Seasons Change

Daniel said:
“Blessed be the name of God from age to age,
    for wisdom and power are his.
He changes times and seasons,
    deposes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to those who have understanding.
                                           Daniel 2:20-21 NRSV

We are beginning to see the fall colors up here in the U.P.. The fall may be beautiful; but, I do not look forward to the cold season of winter. Whether I like it or not, winter will be here soon. It is inevitable. Change is inevitable. I will live through it.

Who; but God, knows what changes we will actually experience with the next presidential election? We will have to wait and see. Change will come. There is no reason to fear. After that change, other changes will come. They are inevitable.

We experience change every day of our lives. If we do not, we will fail to learn and grow. Some of the changes can be quite scary. But, we should not fear. God is with us. He knows exactly what is happening and will happen. He has a plan. Although, we may not always have the wisdom or knowledge to understand why God would allow some of these changes we can be assured that His plans are for the good of all people. 

Do not fear change. God is with you. He is with us. Trust Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 20:24-29 You Don't Have To See It To Believe It

John 20:24-29 NIV
Well, some people really have to see it to believe it. You can warn them; you can advise them; you can give them the Good News, but until they see it with their own eyes, unless they can touch it or taste it or hear it; unless they can experience something with one of their bodily senses, they simply will not believe it.

Sadly, today we do not have the opportunity as Thomas did to see the nail marks in Jesus' hand. We cannot see Jesus as Thomas did on that day so long ago. But, we can see him. We can see him and experience him in our neighbor, in all who abide in him and he in they. We don't need to see Jesus face to face as Thomas did in order to believe. We have the witness of many who saw him risen from the grave. Hear the Good News so that you, too, might believe and be saved.

"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 78 - Who Is Listening To The Things Of Old?

So, who is listening?  Are we teaching the things of old to the next generation so that they in turn will tell their children and they would put their trust in God?  (Psalm 78:1-4, 6 NIV)

How long will God restrain His anger against those who refuse to hear His Word, who refuse to teach it to their children?

Yesterday, my youngest granddaughter wanted to know what the world stubborn means.  I'm thinking her older sister probably had implied that she was being stubborn.  Stubborn, I told her, means that someone always has to have everything their way no matter who it might hurt.  Stubborn means that someone is not willing to listen to others. They are not willing to learn or grow from the experience or knowledge of others. Stubborn means being unwilling to compromise in the way that things are done, even if compromising is the best and right thing to do at the time. Yes, one little question, will get my grandchildren lessons and lectures...

But, they need to know... that there are things that cannot be compromised. The Word of God cannot be compromised.  But, there are also things that we do need to find a compromise to, so that we can live in relative peace and harmony. Things like what we're going to eat for supper, we can compromise on. Or... what to wear to school, where we're going on vacation, what movie to watch, how and when to weed the garden. So long as none of our compromises involve going against the Word of God, God's will for humankind, compromise can be a very good thing. 

And... how do we know what is God's will? We hear His Word, we read and study scripture (just like you're reading Psalm 78 today), and we listen to those who would teach us.

Are you listening? Are you teaching the things of God to the next generation so that they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands; so that they would not be like their ancestors—a stubborn and rebellious generation. (vs 7, 8)
God's Peace - Pr. J