Luke 19: 1 – 10
9 Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Every store, factory, subway and bus company, airline, school, or whatever organization, has a lost and found dept. Things that we once owned and have been lost to us lay idle collecting rust and deteriorating waiting for the day that we return to liberate our stuff that we feel has value.
Okay. I know that I'm just talking about stuff but the idea is sound. When things are lost to us, we launch a sort of search and rescue mission until we find them.
It really is the same thing here with Zacchaeus. He was one of the things that was lost. He knew it in his heart, and Jesus knew it and sought him out.
Jesus made his claim of ownership when He saw the little man sitting in a tree and called him down.
2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.
3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd.
4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today."
Hearing what Jesus had said, Zacchaeus eagerly gave up his wicked ways and invited Jesus into his life and home.
6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly
8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
Repentance and forgiveness, lost and then found, welcoming the Son of God into our lives.
Sounds familiar don't it?
Just as Jesus has launched His search and rescue mission to find us, we should be accepting that He has found us and go with Him.
It really kind of bugs me when I heard somebody say that they had “found God.”
God isn't lost, we are. We didn't find him, He found us right where He knew we would be, and at the right time in our lives that we would need Him the most.
Repent. Pray for forgiveness and invite Jesus to walk with you.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
WHOM SHALL I SEND?
Isaiah 6: 1 – 8
There's an old military saying, “Never volunteer for anything.”
The saying is meant to keep young and new recruits from getting themselves into trouble and to keep them from getting hurt.
That said, I know a lot of people who go through life with that same attitude. Not to stay safe or out of trouble, but simply because they don't want to get involved. They seem to think that the next guy will do it, that somebody else will pick up the ball and run with it.
There are also those who think that they are unworthy of the task and that if they try, they will fail, so why bother.
I'll bet that you can think of a few folks with that kind of attitude.
Do you have that type of attitude yourself?
We all have these feelings, but it comes down to what we are willing to do when we feel them.
5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."
6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.
7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Willin' to do it?
Are you ready to drop everything in order to serve God, even though you are unworthy?
Are you able to step out of your comfort zone to go where the Lord wants to send you?
God's calling us. He's asking us to do his work here on earth. He wants us to do as He commands.
Get yourself ready to say,
“Here am I. Send me!”
There's an old military saying, “Never volunteer for anything.”
The saying is meant to keep young and new recruits from getting themselves into trouble and to keep them from getting hurt.
That said, I know a lot of people who go through life with that same attitude. Not to stay safe or out of trouble, but simply because they don't want to get involved. They seem to think that the next guy will do it, that somebody else will pick up the ball and run with it.
There are also those who think that they are unworthy of the task and that if they try, they will fail, so why bother.
I'll bet that you can think of a few folks with that kind of attitude.
Do you have that type of attitude yourself?
We all have these feelings, but it comes down to what we are willing to do when we feel them.
5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."
6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.
7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Willin' to do it?
Are you ready to drop everything in order to serve God, even though you are unworthy?
Are you able to step out of your comfort zone to go where the Lord wants to send you?
God's calling us. He's asking us to do his work here on earth. He wants us to do as He commands.
Get yourself ready to say,
“Here am I. Send me!”
Saturday, June 27, 2009
WOULDN'T IT BE NICE
Proverbs 1: 1 – 9
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;
3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—
I think that everybody has had their father give them advice on how to live life. Some bits of fatherly knowledge, however, can be better than others.
My father was no different in passing down knowledge. He always had something to say about current events or on how to make life a little easier.
One of his little chestnuts that I remember the most is,
“Never drink warm beer, cold coffee, or smoke in bed.”
Sage advice from the old man huh?
But this was nothing compared to the advice that Salomon gave to his son.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
9 They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
As a people we all learn from the generation that came before us. Our thoughts and ideas are formed by what we see, hear, and experience. And you know what? Our kids and grand kids learn from us.
There is another wise old saying that I remember, even though it did not come from dear old dad, it is true.
We may be the only Bible that some people will ever read.
Oof!
That could be a hard one to live up to.
Learn from the Bible so that we can be a Bible, and pass on that advice to our sons and daughters.
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;
3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—
I think that everybody has had their father give them advice on how to live life. Some bits of fatherly knowledge, however, can be better than others.
My father was no different in passing down knowledge. He always had something to say about current events or on how to make life a little easier.
One of his little chestnuts that I remember the most is,
“Never drink warm beer, cold coffee, or smoke in bed.”
Sage advice from the old man huh?
But this was nothing compared to the advice that Salomon gave to his son.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
9 They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
As a people we all learn from the generation that came before us. Our thoughts and ideas are formed by what we see, hear, and experience. And you know what? Our kids and grand kids learn from us.
There is another wise old saying that I remember, even though it did not come from dear old dad, it is true.
We may be the only Bible that some people will ever read.
Oof!
That could be a hard one to live up to.
Learn from the Bible so that we can be a Bible, and pass on that advice to our sons and daughters.
Friday, June 26, 2009
IT GETS KINDA TUFF OUT HERE.
Nehemiah 4: 14 – 23
Things are tough all over. That appears to be a popular sentiment these days with the economy tanking and gas prices soaring again. Families are worried about the future as they watch their pensions melt away.
In other words.
We are in a pickle, it feels as if we are under threat of attack from every corner of our lives. Many of us look towards the onslaught fearing that we are about to be overwhelmed.
We're boned!
And, it don't matter how you look at it.
The best thing we can do about our situation is to rely on God and pray.
14 And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses."
The walls of Jerusalem were down and, with the walls down they had no defense, all the enemies of the Israelites were poised ready to attack, fear ruled the day. Everybody was wondering when they were going to be taken out, and from what direction their enemy was going to come.
With nowhere else to turn, the people finally turned to God for help.
15 Our enemies learned that we knew all about their plan and that God had frustrated it. And we went back to the wall and went to work.
19 Then I spoke to the nobles and officials and everyone else: "There’s a lot of work going on and we are spread out all along the wall, separated from each other.
20 When you hear the trumpet call, join us there; our God will fight for us."
21 And so we kept working, from first light until the stars came out, half of us holding lances.
Prayer, fellowship, diligence and reliance on God, are examples of what we can use in our lives today.
We feel as if there are holes in all our defenses, the enemy is barking at our door, and we need good Christian fellowship to help us through these tough days. Oh! And it can't hurt to pray.
As a matter of fact, prayer is the most important thing to do.
God will fight our battles.
We just go along for the ride.
Working with and for each other strengthens us and grows our faith.
Improving our reliance on, and walk with God makes us better able to be leaders in our families, churches, and communities.
Let's get together and build a few walls with our friends.
Things are tough all over. That appears to be a popular sentiment these days with the economy tanking and gas prices soaring again. Families are worried about the future as they watch their pensions melt away.
In other words.
We are in a pickle, it feels as if we are under threat of attack from every corner of our lives. Many of us look towards the onslaught fearing that we are about to be overwhelmed.
We're boned!
And, it don't matter how you look at it.
The best thing we can do about our situation is to rely on God and pray.
14 And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses."
The walls of Jerusalem were down and, with the walls down they had no defense, all the enemies of the Israelites were poised ready to attack, fear ruled the day. Everybody was wondering when they were going to be taken out, and from what direction their enemy was going to come.
With nowhere else to turn, the people finally turned to God for help.
15 Our enemies learned that we knew all about their plan and that God had frustrated it. And we went back to the wall and went to work.
19 Then I spoke to the nobles and officials and everyone else: "There’s a lot of work going on and we are spread out all along the wall, separated from each other.
20 When you hear the trumpet call, join us there; our God will fight for us."
21 And so we kept working, from first light until the stars came out, half of us holding lances.
Prayer, fellowship, diligence and reliance on God, are examples of what we can use in our lives today.
We feel as if there are holes in all our defenses, the enemy is barking at our door, and we need good Christian fellowship to help us through these tough days. Oh! And it can't hurt to pray.
As a matter of fact, prayer is the most important thing to do.
God will fight our battles.
We just go along for the ride.
Working with and for each other strengthens us and grows our faith.
Improving our reliance on, and walk with God makes us better able to be leaders in our families, churches, and communities.
Let's get together and build a few walls with our friends.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
INSTITUTIONALIZED
Numbers 14: 1 – 10
3 Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?"
When I used to work in the prison system, I was amazed at a condition called institutionalization. This is a condition in which a person gets so used to the life in jail, that they can't face the freedom of life on the outside.
Life in the confinement of a prison cell may seem unacceptable to us, to many prisoners, it's the only life they know. Jail becomes a place where they know they can feel safe.
As a result, when a prisoners sentence is coming to an end, they will commit a crime in prison so that they won't have to leave, or when he is released, he may spend a couple of days with family and friends, only to act out in fear to find a way back to the only way of life that he knows.
It really doesn't matter how good the situation is, or how comfortable the life, when things get a little hard, all a prisoner can think of is returning to captivity.
1 That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud.
2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert!
4 And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt."
The only life the Israelites knew was one of enslavement and captivity.
We read in the Bible about the people grumbling about the freedom that God was giving them and wonder why they would want to return to the place where they lived in confinement.
Given the light of institutionalization, we can now see why they were afraid to follow Moses into the promised land. It really didn't matter what they would face there, they were afraid.
I think that's why God led them around the desert for so many years. The generation that grew up in the desert had no fear of freedom, and would willingly enter the land flowing with milk and honey.
6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes
7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good.
8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us.
9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them."
The question for us is, “Are we institutionalized?
We cannot be afraid of the freedom, and the life beyond what we know, just to stay in our life of confinement, the oft' spoken of “comfort zone.”
we all need to be like Joshua and Caleb and be so excited about the prospect of heaven, that we go to any extent to tell the masses how wonderful it will be when we arrive there.
Don't let people you know return to Egypt.
3 Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?"
When I used to work in the prison system, I was amazed at a condition called institutionalization. This is a condition in which a person gets so used to the life in jail, that they can't face the freedom of life on the outside.
Life in the confinement of a prison cell may seem unacceptable to us, to many prisoners, it's the only life they know. Jail becomes a place where they know they can feel safe.
As a result, when a prisoners sentence is coming to an end, they will commit a crime in prison so that they won't have to leave, or when he is released, he may spend a couple of days with family and friends, only to act out in fear to find a way back to the only way of life that he knows.
It really doesn't matter how good the situation is, or how comfortable the life, when things get a little hard, all a prisoner can think of is returning to captivity.
1 That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud.
2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert!
4 And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt."
The only life the Israelites knew was one of enslavement and captivity.
We read in the Bible about the people grumbling about the freedom that God was giving them and wonder why they would want to return to the place where they lived in confinement.
Given the light of institutionalization, we can now see why they were afraid to follow Moses into the promised land. It really didn't matter what they would face there, they were afraid.
I think that's why God led them around the desert for so many years. The generation that grew up in the desert had no fear of freedom, and would willingly enter the land flowing with milk and honey.
6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes
7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good.
8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us.
9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them."
The question for us is, “Are we institutionalized?
We cannot be afraid of the freedom, and the life beyond what we know, just to stay in our life of confinement, the oft' spoken of “comfort zone.”
we all need to be like Joshua and Caleb and be so excited about the prospect of heaven, that we go to any extent to tell the masses how wonderful it will be when we arrive there.
Don't let people you know return to Egypt.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
POSTPONEMENT
Romans 12:4 – 13
Many years ago, I was sitting in a darkened barroom having an adult beverage, when I noticed that on the wall was a poster for the international procrastination society. The poster claimed that membership in the society was only $5.00 per year, and that the annual 4'th of July picnic would be held on November 14'th.
Reports say that usually 95% of church members wait for someone else to get the ball rolling.
We all have talents that can be used for God, in all areas of church life. So why do we wait?
Are we postponing our work for God?
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
With these different gifts, all of which are equally important, you'd think that we would plunge head on, springing into action. Perhaps “springing into action” is not the correct term due to the procrastination percentages. Let's not wait to act people. We have the talent, and we should do all things whether in thought or deed in the name of Jesus, thereby giving glory to the Father through His name. So, why do we hang around not giving glory to God?
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Zeal means an ardent pursuit of something. If we follow this prospect, then it becomes impossible to postpone our actions for the church.
Get on out there!
We each have the ability to serve. So get to the serving y'all.
Many years ago, I was sitting in a darkened barroom having an adult beverage, when I noticed that on the wall was a poster for the international procrastination society. The poster claimed that membership in the society was only $5.00 per year, and that the annual 4'th of July picnic would be held on November 14'th.
Reports say that usually 95% of church members wait for someone else to get the ball rolling.
We all have talents that can be used for God, in all areas of church life. So why do we wait?
Are we postponing our work for God?
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
With these different gifts, all of which are equally important, you'd think that we would plunge head on, springing into action. Perhaps “springing into action” is not the correct term due to the procrastination percentages. Let's not wait to act people. We have the talent, and we should do all things whether in thought or deed in the name of Jesus, thereby giving glory to the Father through His name. So, why do we hang around not giving glory to God?
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Zeal means an ardent pursuit of something. If we follow this prospect, then it becomes impossible to postpone our actions for the church.
Get on out there!
We each have the ability to serve. So get to the serving y'all.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
POWER
1 Corinthians 4: 18 – 25
The word of God has great power. Power that can heal, strengthen, bring comfort, and bring people into relationship with Jesus.
18 The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out.
19 It’s written, I’ll turn conventional wisdom on its head, I’ll expose so-called experts as crackpots.
20 So where can you find someone truly wise, truly educated, truly intelligent in this day and age? Hasn’t God exposed it all as pretentious nonsense?
21 Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered dumb—preaching, of all things!—to bring those who trust him into the way of salvation.
When we read these words for the first time, we find them to kinda confusing. The wise foolish, the foolish wise? I know that I couldn't make head nor tails out of it. After all, I was still too smart to understand what was being written on these pages. Hey, I was the guy who was once called a visionary philosopher after taking an I.Q. Test.
So why couldn't I understand this with clarity?
22 While Jews clamor for miraculous demonstrations and Greeks go in for philosophical wisdom,
23 we go right on proclaiming Christ, the Crucified. Jews treat this like an anti-miracle—and Greeks pass it off as absurd.
24 But to us who are personally called by God himself—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is God’s ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one.
25 Human wisdom is so tinny, so impotent, next to the seeming absurdity of God. Human strength can’t begin to compete with God’s "weakness."
There it was. The reason that I couldn't understand what was being said in the word was that I was looking for the miraculous and also looking for the philosophical.
Once we get it. Once we can really read what God has written just for us, oh how freeing it is.
We get to know that those who take the word as it is written on the page, and let God write it on our hearts, are the truly wise. Even though the world thinks that it has all the answers to every question. Even though the so called educated think the Word is a fable for the weak minded.
Once the Word enters their hearts instead of their heads, they, like me, will be driven to their knees in awe and wonder.
There is a song by Marty Stuart, one of my favorite now, titled, “I can't even walk without you holding my hand”'
I thought that I could do a lot on my own
I thought I, I thought I could make it
All, all alone
I thought, I thought of myself
As a mighty, mighty big man
But I realize I can't even walk
Without You holding my hand
Lord I can't even walk
Without You holding my hand
Because the mountains are so high
And the valleys are so wide
I'm down on my knees
I had to say,
Lord I can't even walk
Without You holding my hand
talks about a change in our lives. Reminds us of how foolish we were to think that we were all that there was.
So, yeah. Count me among the fools'
How wonderful it is to be a fool for Christ.
The word of God has great power. Power that can heal, strengthen, bring comfort, and bring people into relationship with Jesus.
18 The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out.
19 It’s written, I’ll turn conventional wisdom on its head, I’ll expose so-called experts as crackpots.
20 So where can you find someone truly wise, truly educated, truly intelligent in this day and age? Hasn’t God exposed it all as pretentious nonsense?
21 Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered dumb—preaching, of all things!—to bring those who trust him into the way of salvation.
When we read these words for the first time, we find them to kinda confusing. The wise foolish, the foolish wise? I know that I couldn't make head nor tails out of it. After all, I was still too smart to understand what was being written on these pages. Hey, I was the guy who was once called a visionary philosopher after taking an I.Q. Test.
So why couldn't I understand this with clarity?
22 While Jews clamor for miraculous demonstrations and Greeks go in for philosophical wisdom,
23 we go right on proclaiming Christ, the Crucified. Jews treat this like an anti-miracle—and Greeks pass it off as absurd.
24 But to us who are personally called by God himself—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is God’s ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one.
25 Human wisdom is so tinny, so impotent, next to the seeming absurdity of God. Human strength can’t begin to compete with God’s "weakness."
There it was. The reason that I couldn't understand what was being said in the word was that I was looking for the miraculous and also looking for the philosophical.
Once we get it. Once we can really read what God has written just for us, oh how freeing it is.
We get to know that those who take the word as it is written on the page, and let God write it on our hearts, are the truly wise. Even though the world thinks that it has all the answers to every question. Even though the so called educated think the Word is a fable for the weak minded.
Once the Word enters their hearts instead of their heads, they, like me, will be driven to their knees in awe and wonder.
There is a song by Marty Stuart, one of my favorite now, titled, “I can't even walk without you holding my hand”'
I thought that I could do a lot on my own
I thought I, I thought I could make it
All, all alone
I thought, I thought of myself
As a mighty, mighty big man
But I realize I can't even walk
Without You holding my hand
Lord I can't even walk
Without You holding my hand
Because the mountains are so high
And the valleys are so wide
I'm down on my knees
I had to say,
Lord I can't even walk
Without You holding my hand
talks about a change in our lives. Reminds us of how foolish we were to think that we were all that there was.
So, yeah. Count me among the fools'
How wonderful it is to be a fool for Christ.
Monday, June 22, 2009
HEY! WE'RE ALL FAMILY HERE.
Ephesians 2: 11 - 22
It's Monday and I am ready to start my new job. I must admit that to being a little nervous as I haven't done this kind of work for quite some time, and I sorta feel kinda like that duck who's out of the water, or the guy without his paddle up in that there creek.
It's at times like this that I am so grateful that we all have open access to God and we can come before him for comfort 24, 7, 365.
That's one of the cool things about knowing Jesus. He has made us part of His family and it's like His Father has a store and He grants access to family members at all hours of the day and night, free of charge.
18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,
Not only does He let us come to Him any time we want, ya know our new step brothers and sisters, well, because of the sacrifice made for us, Jesus has brought us together and removed all jealousy. We really are just one big happy family. The Brady bunch can't hold a candle to us.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,
16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
Ain't it cool?
Well, it's time for me to go to the store before I go to work. I need to get a new supply of comfort and peace.
Hey. Dad. Gotta minute?
It's Monday and I am ready to start my new job. I must admit that to being a little nervous as I haven't done this kind of work for quite some time, and I sorta feel kinda like that duck who's out of the water, or the guy without his paddle up in that there creek.
It's at times like this that I am so grateful that we all have open access to God and we can come before him for comfort 24, 7, 365.
That's one of the cool things about knowing Jesus. He has made us part of His family and it's like His Father has a store and He grants access to family members at all hours of the day and night, free of charge.
18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,
Not only does He let us come to Him any time we want, ya know our new step brothers and sisters, well, because of the sacrifice made for us, Jesus has brought us together and removed all jealousy. We really are just one big happy family. The Brady bunch can't hold a candle to us.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,
16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
Ain't it cool?
Well, it's time for me to go to the store before I go to work. I need to get a new supply of comfort and peace.
Hey. Dad. Gotta minute?
Saturday, June 20, 2009
REUNION
Revelation 21: 1 – 5
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
5 He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
Boy Howdy!
I remember as a kid, my father's side of the family decided to have a reunion. It took months to plan and setting up the back yard was an undertaking that I was glad only happened once. My father wanted everything to be perfect, after all, it was his family that was coming together for a celebration, a coming together, and nothing like this had ever been done before in the family, as far as anybody could remember.
Relationships were strengthened and old grudges and feuds were forgiven and forgotten.
It really was a day to remember.
Thinking back at all the work it took to pull this reunion off, it just blows me away to think of what the celebration will be like, and the work that is to be done in putting together a New heaven and New earth.
Can you just imagine what our relationship with God will be at that time?
How about the fact that all grudges, all feuds, and all sins will be forgiven.
Boy howdy! What a day that will be!
And, it will not be just for one day. No, this celebration, this new heaven and new earth, this reunion, and all that forgiveness will be forever!
REJOICE!
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE!
LIVE EVERYDAY WITH GOD AT YOUR SIDE!
GET READY TO PARTY!
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
5 He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
Boy Howdy!
I remember as a kid, my father's side of the family decided to have a reunion. It took months to plan and setting up the back yard was an undertaking that I was glad only happened once. My father wanted everything to be perfect, after all, it was his family that was coming together for a celebration, a coming together, and nothing like this had ever been done before in the family, as far as anybody could remember.
Relationships were strengthened and old grudges and feuds were forgiven and forgotten.
It really was a day to remember.
Thinking back at all the work it took to pull this reunion off, it just blows me away to think of what the celebration will be like, and the work that is to be done in putting together a New heaven and New earth.
Can you just imagine what our relationship with God will be at that time?
How about the fact that all grudges, all feuds, and all sins will be forgiven.
Boy howdy! What a day that will be!
And, it will not be just for one day. No, this celebration, this new heaven and new earth, this reunion, and all that forgiveness will be forever!
REJOICE!
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE!
LIVE EVERYDAY WITH GOD AT YOUR SIDE!
GET READY TO PARTY!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
YOU'RE KIDDING. RIGHT?
Acts 4: 5 – 13
I'm sure you have heard of the woman fondly called “SUBO.”
She is the woman that at first was called the “hairy angel,” who has become the beloved singer from Scotland named Susan Boyle
To look at her and the awkward way she presents herself, you could hardly blame people for being surprised that she has a voice like an angel.
We all have that prejudice in us. We look at someone and immediately form an opinion of what they are like. Boy, do I have stories on that subject. So, why should we be surprised at the way the Sanhedrin reacted to the powerful words of Peter and John?
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people!
9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed,
10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
11 He is "‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Unschooled ordinary men. In this period of history this meant that these guys had failed to meet the standard of having a Rabbi teach them. Without this education, these guys would not have been able to go to the first century equivalent of college and would be forced to work in the family business to survive.
So, why were they standing in front of the Sanhedrin?
5 The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem.
6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family.
7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?"
Peter and john had healed a crippled beggar in the name of Jesus Christ. Their following spirit lead speech to the gathering people about repentance and baptism lead to 3,000 people to join “THE WAY”.
These actions had struck fear in the hearts of the religious leaders in Jerusalem, and they had to put an end to this.
After all, they had gone to all the trouble of crucifying Jesus to stop the movement that He had begun.
The crowd was dispersed, the people quieted, it was back to business as usual.
That is until Peter had chimed in proclaiming Jesus as Lord.
Strike fear in the heart of the enemy!
Proclaim Jesus as Lord of your life. That'll scare em.
I'm sure you have heard of the woman fondly called “SUBO.”
She is the woman that at first was called the “hairy angel,” who has become the beloved singer from Scotland named Susan Boyle
To look at her and the awkward way she presents herself, you could hardly blame people for being surprised that she has a voice like an angel.
We all have that prejudice in us. We look at someone and immediately form an opinion of what they are like. Boy, do I have stories on that subject. So, why should we be surprised at the way the Sanhedrin reacted to the powerful words of Peter and John?
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people!
9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed,
10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
11 He is "‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Unschooled ordinary men. In this period of history this meant that these guys had failed to meet the standard of having a Rabbi teach them. Without this education, these guys would not have been able to go to the first century equivalent of college and would be forced to work in the family business to survive.
So, why were they standing in front of the Sanhedrin?
5 The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem.
6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family.
7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?"
Peter and john had healed a crippled beggar in the name of Jesus Christ. Their following spirit lead speech to the gathering people about repentance and baptism lead to 3,000 people to join “THE WAY”.
These actions had struck fear in the hearts of the religious leaders in Jerusalem, and they had to put an end to this.
After all, they had gone to all the trouble of crucifying Jesus to stop the movement that He had begun.
The crowd was dispersed, the people quieted, it was back to business as usual.
That is until Peter had chimed in proclaiming Jesus as Lord.
Strike fear in the heart of the enemy!
Proclaim Jesus as Lord of your life. That'll scare em.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
MAKES CENTS TO ME
Mark 12: 41 – 44
41 Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions.
42 One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents.
43 Jesus called his disciples over and said, "The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together.
44 All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all."
Consider the penny. I'll wager that if you look around the room you're sitting in there are many pennies to be found, whether in a chair cushion, on the floor, under a desk or table, especially in your pocket. By itself, the penny ain't worth much, but, if we collect them, save them, keep them in one place, then we can end up with a fortune.
I have a friend who just happens to be a pastor, who challenged his church to donate at least one penny during a separate collection in hie service. All the parishioners from kids to adults, donated their pennies.
What a joy and surprise when they were able to buy a piece of property, and begin to build their new church, all with the simple worthless penny.
The afore mentioned widow gave a penny, that was all she had. Her last and only cent, she gave to God. She literally gave everything she had. She gave her all as an example for the disciples, and us, to follow.
Has there been a time when you can truly say that you have given everything you had to God?
If you think about it, that's what God wants from us. He wants everything we have whether good or bad, He wants us to sacrifice what we have, so that he can fill the void left in our lives with His love.
Are you ready to give your “pennies” to God as a full and willing Sacrifice?
41 Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions.
42 One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents.
43 Jesus called his disciples over and said, "The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together.
44 All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all."
Consider the penny. I'll wager that if you look around the room you're sitting in there are many pennies to be found, whether in a chair cushion, on the floor, under a desk or table, especially in your pocket. By itself, the penny ain't worth much, but, if we collect them, save them, keep them in one place, then we can end up with a fortune.
I have a friend who just happens to be a pastor, who challenged his church to donate at least one penny during a separate collection in hie service. All the parishioners from kids to adults, donated their pennies.
What a joy and surprise when they were able to buy a piece of property, and begin to build their new church, all with the simple worthless penny.
The afore mentioned widow gave a penny, that was all she had. Her last and only cent, she gave to God. She literally gave everything she had. She gave her all as an example for the disciples, and us, to follow.
Has there been a time when you can truly say that you have given everything you had to God?
If you think about it, that's what God wants from us. He wants everything we have whether good or bad, He wants us to sacrifice what we have, so that he can fill the void left in our lives with His love.
Are you ready to give your “pennies” to God as a full and willing Sacrifice?
Monday, June 15, 2009
ENCOURAGING OTHERS
Colossians 3: 14 – 25
The Bible tells us that we are to be encouraging to others, especially to our children. With father's day just around the corner, my thoughts turn to my stepsons, and how I can encourage them.
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.
21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
It is my prayer that I can be a power of example to them, and help them to achieve their goals and dreams in life.
One of the ways that I can do that is by living for Christ, and giving Him glory and honor.
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.
When we are able to live in this manner, not only can we be encouraging to our children, we can do the same for others in our churches and communities.
Guys, I'm struggling here writing this teaching. It's a lot easier for me to actively encourage others than it is to write about how and why we are supposed to do it for each other. As I wrote earlier, we are called to encourage. Paul wrote about it many times in the letters he wrote to the churches of his time.
Paul was encouraged too. He traveled with companions, the first of who was named Barnabas. The name Barnabas means; Son of encouragement. So not only did Paul write about encouragement, he lived it and traveled with an example of it with a man who's name is a reminder of what he was supposed to do.
So let's all do a solid for each other and be that power of example of the encouraging lifestyle.
Call somebody today who needs to hear a positive word and share the love of Christ with them.
The Bible tells us that we are to be encouraging to others, especially to our children. With father's day just around the corner, my thoughts turn to my stepsons, and how I can encourage them.
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.
21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
It is my prayer that I can be a power of example to them, and help them to achieve their goals and dreams in life.
One of the ways that I can do that is by living for Christ, and giving Him glory and honor.
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.
When we are able to live in this manner, not only can we be encouraging to our children, we can do the same for others in our churches and communities.
Guys, I'm struggling here writing this teaching. It's a lot easier for me to actively encourage others than it is to write about how and why we are supposed to do it for each other. As I wrote earlier, we are called to encourage. Paul wrote about it many times in the letters he wrote to the churches of his time.
Paul was encouraged too. He traveled with companions, the first of who was named Barnabas. The name Barnabas means; Son of encouragement. So not only did Paul write about encouragement, he lived it and traveled with an example of it with a man who's name is a reminder of what he was supposed to do.
So let's all do a solid for each other and be that power of example of the encouraging lifestyle.
Call somebody today who needs to hear a positive word and share the love of Christ with them.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
THE WAY.
John 14: 1 – 6
Back in the early 70's, there was a hit song called, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?”
I am using the title of this song to show that people are always looking for the way to someplace whether it's to a city, country, or even Heaven. I looked it up on the Internet and found 41 different variations on the meaning of this little 3 letter word. Some of these interpretations vary from a mode of dress or how we have a tendency to act, even a law, or condition.
Not only does the word mean things of this nature, but the word also denotes roads or passages both big and small.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
4 You know the way to the place where I am going."
5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.
When Jesus called himself the way, He was once again using a metaphor that people would easily understand. Rome had criss crossed the known world with roads both big and small which led to many cities and towns throughout the empire. That is probably how they would have seen that statement.
When Jesus said, “I am the way,” he was calling to us to leave our old way of doing things,or our tendencies of acting, change our ways that lead us to destruction and follow his direction to a new way of life that he provides.
That's about that. We have the knowledge so now a choice must be made.
We can choose to continue in the old familiar way which leads to destruction, or, we can follow the way that Jesus laid down for us.
Back in the early 70's, there was a hit song called, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?”
I am using the title of this song to show that people are always looking for the way to someplace whether it's to a city, country, or even Heaven. I looked it up on the Internet and found 41 different variations on the meaning of this little 3 letter word. Some of these interpretations vary from a mode of dress or how we have a tendency to act, even a law, or condition.
Not only does the word mean things of this nature, but the word also denotes roads or passages both big and small.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
4 You know the way to the place where I am going."
5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.
When Jesus called himself the way, He was once again using a metaphor that people would easily understand. Rome had criss crossed the known world with roads both big and small which led to many cities and towns throughout the empire. That is probably how they would have seen that statement.
When Jesus said, “I am the way,” he was calling to us to leave our old way of doing things,or our tendencies of acting, change our ways that lead us to destruction and follow his direction to a new way of life that he provides.
That's about that. We have the knowledge so now a choice must be made.
We can choose to continue in the old familiar way which leads to destruction, or, we can follow the way that Jesus laid down for us.
Friday, June 12, 2009
IT'S A GOOD DEAL NO MATTER HOW YOU LOOK AT IT.
Psalm 119: 161 – 168
Ya know, I've been thinkin'.
That whole “You will be hated because of Me” thing?
Not such a bad deal.
I mean, what are we talkin' about here? Getting' a few dirty looks, maybe bein' jeered and laughed at, or, at least in our society today, the worst thing that comes against us, is to defend our faith against an increasingly less tolerant opinion of Christianity.
Still, not a bad deal.
161 I’ve been slandered unmercifully by the politicians, but my awe at your words keeps me stable.
162 I’m ecstatic over what you say, like one who strikes it rich.
163 I hate lies—can’t stand them!—but I love what you have revealed.
See what I mean?
How can a few insults stand up to the love God has given freely to us?
And, what would we do without that?
165 For those who love what you reveal, everything fits—no stumbling around in the dark for them.
166 I wait expectantly for your salvation; GOD, I do what you tell me.
167 My soul guards and keeps all your instructions—oh, how much I love them!
168 I follow your directions, abide by your counsel; my life’s an open book before you.
Yeah Daddy! Can you dig it?
All we need to do is to love Him and live out His word, and in trade, we get everything.
Those who don't, get nuthin.
Your choice here. What's it gonna be?
Nuff said.
Ya know, I've been thinkin'.
That whole “You will be hated because of Me” thing?
Not such a bad deal.
I mean, what are we talkin' about here? Getting' a few dirty looks, maybe bein' jeered and laughed at, or, at least in our society today, the worst thing that comes against us, is to defend our faith against an increasingly less tolerant opinion of Christianity.
Still, not a bad deal.
161 I’ve been slandered unmercifully by the politicians, but my awe at your words keeps me stable.
162 I’m ecstatic over what you say, like one who strikes it rich.
163 I hate lies—can’t stand them!—but I love what you have revealed.
See what I mean?
How can a few insults stand up to the love God has given freely to us?
And, what would we do without that?
165 For those who love what you reveal, everything fits—no stumbling around in the dark for them.
166 I wait expectantly for your salvation; GOD, I do what you tell me.
167 My soul guards and keeps all your instructions—oh, how much I love them!
168 I follow your directions, abide by your counsel; my life’s an open book before you.
Yeah Daddy! Can you dig it?
All we need to do is to love Him and live out His word, and in trade, we get everything.
Those who don't, get nuthin.
Your choice here. What's it gonna be?
Nuff said.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
ARE YOU A NUT OR SOMETHING?
Mathew 10: 16 – 22
22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
I don't know what it is but whenever people find out that I am Christian, they begin to bombard me with theories of evolution, falsely making statements about the Bible, and trying just about anything they can throw at me to make their point that my “religion” is a mindless fallacy.
That whole “Religion is the opiate of the masses thing, and they weren't going to fall for it so they try to mock me and my faith.
I have even been on vacation in Key West and was challenged by a couple of drunk guys during a presentation of the gospel at Mallory Square. (Where they have the sunset celebration every day)
These people are religious nuts!
16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
17 "Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues.
I feel that there are times when I am a sheep among the wolves with all the questions and attacks that are thrown my way, I just wish that I was as shrewd as a snake in my defense of my faith.
All I can really do is explain what God has done in my life, and try to change the subject, usually back on them because we can all fall prey to our pride and like to hear how cool we are or tell others how cool we are.
Because we are being sent out by God we have to ready, willing, and able do defend our beliefs.
And, we must stand up under frustrating experiences without losing our cool. When we do, we've lost them and they will get the same results by pushing the same buttons every time.
19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,
20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Enter into each situation with prayer and ask God to put His words in your mouth. With His help, we can overcome anything
22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
I don't know what it is but whenever people find out that I am Christian, they begin to bombard me with theories of evolution, falsely making statements about the Bible, and trying just about anything they can throw at me to make their point that my “religion” is a mindless fallacy.
That whole “Religion is the opiate of the masses thing, and they weren't going to fall for it so they try to mock me and my faith.
I have even been on vacation in Key West and was challenged by a couple of drunk guys during a presentation of the gospel at Mallory Square. (Where they have the sunset celebration every day)
These people are religious nuts!
16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
17 "Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues.
I feel that there are times when I am a sheep among the wolves with all the questions and attacks that are thrown my way, I just wish that I was as shrewd as a snake in my defense of my faith.
All I can really do is explain what God has done in my life, and try to change the subject, usually back on them because we can all fall prey to our pride and like to hear how cool we are or tell others how cool we are.
Because we are being sent out by God we have to ready, willing, and able do defend our beliefs.
And, we must stand up under frustrating experiences without losing our cool. When we do, we've lost them and they will get the same results by pushing the same buttons every time.
19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,
20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Enter into each situation with prayer and ask God to put His words in your mouth. With His help, we can overcome anything
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE. OR IS IT?
Ecclesiastes 12: 1 – 7
When we were young, did we ever think of God?
For me, God was never the first thing on my mind when I was a kid. I was more interested in playing with my buddies, watching sports, eating my lunch, and trying to find a way to sit beside the pretty blond girl in my social studies class. God only came to my mind when I was hoping on Saturday night, that Mom and Dad would want to sleep in on Sunday and not want to go to church.
1 Honor and enjoy your Creator while you’re still young, Before the years take their toll and your vigor wanes,
2 Before your vision dims and the world blurs And the winter years keep you close to the fire.
As an adult, I wish that things had been different. Knowing God as I do now, I realize that He was not in the boring speech that Rev. Brummet gave on Sunday, nor was God in the awful Sunday school classes where we would talk about things that didn't matter to my life, or we made things out of Popsicle sticks.
It really doesn't matter when, in our lives, we come into relationship with God. What matters most is that we do, but, the sooner the better.
3 In old age, your body no longer serves you so well. Muscles slacken, grip weakens, joints stiffen. The shades are pulled down on the world.
4 You can’t come and go at will. Things grind to a halt. The hum of the household fades away. You are wakened now by bird-song.
5 Hikes to the mountains are a thing of the past. Even a stroll down the road has its terrors. Your hair turns apple-blossom white, Adorning a fragile and impotent matchstick body. Yes, you’re well on your way to eternal rest, While your friends make plans for your funeral.
Growing old sure seems depressing when we read this little snippet from the message translation. When Solomon wrote this book, he wasn't in the best frame of mind, and all he could see was the fruitlessness that life offers. Yet, he also knew of the Sovereignty of God, and that without Him we are truly doomed.
6 Life, lovely while it lasts, is soon over. Life as we know it, precious and beautiful, ends.
7 The body is put back in the same ground it came from. The spirit returns to God, who first breathed it.
I don't think that these words have any comfort in them. And, I'm afraid that he doesn't give much hope for the life to come.
Solomon, like us in our youth, thinks that the life that we know is the most important thing.
God and eternity are far from our thoughts. Today I can't imagine life without God. I no longer fear the end of this earthly life, and there are times when I can hardly wait to meet Jesus face to face in the life to come. Also today, I realize that even though I grow older, I am still vital and vigorous to be of use to God.
Okay. So maybe I'm not as fast as I used to be and I can't stay up as long as I once could, but, I can bring the word of God to my family and offer His peace to other people who are willing to listen.
I guess the basic message here is why wait to enter into a relationship with God, when you can do it today?
If you haven't made up your mind, even if you go to church every Sunday just because you think you should, become a believer today.
There are some people who plan an eleventh hour conversion only to die at yen forty five. Don't be one of those guys. Don't be late for the wedding party.
When we were young, did we ever think of God?
For me, God was never the first thing on my mind when I was a kid. I was more interested in playing with my buddies, watching sports, eating my lunch, and trying to find a way to sit beside the pretty blond girl in my social studies class. God only came to my mind when I was hoping on Saturday night, that Mom and Dad would want to sleep in on Sunday and not want to go to church.
1 Honor and enjoy your Creator while you’re still young, Before the years take their toll and your vigor wanes,
2 Before your vision dims and the world blurs And the winter years keep you close to the fire.
As an adult, I wish that things had been different. Knowing God as I do now, I realize that He was not in the boring speech that Rev. Brummet gave on Sunday, nor was God in the awful Sunday school classes where we would talk about things that didn't matter to my life, or we made things out of Popsicle sticks.
It really doesn't matter when, in our lives, we come into relationship with God. What matters most is that we do, but, the sooner the better.
3 In old age, your body no longer serves you so well. Muscles slacken, grip weakens, joints stiffen. The shades are pulled down on the world.
4 You can’t come and go at will. Things grind to a halt. The hum of the household fades away. You are wakened now by bird-song.
5 Hikes to the mountains are a thing of the past. Even a stroll down the road has its terrors. Your hair turns apple-blossom white, Adorning a fragile and impotent matchstick body. Yes, you’re well on your way to eternal rest, While your friends make plans for your funeral.
Growing old sure seems depressing when we read this little snippet from the message translation. When Solomon wrote this book, he wasn't in the best frame of mind, and all he could see was the fruitlessness that life offers. Yet, he also knew of the Sovereignty of God, and that without Him we are truly doomed.
6 Life, lovely while it lasts, is soon over. Life as we know it, precious and beautiful, ends.
7 The body is put back in the same ground it came from. The spirit returns to God, who first breathed it.
I don't think that these words have any comfort in them. And, I'm afraid that he doesn't give much hope for the life to come.
Solomon, like us in our youth, thinks that the life that we know is the most important thing.
God and eternity are far from our thoughts. Today I can't imagine life without God. I no longer fear the end of this earthly life, and there are times when I can hardly wait to meet Jesus face to face in the life to come. Also today, I realize that even though I grow older, I am still vital and vigorous to be of use to God.
Okay. So maybe I'm not as fast as I used to be and I can't stay up as long as I once could, but, I can bring the word of God to my family and offer His peace to other people who are willing to listen.
I guess the basic message here is why wait to enter into a relationship with God, when you can do it today?
If you haven't made up your mind, even if you go to church every Sunday just because you think you should, become a believer today.
There are some people who plan an eleventh hour conversion only to die at yen forty five. Don't be one of those guys. Don't be late for the wedding party.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
TROUBLE'S A BREWIN'
Proverbs 6 16 – 19
16 Here are six things GOD hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion:
17 eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent,
18 a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track,
19 a mouth that lies under oath, a troublemaker in the family.
(An audible “gulp” is heard in the audience)
I never like it when I read about the things that God dislikes, or “loathes with a passion”.
Why?
Because I usually have these qualities, and feel guilty enough without having them pointed out to me again, or have had them in the past, and worked hard to overcome them.
Proverbs are usually where I run into these peccadilloes. There I am reading through psalms feeling the love of God, when suddenly I hit proverbs and begin to see the blackness that still resides in my heart.
I see the things that I have tried very hard to cover up. Those are the times that the old feelings come rushing to the surface and have to be dealt with. And, that's the issue at hand. I don't want to deal with these things! I want all these feelings, attitudes, and behaviors painted over with a coat of glossy whiteness and hope that it was enough to cover up the blackness underneath.
There are 31 proverbs, the wisdom of today says that if there are 31 proverbs, and 31 days of the month, then we should read a proverb a day.
Okay. I'll try that for a while as I read my way through the rest of the Bible. But, that bumpy road, leads me to look into my heart so that I may repent of the sins that I have covered and ask for forgiveness.
In other words, I take up so much time dealing with these issues, that I can't progress with the rest of my reading.
Boy I sure know how to ramble.
Sometimes that's the problem. I try to evade the issues so that sorta goes a long with the tongue that lies. I hide my emotions from other people and I guess that equals a heart that hatches evil plots.
Now, if I can find two things without breaking a sweat, then the rest of the things that are loathed by God reside right here in my heart.
I think I will stop now to keep from rambling on some more.
Read the proverbs, as well as the rest of the books in the Bible. When you get to the parts that reflect the true feelings of your heart, deal with them immediately.
16 Here are six things GOD hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion:
17 eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent,
18 a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track,
19 a mouth that lies under oath, a troublemaker in the family.
(An audible “gulp” is heard in the audience)
I never like it when I read about the things that God dislikes, or “loathes with a passion”.
Why?
Because I usually have these qualities, and feel guilty enough without having them pointed out to me again, or have had them in the past, and worked hard to overcome them.
Proverbs are usually where I run into these peccadilloes. There I am reading through psalms feeling the love of God, when suddenly I hit proverbs and begin to see the blackness that still resides in my heart.
I see the things that I have tried very hard to cover up. Those are the times that the old feelings come rushing to the surface and have to be dealt with. And, that's the issue at hand. I don't want to deal with these things! I want all these feelings, attitudes, and behaviors painted over with a coat of glossy whiteness and hope that it was enough to cover up the blackness underneath.
There are 31 proverbs, the wisdom of today says that if there are 31 proverbs, and 31 days of the month, then we should read a proverb a day.
Okay. I'll try that for a while as I read my way through the rest of the Bible. But, that bumpy road, leads me to look into my heart so that I may repent of the sins that I have covered and ask for forgiveness.
In other words, I take up so much time dealing with these issues, that I can't progress with the rest of my reading.
Boy I sure know how to ramble.
Sometimes that's the problem. I try to evade the issues so that sorta goes a long with the tongue that lies. I hide my emotions from other people and I guess that equals a heart that hatches evil plots.
Now, if I can find two things without breaking a sweat, then the rest of the things that are loathed by God reside right here in my heart.
I think I will stop now to keep from rambling on some more.
Read the proverbs, as well as the rest of the books in the Bible. When you get to the parts that reflect the true feelings of your heart, deal with them immediately.
Monday, June 8, 2009
THE MAKER
Psalm 139: 1 – 16
"In the first twelve verses of this Psalm the author celebrates God’s perfect knowledge of man’s thoughts and actions; and the reason of this wonderful knowledge, is that God is the Maker of man. Hence the psalmist proceeds, in the four following verses, to magnify God as ordaining and superintending the formation of his body in the womb.
That's a summary of the first 16 verses of Psalm 139. it is very studious, insightful, and boring as all get out.
There are things that we all wonder about like, whether or not Brady's knee will hinder the Pats, will Brad really leave Angelina, why does God let bad things happen, or is God truly in control.
We have all experienced the presence of God in our lives and we have all suffered loss of one kind or another. We may understand the concept of this, but, there are times, when I question the why of it.
When I was new at being a Christian, I was able to easily understand that God loves us. What was hard for me to fathom was that God loved me. How could He possibly love a loser like me? Psalm 139 made me afraid that once again that a judgmental God was following me ready to throw a few lightening bolts at me. According to the psalm, there was no where to hide, no where that I could run to, I couldn't avoid His anger.
1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
5 You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
Eventually, fear was replaced with comfort. The presence of All Mighty God was with me and guiding my steps, sort of like a loving father helping his child learn to walk and grow.
Now. Heres the kicker. The things that were written that began to turn the tide in my life.
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
Once I came to know God, and let him into my heart for real, the knowledge that He was totally in control, well, all I can say is that fear and paranoia not only left me, they ran away screaming into the night..
I once feared and questioned death. I asked things like, “Why did that child have to die”?, or, “Why do I fear death on an almost daily basis”?
If the God created us, He must also know how long we will exist.
No matter what the situation, no matter what the loss. No matter where we are, or even where we are going. God is there with us. He feels what we feel, whether joy or sadness, and is there to either celebrate or comfort.
Don't be afraid like I was. Be comforted by God instead.
"In the first twelve verses of this Psalm the author celebrates God’s perfect knowledge of man’s thoughts and actions; and the reason of this wonderful knowledge, is that God is the Maker of man. Hence the psalmist proceeds, in the four following verses, to magnify God as ordaining and superintending the formation of his body in the womb.
That's a summary of the first 16 verses of Psalm 139. it is very studious, insightful, and boring as all get out.
There are things that we all wonder about like, whether or not Brady's knee will hinder the Pats, will Brad really leave Angelina, why does God let bad things happen, or is God truly in control.
We have all experienced the presence of God in our lives and we have all suffered loss of one kind or another. We may understand the concept of this, but, there are times, when I question the why of it.
When I was new at being a Christian, I was able to easily understand that God loves us. What was hard for me to fathom was that God loved me. How could He possibly love a loser like me? Psalm 139 made me afraid that once again that a judgmental God was following me ready to throw a few lightening bolts at me. According to the psalm, there was no where to hide, no where that I could run to, I couldn't avoid His anger.
1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
5 You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
Eventually, fear was replaced with comfort. The presence of All Mighty God was with me and guiding my steps, sort of like a loving father helping his child learn to walk and grow.
Now. Heres the kicker. The things that were written that began to turn the tide in my life.
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
Once I came to know God, and let him into my heart for real, the knowledge that He was totally in control, well, all I can say is that fear and paranoia not only left me, they ran away screaming into the night..
I once feared and questioned death. I asked things like, “Why did that child have to die”?, or, “Why do I fear death on an almost daily basis”?
If the God created us, He must also know how long we will exist.
No matter what the situation, no matter what the loss. No matter where we are, or even where we are going. God is there with us. He feels what we feel, whether joy or sadness, and is there to either celebrate or comfort.
Don't be afraid like I was. Be comforted by God instead.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
D – DAY
2 Timothy 2: 1 – 4
The 6'th of June is an important date for many men still alive.
Today is the 65'th anniversary of that day when the allied expeditionary force landed on the beaches of Normandy.
It has been reported that most of the men prayed before encountering enemy fire. Many of them prayed that they would live through the day, endure the horror that was the first battle of the invasion of Europe.
My father was in the service on that day, and even though he wasn't on the beaches of Normandy, the ship that he served on heard the news, and prayed, not only for a successful landing, but also for the lives of the men involved.
1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 No-one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.
As people of faith, we are called on to prepare for war, face many trials, and endure to the end, like those men on that fateful day. We are also pray, as those men did, not only for ourselves, but for those who need the love of Christ in their lives.
Lord, the trials we face at times seem too much to bear. We’re grateful, though, for the reminders in Your Word that You will stay by our side and help us endure till You call us Home. Amen.
Victory is sure for those who endure.(ODB)
The 6'th of June is an important date for many men still alive.
Today is the 65'th anniversary of that day when the allied expeditionary force landed on the beaches of Normandy.
It has been reported that most of the men prayed before encountering enemy fire. Many of them prayed that they would live through the day, endure the horror that was the first battle of the invasion of Europe.
My father was in the service on that day, and even though he wasn't on the beaches of Normandy, the ship that he served on heard the news, and prayed, not only for a successful landing, but also for the lives of the men involved.
1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 No-one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.
As people of faith, we are called on to prepare for war, face many trials, and endure to the end, like those men on that fateful day. We are also pray, as those men did, not only for ourselves, but for those who need the love of Christ in their lives.
Lord, the trials we face at times seem too much to bear. We’re grateful, though, for the reminders in Your Word that You will stay by our side and help us endure till You call us Home. Amen.
Victory is sure for those who endure.(ODB)
Thursday, June 4, 2009
THE ADVOCATE
1 John 2: 1 – 11
Many years ago, I received a speeding ticket. I don't remember what town it was that gave it to me, and I forgot all about it at that time. A year later, I got stopped for having a headlight out on my car only to find out that my license to drive was revoked due to the forgotten ticket.
As I was let go, I assumed that all was alright. Stopped again, I ended up in court for not appearing for the violation. A nightmare began at that point, and I tried to defend myself, only to end up in more trouble until the time I was being led into the Plymouth courthouse in handcuffs yelling “Get me a lawyer”.
I needed an advocate and I needed it now before I slipped down another peg. This wasn't me. I am not now, nor was I then, a criminal. I was a good guy that could receive no Justice. I was afraid and I felt that I was all alone with no hope.
That was a long story to illustrate a point.
We will all stand before a judge at the end of days, and it doesn't matter how nice a person we are, or what good deeds we have done. We will continue to be found guilty of our sins unless we have an advocate to plead our case for us.
1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
Thank you Jesus for being our advocate. Without Him we are doomed. We can claim that we are in a relationship with Him and that we know Him.
There are also some folks who claim to know Christ, but they do not walk with Him, and do not have a relationship with Him.
These people are not only trying to fool us, they are fooling themselves, and as I was, in an earthly court, they will lose their freedom.
4 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:
6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
Rejoice!
Our sins are covered by the sacrifice of our Lord!
Because of our advocate, we will not be separated from God and we have been set free.
Many years ago, I received a speeding ticket. I don't remember what town it was that gave it to me, and I forgot all about it at that time. A year later, I got stopped for having a headlight out on my car only to find out that my license to drive was revoked due to the forgotten ticket.
As I was let go, I assumed that all was alright. Stopped again, I ended up in court for not appearing for the violation. A nightmare began at that point, and I tried to defend myself, only to end up in more trouble until the time I was being led into the Plymouth courthouse in handcuffs yelling “Get me a lawyer”.
I needed an advocate and I needed it now before I slipped down another peg. This wasn't me. I am not now, nor was I then, a criminal. I was a good guy that could receive no Justice. I was afraid and I felt that I was all alone with no hope.
That was a long story to illustrate a point.
We will all stand before a judge at the end of days, and it doesn't matter how nice a person we are, or what good deeds we have done. We will continue to be found guilty of our sins unless we have an advocate to plead our case for us.
1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
Thank you Jesus for being our advocate. Without Him we are doomed. We can claim that we are in a relationship with Him and that we know Him.
There are also some folks who claim to know Christ, but they do not walk with Him, and do not have a relationship with Him.
These people are not only trying to fool us, they are fooling themselves, and as I was, in an earthly court, they will lose their freedom.
4 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:
6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
Rejoice!
Our sins are covered by the sacrifice of our Lord!
Because of our advocate, we will not be separated from God and we have been set free.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
POTENTATE OF TIME
Psalm 90
About 19 years ago, as I was getting sober, I began looking into spirituality. 12 step programs ask that you have a belief in a “Higher Power”.
With that in mind, I began my foray into eastern mysticism, I read this book titled; ”the Tao of Pooh”.
This book used the characters from Winnie the Pooh as illustrations of the taoist religion.
The only thing that I can remember from this idiocy is this quote;
“You can't save time, you can only spend it, so spend it wisely”.
That may be a true statement said in a psycho – babble kind of way, but;
God created time. He rules and transcends it. When we feel frustrated by the calendar or captured by the clock, a quiet reading of Psalm 90 reminds us that our days and years are in the hands of our eternal God.
God exists outside of time. He created the concept of time, and set it into motion. God then laid it out for us all to see.
Yes, there are some foolish people who look upon the evidence and refuse to believe, yet no matter what our beliefs are, spiritual or otherwise, we all acknowledge that time exists.
1 A prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, you have been our dwelling-place throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
3 You turn men back to dust, saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men."
4 For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.
5 You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning—
6 though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered.
10 The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
11 Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due to you.
12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
We are obsessed with time. The concept fills us with fear and trepidation. We want to know what will happen tomorrow today, and we want to know what's around the next corner.
Perhaps that’s why Psalm 90 is such a treasured passage. It shifts the focus from our time-bound lives to our eternal God.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.
17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.
We have enough to worry about today, so why worry about what tomorrow brings. After all it hasn't happened yet.
Another saying I remember from the old days is;
“Yesterday is history”. “Tomorrow is a mystery”. “Today is special, that's why we call it the present”.
Invest your time focusing on God. Forget about our selfish desires.
Spend your time wisely.
About 19 years ago, as I was getting sober, I began looking into spirituality. 12 step programs ask that you have a belief in a “Higher Power”.
With that in mind, I began my foray into eastern mysticism, I read this book titled; ”the Tao of Pooh”.
This book used the characters from Winnie the Pooh as illustrations of the taoist religion.
The only thing that I can remember from this idiocy is this quote;
“You can't save time, you can only spend it, so spend it wisely”.
That may be a true statement said in a psycho – babble kind of way, but;
God created time. He rules and transcends it. When we feel frustrated by the calendar or captured by the clock, a quiet reading of Psalm 90 reminds us that our days and years are in the hands of our eternal God.
God exists outside of time. He created the concept of time, and set it into motion. God then laid it out for us all to see.
Yes, there are some foolish people who look upon the evidence and refuse to believe, yet no matter what our beliefs are, spiritual or otherwise, we all acknowledge that time exists.
1 A prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, you have been our dwelling-place throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
3 You turn men back to dust, saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men."
4 For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.
5 You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning—
6 though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered.
10 The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
11 Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due to you.
12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
We are obsessed with time. The concept fills us with fear and trepidation. We want to know what will happen tomorrow today, and we want to know what's around the next corner.
Perhaps that’s why Psalm 90 is such a treasured passage. It shifts the focus from our time-bound lives to our eternal God.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.
17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.
We have enough to worry about today, so why worry about what tomorrow brings. After all it hasn't happened yet.
Another saying I remember from the old days is;
“Yesterday is history”. “Tomorrow is a mystery”. “Today is special, that's why we call it the present”.
Invest your time focusing on God. Forget about our selfish desires.
Spend your time wisely.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
PAID FORWARD
John 13: 3 – 15
15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
When Jesus was setting an example for the disciples by washing their feet, they really didn't get it.
At least Peter appeared to be clueless.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
8 "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
9 "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
10 Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you."
To me it seems that Jesus was paying it forward. There was a movie by that name a few years ago about a young kid who wanted to make a difference in his world. Because of his actions, many people began doing good deeds for each other without any further encouragement and expecting nothing in return.
Jesus wanted to show the full extent of His love by submitting to being a lowly servant as a symbol of his sacrifice to come.
Talk about paying it forward. 2000 years ago, Jesus paid forward an act that saved us today.
If we are to follow the example of Jesus, it would be a good thing if we began to make a difference in our world by serving other people “without encouragement, and expecting nothing in return”.
In doing so, we will reap the greatest of rewards. Another soul won for the Kingdom. Another person, who by witnessing our behaviors, may begin to accept the Lord and do the same for others.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them.
13 "You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and rightly so, for that is what I am.
14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
Imagine how different our world would look if we showed the love of Jesus.
15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
When Jesus was setting an example for the disciples by washing their feet, they really didn't get it.
At least Peter appeared to be clueless.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
8 "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
9 "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
10 Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you."
To me it seems that Jesus was paying it forward. There was a movie by that name a few years ago about a young kid who wanted to make a difference in his world. Because of his actions, many people began doing good deeds for each other without any further encouragement and expecting nothing in return.
Jesus wanted to show the full extent of His love by submitting to being a lowly servant as a symbol of his sacrifice to come.
Talk about paying it forward. 2000 years ago, Jesus paid forward an act that saved us today.
If we are to follow the example of Jesus, it would be a good thing if we began to make a difference in our world by serving other people “without encouragement, and expecting nothing in return”.
In doing so, we will reap the greatest of rewards. Another soul won for the Kingdom. Another person, who by witnessing our behaviors, may begin to accept the Lord and do the same for others.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them.
13 "You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and rightly so, for that is what I am.
14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
Imagine how different our world would look if we showed the love of Jesus.
Monday, June 1, 2009
FOLLOWING GOD'S INSTRUCTIONS
Genesis 12: 1 – 5
1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.
2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
4 So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran.
5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
Boy howdy!
Abram sure must have had faith in what God told him to do so that he just packed his bags and left his family, friends, and town where he grew up, and headed out for places unknown.
I'm sure that those same family and friends tried to talk him out of leaving as he did. After all not only did they lose Abram and Sarai, but Lot and all their servants, as well as their possessions. It had to be traumatic for all concerned.
I pray that I would have faith like that. Heck, I pray that we all would have that kind of faith that gets us off our butts immediately and without question to do what God has asked us to do.
I recently read about two churches, in the same town, where the Pastors felt that there should be an all night prayer vigil. In one church the community was, on average, a church of elderly people, the other church was predominantly younger, with a larger income. Both churches set about the task of the vigil. One church set up a schedule where nobody would have to spend more than a couple of hours that night, where the other church decided that at their age, they didn't sleep all that much anyway, and the entire body of the church filled the pews and prayed all night.
Both churches showed faith in following what they felt they were called to do, but one church followed the vision provided by their Pastor without question.
They had faith in what God had told them to do, and they did it.
Through prayer, we can hear the voice of God. At times like that, we are able to listen to what He is saying to us.
The question is; “Are we hearing Him, and obeying His word”?
Pray. Listen. Obey.
It's just that simple.
1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.
2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
4 So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran.
5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
Boy howdy!
Abram sure must have had faith in what God told him to do so that he just packed his bags and left his family, friends, and town where he grew up, and headed out for places unknown.
I'm sure that those same family and friends tried to talk him out of leaving as he did. After all not only did they lose Abram and Sarai, but Lot and all their servants, as well as their possessions. It had to be traumatic for all concerned.
I pray that I would have faith like that. Heck, I pray that we all would have that kind of faith that gets us off our butts immediately and without question to do what God has asked us to do.
I recently read about two churches, in the same town, where the Pastors felt that there should be an all night prayer vigil. In one church the community was, on average, a church of elderly people, the other church was predominantly younger, with a larger income. Both churches set about the task of the vigil. One church set up a schedule where nobody would have to spend more than a couple of hours that night, where the other church decided that at their age, they didn't sleep all that much anyway, and the entire body of the church filled the pews and prayed all night.
Both churches showed faith in following what they felt they were called to do, but one church followed the vision provided by their Pastor without question.
They had faith in what God had told them to do, and they did it.
Through prayer, we can hear the voice of God. At times like that, we are able to listen to what He is saying to us.
The question is; “Are we hearing Him, and obeying His word”?
Pray. Listen. Obey.
It's just that simple.
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