Be Still And Know The Great "I Am"

The Lord of Hosts is with you.

"He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
    he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.
Be still, and know that I am God!
    I am exalted among the nations,
    I am exalted in the earth.”
 The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our refuge."

                                              Psalm 46:9-11

 

In the midst of the darkest days and the most tumultuous nights; when we find ourselves restless; and wandering aimlessly; let us remember that the God of peace, the great "I AM" is with us. 

 

We can have peace of heart and mind in the knowledge that no matter what is going on around us the Lord of hosts is with us. Through every storm and battle, God has a plan. It is a plan for good. It is a plan for peace. Even while the battle yet rages, we can know the peace of heart and mind that surpasses all understanding. Be still in His presence; trusting that He will make the battle cease,  break the bow, and shatter the spear. He is our refuge and strength!

 

When your heart and soul become restless; find stillness in the presence of the Lord and in the knowledge that the great "I AM" is God and He is with you and He is for you.  

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

2 Corinthians 3:1-6 Commending Ourselves

2 Corinthians 3:1-6 NIV
Sometimes when I attend meetings, I end up doing something that I am not particularly fond of. That is that ice-breaker where we go around the room and everyone introduces themselves by giving their names as well as telling something about themselves. Usually the leader wants us to add something wonderful we do or have done - kind of a pat on the back for ourselves.

Paul asks in his letter today (quite sarcastically, I imagine) "Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?"

You see, in these small groups, my name should be enough so people know how to address me. It's not that I am shy. It just makes me uncomfortable talking about "me" rather than the One who sends me. Who I am really is not important. Who the great "I Am" is of the most importance. After all, I can do nothing; I can accomplish nothing good without Him; without the Spirit of Christ that dwells within. It is the Spirit that gifts life and directs us. He even directs us to such meetings where we end up commending ourselves. I would much prefer that my life be a testimony to the Spirit of Christ than to who I am.

I do indeed have confidence in the life I live. However, that confidence is not in myself; but, in the God who has delivered me from myself and called me to Himself. I am confident that my life is in His hands.

May we all be living testimonies of His love.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 1:29-42

John 1:29-42 NIV
"Look, the Lamb of God!"

Twice, John see Jesus' and witnesses to those around him that Jesus is the Lamb of God. He testifies that Jesus is God's Chosen One. Because of John's testimony Andrew and his brother Simon Peter became followers Jesus. They became his disciples.

Have you told anyone about the "Lamb of God" lately? How many disciples can say it was your testimony that pointed them to Jesus? Remember the "Great Commission"?

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.” (John 21:19-20)

Go and witness to the love of God in Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. Go and witness to what He has done for us in giving His life for us. Go and make disciples for surely the "Lamb of God" the great "I AM" is with you always.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 14:53-65 I Am

Mark 14:53-65 NIV
"...Again the high priest asked him, 'Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?' 'I am,' said Jesus." (Mark 14:61-62)

I am! Two of my favorite words. When confronted about whether He was the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One, Jesus responded simply, "I am." In those two words I am reminded that He is not only the Son of God; He is God. When Moses was busy trembling in his bare feet at the burning bush and trying to figure out how he was going to get out of delivering God's people from Egypt, he asked God who should I say sent me. "God said to Moses, 'I am who I am.' This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.'" (Exodus 3:14) So, whenever, I hear or read these two words, "I am," I am reminded that Jesus is not only the Son of God, He is God.

I believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit - three persons - one God.

God's Peace - Pr. J