Seeing is not always Believing. (Acts 4:4)

But many who heard the message believed. (NIV)

A little girl was afraid in her bedroom one night as a storm was brewing outside. She called out to her parents and her dad came in the room. “Daddy, I’m afraid!” She cried. Her dad put his arms around her and drew her to him and whispered in her ear, “Honey, you need not be afraid; Jesus is right here with you all the time.” To which she exclaimed, “Yeah, but I want somebody with a face!”

Don’t we all? I think the reason the majority of people never place their faith in Christ is due to that very reason; they want to see Him, look upon His face, as the song goes. There will come a day when Jesus will be seen by everyone, but the majority of us depend upon “seeing” Him by faith in Him. Jesus had ascended back to heaven and these people believed because they “heard” the message.

“Thomas,” Jesus said, “Blessed are you because you have seen Me, but more blessed are those who have not seen Me and yet believe in Me.”

Don't Kick Them When They Are Down

“If you were in my place I could also talk like you. I could string words together against you and shake my head at you, but I wouldn’t. I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation from my lips would bring relief.”  (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Well said Brother Job. His friends that we thought were coming to comfort him stabbed him in the heart. As if he was not in enough misery they blamed him for his condition just knowing he had done something terrible to God or he was the poster child for Hypocrites United.

We know what happened and why it happened but Job didn’t and neither did his accusers.

Remember that the next time you see someone suffering. Don’t think they “brought it on themselves” and somehow feel justified in your arrogant judgment like Job’s companions. Maybe it was something they did or did not do that put them in their place; but don’t kick them when they are down; try to lift them back up. Remember, Jesus did not come to condemn people but to save them; so let us not condemn either.

As Pure As It Gets

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”  (Matthew 5:8 NIV)

We went to lunch Sunday with a grandmother and her two grandsons, (Jack) is six and (Jake) is seven years old. As we were talking I asked (Jack) what his favorite subject in school was. “Recess” he said.

That is pure honesty; words spoken from the heart. He never hesitated or gave any thought as to how he should answer, he just answered. What happens as we get older? Where does the honest innocence go? You think maybe that was what Jesus had in mind when He said, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will NEVER enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Emphasis mine)

I never expected (Jack) to answer with recess but I should have. It was my favorite subject too! Wonder what I would have answered if (Jack) had asked me; “Pastor, what is the best thing you like about your job?” God knows what I would answer. How honest are you with God?

Genesis 1:3 The Beginning of Light

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

The first week of 2014 arrived quickly bringing with it plenty to do. I am looking forward to a great year! This year I am concentrating on the Father’s business. I have been about my business long enough. Jesus asked, “Did you not know I must be about My Father’s business?” This blog this year will deal with the Father’s business and not mine. Hope you like it.

First installment; the beginning of light. Darkness cannot exist where there is light. Darkness may surround light at a distance but at the point of light; there is no darkness. Until God brought light into existence there was just darkness; nothing could be seen. Then God created light and everything became visible. So don’t go about life stumbling around in spiritual darkness, come to the Light; Jesus. Then you will be able to see what it is that causes you to stumble.