God Has Prepared Marvelous Things

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him”

1 Corinth 2:9

There are times when I think that God is not answering my prayers fast enough. It is in those times that I have to rethink what I am asking for. Am I being specific and asking for things that is not according to God's will? Maybe, I am asking for less than God desires for those whom I pray for.

When my prayers seem to go unanswered, maybe it's time to recognize that my heart cannot even begin to conceive of the blessings God has prepared for those whom I care for and pray for. There are times that my prayers should maybe just ask for God to protect and bless them with the knowledge of how much He loves them instead of trying to steer their lives in the way that I think they should go. Maybe, I should more often let go and let God work in their lives. That's not to say I shouldn't pray for and help them when they are in need. But, that I should let God do the marvelous works that He does and not interfere quite so much!

May God help us to better understand that our will does not always agree with the will of God for His children.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Love is Patient and Kind

Love One Another

"Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Cor 13:4-7

As we seek to find our own places in this world, we sometimes forget that we are more than the sum of our own parts. Family and friends sometimes get hurt as we seek to fulfill our own desires. As we seek our own futures; our own good; we might not even recognize that we are hurting others who love and care for us.  

But, if we truly love someone, we will seek their good. We will be kind and not arrogant or rude when we perceive (rightly or wrongly) that they are holding us back. Love endures all things. Genuine love is patient enough to work through any problems. Real love; the love that emanates from God through us, endures forever.

May God grant us all a love that is patient and kind to one another that we might be reconciled first to God our Father and then to one another through Jesus Christ our Lord by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 John 4:7-21 Love

1 John 4:7-21
It can be quite frustrating to love someone and not be loved in return. You can give your life for
someone and have that love and you treated like it was nothing. But, the one who loves does not stop loving. They will continue to love even as they ache inside. Most of us probably have probably known the feeling of loving someone and not being loved in return.

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (vs 9-10)

Our Father in heaven loves us so much He was willing to have His one and only Son suffer and die for us. His Son, Jesus the Christ, loves us so much he was willing to do his Father's will for us. What will our response be? Will we love because he first loved us? Or will we turn our backs on genuine love and seek the earthly desires of our hearts?

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Peter 1:13-25 Set Your Hope In the One Who Is Hope

1 Peter 1:13-25

No matter how many times we are reminded not to worship the false gods of this world, there is a
multitude that set their hopes on things of this world; on silver and gold. They will turn away from God seeking an illusory happiness of this world. They will be happy when they have this or that thing; happy when they have power over this or that person; happy when they get to do whatever it is that they desire no matter whether it is right or wrong, no matter who it might hurt. But, true joy comes from knowing the Lord; walking with him. Real joy comes with living in a reverent relationship with the Lord and respecting our Father's will.

I pray that you will not conform to the evil desires of those who live in ignorance. Rather, "with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming." (vs 13) If your heart is aching and your life feels like a total disaster; then turn your heart toward the Christ for you were redeemed by his precious blood. You were born again, not of perishable things of this world; but, of the imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

Pr. J

2 Timothy 2 - Support Those Who Struggle In Their Journey

2 Timothy 2 NIV
Most of us; but, I am aware not all of us, have spent of our youth in pursuit of evil desires. That does not mean those who did not pursue evil desires did not sin. They just did not pursue it as others have. But, just as we age with each passing day, we ought also to be growing mature in Christ with each passing day.

St. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” (vs 19) That is not always the easiest thing to do. Once we fallen off the path, sometimes it is very difficult to get back on it. Sometimes, it takes a while. It can be a long process. It behooves the mature Christian to support and faithfully witness to those who are set on pursuing a life more befitting a Christian witness themselves.

They are to be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Those who are mature in their faith must persevere in their witness to Christ. We cannot be sidetracked by unduly worrying about or following things of this world. St. Paul asked Timothy to "Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding office." (vs 3-4) "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (vs 15)

As Christians, we serve the world by being faithful to Christ as workers who are not ashamed of the gospel and who correctly handle the word of truth. Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace with all people. Support those who are struggling on the journeys. In this way, others will hear and believe and grow in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Philippians 3 Focus on the Goal

Philippians 3 NIV

Focus on the Goal; Stay on the Path

So much time and energy wasted striving after things of this world. Of course, we all need to work for basic necessities. St. Paul had written to the Thessalonians, “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” (2 Thess 3:10) But, often our focus is so centered on "stuff" that we forget that we are to focus on the Kingdom of God in Christ Jesus. We think that our worship and service can be relegated to one hour per week and the rest of the week is to strive after and, yes, even worship and glorify "stuff" of the world. We lift up powerful people and even sports heroes and musicians and other such celebrities. We envy and strive to be like those who have earned much in this world; after all, they have done so much for themselves and look how happy they aren't! In this world it is a sign of success to have earned much "stuff."


But, "stuff" that you've been striving after will not save you. "Stuff" will only drag you down. It will require your focus and energy to obtain and maintain. "Stuff" will not save you. The world will not save you. You cannot save yourselves by your own power and might. Only Jesus saves. Put, aside those things which have puffed up your ego and set a new course. Strive for the goal; life in Jesus' presence, in his Kingdom. Press on and take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of for us. Set aside egos and desires of this world. Set aside your confidence in your own flesh to earn anything worthwhile. Because, I can attest that lots of stuff is not worthwhile. It is a waste of time and energy. Trust Jesus and live life in him.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 1:12-26 A Sad Thing; Deserting Jesus

Acts 1:12-26 NIV
It is a sad thing when one would turn their back on Jesus. But, that is what his friend and follower, Judas, did. There was nothing left to do for the disciples after his death, but to replace him so that there would be the twelve to witness to what they had seen of Jesus' life; from his baptism to his ascension. Two men were nominated; Matthias was elected by casting lots. Casting of lots helped avoid biases and divisions among the people. There were no great debates as to who the better candidate was. There were no expensive campaigns. There were no recounts. They simply trusted that God would guide the results of the lots; whatever those lots might be.

Even today, we encounter those who would turn their backs on Jesus; betraying him; deserting him and his church. Often they find themselves disillusioned because the church is not what they want it to be for them as individuals. When they choose to leave, like Judas, they also find themselves without hope. Our hope is found in Jesus Christ. Without him, we can do nothing. It is a sad thing for all involved when we lose a brother and sister in Christ to worldly desires. Hear the witness, of the many generations, that speaks of Jesus' gift of life and salvation for you. Receive it and live life.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 23:1-25 Bowing to the Crowds or Standing Up for Jesus

Luke 23:1-25 NIV
Seems like just about everyone wanted Jesus dead. Well, probably not everyone; but, our reading does say the whole assembly. Everyone wanted him dead, except for Pilate. He wasn't real thrilled with executing an innocent man. He tried to hand him over to Herod and get Herod to do the deed. That didn't work. Pilate gave the people the choice of executing Jesus or the murdered Barabbas. The people chose to let Barabbas free and have Jesus crucified. Pilate didn't want a riot on his hands so he bowed to the assembly's desires and ordered the execution of an innocent man.

How often do we go along with the crowd simply because we don't want to take a stand alone? Will you stand up for Jesus or will you bow down to the desires of humankind?


God's Peace - Pr. J