Seek Him

Seek the Lord while he may be found,
    call upon him while he is near;

let the wicked forsake their way,
    and the unrighteous their thoughts;
let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.

Isaiah 55:6-8

 

God's Peace be with you all. Pr. J

Dark Days and Nights

It's been quite a few days since I have seen the sun. I have never quite gotten use to living in so much darkness. The winds blew; the rain came down along with a bit of hail all day yesterday. A little before 8 p.m., the power went out. I have been living in this home long enough that I can navigate around it without any light. I figured I should take advantage of the darkness and lay down for the night.

It was so dark that whether my eyes were open or shut, it made no difference. All was dark. Yet, even in the deepest darkness there is no reason to worry or fear. God is with us. The light of Christ abides in all who believe. He will help us to navigate through the darkest of places. In Him we can live and rest in peace.

The sun is not yet up this morning and I'm not really expecting to see it today; but, the light of Son, who is Jesus the Christ will always shine. Let us rejoice and be glad for even in the darkest of nights, the Light does shine.

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
    which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
    they do not know what they stumble over.

Prov 4:18-19 NRSV

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Tossing Sea

Peace, peace, to the far and the near, says the Lord;
    and I will heal them.
But the wicked are like the tossing sea
    that cannot keep still;
    its waters toss up mire and mud.
There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked.
 Psalm 57:19-21

Always trying to stir up mud and mire; to create dirt and filth, there is no room for peace in the lives of those who plot evil.

Yet, for those who pursue peace; those who assist their neighbor in the pursuit of peace, will live in peace. Those who seek to live reconciled to God and to one another will know the peace that only He can give no matter what storms the evil doers would create for them. They will know peace because God is with them.

God's peace be with you all. Pr. J

Ezekiel 3 - Proclaim God's Word With Boldness

"At the end of seven days the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself." (Ezekiel 3:16-19 NIV)

Ezekiel goes through some strange stuff in order to proclaim God's word to God people. They are and always have been a pretty hard bunch. They just don't care to listen. But, that does not matter to the LORD. Ezekiel is sent to speak God's word to them. If he does not, he will suffer the consequences just as those who will not listen will suffer. If he does as the LORD commands and they refuse to hear, Ezekiel will be saved, but they will not.

We (all who profess to be followers of Christ) have been made stewards of His Word. We, too, have been called to share the Word of God with others. It is not always easy. People will turn a deaf ear to us. They will even despise us and avoid us. They might even gossip about us; but, in this country (U.S.) they do not put you in prison or kill you for proclaiming the Gospel as they do in some other countries. So what is stopping you from doing what the LORD has called you to do? There is no reason, no excuse, for one who professes Jesus as Christ, to not share this Word of God with the world, that others, too, might be saved.

The early followers of Jesus proclaimed the Good News. There very lives were in danger. But, they did not fear, they proclaimed God's Word, anyway. "For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!" (Acts 28:30-31)

Let us go and do likewise!

God's Peace - Pr. J

 

Isaiah 57 - Peace, Peace

Worshipping false idols, mocking, sneering at God and at His prophets....  All these things are done. Yet, God continues to be there with us to lead us in His Way. He is with us. "And it will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”  For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy:  “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite."" (Isa 57:14, 15 NIV)

He is with us always and if we are to know His peace, then it would behoove us to follow in the Way that He shows us with contrite hearts.

This morning I read some posts regarding the Syrian rebels massacring an entire village that was predominantly Christian and the execution of orthodox Christians. It reminded me that not long ago, they had also taken captive two orthodox Bishops. It is disheartening to hear or read about Christians being targeted and persecuted and even executed. We remind ourselves that the righteous in Christ shall live forever, as they are heirs of the Kingdom, even as we wonder how such atrocities could occur. It is also very wearisome to listen to those who say they are Christians who constantly deride the church on earth. God speaks through Isaiah: 

"The righteous perish,
    and no one takes it to heart;
the devout are taken away,
    and no one understands
that the righteous are taken away
    to be spared from evil.
Those who walk uprightly
    enter into peace;
    they find rest as they lie in death.

“But you—come here, you children of a sorceress,
    you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes!
Who are you mocking?
    At whom do you sneer
    and stick out your tongue?
Are you not a brood of rebels,    the offspring of liars?"  (Isa 57:1-4)
 

Who indeed, do you mock? God? His servants? His children? You can feign self-righteousness all you want, but the only one that really matters, God, Himself, knows what secrets we hold in our hearts and what it is that motivates us. God promises to bring healing (peace) to His children. Verses 18-21 remind us of His promises:

 

"I have seen their ways, but I will heal them;
    I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners,
    creating praise on their lips.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,”
    says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”
But the wicked are like the tossing sea,
    which cannot rest,
    whose waves cast up mire and mud.“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” (Isa 57:18-21

 

God's Peace be with you all.  Pr. J

Ecclesiastes 8 - Eat, Drink, Be Glad; Live Life

"So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun." (Eccl 8:15 NIV)

Would this not be a wonderful way for the world to live: for everyone to be able to enjoy our daily lives; to eat, drink, and be glad; even as we go about the business of providing for ourselves, our families, even our neighbors? Sadly, it is not so. Those who prefer to spend their time stirring up strife, destroying the lives of others, are always around. The wicked need to have things their way. Whatever they think is good for them is the way that they will go regardless of the trouble and harm it may bring to others. They do not understand that "....wickedness will not release those who practice it." (Eccl 8:8) There will, sadly, be consequences. Consequences not just to those who actually carry out things such as mass murders, but to those who secretly plot against their neighbors to cause problems in their daily lives. Their wicked ways will turn upon them.

Thanks be to God, that God in His infinite mercy, sent His only begotten Son, so that all who believe might not perish, but have eternal life in His presence, in His Kingdom, where there actually is joy and peace. (John 3:16, Rom 14:17) Repent then... turn from the wickedness in your heart and live life in Christ. Live life in the one who truly loves you and was willing to be persecuted, tortured, and die for you. The wisdom of living life in Christ will bring a brightness to your face and change your hard appearance as well as the hardness of your heart. Live Life! And... let others do the same.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Proverbs 11 - Be Nice!

Be nice!  That seems to be the gist of Proverb 11. Being "nice," being honest, being fair, is not only a blessing to those whom you are being nice to, in the end you will feel blessed. "Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves." (vs 17 NIV)

So much wisdom found in Proverbs; both blessings and warnings. Warnings not to what is wicked, but to do good. Warnings to not place your trust in possessions of even man. There is good advice found in Proverbs 11. Read it and remember it. Worship the LORD your God and follow in the path that He has set before you, doing what is right an avoiding what is wrong.

God's Peace - Pr. J  

Proverbs 9 - Correcting A Mocker

"Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.  Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you. Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. (Prov 9:7-9 NIV)

Believe me, I have received my share of insults by those who prefer not to walk on the straight path.  I have learned, over time that there are definitely times when it makes no sense to correct someone. If they are corrected they will only argue or through a temper tantrum. There are times when it seems that it is best just to walk away, say nothing. It is better to keep right on walking by rather than end up in a dispute that you will not win and then end up carrying the ill feelings that you gained during that discussion out into the rest of the world. The rest of the world doesn't deserve that.

There is a whole world out there that needs and desires to hear the Good News. Why allow a mocker or a wicked one, who refuses to hear, to steal the time that could be better used to help those who are wise enough not to refuse help?

I am not saying that there is never a time to correct a mocker or rebuke the wicked. Jesus certainly incurred insults. As Christians, so shall we. There are times when even the mocker should be corrected and the wicked rebuked. If there is danger to others, it definitely needs doing. These things must be done from time to time. Wisdom will help you know when the time is right. What I am trying to say is that focusing in on one who mocks the LORD, trying to drag them onto the path of righteousness should never become the center of your life. Do not allow scoffers to drag you down and off the path the LORD has prepared for you. That would not be wise. If they will not hear the truth, there are times when you should simply walk away, whether it is family, friend, or foe.  You can help no one, if your whole life is spent trying to help one whose whole goal is to drag you down into the muck and mire with them.

According to St. Matthew (10:14 NIV), Jesus said, "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet."

There is a whole world out that there yearning for some Good News, multitudes that need healing and actually desire it, that will listen and be made whole. Go... and proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ, our LORD. Go and proclaim the Good News to all people. But, remember it is the Word, who is Jesus the Christ, that saves not you or me. Once the Word has been shared, there is not much you can do for the mocker, but continue to pray for them and trust the Spirit of God to do what the Spirit does. Be careful that you do not become embroiled in thinking that with persistence you can save them. Wisdom will guide you as your remember that it is only Jesus who saves.

God's Peace -Pr. J

Psalm 147 - Builds Up And Casts Down

The LORD builds up; and He casts down.  So often we hear that God will sustain us. And... He will. But, we also must remember that God is God and He alone is worthy to be praised. Beware of lifting up others before God. Beware of putting yourself before Him. "The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground." (Psalm 147:6 NIV)

The LORD will sustain all who love Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 101 - The Wicked Silenced

"Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land; I will cut off every evildoer from the city of the Lord." (Psalm 101:8 NIV)

The LORD is tired of the evil that people do to one another.  He promises to put an end to the evil.  I pray that those who are unjustly persecuted will find relief in Him.   It is a sad state that so many have to endure injustices by others who simply like to do injustice, who simply like to harass and bully others, whether it is in the school systems or in a job.  It is just plain crazy that this happens.  Can you imagine going to work and being able to do your job well, because no one is harassing you.  There are a lot of people in this country and world who live under these circumstances and it kind balloons out on us.  Someone makes you miserable and since you're miserable others around you end up being miserable, as well.  Seems like it is just human nature.  But, when will it stop?  When will the greed, selfishness, the self-centeredness stop?  When will the anger and hatred stop?  When will the unjust back-stabbing stop?  I guess, the best answer to that is when God will put a stop to it.  Humankind doesn't seem capable of loving, of caring.

It just amazes me that people don't get that if people treated one another with open minds and justice, we'd all live a little better.  The sad thing is that so many in our governments as well as the public sector claim to be Christian.  Do they not know that it is the faithful, those who do not do wicked and deceitful things to our neighbors, that will live in God's presence, in His House, His Kingdom?

And... if there is to be vengeance for the ill done to you, trust that to the hands of God. He promises to cause the wicked to be silent.  You will only help wickedness to grow in this world and in your own life, by thinking that vengeance belongs to you. The LORD is just, trust in Him to defend and deliver us.  Trust your lives to His hands. 

Speak no evil of your neighbor. Do not persecute him. Rather, spend your days, singing God's praises; singing of His love and justice.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 92 - Sing Praises All Day Long

These psalms just seem to run together.  One enhancing what was said the day before and will be said tomorrow.  So "ditto" yesterday's blog...

So, give thanks to the LORD for He is good.  He blesses those love Him. He makes us glad by the works of His hands.  We praise Him morning, noon, and night.  I use to sing God's praises a lot.  It didn't matter where I was.  If I felt like singing a hymn, I sang. But, not everyone appreciates my singing, so now it sounds more like I'm mumbling under my breath. I'm thinking it's probably foolish of me to let what others think of my singing, stop me from singing.  It is time to start singing, again.  I do not care who smiles at me like I'm someone to be pitied.  I do not care who thinks I'm embarrassing myself or them.  The LORD is good and it is good for us to proclaim His love in the morning and His faithfulness at night! There is never a time that we cannot sing His praises.

Let the wicked shake their heads in dismay at those who praise the LORD.  They will perish in their lack of understanding. But, let all God's people praise Him and declare His glorious deeds!

God's Peace - Pr. J 

P.S. It is Sunday morning.  See you all at Worship where we can sing His praises together!