God Almighty speaks to me? Wow!

A Whole Lot of Angels

2011-12-20T06:21:00.000-08:00

A Whole Lot of Angels

God was up to something.

He was going to send His Son - Jesus Christ - to be born on earth.

It caused quite a stir in heaven!!!

The account includes a whole lot of angels.

Before Jesus was born, an angel appeared to his earthly uncle.

8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

Just before Jesus was born, an angel appeared to Joseph, who would stand in as his earthly father.

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[d]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[e] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[f] because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[g] (which means “God with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Before Jesus was born, an angel appeared to his earthly mother - Mary.

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[b] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Just after Jesus was born, angels appeared outside Bethlehem

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

There are a whole lot of angels in the Christmas story!

Jesus' birth caused quite a stir in heaven!!!

Glitz and Glitter

2011-12-17T07:27:00.000-08:00

Glitz and Glitter

We were at one of the mandatory Christmas Parties last night.

The wife of a good friend was complaining that they had no lights. No Christmas tree. The house was plain.

"Because the kids are all gone?" we queried.

"No. As you know, we came back from the Holy Land a month ago. Everywhere Jesus went, everywhere something happened in the Gospel account, they have put up enormous Cathedrals over there. It was SO over the top."

"Bethlehem was depressing. It is incredibly dirty. They had put up this huge cathedral hundreds of years ago. Now the Muslims have taken the area over and are blaring their propaganda directly at the Cathedral. It was a bizarre and unsettling experience."

"So, no lights and Christmas tree for me this Christmas."

As I reflected on our conversation, I realized we have no Muslims blaring ant Christian messages at a high volume over a loud speaker.

But the glitz and glitter, and the materialism in our culture accomplishes the same thing. It overpowers and drowns out what God did for the world so long ago.

11. "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

No Glitz.

No Glitter.

Just a baby lying in a manager...

It is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive

2011-12-15T06:38:00.000-08:00

It is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive

It is Christmas, 2011.

The ads on TV are running full force on how you need to give this or that present - basically as proof that you are a good husband or wife, parent or friend.

But one managed to play before I was able to grab the "mute" button.

In it the girl says, "Its is better to receive, than to give"
Her boyfriend says quietly, in the last seconds of the commercial.
"I don't think that's how it goes..."
She replies - "Close enough!"

Cute commercial. Horrible distortion of the saying quoted directly from Jesus himself.

The quote does not appear in the Gospels - the accounts of Jesus life. Interestingly it is the Apostle Paul who quotes this saying from Jesus, way toward the end of his life.

Acts 20:35 "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Then the Son of Man will Appear!

2011-05-31T07:24:00.000-07:00

We just went through a period where some guy predicted the end of the world. It must have been a slow news day, because instead of ignoring it, as they have done countless times before, this time the news media picked it up coast to coast.

Countless jokes were made, endless talk shows commented. People were interviewed. Jesus did not come back on the predicted day. Unbelievers treated it as a joke. Believers jumped in to say no one knows the day.

Jesus did not come back... But he did say some pretty dramatic things when he was here!

Matthew 24:29 “Immediately after the distress of those days

“‘the sun will be darkened,

and the moon will not give its light;

the stars will fall from the sky,

and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’[a]

30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth[b] will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.[c] 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it[d] is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[e] but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

So we do not know the day.

But when the leaves come out on the fig tree, summer is near. We are supposed to know the general time.

Is it now?

Am I prepared?

Is it now???

When will these things be?

2011-05-14T11:57:00.000-07:00

When will these things be?

We have always been troubled by, and fascinated by, the future.

Here Jesus talks about the future. The disciples ask the obvious question:
When will these things be?

Matthew 24

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times

1 "Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’[a] spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.

22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.

26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather."

Now - in the middle of the Great Obama Depression - people are asking the same thing again. When will these things be?

Are we in the end times? Is Jesus returning soon?

As always, we know what is happening today. We do not know what will happen tomorrow.

Lets Stump the Master

2011-05-03T08:02:00.000-07:00

Lets Stump the Master

Matthew 22:34 "Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

The religious leaders were determined to discredit Jesus. They had rehearsed some questions that they were sure would make him stutter and stammer.

This one was a doosy! Their scholars and leaders had wrestled with it for hundreds of years.
37 "Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[b] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

That brought their attack to an end. Then he started in on them, with some questions of his own.

41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?”

“The son of David,” they replied.
43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says,
44 “‘The Lord said to my Lord:

“Sit at my right hand

until I put your enemies

under your feet.”’

45 If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” 46 No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions."

Jesus outwitted his religious enemies. They got their revenge by putting him to death shortly after.

Yet all this was according to the purpose and plan of God Almighty.

The "holy" way or the Lowly Way

2011-04-25T10:20:00.000-07:00

The "holy" way or the Lowly Way

Religiousity or Righteousness.

Outward appearance, or internal compliance.

Today Jesus tells a story...

Matthew 21:28
“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him."

The story is one that every parent can relate to. Even if you only have two children, it is likely that they are each very different from each other.

The first son is what we would now call a "strong willed child." When asked to help his father, his first response was rebellious and confrontive. "I will not go" was his immediate reply. This is a kid who is very hard to manage. He causes his parents a lot of grief. However, in this story he changes his mind and decides to obey.

In this story, the second son is outwardly compliant. "Yes, Dad" was the answer. But he was what we would now call "passive aggressive." He said yes, so the problem of the moment was solved. But he disobeyed, doing whatever he pleased. These children are difficult for a parent because of their back handed and sneaky ways of disobeying.

Jesus asks the obvious question. Even though one kid looked good at the time, and the other kid was rebellious and hard headed, in the end, which kid did the right thing? Which kid obeyed the father?

So those who look so good on the outside, all religious and stuff, were actually not doing the will of God, but just making it hard for sincere people to find God at all.

And those who looked so bad on the outside, living a life of greed and sin, were turning from their wrongful ways, repenting, and coming to God with sincerity and trust.

Hi is Risen!

2011-04-24T06:01:00.000-07:00

Matthew 28
Jesus Has Risen
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

This is the most important celebration of the year for Christians. Jesus came to earth, lived, did miracles, taught, died for our sins. But what validates all of that is that he rose from the dead.

Easter is about Jesus. He is Risen!

Power!

2011-04-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

Power is a significant part of life.

Power among nations. For much of my life there was a "balance of power" (balance of terror, really) between the Soviet Union and the West, with the number and deadly force of nuclear weapons creating the balance. Now, the United States reigns supreme as the world power, but the present leadership is working diligently to destroy that.

Power among people. People with money have power. People with position have power. People with great strength, or big voice, or fierce temperament have power.

Power in relationships. Often divorces comes as a result of a power struggle between the two people.

Spiritual power. Who is close to God. Who is living a morally pure life.

Jesus gave up all his external power. But he had spiritual power in spades.

Today he dismantles the opposition with one simple question. Read on...

Matthew 21:23 "Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

24 Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”

27 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."

End of story!

Time to Pay Taxes!

2011-04-10T08:59:00.000-07:00

It is April 15 this Friday.
Time to pay taxes!

Of course, we pay them all year long. We pay them every day. We pay them when we buy gas, buy food, pay our mortgage payment. We pay taxes when we die.

But right now, we are concentrating only on the income tax. The more you make, the more you pay.

We hate paying taxes. But no more than the people in the olden days. At the time of Christ, the Roman Empire controlled Palestine. They extorted taxes from the folks. Nobody liked paying those taxes.

It is the set up for today's story...

15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax[a] to Caesar or not?”

18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away."

Ever since, we have used this phrase, first spoken by Jesus himself. Pay to Ceasar what is Ceasars, and to God what is God's.

The Invitation - Privilege, but also Responsibility

2011-03-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

We get invited to things all the time.

A lot of the invitations - we don't care about and totally disregard. No RSVP, no phone call. We just don't answer and don't go. A seminar, for example, where you know they are going to put pressure on you to buy something you don't want or need.

There are others that you agonize over. Don't really want to go, but really SHOULD. What to do? Depending on how important it is, you find an excuse not to go, but you definately communicate that "reason" that you can't attend.

A third level of invitation you want to go to very badly, and you move heaven and earth to be there. A birthday party, a wedding, a family event.

There is a fourth level of invitation. It is so important that to go is an unbelievable privilege. To not go is inconceivable. An invitation to see the President, or Queen or Prime Minister of your country...

Matthew 22
The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
1 "Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

4 “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

5 “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. 6 The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. 7 The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

8 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9 So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.

13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

14 “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

This was an invitation that you disregard at your peril.

You also don't show up uninvited!

Jesus is saying the invitation into his kingdom is a big deal. Accept it. Don't reject it!

Quirky Story

2011-03-23T07:49:00.000-07:00

Quirky Story

Today we read one of the oddest stories in the New Testament.
Jesus is hungry. He goes to pick a fig to munch on. No figs! Nothing but leaves...

Jesus Curses a Fig Tree
18 "Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered."

He wants figs. There are none. So he curses the tree and it withers right on the spot!

What is with that?

Was this a "right of way" tree, that was just by the road and no one owned it or took care of it?

If it belonged to a farmer, was he not hurting their livlihood? Was he cursing the tree because they should have been pruning it so it would be fruitful?

20 "When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked."

The disciples have no issue with him cursing the tree. They were all involved in the mechanics. "Whoa! He cursed the tree and it withered! Right on the spot, man! It just shriveled up... just like that!!!"

Of course, Jesus had a lesson to teach from the experiencce with the tree.
21 "Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

He keyed into what the disciples were amazed at - the power to do cool things.

A quirky story, to be sure...

Jesus was a man's man.

2011-03-21T08:08:00.000-07:00

Jesus was a man's man.

I have always objected to pictures of Jesus as the holy whimp. He was, after all, a carpenter in the era before power tools. Think of that! This guy was built.

And he was no coward. Taking on his enemies with wit and wisdom, never running or backing down from a confrontation.

Today it gets physical!
It was Jesus all alone against the merchants.
And Jesus won!!!

12 "Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves."

13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

I can just see the glint in his eye, feel the bite of the whip, hear the chaos of tables overturning, pigeons flying, coins rolling on the ground!

Yes, Jesus was a man's man!

14 "The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.

16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.

“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,

“‘From the lips of children and infants

you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”

17 And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night."

This is a gentle man.
A spiritual man.
But also a very powerful man.

He goes from overturning tables to healing the sick from one moment to the other.

Jesus was a man's man...

Was this the high point?

2011-03-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

Was this the high point?

It would seen that the high point in Jesus' "career" was when he came into Jerusalem, riding on the preferred steed of kings, hailed as a king, and adulated by all.

Matthew 21:1 "As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”[a]

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[c]

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Of course, we know the end of the story.
Just a few days later, another crowd in the same city is saying, "crucify him!"

What are the lessons to be learned?

Positive public opinion is sweet!
But it is also fickle!

Jesus received it, but did not rely on it. He did not internalize it. It did not change him, or even affect him.

A truly humble person does not ever entirely believe or internalize the adulation of the masses, or the glory of fame.

A Glimpse Into Eternity

2011-03-17T00:22:00.000-07:00

A Glimpse Into Eternity

The people around Jesus were getting one amazing experience after another.

In today's story they are on vacation.

Matthew 17:1 "After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus."

The three friends got a glimpse into eternity.

9 "As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

We live in two worlds. The physical, present world, and the spiritual, unseen world. Most of us are only aware of, or present in, the physical world.

11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist."

These three friends got a glimpse into eternity.
And were never the same...

When Your World is Rocked

2011-03-17T00:14:00.000-07:00

When Your World is Rocked

Some times we go along in life, when suddenly our world is rocked. Our little three year old girl dies suddenly. Our wife leaves a note saying she has taken the kids and they will not be back. Divorce papers coming. Or a visit to the doctor over some malady brings the prognosis - you have three months to live.

Some times we go along in life, when suddenly our world is rocked.

Today's story rocked the world of those around Jesus.

They are on vacation. Jesus makes an announcement.
And their world is rocked.

Matthew 16:21 "From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."

What?
Didn't you just prove that you were the Messiah?
Weren't those words ascribed to you? And you accepted them?
What?

22 "Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

Peter found his voice. The others were in stunned silence. What did he mean? This couldn't happen. No! No! No!
23 "Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

We weren't there. But I wonder how long the awkward silence was after that remark!
24 "Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

The disciples were stunned. Confused. Their heads were spinning.

Kind of like us, when our world is rocked...

Who Am I?

2011-03-15T04:57:00.000-07:00

Who Am I?

One of the most enduring questions down the ages is:
Who Am I?
Along with, Why am I here?, and What is the purpose of life?

It used to be common for young people to go to Europe, or India to "find themselves." (To which my attitude has always been - What, go to India to find yourself? Just look in the mirror! There you are!!!)

Jesus asked this same question, but with a very different slant. Who Am I?

13 "When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

I think it is hard for us to understand what a huge statement this was. The Messiah. The Long Awaited One. The Savior. Christ.

Jesus understood the significance of that little statement:

17 "Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven."

This is huge, Jesus is saying. So huge, in fact, that it was revealed to you by God the Father!!

Abstruse Message

2011-03-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

Abstruse Message

Jesus often spoke in an abstruse, or abstract way.

Here is a simple problem. They are travelling, and someone forgot to be prepared, so they had no lunch.

5 "When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. 6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Jesus didn't bawl them out for being unprepared.
Didn't even address the deprivation they would all feel when lunch time rolled around.
He made a comment that had them all scratching their heads...
6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

7 They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”

They didn't understand what he meant at all.
8 "Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread?"

Jesus wasn't actually talking about bread at all.

"But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

Finally they got what he was talking about.

So what was the point in talking like this?
Was it to show his superior intelligence?
Was it to keep them on their toes?
Was it to show them that he was on a higher plane than them?

I suspect not...
It seems that Jesus took everyday moments as his teaching points. Making everyday moments into teachable moments.

Was Jesus Calloused and Hard Hearted?

2011-03-11T07:43:00.000-08:00

Was Jesus Calloused and Hard Hearted?

Matthew 15:21 "Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

Since Jesus seemed to be completely ignoring her, the disciples picked up on that.

"She is a nuisance, Lord. Send her away. She is making a ruckus and it is annoying. Just get rid of her. She is a problem!"

Then Jesus engages her. But his statement and questions seem more calloused and hard hearted than his silence!

24 "He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

This woman was persistent!

And desperate!!

She would not go away.
She would not keep silent.
She answered every apparently cruel statement with a rebuttal!
28 "Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment."

Wow!

And Jesus healed her daughter.

What a lesson for us all in faith, in persistence, in perserverance.

Sometimes God seems to ignore our prayers. Sometimes we pray and things only seem to be getting worse!

Yet he hears... He knows... He cares...

Inside Out

2011-03-09T08:09:00.001-08:00

Inside Out

What matters most? The inside? Or the outside?

If you ask our culture, the outside matters most. Whether music, sports, movies or even politics, your good looks open doors, and your poor looks close doors.

But to God, the inside matters most.

The religion of the day put a lot of emphasis on obeying religious rules. Jesus says it is the heart that matter most to God.

Matthew 15:10 "Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. 11 What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”

12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

13 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave them; they are blind guides.[d] If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

15 Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”

16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

Jesus Doesn't Like Religion!

2011-03-08T07:27:00.000-08:00

Jesus Doesn't Like Religion!

If you are unfamiliar with the life of Jesus this comes as a shocker.
Jesus Doesn't Like Religion!

But, but, but, you say... Didn't he claim to be God? Is that not the source of ALL religion?

Yes and no. Yes he did claim to be God. Repeatedly, in many ways and to many people. The entire New Testament agrees that Jesus is God Incarnate - God in flesh.

But God and religion have issues. Jesus came to bring people to God.

But he considered religion to be a gate to keep people FROM God. I'm pretty sure he feels the same way today.

Matthew 15:1 "Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”

3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’[a] and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’[b] 5 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ 6 they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:

8 “‘These people honor me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from me.

9 They worship me in vain;

their teachings are merely human rules.’”

Jesus is not against the JEWISH religion. He is against ANY and ALL religion that makes rules about how to get to God, and ends up keeping people away from God.

God wants your heart. He wants your life. He doesn't want your performance, your ritual, your adherence to "religious" rules.

He wants YOU! And he wants to have a relationship with you!

The Storm!

2011-03-07T07:25:00.000-08:00

Storms are scary things.
You are uncomfortable, out of control, and you literally don't know if you are going to live or die.

"the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it."
These guys were experienced boaters. But this squall had caught them off gaurd, and now they had been in it all night long. They were tired and afraid.
25 "Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear."

I have no idea why Jesus decided to walk to them on the water. To show his divinity? To help them believe? Did he know what Peter was going to do?
27 "But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed."

Certainly a dramatic story! Perhaps one of the most oft told. Not of how Jesus walked on the water, but how Peter walked on the water - however briefly that was!

An exhausted Jesus Says Goodbye

2011-03-06T08:56:00.000-08:00

An exhausted Jesus Says Goodbye

The story of Jesus walking on the water has more paintings made of it than any other event in his life.

Yet it is a footnote to the real story.

Jesus cousin was senslessly murdered by a wicked polititian. When Jesus got the news, he went away with his friends to grieve.

The crowd anticipated where he was going, and there was a huge throng. He healed them, and fed them.

Then, worn out emotionally and physically, he sends his disciples on ahead in the boat.

He says good bye to all the people, then he went up the hill a ways and poured his heart out to the Father. He prayed until late into the night.

THAT is the real story. His catching up with the disciples was an appendage to the real story...

Matthew 14:22 "Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it."

Jesus is Sad

2011-03-05T08:32:00.000-08:00

Jesus is sad.
He just got word that his cousin, who we know as John the Baptist, was senslessly murdered by the ruling polititian of the day. The whole thing was sleasy and wrong. An innocent man was murdered.

He does not say a thing (that is recorded) but he does withdraw. Goes to a solitary place. There he can be alone (with his buds) and grieve...

13 "When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns."

But like so many famous people, he is allowed no alone time. Soon people began appearing. Clusters of families, groups of guys, entire villages...

Oh well! So much for quielty grieving!!!

14 "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick."

So he got up, and got to work. Healing the people until it got close to dusk.

There is a lesson here.

Today we are busy addicts. Busy makes us feel good. Busy makes us feel important. We have a wonderful work ethic that gets pleasure in accomplishment.

The down side is - what are you like when you are interrupted?
Grouchy? Impatient? Rude? Brusk?

Jesus just needed time alone.
He didn't get it.
His response? Graciously attend to the needs of the people...

Sleazy, Slaughter and Savior

2011-03-04T07:47:00.000-08:00

News Flash!
Drunk Polititian has Sleazy entertainment and the result is the Slaughter of an innocent man!

Matthew 14:1 "At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.
6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much 7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus."

The Sinless Saviour of the world hears about it and is Sad for his cousin the beheaded prophet and the king who is an unrepentant sinner.

The Hometown Effect

2011-03-02T08:36:00.000-08:00

The hometown effect.
For some of you it is the family effect.

Those who know you the best sometimes can limit you by their over familiarity.

They remember your awkwardness as a Junior Higher. The crazy things you did as a teen ager. The dramatic statements you made in your early twenties. And they underestimate you.

In todays reading Jesus goes back to his home town. Where he was raised. They did not know him as the miracle worker. The amazing teacher. The one who claimed to be God. They knew him as a carpenter, son of Joseph, the carpenter.

Matthew 13:53 "When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”

58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith."

Don't allow yourself to be limited by the family effect.

Or the home town effect either...

Value

2011-02-28T08:28:00.000-08:00

How do you value something?

Mostly it is supply and demand.
Sometimes it is value that is perceived.

Prince Andrew gave an engagement ring to Katie. It was said to have cost around $40,000 when his father, Prince Philip gave it to his mother Lady Diana. However, now it should be worth at least twice that, and given the love of Lady Di around the world, and the controversy around her life, her marriage and her death, it is probably priceless.

Today Jesus talks about value.

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

This real estate had value. It had value as a piece of land. It had more value depending on the orchards that were already planted, or the water rights it enjoyed, or the possibility of growing crops on it. Maybe it had value for some buildings on it.

But the man who found the abandoned treasure suddenly valued it far above all of that. It had supremely high value to him.
Jesus is saying that the Kingdom of Heaven is like that.

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."

This is much like the blood diamond in Africa, or the Star of India jewel. They are unusually beautiful, and big, and valuable.

Jesus is saying that the kingdom of heaven is like that.

2011-02-27T08:46:00.000-08:00

Matthew 13
The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast
31 "He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[a] of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:

“I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”[b]

The Parable of the Weeds Explained
36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear."

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom...

This is good news, or bad news, depending on your choices right now!

Who Decides?

2011-02-26T08:25:00.000-08:00

Jesus is telling stories.
Stories with a purpose.

The Kingdom of Heaven, he says, is like a field in some ways. There may be weeds in with the good seed.

Who decides which ones are weeds and which ones are wheat?
Well - their look and function make them pretty obvious. They aren't interested in what God is interested in. They don't act like people of the kingdom.

So, who should decide which ones are wheat, and which ones are weeds? Read on...

Matthew 13:24 "Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

Let God decide.
He is the only one who knows the inside of a person. He knows the heart. He knows true motivations. He is the only righteous judge of good and evil.

Let Him decide...

Teaching from a boat

2011-02-25T08:20:00.000-08:00

Lots of people wanted to see and hear Jesus at this point. Today he got in a boat, and taught from there...

Matthew 13:1 "That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore."

Sound carries very well over water. There is a natural carrying and even amplifying effect. He taught a long time...

3 "Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

This is a very natural story. Understood both visually and practically by everyone that heard it. We still understand it today. The miracle of the seed. A kernel of corn will grow a hundred or more kernels, when sowed and planted.

10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables:

“Though seeing, they do not see;
though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them."

As always, Jesus was dealing in more than one plane. Both the physical, earthly plane; but also in the spiritual, supernatural plane.

A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign!

2011-02-20T07:25:00.000-08:00

A seemingly simple request to Jesus brings a very hard response!

Matthew 12:38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here."

This question, this request, came after Jesus drove a demon out of a man who was both blind and mute. The demon left, and the man was healed. He had just given them an amazing sign.

The people were astonished, and began to wonder, out loud, if this Jesus really was the Messiah, the Anointed One, the long promised redeemer of Israel.

After this astonishing miracle, the religious leaders ask for a sign. Jesus said to them, "You have more than enough signs, but you have hard hearts and do not believe..."

Then Jesus gives us some fascinating insight into the unseen world.

43 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

So - A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign!

Do you let your critics define you?

2011-02-18T08:24:00.000-08:00

Do you let your critics define you?

There was only one perfect man in the entire history of the world.

So, of course, he did not have any critics, right?

Wrong. Today he is accused of working by the power of the devil. Do you have critics? Do you define yourself by what they say? Jesus most definately DID NOT!!

Matthew 12:24 "But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”

25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

29 “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

30 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

All the people were astonished!

2011-02-17T08:21:00.000-08:00

After leaving the place where the religious leaders had started to plot to kill him, Jesus withdrew and healed everybody who was ill.

Matthew 12:15 "Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. 16 He warned them not to tell others about him. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to victory.
21 In his name the nations will put their hope.”[b]

Jesus and Beelzebul
22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”

Apparently people had gotten somewhat used to Jesus healing people. However, healing and casting a demon out of a man created astonishment.

Who is this man? Might he really be the long awaited Messiah? Might he be the Christ??

What, or Who is the Final Authority?

2011-02-14T07:25:00.000-08:00

Today there is a story that revolves around a debate.
The debate is:

What, or Who is the Final Authority?

That debate is still raging today.
The Bible says - sex before, or outside of marriage - is sin.
Culture says - we will have sex whenever, and with whomever, we want. And you cannot tell us otherwise!

The Bible says - Thou shalt not murder!
Culture says - if we have sex but don't want the baby, we have full right to kill it - right to the time it will be born!

In Jesus day, the debate was a little more simple.
Who was the final arbiter of God's will on earth? The LAW, which they had had for thousands of years, or some itenerant preacher who could do miracles?

Matthew 12:1 "At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. 2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”

3 He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. 5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? 6 I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. 7 If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’[a] you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

9 Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, 10 and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

11 He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus."

The argument that Jesus, as God in human flesh, was the Lord - was blasphemous to the religious leaders.

Even though he was doing miracles, and healing people and doing good, they decided they had to find a way to kill him!

Today the same debate. Who decides what is right and what is wrong?

And the reaction is equally hard and even violent!!

Come to me - if you are weary or burdened

2011-02-13T08:16:00.000-08:00

We live in the richest country in the world.
Our society, with its freedom and abundant opportunity, is the envy of the entire world.

Why, then, would we be weary? Or burdened?
Oh, but we are...

Jesus words, spoken to downtrodden peasants in Palestine 2000 years ago, still resonate today!

Matthew 11:27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Come to me, says Jesus.

Who WAS he, to make such an offer?

I will give you rest. You WILL find rest for your souls.

Only God could speak that way. Only God could deliver on that promise. Especially 2000 years later. Only God...

Jesus and John

2011-02-11T08:28:00.000-08:00

Jesus and John
One of the most enigmatic parts of Jesus' life was his cousin John. John was a true prophet. Totally dedicated to the message God had given him. Not at all concerned about his personal life, or hygene, or even health. Never married. With his appearance and radical lifestyle, probably never even came close.

He had a strong message, and a good group of followers.

His bold statements against a political leader had landed him in jail. With time to think, he was wondering about Jesus...

Matthew 11:1 "After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.[a]

2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[b] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’[c]

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence,[d] and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.

16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

17 “‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

The Hard Message

2011-02-10T06:53:00.000-08:00

You couldn't accuse Jesus of softpedaling.
Today He teaches what I would call the Hard Message.
I would entitle it:

What Will Happen to My Followers. Are You Up For It?
Matthew 10:21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!

26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn

“‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’[b]

37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

The hard message. Everything He spoke about has happened to His followers over the years. Only if His kingdom truly was not of this world would it all be worth it.

From the masses to the few

2011-02-09T07:47:00.000-08:00

From the masses to the few

Jesus' miracles had attracted masses of people following him wherever he went. He now directs his attention to the few:

Matthew 10:1 "Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."

Although Jesus' instructions had application to the immediate time, He was also giving a commentary on what would happen to all disciples down through the ages.

More Christians are beaten, abused and killed today than ever before in history. A pastor in India last month was accosted by three men and beaten. He was told to never come back to that village. A pastor in a closed Muslim country left a pastors reunion two months ago that was held in a safe country. He went back home and was never heard of again. Presumed tortured and killed.

Jesus went from the masses to the few.
And He told them clearly what would happen to them...

This is unique in all of history!

2011-02-08T05:58:00.000-08:00

This event was not orchestrated.

Jesus was just going about his business.

This man was brought to Jesus. The man was demon possessed. He was mute. Jesus, can you help him?

32 "While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus."

Jesus drove the demon out. The man who was mute, was able to speak.

33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke."

The people around were amazed. (I would have been as well!)

The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”

The religious leaders were at a loss to explain this. A demon cast out, and a mute man speaking. How to comprehend?

34 "But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”

Ahhhhhh! It is by the devil's power that he casts out devils! (That didn't square even with their own theology)

The crowd was right. This is unique in all of history!

You and your buddy are blind. What to do?

2011-02-07T07:16:00.000-08:00

You and your buddy are blind. What to do?

We don't know much about them. These two blind men.
Probably had not been able to get married.
Almost for sure they did not have jobs.
They were a drain on their families.
Relegating to begging for a living.
They had banded together. Maybe for protection. Maybe they took turns begging.

They heard there was a man - Jesus - who could heal people. Maybe?
Jesus came by where they lived. They were not going to let this chance go...

27 "As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

Nothing! Jesus didn't stop. He didn't heal them. He apparently didn't even notice them... They follow him.
28 "When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

“Yes, Lord,” they replied.

29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region."

They believed. They were healed.
Although told to keep quiet, they couldn't help it. They told everyone they met!

Can Jesus live up to His reputation?

2011-02-05T09:03:00.000-08:00

Two regular folks had heard of Jesus' reputation.

They were each confronted with tragedy in their life. All hope was gone. They had tried everything. Nothing had worked.

They each had heard about Jesus.

Could He live up to His reputation?

The first one is a dad. He had a 12 year old girl. Any parent who has had a child for 12 years knows the love you have for your girl. She got sick. They tried everything to save her.

She died.

There was no hope. But Jesus was doing amazing things. Do you suppose...?

Matthew 9:18 "While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples."

Jesus didn't laugh at this desperate, broken, humble man. He didn't show embarassment. (You want me to do WHAT?)

No. He listened to him, and he and his disciples followed him home.

Meanwhile another desperate person was nearby. Her story becomes huge. But right now it is just a sideline to the main story.

She has gone through the entire medical gauntlet. Doctors. Tests. Medicines. None of them worked. (How many people are in that same place today?)

20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

She didn't want to make a scene. She didn't even ask Jesus anything. If only I touch Him, she thought to herself. If only I touch Him. Nothing more. If only I touch Him.

22 "Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment."

A miraculous healing! No scandal! No headlines! Jesus quietly healed her and moved on. It sure changed HER life!!!

23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him."

Here things are not quiet. The professional mourners are in full force. This rowdy approach to mourning in community seems strange to us. However, psychology is showing that grief work needs to be done with others, in community. The stoic quiet individualized approach to mourning that we do is psychologically damaging. So this society long ago had that one figured out. Friends, neighbors, family - all wailing loudly!

Jesus says something very cruel. Very calloused.

The girl is not dead, she is asleep! Some of the folks laugh. That is SO ridiculous!! Who does this guy think he is? He is not family...

The dad bids the crowd be quiet. Sends people scurrying.

25 "After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region."

Did THAT cause a commotion!

This dad's world was rocked. His little girl came back to life.

Jesus lived up to His reputation.

Who WAS He, really? Who WAS this man who could do things no one else on earth could do???

Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven

2011-02-02T07:59:00.001-08:00

We have heard it said that Jesus can forgive sins so many times that it is not shocking to us.

But in fact, it IS shocking!
Scandalous, even!

Matthew 9:1 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”

They were entirely right!
Here was this man - this ordinary if interesting man - claiming to have the power, the ability, to forgive sins.

And he said it so nonchalantly. Like it was an every day occurence.

But what they said is true. NO ONE has the power to forgive sins but God alone!

4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man."

So - just to prove that I AM INDEED GOD ALMIGHTY IN THE FLESH - be healed.

And the man was healed. He got up after being paralyzed. And he walked home.

What does that tell us about Jesus?

Jesus is Lord of All; or Jesus is not Lord AT All

2011-02-01T08:05:00.000-08:00

Jesus is Lord of All; or Jesus is not Lord AT All

This is a harsh reality. Lotta people don't like it.

Here is the story. It comes in three parts:

1. The prosperous and established have to be willing to give everything up.

Matthew 8:18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

The teacher of the law had worked hard. He had studied long and achieved a lot. Had a nice house, good reputation - a place in life.

Jesus said to him, I am either Lord of All; or I am not Lord AT All.
If you follow me, you have to be willing to lose what you have. Put me above all the achievement, the place in society, the financial security. I am glad that you are attracted to my message. Are you willing to make me Lord of all?

2. Good people with good priorities have to be willing to put Jesus first.
21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

The next guy is a good guy. He is connected to his family. He is a dutiful son. His father is older, and the son must fulfill his obligation. Later, when dad passes on and the financial affairs are all in order. Later, Jesus. You are important, but you have to fit into my life. You should understand that, right?

Jesus says to him, I am either Lord of All; or I am not Lord AT All.

Harsh message, but true.

3. The folks who have pledged their lives to Jesus have to learn to grow in thier faith and trust in Jesus. Is he really Lord of All?
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Who is Jesus?

He is lord of all.

In fact, He is either Lord of All; or or He is not Lord AT All

I wish my prayers were answered like this!

2011-01-28T08:22:00.000-08:00

Jesus is accosted by a man with a real need.
He was a man with leprosy. It was deadly, incurable and made the sufferer both ostracized and poor.

His request was simple.

Matthew 8:1 "When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy[a] came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

I believe, he was saying. I don't know if you WANT to help me, but if you DID want to I am sure you could.

Jesus response was immediate and amazing:

3 "Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

I wish all my prayers were answered this decisively. This quickly. This fully!

Jesus made praying seem so natural!

2011-01-27T07:46:00.000-08:00

Jesus spoke of prayer. It is said he got up in the predawn to pray to his Father God.

Here he lays out the most simple words about prayer.

Ask, Seek, Knock
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

We have taken this to mean that God is a Santa Claus in the sky. Ask for anything, and it will be given to you.

But in Jesus world, his relationship with the Father was so intimate, if He asked, it would be done.

Because God is a good God. And He loves us...

Jesus had gone viral

2011-01-25T07:24:00.000-08:00

At this time Jesus had gone viral.
He was the hot topic, the big show, the amazing teacher/healer.

The crowds were thronging to see him.

He chooses to do something intriguing.

Matthew 5:1 "Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them."

Jesus did not want to tiltillate. He wanted to teach.

What is recorded and written down goes on for three chapters. It made quite an impression!

"He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

He said... blessed.
Favored by God. Honored. Beneficially singled out.
Commended. Exalted. Praised.

That is how Jesus began his teaching ministry.

Blessed...

Mohammed did no miracles

2011-01-24T10:10:00.000-08:00

Mohammed did no miracles.
Budda did none either.
They never even claimed to do miracles.

We are being introduced to Jesus, in the New Testament.

He calls some grown men, who are at work. He makes no apologies. Does not prioritize - "Hi, come follow me after your work is done for the day"

Nope! Come follow me. Now. Drop what you are doing. My call takes precedence over everything else in your lives!

And they do so. What kind of a person was Jesus to command this level of respect? Of obedience? Of priority?
18 "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him."

That is not the end of today's story.
Jesus did miracles.
Lots of them!
23 "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis,[g] Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him."

WHO WAS THIS JESUS???

Mohammed did no miracles.

Budda did none either.
They never even claimed to do miracles.

But Jesus did!

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.

2011-01-23T08:27:00.000-08:00

Jesus moved from Nazareth to Capernaum, near by. It was just him. A carpenter. He began to preach.

He had a master plan. But to anyone who knew him in that period, he was just a carpenter that used to preach.

12 "When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— ...

17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

His message was one of transformation and hope. Repent. Change your ways. The kingdom, the kingdom of heaven is near.

Little did anyone know who heard him that he was God - God incarnate. That he had come as Savior of the world. That he would divide history. That he had come to die for sinful man, as the sinless Lamb of God - who came to sacrifice himself for the sins of mankind.

Can the devil quote the Bible?

2011-01-22T09:54:00.000-08:00

Have you ever needed direction?
Looking for answers to a life issue?

You ask several people, confidants of yours.
To your surprise, some of them quote scripture passages to you. It would seem that God is indeed the authority for their answer.

But something doesn't ring true. Your friend says that, yes, she ditched her husband and took up with someone new. And it was all sanctioned by God. and you should do the same. She quotes chapter and verse. But you know from observing her life, that what she did was not at all glorifying to God?

There is a reason!

Today Jesus is finishing a 40 day fast. Join me as we read...

Matthew 4:1 "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him."

Does the devil know the Bible?
Can the devil give BAD advise using the Bible to make it seem as if it is coming from God?
How do you counteract it? Know God's word! Use ALL of God's word, not just unrelated snippets to prove a point.

God the Father Speaks. God the Son Speaks.

2011-01-17T07:33:00.000-08:00

Jesus is being baptized by John. The first words Jesus speaks in the book of Matthew are recorded here.

Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented."

To fulfill all righteousness...

Then its God the Father's turn. Jesus goes through with the baptism and God speaks...

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

What an event! What an endorsement!
1. This is my Son.
2. Whom I love.
3. With him I am well pleased!!

Live in Reverent Fear of Him

2010-12-22T07:41:00.000-08:00

Peter is old when he writes this letter.
He has seen the Good News - the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - spread across the known world.

He has also observed and experienced the hardship of the opposition to God.

He calls his readers (and us) to a life style.

I Peter 1
13 "So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”[c]

17 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as “foreigners in the land.” 18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days.

21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters.[d] Love each other deeply with all your heart.[e]

23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God."

Those who accept the Gospel, who believe, have been cleansed from their sins. They have been born again. (Yes, it is in the Bible)

Now we are to rise to that life. Be holy. Show sincere love.

Live in reverent fear of God...

Greetings!

2010-12-20T08:35:00.000-08:00

Our entire country is involved in Greetings right now.
Today it is estimated there will be 800 MILLION pieces of mail sent. That is a lot of greetings, and gifts, and packages.

Peter's circumstances were not as easy as ours. He did not have a hallmark card in which to write. But listen to the words he uses to greet the believers!

1 Peter 1

Greetings from Peter

1 "This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ.
I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.[a] 2 God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.
May God give you more and more grace and peace."

God's chosen people! God the Father KNEW you and chose you!
You have obeyed Him.
You have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

What a profound greeting!
Have you become one of God's family?
Have you been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ?

This Christmas season would be a great time to become a child of God.
Send me a comment and I can lead you to do what I and hundreds of millions have done around the world.

Such noble thoughts! Such exalted language!

2010-12-16T08:08:00.000-08:00

Such noble thoughts! Such exalted language!

Paul is in prison.
In chains.
Uncomfortable.
Being told what he can do, and what he cannot do.
He is innocent. Wrongfully accused.

Here is what he writes...

Ephesians 1:1 "This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.

I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus,[a] who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.

2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.[b] 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding."

No wonder Christianity took over the world.

If it can produce this kind of attitude.

This kind of noble thought, this kind of exalted language...

It is unstoppable!

Faith Brings Joy

2010-12-08T08:19:00.000-08:00

Faith Brings Joy

The Bible says it.
Research demonstrates it.
Our culture tries to reject it.
But it is true - faith brings joy!

Romans 5:1 "Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God."

Faith brings joy!

Amazing Words, Amazing Power, Amazing Disobedience

2010-12-04T06:53:00.000-08:00

This story is filled with high drama!

The disciples - JESUS' disciples - were doing miracles and healings...

12 "The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them. 14 Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women. 15 As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. 16 Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil[f] spirits, and they were all healed."

The folks who had lots of religious power, but no spiritual power, didn't like it one bit!

17 "The high priest and his officials, who were Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them, 20 “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!”

21 So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching.

When the high priest and his officials arrived, they convened the high council[g]—the full assembly of the elders of Israel. Then they sent for the apostles to be brought from the jail for trial. 22 But when the Temple guards went to the jail, the men were gone. So they returned to the council and reported, 23 “The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!”

24 When the captain of the Temple guard and the leading priests heard this, they were perplexed, wondering where it would all end. 25 Then someone arrived with startling news: “The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple, teaching the people!”

So now the religulous arrest them, confront them, threaten them and beat them...

26 "The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them. 27 Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. 28 “Didn’t we tell you never again to teach in this man’s name?” he demanded. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!”

29 But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross.[h] 31 Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. 32 We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this, the high council was furious and decided to kill them. 34 But one member, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was an expert in religious law and respected by all the people, stood up and ordered that the men be sent outside the council chamber for a while. 35 Then he said to his colleagues, “Men of Israel, take care what you are planning to do to these men! 36 Some time ago there was that fellow Theudas, who pretended to be someone great. About 400 others joined him, but he was killed, and all his followers went their various ways. The whole movement came to nothing. 37 After him, at the time of the census, there was Judas of Galilee. He got people to follow him, but he was killed, too, and all his followers were scattered.

38 “So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!”

40 The others accepted his advice. They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go.

41 The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.[i] 42 And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”

The disciples had amazing power! Amazing words! And never once did they even consider obeying the orders to stop preaching, stop teaching, stop advancing the Kingdom of God!!!

Christian Socialism

2010-12-02T08:47:00.000-08:00

Christian Socialism
Permanent pattern or temporary aberration?

In the days following Jesus's resurrection, the disciples were proliferating exponentially. It was an exciting happy time. Here is a description of how they lived.

32 "All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. 34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
36 For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. 37 He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles."

If you look at Scripture and conclude that descriptions of behavior are mandates to act accordingly, then we should still be doing this.

The interesting thing is that, with small exceptions, this pattern has never been followed on a sustained basis by Christ's followers.

Is it that Christians are greedy? Disobedient? Missing the mark?

Or was this a description of a historical event that was not copied even by those that participated in it? An economic model that is unsustainable??

What do you think?

Empty Threats

2010-11-30T08:16:00.000-08:00

Empty Threats

Today's reading reminds me of a story from China. A fearless Chinese evangelist was put in prison for 26 years, because he would not stop preaching the Good News of Jesus. He continued to preach inside the prison.

By the time they let him out, he was an old man. Everyone in his family had died. So he set up next to the prison gates, preaching fearlessly to everyone who came or went.

They would often threaten him, telling him to stop.

"What are you going to do?" he would say. "Put me in prison? I can preach just as well inside prison as I can outside prison!"

In today's story the Jewish religious leaders were making the threats...

Acts 4:5 "The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other relatives of the high priest. 7 They brought in the two disciples and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?”

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, 9 are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? 10 Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene,[b] the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. 11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,

‘The stone that you builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.’[c]

12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

13 The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there among them, there was nothing the council could say. 15 So they ordered Peter and John out of the council chamber[d] and conferred among themselves.

16 “What should we do with these men?” they asked each other. “We can’t deny that they have performed a miraculous sign, and everybody in Jerusalem knows about it. 17 But to keep them from spreading their propaganda any further, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in Jesus’ name again.” 18 So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? 20 We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”

21 The council then threatened them further, but they finally let them go because they didn’t know how to punish them without starting a riot. For everyone was praising God 22 for this miraculous sign—the healing of a man who had been lame for more than forty years."

And thus began the explosion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that has continued unabated for 2000 years.

Confronted, Disturbed, Arrested

2010-11-28T08:44:00.000-08:00

Jesus created a sensation wherever he went. Even at his birth there was the star, the angels, the shepherds coming in off the fields, the "king" of Israel killing everyone under 2 years old to do him in.

In his ministry he did miracles and healed thousands of people. He cast out demons. But it was his teaching that created the most radical reaction.

Then the mock trial, the illegal beating, the crucifixtion. The earth went dark. The entire area was shaken. The curtain ripped in two from top to bottom, demonstrating that the holy of holies was accesible to men because of Jesus' death.

The resurrection! The massive stone was rolled back. The grave was empty, but the grave clothes were neither cut open or unrolled!! People saw him. He spoke. He did miracles.

Then the assention! He went up into the air before their eyes! Said he was coming back the same way.

The sensation did not end with his death or resurrection. Read today's story...

While Peter and John were speaking to the people, they were confronted by the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and some of the Sadducees. 2 These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead. 3 They arrested them.

Let's see. Killing the leader didn't work. Maybe arresting the followers would...

1 "While Peter and John were speaking to the people, they were confronted by the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and some of the Sadducees. 2 These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead. 3 They arrested them and, since it was already evening, put them in jail until morning. 4 But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of believers now totaled about 5,000 men, not counting women and children.[a]
5 The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other relatives of the high priest. 7 They brought in the two disciples and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?”

That is an excellent question!

Is what I believe, what I follow, how I live my life - an extraordinary power, with authority from on high?

Or is my life quiet?
My religion powerless?
My beliefs meaningless?

Do I quietly grumble that Christ is not present in government, in education, in culture?

By what power?
In whose name?

Oh What a Difference He Makes!

2010-11-22T08:21:00.000-08:00

When Jesus was being betrayed, all his disciples fled except for Peter and John. They hung out all night as Jesus went through the horrible events of that night.

But IN that hostile environment, when Peter was confronted by a number of the people hanging around, he denied that he knew Jesus.

Then the Holy Spirit came.

Oh what a difference He makes!!!

Acts 2:1 "On the day of Pentecost[f] all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages,[g] as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, 8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! 9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” 12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.

13 But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”

Peter Preaches to the Crowd

14 Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. 15 These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. 16 No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:

17 ‘In the last days,’ God says,
‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.
18 In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on my servants—men and women alike—
and they will prophesy.
19 And I will cause wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below—
blood and fire and clouds of smoke.
20 The sun will become dark,
and the moon will turn blood red
before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives.
21 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved.’[h]

22 “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene[i] by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know.

All Authority on Heaven and Earth

2010-11-21T08:20:00.000-08:00

The disciples had just come through an amazing and scary week. Jesus was cricified. He rose again.

For 40 days Jesus had been with them.

Now he leaves.

He gives them a command and a promise.

16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[b] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

And with that He went up into the clouds!!

They stood there in unbelief!

2010-11-20T08:13:00.000-08:00

They stood there in unbelief!

The two women had said that Jesus had risen.
Peter and John reported that Jesus had risen.
The two disciples came into the group and reported that Jesus had risen.

When Jesus Himself came to stand among them, they stood there in unbelief!

35 "Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. 36 And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 37 But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!

38 “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39 Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” 40 As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.

41 Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he ate it as they watched.

44 Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations,[f] beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48 You are witnesses of all these things.
49 “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”

A most unusual conversation

2010-11-20T08:08:00.000-08:00

A most unusual conversation

It had been a puzzling week. Two of Jesus' disciples are walking, and talking, about the events of the day. Suddenly...

The Walk to Emmaus
13 "That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles[c] from Jerusalem. 14 As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. 16 But God kept them from recognizing him.

17 He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”
They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. 18 Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”

19 “What things?” Jesus asked.

“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. 20 But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. 21 We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.

22 “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. 23 They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! 24 Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”

25 Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. 26 Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” 27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, 29 but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. 30 As they sat down to eat,[d] he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

32 They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” 33 And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, 34 who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.[e]”

Didn't our hearts burn within us?

Shouldn't we have known?

Wasn't it obvious all along??

He Is Alive!!!

2010-11-20T08:02:00.000-08:00

He Is Alive!!!

Three small words that changed the world forever.

Jesus - carpenter, prophet, rabbi, miracle worker, teacher.
Jesus, who was crucified, IS ALIVE!

That is both the message of Christianity and the power of Christianity. That is why Christianity the the only truly universal belief system. Why it alone explains God's plan for earth, God's plan for salvation, God's plan for having a relationship with God Almighty!

The Resurrection
1 "But very early on Sunday morning[a] the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 3 So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.

5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man[b] must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”

8 Then they remembered that he had said this. 9 So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. 11 But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. 12 However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened."

Bewildered then. Ecstatic later!

Jesus, the Messiah, the Savior of the world, is ALIVE!

The Universe Was Shaken!

2010-11-14T08:55:00.000-08:00

God incarnate.

Suffering and dying on a cross.

For the sins of the world.

This event split history into Before Christ and After Death.

33 "At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 34 Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”[f]
35 Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. 36 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. “Wait!” he said. “Let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down!”
37 Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
39 When the Roman officer[g] who stood facing him[h] saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
40 Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph[i]), and Salome. 41 They had been followers of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem were also there."

God the Father, in an agony we cannot imagine, brought darkness to the earth.

Split the curtain in the temple in two.

Matthew 27:50 "Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, 52 and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. 53 They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people."

God the Father shook the earth.

Split rocks apart.

Released many from the grave...

The Universe was shaken!

Not so scary now, are you?

2010-11-12T06:30:00.000-08:00

Jesus amazing miracles, and even more amazing words had created a lot of awe and wonder in Palestine.

Some believed.

Some did not.

32 Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene,[g] and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. 33 And they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). 34 The soldiers gave him wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it.

The soldiers did not believe:

35 After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.[h] 36 Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. 37 A sign was fastened to the cross above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Two revolutionaries[i] were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

Many people did not believe:

39 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. 40 “Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!”

The religious leaders did not believe:

41 The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus. 42 “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him! 43 He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”

One of the two thieves crucified with him did not believe:

44 Even the revolutionaries who were crucified with him ridiculed him in the same way.

It is the same today:

Some believe.

Some choose not to.

God has designed this whole thing so we have free will.

Some believe.

Some do not.

Oversight of the military

2010-11-12T06:12:00.000-08:00

The job of the military is to impose the rule of those in power on the subjects.

The military is sanctioned to kill people and has all the tools and power to do that.

The life of a soldier rotates between boredom and violence. In battle the soldier is often fighting for his life. In peacetime the soldier is often bored.

This shows why the military has to have strict oversight. The combination of power over life and death, the tools of killing, and boredom can make for a pretty dangerous combination

Here is a group of soldiers, in a time of peace, who are cleared bored.

One day they are given a prisoner to kill. This one is unusually interesting. He reportedly has the power to do miracles. And it is said that he claimed to be the king of the Jews.

This assignment, gruesome as it was, was going to have some entertainment value!

Mark reports Mark 15:16 "The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters (called the Praetorium) and called out the entire regiment. 17 They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head. 18 Then they saluted him and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 19 And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship. 20 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified."

Of course, they had no notion it was the King of Glory they were taunting. That each one of them would appear before Him after they died. That He - the righteous judge of heaven and earth - had the ultimate power.

They didn't know any of that.

They were just bored.

And had an unusually interesting prisoner...

Navigating the legal, political, religious and military maze

2010-11-12T05:58:00.000-08:00

The Jewish religious leaders needed to get rid a big problem that was getting bigger. They couldn't impose the death penalty, but the government could.

The political leaders wanted to avert an insurrection in their domain. Appeasement of the masses. They didn't want to make the restless, resentful subjects even more angry than they already were.

The military was taught to blindly carry out the orders given to them. They would intimidate, brutalize or kill anyone or any group that stepped out of line of the rule of the empire.

Jesus himself knew that he must die, a sinless sacrifice, to pay for the sins of the world.

Mark 15:1 "Very early in the morning the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law—the entire high council[a]—met to discuss their next step. They bound Jesus, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.

2 Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Jesus replied, “You have said it.”
3 Then the leading priests kept accusing him of many crimes, 4 and Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer them? What about all these charges they are bringing against you?” 5 But Jesus said nothing, much to Pilate’s surprise.

6 Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner—anyone the people requested. 7 One of the prisoners at that time was Barabbas, a revolutionary who had committed murder in an uprising. 8 The crowd went to Pilate and asked him to release a prisoner as usual.

9 “Would you like me to release to you this ‘King of the Jews’?” Pilate asked. 10 (For he realized by now that the leading priests had arrested Jesus out of envy.) 11 But at this point the leading priests stirred up the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus. 12 Pilate asked them, “Then what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?”

13 They shouted back, “Crucify him!”

14 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?”

But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”

15 So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified."

Jesus - sinless - was condemned to die!

The accountant jumps out the window

2010-11-12T05:26:00.000-08:00

We in tough times right now.

This is the worst it has been financially since the last great depression - in the 1920's.

The most notorious images from that time is people jumping out the window to their death below. It must have been a desperate situation to feel like things have turned out so bad that your only alternative is to jump to your death.

Today we are in the last days of Jesus.

His accountant commits suicide...

What series of events made HIM feel so desperate that he literally jumped to his death?

Here is the story.

Matthew 27:1 "Very early in the morning the leading priests and the elders met again to lay plans for putting Jesus to death. 2 Then they bound him, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.
3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.”

“What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.”
5 Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.
6 The leading priests picked up the coins. “It wouldn’t be right to put this money in the Temple treasury,” they said, “since it was payment for murder.”[a] 7 After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potter’s field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners. 8 That is why the field is still called the Field of Blood. 9 This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah that says,
“They took[b] the thirty pieces of silver—

the price at which he was valued by the people of Israel,

10 and purchased the potter’s field,

as the Lord directed.[c]”

Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!

2010-11-11T08:08:00.000-08:00

As a culture we have learned to feel for animals.

Not so much for plants.

Today Jesus is describing a process we all know well.

It is called pruning. A competent arborist, or even a back yard gardener, knows that you have to prune fruit trees or they get all leafy and overgrown, and don't produce fruit.

But today Jesus applies that rather violent example to us!

Ouch!!

John 15:1 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

Tough Times

2010-11-10T08:23:00.000-08:00

They say tough times build character.

That may be true, but it seems to me that tough times reveal character more than build character.

In today's reading we are with Jesus during the toughest time of his life.

He was still with all 12 of his disciples, but he knew one would betray him, one would deny him, and all would abandon him.

How did he act around these fickle friends?

John 13:18 “I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says, ‘The one who eats my food has turned against me.’[d] 19 I tell you this beforehand, so that when it happens you will believe that I Am the Messiah.[e] 20 I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.”
21 Now Jesus was deeply troubled,[f] and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!”
22 The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean. 23 The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table.[g] 24 Simon Peter motioned to him to ask, “Who’s he talking about?” 25 So that disciple leaned over to Jesus and asked, “Lord, who is it?”

26 Jesus responded, “It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. 27 When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.” 28 None of the others at the table knew what Jesus meant. 29 Since Judas was their treasurer, some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor. 30 So Judas left at once, going out into the night."

Tough times reveal character.

Mine is fully exposed.

How is yours?

Scathing indictment!!

2010-11-05T05:29:00.000-07:00

Scathing indictment!!

Jesus said, bring the little children to me, because the kingdom of God is made up of such as these.

Today he said to the religious leaders - Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell?

So, he is drawn to simple faith. Uncluttered desire to please God.

And he is pretty hacked off at people who create barriers to God. Who make legalistic hoops to jump through, making it difficult and discouraging to begin and maintain a relationship of love with the creator.

Read on...

Matthew 23:1 "Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses.[a] 3 So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. 4 They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.
5 “Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels.[b] 6 And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. 7 They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi.’[c]
8 “Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters.[d] 9 And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your spiritual Father. 10 And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you must be a servant. 12 But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

He is not finished. But it is long. And not pretty!

13 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either.[e]
15 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell[f] you yourselves are!
16 “Blind guides! What sorrow awaits you! For you say that it means nothing to swear ‘by God’s Temple,’ but that it is binding to swear ‘by the gold in the Temple.’ 17 Blind fools! Which is more important—the gold or the Temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 And you say that to swear ‘by the altar’ is not binding, but to swear ‘by the gifts on the altar’ is binding. 19 How blind! For which is more important—the gift on the altar or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 When you swear ‘by the altar,’ you are swearing by it and by everything on it. 21 And when you swear ‘by the Temple,’ you are swearing by it and by God, who lives in it. 22 And when you swear ‘by heaven,’ you are swearing by the throne of God and by God, who sits on the throne.
23 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens,[g] but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. 24 Blind guides! You strain your water so you won’t accidentally swallow a gnat, but you swallow a camel![h]
25 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! 26 You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish,[i] and then the outside will become clean, too.
27 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. 28 Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.
29 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you build tombs for the prophets your ancestors killed, and you decorate the monuments of the godly people your ancestors destroyed. 30 Then you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would never have joined them in killing the prophets.’
31 “But in saying that, you testify against yourselves that you are indeed the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Go ahead and finish what your ancestors started. 33 Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell?
34 “Therefore, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers of religious law. But you will kill some by crucifixion, and you will flog others with whips in your synagogues, chasing them from city to city. 35 As a result, you will be held responsible for the murder of all godly people of all time—from the murder of righteous Abel to the murder of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed in the Temple between the sanctuary and the altar. 36 I tell you the truth, this judgment will fall on this very generation."

Theft and Community Involvement

2010-11-03T08:17:00.000-07:00

Jesus was poor.
He needed a ride.
So he borrowed one.

It looked like theft to those standing around.
So they appropriately stepped in, and objected.

Mark 11:1 "As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it soon.’”

4 The two disciples left and found the colt standing in the street, tied outside the front door. 5 As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They said what Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it."

I am learning there are lots of creative ways to accomplish what you want to do when money is tight.

Jesus was not afraid to borrow transportation.

I don't think insurance was an issue.

And the owner granted permission.

But I am impressed that the guys near the ride didn't let it just be stolen.

That in itself is a good lesson for today.

Jesus likes Kids. I do too...

2010-11-02T07:59:00.001-07:00

In Jesus day kids were abundant. And not considered as important as adults. So Jesus surprised his disciples, and the culture...

Luke 18:15 "One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him.

16 Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

Here is a recent story from my older daughter.
"On the way to the conference in the car our discussion turned to money and how everyone wants it. Bobby said to our 7 year old son, “But money doesn’t make us happy does it?” From the back comes a, “Noooo.” So Bobby asked, “What does bring true happiness then?” And our son said "God and Jesus and candyyyyyy.” That made us laugh!

How do you stand out in a crowd?

2010-11-01T08:18:00.000-07:00

Blind Ben and his buddy Bill were sitting by the road begging.

No seeing eye dogs back then. No employment for the disabled. Their life was reduced to begging for food, and depending on their family to get them to and from their begging spot for the day.

They had heard about Jesus. It seemed too good to be true that he was healing people. He healed people of every kind of disease.

One day he happened to pass right by where they were sitting.

But there was a huge crowd! How to get His attention?

29 "As Jesus and the disciples left the town of Jericho, a large crowd followed behind. 30 Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

They were a distraction. An embarrasement!

31 “Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them."

Now Jesus must be near. They could hear the size of the crowd. The excited chatter of people. This was their only chance. Their chance of a lifetime!
"But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

No one was going to shut them up. They were yelling their heads off!

Suddenly the crowd stopped. There was a hush. They could tell that Jesus was coming over to where they were.
32 "When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?”

33 “Lord,” they said, “we want to see!” 34 Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him."

Can you imagine the glee?

Can you imagine the devotion?

Two new disciples. Unstoppable. Unembarrased. Unashamed.

I was blind, but now I see!!!

The invitation

2010-10-27T08:16:00.000-07:00

Today Jesus is invited to dinner.

We don't do hospitality like they do in other cultures. Apparently this was a big deal, in a big house, with a big group.

He starts with a healing, and teaches about what the relationship of love vs legalism.

Luke 14:1 "One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely. 2 There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen.[a] 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, “Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?” 4 When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. 5 Then he turned to them and said, “Which of you doesn’t work on the Sabbath? If your son[b] or your cow falls into a pit, don’t you rush to get him out?” 6 Again they could not answer."

He uses the shuffling for seats as a moment to teach.
7 "When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: 8 “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? 9 The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!

10 “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. 11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Goes on to help us understand social psychology from God's point of view...

12 "Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. 13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”

Then puts an overbearing, and overeager guest in his place.
15 "Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, “What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet[c] in the Kingdom of God!”
16 Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. 17 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ 18 But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ 19 Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 Another said, ‘I now have a wife, so I can’t come.’

21 “The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ 22 After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ 23 So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. 24 For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’”

Altogether a most interesting dinner party!!

A Homeless Man is Filled with Joy!

2010-10-25T08:10:00.000-07:00

OK. I'll admit. The title is a twist.

But in this time of high unemployment, severe financial stress, massive foreclosures, and general discontent, I wanted to highlight something.

Jesus was homeless.

Jesus was unemployed.

He lived entirely off of donations.

He had no retirement plan.

He had no cash reserves.

In today's reading we read that He was full of joy.

21 "At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.

22 “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

23 Then when they were alone, he turned to the disciples and said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you have seen. 24 I tell you, many prophets and kings longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.”

Let's disconnect the relationship between money and joy.

And experience the joy of the Holy Spirit.

Which comes, not from comfort, security or circumstances.

But from God.

I am one of the 72

2010-10-25T07:58:00.000-07:00

Today Jesus sends out 72 disciples.

We don't know any of them by name (other than the 12)

We never hear of this group again.

They never became famous, either in Scriptures or in history.

Luke 10:1 "The Lord now chose seventy-two[a] other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. 2 These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields."

Yet they had an important part in the spread of Jesus' message and the Kingdom of God.

3 "Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.
5 “Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ 6 If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. 7 Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.
8 “If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. 9 Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’ 10 But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’ 12 I assure you, even wicked Sodom will be better off than such a town on judgment day."

I feel like I am one of the 72.

Never done anything grand for the kingdom.

Just quietly plugging along.

But hopefully making a difference...

Why is there adversity? Whose fault is it, anyway?

2010-10-24T08:47:00.000-07:00

Why is there pain?
Why is there difficulty in life?
Why do people suffer?
Whose fault is it anyway?

These are all age old questions, yet every time we get "close and personal" with pain, adversity, untimely death, difficulty - we ask them all over again.

Like we were the only ones to experience it. The only one to suffer...

The scenario today was Jesus walking along.

There was a man born blind. One of the great puzzles of the universe. (Why do children suffer? What did they ever do?)

Go to a modern cancer wing in a children's hospital and this question smacks you hard in the face.

Why do children suffer?

The religious leaders asked the obvious question. Was their interest genuine, or semantic? We don't entirely know...

John 9:1 :As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. 2 “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”
3 “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. 4 We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us.[a] The night is coming, and then no one can work. 5 But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.”

A most unexpected answer, to be sure! The story goes on...

6 "Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. 7 He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!
8 His neighbors and others who knew him as a blind beggar asked each other, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said he was, and others said, “No, he just looks like him!”

The man is simple, and his answer was simple, and classic...

13 Then they took the man who had been blind to the Pharisees, 14 because it was on the Sabbath that Jesus had made the mud and healed him. 15 The Pharisees asked the man all about it. So he told them, “He put the mud over my eyes, and when I washed it away, I could see!”

16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.” Others said, “But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?” So there was a deep division of opinion among them.

17 Then the Pharisees again questioned the man who had been blind and demanded, “What’s your opinion about this man who healed you?”

The man replied, “I think he must be a prophet.”

18 The Jewish leaders still refused to believe the man had been blind and could now see, so they called in his parents. 19 They asked them, “Is this your son? Was he born blind? If so, how can he now see?”

20 His parents replied, “We know this is our son and that he was born blind, 21 but we don’t know how he can see or who healed him. Ask him. He is old enough to speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had announced that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue. 23 That’s why they said, “He is old enough. Ask him.”

24 So for the second time they called in the man who had been blind and told him, “God should get the glory for this,[b] because we know this man Jesus is a sinner.”

25 “I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!”

26 “But what did he do?” they asked. “How did he heal you?”

27 “Look!” the man exclaimed. “I told you once. Didn’t you listen? Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?”

28 Then they cursed him and said, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses! 29 We know God spoke to Moses, but we don’t even know where this man comes from.”

30 “Why, that’s very strange!” the man replied. “He healed my eyes, and yet you don’t know where he comes from? 31 We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will. 32 Ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it.”

34 “You were born a total sinner!” they answered. “Are you trying to teach us?” And they threw him out of the synagogue."

Religion or relationship?

2010-10-19T07:40:00.000-07:00

Jesus is God among us. He is teaching. Doing miracles. Explaining the way to God.

The religion peddlers come to see him. They want to know God? They want to learn from him? They want to find out how he does the amazing healings and miracles?

No, no, no and no.

They are annoyed that some of their plethora of onerous religious rules aren't being followed.

Matthew 15:1 "Some Pharisees and teachers of religious law now arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They asked him, 2 “Why do your disciples disobey our age-old tradition? For they ignore our tradition of ceremonial hand washing before they eat.”

Jesus nails them. He is not nice. Not polite. Not diplomatic.
3 "Jesus replied, “And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God? 4 For instance, God says, ‘Honor your father and mother,’[a] and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.’[b] 5 But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’ 6 In this way, you say they don’t need to honor their parents.[c] And so you cancel the word of God for the sake of your own tradition. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote,

8 ‘These people honor me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from me.

9 Their worship is a farce,

for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’[d]”

Wow!

The same Jesus who was so compassionate toward repentant sinners is straight out hard on proud religion peddlers.

It is about relationship with God, not blind obedience to religious rules...

Oh we DO LOVE those Taxes!!

2010-10-16T07:35:00.000-07:00

As I write this we are in the last few weeks before the mid term elections.

Obama and his "kin" are being excoriated for never seeing a tax hike they didn't like. We have plunged further into debt in the two short years he has been in office than all the other 234 years of this country's history COMBINED. Patty Murray and Gregoire are being taken to task for the 8 BILLION deficit in the State of Washington. The way out is more taxes. Tax and spend.

Come to find out, taxes weren't that appreciated in Jesus' day either. The taxes for the oppressive Roman government were collected by entrepreneurs, who could use their power and position to enhance their personal wealth. (Sounds like our Senators) But in that day they were called what they were - sinners.

9 "As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.
10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?[d]”

Did you catch that? Sinners and scum...

12 "When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” 13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’[e] For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

OK. OK. The real story here isn't taxes or government. Many abusive governments have come and gone since Jesus was walking the planet.

The real story is that Jesus knows that we are ALL sinners. That our artificial categorization of the righteous and the sinner breaks down under the scrutiny of the high holy standards of God Almighty.

That Jesus came to SAVE sinners. That the first step toward a relationship toward God is the free admission of our own sinfulness. That God loves every single one of us. No one is excluded.

Not even polititians.

Or IRS agents...

When God Doesn't Seem to Care

2010-10-15T08:34:00.000-07:00

We're in the life of Jesus now. Jesus does lots of miracles.
LOTS of miracles. He heals people. He casts out demons. He makes things happen that could not happen in the natural.

As an aside - Buddha never did a miracle. Mohammed never did a miracle. Those are man made religions. Jesus, God in flesh, did miracles one after the other.

So now, there are 13 men in a boat. They cross this large lake.

23 "Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. 24 Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.

Say what?

Jesus was sleeping.

I know, in the natural world, he was exhausted. He would routinely get up before dawn (about 4:30 am) to pray to his heavenly Father.

Then he was pursued all day long by people with needs and demands. Sort of like the combination of polititian and celebrity.

He had delivered some sermons to a very large crowd. So he was tired. And was fast asleep.

25 "The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

I have felt like them many times. Lord, do you not know? Do you not care? Is it just me? Have I done something wrong, and now I'm being punished? Lord, save us! We're going to drown!!!!

26 "Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm."

It was so easy! Jesus is God. Nothing happens that He does not allow.

27 "The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”

I'm always amazed, in retrospect. But at the time, its

“Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

Things I Don't Understand

2010-10-11T08:29:00.000-07:00

There is, of course, a lot I do not understand.
Here is one of the many things that puzzle me...

Jesus said,
38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’[p] 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile,[q] carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow."

I have never met a person who does this.
I don't know any Christian community that fully embraces this.
We all are influenced by it.
But what would happen if all Christians everywhere fully embraced it?
Already in Muslim countries Christians are routinely killed for their faith.
Would we all perish?
All become pooor?

It is one of those things I really do not understand...

The Words of Jesus

2010-10-10T08:42:00.000-07:00

The Words of Jesus

A few days have gone by and all of a sudden the reading is in the sayings of Jesus. Not his lineage, or miraculous birth, or the 30 years of life before he began his "career" as an itinerant preacher.

The words themselves.
I have read the story of many people who, as adults, were introduced to the New Testament and were blown away.

I remember the story of Anil Kant, a singer/composer from India who said he started reading the New Testament and could not put it down for 3 weeks.

Or Mark Ishmael from Egypt who wept as he read, and could not eat or sleep as he read the words of Jesus.

Here, for today, are a few of the words of Jesus...

1 "One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.

3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,[a]
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,[b]
for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you[c] and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way."

Lost Dreams

2010-10-08T08:21:00.000-07:00

Fast Forward to the New Era of God speaking to man.

Luke Chapter One.

Doctor Luke is setting up the background of Jesus birth and life.

He begins, interestingly enough, not with Jesus or his birth, but with an obscure priest called Zechariah.

5 "When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. 6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old."

A couple, married many years, and no kids.

Luke, the doctor, points out that it was Elizabeth, not Zech. That seems a little cruel today. Was the doctor just being precise in where the problem lay? Don't know, but anyway, he points that out.

Many many years after they had been married, and many years after they had given up ever having their own baby, this happens.

8 "One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. 9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.

11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. 13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. 14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.[b] 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,[c] and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”

The angel was scarry! But the news he gave was astonishing! Have a baby? Now? They had given up years ago...

Even though life is hard, sometimes dreams do come true...

You are very precious to God

2010-10-04T08:40:00.000-07:00

Buried inside the bigger story of Daniel's prayer, and prophecy, and end times, it this delightful statement...

²⁰ "I went on praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people, pleading with the Lord my God for Jerusalem, his holy mountain. ²¹ As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. ²² He explained to me, “Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. ²³ The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. Listen carefully so that you can understand the meaning of your vision."

you are very precious to God

Hmmm. We need to be reminded...

A great man begs God in prayer

2010-10-03T08:59:00.000-07:00

It starts with Daniel reading the Scriptures. He was reading Jeremiah, written shortly before...

"I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the Lord, as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years.[l] 3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes."

He prays a prayer of repentance.

4 "I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:

“O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands. 5 But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations. 6 We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke on your authority to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people of the land.
7 “Lord, you are in the right; but as you see, our faces are covered with shame. This is true of all of us, including the people of Judah and Jerusalem and all Israel, scattered near and far, wherever you have driven us because of our disloyalty to you. 8 O Lord, we and our kings, princes, and ancestors are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. 9 But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him. 10 We have not obeyed the Lord our God, for we have not followed the instructions he gave us through his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has disobeyed your instruction and turned away, refusing to listen to your voice.
“So now the solemn curses and judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured down on us because of our sin. 12 You have kept your word and done to us and our rulers exactly as you warned. Never has there been such a disaster as happened in Jerusalem. 13 Every curse written against us in the Law of Moses has come true. Yet we have refused to seek mercy from the Lord our God by turning from our sins and recognizing his truth. 14 Therefore, the Lord has brought upon us the disaster he prepared. The Lord our God was right to do all of these things, for we did not obey him.
15 “O Lord our God, you brought lasting honor to your name by rescuing your people from Egypt in a great display of power. But we have sinned and are full of wickedness. 16 In view of all your faithful mercies, Lord, please turn your furious anger away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain. All the neighboring nations mock Jerusalem and your people because of our sins and the sins of our ancestors.
17 “O our God, hear your servant’s prayer! Listen as I plead. For your own sake, Lord, smile again on your desolate sanctuary.
18 “O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open your eyes and see our despair. See how your city—the city that bears your name—lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy.
19 “O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! For your own sake, do not delay, O my God, for your people and your city bear your name.”

He prays - We have sinned. I repent for my people.
For your sake, Lord. FOR YOUR SAKE, please deliver your people...

Tried by Fire

2010-10-01T08:31:00.000-07:00

Many times we use this expression.
I was tried by fire.
It was a trial by fire.
He made it through the trial by fire.

None of what we refer to compares to the real deal...

Daniel 3

1 "King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide[h] and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 Then he sent messages to the high officers, officials, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the provincial officials to come to the dedication of the statue he had set up. 3 So all these officials[i] came and stood before the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

4 Then a herald shouted out, “People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king’s command! 5 When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments,[j] bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gold statue. 6 Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

7 So at the sound of the musical instruments,[k] all the people, whatever their race or nation or language, bowed to the ground and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

8 But some of the astrologers[l] went to the king and informed on the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king! 10 You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments. 11 That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.”

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments.[m] But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

The Blazing Furnace

19 Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.

24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.

25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god[n]!”

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”

So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!”

30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon."

Now THAT was a trial by fire!

Idealistic Youth Transform History

2010-09-29T05:01:00.000-07:00

Today's story happens after personal, political, economic and familial devastation.

Four young kids, the best and the brightest, have been ripped away from all that is familiar. Their families were probably killed. Their country had been overthrown. They were uprooted and transplanted into the service of the oppressive king that had devastated their country.

And they were given a once in a million opportunity to train for government leadership in the new country.

In our land of equal opportunity it is hard to understand the contrast between what they had been given and the only alternative.

They could live in luxury and serve the king - or be killed! Now read the story...

3 "Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. 4 “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.[c]” 5 The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service.

6 Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. 7 The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names:

Daniel was called Belteshazzar.
Hananiah was called Shadrach.
Mishael was called Meshach.
Azariah was called Abednego.

8 But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. 9 Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel. 10 But he responded, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has ordered that you eat this food and wine. If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded.”

11 Daniel spoke with the attendant who had been appointed by the chief of staff to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 12 “Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said. 13 “At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.” 14 The attendant agreed to Daniel’s suggestion and tested them for ten days.

15 At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. 16 So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others.

17 God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams.

18 When the training period ordered by the king was completed, the chief of staff brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the royal service. 20 Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.

21 Daniel remained in the royal service until the first year of the reign of King Cyrus."

Four bright, handsome young guys.

They stood by their convictions.

And transformed history!

Outrage!

2010-09-20T08:15:00.000-07:00

What happens in the first few verses of Daniel is an OUTRAGE!!!

Nebuchadnezzar, the supreme ruler of the ancient kingdom of Iraq invades the land of Israel.

The temple to the living God, the only true God, God Almighty is in Jerusalem.

That temple is sacked and the sacred and valuable items are stolen!

Daniel 1
1 "During the third year of King Jehoiakim’s reign in Judah,[a] King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of Judah and permitted him to take some of the sacred objects from the Temple of God. So Nebuchadnezzar took them back to the land of Babylonia[b] and placed them in the treasure-house of his god."

It says, "The Lord gave him victory"

and also, "permitted him to take some of the sacred objects from the Temple of God."

Why would God allow a pagan king to overthrow His people?

Why would God allow the holy Temple of God to be ruined?

Why would God allow the sacred objects of the Temple to be taken away, and installed in the temple of a god that-is-no-god.Every day they are there, they sit in triumph as a token of of the superiority of the god-that-is-no-god over the God Almighty!

It is an outrage!

And it went on for 70 years...

The Battle is the Lord's

2010-09-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

Joel prophesies that final battle. Also known as Armaggedon!

And now, O Lord, call out your warriors!

12 “Let the nations be called to arms.
Let them march to the valley of Jehoshaphat.
There I, the Lord, will sit
to pronounce judgment on them all.
13 Swing the sickle,
for the harvest is ripe.[n]
Come, tread the grapes,
for the winepress is full.
The storage vats are overflowing
with the wickedness of these people.”

14 Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the valley of decision.
There the day of the Lord will soon arrive.
15 The sun and moon will grow dark,
and the stars will no longer shine.
16 The Lord’s voice will roar from Zion
and thunder from Jerusalem,
and the heavens and the earth will shake.
But the Lord will be a refuge for his people,
a strong fortress for the people of Israel."

God is very patient with wickedness and unrighteousness now.
But He is a just God.
When He is ready to take on the forces of wickedness - WATCH OUT!

The Promise

2010-09-14T08:30:00.000-07:00

First, Joel has terrible and graphic warnings of destruction and plunder.
Then he calls the people to repent.
Now he gives them a promise of what is to come...

The Lord’s Promise of His Spirit

28 [g]“Then, after doing all those things,
I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your old men will dream dreams,
and your young men will see visions.
29 In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on servants—men and women alike.
30 And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth—
blood and fire and columns of smoke.
31 The sun will become dark,
and the moon will turn blood red
before that great and terrible[h] day of the Lord arrives.
32 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved,
for some on Mount Zion in Jerusalem will escape,
just as the Lord has said.
These will be among the survivors
whom the Lord has called."

Definately speaking of the end times.
Are we there now?
Probably!

A Call to Repentance

2010-09-13T08:32:00.000-07:00

We are now in Joel.
This is a very small book in the Bible. Only 3 chapters long.
Very dramatic and hard hitting.
After describing the destruction that is coming upon the land of Israel, Joel sends out a call to repentance.

A Call to Repentance

12 "That is why the Lord says,
“Turn to me now, while there is time.
Give me your hearts.
Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
13 Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,
but tear your hearts instead.”
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He is eager to relent and not punish.
14 Who knows? Perhaps he will give you a reprieve,
sending you a blessing instead of this curse.
Perhaps you will be able to offer grain and wine
to the Lord your God as before.

15 Blow the ram’s horn in Jerusalem!
Announce a time of fasting;
call the people together
for a solemn meeting.
16 Gather all the people—
the elders, the children, and even the babies.
Call the bridegroom from his quarters
and the bride from her private room.
17 Let the priests, who minister in the Lord’s presence,
stand and weep between the entry room to the Temple and the altar.
Let them pray, “Spare your people, Lord!
Don’t let your special possession become an object of mockery.
Don’t let them become a joke for unbelieving foreigners who say,
‘Has the God of Israel left them?’”

Repent!
As a nation.
And personally...

Have you ever forgotten to hit "Save" and you lost it all?

2010-09-05T09:37:00.000-07:00

Have you ever forgotten to hit "Save" and you lost it all?

In today's reading Jermiah undertakes a long and tedious task. God tells him to write down all the warnings that God had spoken to him way back from the start.

To make it a little easier, he gets a scribe to write it all down. But remember, this is ink on parchment. The task is long and ardous.

Once completed, it is on a long scroll.

Follow the story...

Jeremiah 36

1 "During the fourth year that Jehoiakim son of Josiah was king in Judah,[d] the Lord gave this message to Jeremiah: 2 “Get a scroll, and write down all my messages against Israel, Judah, and the other nations. Begin with the first message back in the days of Josiah, and write down every message, right up to the present time. 3 Perhaps the people of Judah will repent when they hear again all the terrible things I have planned for them. Then I will be able to forgive their sins and wrongdoings.”

4 So Jeremiah sent for Baruch son of Neriah, and as Jeremiah dictated all the prophecies that the Lord had given him, Baruch wrote them on a scroll. 5 Then Jeremiah said to Baruch, “I am a prisoner here and unable to go to the Temple. 6 So you go to the Temple on the next day of fasting, and read the messages from the Lord that I have had you write on this scroll."

The religious leaders take it seriously, and decide to go to the king and read it to him. It is cold, so he is sitting in front of the fireplace.

21 "The king sent Jehudi to get the scroll. Jehudi brought it from Elishama’s room and read it to the king as all his officials stood by. 22 It was late autumn, and the king was in a winterized part of the palace, sitting in front of a fire to keep warm. 23 Each time Jehudi finished reading three or four columns, the king took a knife and cut off that section of the scroll. He then threw it into the fire, section by section, until the whole scroll was burned up. 24 Neither the king nor his attendants showed any signs of fear or repentance at what they heard. 25 Even when Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah begged the king not to burn the scroll, he wouldn’t listen."

Ouch!

All that work!

All that memory!

All that tedious writing on parchment, and carefully rolling it up neatly.

Gone...

Gone...

Gone...

The Real Estate Investor's Lament

2010-09-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

Today the real estate estate investor laments his purchase.
(Kind of like everyone in our area who bought in the 2006-2007 era)

And yet, O Sovereign Lord, you have told me to buy the field—paying good money for it before these witnesses—even though the city will soon be handed over to the Babylonians

21 “You brought Israel out of Egypt with mighty signs and wonders, with a strong hand and powerful arm, and with overwhelming terror. 22 You gave the people of Israel this land that you had promised their ancestors long before—a land flowing with milk and honey. 23 Our ancestors came and conquered it and lived in it, but they refused to obey you or follow your word. They have not done anything you commanded. That is why you have sent this terrible disaster upon them.
24 “See how the siege ramps have been built against the city walls! Through war, famine, and disease, the city will be handed over to the Babylonians, who will conquer it. Everything has happened just as you said. 25 And yet, O Sovereign Lord, you have told me to buy the field—paying good money for it before these witnesses—even though the city will soon be handed over to the Babylonians.”

God goes on...

36 “Now I want to say something more about this city. You have been saying, ‘It will fall to the king of Babylon through war, famine, and disease.’ But this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 37 I will certainly bring my people back again from all the countries where I will scatter them in my fury. I will bring them back to this very city and let them live in peace and safety. 38 They will be my people, and I will be their God. 39 And I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants. 40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me. 41 I will find joy doing good for them and will faithfully and wholeheartedly replant them in this land."

God is saying:
This will not go on forever.
I have a plan
All this is for a good that you cannot see now.
I (God) am ultimately in control)

The Worst Real Estate Deal

2010-08-30T07:31:00.000-07:00

All my properties went down roughly 30% these last 3 years.
In pretty much every case, that was all of my equity. More than my equity in many cases.
So real estate investing has been rough on us lately.

Here is a deal worse than any I have every made!!

Jeremiah 32
Jeremiah’s Land Purchase

1 "The following message came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the tenth year of the reign of Zedekiah,[a] king of Judah. This was also the eighteenth year of the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar.[b] 2 Jerusalem was then under siege from the Babylonian army, and Jeremiah was imprisoned in the courtyard of the guard in the royal palace. 3 King Zedekiah had put him there, asking why he kept giving this prophecy: “This is what the Lord says: ‘I am about to hand this city over to the king of Babylon, and he will take it. 4 King Zedekiah will be captured by the Babylonians[c] and taken to meet the king of Babylon face to face. 5 He will take Zedekiah to Babylon, and I will deal with him there,’ says the Lord. ‘If you fight against the Babylonians, you will never succeed.’”

6 At that time the Lord sent me a message. He said, 7 “Your cousin Hanamel son of Shallum will come and say to you, ‘Buy my field at Anathoth. By law you have the right to buy it before it is offered to anyone else.’”

8 Then, just as the Lord had said he would, my cousin Hanamel came and visited me in the prison. He said, “Please buy my field at Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. By law you have the right to buy it before it is offered to anyone else, so buy it for yourself.” Then I knew that the message I had heard was from the Lord.

9 So I bought the field at Anathoth, paying Hanamel seventeen pieces[d] of silver for it. 10 I signed and sealed the deed of purchase before witnesses, weighed out the silver, and paid him. 11 Then I took the sealed deed and an unsealed copy of the deed, which contained the terms and conditions of the purchase, 12 and I handed them to Baruch son of Neriah and grandson of Mahseiah. I did all this in the presence of my cousin Hanamel, the witnesses who had signed the deed, and all the men of Judah who were there in the courtyard of the guardhouse."

So the deal was prompted by God. God obviously had not gone to all the seminars about getting rich quick in real estate!

The terms were "all cash". Seventeen pieces of silver.
Under the laws of the government at that time, Jeremiah had first right of refusal. He had no obligation to buy it, but no one else could buy it until he had decided.

He went ahead and made the purchase, properly executing the "paperwork" and properly recording the purchase with the county.

The result?

Jeremiah lost his equity.

How much? 30%

No 100%.

This property was completely worthless once the empire invaded the land and all property rights were cancelled.

My takeaway?

Sometimes God has a greater purpose in our life than just making money!!

Everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already

2010-08-29T08:39:00.000-07:00

After all the woes Jeremiah has been speaking, he now delivers some promises from God.

Jeremiah 31
Hope for Restoration

“In that day,” says the Lord, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people. 2 This is what the Lord says:

“Those who survive the coming destruction
will find blessings even in the barren land,
for I will give rest to the people of Israel.”

3 Long ago the Lord said to Israel:
“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.
With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.
4 I will rebuild you, my virgin Israel.

ou will again be happy
and dance merrily with your tambourines.
5 Again you will plant your vineyards on the mountains of Samaria
and eat from your own gardens there.
6 The day will come when watchmen will shout
from the hill country of Ephraim,
‘Come, let us go up to Jerusalem[c]
to worship the Lord our God.’”

7 Now this is what the Lord says:
“Sing with joy for Israel.[d]
Shout for the greatest of nations!
Shout out with praise and joy:
‘Save your people, O Lord,
the remnant of Israel!’
8 For I will bring them from the north
and from the distant corners of the earth.
I will not forget the blind and lame,
the expectant mothers and women in labor.
A great company will return!
9 Tears of joy will stream down their faces,
and I will lead them home with great care.
They will walk beside quiet streams
and on smooth paths where they will not stumble.
For I am Israel’s father,
and Ephraim is my oldest child.

20 “Is not Israel still my son,
my darling child?” says the Lord.
“I often have to punish him,
but I still love him.
That’s why I long for him
and surely will have mercy on him.
21 Set up road signs;
put up guideposts.
Mark well the path
by which you came.
Come back again, my virgin Israel;
return to your towns here.
22 How long will you wander,
my wayward daughter?
For the Lord will cause something new to happen—
Israel will embrace her God.[f]”

31 “The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. 32 This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord.

33 “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”

35 It is the Lord who provides the sun to light the day
and the moon and stars to light the night,
and who stirs the sea into roaring waves.
His name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
and this is what he says:
36 “I am as likely to reject my people Israel
as I am to abolish the laws of nature!”
37 This is what the Lord says:
“Just as the heavens cannot be measured
and the foundations of the earth cannot be explored,
so I will not consider casting them away
for the evil they have done.
I, the Lord, have spoken!"

As bad as the woes are, the promises are even sweeter!!

God set Iraq up: God pulled Iraq down!

2010-08-28T08:19:00.000-07:00

Iraq was in the Bible long before America was even heard of.

In this passage, Jeremiah predicts that Iraq will be set up, and the leader will be doing the bidding of God Almighty.

Then Jeremiah predicts that God would bring Iraq down.
And it was so...

Jeremiah 27

1 This message came to Jeremiah from the Lord early in the reign of Zedekiah[c] son of Josiah, king of Judah.

2 This is what the Lord said to me: “Make a yoke, and fasten it on your neck with leather thongs. 3 Then send messages to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon through their ambassadors who have come to see King Zedekiah in Jerusalem. 4 Give them this message for their masters: ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: 5 With my great strength and powerful arm I made the earth and all its people and every animal. I can give these things of mine to anyone I choose. 6 Now I will give your countries to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who is my servant. I have put everything, even the wild animals, under his control. 7 All the nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson until his time is up. Then many nations and great kings will conquer and rule over Babylon. 8 So you must submit to Babylon’s king and serve him; put your neck under Babylon’s yoke! I will punish any nation that refuses to be his slave, says the Lord. I will send war, famine, and disease upon that nation until Babylon has conquered it.

9 “‘Do not listen to your false prophets, fortune-tellers, interpreters of dreams, mediums, and sorcerers who say, “The king of Babylon will not conquer you.” 10 They are all liars, and their lies will lead to your being driven out of your land. I will drive you out and send you far away to die. 11 But the people of any nation that submits to the king of Babylon will be allowed to stay in their own country to farm the land as usual. I, the Lord, have spoken!’”

12 Then I repeated this same message to King Zedekiah of Judah. “If you want to live, submit to the yoke of the king of Babylon and his people. 13 Why do you insist on dying—you and your people? Why should you choose war, famine, and disease, which the Lord will bring against every nation that refuses to submit to Babylon’s king? 14 Do not listen to the false prophets who keep telling you, ‘The king of Babylon will not conquer you.’ They are liars. 15 This is what the Lord says: ‘I have not sent these prophets! They are telling you lies in my name, so I will drive you from this land. You will all die—you and all these prophets, too.’”

16 Then I spoke to the priests and the people and said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Do not listen to your prophets who claim that soon the gold articles taken from my Temple will be returned from Babylon. It is all a lie! 17 Do not listen to them. Surrender to the king of Babylon, and you will live. Why should this whole city be destroyed? 18 If they really are prophets and speak the Lord’s messages, let them pray to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Let them pray that the articles remaining in the Lord’s Temple and in the king’s palace and in the palaces of Jerusalem will not be carried away to Babylon!’

19 “For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has spoken about the pillars in front of the Temple, the great bronze basin called the Sea, the water carts, and all the other ceremonial articles. 20 King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon left them here when he exiled Jehoiachin[d] son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, to Babylon, along with all the other nobles of Judah and Jerusalem. 21 Yes, this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says about the precious things still in the Temple and in the palace of Judah’s king: 22 ‘They will all be carried away to Babylon and will stay there until I send for them,’ says the Lord. ‘Then I will bring them back to Jerusalem again.’”

Jeremiah complains

2010-08-27T07:48:00.000-07:00

Can we pray honestly to God?

Or do we have to sugar coat things? Try to keep from offending Him?

Well, Jeremiah was pretty frank in this passage. He was arrested, beaten and humiliated for preaching the messages he was given. Afterwards he was released, but he complained bitterly to God.

Jeremiah 20
Jeremiah and Pashhur

1 Now Pashhur son of Immer, the priest in charge of the Temple of the Lord, heard what Jeremiah was prophesying. 2 So he arrested Jeremiah the prophet and had him whipped and put in stocks at the Benjamin Gate of the Lord’s Temple.

3 The next day, when Pashhur finally released him, Jeremiah said, “Pashhur, the Lord has changed your name. From now on you are to be called ‘The Man Who Lives in Terror.’[a] 4 For this is what the Lord says: ‘I will send terror upon you and all your friends, and you will watch as they are slaughtered by the swords of the enemy. I will hand the people of Judah over to the king of Babylon. He will take them captive to Babylon or run them through with the sword. 5 And I will let your enemies plunder Jerusalem. All the famed treasures of the city—the precious jewels and gold and silver of your kings—will be carried off to Babylon. 6 As for you, Pashhur, you and all your household will go as captives to Babylon. There you will die and be buried, you and all your friends to whom you prophesied that everything would be all right.’”

Jeremiah’s Complaint

7 O Lord, you misled me,
and I allowed myself to be misled.
You are stronger than I am,
and you overpowered me.
Now I am mocked every day;
everyone laughs at me.
8 When I speak, the words burst out.
“Violence and destruction!” I shout.
So these messages from the Lord
have made me a household joke.
9 But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord
or speak in his name,
his word burns in my heart like a fire.
It’s like a fire in my bones!
I am worn out trying to hold it in!
I can’t do it!
10 I have heard the many rumors about me.
They call me “The Man Who Lives in Terror.”
They threaten, “If you say anything, we will report it.”
Even my old friends are watching me,
waiting for a fatal slip.
“He will trap himself,” they say,
“and then we will get our revenge on him.”

11 But the Lord stands beside me like a great warrior.
Before him my persecutors will stumble.
They cannot defeat me.
They will fail and be thoroughly humiliated.
Their dishonor will never be forgotten.
12 O Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
you test those who are righteous,
and you examine the deepest thoughts and secrets.
Let me see your vengeance against them,
for I have committed my cause to you.
13 Sing to the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
For though I was poor and needy,
he rescued me from my oppressors.

14 Yet I curse the day I was born!
May no one celebrate the day of my birth.
15 I curse the messenger who told my father,
“Good news—you have a son!”
16 Let him be destroyed like the cities of old
that the Lord overthrew without mercy.
Terrify him all day long with battle shouts,
17 because he did not kill me at birth.
Oh, that I had died in my mother’s womb,
that her body had been my grave!
18 Why was I ever born?
My entire life has been filled
with trouble, sorrow, and shame.

God the Potter can do what He wants with the Clay

2010-08-27T07:42:00.000-07:00

We are familiar with the potter's wheel, and the process of making pottery out of clay.
For a while in our area there was a franchise called The Pottery Barn, where you could go and fashion something out of clay, color it, dry it and take it home as your own creation.

God uses the analogy to describe something else about the pottery process.

The potter can get discouraged with what is taking shape, smash it into a lump, and start all over again!

Jeremiah 18
The Potter and the Clay

1 "The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, 2 “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” 3 So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. 4 But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over.

5 Then the Lord gave me this message: 6 “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand. 7 If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, 8 but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned. 9 And if I announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, 10 but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would.

11 “Therefore, Jeremiah, go and warn all Judah and Jerusalem. Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am planning disaster for you instead of good. So turn from your evil ways, each of you, and do what is right.’”

12 But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires.”

13 So this is what the Lord says:

“Has anyone ever heard of such a thing,
even among the pagan nations?
My virgin daughter Israel
has done something terrible!
14 Does the snow ever disappear from the mountaintops of Lebanon?
Do the cold streams flowing from those distant mountains ever run dry?
15 But my people are not so reliable, for they have deserted me;
they burn incense to worthless idols.
They have stumbled off the ancient highways
and walk in muddy paths.
16 Therefore, their land will become desolate,
a monument to their stupidity.
All who pass by will be astonished
and will shake their heads in amazement.
17 I will scatter my people before their enemies
as the east wind scatters dust.
And in all their trouble I will turn my back on them
and refuse to notice their distress.”

Impending doom is coming.
Can't say God did not faithfully warn them!

They are like trees planted along a riverbank

2010-08-25T08:37:00.000-07:00

Here is a passage with a woe, wonder and woe.

Interesting "sandwich". I was tempted to just show the delightful little piece in the middle, but decided to include the whole sandwich.

The Woe

Jeremiah 17
Judah’s Sin and Punishment

1 “The sin of Judah
is inscribed with an iron chisel—
engraved with a diamond point on their stony hearts
and on the corners of their altars.
2 Even their children go to worship
at their pagan altars and Asherah poles,
beneath every green tree
and on every high hill.
3 So I will hand over my holy mountain—
along with all your wealth and treasures
and your pagan shrines—
as plunder to your enemies,
for sin runs rampant in your land.
4 The wonderful possession I have reserved for you
will slip from your hands.
I will tell your enemies to take you
as captives to a foreign land.
For my anger blazes like a fire
that will burn forever.”
5 "This is what the Lord says:
“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,
who rely on human strength
and turn their hearts away from the Lord.
6 They are like stunted shrubs in the desert,
with no hope for the future.
They will live in the barren wilderness,
in an uninhabited salty land."

The Wonder.

7 “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit."

Woe again.

9 “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,
and desperately wicked.
Who really knows how bad it is?
10 But I, the Lord, search all hearts
and examine secret motives.
I give all people their due rewards,
according to what their actions deserve.”

In the middle of all this bad news is this delightful promise:

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord...