Sunday, June 30, 2013
Friday, June 28, 2013
branches
Sometimes what I read is too profound for comment. Maybe this is for
you.I know that there are 3 verses in here that He spoke to me with, in
regards to Lynn & my life together.
John 15:1 "I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.
2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit,
and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.
3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.
4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you.
For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine,
and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 "Yes, I am the vine;
you are the branches.
Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.
For apart from me you can do nothing.
6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers.
Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.
7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!
8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
9 "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.
10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in his love.
11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy.
Yes, your joy will overflow!
12 This is my commandment:
Love each other in the same way I have loved you.
13 There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.
14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves.
Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.
16 You didn't choose me. I chose you.
I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit,
so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.
17 This is my command: Love each other.
John 15:1 "I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.
2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit,
and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.
3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.
4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you.
For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine,
and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 "Yes, I am the vine;
you are the branches.
Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.
For apart from me you can do nothing.
6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers.
Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.
7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!
8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
9 "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.
10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in his love.
11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy.
Yes, your joy will overflow!
12 This is my commandment:
Love each other in the same way I have loved you.
13 There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.
14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves.
Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.
16 You didn't choose me. I chose you.
I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit,
so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.
17 This is my command: Love each other.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
we'll do what?!
Think about this...
If what Jesus says in verse 12 is really, REALLY true, what does that mean for each of us.
Don't think about the correct answer.
Think about the REAL answer.
John 14:1 "Don't let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God, and trust also in me.
2 There is more than enough room in my Father's home.
If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
4 And you know the way to where I am going."
5 "No, we don't know, Lord," Thomas said. "We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.
7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is.
From now on, you do know him and have seen him!"
8 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied."
9 Jesus replied, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don't know who I am?
Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!
So why are you asking me to show him to you?
10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me.
11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.
Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.
12 "I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.
13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.
14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
If what Jesus says in verse 12 is really, REALLY true, what does that mean for each of us.
Don't think about the correct answer.
Think about the REAL answer.
John 14:1 "Don't let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God, and trust also in me.
2 There is more than enough room in my Father's home.
If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
4 And you know the way to where I am going."
5 "No, we don't know, Lord," Thomas said. "We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.
7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is.
From now on, you do know him and have seen him!"
8 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied."
9 Jesus replied, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don't know who I am?
Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!
So why are you asking me to show him to you?
10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me.
11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.
Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.
12 "I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.
13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.
14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
loving
This is Jesus talking to his disciples on Thursday night of Holy Week, at what is called by some the Last Supper.
John 13:34 So now I am giving you a new commandment:
Love each other.
Just as I have love you, you should love each other.
35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
It's a shame that these days, in the world's eyes, evangelical Christians are known for a lot of things.
But I don't think that we love each other, & them.
What does that say about us?
John 13:34 So now I am giving you a new commandment:
Love each other.
Just as I have love you, you should love each other.
35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
It's a shame that these days, in the world's eyes, evangelical Christians are known for a lot of things.
But I don't think that we love each other, & them.
What does that say about us?
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
servanthood
John 12:25 Those who love their life will lose it.
Those who despise their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26 All those who want to be my disciples must come & follow me,
because my servants must be where I am.
We in the western world, particularly in America, have such a strong sense of entitlement attached to our servanthood.
Iow, we feel we are entitled to know what's going on, what the outcome will be, what the big picture is, who it is we're serving, when it will start & end, how is will all come about, & where this serving will take place.
And we attach such a success orientation to serving that if we don't see measurable success, then there must have been some sort of faulty expression in our servanthood.
Most people down through the millenia have not had the privilege of knowing the who, what,where, when, & how of their servanthood.
Check out what this lady has to say about it. Think about it. And then think about what our concept of servanthood is in comparison.
(The Characteristics of a Servant, Nancy Kline, Yahoo! Voices)
1. The first characteristic of servants is that they prize the interests of others above their own. They have a genuine concern of others. They do not serve for what they can get out of it, nor for some ulterior motive. They serve simply to meet needs in which God wants to use them to meet. They serve as an authentic expression of Christ-like love.
They esteem the other person as worthy to be served. In the world estimate that person may not be worth doing anything for. But Christians use a different standard. A person is valuable simple because God has created them. They take an interest in seeing the other person succeed. That means not just doing for that person what the servant wants or likes to do, but servants are called to take a real interest in what that other person is trying to do.
2. The second characteristic of servants is that they yield their rights. When a person decides to prize another's interests above their own, they find that it involves forfeiting many of their rights. Again, this runs contrary to the world's thinking, which makes so much out of demanding your rights. A servant of Christ forfeits those rights voluntarily. People love to be acknowledged. But the servants of Christ are willing to forfeit even the right of recognition. Much of what God wants to do in this world involves unsung efforts. We will often be called upon to do things for which we will get no credit of notice.
But we are willing to forfeit our rights to be recognized in order to get the job done for the kingdom of God. The bible tells us that what is done for God and goes unnoticed here on earth does not get missed in God's eyes and he has a future reward waiting. A far greater reward than anything this world could afford. I'd say, don't forfeit your heavenly reward by Broadcasting how you served God down here.
Many times people are in need and there is no one there to help them. Where are all the Christians? It is not that they are out doing anything immoral, illegal or unscriptural; they are just caught up doing their own thing. They are not concerned in serving others. Don't we love to tell God when, where, whom and how we are going to serve? We'll pray, "Lord, I'm going to serve you and here is what I'm going to do for you; I'll sing in the choir, I'll do this and that on Thursday evening . . ." and a few more item. Nothing wrong with the things they say they are going to do but they are starting out wrong. They are telling God what when and for how long; when they should start by asking God what he wants done and when he wants it done and for how long he wants it done.
3. A third characteristic of a servant is that they are willing to pay the cost of servant hood.
Servants of Christ not only forfeit their rights, but they also go beyond that to sacrificial giving of themselves. They are willing to give what ever is theirs if need be. Simply doing nice things for people can be relatively easy. You can see this all the time in the secular and business worlds. True servants of God can be called on by God to serve even when it will not prove rewarding to them
Much of what God wants to happen through our lives will take place in circumstances where there will have to be sacrifices and no compensation as reward. Most people only want to serve when it is convenient. They are willing to give whether money or time when they have it in excess. Not many rush in to serve when it will cost something. Involved in the sacrifice of servant hood is the cost of inconvenience. How available have you made yourself to do God's bidding?
Now here is the question: Why would anyone want to live as a servant? Lets face it, being a servant is not the most popular vocation in the world. Most people, no matter what culture they live in do not really want to serve others. The Christian, however, is called to serve.
Those who despise their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26 All those who want to be my disciples must come & follow me,
because my servants must be where I am.
We in the western world, particularly in America, have such a strong sense of entitlement attached to our servanthood.
Iow, we feel we are entitled to know what's going on, what the outcome will be, what the big picture is, who it is we're serving, when it will start & end, how is will all come about, & where this serving will take place.
And we attach such a success orientation to serving that if we don't see measurable success, then there must have been some sort of faulty expression in our servanthood.
Most people down through the millenia have not had the privilege of knowing the who, what,where, when, & how of their servanthood.
Check out what this lady has to say about it. Think about it. And then think about what our concept of servanthood is in comparison.
(The Characteristics of a Servant, Nancy Kline, Yahoo! Voices)
1. The first characteristic of servants is that they prize the interests of others above their own. They have a genuine concern of others. They do not serve for what they can get out of it, nor for some ulterior motive. They serve simply to meet needs in which God wants to use them to meet. They serve as an authentic expression of Christ-like love.
They esteem the other person as worthy to be served. In the world estimate that person may not be worth doing anything for. But Christians use a different standard. A person is valuable simple because God has created them. They take an interest in seeing the other person succeed. That means not just doing for that person what the servant wants or likes to do, but servants are called to take a real interest in what that other person is trying to do.
2. The second characteristic of servants is that they yield their rights. When a person decides to prize another's interests above their own, they find that it involves forfeiting many of their rights. Again, this runs contrary to the world's thinking, which makes so much out of demanding your rights. A servant of Christ forfeits those rights voluntarily. People love to be acknowledged. But the servants of Christ are willing to forfeit even the right of recognition. Much of what God wants to do in this world involves unsung efforts. We will often be called upon to do things for which we will get no credit of notice.
But we are willing to forfeit our rights to be recognized in order to get the job done for the kingdom of God. The bible tells us that what is done for God and goes unnoticed here on earth does not get missed in God's eyes and he has a future reward waiting. A far greater reward than anything this world could afford. I'd say, don't forfeit your heavenly reward by Broadcasting how you served God down here.
Many times people are in need and there is no one there to help them. Where are all the Christians? It is not that they are out doing anything immoral, illegal or unscriptural; they are just caught up doing their own thing. They are not concerned in serving others. Don't we love to tell God when, where, whom and how we are going to serve? We'll pray, "Lord, I'm going to serve you and here is what I'm going to do for you; I'll sing in the choir, I'll do this and that on Thursday evening . . ." and a few more item. Nothing wrong with the things they say they are going to do but they are starting out wrong. They are telling God what when and for how long; when they should start by asking God what he wants done and when he wants it done and for how long he wants it done.
3. A third characteristic of a servant is that they are willing to pay the cost of servant hood.
Servants of Christ not only forfeit their rights, but they also go beyond that to sacrificial giving of themselves. They are willing to give what ever is theirs if need be. Simply doing nice things for people can be relatively easy. You can see this all the time in the secular and business worlds. True servants of God can be called on by God to serve even when it will not prove rewarding to them
Much of what God wants to happen through our lives will take place in circumstances where there will have to be sacrifices and no compensation as reward. Most people only want to serve when it is convenient. They are willing to give whether money or time when they have it in excess. Not many rush in to serve when it will cost something. Involved in the sacrifice of servant hood is the cost of inconvenience. How available have you made yourself to do God's bidding?
Now here is the question: Why would anyone want to live as a servant? Lets face it, being a servant is not the most popular vocation in the world. Most people, no matter what culture they live in do not really want to serve others. The Christian, however, is called to serve.
Monday, June 24, 2013
He was...?
John 11:25 Jesus told Martha,
"I am the resurrection
& the life.
Those who believe in Me,
even though they die like everyone else,
will live again.
26 They are given eternal life for believing in Me
& will never perish..."
Some people believe Jesus was a great prophet.
Some people think He was a good man with many good thoughts.
I've read the 4 gospels quite a few times, especially since 2003
(the Gospels are the first 4 books at the beginning of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John)
And ya know what?
Judging from His words, Jesus can only be 1 or 2 things...
the Son of God...
or a crazy man.
I believe He is all the things He said He is.
It's the world that's crazy.
"I am the resurrection
& the life.
Those who believe in Me,
even though they die like everyone else,
will live again.
26 They are given eternal life for believing in Me
& will never perish..."
Some people believe Jesus was a great prophet.
Some people think He was a good man with many good thoughts.
I've read the 4 gospels quite a few times, especially since 2003
(the Gospels are the first 4 books at the beginning of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John)
And ya know what?
Judging from His words, Jesus can only be 1 or 2 things...
the Son of God...
or a crazy man.
I believe He is all the things He said He is.
It's the world that's crazy.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
just think
1 John 4:4b the Spirit that lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.
iow, the Holy Spirit, who lives in you & me as Christ followers, is greater than any power the devil has.
think about that for a minute, and then think about how that applies to you & your life...
sometimes the devil's strength seems so strong.
"seems" is the operative word in that last sentence.
do you & I really believe that the Holy Spirit is stronger than the devil?
or do we simply think the Holy Spirit can't be trusted to come through for us when we need Him to?
iow, the Holy Spirit, who lives in you & me as Christ followers, is greater than any power the devil has.
think about that for a minute, and then think about how that applies to you & your life...
sometimes the devil's strength seems so strong.
"seems" is the operative word in that last sentence.
do you & I really believe that the Holy Spirit is stronger than the devil?
or do we simply think the Holy Spirit can't be trusted to come through for us when we need Him to?
Saturday, June 22, 2013
my help
This song goes with this psalm - listen to it as you read - it's where I am right now, clinging to Him
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtZX7a44fMI
Psalm 121:1 I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth!
3 He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.
5 The LORD himself watches over you!
The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.
7 The LORD keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
8 The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtZX7a44fMI
Psalm 121:1 I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth!
3 He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.
5 The LORD himself watches over you!
The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.
7 The LORD keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
8 The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.
Friday, June 21, 2013
living in Him
Just read this slowly & let it soak in.
We have someone to speak on our behalf to the high & holy God of the universes.
And how would each of our lives change today is we lived our lives as Jesus did?
Would you comment back what you think about that?
1 John 2:1 My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin.
But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father.
He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.
2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins;
and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.
3 And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments.
4 If someone claims, "I know God," but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.
5 But those who obey God's word truly show how completely they love him.
That is how we know we are living in him.
6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
We have someone to speak on our behalf to the high & holy God of the universes.
And how would each of our lives change today is we lived our lives as Jesus did?
Would you comment back what you think about that?
1 John 2:1 My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin.
But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father.
He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.
2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins;
and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.
3 And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments.
4 If someone claims, "I know God," but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.
5 But those who obey God's word truly show how completely they love him.
That is how we know we are living in him.
6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
living in the light
Just read this & absorb it...
1 John 1
5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you:
God is light,
and there is no darkness in him at all.
6 So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness;
we are not practicing the truth.
7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves
and not living in the truth.
9 But if we confess our sins to him,
he is faithful
and just
to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
10 If we claim we have not sinned,
we are calling God a liar
and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.
1 John 1
5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you:
God is light,
and there is no darkness in him at all.
6 So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness;
we are not practicing the truth.
7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves
and not living in the truth.
9 But if we confess our sins to him,
he is faithful
and just
to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
10 If we claim we have not sinned,
we are calling God a liar
and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
believe it?
John 6
1 After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. 3 Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him. 4 (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.) 5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him.
Turning to Philip, he asked, "Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?" 6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.
7 Philip replied, "Even if we worked for months, we wouldn't have enough money* to feed them!"
8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up. 9 "There's a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?"
10 "Tell everyone to sit down," Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.)
11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. 12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, "Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted." 13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.
14 When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, "Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!" 15 When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.
Do you believe this account?
If so, how should/ does that impact your life?
1 After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. 3 Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him. 4 (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.) 5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him.
Turning to Philip, he asked, "Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?" 6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.
7 Philip replied, "Even if we worked for months, we wouldn't have enough money* to feed them!"
8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up. 9 "There's a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?"
10 "Tell everyone to sit down," Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.)
11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. 12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, "Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted." 13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.
14 When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, "Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!" 15 When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.
Do you believe this account?
If so, how should/ does that impact your life?
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
good question
John 5:1 Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. 2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. 3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. 5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, "Would you like to get well?"
7 "I can't, sir," the sick man said, "for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me."
8 Jesus told him, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!"
9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, "You can't work on the Sabbath! The law doesn't allow you to carry that sleeping mat!"
11 But he replied, "The man who healed me told me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.'"
12 "Who said such a thing as that?" they demanded.
13 The man didn't know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. 14 But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, "Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you." 15 Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him.
I always thought Jesus' question of the man was a bit odd. Of course he'd want to get well.
But, ya know, that's a valid question. The man by the pool had been there for 35 yrs. Being a cripple by the pool was his identity. It was how his friends & family thought of him. It was how the townspeople identified him.
Jesus challenged him, asking him if he'd like to give up his identity as a cripple & be whole.
I think we're the same way.
Many of us simply have never had any other identity other than being dysfunctional. It's who we are.
And when God offers a way out of that dysfunctional life, it can be scary, because that's who we've always been. We don't know how to be anything but dysfunctional. Being whole is something we've never been before. At least we knew how to act & live as a dysfunctional person. We don't know how to live as a healed & whole person.
Plus, we don't have any excuses - we can't hide behind our dysfunctionality anymore. We can function, so we need to get on with our lives.
I hope that all made sense.
So maybe today, what Jesus may be saying to me & you is NOT so much do we want to be healed but do we want a new identity in Him.
Think about it...
7 "I can't, sir," the sick man said, "for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me."
8 Jesus told him, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!"
9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, "You can't work on the Sabbath! The law doesn't allow you to carry that sleeping mat!"
11 But he replied, "The man who healed me told me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.'"
12 "Who said such a thing as that?" they demanded.
13 The man didn't know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. 14 But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, "Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you." 15 Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him.
I always thought Jesus' question of the man was a bit odd. Of course he'd want to get well.
But, ya know, that's a valid question. The man by the pool had been there for 35 yrs. Being a cripple by the pool was his identity. It was how his friends & family thought of him. It was how the townspeople identified him.
Jesus challenged him, asking him if he'd like to give up his identity as a cripple & be whole.
I think we're the same way.
Many of us simply have never had any other identity other than being dysfunctional. It's who we are.
And when God offers a way out of that dysfunctional life, it can be scary, because that's who we've always been. We don't know how to be anything but dysfunctional. Being whole is something we've never been before. At least we knew how to act & live as a dysfunctional person. We don't know how to live as a healed & whole person.
Plus, we don't have any excuses - we can't hide behind our dysfunctionality anymore. We can function, so we need to get on with our lives.
I hope that all made sense.
So maybe today, what Jesus may be saying to me & you is NOT so much do we want to be healed but do we want a new identity in Him.
Think about it...
Monday, June 17, 2013
growing
2 Peter 1:3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we
need for living a godly life.
We have received all of this by coming to know him,
the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.
4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises.
These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature
and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires.
5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises.
Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence,
and moral excellence with knowledge,
6 and knowledge with self-control,
and self-control with patient endurance,
and patient endurance with godliness,
7 and godliness with brotherly affection,
and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind,
forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
10 So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen.
Do these things, and you will never fall away.
11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We have received all of this by coming to know him,
the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.
4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises.
These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature
and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires.
5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises.
Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence,
and moral excellence with knowledge,
6 and knowledge with self-control,
and self-control with patient endurance,
and patient endurance with godliness,
7 and godliness with brotherly affection,
and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind,
forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
10 So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen.
Do these things, and you will never fall away.
11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
really believing
How different would we live, & how different would our lives be, if we REALLY believed these words from the apostle, Peter?
1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries & cares to God,
for He cares about what happens to you.
vs 10b After you have suffered a little while,
He will restore,
support,
& strengthen you,
& He will place you on a firm foundation.
1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries & cares to God,
for He cares about what happens to you.
vs 10b After you have suffered a little while,
He will restore,
support,
& strengthen you,
& He will place you on a firm foundation.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
suffering
These verses poke a lot of holes in the current
attitude that our lives as Christ followers should be basically trouble
free & affluent, moving from one marvelous blessing to another.
Not so sure that's the way it works in this sin-soaked world...
1 Peter 4
8 ...continue to show deep love for each other,
for love covers a multitude of sins.
9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.
10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts.
Use them well to serve one another.
11 Do you have the gift of speaking?
Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you.
Do you have the gift of helping others?
Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies.
Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.
All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
12 Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through,
as if something strange were happening to you.
13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering,
so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
14 So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.
15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people's affairs.
16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian.
Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!
17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God's household.
And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God's Good News?
18 And also,
"If the righteous are barely saved,
what will happen to godless sinners?"*
19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God,
keep on doing what is right,
and trust your lives to the God who created you,
for he will never fail you.
Not so sure that's the way it works in this sin-soaked world...
1 Peter 4
8 ...continue to show deep love for each other,
for love covers a multitude of sins.
9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.
10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts.
Use them well to serve one another.
11 Do you have the gift of speaking?
Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you.
Do you have the gift of helping others?
Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies.
Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.
All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
12 Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through,
as if something strange were happening to you.
13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering,
so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
14 So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.
15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people's affairs.
16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian.
Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!
17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God's household.
And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God's Good News?
18 And also,
"If the righteous are barely saved,
what will happen to godless sinners?"*
19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God,
keep on doing what is right,
and trust your lives to the God who created you,
for he will never fail you.
Friday, June 14, 2013
the Son
The apostle, John, is talking about Jesus here...
John1
1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony.
8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light.
9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn't recognize him.
11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.
12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us.
He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.
And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son.
15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds,
"This is the one I was talking about when I said, 'Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.'"
16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.
17 For the law was given through Moses, but God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has ever seen God.
But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father's heart.
He has revealed God to us.
John1
1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony.
8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light.
9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn't recognize him.
11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.
12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us.
He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.
And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son.
15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds,
"This is the one I was talking about when I said, 'Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.'"
16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.
17 For the law was given through Moses, but God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has ever seen God.
But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father's heart.
He has revealed God to us.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
go
Matthew 28
19 ...go and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father
and the Son
and the Holy Spirit.
20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.
And be sure of this:
I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
The operative word here is "go"
Dictionary.com defines "go" as...
1. to move or proceed, especially to or from something: They're going by bus.
2. to leave a place; depart: People were coming and going all the time.
3. to keep or be in motion; function or perform as required: Can't you go any faster in your work?
4. to become as specified: to go mad.
5. to continue in a certain state or condition; be habitually: to go barefoot.
But most of us think this means "go to deepest, darkest Africa as a missionary to suffer & die"
"Go" could mean go to the people in our neighborhood & share as naturally with them (as we would share about a good movie or a great recipe) from the overflow of our life as a Christ follower.
Or go to the people us work with each day, doing the same thing.
Or go to the people who work in the places where us shop, restaurants in which you eat, or the gas stations you fill up your car.
It could mean God does want us to go - to another job, another place to live, another church, another set of friends.
It could mean He would want us to go to a different place to live, to be who we are & to love people as Christ does.
And yes, it might mean He could want us to travel to other countries, either close at hand, or far away, & be Him in those places for those people.
I guess the most important thing is to be willing to go, no matter where that "go" may lead us.
Most of the time, that go will lead us into places that probably scare us a little,
places where we know we can't be who we are & love people as Jesus under our own steam;
iow, God's gonna have to supply the strength, wisdom,& where with all for us to be Him in the places He sends us.
Remember all this in the days ahead...
But most of us think this means "go to deepest, darkest Africa as a missionary to suffer & die"
"Go" could mean go to the people in our neighborhood & share as naturally with them (as we would share about a good movie or a great recipe) from the overflow of our life as a Christ follower.
Or go to the people us work with each day, doing the same thing.
Or go to the people who work in the places where us shop, restaurants in which you eat, or the gas stations you fill up your car.
It could mean God does want us to go - to another job, another place to live, another church, another set of friends.
It could mean He would want us to go to a different place to live, to be who we are & to love people as Christ does.
And yes, it might mean He could want us to travel to other countries, either close at hand, or far away, & be Him in those places for those people.
I guess the most important thing is to be willing to go, no matter where that "go" may lead us.
Most of the time, that go will lead us into places that probably scare us a little,
places where we know we can't be who we are & love people as Jesus under our own steam;
iow, God's gonna have to supply the strength, wisdom,& where with all for us to be Him in the places He sends us.
Remember all this in the days ahead...
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
trials
1 Peter 1:6 So be truly glad.
There is wonderful joy ahead,
even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.
7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine.
It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold;
though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.
So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
There is wonderful joy ahead,
even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.
7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine.
It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold;
though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.
So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
tough stuff
In the rest of the world, we're considered the wealthy one...
James 5:1 Look here, you rich people:
Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you.
2 Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags.
3 Your gold and silver have become worthless.
The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire.
This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment.
4 For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay.
The wages you held back cry out against you.
The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the LORD of Heaven's Armies.
5 You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire.
You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.
James 5:1 Look here, you rich people:
Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you.
2 Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags.
3 Your gold and silver have become worthless.
The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire.
This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment.
4 For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay.
The wages you held back cry out against you.
The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the LORD of Heaven's Armies.
5 You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire.
You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.
Monday, June 10, 2013
the least
In a country where more & more people buy into the thinking of
socially acceptable selfishness as put forth by Ayn Rand, these words
speak of a different thought process...
Matthew 25:
31 "But when the Son of Man* comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him,
then he will sit upon his glorious throne.
32 All the nations* will be gathered in his presence,
and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
34 "Then the King will say to those on his right,
'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.
35 For I was hungry, and you fed me.
I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink.
I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.
36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing.
I was sick, and you cared for me.
I was in prison, and you visited me.'
37 "Then these righteous ones will reply,
'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you?
Or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality?
Or naked and give you clothing?
39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?'
40 "And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'
41 "Then the King will turn to those on the left and say,
'Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.
42 For I was hungry, and you didn't feed me.
I was thirsty, and you didn't give me a drink.
43 I was a stranger, and you didn't invite me into your home.
I was naked, and you didn't give me clothing.
I was sick and in prison, and you didn't visit me.'
44 "Then they will reply,
'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?'
45 "And he will answer,
'I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.'
46 "And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life."
Matthew 25:
31 "But when the Son of Man* comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him,
then he will sit upon his glorious throne.
32 All the nations* will be gathered in his presence,
and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
34 "Then the King will say to those on his right,
'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.
35 For I was hungry, and you fed me.
I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink.
I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.
36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing.
I was sick, and you cared for me.
I was in prison, and you visited me.'
37 "Then these righteous ones will reply,
'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you?
Or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality?
Or naked and give you clothing?
39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?'
40 "And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'
41 "Then the King will turn to those on the left and say,
'Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.
42 For I was hungry, and you didn't feed me.
I was thirsty, and you didn't give me a drink.
43 I was a stranger, and you didn't invite me into your home.
I was naked, and you didn't give me clothing.
I was sick and in prison, and you didn't visit me.'
44 "Then they will reply,
'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?'
45 "And he will answer,
'I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.'
46 "And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life."
Friday, June 7, 2013
4 words
Matthew 22:
34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again.
35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question:
36 "Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?"
37 Jesus replied,
"'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.'
38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
39 A second is equally important:
'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."
Iow, it can be summed up in 4 words...
Love God...
Love people.
34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again.
35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question:
36 "Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?"
37 Jesus replied,
"'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.'
38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
39 A second is equally important:
'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."
Iow, it can be summed up in 4 words...
Love God...
Love people.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
fruit of believing
This passage doesn't imply that God is some sort of celestial vending machine.
But if we believe what Jesus says in verses 21 & 22, how then should we live?
Matthew 21:18 In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry,
19 and he noticed a fig tree beside the road.
He went over to see if there were any figs,
but there were only leaves.
Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!"
And immediately the fig tree withered up.
20 The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?"
21 Then Jesus told them, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don't doubt,
you can do things like this and much more.
You can even say to this mountain,
'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,'
and it will happen.
22 You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it."
But if we believe what Jesus says in verses 21 & 22, how then should we live?
Matthew 21:18 In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry,
19 and he noticed a fig tree beside the road.
He went over to see if there were any figs,
but there were only leaves.
Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!"
And immediately the fig tree withered up.
20 The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?"
21 Then Jesus told them, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don't doubt,
you can do things like this and much more.
You can even say to this mountain,
'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,'
and it will happen.
22 You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it."
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
run with endurance
This is for you, like me, who may be thinking of quitting.
Quitting because you think you're too old,
or too sick,
or not smart enough,
or not experienced enough,
or not secure, mature, or wise enough,
or because you're _______________________ (you fill in the blank.)
God is saying in these verses 1 thing...
Pull yourself together,
& get on with what I've told you to be or do,
even though you don't think you can do it,
because I've got your back.
You can do it.
I will be with you.
Hebrews 12:12 So take a new grip with your tired hands
and stand form on your shaky legs.
13 Mark out a straight path for your feet.
Then those who follow you,
though they are weak & lame,
will not stumble & fall
but will become strong.
25 See to it that you obey God, the One who is speaking to you.
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
1b ...let us strip off every weight that slows us down,
especially the sin that easily hinders our progress.
And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.
2 We do this be keeping our eyes on Jesus,
on whom our faith depends from start to finish.
Quitting because you think you're too old,
or too sick,
or not smart enough,
or not experienced enough,
or not secure, mature, or wise enough,
or because you're _______________________ (you fill in the blank.)
God is saying in these verses 1 thing...
Pull yourself together,
& get on with what I've told you to be or do,
even though you don't think you can do it,
because I've got your back.
You can do it.
I will be with you.
Hebrews 12:12 So take a new grip with your tired hands
and stand form on your shaky legs.
13 Mark out a straight path for your feet.
Then those who follow you,
though they are weak & lame,
will not stumble & fall
but will become strong.
25 See to it that you obey God, the One who is speaking to you.
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
1b ...let us strip off every weight that slows us down,
especially the sin that easily hinders our progress.
And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.
2 We do this be keeping our eyes on Jesus,
on whom our faith depends from start to finish.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
a tough passage...
Matthew 19:1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went down to the region of Judea east of the Jordan River.
2 Large crowds followed him there, and he healed their sick.
3 Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question:
"Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?"
4 "Haven't you read the Scriptures?" Jesus replied.
"They record that from the beginning 'God made them male and female.'
5 And he said, 'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.'
6 Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together."
7 "Then why did Moses say in the law that a man could give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?" they asked.
8 Jesus replied, "Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts,
but it was not what God had originally intended.
9 And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery—unless his wife has been unfaithful.
And the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
10 Jesus' disciples then said to him, "If this is the case, it is better not to marry!"
11 "Not everyone can accept this statement," Jesus said. "Only those whom God helps.
12 Some are born as eunuchs,
some have been made eunuchs by others,
and some choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Let anyone accept this who can."
2 Large crowds followed him there, and he healed their sick.
3 Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question:
"Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?"
4 "Haven't you read the Scriptures?" Jesus replied.
"They record that from the beginning 'God made them male and female.'
5 And he said, 'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.'
6 Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together."
7 "Then why did Moses say in the law that a man could give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?" they asked.
8 Jesus replied, "Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts,
but it was not what God had originally intended.
9 And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery—unless his wife has been unfaithful.
And the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
10 Jesus' disciples then said to him, "If this is the case, it is better not to marry!"
11 "Not everyone can accept this statement," Jesus said. "Only those whom God helps.
12 Some are born as eunuchs,
some have been made eunuchs by others,
and some choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Let anyone accept this who can."
Monday, June 3, 2013
1 day @ a time
Hebrews 10:35-36
Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord,
no matter what happens.
Remember the great reward it brings you!
Patient endurance is what you need now,
so you will continue to do God's will.
Then you will receive all that He promised.
I wish I had time & space to tell you all that's behind these 2 verses for me.
Let me just say they are varied, multi-faceted, & multi-layered.
These 2 verses are 2 of a small group of verses I've carried in my heart for the last 6 or 7 years.
They are verses that have sustained me through the vagaries, highs, lows, certainties, confusion, cluelessness, & torment.
But what's more important is if & how these 2 verses speak to you.
Will you share with me if & how they do?
Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord,
no matter what happens.
Remember the great reward it brings you!
Patient endurance is what you need now,
so you will continue to do God's will.
Then you will receive all that He promised.
I wish I had time & space to tell you all that's behind these 2 verses for me.
Let me just say they are varied, multi-faceted, & multi-layered.
These 2 verses are 2 of a small group of verses I've carried in my heart for the last 6 or 7 years.
They are verses that have sustained me through the vagaries, highs, lows, certainties, confusion, cluelessness, & torment.
But what's more important is if & how these 2 verses speak to you.
Will you share with me if & how they do?
Saturday, June 1, 2013
let go
Matthew 16
24 Then Jesus said to the disciples,
If any of you wants to be my follower,
you must put aside your selfish ambition,
shoulder your cross,
& follow Me.
25 If your try to keep your life for yourself,
you will lose it.
But if you give up your life for Me,
you will find true life.
26 And how do you benefit if you gain the whole would
but lose your soul in the process?
Is anything worth more than your soul?
What are the nuts & bolts of this passage?
Essentially, if we hold on to control of our life, always trying to make things happen, always looking out for No. 1, we'll never have or know the life we've always wanted.
But, if we let go of control, if we let go of trying to make happen what WE think is best for our lives, & relinquish that control to God, He is then able to enact the dreams & purpose He dreamed & purposed for us a gajillion years ago when He dreamed of creating you & me.
How do we let go of that control?
We say yes to God in these things...
whatever...
whoever...
wherever...
whenever...
however.
Does saying yes to the "ever's in our life make it all neat & tidy?
No.
In fact, if we say yes to whatever God wants, life will pretty messy.
We'll end up being & doing things we'd thought we'd NEVER be or do.
But God will have our backs.
We might say, "but, but... what about what I want, what I dreamed?"
Which makes better sense?
trying to implement a life that we've tried to create? (btw, we're sinful & finite, limited by our own narrow vision, perspective, & understanding.)
or letting the God of the universes Who is infinite, holy, all powerful,& the very essence of love have free rein is us, His children, children He takes GREAT delight in.
Think about it...
Just sayin'...
24 Then Jesus said to the disciples,
If any of you wants to be my follower,
you must put aside your selfish ambition,
shoulder your cross,
& follow Me.
25 If your try to keep your life for yourself,
you will lose it.
But if you give up your life for Me,
you will find true life.
26 And how do you benefit if you gain the whole would
but lose your soul in the process?
Is anything worth more than your soul?
What are the nuts & bolts of this passage?
Essentially, if we hold on to control of our life, always trying to make things happen, always looking out for No. 1, we'll never have or know the life we've always wanted.
But, if we let go of control, if we let go of trying to make happen what WE think is best for our lives, & relinquish that control to God, He is then able to enact the dreams & purpose He dreamed & purposed for us a gajillion years ago when He dreamed of creating you & me.
How do we let go of that control?
We say yes to God in these things...
whatever...
whoever...
wherever...
whenever...
however.
Does saying yes to the "ever's in our life make it all neat & tidy?
No.
In fact, if we say yes to whatever God wants, life will pretty messy.
We'll end up being & doing things we'd thought we'd NEVER be or do.
But God will have our backs.
We might say, "but, but... what about what I want, what I dreamed?"
Which makes better sense?
trying to implement a life that we've tried to create? (btw, we're sinful & finite, limited by our own narrow vision, perspective, & understanding.)
or letting the God of the universes Who is infinite, holy, all powerful,& the very essence of love have free rein is us, His children, children He takes GREAT delight in.
Think about it...
Just sayin'...
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