Matthew 27:42
He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
Have you ever said something that you really didn't know what you were talking about? Nah, not you right? I know that I have commented on things that I had no clue about. Sometimes the things I said were accurate even though I didn't know what I was talking about. Why is it that we feel that we need to speak on subjects that we have no understanding on? The person in this scripture today is no different.
It could have been an emotional comment from this person, well, I'm pretty sure it was. Anger drove this person to comment on the crucifixion of Jesus. Lashing out, the words are heard, "He saved others..." How did this person know that Jesus had saved others? Could it be because they viewed it? This first statement is no doubt the absolute truth! Jesus saved others. As a matter of fact, He saves-s-s-s others.
Now look at the latter part that says, "himself he cannot save". Did you know that this is also truth? On the cross of Calvary Jesus could have called for help or salvation from the pain and death but he couldn't save himself. Why? Because he had surrendered to the plan of the Father. He didn't come to earth, be born of fleshly woman, suffer a beating by Romans and hang on a cross to save himself.
No, he did all of that to save YOU! Now you may not believe this but the person that said something that they had no clue about actually told the truth. He was willing to take the beating. Hang on a cross condemned to die. Be mocked, ridiculed and shamed. Why? To save others and not himself.
Monday, April 16, 2018
Friday, April 13, 2018
Bibles and Butterflies
John 17:17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
How important is the Word of God in your life? As a Christian, if your answer is not top priority then I'm sure your life lacks the Spiritual power and peace that Christ wants you to have. If you choose not to eat, what would your level of strength be? Very weak, very weak.
While Jesus is praying for us in this scripture we hear Him say, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." He tells us that His word is the truth that we need. We need it for direction. We need it for nourishment. We need it for wisdom, peace and to understand the greatest love we could ever hope to have. Doesn't that make you excited? It gets me emotional and feel the butterflies in my stomach.
Sometimes we are tempted to live more on that excitement than the Word. We love the butterflies in our stomach and follow them everywhere they flutter. We want more emotions and more feelings. We want the warm feelings that comes with excitement about God and His Son. We have traded our Bibles for butterflies.
The Word! It's the Word! The Word sanctifies. The Word teaches. The Word of God instructs. It is the Word of God that causes our excitement. Stop playing with the emotional butterflies and dive into the Word of God. You know what is awesome? When you run through a field, butterflies fly upward and refresh your spirit. Well when you search through the Word of God the truth flies up, up, up. When I read it my emotions are stirred and my heart flies upward.
It ain't about the butterflies, it's about the Word of God that gives me the butterflies. I love it!
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
How important is the Word of God in your life? As a Christian, if your answer is not top priority then I'm sure your life lacks the Spiritual power and peace that Christ wants you to have. If you choose not to eat, what would your level of strength be? Very weak, very weak.
While Jesus is praying for us in this scripture we hear Him say, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." He tells us that His word is the truth that we need. We need it for direction. We need it for nourishment. We need it for wisdom, peace and to understand the greatest love we could ever hope to have. Doesn't that make you excited? It gets me emotional and feel the butterflies in my stomach.
Sometimes we are tempted to live more on that excitement than the Word. We love the butterflies in our stomach and follow them everywhere they flutter. We want more emotions and more feelings. We want the warm feelings that comes with excitement about God and His Son. We have traded our Bibles for butterflies.
The Word! It's the Word! The Word sanctifies. The Word teaches. The Word of God instructs. It is the Word of God that causes our excitement. Stop playing with the emotional butterflies and dive into the Word of God. You know what is awesome? When you run through a field, butterflies fly upward and refresh your spirit. Well when you search through the Word of God the truth flies up, up, up. When I read it my emotions are stirred and my heart flies upward.
It ain't about the butterflies, it's about the Word of God that gives me the butterflies. I love it!
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Nothing Better, Nothing!
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
What more do we need? There is an attitude, even among the church, of needing something more or something new. Preachers ask for more understanding. Congregations ask for more stories and humor. May I be honest? We need nothing more to accomplish what God has commissioned us to do.
We need no more tools. We need no more words. We just need to trust in the message of the Cross. We need to rely on the message of God's love for the world. We need to sink our teeth into the meat of God's Word that says, "God loved us so much that he gave His only begotten Son".
Stop asking people to join your movement. Stop trying to change people through a philosophy or a step program and preach the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ found in this great text. This scripture has found itself on billboards. Found its way in the end zone of a football game. But when it invades our pulpits and our witness. Oh, I can't even imagine what could be done for the Gospel.
This morning please understand that it is still the old love story that saves lives. It's still the message of the cross that reaches the vilest sinner. It's still the love of God that changes hearts. Stop looking for something else or something new for you will never find anything better!
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
What more do we need? There is an attitude, even among the church, of needing something more or something new. Preachers ask for more understanding. Congregations ask for more stories and humor. May I be honest? We need nothing more to accomplish what God has commissioned us to do.
We need no more tools. We need no more words. We just need to trust in the message of the Cross. We need to rely on the message of God's love for the world. We need to sink our teeth into the meat of God's Word that says, "God loved us so much that he gave His only begotten Son".
Stop asking people to join your movement. Stop trying to change people through a philosophy or a step program and preach the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ found in this great text. This scripture has found itself on billboards. Found its way in the end zone of a football game. But when it invades our pulpits and our witness. Oh, I can't even imagine what could be done for the Gospel.
This morning please understand that it is still the old love story that saves lives. It's still the message of the cross that reaches the vilest sinner. It's still the love of God that changes hearts. Stop looking for something else or something new for you will never find anything better!
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Money In The Attic
1 Timothy 6:7-8
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Have you ever heard the story of the man who wanted his wife to put his money in a jar when he dies? He gave her detailed instructions to put all his money in a jar and then to place it in the attic. This way when he dies, on his way up he would grab it and take it to heaven with him. Because he didn't want anyone else to have it. Well after a few weeks she begin to wonder about the money. So she climbed up the attic stairs and saw the money sitting in the same place she left it. She thought for a moment and then said, "Well I guess I should have put it in the basement."
The scriptures tell us that whatever we have in our lives it is certain that we can't carry it with us. This is speaking of materialistic things and riches. Why is it that we would even want to carry anything with us? Think of the greatest materialistic possession that you have on this earth. Now think of what God has waiting for you. Is there really any comparison? Of course not!
We should be content with what we have. We should be satisfied with the blessings that God has blessed us with. An old song could explain it a little better...
There's a roof up above me and I've a good place to sleep
There's food on my table and shoea on my feet
You gave me your love Lord and a fine family
So thank you Lord for your blessings on me
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Acceptance
Proverbs 18:5
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
In 2016, there seems to be a running theme of praising those who live wickedly and condemning those who uphold righteousness. I have news for you, it's not the first time this theme has found its way into society. During the Reformation period this theme was headline news as well. We have found our way back to the days where right is wrong and wrong is now right. We have moved away from God and His Word, we cannot tell the right hand from the left. Sin is glorified and sanctification is ridiculed.
In those days of Reformation, there was a man named Jan (John) Hus. Hus was a fellow friend of John Wycliffe, the writer of the first English translation of scriptures. Wycliffe died and was buried and the Roman church thought that the end of this movement was over. They were wrong. Hus began to teach that scripture is priority. Understanding the translation of scripture and interpretation was no longer going to be misconstrued by those who wanted to make money or live wickedly. As you may know, this didn't turn out well for Hus.
The Roman church lured him in for a "counsel" at the Council of Constance. When Hus arrived into the city he was arrested and charged with recanting his heretic teachings. Hus would not recant Praise the Lord! Many of those who stood by turned their heads and covered their ears as Hus' writings were burned. He was burned at the stake and they so called committed his soul to the "infernal demons of hell".
The people, probably good, saved, spiritual people of the church, stood by and accepted it. You ask how they accepted it? According to our scripture this morning. Do you accept it? Maybe it will help you if you understood what "accept" means. To receive, take, consent, acknowledge and one of the greatest definitions is "understand".
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
In 2016, there seems to be a running theme of praising those who live wickedly and condemning those who uphold righteousness. I have news for you, it's not the first time this theme has found its way into society. During the Reformation period this theme was headline news as well. We have found our way back to the days where right is wrong and wrong is now right. We have moved away from God and His Word, we cannot tell the right hand from the left. Sin is glorified and sanctification is ridiculed.
In those days of Reformation, there was a man named Jan (John) Hus. Hus was a fellow friend of John Wycliffe, the writer of the first English translation of scriptures. Wycliffe died and was buried and the Roman church thought that the end of this movement was over. They were wrong. Hus began to teach that scripture is priority. Understanding the translation of scripture and interpretation was no longer going to be misconstrued by those who wanted to make money or live wickedly. As you may know, this didn't turn out well for Hus.
The Roman church lured him in for a "counsel" at the Council of Constance. When Hus arrived into the city he was arrested and charged with recanting his heretic teachings. Hus would not recant Praise the Lord! Many of those who stood by turned their heads and covered their ears as Hus' writings were burned. He was burned at the stake and they so called committed his soul to the "infernal demons of hell".
The people, probably good, saved, spiritual people of the church, stood by and accepted it. You ask how they accepted it? According to our scripture this morning. Do you accept it? Maybe it will help you if you understood what "accept" means. To receive, take, consent, acknowledge and one of the greatest definitions is "understand".
Monday, April 9, 2018
What Do You Decide?
Joshua 24:15
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Everyday and all day I make choices. From what time to get up to what I will wear, I make my choice. Then when I get to work I have to make decisions and choices throughout the whole day. I come home and I want to just sit and relax. I don't want to make any decisions. I have decided things all day and chose the best way or best answer to problems or situations. When I get home I have no desire to make any decisions. But it's not that simple.
Patti, my wife, comes in and asks, "What do you want for dinner?" Andrew asks, "What are we doing tonight dad?" Jacob says, "Dad do you want to watch a movie tonight?" If I say yes then the next question is... "What do you want to watch?" It's true! We could be going out for dinner and use a tank of gas on trying to decide where to eat.
It's because sometimes we don't want to make a choice. But the reality of it all is that we have to choose. Joshua came to a place in his walk with God that he made a choice. He decided that the best thing for him and his family was to serve God. You may think that he really didn't have a choice in the matter but that wouldn't be true. He could have served the false gods of those before the flood. But he made the decision to serve God, the true God.
You may not want to choose today. You may say that you have to make choices everyday and you don't want to decide right now. But you have to! Not choosing is a choice within itself. So what is your choice?
Friday, April 6, 2018
Gotcha!
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
A few years ago I was introduced to a basketball game called "Gotcha". It's where you line up at the free throw line with two basketballs. The one in front of you shoots and then the next person in line tries to ring their ball before that person can get their ball in. If you do, then you "Got Them" and they are out. The last one standing wins. A key to the game is to play head games with the one in front of you. A little smack talk to mess their focus up.
While we were playing one evening I was reminded of how Jesus faced the devil in the wilderness. The meaning of the word devil is... "slanderer". You see, satan is always slandering your name before our God. He's kinda like that player behind you in Gotcha. They are saying, "You're gonna miss! You're going down! I'm gonna get you!"
As I thought of Jesus I was quickly reminded that Satan was right where Jesus wanted him. Satan told Jesus to bow before him and he would give him the world. Satan told him that he could turn the stones into bread because of his hunger. But then Jesus said, "Get thee behind me Satan". As long as Satan is behind us, what does it matter right? He will always be lurking back there, slandering your name. But never let him get in front of you! Never let him mess your focus up.
Maybe the devil, or those used by the devil, have hurt you through their slandering. Maybe you've allowed him to get into your mind and be in front of you. Well do as Jesus did. Tell him to get back there where he belongs. Don't let him beat you in a game of gotcha.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
A few years ago I was introduced to a basketball game called "Gotcha". It's where you line up at the free throw line with two basketballs. The one in front of you shoots and then the next person in line tries to ring their ball before that person can get their ball in. If you do, then you "Got Them" and they are out. The last one standing wins. A key to the game is to play head games with the one in front of you. A little smack talk to mess their focus up.
While we were playing one evening I was reminded of how Jesus faced the devil in the wilderness. The meaning of the word devil is... "slanderer". You see, satan is always slandering your name before our God. He's kinda like that player behind you in Gotcha. They are saying, "You're gonna miss! You're going down! I'm gonna get you!"
As I thought of Jesus I was quickly reminded that Satan was right where Jesus wanted him. Satan told Jesus to bow before him and he would give him the world. Satan told him that he could turn the stones into bread because of his hunger. But then Jesus said, "Get thee behind me Satan". As long as Satan is behind us, what does it matter right? He will always be lurking back there, slandering your name. But never let him get in front of you! Never let him mess your focus up.
Maybe the devil, or those used by the devil, have hurt you through their slandering. Maybe you've allowed him to get into your mind and be in front of you. Well do as Jesus did. Tell him to get back there where he belongs. Don't let him beat you in a game of gotcha.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)