Isaiah 36,37; Psalm. 76; 1 Peter 1

So often we wander around this world being shaped by our surroundings. If we look carefully at what sort of things develop in us based on the surroundings we grow up in, one of the things so many of us see is “FEAR”, more specifically the fear of man. It is easy to be shaped by our hurts and even to see a world with so much injustice and to speculate how God can let it happen or to question if it will ever stop. Sometimes when we see things happen for an extended period of time we might ask, “Will God make things just and right? Will He step in?” These thoughts are some of the seeds that allow fear to grow in us. Thankfully, He is always faithful…..

“At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
Both the chariot and horse were cast into a dead sleep.
You, Yourself, are to be feared;
And who may stand in Your presence
When once You are angry?”
(Psalm 76:6-7)

When we read through Psalms 76 we see a God who fears nothing and who looks out for us. Sometimes it is just a matter of time before God steps in. Just as a father might stand by for just a moment to see how his child is going to react in the face of opposition. Our Father in Heaven is slow to anger but is still watching with a sharp eye. He will always step in and when he does everyone will know it. When we look at the “BIG PICTURE” it brings an understanding that we must trust God and recognize He has everything under control and He will deal with the good, bad, and everything in-between in His time.

I encourage us all to look to Him who is just and true while we thank Him for the grace we have been given in our lives.


Be Blessed,
Pastor Jason



NEXT READING: 2 King 20; Isaiah 38,39; Psalm 75; 1 Peter 2

I Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 13-14; Philippians 4

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7) Philippians 4:4 is probably one of the most quoted scriptures in the New Testament, next to John 3:16. And we have all used it at one time or another to encourage some one and we have all heard it used in efforts to encourage us. Rejoice…always…and again…rejoice! Just what you do not want to hear when you are in the dumps. However, this statement by Paul is not a one-time cheer rally; Paul had learned principles that initiated a pure joy, evident by the many encouraging portions of scripture we read when we study through his epistles. First, Paul learned to pray about everything, with a thankful heart…yes that was ‘everything’—what did this produce? Paul was not anxious about ‘anything’. Second, Paul understood that bringing our requests to God would produce a peace, which passes all understanding and that peace would guard our hearts and minds ‘through’ Christ Jesus. Then thirdly, we see in verses 11-13 that Paul was able to rejoice because he learned to be content, no matter what his state. “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13) Paul writes with full credibility as far as trials go and how we are to deal with them—he lived out what he preached. I think today is a good day to practice rejoicing…always…rejoice in the Lord and experience all of the wonderful benefits we read in this portion of scripture. Then fourth and last, do...'all things through Christ who strengthens...you'.

Rejoicing with you!
Carol

Next Reading: I Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 15-16; Colossians 1