Hebrews 12:14-29 - Mountains of Fear and Joy

Hebrews 12:14-29 NIV
One of my facebook friends posted that she was a bit tired of the nit picky complaints of people this morning (and it was only 5 am!) I often hear "nit picky" complaints and, in wonder, muse, "That's it! That's all they have going wrong in their lives?" Humankind tends to make mountains out of molehills. We fear things that ought not be worthy of fear. It is as though we love to live lives filled with negative drama. We search out reasons to be angry with or blame others for our problems. We search out reasons to fear.

We are sojourners on the mountain of fear even while our home is the mountain of joy. We live amidst fear in the world. Yet, we are not of this world and do not have to live in fear for our lives; for our futures. We are of the unshakeable mountain of God, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.

The mountain of fear and sorrow will be destroyed; but, the mountain of joy, the city of the living God cannot be destroyed. As residents of the Holy City, rejoice. Hear God's voice and follow so that you may know everlasting peace and joy. Do not cast aside His Word; but, follow. Do not turn away from the path which leads to the mountain of joy.

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,  for our 'God is a consuming fire.'" (vs 28-29)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 2:22-47 Change

Acts 2:22-47 NIV
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Apostles proclaimed the Good News that Jesus was the Messiah, the one whom David had prophesied would come. Peter warned them to save themselves from the corrupt generation. The multitude heard all of this. Many received the good news of salvation through Jesus and repented of their sins. 3000 were baptized that day.

I have said it myself, even as I have heard it thousands of times: "Change doesn't happen over night." Yet, these 3000 changed in one day. They believed and their lives were turned around. They wanted to lead a new life in Christ. And, so they did... They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. They were filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They met together daily, breaking bread together, praising God, and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

If we are going to try to change ourselves, without the help of God, it indeed may take a very long time and it may never happen. But, with the help of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be changed even in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. Repent and live life as a member of the family of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Join us in a couple of hours as we break bread together and praise the LORD!

Job 25 - God is God

OK.  So I gotta tell you.  Today, I am really thinking like Bildad.  The whole chapter is Bildad's reply and Bildad's reply is basically this: God is God.  He's all it!  We're not! Simple stuff.  Lucky thing for us this God loves us.

Make sure you read the chapter today :)  It is very short! 6 verses! I am pre-writing.  I will be somewhere around Austin, TX when it gets posted. But, as my mind begins to fade after this many hours in one day and I will be getting up in 4 hours, I think I'll try to figure out how to write Saturdays on Saturday! 

Have a blessed day!  God's Peace - Pr. J