Archive for the ‘peace’ Category
Dear Christian Do You Not Hear The Cry From Many As A Result Of Your Wish?
Sometimes God grants our wish for something because it pleases Him to see our joy. Then there are times when God grants our wish that makes us think it would have been better had God said, “No”.
In the Old Testament there came a time when Samuel the prophet became old and the Elders of Israel came to him. They said he was growing old and they wanted a King to rule over them. God heard them and He told Samuel to tell Israel they shall have their King. Also tell them what will happen to them because of their request to have a king instead of trusting in God. For they have rejected Me.
1 Samuel 8: [10] And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. [11] And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. [12] And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. [13] And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. [14] And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. [15] And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. [16] And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. [17] He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. [18] And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen for yourselves; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.
Their response?… [19] Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;
And the Israelites, because of their choices, suffered greatly, just as told them by Samuel what God said would happen.
Today, a number of Christian’s are following the same path. They have chosen a man from whom they believe they can have their way in getting what they want. Instead of looking to God. Yet they know not what the consequences might be because of the choices they have made.
God says to them from Romans 1:16-22,28 KJV
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. [17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. [18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; [19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. [20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: [21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, [28] And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which ought not to be done;
Yes, God does raise up Kings (leaders), but when Christians want a man to rule over them, instead of trusting in God and bowing before His will, like Israel, will we also suffer the consequences of their choices, will the innocent also suffer because of their disobedience in rejecting God?
It is sad how one singular vote could contribute to bringing such pain, worry and heartache to millions of people around the world, let alone the U. S. I fear for us because of their disobedience in the choices they have made. For all choices have consequences.
Does anyone feel regret? God help us all.
You Talk Too Much
From March 2021
Edited for 2025
The month of March is very special to my wife and me. It is when we celebrate our wedding anniversary. This year we will celebrate fifty six(56) years of marriage and we are even more in love with each other than ever before.
I know my wife loves me for she will tell people that I have very few faults and none of them is bad, except for one. She tells me that I, “Talk too much” and never know when to shut up. I just keep going on and on and on. With this, I will agree. If she can say it and I can agree, that is love talking.
Every morning I usually get up a lot earlier than does my wife. I like spending this time washing up, getting breakfast, enjoying the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Then I will get paper, that I usually retrieve off of the front porch when I first come out of the bedroom, take it with me into the living room with my coffee and settle into my favorite seat and enjoy them; mostly the coffee these days, however.
During the washing and the making of breakfast and coffee, I like spending time with God. It is not a kneel down and pray kind of a meeting. It is just a time that I like talking with God and telling Him my thoughts, concerns and thanks intermingled with some praise and worship of Him. Sometimes, though, it seems I have a hard time saying anything and will just ramble on. Until, until just one particular morning.
Right in the middle of my rambling I suddenly became blank in my thoughts. I could not think of anything to say and it scared me. Then suddenly a verse came to me and I knew it was from God. Through His word, He was talking to me.
What I heard made me think that He must have been listening to my wife, for what I heard was this, “You talk too much… “”Be still and know that I am God… “” .”
One part from my wife and the important part from Psalm 46: 10
Of course, God was right. Every morning during our time together I was doing all of the talking. Many times, it was only words of repetition just to hear me thinking. I was never quiet. Never listening for Him and forgetting that God will only talk to me through His word.
It has taken me quite a while to be obedient in this respect for I do like talking. Just ask my wife. Yeah, once I get started I do talk too much. I never know when to quit and I just keep going on and on and on. However, with God’s nudging, I am learning to listen to my wife more and, more importantly, listen to God more.
It is amazing how many more wonderful qualities I am discovering about my wife since I have been listening more to her and have become less at going on so when I do talk. It is still on a learning curve, but getting better.
God’s presence in the morning has started to become more real to me as well. I find when I do talk less and just enjoy spending time with Him, while talking less, it has actually brought me closer to Jesus than ever before.
You know, as my wife has said, “You talk too much” and having God tell me, “Be still and know that I am God…” has been a wonderful learning experience for me. I have become closer and more in love with both of them than ever before.
I do believe that God really does listen to His children. If it happened to me, it can happen to you. I was going to say, “I pray God does the same for you”, but He already knows that, for He knows my every thought. I am glad that He does for those moments when I am still, knowing that He is God.
Update: I have not heard that phrase, “You talk too much”, since then. So, I guess I will be quiet now and just listen and learn.
Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart!
Christians, Politics, and Voting
New Testament Scriptures To Ponder
In writing essays it is the writers prerogative to put forth his opinion based on given facts. In this case, however, the facts will only be Scriptures from the New Testament, and it will be up to you, the reader, to decide for yourself, guided by the Holy Spirit, if you are following biblical teaching when it comes to politics and voting.
Romans 12:1-2 KJV
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [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.
2 Timothy 2:3-4 KJV
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. [4] No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Romans 13:1-2 KJV
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. [2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Whom do you follow and whose kingdom do you belong?
John 18:36 KJV… Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world:
A Christians Lifestyle Should Be To Live Peaceably With All Men
Romans 12:18 KJV … If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men.
The scripture above is one that is rarely mentioned, less preached on and hardly ever mentioned among born-again Christians. Can you think of any reason why? I am sure you can.
However, living in peace with everyone is the Christian’s responsibility, because of the phrase, “as much as lies in you”. We are not to respond to others being peaceful with us, but for others to respond to us being at peace with them. It is our lot in life to be at peace with others no matter how they treat us.
The question is, how do we go about practicing peace with others as Christ did while here on earth. What scriptures are there to which we can look at that will help us to be at peace with others? Here are three of many scriptures that will help guide us as to what God requires of us in living a life of peace.
They are pretty much self-explanatory.
1 Timothy 2:1-3 KJV
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; [2] For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
2 Corinthians 13:11 KJV
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Hebrews 12:14 KJV
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
These last two verses should be more than enough of Godly incentives to instill in us a desire of wanting to do what is necessary in living a life of peace with everyone. Praying for those in authority, from the head of a nation down to the local government, to daily living a life of peace with all men is pleasing to God.
How much are you willing to do in living a lifestyle of peace in order to experience God’s love and peace in this life and in the life to come? Depends on how much you really want to see the Lord and for living in eternity with our Lord Jesus.
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Riff's Christian Journal 