Zechariah 2:11
11 “Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you.
Matthew 20:18
18 “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death
Many did not understand who Jesus was until somewhere between the sixth and the ninth hour on what is referred to today as Good Friday. Many did not understand, not even the disciples that the Lord truly lived among them. It is a holy and solemn day as it is reminder that during the Passover week, Jesus paid it all for each and every person who was there and who was yet to come. Jesus died for you and for me. But thank you God that he rose on the third day!! He didn't stay on the cross nor in the tomb. He said he would tear down the kingdom and build it up in three days and that he did. Please be mindful today that if he wouldn't have made this great sacrifice, we all would've been condemned to death.
Rest assured that our debt has been canceled with a red blood seal!!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Hiding in Darkness
John 3:20
20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
Burglars usually strike at night and keep the lights off when their robbing a house because they don't want anyone to know. Nicodemus, one of the members of the Pharisees went to visit Jesus during the night because he didn't want to be seen. Nicodemus was considered to be visiting with the enemy as the Pharisees saw Jesus as a threat. Jesus lovingly accepted Nicodemus and taught him regardless of his position. Jesus would not turn away a willing soul. But Jesus gave a hard truth that resonates. Those who don't wish to be exposed will stay away from light. The Pharisees as an entity did not want to be associated with Jesus. Jesus was not teaching for show and did not wish to be the center of attention in the way the Pharisees portrayed himself. Jesus was simply about his father's business. Our father's business.
There will be some people that will be unwilling to keep your company once they know you are children of God. If what you represent is light, they will run in the other direction. Do not be alarmed but pray. When those who do not want to be associated with light mock you, pray for them. Some people are not ready to be associated with light because they don't want to give up the dark things in their life. Pray and continue to project the light of Christ that is in you. Words are not the only way to project light.
20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
Burglars usually strike at night and keep the lights off when their robbing a house because they don't want anyone to know. Nicodemus, one of the members of the Pharisees went to visit Jesus during the night because he didn't want to be seen. Nicodemus was considered to be visiting with the enemy as the Pharisees saw Jesus as a threat. Jesus lovingly accepted Nicodemus and taught him regardless of his position. Jesus would not turn away a willing soul. But Jesus gave a hard truth that resonates. Those who don't wish to be exposed will stay away from light. The Pharisees as an entity did not want to be associated with Jesus. Jesus was not teaching for show and did not wish to be the center of attention in the way the Pharisees portrayed himself. Jesus was simply about his father's business. Our father's business.
There will be some people that will be unwilling to keep your company once they know you are children of God. If what you represent is light, they will run in the other direction. Do not be alarmed but pray. When those who do not want to be associated with light mock you, pray for them. Some people are not ready to be associated with light because they don't want to give up the dark things in their life. Pray and continue to project the light of Christ that is in you. Words are not the only way to project light.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Changing the Tide
Psalm 59:7-8
7 See what they spew from their mouths—
they spew out swords from their lips,
and they say, “Who can hear us?”
8 But you, O LORD, laugh at them;
you scoff at all those nations.
Why are the innocent lied on? Before David was ever king, he had enemies. His enemies were even among the people he served. King Saul sent men to watch him and kill him at his home per the NIV Study Bible. But David did nothing but serve Saul and soothe him when he was in pain. David took his request to the Lord because the Lord was the only one he could trust. But why was he lied on? When people who are filled with envy cannot find anything wrong, they will create it. Moving the innocent out of the way clears their conscience of who they are not. Or so they think. The person in the mirror cannot stand to look at their own reflection when they are not who they were designed to be. And anyone who reminds them of this is a threat. God knows the heart of every man, even those who do not wish to serve him. God protects his children as he protected David. God hears every thought and word that is uttered. As David stated, those who speak against the innocent think their words have not gone beyond the ears present but the words are released into the atmosphere. And one must be careful because if they curse God's children, he may turn the sword (words) back on them as a lesson.
Are you in David's situation? Are words being released in the atmosphere about you though you've done nothing wrong? Take your dilemma to the Lord. He's already heard what was said anyway and he's the only one who can change the tide.
7 See what they spew from their mouths—
they spew out swords from their lips,
and they say, “Who can hear us?”
8 But you, O LORD, laugh at them;
you scoff at all those nations.
Why are the innocent lied on? Before David was ever king, he had enemies. His enemies were even among the people he served. King Saul sent men to watch him and kill him at his home per the NIV Study Bible. But David did nothing but serve Saul and soothe him when he was in pain. David took his request to the Lord because the Lord was the only one he could trust. But why was he lied on? When people who are filled with envy cannot find anything wrong, they will create it. Moving the innocent out of the way clears their conscience of who they are not. Or so they think. The person in the mirror cannot stand to look at their own reflection when they are not who they were designed to be. And anyone who reminds them of this is a threat. God knows the heart of every man, even those who do not wish to serve him. God protects his children as he protected David. God hears every thought and word that is uttered. As David stated, those who speak against the innocent think their words have not gone beyond the ears present but the words are released into the atmosphere. And one must be careful because if they curse God's children, he may turn the sword (words) back on them as a lesson.
Are you in David's situation? Are words being released in the atmosphere about you though you've done nothing wrong? Take your dilemma to the Lord. He's already heard what was said anyway and he's the only one who can change the tide.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Living Among the Dead
Luke 8:39
39 “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.
If God told you to tell your story, would you do it? The man referred to was one who was demon-possessed. The possession was so bad that nothing and no one could contain him. He lived among the tombs. The man's situation gave true meaning of "living among the dead." But when Jesus delivered him from the legion of demons, he was a completely different man. He was so grateful that he was willing to go to the ends of the earth to follow Jesus. But Jesus instructed him to do something different. The man was to tell everyone he knew. In most of the scripture during the early part of Jesus' ministry he asked those he helped to keep quiet. But why was this man instructed to do something different? For one, Jesus was in a predominately Gentile territory called Decapolis. Jesus didn't have to be concerned about the danger to his ministry because he wasn't in an area that the Pharisees occupied. Remember, Jews and Gentiles during this period didn't associate. But he was in a Gentile community. Jesus was already setting the stage for making his presence known among the Gentiles. So actually, the man's assignment was extremely important.
If the Lord told you to tell your story, even if it was as drastic or unflattering as the man that lived among the dead, would you? What if he was using you as preparation to expose himself to a group of people who had no knowledge of him prior? Would you complete the assignment? Do you know it could mean others being set free like he set you free? Believe it or not, many of us were like that man. We either are or have lived among the dead. Living among the spiritually dead that is. Those who seem to have no hope and kill themselves a little bit at a time each day with the lack of knowledge or destroying themselves via unhealthy vices as a way to deaden their pain of living. Would you tell your story to show how he can save a life?
39 “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.
If God told you to tell your story, would you do it? The man referred to was one who was demon-possessed. The possession was so bad that nothing and no one could contain him. He lived among the tombs. The man's situation gave true meaning of "living among the dead." But when Jesus delivered him from the legion of demons, he was a completely different man. He was so grateful that he was willing to go to the ends of the earth to follow Jesus. But Jesus instructed him to do something different. The man was to tell everyone he knew. In most of the scripture during the early part of Jesus' ministry he asked those he helped to keep quiet. But why was this man instructed to do something different? For one, Jesus was in a predominately Gentile territory called Decapolis. Jesus didn't have to be concerned about the danger to his ministry because he wasn't in an area that the Pharisees occupied. Remember, Jews and Gentiles during this period didn't associate. But he was in a Gentile community. Jesus was already setting the stage for making his presence known among the Gentiles. So actually, the man's assignment was extremely important.
If the Lord told you to tell your story, even if it was as drastic or unflattering as the man that lived among the dead, would you? What if he was using you as preparation to expose himself to a group of people who had no knowledge of him prior? Would you complete the assignment? Do you know it could mean others being set free like he set you free? Believe it or not, many of us were like that man. We either are or have lived among the dead. Living among the spiritually dead that is. Those who seem to have no hope and kill themselves a little bit at a time each day with the lack of knowledge or destroying themselves via unhealthy vices as a way to deaden their pain of living. Would you tell your story to show how he can save a life?
Monday, April 18, 2011
Accepting Help
Job 4:2-4
2 “If someone ventures a word with you, will you be impatient?
But who can keep from speaking? 3 Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands.
4 Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.
Have you always been the encourager? Job's friends came to his side. Though they didn't understand the totality of what was happening to Job, they were able to offer bits of truth from they did know. Job's friend Eliphaz was concerned about Job's plight. He knew Job to be the encourager but at that point in time he wanted to offer Job encouragement. His concern was whether or not Job would receive it or rather continue to wallow. Would Job be humble enough to accept encouragement from someone else?
We are taught to never show weakness. But those closest to us will notice when our armor is dented. They will notice when we stumble from the day to day curve balls the enemy is allowed to throw as in Job's case. It is in those times that real friends want to help hold us up. But will we allow them? Or do we have so much pride in taking care of everyone else that we won't allow anyone to help take care of us? We are not to be the heroes per se, but we are to allow God to use us as he chooses. And when God decides to sit us down so that others can assist us, we must learn to have enough humility to accept it.
2 “If someone ventures a word with you, will you be impatient?
But who can keep from speaking? 3 Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands.
4 Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.
Have you always been the encourager? Job's friends came to his side. Though they didn't understand the totality of what was happening to Job, they were able to offer bits of truth from they did know. Job's friend Eliphaz was concerned about Job's plight. He knew Job to be the encourager but at that point in time he wanted to offer Job encouragement. His concern was whether or not Job would receive it or rather continue to wallow. Would Job be humble enough to accept encouragement from someone else?
We are taught to never show weakness. But those closest to us will notice when our armor is dented. They will notice when we stumble from the day to day curve balls the enemy is allowed to throw as in Job's case. It is in those times that real friends want to help hold us up. But will we allow them? Or do we have so much pride in taking care of everyone else that we won't allow anyone to help take care of us? We are not to be the heroes per se, but we are to allow God to use us as he chooses. And when God decides to sit us down so that others can assist us, we must learn to have enough humility to accept it.
Friday, April 15, 2011
The Hamster Race
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Isaiah 57:10
10 You were wearied by all your ways,
but you would not say, ‘It is hopeless.’
You found renewal of your strength,
and so you did not faint.
Have you ever noticed a hamster who constantly spins the wheel in his cage chasing an object he can't obtain? The prophet Isaiah was instructed by God to speak to the people of Israel about the pagan ways they deserted him for. The people of Israel turned away from the Lord and relied on their own ways. Sadly, those same ways were causing them distress but they refused to admit that their way of doing things was hopeless so they found renewed strength in their own stubbornness.
Are we like the people of Israel? Do we become so stubborn in doing things our way that even though we're getting no where, we keep going? Unfortunately, like the hamster running in the wheel thinking he he's made progress, we won't. When God has said that we must abandon our way of thinking and our actions, he means it. We will not move forward even if we find temporary strength in our own resources. There's nothing worse than being on the road to nowhere but thinking we're going somewhere. Why not turn to God? Why not turn to the one who knows all and sees all and has our best interest? Why not turn to the one who knows each of us better than we know ourselves? Is it because we're not sure if we really know him? Why not be honest and say we don't have all the answers? Is it because we have told ourselves that we do know all the answers or that we can easily figure them out? Whatever the reason, is it really good enough to abandon God's ways, his knowledge, wisdom, grace and mercy to seek our own? Is it really worth being the hamster chasing an object but getting no closer to it?
Isaiah 57:10
10 You were wearied by all your ways,
but you would not say, ‘It is hopeless.’
You found renewal of your strength,
and so you did not faint.
Have you ever noticed a hamster who constantly spins the wheel in his cage chasing an object he can't obtain? The prophet Isaiah was instructed by God to speak to the people of Israel about the pagan ways they deserted him for. The people of Israel turned away from the Lord and relied on their own ways. Sadly, those same ways were causing them distress but they refused to admit that their way of doing things was hopeless so they found renewed strength in their own stubbornness.
Are we like the people of Israel? Do we become so stubborn in doing things our way that even though we're getting no where, we keep going? Unfortunately, like the hamster running in the wheel thinking he he's made progress, we won't. When God has said that we must abandon our way of thinking and our actions, he means it. We will not move forward even if we find temporary strength in our own resources. There's nothing worse than being on the road to nowhere but thinking we're going somewhere. Why not turn to God? Why not turn to the one who knows all and sees all and has our best interest? Why not turn to the one who knows each of us better than we know ourselves? Is it because we're not sure if we really know him? Why not be honest and say we don't have all the answers? Is it because we have told ourselves that we do know all the answers or that we can easily figure them out? Whatever the reason, is it really good enough to abandon God's ways, his knowledge, wisdom, grace and mercy to seek our own? Is it really worth being the hamster chasing an object but getting no closer to it?
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Closing the Door
Hebrews 10:17-18
17 Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more.”[a]
18 And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.
Did you know you can start over? Did you know that a second chance is offered to you? The apostle Paul wrote to the Hebrews about the purpose of Jesus Christ. The purpose of Jesus was for mankind to have a second chance at life eternally. Yes there was a mistake with Adam and Eve but because of Jesus, we are not doomed. When we ask the Lord for forgiveness with sincerity of heart, it's made available to us. The practice of the Old Testament was if there was a sin, blood of an Innocent Lamb had to be shed as a sacrifice for sin. Jesus is the sacrifice for all. Jesus is our guarantee that once we are forgiven, God closes the door on that grievous sin. Paul quoted what the prophet Jeremiah prophesied would be the result of Jesus' purpose. What a relief for all of us! To know we have another chance to get it right. Saying I'm sorry Lord, please forgive me and teach me your ways with sincerity will bring you to a new start. Man may not forgive but as long as God does, we are new again. We can still go to man who we may have grieved and ask for it, but if it's not offered we are not doomed as long as we seek the Lord.
May God grant each of us a second chance today to close the door and start again if we are sincere in heart.
17 Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more.”[a]
18 And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.
Did you know you can start over? Did you know that a second chance is offered to you? The apostle Paul wrote to the Hebrews about the purpose of Jesus Christ. The purpose of Jesus was for mankind to have a second chance at life eternally. Yes there was a mistake with Adam and Eve but because of Jesus, we are not doomed. When we ask the Lord for forgiveness with sincerity of heart, it's made available to us. The practice of the Old Testament was if there was a sin, blood of an Innocent Lamb had to be shed as a sacrifice for sin. Jesus is the sacrifice for all. Jesus is our guarantee that once we are forgiven, God closes the door on that grievous sin. Paul quoted what the prophet Jeremiah prophesied would be the result of Jesus' purpose. What a relief for all of us! To know we have another chance to get it right. Saying I'm sorry Lord, please forgive me and teach me your ways with sincerity will bring you to a new start. Man may not forgive but as long as God does, we are new again. We can still go to man who we may have grieved and ask for it, but if it's not offered we are not doomed as long as we seek the Lord.
May God grant each of us a second chance today to close the door and start again if we are sincere in heart.
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