(Jesus 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. (Matthew, 18:3 NKJV)
Glenda and I went to get groceries the other day and she got in line at the pharmacy to pick up our prescriptions. I went to get some other things while she waited. A mom was there with five kids. My wife is a child magnet so one of the little boys began to talk with her and then the others joined in. They told her their dad was at work and asked about her dad. He had gone to heaven she told them but it never registered with the little one, about three, what she had said. I showed up just at the end of her answer and the little boy asked her, “Is this your dad?” Everyone in line enjoyed that, except his mom of course! I laughed too and then told Glenda, “That is your compliment for the week.”
Kids not only say the darndest things they also say encouraging things. We often fail to listen to children carefully but Jesus listens to them. The faith of a child is as strong and in many ways more pure than that of some of us grown ups. The little guy saw my wife as a child even though she was taller than he was. He figured everyone has a dad like he does. Jesus says that even though we are grown up we must be “converted” to become as little children if we are to get into heaven. I think that is why He told Nicodemus that we must be “born again.” Our physical bodies have matured but our spirits need a new beginning in order to have a Heavenly Father. Everybody is Gods creation but not everybody is His child. To become His child we must have Him adopt us. Jesus is His only begotten Son, the rest of us came into the family by way of The Cross. Gods only begotten Son died on the Cross that we all could become His sons and daughters.
Is God your dad? Have you been adopted into His family? How does that happen? By believing in God and in Jesus as His only begotten Son. Asking God to forgive you and asking Christ to come into your heart and save you; giving rebirth to your spirit. You are never to young or never to old to be converted in order to become His child.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
The Ultimate Authority.
But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your bed and go home.” (Matthew 9:6 NASB)
The entire time that Jesus was here on earth He was constantly in conflict with those who considered themselves to be the authorities. The religious leaders of that day believed they were the supreme authority in matters relating to God. The majority of the people could not read or write so what they knew and understood about God was what the teachers of the law told them. It is obvious to us today as we read the Scriptures that many of the things the teachers told the people were their own opinions of what the Word actually stated. Jesus confronted them saying “You teach for doctrine the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:8)
When Jesus told the paralyzed man that day that his sins were forgiven the teachers were infuriated. No human had the right to forgive the sins of another human. They were right in that sense. What they were wrong about is that Jesus was not just human; He is also God. Therefore He healed the physical problem that the people and the leaders may know that He had the power to heal the spiritual ailment as well. They witnessed a paralytic walk at His word.
God did not come to earth just to heal our physical diseases and free folk from demonic possession. He came to heal the incurable disease of sin which results in eternal death. Jesus is the ultimate authority on forgiveness. With His own blood He purchased our redemption. This redemption is available to us now, while we are on this earth. We do not wait until we die in order to be forgiven. Jesus told Martha the sister of Lazarus, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). That is why God came to this earth to begin with so that we can leave this earth apart from sin by being forgiven of it. There is no forgiveness of sin after death. The Bible is clear in telling us that (John 8:23).
If you have never asked God to forgive you for your sins now would be a good time. Believe in Christ, open your heart up to Him and invite Him in. Just as He healed the paralytic that day He will forgive you this day. The preacher cannot forgive your sins; a priest has no authority to do it; only Jesus can, and will.
The entire time that Jesus was here on earth He was constantly in conflict with those who considered themselves to be the authorities. The religious leaders of that day believed they were the supreme authority in matters relating to God. The majority of the people could not read or write so what they knew and understood about God was what the teachers of the law told them. It is obvious to us today as we read the Scriptures that many of the things the teachers told the people were their own opinions of what the Word actually stated. Jesus confronted them saying “You teach for doctrine the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:8)
When Jesus told the paralyzed man that day that his sins were forgiven the teachers were infuriated. No human had the right to forgive the sins of another human. They were right in that sense. What they were wrong about is that Jesus was not just human; He is also God. Therefore He healed the physical problem that the people and the leaders may know that He had the power to heal the spiritual ailment as well. They witnessed a paralytic walk at His word.
God did not come to earth just to heal our physical diseases and free folk from demonic possession. He came to heal the incurable disease of sin which results in eternal death. Jesus is the ultimate authority on forgiveness. With His own blood He purchased our redemption. This redemption is available to us now, while we are on this earth. We do not wait until we die in order to be forgiven. Jesus told Martha the sister of Lazarus, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). That is why God came to this earth to begin with so that we can leave this earth apart from sin by being forgiven of it. There is no forgiveness of sin after death. The Bible is clear in telling us that (John 8:23).
If you have never asked God to forgive you for your sins now would be a good time. Believe in Christ, open your heart up to Him and invite Him in. Just as He healed the paralytic that day He will forgive you this day. The preacher cannot forgive your sins; a priest has no authority to do it; only Jesus can, and will.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Good Intentions Is Not Good Enough.
But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail. (Luke 22:32 NKJV)
Simon Peter had no idea that he was the target of a dastardly plan, like Job. I find it interesting that Satan never asked for Judas. The reason may have been that Judas had conceived the idea of betrayal himself and Satan took advantage of the opportunity. We know that Jesus knew what was in the heart of Judas and Peter (John 2:25). Peter had every good intention of sticking with Christ even if he should be killed for it. Or at least, he thought he would do it. Satan knows our weaknesses and can discern the intents of our hearts even though he is not all knowing. Satan knows that we are drawn away by our desires and enticed to sin against God (James 1:14). Our deep love and commitment to Jesus is not a guarantee that we will never be drawn away. Our righteousness is but filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Peter is an example of how human nature can override human desire. His desire was to die for Christ if necessary but fear caused him to deny Him. Peter had not the power within himself to overcome the sifting process. Neither do I, nor you.
I can think of nothing better than having Jesus pray for me! My faith, as far as I am concerned, is strong. The faith that I have in Christ that is, not in myself. If my faith is in my own ability to stay true to Jesus than I am setting myself up for failure (1 Corinthians 10:12). I was not saved by my own ability and I cannot stay saved by it. (Ephesians 2:8). Were it not for Jesus praying for me when Satan smells weakness in me I would not have the ability to overcome sin. Nothing can separate us from the love that Jesus has for us (Romans 8:39). A lot of things can separate us from the love we have Christ though if we are not careful. Peter could have deserted Christ that night, nevermore to return because of his guilt resulting from his failure. Peter could have been ashamed to go to Jesus after that because of all he had promised before, but because Jesus prayed for him his faith in Christ overcame his failure!
How about you today? Are you a disciple? Have you failed Christ? Has Satan sifted you? Is he sifting you now? Listen again to what Jesus says; “I have prayed for you.”
Simon Peter had no idea that he was the target of a dastardly plan, like Job. I find it interesting that Satan never asked for Judas. The reason may have been that Judas had conceived the idea of betrayal himself and Satan took advantage of the opportunity. We know that Jesus knew what was in the heart of Judas and Peter (John 2:25). Peter had every good intention of sticking with Christ even if he should be killed for it. Or at least, he thought he would do it. Satan knows our weaknesses and can discern the intents of our hearts even though he is not all knowing. Satan knows that we are drawn away by our desires and enticed to sin against God (James 1:14). Our deep love and commitment to Jesus is not a guarantee that we will never be drawn away. Our righteousness is but filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Peter is an example of how human nature can override human desire. His desire was to die for Christ if necessary but fear caused him to deny Him. Peter had not the power within himself to overcome the sifting process. Neither do I, nor you.
I can think of nothing better than having Jesus pray for me! My faith, as far as I am concerned, is strong. The faith that I have in Christ that is, not in myself. If my faith is in my own ability to stay true to Jesus than I am setting myself up for failure (1 Corinthians 10:12). I was not saved by my own ability and I cannot stay saved by it. (Ephesians 2:8). Were it not for Jesus praying for me when Satan smells weakness in me I would not have the ability to overcome sin. Nothing can separate us from the love that Jesus has for us (Romans 8:39). A lot of things can separate us from the love we have Christ though if we are not careful. Peter could have deserted Christ that night, nevermore to return because of his guilt resulting from his failure. Peter could have been ashamed to go to Jesus after that because of all he had promised before, but because Jesus prayed for him his faith in Christ overcame his failure!
How about you today? Are you a disciple? Have you failed Christ? Has Satan sifted you? Is he sifting you now? Listen again to what Jesus says; “I have prayed for you.”
Monday, March 5, 2012
C'mon Man.
There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look (Isaiah 53:2 The Message)
Last Wednesday, deemed Ash Wednesday by some denominations, David Sandoval sat down to eat dinner and to his amazement an image of Jesus had been formed in his tortilla. C’mon man! Today is my soapbox day and I would like to publish some of my thoughts about people seeing images of Christ in tortilla shells and some various other things. It is no wonder Christianity has lost its influence in American society and many others for that matter. Mr. Sandoval, how do you know what Jesus looked like? How do you know that image, and yes there is one there, does not look like Peter or Paul or perhaps Judas? Does anyone really know what Jesus looked like? Yep, God and those who lived in that day. The scriptures give us one account of what His physical appearance was like. Isaiah says He was not pretty so these pretty boy paintings are wrong. One translation says He was not a beauty, the King James says He had no comeliness. Meaning there was nothing special about His looks that caused people to come to Him. So why do we think He looked like He does in the paintings? Because some person said He did. Let’s just stick to what the Bible says about Him. Besides, there was one tall, dark handsome dude that became king of Israel, Saul, and you know how that turned out.
We need to focus on who Jesus is rather than what He looked like. Bowing to statues and kissing rings is not what Christ had in mind when He established His church. Elaborate paintings and imprints on shrouds or images on toast and tortillas is not what the Bible teaches we are to worship. It was His inner beauty that He wanted men to see. The Lord Jesus showed men the Father by what He did and He has commanded us to show society Himself by what we do. Mother Teresa was an image of Christ. Read up on what she did. She is an unlikely image of what men would expect. She is not to be worshipped and never asked to be. Jesus can be seen if you know where to look. He is in nature but He is not nature. His invisible attributes can be clearly seen by the things which are made. He can be seen in the nurses and aids in the nursing homes. He can be seen in the homeless shelters helping the residents. He can be seen in the rehab centers hugging and praying with addicts. He can be seen in the hospitals comforting those who are ill. He can be seen in the operating rooms using the hands that repair hearts. He can be seen in the jails and prisons praying with those on death row. He can be seen even in the church when we turn or focus on Him and not the preacher or the choir. Does the world see Christ in you? Are you projecting His image? Statues that cry tears and tortillas with burnt spots will not save mankind. The picture of Christ on the Cross in the Bible is what we need to look at.
Last Wednesday, deemed Ash Wednesday by some denominations, David Sandoval sat down to eat dinner and to his amazement an image of Jesus had been formed in his tortilla. C’mon man! Today is my soapbox day and I would like to publish some of my thoughts about people seeing images of Christ in tortilla shells and some various other things. It is no wonder Christianity has lost its influence in American society and many others for that matter. Mr. Sandoval, how do you know what Jesus looked like? How do you know that image, and yes there is one there, does not look like Peter or Paul or perhaps Judas? Does anyone really know what Jesus looked like? Yep, God and those who lived in that day. The scriptures give us one account of what His physical appearance was like. Isaiah says He was not pretty so these pretty boy paintings are wrong. One translation says He was not a beauty, the King James says He had no comeliness. Meaning there was nothing special about His looks that caused people to come to Him. So why do we think He looked like He does in the paintings? Because some person said He did. Let’s just stick to what the Bible says about Him. Besides, there was one tall, dark handsome dude that became king of Israel, Saul, and you know how that turned out.
We need to focus on who Jesus is rather than what He looked like. Bowing to statues and kissing rings is not what Christ had in mind when He established His church. Elaborate paintings and imprints on shrouds or images on toast and tortillas is not what the Bible teaches we are to worship. It was His inner beauty that He wanted men to see. The Lord Jesus showed men the Father by what He did and He has commanded us to show society Himself by what we do. Mother Teresa was an image of Christ. Read up on what she did. She is an unlikely image of what men would expect. She is not to be worshipped and never asked to be. Jesus can be seen if you know where to look. He is in nature but He is not nature. His invisible attributes can be clearly seen by the things which are made. He can be seen in the nurses and aids in the nursing homes. He can be seen in the homeless shelters helping the residents. He can be seen in the rehab centers hugging and praying with addicts. He can be seen in the hospitals comforting those who are ill. He can be seen in the operating rooms using the hands that repair hearts. He can be seen in the jails and prisons praying with those on death row. He can be seen even in the church when we turn or focus on Him and not the preacher or the choir. Does the world see Christ in you? Are you projecting His image? Statues that cry tears and tortillas with burnt spots will not save mankind. The picture of Christ on the Cross in the Bible is what we need to look at.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Where you at?
And many believed in Him there (John 10:42, New King James Version).
Hey you! Yeah, you, the one that just opened this e-mail message, this blog, or picked up this paper to read it. Did you know that you are in a very special place right at this moment? Well, you are. Where were you this time yesterday? How about the day before? Those were special places too. I bet you did not even realize how special a place can be. Look again at what John said about the people that day. Where was there? John says it was across the Jordan from Jerusalem at the place where John the Baptist had baptized people unto repentance. Fasten your seat belt now as it’s going to get bumpy! The people that were “there” that day, the place they were at, was “here” to them. Where you are right now is there to me! You are there; I am here. Got it? Good. Here comes the point.
You can place your belief in Christ right where you are; now. You do not have to be in church or a tent meeting. Just as Christ went to where those people were, He is where you are right now! Yeah, really! He is where I am and where you are all at the same time. Only God could pull that off. Some of them in Jerusalem, where He was to start with, were getting ready to stone Him to death for what I just wrote! God was with them; in Christ. Because He told them that He was God were grounds enough for them to kill Him. Do you believe He is God? Do you believe He can be in heaven and with you at the same time? Believe it, because He is. He is with me here and now as I type this and He is with you there right now as you read it. WOW! So go ahead, right where you are and believe in Him. After all if you go somewhere else, there you will be.
Hey you! Yeah, you, the one that just opened this e-mail message, this blog, or picked up this paper to read it. Did you know that you are in a very special place right at this moment? Well, you are. Where were you this time yesterday? How about the day before? Those were special places too. I bet you did not even realize how special a place can be. Look again at what John said about the people that day. Where was there? John says it was across the Jordan from Jerusalem at the place where John the Baptist had baptized people unto repentance. Fasten your seat belt now as it’s going to get bumpy! The people that were “there” that day, the place they were at, was “here” to them. Where you are right now is there to me! You are there; I am here. Got it? Good. Here comes the point.
You can place your belief in Christ right where you are; now. You do not have to be in church or a tent meeting. Just as Christ went to where those people were, He is where you are right now! Yeah, really! He is where I am and where you are all at the same time. Only God could pull that off. Some of them in Jerusalem, where He was to start with, were getting ready to stone Him to death for what I just wrote! God was with them; in Christ. Because He told them that He was God were grounds enough for them to kill Him. Do you believe He is God? Do you believe He can be in heaven and with you at the same time? Believe it, because He is. He is with me here and now as I type this and He is with you there right now as you read it. WOW! So go ahead, right where you are and believe in Him. After all if you go somewhere else, there you will be.
Monday, February 13, 2012
It's A Love Thing
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal (1 Corinthians 13:1, New King James Version).
Valentines Day 2012 is upon us. Candy and flowers, jewelry and cards line the aisles of local stores. TV commercials bid us warning that if we guys forget to express our love and appreciation to our gals we will end up bunking with the hound. In reality we should express our love and appreciation for them everyday, not just on February 14th.
When I read this verse I take it as saying; I may use eloquent speech so pleasing to the ears that one will think an angel is speaking to them, but if Christ does not dwell in my heart then the best intended words will be just that; words. You do know that is what Paul means, right? Having Christ in our hearts? The word he used for love is agape in Greek. That specific word describes Gods love. The same word that Jesus used in John 3:16. The same word He used when He said, “I want You to love them just as You love Me, and in order to accomplish it, I will be in them.” My own translation of St. John 17:26. We use the English word “love” loosely. I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and oh yes; fried chicken! I love my wife and kids too. The word sounds the same when it leaves my lips but in my heart it carries more weight for my wife and kids. If I did not have Christ in my heart to back up my declaration of love for them my words would not carry the same weight. After all I loved my job with my former employer; but I left it. I loved the folk I worked with; but I left them. My mom and dad loved me; but they died and left me. The point here is this: the best love I have for them will never match the love that Christ has for them. My love is temporary because it is human and humans change and die. Gods love never changes and it never dies. Jesus has always been the same and always will be.
So guys let your sweetie know that you love her. Gals, you do the same thing. Because God started this “love thing” and poured Himself into it to the extent that He allowed His heart to be pierced by a spear on a Roman Cross that He may gain yours.
Valentines Day 2012 is upon us. Candy and flowers, jewelry and cards line the aisles of local stores. TV commercials bid us warning that if we guys forget to express our love and appreciation to our gals we will end up bunking with the hound. In reality we should express our love and appreciation for them everyday, not just on February 14th.
When I read this verse I take it as saying; I may use eloquent speech so pleasing to the ears that one will think an angel is speaking to them, but if Christ does not dwell in my heart then the best intended words will be just that; words. You do know that is what Paul means, right? Having Christ in our hearts? The word he used for love is agape in Greek. That specific word describes Gods love. The same word that Jesus used in John 3:16. The same word He used when He said, “I want You to love them just as You love Me, and in order to accomplish it, I will be in them.” My own translation of St. John 17:26. We use the English word “love” loosely. I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and oh yes; fried chicken! I love my wife and kids too. The word sounds the same when it leaves my lips but in my heart it carries more weight for my wife and kids. If I did not have Christ in my heart to back up my declaration of love for them my words would not carry the same weight. After all I loved my job with my former employer; but I left it. I loved the folk I worked with; but I left them. My mom and dad loved me; but they died and left me. The point here is this: the best love I have for them will never match the love that Christ has for them. My love is temporary because it is human and humans change and die. Gods love never changes and it never dies. Jesus has always been the same and always will be.
So guys let your sweetie know that you love her. Gals, you do the same thing. Because God started this “love thing” and poured Himself into it to the extent that He allowed His heart to be pierced by a spear on a Roman Cross that He may gain yours.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Got Fear?
Even if God kills me, I have hope in him. (Job 13:15 NCV)
The headline in the local paper read At a Loss. A local general store had been destroyed by fire the night before. A picture of an employee standing in the midst of charred debris was on the front page. For a moment I tried to imagine what he must have felt or thought. A day earlier he had been working there and now he was surveying what must have looked like a trash dump. Then I began to think how I would feel if that would have been my house and a picture of me standing there. Scary thought. I immediately prayed for protection for me and my family!
Then this verse of Scripture came to my mind. It was as if the Holy Spirit was reminding me of how temporary earthly things are. Most of you know the story of Job and of all his loss. Job had the right mindset in regards to his catastrophes never losing his trust in God. Oh, he questioned it all as any of us would but in the end came to understand that even if God had told him why, which He did not do, it would have still been more than Job could understand.
What is your greatest fear? Losing your health? Losing your job? Losing your family? Losing your home and property? Losing your life? How about losing your soul? Jesus said we should be more concerned about our soul than anything else we have. Job lost everything but his life and his soul and yet trusted enough in God that even if God killed him, he would still be okay. Can you say that today? If you can than you have peace that surpasses all understanding. Perfect love drives fear out of our minds and God is perfect. His love for us is far above anything we can imagine but His promises in His word are as real as the words on the page. Fear, worry, and doubt are miserable companions. Ditch them; for Jesus!
The headline in the local paper read At a Loss. A local general store had been destroyed by fire the night before. A picture of an employee standing in the midst of charred debris was on the front page. For a moment I tried to imagine what he must have felt or thought. A day earlier he had been working there and now he was surveying what must have looked like a trash dump. Then I began to think how I would feel if that would have been my house and a picture of me standing there. Scary thought. I immediately prayed for protection for me and my family!
Then this verse of Scripture came to my mind. It was as if the Holy Spirit was reminding me of how temporary earthly things are. Most of you know the story of Job and of all his loss. Job had the right mindset in regards to his catastrophes never losing his trust in God. Oh, he questioned it all as any of us would but in the end came to understand that even if God had told him why, which He did not do, it would have still been more than Job could understand.
What is your greatest fear? Losing your health? Losing your job? Losing your family? Losing your home and property? Losing your life? How about losing your soul? Jesus said we should be more concerned about our soul than anything else we have. Job lost everything but his life and his soul and yet trusted enough in God that even if God killed him, he would still be okay. Can you say that today? If you can than you have peace that surpasses all understanding. Perfect love drives fear out of our minds and God is perfect. His love for us is far above anything we can imagine but His promises in His word are as real as the words on the page. Fear, worry, and doubt are miserable companions. Ditch them; for Jesus!
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