Perseverance… Keep on keeping’ on. Get back in the saddle. Shake it off. Keep on truckin’. However you phrase it, the message is the same…
Endurance. Persistence. In Greek, the original language of New Testament scripture, it is ‘hupomone’. It is a bearing up under, an enduring as to things or circumstances… patience and constancy under suffering in faith and duty.
“..prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind of drops out.” (Eph. 6:18 The Message)
I want never to forget the reality of the battle ground on which I stand. There IS a spiritual war going on. There IS a battle of good vs. evil. The enemy is still assaulting God’s creation. He is defeated, but until he is cast into the abyss, he continues to deceive and lie. How tiring it gets sometimes. I hear him trying to tell me it’s useless. It is NOT.
My God is bigger than any demon. He is bigger than any stronghold. He is mightier than any addiction. He is able to heal any hurt, any painful thing.
The only thing that stops Him is our refusal. I wrestle sometimes with the free choice He has given, wishing that in some situations He’d take that free will away and insist on better choices. He would not be holy and perfect were He to do that….and we would not have a capacity to love, we would be mere robots. So I stand on the battlefield, suited up with the armor of God.(Ephesians 6:13-17)
I have the belt of truth. The enemy’s lies will not pierce me.
My heart is shielded with the breastplate of HIS righteousness, not my own.
My feet are fitted with readiness.
I have a shield of faith in the God of creation with which I can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
My mind is protected by the helmet of my salvation, the enemy’s lies will not enter my mind and cause me to be deceived.
And I have the Sword of The Holy Spirit of God
.
I know what He has said, and I will use the authority that is mine in Jesus Christ to
speak that Word to all the demonic forces of the spiritual realm.
“Pray for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel…pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” (Eph. 6:19,20)
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Liberty
Liberty… We have a statue that we’ve attached that word to…I wonder if we all share the same definition of what liberty is…
“I shall walk in liberty, for I have sought Thy precepts.” (Ps. 119:45)
It seems to me that the more ‘freedom’ that has been allowed, the more choices people are allowed to take, the worse our culture has become.
And it’s because when we are able to choose for ourselves both good AND evil…when we are not seeking to do what is right in God’s eyes…we choose poorly. We have chosen much evil in this nation.
I rejoice in the liberty and freedom that I have in Christ. It is no longer because I feel forced to choose His way, for that is not freedom. I have the liberty to choose like the couple in the garden. I can choose good….or I can choose evil…and I must choose. God does not insist that I choose His good way.
Because I have grown to know Him and love Him, I have come to understand that what He says is always the right way, for my own best interests and the best interests of others. (EVEN when it doesn't LOOK that way!) The choice to follow His good way always brings life, never death. Only by choosing His good way do I find liberty from the permanently established rule that sin=death.
“..the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.”(Rom. 8:2)
People who spout off about their freedoms and live their lives making ungodly decisions are not free. They are in the worst kind of bondage. Choices that are not lined up with God’s standard bring death. (“ the wages of sin is death..”(Rom. 6:23) Always.
You can complain about it, hit the dislike button, or throw a fit about your ‘rights’…but God is Creator, He gets to pick…what He says IS. Only within the boundaries of Christ is there freedom, for only there is a escape from this curse of sin and death. “If..the son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”(John 8:36) “ …the free gift of god is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”(Romans 6:23)
“For freedom, Christ has set us free…”(Gal. 5:1)
Jesus, The Messiah…. is the good way. My liberty is in my relationship with my Savior. He has removed the curse. And because of that….I am His slave.
I will strive to serve Him well.
“I shall walk in liberty, for I have sought Thy precepts.” (Ps. 119:45)
It seems to me that the more ‘freedom’ that has been allowed, the more choices people are allowed to take, the worse our culture has become.
And it’s because when we are able to choose for ourselves both good AND evil…when we are not seeking to do what is right in God’s eyes…we choose poorly. We have chosen much evil in this nation.
I rejoice in the liberty and freedom that I have in Christ. It is no longer because I feel forced to choose His way, for that is not freedom. I have the liberty to choose like the couple in the garden. I can choose good….or I can choose evil…and I must choose. God does not insist that I choose His good way.
Because I have grown to know Him and love Him, I have come to understand that what He says is always the right way, for my own best interests and the best interests of others. (EVEN when it doesn't LOOK that way!) The choice to follow His good way always brings life, never death. Only by choosing His good way do I find liberty from the permanently established rule that sin=death.
“..the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.”(Rom. 8:2)
People who spout off about their freedoms and live their lives making ungodly decisions are not free. They are in the worst kind of bondage. Choices that are not lined up with God’s standard bring death. (“ the wages of sin is death..”(Rom. 6:23) Always.
You can complain about it, hit the dislike button, or throw a fit about your ‘rights’…but God is Creator, He gets to pick…what He says IS. Only within the boundaries of Christ is there freedom, for only there is a escape from this curse of sin and death. “If..the son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”(John 8:36) “ …the free gift of god is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”(Romans 6:23)
“For freedom, Christ has set us free…”(Gal. 5:1)
Jesus, The Messiah…. is the good way. My liberty is in my relationship with my Savior. He has removed the curse. And because of that….I am His slave.
I will strive to serve Him well.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Judging
Judging… You can know a tree by it’s fruit.
After someone has handed down a verdict about someone else, I’ve heard ‘I’m not judging, I’m just inspecting fruit’. I confess, I’m guilty of using that excuse myself…judging fruit.
But I believe God has shown me the fruit of my own heart in that matter. “..the fruit of The Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control..’ (Gal. 5:22-23) I don’t see fruit inspecting in that list, nor does that list look like the attitude of my fruit inspecting heart. In fact, it might fit the list of a few verses earlier in that chapter of Galatians ! “discord…jealousy…selfish ambition …dissensions …factions…envy” (verses 19-21)
It is true that our character is displayed in the fruit we bear out in our lives. But what kind of fruit is born out of the fruit inspector? When I inspect another person’s fruit, what kind of attitude is in my own heart, and do I live up to that standard myself? Do I criticize or condemn them for not having Grade A fruit, when my own fruit is not Grade A?
And let’s not be deceived…we’re not grading apples against apples….we’re grading fruit. It doesn’t matter that ‘I’ am not guilty in the fruit/thing I’m inspecting in someone else. I may not have that particular rotten apple to deal with in my own life, but I’ve got some rotten peaches.
The best lessons learned are often those learned out of negative examples. I don’t want to be compromising about sin, but neither do I want to be blind to the sin in my own life. When I see rotten fruit in someone else, I want to see it for what it is, but have a heart to encourage and challenge them to a higher standard….not just chunk it out with the trash.
And I want to never, ever…. have that kind of fruit in my own life.
After someone has handed down a verdict about someone else, I’ve heard ‘I’m not judging, I’m just inspecting fruit’. I confess, I’m guilty of using that excuse myself…judging fruit.
But I believe God has shown me the fruit of my own heart in that matter. “..the fruit of The Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control..’ (Gal. 5:22-23) I don’t see fruit inspecting in that list, nor does that list look like the attitude of my fruit inspecting heart. In fact, it might fit the list of a few verses earlier in that chapter of Galatians ! “discord…jealousy…selfish ambition …dissensions …factions…envy” (verses 19-21)
It is true that our character is displayed in the fruit we bear out in our lives. But what kind of fruit is born out of the fruit inspector? When I inspect another person’s fruit, what kind of attitude is in my own heart, and do I live up to that standard myself? Do I criticize or condemn them for not having Grade A fruit, when my own fruit is not Grade A?
And let’s not be deceived…we’re not grading apples against apples….we’re grading fruit. It doesn’t matter that ‘I’ am not guilty in the fruit/thing I’m inspecting in someone else. I may not have that particular rotten apple to deal with in my own life, but I’ve got some rotten peaches.
The best lessons learned are often those learned out of negative examples. I don’t want to be compromising about sin, but neither do I want to be blind to the sin in my own life. When I see rotten fruit in someone else, I want to see it for what it is, but have a heart to encourage and challenge them to a higher standard….not just chunk it out with the trash.
And I want to never, ever…. have that kind of fruit in my own life.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Faith
Faith… Growing up, I heard a lot of sermons about the impossibility of being saved by ‘faith alone’…..
Still today, it’s a hot topic. The questions of ‘works’ enters into the equation. It is argued that one can be saved then loose that salvation….or one might not have in fact BEEN saved in the first place.
The writer of Hebrews defined faith as ‘being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.’ (Heb. 11:1) We all live by faith. We believe that when we stand up, we will be anchored to the earth beneath us, even though we can’t see the force of gravity. We believe the little gadget we all carry around everywhere we go, will enable us to speak to someone miles away, even though we can’t see the digital signal that cellular phones work off of.
There is a beginning point in faith. I believe in gravity because I’ve learned to walk and have never floated off the planet doing so. I believe in cell phones because I’ve experienced the convenience of owning one…(however, they are much more convenient now than that first bag phone I had !!)
What is the beginning point in faith in God? What is it the hope as far as He is concerned?
My beginning point was fear. I had no love for Him, I had lots of respect for His authority, even though I resented it. I resented it for years….but I’m thankful for it now.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Ps. 111:10, Pro. 1:7, & Pro. 9:10)
My fear kept some pretty tight boundaries around me. We call it legalism these days. I no longer live with those fences, but I believe those fences kept me safe, kept me from making mistakes I might have made if I’d had the freedom I now enjoy. Some people don’t do well fenced in that way, they break down the fences in rebellion. Thank You God, fear kept me from doing so.
I’m no longer fearful of Him. The rest of those promises are true too… “..all who follow His precepts have good understanding.”(Ps. 111:10) “…fools despise wisdom and discipline.”(Pro. 1:7) “..knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Pro. 9:10)
God is to be revered and respected, and He is certainly to be feared if not found to be in His Son, Jesus Christ. He IS Who He says He is…and He WILL do what He says He will do.
I have complete faith in that.
Still today, it’s a hot topic. The questions of ‘works’ enters into the equation. It is argued that one can be saved then loose that salvation….or one might not have in fact BEEN saved in the first place.
The writer of Hebrews defined faith as ‘being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.’ (Heb. 11:1) We all live by faith. We believe that when we stand up, we will be anchored to the earth beneath us, even though we can’t see the force of gravity. We believe the little gadget we all carry around everywhere we go, will enable us to speak to someone miles away, even though we can’t see the digital signal that cellular phones work off of.
There is a beginning point in faith. I believe in gravity because I’ve learned to walk and have never floated off the planet doing so. I believe in cell phones because I’ve experienced the convenience of owning one…(however, they are much more convenient now than that first bag phone I had !!)
What is the beginning point in faith in God? What is it the hope as far as He is concerned?
My beginning point was fear. I had no love for Him, I had lots of respect for His authority, even though I resented it. I resented it for years….but I’m thankful for it now.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Ps. 111:10, Pro. 1:7, & Pro. 9:10)
My fear kept some pretty tight boundaries around me. We call it legalism these days. I no longer live with those fences, but I believe those fences kept me safe, kept me from making mistakes I might have made if I’d had the freedom I now enjoy. Some people don’t do well fenced in that way, they break down the fences in rebellion. Thank You God, fear kept me from doing so.
I’m no longer fearful of Him. The rest of those promises are true too… “..all who follow His precepts have good understanding.”(Ps. 111:10) “…fools despise wisdom and discipline.”(Pro. 1:7) “..knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Pro. 9:10)
God is to be revered and respected, and He is certainly to be feared if not found to be in His Son, Jesus Christ. He IS Who He says He is…and He WILL do what He says He will do.
I have complete faith in that.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Self-control
Self-control.. It is a very personal subject. All of us have areas where we lack in controlling our habits, attitudes, and appetites..
Felix did. Paul was in Felix’s jail, and Felix considered him an interesting way to spend an afternoon, so he sent for him in order to listen to him again. But Paul’s conversation got a bit personal. “Paul continued to insist on right relations with God and His people, about a life of moral discipline and the coming judgment.” (Acts 24: 25 The Message)
Paul was talking about living life by God’s rulebook. He was getting too personal, you see, Felix had no control of self. He had met a woman he wanted, and took her…even though she was another man’s wife. Felix saw no problem with doing whatever he felt like doing and whatever he was big enough to do.
I feel sure he felt good about that….I’m sure he thought he was a big bad guy, very strong and powerful. But he couldn’t even master himself.
Today, we are the same. How often we are deceived by the enemy!! Strength is NOT displayed by doing whatever we feel like doing. Strength is displayed in self-control. And the opposite of that….? No control of self displays a weak and vulnerable area. How will we ever be able to defeat the enemy when we can’t defeat our own fleshly impulses?
Self control is in one of those lists in the Bible. “…make every effort to add to your faith goodness, and to goodness, knowledge, and to knowledge, self control….”(2Peter 1:5)
I think of it as bricks in the wall of my temple. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you, Whom you have received from God?”(1 Cor.6:19)
God has given a ‘measure of faith’ (Romans 12:3) The seed of faith must be planted, nurtured, and acted upon…and it grows. (Luke 17:6, 13:19) If it is not…it does not grow, and even perhaps dies. (James 2:14-17)
The brick added to faith is goodness or virtue. The word in the original language is ‘arete’ and it denotes an attribute of excellence, what in a moral sense gives man his worth, goodness of action. The next brick is knowledge, the participation in becoming aware and comprehending about something.
So we have this bit of faith, we build on it by choosing ‘good’ over wrong/evil, then we make it our business to know what we need to know….and then this thing of self-control.
It is foundational. We can have the conviction of faith, we can have the information and knowledge…but if we don’t proceed to have the control over personal choices in behavior…the wall never gets any higher. Self-control is not optional. It is absolutely necessary….
Felix did. Paul was in Felix’s jail, and Felix considered him an interesting way to spend an afternoon, so he sent for him in order to listen to him again. But Paul’s conversation got a bit personal. “Paul continued to insist on right relations with God and His people, about a life of moral discipline and the coming judgment.” (Acts 24: 25 The Message)
Paul was talking about living life by God’s rulebook. He was getting too personal, you see, Felix had no control of self. He had met a woman he wanted, and took her…even though she was another man’s wife. Felix saw no problem with doing whatever he felt like doing and whatever he was big enough to do.
I feel sure he felt good about that….I’m sure he thought he was a big bad guy, very strong and powerful. But he couldn’t even master himself.
Today, we are the same. How often we are deceived by the enemy!! Strength is NOT displayed by doing whatever we feel like doing. Strength is displayed in self-control. And the opposite of that….? No control of self displays a weak and vulnerable area. How will we ever be able to defeat the enemy when we can’t defeat our own fleshly impulses?
Self control is in one of those lists in the Bible. “…make every effort to add to your faith goodness, and to goodness, knowledge, and to knowledge, self control….”(2Peter 1:5)
I think of it as bricks in the wall of my temple. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you, Whom you have received from God?”(1 Cor.6:19)
God has given a ‘measure of faith’ (Romans 12:3) The seed of faith must be planted, nurtured, and acted upon…and it grows. (Luke 17:6, 13:19) If it is not…it does not grow, and even perhaps dies. (James 2:14-17)
The brick added to faith is goodness or virtue. The word in the original language is ‘arete’ and it denotes an attribute of excellence, what in a moral sense gives man his worth, goodness of action. The next brick is knowledge, the participation in becoming aware and comprehending about something.
So we have this bit of faith, we build on it by choosing ‘good’ over wrong/evil, then we make it our business to know what we need to know….and then this thing of self-control.
It is foundational. We can have the conviction of faith, we can have the information and knowledge…but if we don’t proceed to have the control over personal choices in behavior…the wall never gets any higher. Self-control is not optional. It is absolutely necessary….
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Storms
Storms… Thirty minutes ago, it was hailing. The rain was pouring down, thunder was booming, lighting flashing…power flickered off and on, interrupting the routine of my morning….
Now, the sun is shining, the sky is a bright blue, the birds are singing… The storm is past.
There is a song I like to sing, “I will praise You in this storm…” Life has so many storms. My will is to praise Him… even in the middle of those storms. But it’s hard. My will often crumbles when life’s storms come. It’s hard to hear that still small voice over thunder. It’s scary when it’s dark and threatening….and I am unsure of what He is doing to calm the storm…or if He will….or even if He is close by.
I choose to believe, yet often pray like the father in Mark 9:24. “I do believe…help me overcome my unbelief!” I know what He has said, over and over… “Never will I leave you..”(Heb.13:5) “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid of terrified …for the Lord your God goes with you, He will never leave you or forsake you”(Dt. 31:6) “The Lord Himself goes before you..”(Dt. 31:8) “No one will be able to stand up against you…I will never leave you or forsake you..”(Joshua 1:5)
The power for my survival is HIS power, provided to me thru The Holy Spirit. That power never flickers, it never has an outage or shortage…but sometimes I’m prone to yank the plug, disconnecting myself. It is never Him who deserts me, “..The Father will give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever…” (Jesus, in John 14:16)
I continue to be tutored, learning that just because I don’t understand, or ‘see’ His Hand at work…just because I don’t recognize His activity, just because I don’t see what I expect to see…never ever means that He isn’t at work.
I continue to submit myself to Him, learning more absolute trust of Him, and committing myself time and time again to be obedient to what He says. He is always right…I’ve learned that by experience, some of them very painful.
When it seems like the storm looms so threateningly close, and I don’t sense Him, I continue to choose…gritting my teeth sometimes…that He is God, and He is faithful to His promises to me. Even when I’m scared to death of the storm…His love for me is beyond measure.
The storm will pass. And even if it leaves a path of destruction, I am safe.
For I am His.
Now, the sun is shining, the sky is a bright blue, the birds are singing… The storm is past.
There is a song I like to sing, “I will praise You in this storm…” Life has so many storms. My will is to praise Him… even in the middle of those storms. But it’s hard. My will often crumbles when life’s storms come. It’s hard to hear that still small voice over thunder. It’s scary when it’s dark and threatening….and I am unsure of what He is doing to calm the storm…or if He will….or even if He is close by.
I choose to believe, yet often pray like the father in Mark 9:24. “I do believe…help me overcome my unbelief!” I know what He has said, over and over… “Never will I leave you..”(Heb.13:5) “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid of terrified …for the Lord your God goes with you, He will never leave you or forsake you”(Dt. 31:6) “The Lord Himself goes before you..”(Dt. 31:8) “No one will be able to stand up against you…I will never leave you or forsake you..”(Joshua 1:5)
The power for my survival is HIS power, provided to me thru The Holy Spirit. That power never flickers, it never has an outage or shortage…but sometimes I’m prone to yank the plug, disconnecting myself. It is never Him who deserts me, “..The Father will give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever…” (Jesus, in John 14:16)
I continue to be tutored, learning that just because I don’t understand, or ‘see’ His Hand at work…just because I don’t recognize His activity, just because I don’t see what I expect to see…never ever means that He isn’t at work.
I continue to submit myself to Him, learning more absolute trust of Him, and committing myself time and time again to be obedient to what He says. He is always right…I’ve learned that by experience, some of them very painful.
When it seems like the storm looms so threateningly close, and I don’t sense Him, I continue to choose…gritting my teeth sometimes…that He is God, and He is faithful to His promises to me. Even when I’m scared to death of the storm…His love for me is beyond measure.
The storm will pass. And even if it leaves a path of destruction, I am safe.
For I am His.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Stretch
Stretch… In the verb form, it is to spread, to be extended without breaking…
There are times I’ve felt stretched so thin that I would indeed break. I have even had pity parties about it…invited others to the party to pity me, pity with me…and if I got no takers, I’d just go alone to the party.
We are all stretched. Mothers are stretched with responsibilities of the home, cooking, cleaning, homework, laundry, grocery shopping… Men and fathers are stretched to be the bread-winner, shoulder the responsibilities of maintaining the home and rearing children. Stretching in our workplace…whatever your role is, there are times of stretching.
The enemy will present escapes for those times. He is lying about them, but they may seem like a good idea at the time. People turn their backs on spouses, leaving, buying into the lie that there is no stretching in some other relationship. Greener pastures must be mowed as well. Sometimes, even more so ! People turn to alcohol and drugs. Partying or gambling…the list could go on and on. What might you add to it?
“…God will never let you down. He’ll never let you be pushed past your limit…He’ll always be there to help you come through it.” (1Cor. 10:13 The Message)
We have all heard that. It’s repeated so often that it sounds like an old cliché. But most of the time I hear it quoted, what I believe is the most important teaching in this verse is overlooked or omitted.
“HE provides a way out…” ( v.13 NIV)
Never will we be stretched in a way that we cannot bear it with His Help. Never… He is GOD ! This teaches us that when those times come, it is true that we can bear them…WITH HIM, with His help !! Not just alone, but with Him…
There IS a limit to our power. There IS a place where we can not stretch any further. When that time comes, when we feel like we are going to snap…He is there, and He is able. The question always is…do we ask? And when we ask, do we accept His answer and the provisions He makes? Do we follow the instructions He gives us in those times?
I confess, I don’t always. Often, I’m so involved in my pity party I am not listening. But He waits til I’m thru whining…after I’ve stretched to my limit and found out I can go no further. Then I sit and listen..when I’ve exhausted all other avenues…
What an insult to Him.
Father forgive me. Help me to seek YOUR counsel first. Help me to tune my ears to hear YOU…and give me a heart to trust what You say. You are always right. Even when the accuser comes against Your Word…he lies…for You are always right. Always…
There are times I’ve felt stretched so thin that I would indeed break. I have even had pity parties about it…invited others to the party to pity me, pity with me…and if I got no takers, I’d just go alone to the party.
We are all stretched. Mothers are stretched with responsibilities of the home, cooking, cleaning, homework, laundry, grocery shopping… Men and fathers are stretched to be the bread-winner, shoulder the responsibilities of maintaining the home and rearing children. Stretching in our workplace…whatever your role is, there are times of stretching.
The enemy will present escapes for those times. He is lying about them, but they may seem like a good idea at the time. People turn their backs on spouses, leaving, buying into the lie that there is no stretching in some other relationship. Greener pastures must be mowed as well. Sometimes, even more so ! People turn to alcohol and drugs. Partying or gambling…the list could go on and on. What might you add to it?
“…God will never let you down. He’ll never let you be pushed past your limit…He’ll always be there to help you come through it.” (1Cor. 10:13 The Message)
We have all heard that. It’s repeated so often that it sounds like an old cliché. But most of the time I hear it quoted, what I believe is the most important teaching in this verse is overlooked or omitted.
“HE provides a way out…” ( v.13 NIV)
Never will we be stretched in a way that we cannot bear it with His Help. Never… He is GOD ! This teaches us that when those times come, it is true that we can bear them…WITH HIM, with His help !! Not just alone, but with Him…
There IS a limit to our power. There IS a place where we can not stretch any further. When that time comes, when we feel like we are going to snap…He is there, and He is able. The question always is…do we ask? And when we ask, do we accept His answer and the provisions He makes? Do we follow the instructions He gives us in those times?
I confess, I don’t always. Often, I’m so involved in my pity party I am not listening. But He waits til I’m thru whining…after I’ve stretched to my limit and found out I can go no further. Then I sit and listen..when I’ve exhausted all other avenues…
What an insult to Him.
Father forgive me. Help me to seek YOUR counsel first. Help me to tune my ears to hear YOU…and give me a heart to trust what You say. You are always right. Even when the accuser comes against Your Word…he lies…for You are always right. Always…
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Force
Force… Webster says that force is energy that may be exerted. That property which may produce action in another body is force. I’ve wanted to force lots of things….
I’ve wanted to force people who have addictions to just STOP. I’ve wanted to force people who refuse to consider the Message of Christ to just HEAR. I’ve wanted to force those who cause hurt to others to SEE. I’ve wanted to force those who won’t bear their own personal responsibilities to GROW UP.
Can’t be done. Personal choice is just that....a personal choice. I can only choose for myself.
“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you….” (Joshua 24:15)
Serving the Lord does seem undesirable at times. Our enemy still deceives us and lies to us. His MO hasn’t changed….(method of operation) In the garden, he caused Eve to question whether doing what God said was really in her best interest. Genesis 3 tells us how that devil questioned what God ‘really’ said….and why. “…God knows that when you eat….you will know what He knows…”, the serpent hissed. And Eve considered what he said, believed him, and the story continues.
Today, the enemy still will cause us to consider what God has said and why. IF we give him even a moment …if we stop to consider his lies….he still wants us to choose to know evil. (..that tree was knowledge of good AND evil…remember?)
God always always always says what He says for a reason.
God will never never never force us to comply.
Force is certainly within His power. He is the most powerful force that exists. But He has chosen to give us choice. There is and can be…no evil in Him.
He longs for us to choose Him. “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable…..then choose for yourselves..whom you will serve..”
Who do you serve? What do you serve? What is it that controls your choices?
Father forgive me when I consider the enemy’s lies. Forgive me the times I’ve even for a moment questioned if what You ask of me is good. Help me to see the choices when they come…protect me from deception and enable me to choose You in every situation.
“…for me, I choose to serve You.”
I’ve wanted to force people who have addictions to just STOP. I’ve wanted to force people who refuse to consider the Message of Christ to just HEAR. I’ve wanted to force those who cause hurt to others to SEE. I’ve wanted to force those who won’t bear their own personal responsibilities to GROW UP.
Can’t be done. Personal choice is just that....a personal choice. I can only choose for myself.
“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you….” (Joshua 24:15)
Serving the Lord does seem undesirable at times. Our enemy still deceives us and lies to us. His MO hasn’t changed….(method of operation) In the garden, he caused Eve to question whether doing what God said was really in her best interest. Genesis 3 tells us how that devil questioned what God ‘really’ said….and why. “…God knows that when you eat….you will know what He knows…”, the serpent hissed. And Eve considered what he said, believed him, and the story continues.
Today, the enemy still will cause us to consider what God has said and why. IF we give him even a moment …if we stop to consider his lies….he still wants us to choose to know evil. (..that tree was knowledge of good AND evil…remember?)
God always always always says what He says for a reason.
God will never never never force us to comply.
Force is certainly within His power. He is the most powerful force that exists. But He has chosen to give us choice. There is and can be…no evil in Him.
He longs for us to choose Him. “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable…..then choose for yourselves..whom you will serve..”
Who do you serve? What do you serve? What is it that controls your choices?
Father forgive me when I consider the enemy’s lies. Forgive me the times I’ve even for a moment questioned if what You ask of me is good. Help me to see the choices when they come…protect me from deception and enable me to choose You in every situation.
“…for me, I choose to serve You.”
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Offerings
Offerings… There’s a Christmas song I like, ‘What can I bring Him, poor that I am’….
Voluntary giving something to God …what can I possible give to God? Everything I have comes from His Hand in the first place. Everything in my reality is His. Yet, He has given me dominion over the realm of my life.
What can I possibly add? What God might lack, He could speak into existence just as He spoke into existence every single thing you and I have ever known. What He might want, He could certainly have.
But would it all be worth having?
Again, I marvel at the love of God for me…..and I marvel that the only thing He wants that He can not ‘make’……is my choosing Him over all else.
The blessing of our 36 year marriage has been the freely given commitment to each other. I’ve never forced my husband to stay. I’ve never manipulated circumstances ‘so that’ he will love me. He chooses to do so. And I am secure in that. I daresay he would say the same thing.
God loves us, wants our love in return…but will not force our choice. It grieves Him that some do not choose Him. He is sorrowful that they will suffer because of it, and has gone to great measures to be sure we know WHAT we are choosing when we do not come to Him.
“…tell the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death…’ …” (Jer. 21:8)
“ ..I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may life, and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His Voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life….” (Deut. 30:19,20)
“I am the way and the truth and the life…” ( words of Jesus in John 14:6)
Good or evil. Life or death. Those are the only two choices.
“…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” ( Joshua 24:15)
Voluntary giving something to God …what can I possible give to God? Everything I have comes from His Hand in the first place. Everything in my reality is His. Yet, He has given me dominion over the realm of my life.
What can I possibly add? What God might lack, He could speak into existence just as He spoke into existence every single thing you and I have ever known. What He might want, He could certainly have.
But would it all be worth having?
Again, I marvel at the love of God for me…..and I marvel that the only thing He wants that He can not ‘make’……is my choosing Him over all else.
The blessing of our 36 year marriage has been the freely given commitment to each other. I’ve never forced my husband to stay. I’ve never manipulated circumstances ‘so that’ he will love me. He chooses to do so. And I am secure in that. I daresay he would say the same thing.
God loves us, wants our love in return…but will not force our choice. It grieves Him that some do not choose Him. He is sorrowful that they will suffer because of it, and has gone to great measures to be sure we know WHAT we are choosing when we do not come to Him.
“…tell the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death…’ …” (Jer. 21:8)
“ ..I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may life, and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His Voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life….” (Deut. 30:19,20)
“I am the way and the truth and the life…” ( words of Jesus in John 14:6)
Good or evil. Life or death. Those are the only two choices.
“…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” ( Joshua 24:15)
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Temple..
Temple… I have seen pictures of temples, read about temples…but a temple is not ordinary in our culture, so it takes effort to think about it. “You are the temple of God” Paul told the Corinthians, (1 Cor. 3:16)
All those who are disciples of Jesus Christ are temples of God. The Old Testament has many object lessons for us about this temple language. Solomon built a temple that had been long in coming. His Father began the project with the planning and gathering of materials to be used. “Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord..”(2 Chron. 3:1)
Every single part of the temple has meaning, but recently, God called my attention to the Most Holy Place, the place where the Presence of God would come.
“Solomon built the Most Holy Place….and overlaid the inside with ..fine gold.” (vs.8)
When I read this, the accuser asked me where the gold was in my heart. (He won’t be able to do that always…(Rev. 12:10) He got me thinking and searching, sorrowful that there was none that I saw..
Then I found another altar, the Tabernacle that was the first one, the temporary, portable one, the one where God manifested Himself to the wandering Hebrews in the wilderness.
The structure was put together in great detail by Divine instructions. There would be sacrifices, and even the manner in which that was done was stipulated. “Make all the utensils….pots to remove the ashes…” (Ex. 27:3)
Ashes !! Imagine ashes being anywhere around anything overlaid in gold. Disgusting ! We have a wood stove, I know about ashes. The killing of animals and dealing with blood…that, I’ve thought about. Not the ashes though…
And then I realized…I’ve brought all these needless sacrifices into the altar of my heart, and they are just burned up ! Nothing I can ’DO’ is of any consequence to remove my guilt. The only sacrifice I need offer is a ’sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His Name’ (Heb. 13:15)
That doesn’t mean I no longer ’DO’ good things…’do not forget to do good and to share with others’ (vs.16) ..but all those things are to be done in praise of Him and what He has accomplished in me. Else….they are just burned to ash…creating a black veil that keeps me from seeing the overlay of gold on the altar of my heart…put there by Jesus Christ when He cleansed this temple and made me fit for His Presence.
It is finished.(John 19:30)
“There is no longer any sacrifice for sin.”(Heb. 10:18)
‘My body is a temple of the holy Spirit…I am not my own, I was bought at a price. Therefore, I will honor God…”(1Cor. 6:20 personalized by me)
All those who are disciples of Jesus Christ are temples of God. The Old Testament has many object lessons for us about this temple language. Solomon built a temple that had been long in coming. His Father began the project with the planning and gathering of materials to be used. “Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord..”(2 Chron. 3:1)
Every single part of the temple has meaning, but recently, God called my attention to the Most Holy Place, the place where the Presence of God would come.
“Solomon built the Most Holy Place….and overlaid the inside with ..fine gold.” (vs.8)
When I read this, the accuser asked me where the gold was in my heart. (He won’t be able to do that always…(Rev. 12:10) He got me thinking and searching, sorrowful that there was none that I saw..
Then I found another altar, the Tabernacle that was the first one, the temporary, portable one, the one where God manifested Himself to the wandering Hebrews in the wilderness.
The structure was put together in great detail by Divine instructions. There would be sacrifices, and even the manner in which that was done was stipulated. “Make all the utensils….pots to remove the ashes…” (Ex. 27:3)
Ashes !! Imagine ashes being anywhere around anything overlaid in gold. Disgusting ! We have a wood stove, I know about ashes. The killing of animals and dealing with blood…that, I’ve thought about. Not the ashes though…
And then I realized…I’ve brought all these needless sacrifices into the altar of my heart, and they are just burned up ! Nothing I can ’DO’ is of any consequence to remove my guilt. The only sacrifice I need offer is a ’sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His Name’ (Heb. 13:15)
That doesn’t mean I no longer ’DO’ good things…’do not forget to do good and to share with others’ (vs.16) ..but all those things are to be done in praise of Him and what He has accomplished in me. Else….they are just burned to ash…creating a black veil that keeps me from seeing the overlay of gold on the altar of my heart…put there by Jesus Christ when He cleansed this temple and made me fit for His Presence.
It is finished.(John 19:30)
“There is no longer any sacrifice for sin.”(Heb. 10:18)
‘My body is a temple of the holy Spirit…I am not my own, I was bought at a price. Therefore, I will honor God…”(1Cor. 6:20 personalized by me)
Monday, April 19, 2010
Revelations
Revelations… Not the book in the Bible…that would be Revelation, no S, not a plural. However, I have had several revelations over the past few days…
Revelation is the act of disclosing or discovering to others what was before unknown to them. It is the disclosure or communication of truth to men by God Himself, or by His authorized agent.
We have a book in the Bible that contains the Revelation given to John. Yet really, every book of the Bible is revelation. There will always be yet another truth that we have not seen, understood, or applied. It is alive, The Living Word…always fresh and relevant.
There is a Divine Agent who brings the words on the pages to life, giving revelation of the truth there. Jesus said that The Father would send this unseen tutor to teach and instruct us, to be our Holy Reminder… Who will empower us to recall and to apply the truth we are given.
But He’ll not force-feed us. He’ll not impose His will over ours. “..how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13)
When I can’t get it…when I don’t understand what God wants, what scripture says, how to make decisions, where to go from here…I can ask for Help. And He will send Help.
But The Holy Spirit of God is not like a pigeon. Pigeons will light on your head, crowd in around you, expecting…searching…
God’s Holy Spirit “descended on Jesus in bodily form like a dove…” (Luke 3:22) We know that God does not change. (Num. 23:19, James 1:17, 1 Sam.15:29,Heb. 13:8) His nature and character have never changed and will never change. He is still today, like a dove.
So if you’re waiting for Him to crowd in on you like a pigeon, forget it.
But if you want His help, ask Him for it. Luke 11:13 tells us to ask. And when you ask…don’t put conditions on it. He is trustworthy. There is no need for fear.
Father how grateful I am for Your Holy Spirit.
Revelation is the act of disclosing or discovering to others what was before unknown to them. It is the disclosure or communication of truth to men by God Himself, or by His authorized agent.
We have a book in the Bible that contains the Revelation given to John. Yet really, every book of the Bible is revelation. There will always be yet another truth that we have not seen, understood, or applied. It is alive, The Living Word…always fresh and relevant.
There is a Divine Agent who brings the words on the pages to life, giving revelation of the truth there. Jesus said that The Father would send this unseen tutor to teach and instruct us, to be our Holy Reminder… Who will empower us to recall and to apply the truth we are given.
But He’ll not force-feed us. He’ll not impose His will over ours. “..how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13)
When I can’t get it…when I don’t understand what God wants, what scripture says, how to make decisions, where to go from here…I can ask for Help. And He will send Help.
But The Holy Spirit of God is not like a pigeon. Pigeons will light on your head, crowd in around you, expecting…searching…
God’s Holy Spirit “descended on Jesus in bodily form like a dove…” (Luke 3:22) We know that God does not change. (Num. 23:19, James 1:17, 1 Sam.15:29,Heb. 13:8) His nature and character have never changed and will never change. He is still today, like a dove.
So if you’re waiting for Him to crowd in on you like a pigeon, forget it.
But if you want His help, ask Him for it. Luke 11:13 tells us to ask. And when you ask…don’t put conditions on it. He is trustworthy. There is no need for fear.
Father how grateful I am for Your Holy Spirit.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Alone
Alone… I’ll be alone this week-end. In a crowd…
I often feel alone. The weight of responsibility, struggles against personal issues, business decisions, financial needs and responsibilities, concerns about family, ….it gets heavy sometimes. Often, the enemy accuses and tries to deceive me…trying to convince me that I am alone…the only one. He is a liar. I am never alone. He tried that on Elijah…had him thinking he was the only one.
Then the Lord answered.
“Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” ( 1 Kings 19:11)
Elijah had been God’s mouthpiece. It got him a lot of problems to deal with, especially from Jezebel. She didn’t like the message and she was intent on shutting him up. Elijah just got overwhelmed, and did what I often want to do…and have done. Run. Hide.
At least he had run to a place that was connected with God…a place where Moses had met with God. Now that he was there, there was “a great and powerful wind……but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake. But the Lord was not in the earthquake.”(vs.11)
Ok…He’s supposed to be passing by, you’d think it would be a really big thing…but the powerful displays were just shaking ground and blowing wind. No comfort there !
“After the earthquake came a fire..” Surely God will communicate thru these appearances of flames…right? “But the Lord was not in the fire.” (vs.12)
Sigh… I’ve looked for God and EXPECTED God to come to my aid in ways like that. Make a grand entrance Lord…come in and rock the house. And He certainly can and has done that. He’s there in the powerful miraculous things He does. He’s there in the mega-church gatherings, He’s there in the big conferences with thousands gathered…He’s there in the praise rallies. But it’s just hard for me to hear Him in all that noise and activity.
So like Elijah, I’m going off to be alone, and I expect to hear The Whisper…in fact, He’s already started this morning, with this reflecting time.
“After the fire came a gentle whisper…When Elijah heard it….he pulled his cloak over his face and went out….” (vs. 13)
God shows up. Every single time I seek His Face…He shows up.
He is so very good.
I often feel alone. The weight of responsibility, struggles against personal issues, business decisions, financial needs and responsibilities, concerns about family, ….it gets heavy sometimes. Often, the enemy accuses and tries to deceive me…trying to convince me that I am alone…the only one. He is a liar. I am never alone. He tried that on Elijah…had him thinking he was the only one.
Then the Lord answered.
“Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” ( 1 Kings 19:11)
Elijah had been God’s mouthpiece. It got him a lot of problems to deal with, especially from Jezebel. She didn’t like the message and she was intent on shutting him up. Elijah just got overwhelmed, and did what I often want to do…and have done. Run. Hide.
At least he had run to a place that was connected with God…a place where Moses had met with God. Now that he was there, there was “a great and powerful wind……but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake. But the Lord was not in the earthquake.”(vs.11)
Ok…He’s supposed to be passing by, you’d think it would be a really big thing…but the powerful displays were just shaking ground and blowing wind. No comfort there !
“After the earthquake came a fire..” Surely God will communicate thru these appearances of flames…right? “But the Lord was not in the fire.” (vs.12)
Sigh… I’ve looked for God and EXPECTED God to come to my aid in ways like that. Make a grand entrance Lord…come in and rock the house. And He certainly can and has done that. He’s there in the powerful miraculous things He does. He’s there in the mega-church gatherings, He’s there in the big conferences with thousands gathered…He’s there in the praise rallies. But it’s just hard for me to hear Him in all that noise and activity.
So like Elijah, I’m going off to be alone, and I expect to hear The Whisper…in fact, He’s already started this morning, with this reflecting time.
“After the fire came a gentle whisper…When Elijah heard it….he pulled his cloak over his face and went out….” (vs. 13)
God shows up. Every single time I seek His Face…He shows up.
He is so very good.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Taxes..
Taxes.. This is the day. I have to mail that check today.
Taxes aren’t a new thing. There are stories of taxation all thru scripture. See if you relate to any of these..
“…We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.”(Neh. 5:4)
“..his successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor..” (Daniel 11:20)
I sure relate. The stories that go along with those passages are very interesting, too long and complicated for these short writings. You might check them out…the ruler of the Daniel passage was eliminated…poisoned by one of his employees. I won’t say anything else about that !
Joking aside, I confess that I resent writing those checks. I do NOT resent helping those who can not help themselves. I do NOT resent contributing to legitimate needs or to supporting efforts to improve our culture.
“..look after orphans and widows in their distress..” (James 1:27)
“…we should continue to remember the poor..” (Gal. 2:10)
( In my humble opinion, more is spent on tearing down our culture than improving it.)
Scripture teaches that we should work together for the common good. Nothing is just about ‘Me’. At least it shouldn’t be…
“..these…were helping to support them out of their own means.” (Luke 8:3)
I don’t really like this next verse….but I want to be obedient…..
“Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes…(Rom. 13:7)
I argue with God that I owe them. He reminds me, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s…” (Matt. 22:21)
Then I complain to Him that it is NOT theirs, why should I be required to give it to them?! That check represents a lot of MY hard work. And again, He reminds me…“Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to Him than birds.” (Matt. 6:26 The Message)
He reminds me that I have no need unmet…I have MORE than enough.
I wonder that our problems might be far less if everyone adhered to this standard of behavior…
“ If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” (2Th. 3:10)
So…off to work I go.
Taxes aren’t a new thing. There are stories of taxation all thru scripture. See if you relate to any of these..
“…We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.”(Neh. 5:4)
“..his successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor..” (Daniel 11:20)
I sure relate. The stories that go along with those passages are very interesting, too long and complicated for these short writings. You might check them out…the ruler of the Daniel passage was eliminated…poisoned by one of his employees. I won’t say anything else about that !
Joking aside, I confess that I resent writing those checks. I do NOT resent helping those who can not help themselves. I do NOT resent contributing to legitimate needs or to supporting efforts to improve our culture.
“..look after orphans and widows in their distress..” (James 1:27)
“…we should continue to remember the poor..” (Gal. 2:10)
( In my humble opinion, more is spent on tearing down our culture than improving it.)
Scripture teaches that we should work together for the common good. Nothing is just about ‘Me’. At least it shouldn’t be…
“..these…were helping to support them out of their own means.” (Luke 8:3)
I don’t really like this next verse….but I want to be obedient…..
“Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes…(Rom. 13:7)
I argue with God that I owe them. He reminds me, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s…” (Matt. 22:21)
Then I complain to Him that it is NOT theirs, why should I be required to give it to them?! That check represents a lot of MY hard work. And again, He reminds me…“Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to Him than birds.” (Matt. 6:26 The Message)
He reminds me that I have no need unmet…I have MORE than enough.
I wonder that our problems might be far less if everyone adhered to this standard of behavior…
“ If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” (2Th. 3:10)
So…off to work I go.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Looked
Looked…. I remember as a child how my daddy could just look at me and I was disciplined…
There was no need for words, I knew what he would be saying had he spoken. And rather than push him into speaking…I’d comply ! It is said that the eyes are the windows of the soul. It is true that the eyes tell so very much.
“ The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.” (Luke 22:61)
Peter was a brave man. He’d lashed out with his sword against armed soldiers, way out numbered.. But he’d go down fighting.. Except that Jesus called him off and even healed the damage he’d managed to do. (I would like to hear that story from Malchus, the guy whose ear Peter cut off and Jesus healed!)
I can only imagine how confused Peter must have been. Jesus had instructed them to take swords. (vs.36) Now he was telling them not to use them.
So often, Peter gets remembered for his failures, and I’m glad they are recorded because I identify with him so much. But let’s not forget how committed and brave he was. He did use the sword he’d been told to take, however misguided he was. He did get out of the boat and walk on the water, even if he did sink moments later. The rest of the crew sat inside the boat and watched.
Peter ran away with the rest of the disciples when Jesus was arrested, but he followed. He saw what was happening. He witnessed it. I’m thankful for that, for I was reading it last night and again moments ago. He followed, still in the confused mindset of all the events that were happening so fast. How terrifying it must have been, and he was ‘sifted like wheat’ as he fell into denying that he even knew Jesus much less was he a follower.
Then Jesus looked at him.
It makes me want to cry to think how Peter felt then. He’d heard the third call of the night moments before. Then the look….
But how precious our Lord is that he made sure Peter knew that this wasn’t a surprise to Him. Jesus made sure that Peter would remember His warning…Jesus had prayed for Peter. “…Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you…that your faith may not fail. And WHEN you have turned back…strengthen your brothers.” (vs.32)
How many times Peter must have gone over those last hours and the last conversations. I hope he never missed the fact that Jesus knew about his failures before he failed…and He knew that Peter would turn back even stronger than ever, to strengthen his brothers…
and his sisters…. Thank You Lord for Peter.
There was no need for words, I knew what he would be saying had he spoken. And rather than push him into speaking…I’d comply ! It is said that the eyes are the windows of the soul. It is true that the eyes tell so very much.
“ The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.” (Luke 22:61)
Peter was a brave man. He’d lashed out with his sword against armed soldiers, way out numbered.. But he’d go down fighting.. Except that Jesus called him off and even healed the damage he’d managed to do. (I would like to hear that story from Malchus, the guy whose ear Peter cut off and Jesus healed!)
I can only imagine how confused Peter must have been. Jesus had instructed them to take swords. (vs.36) Now he was telling them not to use them.
So often, Peter gets remembered for his failures, and I’m glad they are recorded because I identify with him so much. But let’s not forget how committed and brave he was. He did use the sword he’d been told to take, however misguided he was. He did get out of the boat and walk on the water, even if he did sink moments later. The rest of the crew sat inside the boat and watched.
Peter ran away with the rest of the disciples when Jesus was arrested, but he followed. He saw what was happening. He witnessed it. I’m thankful for that, for I was reading it last night and again moments ago. He followed, still in the confused mindset of all the events that were happening so fast. How terrifying it must have been, and he was ‘sifted like wheat’ as he fell into denying that he even knew Jesus much less was he a follower.
Then Jesus looked at him.
It makes me want to cry to think how Peter felt then. He’d heard the third call of the night moments before. Then the look….
But how precious our Lord is that he made sure Peter knew that this wasn’t a surprise to Him. Jesus made sure that Peter would remember His warning…Jesus had prayed for Peter. “…Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you…that your faith may not fail. And WHEN you have turned back…strengthen your brothers.” (vs.32)
How many times Peter must have gone over those last hours and the last conversations. I hope he never missed the fact that Jesus knew about his failures before he failed…and He knew that Peter would turn back even stronger than ever, to strengthen his brothers…
and his sisters…. Thank You Lord for Peter.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Perjury
Perjury.. Willfully making a false oath. Swearing to something that is false…
There was a time when truth was expected and assumed. People could be taken at their word, to do what they said they would do…whatever they told you was so. Not so much anymore it seems…
Perjury could cost you dearly under Jewish law.
“If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse a man of a crime, the two men involved in the dispute must stand in the Presence of the Lord before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time. The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony ….then do to him as he intended to do to the other…. You must purge the evil from among you.” (Deut. 19: 16-19)
Wow ! You lie to get the other guy…you get what you were setting him up for !
Fast forward…Mark 14
“The chief priests…were looking for evidence against Jesus, to put Him to death..”
“..some stood up and gave…false testimony against Him…yet their testimony did not agree…”
The very ones who held the positions to enforce the laws they lived by, ignored that law. They LOOKED for evidence…didn’t matter how accurate it was. Not only did they not enforce their law, they did not punish the perjurers, they became involved IN the act.
“Are you not going to answer?” they asked Jesus.
Today, as then, a person on trial is not required to answer questions that would show himself to be guilty.
“Jesus remained silent.” and by His very silence, He convicted them of their wrongdoing, convicted them of breaking the law they claimed to uphold.
Until…
“ the high priest asked Him, ‘Are You the Christ, the Son of The Blessed One?”
“I Am”.
Jesus never denied His Father. And they crucified Him for it.
There was a time when truth was expected and assumed. People could be taken at their word, to do what they said they would do…whatever they told you was so. Not so much anymore it seems…
Perjury could cost you dearly under Jewish law.
“If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse a man of a crime, the two men involved in the dispute must stand in the Presence of the Lord before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time. The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony ….then do to him as he intended to do to the other…. You must purge the evil from among you.” (Deut. 19: 16-19)
Wow ! You lie to get the other guy…you get what you were setting him up for !
Fast forward…Mark 14
“The chief priests…were looking for evidence against Jesus, to put Him to death..”
“..some stood up and gave…false testimony against Him…yet their testimony did not agree…”
The very ones who held the positions to enforce the laws they lived by, ignored that law. They LOOKED for evidence…didn’t matter how accurate it was. Not only did they not enforce their law, they did not punish the perjurers, they became involved IN the act.
“Are you not going to answer?” they asked Jesus.
Today, as then, a person on trial is not required to answer questions that would show himself to be guilty.
“Jesus remained silent.” and by His very silence, He convicted them of their wrongdoing, convicted them of breaking the law they claimed to uphold.
Until…
“ the high priest asked Him, ‘Are You the Christ, the Son of The Blessed One?”
“I Am”.
Jesus never denied His Father. And they crucified Him for it.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Braced
Braced.. My wrists have braces on them. I’ve done such repetitive motion for so many years, there’s some wear and tear going on in there, they get tired, weak, and ache…and they need support and rest…thus, the braces.
I’ve talked to God about them, thought He might be willing to just zap them. And He has the power…but for now, I believe He just wants me to rest them when I can. So, I got two braces to wear when I’m sleeping or not working at something. The braces keep them from moving much, forcing me to allow those muscles etc. to be still and rest.
I thought about Moses and his tired old arms. Moses had these thousands of people who looked to him for leadership in every matter. Moses was the standard bearer. He held the rod that had turned into a snake before Pharoah, the rod that had been held out over the water as it parted for their escape from Pharoah’s army. The rod that brought the life saving water out of the rock in the waterless desert.
Then they got to Rephidim, and the descendants of Esau, the Amalekites attacked them. Once again, all eyes were on Moses. What now?
“Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow, I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” (Ex. 27:9) So, it was done, the soldiers were chosen and sent, and “Moses , Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.” (vs. 10,11)
Talk about pressure… talk about tired arms…. Imagine the heaviness of everything being affected by your behavior, your holding up the standard….. I might have thrown it down and hoped for the best.
“When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on one side, one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset.” (vs.12)
Moses had the desire, his heart was right, but he needed help in shouldering the responsibility. He needed propping up….a way to rest even in the midst of doing the work of God.
How might we do that for each other? How might we wrap around each other like this brace on my wrist?…supporting and enabling… even encouraging rest, but without being removed from our own battle station?
Lord, help us to answer in obedience to Your call, and report to our post, ready for battle. Even the strongest of us tires, and we need the Aarons and Hurs to come alongside us, to enable us to rest, even as we continue to fight and hold our position. And we need Your Holy Spirit, Who is our Strength in every situation. Thank you…You are so good.
I’ve talked to God about them, thought He might be willing to just zap them. And He has the power…but for now, I believe He just wants me to rest them when I can. So, I got two braces to wear when I’m sleeping or not working at something. The braces keep them from moving much, forcing me to allow those muscles etc. to be still and rest.
I thought about Moses and his tired old arms. Moses had these thousands of people who looked to him for leadership in every matter. Moses was the standard bearer. He held the rod that had turned into a snake before Pharoah, the rod that had been held out over the water as it parted for their escape from Pharoah’s army. The rod that brought the life saving water out of the rock in the waterless desert.
Then they got to Rephidim, and the descendants of Esau, the Amalekites attacked them. Once again, all eyes were on Moses. What now?
“Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow, I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” (Ex. 27:9) So, it was done, the soldiers were chosen and sent, and “Moses , Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.” (vs. 10,11)
Talk about pressure… talk about tired arms…. Imagine the heaviness of everything being affected by your behavior, your holding up the standard….. I might have thrown it down and hoped for the best.
“When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on one side, one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset.” (vs.12)
Moses had the desire, his heart was right, but he needed help in shouldering the responsibility. He needed propping up….a way to rest even in the midst of doing the work of God.
How might we do that for each other? How might we wrap around each other like this brace on my wrist?…supporting and enabling… even encouraging rest, but without being removed from our own battle station?
Lord, help us to answer in obedience to Your call, and report to our post, ready for battle. Even the strongest of us tires, and we need the Aarons and Hurs to come alongside us, to enable us to rest, even as we continue to fight and hold our position. And we need Your Holy Spirit, Who is our Strength in every situation. Thank you…You are so good.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Row
Row… Did you ever hear someone say ‘That’s a hard row to hoe.”? I remember as a kid hearing older people saying that and I remember thinking they were saying ‘road’….It didn’t make a bit of sense to me then….
Hoeing is hard period. I avoid it. I bought a garden tiller to do most of that for me. I am thankful for machinery! But the principle behind that old saying is the same even with a garden tiller.
When you start down a row, if it’s not straight, it is very difficult. You can’t turn around in the middle of a row, you have to go on thru it, even if for some reason you decide you don’t want to. Once you undertake a row, you’re committed to finishing it, or destroying it trying to get out of it.
I don’t like that truth. I’ve started down some rows that got very hard to hoe…and really wanted out.
“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (spoken by Jesus in Luke 9:62)
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised… my righteous one will live by faith…” (Hebrews 10:35-36, 38)
That settles it. This row is hard. But He asks me to be completely committed, not half-hearted….and to finish it.
Hoeing is hard period. I avoid it. I bought a garden tiller to do most of that for me. I am thankful for machinery! But the principle behind that old saying is the same even with a garden tiller.
When you start down a row, if it’s not straight, it is very difficult. You can’t turn around in the middle of a row, you have to go on thru it, even if for some reason you decide you don’t want to. Once you undertake a row, you’re committed to finishing it, or destroying it trying to get out of it.
I don’t like that truth. I’ve started down some rows that got very hard to hoe…and really wanted out.
“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (spoken by Jesus in Luke 9:62)
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised… my righteous one will live by faith…” (Hebrews 10:35-36, 38)
That settles it. This row is hard. But He asks me to be completely committed, not half-hearted….and to finish it.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Horses
Horses.. We don’t ride horses, never rode them like some folks do…but we have had horses for years. Today, we have one less…
There are many teachings in scripture using the horse for illustration. “Do not be like the horse…which has no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.” (Ps. 32:9)
Old Dutch was like that. He was hard to catch. Once the bit was in his mouth, he was completely different. And these last few weeks, he has been different. He was old, he probably had cancer, or a failing heart…and he didn’t run when approached.
Aren’t we so like that? God calls us, and we prance off with our proud tail in the air, blowing back at Him, refusing to answer? When He finally gets His Hand on us, we realize how foolish we were to struggle against Him, that He is kind and gentle, only wanting to groom us and use us for the very purpose we were created.
When we are so tired and worn out from our running, when we grow old and weak, sick, needy…we welcome His Presence and His Touch.
I often joke that I am old and tired. But I am not. Neither am I young and ignorant. I have matured, I have experiences, I have training from life and from the Spirit of God working in my life.
Father, help us not to run when You call, but rather to anxiously submit to Your call. Lord, we want to willfully follow, fulfilling the very purposes You have for our life. Help us that we might do that while we are young and strong…not waiting until we exhaust ourselves with running, or when we have become weak and sick. But thank You Father God, that even then you love us and comfort us. Oh God, we want to have no regrets of being disobedient to Your call.
There are many teachings in scripture using the horse for illustration. “Do not be like the horse…which has no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.” (Ps. 32:9)
Old Dutch was like that. He was hard to catch. Once the bit was in his mouth, he was completely different. And these last few weeks, he has been different. He was old, he probably had cancer, or a failing heart…and he didn’t run when approached.
Aren’t we so like that? God calls us, and we prance off with our proud tail in the air, blowing back at Him, refusing to answer? When He finally gets His Hand on us, we realize how foolish we were to struggle against Him, that He is kind and gentle, only wanting to groom us and use us for the very purpose we were created.
When we are so tired and worn out from our running, when we grow old and weak, sick, needy…we welcome His Presence and His Touch.
I often joke that I am old and tired. But I am not. Neither am I young and ignorant. I have matured, I have experiences, I have training from life and from the Spirit of God working in my life.
Father, help us not to run when You call, but rather to anxiously submit to Your call. Lord, we want to willfully follow, fulfilling the very purposes You have for our life. Help us that we might do that while we are young and strong…not waiting until we exhaust ourselves with running, or when we have become weak and sick. But thank You Father God, that even then you love us and comfort us. Oh God, we want to have no regrets of being disobedient to Your call.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Pollen
Pollen… There is a green mist in the air. Thankfully, I remembered to start the allergy medicine in time. I’ve decided not to complain…
I love springtime. I love the budding trees, the fresh growth, the flowers…it always makes me think about Day Three. “Let the earth bring forth grass…herbs… trees….” (Gen.1:11) God had already prepared the place for all this vegetation, He had prepared the earth…light, soil, water. Everything to support plant life was in place, inspected, and approved. Then He spoke and the earth burst forth…
Imagine the earth birthing all plant life for the first time. Imagine how beautiful, how fresh and tender. The colors appearing…on the backdrop of an earth newly divided into dry land and seas.
Never again has it been just like that. God said it once. “Let the earth bring forth….”
“And it was so.” (Gen. 1:11) And it is still so. Just take a look around.
He is so good.
I love springtime. I love the budding trees, the fresh growth, the flowers…it always makes me think about Day Three. “Let the earth bring forth grass…herbs… trees….” (Gen.1:11) God had already prepared the place for all this vegetation, He had prepared the earth…light, soil, water. Everything to support plant life was in place, inspected, and approved. Then He spoke and the earth burst forth…
Imagine the earth birthing all plant life for the first time. Imagine how beautiful, how fresh and tender. The colors appearing…on the backdrop of an earth newly divided into dry land and seas.
Never again has it been just like that. God said it once. “Let the earth bring forth….”
“And it was so.” (Gen. 1:11) And it is still so. Just take a look around.
He is so good.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Information
Information… How much information to you have? How much is available that you don’t have? How much of what you have is accurate?
“What things?”, the Traveler asked.
The two traveling on the road to Emmaus had some information about Jesus. He was from Nazareth. He was an inspired speaker, a foreteller of future events. He was powerful in the things He said and did, dynamic. The religious elite had orchestrated His death, a crucifixion. And His body was not in the tomb, it had vanished.
I wonder, what do you know about Jesus? What information do you have? Have you even scratched the surface of knowing? ….I haven’t. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I do not know and understand. I can hardly wrap my brain around it…God in flesh.(John 1:14)
Jesus said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!…
Then, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:25,27)
Moses…that would be the first 5 books of our Bible. THAT is where Jesus started when He decided to explain Himself to these travelers.
You see, scripture is ALL about Jesus. From beginning to end, it’s about Jesus. From the garden, He has been spoken of and promised. The curse that fell on mankind is only in Him removed. The prophets message was all about Him. The chosen people of God, was all about Him and His Message to the world.
Will you go to Moses and all the Prophets of scripture, open the Bible, and ask Him to show you what is said there concerning Himself?
Just like the road to Emmaus, He comes to help us and give us knowledge and understanding when we use what we have already been given. Just as then, there is much more to know about Jesus than the circumstances of His birth and death. So very much more….
“What things?”, the Traveler asked.
The two traveling on the road to Emmaus had some information about Jesus. He was from Nazareth. He was an inspired speaker, a foreteller of future events. He was powerful in the things He said and did, dynamic. The religious elite had orchestrated His death, a crucifixion. And His body was not in the tomb, it had vanished.
I wonder, what do you know about Jesus? What information do you have? Have you even scratched the surface of knowing? ….I haven’t. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I do not know and understand. I can hardly wrap my brain around it…God in flesh.(John 1:14)
Jesus said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!…
Then, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:25,27)
Moses…that would be the first 5 books of our Bible. THAT is where Jesus started when He decided to explain Himself to these travelers.
You see, scripture is ALL about Jesus. From beginning to end, it’s about Jesus. From the garden, He has been spoken of and promised. The curse that fell on mankind is only in Him removed. The prophets message was all about Him. The chosen people of God, was all about Him and His Message to the world.
Will you go to Moses and all the Prophets of scripture, open the Bible, and ask Him to show you what is said there concerning Himself?
Just like the road to Emmaus, He comes to help us and give us knowledge and understanding when we use what we have already been given. Just as then, there is much more to know about Jesus than the circumstances of His birth and death. So very much more….
Information
Information… How much information to you have? How much is available that you don’t have? How much of what you have is accurate?
“What things?”, the Traveler asked.
The two traveling on the road to Emmaus had some information about Jesus. He was from Nazareth. He was an inspired speaker, a foreteller of future events. He was powerful in the things He said and did, dynamic. The religious elite had orchestrated His death, a crucifixion. And His body was not in the tomb, it had vanished.
I wonder, what do you know about Jesus? What information do you have? Have you even scratched the surface of knowing? ….I haven’t. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I do not know and understand. I can hardly wrap my brain around it…God in flesh.(John 1:14)
Jesus said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!…
Then, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:25,27)
Moses…that would be the first 5 books of our Bible. THAT is where Jesus started when He decided to explain Himself to these travelers.
You see, scripture is ALL about Jesus. From beginning to end, it’s about Jesus. From the garden, He has been spoken of and promised. The curse that fell on mankind is only in Him removed. The prophets message was all about Him. The chosen people of God, was all about Him and His Message to the world.
Will you go to Moses and all the Prophets of scripture, open the Bible, and ask Him to show you what is said there concerning Himself?
Just like the road to Emmaus, He comes to help us and give us knowledge and understanding when we use what we have already been given. Just as then, there is much more to know about Jesus than the circumstances of His birth and death. So very much more….
“What things?”, the Traveler asked.
The two traveling on the road to Emmaus had some information about Jesus. He was from Nazareth. He was an inspired speaker, a foreteller of future events. He was powerful in the things He said and did, dynamic. The religious elite had orchestrated His death, a crucifixion. And His body was not in the tomb, it had vanished.
I wonder, what do you know about Jesus? What information do you have? Have you even scratched the surface of knowing? ….I haven’t. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I do not know and understand. I can hardly wrap my brain around it…God in flesh.(John 1:14)
Jesus said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!…
Then, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:25,27)
Moses…that would be the first 5 books of our Bible. THAT is where Jesus started when He decided to explain Himself to these travelers.
You see, scripture is ALL about Jesus. From beginning to end, it’s about Jesus. From the garden, He has been spoken of and promised. The curse that fell on mankind is only in Him removed. The prophets message was all about Him. The chosen people of God, was all about Him and His Message to the world.
Will you go to Moses and all the Prophets of scripture, open the Bible, and ask Him to show you what is said there concerning Himself?
Just like the road to Emmaus, He comes to help us and give us knowledge and understanding when we use what we have already been given. Just as then, there is much more to know about Jesus than the circumstances of His birth and death. So very much more….
Monday, April 5, 2010
Sadness
Sadness.. It is a heaviness of heart we’ve all felt, brought on by various thing..…
It needs no introduction, when we are sad, it is evident. It shows itself in our expressions, our body language, our voice…even the words we choose are colored by the sadness of heart.
Sadness expresses itself as anger often….or hopelessness. Circumstances of life deeply affect us, and we process it….often in unwise and unhealthy ways. Often in cooperation with our enemy instead of with the Holy Spirit of God.
When sadness settles over us, we can listen to the wrong voice and become more defeated, angrier, hopeless, or depressed…or we can listen for the His Whisper and remember His promises.
There were some sad faces on the road to Emmaus. (Luke 24) They walked along with it all over their face, obvious to a fellow Traveler.
“What are you discussing…?” the Traveler asked.
“Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard..?”, they answered.
“What has happened?” the Traveler replied.
“Jesus of Nazareth…He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people !…”, they began to tell the Traveler. “…but we had hoped….” (Luke 24:21)
Things hadn’t turned out like they had expected. They had the scenario all worked out in their mind…and it didn’t turn out that way. So….the sadness came.
“What things?” Jesus asked . (Luke 24:29)
He asked what things brought on the sadness. He is still the same. The sadness we struggle against still concerns Him.
Lord Jesus, do not let us be slow to perceive Your Presence with us and in our circumstances. As You did then, on the road to Emmaus, do today…. in the places where we are, the roads we walk on… thru Your Holy Spirit, walk with us and reveal truth to us. As we open our Bible, teach us and enlighten us just as You opened scripture to these travelers on the road to Emmaus.
It needs no introduction, when we are sad, it is evident. It shows itself in our expressions, our body language, our voice…even the words we choose are colored by the sadness of heart.
Sadness expresses itself as anger often….or hopelessness. Circumstances of life deeply affect us, and we process it….often in unwise and unhealthy ways. Often in cooperation with our enemy instead of with the Holy Spirit of God.
When sadness settles over us, we can listen to the wrong voice and become more defeated, angrier, hopeless, or depressed…or we can listen for the His Whisper and remember His promises.
There were some sad faces on the road to Emmaus. (Luke 24) They walked along with it all over their face, obvious to a fellow Traveler.
“What are you discussing…?” the Traveler asked.
“Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard..?”, they answered.
“What has happened?” the Traveler replied.
“Jesus of Nazareth…He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people !…”, they began to tell the Traveler. “…but we had hoped….” (Luke 24:21)
Things hadn’t turned out like they had expected. They had the scenario all worked out in their mind…and it didn’t turn out that way. So….the sadness came.
“What things?” Jesus asked . (Luke 24:29)
He asked what things brought on the sadness. He is still the same. The sadness we struggle against still concerns Him.
Lord Jesus, do not let us be slow to perceive Your Presence with us and in our circumstances. As You did then, on the road to Emmaus, do today…. in the places where we are, the roads we walk on… thru Your Holy Spirit, walk with us and reveal truth to us. As we open our Bible, teach us and enlighten us just as You opened scripture to these travelers on the road to Emmaus.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Finished
Finished… Done. Over with. Accomplished. The end. Concluded.
I wonder what a sigh of relief the chief priests and their followers sighed when they saw Jesus sentenced to death. They thought it was finished. Done. Over with. They thought they had accomplished something. They thought this latest bout with a so-called Messiah was concluded. Their positions were no longer threatened. Life would go on as usual.
They didn’t want their Passover messed up. They wanted Jesus not only quieted, but eliminated. They wanted their traditional and religious holiday to go on as always…all the while with schemes of orchestrating an innocent death. (John 18:28)
Finished. He was dead. He was in the tomb. They thought it was finished.
About the time the lambs were slain on the altar, the Lamb of God spilled His blood on a Roman cross. There were no cries or bleeting from this Lamb. He was not drug or carried. He himself, even carried the cross He was to die on. While blood ran from the altar where the lambs were sacrified, His Blood drenched the timbers of the rugged cross of Calvary.
While the prepared pascal lambs of Passover were laid out on their tables, The Lamb of God lay in a tomb between two angels. (John 20:12)
They feasted on the animals they sacrified as an atonement for their sin and a reprieve from the curse of death…over and over, year after year.
I feast on the Lamb of God…I feast on The Bread of Life.
I am not required to sacrifice an animal to atone for my sin. God Himself has done that once and for all. (Rom. 3:25, Heb. 9:26, Heb.10)
‘Through Jesus…I continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise…the fruit of lips that confess His Name….not forgetting to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.’ (Heb. 13:15-16)
He is not dead….‘He is risen.’ (Luke 24:6)
Hallelujah !!
I wonder what a sigh of relief the chief priests and their followers sighed when they saw Jesus sentenced to death. They thought it was finished. Done. Over with. They thought they had accomplished something. They thought this latest bout with a so-called Messiah was concluded. Their positions were no longer threatened. Life would go on as usual.
They didn’t want their Passover messed up. They wanted Jesus not only quieted, but eliminated. They wanted their traditional and religious holiday to go on as always…all the while with schemes of orchestrating an innocent death. (John 18:28)
Finished. He was dead. He was in the tomb. They thought it was finished.
About the time the lambs were slain on the altar, the Lamb of God spilled His blood on a Roman cross. There were no cries or bleeting from this Lamb. He was not drug or carried. He himself, even carried the cross He was to die on. While blood ran from the altar where the lambs were sacrified, His Blood drenched the timbers of the rugged cross of Calvary.
While the prepared pascal lambs of Passover were laid out on their tables, The Lamb of God lay in a tomb between two angels. (John 20:12)
They feasted on the animals they sacrified as an atonement for their sin and a reprieve from the curse of death…over and over, year after year.
I feast on the Lamb of God…I feast on The Bread of Life.
I am not required to sacrifice an animal to atone for my sin. God Himself has done that once and for all. (Rom. 3:25, Heb. 9:26, Heb.10)
‘Through Jesus…I continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise…the fruit of lips that confess His Name….not forgetting to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.’ (Heb. 13:15-16)
He is not dead….‘He is risen.’ (Luke 24:6)
Hallelujah !!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Arrested
Arrested… They arrested Him last night. It was a long night. Drug before every judge in town….all of it really illegal. But He never asked for His rights.
Imagine the trials of Jesus today, in our courts. There would be such an outcry about violated rights. But don’t think our system would have prevented His death.
I wonder what methods would be used today to stop Jesus. Our culture seems to have perfected the political smear tactics. But…that’s not a new thing. They did that. They attacked the circumstances of His birth.
John 8:41, when read with some knowledge about the culture, is an accusation that His mother was pregnant when she married Joseph, not a virgin as was claimed. They suggested that Jesus had more than one ‘father’. Questioning someone’s honesty chips away at the foundation of any relationship. Ask Eve, Satan used that tactic successfully on her in the Garden. He questioned the honesty of God…Eve considered the possibility…and you and I live in the rest of the story.
Perhaps today we would scrutinize His finances, look at His tax returns. They did that too. (Luke 20 and Matthew 17)
Or get a loose woman involved…they did that too. (John 8)
“There is nothing new under the sun..” (Ecc. 1:9) Don’t think we’re any different than the people who drug Jesus from court to court all night and saw to it that He was nailed to a Roman cross. We are not.
But He was different. Hallelujah.... what a Savior.
Imagine the trials of Jesus today, in our courts. There would be such an outcry about violated rights. But don’t think our system would have prevented His death.
I wonder what methods would be used today to stop Jesus. Our culture seems to have perfected the political smear tactics. But…that’s not a new thing. They did that. They attacked the circumstances of His birth.
John 8:41, when read with some knowledge about the culture, is an accusation that His mother was pregnant when she married Joseph, not a virgin as was claimed. They suggested that Jesus had more than one ‘father’. Questioning someone’s honesty chips away at the foundation of any relationship. Ask Eve, Satan used that tactic successfully on her in the Garden. He questioned the honesty of God…Eve considered the possibility…and you and I live in the rest of the story.
Perhaps today we would scrutinize His finances, look at His tax returns. They did that too. (Luke 20 and Matthew 17)
Or get a loose woman involved…they did that too. (John 8)
“There is nothing new under the sun..” (Ecc. 1:9) Don’t think we’re any different than the people who drug Jesus from court to court all night and saw to it that He was nailed to a Roman cross. We are not.
But He was different. Hallelujah.... what a Savior.
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