He Came Back

Celebrating the Resurrection

“Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."”- Luke 24:44




There are 365 days in a year (according to the current calendar).  Each day you could wake up and read 1 scripture a day about Jesus Christ, written before He was ever born into this world.  The great authors of the Old Testament – Isaiah, Daniel, Hosea, Moses, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and many others prophesied and foretold the Messiah’s coming, His life, death, resurrection and second coming.  Over 365 prophecies have been written pertaining to the Son of God, which Jesus Christ has single handedly fulfilled.

The Pharisees of the day knew of the prophets, and their writings.  They knew the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, would be from the line of David, would be from Galilee, would be born of a virgin, would enter Jerusalem on a donkey, betrayed for 30 pieces of silver, would be beaten beyond recognition, and suffer a violent death.  This only represents 8 prophecies of the Messiah, captured in the scriptures which were known to all Pharisees and Scribes of that day.  Through their diligent studies they knew what they were looking for in their coming Messiah.  The reality though is that they were blinded by their own humanity, and could never imagine that this young man from humble beginnings could be their ever powerful, almighty and omnipotent God in flesh.  Their arrogance and knowledge blinded them from the incredible presence right before them.  This sounds an awful lot like people in today's world.

They had to ask themselves though, with all of their wisdom, could this be the One.  Then they would see Him do something that would contradict their simple minded knowledge of who Messiah should be, and they would then judge Him.  He healed on the Sabbath, He dined with sinners, He kept company with prostitutes, tax collectors and thieves.  He preached the gospel with a depth of knowledge beyond theirs, yet had not studied in their presence or through the universities of the time.  He chastised them for their piousness, arrogance and hypocrisy, while loving those who were poor, meek and gentile.

Why did the Pharisees ensure that the Romans guarded the tomb?  Because of Isaiah 53:9-12; “when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.”  They knew that if Jesus rose from the grave that they had made a terrible mistake, and that indeed they had been in the presence of the very Son of God they had so patiently awaited.  Paul, the Apostle, was a Pharisee, who was struck blind by the resurrected Jesus, and through his conversion became the greatest apostle of all.  Throughout the book of Acts, we see several other Pharisees turned to follow Jesus through the preaching of Paul and Peter.

So I ask you; look amongst our people today, have we become the Pharisees of this age?  Well studied on God, but blind to the real issues of the day, and the love that Jesus Christ stands for.  You can see how easy it is to have read the scriptures, studied the prophecies, and still miss Him when He returns because we are looking for something that fits a specific stereotype we have created to align with our perspective.  Make no doubt about it, Jesus Christ will return just as He said He would.  For by His very words to the disciples after His resurrection: “all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”  Do not overlook the Word of God as you watch the heavens for His return.  Study it, know it and spend time with the Father learning it.

 





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Take Your Job Seriously

Celebrating the Resurrection

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” – Ephesians 5:25-27

Love pours forth from the man to the woman and back again in reciprocity.  When you love another person, you are willing to sacrifice your desires, your hopes and your dreams.  When you love another person, you are willing to serve them, bring them joy and fulfill their dreams.  When you love another person it is okay to lose, it is okay to humble yourself and to be second in priority.  This is the missing ingredient in our world today.  Most relationships are built on self-centered gain and satisfaction.  The “what’s in it for me” mentality has become rampant and flooded the perception of a large percentage of our youth.  Entitlement seems at an all time high while respect seems to have become a thing of the past.

Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church.  Well, what did Christ do for the church?

1. He was patient as they grew and learned
2. He was peaceful when they required discipline
3. He was stern when they were flirting with the devil
4. He was humble when they needed help
5. He was loving when they were hurting
6. He was courageous when they were weak
7. He served them while still leading
8. He stood in their place when they were disobedient
9. He stood in their place when punishment was demanded
10. He pleaded with the Father on their behalf with His final breath
11. He defeated Satan from the grave so they would be found blameless
    
    

So, husbands the next time you might feel your wife is in the wrong, decide which of these you are going to implement and lift your wife up from where she may have fallen.  After all, you are the Priest of your household, and bear the responsibility for all that goes on within your dwelling.  Be the leader that He has called you to be, by loving her and your children with the love of the Father.
 



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My Choice was Yes

Celebrating the Resurrection


 “Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.  I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments" – Psalm 119:175-176

You can take it!   My life is nothing more than a temporary passage to what the scriptures have promised me.  In my current state I am weak, I am tempted, I am prone to wrong doing.  I am born of the seed of Adam and therefore I am rich with sin and unrighteousness.  From the moment of my creation, as the blood from my mother and father blended in creating the mass of tissue and life of my very being.  I carry with me a bent towards sinning, as do you, for you also are from the seed of Adam.

But, the good news is that He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world.  When I came to know Jesus as my Savior and Lord, I was just a small child, but I knew without a doubt that if He loved me enough to die in such a brutal way so I could go to heaven, then He was someone worth following.  I was baptized at 12 years old in First Baptist Church, Tecumseh, Mi. with my brother and my sister.  I left the church that night, and have never considered that He was not my God and my Savior.  I didn't understand His love or His grace, but I knew He was righteous and holy.

Over the last 40 or so years, I have slowly begun to understand just who He is and what He truly did for me.  I’ve never gone too far from the straight and narrow, because I knew in my heart it would lead to life of fear, sorrow and regrets.  By no means have I avoided the unrighteousness of this world.  As a matter of fact I sin each and every day, and yet I continue to strive for holiness because He is holy.  I have come to realize that there is no way for me to withstand the temptations and sin of this world within my own power and authority.  As much as I try, and chastise myself, I continue to fall short of His glory, as do you.

We must come to realize that in this world there is only good and evil.  Everything else is used in a demonstration of these two things.  We learned in Science that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.  When there is good there will be evil; when there is cold there will be warmth; when there is light there is darkness; when there is truth there are lies.  We make thousands of choices every day, from mundane to intricate in detail.  Your brain is sending 10’s of thousands of signals to your body and your surrounding environment every second.  You, with or without your awareness are choosing good or evil, right or wrong at this very moment.  How therefore are you ever capable of making 100% consistently decisions for the good, for righteousness?  That’s it, you can’t !!

Because you cannot be 100% righteous and holy, you are a sinner.  Your sins must be accounted for.  In the Old Testament laws, recorded in the books of Genesis and Leviticus, Moses recorded the words of God to His people.  You must sacrifice an animal, not just any animal, but a perfect and white as snow lamb, each year for the redemption of your family’s sins.  This was done in Jerusalem, at the temple every year during Passover, right up to the year Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt.

For you see, when Jesus came into Jerusalem for Passover, He very well understood He was the sacrificial lamb of God, coming to the slaughter.  Throughout the week, He pressed upon His disciples this reality, in preparation for what was to come.  When He was crucified, and breathed His last, the sacrifice was done and the sins of the world were washed away once and for good.  Jesus was the perfect, spotless, holy lamb of God; without sin or in need of a sacrifice Himself.   His blood was not from Adam but from God directly through the Immaculate Conception.  His birth broke the chain of history and His death broke the chain of sin bondage.

Through His death He redeemed those who had sinned up to that point.  Through His resurrection He has provided an eternal redemption for all of mankind going forward until He comes again to take us with Him to heaven.  We are incapable of not sinning, but through Him we are made Holy as He is Holy.  Upon accepting Him for who He is – our Savior and Lord – we receive the Holy Spirit, who dwells in our very soul.  Our soul is heaven ready, from that moment, but our flesh is still weak and full of sin.  We follow His lead and abide in Him to bring those two things closer together.  Align your flesh to the Spirit, and others will see it in you.  At your death, your flesh will be destroyed 6 feet under, but your soul will move in Spirit to Jesus’ side to forever sing out praises to the Father.  Won’t you release the hurt, anger, pain and suffering in this life to allow your flesh to align with His spirit.  Let your life reflect the Holy Spirit within, that your life in sin will be repentant.  You must open up to Him who lives within you, the choice is all yours.



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Passion Week: Preparing the Sacrifice

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“"For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.""  - Luke 22:16


Happy Maundy Thursday.
In the time of Jesus life, the 24 hour period of a given day started at sundown (dusk) and lasted until sundown the following day. This is important in understanding a few statements made by Christ around His death and resurrection. Relevance

Passover is a Jewish celebration of remembrance of God passing over the homes of the Israelites in Egypt, but killing the firstborn son of every Egyptian house; as recorded in Exodus 12:29. In Exodus 12:1-11 we discover the Lord's directions to the Israelites, that they should kill the lamb on the 14th of the month of Nisan, and using the lamb's blood over their door and along the door posts. The Passover meal (also known as the Feast of the Unleavened Bread) should then be eaten that evening with bitter herbs, unleavened bread and the lamb.

On the night before His death, Christ's disciples had prepared the meal and from Jesus directions found the upper room to have the Passover meal. There is much debate around whether this meal was indeed the Passover meal or if it was the meal the night before the Passover meal. My belief is based on my understanding of the timelines. This means that the meal was prepared on the 14th of the month of Nisan and they sat together after dusk to partake of the meal, therefore it would have been the 15th of the month of Nisan (officially Friday). I've been to the location in Jerusalem where they believe Jesus Last Passover meal was served. In this upper room, Christ continued to teach His disciples through out the evening meal. He taught of humility, a servant's heart, His Father's plans, and He revealed His betrayer. He warned of the events that would unfold that evening, and celebrated the New Covenant with the symbols of bread and the wine.

Whether you believe that this was or was not the Passover meal is not the relevant factor of the story. The fact that He continued to teach them right up to the end and established a New Covenant with them as believers in His sacrifice for them is one message. Also, consider that there never would be another Passover meal for Christ or these disciples. The following morning He would become the Passover sacrifice from that point forward for all believing Christians is the important message to understand from Thursday - the 5th day of Passion Week. Be blessed on this Holy Thursday and rejoice in the New Covenant of God's grace and mercy.



Prayer:
Loving Father,
You have given us grace, love and peace through Jesus Christ, the sacrificial lamb for all of mankind. As the Passover lamb, He took our sins upon that cross so that we are forgiven and may enter into eternal peace with You. Jesus gave us examples of a servants heart at the last supper and demonstrated Your eternal love through the breaking of the bread and drinking of the cup. For these things we give You thanks. In Your name we pray - Amen.  





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Passion Week: Fruitful Prayer is Blessed

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"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.

  





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Passion Week: Fire in His Eyes

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"And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." - Matthew 21:13

On the first day of the week Jesus entered Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, riding upon a donkey. We now celebrate this day as Palm Sunday, to signify the entrance into Holy Week, or Passion Week leading up to Christ's crucifixion, burial and resurrection. As I pointed out on Saturday, Christ wept over Jerusalem, but there's more significance to this story.  Jesus was making a statement by entering into Jerusalem in the manner in which He had chosen.
 
In Jewish tradition, Kings rode upon donkeys, where as Military leaders rode upon horses. Secondly, one would see Him upon a donkey and see His humility and peacefulness. Finally, Christ rode upon a donkey to fulfill the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9. For the last 2 years of His life He had been quietly spreading God's love to the people, performing miracles and teaching His followers without formally claiming His divinity. On Palm Sunday, all that changed once He set upon that donkey. It was immediately recognized by those present as they began singing, "Hosanna, Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord."
 

Jesus retreated that evening to Bethany (about 2 miles away), but came back into Jerusalem on the second day of the week, Monday. Here we find Him once again making profound statements about His divinity through His actions. Cleansing the temple of the merchandisers, was prophesied in Isaiah 56:7 and in Jeremiah 7:11. His actions speak to the people of Him acknowledging that He is the Messiah. In addition, carefully look at the words He speaks. He doesn't say, "The temple shall be..." or "The Lord's house...", no He clearly states, "My house..." Christ had come to Jerusalem this week to die for the sins of the world, but in the mean time, there was much for Him to do.

Christ would have ascended these steps  to reach the temple. These steps have been excavated along the southern face of the temple mount and dated to the times of King Herod's temple. In all there are 30 steps, each rising about 7 inches in height, with a span of up to 35 inches in width.
Many believe it was at the top of these stairs where the peddlers and merchants would have been trading and selling sacrificial animals to the Jewish families coming to the temple for forgiveness. This is what Christ was upset about. The fact that man-kind would attempt to profit from God's laws on sacrifice, and knowing that He was there to abolish that with the ultimate sacrifice of His own life.
 
I've walked up all 30 steps and came to the emotional realization that my Savior, Paul of Tarsus, Peter and so many other's had done just the same. I'm asking you to visualize with faith the reality of Christ's actions by seeing the real temple steps. Can you see His anger, His rage against man-kind? I believe at the same time as His anger is expressed He is hurting inside. We know Jesus cries, and now we know He can be angered as well. Close your eyes and imagine His face as He deals with these merchants. Now ask yourself, is this the man you want fighting Your battles against Satan on the last days? I know without a doubt that I am putting my faith in Jesus Christ and His jealous anger over my soul.
 
Prayer:
Loving Father,
We look to the Lamb of God, Your Son and find Him doing Your will. Help us to live with the passion, desire and boldness in our lives as we are faced with contempt and blasphemy against Your name. You alone are God and Your house will one day be fully restored in Your kingdom. We long for the day we may walk in Your presence and dwell in Your house forever. In Your name we pray - Amen.
  



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Different Doesn’t Mean Unlovable

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“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?”  – Matthew 5:45-47


The newspapers were scrambling for the first print.  The camera crews and on-site reporters pushed through the crowds to shove a microphone in front of the eye-witness’ and ask the probing questions.  You see, once again the city streets of New York were littered with debris and smoke.  Except this time, no one appeared to have been in the building when the bomb went off.  Either there was a malfunction in the timing device or the intent was only to cause fear in the hearts of those in central Manhattan.  Regardless, the manhunt was on.  The small bakery was run by a Christian man and wife, who had been on the news recently for refusing to make a wedding cake for a gay marriage.

It was the story of the day, and the next and the following.  With plenty of video evidence from area security cameras, the individual was recognized and even named.  Yet, he continued to evade the police in their attempts to find him.  The city was on the lookout as time continued to slip by.  Friday turned into Saturday and then Sunday morning rolled around.

The pews at St Paul’s Chapel were more full that particular morning as people realized just how delicate and precious life is.  This is the church most remembered as the place George Washington addressed the public from the steps of St Paul’s following his inauguration as the first President of the United States.  St. Paul’s stood in the shadows of the World Trade Center on Sept 11, 2001; and stood just as tall on Sept 12^th, amidst the carnage and rubble of the buildings all around it.  It’s just a church building, but it has seen it’s share of unbelievable history and changing of times in these United States of America.

As the Priest moved to begin the homily that Sunday morning, there was a noise coming from the pews near the back.  A man, wearing a long beard, a turban and sandals, dirtied in his attire and appearance, stood and began walking down the center of the church.  Those in the sanctuary began yelling obscenities and some even spit upon him.  One large man along the aisle actually threw a punch and struck the man in the eye, which sent him tumbling into the parishioners on the other side of the aisle. 

Regaining his balance he walked toward the front, amidst a large crowd now.  He stopped as he neared the second row, where the couple who owned the bakery sat quietly.  Looking down at them, through a swollen, bloodied eye, and a quivering lip, he said these simple words, “Please forgive me.  I am so sorry for what I have done to you.  I have spent the last week asking Allah to forgive me for my mistake with the timer, only to realize how inhumane and evil my actions really were.”  He continued, “Then last night I had a dream, and Jesus stood at the end of my bed.  His face was peaceful, not angry and He held out his hand in love.  He told me that He had protected you from the explosion, and that taking another life was not required, for He alone had given His life that we may all return to paradise with Him.”

“I took His hand and stood to my feet before Him.  My knees buckled and I fell to my face in reverence and submission.  For the first time in my life I realized who my Lord really was.  I am here to help you rebuild or whatever you need to get your store re-opened.”  With that he stood and turned back to the Priest, and apologized for interrupting the service.  The crowd had not diminished and still threw insults and condemnation at him as he began to leave the sanctuary.  Men were stepping in front of him, ready to fight, someone had called the police and sirens could be heard outside.  The man covered his head and continued to push his way through the angry mob.

The police came in the back of the church, saw the man and wrestled him to the ground.  As they began to secure him with handcuffs, he looked up and saw a young girl walking towards him.  The police stood him to his feet as she stepped near him.  She reached out and embraced the man, squeezing him ever so tight, and said to him, “Mommy and Daddy say you are forgiven, and I want you to know Jesus loves you and so do we.”  Just then her father stepped forward and asked the policeman to remove the handcuffs.  After debating this point with the officer for a moment, the man said, “I am not pressing charges against this man."

The room filled with violent screaming and yelling.  Anger came from every corner towards the bakery owner and the terrorist.  Years of pent up anger and hatred poured out right there in the sanctuary that morning.  As the police removed the handcuffs, the mob closed in and began pushing him and yelling at him, calling him unspeakable names.  Then there was a tap on the microphone from the front of the sanctuary.  The Priest spoke up as people began to slow down and listen.  “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” Matthew 5:44.  “We are not here to judge the righteous from the unrighteous.  Do not let your anger prevent you from lovingly helping another soul enter the Kingdom of God today.”

The man fell to the ground amidst all of the people, as they started to dissipate.  Looking around, it was only he and the little girl still standing there.  She held out her hand and helped him up.  Then she walked with him to the front and sat him next to her mother and father for the remainder of the service.


We are all confident that we know who belongs in heaven and who doesn’t.  That’s not our job on this earth.  When you see someone different from you walking towards you, do you engage with them in conversation, ignore them or confront them for their beliefs?  I posit that if God is able to save me from my horrendous past and daily struggles, why wouldn’t He want to save this person as well.  There are 7.2 billion people on this earth.  Based on culture, religion, race, sex or political affiliation, many are very different than you.  Of those that are different, that you cross paths with, it is likely that you will either ignore or get into a confrontation with 80% of them.  How many souls are lost in heaven because we get in the way of God sharing His love with them?  Just love them like Jesus loves you and let God work to remove the scales from their eyes.  I promise, if they see Jesus through your actions, it will speak loud enough and you won't need to confront them.   





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Wash Me !

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“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 spring 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


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It’s all about Trust

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“But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” – Matthew 26:32

The world is flat.  No, the world is spherical.  Aristotle, Plato, Alexander and other philosophers and early studiers of astronomy and physics would sit and pontificate the wonders of the universe and the relationship of the sun to the earth and the other heavenly bodies.  Through shadows and mathematics and physics they would argue and attempt to prove that the world was indeed spherical by nature.  They had certainly been upon the waters of the surrounding Mediterranean basin and seen the horizon in the formation of an arc, but all they could do is postulate based on the facts they had been given at the time.  They had no ability to be in space and take photographs.  Their teachings over time became understood and accepted and eventually proven when Christopher Columbus set out from Iberia on a Westward trek to find a shorter route to the Indies.  His trek proved to be successful only in that he did not fall off the edge of the earth and was able to return safely, albeit without ever reaching the Indies.  For we all know that the land he reached was actually the island of San Salvador to be specific.

When Jesus Christ walked with the disciples, he was educating them on things they did not, nor could not understand.  His parables were often confusing and beyond their ability to comprehend with their limited knowledge at the time.  Imagine for a moment that you are one of the twelve and Jesus says to you, “After if I have risen, I will go ahead of you in Galilee.”  What does this mean, “after I have risen”?  Risen from what, from where? Up to that night they had expected that He was going to usher in the new Kingdom in their presence, and now He is talking of being captured, struck and crucified. 

In parables up to that point He had spoken of rebuilding the temple in 3 days; and that Jonah was in the whale for three days the Son of Man will be in the earth for three days; but He had not come out boldly and stated that He would be resurrected.  David had spoken of the Holy One to not see decay in the grave.  Many up to that point had believed he spoke of himself, but in that day David’s tomb was in Jerusalem and his bones were in it, the flesh and body had certainly decayed.  The Holy One spoke of in Psalm 16:10 was the Messiah, who’s body would not see decay, for it would be risen up before decay ever set in.  The disciples of Jesus Christ had the writings of David, Daniel, Isaiah and Jonah who all gave prophecy to a resurrection of the Messiah, but they couldn’t grasp the reality of it’s meaning while Jesus was standing there with them and speaking to them.

Their hope and belief became knowledge when Jesus reappeared to them after the resurrection, just as He said He would do.  The importance of this is to realize that He has also told you and I that He will return one day and usher in the eternal Kingdom of the Father. We don’t understand it all and can’t really comprehend the timing or events of the last days, but we can trust in knowing that He will return just as He said He would. 

Prayer:,
Heavenly Father,
Your ways are a mystery to us, but we trust in Your Word and the truth of Your promises.  We long to be in Your presence and worship at Your feet.  Help us to remain strong in our faith as we wait upon that glorious day.  Help us to bring Your word to others that they may be with us on that day.  In Your name we pray – Amen


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Yeah, but Look at Him

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“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”  –Romans 3:23

“But officer, the guy in front of me was going faster than I was.”


How would this argument hold up if you were attempting to get out of a ticket for speeding?  It’s not likely that this would free you from your punishment.  We naturally have a tendency to justify our actions through a means of excuses or blaming others for our wrong-doing.  I’ve noticed it starts as a child.  Even at the age of 11 my daughter will look to avoid taking the blame for something when it’s obvious that she is the one at fault.  A glass of milk spills and she immediately looks to blame her brother, sister or dog.  Not one of us enjoy the realization that we are wrong in our actions.  Often times pride or arrogance will get in the way of us humbly accepting that we are wrong and then pursue a corrective action to overcome the problem.  It’s much easier to justify our actions or place blame elsewhere and continue down the path of denial than to face the circumstance, learn from it and repent.

So it is with God’s love.  I have spoken to so many people who view God as the policeman in heaven watching over every move we make and writing down the details in a police blotter somewhere near the pearly gates.  They have a difficult time realizing that God is a loving Father longing to fellowship with His children and sees us through the image of Jesus Christ.  I look at it from this perspective.  Despite my desire, I cannot stop sinning.  As much as I want to not sin against God, it’s going to happen.  I estimate that I sin multiple times a day, but for this exercise let’s say it’s 3x / day from the moment I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord (I was 12).  At this point in my life with this calculation, I have sinned 46,020 times in my life {of course in reality it is much higher}.  If I live to be 80 years old, I would have sinned nearly 75,000 times (using this math).  How does God let someone with 75,000 sins into His perfect heaven to fellowship with Him for eternity?

He doesn’t!

So, I’m sure you’ve caught on by now, we will all sin. That’s it.  It’s a fact of life and death.  From the moment we are born until the moment we die we will sin against God the Father.  Billy Graham, Mother Theresa, the Pope, Gandhi, Muhammad, Peter, Paul and yes even Mary equally sinned against the Father.  Because He demands perfection to enter heaven, He had to create a means of covering this gap.  In the old covenant, man would sacrifice the spotless perfect lamb in order for him and his family’s sins to be forgiven.  Enter in Jesus Christ and the new covenant between God and man.  God’s plan of closing the gap between our propensity to sin and His requirement for perfection was done through the death of a sacrificial lamb, namely His own Son.  Because Jesus Christ lived a perfect, spotless and sin-free life from birth to his death on the cross; He became the sacrifice for all mankind.  His death was sufficient to cover every sin ever committed up to that point, just like a lamb’s death would have covered the sins of a man and his family.  But, since that point in time (26 AD or so) there have been billions and billions of people on the face of the earth.  What about their sins?

Jesus Christ resurrection formed the new covenant between God and man.  Jesus went to hell on our behalf and took the sins of the world with him.  Then He rose from the grave and created a path of salvation for all mankind, for ever more.  God’s love for you is so unbelievable that He has given you a means to obtain forgiveness for the sins that separate you and He.  Because of our daily sin filled lives, we certainly don’t deserve this love, but He gives it anyway.  This is the grace by which Paul references throughout his New Testament writings.  Jesus Christ came to restore our connection and eternity with God the Father.  He alone has been set in place by God for this purpose.  Those that do not accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are outside of this grace, and their unrighteousness will be judged by the Father one day.

As we draw closer to Easter, I want you to begin thinking about His sacrifice.  Accept the fact that you are sinful.  Since Adam’s original sin, man has been born into a sin filled existence.  We want to think we are not that bad, “I mean look at that guy over there, he’s much worse than me.”, seems to be a common belief.  We need to get over this feeling of superiority and comparing ourselves to other men.  There is only one benchmark to compare your life to and that is Jesus Christ.  To enter heaven requires that you have lived a life of equal perfection and sinlessness when compared to Him, not when compared to “that guy over there”.  Acknowledge your sin daily and lay it down before the sacrificial Lamb of God.  Then pray for strength to turn from these ways.  Only through Him and His strength is this possible.  You cannot avoid sin on your own.



Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Your grace is sufficient for my unrighteousness.  I am forgiven and washed by the death and resurrection of Your Son.  I stand before You condemned in my sin, yet take hold of Your salvation through my profession of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of my life.  I lay my sins at the foot of His cross and pray for strength to overcome this filth in my life.  In Your name I pray – Amen

 

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Would You Die For Me?

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"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. " - John 15:13

Friendship is built on trust, loyalty, forgiveness and love. We all have those special friends that we know will always be there at the drop of a hat. Regardless of how much trouble we are in, or where we are; a simple phone call will bring them to our side and our aid when necessary. Think back over your life and reflect on those times that you truly needed a friend by your side. Perhaps it was an emergency room visit in the middle of the night; perhaps it was to tide you over when the bills got to high; perhaps it was to talk you down off the ledge when life just didn't seem to be going your way. The list goes on and you know the specific examples in your life where you had to reach out to that special someone or group of friends for support. If your friends are anything like mine, without hesitation they were there to hold you up and ensure you landed back on your feet.

So, do you think those best friends of yours would go to their grave in your place? Would they give up everything they have to ensure that you were okay, even their own life? Love is deep between husband and wife, mother/father and child, and siblings. Love is strong and solid between best friends and those special friends that know everything about you. But there is only One that loved you enough to give up everything to save your life from eternal damnation.

Much like the world today, the children He had called from the wilderness to the promised land had somehow forgotten who He was and how much He had done for them. For everything He had given them, they still wanted more. His gifts were taken for granted and His love was seen as unattainable except for the select few. Society was comfortable in their own lives and had moved into a world of complacency and farther from His guiding hand.

God the Father looked down upon the earth nearly 2000 years ago with tears in His eyes. He launched the single biggest event in the history of man-kind by delivering the Messiah to His children, knowing full well that many would not embrace Him. Through the 32 years of Jesus life He grew up and walked amongst them. Creating intense and strong friendships along the way with God's children to show them the path to heaven. Culminating in His death and resurrection for their sake, despite His knowledge that many would turn their backs on Him, He did it anyway. His one act of loving grace though has set the standard by which friendships have been measured for centuries.

But the gift is irreplaceable and unmeasurable by human relationship characteristics. The true mark of a lifelong friendship is the sharing of a love for Christ. If you are willing to let your best friend go through life without a knowledge of Jesus Christ as the Savior, Lord and path to salvation, than you need to question how much you really love that person. You say you would do anything for your friend? Then start today by introducing them to Jesus. You can never love them more than that, but He can.



Prayer:,
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your willingness to give Your own Son to die for our sins. To take the scourging that we deserved, He went to His grave on our behalf. We draw upon this tremendous love as an example of how we should be willing to love others. Give us the compassion and desire in our own heart to stand for righteousness and Your name in our actions. In Your name we pray - Amen

 



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Empty the Closet

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“Neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."   –John 8:11

In the darkness, way back in the corners of your heart and mind there are those things which no-one else knows about.  You know it’s the unspeakable sins.  You’re not alone, I would guess to say that every single person reading this devotional today has a similar closet in their soul that they keep locked and hidden from others.  You might be able to hide it, yet it still eats away at you from time to time.  The closet door opens just a crack now and then and you are reminded of your sinful nature and who you were at one point in time.  The danger of harboring sin is guilt, shame and feeling unworthy.  It is a tool used by Satan in spiritual warfare, and it is highly effective to knock a believer off of God’s chosen path. 

So, what are holding onto and why? 
Most are holding on for one of 3 reasons:
   A) You believe the Lord isn’t going to forgive this sin and you’re embarrassed to admit it.
   B) You want to hold onto it as a statement that you are still in control of your life.
   C) You feel that if you give up this sinful area of your life the result will dramatically change who you are, and you are afraid of taking that step.

Jesus died for all of our sins, and has buried them.  He asks for everything, a total commitment to Him.  In Matthew 16:24-26, Jesus tells His disciples to give up their selfishness, their very life and follow him.  He knows what is inside of you and asks that you give it to Him.  As with the prostitute in John 8:11, His grace and forgiveness covers all sin.  Wherever the sin ranks on the charts from 1 to 10, it is washed away.  The 10’s, 8’s, 5’s and even the 1’s and 2’s are all forgiven by His redeeming blood.  You see, if Jesus death and resurrection were insufficient for even one of these sins, then it is insufficient for all of them.  Keeping your closet door locked and holding onto the sins of your past is an obstacle between you and the Lord. 

Take time today to search your heart and your soul for those dark corners and closets.  Lay them before the Lord once and for all.  His forgiveness will restore your emptiness with His love, His passion and His purpose.  Removing these obstacles will allow you to discover a deeper, more meaningful purpose driven life with the Lord.


Prayer:
Loving Father,
Thank You for loving us unconditionally.  Thank You for washing our sins away and giving us new life through Your Son.  We come before You Lord with our hearts open to Your healing grace and ask for Your forgiveness.  Remove our shame and guilt, replace them with acceptance and love.  In Your name we pray – Amen
 


 

 

 

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Have a Blessed Day

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“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.“ – Philippians 4:12

Nic Vujicic, Author, Speaker, Quadriplegic

Most of us could quote the very next verse without opening the cover of our bible.  I’ll give you a hint; it starts with “I can do all . . . . “ That’s right; “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” {Phil 4:13}  It’s important to realize why Paul the Apostle was saying this.  It is not a verse to stand alone, no it is the conclusion to his statement above in Phil 4:12. 

Are you blessed?  Do you consider that God has blessed you in this life?  What happens when you don’t receive the blessing you feel you deserve?  Was there ever a promise in the scriptures that says your life will be easier by following God?  It’s interesting to contemplate who we think God is, and just what He owes us.

More and more I see people blame God when things go wrong, and analyze until they’re blue in the face why God didn’t do this or didn’t fix that.  Is that who we believe God to be?  The one to fix our problems and get us out of situations that our actions have gotten us in to?  Let’s look at the examples we have from scripture:

David – murdered the husband of the woman he had an affair with after discovering that she was pregnant with his child……God help me

Moses – From the luxuries of Pharoah’s palace to the desolation of Mount Horeb as a shepherd after killing an Egyptian in defense of an Israelite slave who was being beaten at the time …… Why God

Moses – Never enters Canaan after leading the Israelites out of Egypt and wandering in the desert for 40 years ….. What are you doing God

Job – A favored child of God, a man who lived by the law and did no wrong; lost his family, his possessions, his house and his health at the hand of Satan, with the full blessing of God the Father….. Why me God

Matthew – His little brother was murdered by King Herod’s guards after Christ was born, simply because he was a boy under the age of 2 ….. I turn my back on you God

Paul – Educated in University to be a Pharisee, highly exalted amongst his Jewish peers, destined for a life of luxury.  Then salvation and hardship - shipwrecked, beaten near death, imprisoned multiple times, life threatened time and time again ….. To serve God is my blessing

Just a few examples of the men we find in scripture that we hold up as our mentors and our examples.  Each struggled mightily in life, and it is my belief that they were much closer in their walk with God than I will ever be.  Am I truly that entitled to a life of no hardship, no struggles, and no grief simply because I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord?

God gave me salvation through His Son Jesus Christ.  He owes me nothing more.  My life is a representation of His love for mankind, if I choose to use it for that purpose.  Even then, I am not promised a life with no struggle, no heartache and no pain.  Yet, I choose to remain faithful through it all, trusting that God is Sovereign and is in control.  I don’t need to understand it, I just need to trust that I am His child, born again and will one day lay my head upon His lap in peace.  Until then it is my job to wake up each day and praise Him, regardless of my circumstance. 

God doesn’t leave your side when you are struggling, hurting or in need.  He doesn’t abandon you and He isn’t punishing you by allowing these things.  I do not believe God exists to make my life comfortable and to ensure that I am happy.  I exist for Him, not the other way around.  I am not entitled to anything in life; everything I have is more than I deserve because when it all comes down to it, I deserve to go to Hell.  God has already given me more than I could or should ever want and that is eternal life in Heaven with Him and Jesus Christ.  I am very Blessed indeed.

 


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