Here In This Moment
May 2012
Prove It
The bible speaks of an account when a rich man wishes that his brother be told the truth about heaven and hell after the rich man had gone to hell in hopes of saving his brother from this horrible place. The rich man is told that even this would not be enough to convince him to believe.
I wonder today what proof or evidence would be necessary for people to believe in Jesus Christ. When we reject Christ enough our heart becomes hardened. How often do people get more and more convinced that that God does not exist simply because they have hardened their heart to him. God is patient and always yearning for us to return to a right relationship with him.
I consistently see evidence of my creator, of the power of my God, and of the promises he made, fulfilled. I stand amazed at the prophetic fulfillment of Jesus Christ and get excited daily for the fulfillment of Christ second coming. It surprises me to see people who believe many things that the world tells them based on science, but that other science contradicts. The probability of our ability to exist could only be fulfilled by a perfect creator. Let faith bring you to serve Christ because evidence will not work. And let not your heart be hardened.
He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”
Luke 16:31
Worlds Apart
We can not love this world and love God at the same time. We can not desire the things of this life and desire the life God wants for us at the same time. We can not compromise the word of God so that this world is easier for us or so that our time here is more pleasant. We have but a short life in this world but we will spend eternity in the destination of our choosing. If you choose God in this life then you choose eternity with him. If you choose to partake of this world then you choose an eternity without God.
Are their things in this life that you could not give up? Dreams? Hopes? Family? Relationships? Pleasure? Self? IF you were asked for just this one life to not indulge in these things would it be worth it for eternity with Christ? Not only does Christ not ask us to give these things up, but instead he tells us how to enter into these things so that we get the most out of them. I would rather not partake in these things if it meant separation for my God.
We need to know what God wants for us. His word will tells us. Our answered prayers will tell us. He wants what’s best for us. Do not compromise with the ideas of this world. Do not love the things of this world. Do not spend eternity without Jesus!
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Matthew 6:24
Active History
Does the world not see the opportunity they have in Jesus Christ? Even when he came into the world as a baby, many people knew who he was. People traveled many miles to come see the savior born. The king in Israel commanded that the babies be killed because of who Jesus was. As he moved into the days of his ministry he attracted thousands. He started a movement that was opposed throughout history but only flourished in its expanse. His words have been reproduced and spread father then the words of anyone else in human history. His goal is to spend eternity with us. He wants to provided guidance for us in this life so that we are rewarded all the greater in the next life. He knows what will harm us and try’s to keep us from it.
Everyday people turn to their idea of what they think they should be doing in this life. They oppose Jesus and ignore who he was and who he is today. Some great scientific minds have the ability and access to understand who Jesus is at a closer level then those without ability but yet they choose to promote lies so that they can continue to lead themselves down a path of self destruction. Others simply have a focus on themselves and nothing else matters. If they only knew that Jesus always focuses on us and we have no need to seek our own way then things would be much better. Jesus came to earth, he died on the cross and he is alive today. Don’t let the things of today make you forget the opportunity of Jesus Christ.
This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”
John 6:58
People Fruit
I was having thought about evangelism, approaches and opportunities. I was reminded of the many facts about how many Christian claims come without an fruit to show, specifically evangelism. This idea made me think about the last time I was approached or someone shared God or the word with me. I haven’t even had the pressure of other religions in my life. More then anything else I have seen the enticement or secular ways and a societal tolerance for things that are completely contrary to the Bible.
If we claim to be children of the true and living God, and we have given our life to Christ then it is his will that we share this with others. I think at the core of this idea is faith. If we have fear we should evaluate what we fear. Lack of knowledge? The Holy Spirit will provide it. Do you fear the response of the other person, the bible says that we will face persecution, what a wonderful fruit of your works, it also says that they could take our life but they can not take our God. Do you fear failure? Its never a failure to provide someone with the opportunity to choose Christ. We should be a strong family who is pursuing the lost. Other people should be the fruit of our faith. If we know the Holy Spirit will work on our behalf, if we trust that God know what he’s doing then our faith is our fruit. Give the gift of Christ today!
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Matthew 7:18-20
Just One More
Christ saved us by his actions on the cross. We were required death as punishment for just one of our sins, but Christ lived a perfect life so that his death would be equal to our sins. Christ is our king and did nothing deserving of death. Instead he served man kind and saved us from the penalty of our sins.
To some who do not completely understand the idea that their was a price to pay for our sins they question the extent to which they can sin since they have been paid for on the cross. How much suffering must Christ endure for our sins. As we sin do we think about each moment of suffering for Christ. The fact we are forgiven, does it make us think, just one more sin is ok because Christ can handle one more lashing. One more moment of our pleasure for one more minute of suffocation on the cross for Christ. One more of my desires for one more thorn dug deep in Christ scalp. One more silly word of ours for one more mocking word for Christ. How much can Christ take. How many sins of ours does a nail in the hand of Christ make up for. Do we consider this when we sin.
We must understand that Gods grace provided a savior for us. That while we do not owe anything anymore appreciation would should be a natural response. What better way to repay a life given for us then with our life given for him.
But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
My Defense Lawyer
Sin was the reason that death and judgment became necessary. Sin is not relative to individual thinking. Even the most firm believer in the idea of relative living can agree with the rest of the people on this plant on at least one thing that is simply wrong or for the sake of this message a sin. Everyone is aware that sin exists. Everyone participates and has participated in sin. It is at this point were we determine the consequences of sin.
The result and consequence of sin is death. As a result of the fall of man sin entered into the land and now we all must die. Upon death we face judgment by the God who defined sin. If there is a sin that can be credited to you on the Day of Judgment, one is all it takes, and then you will reap the judgment of God and suffer the consequences which is eternity without the presence of God in your being and darkness and hell. So because we have all sinned and we will all face judgment we need a good defense which is available and has come in the form of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only hope to avoid condemning judgment. Christ paid for our sins before they ever took place. He has made us white as snow as a result of the suffering he experienced on the cross. In the courtroom of judgment all we need to tell our good judge is that our Jesus has paid our consequence. If on that day you refused to employ Jesus during your life then he will not enter the courtroom on your behalf. He will explain to the judge that he does not know you and the gavel will fall and you will have missed out on eternity.
If this message has been embraced by you and you are white as snow in the eyes of your father then this is the message that should grieve you with regard to those who have yet to obtain their defense on the Day of Judgment. We all know sin exists. We must make it known that only God has defined sin and that this is the definition we will be judged by. We must make it known that Jesus is the only way to become blameless in the midst of our creator. For believers, everyone needs Jesus as much as we do. For non-believers, sin does not have to end in judgment but it could have ended for you on the cross.
“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
Isaiah 1:18
God Knows
I recently had a great time taking a closer look at the book of Job. When we think of Job we generally think of a rich man who was faced with a challenging situation. He was rich and lost everything he had so that we could see if he would still worship God as his God. What I found most interesting about the book of Job was the timing of his life as well as his communication exchange with God.
Job lived at a very early point in history. The exact dates are not known but before Abraham is a good guess. In the communication exchange with God, God challenges Job on who he is a mortal man and who God is as creator. God provides numerous examples from the natural world of things that God as creator has seen, has experienced and understands as creator of all, where as Job only knows what he has seen as human and can only explain it based on his limited knowledge base. The exchange is a reminder that God is creator. It is also a reminder that early men in human history were knowledgeable. At this point in time their was an understanding of the value of gold and silver. Their was an understanding between the differences and the uses for iron and wood. Job was not a cave man, nor did he come from cave men.
Job was also wise in his understanding of God. As God challenged him about his understanding of the natural world Job knew he could not compete with God and gave God the respect he deserved by becoming silent. God has always been and he understands his creation well. HE knows why and how things happen. We can benefit from this reminder and remain silent when challenged by God. God is right and will always be right. God is creator and perfect designer. Everything he created will working according to design when used as he designed.
Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
Job 42:3
Reminded till Death
How often do we as followers of Jesus Christ let our world and this planet get so big that we forget Gods eternity and his enormous power? We let tragedy and death over shadow who we have known God to be up until that moment when we feel horrible about our circumstance. In a situation like this it is important to realize how big God is, how much control he has, and that whatever happens it will be worked for his good.
Death may be one of the hardest things we deal with in our short moment in this world; however it doesn’t have to be. When we have the right perspective on what the after life involves and what we are called to do as servants of Christ and representatives to his cause. When people die they go to heaven or hell. The ones that go to heaven are much better off then we who are still in this world. Their passing into the kingdom is a time of celebration and thankfulness. Who are we that we would wish they were still here enduring the same fallen world we endure. If people go to hell then it is sad but also a reminder that our time is short and that we all have the choice to make. If one person dying and going to hell does not shake you to choose Christ then I am not sure what will. People die everyday and it reminds us of the choice we have to make. For people who have not made the choice it can be tough, they don’t understand why a person has died. For personal reason they wish the person was still alive and often time there are long lasting effects in a person’s life who does not understand the passing of a loved one.
When you hear of death or someone you know passes on be reminded we are still called to be servants. Use the opportunity to praise the lord for giving us an opportunity to spend eternity with him. Your loved ones may beat you their or they may simply be a hard reminder of the choice we need to make today while we still can. Everyone will die and it should come as no surprise. God is in control. Let his process remind us and redeem us. We can never say at the end our life that we did not know we needed to make a choice, the deaths of the people around us are regular reminders that a choice needs to be made. Let his love be shown even when life gets tough.
Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Hebrews 9:27-28
A Day with God
The complete day with God in your life should look like what? I think this will be different for everyone but we can get some general features described here. When we wake in the morning we need to be aware that God has granted us another day. He made the Sun on the first day, he set it into motion and he allowed it to rise one more time on this morning. After this comes the breath of life. As you break from a pattern of snoring into a pattern of regular breathing you can thank God for the breath of life that he blew into the first man and gave birth to generations of people leading to you. Its about this time as we put our feet on the ground that a still small voice greets us with a “Good Morning!”. We have an appointment set and God has some important things to share with us once we got our coffee and we get with his word. This time is for God to talk to us, love us and through his word reveal one more fascinating and fantastic fact about who he is and why we are here. Upon finishing our morning meeting, whether we have to go somewhere or get to stay at home the enthusiasm of who God is and what he has done leads me to desire to worship so on goes the radio and music. This time of worship should coincide with the activities of the morning. Any phone call received or person encountered should be greeted with thanks to God for the day and an encouraging word provided by the Holy Spirit. A prayer of thanks should be offered up for both breakfast and lunch, as anytime is the right time to pray. The work you do should be done as to the lord. The things we don’t desire to do should be done as servants of the one and only God. The people when work with and live with should be loved and forever extended forgiveness. No ill world should be spoken. No self serving action performed, for all good things come from the lord not from our own abilities. When God is the muscle behind our actions his glory should shine through in our actions. Gods work will be performed during the day spent with him and he will be exalted. Love you family as instructed in Gods word. Enjoy Gods creation because he was thinking of you when he made it. Let God dictate what you need and do away with the unnecessary wants of this world. As you find your pillow let thanks be ringing in you mind and prepare for whatever God has planned whether it be another sunrise or another son rise.
For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2
Who’s Destination
In our Christian walk we lean on the Holy Spirit to be our guide. The more we rely on him the more he manifests himself in what we do. I have heard the saying that when we fear sharing the gospel we need not be for the Holy Spirit will give us the words to speak. We see the Holy Spirit emerge when we have a choice to make that we have prayerfully devoted time to and have received an answer. The Holy Spirit in Christ in us and should be the engine in us simply the vehicle.
The tricky part with the Holy Spirit is when we defy the direction on the motors GPS. Even work done for the Kingdom that we pursue may not be our calling or what the Holy Spirit is trying to work in us. I think that a stereotype of the Holy Spirit is that it’s along for the ride and acts as a small voice to reason with us or emerge only when we need help. the truth is that the Holy Spirit is God in us and behind the wheel. If we drive our own life there is no room for the Holy Spirit to drive. God is in control of everything except people. He only controls people when we give him control and give him our life. The Holy Spirit will take any opportunity to lead but does not want to be your last resort or to ever let you return to the driver’s seat. Jesus Christ has made his home in our heart and in our soul as our Holy Spirit to achieve the goals of his heart and to do the work of his father in heaven. Do we get to a better destination with us driving or with Christ driving? Do we know the road ahead and how to handle the hazards or does God make a path straight? Turn over control of your life of your desires and let the Holy Spirit have control. Let the Spirit decide what we are doing today.
Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,
1 Corinthians 6:19
Love Discipline
People often ask if our God is so good why does he let bad things happen or why doesn’t he protect us from our bad choices. Beyond the fact that God desires us to love him with faith and not conditional on how he acts toward us, I think we need to think about the relationship between a father and his children. Truly God is our perfect father who loves us unconditionally like a child.
When thinking about the children God may see us as I thought about disciplining a child. Thinking of a little boy we may remember them throwing a ball and breaking a window. We teach this boy to throw the ball with more control and in a direction away from windows. As the boy gets older he throws a rock through a window. This time we remind him of the ball but we get a little angry with him because he should not be throwing rocks and we taught him how to throw with control and away from windows. When the boy is a young teen he gets a BB gun and shoots through the window. This time we are very angry because unlike the ball or rock the boy could have really hurt a person. We discipline him with love but sternly so he understands that things should not go through windows. Had we not intervened and responded after this opportunity we might be seeing the state discipline our boy after a bullet went through a car window.
God loves us and he knows what is best for us. He will warn us and attempt to guide us long before the choice of devastation arises. We need to be aware when our discipline is necessary. Discipline includes being in Gods word. Discipline includes constant communication with our savior. Disciple includes routinely practicing good choices through Gods will not our own. Discipline includes taking correction and like God working it for the good. Remember , discipline if God loving you!
Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives.
Proverbs 19:18
Post Mothers Day
As we should all know yesterday was mothers day, hopefully we sent a card made a phone call or even had a nice dinner for our mothers and wives and I am sure for some of our daughters. When I think about mothers day and I think about Christ I am reminded that we always think about Jesus and his father but we do not always add his mother the equation. For someone who was blindsided by the announcement that she would be having a child in a supernatural and untraditional way, she fulfilled a role in history that was necessary for all of us. With thanks to mother Mary for bearing a son that would save the world I turn my thoughts to mothers who save the world of their children.
Mothers have a unique role in the family as well as a unique bond with their children, different then fathers. I have learned as a father then my wife’s relationship with our children is complimentary to my duties as a father. She acts with more compassion then me and tends to be the one my children call out for most. She works full time but takes care of the family and the children all the same. Coming from a home with a stay at home mom I feel like I have a super wife who takes care of everything.
We are told to honor our mother in Gods word. I think honor is something mothers deserve fully. Just as are savior’s heart breaks when he sees us hurt in a similar way a mothers heart breaks. Mothers want the best for us and a Godly mother wants our relationship with Christ to be strong. As mother Mary saw her son dying on the cross she knew that day was coming and with all the sadness and terror of watching her son go through the torture of the cross their was admiration for the child she raised and a proud feeling for what her son was accomplishing. Our mothers love us and are proud of for our amazing feats and for our minor one. Look to your mother with appreciation for the love she gives, the love of a mother is the closest thing to we find in the human realm to Gods agape love for us.
"Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!
Isaiah 49:15
Will His Word
Every time we are unsure of the right choice or the right way to act how do we decide what is right? I think this question is so important to think about. Sometimes we may think that this life is trial and error. I think that this choice only leaves us trying a lot of hurtful choices that could possible leave a trail of wreckage behind us. Other times we think we know all the right answers and what I choose to do is the right way to do things. Unbeknownst to the proud this choice leaves many people hurt and ultimately greatly devastated when choices they had great confidence in turned out to not be the right choice. So what is the right choice… God’s word!
God has an example, or a direct instruction for the things in our life. Some topics are covered more thoroughly then other; however knowing Gods word lets us make the choices that honor him. Life for each human tends to run the same course with many of the same encounters. We must deal with survival, relationships, and self identity. We may be in different places or be facing different types of relationships but the bottom line remains the same, that we were born, must pass through this life and then we die and face judgment, this progression is the same for all.
One area of Gods word that provides a great amount of detail about how to do life is the topic of marriage. From many examples in Gods word one that is a great example is for husbands to love their wives like Jesus loves the church. I do not think that this instruction could get any clearer. First, Christ died for the church, husbands we must be willing to do the same and its not die because we destroyed our bodies coping with life but hopefully die because we sacrifice ourselves either through a life time of serve in a moments notice so that our wife can go on. As far as how Christ treated the church, this is how husbands need to treat wives. This is a great demonstration of love. No harsh words, no violence, just kind words and encouragement and enticement to become beautiful for ones husband. God has a will for every situation we face, find it in Gods word and then implement it, you can not fail, God does not fail.
Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Isaiah 2:
Perfect God
Did you know God is forever in everything in every moment. God knows, sees, and hears all. In every decision made, in every action taken, in every thought formed God knows. Their is no escape from God, he was before all and he is eternal. If you say you don’t believe in God or describe him in a way that it untrue, he knows and is not changed by it. If we get angry at God he remains the same God, he does not change course he does not adjust his plan he is the plan and has the authority to execute it. If you do something to bring God down or give people a false image of who God is he will work it to his benefit and for the good of all. God is able to do all things, he desires to do greater then any prayer we can ask. He has no competition and loves us more then we can ever know or imagine. His ways are higher then ours and yet he shares himself with us. His plan was designed around us. That we could have a relationship with him and that he could be our loving God. He desires us, he desires our life so that he can proclaim who he is.
Why would anyone try to run from God, or hide or change who he is. He is a perfect God, his greatest characteristic is love. All things are out of love for us. We only get one life of unknown length to make God our God for eternity with all forgiveness and mercy. Without God we would not be here. If God quit on us we would not be here. If God did not love us we would not be here. God deserves our praise, our thanks, and our devotion. Love your perfect God today!
“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.
Deuteronomy 32:4
The Words of a Savior
The word of God is the testimony of who God is. It details human history with facts about important events that shaped mans walk with God And gives us prime examples of life situations along with right and wrong responses to these situation. The word of God is absolute truth and authority. We can not choose the parts we like and ignore the rest. There are parts of Gods word that may seem confusing or inapplicable to ones life, however as our maturity grows we gain wisdom to the advanced aspects of Gods word and recognize that all of his word has application to our life.
When it comes to believing and agreeing with Gods word some people take a world view of Gods word and do not believe that the extraordinary events described in Gods word took place. They also don’t like to believe in the consequences of the actions described in the Bible. Gods word is true, it’s true on everything it says! When we decide to compromise the truth of the Word of God we end up compromising who God is. We make him not King, not ruler, and not savior. Your choice to pick and choose what’s believable leaves you without a savior. Without a savior the price of our sin must be paid by us and that cost is death and eternal separation from the amazing God detailed in his word. Believing the divine scenarios of the Bible only builds our faith and brings us into a greater understanding of who God his. God made science; he doesn’t play by those rules. Let the words of God and his character described shape your world view, not the reverse.
And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
1 Thessalonians 2:13
Stored Up in Heaven
In yesterdays post we pictured what our first day in heaven will be like. The greatest part of being their will be the presence of Jesus face to face. Until that day we have a tendency to focus on the world around us. Rather then day dreaming about our savior stealing us in the night or coming on the clouds we think about next weeks TV episode, next months getaway, and next years new home. We start to build next years home thinking about the things we can put into is and how these things would make us feel and how excited other would be to visit and partake in what we have. We never picture the scriptures we would line the walls with or the options that would make hosting the needing more accommodating. The home of next year is for us, its about us, and thinking about it defines us today and our priorities.
Think for a minute, if we never wanted more material goods then what we have right now. What if we even wanted less then what we have. If we looked around at what we have can we find items that would be a blessing to another person and reflect the presence of Jesus in our life. Is their extra food in the kitchen that could be given to a person in need?
Beyond thinking about next year’s house, how much time will be spent this year trying to work for the things we dreamed of. What if we had the same drive and desire to serve others and develop our relationship with Jesus. Would your time in this moment be better spent in this manner with regard to what is to come? What if today you decided to let God bless you with next years home rather then thinking about it and working for it. What if we worked on the projects God has already called us to do as we work to enlarge the population of the coming kingdom!
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:15
The bible speaks of an account when a rich man wishes that his brother be told the truth about heaven and hell after the rich man had gone to hell in hopes of saving his brother from this horrible place. The rich man is told that even this would not be enough to convince him to believe.
I wonder today what proof or evidence would be necessary for people to believe in Jesus Christ. When we reject Christ enough our heart becomes hardened. How often do people get more and more convinced that that God does not exist simply because they have hardened their heart to him. God is patient and always yearning for us to return to a right relationship with him.
I consistently see evidence of my creator, of the power of my God, and of the promises he made, fulfilled. I stand amazed at the prophetic fulfillment of Jesus Christ and get excited daily for the fulfillment of Christ second coming. It surprises me to see people who believe many things that the world tells them based on science, but that other science contradicts. The probability of our ability to exist could only be fulfilled by a perfect creator. Let faith bring you to serve Christ because evidence will not work. And let not your heart be hardened.
He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”
Luke 16:31
Worlds Apart
We can not love this world and love God at the same time. We can not desire the things of this life and desire the life God wants for us at the same time. We can not compromise the word of God so that this world is easier for us or so that our time here is more pleasant. We have but a short life in this world but we will spend eternity in the destination of our choosing. If you choose God in this life then you choose eternity with him. If you choose to partake of this world then you choose an eternity without God.
Are their things in this life that you could not give up? Dreams? Hopes? Family? Relationships? Pleasure? Self? IF you were asked for just this one life to not indulge in these things would it be worth it for eternity with Christ? Not only does Christ not ask us to give these things up, but instead he tells us how to enter into these things so that we get the most out of them. I would rather not partake in these things if it meant separation for my God.
We need to know what God wants for us. His word will tells us. Our answered prayers will tell us. He wants what’s best for us. Do not compromise with the ideas of this world. Do not love the things of this world. Do not spend eternity without Jesus!
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Matthew 6:24
Active History
Does the world not see the opportunity they have in Jesus Christ? Even when he came into the world as a baby, many people knew who he was. People traveled many miles to come see the savior born. The king in Israel commanded that the babies be killed because of who Jesus was. As he moved into the days of his ministry he attracted thousands. He started a movement that was opposed throughout history but only flourished in its expanse. His words have been reproduced and spread father then the words of anyone else in human history. His goal is to spend eternity with us. He wants to provided guidance for us in this life so that we are rewarded all the greater in the next life. He knows what will harm us and try’s to keep us from it.
Everyday people turn to their idea of what they think they should be doing in this life. They oppose Jesus and ignore who he was and who he is today. Some great scientific minds have the ability and access to understand who Jesus is at a closer level then those without ability but yet they choose to promote lies so that they can continue to lead themselves down a path of self destruction. Others simply have a focus on themselves and nothing else matters. If they only knew that Jesus always focuses on us and we have no need to seek our own way then things would be much better. Jesus came to earth, he died on the cross and he is alive today. Don’t let the things of today make you forget the opportunity of Jesus Christ.
This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”
John 6:58
People Fruit
I was having thought about evangelism, approaches and opportunities. I was reminded of the many facts about how many Christian claims come without an fruit to show, specifically evangelism. This idea made me think about the last time I was approached or someone shared God or the word with me. I haven’t even had the pressure of other religions in my life. More then anything else I have seen the enticement or secular ways and a societal tolerance for things that are completely contrary to the Bible.
If we claim to be children of the true and living God, and we have given our life to Christ then it is his will that we share this with others. I think at the core of this idea is faith. If we have fear we should evaluate what we fear. Lack of knowledge? The Holy Spirit will provide it. Do you fear the response of the other person, the bible says that we will face persecution, what a wonderful fruit of your works, it also says that they could take our life but they can not take our God. Do you fear failure? Its never a failure to provide someone with the opportunity to choose Christ. We should be a strong family who is pursuing the lost. Other people should be the fruit of our faith. If we know the Holy Spirit will work on our behalf, if we trust that God know what he’s doing then our faith is our fruit. Give the gift of Christ today!
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Matthew 7:18-20
Just One More
Christ saved us by his actions on the cross. We were required death as punishment for just one of our sins, but Christ lived a perfect life so that his death would be equal to our sins. Christ is our king and did nothing deserving of death. Instead he served man kind and saved us from the penalty of our sins.
To some who do not completely understand the idea that their was a price to pay for our sins they question the extent to which they can sin since they have been paid for on the cross. How much suffering must Christ endure for our sins. As we sin do we think about each moment of suffering for Christ. The fact we are forgiven, does it make us think, just one more sin is ok because Christ can handle one more lashing. One more moment of our pleasure for one more minute of suffocation on the cross for Christ. One more of my desires for one more thorn dug deep in Christ scalp. One more silly word of ours for one more mocking word for Christ. How much can Christ take. How many sins of ours does a nail in the hand of Christ make up for. Do we consider this when we sin.
We must understand that Gods grace provided a savior for us. That while we do not owe anything anymore appreciation would should be a natural response. What better way to repay a life given for us then with our life given for him.
But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
My Defense Lawyer
Sin was the reason that death and judgment became necessary. Sin is not relative to individual thinking. Even the most firm believer in the idea of relative living can agree with the rest of the people on this plant on at least one thing that is simply wrong or for the sake of this message a sin. Everyone is aware that sin exists. Everyone participates and has participated in sin. It is at this point were we determine the consequences of sin.
The result and consequence of sin is death. As a result of the fall of man sin entered into the land and now we all must die. Upon death we face judgment by the God who defined sin. If there is a sin that can be credited to you on the Day of Judgment, one is all it takes, and then you will reap the judgment of God and suffer the consequences which is eternity without the presence of God in your being and darkness and hell. So because we have all sinned and we will all face judgment we need a good defense which is available and has come in the form of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only hope to avoid condemning judgment. Christ paid for our sins before they ever took place. He has made us white as snow as a result of the suffering he experienced on the cross. In the courtroom of judgment all we need to tell our good judge is that our Jesus has paid our consequence. If on that day you refused to employ Jesus during your life then he will not enter the courtroom on your behalf. He will explain to the judge that he does not know you and the gavel will fall and you will have missed out on eternity.
If this message has been embraced by you and you are white as snow in the eyes of your father then this is the message that should grieve you with regard to those who have yet to obtain their defense on the Day of Judgment. We all know sin exists. We must make it known that only God has defined sin and that this is the definition we will be judged by. We must make it known that Jesus is the only way to become blameless in the midst of our creator. For believers, everyone needs Jesus as much as we do. For non-believers, sin does not have to end in judgment but it could have ended for you on the cross.
“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
Isaiah 1:18
God Knows
I recently had a great time taking a closer look at the book of Job. When we think of Job we generally think of a rich man who was faced with a challenging situation. He was rich and lost everything he had so that we could see if he would still worship God as his God. What I found most interesting about the book of Job was the timing of his life as well as his communication exchange with God.
Job lived at a very early point in history. The exact dates are not known but before Abraham is a good guess. In the communication exchange with God, God challenges Job on who he is a mortal man and who God is as creator. God provides numerous examples from the natural world of things that God as creator has seen, has experienced and understands as creator of all, where as Job only knows what he has seen as human and can only explain it based on his limited knowledge base. The exchange is a reminder that God is creator. It is also a reminder that early men in human history were knowledgeable. At this point in time their was an understanding of the value of gold and silver. Their was an understanding between the differences and the uses for iron and wood. Job was not a cave man, nor did he come from cave men.
Job was also wise in his understanding of God. As God challenged him about his understanding of the natural world Job knew he could not compete with God and gave God the respect he deserved by becoming silent. God has always been and he understands his creation well. HE knows why and how things happen. We can benefit from this reminder and remain silent when challenged by God. God is right and will always be right. God is creator and perfect designer. Everything he created will working according to design when used as he designed.
Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
Job 42:3
Reminded till Death
How often do we as followers of Jesus Christ let our world and this planet get so big that we forget Gods eternity and his enormous power? We let tragedy and death over shadow who we have known God to be up until that moment when we feel horrible about our circumstance. In a situation like this it is important to realize how big God is, how much control he has, and that whatever happens it will be worked for his good.
Death may be one of the hardest things we deal with in our short moment in this world; however it doesn’t have to be. When we have the right perspective on what the after life involves and what we are called to do as servants of Christ and representatives to his cause. When people die they go to heaven or hell. The ones that go to heaven are much better off then we who are still in this world. Their passing into the kingdom is a time of celebration and thankfulness. Who are we that we would wish they were still here enduring the same fallen world we endure. If people go to hell then it is sad but also a reminder that our time is short and that we all have the choice to make. If one person dying and going to hell does not shake you to choose Christ then I am not sure what will. People die everyday and it reminds us of the choice we have to make. For people who have not made the choice it can be tough, they don’t understand why a person has died. For personal reason they wish the person was still alive and often time there are long lasting effects in a person’s life who does not understand the passing of a loved one.
When you hear of death or someone you know passes on be reminded we are still called to be servants. Use the opportunity to praise the lord for giving us an opportunity to spend eternity with him. Your loved ones may beat you their or they may simply be a hard reminder of the choice we need to make today while we still can. Everyone will die and it should come as no surprise. God is in control. Let his process remind us and redeem us. We can never say at the end our life that we did not know we needed to make a choice, the deaths of the people around us are regular reminders that a choice needs to be made. Let his love be shown even when life gets tough.
Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Hebrews 9:27-28
A Day with God
The complete day with God in your life should look like what? I think this will be different for everyone but we can get some general features described here. When we wake in the morning we need to be aware that God has granted us another day. He made the Sun on the first day, he set it into motion and he allowed it to rise one more time on this morning. After this comes the breath of life. As you break from a pattern of snoring into a pattern of regular breathing you can thank God for the breath of life that he blew into the first man and gave birth to generations of people leading to you. Its about this time as we put our feet on the ground that a still small voice greets us with a “Good Morning!”. We have an appointment set and God has some important things to share with us once we got our coffee and we get with his word. This time is for God to talk to us, love us and through his word reveal one more fascinating and fantastic fact about who he is and why we are here. Upon finishing our morning meeting, whether we have to go somewhere or get to stay at home the enthusiasm of who God is and what he has done leads me to desire to worship so on goes the radio and music. This time of worship should coincide with the activities of the morning. Any phone call received or person encountered should be greeted with thanks to God for the day and an encouraging word provided by the Holy Spirit. A prayer of thanks should be offered up for both breakfast and lunch, as anytime is the right time to pray. The work you do should be done as to the lord. The things we don’t desire to do should be done as servants of the one and only God. The people when work with and live with should be loved and forever extended forgiveness. No ill world should be spoken. No self serving action performed, for all good things come from the lord not from our own abilities. When God is the muscle behind our actions his glory should shine through in our actions. Gods work will be performed during the day spent with him and he will be exalted. Love you family as instructed in Gods word. Enjoy Gods creation because he was thinking of you when he made it. Let God dictate what you need and do away with the unnecessary wants of this world. As you find your pillow let thanks be ringing in you mind and prepare for whatever God has planned whether it be another sunrise or another son rise.
For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2
Who’s Destination
In our Christian walk we lean on the Holy Spirit to be our guide. The more we rely on him the more he manifests himself in what we do. I have heard the saying that when we fear sharing the gospel we need not be for the Holy Spirit will give us the words to speak. We see the Holy Spirit emerge when we have a choice to make that we have prayerfully devoted time to and have received an answer. The Holy Spirit in Christ in us and should be the engine in us simply the vehicle.
The tricky part with the Holy Spirit is when we defy the direction on the motors GPS. Even work done for the Kingdom that we pursue may not be our calling or what the Holy Spirit is trying to work in us. I think that a stereotype of the Holy Spirit is that it’s along for the ride and acts as a small voice to reason with us or emerge only when we need help. the truth is that the Holy Spirit is God in us and behind the wheel. If we drive our own life there is no room for the Holy Spirit to drive. God is in control of everything except people. He only controls people when we give him control and give him our life. The Holy Spirit will take any opportunity to lead but does not want to be your last resort or to ever let you return to the driver’s seat. Jesus Christ has made his home in our heart and in our soul as our Holy Spirit to achieve the goals of his heart and to do the work of his father in heaven. Do we get to a better destination with us driving or with Christ driving? Do we know the road ahead and how to handle the hazards or does God make a path straight? Turn over control of your life of your desires and let the Holy Spirit have control. Let the Spirit decide what we are doing today.
Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,
1 Corinthians 6:19
Love Discipline
People often ask if our God is so good why does he let bad things happen or why doesn’t he protect us from our bad choices. Beyond the fact that God desires us to love him with faith and not conditional on how he acts toward us, I think we need to think about the relationship between a father and his children. Truly God is our perfect father who loves us unconditionally like a child.
When thinking about the children God may see us as I thought about disciplining a child. Thinking of a little boy we may remember them throwing a ball and breaking a window. We teach this boy to throw the ball with more control and in a direction away from windows. As the boy gets older he throws a rock through a window. This time we remind him of the ball but we get a little angry with him because he should not be throwing rocks and we taught him how to throw with control and away from windows. When the boy is a young teen he gets a BB gun and shoots through the window. This time we are very angry because unlike the ball or rock the boy could have really hurt a person. We discipline him with love but sternly so he understands that things should not go through windows. Had we not intervened and responded after this opportunity we might be seeing the state discipline our boy after a bullet went through a car window.
God loves us and he knows what is best for us. He will warn us and attempt to guide us long before the choice of devastation arises. We need to be aware when our discipline is necessary. Discipline includes being in Gods word. Discipline includes constant communication with our savior. Disciple includes routinely practicing good choices through Gods will not our own. Discipline includes taking correction and like God working it for the good. Remember , discipline if God loving you!
Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives.
Proverbs 19:18
Post Mothers Day
As we should all know yesterday was mothers day, hopefully we sent a card made a phone call or even had a nice dinner for our mothers and wives and I am sure for some of our daughters. When I think about mothers day and I think about Christ I am reminded that we always think about Jesus and his father but we do not always add his mother the equation. For someone who was blindsided by the announcement that she would be having a child in a supernatural and untraditional way, she fulfilled a role in history that was necessary for all of us. With thanks to mother Mary for bearing a son that would save the world I turn my thoughts to mothers who save the world of their children.
Mothers have a unique role in the family as well as a unique bond with their children, different then fathers. I have learned as a father then my wife’s relationship with our children is complimentary to my duties as a father. She acts with more compassion then me and tends to be the one my children call out for most. She works full time but takes care of the family and the children all the same. Coming from a home with a stay at home mom I feel like I have a super wife who takes care of everything.
We are told to honor our mother in Gods word. I think honor is something mothers deserve fully. Just as are savior’s heart breaks when he sees us hurt in a similar way a mothers heart breaks. Mothers want the best for us and a Godly mother wants our relationship with Christ to be strong. As mother Mary saw her son dying on the cross she knew that day was coming and with all the sadness and terror of watching her son go through the torture of the cross their was admiration for the child she raised and a proud feeling for what her son was accomplishing. Our mothers love us and are proud of for our amazing feats and for our minor one. Look to your mother with appreciation for the love she gives, the love of a mother is the closest thing to we find in the human realm to Gods agape love for us.
"Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!
Isaiah 49:15
Will His Word
Every time we are unsure of the right choice or the right way to act how do we decide what is right? I think this question is so important to think about. Sometimes we may think that this life is trial and error. I think that this choice only leaves us trying a lot of hurtful choices that could possible leave a trail of wreckage behind us. Other times we think we know all the right answers and what I choose to do is the right way to do things. Unbeknownst to the proud this choice leaves many people hurt and ultimately greatly devastated when choices they had great confidence in turned out to not be the right choice. So what is the right choice… God’s word!
God has an example, or a direct instruction for the things in our life. Some topics are covered more thoroughly then other; however knowing Gods word lets us make the choices that honor him. Life for each human tends to run the same course with many of the same encounters. We must deal with survival, relationships, and self identity. We may be in different places or be facing different types of relationships but the bottom line remains the same, that we were born, must pass through this life and then we die and face judgment, this progression is the same for all.
One area of Gods word that provides a great amount of detail about how to do life is the topic of marriage. From many examples in Gods word one that is a great example is for husbands to love their wives like Jesus loves the church. I do not think that this instruction could get any clearer. First, Christ died for the church, husbands we must be willing to do the same and its not die because we destroyed our bodies coping with life but hopefully die because we sacrifice ourselves either through a life time of serve in a moments notice so that our wife can go on. As far as how Christ treated the church, this is how husbands need to treat wives. This is a great demonstration of love. No harsh words, no violence, just kind words and encouragement and enticement to become beautiful for ones husband. God has a will for every situation we face, find it in Gods word and then implement it, you can not fail, God does not fail.
Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Isaiah 2:
Perfect God
Did you know God is forever in everything in every moment. God knows, sees, and hears all. In every decision made, in every action taken, in every thought formed God knows. Their is no escape from God, he was before all and he is eternal. If you say you don’t believe in God or describe him in a way that it untrue, he knows and is not changed by it. If we get angry at God he remains the same God, he does not change course he does not adjust his plan he is the plan and has the authority to execute it. If you do something to bring God down or give people a false image of who God is he will work it to his benefit and for the good of all. God is able to do all things, he desires to do greater then any prayer we can ask. He has no competition and loves us more then we can ever know or imagine. His ways are higher then ours and yet he shares himself with us. His plan was designed around us. That we could have a relationship with him and that he could be our loving God. He desires us, he desires our life so that he can proclaim who he is.
Why would anyone try to run from God, or hide or change who he is. He is a perfect God, his greatest characteristic is love. All things are out of love for us. We only get one life of unknown length to make God our God for eternity with all forgiveness and mercy. Without God we would not be here. If God quit on us we would not be here. If God did not love us we would not be here. God deserves our praise, our thanks, and our devotion. Love your perfect God today!
“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.
Deuteronomy 32:4
The Words of a Savior
The word of God is the testimony of who God is. It details human history with facts about important events that shaped mans walk with God And gives us prime examples of life situations along with right and wrong responses to these situation. The word of God is absolute truth and authority. We can not choose the parts we like and ignore the rest. There are parts of Gods word that may seem confusing or inapplicable to ones life, however as our maturity grows we gain wisdom to the advanced aspects of Gods word and recognize that all of his word has application to our life.
When it comes to believing and agreeing with Gods word some people take a world view of Gods word and do not believe that the extraordinary events described in Gods word took place. They also don’t like to believe in the consequences of the actions described in the Bible. Gods word is true, it’s true on everything it says! When we decide to compromise the truth of the Word of God we end up compromising who God is. We make him not King, not ruler, and not savior. Your choice to pick and choose what’s believable leaves you without a savior. Without a savior the price of our sin must be paid by us and that cost is death and eternal separation from the amazing God detailed in his word. Believing the divine scenarios of the Bible only builds our faith and brings us into a greater understanding of who God his. God made science; he doesn’t play by those rules. Let the words of God and his character described shape your world view, not the reverse.
And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
1 Thessalonians 2:13
Stored Up in Heaven
In yesterdays post we pictured what our first day in heaven will be like. The greatest part of being their will be the presence of Jesus face to face. Until that day we have a tendency to focus on the world around us. Rather then day dreaming about our savior stealing us in the night or coming on the clouds we think about next weeks TV episode, next months getaway, and next years new home. We start to build next years home thinking about the things we can put into is and how these things would make us feel and how excited other would be to visit and partake in what we have. We never picture the scriptures we would line the walls with or the options that would make hosting the needing more accommodating. The home of next year is for us, its about us, and thinking about it defines us today and our priorities.
Think for a minute, if we never wanted more material goods then what we have right now. What if we even wanted less then what we have. If we looked around at what we have can we find items that would be a blessing to another person and reflect the presence of Jesus in our life. Is their extra food in the kitchen that could be given to a person in need?
Beyond thinking about next year’s house, how much time will be spent this year trying to work for the things we dreamed of. What if we had the same drive and desire to serve others and develop our relationship with Jesus. Would your time in this moment be better spent in this manner with regard to what is to come? What if today you decided to let God bless you with next years home rather then thinking about it and working for it. What if we worked on the projects God has already called us to do as we work to enlarge the population of the coming kingdom!
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:15
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First day in the Kingdom
I want to imagine today that it is my first day in the kingdom of heaven. As I enter the first thing I notice is how bright everything is. This is truly a kingdom like none ever imagined on earth. The majesty that is felt and observed compares to nothing. The royalty of the king is flowing from the temple of God. As I walk through the gates I am instantly accompanied by my savior Jesus Christ who embraces me. He wipes the tears from my face and looks me in the eye. With a smile on his face he tells me, “Well done good and faithful servant”. I fall to my knees weak and in admiration of my king and he lifts me to him. He tells me this is the place he went to prepare for me and that I am now home. As we walk the streets of gold he talks to me about my life on earth and acknowledges my good deeds with words of appreciation. As we approach the temple he tells me that he has been patient waiting for this day and that he is excited to present the wedding feast this day. As I pass by a reflective surface I can’t help but notice my new body and the handy work God put into it. It feels good to walk, I feel good all over. Like warm sunshine everything radiates warmth and love. We walk in to the royal court of God and Jesus takes his place in front of the people. With a glimmer in his eye he stares into the crowd and it’s as if he is looking everyone in the eye at the same time. He announces that this is his kingdom in heaven that his father has bestowed upon him, and that each of us like him are heirs to this Kingdom and that we can share in the fullness of his Kingdom forever. With this rousing conclusion to his announcement the court is filled with heavenly angels proclaiming and singing Glory to God on the Highest. At this point we can not help but fall to the ground and worship the King of Kings. What an amazing first day in the kingdom.
This is Gods desire for everyone; he is excited to spend eternity with us and to be preparing everything in the kingdom for us to share in. There is nothing in this life that is worth doing that would keep you from entering the kingdom of heaven. When eternity in bliss is compared to 80 years in this broken world, I feel compelled to make it through this life in obedience and appreciation for the opportunity Christ gave to me.
From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Matthew 4:17
Feed Regularly
I recently discovered that my reading skills have improved since the last time I came across a certain area of scripture, not only did I understand the words on the page more, but my understanding of what God provided the scripture for became much more apparent. I felt a new excitement in what I was reading and a deeper appreciation for what I had read. This greater understanding came after read a lot of things over a decent amount of time. I reflect back and think of the days I failed to read the word or even failed to read anything.
It was the practice and exposure to many things that enabled me to gain greater understanding. With this knowledge I challenge you to think about your spiritual life and your weekly eating habits. The first thing I would like people to notice is how often they eat each day, for many this is three meals probably with some snacks in between and a nice midnight snack. Compared to eating, our time spent in Gods word or entering into fellowship with him is not something we need to diet from, but yet compared to how often we eat many of us are starving for the word. It is the word of God that preserves our life, not food. Eating only on Sunday mornings will not get through our week healthy. Beyond the idea of feeding ourselves, think about how we use food to fellowship with others. How often do we eat a meal with a friend, family or co-worker. Is this not also a great time to share in fellowship. This is an opportunity to feed brothers and sisters.
Be in the word or in fellowship today as mush as you would eat and more. Do not be starved, get your fill and go back for seconds. Their will always be new foods to try and new flavors to discover. Be filled, be satisfied, be grown, and always give thanks for the food abundantly.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
John 6:51
How do we know Columbus sailed the Atlantic?
For anyone who has heard of Columbus, knows the history of him sailing the Atlantic. Knows that he was searching for a route to India but instead found the Americas. We know this because we are here in America today. With the information we now have about the world being round and that the world is not limited to Europe and Asia we can be confident that someone had to discover the Americas and kick start the trans-Atlantic migration. I do not think we can argue that Columbus did not sail from Europe with the evidence and historical records that have been kept.
Taking this premise a step further the same can be said about Jesus Christ. The Unique thing about Jesus Christ is that his legacy has been around much longer then Columbus, his impact has been much greater with much greater opposition and was foretold before he was born by centuries. People will often decide not to believe the things written in the bible about Jesus because they say it is too long ago in history and could have been changed. What many fail to realize is that Jesus lived during the time of the Roman Empire; the history for this period is extensive and thorough. From this time period nothing has been more influential to the future then Jesus Christ, a man who only lived 33 years and whom the Romans had no legal issue with. The Christian Church was formed upon the death and resurrection of Jesus. It has been persecuted, the bible has been banned and the legacy of Jesus Christ continues to thrive today. Just as the birth of Jesus was foretold before that silent night so has the current times in the world such as increased persecution of the Church, false teachers arising and hearts hardened to the word of God. Jesus is alive today and moving through the hearts of people. His finger prints cover all of history and can not be washed away or covered up.
Today is the national day of prayer; let us pray for the hearts of our nation to be softened to the legacy of Jesus Christ. As unbelievers celebrate their own national day of reason, let us think about the reason America is here today and then be remained why the Christian Church is here today, because God came to earth in the form of a man Called Jesus, he proclaimed himself the Christ and he died so to beat death on our behalf. The only reasonable response to this would be to pray for forgiveness and thanksgiving!
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
1 Timothy 1:15
Everlasting God
I am taken by the idea that my God is an everlasting God. I think of the idea of falling in love with Jesus and what that feels like. I get this feeling of falling in love with God like the feeling of a really great strong Guitar riff. In a really good worship song the lyrics talk about an Everlasting God. I take comfort in the idea that I have an everlasting God who has been through all of history, who has seen the most tragic things imaginable and has faced the greatest adversity that mankind can raise up and does not flinch or fade. Our God knows eternity and remains everlasting. He is not concerned about the future, he directs it. As you get through the lyrics of an everlasting God who knows all and does all, the song slips into a guitar riff that just wraps you in the awesomeness of who God is and you can not help but close your eyes and feel time slip by and stand amazed, in admiration, and in love with your everlasting God.
He is God on the throne. He reigns forever over all. There is no amount of denial or blaspheme that decreases his awesomeness or his power. He is patient and loving and always willing to forgive. He loves anyone who claims to be against him and waits for them to turn their heart to him. He is king on the throne but provide the greatest service to man by sending his son. He has given us all an inheritance to the kingdom of heaven which he will not take away. He desires us above all else and provides promises to us to secure us to him. God is an amazing God with whom none compares.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Psalm 90:2
My Superhero
In a moment I would have like to have caught on tape or at least on a recording I asked my son a very direct question a year ago or more. With my son growing to be a child who sees everything and hears everything with an ever expanding imagination I asked my son who his favorite superhero was. In asking this question my hope was to bring some biblical perspective into his life and think of God as a great God. So I asked my son who his favorite superhero was. At first he looked at me and then he started thinking. He lifted his little finger to his chin and pondered deeply. After a moment he replied, superman! I was a little surprised because we don’t have anything superman in the house or watch supermen. The answer was ok, but with my goal in mind I asked him, “What about God?”. This time he thought about it again and with a little curiosity in his eye started to develop a thought. Then with a shout of enthusiasm my son replied, “yeah!, cause he can move a mountain!” This was the perspective I was looking for. My son had had some exposure to who God was in Sunday school, and like all great superhero’s he had to have a power that made him super. He remembered that he can move the mountains. As a father I was very proud to get this response from my son.
How often do we as believers think of God as our superhero? Is it only when he does something super for us, or when we think of him holding the whole world in his hands? God is always super! He has been in control for all of time and beyond time. He has created all things and sent his son to create salvation and forgiveness. He didn’t just save one person from falling off a building or from their captors. He saved all of us in one moment when the veil was torn and it was finished. Are you enamored with your hero today? Can you be satisfied and passionately in love with your God when he’s only holding your hand and not moving mountains for you? Have an enthusiasm for God today and everyday as if he was swinging in to carry you away on the clouds.
And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
Mark 13:26
I want to imagine today that it is my first day in the kingdom of heaven. As I enter the first thing I notice is how bright everything is. This is truly a kingdom like none ever imagined on earth. The majesty that is felt and observed compares to nothing. The royalty of the king is flowing from the temple of God. As I walk through the gates I am instantly accompanied by my savior Jesus Christ who embraces me. He wipes the tears from my face and looks me in the eye. With a smile on his face he tells me, “Well done good and faithful servant”. I fall to my knees weak and in admiration of my king and he lifts me to him. He tells me this is the place he went to prepare for me and that I am now home. As we walk the streets of gold he talks to me about my life on earth and acknowledges my good deeds with words of appreciation. As we approach the temple he tells me that he has been patient waiting for this day and that he is excited to present the wedding feast this day. As I pass by a reflective surface I can’t help but notice my new body and the handy work God put into it. It feels good to walk, I feel good all over. Like warm sunshine everything radiates warmth and love. We walk in to the royal court of God and Jesus takes his place in front of the people. With a glimmer in his eye he stares into the crowd and it’s as if he is looking everyone in the eye at the same time. He announces that this is his kingdom in heaven that his father has bestowed upon him, and that each of us like him are heirs to this Kingdom and that we can share in the fullness of his Kingdom forever. With this rousing conclusion to his announcement the court is filled with heavenly angels proclaiming and singing Glory to God on the Highest. At this point we can not help but fall to the ground and worship the King of Kings. What an amazing first day in the kingdom.
This is Gods desire for everyone; he is excited to spend eternity with us and to be preparing everything in the kingdom for us to share in. There is nothing in this life that is worth doing that would keep you from entering the kingdom of heaven. When eternity in bliss is compared to 80 years in this broken world, I feel compelled to make it through this life in obedience and appreciation for the opportunity Christ gave to me.
From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Matthew 4:17
Feed Regularly
I recently discovered that my reading skills have improved since the last time I came across a certain area of scripture, not only did I understand the words on the page more, but my understanding of what God provided the scripture for became much more apparent. I felt a new excitement in what I was reading and a deeper appreciation for what I had read. This greater understanding came after read a lot of things over a decent amount of time. I reflect back and think of the days I failed to read the word or even failed to read anything.
It was the practice and exposure to many things that enabled me to gain greater understanding. With this knowledge I challenge you to think about your spiritual life and your weekly eating habits. The first thing I would like people to notice is how often they eat each day, for many this is three meals probably with some snacks in between and a nice midnight snack. Compared to eating, our time spent in Gods word or entering into fellowship with him is not something we need to diet from, but yet compared to how often we eat many of us are starving for the word. It is the word of God that preserves our life, not food. Eating only on Sunday mornings will not get through our week healthy. Beyond the idea of feeding ourselves, think about how we use food to fellowship with others. How often do we eat a meal with a friend, family or co-worker. Is this not also a great time to share in fellowship. This is an opportunity to feed brothers and sisters.
Be in the word or in fellowship today as mush as you would eat and more. Do not be starved, get your fill and go back for seconds. Their will always be new foods to try and new flavors to discover. Be filled, be satisfied, be grown, and always give thanks for the food abundantly.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
John 6:51
How do we know Columbus sailed the Atlantic?
For anyone who has heard of Columbus, knows the history of him sailing the Atlantic. Knows that he was searching for a route to India but instead found the Americas. We know this because we are here in America today. With the information we now have about the world being round and that the world is not limited to Europe and Asia we can be confident that someone had to discover the Americas and kick start the trans-Atlantic migration. I do not think we can argue that Columbus did not sail from Europe with the evidence and historical records that have been kept.
Taking this premise a step further the same can be said about Jesus Christ. The Unique thing about Jesus Christ is that his legacy has been around much longer then Columbus, his impact has been much greater with much greater opposition and was foretold before he was born by centuries. People will often decide not to believe the things written in the bible about Jesus because they say it is too long ago in history and could have been changed. What many fail to realize is that Jesus lived during the time of the Roman Empire; the history for this period is extensive and thorough. From this time period nothing has been more influential to the future then Jesus Christ, a man who only lived 33 years and whom the Romans had no legal issue with. The Christian Church was formed upon the death and resurrection of Jesus. It has been persecuted, the bible has been banned and the legacy of Jesus Christ continues to thrive today. Just as the birth of Jesus was foretold before that silent night so has the current times in the world such as increased persecution of the Church, false teachers arising and hearts hardened to the word of God. Jesus is alive today and moving through the hearts of people. His finger prints cover all of history and can not be washed away or covered up.
Today is the national day of prayer; let us pray for the hearts of our nation to be softened to the legacy of Jesus Christ. As unbelievers celebrate their own national day of reason, let us think about the reason America is here today and then be remained why the Christian Church is here today, because God came to earth in the form of a man Called Jesus, he proclaimed himself the Christ and he died so to beat death on our behalf. The only reasonable response to this would be to pray for forgiveness and thanksgiving!
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
1 Timothy 1:15
Everlasting God
I am taken by the idea that my God is an everlasting God. I think of the idea of falling in love with Jesus and what that feels like. I get this feeling of falling in love with God like the feeling of a really great strong Guitar riff. In a really good worship song the lyrics talk about an Everlasting God. I take comfort in the idea that I have an everlasting God who has been through all of history, who has seen the most tragic things imaginable and has faced the greatest adversity that mankind can raise up and does not flinch or fade. Our God knows eternity and remains everlasting. He is not concerned about the future, he directs it. As you get through the lyrics of an everlasting God who knows all and does all, the song slips into a guitar riff that just wraps you in the awesomeness of who God is and you can not help but close your eyes and feel time slip by and stand amazed, in admiration, and in love with your everlasting God.
He is God on the throne. He reigns forever over all. There is no amount of denial or blaspheme that decreases his awesomeness or his power. He is patient and loving and always willing to forgive. He loves anyone who claims to be against him and waits for them to turn their heart to him. He is king on the throne but provide the greatest service to man by sending his son. He has given us all an inheritance to the kingdom of heaven which he will not take away. He desires us above all else and provides promises to us to secure us to him. God is an amazing God with whom none compares.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Psalm 90:2
My Superhero
In a moment I would have like to have caught on tape or at least on a recording I asked my son a very direct question a year ago or more. With my son growing to be a child who sees everything and hears everything with an ever expanding imagination I asked my son who his favorite superhero was. In asking this question my hope was to bring some biblical perspective into his life and think of God as a great God. So I asked my son who his favorite superhero was. At first he looked at me and then he started thinking. He lifted his little finger to his chin and pondered deeply. After a moment he replied, superman! I was a little surprised because we don’t have anything superman in the house or watch supermen. The answer was ok, but with my goal in mind I asked him, “What about God?”. This time he thought about it again and with a little curiosity in his eye started to develop a thought. Then with a shout of enthusiasm my son replied, “yeah!, cause he can move a mountain!” This was the perspective I was looking for. My son had had some exposure to who God was in Sunday school, and like all great superhero’s he had to have a power that made him super. He remembered that he can move the mountains. As a father I was very proud to get this response from my son.
How often do we as believers think of God as our superhero? Is it only when he does something super for us, or when we think of him holding the whole world in his hands? God is always super! He has been in control for all of time and beyond time. He has created all things and sent his son to create salvation and forgiveness. He didn’t just save one person from falling off a building or from their captors. He saved all of us in one moment when the veil was torn and it was finished. Are you enamored with your hero today? Can you be satisfied and passionately in love with your God when he’s only holding your hand and not moving mountains for you? Have an enthusiasm for God today and everyday as if he was swinging in to carry you away on the clouds.
And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
Mark 13:26