My Soul Thirsts For The Lord

"As a deer longs for flowing streams,
    so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
    for the living God.
When shall I come and behold
    the face of God?"
                  Psalm 42:1-2 NRSV

Life can get pretty confusing at times. Which way to go? When I get like this, and I do at times, I remind myself to seek the Lord. There is only one way to go and that is to the Lord. I long to see His face more fully; to hear and understand His Word and His will more completely. I long to be more fully in His presence; to see Him face to face.

There is only one who can satisfy our thirsty souls. Seek the Lord and His Kingdom and He will show you the way to eternal peace in His presence.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 8:1-3 Dragged Into Prison

Acts 8:1-3 NIV
Around the world today, people are persecuted for their faith. They are dragged out of their homes and into prison for what they believe.

After St. Stephen was killed, people went their own ways hoping that they wouldn't be noticed by the persecutors. They were afraid and rightly so; for their lives were on the line. But, the apostles did not run. They stayed in Jerusalem. They may have been afraid; I know not, for sure. But, they did not run. There was only a handful of men left in the church in Jerusalem to take the heat. The church in hiding only served to empower Saul's boldness and desire to destroy the church. "Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison." (vs 3). They were easy prey as they stood and hid alone.

In the face of persecution, may the church on earth, stand boldly and face our accusers with the authority of Christ that the devil will have no power over us.

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

Nahum 2 - Warning To Turn Back

God is against Nineveh. The people are warned to turn back. But, they will not.

I warn people all of the time to turn back to the LORD and worship only Him. Sadly, the warnings fall on ears that will not hear. I am often looked at like I am a silly old goose. I have been told that there is no God. Experience has taught me that there is, for sure. Experience has taught me what happens when one turns their back on the LORD and refuses to turn back to Him, again.

I know that I am not the only one whom the LORD has tried to teach these things to. I am not the only one who has been warned.  Let us all heed the warning that He will restore His children. Yes, the restoration of His people is a warning - it is a warning to those who would attack them. The LORD our God will deliver all who turn to Him from the enemy.

Which shall you be? A child of God or an enemy? Will you turn your back to Him or your face to Him that His light might shine upon you?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezekiel 1 - Ezekiel's Vision

Ezekiel's vision.... Just wow!

"This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell face down,  and I heard the voice of one speaking." (Ezekiel 1 NIV)

Ezekiel's vision... Just wow! (I sure hope you read today's chapter). Even if I were to see a vision like the one Ezekiel saw, I'm not sure if I would actually see it. I am afraid that I would not only fall face down, but I would probably have my eyes shut as well. As much as I think and say that I long to see the glory of the LORD, I am not sure if I would be fully prepared.

Are we prepared to see His awesomeness? So often God, the Father, is portrayed as a friendly old grandfatherly figure; Jesus Christ is portrayed as a friendly brotherly or neighborly person who loves little children and His sheep; the Holy Spirit is a gentle wind touching us softly as it blows over us. These images cannot begin to capture the awesomeness of God. Ezekiel's captures a whole different perspective. It is enough to make anyone and everyone fall prostrate, with their eyes to the ground or shut.

God is so much more than a father or grandfather figure. He is even more than a brother or friend. He is more than the gentle, blowing wind found in creation. He is more than any human can imagine and when we truly realize His presence; when we finally see His face, every knee will bow. (Rom 14:10-11) We will all bow with our faces to the ground when we encounter Him face to face on our judgment day.

May His peace be with you on that day! May God, the Creator, grant that you are reconciled to Him; through Jesus Christ, the Redeemer; by the power of the Holy Spirit, who is the Sanctifier, on that day.

God's Peace - Pr. J

 

Lamentations 1 - Much Grief

The temple has been destroyed. The people dispersed. There is much grief, thus the name Lamentations for this book of poetry.

No where in this poem is Babylon or Nebuchadnezzar mentioned by name. God is given credit for the destruction and the exile.

“Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?
    Look around and see.
Is any suffering like my suffering
    that was inflicted on me,
that the Lord brought on me    in the day of his fierce anger?" (Lam 1:12 NIV)

Is there anything that God does not see? Is there anything that He cannot do? His chosen ones have turned their backs on Him; seeking their own glory rather than His; now weeping for what once was and for what could have been.

May God help us to always seek His face so that we might know peace in His land.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Isaiah 50 - Set Your Face Like Flint

Included in today's reading is one of the various descriptions or prophecies of the suffering servant, who is Jesus the Christ. It is found in verses 4 thru 9 and is generally one of the readings that is used on Passion Sunday as we begin our journeys through Holy Week and to the cross and ultimately the resurrection.

"The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.
The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears;
I have not been rebellious,
I have not turned away.
I offered my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;
I did not hide my face
from mocking and spitting.
Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame.
He who vindicates me is near.
Who then will bring charges against me?
Let us face each other!
Who is my accuser?
Let him confront me!
It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me.
Who will condemn me?
They will all wear out like a garment;the moths will eat them up." (Isa 50:4-9 NIV)

Jesus did not turn his back on us, rather he offered it to those who would beat him, even us. He was willing to suffer at the hands of those whom he would save, for our own sake. He set his face like a flint, knowing that in the eyes of our Father, he would not be put to shame. Humankind might laugh and taunt him, but God, our Father and the Spirit, will bring him through it all. He will not be shamed. He will live! And.... He does! He is Risen! He lives!

Setting his face like flint... interesting concept. Lately, I have noticed that I have been intentionally trying to wipe the flint-like attitude off my face. There are days when I am way too serious, probably because I am way too tired of witnessing people that are following in a way that has nothing to do with "The Way" that Jesus set before us. We do have freedom to choose to reject "The Way." But, if you've done that, admit it. Don't pretend. It deceives others. Pretending is just another word for lie. Don't pretend that you are a follower of Christ, if you are going off on your own path. The path which Jesus journeyed led to a cross. It led to death and ultimately eternal life. Want life? Then, expect death - death to yourself - death to your own ego and live for and in Christ.  This last Sunday we heard one of my favorite scripture verses:  "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Gal 2:20) In order for Christ to abide in you, there has to be some room in there. Let the ego go...

Jesus suffered and died for you, for us. In the face of mockery, false accusations, and even death on the cross, Jesus set his face like flint. He was quite resolute in following the plan of God to die for our sins. Yet, we, sometimes, seem quite resolute in insisting that his death was in vain by rejecting Jesus' sacrifice for us, by setting our faces like flint, refusing to follow in "The Way."

God has not divorced you; rather, He has done everything to reconcile you to Him. If your face is going to be set like flint; let it be resolute in being reconciled to God our Father, through the blood of Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Proverbs 22 - A Good Name

Another chapter full of wise advise.  In it is included the first 6 of 30 wise sayings. Chapter 22 begins: "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all." (Prov 22:1-2 NIV)

I have often reminded young people that keeping their name good, by conducting their lives in a manner that will glorify God, is going to be most beneficial to them, as well. It will help them greatly, not just today by keeping them out of trouble and from being grounded, but it will help them as they become adults. In small communities (in fact the whole world is getting to be a small community) word about one's character gets around pretty fast. Even if they don't know you, information about you can be accessed quite easily. A quick look at your Facebook alone can give a reference, good or bad, in no time flat. To get the best jobs, to have greater opportunities, even to get loans for school or a home or a small business your name will affect the outcome of the application.

If you build up a name that is esteemed, others will be more likely to trust you. If your name become synonymous with trouble, then when trouble comes, they will come looking to accuse you, whether you did it or not. If your name has been muddied by past conduct, you may often find yourself alone and lonely as others, in order to keep their name good, will tend to shy away from you. Those who will cling to you are those who make a habit of muddying up their own name. That may not seem fair or the best thing, but it is human nature.

Riches and gold can buy you acquaintances. But, it cannot buy you genuine friendship or love. If you attempt to buy it with these things, you have only messed up your name.

The LORD is the creator of all, both rich and poor. He is LORD and maker of all, both those who have kept their names relatively good and those who have disrespected themselves and their own names. In reality, there is only one whose name is truly good.  Turn to the LORD and maker of all, bear His Holy Name. Bear the name of Jesus Christ no matter where you are or what you do. In this you will find much peace and reconciliation for a past that attempts to follow you. On the cross, Jesus was willing to clear your name, so that you might bear His, as you face the world before you; as you seek the Kingdom of God. Christian, bear the name of Christ, for His name is good. It is better, far better, than silver or gold.

Remember the story of the man who had been lame since birth, sitting in the temple gate begging for money so that he could eat?  Peter and John came up to him and "Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God." (Acts 3:6-8)

Silver and gold could not buy this man health, but in the name of Jesus Christ, he was healed. Bear the good name of Jesus. It will bring health and wholeness to the world around you.

What's in a name? You were given a name in Christ at baptism. Think about it. What will you do with that name? Remember, that your good name in Christ is very valuable indeed!

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Sorry if today sounds a bit rambling... Remember, this blog is just my initial reaction to my reading the chapter of the day. It is not the gospel! It is more important for you to read the scripture and let the Spirit open your hearts and mind to God's Word. Proverbs Chapter 22 today!

Psalm 105 - Remember

Roadside Park in the Keweenaw

Remember His marvelous works for He remembers you!

I believe that every single person that is reading this blog has experienced miracles in their lives. Miracles of healing of body and spirit.  Miracles that helped navigate you on your journey.  Some miracles are right there in your face, right now.  Other miracles happen long term over time as God remembers you, is with you, guiding you, giving you strength to keep on keeping on.  However, not every one recognizes many of the miracles in their lives the hand of God. Some choose to think these miracles happened because of their own good works.  I'm thinking that those that think in this latter way, probably don't experience as many miracles as the rest of us.

"Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face evermore!" (Psalm 105:4 NIV) Recognize the presence of God in your life.  Remember His marvelous works and recount them to others that they to might begin to realize how God has been present with them.

God remembers you. He is with you for your good.  He remembers His promises.  He has fulfilled them in Jesus Christ.

Remember His marvelous works for He remembers you and is with you even now!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 80 - Restore Us - Grant Us Peace

"Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved." (Psalm 80:1, 19 NIV)

It is New Year's Day.  This is a good prayer for the new year.  Make your face shine on us.  Restore us. Save us from our own iniquity.  The walls, indeed, have been broken down and sin seems to run rampant.  We don't even know what sin is any more.  The walls between good and evil have been torn down.  What is evil is seen as OK or even good and what is good (worship of the one true God) is seen as adiaphora, even a nuisance.

I worshipped with a United Methodist congregation this past Sunday.  The preacher spoke about living in God's peace this coming new year.  He spoke about the peace of God being the answer to the ills of this world.  I'm also re-reading St. Teresa's "Interior Castle." She speaks of inner peace, as well. 

A whole lot of the world's ills do seem to come from people not having this inner peace. We are an anxious people. People anxious to have everything our way. People who do not know peace because they have allowed the walls between good and evil to be so demolished that they know longer know what is good or evil.  And... when evil (envy, greed, anger, lust, etc...) seeps into your life then their is an internal battle.  There can be no peace within, when we've allowed evil to exist within ourselves.  There can be no peace when sin is no longer sin and we all strive to have the most, the best, to have it all, our way.

And... when you have a whole community of people (whether it is your neighborhood or Congress) who do not know peace as individuals, you have a whole community of people who live in strife with their neighbor.

"Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved." (80:1, 19)

May you know the peace of God throughout this new year.  Pr. J.

Psalm 67 - God, our God, Blesses Us

Psalm 67 reminds us of the blessings that God has so graciously given to us. We have much to be grateful for. 

Christmas Eve is less than a week away. Advent is about anticipation.  One of the things, I wait in anticipation for, throughout Advent, is the huge number of visitors and guests, as well as members, who we don't see that often, gather together to Worship on Christmas Eve.  I cannot wait for all of them to hear the Good News.  I wait longingly to hear the assembly sing for joy as they hear the Good News of what God has done for them, to proclaim the LORD's salvation to them.  I cannot wait, to hear all those voices sing with joy the praises of God, our God.

May the LORD bless us and keep us.  May He make His face to shine upon on us.  Let us give thanks and praise for all that God, our God, has done for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

 

Psalm 27 - Light and Salvation

"The LORD is my light and my salvation." (vs 1 NIV)

We all go through troubling times.  Where do we turn?  We turn to the LORD.  We seek His face, His presence.  We seek to dwell in the LORD's house. 

I know full well that the troubling times are the very reason that I am able to make this earthly journey and keep my sanity is because the LORD walks with me.  He leads me on a smooth path because of, not just in spite of, but, because of my enemies.

When times get rough, when there is no one on earth that one can turn to, God is there.  He will see us through.  He is the light that shines in the darkest of days and nights.  He is our salvation - our only salvation.

Seek the face of the LORD, that His perpetual light might shine up you.

God's Peace - Pr. J