During an evening church service recently the pastor asked for testimonies among the congregation and various people spoke in turn, giving thanks to God for many things in life. One young man who spoke made a statement regarding his search in life for answers. He said he had considered the Easter message of Jesus' resurrection and in particular the words of the angel to Mary at the empty tomb: "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" The angel was of course referring to the fact that Jesus had risen and the angel spoke these words, reminding Mary that this had been foretold by Jesus himself. Why look here? Jesus lives, as He said He would. In testimony the man spoke to the congregation and he said he found himself struck by the thought of looking for life among the dead. "Why do I do this in life?" he asked. "Why do I find myself at times looking for answers where there are none to be found? I know that the answers I need are in God's word."
Why indeed - as believers in Christ we realize that God's word is truth and life, here and in the eternal. And we have to realize that because of the fact that we are in a sense walled in by a worldly point of view there is a potential for problems if we don't regularly go to God's word and go to God in prayer. We need that as much as we need food and fluids to keep us physically alive. Our spirit needs or requires that strong connection to God and without that we begin to suffer in many ways sometimes without realizing we're suffering.
There is a space inside of us which is a part of God's design and perhaps that truly is where our own spirit resides, and that is the place where we receive the inflow of God's spirit. The Holy Spirit is our teacher and counselor and scripture tells us, also the interpreter of our prayers. And of course, we see things of the world differently because of God's Spirit. God's Spirit will draw us in a different direction than that of the world. We belong to God and His love sustains us. Jesus explained that so clearly saying that all who come to Him will neither hunger or thirst. He was making the point: here is life - here are the answers. "I am the resurrection and the life.." "I am the bread of life.." And so, let's remember to search for our answers where they can be found because God is truth, love, all understanding, and life.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
A NEW SEASON
We're having something resembling an early spring and in my yard I have trees blooming and flowers coming up and I am just amazed because I've never before seen weather such as this in March. I thank God to see the colors again, but also I have to wonder what it all means, and I do think it means something. Or at least, it reminds me of something: The world situation is changing and with each passing day we are that much closer to a day when Jesus will return. What will the state of the world be in that coming day when Jesus returns? Will we be ready? Opening scripture the other day I came to a place in the Book of Revelation which described a new world to come - one of peace and safety - and I took joy in reading the words "And there shall be no more curse." Think of that - and imagine what that will mean.
In thinking it over it seems the world will one day be as God originally intended for it to be. A knowledge of God will abound and all evil will be cast away. It's hard at this point to imagine a world like that, but the Bible tells us, we shall see it. That day is coming.
At this point, we see a lot of changes in the world and we also see much to feel great worry over. There are those who suffer greatly in this world, and we all know that is true. There is so much unfairness and injustice. Some people have chosen death over life - they really have. At this point millions could potentially leave this world in this terrible lost state they exist in and while I have a sense of peace that in life or in death I am with Christ, any happiness I might feel for myself is diminished because of the condition of so many others. But God can change things. We know that God's love and compassion is great. And so, as we look at the changing situation of the world and our existence let's remember to pray that the time has come for the great outpouring of God's Spirit to bring light and life into this darkening world. "Thank you, Heavenly Father, for your Holy Spirit who speaks to us of truth in our lives we need to look at and our inborn need for your love and that our way to you is through Christ. Amen."
In thinking it over it seems the world will one day be as God originally intended for it to be. A knowledge of God will abound and all evil will be cast away. It's hard at this point to imagine a world like that, but the Bible tells us, we shall see it. That day is coming.
At this point, we see a lot of changes in the world and we also see much to feel great worry over. There are those who suffer greatly in this world, and we all know that is true. There is so much unfairness and injustice. Some people have chosen death over life - they really have. At this point millions could potentially leave this world in this terrible lost state they exist in and while I have a sense of peace that in life or in death I am with Christ, any happiness I might feel for myself is diminished because of the condition of so many others. But God can change things. We know that God's love and compassion is great. And so, as we look at the changing situation of the world and our existence let's remember to pray that the time has come for the great outpouring of God's Spirit to bring light and life into this darkening world. "Thank you, Heavenly Father, for your Holy Spirit who speaks to us of truth in our lives we need to look at and our inborn need for your love and that our way to you is through Christ. Amen."
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
HAVING THE WORLD
It's been said that we should seek to find our happiness in this world, and it's not that I completely disagree with that statement, but I think many people come to that same idea but from a much different direction than I would choose. God desires that we have happiness. I believe that. What He doesn't want for us is this phoney, false sense of security we gain from the world. And yet, if that is what we go after in life, God will not stand in our way.
I know a woman changed by God's point of view. The understanding came to her suddenly and with total clarity. God showed her so clearly where her life was going, and it was done without words, but it came to her as an understanding within her spirit which God brought to her. In that moment, she understood her need for Christ. God waits patiently. He gives us time and if we pay attention, His Spirit is speaking to us of God's tender love and compassion so deep He would go to any length to have us with Him. That's clear because we can understand the solid truth of that based on what Jesus did for us that terrible day on the cross.
I believe God wants to give us time in life to respond to the invitation. I think the world gets greatly in the way of the kind of understanding we need to have. The amount of distraction is a little mind-boggling at this point. But listen, stop and pay attention - tune out the world for a time and begin to ask God to show you and He will hear you. He will respond. There are any number of promises recorded in scripture regarding God's desire to see us whole, and the only possible way to that "fullness of understanding" is through God's Spirit. That's the promise Jesus gave and will always remain true to. "I will send the helper..." And so, seek to find your happiness - absolutely - and find it you will, through Christ.
I know a woman changed by God's point of view. The understanding came to her suddenly and with total clarity. God showed her so clearly where her life was going, and it was done without words, but it came to her as an understanding within her spirit which God brought to her. In that moment, she understood her need for Christ. God waits patiently. He gives us time and if we pay attention, His Spirit is speaking to us of God's tender love and compassion so deep He would go to any length to have us with Him. That's clear because we can understand the solid truth of that based on what Jesus did for us that terrible day on the cross.
I believe God wants to give us time in life to respond to the invitation. I think the world gets greatly in the way of the kind of understanding we need to have. The amount of distraction is a little mind-boggling at this point. But listen, stop and pay attention - tune out the world for a time and begin to ask God to show you and He will hear you. He will respond. There are any number of promises recorded in scripture regarding God's desire to see us whole, and the only possible way to that "fullness of understanding" is through God's Spirit. That's the promise Jesus gave and will always remain true to. "I will send the helper..." And so, seek to find your happiness - absolutely - and find it you will, through Christ.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
COME HOME, WITH JOY
Quite often I watch a television show on a Christian channel called "Ask the Pastor," and people call in questions for a panel of pastors ready to offer their interpretation of scripture regarding answers. The question that seems to get asked more than any other is "Can one lose their salvation?" It's asked frequently, phrased in different ways but with the same concern: "Can it happen?" "Did it happen to me?" The emotion behind that question is very real and I've heard some asking the question with the sound of such distress they can hardly get the question out. In considering that question, allow me to offer my interpretation of God's word and also the viewpoint I've seen given on the show from various pastors.
Please understand: If it were possible that you had lost your salvation that would not concern you in the least. You would be so far from God, it wouldn't matter to you. There may have been a confused time in your life when you walked away from God, but listen, He has called you back. When you feel that tug - that pull inside your heart saying, "I want to get back to God." "How do I do that? Will God hear me?" that is God, dear friend, calling you - drawing you back. Jesus said we don't come to God unless He draws us. His Spirit is working to bring you back, to remind you of the truth of God's love and grace that He has for you.
Jesus spoke of the assurance that He will never turn us away. When we come to Christ with the knowledge inside of us of the cleansing power of Christ's blood, shed for us, we stand before God forgiven. When Jesus referred to forgiving a brother seventy times seven, I believe He was referencing it in that way because that is God's response to our ongoing need for forgiveness. It does not end at some point. When Jesus spoke of going off to find the one sheep gone astray, I believe we are given to understand that God's Spirit will seek to find and bring us back from wherever we have gone. When Jesus spoke the parable of the Prodigal Son, that story symbolizes The Father, standing with arms open ready to receive us back, with joy. Believe me, God doesn't want us out in the world wandering in the wrong direction. He wants us with Him forever. But don't allow your heart to get hardened because therein lies the danger. Pay attention to God's Spirit speaking to you of love, mercy and forgiveness. Dear friend, know it with assurance: God is calling you home.
Please understand: If it were possible that you had lost your salvation that would not concern you in the least. You would be so far from God, it wouldn't matter to you. There may have been a confused time in your life when you walked away from God, but listen, He has called you back. When you feel that tug - that pull inside your heart saying, "I want to get back to God." "How do I do that? Will God hear me?" that is God, dear friend, calling you - drawing you back. Jesus said we don't come to God unless He draws us. His Spirit is working to bring you back, to remind you of the truth of God's love and grace that He has for you.
Jesus spoke of the assurance that He will never turn us away. When we come to Christ with the knowledge inside of us of the cleansing power of Christ's blood, shed for us, we stand before God forgiven. When Jesus referred to forgiving a brother seventy times seven, I believe He was referencing it in that way because that is God's response to our ongoing need for forgiveness. It does not end at some point. When Jesus spoke of going off to find the one sheep gone astray, I believe we are given to understand that God's Spirit will seek to find and bring us back from wherever we have gone. When Jesus spoke the parable of the Prodigal Son, that story symbolizes The Father, standing with arms open ready to receive us back, with joy. Believe me, God doesn't want us out in the world wandering in the wrong direction. He wants us with Him forever. But don't allow your heart to get hardened because therein lies the danger. Pay attention to God's Spirit speaking to you of love, mercy and forgiveness. Dear friend, know it with assurance: God is calling you home.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
CONSIDERING A POINT OF VIEW
I remember that once years ago my mother and I were going somewhere
together and she was doing the driving and up ahead was a man on a
bicycle. He was trying to stay to the outside of the road but it was a
chilly windy day and he was obviously having difficulty. It was a main
road and congested with traffic. Consequently everyone on the road was
slowing down and I made the comment, "Couldn't he find some other place
to ride his bike?" to which my mother replied, "Maybe that's his only
means of transportation. He might be going to or from work." My
immediate thought was, "Why didn't that occur to me?"
In thinking the situation over many things come to mind having to do with the sometimes frequent quick assumptions we tend to make in life. I think at times we do fail to stop and consider the possible circumstances others are coping with in life. For instance, on occasion we meet people who are difficult to tolerate and it could be that we make many assumptions based on that. It could be that we make harsh judgments or we're just downright critical. Or, that we choose to walk the other way and not care one way or the other. Any one of those is - pretty bad.
I believe that what Jesus said is if we choose to only love those we consider good or those who love us, what does that prove? We are called to love everyone. We don't get to pick and choose - it's everyone. And yet we don't have to rely on our own ability to love. God's love comes to us, from His spirit to our spirit, and we can either embrace that love and choose God's path or return to or continue on thinking and reacting as the world does. As long as life endures it will remain a choice, and though we would love to feel that as Christians we will make the right choice it doesn't always happen that way because we may follow a wrong way of thinking at times.
"Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another," the Apostle Paul wrote. That helps us to understand - God wants us to look at others and use some understanding - and to remember that while we may not know their circumstances, He does. And one way we can show God that we're paying attention is by way of sincere prayer. It's good to show our concern for others and to take those concerns to God in prayer. My mother gave me some insight that day we saw the man struggling with his bicycle on a blustery day, and I've wanted to remember it always. And I like to keep in mind that whatever the situation, it is God's point of view that's important in life - in all things.
In thinking the situation over many things come to mind having to do with the sometimes frequent quick assumptions we tend to make in life. I think at times we do fail to stop and consider the possible circumstances others are coping with in life. For instance, on occasion we meet people who are difficult to tolerate and it could be that we make many assumptions based on that. It could be that we make harsh judgments or we're just downright critical. Or, that we choose to walk the other way and not care one way or the other. Any one of those is - pretty bad.
I believe that what Jesus said is if we choose to only love those we consider good or those who love us, what does that prove? We are called to love everyone. We don't get to pick and choose - it's everyone. And yet we don't have to rely on our own ability to love. God's love comes to us, from His spirit to our spirit, and we can either embrace that love and choose God's path or return to or continue on thinking and reacting as the world does. As long as life endures it will remain a choice, and though we would love to feel that as Christians we will make the right choice it doesn't always happen that way because we may follow a wrong way of thinking at times.
"Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another," the Apostle Paul wrote. That helps us to understand - God wants us to look at others and use some understanding - and to remember that while we may not know their circumstances, He does. And one way we can show God that we're paying attention is by way of sincere prayer. It's good to show our concern for others and to take those concerns to God in prayer. My mother gave me some insight that day we saw the man struggling with his bicycle on a blustery day, and I've wanted to remember it always. And I like to keep in mind that whatever the situation, it is God's point of view that's important in life - in all things.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
HOW MUCH LOVE DO YOU HAVE?
It's a pretty bold question, isn't it? But it does bring to mind important things. Do we sometimes forget to look around and see that others may have needs and realize there may be a way for us to help? Jesus brought the subject up several times during the period of his ministry. And He strengthened His words by way of a powerful message. Remember this, that when we've done something good for another, Jesus is aware and he considers it as a gift in His honor as well.
I believe with all my heart that God wants us to learn how to love during the time of our walk on this earth. And the reason I believe that is for two reasons: because Jesus said it, and because of God's Spirit within me that speaks to me of the truth of that. God not only expects it of us, but He gives us the way to do it. His love comes to us through His Spirit, and when we receive and embrace that love, then we have something of great value to offer. It's with new eyes we see and with a new heart we feel - good, clean and full, when we stay within God's presence.
Is there another way? Is there a better way? Really, the answer is no, because it's impossible for us to reach the level God wants us to be at apart from His Spirit. We can work all day, helping people right and left, and that's good, but Jesus pointed out that love is still God's highest priority. Jesus showed love for us by giving His life on our behalf and our gratitude for that should run deep. And so, let's do things for others with love in our hearts remembering it's because "He has loved us first." He will not forget our efforts.
I believe with all my heart that God wants us to learn how to love during the time of our walk on this earth. And the reason I believe that is for two reasons: because Jesus said it, and because of God's Spirit within me that speaks to me of the truth of that. God not only expects it of us, but He gives us the way to do it. His love comes to us through His Spirit, and when we receive and embrace that love, then we have something of great value to offer. It's with new eyes we see and with a new heart we feel - good, clean and full, when we stay within God's presence.
Is there another way? Is there a better way? Really, the answer is no, because it's impossible for us to reach the level God wants us to be at apart from His Spirit. We can work all day, helping people right and left, and that's good, but Jesus pointed out that love is still God's highest priority. Jesus showed love for us by giving His life on our behalf and our gratitude for that should run deep. And so, let's do things for others with love in our hearts remembering it's because "He has loved us first." He will not forget our efforts.
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