Mark 8:34
Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me." (NLT)
It is not because we were convinced to follow Jesus that we get to heaven and it is not by happenstance either. Following Jesus requires more than a road map. That is just following a set of rules. True followship requires friendship and fellowship.
In our zeal to tell others about Jesus it is easy to work hard and giving a logical explanation as to why it makes sense to follow Him. Like who wants to spend eternity in hell? But Jesus is not an insurance policy we grab a hold of just in case it is all true. We have to believe the story.
We can attend church all our life and never really know Jesus. It is not about Him becoming a friend of ours because we hang around with other Christians. Associating with Christians does not make us believe; it is not something that happens by osmosis. It is about us seeking Him out and becoming His friend because we believe.
John 14:6
Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." (NLT)
That belief comes when God flips a switch in us and it all becomes clear. We know in our heart that Jesus is the way, the Truth, and the light. Then the decision is truly made and we begin a walk that will continue through eternity with our new friend
Then we have true followship and no one can turn us away.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
Live Long and Prosper
Deuteronomy 5:33
Stay on the path that the LORD your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy. (NLT)
We remember the prosper piece of this scripture and hope for those prosperous times as we define prosperity in this country. Too often our hopes are so high we put all of those things we associate with prosperity on credit cards and then pray for God's help in paying them off.
Are we really so confident in His promise to give us prosperous lives or are we just greedy? Do we just want all that our parents had and more sooner than we should? Do we just feel entitled to it?
Let's look at the sentence preceding the one on prosperity. This is the condition, the IF. First we have to stay on the path Father God has commanded us to follow. Too often the path we are following is one of our own making having nothing to do with that which God has for us.
So then how do we justify the expectation of prosperity by God's hand when we live by our own plan? We live thinking it is by our own hands that we will succeed and then ask God to prosper us.
Isn't it about time we listened to God and let Holy Spirit guide us into the truth about the path meant for us? Then we will see prosperity in ways better than finances.
Stay on the path that the LORD your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy. (NLT)
We remember the prosper piece of this scripture and hope for those prosperous times as we define prosperity in this country. Too often our hopes are so high we put all of those things we associate with prosperity on credit cards and then pray for God's help in paying them off.
Are we really so confident in His promise to give us prosperous lives or are we just greedy? Do we just want all that our parents had and more sooner than we should? Do we just feel entitled to it?
Let's look at the sentence preceding the one on prosperity. This is the condition, the IF. First we have to stay on the path Father God has commanded us to follow. Too often the path we are following is one of our own making having nothing to do with that which God has for us.
So then how do we justify the expectation of prosperity by God's hand when we live by our own plan? We live thinking it is by our own hands that we will succeed and then ask God to prosper us.
Isn't it about time we listened to God and let Holy Spirit guide us into the truth about the path meant for us? Then we will see prosperity in ways better than finances.
Monday, May 14, 2012
History Books
I awoke with this thought on my mind. "You don't get into heaven because of the good works you do. Good works get you into the history books, not heaven."
The fact is that most of us will not be remembered by many after we leave this earthly existence. Perhaps our family will mention us for a couple of generations, but after that we only become an entry in their genealogy when they get old enough to think about having one.
Perhaps they will wonder who we were when they visit the family plot at the local cemetery and look over the names and dates. I know I have done this with mine and really know very little about those long forgotten relatives that lived during the civil war or even before. They are names and dates on stone tablets.
Some will be remembered in the history books. If we look at what we learned in school they are a small number compared to how many have gone before us. Sure we remember the names of people who were our presidents, but not many of even them. Big corporation names, but maybe because the companies still use their name. We even remember ones who caused horrible events in history, perhaps even more than those that made their mark and changed things for the better in their time.
John 3:3
"I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God." (NLT)
When it comes to heaven, we do not have to have a building named for us, or fight a war, or be in the who's who list. That list, the names written in the book of life, is made up of born again believers. It is the list of the saints, those that made a decision in their heart to follow Jesus.
There were no works that had to be done to get on that list. The only requirement is to believe. Then, as we follow Him in our day to day life, we do the work He lays before us as Holy Spirit guides us.
The fact is that most of us will not be remembered by many after we leave this earthly existence. Perhaps our family will mention us for a couple of generations, but after that we only become an entry in their genealogy when they get old enough to think about having one.
Perhaps they will wonder who we were when they visit the family plot at the local cemetery and look over the names and dates. I know I have done this with mine and really know very little about those long forgotten relatives that lived during the civil war or even before. They are names and dates on stone tablets.
Some will be remembered in the history books. If we look at what we learned in school they are a small number compared to how many have gone before us. Sure we remember the names of people who were our presidents, but not many of even them. Big corporation names, but maybe because the companies still use their name. We even remember ones who caused horrible events in history, perhaps even more than those that made their mark and changed things for the better in their time.
John 3:3
"I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God." (NLT)
When it comes to heaven, we do not have to have a building named for us, or fight a war, or be in the who's who list. That list, the names written in the book of life, is made up of born again believers. It is the list of the saints, those that made a decision in their heart to follow Jesus.
There were no works that had to be done to get on that list. The only requirement is to believe. Then, as we follow Him in our day to day life, we do the work He lays before us as Holy Spirit guides us.
Monday, May 07, 2012
Commitment
Mark 8:34
Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me." (NLT)
There are three kinds of people: Gentiles (without God), Jews (without Jesus), and Christians. Which one are you? And are you what you say your are or is that just a convenient moniker?
Going to church on Sundays does not make us a Christian, but it is a good start. The problem is many believe fulfilling this weekly obligation is all that is expected. Jesus says nothing about going to church. He assumes we are doing that.
Those He was addressing in the crowd were Jews. They attended church. They believed in the one true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Exodus 3:6) So the question was about following Him and to do that they (we) must turn from our selfish ways. We must turn from our worldly desires and put God first in our lives.
Is being a Christian a concept to you or a commitment? Do we turn to God because He is our friend, one who we chat with each day? Or do we look to Him in our need to fulfil our worldly desires? Are we committed to a relationship with Jesus?
And that cross thing, it sounds painful. I believe Jesus is telling us that we must be willing to take on the rejection, the humiliation, the attitudes, and even perhaps physical beatings that may come as a result of following Him and telling the Good News everywhere we go.
Can we put Him first in our lives and be willing to take up our cross? If we can say yes to that question we are committed. If no, then perhaps being a Christian is just a concept; a name we call ourselves.
We can follow anyones ideas and our conception of their ideals. We cannot truly follow someone until we are close enough to know them. Being a Christian is not about concept it is about commitment. It is about belief; about knowing that you know that you know.
Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me." (NLT)
There are three kinds of people: Gentiles (without God), Jews (without Jesus), and Christians. Which one are you? And are you what you say your are or is that just a convenient moniker?
Going to church on Sundays does not make us a Christian, but it is a good start. The problem is many believe fulfilling this weekly obligation is all that is expected. Jesus says nothing about going to church. He assumes we are doing that.
Those He was addressing in the crowd were Jews. They attended church. They believed in the one true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Exodus 3:6) So the question was about following Him and to do that they (we) must turn from our selfish ways. We must turn from our worldly desires and put God first in our lives.
Is being a Christian a concept to you or a commitment? Do we turn to God because He is our friend, one who we chat with each day? Or do we look to Him in our need to fulfil our worldly desires? Are we committed to a relationship with Jesus?
And that cross thing, it sounds painful. I believe Jesus is telling us that we must be willing to take on the rejection, the humiliation, the attitudes, and even perhaps physical beatings that may come as a result of following Him and telling the Good News everywhere we go.
Can we put Him first in our lives and be willing to take up our cross? If we can say yes to that question we are committed. If no, then perhaps being a Christian is just a concept; a name we call ourselves.
We can follow anyones ideas and our conception of their ideals. We cannot truly follow someone until we are close enough to know them. Being a Christian is not about concept it is about commitment. It is about belief; about knowing that you know that you know.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Are They Blind
2 Corinthians 4:4
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. (NLT)
Remember watching a puppet like show where the performers would use a backlit sheet to display their characters as shadows. It was quite lifelike and yet you never saw the actual people or puppets. The images were behind a veil.
We forget that the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. We talk to them and yet our words seem to bounce off, never to be heard. So we keep coming back to them trying something else often to the point where they may not want to see us anymore. Sometimes even to the point where they agree to what we are asking, but perhaps only in words not from their heart.
And then there are those we approach who light up when we begin to discuss Jesus and what a relationship with Him has done to our lives. Perhaps someone else has dropped a few seeds into their life and Father God has been helping them remove that veil. They are ready to listen to the Good News.
How do we know who is dealing with that blindness and who is ready to listen? We don't. That is why we need to reach out to all we come into contact with. Some are ready. Some are not, but our words are like seed planted. And some are so blinded they cannot see.
So everywhere our feet tread we need to be obeying Holy Spirit and spreading the Good News
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. (NLT)
Remember watching a puppet like show where the performers would use a backlit sheet to display their characters as shadows. It was quite lifelike and yet you never saw the actual people or puppets. The images were behind a veil.
We forget that the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. We talk to them and yet our words seem to bounce off, never to be heard. So we keep coming back to them trying something else often to the point where they may not want to see us anymore. Sometimes even to the point where they agree to what we are asking, but perhaps only in words not from their heart.
And then there are those we approach who light up when we begin to discuss Jesus and what a relationship with Him has done to our lives. Perhaps someone else has dropped a few seeds into their life and Father God has been helping them remove that veil. They are ready to listen to the Good News.
How do we know who is dealing with that blindness and who is ready to listen? We don't. That is why we need to reach out to all we come into contact with. Some are ready. Some are not, but our words are like seed planted. And some are so blinded they cannot see.
So everywhere our feet tread we need to be obeying Holy Spirit and spreading the Good News
Monday, April 23, 2012
Be Salty
Mark 9:50
Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other." (NLT)
Salt enhances the food it is sprinkled on. Some of us use it plentifully and other sparingly. The medical doctors tell us that too much may be harmful to our heart by raising blood pressure and even hardening arteries.
If we look at verse 49, it reads "For everyone will be tested with fire." and doesn't John the Baptist say referring to Jesus in Luke 3:16 say "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Verse 49 in the Greek reads "salted with fire".)
When we become believers and are baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire, do we not become enhanced like salt enhances our food? And yet over time in this mortal existence we drift away from His influence and our salt begins to lose its flavor. We become complacent in our faith even if we do show up weekly at church.
The salt we were given when we received Jesus is kept fresh by our daily living under the influence of Holy Spirit. We are tested by fire each time He points us in one direction and we want to take another.
We salt each other as we band together with other Christians daily to build each other up in our actions and our prayer.
What are you doing today to remain salty?
Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other." (NLT)
Salt enhances the food it is sprinkled on. Some of us use it plentifully and other sparingly. The medical doctors tell us that too much may be harmful to our heart by raising blood pressure and even hardening arteries.
If we look at verse 49, it reads "For everyone will be tested with fire." and doesn't John the Baptist say referring to Jesus in Luke 3:16 say "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Verse 49 in the Greek reads "salted with fire".)
When we become believers and are baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire, do we not become enhanced like salt enhances our food? And yet over time in this mortal existence we drift away from His influence and our salt begins to lose its flavor. We become complacent in our faith even if we do show up weekly at church.
The salt we were given when we received Jesus is kept fresh by our daily living under the influence of Holy Spirit. We are tested by fire each time He points us in one direction and we want to take another.
We salt each other as we band together with other Christians daily to build each other up in our actions and our prayer.
What are you doing today to remain salty?
Monday, April 16, 2012
Forgiven
Hebrews 8:13
By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear. (NIV)
What if the speed limit on the highway used to be 55 mph and it was changed to be 70 mph. Then you were pulled over for doing 60 mph. You could not be charged with violating the old law because you were doing over the old speed limit of 55 mph. The new had replaced the old.
Jesus came and gave us a new covenant and new replaces old. He has given each of us Holy Spirit to reside within us and comfort us, yes, but also to teach us and guide us into all truth. Under the new covenant He promised us:
Hebrews 8:10-12
This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. (NIV)
Unlike our friends and relatives, He remembers our past transgressions no more. He forgives us of that wickedness we were guilty of before we gave our lives to Jesus.
This does not mean the laws under the old covenant were wrong. It means we do not have to be perfect to be saved. His laws are now written on our hearts. We know right from wrong because He is with us, not because we memorized law. We obey our heart because we are in Him as He is in us.
We have been forgiven and he remembers our sins no more.
By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear. (NIV)
What if the speed limit on the highway used to be 55 mph and it was changed to be 70 mph. Then you were pulled over for doing 60 mph. You could not be charged with violating the old law because you were doing over the old speed limit of 55 mph. The new had replaced the old.
Jesus came and gave us a new covenant and new replaces old. He has given each of us Holy Spirit to reside within us and comfort us, yes, but also to teach us and guide us into all truth. Under the new covenant He promised us:
Hebrews 8:10-12
This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. (NIV)
Unlike our friends and relatives, He remembers our past transgressions no more. He forgives us of that wickedness we were guilty of before we gave our lives to Jesus.
This does not mean the laws under the old covenant were wrong. It means we do not have to be perfect to be saved. His laws are now written on our hearts. We know right from wrong because He is with us, not because we memorized law. We obey our heart because we are in Him as He is in us.
We have been forgiven and he remembers our sins no more.
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