Rejoice In His Favor!

My Spirit Rejoices In
God My Savior!

And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

                                                                             (Luke 1:41-47 KJV)

Even in his mother's womb, John the Baptist leaped for joy in the presence of Jesus who was still in Mary's womb. John; Elizabeth the mother of John, and Mary the mother of Jesus were filled with joy for the gift of Jesus that God was giving to the world.

John, Elizabeth, and Mary all recognized what a great thing God was about to do. It is almost Christmas. Do we recognize and rejoice over this great gift that God has given us? Or, maybe we've come up with a greater priority in our lives than Jesus? And... how do we find ourselves during this season of Advent? Are  you a bit depressed over the state of the world or are you rejoicing for the gracious gift of a baby born in a stable so long ago sent to us to set us free from the powers of sin, death, and of the devil? 

God has done great things for us. Let us recall them and rejoice in his favor!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Mercy and Truth

 PSALM 85 KJV

Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.

Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.

Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.

Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.

Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?

Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?

Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation.

I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.

Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.

Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

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He Has The Best Plan!

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

                                                                        (Luke 1:26-31 KJV)

That ought to be enough to knock your socks off! What a sight! Can you even begin to imagine how you might react if an angel suddenly appeared before you? And... then tells you; although you are a virgin, that you are going to have a child by someone other than you are about to marry.

But, the angel tells her not to be afraid. This coming child may not be in Mary's plans; but, it is in God's plan for her and the world. It is a good plan. It is the best plan ever! Likewise; when things are happening in our lives that have nothing to do with what we have planned for ourselves, we need not fear; but, trust that God has a good purpose for those who love Him. 

"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)

Do not fear! Have faith that God has a good plan for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Witness To The Light Of Christ

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Cor 4:6 KJV)

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

                                                                                      (John 1:6-8 KJV)

John drew in the crowds but he didn't draw them in for his own glory. He drew them in to bear witness to the Light who is Jesus the Christ. He humbled himself and pointed to the one who was coming who was greater than he; greater than all of humankind.

As Christians we are also called and sent to bear witness to the Light who is Christ. But, do we? Is that our true purpose? Are we willing to humble ourselves so that God many get the glory?

The numbers in the flock that come to hear our witness are worthless if we are only bearing witness to ourselves. Our witness, if it is true, will always point to Jesus the Christ.

May God help us all to be faithful witnesses of what Christ has done for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Heirs Of God Through Christ

Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

                                                                                      (Gal 4:3-7 KJV)

We who were in bondage to our sin are now free from the law of sin. We who were not his children are now his children. This not by our own doing but because of God's perfect love for us. "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."

Because Jesus was willing to suffer the consequences of our sins we should now rejoice that we can cry out to our Father in heaven. We can speak to Him as a child speaks to a loving parent. We are now children. We are heirs of God through Jesus the Christ!

Let us rejoice in the love of our Father!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Adorn Yourself With A Gentle Spirit

 Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair, and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing; rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:2-4 NRSV

Although, it keeps commerce going, I have never quite understood why someone would need to have so many piercings or wear so much make-up that it distracts from the person that they are within. I am not saying that I think women shouldn't wear any make-up. But, I would think that the purpose for make-up would be to enhance one's features and not an attempt to mask who you are. 

God has made everyone and every one is precious in God's sight. Let the world see the person God created you to be. It does not matter what you look like on the outside. Appearances can be very deceiving. There is nothing more beautiful than a child of God who exudes the loving and gentle spirit that comes from knowing that they are a child of God. 

May God help each of us to cherish the lasting beauty of the gentle and quiet spirit of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

He Alone Brings Forth All Things

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. 

                                                                                        (Isa 61:10-11 KJV)

It is God alone who created the plants of the earth. The garden grow. The flowers bloom. It is He alone who causes them to bring forth the fruit of their seed. So it is He who will cause us to rejoice as righteousness not just survives but thrives for the world to see. 

Rejoice in the Lord who gives us all good things. Praise Him who saves us!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Abide In His Love, Joy, And Peace

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

                                                                                      (John 14:4-12 KJV)

I do believe that fruitful means a whole lot of different things to those who abide in Christ and those who do not. 

In this world fruitful appears to me to mean how fast we can destroy our enemies; how much havoc we can create for others even if it means lying and cheating to get our personal agendas fulfilled. But, to those who abide in Christ it means something more like bringing the good news of the Kingdom of God to all people that we might all live life in love, joy and in the peace that only the abiding presence of Christ can bring. 

To those who abide in Christ, it is not our personal agendas; but, the will of God that produces good fruit. Abiding in Christ and he in us produces much fruit.

May the abiding presence of our Lord Jesus the Christ bring you much peace!

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.

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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.

Refrain From Evil And Rejoice

Rejoice evermore.

Pray without ceasing.

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

Quench not the Spirit.

Despise not prophesyings.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Abstain from all appearance of evil.

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.                                                                                                                                (1 Thess 5:16-24 KJV)

"Rejoice evermore!" This third Sunday of Advent is the Sunday of joy. Oh, if only there would be joy in the world! But, it does not happen because people love darkness. They hold fast to what is evil rather than what is good for not just themselves but for others as well. 

Let us abstain from all appearance of evil as best as is humanly possibly so that the world might know the joy that the angel proclaimed and the peace that the whole host of angels proclaimed at the birth of Jesus the Christ our Savior and Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Advent 2 2020

Caring For Others

"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.  As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.." John 10:14-15 KJV

The secular world has made Advent into a happy time; a time to celebrate. But, for many it is not so. It is a time when many are drawn to thoughts of loved ones who are no longer with them. The empty chair at the table draws them into even deeper sadness. This year many of our elderly have been imprisoned in nursing homes and long term care units. They are not allowed company. They are totally alone. Many families will take out "Christmas" loans, if they can get one, in order to provide their children with gifts simply because this is the tradition of the world. They do not want to disappoint their children and so they will go even deeper into debt so as not to disappoint them on Christmas morning. Did I mention the parties? No? Hmmm.... Well, the trouble that comes from all that "Christmas Cheer" speaks for itself. More trouble... More depression... More loneliness... More divorces... More deaths and empty chairs to grieve over during the next Advent and Christmas seasons.

Advent can be a lonely and depressing time for many. The world thinks we should be happy, happy, happy; so smiles mask the emptiness and sadness because that is what is expected by the world around us.

Advent, is actually supposed to be a time for hope. But, there is little hope if we expect the world to give us answers. The only hope to be found is in the good shepherd. He is humble and he is kind. He is not full of things of this world. His concern is for you. He will care for you. While the world is busy worrying about "things," Jesus is there for you. He is with you; watching over you. He loves you enough to lay down his life for you. What greater gift can there be than having someone love you so much they would give their all for you? Rejoice in that gift! 

May God help us to see as the Good Shepherd sees and to live as he lives caring for others enough to be with those who are hurting; those who are alone; those who are in any need, not just this Advent season; but, all year round.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Patiently Waiting

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 

                                                                                       (2 Peter 3:8-9 KJV)

I consider myself to have a lot of patience. I have been waiting for answers to a few of my prayers pretty much my whole life. There are days when I think well... that's enough. It is time to quit praying for...... But, then I consider how many years from the beginning of creation that it took God to send Jesus to save us from our own sinful selves.  Quite a lengthy time that took!

Here in this season of Advent we wait and watch as we do every Advent and every year. We wait and watch for the Lord to return in full glory. We wait with patience and at times most impatiently. It may seem like the wait goes on forever; but, a thousand years to humankind is as one day to the Lord. 

We wait knowing that the Lord does not desire that for any to perish, but that all should come to repentance. God continues to wait for the lost to believe. May God help us to have the patience and the compassion to wait with love for our fellowman to hear and believe in our salvation through our Lord, Jesus the Christ. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The LIght Of Life

And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 

                                                                 

                                                                               (John 8:3-12 KJV)

Advent; a season to prepare for the coming of the Lord. How shall we prepare? We began the season of Advent with John the Baptist calling people to "repent for the kingdom of God is at hand." (Matt 3:1-2) 

When the scribes and Pharisees were about to stone the woman accused of adultery, Jesus shines the light on the sins of those who are about to stone her by telling them that the person without sin ought to be the first to cast a stone against her and then stoops down to write something in the dirt. He looks up and her accusers are gone. They have been confronted with the truth and the truth is that we are all sinners living in darkness and need the light of life.

After her accusers depart he tells the woman that neither does he condemn her and that she should go and sin no more. She too has been reminded of the darkness of sin that dwells within her. 

That marvelous light, that light of life, does not shine so that we can see the sins of others around us. It shines for each of us so that we can see the darkness within ourselves. That light shines on and in us so that each of us can recognize our need for repentance; for a change; for a change of direction. It shines on us so that as individuals we can step out of the darkness to follow Jesus who is the light of life. 

Advent can be a very dark season for many of us. Not only are the hours of daylight shortened, it is a season when the world around us expects us to be celebrating; but, many are not. Many are grieving. Many are hurting. Many are hungry and homeless. Many feel less than because they do not live up to what they think the expectations of the world around them. Are we even supposed to live up to the world's expectations? Did John the Baptist live like the status quo? Did Jesus?

We cannot shine the light of Christ unto the world if we ourselves do not walk in the light. Jesus is the light of life! Live in that light and follow him! Be a light to the world.

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

Bread of Life

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 

                                                                                          (John 6:32-35 KJV)

We can eat the most sumptuous meals and still be hungry. We can have everything that we have ever desired and still feel empty. But, if we have Jesus  we will be filled. He promised that if we went to him, believing in him we would never hunger or thirst again.

Jesus is the bread that gives us life. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Listen To Him!

 

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds... (Heb 1:1-2 KJV)

There were many prophets. There still are. Some are prophets of God. Others are false prophets. It can be difficult to tell which is which. But, there is only one begotten Son of God. Listen to him!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

He Has Been Merciful

Psalm 85 KJV

Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.

Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.

Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.

Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.

Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all 

generations?

Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?

Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation.

I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.

Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.

Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

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God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Word Shall Stand Forever

The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

                                                                                    (Isa 40:6-8 KJV)

Like all things material, our flesh will wither and fade away. But, the word of God will never fade away. No matter what or who might work to extinguish the word it will never happen. No one, nothing can destroy the word of God.

Take comfort in the fact that although there have been societies that have previously tried to stamp out the word of God it has not happened. For years the Soviet Union tried to eliminate Christian but it did not happen. Thousands of clergy were rounded up and sent to prison or executed. Christians were  ordered not to teach their own children about Jesus. Yet, Christianity persevered. The word of God continue to be heard and taught and passed down to the following generations. 

Persecution of Christians continues this day in many countries. But, take comfort in the fact that the word belongs to God and he will never let it fade away. The word will always be there for you and for your children and your children's children. Teach them so that they too might know the comfort of the eternal promises that the word brings.  

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Be Prepared And Wait

 

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

                                                                           (Mark 13:31-37 KJV)

The end is near! I seem to hear that a lot in conjunction with the attempt being made to do a total reset on the economy and yes even the whole world. The proclamation that the end is near has been announced ever since Jesus walked the earth. Is it really?

Jesus said that no one knows that day or hour. No one knows when it will be except for the Father. Jesus also warns us that because no one knows we should always be prepared. We should always be watchful. Are we prepared for his return in full glory?

Today begins the season of Advent. It is a time to remember not just the first coming of the Christ; but, to look to his return in full glory. 

I have often been asked if I am ready for Christmas. My response is always something like: if we are not ready for Christmas; if we can't figure out how to get ready for one Holy Day; then we are not ready for Christ to return to take us to himself.

Yes, one day the earth will pass away. But, the Word, who is Jesus the Christ, will never pass away. Prepare yourself by getting to know the Word. Be prepared for he may come again today. But, it may also be a very long time from now and in that case you still need to be prepared and watch and wait.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Open Our Eyes To See

Help me to see; illumine me!

And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.

And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.

And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?

They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.

So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

                                        (Matt 20:30-34 KJV)

Open our eyes Lord that we might see all that you would have us see! Help us to see your truth so that we might follow in your way.

There are more ways than one to be blind. When one is spiritually blind we cannot see the plight of others. We look only to our own well-being. The spiritually blind  cannot see that their quest for more for themselves is only taking them further into the darkness. They cannot recognize the truth.  

The blind men begged Jesus to open their eyes! And, he did! They had walked in darkness long enough and Jesus was willing and able to make them see. May God open our eyes so that we might see the way, the truth, and the light, who is Jesus the Christ.

             Open my eyes, that I may see
             Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
             Place in my hands the wonderful key
             That shall unclasp and set me free. 
              Silently now I wait for Thee,
              Ready my God, Thy will to see,
              Open my eyes, illumine me,
              Spirit divine!

•                       Clara H. Scott, 1895

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

Blameless

"I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." 

                                                                                   (1 Cor 1:4-8 KJV)

Blameless! We shall be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ! How can that be? We all know we are sinners. We know that we are guilty of sinning against God our Father and against one another. Yet, in the day of our Lord we will be found innocent. Thanks be to God!

Thanks be to God for the grace that has been given to us by our Lord Jesus the Christ. For on the cross he bore our guilt. He was crucified for our sakes that we might be forgiven our sins. As John the Baptist told the crowd upon seeing Jesus coming toward them: "...Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)

Indeed, he has! "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" (1 Pet 3:18)

Thanks be to God for through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord our sins are washed away. (see Rev 1:5)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Feast Of The Ingathering

Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine: And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates. (Deut 16:13-14 KJV)

Thanksgiving is a day specifically set aside to give thanks for the bountiful blessings that we have received. Contrary to popular opinion days of thanksgiving have been set aside in the fall for thousands of years by various cultures and religions. A day of thanksgiving is celebrated in many countries throughout the world. In the United States the date of celebration has changed a few times. Originally it was thought to be celebrated in October or possibly late September as the earliest settlers celebrated it as a way to give thanks to God for the ingathering of their crops. This tradition for Christians originated from God's command to his people through Moses to observe the Feast of Tabernacles or the Feast of the Ingathering.

The tradition of giving thanks for the gathering of the fall harvest has lasted through many generations in many forms. Christians are not the only ones who set aside a day of thanks. The Jewish community continues to celebrate the Feast of the Tabernacles. Pagans, druids, witches and many others celebrated (some still do) some sort of day of thanksgiving in the fall for the blessings they have received over the year. 

Today families and communities all over the United States will gather together to celebrate a day of thanksgiving. Unfortunately, there will be many who will celebrate alone. Families have scattered around the country and the world. Gatherings in some states have been limited to ten or less people due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

Most of us do not have an ingathering today. We do not farm. We do not even have small gardens. Yet, we can give thanks to God for the farmers and the truckers and for all who ensure that we have food to eat. We can give thanks for family, for friends, for the church and especially for the gift of his Son our Savior. Although many will be alone today for this day of thanksgiving we can look with hope to the day that we will rejoice and celebrate with the whole family of God.

And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.

And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.

He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.

And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

                                                                                      (Isaiah 25:6-9)

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: 

The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. 

                                                                                         (Num 6:24-26)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Stay Out Of The Mud!

"... 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.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

                                                                                            (Phil 4:6-8 KJV)

If you don't want your feet to get dirty then stay out of the mud. There are actually things that we can do that will make our lives a bit easier. If you don't want to live in constant drama or chaos then quit focusing on the bad and think on those things that are of good report; of things that are lovely. 

St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Cor 15:33) There would be a whole lot less drama in our lives if we would just avoid being around people who love drama. That is not to say that we should not help them. We should. But, we should not be so involved that it ends up infecting our lives and drawing us away from the peace which God would give us through Christ Jesus.

But, even when we try to focus on the things of good report, we are still human and  there will be times that we will get drawn to situations that we would rather not be in. There may be times that we find ourselves sinking in quicksand and there is no possible way out except by the help of God.

If you prefer not to live in the muck and the mire of sin; if you prefer not to live with drama and chaos in your life; then turn to the Lord and focus on his promises. Trust yourself to the one who can truly lift you out of any mess. Give him thanks for with him your feet will be clean and your heart and mind will be at peace. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Walk In Him

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (Col 2:6-7 KJV)

What exactly is the point of receiving Jesus into your life if you are not going to walk with him? What is the point if you are not going to follow him wherever he goes. If he abides in you and you in him how is it that you are not going in the same directions as he is?

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:6)

May the Lord our God help us to follow in the way of Jesus with both joy and thanksgiving. May the Lord our God help us to live with and in Jesus the Christ!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Come Down, Lord!

Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,

As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence! 

                              (Isa 64:1-2 KJV)

This week marks the end of yet another church year. I have this notion that there have been many days this past year when many would have liked for God to come down and fix the mess; fix the divisions; fix everything; and make us to live in his peace. 

The truth is he has come down. Sunday marks the first day of another church year with the first Sunday in Advent. Advent is a time of waiting and watching for the Lord. The people waited and watched for the Messiah. When he came into this world as a mere child some people noticed and were aware. Many did not notice at all. They did not and could not believe. This has not changed in two thousand years. 

The Lord has indeed come down to the earth. He came down to save us from ourselves; our own sinful ways. His name has been made known to us! We continue to proclaim the name of Jesus the Messiah to all people so that all people might hear and tremble in his mighty presence. All honor and glory belongs to our Almighty God! 

The Lord has come down to the earth. He was here as true man. He is here even today. And... he will come again in full glory.  Do not fear. Do not fret. God is with you even now. When Jesus gave the disciples their commission he told them that he would be with them even to the end of the world. 

"And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matt 28:17-20)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Dubious Accusations

And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.

To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.

 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:

But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.

                                                                             (Acts 25:14-20 KJV)

Paul finds himself in custody; being questioned by Festus; being accused of things that are not even criminal offenses by the Jews. Paul has challenged them to send him to Caesar to be tried since it is his right as a Roman citizen. But, Festus can find no charge that he can bring to warrant sending Paul to trial.

We see it all the time. People are falsely accused publicly. Reporters seem to be  getting real good at it in recent years.  They judge situations before all of the story is actually in. The stories explode without the truth ever being uncovered. By the time the accusations get to court, everyone has their opinions about guilt or innocence based on biased reports; sometimes out right lies. Innocent men and women's reputations are dragged through the mud without any good cause.

Usually the cause has to do with things like a desire for things that don't belong to you or maybe just a desire for more power. Forget your ego; forget your desire for power. Live life and let others live their lives as well! 

There is enough real crime in the world to have to deal with. Why waste anyone's time with petty and slanderous disputes? Petty disputes can be taken care of without going to court. All it takes is a little bit of empathy and the willingness to listen to and to talk to one another without attacking them. 

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 

                                                                                          (Col 3:12-15)

God's Peace - Pr. J

He Seeks The Lost

He Seeks The Lost

For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. 

                                                                                    (Ezekiel 34:11-12 KJV)

The Lord God seeks his sheep to bring them into his fold. The truth is that he know where you are and what you are doing. He knows all who have been busy trying to hide from him; trying to run from him. Just maybe it's time to quit hiding and thank the Lord God that he desires to make you his own. Maybe it is time to listen to his voice and follow him to where he would have you go.

God's Peace - Pr. J.