Mark 14: 32 – 42
In desperation, anger, or even frustration, I have used the phrase; “Who cares anyway”? I can't count the number of times I have said it and I am sure that I am not the only one to have those moments of doubt. There have been times while in extreme sorrow, I have asked the question;
“Doesn't God care about what has happened”?
Doubt can creep into our lives and cause us to not have the faith that we started the day with. Doubt can cause us to mistrust our most intimate relationships. Doubt can ruin our relationship with God.
The funny thing about doubt is that it puts us into some pretty good company.
Even Jesus doubted and wondered if God cared.
33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.
34 "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."
35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.
36 "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
( Mark 15: 34 )
We are taught to follow the example of Jesus, so if even Jesus had his moments of doubt, what makes us think we are any better than He? By following Christ's example, it makes it impossible to not doubt at times.
During all those times of anger and frustration, we must remember that no matter what, we must ask for God's will to be fulfilled, and not ours.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
I WANNA BE A ROCK STAR.
Mark 1: 40 – 45
When Michael Jordan was playing Basketball, it was said that he never saw the beginning nor the end of a movie. This was because he had to sneak into the theater after the movie started and leave before it ended, otherwise, he would have been mobbed by adoring fans. At least he could sit in the dark of the theater and enjoy himself with his family and friends for a few minutes without anybody knowing he was there.
Even though many of think how cool it would be to be like Mike, or Mick Jagger, or any famous person that we can think of, even for just one day. We think of only the money, talent, or good looks, but we never think of the down side that famous people go through.
Famous people can never just walk into town without everybody looking for them, to be near them, thinking that whatever talent or power the person may have will rub off on them.
43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning:
44 "See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."
45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
Jesus was literally the super Star of his day. Thousands upon thousands of people would hear of his coming to town and mob him. They wanted to be in his presence, and once it was known that Jesus could heal the sick and suffering, well; “Fugeddaboudit”.
As in the past, Jesus can heal today as He has done through out history. And, in some countries, thousands, if not millions, still come in droves to be in His presence.
Why is it that we in America are so hesitant to bask in His glory, especially here in the Northeast?
Maybe it's because we are afraid of the lepers that seem to follow Him. You know, all those drunks, junkies, criminals, and feeble minded, that walk with God every step of every day.
40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"
To be honest with you guys, I can't think of a decent way to wrap this up. The only thing I know is that I have been made clean by Jesus.
I am sure that you have too..
When Michael Jordan was playing Basketball, it was said that he never saw the beginning nor the end of a movie. This was because he had to sneak into the theater after the movie started and leave before it ended, otherwise, he would have been mobbed by adoring fans. At least he could sit in the dark of the theater and enjoy himself with his family and friends for a few minutes without anybody knowing he was there.
Even though many of think how cool it would be to be like Mike, or Mick Jagger, or any famous person that we can think of, even for just one day. We think of only the money, talent, or good looks, but we never think of the down side that famous people go through.
Famous people can never just walk into town without everybody looking for them, to be near them, thinking that whatever talent or power the person may have will rub off on them.
43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning:
44 "See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."
45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
Jesus was literally the super Star of his day. Thousands upon thousands of people would hear of his coming to town and mob him. They wanted to be in his presence, and once it was known that Jesus could heal the sick and suffering, well; “Fugeddaboudit”.
As in the past, Jesus can heal today as He has done through out history. And, in some countries, thousands, if not millions, still come in droves to be in His presence.
Why is it that we in America are so hesitant to bask in His glory, especially here in the Northeast?
Maybe it's because we are afraid of the lepers that seem to follow Him. You know, all those drunks, junkies, criminals, and feeble minded, that walk with God every step of every day.
40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"
To be honest with you guys, I can't think of a decent way to wrap this up. The only thing I know is that I have been made clean by Jesus.
I am sure that you have too..
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
BROTHER CAN YOU SPARE A DIME
2 Corinthians 8: 1 – 9
What happens at the end of meal you ate at your favorite restaurant?
I am hopeful that as you leave the place, you have left a tip for the waitress. And, I hope that it was befitting of the price of the meal, as well as the wages of the wait staff that gave you a restful time not having to prepare the meal yourself, or in fact clean up afterwards. What I'm trying to get at is that as Christians, we can often think that after having tithed at our church, we have done our monetary duty to the Lord, and become sort of cheap on doling out our hard earned money to the rest of the world.
Carlos Santana wrote in his song Smooth; “Give me your love. Make it real, or lets forget about it”
God says this several time in the Bible. He wants all of us. He wants all that we have. In return, we get eternal life, love, joy, and more blessings than you can shake a stick at.
So why shouldn't we share abundantly with others?
1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.
2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,
4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
Paul gave us this example of the churches in Macedonia for a reason. First he wants us to follow this example in our giving, and second, I believe, it can be interpreted to mean that we give to others not just the church.
8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
There it is again. That pesky word of God that instructs on how we are to live despite the way we think we should. Paul didn't order the people to act in such and such a way. He just made suggestions.
Sort of like when your father is angry at you for something, and your mother says “It would probably better if you didn't say anything”. It's not an order, just good advice to make things go a little better for you.
Share what God has given you, whether it is money, or the word of God. When leaving a tip for the waitress, why not leave a tract, they may read it and ask Jesus into their heart. That is if you have given a good tip. Otherwise, if you give a lousy tip, that tract will just be thrown away with the rest of the trash
What happens at the end of meal you ate at your favorite restaurant?
I am hopeful that as you leave the place, you have left a tip for the waitress. And, I hope that it was befitting of the price of the meal, as well as the wages of the wait staff that gave you a restful time not having to prepare the meal yourself, or in fact clean up afterwards. What I'm trying to get at is that as Christians, we can often think that after having tithed at our church, we have done our monetary duty to the Lord, and become sort of cheap on doling out our hard earned money to the rest of the world.
Carlos Santana wrote in his song Smooth; “Give me your love. Make it real, or lets forget about it”
God says this several time in the Bible. He wants all of us. He wants all that we have. In return, we get eternal life, love, joy, and more blessings than you can shake a stick at.
So why shouldn't we share abundantly with others?
1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.
2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,
4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
Paul gave us this example of the churches in Macedonia for a reason. First he wants us to follow this example in our giving, and second, I believe, it can be interpreted to mean that we give to others not just the church.
8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
There it is again. That pesky word of God that instructs on how we are to live despite the way we think we should. Paul didn't order the people to act in such and such a way. He just made suggestions.
Sort of like when your father is angry at you for something, and your mother says “It would probably better if you didn't say anything”. It's not an order, just good advice to make things go a little better for you.
Share what God has given you, whether it is money, or the word of God. When leaving a tip for the waitress, why not leave a tract, they may read it and ask Jesus into their heart. That is if you have given a good tip. Otherwise, if you give a lousy tip, that tract will just be thrown away with the rest of the trash
Friday, March 27, 2009
QUICK TO LISTEN...
James 1: 19 – 25
Once more I want to see a show of hands. How many of us are really quick to listen, and slow to speak?
I'd like to think that I am, but there are times when I reverse the process. I think that we all do that from one time to the other. I know that we all try to live by the word, but, there are just times, in our weakness, that we throw the word away and act on our base instincts.
We lash out verbally and sometimes physically at the targets of our venom, all because we were slow to listen and quick to act.
We want to strike in anger while our emotions are hot. It's almost as if we don't want to listen, we want it that way so that we feel justified in out actions. The only problem with that, is that we lie to ourselves if we say we are Christian.
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
If we follow this example, we are living right. We are following the word of God, and as it says in the book Brave New World”, “Ford's in His fliver and alls right with the world”.
But, if we don't, we sort of lose our way. We forget what it was that brought us to the Lord in the first place. I know that I came to know Him partly because my life was spinning out of control. I don't want to remember what that was like, I want to know who I am now, and if I forget to live by the word, I can forget all the stuff that I have gained through Christ.
23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror
24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
Why do we do things like this to ourselves and the ones we love?
It really baffles me at times. It must be that we are not perfect beings. We are flawed and doomed if we don't have a relationship with God.
We have to read the word, get to know God on a personal level, then we get to live out the word, thus, improving our lives and the lives of those around us.
James 1: 19 – 25
Once more I want to see a show of hands. How many of us are really quick to listen, and slow to speak?
I'd like to think that I am, but there are times when I reverse the process. I think that we all do that from one time to the other. I know that we all try to live by the word, but, there are just times, in our weakness, that we throw the word away and act on our base instincts.
We lash out verbally and sometimes physically at the targets of our venom, all because we were slow to listen and quick to act.
We want to strike in anger while our emotions are hot. It's almost as if we don't want to listen, we want it that way so that we feel justified in out actions. The only problem with that, is that we lie to ourselves if we say we are Christian.
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
If we follow this example, we are living right. We are following the word of God, and as it says in the book Brave New World”, “Ford's in His fliver and alls right with the world”.
But, if we don't, we sort of lose our way. We forget what it was that brought us to the Lord in the first place. I know that I came to know Him partly because my life was spinning out of control. I don't want to remember what that was like, I want to know who I am now, and if I forget to live by the word, I can forget all the stuff that I have gained through Christ.
23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror
24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
Why do we do things like this to ourselves and the ones we love?
It really baffles me at times. It must be that we are not perfect beings. We are flawed and doomed if we don't have a relationship with God.
We have to read the word, get to know God on a personal level, then we get to live out the word, thus, improving our lives and the lives of those around us.
Once more I want to see a show of hands. How many of us are really quick to listen, and slow to speak?
I'd like to think that I am, but there are times when I reverse the process. I think that we all do that from one time to the other. I know that we all try to live by the word, but, there are just times, in our weakness, that we throw the word away and act on our base instincts.
We lash out verbally and sometimes physically at the targets of our venom, all because we were slow to listen and quick to act.
We want to strike in anger while our emotions are hot. It's almost as if we don't want to listen, we want it that way so that we feel justified in out actions. The only problem with that, is that we lie to ourselves if we say we are Christian.
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
If we follow this example, we are living right. We are following the word of God, and as it says in the book Brave New World”, “Ford's in His fliver and alls right with the world”.
But, if we don't, we sort of lose our way. We forget what it was that brought us to the Lord in the first place. I know that I came to know Him partly because my life was spinning out of control. I don't want to remember what that was like, I want to know who I am now, and if I forget to live by the word, I can forget all the stuff that I have gained through Christ.
23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror
24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
Why do we do things like this to ourselves and the ones we love?
It really baffles me at times. It must be that we are not perfect beings. We are flawed and doomed if we don't have a relationship with God.
We have to read the word, get to know God on a personal level, then we get to live out the word, thus, improving our lives and the lives of those around us.
James 1: 19 – 25
Once more I want to see a show of hands. How many of us are really quick to listen, and slow to speak?
I'd like to think that I am, but there are times when I reverse the process. I think that we all do that from one time to the other. I know that we all try to live by the word, but, there are just times, in our weakness, that we throw the word away and act on our base instincts.
We lash out verbally and sometimes physically at the targets of our venom, all because we were slow to listen and quick to act.
We want to strike in anger while our emotions are hot. It's almost as if we don't want to listen, we want it that way so that we feel justified in out actions. The only problem with that, is that we lie to ourselves if we say we are Christian.
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
If we follow this example, we are living right. We are following the word of God, and as it says in the book Brave New World”, “Ford's in His fliver and alls right with the world”.
But, if we don't, we sort of lose our way. We forget what it was that brought us to the Lord in the first place. I know that I came to know Him partly because my life was spinning out of control. I don't want to remember what that was like, I want to know who I am now, and if I forget to live by the word, I can forget all the stuff that I have gained through Christ.
23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror
24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
Why do we do things like this to ourselves and the ones we love?
It really baffles me at times. It must be that we are not perfect beings. We are flawed and doomed if we don't have a relationship with God.
We have to read the word, get to know God on a personal level, then we get to live out the word, thus, improving our lives and the lives of those around us.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
SHA ALOO SHALOM YESHUA HAMA HOO MESHIAC.
Colossians 3: 12 – 17
The title of this teaching translates to the simple prayer; Pray for the peace of Jesus the Messiah. I've written it phonetically, when it written in Hebrew, I can't figure it out to save my life.
I like the sound of the peace of Jesus, and pray it over many people I come into contact with, they may not know it, because I often pray in private in a prayer closet.
When we have this peace, we tend to follow the teachings of Jesus more fully, and do as verse 17 tells us
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
I find this verse to be a guide as to how I live my life. If I am doing something that may be a questionable activity, or even if my attitude is off, I ask myself is what I am doing will give glory to God. If the answer to this measure is yes, well I continue what I am doing. If the answer is no, I try to stop and ask for forgiveness, and forgive those who may have done me dirty, because God tell us many times, that if we want forgiveness of our sins, then we must forgive others.
13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
There it is again; “the peace of Christ”. If we can forgive others, we get to have that peace. Ever try to sleep when you feel guilty for something that you have done recently? I toss and turn all night and get no sleep. But, when I sleep in peace, I sleep like a baby and get a good nights rest.
A peaceful heart, comes from living out the word of God. Doing things to give Him glory, forgiving others that we may be forgiven, are just the tip of the iceberg of what Jesus said as an example of how to live. I really do try to live like this every day. I read the Bible daily and then try to apply it to my life as best I can.
I hope you do too.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
The title of this teaching translates to the simple prayer; Pray for the peace of Jesus the Messiah. I've written it phonetically, when it written in Hebrew, I can't figure it out to save my life.
I like the sound of the peace of Jesus, and pray it over many people I come into contact with, they may not know it, because I often pray in private in a prayer closet.
When we have this peace, we tend to follow the teachings of Jesus more fully, and do as verse 17 tells us
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
I find this verse to be a guide as to how I live my life. If I am doing something that may be a questionable activity, or even if my attitude is off, I ask myself is what I am doing will give glory to God. If the answer to this measure is yes, well I continue what I am doing. If the answer is no, I try to stop and ask for forgiveness, and forgive those who may have done me dirty, because God tell us many times, that if we want forgiveness of our sins, then we must forgive others.
13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
There it is again; “the peace of Christ”. If we can forgive others, we get to have that peace. Ever try to sleep when you feel guilty for something that you have done recently? I toss and turn all night and get no sleep. But, when I sleep in peace, I sleep like a baby and get a good nights rest.
A peaceful heart, comes from living out the word of God. Doing things to give Him glory, forgiving others that we may be forgiven, are just the tip of the iceberg of what Jesus said as an example of how to live. I really do try to live like this every day. I read the Bible daily and then try to apply it to my life as best I can.
I hope you do too.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Acts 18: 9 – 11
Biblical Greek is fascinating to study out. For instance when in Mathew 28 the Lord tells us;
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
I began to think of the word always and what it meant to the people hearing what it was that Jesus was actually saying, because He tells us that He will be with us always. Then He tells Paul that He is with him.
9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.
10 For I am with you, and no-one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city."
11 So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
Anyway during my word search, I found that there were many derivations of the word always, and that the word appears in many places in the Bible, each time with a slightly different meaning.
We use the word quite frequently ourselves in our every day conversations; “I always do that”, “I will love you always”, “Do you always do that”? Just to show a few examples. In our modern language, always, always means the same thing, “at all points in time”.
But as I said in the Greek, always, is not always the same thing.
For example( Aei ) means perpetually.
Then the word goes all the way to ( pantote ) which means at all times, of all days.
Maybe that's knit picking, but as one of our former presidents said;
“It depends what the meaning of is, is”.
I think that I like the translation of pantote. That means that God will be there for us whenever and where ever we are. At all times we can call on him, and He is there, ready to carry us in crisis, and walk beside us in our joy.
I don't know, but, I think that sounds better than perpetually.
Biblical Greek is fascinating to study out. For instance when in Mathew 28 the Lord tells us;
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
I began to think of the word always and what it meant to the people hearing what it was that Jesus was actually saying, because He tells us that He will be with us always. Then He tells Paul that He is with him.
9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.
10 For I am with you, and no-one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city."
11 So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
Anyway during my word search, I found that there were many derivations of the word always, and that the word appears in many places in the Bible, each time with a slightly different meaning.
We use the word quite frequently ourselves in our every day conversations; “I always do that”, “I will love you always”, “Do you always do that”? Just to show a few examples. In our modern language, always, always means the same thing, “at all points in time”.
But as I said in the Greek, always, is not always the same thing.
For example( Aei ) means perpetually.
Then the word goes all the way to ( pantote ) which means at all times, of all days.
Maybe that's knit picking, but as one of our former presidents said;
“It depends what the meaning of is, is”.
I think that I like the translation of pantote. That means that God will be there for us whenever and where ever we are. At all times we can call on him, and He is there, ready to carry us in crisis, and walk beside us in our joy.
I don't know, but, I think that sounds better than perpetually.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
DON'T IT ALWAYS SEEM TO GO....
Luke 2: 8 – 20
A friend of mine has an expression about God. “He's old and slow, but He's always on time”
I'm not sure that I agree with that, but I think the underlining theme can feel like it's true.
God shows up in his own time, not ours, and a lot of times when we don't expect it.
Consider the shepherds in the field about two thousand years ago. There they were minding their sheep, and their own business, when all of a sudden this Angel shows up to announce that a child was being born in the city of David.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Imagine the confusion for those shepherds when a whole chorus of the angels showed up singing to the glory of God. He showed up in His own time when least expected.
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
Who knew when God was going to show up in our lives. I know that I didn't expect to meet him in the rain in Boston. And, I'm sure that you guys weren't expecting His presence in your lives.
The Bible says that we should prepare and be ready for His return, but, I don't think that we can get ready for when He will show up when we need Him to heal us, or guide our steps, today.
God is always present in our lives, but He acts in his own time and not ours, and when He does, we feel kinda like those shepherds must have felt all those years ago.
A friend of mine has an expression about God. “He's old and slow, but He's always on time”
I'm not sure that I agree with that, but I think the underlining theme can feel like it's true.
God shows up in his own time, not ours, and a lot of times when we don't expect it.
Consider the shepherds in the field about two thousand years ago. There they were minding their sheep, and their own business, when all of a sudden this Angel shows up to announce that a child was being born in the city of David.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Imagine the confusion for those shepherds when a whole chorus of the angels showed up singing to the glory of God. He showed up in His own time when least expected.
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
Who knew when God was going to show up in our lives. I know that I didn't expect to meet him in the rain in Boston. And, I'm sure that you guys weren't expecting His presence in your lives.
The Bible says that we should prepare and be ready for His return, but, I don't think that we can get ready for when He will show up when we need Him to heal us, or guide our steps, today.
God is always present in our lives, but He acts in his own time and not ours, and when He does, we feel kinda like those shepherds must have felt all those years ago.
Monday, March 23, 2009
MEMORIES, LIKE THE CORNERS OF MY MIND.
1 Samuel 7: 3 – 12
As we go through this life, we somehow end up collecting things. Things like trophies and ribbons from competitions, souvenirs,coins, rocks, just about anything that can remind us of our accomplishments, places we have been, and the way other people effected our lives.
I have a little leather bag with a set of poker chips, and brass coins. These are for lengths of time of sobriety. Everything from day one to 10 years. As I look at each coin and chip, I can remember what it was like the day I earned it. I can look at pictures for the same thing, and I have this cheap balsa wood flamingo that reminds me of the vacation my wife and I took, and of the night and day we spent on South Beach in Miami.
In 1876, the Sioux leader Crazy Horse joined forces with Sitting Bull to defeat General Custer and his army at Little Bighorn. Not much later, though, starvation caused Crazy Horse to surrender to US troops. He was killed while trying to escape. Despite this sad conclusion to his life, he became a symbol of heroic leadership of a threatened people.
Today in the Black Hills of South Dakota, he is commemorated with a monument being carved into a mountain—the Crazy Horse Memorial. When complete, it will be 641 feet long and 563 feet high. It will show Crazy Horse riding a galloping horse, pointing the way to his people. (ODB)
The prophet Samuel made a memorial, a reminder, to the Jewish people of the great victory they had over the Philistines at Mizpah. It wasn't some enormous statue, it was a simple stone, an Ebeneezer, set there at the site of the battle so that generation after generation would know that God won the battle that happened on that day.
7 When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. And when the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines.
8 They said to Samuel, "Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines."
11 The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Car.
12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us."
We should all have reminders of the battles that God has won for us. Little bits and bobs that mean nothing to other people, that we can show to our sons and daughters and tell them stories of great victories we have had. That way from generation to generation God will be remembered for what He did for us.
As we go through this life, we somehow end up collecting things. Things like trophies and ribbons from competitions, souvenirs,coins, rocks, just about anything that can remind us of our accomplishments, places we have been, and the way other people effected our lives.
I have a little leather bag with a set of poker chips, and brass coins. These are for lengths of time of sobriety. Everything from day one to 10 years. As I look at each coin and chip, I can remember what it was like the day I earned it. I can look at pictures for the same thing, and I have this cheap balsa wood flamingo that reminds me of the vacation my wife and I took, and of the night and day we spent on South Beach in Miami.
In 1876, the Sioux leader Crazy Horse joined forces with Sitting Bull to defeat General Custer and his army at Little Bighorn. Not much later, though, starvation caused Crazy Horse to surrender to US troops. He was killed while trying to escape. Despite this sad conclusion to his life, he became a symbol of heroic leadership of a threatened people.
Today in the Black Hills of South Dakota, he is commemorated with a monument being carved into a mountain—the Crazy Horse Memorial. When complete, it will be 641 feet long and 563 feet high. It will show Crazy Horse riding a galloping horse, pointing the way to his people. (ODB)
The prophet Samuel made a memorial, a reminder, to the Jewish people of the great victory they had over the Philistines at Mizpah. It wasn't some enormous statue, it was a simple stone, an Ebeneezer, set there at the site of the battle so that generation after generation would know that God won the battle that happened on that day.
7 When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. And when the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines.
8 They said to Samuel, "Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines."
11 The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Car.
12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us."
We should all have reminders of the battles that God has won for us. Little bits and bobs that mean nothing to other people, that we can show to our sons and daughters and tell them stories of great victories we have had. That way from generation to generation God will be remembered for what He did for us.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Those whom I love
Revelation 3: 14 – 20
Ever been Luke warm about anything? Can't make up your mind about what to do, where to go, or maybe even you have said; “ I don't know. What do you want to do”?
I don't like it when I have that sort of attitude. I know that when I make a decision, whether it's right or wrong, it never turns out as badly as when I as when I don't make any decision.
Jesus feels the same way as I do about this.
16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Decisiveness is the key to any relationship. What do you think the response your wife would have, if she said; “I love you”. And, you replied (weakly) “Oh, okay, I guess I love you too”. “I suppose”.
Think she might get angry and feel as if you didn't care?
At least if you said ( with feeling ) “I love you too, sweetheart” or (yikes) ignored her statement, she would at least be sure of how you felt about her, and where she stood in your life.
15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
We get distracted by outside influences, and that takes our focus from where it should be, whether it's your wife, children, or even God. When we finally make a choice, it's gonna be hard. It will never be easy. As the old song says; “I beg your pardon”, “I never promised you a rose garden”.
So tighten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy ride.
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
Get it together people! Don't be Luke warm about anything! If you are, your gonna miss the blessing.
Ever been Luke warm about anything? Can't make up your mind about what to do, where to go, or maybe even you have said; “ I don't know. What do you want to do”?
I don't like it when I have that sort of attitude. I know that when I make a decision, whether it's right or wrong, it never turns out as badly as when I as when I don't make any decision.
Jesus feels the same way as I do about this.
16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Decisiveness is the key to any relationship. What do you think the response your wife would have, if she said; “I love you”. And, you replied (weakly) “Oh, okay, I guess I love you too”. “I suppose”.
Think she might get angry and feel as if you didn't care?
At least if you said ( with feeling ) “I love you too, sweetheart” or (yikes) ignored her statement, she would at least be sure of how you felt about her, and where she stood in your life.
15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
We get distracted by outside influences, and that takes our focus from where it should be, whether it's your wife, children, or even God. When we finally make a choice, it's gonna be hard. It will never be easy. As the old song says; “I beg your pardon”, “I never promised you a rose garden”.
So tighten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy ride.
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
Get it together people! Don't be Luke warm about anything! If you are, your gonna miss the blessing.
Friday, March 20, 2009
IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR THE LORD?
Genesis 18: 1 – 15
every one of us has heard the question from Shakespeare; “To be, or not to be?” Well I think there are more of has that have asked the question about God. On his album fm and am, George Carlin did a routine about being in Sunday school. Jokingly he asked the priest; “If God is so powerful, can he make a rock so big, that He Himself cannot lift it?
Isn't that the same thing we are asking when we think that the problems and situations we have are beyond the help of God?
Sarah thought that having a child at her age was impossible and that fact was not going to change. Then she had a son. 19 years ago I thought it was impossible for me to go a day without drinking or taking drugs. But, I'm sober now and have been ever since.
Is there anything too hard for God?
I don't think so.
He makes the impossible possible.
11 Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.
12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?"
13 Then the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’
14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."
If Sarah had a son, and I got sober, what impossible thing do you have that can't be done?
Have you asked God into the situation?
I don't know if God can make that rock, but I do know that He can work miracles in our lives. All we have to do is let Him, and believe that He can do all things.
Take whatever it is that you find impossible, and put it in God's hands, and see what happens, if we let Him do His stuff..
every one of us has heard the question from Shakespeare; “To be, or not to be?” Well I think there are more of has that have asked the question about God. On his album fm and am, George Carlin did a routine about being in Sunday school. Jokingly he asked the priest; “If God is so powerful, can he make a rock so big, that He Himself cannot lift it?
Isn't that the same thing we are asking when we think that the problems and situations we have are beyond the help of God?
Sarah thought that having a child at her age was impossible and that fact was not going to change. Then she had a son. 19 years ago I thought it was impossible for me to go a day without drinking or taking drugs. But, I'm sober now and have been ever since.
Is there anything too hard for God?
I don't think so.
He makes the impossible possible.
11 Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.
12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?"
13 Then the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’
14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."
If Sarah had a son, and I got sober, what impossible thing do you have that can't be done?
Have you asked God into the situation?
I don't know if God can make that rock, but I do know that He can work miracles in our lives. All we have to do is let Him, and believe that He can do all things.
Take whatever it is that you find impossible, and put it in God's hands, and see what happens, if we let Him do His stuff..
Thursday, March 19, 2009
WHAT HAVE YOU GOT?
Philippians 2: 1 – 11
No matter what we have, it is not ours in the first place. It doesn't matter what it is, it is not ours. We have it on loan from God.
And, if it is not ours to begin with, how can we keep it?
We are called to share our gifts with others. We are to be humble and think of the needs of others before we think of our own. In doing so, we imitate the love that God showed us through the example of our Savior Jesus Christ, who sacrificed himself even unto death on the cross.
1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
There is a story of a young college boy who was hit by a car on the way to his team's basketball game. Sadly, he died from his injuries. The thing that makes a difference about this guys life is that his parents found his will, in which a few years before, he had decided to donate his vital organs for transplant issues. This selfless act saved the life of four other young people, and helped change the live of at least a dozen others, just because he put the needs of others above his own.
I'm not saying that we should all donate our organs, or die to be charitable. But, we can share of our selves, donate our talents,or our old clothes, we can even go food shopping and give it to those who need it. We can even donate our time to be of service for others. Another way to do things for others, is to bring them the word of God, and the good news of Jesus Christ. What better gift can there be other than eternal life.
Think about it, the do something about it.
No matter what we have, it is not ours in the first place. It doesn't matter what it is, it is not ours. We have it on loan from God.
And, if it is not ours to begin with, how can we keep it?
We are called to share our gifts with others. We are to be humble and think of the needs of others before we think of our own. In doing so, we imitate the love that God showed us through the example of our Savior Jesus Christ, who sacrificed himself even unto death on the cross.
1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
There is a story of a young college boy who was hit by a car on the way to his team's basketball game. Sadly, he died from his injuries. The thing that makes a difference about this guys life is that his parents found his will, in which a few years before, he had decided to donate his vital organs for transplant issues. This selfless act saved the life of four other young people, and helped change the live of at least a dozen others, just because he put the needs of others above his own.
I'm not saying that we should all donate our organs, or die to be charitable. But, we can share of our selves, donate our talents,or our old clothes, we can even go food shopping and give it to those who need it. We can even donate our time to be of service for others. Another way to do things for others, is to bring them the word of God, and the good news of Jesus Christ. What better gift can there be other than eternal life.
Think about it, the do something about it.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
Acts 11: 19 – 26
It can be quite interesting to find out the meaning of names. For instance, my name Geoffrey means God's peace. I guess it makes sense (sort of). Barnabas means encourager, Saul means prayed for, Christian means one who sticks to Christ, and of course the big one Jesus Christ means Savior Messiah.
With the access we have today to information, I am sure, that if there is interest, we can all look up the meanings of our names. Check it out and see if your parents got it right.
Beyond this fun little exercise, we can learn quite a bit about the actions of the people in the Bible by their names, and the stories they are involved in.
after the death of Steven (means crown), the believers were scattered fearing for of their lives. Wherever they went, they brought the word of God with them teaching the Good News of Jesus to the Jews they found there.
Surprisingly, the church in Jerusalem began to hear of the conversion of many gentiles to Christianity, and they wanted to find out the how's and why's.
19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews.
20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.
21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
22 News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
I find it interesting that when the leaders of the church heard about these conversion stories, they sent out a trusted fellow Christian whose name means encourager to find those who were doing this wonderful deed. I
23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.
24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
So he went on a search to find the man, or men, that were involved in the telling of the good news.
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
This was just the beginning. From here the name of Jesus was carried to the world, and people came to believe.
If ti weren't for those guys way back when, where would we be today?
It can be quite interesting to find out the meaning of names. For instance, my name Geoffrey means God's peace. I guess it makes sense (sort of). Barnabas means encourager, Saul means prayed for, Christian means one who sticks to Christ, and of course the big one Jesus Christ means Savior Messiah.
With the access we have today to information, I am sure, that if there is interest, we can all look up the meanings of our names. Check it out and see if your parents got it right.
Beyond this fun little exercise, we can learn quite a bit about the actions of the people in the Bible by their names, and the stories they are involved in.
after the death of Steven (means crown), the believers were scattered fearing for of their lives. Wherever they went, they brought the word of God with them teaching the Good News of Jesus to the Jews they found there.
Surprisingly, the church in Jerusalem began to hear of the conversion of many gentiles to Christianity, and they wanted to find out the how's and why's.
19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews.
20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.
21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
22 News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
I find it interesting that when the leaders of the church heard about these conversion stories, they sent out a trusted fellow Christian whose name means encourager to find those who were doing this wonderful deed. I
23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.
24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
So he went on a search to find the man, or men, that were involved in the telling of the good news.
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
This was just the beginning. From here the name of Jesus was carried to the world, and people came to believe.
If ti weren't for those guys way back when, where would we be today?
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
CHOOSE WELL
Deuteronomy 30: 15 – 20
15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.
16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them,
18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live
20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Seems simple enough doesn't it. Choose God and live, follow other gods and die. Who wouldn't make the right choice? Yet, everyday, many thousands of people choose to follow other gods.
Junkies choose to shoot heroin daily, alcoholics choose to get drunk, smokers light up another cigarette, all of these choices lead to certain death, or in the choice of drugs and booze, can lead to jail or institutions. There are those who choose to rob banks, murder, deal drugs, and there are those who watch pornography, visit prostitutes, cheat on their wives and families, and a million other dishonest and illegal things
There is no life in these choices, and the only god they serve is a creation, not the Creator.
On the other hand. Many millions of people choose to follow God. The God of redemption offers freedom and deliverance from all the sins that I wrote about above.
It is clear that exercise is good for the heart, and the body in general, yet if we are given the choice of taking the stairs, or the escalator, well guess which we normally choose? We know what's good and right, and we make the wrong decision most of the time.
At a shopping mall in Coventry, England, researchers posted colorful signs along the steps of a staircase that said: “Taking the stairs protects your heart.” Over a 6-week period, the number of people who chose to walk up the stairs instead of riding the adjacent escalator more than doubled. The researchers say that every step counts, and that long-term behavior will change only if the signs are seen regularly.
All we need it seems are signs placed in the right place and we begin to follow that direction.
God dives us signs of this type on a daily basis, just like the scripture above. Given the choice of right and wrong, most will choose rightly.
So I guess what I am saying today is, please, choose life.
15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.
16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them,
18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live
20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Seems simple enough doesn't it. Choose God and live, follow other gods and die. Who wouldn't make the right choice? Yet, everyday, many thousands of people choose to follow other gods.
Junkies choose to shoot heroin daily, alcoholics choose to get drunk, smokers light up another cigarette, all of these choices lead to certain death, or in the choice of drugs and booze, can lead to jail or institutions. There are those who choose to rob banks, murder, deal drugs, and there are those who watch pornography, visit prostitutes, cheat on their wives and families, and a million other dishonest and illegal things
There is no life in these choices, and the only god they serve is a creation, not the Creator.
On the other hand. Many millions of people choose to follow God. The God of redemption offers freedom and deliverance from all the sins that I wrote about above.
It is clear that exercise is good for the heart, and the body in general, yet if we are given the choice of taking the stairs, or the escalator, well guess which we normally choose? We know what's good and right, and we make the wrong decision most of the time.
At a shopping mall in Coventry, England, researchers posted colorful signs along the steps of a staircase that said: “Taking the stairs protects your heart.” Over a 6-week period, the number of people who chose to walk up the stairs instead of riding the adjacent escalator more than doubled. The researchers say that every step counts, and that long-term behavior will change only if the signs are seen regularly.
All we need it seems are signs placed in the right place and we begin to follow that direction.
God dives us signs of this type on a daily basis, just like the scripture above. Given the choice of right and wrong, most will choose rightly.
So I guess what I am saying today is, please, choose life.
Monday, March 16, 2009
THOMAS TIME
John 20: 24 – 29
From time to time, I run into people who seemed to be strong in their faith, walking with the Lord as they say, then one day they doubt the existence of God. There are many reasons that people give as to why they came to this decision to no longer believe. I have heard it said that this person broke his faith because of perceived their prayers were not answered, others because of the death of a loved one (usually a child), and sometimes they just stop believing and question why they did at one time. Where is the proof they say, why won't God show himself to us?
These people are going through what is called Thomas time. Thomas was the disciple back in the time of Jesus who refused to believe the resurrection saying that he wouldn't until he could put his hands in the wounds on side of Jesus and see that wounds on his hands. Finally all it took for Thomas to believe was for Jesus to appear to him as alive standing there right there in front of him.
24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Today, we are the people who have not seen. Jesus rarely appears to us in his physical form. Yet I can still recall the day that He first made me believe. His spirit came over sitting on a bench in the rain at Boston Common. One second I was agnostic, then the next second, I knew that He was real and that He was alive, and He had relevance in my life today. He was not some character in a story from two thousand years ago.
It took me a while to come to this conclusion and belief, I went back and forth from non-belief to belief and back again, .like some pendulum swinging wildly from one extreme to another. There are other people who experience these same type of feelings, and some that just walk away never to come back.
If you, or someone you know, are in this “Thomas time”, reach out to Jesus. See the wounds on His hands. It's really not that hard to do.
From time to time, I run into people who seemed to be strong in their faith, walking with the Lord as they say, then one day they doubt the existence of God. There are many reasons that people give as to why they came to this decision to no longer believe. I have heard it said that this person broke his faith because of perceived their prayers were not answered, others because of the death of a loved one (usually a child), and sometimes they just stop believing and question why they did at one time. Where is the proof they say, why won't God show himself to us?
These people are going through what is called Thomas time. Thomas was the disciple back in the time of Jesus who refused to believe the resurrection saying that he wouldn't until he could put his hands in the wounds on side of Jesus and see that wounds on his hands. Finally all it took for Thomas to believe was for Jesus to appear to him as alive standing there right there in front of him.
24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Today, we are the people who have not seen. Jesus rarely appears to us in his physical form. Yet I can still recall the day that He first made me believe. His spirit came over sitting on a bench in the rain at Boston Common. One second I was agnostic, then the next second, I knew that He was real and that He was alive, and He had relevance in my life today. He was not some character in a story from two thousand years ago.
It took me a while to come to this conclusion and belief, I went back and forth from non-belief to belief and back again, .like some pendulum swinging wildly from one extreme to another. There are other people who experience these same type of feelings, and some that just walk away never to come back.
If you, or someone you know, are in this “Thomas time”, reach out to Jesus. See the wounds on His hands. It's really not that hard to do.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
CLUTTERED HOUSE
1 Corinthians 6: 12 – 20
We all have that place, or room, or shed, or even house, that is filled with clutter and junk. There are things that we thought would be useful, things that one day may be valuable, or even needed in an emergency. There is some things that hold special memories, and there is just plane junk that we aren't really sure why we picked up in the first place.
When things are like this we keep people away so they won't see how messy things are I our lives.
What are we doing this? Why do we insist on cluttering up our places?
What happens is that we need to take time to get into those places that we have messed up, and just clean and scrub until things are nice and shiny. When we do this we are happy to have company come over, and are proud to open our doors and let people see our places.
Our bodies are like this. We have little dark places full of filth and sin that we are not letting people see, and we can hide it pretty well from almost everybody. But we carry the burden of all that junk weighing us down, and we wonder what can we do to clean up?
The best thing we can do is to keep from junking up our bodies in the first place.
12 "Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything.
14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.
15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!
16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh."
17 But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
Now that we read what God has intended for us it becomes easy to try to live up to his vision for us. Whether we can attain those heights remains to be seen. But, we do have a blue print to follow.
We all have that place, or room, or shed, or even house, that is filled with clutter and junk. There are things that we thought would be useful, things that one day may be valuable, or even needed in an emergency. There is some things that hold special memories, and there is just plane junk that we aren't really sure why we picked up in the first place.
When things are like this we keep people away so they won't see how messy things are I our lives.
What are we doing this? Why do we insist on cluttering up our places?
What happens is that we need to take time to get into those places that we have messed up, and just clean and scrub until things are nice and shiny. When we do this we are happy to have company come over, and are proud to open our doors and let people see our places.
Our bodies are like this. We have little dark places full of filth and sin that we are not letting people see, and we can hide it pretty well from almost everybody. But we carry the burden of all that junk weighing us down, and we wonder what can we do to clean up?
The best thing we can do is to keep from junking up our bodies in the first place.
12 "Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything.
14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.
15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!
16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh."
17 But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
Now that we read what God has intended for us it becomes easy to try to live up to his vision for us. Whether we can attain those heights remains to be seen. But, we do have a blue print to follow.
Friday, March 13, 2009
IT HURTS ME TOO
2 Corinthians 1: 3 – 11
During the introduction of the song; “Musta Got Lost, singer Peter Wolf said, “This is a song about desperation. Every now and then, we do get desperate”.
I have felt this in my own life, this feeling of desperation, and I have been with other people who have felt this same way, and I think that I can clearly say that when we are in that special place, we can't see a way to get clear of the feeling, how it came to be, or even thinking that there is a quick way to get out of it, and feel no more. At that point, all we can think of is ending the pain regardless of the consequences. We forget that the comfort of Jesus is more than enough to guide us through these desperate times. Thankfully, the apostle Paul is here to remind us of a few things.
I'm sorry, but my copy paste mode seems to have stopped functioning.
Read 2 Cor. 1: 3 – 5 at this time.
Paul does a pretty good job of telling us where our comforts come from, and how we are to receive them.
As we have gone through tough times, so did Paul and he documents them here in this book. He was so despondent, that he apparently considered what the English upper class called, “The gentleman's way out”, which was usually followed by the sound of a single gun shot.
But, Paul knew where to turn in such times so that he wouldn't have to take that option, and he spread the good news about that to us, and to anyone who wants to here his words, inspired by the hand of God.
As I've said, I have been there, thankfully not for a long time, and I can relate to the feelings, as I'm sure that most of can. And if you're reading this you got through it just as I did. And it's all because of God and his risen Son Jesus Christ.
During the introduction of the song; “Musta Got Lost, singer Peter Wolf said, “This is a song about desperation. Every now and then, we do get desperate”.
I have felt this in my own life, this feeling of desperation, and I have been with other people who have felt this same way, and I think that I can clearly say that when we are in that special place, we can't see a way to get clear of the feeling, how it came to be, or even thinking that there is a quick way to get out of it, and feel no more. At that point, all we can think of is ending the pain regardless of the consequences. We forget that the comfort of Jesus is more than enough to guide us through these desperate times. Thankfully, the apostle Paul is here to remind us of a few things.
I'm sorry, but my copy paste mode seems to have stopped functioning.
Read 2 Cor. 1: 3 – 5 at this time.
Paul does a pretty good job of telling us where our comforts come from, and how we are to receive them.
As we have gone through tough times, so did Paul and he documents them here in this book. He was so despondent, that he apparently considered what the English upper class called, “The gentleman's way out”, which was usually followed by the sound of a single gun shot.
But, Paul knew where to turn in such times so that he wouldn't have to take that option, and he spread the good news about that to us, and to anyone who wants to here his words, inspired by the hand of God.
As I've said, I have been there, thankfully not for a long time, and I can relate to the feelings, as I'm sure that most of can. And if you're reading this you got through it just as I did. And it's all because of God and his risen Son Jesus Christ.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
HIGH EXPECTATIONS
Philippians 1: 3 – 11
When I came to start writing this, I thought that I had a good opening, but it has left me, so I am rambling now with the expectation that whatever I was going to write would come to me, or I will think of a new opening that will capture your attention.
Expectation, that's what I'm talking about. I expect that I will be able to write a teaching here, and you expect that I will, and e – mail it to you.
I have a friend who, the other day, was talking about his motorcycle. He smiled as he said to me and others, that his bike was all apart. He was working on it, painting it, and in his eye he saw the finished item, while I know I saw a bunch of parts laying around on the floor. He had an expectation of what that bike will look like, and even looked forward to the day when it would be complete.
Paul was trying to get this kind of thing across to the good people of Philippi. He was talking of the Day that Jesus was to return.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,
11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
High expectations indeed.
Paul saw what others didn't. He saw what he knew to be the finished product. He knew that the people in Philippi would be ready for that day. All they needed was a little encouragement.
3 I thank my God every time I remember you.
4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.
My hope and prayer, is that I will be able, like Paul, to see what I know to be the final outcome. The truth of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
What I mean is, even though the parts may be all over the floor and making no sense to the casual observer. I want to be like my friend and see the finished product of all of us as we are ready for the day of His return.
When I came to start writing this, I thought that I had a good opening, but it has left me, so I am rambling now with the expectation that whatever I was going to write would come to me, or I will think of a new opening that will capture your attention.
Expectation, that's what I'm talking about. I expect that I will be able to write a teaching here, and you expect that I will, and e – mail it to you.
I have a friend who, the other day, was talking about his motorcycle. He smiled as he said to me and others, that his bike was all apart. He was working on it, painting it, and in his eye he saw the finished item, while I know I saw a bunch of parts laying around on the floor. He had an expectation of what that bike will look like, and even looked forward to the day when it would be complete.
Paul was trying to get this kind of thing across to the good people of Philippi. He was talking of the Day that Jesus was to return.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,
11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
High expectations indeed.
Paul saw what others didn't. He saw what he knew to be the finished product. He knew that the people in Philippi would be ready for that day. All they needed was a little encouragement.
3 I thank my God every time I remember you.
4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.
My hope and prayer, is that I will be able, like Paul, to see what I know to be the final outcome. The truth of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
What I mean is, even though the parts may be all over the floor and making no sense to the casual observer. I want to be like my friend and see the finished product of all of us as we are ready for the day of His return.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
I GOT THEM LOW DOWN BLUES
Psalm 6
There are days when we think that everything and everyone has somehow plotted against us. We feel beaten and busted, we feel knocked down and out doing the “rope a dope”, just trying to survive the fight.
When we feel this way, we have to know that we are not the only ones to feel this way, and, we aren't the first, nor are we the last.
We got them no good, low down, Davids writing about them blues.
1 O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.
2 Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony.
3 My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long?
He may only have had a harp to play but, in my head, I can hear a slide guitar and harmonica in the background.
There are days when my soul feels like it is in anguish, and I pray to the Lord, and ask that he help me through it, and that the time be shortened, and mostly that his will be done in the situation that I find myself. Once again, I find that my first thoughts are in direct opposition to what God has in mind. I want it over with and done now, in my time, not God's. But, I am a selfish foolish man that needs to learn, and re-learn every day, the lessons that God has taught me.
6 I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.
7 My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.
All we can do is rely on the fact that God will get us through.
8 Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping.
9 The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed; they will turn back in sudden disgrace.
There are days when we think that everything and everyone has somehow plotted against us. We feel beaten and busted, we feel knocked down and out doing the “rope a dope”, just trying to survive the fight.
When we feel this way, we have to know that we are not the only ones to feel this way, and, we aren't the first, nor are we the last.
We got them no good, low down, Davids writing about them blues.
1 O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.
2 Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony.
3 My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long?
He may only have had a harp to play but, in my head, I can hear a slide guitar and harmonica in the background.
There are days when my soul feels like it is in anguish, and I pray to the Lord, and ask that he help me through it, and that the time be shortened, and mostly that his will be done in the situation that I find myself. Once again, I find that my first thoughts are in direct opposition to what God has in mind. I want it over with and done now, in my time, not God's. But, I am a selfish foolish man that needs to learn, and re-learn every day, the lessons that God has taught me.
6 I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.
7 My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.
All we can do is rely on the fact that God will get us through.
8 Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping.
9 The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed; they will turn back in sudden disgrace.
Monday, March 9, 2009
NOT MY JOB MAN!
Genesis 3: 9 – 19
There was a comedian in the 70's named Freddie Prinz and his punch line was “Not my job man!” it was sort of like “Git r done” is today. People all over used that phrase at home, and on the job, and that's where the trouble lies.
We have a tendency to build our walls around ourselves, and what we do. We don't want to do more than what is required of us, and we don't want to take responsibility for what we do. We want to skate through life without making any waves.
Another saying these days is “Thats above my pay grade” when we want to duck something or not make a commitment.
The problem is, that kind of attitude has gotten us into trouble since the beginning of time.
As Christians, we are called to obey. Time after time in the Bible, we are shown that the best response we can say when we are called by the voice of God is Here I am Lord, or yes. The times when we point fingers at others instead of taking responsibility, disaster follows. Joseph said yes to God, and Adam pointed to Eve, who pointed to the serpent. Who do you think made out better?
9 But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"
10 He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."
11 And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree from which I commanded you not to eat?"
12 The man said, "The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."
13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
Oops! There goes the neighborhood.
Being thrown out of paradise may seem a bit harsh, but it is an example for us today to obey God and his commandments.
We need to take this attitude to work with us these days as well. If we use these kind of excuses when our boss asks something of us, we may be thrown out of work. And these days that can be quite harsh.
I guess when we look at things, we are best served by quoting the prophet Samuel when he was called by God; “Here I am Lord”.
Yeah. That works for me.
There was a comedian in the 70's named Freddie Prinz and his punch line was “Not my job man!” it was sort of like “Git r done” is today. People all over used that phrase at home, and on the job, and that's where the trouble lies.
We have a tendency to build our walls around ourselves, and what we do. We don't want to do more than what is required of us, and we don't want to take responsibility for what we do. We want to skate through life without making any waves.
Another saying these days is “Thats above my pay grade” when we want to duck something or not make a commitment.
The problem is, that kind of attitude has gotten us into trouble since the beginning of time.
As Christians, we are called to obey. Time after time in the Bible, we are shown that the best response we can say when we are called by the voice of God is Here I am Lord, or yes. The times when we point fingers at others instead of taking responsibility, disaster follows. Joseph said yes to God, and Adam pointed to Eve, who pointed to the serpent. Who do you think made out better?
9 But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"
10 He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."
11 And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree from which I commanded you not to eat?"
12 The man said, "The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."
13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
Oops! There goes the neighborhood.
Being thrown out of paradise may seem a bit harsh, but it is an example for us today to obey God and his commandments.
We need to take this attitude to work with us these days as well. If we use these kind of excuses when our boss asks something of us, we may be thrown out of work. And these days that can be quite harsh.
I guess when we look at things, we are best served by quoting the prophet Samuel when he was called by God; “Here I am Lord”.
Yeah. That works for me.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
SOMETHING BETTER
Hebrews 11: 24 – 40
What have you endured?
I mean what have you had to get through that made you call on your faith to make it through?
Were you successful?
We all have things in our lives that we have to go through. Some are harder to hold up under than others, but we all have to at least try to endure. Faith can help us tackle such things.
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
25 He chose to be ill-treated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.
I am prayerful that I have that amount of faith.
I am sure that we all know a veteran. They have gone through many more things than we can imagine, but I'll bet that when you talk to them,they never talk about what they went through. They sacrificed, they endured. They had something that helped them get home. I choose to call that faith. Why? Because with faith we can endure anything
32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets,
33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,
34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.
35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection.
36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison.
37 They were stoned; they were sawn in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and ill-treated—
38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.
40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Those are some strong folk!
They had a whole lot more to handle than we seem to today. I say this not to diminish the things we struggle with, but that if people from the past can be written up by God, then why can't we? We may not make it into the New, New Testament, but, God knows what we are doing.
Keep at it, don't give up. Climb that hill. Fight that fight.
There is a story of Gentleman Jim Corbett, who was a boxer and was taking on the champion of the world. Round after round, Jim took the beating of his life, his manager wanted to throw in the towel at the end of each round to save him from the beating. But, Jim would say; No just one more round.
By not giving up. By withstanding the blows. Round by round, Jim Corbett became the next champion of the world.
If a guy with the nickname of Gentleman Jim can become champion, well so can a guy named Roadblock.
How 'bout you?
What have you endured?
I mean what have you had to get through that made you call on your faith to make it through?
Were you successful?
We all have things in our lives that we have to go through. Some are harder to hold up under than others, but we all have to at least try to endure. Faith can help us tackle such things.
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
25 He chose to be ill-treated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.
I am prayerful that I have that amount of faith.
I am sure that we all know a veteran. They have gone through many more things than we can imagine, but I'll bet that when you talk to them,they never talk about what they went through. They sacrificed, they endured. They had something that helped them get home. I choose to call that faith. Why? Because with faith we can endure anything
32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets,
33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,
34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.
35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection.
36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison.
37 They were stoned; they were sawn in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and ill-treated—
38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.
40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Those are some strong folk!
They had a whole lot more to handle than we seem to today. I say this not to diminish the things we struggle with, but that if people from the past can be written up by God, then why can't we? We may not make it into the New, New Testament, but, God knows what we are doing.
Keep at it, don't give up. Climb that hill. Fight that fight.
There is a story of Gentleman Jim Corbett, who was a boxer and was taking on the champion of the world. Round after round, Jim took the beating of his life, his manager wanted to throw in the towel at the end of each round to save him from the beating. But, Jim would say; No just one more round.
By not giving up. By withstanding the blows. Round by round, Jim Corbett became the next champion of the world.
If a guy with the nickname of Gentleman Jim can become champion, well so can a guy named Roadblock.
How 'bout you?
Thursday, March 5, 2009
AMERICAN IDOLS
Ezekiel 14: 1 – 8
Each of us has one whether we want to admit it or not. We either have one or want one. What I'm talking about are idols, something that helps take our focus away from God, and the other important things in our lives like our families or work.
We get assaulted by idols everyday, images on TV of the tings they tell us that we just can't live without. Everything from food preparation to fine furnishing are played out in our living rooms every day, at all hours of the day. Every message created to make us feel that we are worthless, outcasts, or just not the kind of people who don't know how to throw a party. We need this idol to survive!
1 Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me.
2 Then the word of the LORD came to me:
3 "Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling-blocks before their faces. Should I let them enquire of me at all?
4 Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: When any Israelite sets up idols in his heart and puts a wicked stumbling-block before his face and then goes to a prophet, I the LORD will answer him myself in keeping with his great idolatry.
5 I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.’
6 "Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!
7 "‘When any Israelite or any alien living in Israel separates himself from me and sets up idols in his heart and puts a wicked stumbling-block before his face and then goes to a prophet to inquire of me, I the LORD will answer him myself.
8 I will set my face against that man and make him an example and a byword. I will cut him off from my people. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
I guess God has addressed our desire for idols. I know that I'd rather be with God, and at least try to not collect idols, and those idols that I have already collected, I will make attempts to clear them from my life.
Each of us has one whether we want to admit it or not. We either have one or want one. What I'm talking about are idols, something that helps take our focus away from God, and the other important things in our lives like our families or work.
We get assaulted by idols everyday, images on TV of the tings they tell us that we just can't live without. Everything from food preparation to fine furnishing are played out in our living rooms every day, at all hours of the day. Every message created to make us feel that we are worthless, outcasts, or just not the kind of people who don't know how to throw a party. We need this idol to survive!
1 Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me.
2 Then the word of the LORD came to me:
3 "Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling-blocks before their faces. Should I let them enquire of me at all?
4 Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: When any Israelite sets up idols in his heart and puts a wicked stumbling-block before his face and then goes to a prophet, I the LORD will answer him myself in keeping with his great idolatry.
5 I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.’
6 "Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!
7 "‘When any Israelite or any alien living in Israel separates himself from me and sets up idols in his heart and puts a wicked stumbling-block before his face and then goes to a prophet to inquire of me, I the LORD will answer him myself.
8 I will set my face against that man and make him an example and a byword. I will cut him off from my people. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
I guess God has addressed our desire for idols. I know that I'd rather be with God, and at least try to not collect idols, and those idols that I have already collected, I will make attempts to clear them from my life.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
HANG IN THERE BABY!
1 Timothy 6: 11 – 16
Back in the 70's, there was a famous poster of this kitten desperately hanging from a wooden rod. All the kitten could do was to dig it's front claws into that wood and literally hang on to keep from falling. The title of that poster was Hang in there Baby.
I'm sure there are times when we all feel like that kitten, digging in our hands and fingers, and sometime with every fiber of our being, to keep from falling.
We are scared, we don't want to fall, and yet we have this feeling that if we just let go, we will feel better, but that's just a lie.
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Fight the good fight. I once heard it said that the only good fight is the one that you win. But that was from a movie about a crooked lawyer who finally does good. Fighting the good fight of the faith is something totally different.
Sometimes it is called being content. Being content in what ever situation we find ourselves in.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
I know, I went outside the parameters of the reading, get over it.
If we have what we need to survive, we really don't need anything else. We may not get rich or have fancy cars, or even handmade suits, but we will have contentment.
When we are at the end of our ropes, and are clinging to our faith, think of that kitten and hang in there baby.
In whatever we do to keep the faith, hang in there baby.
We may be seen as religious fanatics, or nuts with bigoted views, or homophobic, hang in there baby. Being able to stand in our beliefs and convictions is the key to hang in there baby.
Back in the 70's, there was a famous poster of this kitten desperately hanging from a wooden rod. All the kitten could do was to dig it's front claws into that wood and literally hang on to keep from falling. The title of that poster was Hang in there Baby.
I'm sure there are times when we all feel like that kitten, digging in our hands and fingers, and sometime with every fiber of our being, to keep from falling.
We are scared, we don't want to fall, and yet we have this feeling that if we just let go, we will feel better, but that's just a lie.
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Fight the good fight. I once heard it said that the only good fight is the one that you win. But that was from a movie about a crooked lawyer who finally does good. Fighting the good fight of the faith is something totally different.
Sometimes it is called being content. Being content in what ever situation we find ourselves in.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
I know, I went outside the parameters of the reading, get over it.
If we have what we need to survive, we really don't need anything else. We may not get rich or have fancy cars, or even handmade suits, but we will have contentment.
When we are at the end of our ropes, and are clinging to our faith, think of that kitten and hang in there baby.
In whatever we do to keep the faith, hang in there baby.
We may be seen as religious fanatics, or nuts with bigoted views, or homophobic, hang in there baby. Being able to stand in our beliefs and convictions is the key to hang in there baby.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
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