Remembrance Day.

The best part of life is Jesus. 

Matthew chapter 5 verses 43-48.

Jesus said to them, "There is a saying, Love your friends and hate your enemies. But I say: Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way you will be acting as true sons of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even scoundrels do that much. If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even the heathen do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Is your Remembrance day filled with thoughts of those who have given their lives in war, or of those who are currently involved in war? Do you feel an obligation to appear at ceremonies, do you wear a poppy showing your support for the families of those who died?

   Is it just another day to you? It is scary to think about war. No one wants to be shot at or even wounded. War causes death and displaces people from their homes. Sickness and poverty take over. And humanitarian aid can be hard to find. Anger and hatred replace harmony and joy. We live secure in our lives until the time comes when it is upset. 

   Do you like your job or are you not sure of what the next moment will bring? Has a neighbor or friend turn their back on you? Are you constantly on guard of what is yours? Are you ready to stand up and fight for what you believe is right? Do you involve yourself in other peoples affairs? 

   Jesus was just a guy who did some pretty amazing things. People loved His healing power and great crowds followed Him wherever He went. He had a handful of close friends, who liked what He did, but even they did not see the bigger picture. Jesus was taken by soldiers and beaten. 

   Luke chapter 22 says, "Now the guards in charge of Jesus began mocking Him. They blindfolded Him and hit Him with their fists and asked, 'Who hit You that time, prophet?' And they threw all sorts of other insults at Him."

   Luke chapter 23 says, Two others, criminals, were led out to be executed with Him at a place called 'The Skull.' There all three were crucified---Jesus on the center cross, and the two criminals on either side. "Father, forgive these people," Jesus said, "for they do not know what they are doing." And the solders gambled for His clothing, throwing dice for each piece. The crowd watched. And the Jewish leaders laughed and scoffed. "He was so good at helping others," they said, "let us see Him save Himself if He really is God's Chosen One, the Messiah." The soldiers mocked Him, too, by offering Him a drink---of sour wine. And they called to Him, "If you are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!" A sign board was nailed to the cross above Him with these words: "This is the King of the Jews." One of the criminals hanging beside Him scoffed, "So You are the Messiah, are You? Prove it by saving Yourself---and us, too, while You are at it!" But the other criminal protested, "Do you not even fear God when you are dying? We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man has not done one thing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into Your Kingdom." And Jesus replied, "Today you will be with Me in Paradise. This is a solemn promise."

   We all have battles and struggles that consume our time with worry, and anxiety. Our health causes us grief and the older we get the more we need to rely upon others. And hopefully there are others who will care for you in your time of need.

   In Luke chapter 24 Jesus was on the road to Emmaus with two other people who were sad about the events of Jesus's death. They did not know it was Him with them, for God had kept it from them. Jesus said, "You are such foolish, foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures! Was it not clearly predicted by the prophets that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering His time of glory? Then Jesus quoted them passage after passage from the writings of the prophets, beginning with the book of Genesis and going right through the Scriptures, explaining what the passages meant and what they said about Himself. When suddenly---it was as though their eyes were opened---they recognized Him! And at that moment He disappeared! They began telling each other how their hearts had felt strangely warm as He talked with them and explained the Scriptures during their walk down the road.

   John chapter 3 verses 16 and 17 say, "God so loves the world that He gave His only Son, so that who ever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn it but to save it."

   To any one, the loss of a loved one is sad and can have long lasting affects. To those who believe that Jesus's death was a gift from God and that His death has made it possible for us to have eternal life, then there is no fear of death but only the joy that God can give us now.  

   We may miss those who are no longer with us but we can be sure they are with Jesus in their eternal home that God has given them. 

   Thank You Father for Jesus. We could not have peace and happiness without Your grace and mercies. 😊  

Psalms chapter 22 was written by King David in his time of agony. Verses 15-21.

"My strength has dried up like sun-baked clay; my tongue sticks to my mouth, for You have laid me in the dust of death. The enemy, this gang of evil men, circles me like a pack of dogs; they have pierced my hands and feet. I can count every bone in my body. See these men of evil gloat and stare; they divide my clothes among themselves by a toss of the dice. O Lord, do not stay away. O God, my Strength, hurry to my aid. Rescue me from death; spare my precious life from all these evil men. Save me from these lion's jaws and from the horns of these wild oxen. 

Yes, God will answer me and rescue me."

James chapter 1 verse 25.

If anyone keeps looking steadily into God's law for free men, he will not only remember it but he will do what it says, and God will greatly bless him in everything he does. 

1 Peter chapter 3 verses 10-12.

If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue, and guard your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Try to live in peace, even if you must run after it to catch and hold it! For the Lord is watching His children, listening to their prayers.

Proverbs chapter 13 verse 3.

Self-control means controlling the tongue! A quick retort can ruin everything. 

Proverbs chapter 12 verse 18.

Some people like to make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise soothe and heal. 

Proverbs chapter 15 verse 4.

Gentle words cause life and health; griping bring discouragement.