Gary Piper

On Being the Peace of Jesus in a Conflicted World

Gary Piper

On Being the Peace of Jesus in a Conflicted World

Written by Gary Piper

(Note: this article first appeared in part on NSM in January 26, 2008)

The Great Commission… Go and be my peace…

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 18:16 – 18:20)

Psalms 23: The Lord is my Shepherd

Gary Piper

Psalms 23

The Lord is my Shepherd

Words in italics written by Gary Piper

In June of 2007 my mother finally had the opportunity to meet her Good Shepherd. And since that glorious day I’ll never think of the 23^rd Psalm without thinking about her because it was her favorite. When my brother, Billy started giving me the books she and my father had accumulated over the years there were 3 books on the 23^rd Psalm.

One of my greatest regrets is that I never took the time to ask her why it had such a powerful place in her life. I remember her handing me one of her books and indicating to me that it was really the only scripture I’d ever need to as I searched not only for the meaning of my life but the meaning for Jesus’ life as well.

I think if I could sit down with her once more and ask her why it is so significant to her in addition to what I’ve already written I believe she’d tell me wrapped up in its 6 verses is everything we need to know about God. I believe the 23^rd Psalm was my mom’s window into God’s Heart.

It is with Dorothy Piper in my mind that I dedicate this particular writing on the 23^rd Psalm. However, I do so not with a heavy heart but with a humble heart because I’ll never be able to honor both my mom and the Lord adequately. I also present it to you with a joyous heart because as I’ve already said my mom is now with the two most important people in her life – Jesus, the Good Shepherd and Harley Piper, my dad.

Psalms 27 A Song of Trust in God

Gary Piper

Psalms 27

A Song of Trust in God

Words in italics written by Gary Piper

Always be suspicious of someone who says, “You can trust me.” Instead trust someone who says, “You can trust him/her because I have found them to be trustworthy in my life.”

I have over the course of my life found God to be trustworthy. That does not mean there have been times when I have questioned his trustworthiness it means that in spite of my wavering patience experience has proven me to that God is indeed trustworthy.

I wish I could say that he was trustworthy in everything I have asked of him but then if he did that would make me God and he would become my divine slave. Again experience tells me God is trustworthy to his best plans for my life.

And it is hindsight that convicts me of his trustworthiness. I am sure that you know that the speed of light is far faster than the speed of sound. That same principle, at times, applies to God as well because there are times when God blessings impact our lives before we realize we’ve been blessed. For example lightening flashes (God’s power embraces us) then later we hear the thunder (God commanding his power on us).

Mornings Are For God!

Gary Piper

Mornings Are For God!

By Crusty T. Christian

(On behalf of Gary Piper)

Scripture quotes marked NCV have been taken from the New Century Version. "Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, New Century Version, copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing, Dallas, Texas 75039. Used by permission."

Scripture quotes marked ESV have been taken from the English Standard Version. "Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

"So you should look for the Lord before it is too late; you should call to him while he is near. The wicked should stop doing wrong, and they should stop their evil thoughts. They should return to the Lord so he may have mercy on them. They should come to our God, because he will freely forgive them." (Isaiah 55:6-7 NCV)

I am writing this on behalf of Gary mainly because I am much more of a morning person then he is. Oh sure, he gets up in the morning but he always says his heart doesn’t start beating until 9:00 AM. Until he retired he was the first to greet the morning but then along came retirement and you know how those old folks can be! When we thought about writing about how important it is to start each morning with God I said let me do it because to me mornings are the best time of the day. I hope by the time you get to “THE END” agree with me and begin building your own morning relationship with God!

Mornings are mornings!

the Spirit is in You!

Gary Piper

The Spirit is in You!

Written by Gary Piper

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And into the world God called forth and gave you life. But your life was filled only with chaos and darkness having no real form of life; But the Spirit of God hovered close by. Then Creator God sent Jesus, his Only Begotten Son to give his life for you! And in Jesus’ death and resurrection God commanded his Spirit to give you life, his life.

And suddenly the Spirit exploded from Jesus’ empty tomb and streaking across the eons of time suddenly found a heart filled with chaos and darkness and a flickering candle came to life – that heart was yours!

While I cannot be sure at what point in your life the Spirit came to life in your heart – I do know this much – today it is very much alive in you!

My question for you to consider this morning – a question only you can answer – How bright has that flickering flame become, how big of a part do you allow the Holy Spirit to have in your life?

On the surface you may think that’s an easy question to answer but I can assure you it’s not as easy as you think and it may surprise you to know that there are those sitting here this morning who are under the impression the flames of the Spirit are brighter than they actually are. And on the other side of that statement there are those sitting here who are under the impression that the flames of the Spirit are smaller than they actually are.

More Articles...