2 Corinthians 1:1-11 Trouble Can Be A Good Thing

2 Corinthians 1:1-11 NIV
There are times when we come to a point of feeling totally helpless; like we have fallen into the most miry pit.

Like Jonah being swallowed by a big fish this helplessness is not necessarily a bad thing. After all, if it had not been for that big fish, Jonah would have drowned. God sent that big fish to save Jonah from death so that Jonah could and would go and proclaim the message as God had directed him to.

It is when we are at our lowest point; when we have no reasonable way of helping ourselves, that we must accept our helplessness and rely on God.  Like Paul, when it feels like everything is lost, our hope remains in God who delivers us. We understand that there are those who wish our hope to die. They would desire that our message of the Kingdom of God in Christ Jesus would die. But, it will not die. Our hope, our desire for the Lord, will only be strengthened in the persecution received at the hands of those who reject our faith; by those who reject God.

May the peace of the Lord be with you in all circumstances. God is with you.

Pr. J

Luke 19:28-46 Peace Not Drama

Luke 10:28-46 NIV
There are days when I accomplish much less than I would like to. There are some things that just wear me out faster than others. One being "drama." No matter how large or small, everything seems so dramatically enhanced in the lives of many people around me. Little problems, little lies, and sneak attacks turn into big problems, big lies, big drama.

The Pharisees seemed to love drama, as well. They were always stirring up trouble, even if they tried to do it discretely without discrediting themselves. Their drama and ours just disrupts the peace that Jesus brings. So much drama! So much chaos! In spite of the fact that we cry out for help; we keep stepping right back into the drama. Same old... Same old... No, need for change...

Well, actually there is. That is, if you are really tired of the drama then the "same old" isn't going to get it. There is a way that leads to peace. In fact, the God of peace has come to you. Recognize His coming; His presence with you. Live in the peace of God. Cling to His Word. Walk through the door into the Kingdom that has been opened for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezekiel 31 - Trees Falling

"Consider Assyria, once a cedar in Lebanon,
    with beautiful branches overshadowing the forest;
it towered on high,
    its top above the thick foliage." (Ezekiel 30:3 NIV)

Pharaoh is warned, even though Egypt stands tall like a tree towering over everything; Assyria once stood even taller. But, for its pride it came crashing down at the hand of God. So shall Egypt fall.

There was a huge pine, over 80 feet tall, not many feet from our home. It was a beautiful tree, towering above the others. It existed until this summer. It had grown so large that we knew if it ever fell that there would be nothing left to our home. It had grown too big and had become a danger. We had it taken down this summer so that it would not come crashing down on us. Sometimes God's people (and governments) get too big... We are in danger of causing others harm and God has to cut us down to size (prune us) or let us crash where we can do the least harm to others. 

Again, those who have ears, hear the warning from Proverbs: "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Prov 16:18)

God's Peace - Pr. J