"COME TO ME...."

After the angels appeared to the shepherds, the babe in the manger touched their hearts to "come to me". To the Wise Men, the babe in the cradle touched their hearts to "come to me".  Even in this present day, the babe touches each of our hearts. As a man he says to us "Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28a,b; NIV).
He is still saying to you-you who has accepted you are lower than the shepherds; He says, "Come to me..." At the time Jesus was born there was no one considered lower than the shepherds. This had been their lot for years and they had come to accept it. But then one night, one night different from all others an angel came to them-them the outcasts, the ones considered too unclean to be welcome in God's temple and their hearts were changed forever.
You-you who has been provided with everything one could possibly want or desire but still has an emptiness in the very depth of your being, the Savior touches your heart and says, "Come to me..."
The Wise Men-ones who had everything provided for them, no wants, no needs--followed a star, a bright "light" and their hearts were changed forever.
You-you who is filled with such pain you don't think you can face another day-let the babe touch your heart as He says, "Come to me..." Come to the manger, look upon the One called Jesus, Savior, Immanuel, Most High God, Mighty One; let His heart speak to your heart and change it forever.
This Christmas Eve, let the babe speak to your heart, "Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest....take my yoke...learn from me..." Let him change your heart forever!!

WHAT IS CHRISTMAS TO YOU?

Since the middle of October there has been Christmas decorations in the stores. People started their Christmas shopping and Black Friday officially started the Christmas season. Cities across the world are having lighting ceremonies. Stores are having sales for that special Christmas gift. Little children live in great anticipation of Santa coming with that special gift they can't live without.  There are the Christmas parties, families traveling from afar to spend this special day together, Christmas caroling, and schools and churches having Christmas or holiday pageants. In September ones start counting down to this one day. But why?
What does this day, this time of year mean to you? What does this little babe wrapped in swaddling cloth represent to you? This little babe is not just a doll wrapped in a blanket, He is God, He is Savior. Seven hundred years before this baby was born a man predicted his birth. Isaiah is not just a book in the Bible but he was a human no different than you or I. Listen to what he said, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace..."
The One who created this universe, who knew you in your mother's womb before she even knew you were there, came to this earth as a "little babe in swaddling cloth". This babe will grow to be the man who bore your sins on a cross he was forced to carry to a place called Calvary; this Man suffered being whipped so by His stripes you are healed, this Man sacrificed Himself on this cross so you could have an everlasting relationship with God.
If you are celebrating the birth of your Savior this season, let it be a season of joy, a season you draw closer in your relationship to this little one called Jesus. If you don't know this little one, let me introduce you to him; this is Jesus. The Man who sacrificed himself as an atonement for your sins so you can have a relationship with God by believing this little babe is the Son of God. For "if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Let this little babe be your "special gift" this Christmas for he is God's gift to you and I.
Come, celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace...CELEBRATE!!!

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

 When asked by a Pharisee what is the greatest commandment, Jesus replied: LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND...AND THE SECOND IS LIKE IT: LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.  And yet we have hatred, we have strife,  we have dissension, we have hopelessness. Why? Is not the same God on His throne as has always been there? Has He abdicated? I write this not only for the American people but also for the people around the world who follow me on this site.
The same God who was on His throne last week, last month, last year is still on His throne today. He is the one who is in control. Amazingly, it is NOT Washington, DC or who is sitting there or will sit there as President, or as Senator, or as Representative, or as Judge. It is not the leader of France, or Germany, or Russia. It is not the leader in your country.  It is God. The God who created us, the God who so wanted a relationship with us He gave His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for OUR sins, the same God who cries out to you "Come" cries out to you "Love your neighbors as yourself".
No matter what nation you live in, we all must remember it is God who sets up kings and deposes kings. The One who changes time and controls the seasons, who determines whether it will rain or snow is Sovereign over ALL. Stop your protesting!! Stop your killing!!! LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.

IT'S SO SIMPLE YET SO HARD

We humans take the simplest thing and make it difficult!! Lately, I've been reading Scripture from THE MESSAGE by Eugene H. Peterson. I'm reading Romans. Listen to this excerpt from Romans 2:

This makes it clear, doesn't it, that whatever is written in these Scriptures is not what God says about others but to us to whom these Scriptures were addressed in the first place! And it's clear enough, isn't it, that we're sinners, every one of us, in the same sinking boat with everybody else? Our involvement with God's revelation doesn't put us right with God. What it does is force us face our complicity in everyone else's sin.
But in our time something new has been added.  What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us.  And not only for us but for everyone who believes in him.  For there is no difference between us and them in this.  Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us.  Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.
God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin. Having faith in him sets us in the clear.  God decided on this course of action in full view of the public-to set the world in the clear with himself through the sacrifice of Jesus, finally taking care of the sins he had so patiently endured. This is not only clear, but it's NOW-this is current history! God sets things right.  He also makes it possible for us to live in his rightness."

What more is there to say? Jesus came to make things right between you and God. Sin is sin. One sin is NOT greater than the other. Bottom line: God wants a relationship with YOU!! How do you get a relationship with Him? The same way you get to know anyone else. You talk with Him. Tell Him what is in your heart. He loves you and wants to hear from you!!

ARE WE FOCUSING ON THE WRONG WINDOW?

This week-end I visited relatives close to me in Florida. Due to hurricanes they have hurricane shutters on their house to protect their windows. The first night I was taken into the bedroom I'd be staying in for the next two nights. The room has two windows; one where the hurricane shutter is only opened enough for air to come in the window when opened, the second is on the back of the house and opens out onto the lanai. Behind the lanai was a fence and the backyard neighbor's house.
My cousin assured me no one could see in the side window. Since it was late and dark outside I felt reassured I could get in my nightgown unobserved by anyone. In the morning I again focused my attention to the side window thereby reassuring myself I could get dressed unseen. However, I never paid any attention to the back window until I was putting my bra on and looked up to see clearly the backyard fence and neighbor's sliding glass door neatly within my view.
Immediately I thought, "How many times is our focus on the wrong window? Spiritually, how many times is our focus on the wrong thing and not on God?" Psalm 16:8 is one of my favorite verses, "Keep your eyes always on the Lord; with the Lord at my right hand, I will not be shaken." These few words are the instructions for us to overcome any trial we may face during the span of our day. Paul tells us in Philippians that "we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us". So, friends, don't  focus on the wrong window but on Jesus Christ "the propitiation for our sins..." (1 John 2:2a)

GOD'S WORD

"The way we treat the Word of God is the way we treat the God of the Word." Warren Weirsbe

This was a quote from our sermon notes yesterday. It reminded me of my great-aunt's Bible. As you can see, it's very well worn and very much written in. One can see her Bible was a very good friend as was the Author of the Bible. She knew the God of the Word well. He was, is, and will be the one true God. Most of all, He was her Best Friend.

In this age of electronics we are able to have the Bible with us no matter where we go. How worn is your Bible? Do you have verses highlighted, favorite verses you pray everyday, notes electronically notated? Most of all, is the God of the Word your personal Friend, Savior, Counselor, Prince of Peace, Almighty One, Mighty King, Lord of lords. He is trustworthy. He is love. He is Truth. My great-aunt knew her eternity was secure. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last.

Please allow the Word of God become the God of Word in your heart. He is the Best Friend you will ever have in this sin-filled world and in the sin-less world to come.

MOUNTAINTOPS VS. VALLEYS

We as Christ-followers love our mountaintop experiences!! However, sitting in church yesterday the Lord impressed upon me mountaintops  are barren of vegetation, difficult to traverse, and more often than not immersed in the clouds making it difficult to see great distances. On the other hand, valleys are where the food for surviving is found; there are rivers, lakes and streams to give us the necessary water to sustain life; the terrain is easier to traverse; and, usually easier to see greater distances. It is where our living happens. While mountaintop experiences are nice for short-term experiences, the valleys are where we spend the majority of our time. The same is true with our walks with Christ--we learn more in our valley time; we receive our life in the valley times. Even people who live in the mountains don't live on the mountaintops. They are usually places viewed from afar. Hopefully, this gives another perspective on valley-living. Whether you are in your valley-time or mountaintop-time, may you feel God's love surround you, His peace permeate you, and His food sustain you.

GOD'S DIFFICULT LESSONS

First of all, I'd like to apologize for not posting for a very long time. In truth, it seems like forever but it has only been five weeks. I'm not trying to minimize my misdeed at all. I ask for your forgiveness. I'll not promise this won't happen again but I'll try my very best to be regular.
There are ones reading this post who have had loved ones die or injured in bombings, injured or killed in senseless shootings, injured or died in earthquakes and mudslides, raped and murdered senselessly by terrorists, had their homes destroyed by floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and mudslides.  The largest followers after the United States are countries who have been affected by each of these disasters in the last three months. To the ones who have found comfort here may God be praised. They are not my words but His. The path I have walked these past few weeks in no way compares to what you have endured; however, please let me share a few things He has taught me--especially this past week.
As I've shared with you in previous posts,  in the summer of 2003 God gave me the gift of evangelism. Before I could utilize this gift God had to heal my heart of many areas the Enemy had used to  impriston me.  The prison doors were unlocked the winter of 2004-5 by the Great Healer Himself through the Bible study by Beth Moore, BREAKING FREE. Through the years He has continued to unlock the doors of those cells caused by abuse, death, divorce, and life using words of pastors, friends, Bible studies, and most importantly His Word. This past week, I've learned where God has healed the only person who can take that healing away is ME. He has reminded me, "...the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." Am I completely healed? NO. That will not happen until I see Him face to face. Am I discounting doctors, Christian counselors, pastors, psychologists, or psychiatrists? NO. All of these people have been gifted by God for His purposes.
This picture was taken outside a friend's house this week. When I showed her and two other friends who had walked by them on there way into the house for dinner none of them could tell me where these flowers were located. All week I prayed for answers and all week in my quiet place was a journal He was prompting me to pick up and read. Several times I glanced at it and quickly dismissed it. Finally, last night, I picked it up. In the journal was the answers to the prayers I had been desparately praying all week. Sometimes His beauty is hidden in plain sight...sometimes right under our noses...
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 FOREVER AND EVER! AMEN. (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV)

YOUR NEW LIFE

In these times of such unspeakable violence, let us stop and listen to what God's Word says to his followers regarding our behavior. Before you stop reading thinking you know, listen to Paul:

“So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.

Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.

And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That’s a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God. It’s because of this kind of thing that God is about to explode in anger. It wasn’t long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better. But you know better now, so make sure it’s all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk.

Don’t lie to one another. You’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master. Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don’t take advantage of them. Children, do what your parents tell you. This delights the Master no end. Parents, don’t come down too hard on your children or you’ll crush their spirits.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:1-21‬ ‭MSG‬‬
http://bible.com/97/col.3.1-21.msg

Now, where do you require God's forgiveness? Where do you require the help of the Holy Spirit to change?

WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?

Jesus asked this question of his disciples after a confrontation with the Sadduces and Pharisees. Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
A few years ago, while traveling in northeastern Oklahoma in my motorhome some fellow RVer friends joined me for a visit. While visiting different towns in the area, the wife would see a street sign with a person's name and she would wonder aloud who the individual was or what he/she had accomplished to have the honor of a street being named for them. Sometimes I knew of the individual and knew why the street was named after this person but remained silent, fearful of providing the wrong information or appearing foolish.
This made me question, if the name "Jesus Christ" was on a street sign and someone asked who He was, what had He done to have a street named for Him, what would we answer? Would pride get in our way preventing us from providing any type of answer to the question. If Christ asked us, "Who do you say I am?" , what would we answer? Hopefully,  God will give each of us the confidence and boldness required so like Simon Peter we too will say, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

ARE YOU HUNGRY?

For several years I did cat-sitting for friends while they went on vacations. My friend once informed me,  “Sunny wouldn’t get any exercise if he didn’t have his canned food in the afternoon.” I quickly discovered what she meant. Starting around mid-morning, Sunny would begin gently asking for his canned food and he would progressively get more and more insistent the closer it came to his 3 p.m. feeding time.

At this time, my friends had two very comfortable leather easy chairs in their living room. When I wasn’t busy doing other things, I would sit in one as I worked on my computer or read.  As soon as I would sit, no matter what time in the morning it would be, Sunny would start his routine by jumping in my lap or in the chair beside me. In the early stages, Sunny would be satisfied with being petted and loved on. When he realized nothing was going to happen, he would jump down. A short time would pass and then, once again, Sunny would jump on my lap or beside me and again I would pet or love on him. When this method didn’t work, he would jump to the back of the chair and nudge me with his head. Next step was to sit beside me and lay his head on the side of my computer making it difficult to type. Seeing he was getting nowhere with that, he would move his head further onto the keyboard. Each time ended with him getting gently shooed away. The closer it was too feeding time, the more insistent his behavior until he was literally in my face.

I wonder what would happen if we were that insistent about asking God to feed us? How would it change our lives?  Psalm 42:1 tell us “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” Psalm 81:10 says, "I am the Lord your God who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouths and I will fill it." 

ARE YOU HUNGRY?

For several years I did cat-sitting for friends while they went on vacations. My friend once informed me,  “Sunny wouldn’t get any exercise if he didn’t have his canned food in the afternoon.” I quickly discovered what she meant. Starting around mid-morning, Sunny would begin gently asking for his canned food and he would progressively get more and more insistent the closer it came to his 3 p.m. feeding time.

At this time, my friends had two very comfortable leather easy chairs in their living room. When I wasn’t busy doing other things, I would sit in one as I worked on my computer or read.  As soon as I would sit, no matter what time in the morning it would be, Sunny would start his routine by jumping in my lap or in the chair beside me. In the early stages, Sunny would be satisfied with being petted and loved on. When he realized nothing was going to happen, he would jump down. A short time would pass and then, once again, Sunny would jump on my lap or beside me and again I would pet or love on him. When this method didn’t work, he would jump to the back of the chair and nudge me with his head. Next step was to sit beside me and lay his head on the side of my computer making it difficult to type. Seeing he was getting nowhere with that, he would move his head further onto the keyboard. Each time ended with him getting gently shooed away. The closer it was too feeding time, the more insistent his behavior until he was literally in my face.

I wonder what would happen if we were that insistent about asking God to feed us? How would it change our lives?  Psalm 42:1 tell us “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” Psalm 81:10 says, "I am the Lord your God who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouths and I will fill it." 

FISHERS OF MEN

The first people Jesus chooses to follow him are four fisherman: Peter, Andrew, James and John sons of Zebedee. Why fisherman rather than scholars of Scripture, people of stature and position, people qualified to better fulfill his ministry. Maybe Paul gives us a clue when he writes the Corinthinians and says, "But God chose the foolish things of this world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things to shame the strong. God chose the lowly and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him." Jesus called to Peter and Andrew and said "Follow me!" Then turned to James and John and again said, "Follow me!" Has He called to you, "Follow me"? How did you answer? Were you like me and said, "I want to Lord but I'm not qualified." Or, how about one of these reasons: I don't have the education, the degree, the experience, the whatever to complete the task You ask of me. Let me get the qualifications and then I'll follow You.
Maybe if we look at some of the characteristics of fishermen we may better understand why Jesus chose four to help in his ministry. Fishermen are patient. These fishermen spent hours throwing out their nets to catch fish. Even when their nets came up empty, they continued to cast them out again and again. They had a goal and they were steadfast until their goal was attained.
These fishermen were willing to alter there plans. They were not insistent on having their own way. After casting out their nets all night and catching no fish, Jesus asks Simon to take his boat and "put out a little from the shore" so He can speak to the masses that were following Him. Simon did so and in the process learned this was no ordinary man. This man was "special". After speaking to the crowd this man tells Simon (called Peter) to "Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch." To which Simon says, "Because you say so" and from that point on Simon was never the same. When Jesus said "Follow me!" Simon dropped everything. After witnessing these things Andrew, James and John dropped everything to follow this man. They were willing to change their plans and in doing so, there lives were never the same.
The characteristic I most admire is their excited anticipation and quiet confidence in the knowledge that "next time" they would achieve the goal they so greatly desired. As these fishermen walked with Jesus they acquired the knowledge, the experience, the tools they needed to accomplish the tasks Jesus put before them.
In observing these four fisherman, one can observe a few of the traits necessary in accomplishing the mission of "fishing for men". It becomes apparent Jesus is more interested in the person than wealth, power, education, criminal record, your past, or your present circumstances. Why? Because He knows when you drop everything and respond to His "Follow me" your life will be transformed from that day forward. You see, Jesus is in the transforming business. As Paul says to the Philippians, "...I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
Jesus is calling, "Follow me", will you drop everything and do what He asks? Whatever He is asking you to do He will give you the necessary tools to complete the task. I know firsthand. He has taken this lowly sinner with no degree in journalism or theology to spread the word that His love, His salvation, His grace, and His transformation are available to anyone.

FISHERS OF MEN

The first people Jesus chooses to follow him are four fisherman: Peter, Andrew, James and John sons of Zebedee. Why fisherman rather than scholars of Scripture, people of stature and position, people qualified to better fulfill his ministry. Maybe Paul gives us a clue when he writes the Corinthinians and says, "But God chose the foolish things of this world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things to shame the strong. God chose the lowly and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him." Jesus called to Peter and Andrew and said "Follow me!" Then turned to James and John and again said, "Follow me!" Has He called to you, "Follow me"? How did you answer? Were you like me and said, "I want to Lord but I'm not qualified." Or, how about one of these reasons: I don't have the education, the degree, the experience, the whatever to complete the task You ask of me. Let me get the qualifications and then I'll follow You.
Maybe if we look at some of the characteristics of fishermen we may better understand why Jesus chose four to help in his ministry. Fishermen are patient. These fishermen spent hours throwing out their nets to catch fish. Even when their nets came up empty, they continued to cast them out again and again. They had a goal and they were steadfast until their goal was attained.
These fishermen were willing to alter there plans. They were not insistent on having their own way. After casting out their nets all night and catching no fish, Jesus asks Simon to take his boat and "put out a little from the shore" so He can speak to the masses that were following Him. Simon did so and in the process learned this was no ordinary man. This man was "special". After speaking to the crowd this man tells Simon (called Peter) to "Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch." To which Simon says, "Because you say so" and from that point on Simon was never the same. When Jesus said "Follow me!" Simon dropped everything. After witnessing these things Andrew, James and John dropped everything to follow this man. They were willing to change their plans and in doing so, there lives were never the same.
The characteristic I most admire is their excited anticipation and quiet confidence in the knowledge that "next time" they would achieve the goal they so greatly desired. As these fishermen walked with Jesus they acquired the knowledge, the experience, the tools they needed to accomplish the tasks Jesus put before them.
In observing these four fisherman, one can observe a few of the traits necessary in accomplishing the mission of "fishing for men". It becomes apparent Jesus is more interested in the person than wealth, power, education, criminal record, your past, or your present circumstances. Why? Because He knows when you drop everything and respond to His "Follow me" your life will be transformed from that day forward. You see, Jesus is in the transforming business. As Paul says to the Philippians, "...I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
Jesus is calling, "Follow me", will you drop everything and do what He asks? Whatever He is asking you to do He will give you the necessary tools to complete the task. I know firsthand. He has taken this lowly sinner with no degree in journalism or theology to spread the word that His love, His salvation, His grace, and His transformation are available to anyone.

DEATH CAN BE LIFE

The week-end of June 11 and 12, 49 people started their day like any other day; I heard of a person who went to sleep one night totally expecting to wake up the next morning--he didn't. One person gave a concert fully expecting to return home. Forty-nine individuals decided to spend an evening of music and relaxation with the expectation of returning home. Fifty people didn't return home, one didn't wake up in the morning. The truth is most people believe when they wake in the morning they will see their bed that night; most people fall asleep believing they will wake the next morning. The attack in Orlando, Florida, is poignant to Americans because this is not the norm for life in these United States. In other parts of the world atrocities such as this is a daily occurrence.
My heart is heavily burdened for these peop le and for others facing these atrocities throughout the world. Every individual is and will be held accountable when the time comes for us to go before God. Some, like Mohammed Ali, believe if they are good-go to church on Easter, Christmas and a few Sunday's in between; donate clothes, money, even time-maybe God will allow them to enter heaven. The answer is NO. Many believe God, Jesus, the Bible is a huge fairy tale to keep the masses under control. The answer is NO. Unfortunately, our churches are filled with ones who are regular church attendees but are deaf and blind to what is spoken. For these people the answer is still NO.
The "good news" is out of death comes life. The song Glorious Day by Casting Crowns says it succinctly. Meditate on the message this song delivers:

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwell among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He's coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day.

One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He's coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day.

If something happens to you before you slip between the blankets tonight, where will you spend eternity? What will you answer to God be when you meet Him face to face? You have a choice. You can choose His Son, Jesus Christ. You can make Him Ruler of your heart, mind, and soul. Ask Jesus to forgive you for your sins, ask Jesus to take up residence in your heart this very moment before your time is no more. Die to sin. Rise to eternal life. Out of death comes life, life everlasting.

 

 

GOD'S ROSE

Lord God, my heart is open to You,
To Your love, to Your salvation,
My life is Yours, Dear Lord.
My heart cries out only to You, Father God.

My walk with You is like a rose
Like a bud ready to burst forth
Reflecting the depth of Your Glory--
Each petal an expression of Your Love..

Your Majesty  hidden deep within
Until the Son’s rays open the petals
In a burst of unspeakable beauty
Admired by all who notice.
Only attaining its genuine perfection
When Your Face is glimpsed.

Petals fall along the path of life.
Nevertheless Your Grace
Redeems the rose’s allure
So Your handiwork may be appreciated
By all who pass by.

Father God, my heart is Yours.
My life is Yours.
Make way for Your beauty to emerge
Until all that can be seen
Is Jesus’ reflection in me.

STICKY FAITH

 If you were attending a church in Laos, China, India, Syria, Russia, or in any country where
Christianity is discouraged or illegal, are the congregants eagerly worshipping God? Way too many times in this land where we are free to worship God it has become something frowned upon. Some attend out of a sense of duty; all my neighbors are going, I better go also. Some attend because that's what you do on Sunday morning. And then what's becoming a minority are attending because they have a relationship with God and truly want to worship Him with all "their heart, mind, and soul". What if we couldn't worship God openly and freely? How would we worship Him then?
Zephaniah tells us: "The LORD your God is with you.....He will take great delight in you, in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing." He does NOT want our relationship with Him to be passive, mundane, inexpressive, or ordinary.  In a sermon, Reverend Jeffery Singletary used the example of those long, sticky strips of paper we hung in days past to catch flies as an illustration of how churches need to be stuck to God. If we had a "sticky faith" with God what would our worship of Him look like? Would our service for Him be different? What would our prayers sound like? Would others see His Light reflecting in us?  2 Corinthians 5:18 states: "All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and GAVE US THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION (my emphasis)." Verse 20 states, "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors..." Christ's ambassadors. Google defines ambassador as "a person who acts as a representative or promoter of a specified activity". WOW!! When one's look at me do they see me as Christ's representative or am I just another person in the crowd? Or do my actions promote a specified activity? Does my actions show Christ in me? God "rejoices over me with singing", He takes "great delight in me"!!  Let those words sink in to the core of your very being and then, maybe, we can be the ambassador Christ deserves and we will promote a specified activity such as, "love our neighbor as we love ourselves". Maybe then, our "sticky faith" will shine forth. What do you think?
When we interact with others let's allow our "sticky faith" shine bright. When we go to church next Sunday, let's allow our "sticky faith" flow from us as we worship our God who "rejoices over you with singing".

'I GIVE THEM ETERNAL LIFE"

LET US BASK IN THE RAYS OF OUR RISEN SAVIOR, JESUS CHRST!! 

Jesus Christ suffered more than we can even start to comprehend. He went to the cross and died a humiliating punishment only thieves and murderers suffered after being flogged thirty-nine times, after having a crown of thorns not laid on his head but pushed down on his head, and for several hours battled with Satan to overcome death. Yes, it all truly happened. Its not a myth. Its real!! Crowds saw it!!

Why, after telling you to bask in the rays of our risen Savior, do I remind you of what he endured before there was an Easter? Because we must know what he suffered, what he overcame so we can truly appreciate the gift he gave us. What is this gift you ask? Well, let's see what Jesus says it is.

John 10:27.28, "My sheep listen to my voice, I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand."  

What does he mean--eternal life? What is it and when does it start? Well, again, let's see what Scripture says about it. John tells us, "God so loved the world that He gave Hiss one and only Son, so whoever believes in him will have eternal life.....Whoever believes in him is not condemned." Jesus himself tells us, "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." "Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life."

As soon as you believe you have eternal life!! That is why, for a little while, those who believe can bask in the rays of our risen Savior. Do you want to join us? Tell him to come into your heart, ask him to forgive your sins, and believe he died for you and rose from the dead. Now you too can bask in the rays of YOUR risen Savior. Doesn't it feel good? Do you feel the warmth of His Light, the comfort of His peace, the joy of a pure heart? 

Good Friday

A week of contrasts. To me more evident in this week of his ministry than any other week. We start the week with Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem. The crowds yelling, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” It ends with the crowds yelling “Crucify him!” 

It starts with twelve of Jesus’ disciples and hundreds of followers to his followers leaving him and his disciples fleeing from him.

It begins with Peter stating he would “go to prison and to death” with Christ to Peter denying him three times.

The very people, the Pharisees, who were most concerned in abiding by the Law of Moses broke several of these laws in order to rid themselves of the man people were crying out to be their King, their Messiah.

What do all these contrasts mean? You may have been one who cheered him or you may have been one who yelled “Crucify him!”, you may have professed your undying love him one minute and then denied him the next, he may have been your closest friend and then when he needed you most you fled from him; whatever your relationship, “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”. 

HOLY WEEK--WHO ARE YOU?

Approximately 2000 years ago yesterday people lined the road into Jerusalem waving palm fronds and yelling:
"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Blessed is the king of Israel!"
The people along the road wanted to proclaim this man, Jesus, their king, the long-awaited Messiah. The one who was going to save them from the tyranny of the Romans and establish his kingdom. How many times have we wanted Jesus this for us? Walking along beside Jesus was his twelve closest friends and followers. Among them was Peter who would with John prepare the Passover meal; who would have none of Jesus washing his feet and then beg Christ to wash his whole body; who would deny him three times? How many times have we denied him? Near Jesus was Judas who would betray him for 30 pieces of silver. How many times have we betrayed him? There were the remainder of his twelve who would scatter upon the arrest of Jesus? How many times have we scattered when something fearful and dreadful has happened to us? Following close behind were the hundreds of disciples who had been following Christ faithfully until he said he was "I am". Upon hearing this they followed him no more. How many of us after hearing Christ proclaim he is the "I AM" follow him no longer. And finally, there was those who cheered him on Sunday and cried crucify him at Jesus' trial. How many times have we been filled with bitter disappointment and hopelessness and cried "Crucify him!"
For anyone who answered yes to any of these questions, which I might suspect we all fall into one of these categories, there is good news!! For this, only the Scriptures themselves  can proclaim the Good News. John 3:16, "For God so loved the world he gave his one and only son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." And,Ephesians 2:8 and 9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--- and this is NOT (emphasis mine) of yourselves, it is the gift of God--- not by works so that no one may boast." There is nothing you did that is greater than any sin committed in the previous paragraph. Christ lived this week for you, for me. He loved each one of us that much!!

DEEP WATERS

Jesus calls to us and says "Follow me..." There are many ways one can follow Christ; but the only way to be effective is to surrender completely. This sounds easy but most of the time its not. It's hard. A ruler asked Jesus what he must do to have eternal life. He told him to obey the Law of Moses, the ruler said he already does this. Then Jesus told the ruler he had one last thing he had to do; he had to sell all his possessions and give to the poor. The ruler could not do this. Complete surrender, no less is what Christ wants. Can you?
Jesus told the ones following him that "that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them." And many of his followers left him. Complete surrender, no less is what Christ wants. Can you?
Jesus borrowed a boat from a fisherman and sat in it as he spoke to the crowds. When he finished talking to them, Christ turned to the fisherman and said, "Put out into the deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." This made no sense to the man called Simon. He and his partners had fished there all night and not a single fish. The sun was high, this was not the time of day to go fishing. But yet, Simon answered Jesus, "...But because you say so, I will let down the nets?" Complete surrender, no less is what Christ wants. Can you?
This same man, Simon Peter, later stepped out of the boat and walked on water until he focused on the world and not Jesus. Complete surrender, no less is what Christ wants. Can you? Later this same Peter denied knowing Christ three times and yet this is the man Jesus chose to build his church. Yes, complete surrender is what Christ wants but he knows we are human. We turn our focus from Jesus to  enticements of this world and he forgives. He picks us up, dusts us off and asks us for complete surrender one more time. Can you?

FAITH

Faith. Why is it we can believe when we put our key in the ignition the car will start but when God tells us to do something we don't trust He will equip us to complete the task? We can be very strong in our faith yet we can waver over and over again because we FEEL weak, inept, insecure, underqualified, and the adjectives keep on coming.
This picture is my Christmas cactus on its third blooming. Why am I showing you? Because after reading on how to get your Christmas cactus to bloom, I did what it said, had faith that it would happen, and it is now on its third blooming with buds still coming. This is what God does with us. He plants the seeds, waters them, and waits; knowing in His perfect timing we are going to bloom and we will keep on blooming. 2 Timothy 2:13 tells us, "if we are faithLESS, He remains faithFUL, for he cannot disown Himself".
Jesus is asking each one of us to step out of the boat, come join Him on the water. If He has called you, He will equip you. Don't let the enemy convince you differently. He attempts it  with me concerning my writing on a regular basis. That's the reason I haven't posted for several weeks but it's not how I feel but do I have the faith God will give me the words, the message. The answer will always be YES because God is faithful, He can be no other way!!

WHO/WHAT IS YOUR GOLIATH?

I Samuel 17 tells the story of David & Goliath. Stop, get your Bible, and read this true-life tale of how a young man slay a giant because He knew and believed His Friend, God. In particular, focus on verses 45-47. This story is one you and I have heard so many times, we miss the jewels that are hidden in these verses. We go, “Yeah, yeah, yeah.  This little runt of a man comes up and against this giant and kills him with only a rock and a slingshot.” Then we say to ourselves, “I know it’s a story about the weak overcoming the strong.”
However, take a really intense look at chapter 17 and discover the pearls hidden in these verses.  Before we get started, we must look at some solid facts. Goliath, according to Scripture is between 9 and 11 feet tall. The American Standard Version states he is 11’3″. His armor weighed 5,000 shekels or  approximately 125 pounds. The iron point on his spear alone weighed 600 shekels or about 15 pounds. While David’s height and weight are not revealed, historians place him to be about 17 years so they feel he was around 5′ tall give or take a few inches. In all probability, David probably didn’t weigh anymore than Goliath’s armor and spearhead!! One of Goliath’s legs more than likely equaled the person of David in height and weight. None believed David could defeat this giant. His own brother thought he was being a conceited braggart. The king even questioned his ability to slay this giant. Finally, in the 40 days this Philistine taunted the Israelites army, there is not one mention of anyone consulting God. No priest, no prophet, no sacrifices were made to receive God’s instructions. How many times, as we are facing our Goliath, do we not even think to talk with God?
God has given us six steps to slay our Goliath. First, David knew his God. It is 
easy to say “Duh!” at this point but for 40 days several thousand men faced this giant and quaked in their boots. They cowered in fear. Why? They looked at Goliath with their physical eyes and not their spiritual eyes. What is your Goliath? Who is your God? David’s God was all-powerful. This giant was nothing in comparison to God. Is your Goliath more powerful than God?
Second, David believed God could do exactly what God says He can do. “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of The Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day The Lord will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth….” David knew what God would do for his children, the Israelites. Too many times, we forget our Father is the all-powerful God What is your Goliath? Who is your God?
Third, David remembered his past experiences with God. When asked by Saul if he could slay this giant; David replied, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep.  When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear.” David knew God had given him the means to kill these animals. This gave David the confidence to know God was going to give him the means to slay this giant. What is your Goliath? Who is your God?
Fourth, David knew God worked in unconventional ways and was willing to be obedient. David had probably heard how a farmer named Noah had built an ark on his property even though there was no water anywhere in the vicinity. Why? Because God told him to. The result, Noah became the second father to the human race. David, every Passover, learned how a prince of Egypt had murdered an Egyptian official, fled to the wilderness, listened to a burning bush, and eventually led the Israelite people to freedom. Are you willing to do whatever God tells you, even if it doesn’t make sense? What is your Goliath? Who is your God?
Fifth, David had the right perspective. Everyone looked at this giant and said he was too big to defeat. David looked at this giant and said he was too big to miss. Too many times we look at our Goliath with our physical eyes rather than our spiritual eyes. What is your Goliath? Who is your God?
Finally, and most importantly, David was not killing this giant for his own personal gain. David was killing this giant for God’s glory. David states, “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that The Lord saves, for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give all of you into our hands.” Why are you wanting to overcome your Goliath? For your own personal benefits or to show others what a great, loving, caring God we have?
God has given us in these verses our own personal plan in overcoming our Goliath:
1. Know your God. Study your Bible daily.
2. Believe your God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do.
3. Remember  those times you’ve seen God work in your life.
4. Keep your focus on God. Stop looking with your physical eyes and start looking with your spiritual eyes. Is Goliath stronger than God?
5. Ask yourself, “Is this for my  glory or will  I  tell others how God has slay my  Goliath?
Look at your Goliath and tell him you “come against him in the name of The Lord Almighty…This day The Lord will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head.” 

LESSONS OF CHRISTMAS--MAGI & KING HEROD

Before starting this lesson, it's necessary to clarify information regarding the presentation of Jesus. Jesus's circumcision and naming occurred on the 8th day. Jesus's presentation at the temple and Mary's purification happened 41 days after his birth in accordance with the Laws of Moses. When the wise men came they found Jesus in a house in Nazareth at some point within his first two years of life.
                                                            ******************
It was my initial intent to address the wise men and King Herod, chief priests, and lawmakers (Matthew 2:1-14) in two separate lessons. However, what these two groups teach us is so closely intertwined they really can't be separated.The wise men were seeking Jesus with there hearts. The note in THE COMPANION BIBLE for Matthew 2:6 gives us our first insight into today's lesson: "This incident shows that intellectual knowledge of the Scriptures without experimental delight in them is useless.....The scribes had no desire toward the person of this 'Governor' whereas the wise men were truly wise, in that they sought the person of Him of Whom the Scriptures spoke and were soon found at His feet. HEAD KNOWLEDGE WITHOUT HEART LOVE MAY BE USED AGAINST CHRIST (my emphasis as this is point 1 of today's lesson). When we are seeking this person Jesus of Him of Whom the Scriptures spoke whether it be the first time or several, it is with our heart that we must seek. According to Charles Spurgeon "true friendship...means identifying with someone in thought, heart, and spirit". POINT 1: It is at the feet of Jesus we will find our answers if we come with a sincere heart.
In this event we see the who, what, why, where, when, and how of the reason Jesus came to earth. The who is the Holy Spirit that guided the wise men to Jesus just as the Holy Spirit guides us to Jesus. The what is the desire in which we seek Him; is it with our head or with our heart? The why is the reason we seek Him; are we seeking Jesus to crucify him or are we seeking Jesus as our Savior? The where is where we will find the answer to our quest; we will find the answer to this quest at the feet of Him of Whom the Scriptures spoke. The when is when the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart to seek out this One called Jesus, Savior, Immanuel, Prince of Peace. The how is the manner in which we seek this Babe; is it to crucify or is it to "love with all your heart, your soul, and your mind" Him who offers you abundant life? POINT 2:It is at the feet of Jesus we will find our answers if we come with a a sincere heart.
The wise men came to the feet of Christ for no other reason than to bestow gifts on Him. It is important we bring gifts of thanksgiving, of praise, and of rejoicing to Him of Whom the Scriptures spoke on a regular basis. All to often we come to Him with our petitions and we forget our gifts. For  the same reason we enjoy hearing thanks from our parents, children, friends, superiors; our Savior enjoys it. POINT 3: Bring our gifts of thanksgiving, of praise, and of rejoicing to the Him of Whom the Scriptures spoke.

LESSONS OF CHRISTMAS--SIMEION & ANNA

Joseph and Mary were going to the temple in obedience to the law of Moses--for Mary to be purified and Jesus to be dedicated--on the eighth day after the birth of Jesus. The Holy Spirit spoke to Simeon and told him to go to the temple, the one he has been waiting for was there. Anna lived at the temple and was also touched by the Holy Spirit and told to go to the courts because the one she was waiting for was there. It was there obedience to the Holy Spirir that enabled them to see the Messiah, God's salvation of Israel. For each person, it had been years of waiting for this moment. Days, months, years of waiting, probably wondering, and waiting, trusting God, knowing God would do as He said, holding fast and tightly to God's promise. Yes, we can learn to be patient, to trust, to believe God will do what He says He will do; but, if we look closer there is something else we can learn from Simeon and Anna.
Mary and Joseph were approached by two strangers, two people in the courts (the edge) of the synagogue (the church) that spoke prophesy to them. Simeon and Anna opened themselves to speak God's message about Jesus and God's warning to Mary. In this brief encounter much has happened: 1) Simeon and Anna saw their Salvation, 2) both gave God's message to Mary and Joseph, and 3) Mary and Joseph were open to receive the message being spoken even if they didn't understand it.
On New Years Day my daughter and I watched the movie, MOTHER'S NIGHT OUT. It was about a young mother who was attempting to be the perfect mother, the perfect Christian, the perfect daughter, the perfect wife.....You get the picture, the perfect everything all in her own self. Does this sound familiar? It was a biker, a tattoo artist, a big, mean looking dude that spoke God's message to the woman. The one you would never expect to hear comments like this to come from. Was this how Simeon and Anna appeared to Mary and Joseph?
Both Mary and Joseph and the young wife and mother in the movie received messages from the least likely of people at the least likely of times in the least likely of places. Are we open enough to hear God talking to us no matter who speaks it or where we are when it's spoken to us whether it be in the courts of the synagogue, the narthex of the church, in a hospital, in your living room....? Will we shake it off or will we accept the message?