What do You Have?

“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? – James 2:14

Have you ever watched a bird make a nest, or seen a beaver build a dam across a flowing river?  They each have an inherent knowledge and persistent need to build nests, dams and lodging for their safety and security from wildlife, man and the elements.  The environment around them become their resources.  Twigs, branches, leaves, mud, stone and even paper and other debris if it fits the specific purpose.  They use whatever they have or can find to meet the needs of their life, not through what they have learned or been taught.  There is no school for nest building that every hatchling must attend.  The beaver isn’t sent to 3 years of engineering school to know how to architect a dam across a 20 foot wide river, or to build a 3 bedroom home along the shores of a pond.  This intelligence, passion and desire are inherent in the mind of these beautiful creatures.

God has put wisdom, knowledge and an inherent passion into your mind and heart as well.  So many of us sit on the sides and watch others taking on the task of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, using the excuse “It’s not my gift.”, “I don’t know how” or “I’m waiting to hear from God”  There is no reason to sit on the sidelines and wait upon the Lord.  Everything you need to serve God is built into your personality, your mind and your heart.  Inherent in each of us is the knowledge and wisdom to build the kingdom for the Lord.  It might be a small part, it might be a large, very prominent, highly visible part; but it all starts with you not with God.

God created within you a passion, a desire – the things you like and are driven by.  These inherent gifts help define your place in His plan.  Perhaps it is in the area of childcare, perhaps in the area of teaching, perhaps singing or playing an instrument.  For some it is writing and others it is painting.  Some are driven to speak in front of large audiences; some are drawn to acts of service and helping others achieve their ministry.  In today’s technologically advanced world many are finding their passions and natural tendencies to use that technology as a tool through graphic arts, social media and leadership.  What is it that you have available to you to serve God Almighty?  He’s given you everything you need and the decision lies with you to take action and do something with what He has given you.

Much like the birds and the beavers and so many other animals we observe.  They know how to use those things around them for a bigger purpose.  The nest, the beaver lodge, the log or the cave are all forms of shelter and security as well as places for nurturing and growing their babies. Look around, take an inventory and discover those things God has given you that could make a difference in another person’s life and at the same time demonstrate God’s love to that person.  It is one thing to say that you believe in Jesus Christ and that you have faith in God’s redeeming spirit; but living it out in your actions demonstrates that to the world around you.  Faith with works is far better than faith without works.  Consider that in James we are told, “… Even the demons believe in God.” (James 2:19)  Faith alone nor works alone will get you to heaven, it is a combination and living out His purpose alongside of faith that is asked of you and I.  Start today by taking an inventory of those things in your heart, mind and your abilities that you can use for the Lord.  Then start doing rather than talking.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
You have made us perfectly for Your purpose.  You have instilled within each of us the inherent desire and passion to serve You in one way or another.  Help us to identify these gifts and to discover a manner in which to use them to glorify You.  Everything we have comes from Your grace and mercy upon us, and the least we can do in turn is to offer it back to You in our service.  In Your name we pray – Amen


http://www.10minutereader.com

©Sondove Enterprises, 2011

Be Content in Life

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." " - Hebrew 13:5
The world will teach you that the more we have the easier life is. There is a presupposition that to be content one must live without problems, worries and strife. Certainly, if I wake in the morning, stumble to the bathroom with a warm shower, toothbrush and paste; and then proceed to the kitchen to make myself some eggs, toast and a cup of coffee; then I am considered one of the wealthiest people in the world. Consider that billions of people live in remote areas, mountain villages with no electricity and outdoor plumbing. Hundreds of thousands if not millions of people are living in metropolitan cities around the globe, with not place to call home, no place to lay their head at night or brush their teeth in the morning. This is eye opening when we truly grasp the justice of humanity on a global basis.

Now, look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself - are you content with your life and what you have? I'm sure there are things you are doing without, and sacrifices you have made, especially in these tumultuous economic times. Consider though, that many of the folks living in the rain forests and mountain villages and under the overpasses in London, New York and Sydney, are content in their situation. How is this possible given how little they have? Perhaps they have found contentment beyond worldly possessions; perhaps they know true contentment of the Lord.

Paul teaches us throughout his writings in the New Testament that we are to be content in knowing that the Lord is with us and that He loves us regardless of our status in life, our possessions or our 401k portfolio. His love, grace and mercy should be sufficient for our contentment in life, shouldn't it? I mean when you really think about this life, there will come a day when it is over and eternity begins. Knowing that because of Jesus Christ and His blood shed for our salvation we are given a seat in God Almighty's perfect heaven. This is all that really matters in life. Sure, there are issues in our lives every day that we are dealing with, but none of which can remove God's grace from our life. Contentment does not come from being problem free and financially set for life. True contentment comes from knowing that your life is in the scarred hands of the Savior of the world and your name is written in the Lamb's book of life.

PRAYER:Lord,Almighty, awesome Father. We come before you seeking humility, contentment and wisdom. Grant us the humility to realize just how blessed we are in life, and to seek those opportunities to share our wealth with others who may be even less fortunate. Help us to find contentment in You Lord, and not in earthly things. Help us to steer clear of idols - be it money, possessions, status or greed - and focus our eyes upon Your bounty. Bestow wisdom upon each of Lord, that we might see through Your eyes the corruption, pride, greed and selfishness that pressures each of us to the world's view. Thank you heavenly Father for Your grace and mercy, that through the blood of Jesus Christ, we might have the ultimate reward in heaven one day. Help us to be strong as Paul, Peter and the others were strong; for to live for You is all the contentment we need. - Amen

http://www.10minutereader.com

©Sondove Enterprises, 2011

I'm Going Fishing

“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. – John 21:3

It is so easy to drift back to the area of comfort and security in life.  Leading up to Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday many of us were focused on the most important event in the Christian church – the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord – Jesus Christ.  What a glorious event to celebrate and take a hold of, for through belief and faith in this we find redemption, salvation and enter into His grace.  The problem I have seen this week though is that life can immediately overwhelms us once again if we are not careful.

Peter and the other disciples, having observed the crucifixion of their Lord and Savior and having seen the empty tomb, come to the shore ready to get back to work.  I must believe that the events they had just lived through left them somewhat confused and uncertain about what lie ahead.  These men were fishermen before Christ had called them “Follow Me”, and therefore it was in their blood.  The last few years had been filled with learning from the Master, fellowshipping with Him daily and never worrying about where their provisions might come from.  Consider, that in no circumstance does the scriptures discuss how the disciples made a living over that period of walking with the Lord.  Yet, we see multiple times where Jesus met their needs for food, nourishment and a place for rest.  It must have come to the disciples that after His death, they must get back to their work once again in order to put food on their table and make a livelihood for themselves.

Secondly, I believe they must have been saddened and felt somewhat abandoned by the death of their Master, their friend.  In Zechariah (13:7) it speaks of striking the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.  The disciples of Jesus Christ on the eve of His crucifixion were scattered amongst the hills of Jerusalem.  Each his separate way, lost, abandoned and feeling helpless against the Romans and the powerful leaders of the Jewish nation at that time.  Peter more so than others, for he had swore to Jesus that he would not turn away from his Lord, but would fight to the death.  Now here he was; after seeing his Savior beaten, scourged, crucified, buried and resurrected; feeling ashamed for his inability to stand up for Jesus Christ when confronted.

Finally, as they pursue their livelihood in the manner that was second nature to all of them, they caught nothing.  These men had been fishermen before Christ called them.  It was in their blood and they had learned the trait for years prior to His ministry in their life.  They knew how to fish and provide for their families.  Yet, here we read of their adventure on the open water coming up empty, completely void of any catch whatsoever.  Not a single fish is harvested from their efforts doing what they knew how to do.  In the following verses though (John 21:5-6) Jesus calls to them and tells them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat.  Following His instructions, they haul in an extraordinary large harvest of fish.  It is then that they realize that it is Jesus upon the shore calling to them. 

Here we find man trying to do it his way and coming up empty and an abundance when we listen to the righteous way of the Lord.  We also see that even post death and resurrection that Jesus Christ is taking care of the needs of His sheep as we are seeking His work in our lives.  It is not known why the scriptures mention casting the net to the right side of the boat, but one may interpret that to mean the righteousness of God.  For when we are working within His righteousness, as fishermen of souls the harvest will be plentiful.  When we are working within our own ways and the ways of the world, we will come up empty.  The ways of the Lord are given to us through His word.  The scriptures are the teachings and directions for our life, and when we are applying these in our daily walk with God, the impact on the world is tremendous, larger than we could have ever imagined. 

Just because Easter has come and gone does not mean we are to fall back to the worldly ways of life.  No far be it from us to try to take on this life alone, within our own means.  God has provided for us a path to righteousness and His word as a tool for expanding His kingdom on this earth.  It is easy to become complacent and habitual about our life plans, but I implore you to break out of that mold and cast your nets with the righteousness of the Lord and His word.  In doing so, He will use you to bring real change into this world, change with an eternal impact.

Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for Your word.  Thank You for providing for our needs and giving us the bread of life to partake in.  Help us to feel complete in doing Your work in this life, fulfilled in living for You through our daily actions.  We look to You for guidance and sustenance in our daily walk, for through You all righteousness flows, that we might share with others in Your name.  We ask these things, in Your name we pray – Amen


http://www.10minutereader.com

©Sondove Enterprises, 2011

I Am a New Thing

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:19

Born again?  When Nicodemus came to Jesus and asked “How can a man be born when he is old.  Certainly he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb” (John 3:4)  When you were born, you came into this world having spent 40 weeks developing in your mother’s womb.  You drew blood, nutrients and oxygen through your mother’s umbilical cord as your body developed from a single egg.  Within days that egg, once fertilized, split into two cells, then four, then 8, 16, 32, . . . . and so on.  With each doubling of the cell count, God’s hand was forming different parts of who you would become.  Your nose, eyes, hands and feet became perfectly formed the way He so chose, based on what He had in mind for your life.  Eventually hair follicles grew and eyebrows, lips and finger nails – He made you exactly the way He wanted to.  You did not do this, nor did your mother or father.  Certainly, they started the process, but God created you.

At the point of birth though, you began a journey that reacted to the stimuli of the world.  You cry, you laugh, your personality was formed based on the love, compassion and struggles of your infant years.  As your brain gathered data from your surroundings, God’s original Masterpiece was being transformed into something less perfect by His standard.  The world was your university and where your knowledge was drawn from.  The more you learned from those around you, the less you listened to God inside of you.  Therefore the separation you feel from the Holy One is creating the tension in your life.  You have experienced perfection and your mind knows the original feeling of being held in the God’s hand.  The time you spent with Him during the creative process inside the womb formed your original thoughts and dependencies.  Life is a struggle because you realize there is more than what this world can offer you.

God is the only one who can fill that burning desire in your heart for more.  Money, fame, prosperity, sex, drugs, adrenaline and other people cannot fill that void.  For you see God wants to re-create within you a new thing once again.  Now that you are older and have formed your own perspective on life and views of the world, He wants to build upon the passion that He put inside of you.  Only God can draw this purpose from you.  What He put in your heart and mind can be drawn upon to fulfill a purpose that He designed from your original creation. 

How can a man be born a second time?  By accepting and acknowledging God as the sole creator and Lord of your life.  It is not a physical re-birth, but a psychological and mental re-birth.  Giving of one’s self to God Almighty, to be used for His original intent and to live for Him rather than for the world.  This is the new thing He will create, this is the re-birth of a child of God.  Haven’t you been sitting on the sidelines long enough, wondering what you should do with your life?  It completely rests in your hands to make that decision today.  Accept Jesus Christ as God’s only Son, sent to save the world from our sins, and create a way for us to live eternally with God the Father.  Accept Him as Savior and Lord of your life, and give Him back control, so He can use your life as it was intended from the beginning.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
I give to You my life.  I recognize that You created me for a purpose and in that purpose You have chosen me to expand Your kingdom.  Help me to realize what You would have for me to do with the one and only life You have given to me.  Take me back to the original passion that You instilled in me during my creation.  Help me to see it clearly and give me the passion and desire to pursue it with full trust in You.  I love You for seeing a Masterpiece within my brokenness and I long to live for You.  In Your name we pray – Amen


http://www.10minutereader.com

©Sondove Enterprises, 2011

He's Still Risen.

“But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet.”  – John 20:11-12

Nope, He’s not in the tomb.  The Garden Tomb just outside of the old city of Jerusalem is believed to be the burial tomb of Jesus Christ.  If you haven’t been there, it is literally a stone’s throw from Golgotha, the hill on which crucifixions were held in first century Jerusalem.  There are no grave stones stating “Here lies Jesus Christ” or “Jesus of Nazareth, Born to Mary, Died by Crucifixion” – no, nothing of the sort.  We have the biblical description of the hill on which Jesus was crucified (John 19:17) as looking like a “skull”, with eye sockets and a nose socket hollowed out of the stone.  Looking upon the traditional site of “Gordon’s Golgotha” one can easily see the perspective referenced in John 19:17.  Further in John’s gospel we find the description of Jesus burial tomb.  In John 19:41, it states: “At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.”  This indicates that the tomb and the crucifixion hill were close to each other.  The archeological find in the 19^th century of this tomb (known as the Garden Tomb) has been excavated to also find a garden area and a wine press dating back to the first century.  According to the scriptures (John 19:38), Joseph of Arimathea owned the tomb by which Jesus would be buried.  By historical records, Joseph was a wealthy man of the time, which goes in line with the owner of this “Garden Tomb” having a garden and wine press.  For this was not something in first century Jerusalem that was of commoners, but only the wealthy. 

It has been argued time and time again as people have sought to prove that Christ has risen, and other’s have sought to prove that He has not.  For you see, the entire Christian faith hinges on this one belief – “Jesus Christ rose from the dead and is seated at the right hand of God.”  His burial place is not critical to the Christian though.  Sure, it is a place of reflection and deepening thought, and I highly suggest that if you have the opportunity to visit Israel, please find time to visit the Garden Tomb, as well as many other sights affiliated with His life.  But, more importantly, I ask you to see Jesus Christ right where you are in life.  For it is not in seeing His tomb, or the place of His birth, or Golgotha that draw us to the Messiah.  It is so much more.

In John 20:12, we see Mary Magdalene, glancing into the empty tomb on that first resurrection Sunday.  It says she “saw” 2 angels in white sitting there.  In the original Greek, the term in this scripture is;  “theōrei”, means to observe, not to physically see.  An example would be, when you look at a newly married couple, you might say, “I can see they love each other.”   You don’t actually see it, but based on their actions and their emotions you can sense it.  Mary’s response is one of action though.  What she had encountered was beyond the realm of her understanding, but she knew that Jesus had spoken to her.  She immediately went to the disciples and told them.

We all have this same gift.  We do not physically need to see Jesus Christ standing amongst us in order to know that He is with us, guiding us and instructing us in life.  This message that “He is Risen” rings just as true today as it did 1,984 years ago.  Not because the Garden Tomb does not have a body inside, or because it is within walking distance to Golgotha, but because He said it was so.  If we believe the Holy Bible to be God’s Holy word, truthful and complete in it’s entirety than the words of John 20 and John 21 are the foundations of our faith.  We believe that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and is alive in our hearts today, just as much as He was in the hearts of Mary and the other disciples back then. 

Prayer:
Heavenly Father
Thank You for Your continued pouring out of love upon the hearts of mankind.  Despite our ability to reject You, and turn from You, Your grace has always been there for each of us to grab a hold of.  Let us not be caught up in the parade of proving Your love, but rather to live in it and let it overwhelm us right where we are.  You have promised to  return and draw us home one day and in that day we will see the Son seated by Your side.  All proof will be null and void at that time, for we will be living in it.  What a glorious day.  In Your name we pray – Amen


http://www.10minutereader.com

©Sondove Enterprises, 2011

Passion Week: It Just Takes Faith

"..."Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! " - Luke 24:5b-6

Happy Easter - He is Risen

The Garden Tomb - Thomas Kincade

"These are the days that make grown men cry." I don't recall where I heard that, or when but wow it so much represents the last week for me. I don't know, perhaps I am becoming an sentimental old man, or perhaps I have come to the stage in my life where I can appreciate all that God has done for me.

The Easter story is one that most people have heard at one point or another in their life. There is always that point when a child looks up at Mom and Dad and wants to know what Easter is about. Some parents will say, "It's a celebration of Spring." others may say, "It is a Pagan holiday for the Moon Goddess and the Sun God Baal and their son Tammuz." These are nothing but distractions brought on by Satan through man to confuse the real purpose for the celebration. Don't allow these to distract you from the fact that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and has defeated evil. Satan rejoiced 1,981 years ago, for 2 days. Since the third day, when Christ rose from the grave, he has been on the attack to confuse, distract and mislead you, me and every other person in history.

There is authentically documented proof of several New Testament writings from Paul and others that clearly state the events of Christ's resurrection. Paul's letters to the city of Corinth (53 to 57 AD) as well as his letters to the church of Galatia (48 to 57 AD). At the time of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection Paul (known as Saul from Tarsus) was a studied Pharisee. He spent many years after the resurrection over-seeing the arrest of "Believers" and even killing some. Yet, through a personal face to face experience with Jesus Christ, became the most prolific and profound apostle for the Son of God. His writings clearly articulate the love, grace and redemptive power of Christ's death and resurrection.

Paul, spent the remainder of his life professing his faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, Messiah and Savior of the all man-kind. Imprisoned, beaten, tried and tortured for his beliefs and his writings, he kept going for more than 30 years. A studied Jew, a Roman citizen, and the most prolific Christian missionary of all time. What made this man continue to profess the gospel of Jesus Christ all the way to his death? He traveld by foot of by ship all around the Mediterranean Sea spreading the Good News. This is just one example of a man who took on the will of God and did everything in his capability to live it and spread it to all the corners of the earth.

As you celebrate the hope, the joy and the grace of our Savior on this "Resurrection Sunday" ask yourself this one question:

"What am I going to do today, tomorrow and for the rest of my life to spread the Good News?"

After you've eaten the jelly beans and the chocolate and watched the Final Four, there is no more important thing for you to do today.

http://www.10minutereader.com

©Sondove Enterprises, 2011

Passion Week: Don't Seal Him In.

"(Pharisees to Pilate) So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first."" - Matthew 27:64



Rich Palmer at the Western Wall (remains of 1st century temple)

 In John 2:19, we see Jesus Christ making claims to the Jewish leaders, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in 3 days." There are 10 other references in the New Testament to Jesus being raised from the dead on the Third day. It's important to remember that the definition of a day was from dusk to dusk; eg. Saturday would start at 6PM (or so) on what we today call Friday. When there is a reference to the hour of day, it is started from daybreak (6AM or so). So in Luke 23 we see reference to the whole land going dark from the 6th hour to the 9th hour. This would represent Noon to 3PM (by our 21st century clocks).

Carefully watch the timeline. He did not say 72 hours, but on the third day. Crucified and buried before sunset (1st day - Nisan 15th); Sabbath (2nd day - Nisan 16th); the tomb is empty in the morning at daybreak (3rd day - Nisan 17th). If someone were counting the hours it would seem that it were only a day and a 1/2 (3PM on a Friday to 6AM on Sunday) and they would be accurate. But it is clearly the third day that Jesus rose from the grave.

To this day there are skeptics, like the Pharisees of that day, that are not able to embrace the resurrection of Jesus Christ for fear of giving up their own authority and knowledge to accept something by faith. It is stated that Pharisees believe in the resurrection of the soul in eternity after the Messiah comes. So there was an inherient fear in the Pharisees and Chief Priests that Jesus was who he said he was, based on his statements of rising on the third day. In their minds, they had to be questioning their actions over the last week. Had they really killed the Son of God? What eternal destiny was there for them if this were true? Sealing of the grave and putting guards on watch would ensure their empowerment going forward.

Through out the New Testament we find evidence of Jewish leaders and Pharisees that come to an acceptance of the resurrection and grace of Jesus Christ. These included Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea (member of Sanhedrin), Saul (Paul the Apostle) and other Pharisees as shown in Acts 15:5. What the others tried to control and put in place was to deal with the intervention of other humans. God ways are not of this world and His plan is going to take place on His timeline. We are much like the Pharisees of that day in trying to control our own lives, rather than accepting the life God has destined us for. Take this day before the glorious day of resurrection to reflect on what is it that God wants you to be doing for His kingdom. Don't mold it to fit your knowledge or authority and don't seal it off to control it. Embrace His plan and you will find a world that is in need of what you have to offer. Be Blessed.

Passion Week: Good Friday - Just a Dream, Right?

“"When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!""
- Matthew 27:54

The day started like every day leading up to it. As the alarm clock echoed through his semi-conscious mind, he squinted through muscle strained eyes to find the snooze button. Fumbling over the panel of buttons, his fingers instinctively find the oval button and the alarm comes to an end. Rolling back to rest his head upon the pillow, his eyes finding that comfortable rest once again. His mind realizing there is only 20 minutes of slumber left, so slumber best come quickly. As his breathing calms and he drifts into the comfort of sleep, he is shaken with the rippling crash of thunder and crack of lightning fills his vision with a blinding light.

Swinging his legs from the bed his feet touch the ground, literally - the dirt of the earth. Moving his toes, trying to make sense of his surroundings, finding dirt and stone beneath the calloused soles of his feet. Running his fingers through his hair, finding it knotted and longer than he remembered. His eyes opening to rationalize his environment and the confusion increases as he takes in the humble surroundings. A small wooden table, a plaster pitcher and cup, a wooden cot covered by a worn grey blanket, an oil lamp at the foot of his cot next to a heavy white cloth piled next to a pair of wooden and leather sandals. The chilling wind of the morning storm blows through the chiseled window opening in the stone wall, as he realizes his near naked state, other than a simple white cloth at his loins. Shaking his head and closing his eyes trying to reset his mind from this dreamlike state. Opening them once again to the same surroundings, confusion sets in. Realizing that his wife is no longer next to him in bed, but he is alone in this room. Lightning cracks through the dark sky once again, lighting the room through the cracks in the wooden ceiling.

Rising to his feet, he moves to the window and glances down to the stone road below and seeing oil lamps burning in small stone and wooden dwellings all around him. He sees a large fire burning in the distance, with bodies huddling around it. Hearing a rooster crowing as the thinnest silver lining of sunlight highlights the horizon. Stepping back to the cot, taking the white cloth and draping it over his shoulder and around his body, he secures it with a loose rope at the waist. He ties the sandals to his feet and taking the oil lamp he steps from the single room dwelling onto the smooth stone road. Seeking the attention of another for nothing more than to inquire of time and place, but no one is found. Stepping to a fire stick on a stand near the road, he lights his oil lamp. Lifting it in front, he lights his path as he ventures out on a trek toward the gathering by the fire in the distance.

As he nears the gathering of individuals, there is an excitement in the air. He hears them talking, in a language other than his native English. He draws close to an elderly gentlemen and begins to explain, “I am from America – what is this place?” The gentlemen jerks away and begins scolding him in a foreign language, which sounds vaguely like the Greek he recalls from his trip to Athens several years ago. The older man walks away, mumbling under his breath. Our American confused and helpless wanders with the flow of others, pleading with those around him for an explanation. Their reaction much like the previous, although some speaking other languages.

The sun is now above the horizon and the fire has calmed to a few burning embers. The crowds are filling the streets as if something big was about to happen. Trying to catch his thoughts and piece all of this together, he sees a bearded man, dressed in a brown robe standing near a column. His eyes show his deep emotion, obviously saddened, yet shifty and scared at the same time. Something about his stare sinks deep within the American’s conscious. Then, there came a commotion from down the street. People yelling, cheering and clapping. He stands by the fire a few moments longer and finds a piece of bread left behind. Taking it he chews slowly, feeling famished for some reason. The crowd thinned as they began following the parade through the narrow stone streets.

His curiosity had the best of him. He fell into line near the back of the crowd. Unable to communicate he had no idea what was going on far ahead of them at the front of this sea of people. Looking around at the faces of those in his view, he saw anger, fear and jealousy. He watched as they screamed, raised their fists in the air and spit upon the stone street. Looking down, he couldn’t help but notice the trail of blood painting the center stones as he walks along. Nearing the end of the row of buildings and seeing a clearing in the distance, he sees a woman kneeling, sobbing and clutching a cloth to her bosom. His heart cries out for her obvious pain and anguish. Stopping near her, he kneels, lifting her chin to reveal the tear stained cheeks and soft brown eyes. He speaks in an attempt to understand her pain, “What is it miss…what is this that is going on?” He motions with his hand to the swarming crowds that have moved into the distance. Then a younger man comes along, helping her to her feet, chastising our American once again in a foreign language.

Hearing pounding and screaming in the distance, he is immediately reminded of the crowds and the parade. He rises to his feet once again and moves along the narrow stone streets with the few stragglers. Pushing past the buildings, the bright sun blinding him momentarily. He is faced with a large stone wall running parallel to the road they are on. He sees where the road curves and exits through a large wooden gate. There is yelling, laughing and cheering on the other side of the wall, in addition to the faint sound of painful screaming. As he and those around him pass through the gate, there is a stone quarry and rolling hill just to their right.

As his eyes adjust to the sunlight, he is taken aback by the unbelievable sight before him. Atop the hill were 3 crosses, with men hanging upon them. His mind putting the pieces together race through the morning’s events and all of a sudden it hits him. Slowly he lifts his face, his eyes scanning the crowd, then centering on the cross in the middle. Many years ago, he recalls hearing the story of Easter, and he remembered enough to know that Jesus Christ was in the center. He continued walking up the hill side, but for some reason could not shift his eyes from the disfigured body of Jesus of Nazareth hanging on a cross. He neared the top of the hill and there was that woman and young man kneeling at the cross. This had to be Mary, mother of Jesus, with one of his disciples.

Then from nowhere he heard something, a voice speaking in plain English, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” How could this be? Somehow, he is in 1st century Jerusalem, watching the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and hearing him speak in plain English. Looking up at the bleeding man, he sees his eyes. They are red with broken blood vessels, disgusting to look upon, yet our American can’t look away. There is something about Christ’s eyes. Even in the obvious pain Jesus must be in, they are focused. Everywhere he walks in and out of the people on the hill, Jesus is looking right at him. Then he hears Jesus speak, again in plain English, to the woman kneeling at the cross. “Dear woman, here is your son," and to the young man, "Here is your mother."

As he walks the hill from end to end, Jesus eyes are focused on him, as if he were the only person there. The other two hanging with Jesus are talking to him in Hebrew. When Jesus responds to the one, our American hears every word plainly, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Shortly thereafter as the sun beat down from the blue sky, Jesus words filled his ears once again, “I am thirsty” At which point a centurion lifted a sponge to Jesus lips. The visitor to this land now began to feel for the one hanging on the hill as the day wore on. He felt nothing but love pouring out through his constant stare and his words, which miraculously were completely comprehensible. Jesus body was now sagging deeply, putting enormous strain on the nail (railroad spikes) through his wrists.

Suddenly, the air turned cold, and the blue skies turned black. It was as if there were a three hour solar eclipse from noon to three in the afternoon. Others began leaving and took the time to spit upon the earth at the foot of the cross as they walked by. He couldn’t leave though, not that he had anywhere to go anyway. So he stepped a little closer, watching as Jesus drew deep breaths with each passing moment. Then Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me.” Tears began filling the eyes of our American as he listened to the cries of Jesus. He began trying to remember everything he had once learned (as a small child) about this man. What had this man done to deserve this gruesome death?

· He was born of a virgin
· He was preaching and teaching in the temple at 12
· He was Baptized by John the Baptist
· He was Tempted by Satan in the desert for 40 days
· He lived in peace
· He was preaching about love, grace, justice and peace
· He healed the blind, lame and sick
· He cast out demons
· He brought 2 people back from the dead
· He challenged the earthly rules of authority with an eternal perspective
· He lived a life of servitude rather than greed

As Jesus’ breathing became labored, he cried out “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit”, and Jesus Christ breathed his last. The woman, he assumed to be Mary, was wailing at the foot of the cross. There were 10 or 15 men and women gathered around her and joining her in tears and mournful sobbing. Just then, the earth began to rumble. Our American had lived through the World Series earthquake in San Francisco, and he immediately recognized this one as 10 times greater than that one. The earth shook to its core and parted right down the hill and through the gate into the city in the direction of the temple. Rain fell from the blackened skies and the centurion broke the legs of the other two hanging on their crosses. Looking to Mary, his heart filled with compassion and he chose not to break Jesus legs. But, rather he pushed a spear into the side of Christ to make sure he was dead.

Lightening ripped through the sky once again as the rain pelted those of us left on that hill. Crashing thunder rolled and the sky lit up with the blinding light of the storm. Falling to his knees before the cross, our American lay prostrate in tears and cried out for Christ to remember him also. A gentle hand upon his shoulder guided him back to his knees. Looking up, he was filled with the vision of those loving eyes once again as Christ’s face appeared, unblemished and perfect. “I have never forgotten you My child and I will be with you always.” Lightening blinded his view as it rippled through the sky with the rumbling of thunder echoing through his mind. Closing his eyes briefly and then re-opening them, he was once again staring at his alarm clock, and the DJ sounding off, "a blessed Good Friday to all my listeners this morning."

As you wake up on this Good Friday 2011, do not let the day pass by without experiencing the love of Jesus Christ in your life. You too can be with Him in paradise. Remember when you think of the cross: Sunday’s coming.
                                                          
© Sondove Enterprises, 2011

Passion Week: Fruitful Prayer is Blessed

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." - Mark 11:24

The 3rd day of Christ's last week before His death and resurrection.  We find our Savior back in Jerusalem, teaching in the temple for the last time, sharing numerous parables with His followers and disciples.

This scripture has always represented such an open statement of truth, but so often misunderstood.  Does this mean I pray to win the lottery every week for the rest of my life and it will be mine?  Of course not.  Christ and his disciples were entering Jerusalem and had just walked past the fig tree that He had cursed the day before.  Within 24 hours, the fig tree was withered and dead.  Why had Christ cursed the tree?

The fig tree was known to have fully blossomed fruit by the time the leaves were in full foliage. In the case of this tree, the leaves were full and not a single fig had grown yet. This tree was deceptive in it's life.  Leading one to believe that it was full of fruit (based on the full leaves) yet upon a closer perspective no fruit exists.  This was indicative of those that would be condemning Him in the next few days.  Portraying themselves as filled with fruit of the Lord in their appearance, yet Christ knew what was inside of these people.  The living parable He shares with His disciples is a warning to be filled with the fruit of the spirit and the Lord will be with them in all that they do.

The fig tree was created by God to bear fruit for others enjoyment.  Likewise, as Christians we are created to bear fruit of self less service of mercy and love towards others.  When we are in the spirit of the Lord, He promises that He will grant all of our prayers to come to fruition.  The key is being in His will and serving His purpose.  Nothing is beyond His reach when His children seek His ways.  Be blessed my friends.
Prayer:Loving Father,
We are amazed at Your awesome power and the miracles of Your word.  We come before You, humble in our spirit and open for You to work in our lives.  We long to bear fruit for You in season and out of season.  Fruit that can flourish in the eyes of Your children.  Help us to realize the gifts You have placed in our hearts so we may in turn live for You and draw others to Your kingdom.  In Your name we pray - Amen.

http://www.10minutereader.com
©Sondove Enterprises, 2011

I Want to See

““What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.  The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”  “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. – Mark 10:51-52

His paced has slowed in the last year or so.  His small body showing the signs of old age, yet his spirit wants to be a young pup again.  Every step is taken cautiously as he uses all of his senses to compensate for his highly obscured vision.  Cataracts cloud each eye and blur the clarity of everything he looks at and it’s worse at night when the room is dark.  His name is Chance, and he is our 12 year old (84 in dog years) Bichon Frise~.  Man’s best friend.  I’ve watched him change over the last 18 months from a spry, playful and energetic personality to one that’s more cautious, careful and reserved as he has learned to deal with this disability.  That’s just it, he has learned to deal with it.  He compensates for his lack of vision through habit and leveraging his sense of smell and hearing.  Fortunately, we haven’t had major changes in our home furniture wise, so he knows the path(s) around the rooms.  Every now and then there is a chair that has been moved and he might bump into the leg of the chair, but it’s a rare occurrence.  

Chance’s situation demonstrates how most of us deal with sin in our life.  We learn to deal with it, work around it and through habitual behavior compensate for it in one way or another.  We are often blind to the destructive nature of sin in our life, because we are looking at it from a temporary perspective.  It’s hard to grasp the fullness of the unrighteous actions we take because the things we allow to influence our decisions have an impact on our own ability to see with clarity.  If I decide to drink excessively tonight and then get behind the wheel of my car, my decision has just endangered the lives of hundreds if not thousands of people that I may drive past on the way home.  I allowed my pride, arrogance and self-righteous behavior to influence my decision without consideration for the circumstances that might result from my action.  After all I know the path to my home like the back of my hand, I’ve driven it hundreds of times.  But, perhaps something could change on that route; a car parked along the side of the road, a ball rolls into the street followed by a child, a bicyclist is cutting across the street in the dark trying to hurry out of the way or any other imaginable change.  My reactions from drinking would cloud my judgment and cause my reactions to be slower.  It’s that easy to change the lives of others as well as my own based on a lack of good judgment on my part.

We are all blind to our sinful nature, but through Jesus Christ, we are offered the opportunity to be free from this blindness.  He has given us the visibility to righteousness, and the wisdom to know right from wrong, good from evil.  Just like the blind man in Mark 10 though, we must want to receive healing in order for it to take place.  Notice how the blind man called out to Jesus as “Rabbi” – teacher of the law and truth, wise man in God’s kingdom.  In the previous verse he calls out to Jesus as “Son of David”.  In his blindness, he recognized the presence of God in this man Jesus Christ and acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah.  This acknowledgment and the desire of the man to see again brought forth the miracle from Jesus Christ.  His restored vision though is a symbolic representation of the blindness we all suffer from daily, even if our eyesight is 20/20, our spirit is as blind as a bat.  Seek the restorative healing of the Messiah today and start on that path of righteousness with Him.

Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for the healing restoration of Your word.  Thank You for the miracles in our life that keep us from harm’s way.  Thank You for healing our blindness to our sinful nature and help us to learn from our mistakes and trust in Your guiding footsteps to keep us clear of evil and unrighteousness.  We walk in the faith that You are leading us and trust in You.  In Your name we pray – Amen


http://www.10minutereader.com

©Sondove Enterprises, 2011

He was Right There

"While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." " - Luke 24:36

I went on one of those mid-night ghost tours once when I was in Scotland. It was somewhat comical as the tour-guide walked us through the catacombs of Edinburgh. We started at the castle entrance and ended in a cemetery. It was cold, dark and raining that night which added to the eery feelings. They told stories of Kings, maidens and even William Wallace himself have been reported as randomly appearing over the centuries, deep under the city streets, where the stone walls are damp and the rats run amuck. I found it difficult to believe that ghosts had walked amongst the people of Edinburgh, but had fun none the less. Then I began to think about it from a Christ perspective.

This must have been what it was like for the early Christians when they would tell of Jesus Christ appearing to them. There are multiple recorded appearances of Jesus to his disciples, followers and masses throughout the New Testament. From 35 A.D., only five years after Christ's death and resurrection, Matthew captured his gospel. For the next 60 years the 27 books of the New Testament were written by eight authors: Matthew, Mark, James, John, Peter, Jude - all who walked with Jesus through His ministry years. Paul and Luke were not eyewitnesses to Jesus ministry, but came to a conversion after the event of His death and resurrection.

Both of these apostles came to a relationship with Jesus Christ posthumously. So what would benefit them to create an event such as described here in Luke 24:36, where Christ suddenly appears to the apostles while they are gathered together. Jumping on the Jesus bandwagon after His death would be considered ludicrous by any standards, as compared to the other 6 authors who were eyewitnesses to the life of Jesus Christ. Then he gave up his medical career and aspirations for great wealth to spend the rest of his life humbly evangelizing the message of Jesus Christ to the masses around Greece and other Mediterranean countries. He wasn't selling a tourist package or profiting from the stories of seeing Jesus Christ walk amongst them, he was speaking a truth of what had happened in his life and changed it forever.

So, who am I to say that William Wallace is not walking amongst the catacombs of Edinburgh? This fascination and amusement means nothing to my eternal prosperity. We must choose, by faith, to believe that the New Testament writers (Luke, Paul and the others) were writing of facts and the very inspired Word from the Lord. Because none of us have walked in His physical presence, it is by faith that we must come to an acceptance of His love and forgiving grace. His presence in our lives through the Holy Spirit suffices until that blessed day that He returns to take us home.   

Prayer:
Almighty God,
We walk in the wisdom and faith of Your Holy Spirit in our lives.  We trust in Your Word as the truth.  Give us the courage and wisdom to stand on Your promise that Jesus will return for us one day and we will dwell in Your presence for all of eternity. In Your name we pray – Amen


http://www.10minutereader.com

©Sondove Enterprises, 2011

Freedom of Choice

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.”  – Colossians 3:1

A famous Albert Einstein quote, that most are familiar with goes something like this, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.”   Fewer would say they are familiar with the C.S. Lewis quote, “Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.”  Both men considered to be extremely intellectual in their thinking and have in multiple ways challenged the way the human mind thinks about this life.  When a person comes to an understanding that there is more in the universe than the physical nature of what can be seen with the human eye, it is easier to comprehend that there is a spiritual world in which great battles take place.  We each are a part of this spiritual world, not by a choice we made, but by a choice made by those who preceded us.  For you see, the spirit is a part of every human being, and a war is being fought over every single one of them.

In this life there will be many significant choices made.  Choosing which college to attend, what career to pursue, whom to marry, when to have children, buy a house or not, buy a car or not, save for a rainy day or spend today – are all examples of important decisions that face each of us in life.  The single most important decision that every human being must make though is not of this world.  It is a decision that sets in motion things that will happen after this life is over.  The decision to follow Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is the most important decision of your life.  Some will choose that is not the path for them, and in so doing have set in place their eternal destination.  Whether they believe that to be true is irrelevant to their decision.  For you see, if they cannot comprehend the truth of Jesus Christ as God’s only Son – sent as a sacrifice for our sins, then they will never comprehend that there is a heaven and hell.  Therefore in their eyes, the decision they have made has no eternal implication and the life they are living in this physical world is the entirety of their existence.

For those that choose to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord will indeed reflect a newness in their pursuit of Godly things.  The old is cast away and a new creation has come to the surface. (2 Corinthians 5:17)  This newness is filled with the Holy Spirit and is driven by things beyond this world.  The target is no longer to fully experience the earthly existence, but rather to spend our earthly existence fully pursuing a Godly target. 

Blaise Pascal was by all indications a child prodigy in mathematics, sciences and philosophy.  On of the books he wrote was titled, “Pascal’s Pensees”, and one of the most famous quotes within states, “Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.”  Basically stating that if you choose to follow Jesus Christ and you are wrong, you have lost nothing; but if you choose not to follow Christ and you are wrong, you have lost everything.  This one choice in life is everything from an infinite perspective.  Face it, you know nothing of how you came to exist in this life, and you truly know nothing of what exists beyond this life.  It is simply a matter of faith that what God’s word says is true.  Believe on this and seek wisdom beyond this earth through an ever developing relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We don’t know Your ways.  Our limited knowledge and wisdom fall short of comprehending the completeness of Your kingdom.  Therefore we trust in Your word as the single truth in the world.  We seek to continue learning from You daily and strengthen our walk upon Your path in our lives.  Teach us Lord to be patient, resilient and filled with passion all of our days, so we might be diligent in Your work until Your return.  In Your name we pray – Amen

http://www.10minutereader.com

©Sondove Enterprises, 2011

Wash Me!

“Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”  – Psalm 51:2

“WASH ME, PLEASE!”, was written on the rear door of the white van in front of me as I was on the interstate the other day.  It’s funny to think that regardless of how many times we polish and buff our cars on the weekends, they always get dirty again.  Especially this time of year, when the pollen is so thick you can actually see it like a dust on the vehicles every morning.  A faint yellow dust on any car left outside over night. Black cars look green, white cars look yellow, red cars look orange and so on.  It’s more than just the pollen though.  We get rain frequently through the summer months and with lot’s of construction in the area there is always mud regardless of how much we try to avoid it.  If there is a day with no rain than the dirt from the construction is constantly blowing in the winds and covering our vehicles.  It’s impossible to keep the car clean in this climate, if it’s not one thing it is another.

So it is with sin in our life.  We see it in our life and recognize that it is damaging and unrighteous to continue on the path of sinning.  We do not have the ability to wash it though.  Sure, we can put it in the back of our memory and try to forget it, but it will always be there coming back to the surface when we least expect it.  In Psalm 51 we find David falling to the ground, prostrate before the Lord as he cried out for forgiveness and mercy from his sinful nature.  After he had an affair with Bathsheba he took his sins before the Lord.  Knowing that there was no other way to cleanse his soul he turned to the Almighty.  Psalm 51 is filled with David’s repentant heart and his plea for salvation from himself. 

In Paul’s letters to those in Ephesus he writes: ” In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7) Jesus Christ is the only one who can wash away our sins.  His blood from the cross was the price paid for the sins you and I carry with us each day.  You cannot wash away your own sins through good works, turning the other cheek or sacrifice.  It takes a belief and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior; and then acknowledging our sins, asking for forgiveness and turning away from the sin (repentance) in the future.  We will sin again, just like your car will get dirty again.  Jesus death and resurrection is still sufficient for your forgiveness though.  He will wash you clean as many times as you come before Him.

Prayer:
Almighty Father,
Your servant David has been called a man after Your own heart.  He demonstrated through his life the love, adoration, trust and strength that You provide to us all, even in our weakness.  We look at his life and see a reflection of Your grace, Your love and forgiveness demonstrated through him.  Thank You for Your Son, who’s blood is the cleansing agent for my sin.  Help me to turn from my sin and strengthen my dedicated walk with you.  In Your name we pray – Amen


http://www.10minutereader.com

©Sondove Enterprises, 2011