Background:
Jesus previously healed a paraplegic and went on a walk along the beach. Many people were following Him listening to Him preach when He called out to Levi (Matthew) saying, "Follow Me." Matthew then invites Jesus over to his house for dinner, the crowd also followed, and listened to Jesus teach. Among those in the crowd were publicans (see last blog) and 'sinners'. The term sinners in Greek is hamartÅlos, its more than just one who sins, as we all sin, but one who has no regard for the law of God; a person devoted to sin. And Jesus was eating with them?! Yes.
We now continue where our story left off, hearing what the teachers of the law had to say and what Jesus had to say in response.
When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" Mark 2:16
As Matthew Henry puts it, "Note, Those are too tender of their own good name, who, to preserve it with some nice people, will decline a good work. Christ would not do so." Jesus was not concerned about His own name. He knew who is was, and He knew why He came. He did not need acknowledgement or a pat on the back by the religious leaders, He is God. He explains to them why He came,
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Mark 2:17
The argument against a loving God, on the basis of "good" people or those considered humanitarians going to Hell is dumb. God does not send people to Hell, we send ourselves. There are good people, but none are perfectly righteous. For had there been even a single soul who was righteous, than the coming and death of our Lord was for nothing. If we could be righteous and get to God on our own merit, than Jesus would had came to earth and preached a feel good message and encouraged as many people as possible to live a really really really good life. But Jesus' response to His disciples asking the same question was this,
"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26 or Luke 18:27
Jesus had to come, Jesus had to save sinners, to save sinners Jesus had to die.
Application:
Trust in Jesus, He came to save you, because He loves you.
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
57. A Walk With Jesus pt 5a
Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and He began to teach them. Mark 2:13
I find it funny, that when Jesus does something amazing, generally right after an argument with the religious leaders, He just walks away. Healing the man in the beginning of the chapter, showing He has the power to forgive sins, He then leaves. And in this case the crowd that was praising God follows Him.
As He walked along, He saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow Me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed Him. Mark 2:14
Tax Collectors:
Levi or Matthew, the author of the first Gospel, was a publican, he owned a booth and collected taxes from the Israelites. The tax collectors were hated people, they were considered traitors to the nation. Jews believed they were only under the rule of God, and because Rome had come in and taken over, the Jews felt oppressed, and hated the Romans for it. The only people worse than Romans, were Jews that collected taxes for the Romans. Another reason they were hated, was that whatever the tax collectors gathered over the amount required by the government, they could keep; they were rich at the expense of their brothers pocket.
Application:
Your Levi, hated by your own people, making money doing the most despicable job in the country. People only come to your place of work to give you the money, they felt you were stealing from them, they looked at you as a traitor. No doubt there would be insults and looks of disgust. Then one day at work you see a crowd walking on the shore line following a teacher of some sort, and He looks right at you and says, "Follow Me." A crowd of people who hate you, and their leader says to follow Him?
Jesus loves the broken hearted, and to such he desires to draw near. Why do we wait? Why do we assume that Jesus could not understand the pain we are going through? Or worse, why do we hear the call of our Lord and choose not to respond? I praise God that He is patient and suffers long, He desires that no man goes to Hell but that all should be saved. Trust in His unfailing love today, and be saved.
Brothers and sisters of the faith, have we forgotten that day of restoration, when we cried out for forgiveness and he answered with love. The day our Lord said to our hearts, "Follow Me," and with joy and gladness we left our pain, our wounds, our problems and sins at our booth and chose to follow after Him. Take some time today, and remember when you were that tax collector, the enemy of the cross, and praise God for the love and mercy He has shown You. He is worthy of our praise.
I find it funny, that when Jesus does something amazing, generally right after an argument with the religious leaders, He just walks away. Healing the man in the beginning of the chapter, showing He has the power to forgive sins, He then leaves. And in this case the crowd that was praising God follows Him.
As He walked along, He saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow Me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed Him. Mark 2:14
Tax Collectors:
Levi or Matthew, the author of the first Gospel, was a publican, he owned a booth and collected taxes from the Israelites. The tax collectors were hated people, they were considered traitors to the nation. Jews believed they were only under the rule of God, and because Rome had come in and taken over, the Jews felt oppressed, and hated the Romans for it. The only people worse than Romans, were Jews that collected taxes for the Romans. Another reason they were hated, was that whatever the tax collectors gathered over the amount required by the government, they could keep; they were rich at the expense of their brothers pocket.
Application:
Your Levi, hated by your own people, making money doing the most despicable job in the country. People only come to your place of work to give you the money, they felt you were stealing from them, they looked at you as a traitor. No doubt there would be insults and looks of disgust. Then one day at work you see a crowd walking on the shore line following a teacher of some sort, and He looks right at you and says, "Follow Me." A crowd of people who hate you, and their leader says to follow Him?
Jesus loves the broken hearted, and to such he desires to draw near. Why do we wait? Why do we assume that Jesus could not understand the pain we are going through? Or worse, why do we hear the call of our Lord and choose not to respond? I praise God that He is patient and suffers long, He desires that no man goes to Hell but that all should be saved. Trust in His unfailing love today, and be saved.
Brothers and sisters of the faith, have we forgotten that day of restoration, when we cried out for forgiveness and he answered with love. The day our Lord said to our hearts, "Follow Me," and with joy and gladness we left our pain, our wounds, our problems and sins at our booth and chose to follow after Him. Take some time today, and remember when you were that tax collector, the enemy of the cross, and praise God for the love and mercy He has shown You. He is worthy of our praise.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
56. A Walk With Jesus pt 4
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Mark 2:1-5
This is our Lords second trip to Capernaum, and the people had not soon forgotten their last encounter with Jesus (1:21-34). The religious leaders,
...thinking to themselves, "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Mark 2:6b-7
They were absolutely right in saying that God alone can forgive someone of their sins, but they were dead wrong in saying that Jesus was blaspheming. Jesus shows Himself to be God in a very subtle yet miraculous way.
Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." Mark 2:8-11
It would seem much more difficult to heal a paraplegic than to say 'your sins are forgiven.' He then proved by doing the much more difficult that He was able to do the easier as well. "Son of Man" is a messianic title form the old testament book of Daniel, appearing over 80 times in the gospels.
He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" Mark 2:12
Imagine, your standing outside in a crowd of people, hoping to catch a glimpse or even hear the voice of Jesus. Then you watch five men climb up on the roof, carrying the towns paraplegic, and they lower him through a hole. In just a few moments that same man comes walking out of the building with his mat in one hand. What just happened?! Shock and amazement no doubt, "and they praised God,"
Application:
"Son, your sins are forgiven." Many people have come to Jesus because they want him to fix their problems, get them out of debt, save their marriage, whatever the problem is, we want Jesus to fix it and we want it now. But Jesus is not in the business of giving out Band-aids. Jesus is in the business of surgery, He cuts deep and opens old infected wounds, in order that He may get to the real issue, the true reason for our sufferings, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Have your sins been forgiven this day? John says "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." That is the issue, that is what we need, let us fall on His grace this day and confess our sins before Him, then let the joy poor out knowing you are forgiven indeed.
This is our Lords second trip to Capernaum, and the people had not soon forgotten their last encounter with Jesus (1:21-34). The religious leaders,
...thinking to themselves, "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Mark 2:6b-7
They were absolutely right in saying that God alone can forgive someone of their sins, but they were dead wrong in saying that Jesus was blaspheming. Jesus shows Himself to be God in a very subtle yet miraculous way.
Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." Mark 2:8-11
It would seem much more difficult to heal a paraplegic than to say 'your sins are forgiven.' He then proved by doing the much more difficult that He was able to do the easier as well. "Son of Man" is a messianic title form the old testament book of Daniel, appearing over 80 times in the gospels.
He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" Mark 2:12
Imagine, your standing outside in a crowd of people, hoping to catch a glimpse or even hear the voice of Jesus. Then you watch five men climb up on the roof, carrying the towns paraplegic, and they lower him through a hole. In just a few moments that same man comes walking out of the building with his mat in one hand. What just happened?! Shock and amazement no doubt, "and they praised God,"
Application:
"Son, your sins are forgiven." Many people have come to Jesus because they want him to fix their problems, get them out of debt, save their marriage, whatever the problem is, we want Jesus to fix it and we want it now. But Jesus is not in the business of giving out Band-aids. Jesus is in the business of surgery, He cuts deep and opens old infected wounds, in order that He may get to the real issue, the true reason for our sufferings, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Have your sins been forgiven this day? John says "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." That is the issue, that is what we need, let us fall on His grace this day and confess our sins before Him, then let the joy poor out knowing you are forgiven indeed.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
55. A Walk With Jesus pt. 3b
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Mark 1:40-42
Leprosy or Hansen's Disease is defined as: A chronic, mildly infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, affecting the peripheral nervous system, skin, and nasal mucosa.
Background:
A little confusing i must admit, but in Leviticus the laws are laid out for dealing with people with leprosy and other skin related diseases. A man with leprosy was ceremonially unclean. We think big deal, but to the Pharisees and religious teachers of this day and age it was a huge deal. The Jews were a nation set apart to God, and the pharisees thought of themselves as the religious elites. So to be ceremonially unclean was more than just needing to take a bath or wash your skin, to the Pharisees it meant defilement and separation from God. So this leper was a social outcast, an untouchable person, someone to avoid at all cost and looked down upon by everyone.
Now Hansen's Disease as described in Philip Yancey's book "Where is God When it Hurts?" Describes this disease in terms of the damage to the lepers peripheral nervous system. As the nerve cells die the sensation of feeling is lost. This leads to cuts and bruises and twisted ankles that go without any notice; no notice, no treatment. If you felt no pain, you might not wake up to your fingers being gnawed off by a rat, you would wake up later missing some digits. No pain, may mean you scratch your nose until it bleeds. This is Gross, but true, and i do have a point.
Application:
Jesus does something here that was completely counter cultural, He touches the man. Now Jesus could have just said, "be healed!" and the man would have been healed. But i would argue that Jesus knew that the pain was more than skin deep. By touching the leper, Jesus had removed the social stigma that hung around his heart. Jesus did not just clean up the visible mess and make things look better on the outside, He cut deep and went straight for the real pain, and He healed the man fully. Feeling for the first time in years, the man told everyone he could. No more shame; no more numbness; he was renewed and restored; he was changed by the love of God.
Do you think you have problems? Are you a little (or a lot) messed up inside? Have you been labeled or scared or hurt by the people in your life? With all love i say, welcome to the family. We are dysfunctional at best, I especially, but I love Jesus (as others do also) and I have good news for you; He loves you. He understands the rejection, His own people killed Him. He understands abandonment, His best friends left Him in His hour of need. He understands your pain, He surrendered His life because of it. Jesus wants a personal relationship with you, He wants you to repent of your sins and experience true life in His grace and love. He wants to heal you fully. I invite you to trust your life in His loving arms, to repent, turn to God and be saved. Will you answer His call and be healed?
Leprosy or Hansen's Disease is defined as: A chronic, mildly infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, affecting the peripheral nervous system, skin, and nasal mucosa.
Background:
A little confusing i must admit, but in Leviticus the laws are laid out for dealing with people with leprosy and other skin related diseases. A man with leprosy was ceremonially unclean. We think big deal, but to the Pharisees and religious teachers of this day and age it was a huge deal. The Jews were a nation set apart to God, and the pharisees thought of themselves as the religious elites. So to be ceremonially unclean was more than just needing to take a bath or wash your skin, to the Pharisees it meant defilement and separation from God. So this leper was a social outcast, an untouchable person, someone to avoid at all cost and looked down upon by everyone.
Now Hansen's Disease as described in Philip Yancey's book "Where is God When it Hurts?" Describes this disease in terms of the damage to the lepers peripheral nervous system. As the nerve cells die the sensation of feeling is lost. This leads to cuts and bruises and twisted ankles that go without any notice; no notice, no treatment. If you felt no pain, you might not wake up to your fingers being gnawed off by a rat, you would wake up later missing some digits. No pain, may mean you scratch your nose until it bleeds. This is Gross, but true, and i do have a point.
Application:
Jesus does something here that was completely counter cultural, He touches the man. Now Jesus could have just said, "be healed!" and the man would have been healed. But i would argue that Jesus knew that the pain was more than skin deep. By touching the leper, Jesus had removed the social stigma that hung around his heart. Jesus did not just clean up the visible mess and make things look better on the outside, He cut deep and went straight for the real pain, and He healed the man fully. Feeling for the first time in years, the man told everyone he could. No more shame; no more numbness; he was renewed and restored; he was changed by the love of God.
Do you think you have problems? Are you a little (or a lot) messed up inside? Have you been labeled or scared or hurt by the people in your life? With all love i say, welcome to the family. We are dysfunctional at best, I especially, but I love Jesus (as others do also) and I have good news for you; He loves you. He understands the rejection, His own people killed Him. He understands abandonment, His best friends left Him in His hour of need. He understands your pain, He surrendered His life because of it. Jesus wants a personal relationship with you, He wants you to repent of your sins and experience true life in His grace and love. He wants to heal you fully. I invite you to trust your life in His loving arms, to repent, turn to God and be saved. Will you answer His call and be healed?
Monday, February 22, 2010
54. A Walk With Jesus pt. 3a
And He (Jesus) went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. Mark 1:39
For an unknown period of time Jesus roamed the northern region of Israel known as Galilee. If Jesus only spoke in the synagogues on Saturdays than this period of preaching could have lasted a few months.
This opens the scene to probably my favorite scripture in all of the new testament,
And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him,
"I am willing; be cleansed." Mark 1:40-41
Where there is legalism there is no grace. We often make the mistake of thinking, when we sin, that we must earn God's favor before we can continue in His love. The problem here is that we never earned His love to begin with, so how could we then lose it? Jesus did not tell the man to first clean up His life, or to follow the Seven Steps to Success program, the Lord simply healed the man out of compassion. Jesus is amazing, when people were driven by pride, he revealed there faults and they went away disappointed. But when people were desperate, with no where else to turn, when they fell at His feet and cried out for mercy, Jesus always answered their cry.
Application:
Where are you? Are you at your ropes end? Burdened by life? Empty inside? If you think you can handle it alone, you can't, but there is hope, His name is Jesus. If you don't know Jesus i would like to introduce you to Him; He is God and loves you, enough to die for you. He is willing to heal the wounds of the broken hearted, to all that call on His name. Call on Him today, He's listening.
If you do know the Lord, than you already know the love He has pored out for you. He loves you with an unfailing love, even when we feel that we fail Him. Don't let your emotions distract you from His grace, don't confuse your feelings for God's truth. He loves you, and nothing can separate you from that kind of love. I implore you to seek His face this day, and fall in love again with the savior of the world.
For an unknown period of time Jesus roamed the northern region of Israel known as Galilee. If Jesus only spoke in the synagogues on Saturdays than this period of preaching could have lasted a few months.
This opens the scene to probably my favorite scripture in all of the new testament,
And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him,
"I am willing; be cleansed." Mark 1:40-41
Where there is legalism there is no grace. We often make the mistake of thinking, when we sin, that we must earn God's favor before we can continue in His love. The problem here is that we never earned His love to begin with, so how could we then lose it? Jesus did not tell the man to first clean up His life, or to follow the Seven Steps to Success program, the Lord simply healed the man out of compassion. Jesus is amazing, when people were driven by pride, he revealed there faults and they went away disappointed. But when people were desperate, with no where else to turn, when they fell at His feet and cried out for mercy, Jesus always answered their cry.
Application:
Where are you? Are you at your ropes end? Burdened by life? Empty inside? If you think you can handle it alone, you can't, but there is hope, His name is Jesus. If you don't know Jesus i would like to introduce you to Him; He is God and loves you, enough to die for you. He is willing to heal the wounds of the broken hearted, to all that call on His name. Call on Him today, He's listening.
If you do know the Lord, than you already know the love He has pored out for you. He loves you with an unfailing love, even when we feel that we fail Him. Don't let your emotions distract you from His grace, don't confuse your feelings for God's truth. He loves you, and nothing can separate you from that kind of love. I implore you to seek His face this day, and fall in love again with the savior of the world.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
53. A Walk With Jesus pt. 2
Day 2,
Jesus does something here, which i find really interesting.
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Mark 1:35
As you may recall, Jesus just spent his time last night healing the towns people of their sickness and exercising demons. By His deeds His fame had grown and the whole town was excited and astonished by Jesus. But Jesus does not sleep in, He's not waiting around for people to make Him breakfast before performing a few more miracles. Jesus instead wakes up while its still dark out and find a place to be alone and pray. Here our Lord truly sets the standard for us in our following, if Jesus woke up early to pray, shouldn't we?
And Simon and those with him searched for Him.
And finding Him, they said to Him, "All are seeking You."
And He said to them, "Let us go into the neighboring towns, that I may proclaim there also. For it was for this I came forth." Mark 1:36-38
Jesus did not let fame and glory distract Him from His mission here on earth. Pride had no place in the life of Christ. Pride says to, "sleep in, you deserve it" or "Receive the glory, you earned it." Pride will always distract us from God's calling.
Is spending time with God our first priority? Are we even willing to wake up very early in the morning just to seek His face? Jesus is the perfect example of how we are too live, putting God first, before the day has time to distract us. Before Satan has the opportunity to cloud our vision, before pride sets in and we become deceptively self-sufficient, are we going to battle on our knees before the Lord? Each day is a choice, me or Jesus? Who are you living for, which Lord will you choose?
Let us together be strengthened as one body, choosing this day to serve Jesus.
Jesus does something here, which i find really interesting.
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Mark 1:35
As you may recall, Jesus just spent his time last night healing the towns people of their sickness and exercising demons. By His deeds His fame had grown and the whole town was excited and astonished by Jesus. But Jesus does not sleep in, He's not waiting around for people to make Him breakfast before performing a few more miracles. Jesus instead wakes up while its still dark out and find a place to be alone and pray. Here our Lord truly sets the standard for us in our following, if Jesus woke up early to pray, shouldn't we?
And Simon and those with him searched for Him.
And finding Him, they said to Him, "All are seeking You."
And He said to them, "Let us go into the neighboring towns, that I may proclaim there also. For it was for this I came forth." Mark 1:36-38
Jesus did not let fame and glory distract Him from His mission here on earth. Pride had no place in the life of Christ. Pride says to, "sleep in, you deserve it" or "Receive the glory, you earned it." Pride will always distract us from God's calling.
Is spending time with God our first priority? Are we even willing to wake up very early in the morning just to seek His face? Jesus is the perfect example of how we are too live, putting God first, before the day has time to distract us. Before Satan has the opportunity to cloud our vision, before pride sets in and we become deceptively self-sufficient, are we going to battle on our knees before the Lord? Each day is a choice, me or Jesus? Who are you living for, which Lord will you choose?
Let us together be strengthened as one body, choosing this day to serve Jesus.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
52. A Walk With Jesus pt. 1
Make begins his biography of Jesus with the ministry of John the Baptist.
Mark 1:2-3 "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You; the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight."
John was a humble man who considered himself unworthy of even untying Jesus' sandals (vs 7)
Jesus arrives on the scene at some unspecified time during John's ministry. He was baptized and was then led into the wilderness and tempter by Satan.
Jesus arrives on the scene at some unspecified time during John's ministry. He was baptized and was then led into the wilderness and tempter by Satan.
1:9 And it happened in those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
1:12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.
1:12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.
His day becomes very eventful, Jesus wastes no time getting to work. After overcoming the temptations, Jesus arrives in Galilee, and begins to preach,
1:15 The time has been fulfilled, and the kingdom of God draws near. Repent and believe in the gospel.
His ministry has now begun.
Day 1, Jesus walks along the beach (16) and calls His first two disciples, Simon and Andrew (17). He continues on His stroll and calls two more brothers, James and John the sons of Zebedee (19). Than the 5 of them enter the town of Capernaum (21), Where Jesus begins to teach in the synagogue (think church) on the sabbath (Saturday). While at synagogue He commands a demon possessed man to be quite and come out (25). The people were shocked (22,27). At once, after leaving synagogue, He went to Peters mother-in-law's home where He healed her (30). Later that evening others came also to be healed and have their demons cast out (30) and Jesus healed many (34).
Jesus fame was growing rapidly through the entire neighborhood (28) and He was becoming famous fast. No one else in history had ever before walked this path and done the things He had done. By His own authority He spoke with power and people flocked to Him. One sermon, one casting out a demon, one healing, as a result many would come to Him and be healed. When Jesus speaks, people are astonished. When He acts, people are amazed. And when Jesus becomes real, lives are changed forever. Is Jesus real to you? Or have we become so dull that our supposed Lord and Savior has become nothing more than a story, mere words written on very old pieces of paper. Or do we see Him for who He is? Are we left astonished when we read the things he says, or do we just nod at familiar Christian cliches? Do we flock to Jesus in desperation seeking Him to heal us of our own infirmities, or are we struggling to read a chapter a day, dare we even talk with Jesus? I challenge us, myself most of all, to really seek Jesus and ask Him to be made real to us. In the mundane drudgery of life, pray that Jesus would take His rightful place as Lord of your life.
Day 1, Jesus walks along the beach (16) and calls His first two disciples, Simon and Andrew (17). He continues on His stroll and calls two more brothers, James and John the sons of Zebedee (19). Than the 5 of them enter the town of Capernaum (21), Where Jesus begins to teach in the synagogue (think church) on the sabbath (Saturday). While at synagogue He commands a demon possessed man to be quite and come out (25). The people were shocked (22,27). At once, after leaving synagogue, He went to Peters mother-in-law's home where He healed her (30). Later that evening others came also to be healed and have their demons cast out (30) and Jesus healed many (34).
Jesus fame was growing rapidly through the entire neighborhood (28) and He was becoming famous fast. No one else in history had ever before walked this path and done the things He had done. By His own authority He spoke with power and people flocked to Him. One sermon, one casting out a demon, one healing, as a result many would come to Him and be healed. When Jesus speaks, people are astonished. When He acts, people are amazed. And when Jesus becomes real, lives are changed forever. Is Jesus real to you? Or have we become so dull that our supposed Lord and Savior has become nothing more than a story, mere words written on very old pieces of paper. Or do we see Him for who He is? Are we left astonished when we read the things he says, or do we just nod at familiar Christian cliches? Do we flock to Jesus in desperation seeking Him to heal us of our own infirmities, or are we struggling to read a chapter a day, dare we even talk with Jesus? I challenge us, myself most of all, to really seek Jesus and ask Him to be made real to us. In the mundane drudgery of life, pray that Jesus would take His rightful place as Lord of your life.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
51. Crazy Love
"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
The love God has for us is simply outrageous; beyond anything we can comprehend. When God looks at us He sees the righteousness of His Son living in us. Wait what about when i sin? Yes, even when you sin. Christ showed such sacrificial love that before we knew Him and began to act on our affections for Him, He died for us. But what about my future sins? Christ died 2,000 years ago, they are all future sins. Before you were born and were ever given the chance to screw anything up, He died for you. He is not dumb or dull of understanding, He knew exactly what He was doing and who He was dying for. Yes, but at times i still sin... I am sorry to inform you that as long as you are alive and here on earth, you will always sin. You have a body, and in that body is the fallen man, bent away from God and His perfection, our world is bent away. But there is another member, that of Christ, and He reigns on. If we had the ability within ourselves to be sinless than the death of Christ was foolishness. Yet it was not, for He had to die, because we could never be sinless. Yet now, even now while on earth in our sinful broken world we are reconciled unto God. How do i know if i am saved... true saving faith? Do you accept entirely that you are dead in your sins, and you have no ability to reach God on your own merit? Do you accept that Christ bore the punishment for your rebellion and died on your behalf? That now, what you were powerless to do, God has done for you through His Son Jesus? Than that is the faith that saves. Evidence of our faith is in the light of our Lord shinning through us, and Him bearing fruit in our lives, do you see fruit? do others see fruit in you? do you have a desire to obey God and a hatred for the things that are against Him? Do you long to be obedient to the one you love? have you been freed from a habitual continuous pattern of sin in your life? and are you now living toward a continual pattern of righteousness? Then rest in the glory of the Lord, Believe in Him, look to Him and be saved. Only He can save us, accept that and live.
God i thank you for the love you have shown me. i have lived such a life of sin that i could not imagine anyone loving me, but your love is beyond what anyone could imagine. If i had to earn your love than it would no longer be grace. Yet it remains that what i do not deserve, that you still give freely, even when i sin, your love remains. God give me no excuse for my sin, i know what sort of man i am and have been, let me neither justify my wrong doings. But lord i fall before your mercy depending on your forgiveness that only you can give this man, and i thank you, i confess you to that i have sinned and my God i worship you in your forgiveness and mercy, lead me not in to temptation but deliver me from evil, to seek and to serve you my Lord and my Salvation.
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
The love God has for us is simply outrageous; beyond anything we can comprehend. When God looks at us He sees the righteousness of His Son living in us. Wait what about when i sin? Yes, even when you sin. Christ showed such sacrificial love that before we knew Him and began to act on our affections for Him, He died for us. But what about my future sins? Christ died 2,000 years ago, they are all future sins. Before you were born and were ever given the chance to screw anything up, He died for you. He is not dumb or dull of understanding, He knew exactly what He was doing and who He was dying for. Yes, but at times i still sin... I am sorry to inform you that as long as you are alive and here on earth, you will always sin. You have a body, and in that body is the fallen man, bent away from God and His perfection, our world is bent away. But there is another member, that of Christ, and He reigns on. If we had the ability within ourselves to be sinless than the death of Christ was foolishness. Yet it was not, for He had to die, because we could never be sinless. Yet now, even now while on earth in our sinful broken world we are reconciled unto God. How do i know if i am saved... true saving faith? Do you accept entirely that you are dead in your sins, and you have no ability to reach God on your own merit? Do you accept that Christ bore the punishment for your rebellion and died on your behalf? That now, what you were powerless to do, God has done for you through His Son Jesus? Than that is the faith that saves. Evidence of our faith is in the light of our Lord shinning through us, and Him bearing fruit in our lives, do you see fruit? do others see fruit in you? do you have a desire to obey God and a hatred for the things that are against Him? Do you long to be obedient to the one you love? have you been freed from a habitual continuous pattern of sin in your life? and are you now living toward a continual pattern of righteousness? Then rest in the glory of the Lord, Believe in Him, look to Him and be saved. Only He can save us, accept that and live.
God i thank you for the love you have shown me. i have lived such a life of sin that i could not imagine anyone loving me, but your love is beyond what anyone could imagine. If i had to earn your love than it would no longer be grace. Yet it remains that what i do not deserve, that you still give freely, even when i sin, your love remains. God give me no excuse for my sin, i know what sort of man i am and have been, let me neither justify my wrong doings. But lord i fall before your mercy depending on your forgiveness that only you can give this man, and i thank you, i confess you to that i have sinned and my God i worship you in your forgiveness and mercy, lead me not in to temptation but deliver me from evil, to seek and to serve you my Lord and my Salvation.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
50. Woe to You!
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!"
Matthew 23:23-24
To where does my heart guide me? And what can be said of the direction therein? Am I so focused on the little things that I "neglect the weightier matters"? Again I ponder the direction of my heart. Have i become calloused to the needs of others? Am i turned off to the true heart of God? The same God whose unfaltering love has pored out justice and mercy on all who have faith in Him. The same God who bore our sins so undeservedly on the cross and took our place, redeeming us from most certain death. Have i tuned out to such matters as these and have, in the process, blinded myself, becoming useless? It is love that ought to guide us, love needs to be the reason for our obedience; Christ the leader, love the means by which He leads. If it is not love for Jesus, pored out on others from grateful hearts as such love was first pored out on us by God Himself, than what is guiding me? If it be any other than it cannot be God. Be careful of legalism, and pointing out the flaws in others. be careful of observing the disobedience or sin nature of those around us. Do not be eager to announce an other's short comings or to be hyper focused on the little things that we again forget the big picture. If we follow the law perfectly and are blameless of fault, but we do not lead others to Christ than our obedience gains nothing. I do not say that there is no need for complete surrender, for there is much need to be sanctified from this world and unto the Lamb of God. But, righteousness is not the end, if it were than it would be better to live in caves. But our righteousness should be on display as light to this world, leading others to the light that has so illuminated our hearts and has brought our souls to life. Jesus must always be the focus of our words, thoughts, and aspirations; carried out in love leading others to the cross. We should be concerned more about the weightier matters with out neglecting the lesser. Be obedient to God and in your obedience pray that He would use you to win souls over to Himself.
Matthew 23:23-24
To where does my heart guide me? And what can be said of the direction therein? Am I so focused on the little things that I "neglect the weightier matters"? Again I ponder the direction of my heart. Have i become calloused to the needs of others? Am i turned off to the true heart of God? The same God whose unfaltering love has pored out justice and mercy on all who have faith in Him. The same God who bore our sins so undeservedly on the cross and took our place, redeeming us from most certain death. Have i tuned out to such matters as these and have, in the process, blinded myself, becoming useless? It is love that ought to guide us, love needs to be the reason for our obedience; Christ the leader, love the means by which He leads. If it is not love for Jesus, pored out on others from grateful hearts as such love was first pored out on us by God Himself, than what is guiding me? If it be any other than it cannot be God. Be careful of legalism, and pointing out the flaws in others. be careful of observing the disobedience or sin nature of those around us. Do not be eager to announce an other's short comings or to be hyper focused on the little things that we again forget the big picture. If we follow the law perfectly and are blameless of fault, but we do not lead others to Christ than our obedience gains nothing. I do not say that there is no need for complete surrender, for there is much need to be sanctified from this world and unto the Lamb of God. But, righteousness is not the end, if it were than it would be better to live in caves. But our righteousness should be on display as light to this world, leading others to the light that has so illuminated our hearts and has brought our souls to life. Jesus must always be the focus of our words, thoughts, and aspirations; carried out in love leading others to the cross. We should be concerned more about the weightier matters with out neglecting the lesser. Be obedient to God and in your obedience pray that He would use you to win souls over to Himself.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
49. Mat. 18, Little Children
"At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me."
Matthew 18:1-5
Who is the greatest indeed? Do we find ourselves seeking after greatness on Earth, rather than greatness in Heaven? Are we running after the blessings of God while trying to avoid the sharing of our Lord's suffering? We must repent of our sin of pride. We came to Christ under the acknowledgement that we are helpless to save ourselves from sin, now being saved are we any more capable of saving ourselves? When we try to add to the grace of God, merit, we commit the sin of pride. Or have we soon so forgotten that the greatest in heaven is the servant of others on earth. We of course agree with our Lord conceptually, but practically do we bend our knee to His Kingship? We all want to be pastors and serve in the mission field, but are we willing to clean toilets if it serves our brothers? He says serve and we want to be served, He says obey and we want to lead, pride can be subtle, but the destruction that follows is great. We must be as children, dependant on our Lord for everything, loving without bias, obedient to authority, and serving Him with all energy and a joyful heart.
Jesus, we look to You our example. You are not only the King of kings but You are more, and so much more that You alone are God. Being the only God, You demonstrated more love for Your creation in the humility of Your cross. You did not treat us as we so deserved, but instead came to us in the dependency of a child, born by two peasants in a stall. Humbly You came, and humility is Your call, let us drop our pride and fall before Your greatness in worship and adoration. Exalting You as our Lord, and casting our crowns at Your feet. Be glorified my Love, my King.
Matthew 18:1-5
Who is the greatest indeed? Do we find ourselves seeking after greatness on Earth, rather than greatness in Heaven? Are we running after the blessings of God while trying to avoid the sharing of our Lord's suffering? We must repent of our sin of pride. We came to Christ under the acknowledgement that we are helpless to save ourselves from sin, now being saved are we any more capable of saving ourselves? When we try to add to the grace of God, merit, we commit the sin of pride. Or have we soon so forgotten that the greatest in heaven is the servant of others on earth. We of course agree with our Lord conceptually, but practically do we bend our knee to His Kingship? We all want to be pastors and serve in the mission field, but are we willing to clean toilets if it serves our brothers? He says serve and we want to be served, He says obey and we want to lead, pride can be subtle, but the destruction that follows is great. We must be as children, dependant on our Lord for everything, loving without bias, obedient to authority, and serving Him with all energy and a joyful heart.
Jesus, we look to You our example. You are not only the King of kings but You are more, and so much more that You alone are God. Being the only God, You demonstrated more love for Your creation in the humility of Your cross. You did not treat us as we so deserved, but instead came to us in the dependency of a child, born by two peasants in a stall. Humbly You came, and humility is Your call, let us drop our pride and fall before Your greatness in worship and adoration. Exalting You as our Lord, and casting our crowns at Your feet. Be glorified my Love, my King.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
47. Love Your Enemies
"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:44-45a
Matthew 5:44-45a
In light of the context of Blog45, we are to love all of mankind. We can always think on the difficulty or even impossibility of this task without the help of God. But we must never forget that we too were once sinners living in the darkness of our bondage and in captivity to the evil we served. And while we were sinners we knew not the love of Christ pored out on us for the forgiveness of sins but we only knew that sin for which he died. Only now by His grace and persistent calling did we respond to His love and received the gift of true life to our souls. Where than do we stand against non-believers in a stance of self-righteousness? Did we die on the cross? Was it our sacrifice that pleased the Father? We must let go of our pride in the things we had no part in. The christian is not better than the non-christian, we are only better off in that we are saved through the gift of salvation. Who are we to judge against another, or to curse one made in the image of God?
"When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
Luke 23:33-34
The Heart of Christ for sinners is one of compassion and mercy, as Peter tells us, he desires that all should be saved. But for those who love their sin more than His mercy, and their darkness more than His life, than we know their final destination, and it is heartbreaking. Jesus here again is our perfect example as our King, during His crucifixion, while hanging on a cross, being spat on and insulted, He prays for mercy on them. How often do we pray that God would destroy the wicked? Kill the homosexuals! Destroy the abortion clinic! Burn down the porn shop! Yes these are evil, and yes these are sins, but our attacks in no way demonstrate the love of God. He knows where sinners will end up if they do not turn to Him and repent, therefore, Be like your Father, and pray for those who are enemies of the cross, that He should have mercy on them and cause them to turn from their sins and turn to the love of Christ for repentance, that they two might be saved.
Father forgive me if i have given You a bad reputation. Teach me to love like You have loved me and to share the good news that You indeed desire all to be saved through faith in Your son, be glorified in my life and use me as your representative to live out the Gospel and share Your love. May You change the hearts of those in my life and may we humbly come before Your greatness in a plea for mercy, be glorified my Lord and adored.
46. Christ, God's Satisfaction.
God is by nature Righteous, He is perfect. So in as much being a perfect being, He cannot set an imperfect standard. Sin is against God's perfect standard and therefore God cannot tolerate it. God is also perfect in that He is just, and His justice is without fault in that He is all knowing, searching even the heart and minds of Man (Jer. 17:10). Therefore,
"The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth-" Genesis 6:5-7a
The Psalmist understood that God was just when the man sinned, he says it poetically as follows,
The Psalmist understood that God was just when the man sinned, he says it poetically as follows,
"Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge."
Psalm 51:4
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge."
Psalm 51:4
However, God is full of mercy (James 5:11) and God is love (1 John 4:8). Not in the emotional only, nor merciful by occasion, but these two are attributes to His nature and a part of who He is.
"Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?"
Ezekiel 18:23
Ezekiel 18:23
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8
Romans 5:8
It all comes down to this, God is just and must satisfy His holy righteousness against the sins of man for their rebellion against Him. He is also love, and therefore provided a way that man would be saved and not die for eternity because of mans sinfulness. The way is through faith in Jesus Christ, and there is no other name by which man shall be saved. Either the wrath of God will be satisfied through the blood of Christ on your behalf, or your blood will satisfy that wrath in judgement. God is love, he could have left us to die, but he choose rather that He should become man, and die in our place, He satisfied his own anger, to save you, because he cares for you. Do you know Jesus, do you understand his love for you? would you trust Him, that what he did on the cross was perfect and you are save and loved by Him?
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16
Trust Him, you have everything to gain.
Monday, February 8, 2010
45. Focus
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:2
Jesus, what am i doing? I am so easily distracted by all of the fleeting things of this world. My eyes are like the clock's pendulum; changing direction every second. Bring my eyes into focus on you, my Lord. I am thrilled to see the good things that You are doing in my life, but my focus is lost when i am concerned more with earthly blessings than spiritual ones. My eyes are blurry at best. What is the value of things rejoiced over, compared to knowing You and Your glory? ... dust. Nothing on earth satisfies for longer than a brief moment in time. Why than does my heart run after them? You alone have written salvation on my heart and have saved me from my sins, You alone possess the love that is better than life, and the earth is Yours and the fullness therein, so all comes from You. Yet all is for You and Your glory, and everything is to be given back to You for Your purposes. So even the gifts i receive from You be not for me, but rather for me to use to bring You honor and glory. You are the prize of those who live for You, what other name could I serve? So i pray, fix my eyes solely on You and Yourself crucified, may i desire to know nothing more than You and the nature of who You are. Jesus may my worship be authentic and genuine, worshiping You for who You are and for no other reason. Amen.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
45. He is with us,
And God said unto Moses, "I AM THAT I AM": and He said, "Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
Exodus 3:14
Exodus 3:14
Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM."
John 8:58
The first passage above is of God speaking with Moses through the burning bush, declaring Himself to be the self-existing, eternal God. The Hebrew for I AM is ha^ya^h (haw-yaw') it is always emphatic and means; to exist. The next passage, taking from the gospel of John, is the climax of a debate between Himself and the pharisees, Jesus here makes claim of the very same truth that He is the eternal God. The Greek word is eimi (i-mee'); I exist (once again only used emphatically). And as a result of His declaration, "Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. John 8:59"
The reason for pointing all of that out, was to actually show the striking resemblance between the next two verses, of which have opposing chapters and verses.
But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, "Be of good cheer; IT IS I; be not afraid."
Matthew 14:27
To "be of good cheer" in the Greek can be rendered, to have courage, the word is tharseō (thar-seh'-o). And when Jesus says, IT IS I (emphasis added), He is using the same Greek word used earlier; eimi; I AM. So the disciples would have understood something closer along the lines of this,
"Be of good courage, I AM, be not afraid." The God eternal was with them, in flesh, walking on water.
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalm 27:14
The Hebrew for "LORD" is yehôvâh (yeh-ho-vaw'), where we get the Name Jehovah, The Jewish national name of God. It means (The) self Existent, from the Hebrew word listed above (EX. 3:14) as the name God declares Himself to be.
My point to all of this, is such, both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, God calls out to His people commanding them, strengthening them and empowering them to, Be of good courage and trust the He is God. Today, Jesus speaks to us in the same manner, where ever you are at, whatever you are dealing with; pornography, broken marriage, debt, unemployment, worry, anxiety, He speaks to all of us and comes to us, God comes to us saying,
Be of good courage, I AM; do not be afraid!
Have you put your trust in Jesus today? Do you know Him personally as your Lord? It is not enough to know about who Jesus was, this is not the faith that saves. You must get to a point of such disregard to yourself that you, not only accept that He is your only means of salvation, but that He also is LORD, the great I AM. Let us come together and worship the King, that loved us unworthy people to death, even the death on a cross.
Friday, February 5, 2010
44. Love covers all
Background:
Matthew mentions that Peter proclaimed he would never be offended of Jesus as the Christ, but Jesus replied with the prediction that Peter would deny Him three times. (matthew 26:33-34). Sadly the prediction came true, and Peter denied even knowing the Lord three times before it was morning, and having remembered the words of our Savior, Peter "went out and wept bitterly" (Matthew 26:75) undoubtedly shamed by his denial of the Christ. After the resurrection of our Lord, Peter went faithfully to Galilee to wait for the Lords arrival, but in doing so he also returned to his old lifestyle as being a fisherman (John 21:3). Our story application begins after breakfast...
The word 'love' in this passage is actually two different words, the first here being mentioned by Jesus, is a self determination of the will to love, it is action as well as devotion; the Greek word for it is agapaō. The next is used by Peter in his respose, it defines more of an affection or fondness for someone, a love between friends, the Greek is phileō.
"He (Peter) said to Him (Jesus), "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."
Application:
Peter denied the Lord three times, and three times the Lord asked His questions, digging deeper into Peters heart. In our sins we can be overwhelmed and burdened beyond all hope, trapped in the bondage of our own shame, thinking, "the Lord could never forgive me". But the truth is, He already has. Jesus needed to talk to Peter, not to condemn him or tell him how disapointed He was, but to lift him back into the potition He already gave to Peter. Three times Peter denied, three time the Lord reinstated him; completing beyond all doubt the forgiveness He had for Peter. As a result, Peter would never be shaken again, living up to his title as the rock, he would later choose to die for Christ; being hung from a cross upside down.
Reflection:
What shame is in your life that you have not given over to the blood of Christ? Are you holding onto your old chains of bondage and familiar pains of your past that have wounded you so deeply? Are you afraid to let go of the very pain that has been your companion all these years, reminding you of your shortcomings like the foul odor of a gangrenous wound? Or are you willing to allow Christ to perform his surgery and work through the pain in order that you may be truly healed and set free? There is no anesthetic and tears are guareenteed, but the healing is worth the process. Trust in Jesus, He is faithful to forgive us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Don't you think its time you let go of your past, and let God direct your future?
Matthew mentions that Peter proclaimed he would never be offended of Jesus as the Christ, but Jesus replied with the prediction that Peter would deny Him three times. (matthew 26:33-34). Sadly the prediction came true, and Peter denied even knowing the Lord three times before it was morning, and having remembered the words of our Savior, Peter "went out and wept bitterly" (Matthew 26:75) undoubtedly shamed by his denial of the Christ. After the resurrection of our Lord, Peter went faithfully to Galilee to wait for the Lords arrival, but in doing so he also returned to his old lifestyle as being a fisherman (John 21:3). Our story application begins after breakfast...
"So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?"
John 21:15a
Greek:John 21:15a
The word 'love' in this passage is actually two different words, the first here being mentioned by Jesus, is a self determination of the will to love, it is action as well as devotion; the Greek word for it is agapaō. The next is used by Peter in his respose, it defines more of an affection or fondness for someone, a love between friends, the Greek is phileō.
"He (Peter) said to Him (Jesus), "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."
21:15b
Jesus would ask the question once more, and Peter would reply the same. Every time that Peter answered the Lord's question Jesus would reply by reinstating Peters potition in the church, to take care and shepherd the others (sheep and lambs). The third time Jesus asks Peter the question of love, the Lord probes deeper into his heart asking this time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you phileō me?" (john 21:17) And peter was grieved because the Lord asked him on the third time if he even considered Him a friend. Peter said yes, and the Lord went on to describe the manner by which Peter would die for his loyalty to Christ.Application:
Peter denied the Lord three times, and three times the Lord asked His questions, digging deeper into Peters heart. In our sins we can be overwhelmed and burdened beyond all hope, trapped in the bondage of our own shame, thinking, "the Lord could never forgive me". But the truth is, He already has. Jesus needed to talk to Peter, not to condemn him or tell him how disapointed He was, but to lift him back into the potition He already gave to Peter. Three times Peter denied, three time the Lord reinstated him; completing beyond all doubt the forgiveness He had for Peter. As a result, Peter would never be shaken again, living up to his title as the rock, he would later choose to die for Christ; being hung from a cross upside down.
Reflection:
What shame is in your life that you have not given over to the blood of Christ? Are you holding onto your old chains of bondage and familiar pains of your past that have wounded you so deeply? Are you afraid to let go of the very pain that has been your companion all these years, reminding you of your shortcomings like the foul odor of a gangrenous wound? Or are you willing to allow Christ to perform his surgery and work through the pain in order that you may be truly healed and set free? There is no anesthetic and tears are guareenteed, but the healing is worth the process. Trust in Jesus, He is faithful to forgive us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Don't you think its time you let go of your past, and let God direct your future?
Thursday, February 4, 2010
43. Light the way,
"How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,
And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.
For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light."
In Your light I see light, and You are the fountain thereof that brings life to my souls and truth to my inner most being. We are all lost and blind to such light until it penetrates through time and space and pierces us by the conviction of Your word. You bring forth such light by Your great mercy to us and show us Your love as the King who died for poor beggars. What can we liken to Your love? Is there anything in all creation that can compare to Your faithfulness? Any sound or song that do justice to Your glory? How precious is Your lovingkindness indeed! When sorrow overwhelms me, when temptation seeks to destroy me, You remain faithful and care for me throughout the storm. You never have and never will leave my side. And without Your light shinning in all areas of my life how am i to know what is right and wrong? Lord write the law on my heart, that i may know how to act at all times. Train me as Your ambassador to honor You in all things and represent You in Spirit and in Truth. God, You have been too good to me, and Your love i know i do not deserve. Teach me then, in light of Your abundant grace, to demonstrate my gratefulness by submission to Your Lordship. May You be glorified, now and forever for the King You are! Light the way in this ever darkening world. Amen
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,
And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.
For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light."
In Your light I see light, and You are the fountain thereof that brings life to my souls and truth to my inner most being. We are all lost and blind to such light until it penetrates through time and space and pierces us by the conviction of Your word. You bring forth such light by Your great mercy to us and show us Your love as the King who died for poor beggars. What can we liken to Your love? Is there anything in all creation that can compare to Your faithfulness? Any sound or song that do justice to Your glory? How precious is Your lovingkindness indeed! When sorrow overwhelms me, when temptation seeks to destroy me, You remain faithful and care for me throughout the storm. You never have and never will leave my side. And without Your light shinning in all areas of my life how am i to know what is right and wrong? Lord write the law on my heart, that i may know how to act at all times. Train me as Your ambassador to honor You in all things and represent You in Spirit and in Truth. God, You have been too good to me, and Your love i know i do not deserve. Teach me then, in light of Your abundant grace, to demonstrate my gratefulness by submission to Your Lordship. May You be glorified, now and forever for the King You are! Light the way in this ever darkening world. Amen
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
42. The Good Samaritan
"But he (a certain lawyer), wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
Luke 10:29
Just prior to this second question the lawyer asked Jesus how he might inherit eternal life. Jesus asked him what he reads in the Bible and the man replies,
"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."
10:27 (quoting Deut. 6:5 and Lev. 19:18)
In the Jews eye, the neighbor was the righteous ones, people who either obviously love God or the ones who are obviously loved by God. Their view on neighbor was based on religion, race, and social status. A sinner was no Jews neighbor, neither a tax-collector or gentile. The mans question was essentially this "who do i have to show love to?" To which Jesus replied with the very revealing story of the good Samaritan. I find it interesting that our Lord does not answer the lawyers question. The lawyer asked "who is my neighbor?" but the story answers, "what is a neighbor?" Changing the question around Jesus also then changes the perspective. Are we more concerned with color of skin, background, language, tattoos or social status than we are about loving people? Jesus points out that this is the wrong way of thinking. Rather we are to love everyone, including the hated among our society. The question was 'who do i show love to?', the answer was 'everyone!'
"So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves? (Jesus asked)" And he (the lawyer) said, "He who showed mercy on him."
Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
10:36-37
Monday, February 1, 2010
41. My Sorrow
What do i do my King! For my heart aches within my being and its beats are the rhythm of sorrow. For i have given up on my lost love to seek and find another, to move beyond my past in a life where i chose not to obey You, where i chose not to love You. But my heart will not follow, i desire to move on but my heart is disobedient to me. Lord You have my heart! Lead it where You desire, tell it where to go! For it will not listen to me. I still love her, my heart wants to be reunited with her my emotions tell me that much is true, they remind me that i want to marry her. But how! How could i go back to a life where i chose to disobey You? It is true that You have the power to change hearts, to heal wounds and to mend broken bones. Mend my broken heart my Lord! And not mine only, but hers also. I do not want to live a life that disobeys You. And history reminds me that if i run back to her than i will run from You. I am in tears Jesus, crying in confusion and lost in direction. I love her, but i cannot live a life without You, and i don't know if i can combine the two. So i try to move on, but my heart wont follow my lead. So i will wait on You my God, You have been faithful all my life and have never once left me before, You are here with me now. You know my pain, and You know better what it means to be alone. So i turn to You, to wait with You, guide me and be my strength, my hope is in You, no one else can help me in this.
Soon my joy will be restored, for i have seen darker days, and in those days You restored me to bliss. By Your word my soul has been revived from depths deeper than now, i look ahead to see my broken heart restored. But not my heart only, bless her with the Joy of Your salvation, heal her in ways we could never imagine, remove the guilt of our past from the pains of her heart and bring her the healing that comes from You alone, a healing that is eternal. Be blessed my King, and be happy to heal Your beloved children, we adore You and seek You all our days.
Soon my joy will be restored, for i have seen darker days, and in those days You restored me to bliss. By Your word my soul has been revived from depths deeper than now, i look ahead to see my broken heart restored. But not my heart only, bless her with the Joy of Your salvation, heal her in ways we could never imagine, remove the guilt of our past from the pains of her heart and bring her the healing that comes from You alone, a healing that is eternal. Be blessed my King, and be happy to heal Your beloved children, we adore You and seek You all our days.
40. Salt of the earth.
"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men."
Matthew 5:13
"A good name is to be chosen Rather than great riches,
Loving favor rather than silver and gold"
Proverbs 22:1
Matthew 5:13
"A good name is to be chosen Rather than great riches,
Loving favor rather than silver and gold"
Proverbs 22:1
Lord, I am sorrowful and feel much regret for the relationships by which I lost my favor and saltiness by my actions or words. A price cannot be put on the value of a good name, worth is inexpressible of a friend who is trustworthy and loyal. Could i recall the wasted opportunities to be such a friend? My reputation as a man of this world is worthless as my home is where You are. But what if I lose my reputation as one who loves and serves You, than I have lost much indeed. Could anything worse be said of one who follows after You than that he is a hypocrite? But so it was with I Lord, so it was that I myself was a hypocrite and a liar, had I even known You I do not know, for although I knew of You I had not put my trust in You, and although I knew You as savior I did not worship You as Lord. Had i deceived myself so long to believe that I was a follower of You; a follower with hidden sins? As if any sin is hidden from You who knows all things including our most secret thoughts. For it is true that You know me better than i know myself, and You see deep into my soul and understand me. Desires and feelings i do not understand but You know me Lord, for You made me, and i was designed by You to bring You glory. Know me Lord and teach me my purpose. You have been my Savior as You alone are the Savior of the world, now please be my Lord and be delighted with Your servant. Than i shall know in obedience that my worship is not superficial or fake, that i am not a hypocrite. That my worship will bring Joy to my Kings face, change this hardened heart to love Your law and delight in Your teachings, may i praise You all the days of my life, for You are good to me. Be blessed my King.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)