Hear and Believe

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  I and the Father are one.”  John 10:27-30 NIV

Do you listen to his voice? Can you hear him? Do you follow in the way that he would have you go?

There are days when I really would like a little clearer direction from our Father. Maybe, I'm not paying close enough attention or maybe I really don't want to hear what He has to say to me. Either way, there are times when I would like Him to tell me "plainly" what exactly it is that He would have me do. Sometimes, I get it. Sometimes, I don't; not until after the fact.

I have been told by more than a few people that they just have a very difficult time understanding what scripture says or means when it is read during worship. They don't get it. Maybe, they don't today. But, as long as they continue to hear the Word  they will get it because faith comes by hearing the Word. (Romans 10:17)

The Jews wanted a plain response from Jesus. His parables and the way he just generally talked about things were not easily comprehended by everyone. They didn't get it. But, many did and do get it. Many do understand that through Jesus they may receive eternal life. Many may not know how; but, they do understand that the Father and Jesus are one. Many hear and believe. 

Join your local congregation every time they gather to Worship the Lord; hear the Word and believe.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Rejecting the Truth and the Truth-bearers

   We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.  Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;  in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;  in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

    We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.  As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

                                                                                                                  2 Corinthians 6:3-13 NIV

St. Paul's ministry is not only questioned by people outside the church; after all that he has done for the sake of the gospel and for the sake of the people of Corinth. He and his authority are questioned by the people of the church, as well. This also seems to be a common problem within the church today. If we don't like what is said or done; we would like to be freed from our leaders. Get rid of them! If our pastors speak too much truth, members will work hard to get rid of them. If they do or say anything to offend anyone's ego or other personal gods, then they are gossiped about. Some congregations spend more time attempting to rid themselves of their shepherds than they do listening to and sharing the Good News of the Kingdom.

Sometimes, it is necessary to remove a pastor as in cases of wolves in sheep's clothing. However, most of the time it is merely a personality conflict or a control issue. I have a friend who when talking with me will, at times, refer to "the boss." By "the boss," he is not referring to me. He is referring to our heavenly Father, the one to whom we are accountable. He is "the boss." We will all ultimately answer to God for what those things that we have said and done; those things that we have left unsaid and undone. So when you object to your pastor's objection to bowing to false gods remember that your pastor answers to a higher authority than you. In fact, you will answer to a higher authority, as well.

Through Jesus Christ, God our Father granted us the freedom to proclaim the Gospel, by the power of the Holy Spirit. The world may not recognize this freedom; but, God our Father does and that's the only thing that matters. We may suffer and die in this world because we make use of this freedom in Christ to proclaim the truth. But, it is better to suffer and die so that the Good News of the Kingdom of God may be advanced in a world that rejects Him than to deny this freedom purchased for us by the blood of Christ.

Thanks be to God for Jesus the Christ, the one we proclaim has granted us freedom to serve our heavenly Father by the giving of his life for us!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Commit Your Work To The Lord

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." Psalm 16:3

I have always attempted to teach young people; whether they were my own or others whom I was responsible for teaching, to enjoy the work that they do. Work is inevitable. We must work to eat, to have shelter, to have warm clothing, and if you really must want a lot of nice things; you must really put a lot of effort into earning that "stuff." We spend a huge portion of our lives working so we may as well enjoy the work that we do. Making a game of doing house or yard chores and doing it together helps it to me more fun. Getting along with co-workers and your supervisors helps to keep stress out of the position you hold.

As young people begin planning for what kind of life-long career they would like to pursue, they ought to consider what it is that they will actually enjoy doing. Do you enjoy helping people? How about computers or working with animals? There are so many career choices in the world today, it is impossible to comprehend them all. Whatever it is you love to do; whatever talents that God has gifted you with; follow that path.

God has a plan for you. He calls you to serve him according to the gifts He gifts you. Whether it is a talent and desire to be a doctor or a hostess; God provides the opportunities to be trained in the way He would have you go. And... don't forget to commit your work to the Lord. Do all things well that they might glorify your Father in heaven. And... quit complaining! Learn to enjoy the work that the Lord has provided for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Be Led By The Spirit of God

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
                                                                                                                     (Romans 8:12-14 NIV)

From the perspective of some, I can get a little irritable at times. In fact, I do. I get irritable whenever I see the misdeeds of the body being greatly lifted up and lauded and generally celebrated and this by those who would profess Christ as their Savior. I cannot imagine someone who knows Christ would brag about their misdeeds as though they were not sins. 

Brothers and sisters in Christ strive to be led by Spirit of God and not the desires of the flesh. Turn around and follow in The Way the Spirit leads that you might live life.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Good Shepherd

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:11 NIV) 

The shepherd cares for and watches his or her flock to safeguard it from anything that might seek to destroy the sheep. It can be a very lonely position to be out in the fields alone watching over all of those sheep that could easily wander off and get lost; fall off a cliff; or be devoured by a wolf. 

How much lonelier was our Good Shepherd while here on earth? No one; but the Father whose purpose was for Jesus to lay down his life for us understood his purpose.

His purpose was solely about his flock of sheep. His purpose was that we might be safe and be saved from our own sins; from wandering off where we do not belong; from being eaten by ravaging wolves and wily coyotes. His purpose was to care for the sheep and to protect us.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd and he laid down his life for you. May God help you to keep from following the nasty wolves in sheep's clothing. May God care for you and protect you from all that is evil through the blood of the one who gave his life that you might live, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Love Does Not End

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. (Rom 13:8 NIV)

We can pay our bills; we can pay our taxes and they are put behind us forever or for another month or year depending on how frequently the bill must be paid. They are behind us and we no longer have to dwell on them. But, one thing we can never put behind us is the love of God and the love for others. 

We can never love God or our neighbors enough. Loving God; loving and caring for our neighbors is and always be a primary responsibility and privilege of the Christian. For in the days of old, God loved His people so much that he turned them around over and over again. They loved Him and others so very little that they sinned against Him. In love, He rebuked them. They turned back to Him. They sinned again and again by putting their own wills before Him. He turned them around again and again and still... they did not love Him or their neighbors with their whole hearts.

Finally, God did the ultimate. Out of love for all people; He gave His only begotten Son to suffer and die for our sins that the law might be fulfilled. He bore sins that were born out of our stubbornness to not love God; to not love our neighbors as ourselves. Out of love, Jesus paid the ultimate debt for our sins; his very life.

Love conquers all. Let us never consider that our debt to love God and others is ever repaid. May God help us to love even as He loves.

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Give To God Your Whole Life

Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

                                                                      (Matthew 22:17-21 NIV)

Have you paid your taxes? There is only a couple of more days before the deadline for filing income taxes. I think most people probably get a little worried that they will make a mistake on their taxes and the IRS will be knocking on their door. That is why so many people hire tax accountants to do their taxes even if they are simple 1040 EZ's that they are filing. We worry about being charged with not giving to the government what is owed.

If we are so concerned about making no mistakes when it comes to paying our taxes to the governing authorities; why then are we so lax in giving God the thanks and praise that belongs to Him? 

The governing authorities use our tax money to build roads and support hospitals and schools and all kinds of things that we deem necessary for life. But, it is God who gives life to all. It is God who gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Do not hold back on paying your taxes to the governing authorities. Do not hold back from dedicating your whole life to God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Meaningless Without Peace

The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:    

“Meaningless! Meaningless!”
    says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
    Everything is meaningless.

                                                                                    (Eccl 1:1-2 NIV)

Governments come and go and life marches on. But, for how long? How long shall we continue in meaningless alliances? How long will we continue playing god with people's lives? 

Such meaninglessness! May God help us to learn to love one another and to live in peace!

God's Peace – Pr. Judy

Follow In The Way He Leads You

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.”  Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.

But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.  
                                                                                                               (Exodus 14:21-23; 26-29 NIV)

Slave to the Egyptians; the Lord was finally leading out of their bondage to a land of promise and hope. But, they were not going easily. The enemy close at their heels they found themselves trapped. How often have we felt cornered and trapped by an adversary? Even as the Lord parted the seas so that the Israelites could pass through unharmed; so shall He always find a way for all of His children. The enemy of God's children could not follow on the same path. They could not overtake them. The Lord closed the road and destroyed the enemy. There may be times when we feel like we might be overtaken and destroyed. But, God's children will never be destroyed for through Jesus Christ we have the hope of eternal life in the promised land; in His eternal Kingdom. He will make straight the path so that we might follow in the way that we must go no matter what might threaten to overtake us.

God's Peace be with you all - Pr. J

Blasphemy Of The One God

Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

“He is worthy of death,” they answered.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 (Matt 26:65-66 NIV)

Jesus stood before his accusers; his judges, for blasphemy. The penalty for blasphemy? Death! Although innocent, he was crucified on account of this false charge against him.

On daily basis, I hear and read blasphemous statements. Those blasphemous statements are statements that do not respect God. Statements that do not honor His name. It has become commonplace to take His name in vain. It is even popular in some circles to deny Him in attempts to bully others who do respect the Lord. There are those who think it is a joke to use His name as a vulgarity or deny him purposefully in front of those who truly believe. It is not a joke and it hurts no one but the one who would blaspheme His Holy Name.

Jesus was crucified in our place that we might be forgiven our sins. But, remember as you are disrespecting my God and your God (and I say that because there is only one God whether one accepts Him as their God or not) that Jesus said: "And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven." (Matt 12:31)

Be careful what you say. Be careful what you think. Give God the praise and honor due His name. There is, in fact, only one God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

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

Thunderous Voice

Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings,
   ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
   worship the Lord in the splendor of his 

   holiness.
The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
   the God of glory thunders,
   the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
   the voice of the Lord is majestic.

                                    Psalm 29:1-4 NIV

I awoke to the sound of powerful thunder over the mighty waters last night. I love to listen to the skies quake and the oceans roar. I love to hear the sound of the thunder; to hear the pounding of the rain upon the roof; to sit in the darkness watching the lightning light up the sky in the darkness of the night.

The sound of thunder in Flagler Beach is not quite like the sound it makes in Michigan. It sounds so much closer to the earth here. It roars like the ocean roars in the midst of a storm. At one point last night it sounded as though maybe the ocean had decided to roar over the land so much that I felt obliged to get up and check to see if the water  was rising and how fast. It is not that it causes me fear. It reminds me that we should all have just a little more fear and respect for the one who has power over all things; even the storms. Storms remind me of the beginning; of how the Spirit of God hovered over the darkness; over the deeps; over the chaos. And, as God spoke with his mighty voice He created all things out of all that darkness and chaos.

I do appreciate a good storm now and then. I enjoy listening to the roar of the water and the thunder. It reminds me of who God is. It reminds me that He is all powerful. He is majestic. Let us all give God the glory due His name!

God's Peace – Pr. J    

Listen To His Voice

So, as the Holy Spirit says:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
     do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion,
    during the time of testing in the wilderness,
 where your ancestors tested and tried me,
    though for forty years they saw what I did.
 That is why I was angry with that generation;
    I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray,
    and they have not known my ways.’
 So I declared on oath in my anger,
    ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

                                                                                                              (Heb 3:7-13 NIV)

It was not only Israel that has seen and heard what God had done for them. If we are honest with ourselves; we, too, have seen and heard what God has done for us. God has done great things for all people. Yet, many refuse to see. They refuse to hear. They harden their hearts as in the great rebellion. They refuse to follow in "the way." Sadly, those who continue to rebel against the Lord our God will never enter His rest as He has promised. Sadly, some of those people who reject Him are people that we care about and love. It is up to those who do believe to continue to encourage others and remind them that it is a privilege and a blessing to hear his voice. It is up to God's children to remind all people to listen to Him.

May God open our ears to hear and our eyes to see and our hearts that we might desire to listen and follow in His way. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Live In Peace and Harmony!

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Rom 12:9-13 NIV)

Just, be nice and do what is right, already! That's it! Quit playing games! Quit doing what is unlawful! Quit doing things just to disrupt the peace. Be devoted to one another. Do what is good for all people and think a whole lot less about what it is that you want.

Paul admonishes the Romans to love one and another and treat one another with respect so that we might live in harmony with one another and in peace. Stealing from your neighbor; arguing with them in minor disputes; disrespecting them; selling alcohol or drugs to their children disrupts the harmony and peace in any community. Do what is right for you neighbor and the whole community.

May God open the eyes and hearts of those who would divide our communities by doing what is harmful. May all of our children and their children live in health, wholeness and prosperity. May we all live in peace and harmony.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Prayer of Jabez

Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from hurt and harm!” And God granted what he asked. (1 Chron 4:10 NRSV)

Among the descendants of Judah, is Jabez. In the middle of the list of Judah's descendants is a description of this one obscure son. He is born in pain. He is a humble man who prays to the God of Israel, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!" (4:10) God answered his prayer. It does not say how. It just says that he answered this prayer.

Now, I'm thinking the fact that he prayed for these things and that God answered has to be pretty important; otherwise, why would this man's prayer be placed in the middle of this genealogy? I have heard many critiques of this prayer. Yet, I pray it often for others, whom I love. It is a simple prayer. Jabez asked God to bless him, to keep him from harm and to enlarge his borders or territories. The critique I've often heard is that the enlarging territories is about riches. Presumably there are some who would turn Jabez' humble prayer into a selfish prayer.

However; for Christian, our borders are on the mission field. We do not look at this prayer as a magical means to fill our pockets, but a prayer that God would bless us with missions, with outreach to the whole world.

Who would not want their loved ones to be blessed by the LORD, to be kept from harm and know no pain and to have ever expanding borders to proclaim the praises of God? Oh, LORD, expand our territory so that we might reach out to even more, to the multitudes, with the Good News of your Kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Weathering The Storm

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they put out, and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. They went to him and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?” (Luke 8:22-25 NRSV)

Jesus calms the disciples and the seas. He commands even the winds and the waters. They listen to him. But, there is something else we need to consider. The storm did not begin until they were out on the sea with Jesus.

Following Jesus is no guarantee that there will not be storms in our lives. In fact, it might guarantee even a few more. If you truly follow Jesus you will face obstacles and opposition of all kinds. Jesus never promised that we would not have troubling or stormy times; but, that with him we would weather them. We would live. We can live in peace knowing that the one who has power over all things is with us always.

There is no need to fear the storms. The one who commands the winds and the waves is with you and for you. But, sometimes, you will need to experience a few storms on the sea before you can reach the other side.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Let Us Live For Him

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Cor 5:15 NIV)

In so many ways I hear people say that they have to do what makes them happy. They are not always straight forward about it. But, if you listen to them closely, you will hear the self-centeredness. However, these same people don't appear to be too happy most of the time. There is a saying that we hear often, mostly around the Christmas season. "It is better to give than to receive."

The reality for most people is that genuine happiness does come from giving. It comes from sharing. It comes when we know that we have helped to bring joy to someone else; to help lift a burden that they might be struggling under.

For those of us who strive to follow Jesus; we find joy, we find peace in striving to live as he lived: for the sake of others.

May God help us to always remember that it is not always about us. True joy comes from living for Christ and by being there for others even as he is there for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

God's Peace Be With You

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” John 20:21-23 ESV

Peace be with you. I know that there are some who really dislike sharing the peace during Worship. I hear lots of reasons for this. "It's flu season and we don't want to get sick" is one of the biggest reasons. But, often I see congregations using that only as an excuse for not wanting to be too close to other brothers or sisters in Christ. 

Most of you have who know me have probably noticed that when I greet people, I usually greet them with these words, "God's peace be with you" or simply "God's peace." When we share this greeting with others, we are letting them know that we do not want there to be any animosity between us. We are in essence telling the other person that whatever sins they have committed against us, they are forgiven. When we share the peace of the Lord, we are saying let us be reconciled to one another through our Lord, Jesus Christ because by the blood of Christ we are reconciled, so let us live in that truth!

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding comes when we know that we have been forgiven our sins and are now reconciled to God our Father through the blood of Jesus Christ. We, you and I have received the Holy Spirit so that we might go out proclaiming this Good News of reconciliation through Jesus so that others also might know this peace. So, if the Holy Spirit truly abides within us, then I would think that we would actually go and share the peace with others; forgiving them their sins; being reconciled to one another.

When we share God's peace, we are not only forgiving others any offenses, we are also asking them to forgive us for anything we may have done to offend them. In order for there to be peace; in order for their to be genuine reconciliation, we must forgive and be forgiven.

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

Continue In What You Have Learned From Scripture

2 Timothy 3

Paul tells Timothy that "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted..." (2 Timothy 3:12 NIV) When I was a young Christian I had a hard time figuring out what this meant. As a much older and hopefully a bit wiser Christian, I now have a better idea. It can be quite a challenge, at times, to live in a society where God is placed on the bottom of the list of his children's priorities, if He's even on that list all. It's difficult to be surrounded by so many people who are in love with themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to the parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power. (2 Timothy 3:2-5) Paul's not talking here about unbelievers. He's talking about those who profess to believe in God. He's talking about some of the Christians at Ephesus. Paul says simply, "Have nothing to do with such people." (2 Timothy 3:5) That can be pretty difficult as some of those who would teach and believe such lies are our friends, our neighbors, and often our own family. That, sadly, is a reality.

We live in an age when many who profess to be Christians have heard and believe many false teachings. There are those who profess to be Christian who do not actually believe that Jesus rose from the dead; that He is God. There are those who believe and teach that everyone is saved and that Jesus is not the only way, quite contrary to his word. These denials of the faith must be refuted to protect those who are being led astray by those who would worm their way into homes and gain control over the gullible. We must also pray for those who have been led astray by those who teach and preach to advance their own agendas.

So, what can we do? We can get to know God's word and loving will for us and for all people. Paul encouraged Timothy and the church at Ephesus to "Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

We cannot confront lies unless we know the truth. Be diligent, then, in hearing and studying the Word of God found in the Holy Scriptures so that you might live your life in Christ. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Go and Tell!

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28:18-20 NIV)

He is risen! We have just celebrated Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Now what? Does the fact that Jesus died and rose from the dead as he had promised have any impact on the way you live your life today? It should! He is risen. There is no reason that you should not be risen, as well. It is not time to go and share that story with the world; with the people around you; with your friends and family; with your neighbors.

He is risen. He is risen for you. Because he lives, so shall all who believe in him. Now, go and tell making disciples of all people.

God's Peace - Pr. J

He is Risen! Have you?

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Matthew 28:5-7 NIV

Hallelujah! He is risen! What good news for us this morning and every morning. Jesus lives! I can hardly imagine what joy the women at the tomb felt to hear that Jesus had risen from the dead. 

Jesus has risen from the dead! Have we? Jesus has told his followers before his death:  Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. (John 14:19) Because he lives so shall we. Well, the new life, that resurrected life does not begin only after we die physical deaths. Because he lives we can live fuller lives today in him. But, alas, so often we choose to live in darkness rather than the light of Christ. So often we seek the passing pleasures of this world rather than the most awesome life lived in the presence of Almighty God now and forever. Forever does not begin after death. Forever includes today. Because Jesus lives so shall all who believe in him!

Now, is the time. Today is the day. He is risen. It is time.

  “Arise, shine, for your light has come,

  and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
  See, darkness covers the earth

  and thick darkness is over the peoples,
  but the Lord rises upon you

  and his glory appears over you." 
                                         (Isaiah 60:1-2)

He Is Risen! Because he lives so shall we. Arise and shine!

God's Peace - Pr. J