Keep Alert!

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour." 
1 Peter 5:6-8

We don't have any of the lions like the ones found in Africa or Asia in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. But, we do have mountain lions, wolves, coyotes and other such predators of animals who are too small and weak to defend themselves. It is necessary, not only for smaller animals in the forest to keep alert; but, people need to be a bit aware as well when they're out and about, alone.

It is not just in the forest that we need to be alert. When we are out in the public and even home alone we need to mindful of what is going on around us. Yes, our Father in heaven is with us. But, we don't need to be testing His power by getting ourselves (wittingly or unwittingly) into situations that are dangerous to us or others. We ought to discipline ourselves in such a way that we are not stepping into hornets nests or walking into a lion's den. It may be that we will get stung or bit so that we will be more aware and watch where we walk better in the future.

Discipline yourselves. Keep alert. Walk in the way of the Lord so that your adversary, the devil, has no opportunity to devour you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

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

Mark 11:12-33 Authority

Mark 11:12-33 NIV

What kind of authority must one have to curse a fig tree to wither and die for not bearing fruit even out of season and walk through the temple courts turning over the tables of those who are earning their living exchanging money?  What kind of authority is this that could say to a mountain "Go throw yourself into the sea and it will happen?" 

The chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders want to know who Jesus thinks he is, anyway. By whose authority does he say and do these things? Jesus responds to the question with a question. "Jesus replied, 'I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.  

John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!” (Mark 11:29-30) They're kind of been put in a corner and dare not answer. No matter what answer they give, their unbelief will be apparent.  

"So they answered Jesus, 'We don’t know.'

Jesus said, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.'” (Mark 11:33) 

What kind of authority do we believe that Jesus has? Do we believe that God has power and authority over all things? Do we believe that he will answer our prayers? And… if we do then what would be more fruitful: to be buying and selling (or maybe bartering and begging) in order to sustain a church building trusting in our own works or ask God, in prayer and believing that He will provide for all things necessary to continue in the ministry of proclaiming the Good News of His Kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our LORD. 

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24) God does have the power and the authority to answer your prayers. Believe it!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 9:1-13 Rising From The Dead

They had just seen Moses and Elijah talking to Jesus on the mountain. Moses and Elijah had both died long before; yet, the three disciples had seen them with their own eyes talking with Jesus.

"As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant." (Mark 9:9-10 NIV)

We still discuss this among ourselves today. What does it mean to rise from the dead? Is it a spiritual awakening? Is it a physical resurrection? For Jesus, it meant that even though he died a physical death and was buried; he rose from the dead. He lives, again! Yet, in the garden when Mary was looking for Jesus, she did not recognize her until he called her by name. Had his physical appearance changed so much? How did those three disciples even recognize Moses and Elijah on the mountain? They had never met them. There were no photographs of them for the disciples to have seen. Yet, they recognized them.

It is most certainly a physical resurrection with a transfiguration as we see in the case of Jesus. But, there is a spiritual resurrection that occurs, as well. Through faith, the old Adam dies and the new man in Christ arises. We shall live, not in the darkness of the tomb; but, in the light of the living Christ. Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 17:14-26 - Mustard Seed

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matt 17:20-21 NIV)

It is almost unbelievable to me that we do not have the faith of a mustard seed. I said, almost. The evidence is there. No mountains have been moved that I know about, lately. There are plenty of sick people to be healed, hungry to be fed, and a world full of lonely people who know no peace.

But, again, I said "almost unbelievable." Remember the story of the mustard tree? "Then Jesus asked, 'What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.'” (Luke 13:18-19)

The mustard seed does not miraculously grow into a tree overnight. It takes times. It is more of a process.  A seed is planted. It is watered and fertilized. The mustard seed actually has to do nothing to make itself grow. It grows because that is in the nature of the mustard seed. Such is the Kingdom of God. All our hard work at trying to fix things and create a utopia here on earth amounts to nothing without faith in the One who provides the increase. It is God who provides the blessings.

Indeed, I have seen some pretty miraculous healings in my lifetime. I have seen things accomplished for the good of man that many would have thought were not possible. But, like the mustard seed growing into a full blown tree that will feed the multitudes of birds, so the Kingdom of God is growing. Slowly (at least according to our reckoning of time), but surely it is advancing bringing with it wholeness and peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Micah 4 - Mountain of God

 "In the last days

the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established
    as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
    and peoples will stream to it.

Many nations will come and say,

'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
    to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
    so that we may walk in his paths.'
The law will go out from Zion,
    the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." (Micah 4:1-2 NIV)

Now, this sounds really good to me! If we are in the last days, as many say we are, I'm  wondering why so many are not streaming to the mountain of the LORD. Yes, of course, there are many. But, there are also many being left behind. It is a very sad thing to know that so many do not know the peace that only God can bring.

The LORD has promised that even though many will walk in the name of their gods, we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever. (vs 5) And...

“'In that day,' declares the Lord,

'I will gather the lame;
    I will assemble the exiles
    and those I have brought to grief.

 I will make the lame my remnant,    those driven away a strong nation.
The Lord will rule over them in Mount Zion
    from that day and forever.'" (Mic 4:6-7)

 

Since God, our Father, has promised us so much, through our LORD, Jesus the Christ, why would we not desire to go to the mountain of the LORD?  Why would we not desire to be taught His ways and walk in His paths, that we might live in His presence for all eternity?

 

Come let us go to the mountain of the LORD so that we might learn to follow in His Way and live in His Peace.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezekiel 11 - God's Glory With Us

The glory of the LORD is on the move. "The glory of the Lord went up from within the city and stopped above the mountain east of it." (Ezekiel 11:23 NIV) Ezekiel, in his vision, sees the cherubim, along with God's glory leave the city of Jerusalem and move to the mountain east of it.

The people who were not sent into exile to Babylon; those who were left behind, continue to do evil. Their leaders give are giving them bad advice. They do not follow in the ways of the LORD, but according to the ways of the nations around them.

The word that comes to Ezekiel is one of warning and of hope. Those who are left behind will be driven out; but, those who are in exile will return, They will remove all the false idols from Jerusalem and worship the LORD. He will give them undivided hearts and put a new and right Spirit within them. (vs. 19)

Those who have been tried and refined during their exile will return to the LORD and to their homes. Those who were left behind to live and worship in Jerusalem have only learned to think higher of themselves than they ought and have their only their demise to look forward to.

There are times for all (most?) of us when our lives get a little rough. Those who love the LORD will return to Him. Those who think too much of themselves and love only themselves will not return. The road will get a lot rougher for them. It is God's good will that none should be lost. Let us all rejoice and be reconciled to Him. May the glory of God be present with us, to be seen by all.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 51 - Climbing Towers or Ladders

Jeremiah continues prophesying the destruction of Babylon. Babylon will fall!

Just a little (very little) history: Babylon had its beginnings as a small town which grew to a city state. She is considered by many to be the site of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1) Babylon indeed fell. Her ruins can be found in southern Iraq (although there are those who say they are someplace in Syria).

This city state continued to aspire to rise to the heavens. No, they did not attempt to build another tower reaching the heavens like the tower of Babel. They attempted to aspire to the heavens by being their owns god and the god of people of other peoples. They attempted to put themselves before God, which no one can. Sure, we can try. We can worship false gods. We can attempt to be our own gods. But, it is impossible to be God. We are not Him. We can attempt to be Him; but, we will not succeed. We are not God. We will fall as surely as Babylon fell.

Doesn't matter how well we fortify our homes, our cities, our states... those who desire and aspire to reach the heavens and replace God will fall. One, day they will fall. But, for those who receive the living God who is not in a far off place which we have to climb ladders or mountains or towers to reach; those who receive the living God who lowered Himself in that He came down to earth to live among us and die for us; those who receive Him, will live eternal life in His Kingdom, in His presence.

Those who aspire to climb that tower or ladder will miss the very presence of God, the Spirit of Christ, among us, even now.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 18 - What Faith!

What faith!  What confidence, the writer of Psalm 18 has in the LORD! 

If only we could all trust in Him as David does.  David is totally confident that God is his fortress and his deliverer.  God is his rock!  Trusting in the LORD, David declares all this and what is more, David declares his love for the LORD.  He praises God.

Just wondering what would happen if for just one day, every Christian would stand up and boldly declare their love of the LORD.  What would happen if, for just one day, every one who professes to be a follower of Jesus, would truly trust Him and not themselves for their salvation?  What would happen if we called out in distress, and knew (absolutely knew) that God would deliver us?

We can know this.  But, do we really believe it?  What would happen?  How would this change not only our own lives, but the world?

May the one who can make the earth tremble and shake the very foundations of the mountains, help us to understand and to truely believe that He is the God of our salvation.  There is no other.

God's Peace - Pr. J