“After Job had interceded for his friends, God restored his fortune—and then doubled it!” ~Moses

Tags

God is God, Jesus, Job 42, Moses

Am I praying for my friends and family? How much time do I spend interceding for them? None? Some? Enough?

• Job was in a world of hurt. He had lost everything. It is a painful story to read. Yet, at the end, he didn’t pray for himself, he prayed for his friends. Job had realized he was nothing and God is God. Nothing is impossible for Him. As Job said, “I’m convinced: You can do anything and everything. Nothing and no one can upset your plans.” 
• And so Job quit living on rumors of God and encountered Him directly. “I admit I once lived by rumors of you;  now I have it all firsthand—from my own eyes and ears! I’m sorry—forgive me. I’ll never do that again, I promise!  I’ll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor.” What a change this made in Job’s life.
• After that, he could pray for his friends. And my oh my, how God blessed him. God is God. He is completely in charge and does what He sees fit. The story of Job is a little confounding in that regard because my tendency is “to judge” God for acting so harshly with Job.
• But God is God. We don’t always understand His ways but He challenges us to trust Him always. And so, in spite of it all, Job was blessed.

“After Job had interceded for his friends, God restored his fortune—and then doubled it!” ~Moses Job 42:10

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“Know this: GOD (Yahweh), your God (Elohiym), is God (Elohiym) indeed, a God you can depend upon.” ~Moses

Tags

Deuteronomy 7, Elohiym, God is God, Jesus, Messiah, Moses, Yahweh

It means a lot that God is God. At first, when you think about it, that sounds redundant. Of course God is God. It sounds like saying Jesus is Jesus.

That is His name. But what does His name mean?

• What does God’s name mean? Not to get technical but a literal translation from Hebrew is Yahweh is also Elohiym. Yahweh is then the given name of God, Elohiym is one of his many titles, the supreme ruler.
• This is now like saying Jesus is God. Or more importantly, Jesus is the Messiah (Christ). Jesus his his name and the Messiah (Christ) is his title.
• S0  ….. our God (Yahweh) is the supreme ruler (Elohiym) of the universe. Period. It is important to remember who our God is. He is like none other nor can He be. From before the universe existed, our God has always been. He is like none other.

“Know this: GOD (Yahweh), your God (Elohiym), is God (Elohiym) indeed, a God you can depend upon. He keeps his covenant of loyal love with those who love him and observe his commandments for a thousand generations. But he also pays back those who hate him, pays them the wages of death; he isn’t slow to pay them off—those who hate him, he pays right on time.” ~Moses

Source: Deuteronomy 7:9

“Do you think you’re about to be promoted to heaven? Think again. You’re on a mudslide to hell.” ~~Jesus

Tags

God's Goal, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Listen, Luke 10

Jesus spent a lot of time in the town of Capernaum. In speaking of them, He is direct in letting them know what is going on.

• I think the message is to be careful. Being the center of healings and a spiritual movement doesn’t guarantee anything. It is all about our relationship with God and with others.
• What is our goal? The goal is to follow Jesus, love God and love everyone else we meet or know. That is it.
• Our first order of business is to make sure we are listening to God and focused on His goal for our life. This is about obedience to God’s goal for our life. God is God. God is in control. It is only about Jesus and what he wants.

“Do you think you’re about to be promoted to heaven? Think again. You’re on a mudslide to hell. The one who listens to you, listens to me. The one who rejects you, rejects me. And rejecting me is the same as rejecting God, who sent me.” ~~Jesus

(Luke 10:15 The Message)

 

“So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out.” ~Caleb

Tags

Caleb, God's Goal, Joshua, Joshua 14

As I get older, I want to be like Caleb.

• He was one of the 12 Moses selected to go into the Promised Land to see what it was like.
• Only he and Joshua thought they could conquer their enemies. The other 10 didn’t believe God and his promise. Caleb knew that God is God.
• That resulted in Israel wandering around in the desert for 40 years. I’m sure this frosted Joshua and Caleb. Caleb chose to believe what Moses promised him. Caleb was patient for 40 years. Now that is some real patience.

So, fast forward. Eventually Joshua leads them all into the Promised Land. They fight for 5 years. Caleb comes to Joshua one day and says

I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.

Caleb remembered what God had told him. He held onto it for 45 years. He never wavered. So he continues his conversation with Joshua.

So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.

At 85 he wants to go and fight some more. He is strong and vigorous. He is ready to go at it. He wants what God promised him and he won’t stop until he gets it.

So … I want to be like Caleb. Seriously. I want to be like him. I want to fight to the end. I want to be as strong at 85 as I was at 40.

Source: Joshua 14:6-12

“Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!” ~Jesus

Tags

Faith, Healing, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Mark 5, Miracle, Risk

Am I willing to take the risk of faith? Jesus challenges me to be persistent. What are the implications to my faith?

• How long will I have to wait? The woman in this story waited 12 years. She had tried everything. This is a common them with Jesus. God could have healed her earlier.
• What is the real story here? She finally heard about Jesus and took action to seek him out. She took a risk. It was a risk of faith. She didn’t sit at home. She went after Jesus.
• How does Jesus respond? Jesus honors her faith. Jesus heals her. Jesus blesses her. Jesus knows that action goes hand in hand with faith. Jesus really appreciates persistence and taking a risk.

A woman who had suffered a condition of hemorrhaging for twelve years—a long succession of physicians had treated her, and treated her badly, taking all her money and leaving her worse off than before—had heard about Jesus. She slipped in from behind and touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, “If I can put a finger on his robe, I can get well.” The moment she did it, the flow of blood dried up. She could feel the change and knew her plague was over and done with.

At the same moment, Jesus felt energy discharging from him. He turned around to the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?” His disciples said, “What are you talking about? With this crowd pushing and jostling you, you’re asking, ‘Who touched me?’ Dozens have touched you!”

But he went on asking, looking around to see who had done it. The woman, knowing what had happened, knowing she was the one, stepped up in fear and trembling, knelt before him, and gave him the whole story.

Jesus said to her, “Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed! Be healed of your plague.”

Source: Mark 5:25-34

“I’ve told you these things to prepare you for rough times ahead.” ~Jesus

Tags

Goal, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 16, Prepare, Understand

Jesus is all about getting us ready for what is coming. Jesus doesn’t leave me in the dark. Jesus is very clear with me.

• Why is this important? “I’ve told you these things to prepare you for rough times ahead.” Jesus wants us to be prepared. He has told me in advance. My job is to get ready.
• What will the churches think? “They are going to throw you out of the meeting places.” Jesus warns me that my church may kick me out. The message of Jesus is good news but not all religious leaders welcome it.
• Is my life at stake? “There will even come a time when anyone who kills you will think he’s doing God a favor.”
• Surely they understand? “They will do these things because they never really understood the Father.” No, they don’t understand Jesus. I can’t assume they do. I must be clear what Jesus wants. It may get rejected.
• What should I do? “I’ve told you these things so that when the time comes and they start in on you, you’ll be well-warned and ready for them.” Jesus challenges me to get ready. I can’t plead ignorance.

Source: John 16:1-4

“Then neither will I answer your question.” ~Jesus

Tags

Answer, Authority, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Luke 20, Question

Jesus asks a question

It is stunning and kicks my rear end, but Jesus doesn’t have to answer my questions. Jesus is the Son of God and he answers to no one but his Heavenly Father.

• Jesus does what he does best, he teaches me. “One day he was teaching the people in the Temple, proclaiming the Message. The high priests, religion scholars, and leaders confronted him and demanded, “Show us your credentials. Who authorized you to speak and act like this?” I am about to learn something from Jesus. It is coming. My job is to be ready.
• Jesus asks a question. Jesus answered, “First, let me ask you a question: About the baptism of John—who authorized it, heaven or humans?” It happens a lot. Jesus is going to ask me a question. He expects me to answer. Jesus can’t be ignored. That is just the way it is.
• What is the answer? “They were on the spot, and knew it. They pulled back into a huddle and whispered, “If we say ‘heaven,’ he’ll ask us why we didn’t believe him; if we say ‘humans,’ the people will tear us limb from limb, convinced as they are that John was God’s prophet.” They agreed to concede that round to Jesus and said they didn’t know. The truth is I really don’t know. I have no clue.
• How does Jesus respond? Jesus said, “Then neither will I answer your question.” Jesus doesn’t owe me anything. He can answer or not. His decision about that is final.

Source: Luke 20:1-8

“Does it sound like we’re patting ourselves on the back, insisting on our credentials, asserting our authority?” ~Apostle Paul

Tags

2 Corinthians 3, Apostle Paul Sayings, Authority, Credentials, Focus, Jesus

Recommendations. Endorsements. Credentials. References. Likes.  The way of this world.

• Is this God’s way? It is definitely not.
• Should I be focused on the ways of the past? No, I should be focused on how great God is. I should be focused on the fruit that the Holy Spirit is producing in my life. The results that the Holy Spirit brings is the only “reference” I should need.
• It isn’t asserting my own authority that means anything. It is God’s authority, made clear by His Holy Spirit, that makes a difference. The Spirit of God and the fruit of changed lives is all I  need. This is the present.
• Endorsements, etc. are the past. What is happening now is what is important. What is God saying today? What is God doing today?

Does it sound like we’re patting ourselves on the back, insisting on our credentials, asserting our authority? Well, we’re not. Neither do we need letters of endorsement, either to you or from you. You yourselves are all the endorsement we need. Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. The Messiah himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God’s living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives—and we publish it. ~~2 Corinthians 3:1-3

May I live today in the power of God’s Spirit and His authority.

May that be all I need.

“Why are you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith at all?” ~Jesus

Tags

Faith, Heart, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Mark 4

It was a nice day for a boat ride. I’ve been on them before. It is a beautiful day. You take off. You didn’t know there was a storm brewing that you couldn’t see. It turns ugly. Real ugly.

• Jesus knew what was going to happen. Jesus didn’t warn anyone. “Life” is going to happen. There will be storms. Jesus doesn’t protect us from going through them.
• Jesus sleeps through it all. Jesus knew how it would all end. Jesus had faith that God would see him through it all. God did.
• The disciples heart is revealed. They don’t think Jesus cares. I am the same way. Some days I find it hard to believe, based on the storm I am seeing, that God cares at all.
• Jesus diagnoses the problem as a lack of faith. The real problem I have is one of faith. I can chose to believe that God doesn’t care or that he does.
• Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus speaks the word and the storm calms down completely. Nothing is impossible with God.

Late that day he said to them, “Let’s go across to the other side.” They took him in the boat as he was. Other boats came along. A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, “Teacher, is it nothing to you that we’re going down?”

Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, “Quiet! Settle down!” The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Jesus reprimanded the disciples: “Why are you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith at all?”

They were in absolute awe, staggered. “Who is this, anyway?” they asked. “Wind and sea at his beck and call!”

Source: Mark 4:35-41

Coward definition

“Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God.” ~Jesus

Tags

Challenge, Faith, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Matthew 21, Miracle

Jesus challenges me. Am I ready?

• Jesus shows me the way. The miracles of Jesus show me what God can do.
• Jesus challenges me to do the same. I must have faith. It doesn’t have to be large, my faith can be small.
• I must lay ahold of God. God is ready. Am I? It is not about me. It is about God. That is all I need to know and I do know it.

Early the next morning Jesus was returning to the city. He was hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree alongside the road, he approached it anticipating a breakfast of figs. When he got to the tree, there was nothing but fig leaves. He said, “No more figs from this tree—ever!” The fig tree withered on the spot, a dry stick. The disciples saw it happen. They rubbed their eyes, saying, “Did we really see this? A leafy tree one minute, a dry stick the next?”

But Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Yes—and if you embrace this kingdom life and don’t doubt God, you’ll not only do minor feats like I did to the fig tree, but also triumph over huge obstacles. This mountain, for instance, you’ll tell, ‘Go jump in the lake,’ and it will jump. Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God.”

Source: Matthew 21:18-22

“Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire.” ~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, John 15, Vine

Jesus is clear and direct. He always is. Here are some things I need to understand.

• It is all about Jesus. When I am connected to him (as a branch to the vine), I have an abundant life.
• Apart from Jesus, I am deadwood. Without my connection to Jesus, I cannot produce anything. I will dry up and be cast away as firewood. God is God. I am nothing without his son Jesus.
• Connected to Jesus, I am at home with what Jesus says and I mature. Jesus listens to me and acts on my requests. Jesus knows what I need. Jesus and his Father are in a good mood.

“I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.” ~Jesus

Source: John 15:5-8

“Do your best, prepare for the worst — then trust God to bring victory.” ~King Solomon

Tags

King Solomon, Plan, Prepare, Proverbs 21, Trust, Wise Sayings

God has given us all the gift of wisdom. It is amazing what we learn in the wisdom books in the Bible.

So what is today’s lesson?

• Jesus challenges me to do my best. Jesus is clear what the best is. It is to love. That is challenge.
• It is useful to prepare for the worst. God knows what will happen but I don’t. No matter what, God works out everything for my good. Jesus prepared to be brutally murdered and sacrificed for us. He did not ignore that reality.
• I must trust God. The victory is his, not mine. Jesus knew he would die but he also knew God would be victorious and raise him from the dead. And God did. The worst turns into something better.

“Do your best, prepare for the worst—
then trust God to bring victory.” ~King Solomon

Proverbs 21:31

Is Jesus a respectable religious leader? A Mr. Rogers with a beard?

Tags

Authority, God is God, Jesus, Love, Obedience, Power

Jesus

Is Jesus a respectable religious leader?

• Jesus is not interested in being a “respectable religious leader”. He is not Mr. Rogers with a beard. Jesus is powerful and very direct. Jesus challenges me every day.
• Jesus is in charge of everything. Seriously. Believe it. God has given everything over to Jesus. There is not a thing Jesus isn’t in charge of.
• All Jesus does is what He sees the Father doing. His power and authority come from God. Jesus is obedient and challenges me to do what God desires. That is mainly to find a way to love.

May I know that God is God.

Jesus does what He sees the Father doing.

May I do the same.

“You put us in charge of your handcrafted world.” ~King David

Tags

God is God, God's Goal, Jesus, King David, Psalm 8, Wise Sayings

King David has some great insight into God’s goal for us.

• God is God and God made this world. This isn’t our world, it is God’s. Everything starts with God.
• God put us in charge of the world he has created. We don’t automatically “inherit” things. It is God’s gift to us. It is my job to be responsible.
• Our job is to act on God’s goal for us. God has a plan for us. I must follow up on what God wants me to do.

“You put us in charge of your handcrafted world,
    repeated to us your Genesis-charge,
Made us lords of sheep and cattle,
    even animals out in the wild,
Birds flying and fish swimming,
    whales singing in the ocean deeps.” ~King David

Source: Psalm 8:5-8

“So why are you now trying to out-god God?” ~Apostle Peter

Tags

Acts 15, Generosity, God is God, Jesus, Rules

Can I out-god God? No, I can’t.

• God is God. Peter laid in on the line with the early Christians who wanted to maintain the old agreement about the religious rules and regulations. He wasn’t having any of it. He knew something that is the main thing.
• I can’t out-god God! I can try to reach God by being good but it won’t work. It is only out of His generosity that I move beyond missing the God’s goal for me and operate in the realm where I fulfill His every desire.
• Keeping the rules won’t get me into His world. Jesus has a new plan that has nothing to do with that. God is God. And God is great. Nothing is impossible with Him.

So why are you now trying to out-god God, loading these new believers down with rules that crushed our ancestors and crushed us, too? Don’t we believe that we are saved because the Master Jesus amazingly and out of sheer generosity moved to save us just as he did those from beyond our nation? So what are we arguing about?

Source: Acts 15:10-11

Is God’s word important for my life? 3 important questions to answer.

Tags

Eternal Life, Francis Chan, God's Word, Grace, Jesus, Obedience

Is God’s word important for my life? Am I living it out in my life?

For most believers we read the word, but the word in not living in and through us. Francis Chan shares the importance of having the word of God live through you and through obedience following God.

• Is God’s word important to me?
• Am I living (doing) what Jesus challenges me to do?
• Will I have eternal life because of God’s grace or because of my obedience?

 

“If you say so.” ~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Jesus Sayings, King, Mark 15, Pilate

Jesus is at the end of it all now. He has been arrested, jailed and “at trial” before the Judge.

• Jesus is brought before Pilate, who will judge his guilt or innocence. Pilate has Jesus very life in his hands. Pilate asks a very reasonable question. Pilate understands the accusation clearly. Is Jesus the King of the Jews?
• Jesus answers, very wisely. Jesus doesn’t affirm or directly deny what he is accused of. This set his accusers on fire.
• Having answered, Jesus becomes silent. Jesus is clear. Having answered, that is all he needs to do. In court, any attorney would object with “Asked and answered”. Pilate was very impressed.

“I came with the authority of my Father, and you either dismiss me or avoid me.” ~~Jesus

Tags

Authority, Avoid, Dismiss, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5

With Jesus I am faced with a choice.

• Will I  dismiss Jesus? I can. I shouldn’t.
• Will I avoid Jesus? That is more likely than completely dismissing Him. Avoidance may seem like a great strategy but it really gets me nowhere.
• Jesus declares to me in a very clear way that He has the authority of God, His Father. There is no level of subtlety in his assertion. I can accept Him. I can reject Him. I can avoid Him. What I can’t do is ignore the fact of who He is.

Jesus greatest desire and passion is that I accept Him and the life he has to offer me.

“I came with the authority of my Father, and you either dismiss me or avoid me.” ~~Jesus (John 5:41-44 The Message)

“Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” ~~Napoleon Hill

Tags

Faith, God's Plan, Mind, Napoleon Hill, Success

What does Jesus think?

• God has a plan. What I can conceive is puny compared to God. Jesus challenges me to “think God”.
• Jesus wants me to believe that nothing is impossible with God. Jesus knows it. Faith compels me believe it.
• God’s word will come true, regardless of what I believe. God is God. I am not. I need to understand that and be clear on it.

“Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” ~~Napoleon Hill

“My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene.” ~Jesus

Tags

Holiness, Holy, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 13

• Jesus knows what is important. I think I do some days. I have my to do list. It isn’t always aligned with what Jesus thinks is important.
• Holiness is the key to life. I get off track with things that don’t matter. They seem urgent to me. They seem to be the “right thing”. Yet, is the focus on holiness? If not, why not?
• Not all of us are clean, even those who are closest to Jesus. Jesus chose Judas to be one of the twelve. He knew that Judas would betray him. In spite of that, Jesus put Judas in charge of the Good News Ministry finances. Now that was bold.

Jesus said, “If you’ve had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you’re clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you’re clean. But not every one of you.” (He knew who was betraying him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you.”) After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table.

Source: John 13:10-12

Heartfelt experience with Jesus

“I’ve come to start a fire on this earth! I’ve come to change everything, turn everything right side up!” ~Jesus

Tags

Authority, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Luke 12, Obedient, Radical, Servant

Jesus is radical.

• Jesus is the ultimate change agent. Jesus is the ultimate disruptor. Jesus upsets relationships. Jesus doesn’t make everything nice. Jesus will confront us. There will be conflict between what we want and what Jesus wants. Others may not like the change.
• This is always His pattern. Jesus is not Mr. Rogers with a beard. 
• Yes, Jesus is radical. And, He calls for us to be radical for Him. Have I set something on fire for Him today? Have I challenged something for Him today? Will I challenge myself today to follow Him and be His servant?

Here is the mandate from Jesus.

“I’ve come to start a fire on this earth! I’ve come to change everything, turn everything right side up! Do you think I came to smooth things over and make everything nice? Not so. I’ve come to disrupt and confront! From now on, when you find five in a house, it will be— three against two, and two against three; Father against son, and son against father; Mother against daughter, and daughter against mother; Mother-in-law against bride, and bride against mother-in-law.” ~~Jesus (Luke 12)

Radical Sayings of Jesus

“You don’t need more faith. There is no ‘more’ or ‘less’ in faith.” ~Jesus

Tags

Faith, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Luke 17

Here is the real deal about faith.

• I think I need more faith. If I just had more faith, I could do X. Jesus challenges me to understand God’s goal for me.
• Jesus knows that it isn’t true that I need more faith. Faith is not a question of more or less.
• I either have faith or I don’t. If I believe God can do it and that he is in a good mood, I can act on my faith. God is God.

Jesus is right! It isn’t about ‘more’.

The apostles came up and said to the Master, “Give us more faith.”

But the Master said, “You don’t need more faith. There is no ‘more’ or ‘less’ in faith. If you have a bare kernel of faith, say the size of a poppy seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, ‘Go jump in the lake,’ and it would do it.

Source: Luke 17:5-6

“People ruin their lives by their own stupidity, so why does God always get blamed?” ~King Solomon

Tags

Jesus, King Solomon, Proverbs 19, Stupidity, Wise Sayings

I find it way to easy to blame God. After all, he is in control, right?

On any given day, at any given moment, that is the easy way out.

Not my fault!

Jesus challenges me to look at my own heart. Jesus knows where evil comes from. Evil doesn’t come from God.

At a fundamental level, I need to look in the mirror. 

“This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him.” God about Jesus

Tags

Elijah, God's Word, James, Jesus, John, Matthew 17, Moses, Peter

Jesus takes Peter, James and John with him. They will be his witness to what happens and what God says.

They were about to be present at a stunning time in our history.

God spoke and is clear. Jesus is God’s son. Jesus bears the mark of God. That mark is love. Jesus is the focus of God’s delight.

My job is to listen to Jesus.

Why? God said so! God is God. God has spoken.

God’s word is true and can’t be broken.

Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light. Then they realized that Moses and Elijah were also there in deep conversation with him.

Peter broke in, “Master, this is a great moment! What would you think if I built three memorials here on the mountain—one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah?”

While he was going on like this, babbling, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the cloud a voice: “This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him.”

When the disciples heard it, they fell flat on their faces, scared to death. But Jesus came over and touched them. “Don’t be afraid.” When they opened their eyes and looked around all they saw was Jesus, only Jesus.

Source: Matthew 17:1-8

“Let her alone. She’s anticipating and honoring the day of my burial.” ~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 12, Judas Iscariot, Lazarus, Martha, Mary, Religious Leaders

Breaking news! Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead so the religious leaders decide to kill Lazarus. Talk about not getting it.

OK, back to the real story. Mary spends a fortune on perfume to anoint the feet of Jesus.

Jesus knew what was going on. Jesus always does. Jesus can see into our hearts.

That is the real story here. Jesus knows. I can’t fool him. I shouldn’t try.

My focus needs to be on pleasing him.

Mary knew that is the main thing. The religious leaders didn’t know it. Judas didn’t know it. 

“Sky and earth will wear out; my words won’t wear out.” ~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Mark 13, Word of God

I can count on Jesus and what he says. The word of Jesus is true. Jesus never deceives me.

I may not understand what Jesus is saying but that is my challenge. I need to lean in and listen carefully. I need to play it back in my mind until I “get it”.

“When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did.” ~Apostle Paul

Tags

2 Timothy 2, Apostle Paul Sayings, Jesus, Perseverance, Rules

Things are going to get rough. I am not going “to get my way”. That is a reality and I know it is true. I may not like it but that isn’t the issue.

My job is to follow orders. That is it. I must be a good soldier for Jesus.

I have to play by God’s rules. God is God and I must accept that. Anything else will lead to failure. I must truly think on this. God will make it plain to me.

“An evil and wanton generation is always wanting signs and wonders. The only sign you’ll get is the Jonah sign.” ~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Matthew 16, Pharisees, Resurrection, Sadducees

Jesus is direct. Jesus has no tolerance for the religious and their hypocritical ways.

I must take the warning from Jesus seriously. Jesus has given us all a sign. Jesus died, was buried, rose from the dead (the Jonah sign) and has ascended into heaven to be with God. 

“It’s not possible for a person to succeed—I’m talking about eternal success—without heaven’s help.” ~John the Baptizer

Tags

Jesus, John 3, John the Baptist, Messiah, Repent, Sin, Success

I like to think I can do it all myself and that I don’t need any help.

I need to change my mind (repent) because that has me missing God’s goal for my life (sin).

I can’t succeed without the help of Jesus, the Messiah. That is reality and I need to get on board with that. It is all about Jesus and nothing about me. 

“Go home to your own people. Tell them your story—what the Master did, how he had mercy on you.” ~Jesus

Tags

Evil, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Master, Mercy, Messiah, Sin

God’s mercy

Jesus is clear. I need to tell everyone I know how Jesus, my Master and the Messiah, has had mercy on me. Jesus is in a good mood. He doesn’t hold me to account for missing God’s goal in my life (sin). Jesus, in his mercy, casts out the evil dwelling in me.

I was in a bad state. Some days I still am. Jesus cleans me up and sets me on the right way.

I must tell my story.

That is the challenge I have received from Jesus.

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the demon-delivered man begged to go along, but he wouldn’t let him. Jesus said, “Go home to your own people. Tell them your story—what the Master did, how he had mercy on you.” The man went back and began to preach in the Ten Towns area about what Jesus had done for him. He was the talk of the town.

Source: Mark 5:16-20

“Why do your disciples play fast and loose with the rules?” ~Religious scholars to Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Matthew 15, Religious Leaders

Religious Charade

It is sad but religious people are consumed with “the rules”. Jesus knew it very well. He encountered it all the time.

Question to myself. Am I consumed about the rules and who is or isn’t following them?

I need to listen very close to Jesus. Jesus brings clarity to what is important. Am I on the side of Jesus or the religious leaders?

After that, Pharisees and religion scholars came to Jesus all the way from Jerusalem, criticizing, “Why do your disciples play fast and loose with the rules?”  (Matthew 15:1-2)

"You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world." ~~Jesus

Tags

God-colors, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Light, Matthew 5, Mission

Light does amazing things. It is very hard to replicate in a photo what it is doing some days.

Jesus requests that I be His light in this world. I have a mission to bring out the colors of God. I must shine like Jesus does.

I must obey Jesus and His command. He knows what I should do.

While I know that God is light, He also expects me to reflect His glory as well. I am to shine as a reflection of what He represents in the world. There is no hiding. There should be no darkness in my life.

“You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.” ~~Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16 The Message)

“I must get rid of the underlying idea that I can ever be right with God because of my obedience.” ~Oswald Chambers

Tags

Gift, Good News, Jesus, Law, Messiah, Oswald Chambers

Obey God

What can I do to get right with God? Nothing. Nada. Zip. Not a single solitary thing.

I have the law of God. I know the result. I miss the goal God has for me non stop, every day. His goal for me doesn’t change. Yet, I keep missing it.

Jesus comes with Good News. He died for me, took the punishment on for breaking God’s law and for missing His goal for me. He delivers me from the burden of punishment. There is nothing I can do to earn it. Trying harder won’t cut it. It is gift.

God is God. There is nothing I can do to get right with him.

“There is only one way by which I can get right with God, and that is through the death of Jesus the Messiah. I must get rid of the underlying idea that I can ever be right with God because of my obedience. Who of us could ever obey God to absolute perfection!” ~~Oswald Chambers

The Law and the Gospel | My Utmost For His Highest

“We’re not hiding things; we’re bringing everything out into the open.” ~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Luke 8, Open, Transparent

I like to hide. I don’t like to be transparent. There are things about myself I don’t want others to know.

Now, that is about me. It is not about God.

Jesus came that I might know God. Know him to the fullest. Know Him like God always intended. It is not about me. It is about Him.

Jesus demands that I be open and let everyone know the power of God.

God is God. God is in charge. Jesus is not hiding anything. At all.

“We’re not hiding things; we’re bringing everything out into the open.” Jesus (Luke 8)

“So be careful that you don’t become misers of what you hear.” –Jesus

Tags

God's Word, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Luke 8, Misers

I guess there are some things to be a miser about. Jesus suggests, however, that God’s word is not one of them.

Jesus expects me to proclaim the good news of the Message He has given me. I should be generous with what Jesus tells me.

Jesus is generous to me. Jesus demands that I be generous as well.

God is in charge of His country. He is generous with His message to me. He expects me to be the same.

Something to be careful of for sure.

So be careful that you don’t become misers of what you hear.” –Jesus (Luke 8 )

“I’m up again—rested, tall and steady, fearless before the enemy mobs coming at me from all sides.” ~~King David

Tags

David, Enemy, Fearless, Jesus, Messiah, Psalm 3, Rest, Wise Sayings

In God, i have rest. Even though i know i am  at war, I rest, confident that God will see me through.

Perfect love brings me peace. The is no fear in His world. He is in charge and I can rest.

What a gift from our Father. His goal for me will be achieved. My enemy can’t touch me when I trust in Him.

So … I go to bed confident. God is God. God has put Jesus in charge of everything. I can be fearless.

I wake up rested and strong. I wake up fearless in Jesus, my Messiah.

I stretch myself out. I sleep. Then I’m up again—rested, tall and steady, fearless before the enemy mobs coming at me from all sides.” ~~King David (Psalm 3:5-6)

“Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.” ~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 12, Victory

Jesus on the cross

When Jesus was on the cross, redeeming me, he cried out it is finished. Here he tells the crowds, before that happened, that now was the time for judgement and how Satan would be driven out by His death.

What He said and did is very clear. It is not the future. It was taken care of and finished. Faith compels me to believe it. Not just “kind of” believe it but really believe it.

May I continue to experience His victory.

Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself. He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. John 12:31-33

 

“Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God.” ~Apostle Paul

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Apostle Paul Sayings, Fool, Galatians 6, Harvest, Jesus, Life, Selfish

Am I making a fool of God?

No. It can’t be done. God is God. I can’t make a fool of God but I can be a fool.

God operates under certain principles. It is essential, if you do A, you can expect B.

Paul wants me to let God’s Spirit work in my heart. That produces the results God wants, not the results I want.

That is the focus. Focus on love and obeying God. Focusing on God brings life that lasts forever.

Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8 MSG

"The Sabbath was made to serve us; we weren’t made to serve the Sabbath." ~~Jesus

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Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Mark 2, Sabbath

Jesus directed a lot of comments to the religious scholars of the day. On this particular day they were upset Jesus’ disciples were breaking the Sabbath rules about not working. They were nit picking. Jesus saw right through this.

They had it all wrong. It wasn’t about rules and regulations. God’s love is expressed in His word. We need to get it.

It is all about loving God and loving everyone else I meet during the day. The law is love. It is here to serve us.

The final thing Jesus makes clear is that He is in charge. Period. End of story.

Jesus is God’s son and God alone has put Him in charge. That must be dealt with. No hiding from it.

The Sabbath was made to serve us; we weren’t made to serve the Sabbath. The Son of Man is no lackey to the Sabbath. He’s in charge!” ~~Jesus (Mark 2:25-28 The Message)

Who is going to set up the chairs for the Bible study?

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Humility, Jesus, Kathi Macias

Somebody has to set up the chairs. In God’s world, it is not about who gets credit and gets to do the glamorous jobs.

Those who are last will be first. Being last is the attitude Jesus demands of me.

If we’re honest, we’ll admit that many of us prefer to be the one “on stage,” the one in the limelight, receiving the accolades and praise and attention, rather than the silent one in the background, setting up chairs so others can come and rest as they listen to God’s message. But if we truly believe we are all one Body, here to serve God and others, then setting up chairs at the women’s Bible study is just as vital as giving the keynote address at a national gathering. And caring for those who cannot care for themselves is a great privilege, bestowed upon us by the Creator of the Universe, the Author of Life.

–-by Kathi Macias

Embrace a ‘You-First’ Lifestyle in 2009

“I try to be as true to my word as God is to his.” ~Apostle Paul

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2 Corinthians 1, Apostle Paul Sayings, Flip Flop, Jesus, Truth, Yes

Oh my goodness. Am I as true to my word as God is to His?

God doesn’t flip flop when He promises me something. God isn’t glib in His approach to what He says to me. God doesn’t waffle or waiver. Not at all. Not ever.

God is always faithful to His word. God is God. Jesus is his Son and in charge of God’s world.

May I be as true to my word as God is to His.

Are you now going to accuse me of being flip with my promises because it didn’t work out? Do you think I talk out of both sides of my mouth—a glib yes one moment, a glib no the next? Well, you’re wrong. I try to be as true to my word as God is to his. Our word to you wasn’t a careless yes canceled by an indifferent no. How could it be? When Silas and Timothy and I proclaimed the Son of God among you, did you pick up on any yes-and-no, on-again, off-again waffling? Wasn’t it a clean, strong Yes? 2 Corinthians 1:17-19

"Your task is to be true, not popular." ~~Jesus

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Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Luke 6, Popularity, Truth

Being true to Jesus runs counter to our culture. Of course, being true is exactly how Jesus lived. Jesus calls for a radical commitment. He is truth.

Jesus knows that there’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests.

Jesus challenges me to live and say the truth. He does not demand I be popular.

May I win the truth contest.

Your task is to be true, not popular.” ~~Jesus (Luke 6:26 The Message)

“It’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.” ~Author of Hebrews

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Discipline, Hebrews 12, Jesus, Training

Jesus challenges us

Training isn’t fun. I may look forward to it in a certain perverse way but it isn’t really fun. I endured training, in sports, because it was the only way I could play the game, which was the point of the training. I couldn’t get to the game without going through the training.

It could be cruel and what we endured is unusual. It is the training that makes us “mature players”. God’s goal for me is maturity. I need to grow up.

So it is with Jesus. I don’t get in the game unless I  go through the training that Jesus has in mind for me.

But the training pays off. That is God’s way.

I must look for the training opportunities so I can learn ways of Jesus.

At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God. (Hebrews 12:11 The Message)

 

“Real help comes from God.” ~King David

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Blessing, Help, Jesus, King David, Psalm 3, Wise Sayings

There is help and then there is real help. Real help comes from God.

I don’t know about others, but I don’t like to ask for help. I don’t like to feel like I am putting others out of the way.

I like to “be in control.”

I am reflecting on whether this carries over into my relationship with God. He loves to helps like a father loves helping his children.

Real help comes from Jesus. I need to seek His solutions, not mine.

His blessing is all I need. It clothes me in His eternal glory. He is good all the time.

May I look for the help that comes from God.

Real help comes from God. Your blessing clothes your people! Psalm 3:8

“A farmer too lazy to plant in the spring has nothing to harvest in the fall.” ~~King Solomon

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Harvest, Jesus, King Solomon, Patience, Plant, Wise Sayings

Harvest

God created a world where one thing leads to another. It is not always immediate but eventually planting will produce a crop.

The reverse is also important wisdom. If I don’t do something, nothing is going to happen. Zip, Zilch, Nada, nothing.

There is wisdom in being industrious and not lazy.

God is God. His ways are firm and I can’t change them.

May I plant the right seeds to produce a great harvest.

May I be patient to wait on the results

A farmer too lazy to plant in the spring has nothing to harvest in the fall. ” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 20:4)

“You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow.” ~James

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Evil, James 4, Jesus, Plans, Self-Importance

My dad had a saying that summed this up pretty good. “Good Lord willing and the creek don’t rise”.

That is what God wants and there is a lot out of my control. This is a hard to get some days. It takes faith and supernatural courage. It is all about what God wants and not what I plan.

Now I love to plan and I love to be spontaneous. But either way, I don’t know what our Master has in mind for tomorrow.

Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread”. I can know what he wants me to do right now. Tomorrow is a whole different story.

So what James has to say is radical. Jesus was radical and James knew it first hand from him.

Do I know what to do? Do I do it? If not, why not?

May I be thankful for today’s bread!

May I press in to know Him better.

And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, ‘Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.’ You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, ‘If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.’ As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil. In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don’t do it, that, for you, is evil. James 4

“Don’t stop him. If he’s not an enemy, he’s an ally.” ~Jesus

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Ally, Enemy, Jesus, Luke 9, Messiah

Jesus the Messiah

Many people do things in the name of Jesus. They may not be a part of “our group” or our Church.

I need to be careful. Someone who performs the work of God in the name of Jesus is not an enemy. God’s country is not divided against itself.

God is God. God will judge. Good work in the name of Jesus is not my concern.

I have an enemy. His work is clear.

They started arguing over which of them would be most famous. When Jesus realized how much this mattered to them, he brought a child to his side. “Whoever accepts this child as if the child were me, accepts me,” he said. “And whoever accepts me, accepts the One who sent me. You become great by accepting, not asserting. Your spirit, not your size, makes the difference.”

John spoke up, “Master, we saw a man using your name to expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn’t of our group.”

Jesus said, “Don’t stop him. If he’s not an enemy, he’s an ally.

Source: Luke 9:46 – 50

“Don’t you know there’s a King in Zion?” ~God

Tags

God is God, Jesus, Messiah, Psalm 2, Victory

Victory in Jesus

Our leaders don’t always get it. They plot, the connive, they think they are in control. They defy God and think they are free from Jesus.

God has shut them up. Jesus came and established His rule and authority. God’s world and government has triumphed the present world order.

Nothing is impossible for Jesus, the Messiah. Jesus is in control. Jesus has been inaugurated already. Jesus has already won the victory.

Why the big noise, nations? Why the mean plots, peoples?
Earth-leaders push for position,
Demagogues and delegates meet for summit talks,
The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers:
“Let’s get free of God!
Cast loose from Messiah!”

Heaven-throned God breaks out laughing.
At first he’s amused at their presumption;
Then he gets good and angry.
Furiously, he shuts them up:
“Don’t you know there’s a King in Zion? A coronation banquet
Is spread for him on the holy summit.”

Psalm 2:1-6

“If you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple.” ~Jesus

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Discipleship, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Luke 14, Plans

Jesus has a way of being clear. He leaves no doubt. In God’s world, God comes first. That is all there is to it. I can’t negotiate with Him. God is God. I need to get clear on that.

So, I can kiss everything else goodbye if I want to follow Jesus. Is something near and dear to me? Am I ready to give it up? Will I kiss it goodbye? That is what Jesus is challenging me to do. Will I do it?

Yes, I heard it right. Jesus said it and Jesus meant it.

Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple.”  Luke 14

 

May I have the courage to kiss all my plans goodbye.

May He come first always.

Jesus has the place of honor, sitting next to God and in control of everything!

Tags

Citizen, Crown, Government, Jesus, Kingdom

Jesus, as Son, has the most special relationship with the Father. As Son, the Father says to Jesus, you are God. You are in control of my government for good. No one will ever take your place. Now Satan, an angel, thought he could be in control. God has put an end to that nonsense.

Jesus’ victory has made that clear. God just loves it when things are put right. And He hates it when things are out of whack. And so God is VERY happy.

Jesus started it all. He laid the earth’s very foundations. And He will finish it all.

How special is Jesus? God has never said to anyone, any created being, sit here next to me. He has given Jesus the place of honor. He is charge (King) of God’s country and government (Kingdom). That is the new plan. God has replaced the crown of thorns with one of gold.

So this is something we can count on. Jesus is the Son. Everything has been put in His control in God’s country. We are citizens AND children of His country. All is well.

“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” ~Jesus

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Courage, Fear, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Mark 6

Courage

99 out of 100 things I worry about never happen.

And yet, I continue to be afraid.

Jesus is ever present letting me know that I need to take courage.

He says “It is I”. He is here. Do I hear Jesus? He says “Don’t be afraid”. Do I hear Him?

He gives me courage in His world. His world is here and now.

On earth, as it is in heaven right now.

 Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” ~Jesus (Mark 6:50)

May I take courage.

May I have courage.

May I hear Jesus.

“It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors.” ~Apostle Paul

Tags

Criticism, Jesus, Judgement, Romans 2

I don’t want to be condemned. No way, no how.

I want to live in freedom. I don’t want that guilt in my life.

And so, God says over and over in His message of good news to me. I am free from all the things I have done that miss His goal for me.

I need to reflect Jesus love and freedom to others and eliminate criticism and judgement from my ways. I am not to judge, period. Jesus is clear on that.

God is God. God is in charge. God will judge me. I must take advantage of his mercy every day. No way around that.

Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn’t so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you’ve done. Romans 2:1-2

May I live free from judgmental criticism.

“God raised Jesus from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe.” ~Apostle Paul

Tags

Apostle Paul Sayings, Easter, Ephesians 1, Jesus, Messiah, Resurrection

Jesus is in charge

Who is Jesus? The very Son of God who, as man, died for us and is now resurrected. But in His resurrection, God has put Him in charge of everything. Nothing is exempt at all. Not a single thing.

So, how long will he be in charge? Imagine billions and billions of years. Imagine it never ending.

That is hard to get my mind around some days because this is a world where things come to an end. In Jesus, who is in charge of everything forever, I live and have the same life.

This is His gift to me.

God is God. He is in charge. He has given all authority to His Son Jesus, our Master. He is the Messiah.

All this energy issues from the Messiah: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, the Messiah rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is the Messiah’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence. ~~Ephesians 1:20

“I’m not really religious but very spiritual.” ~Christina Aguilera

Tags

Barna Group, Jesus, Religious, Spiritual

How many times have I heard someone say “I’m spiritual but not religious”?

Way too many probably.

It is nice to have some insight from the Barna Group about what is behind this saying.

I’m spiritual but not religious.” You’ve heard it—maybe even said it—before. But what does it actually mean? Can you be one without the other? Once synonymous, “religious” and “spiritual” have now come to describe seemingly distinct (but sometimes overlapping) domains of human activity. The twin cultural trends of deinstitutionalization and individualism have, for many, moved spiritual practice away from the public rituals of institutional Christianity to the private experience of God within. In this conclusion of a two-part series on faith outside the church (read the first part, on those who “love Jesus but not the church”), Barna takes a close look at the segment of the American population who are “spiritual but not religious.” Who are they? What do they believe? How do they live out their spirituality daily?

Source: Meet the “Spiritual but Not Religious” – Barna Group – Barna Group

 

“Know that the LORD is God.” ~King David

Tags

Faithful, God is God, God is Good, King David, Love, Psalm, Psalm 100, Thanksgiving, Wise Sayings

God is so good. He is in a good mood all the time.

Jesus, God’s son, loves and never stops loving. He is loyal and faithful to us all.

God is God. There are none others. Not money or credit cards or 401k’s can save us from missing God’s goal for our lives.

Jesus, the Messiah, alone is worthy of our faith and love.

So, let’s shout it out!!

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:1-5

We know God and He delights in impossibilities. He always asks "Is anything too hard for me?"

Tags

God is God, Impossible, Power

I am so very thankful for our God. He is amazing. There is no end to the great things He has in store for us.

What does our God delight in? He delights in impossibilities. What does God say? Nothing is too difficult for me.

Nothing is too hard for God. Nothing is impossible to Him.

I know God and He delights in impossibilities. He always asks “Is anything too hard for me?”

And of course nothing is impossible for him.

 

“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.” ~God

Tags

Holy Spirit, Jesus, Power, Victory, Zechariah 4

How do I  get things done in God’s world? What makes the difference? Does it happen if I am just strong and force my way through life?

Not in God’s world. It happens by His spirit. The victory belongs to Him no matter how much I plan and get ready.

That is the lesson of Jesus. He just did what He saw His Father doing. Sometimes I get confused thinking I should be able to do it all by myself and then get the credit.

My victory is in Jesus. That is the only way to get it done and please God, our Father.

May I know in the depths of my heart that it is God who is the source of accomplishments.

He said to me, ‘This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 4:6

“Every story has a villain because yours does. You were born into a world at war.” ~John Eldredge

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Archangel Michael, Enemy, Jesus, John Eldredge, Lucifer, Revelation 12, Satan

I have an enemy. Is that clear to me?

It is a critical question. I don’t want to be “enemy focused” but I need to know I have one. He couldn’t prevail against the archangel Michael. He couldn’t prevail against Jesus. He can’t prevail against me.

It would be dangerous, however, to pretend he doesn’t exist and that I don’t need to be prepared.

I need to be prepared. I am at war.

Every story has a villain because yours does. You were born into a world at war.

When Satan lost the battle against Michael and his angels, “he was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him” (Rev. 12:9). That means that right now, on this earth, there are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of fallen angels, foul spirits, bent on our destruction. And what is Satan’s mood?

“He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short” (v. 12). So what does he spend every day and every night of his sleepless, untiring existence doing?

“Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against . . . those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (v. 17). He has you in his crosshairs, and he isn’t smiling.

Why Does Every Story Have a Villain? | Ransomed Heart Ministries

"But the witness that really confirms me far exceeds John’s witness. It’s the work the Father gave me to complete." ~~Jesus

Tags

Focus, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Obedience

How do we know about Jesus and who He is?

Just look at the totality of what He did and does. He is entirely focused on what His Father, God, wants Him to do. And Jesus does it. And it is amazing.

That is the only witness that Jesus needs. Jesus completed everything God gave him to do. And Jesus is still doing it today.

May we turn to Jesus, obey him and be complete.

But the witness that really confirms me far exceeds John’s witness. It’s the work the Father gave me to complete.” ~~Jesus (John 5:34-38 The Message)

“If You’re a Christian and Everyone Likes You… Something’s Wrong” ~Sarah Domon

Tags

Jesus, Persecution, Sarah Doman

Jesus challenges us. He has let us know that we will be persecuted for following him and his way. It will happen.

If it doesn’t happen, then something is wrong. I can count on it.

Author and counselor Sara Dormon believes it’s time for Christians to collectively take Jesus more seriously, arguing in an interview with “The Church Boys” podcast that she believes many faithful have simply become too complacent.

Dormon, who recently released a book titled, “If You’re a Christian and Everyone Likes You…Something’s Wrong,” also said she believes Christians are too willing to compromise their beliefs, and that they often allow themselves to be known more for what they oppose than for what they’re for.

“I would rather honor God and be loved by God than be loved by man, and I think that’s the mess we’ve fallen into as Christians,” Dormon said. “We’ve learned to compromise our faith, we’ve learned to not rock the boat…don’t step on toes.”

So, the author essentially advocates a balanced approach: embracing one’s truth and faith while simultaneously showing love for others. This is the very topic she covers in the book — a six-year project that started as mere journal entries after a personal crisis of faith.

Source: ‘If You’re a Christian and Everyone Likes You… Something’s Wrong’ – Faithwire

 

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” ~Apostle Paul

Tags

Apostle Paul Sayings, Ephesians 3, Glory, God is God, Imagination, Jesus, Power

I am not thinking big enough. My imagination is limited in ways I can’t grasp. I ask for catfish and He gives me Tilapia.

The power of Jesus is in me. I need to ask for more. If I think God wants to comfort a dear friend who is sick, why don’t I ask Him to completely heal them? If I think a family member needs salvation, why don’t I ask for complete deliverance?

My limitations are my limitations. Nothing is impossible with God. He wants to do stunning things.

May I expand my view to the possibilities that my all powerful God can do and not what I am willing to settle for.

God is God and God is great.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 

 

 

 

“I decided not to make another visit that could only be painful to both of us.” ~Apostle Paul

Tags

2 Corinthians 2, God is God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Obedience

Paul decided not to show up, even though he was wanted. How often, just because someone asks me to come, do I show up not even thinking, is this something God wants me to do?

Sometimes there is a pain that our Spirit filled life brings to others. Sometimes the timing is off.

Better to show up when God wants me to and not just because someone asked me to.

I must seek God. He will lead the way for me.

That’s why I decided not to make another visit that could only be painful to both of us. If by merely showing up I would put you in an embarrassingly painful position, how would you then be free to cheer and refresh me? 2 Corinthians 2:1-2

“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” ~Apostle Paul

Tags

1 Timothy 6, Apostle Paul Sayings, Contentment, Faith, Jesus, Rich, Temptation

Peace with God

There is a striving for “things” that is not natural in God’s world. Being content is a huge thing.

It takes a supernatural courage from God to believe He is in control and that I have all I need. Godliness with contentment. Hmmm!! That is what I want.

In His world, I have all His riches. I don’t need the riches of this world. His new plan gives me all that I need in Him.

There is a way that leads to destruction. I will choose His way that leads to contentment and peace.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 TNIV Bible

“When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation.” ~Apostle Paul

Tags

2 Corinthians 1, Encouragement, Endurance, Healing, Jesus, Salvation, Suffer

There is a suffering that is for a great reason. It is a suffering for Jesus and it leads to healing and salvation. Now that doesn’t make sense to the world I live in but it is true.

Our culture believes that success is the “lack of hard times”. Jesus led the way. His suffering led to my salvation and healing and so it is true for me too.

We all share in the good and tough times in Jesus. None of us are immune and why should we be?

Jesus did it for me and I must share in it together with Jesus.

That is a sign of my maturity that I know that nothing can separate me from God’s love.

No matter what happens. When I exhibit this attitude, it shows that I am going to make it. Without the willingness to endure the tough times, I would never know.

May I be unflinching in growing in Jesus.

When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are also our hard times. When we see that you’re just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you’re going to make it, no doubt about it. 2 Corinthians 1:6-7

“On the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.” ~Jesus

Tags

Accountability, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Judgement, Matthew 12, Words

Jesus knew the value of saying the right things. Jesus only said what He heard His Father saying.

That led Him to do what He saw His Father doing. Many things I say are pretty careless. I don’t think. I say things that hurt others. Sometimes I actually do it on purpose.

There is an accounting for what I say. There will come a time when I have to give an account of what I have said. I should spend more time talking about the way of God. That is what I want to be accountable for.

May I say what I hear God saying. May I speak the truth.

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:36-37

“The integrity of the honest keeps them on track; the deviousness of crooks brings them to ruin.” ~King Solomon

Tags

Devious, Honesty, Integrity, Proverbs 11, Solomon, Wise Sayings

Integrity

God’s way is the way of integrity. God sent Jesus to show me what integrity looks like. Now I know.

It is core to who Jesus is and it is core to who Jesus wants me to be.

The question I ask myself is “What does God want me to do?”

The answer is the answer of integrity. Anything else leads to my ruin.

The integrity of the honest keeps them on track; the deviousness of crooks brings them to ruin..” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:3)

God is great, God and good!

Tags

God is God, God is Good, God is Great, Jesus

God is great – Nothing is impossible for Him. He can and does anything.

Jesus redeems me. Jesus saves me. Jesus heals me. Jesus restores me. I will speak of His great and mighty work.

God is God – He is in control. He has always been and always will be.

This is not a democracy. Democracies are a good form of government but God’s government is not a democracy. God has given all authority to his son Jesus and His way of doing things is what is important. The way He does it in heaven is the way we want it done here on earth.

God is good – He is always good. He is perpetually in a good mood.

Jesus is not upset with me. I am God’s child and He is doing so many good things for me. We are His friends and He will do anything it takes to help us out. We are His bride and His love for us is passionate beyond imagination.

“What we believe is that the One who raised up the Master Jesus will just as certainly raise us up.” ~Apostle Paul

Tags

2 Corinthians, Apostle Paul Sayings, Faith, Jesus, Power, Resurrection

How often do I keep quiet when I should say what I believe? Too often I think.

If I believe in a God so powerful that He raised Jesus from the dead, what should I say in any given circumstance? Really, what should I say about my belief? I must say that Jesus is willing and able.

Well, if I believe that nothing is impossible with God I can’t be quiet.

I have to say the truth no matter how “bad” things look. God is God. He wants to deliver.

I must have faith and believe. If I do, Jesus will come through no matter what.

We’re not keeping this quiet, not on your life. Just like the psalmist who wrote, “I believed it, so I said it,” we say what we believe. And what we believe is that the One who raised up the Master Jesus will just as certainly raise us up with you, alive. Every detail works to your advantage and to God’s glory: more and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise! 2 Corinthians 4:13-15

“For nothing is impossible with God.” ~Angel of God to Mary

Tags

Faith, Jesus, Luke 1

Imagine being a young woman. You are a virgin. An angel shows up and lets you know you are going to give birth to the Son of God.

You ask how that can be since you are a virgin. The angel lets you know that the Spirit of God will make it happen AND nothing is impossible with God. NOTHING. Not a thing. EVERYTHING is possible.

This word of God has been challenging my heart and soul lately. I know I have had things I didn’t believe Jesus could do.

I am leaning in to hear the word of our Father. If he says it, I can count on it. Nothing is impossible.

So here is the deal. When the Angel said nothing is impossible, Mary said, “I am the LORD’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”

Then a little while later Elizabeth (John the Baptist’s mother) said “Happy woman, who believed what God said, believed every word would come true!”

May I have faith to believe our LORD. Nothing is impossible.

For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37

"Get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home." ~~Jesus to the paraplegic

Tags

Healing, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Mark

Miracles Happen

The man believed Jesus could heal him. His friends believed it so much that when they couldn’t get in the front entrance, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Now that got Jesus attention.

After all this, Jesus has one more thing he wants the man to do. He allows the man an opportunity to demonstrate his faith. And he does.

And he walks out of there.

And those who doubted Jesus rubbed their eyes. They found it hard to believe.

May I have faith like that. May I listen to Jesus and obey.

Get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home.” And the man did it—got up, grabbed his stretcher, and walked out, with everyone there watching him. They rubbed their eyes, incredulous—and then praised God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this!

“This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.” ~Apostle Paul

Tags

Devil, Ephesians 6, Fight, Jesus, Spiritual Weapons

Men of God. This is for you. I have spent a week focused on this scripture.

We must know that we are at war with the Devil. We would like to think that is not true but it is. It is a fact.

Our Master Jesus has given us everything we need. We have the best weapons possible. There is nothing shoddy about them at all.

All we have to do is put them to use. It is a big mistake to think we don’t need them.

We do need GOD. We need to prepare daily for the war. We are at war. This is for keeps.

So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Ephesians 6:10-12

"An ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere?" ~~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Legalism, Love, Matthew 5

Jesus loves the word of God. He also knows the legalism can be taken to the extreme.

I certainly have legal “rights” that I can insist on being fulfilled. Jesus also gives me the option to pursue love. His challenge to me is to pursue love and not “my rights”.

Jesus summarizes God’s Law up as 2 essential requirements. Love God and love everyone I come in contact with every day. Jesus demands that I focus on those two requirements.That is the essence of things in God’s world. That is His law.

Legalism isn’t going to get Me anywhere. End of story.

 An ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere?” ~~Jesus (Matthew 5:38-42 The Message)

“Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand.” ~God

Tags

God is God, Jeremiah 18, Jesus

Who is in control of the outcome, the potter or the pottery? The potter of course.

I admit that I am not very creative when it comes to painting, sculpting, etc. I do enjoy hand blown glass and have seen pottery made.

Everything done is in the hands of the artist. He is in control. The clay has no say in what the outcome is.

And so, God is shaping me as seems best to Him. I  may not always understand it but that is the way Jesus works. He is the creator. He is God.

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD : “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the LORD came to me: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.” Jeremiah 18:1-6

May I open myself to what He sees is best for me.

“While hell can be a paralyzing doctrine, it can also be an energizing one, for it magnifies the beauty of the cross.” ~Francis Chan

Tags

Francis Chan, Hell

Francis Chan sees the seriousness of Church doctrine and its meaning and decides to write a book based on his study of the doctrine HELL. We may not want to hear the message but is powerful. Jesus didn’t shy away from it at all.

How could a loving God send people to hell? Will people have a chance after they die to believe in Jesus and go to heaven?

With a humble respect for God’s Word, Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle address the deepest questions you have about eternal destiny. They’ve asked the same questions. Like you, sometimes they just don’t want to believe in hell. But as they write, “We cannot afford to be wrong on this issue.” This is not a book about who is saying what. It’s a book about what God says. It’s not a book about impersonal theological issues. It’s a book about people who God loves. It’s not a book about arguments, doctrine, or being right. It’s a book about the character of God.

Erasing Hell will immerse you in the truth of Scripture as, together with the authors, you find not only the truth but the courage to live it out.

 

"Don’t listen to them; just trust me." ~~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Listen, Mark 5, Trust

Trust

One day Jesus took a boat ride. A large crowd met him at the seaside when He arrived. One of the religious leaders named Jairus came to where He was because his daughter was sick. When he saw Jesus, he fell to his knees, beside himself as he begged, “My dear daughter is at death’s door. Come and lay hands on her so she will get well and live.”

Jesus could have done lots of things. He decided to go with him, the whole crowd tagging along, pushing and jostling him. While he was still talking, some people came from the leader’s house and told him, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?” Imagine how devastated he is now. Jesus could have just said the word earlier and this wouldn’t have happened.

Jesus overheard what they were talking about. Jesus knows what to say to get us focused. His message of good news is clear.

It is a question of who I will listen to. It is a question of who I will trust.

Don’t listen to them; just trust me.” ~~Jesus (Mark 5:36 The Message)

"And he has given him the authority, simply because he is the Son of Man, to decide and carry out matters of Judgment." ~~Jesus

Tags

Jesus Sayings, John 5, Judgement, Love

Authority of God

Jesus is very clear. I am not to judge others. He is also clear that all judgement has been turned over to Him by His Father.

Why? Because He is God’s Son. He gets to decide and He will carry it out. God has spoken.

If I know that, I need to act like it. I have no authority to judge. My only job is to love. Everything else is up to God and Jesus.

And he has given him the authority, simply because he is the Son of Man, to decide and carry out matters of Judgment.” ~~Jesus  (John 5:25-27 The Message)

“The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” ~Jesus

Tags

Faith, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 6, Religious

Religious Fraud

It is a fairly reasonable question. We come to Jesus. From our religious culture and upbringing we ask “What must we do to gain favor with God?”

We have been told our whole life, go to church, pray, fast, and be religious. The focus is on doing. It is more that just a religious culture. It is the way of life in America.

So, what does God require? What does Jesus want from me? Good question.

Jesus wants me to work at believing in Him. It is all about the relationship with him and not what I do. I must believe.

That leads to His new plan. His mission will fill us when we know He cares for us.

Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God
requires?’

Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the
one he has sent.’ (John 6:26-29 NIV)

“God means what he says.” ~Author of Hebrews

Tags

Hebrews 4, Jesus, Listen, Obey, Word

God’s Word

How many times have I said something, meaning it, and then did not follow through? Too many times for sure. It is not only my way but the culture we live in. Deceit prevails way too often.

God is not that way.

God means what He says. He follows through. He sees the real issue. He gets right to the heart of the matter.

My job is to listen and obey. There is no escape so I might as well believe and move ahead.

God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what. Hebrews 4:12-13

May I experience the power of God’s word. May I trust Him and obey Him.

“God is light, pure light; there’s not a trace of darkness in him.” ~Apostle John

Tags

1 John 1, Apostle John Sayings, Jesus, Light, Message, Messiah

How do you sum things up in God? What is the main message? What is the elevator speech?

John lets us know. He heard it directly from Jesus.

It is so very nice to have light and be able to see clearly. Stumbling around in the dark is no fun at all.

God is pure light. In Him, we can see everything. He is pure. We can count on Him. It is His character.

That is the message. I am doing my part and passing it on to you.

This, in essence, is the message we heard from the Messiah and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there’s not a trace of darkness in him. 1 John 1:5

“She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus (Yehshuah)—’God saves’—because he will save his people from sin.” ~God’s angel

Tags

Christmas, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Matthew 1, Messiah, Savior

Joseph had a lot to deal with. What to name the Son of God wasn’t one of them. God’s angel made that clear to him. His name is Jesus (Yehshuah), “God Saves”.

His bigger problem was what to do about his fiance who was pregnant but claimed the Holy Spirit got her pregnant. He trusted Mary but only up to a point. He was going to call the whole thing off. The angel solved that for him as well.

It is clear to Joseph that this child will be like no other. First, her pregnancy is from a man. Second, it is God, through His Spirit, that has caused the pregnancy. Third, the child will be a boy. Finally, His name will show God’s purpose, to deliver and rescue mankind.

So … the Son of God is named Jesus (Yehshuah). And, most importantly, Jesus rescues and delivers us from sin, that is, missing God’s goal for our lives.

While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus (Yehshuah)—’God saves’—because he will save his people from (sin) missing God’s goal for their lives.” Matthew 1:20-23

“Think of yourselves the way the Messiah Jesus thought of himself.” ~Apostle Paul

Tags

Apostle Paul Sayings, Death, Humility, Jesus, Messiah, Obedience, Philippians 2, Resurrection, Selfless

The birth of Jesus has special meaning. We must see it from the eyes of Jesus, our Messiah. We should think of why Jesus gave up the glory of heaven and humbled himself to come to earth as a man. He became a slave for us. Jesus humbled himself.

Forget about the baby and see the man on the cross, dying for us. Jesus didn’t come to give us Christmas trees filled with gifts. Jesus came to give us a cross and an empty tomb.

Above all else, Jesus humbled himself to be obedient to God, his father. His obedience led to his exaltation.

It wasn’t about the manager. It was all about the cross, the empty tomb and his mighty resurrection.

All honor and glory to Jesus, our Messiah.

Think of yourselves the way the Messiah Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus the Messiah, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.

Source: Philippians 2:5-11 MSG – Think of yourselves the way Christ – Bible Gateway

“Joseph went to Bethlehem with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.” ~Luke

Tags

Christmas, Jesus, Joseph, Luke 2, Mary, Messiah

Bethlehem

So this is how it happened. Luke starts warming us up with some basic facts. In a few more paragraphs we will begin to learn about how the Son of God was born and began to live among us.

Jesus came with a mission. It begins with some basic facts. It ends with Jesus ascending into heaven, a triumphant Messiah.

Luke draws me in. I want to know more.

About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.

Source: Luke 2:1, 4-5 MSG – The Birth of Jesus – About that time – Bible Gateway

Jesus leads us as the new pioneer of supernatural faith and courage.

Tags

Courage, Faith, Jesus, New plan, Salvation

Courage

God got everything started. Everything came from Him. His word made it all happen.

He is also the one who keeps everything going. Without God, it all comes to a standstill. So, God starts it all and keeps it all moving.

His son Jesus came as a pioneer. He led the way through His suffering on to the glory.

Jesus experienced it first. God started it all. God keeps it moving and now His new agreement with us is to complete it all as well. Jesus leads us as the new pioneer of supernatural faith.

God is the one who saves us and those of us who are saved have an origin that we share in common. It is Jesus.

And Jesus doesn’t hesitate to treat us all as family and friends. We are all together with the one starts, keeps things going and is now completing His good work. How amazing it is. How stunning Jesus is.

"God’s Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet." ~~Jesus

Tags

God's Word, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Law, Matthew 5

God’s Word

Jesus is clear on what God has said. His word is like Him. It is here to stay.

Nothing can be added to what God has said or taken away from it. God means what He says. We can count on Him.

Everything else is temporary. It will pass away. It is not real. God’s word is the real deal.

Now that is some good news.

“God’s Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet.” ~~Jesus (Matthew 5:17-18 The Message)

“Jesus stood over her, told the fever to leave—and it left.” ~Luke

Tags

Faith, Healing, Jesus, Luke 4, Messiah

Bold Faith

It doesn’t matter why they asked Jesus to do something for Simon’s mother-in-law. They wanted Jesus to do something for her. They weren’t specific and that was ok. Just please do something.

Jesus did the ultimate thing, probably more than they thought he would. He was very direct. He told the fever to leave. It did. Nothing is impossible with God.

And so, she got dinner for them.

Jesus, God’s son and the Messiah, is going to do something for you and for me. We may not know what it  is. Our job is to have faith that he will.

He left the meeting place and went to Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was running a high fever and they asked him to do something for her. He stood over her, told the fever to leave—and it left. Before they knew it, she was up getting dinner for them. Luke 4:38-39

He is the reason for the season. Don’t deny him (like Peter). Greet all with Merry Christmas!!

Tags

Christmas, Deny, Jesus, Peter

Jesus is the reason for the season. Don’t deny him (like Peter). Greet all with Merry Christmas!!

This is the challenge from Jesus. Are we afraid to be a follower?

Jesus is the reason

“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command.” ~Author of Hebrews

Tags

Faith, God is God, Hebrews 11, Jesus

Just a quick look at the space images on the NASA site and there is no doubt what a great God we have. He spoke and the stars were born.

It really is more than a person can understand. What a awesome creation. And He put us in the middle of it. WOW!

God is God. God can do anything he wants to. God created everything purposefully and perfectly. My job is to believe that and live a life of faith.

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:3

“They tracked down and brought in the Levites from all their homes in Jerusalem to carry out the dedication exuberantly: thanksgiving hymns, songs, cymbals, harps, and lutes.” ~Nehemiah

Tags

God is God, God is Good, Jesus, Nehemiah 12, Thanksgiving

Thanks

It is a great biblical tradition to celebrate with Thanksgiving.

Our God is God and in a good mood. Giving thanks to him is what it is all about.

Once a year? Nah!

Every minute of every day.

When it came time for the dedication of the wall, they tracked down and brought in the Levites from all their homes in Jerusalem to carry out the dedication exuberantly: thanksgiving hymns, songs, cymbals, harps, and lutes. The singers assembled from all around Jerusalem, from the villages of the Netophathites, from Beth Gilgal, from the farms at Geba and Azmaveth—the singers had built villages for themselves all around Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 12:27-29 The Message (MSG)

“If you’re going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.” ~Apostle Paul

Tags

1 Corinthians 1, God is God, Jesus, Messiah, Pretention

God didn’t choose the brightest and the best. God chooses those who will follow Him. That is it. The brightest and best sometimes think they can do it without God.

There is no pretension with God. He isn’t impressed by what we know or what we have. He knows it all. He has it all. There is nothing we have achieved that He wants.

There is absolutely no blowing our own trumpet with God. Everything comes from God.

May I blow God’s trumpet. He ROCKS, not me. God is God.

May I take advantage of His right thinking.

Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don’t see many of “the brightest and the best” among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. Isn’t it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these “nobodies” to expose the hollow pretensions of the “somebodies”? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus the Messiah. That’s why we have the saying, “If you’re going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

 

"I’m not interested in crowd approval." ~~Jesus

Tags

God is God, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Popularity

God Knows

Jesus isn’t interested popular opinion or what others think about Him. Jesus isn’t running for political office.

Jesus’ only goal is to please His Father. That is His complete focus.

Crowds would show up on a regular basis but sometimes He would say things and they would leave in disgust.

You can count on Jesus to say what God wants to be said. That may not be popular but we need a God like that.

We can count on Jesus.

“I’m not interested in crowd approval. And do you know why? Because I know you and your crowds.” ~~Jesus

Source: John 5:41-44 The Message

Living in a culture of criticism. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” ~Jesus

Tags

Criticism, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Judging, Matthew 7

Judge

We pay people to be critics. They make a living doing it. They sometimes even get fancy titles like consultants and commentators.

It seems to me we live in a culture of criticism. And it is taking hold more and more. I get sucked in some days. It is so easy to join in and judge.

It is too easy to see what God is not doing in someone’s life and not what He is doing.

Now none of us appreciate it when the tables are turned and the criticism is directed at us. It hurts. It feels unfair. It is cruel we think.

Jesus is clear on all of this. He is very direct. “Do not judge”. That is it. Don’t do it.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. ‘Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in someone else’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:1-4 TNIV Bible

 

May His grace deliver us from the culture of criticism. May we love the way He loves. May we see what He is doing.

 

“Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work.” ~King David

Tags

God is God, Jesus, King David, Psalm 19, Wise Sayings

Goal

There are all types of ways I miss God’s goal for my life (sin). Some are just plain stupid. As my dad would say, “Not right bright”.

The stupid ones are when I think I can take over from God. This may be subtle but it is stunningly dumb on my part. God is God. I can’t take over from him.

Jesus knows the way. Jesus challenges me to “let go and let God” be in control of my life. Jesus knows that God can do anything.

There is a hidden treasure. That treasure is letting God be in control. That is the smart way in God’s world.

There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger
    and directs us to hidden treasure.
Otherwise how will we find our way?
    Or know when we play the fool?
Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
    Keep me from stupid sins,
    from thinking I can take over your work;
Then I can start this day sun-washed,
    scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.
These are the words in my mouth;
    these are what I chew on and pray.
Accept them when I place them
    on the morning altar,
O God, my Altar-Rock,
    God, Priest-of-My-Altar.

Source: Psalm 19:14 MSG – There’s more: God’s Word warns us – Bible Gateway

“Come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness.” ~Isaiah

Tags

Forgive, Isaiah 55, Jesus, Mercy

The Power of Forgiveness

God is God. God can’t betray who he is.

God is good. God is lavish. God forgives me. God forgives me day after day. Minute after minute. Second after second.

I can find Jesus and his mercy right now. God is close to me. Will that always be true?

Jesus challenges me to change my mind and change my behavior. They go hand in hand.

God is good for sure. Jesus is lavish with forgiveness.

Seek God while he’s here to be found,
    pray to him while he’s close at hand.
Let the wicked abandon their way of life
    and the evil their way of thinking.
Let them come back to God, who is merciful,
    come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness.

Source: Isaiah 55:6 MSG – Seek GOD while he’s here to be found, – Bible Gateway

“You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow.” ~King Solomon

Tags

Jesus, King Solomon, Knowledge, Wisdom, Wise Sayings

There are a few things I know. God has been good to give me that knowledge.

There are many things I don’t know. There is much to learn.

There is one thing I absolutely don’t know and that is the first thing about tomorrow.

Jesus challenges me to trust God. God knows and God will take care of me. Now that is some good news for sure!

Don’t brashly announce what you’re going to do tomorrow;
    you don’t know the first thing about tomorrow.

Source: Proverbs 27:1 MSG – You Don’t Know Tomorrow – Don’t – Bible Gateway

“The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.” ~King Solomon

Tags

Fear, Jesus, Proverbs 29, Trust, Wise Sayings

There is a fear that paralyzes me. It is the concern about what you think of me.

Will I post this on Facebook and Twitter?

Will I speak out at work?

Why am I afraid?

The answer is staggering. I don’t trust God is why. If I did trust God, I wouldn’t care what others thought of me. The only opinion that would matter would be God’s.

God has promised to be with me. If God is with me, who can be against me?

The fear of human opinion disables;
    trusting in God protects you from that.

Source: Proverbs 29:25 MSG – The fear of human opinion disables; – Bible Gateway

“I am God, your God.” ~God

Tags

Aaron, Exodus 29, God is God, Israel, Jesus

I am God

God is God.

More importantly, God is my God.

I serve the one and only, true living God. There is no other.

It is one thing to know that God is God. It is everything to know that he is my God. That is the main thing.

Jesus came to show us God and to give us a relationship with God. Through Jesus, I get to know God and understand what he wants me to do.

This is to be your regular, daily Whole-Burnt-Offering before God, generation after generation, sacrificed at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. That’s where I’ll meet you; that’s where I’ll speak with you; that’s where I’ll meet the Israelites, at the place made holy by my Glory. I’ll make the Tent of Meeting and the Altar holy. I’ll make Aaron and his sons holy in order to serve me as priests. I’ll move in and live with the Israelites. I’ll be their God. They’ll realize that I am their God who brought them out of the land of Egypt so that I could live with them. I am God, your God.

Source: Exodus 29 MSG – Consecration of Priests – “This is – Bible Gateway

“And why? Because God says so. He’s issued the orders.” ~Isaiah

Tags

God is God, Isaiah 24, Jesus, Why

Why? Because God says so.

There is always the question of why looming in front us.

Why?

Why did God allow that to happen?

The arrogance I have some days to question God is stunning. I am embarrassed by it.

God says so. God is God. God doesn’t answer to us.

That is all I need to know. God has issued the orders.

And why? Because God says so.
    He’s issued the orders.

Source: Isaiah 24 MSG – The Landscape Will Be a Moonscape – Bible Gateway

I am reminded that God doesn’t take naps

Tags

God is Good, Jesus, Nap

Power Nap

On days I am not working, sometimes I feel like taking a nap. So … I do.

It feels great. It is a treat to be able to do it.

I am reminded that God, however, is always working for us. He doesn’t take naps. He doesn’t even know how to snore.

And that is a good word to believe in for sure.

"You have your heads in your Bibles constantly. But you miss the forest for the trees." ~~Jesus

Tags

Bible, Eternal Life, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Scripture

Forest for the trees

Jesus demands that I get the point. I need to see Jesus. I need to have a passionate relationship with His Father.

Reading the Bible and missing Him is pointless. Being religious and not in a loving relationship with God is vast waste of time and energy.

I want to get it. I want to be in love with Him.

May I see the forest. The Bible doesn’t give me eternal life. Jesus does.

“You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me!” ~~Jesus (John 5:39-40 The Message)

 

“Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.” ~King Solomon

Tags

Discretion, Proverbs 1, Understanding

Understanding

How amazing is it that God wants discretion to protect us and understanding to guard us? It is stunning. God is in a very good mood and is looking out for me.

Jesus is so good to show us what we need to know and how we need to act.

Jesus cares for us like no other. He is good and looking out for our best interest.

May wisdom enter my heart. May knowledge be pleasant to my soul.

For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease,
without fear of harm.

Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path.
For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.

~King Solomon – Source: Proverbs 1:32-33; 2:9-11