud of His mercy every morning!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Fear Nothing

Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. With the Lord on my side I do not fear. What can mortals do to me? (Psalm 118:5-6 NRSV)

Fear is a horrible thing. Fear of failure is one of the most horrible of all. It will stop us in our tracks. It will keep us from trusting our own abilities. It will keep us from reaching out to others for help, for love, for anything. Fear will destroy any chances of happiness; any chances of joy or peace. Fear will keep us from glorifying God.

What can man do to us? Humankind can do nothing to us without the Lord knowing. Often when I faced things that might make me a few powerful enemies, I considered what Jesus told his followers: "Do not fear, those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matt 10:28) We are to fear no one.  After all, what can humankind do to us that would be worse than being separated from God forever? Throw us in jail? Kill us? There is nothing worse than not knowing the love of God. There is nothing worse than not abiding in Christ and in the Kingdom of God. There is nothing anyone can do because they do not have the authority to take away the inheritance that was purchased for us by the blood of Jesus.

All who love the Lord and abide in Him do not have a thing to fear for God is with them. Things may get rough (they often do); things may cause distress. Call upon Him in your time of trouble and He will be there. Do not fear; but, live the life that God has given to you. Be all that He created you to be and that, my friends, is not someone who is afraid to live or to die in Christ.

Have courage and be who God created you to be for His glory.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Listen To Instruction

Those who ignore instruction despise themselves,
   but those who heed admonition gain understanding.

The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
   and humility goes before honor..

                                              Prov 15:32-33 NRSV

There is no better instruction than to respect the Lord. Do not place yourself and anything else before Him. Listen closely to His Word so that you might gain understanding from the one who knows all and is all. Not listening to those who would share this wisdom will only bring us trouble.

No good will come from lifting ourselves up before Him. We must remember that He is the creator and we are the created. We are not greater than the creator. We are not greater than the redeemer.  

It is right to fear the Lord and to give Him all honor and glory. To love the Lord with all your heart is  wisdom worth listening to. There is nothing better; more pleasing than to be in a loving relationship with our creator; our redeemer; our counselor.

Humble yourself and listen to the Word. Listen to those who would help you on the Way. Do not despise them; but, listen. Listen and believe that you might gain understanding; that you might live life most fully in the presence of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Don't Worry

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matt 6:33-34 NKJV)

Is that not the truth? Do we not usually have enough trouble to worry about each day without considering what trouble might come our way tomorrow?

Actually, I tend to look ahead a lot! However, I do not look ahead with worry. I look ahead because I strongly believe that things go much better with preventive measures taken prior to the anticipated problem becoming a real problem.

For example: I pay my bills on time so that I do not have to throw more of my income on late fees or added interest in the future. I try to take care of the necessities of today, today. Tomorrow there will be enough for me to do without adding the things I was supposed to take care of today. Not being responsible for taking care of things that should be taken care of today just adds to the worry and stress of tomorrow. In the end, it is best to just worry about today and take cares of the tasks at hand and you will have very little time to worry about tomorrow.

In about eight months, my intention is to retire from Parish ministry. No, I'm not giving up on serving the Lord, just retiring from Parish ministry so that I am not tied down to serving in one place. My husband has been retired twice already. It is our intention to down-size as much as possible and pretty much live off the grid. We will be selling our home in Florida. Am I worried about not having a home in a state we plan to spend a lot of time in? No! God has been with us our entire lives. We have had some really tough financial times through the years. There were times when we were first married forty-some years ago that we were so broke that all we had for supper before payday was pancakes made with flour and water or navy bean soup with no meat whatsoever. Between my husband's and my careers, we've moved more times than I can even count any more. We have owned a lot of homes with those moves and lived in just about the same amount of rentals. Buying homes is costly and selling them can be even more costly. But, no matter what has gone on in our lives, God was with us through each and every day and has blessed us richly.

One of the things that I have realized over the years is that it can be quite difficult to seek first the kingdom of God or to follow wherever he would lead us when we're tied to a piece of property or any kind of contract with someone in this world. Those obligations often end up taking precedence over serving the Lord. It is time for me to be beholding to no one but the Lord.  

Whatever tomorrow brings, there is not much sense in worrying about it. Take care of today and trust that God is with you and will see you through both today and tomorrow. He will guide you. He will guide us wherever He would have us go and ultimately it will be to the Kingdom that Jesus has prepared for all who believe.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rejoice!

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thess 5:16-18 NIV)

There are days when rejoicing seems to be the farthest thing from our minds. Yet, if in the midst of trouble we take the time to slow down and get with God in prayer; if we take the time to consider all that God has blessed us with; we will find ourselves giving thanks and rejoicing.

Yes, bad things do seem to happen to good people. But, there are way more good things that happen if we would bother to take the time to consider them and count our blessings. The truth though is that none of us are truly good people; none of us deserve the blessings that we have been granted. We receive them only by the mercy of a God who loves us so much that He was willing to give His only begotten Son for us. Herein lies our blessings. Rejoice for the Son of God who died for us is risen for us! As the Son died and yet lives; so shall all who believe in him.

May God bless your day with abundant peace and joy.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Falling Asleep?

Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” (Mark 14:41-42 NIV)

On the night in which he was betrayed, the disciples completely oblivious to the inner torment that Jesus was experiencing, fell asleep. Rather than pray with or for Him; instead of being there for him, they fell asleep.

How often have we fallen asleep when our neighbors or friends or family were in need? How many times have we turned our back on others because we had better more personal things and often more enjoyable things to do? How often? Every time we have, we have turned our back on Jesus for what we do or do not do for others; we do or do not do for Jesus.

How many times have we paced the floors in the middle of the night or fell on our faces praying throughout the night, asking God to deliver us or someone else while everyone else was fast asleep oblivious to the trouble around them or about to come upon them? We pace, we pray, until peace comes upon us and the resolution is at hand. 

The resolution for Jesus was to be betrayed with a kiss by a follower, a friend. What comes for Jesus is death and ultimately resurrection. Sometimes, (OK - often) the resolution that comes is not an immediate reprieve; but, a journey through even darker times; a place where even our friends will desert us. What comes is a journey through the valley of the shadow of death so that ultimately, not our; but, God's will is done.

In order to get to the place where we can know peace no matter what God's will is for us, we pray. We find solace in His presence.

May God grant that we should live in His presence now and always.

God's Peace - Pr. J