In a world filled with strife there is peace.

Scripture:

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace
as you trust in Him." (Romans 15:14)

Reflection:

Well its that time again. Its time to pick your
candidate. I have always been astounded at
the quality of political speech making that goes on
now.. Like the word peace. Never do I hear that
word use so much as I hear it from our political
candidates. The problem is of course political
peace is certainly elusive and fragile. However
we should be very aware that there is a spiritual
peace that comes from knowing and loving God.
The peace that has and is between God and
humanity is sealed by Jesus Christ. Martin
Luther explains what that peace means in our
daily lives.
" Those who rejoice in God are satisfied with
their peace in Him. They bravely endure
tribulation and do not desire the peace which
reason calls for: removal of the evil. They stand
firm and await internal strength through faith.
Neither do they think and worry what the end will be but
always place that matter in the hands of God.
They are not fretting to know when, how, or where
their trouble will be ended. This is why God, in turn,
grants them grace and prepares for an end for their
evil- and end which shows benefits so great as to
exceed all expectations and desires.
Behold, this is the peace of the Cross, the peace of
God, the peace of conscience, CHRISTIAN PEACE.
Reason connot comprehend how we can have peace
in th midst of strife. Nor can reason accomplish
this. It is the work of God that is known only to
the person who has experienced it." (Martin Luther)

You see as a person of faith, a Christian, Christ
Himself is my peace. " He came and preached
peace to you who were far away and peace to
those who were near" (Ephesians 2:14-15, 17)
Isn't it really time for you to learn what peace is
all about?

Prayer:

Thank you God that in Your embrace I find
my salvation and my peace.

Quote:

Peace cannot be achieved through violence,it can
only be attained through understanding.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sacrifice

Scripture:

"I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in
Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
Acts 21: 13

Reflection:

One of the greatest and most well known missionary was
Dr. David Livingstone. He was especially admired for his
sacrifice for his savior. Listen to what he said about
sacrifice.
"People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so
much of my life in Africa. Can that be called a sacrifice
which is simply acknowledging a great debt we owe to
God, which we can never repay? Is that a sacrifice which
brings its own reward in healthful activity, the consciousness
of doing good, peace of mind, and a bright hope of a
glorious destiny? It is emphatically no sacrifice. Rather
it is a privilege. (Later on he said) I never made a sacrifice.
Of this we ought not to talk, when we remember the great
sacrifice which he made who left His Father's throne on
high to Himself for us."

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will
not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

You know Jesus Christ did not consider it to be to
big of a sacrifice to die on the cross for all of us.
He did it because He loves us. Why should I
think it to big of a sacrifice to spread God's love
right now, today. You really don't have to be a
missionary like the apostle Paul or Dr. Livingstone.
You don't need to be sent to some remote mission
field. Your mission field may be your neighbor,
your co worker, a family member. You see we all
need to hear that our Father God had only one
Son, and He gave that one Son to us, so that we
are forgiven, yes you and I and our neighbor are
forgiven. We are a forgiven people, our sins are
forgiven, all our sins are forgiven. And we have
eternal life. We have to do only one thing, and
that is to believe this and to believe in the love of
God. This is indeed a privilege

Prayer of Acceptance:

"Lord Jesus Your word has convinced me that
You are the Son of God- the Savior of the
world. Today, as best I know how, I receive You
into my heart by faith, asking You to forgive my
sins and become my Guide through life.
I realize that an almost faith is really no faith at
all. And so I hold nothing back from You. Lord
I am persuaded. Thank You that my life has been
invaded by Your loving presence. In Jesus Name
AMEN!

A Tribute to Fathers

"None of you can ever be proud enough of being the child
of SUCH a Father who has not his equal in this world-so
great, so good, so faultless. Try, all of you, to follow in
his footsteps and don't be discouraged, for to be really
in everything like him none of you, I am sure, will ever be.
Try, therefore, to be like him in some points, and you will
have acquired a great deal." -- Victoria, Queen of England

A father loves his children, just as they are.
He cares enough to give the very best---himself.
When they're in trouble, he's there to help.
When they need wisdom, he offers counsel.
When they have successes, he rejoices with
Them.
When they make mistakes, he forgives.
He recognizes his strength comes not from human
sources, but from Heaven's grace.

Scripture:

"As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him"
(NIV)

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL OUR WONDERFUL FATHERS!!!

MAY OUR GOD LIGHT YOU PATHWAY ALWAYS

Who Cares

Scripture:

"While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made
a united attack on Paul.....But Gallio showed no
concern whatsoever."
Acts 18: 12,17

Reflection:

Here we see a shinning example of apathy. If
you read Acts chapter 18, Gallio had a perfect
chance to hear and learn about Jesus Christ, he
had a chance to stand up for something, instead
he just didn't care enough, he was apathetic.
Gallio's brother Seneca, the philosopher, once
said about Gallio, "Few men are so agreeable
about anything as my brother Gallio is about
everything."
I firmly believe that apathy is the work of the
devil and the curse of mankind. I think it's so
very true that evil does not seek out those who
love or those who hate, but only those who don't
care. Unfortunately thats the majority of people
including Christians. I know this is a harsh statement
but true.
Let me ask you something? How would you respond
if someone told you that your house was on fire and
your family was inside. Would you give a big yawn,
shug your shoulders, and say "Oh gee sorry to hear
that". I don't think so, I mean life threatening situations
demand life saving steps, only quick action can stop
certain danger. Think about the Gospel of
Jesus Christ as this kind of call to action. Jesus Christ
is calling you because your life is in danger, this demands
your prompt response. Please don't be apathetic, care
about your life, accept Jesus Christ as your Savior let
Him into your heart, the need is now!

Prayer of Acceptance:

"Lord Jesus Your word has convinced me that
You are the Son of God- the Savior of the
world. Today, as best I know how, I receive You
into my heart by faith, asking You to forgive my
sins and become my Guide through life.
I realize that an almost faith is really no faith at
all. And so I hold nothing back from You. Lord
I am persuaded. Thank You that my life has been
invaded by Your loving presence. In Jesus Name
AMEN!

Quote:

Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can
only be attained through understanding.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Who is really poor?

Scripture:

And God will generously provide all you need.
Then you will always have everything you
need and plenty left over to share with others.
2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT

Reflection:

Plow Work

Dr. Roy L. Laurin tells of a Christian businessman
who was traveling in Korea. In a field by the side
of the road was a young man pulling a crude plow
while an old man held the handles. The businessman
was amused and took a snapshot of the scene.
"That is curious! I suppose these people are very poor,"
he said to the missionary who was interpreter and
guide to the party. "Yes," was the quiet reply, "these
two men happen to be Christians. When their church
was being built, they were so eager to give something
toward it, but they had no money. So they decided to
sell their one and only ox and give the proceeds to
the church. This spring they are pulling the plow
themselves." The businessman was silent for some
moments. Then he said, "That must have been a real
sacrifice." "They did not call it that," said the missionary.
"They thought themselves fortunate that they had an
ox to sell!"
When the businessman reached home, he took
the picture to his pastor and told him about it.
Then he added, "I want to double my giving to the
church and do some plow work. Up until now I
have never given God anything that involved real sacrifice."

Do I really believe that God does provide? You know it
is so very true that if I really believe that my God will give me
everything that I need, then I certainly have plenty left
over to give to others. That is what real faith is,
having so much trust in God that He will take care of me,
in everything I need. If I believe this, then I can really give,
I can really sacrifice, I mean really sacrifice, for my church,
for my brothers and sisters who are in desperate need,
for the guy that needs a place to sleep, or that neighbor
who is ill and needs comfort, or visiting someone at the
hospital, maybe even someone I don't even know. Maybe
it means the sacrifice of loving someone who, all those around
me, hate. Maybe it means to stand up for my belief in what
is right in the eyes of my God, and suffer ridicule for it. MAYBE
IT MEANS GIVING UP MY OX AND PULLING THE PLOW
MYSELF!

Prayer:

Thank you God for Your sacrifice of Your Son Jesus Christ
for me.

Quote:

Emily Greene Balch
Leader of The Women's International League for Peace and
Freedom, Recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize
(1867-1961)

"We have a long way to go. So let us hasten along the road,
the road of human tenderness and generosity. Groping, we
may find one another's hands in the dark