Sigh

Jeremiah 8

8 “‘How can you say, “We are wise because we have the word of the Lord,”

when your teachers have twisted it by writing lies?”

Man, could that ever be written about the false doctrines of man-made pseudo-Christianity of today. It makes me sad to think of the twisting of Scripture that takes place in this world today. Why can’t we simply read the Bible and take it at face value? Why do we have folks who insist on adding their own non-biblical plans of “salvation” to the mix? Sigh.

Sigh

Philippians 4

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This is perhaps the most difficult Scripture passage to live out, ever. Circumstances in my family life involving my Dad and Sister, make it a challenge for me to rejoice, or to NOT be anxious. I know that I have to turn it all over to the Lord, and I am trying. I am trying. I do long for that peace of God, which transcends understanding to guard my heart and my mind. A good night’s sleep wouldn’t be too bad, either.

Sigh

John 7

1 After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. 2 But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, 3 and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! 4 You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” 5 For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.
6 Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. 7 The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil.”

Verse 5 of this passage makes me sad. Jesus’ own brothers still did not believe in Him at this time. Now, that all changes following the Resurrection, when they had the benefit of 20/20 hindsight. It makes me sad that there are plenty of folks who fall into the same trap as the brothers of Jesus. They have seen the power of the Christ at work in lives all around them, yet they still don’t believe. And certainly the world (and those who are caught up in the world) won’t help out because Jesus is hated by the world. He accuses the world of doing evil. Worldly people detest being called out for the evil they do. They try to deflect the issue by turning it around on Jesus. May I be a true follower of Jesus. Not afraid to admit my sins, repent of them, and turn towards the Christ. Not afraid to take the hatred of the world upon myself, because Jesus took it all for me to begin with. Not afraid to stand up for Jesus anyplace at any time and in front of anyone.