Perfect Peace

This morning I plan to be in a special band honoring the veterans in the opening of a new veterans retirement home. We will play patriotic marches and music of the swing era. There was a write up in the paper about the first veteran to come into the home, I have known him for years and he is a gentle man, a Christian. It was Christian America that defeated the Nazis and became the most productive people ever. America has changed, the people have changed. A true hope and change is coming, for Jesus is going to return, removing those who plan to do evil. We will be ruled by righteousness; the Prince of Peace is coming to rule and to reign.

Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Jesus gives us perfect peace, now.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Isa 26:4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
Isa 26:5 For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.

The LORD Jehovah does not work apart from his son, Jesus. They share titles and have the same spirit being one God with the Holy Spirit. Jesus returns with power and authority to judge the nations.

Rev 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Rev 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Sleep

 When most are asleep at my house I like to get up at sunrise and walk in the park. A September morning is cool and refreshing with the smell of autumn in the air.

My old friend the Blue Heron is already awake

and seeking a morning catch.

Jer 31:26  Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me. 

The pond reflections are still and tranquil. My heart is refreshed seeing God's creation in peace.

Joh 16:32  Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 

Joh 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 

The pond water parts with the swimming of a lone beaver.

I remember childhood movie heroes; the Lone Ranger and his companion Tonto. Then there was Little Beaver the companion of Red Ryder. I have a Red Ryder BB gun from childhood. Memories, but was the world safer? World war 2 was being fought. There are always more battles in the world and the world is getting ready for the last battles before Jesus comes. We can rest in Jesus, for he gives us his rest and peace. He is coming again for his church.

Ecc 5:12  The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much:

 but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

On the other end of the pond the ducks were still asleep 

in the morning sun. Their heads tucked under their wings they feel invisible and safe,  as a child feels safe with a sheet pulled over his head. In a troubled world our sleep is sweet in the Lord.

Psa 4:8  I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

 

Pro 3:24  When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, 

 and thy sleep shall be sweet.

Ponder the Path

The Christian walk is a walk of faith. We know who we believe in and we are to know the promises in God's word.  There are other ways that lead to heartache and emptiness. The way of Christ is a determined way of faith. We may not know each step before it is taken, but we walk in His love knowing that he goes with us. If we stumble, he helps us up. The end is eternal life with the riches of Jesus Christ. Keep your eyes on the path of life and show the character of Christ our Master who made the way through suffering and His own blood spilled to bring us to the kingdom of God.

Pro 4:26  Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
Pro 4:27  Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Turn not to the right hand nor to the left,.... Either into the road of immorality and profaneness, or into that of error, superstition, and false worship; but attend to the way of holiness and truth, directed to in the word of God; see Isa 30:21; nor be moved out of it by threatenings and menaces, nor by flatteries and promises; neither be cast down with adversity, nor be lifted up with prosperity; but keep on in an even way, attending to that which is just and right; leaving all events with God, as knowing you are in the way of your duty, and in which he would have you walk; (John Gill)

Isa 30:21  And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

 

The walk in the Spirit is a Holy walk. We are yoked together with our Lord and savior, so keep going and keep the faith.

Foolish Wisdom

This lesson was first shared in 2002. 
 
1 Cor 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

In visiting the Christian Chats last night, my spirit was grieved with all the rooms being filled with Pagans and other ungodly people trying to destroy the Christian faith. They selected certain scriptures, then applied human (and demon) logic to mock the word of God. No matter how many other verses were used to explain their question, it fell on blind eyes. They were there to destroy the Christian rooms. Every room was filled with them. Where will the true seeker find the truth today?

Prov 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
Prov 1:6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
Prov 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Many do not fear the LORD, but mock him and those who speak his words. Some of this is from the use of drugs and alcohol that invite demonic possession.

1 Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
1 Cor 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

Their thoughts are empty glorying in their own shame. The Psalmist spoke of vanity:

Psa 62:9 Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

As I observe the chats today in 2013, there is little change, only fewer Christian chat rooms and fewer people that come to the rooms. Our nation is in worse shape and even in less unity than it was just months after 2001 and the twin towers. We who are Christians are to find common ground to agree on, and not to publicly be in disagreement. Truth is, not all who say they are Christians are Holy Spirit filled believers, some just need to grow. We are not to exchange harsh words.  All humans are to be respected because God originally made them in his image. We are to show love , for by love the heart is softened. We are to speak the truth in love.

1Pet 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 

Be Yourself

A pastor spoke that we are okay as we are and that each one is different and we should not try to be like someone else. Be who you are. I thought to myself, where is the rest of the message? We are to come to Jesus as we are and he will use us as unique chosen vessels, but we are given a calling to share the truth with the world. We are to be made new in the likeness of our savior, Jesus Christ. If we have an audience and an opportunity we are to glorify God and not man. The Pastor's message was humanism. We were born humans but we are to be reborn as sons of God.

 

Joh 17:16  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Joh 17:18  As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

 

In Christ Jesus we are called to be holy and separated unto him. We are given his word of truth, the Bible. By the Holy Spirit we are sent out again into the world with the message of truth.

 

1Jn 5:10  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
1Jn 5:11  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1Jn 5:12  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
1Jn 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

 

Come to God just as you are and may the blood of Jesus cleanse you and the water of his word wash you and make you his beloved. May your future home be in God's kingdom and may all your family be saved from hell. Tell them the true story of Jesus.

 

Think Soberly

  

Rom 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Think soberly

1) to be of sound mind

a) to be in one's right mind

b) to exercise self control

1) to put a moderate estimate upon one's self, think of one's self soberly

2) to curb one's passions

A sober mind is a Spirit controlled mind. The hardest thing to control seems to be our words.

The measure of faith

Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Faith is for the things of God, to do His will. His word in the Bible is His will. Fill your mind and heart with his will and you will be transformed. You also will be changed, and the thoughts and actions of this world will be seen from the light of God's truth. We need light. God is truth and light. Liars are of the darkness. Lord Jesus you took the punishment for evil so that I may live with you in heavenly places. Help me to stay in your will and purpose for my life.