Christian siblings, I write today to ask for your prayers over the next five days as I, along with many others, head to Pre-Teen Camp with my church and our young ones. It is an honor to serve them, and a privilege that I do not take lightly, and it will be an amazing experience for us all, I'm certain.
I know, though, that these are the times when the enemy seems to bolster and go after those who might show weakness. It is in that spirit that I seek your prayers for my son, the other children, the other leaders, and for me to all remain strong. I also ask for your prayers that the camp itself would be encircled by the Spirit in power, so that no arrows can breach its borders.
Upon my return from this trip, we will venture into our new topic. Until then, though, I will leave this post as the most recent one, so that any and all who visit the site will have the opportunity to pray for us all. Moments like these at camps like this one build strong friendships for life... and I would humbly ask that you also pray that nothing stand in the way of this.
I thank you, friends and fellow believers, for taking the time to read through my scribblings so often. I thank you for your comments when they come, and for your thoughts on what we should venture into each and every time I seek direction. Mostly, though, I thank you for your prayers and encouragement through the Spirit for me. It does not go unnoticed, Christian siblings, I promise you.
God bless you all!!!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Another thought...
It will be a few days before the new topic begins, so in the interim, I will post thoughts from my current study that is outside this venue. Also, in the next week, there will be a gap of time, during which I will be serving the pre-teen children of my church (my oldest son included) at camp... so instead of investing in writing, I'll be investing directly into them, with no distractions. However, before we get to that...
You know, in our "enlightened" American society and culture, it is pretty easy to think that there can be multiple routes and multiple applications to things. After all, this is the land where dreams come true, right? We are free to do whatever we choose, right? And whatever we choose may come with rewards or consequences, and we are able to accept those just as freely, right? (You see, I had a bigger readership until I started pointing things like that last one out... the truth is what it is, and it is harsh sometimes, and we Americans don't like that.) Sure, this is the place where we are able to do and think and feel and choose whatever we want, free of any judgment at all... unless we get caught... right?
Wrong. Flat, dead, wrong. Especially if you (and if you're reading, I'll assume you are) a Christian believer and Christ-follower. You are free BECAUSE of Christ, and what He did for you. It has absolutely nothing to do with your place of origin on this planet, but has everything to do with your foundation in rebirth through the Atonement of Christ for your sins. Oh, and yes, you are a sinner... so am I... so is the guy around the corner. Jesus paid the price for all of us, and THAT is why we are free. It is because of the price that was paid for us, which was the sacrifice of the Son of God.
Also, I hope you noticed that I mentioned above that these thoughts come from my studies "outside this venue." You see, I used to be one of the people who said that I didn't have time to read and study and pray and be introspective about matters of faith. I used to hide behind the ridiculous excuse that there was too much to do for me to take time to read my Bible. But now, after over two years of never missing a Monday session with my mentor and study partner (weekly studies through books of the Bible in great depth), and after having read through the Bible twice completely in the same time frame, and after having published over 400 posts on this site and writing four books (two published) and several other minor studies, and after the past two years as a small group leader for high school boys... all of these were different topics at all times, by the way... I am also a father of three kids (8, 5, and 4) and a husband, and I have a full-time job and stuff to do, I can tell you that if I have the time for all of this, then so do you.
Further, still assuming you're a Christian if you're a reader here, I'll tell you that your similar beliefs allow me the freedom to speak to you candidly about this issue, and that sounds something like this: if you state that you don't have the time, you're lying. You make the choice not to make the time for the One who died for you, and that is a poor choice. You are not your own, Christian sibling, but you belong as a slave to the Father... and it is the most freeing bondage that anyone could ever hope for!
Granted, this is but one application of the verse at hand... and it speaks, specifically, to sexual immorality as a sin from which you must flee, and in doing so, you will honor the Lord by caring for yourself by following the ways set before you by the Bible and the Holy Trinity, both in word and action. One could also apply it to the consumption of too much of any given food, alcohol, or narcotic, as the body is a temple. But I choose to focus specifically on all that it means to know that "you are not your own," and hopefully diminish the insane notion that anyone could have their American freedoms placed over and above their bondage to Christ through His sacrifice.
Jesus supersedes America, folks... in case you didn't know that.
God bless you all!!!
"Do you not know that your body is a sanctuary for the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body."
1st Corinthians 6:19-20
You know, in our "enlightened" American society and culture, it is pretty easy to think that there can be multiple routes and multiple applications to things. After all, this is the land where dreams come true, right? We are free to do whatever we choose, right? And whatever we choose may come with rewards or consequences, and we are able to accept those just as freely, right? (You see, I had a bigger readership until I started pointing things like that last one out... the truth is what it is, and it is harsh sometimes, and we Americans don't like that.) Sure, this is the place where we are able to do and think and feel and choose whatever we want, free of any judgment at all... unless we get caught... right?
Wrong. Flat, dead, wrong. Especially if you (and if you're reading, I'll assume you are) a Christian believer and Christ-follower. You are free BECAUSE of Christ, and what He did for you. It has absolutely nothing to do with your place of origin on this planet, but has everything to do with your foundation in rebirth through the Atonement of Christ for your sins. Oh, and yes, you are a sinner... so am I... so is the guy around the corner. Jesus paid the price for all of us, and THAT is why we are free. It is because of the price that was paid for us, which was the sacrifice of the Son of God.
Also, I hope you noticed that I mentioned above that these thoughts come from my studies "outside this venue." You see, I used to be one of the people who said that I didn't have time to read and study and pray and be introspective about matters of faith. I used to hide behind the ridiculous excuse that there was too much to do for me to take time to read my Bible. But now, after over two years of never missing a Monday session with my mentor and study partner (weekly studies through books of the Bible in great depth), and after having read through the Bible twice completely in the same time frame, and after having published over 400 posts on this site and writing four books (two published) and several other minor studies, and after the past two years as a small group leader for high school boys... all of these were different topics at all times, by the way... I am also a father of three kids (8, 5, and 4) and a husband, and I have a full-time job and stuff to do, I can tell you that if I have the time for all of this, then so do you.
Further, still assuming you're a Christian if you're a reader here, I'll tell you that your similar beliefs allow me the freedom to speak to you candidly about this issue, and that sounds something like this: if you state that you don't have the time, you're lying. You make the choice not to make the time for the One who died for you, and that is a poor choice. You are not your own, Christian sibling, but you belong as a slave to the Father... and it is the most freeing bondage that anyone could ever hope for!
Granted, this is but one application of the verse at hand... and it speaks, specifically, to sexual immorality as a sin from which you must flee, and in doing so, you will honor the Lord by caring for yourself by following the ways set before you by the Bible and the Holy Trinity, both in word and action. One could also apply it to the consumption of too much of any given food, alcohol, or narcotic, as the body is a temple. But I choose to focus specifically on all that it means to know that "you are not your own," and hopefully diminish the insane notion that anyone could have their American freedoms placed over and above their bondage to Christ through His sacrifice.
Jesus supersedes America, folks... in case you didn't know that.
God bless you all!!!
Monday, July 23, 2012
Next topic...
Ladies and gentlemen, there have been a few interesting ideas posed so far for the next study, but I have not yet found one that seems to fit. Please, I beg of you, continue to send me ideas for the next topic, so that right one will surface. In the mean time, I would like to pull from a current study in 1st Corinthians, and tie it to the thoughts I have on John 1:1-5.
As we have clearly established in the last section, Jesus is THE Word, and it is through Him that all things were created. Now, just for fun, imagine Him in the form of a written word, and then look to the space that this word occupies. Beyond this word, beyond Christ, there is NOTHING! I know, I know, that probably seems a bit too elitist... but, well... yeah, it is exactly that, and it is supposed to be. We are to live in nothing beyond what is written.
Further, as we move forward in life and in our walk, we are to excel in attitude in nothing beyond what is written. The Bible is our instruction manual, our guidebook, our reference for help... it is the one place to which we can turn in times of absolute need and despair, and we are to follow the examples within it of being godly men and women.
More than that, though, is that we need to look to Paul and Apollos, seeing their zest for following Christ, and picture how they were willing to live within the freeing confines of "nothing beyond what is written," because outside of the Word (which is Jesus), there is NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING!!!
Pray today, folks, and share your prayers of encouragement with others, in godly character and uplifting stature, so that you can be a light for someone who may desperately need one... because that is what Jesus did, every time He got the chance.
God bless you all!!!
"Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the saying: 'Nothing beyond what is written.' The purpose is that none of you will be inflated with pride in favor of one person over another."
1st Corinthians 4:6, HCSB
As we have clearly established in the last section, Jesus is THE Word, and it is through Him that all things were created. Now, just for fun, imagine Him in the form of a written word, and then look to the space that this word occupies. Beyond this word, beyond Christ, there is NOTHING! I know, I know, that probably seems a bit too elitist... but, well... yeah, it is exactly that, and it is supposed to be. We are to live in nothing beyond what is written.
Further, as we move forward in life and in our walk, we are to excel in attitude in nothing beyond what is written. The Bible is our instruction manual, our guidebook, our reference for help... it is the one place to which we can turn in times of absolute need and despair, and we are to follow the examples within it of being godly men and women.
More than that, though, is that we need to look to Paul and Apollos, seeing their zest for following Christ, and picture how they were willing to live within the freeing confines of "nothing beyond what is written," because outside of the Word (which is Jesus), there is NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING!!!
Pray today, folks, and share your prayers of encouragement with others, in godly character and uplifting stature, so that you can be a light for someone who may desperately need one... because that is what Jesus did, every time He got the chance.
God bless you all!!!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
A thought...
I have been doing long and deep studies since this blog started, and I have always relied upon the readers for the insight into what to study next. I will admit, I have tried to formulate my own topical discussions, but it never works out well... if I start it, it never lasts. However, when inspired by someone else's idea, I have now written four books and multiple thorough studies on Biblical topics. Therefore, I will ask, as I always do, for your insight into what I should study next. You are welcome to comment below, or message me on facebook, twitter, tumblr, Instagram, flickr, or through email.
In the mean time, though, I would like to share with you a Scripture that I cannot stop reading or reciting. It is so simple, and yet it contains so powerful a truth about Christ that I cannot stop thinking on it. I dare say that this is the greatest descriptor in a single verse of who and what Jesus is in the entire Bible, and anyone can read and understand it.
Now, I need to ask your indulgence as I seek your focus on specific words in this passage, but I think once I'm done, you'll see why I cannot stop thinking about this one verse. The words we choose are so vital, are they not? How we present things to people determines our level of success, and sometimes body language and inflection play a part... but this is the Bible, and no one is reading it or dramatically acting it out in front of you at the moment (I wouldn't think, but if that's happeneing then call me so I can join you!), so you have only the words on the page and the Spirit indwelt in you to help interpret them. SO let's take it apart a bit, shall we?
Much like the statement from the Father on the mountain to Moses when He says, "I AM WHO I AM (Exodus 3:14, HCSB)," the beginning of this verse has no time attached to it, other than one... the beginning. And you see, when you describe the start of something, there is always an added descriptor that speaks of what it is that begins. You will speak of the start of a race, or the first chapter of a book, or the beginning of a movie, but you will never have the freedom to just say, "In the beginning," and give no further attachement. Does that tell you something? It speaks volumes to me... and what I see there is that there is no added description, because this is THE beginning! To follow that train of thought, if it is THE beginning, then it is the start of ALL THINGS, and there was nothing before it. Interesting, right?
It goes on, though, to tell us that "In the beginning was the Word," which all Christians know is a reference to Jesus Christ (Greek word Logos, which is a title for Christ as the communication and revealer of the Father; ref. John1:14,18 and Revelation 19:13). He is the living Word of God, sent to man to serve as the propitiation for our sins, and the entire Bible is one awesome collection of books about Him, the Father, and the Spirit, and the love that they pour onto us, even though we most certainly do not deserve it. However, while we're discussing the Word, I would like to point out another little thing here... it doesn't say "a word" was there at THE beginning. No. THE Word was there as THE beginning, and the same truths about the additional descriptions can be applied to this segment. There is no other Word, save Christ, and He is all that matters. THE beginning happened, and THE Word was present, which means that Jesus Christ was there.
We move on from that, though, to see "and the Word was with God," which shows us that the Son is with the Father. Now don't miss this, because it's HUGE and important: "the Word was with God" offers no mention of "a god" or "the gods," but rather points to a singular and specific Deity, God the Father, the Creator of all things. Since creation clearly is about to happen, as inferred from the text, it is important to note that Jesus is present, and He is the Word (which we'll get to in the next verses) of God... so never, ever, ever again can you say that there is any topic that Jesd not directly speak on or speak to, because He was there at THE beginning, and He is THE Word, and...
... it goes on to say "and the Word was God." Whoa!!! So at THE beginning of all things, THE Word is there, He is next to THE God who created all things through His Word, and this Word IS God? Well... that would mean that Jesus and God are one being, inseparable, and that Jesus has all the power that God has, and that all things were created with the two of them both present for it from the very first moment, and that Jesus really is Divine, right? YES!!! This is precisely what it means, and for anyone who has doubts about the Divinity of Christ, I would ask them to read and read and read again this powerful and simple passage from John 1:1, because it paints a pretty clear picture for us all.
A friend of mine and fellow writer/speaker/Christ-follower encourages people to pray Scripture back to the Father, using His Word to express our love and gratitude and petitions and confessions... one day, while pondering this verse and the four that follow, this is what I sent him:
"I am grateful as I pray that Jesus was there, at the beginning, unified with the Father. I am grateful that He IS the Word by which all things exist. And I am most grateful that He is the Light that darkness cannot overshadow."
I made use of these techniques to say "thank You" to God for all that He is and all that Jesus is, and it was a powerful prayer moment... it still is a powerful prayer moment.
In that prayer, you see some foreshadowing of the passage I'll be working through as we decide what to pursue next in greater detail, and so I pray that you will remain with me as we work through this, and whatever God brings for us to study next. Grace and peace, friends!!!
God bless you all!!!
In the mean time, though, I would like to share with you a Scripture that I cannot stop reading or reciting. It is so simple, and yet it contains so powerful a truth about Christ that I cannot stop thinking on it. I dare say that this is the greatest descriptor in a single verse of who and what Jesus is in the entire Bible, and anyone can read and understand it.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
John 1:1, HCSB
Now, I need to ask your indulgence as I seek your focus on specific words in this passage, but I think once I'm done, you'll see why I cannot stop thinking about this one verse. The words we choose are so vital, are they not? How we present things to people determines our level of success, and sometimes body language and inflection play a part... but this is the Bible, and no one is reading it or dramatically acting it out in front of you at the moment (I wouldn't think, but if that's happeneing then call me so I can join you!), so you have only the words on the page and the Spirit indwelt in you to help interpret them. SO let's take it apart a bit, shall we?
Much like the statement from the Father on the mountain to Moses when He says, "I AM WHO I AM (Exodus 3:14, HCSB)," the beginning of this verse has no time attached to it, other than one... the beginning. And you see, when you describe the start of something, there is always an added descriptor that speaks of what it is that begins. You will speak of the start of a race, or the first chapter of a book, or the beginning of a movie, but you will never have the freedom to just say, "In the beginning," and give no further attachement. Does that tell you something? It speaks volumes to me... and what I see there is that there is no added description, because this is THE beginning! To follow that train of thought, if it is THE beginning, then it is the start of ALL THINGS, and there was nothing before it. Interesting, right?
It goes on, though, to tell us that "In the beginning was the Word," which all Christians know is a reference to Jesus Christ (Greek word Logos, which is a title for Christ as the communication and revealer of the Father; ref. John1:14,18 and Revelation 19:13). He is the living Word of God, sent to man to serve as the propitiation for our sins, and the entire Bible is one awesome collection of books about Him, the Father, and the Spirit, and the love that they pour onto us, even though we most certainly do not deserve it. However, while we're discussing the Word, I would like to point out another little thing here... it doesn't say "a word" was there at THE beginning. No. THE Word was there as THE beginning, and the same truths about the additional descriptions can be applied to this segment. There is no other Word, save Christ, and He is all that matters. THE beginning happened, and THE Word was present, which means that Jesus Christ was there.
We move on from that, though, to see "and the Word was with God," which shows us that the Son is with the Father. Now don't miss this, because it's HUGE and important: "the Word was with God" offers no mention of "a god" or "the gods," but rather points to a singular and specific Deity, God the Father, the Creator of all things. Since creation clearly is about to happen, as inferred from the text, it is important to note that Jesus is present, and He is the Word (which we'll get to in the next verses) of God... so never, ever, ever again can you say that there is any topic that Jesd not directly speak on or speak to, because He was there at THE beginning, and He is THE Word, and...
... it goes on to say "and the Word was God." Whoa!!! So at THE beginning of all things, THE Word is there, He is next to THE God who created all things through His Word, and this Word IS God? Well... that would mean that Jesus and God are one being, inseparable, and that Jesus has all the power that God has, and that all things were created with the two of them both present for it from the very first moment, and that Jesus really is Divine, right? YES!!! This is precisely what it means, and for anyone who has doubts about the Divinity of Christ, I would ask them to read and read and read again this powerful and simple passage from John 1:1, because it paints a pretty clear picture for us all.
A friend of mine and fellow writer/speaker/Christ-follower encourages people to pray Scripture back to the Father, using His Word to express our love and gratitude and petitions and confessions... one day, while pondering this verse and the four that follow, this is what I sent him:
"I am grateful as I pray that Jesus was there, at the beginning, unified with the Father. I am grateful that He IS the Word by which all things exist. And I am most grateful that He is the Light that darkness cannot overshadow."
I made use of these techniques to say "thank You" to God for all that He is and all that Jesus is, and it was a powerful prayer moment... it still is a powerful prayer moment.
In that prayer, you see some foreshadowing of the passage I'll be working through as we decide what to pursue next in greater detail, and so I pray that you will remain with me as we work through this, and whatever God brings for us to study next. Grace and peace, friends!!!
God bless you all!!!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
The closing of the Statements and Signs... from the beginning of the Statements and Signs...
Friends, we have spent months looking through the Signs from Jesus and the Statements He made about Himself, and there has been a lot of learning and growth in this study... at least for me. I have spent more time in the Gospel of John now than I thought I ever would, and I am growing to love it more and more each day. Yet somehow, even dissecting this all as far as I have, it seems incomplete. So I must bring us to one final Statement and Sign, which happened long before John was around.
Here, in the second book of the Bible, we see a Theophany of Christ appearing to Moses. Like the water to wine and the miraculous healings, we also see a bush engulfed in flame, yet not being consumed. The laws of physics as we know them do not apply to the Father... and the Father is One with the Son and the Spirit, so this Sign definitely speaks of the divinity of Christ that we see later in the Gospels.
But imagine it, would you, as you approach something that is burning but not being burnt. You hear a terrifyingly loud voice tell you that you must remove your footwear, for this ground is now made holy, due to the presence of the Almighty. I don't know about you, but I would probably be gripped with immense fear! I cannot imagine the sound, or the feeling, of those words being spoken from the Father. Like Moses, I probably would have had little choice but to hide my face and kneel in reverence... what a powerful Sign!
Moses went on from here, and he performed Signs that were permitted to him to show the Pharaoh the power of the Father. He did, of course, eventually aid in the freeing of the Israelite slaves, and was instrumental in bringing them out of their bondage, by God's will and to God's glory. There is even a favorite passage in Exodus, one of my favorite verses for almost any occasion, which reads, "The LORD will fight for you; you must be quiet (Exodus 14:14, HCSB)." But there was also a powerful Statement made to Moses on that mountain, before any of this could happen...
Are you as speechless as I in this moment? I cannot imagine a more powerful Statement to make than just "I AM." It covers so very much, and it is incalculable just how far these two little words can go. When people ask me who I am, I tell them who my parents are and who my wife is, where I am from and what interests and hobbies I have. I tell them about my career path and about my kids. I have never thought of just saying, "I am who I am," and leaving it at that. Have you? Has anyone you know? As a matter of fact, has anyone in recorded history ever made so powerful and bold a claim?
Look at it again, and notice that this is not how you or anyone you know would make this statement. There is nothing to reference, other than the fact that He is. And really, is there any other reference point needed for the Christian believer? He is, and that's all I need to know, honestly.
Knowing that God and Christ are One, and knowing that the Word was spoken by God through Christ with the Spirit, we know that this means that this is the first moment when Jesus was present as the words "I AM WHO I AM" are uttered in such glorious power! I point this out so that we can all realize that from the Old to the New Testament, the entire Truth links together through one Name: Jesus. He was there at creation, as shown in John 1:1; He is present on this mountain and in many other references throughout the Old Testament as the Angel of the LORD, or a Theophany; and then He arrives in flesh in the New Testament at the proper time, so that His sacrifice for all mankind can reconcile us back to the Father. HE IS!!!
There is no truth like this, friends, and no other teaching, no matter how intellectual, can ever replace the simple fact that JESUS IS. You may attempt to find another way if you must, but you will fail, because JESUS IS. You can try to outsmart the Bible, and retranslate and look to false prophets and all kinds of other people for the answers that you wish were there, but you will not find them, because JESUS IS. The Signs prove Him, and the Statements are made so plainly and clearly, and the only One to ever be present for it all and through it all, the only One to literally conquer hell and death and the power of sin, the only One to make the claim that He IS the Son of God, the only One to be resurrected from the dead and ascend into Heaven before a crowd of witnesses... JESUS IS!!!
Now may the grace and peace of Jesus Christ, the Son of God who came to reconcile us all back to the father, flow over and through you without limitation as you proceed forward in life to share the Truth that HE IS with all of those who need to hear it. God bless you all!!!
Amen. And Amen.
"Then the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire within a bush. As Moses looked, he saw that the bush was on fire but was not consumed."
Exodus 3:2, HCSB
Here, in the second book of the Bible, we see a Theophany of Christ appearing to Moses. Like the water to wine and the miraculous healings, we also see a bush engulfed in flame, yet not being consumed. The laws of physics as we know them do not apply to the Father... and the Father is One with the Son and the Spirit, so this Sign definitely speaks of the divinity of Christ that we see later in the Gospels.
But imagine it, would you, as you approach something that is burning but not being burnt. You hear a terrifyingly loud voice tell you that you must remove your footwear, for this ground is now made holy, due to the presence of the Almighty. I don't know about you, but I would probably be gripped with immense fear! I cannot imagine the sound, or the feeling, of those words being spoken from the Father. Like Moses, I probably would have had little choice but to hide my face and kneel in reverence... what a powerful Sign!
Moses went on from here, and he performed Signs that were permitted to him to show the Pharaoh the power of the Father. He did, of course, eventually aid in the freeing of the Israelite slaves, and was instrumental in bringing them out of their bondage, by God's will and to God's glory. There is even a favorite passage in Exodus, one of my favorite verses for almost any occasion, which reads, "The LORD will fight for you; you must be quiet (Exodus 14:14, HCSB)." But there was also a powerful Statement made to Moses on that mountain, before any of this could happen...
"Then Moses asked God, 'If I go to the Israelites and say to them: the God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me "What is His name?" what should I tell them?'
God replied to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.'"
Exodus 3:13-14, HCSB
Are you as speechless as I in this moment? I cannot imagine a more powerful Statement to make than just "I AM." It covers so very much, and it is incalculable just how far these two little words can go. When people ask me who I am, I tell them who my parents are and who my wife is, where I am from and what interests and hobbies I have. I tell them about my career path and about my kids. I have never thought of just saying, "I am who I am," and leaving it at that. Have you? Has anyone you know? As a matter of fact, has anyone in recorded history ever made so powerful and bold a claim?
Look at it again, and notice that this is not how you or anyone you know would make this statement. There is nothing to reference, other than the fact that He is. And really, is there any other reference point needed for the Christian believer? He is, and that's all I need to know, honestly.
Knowing that God and Christ are One, and knowing that the Word was spoken by God through Christ with the Spirit, we know that this means that this is the first moment when Jesus was present as the words "I AM WHO I AM" are uttered in such glorious power! I point this out so that we can all realize that from the Old to the New Testament, the entire Truth links together through one Name: Jesus. He was there at creation, as shown in John 1:1; He is present on this mountain and in many other references throughout the Old Testament as the Angel of the LORD, or a Theophany; and then He arrives in flesh in the New Testament at the proper time, so that His sacrifice for all mankind can reconcile us back to the Father. HE IS!!!
There is no truth like this, friends, and no other teaching, no matter how intellectual, can ever replace the simple fact that JESUS IS. You may attempt to find another way if you must, but you will fail, because JESUS IS. You can try to outsmart the Bible, and retranslate and look to false prophets and all kinds of other people for the answers that you wish were there, but you will not find them, because JESUS IS. The Signs prove Him, and the Statements are made so plainly and clearly, and the only One to ever be present for it all and through it all, the only One to literally conquer hell and death and the power of sin, the only One to make the claim that He IS the Son of God, the only One to be resurrected from the dead and ascend into Heaven before a crowd of witnesses... JESUS IS!!!
Now may the grace and peace of Jesus Christ, the Son of God who came to reconcile us all back to the father, flow over and through you without limitation as you proceed forward in life to share the Truth that HE IS with all of those who need to hear it. God bless you all!!!
Amen. And Amen.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Statement seven... part 4...
So you wanna be productive in things, right? You want to have people believe that you can accomplish much, and accomplish it correctly the first time, eh? It's important that you are seen as being able to "handle it," whatever it may be, huh? Well then, my friends, let me clue you in on the secret to all that and more... you must remain in Him!
We talked at length about being grafted in, and then about remaining in Him, and now we come to the peak of this mountain of thought as we see that when we are grafted, and when we remain in Him, we are capable to do anything! Anything is possible with Christ, as we have watched and learned about people being healed of incredible illnesses, and we have seen people raised from the dead, and we have seen people fed from scraps, and we have watched Jesus walk across water and calm storms with only a word. Literally anything we can think of, and all of those things we can't think of, are all possible with Jesus in our lives. People who try to overcome the problems they have are able to do so, and people who try to get out of the debt they have walked into are able to do so, and people who have broken hearts that need to be mended are able to receive the mending they need. Anything is possible!
And now that we've exhausted a lot of good feelings thinking about all the things we want to happen, let's look even bigger-picture at this. If I were able to accomplish anything, through His strength and not mine, I think that the things above would not actually be of prime focus. Of course, I need to care for my family on earth, and provide for others on earth who have less than I am blessed with (blessed to be a blessing, folks... that's real talk right there), but I think that knowing that Jesus lives in me and I in Him brings about a different level of focus... it makes me Kingdom-minded. Being so focused on this, I would then seek to produce fruit wherever possible, and I would chase the opportunity to "handle it," as it were, with respect to the tougher parts of my walk. In this way, I could be a witness, a living and walking witness, of the power of the Gospel in my life. I would become... wait for it... a gardener! My garden would produce much fruit.
All to the glory of the Father!!!
There is another side to this, though, and it is from the words that are present that I draw the words that are not. It says clearly, "you can do nothing without Me," and I take that seriously. We, believers, are incapable of action without Christ. You see, there are those people who want to influence others to think a certain way, and perhaps they gain traction for a while... but how many bad ideas have come and gone in the last 2012 years? How many false thoughts and tried-and-proved-to-fail possibilities have there been? People have been, and sadly probably always will be, gullible to fall for a good sounding scheme, and the truth here is that there have been a massive number of those. However, they almost always get dragged into the light before too long, and they are exposed. These people (the originators) and their schemes, clearly and evidently, are without Christ.
On another note, though, what is one idea or belief that has been unchangeable since the beginning of time? Can you think of one? I can... and there is only one that I can think of. To borrow a statement from a dear friend of mine, a saint of the faith and example to us all, "God is God." Think for a second about all the bad ideas that faded away, whether in your immediate circle, your life personally, or even world historical events, and then think about the fact that God has always been there, ready to bring each of us that wandered astray right back into the flock. The truth, friends, is that He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever, and He has always been there. He does not fail; we do. He does not lie; we do. He does not grow weary; we do. He does not grow impatient; we do. He does not have envy; we do. He does not speak without purpose; we do.
He. Is. Jesus. Messiah. Emmanuel. The Word. The Son of God. The Heir of Jacob. The Beginning and the End. The Alpha and the Omega. The Wonderful Counselor. The Intercessor. The Light. The Bread. The Savior. THE ONE!!!
We. Are. Not.
And we will never, ever, ever, ever be able to successfully witness or represent the Gospel without Him, so if you have thoughts of going to speak to someone about their faith and you think you can do it without focusing yourself in prayer, you are WRONG. If you decide that you are going to sing a solo on Sunday and you don't need to pray first, you are WRONG. If you think that you can just give your money to the church without thanking God for it first in prayer, and be blessed to give, you are WRONG. With Him, you can accomplish anything to the glory of the Father... apart from Him, attempting to operate in your own strength, assuming that you are "good enough" in whatever instance, trying to prove yourself or show that you are able, you will fail. It really is that simple, folks.
Give thanks today that you are a part of the Vine, grafted in and remaining in Him to serve the will of God for your life, and remember always that you are, as a Christian, operating with the strength of the Son as you witness and serve.
God bless you all!!!
"I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me."
John 15:5, HCSB
We talked at length about being grafted in, and then about remaining in Him, and now we come to the peak of this mountain of thought as we see that when we are grafted, and when we remain in Him, we are capable to do anything! Anything is possible with Christ, as we have watched and learned about people being healed of incredible illnesses, and we have seen people raised from the dead, and we have seen people fed from scraps, and we have watched Jesus walk across water and calm storms with only a word. Literally anything we can think of, and all of those things we can't think of, are all possible with Jesus in our lives. People who try to overcome the problems they have are able to do so, and people who try to get out of the debt they have walked into are able to do so, and people who have broken hearts that need to be mended are able to receive the mending they need. Anything is possible!
And now that we've exhausted a lot of good feelings thinking about all the things we want to happen, let's look even bigger-picture at this. If I were able to accomplish anything, through His strength and not mine, I think that the things above would not actually be of prime focus. Of course, I need to care for my family on earth, and provide for others on earth who have less than I am blessed with (blessed to be a blessing, folks... that's real talk right there), but I think that knowing that Jesus lives in me and I in Him brings about a different level of focus... it makes me Kingdom-minded. Being so focused on this, I would then seek to produce fruit wherever possible, and I would chase the opportunity to "handle it," as it were, with respect to the tougher parts of my walk. In this way, I could be a witness, a living and walking witness, of the power of the Gospel in my life. I would become... wait for it... a gardener! My garden would produce much fruit.
All to the glory of the Father!!!
There is another side to this, though, and it is from the words that are present that I draw the words that are not. It says clearly, "you can do nothing without Me," and I take that seriously. We, believers, are incapable of action without Christ. You see, there are those people who want to influence others to think a certain way, and perhaps they gain traction for a while... but how many bad ideas have come and gone in the last 2012 years? How many false thoughts and tried-and-proved-to-fail possibilities have there been? People have been, and sadly probably always will be, gullible to fall for a good sounding scheme, and the truth here is that there have been a massive number of those. However, they almost always get dragged into the light before too long, and they are exposed. These people (the originators) and their schemes, clearly and evidently, are without Christ.
On another note, though, what is one idea or belief that has been unchangeable since the beginning of time? Can you think of one? I can... and there is only one that I can think of. To borrow a statement from a dear friend of mine, a saint of the faith and example to us all, "God is God." Think for a second about all the bad ideas that faded away, whether in your immediate circle, your life personally, or even world historical events, and then think about the fact that God has always been there, ready to bring each of us that wandered astray right back into the flock. The truth, friends, is that He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever, and He has always been there. He does not fail; we do. He does not lie; we do. He does not grow weary; we do. He does not grow impatient; we do. He does not have envy; we do. He does not speak without purpose; we do.
He. Is. Jesus. Messiah. Emmanuel. The Word. The Son of God. The Heir of Jacob. The Beginning and the End. The Alpha and the Omega. The Wonderful Counselor. The Intercessor. The Light. The Bread. The Savior. THE ONE!!!
We. Are. Not.
And we will never, ever, ever, ever be able to successfully witness or represent the Gospel without Him, so if you have thoughts of going to speak to someone about their faith and you think you can do it without focusing yourself in prayer, you are WRONG. If you decide that you are going to sing a solo on Sunday and you don't need to pray first, you are WRONG. If you think that you can just give your money to the church without thanking God for it first in prayer, and be blessed to give, you are WRONG. With Him, you can accomplish anything to the glory of the Father... apart from Him, attempting to operate in your own strength, assuming that you are "good enough" in whatever instance, trying to prove yourself or show that you are able, you will fail. It really is that simple, folks.
Give thanks today that you are a part of the Vine, grafted in and remaining in Him to serve the will of God for your life, and remember always that you are, as a Christian, operating with the strength of the Son as you witness and serve.
God bless you all!!!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Statement seven... part 3...
We have the attachments now, and we have all, in some form, been grafted onto the Vine. The next part, however, is the hardest of all.
Theologically, many people will question my statement that this si hard, because once we accept Christ, we are in Him and He is in us forever. In a literal sense, that is correct, and I will not attempt to refute it. I know it to be true. But there is more to it than that, for the Christian who wants the deeper relationship and understanding with Christ, don't you think? It's not enough to just know that you are saved anymore... you have to live in a way that honors the One providing that salvation.
To be crystal clear, though, this is not a "need to" because it will get you anything extra or a better salvation or more money or anything like that... it is a "need to" because you understand what He did for you, and you have an innate desire to attempt to repay the debt that cannot be repaid. This, friends, constitutes a portion of the meaning of "remaining in Him," and hopefully you see now why I say it is difficult.
Let's look at it this way: you have done something wrong, even though it is a small thing, and no one saw it. You are questioned about it, and you know that admission means trouble, whereas denial means they'll move on to the next guy for questioning, because who would believe that YOU would do THAT? In this moment, which feels like an eternity, you have the choice to remain in Him and tell the truth or to step away from Him and lie. Before any of you start to bring up extenuating circumstances, please note that there are none, no matter what you may think. The truth is the truth, and telling the truth is doing the right thing, and doing the right thing is remaining in Him... no amount of discussion can change this fact, so please don't try.
Folks, trust me when I tell you that you are not alone in this, by any means. I have been guilty of this form of stepping away far too many times in my life, and some of them are more recent than I would like to admit. Some of them are about topics that are far more important than I would like to admit. So as you read the previous paragraph, if you think I'm on a high horse or soap box, please know that I am... but I'm looking down at me. I have not been able to "remain in Him" at times when I should have, and it has brought pain and heartache. This is why I say it's not easy.
Further, in leaning back on previous points on this Statement, it would seem that to "remain in Him" would be almost a non-option, because He is the vine, and we are the branches. He is from whence we come, and as we are grafted onto His everlasting sustenance, separation would surely bring withering death. Interesting, isn't it, to think about that and realize that sin brings death? Stepping away from Christ, whether it be Him, His Word, His values, His teachings, His example, these are all sin. And sin brings death. And when people are going down the wrong roads, they comment about the feeling of withering away... like a separated branch from a feeding Vine. So yes, I can say that I am grateful for the grafting process. I can also admit that I have attempted to separate myself from the Vine at times. Thankfully, nothing can remove me from His hand, and my rubber band effect is getting smaller... not larger.
Next we'll look at what comes from those who "remain in Him," and we'll close this study with that. In the mean time, please take a moment to think about the times that you have attempted to exist in something other than Him, and be honest with yourself about it. I mean, you are aware that He knows about every single thought you've ever had, and every act you've ever committed, and every word you've ever said, so you might as well just be open with yourself... you're not gonna surprise Him. Pray that you and I will all be stronger as we remain in Him in all things.
God bless you all!!!
"I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me."
John 15:5, HCSB
Theologically, many people will question my statement that this si hard, because once we accept Christ, we are in Him and He is in us forever. In a literal sense, that is correct, and I will not attempt to refute it. I know it to be true. But there is more to it than that, for the Christian who wants the deeper relationship and understanding with Christ, don't you think? It's not enough to just know that you are saved anymore... you have to live in a way that honors the One providing that salvation.
To be crystal clear, though, this is not a "need to" because it will get you anything extra or a better salvation or more money or anything like that... it is a "need to" because you understand what He did for you, and you have an innate desire to attempt to repay the debt that cannot be repaid. This, friends, constitutes a portion of the meaning of "remaining in Him," and hopefully you see now why I say it is difficult.
Let's look at it this way: you have done something wrong, even though it is a small thing, and no one saw it. You are questioned about it, and you know that admission means trouble, whereas denial means they'll move on to the next guy for questioning, because who would believe that YOU would do THAT? In this moment, which feels like an eternity, you have the choice to remain in Him and tell the truth or to step away from Him and lie. Before any of you start to bring up extenuating circumstances, please note that there are none, no matter what you may think. The truth is the truth, and telling the truth is doing the right thing, and doing the right thing is remaining in Him... no amount of discussion can change this fact, so please don't try.
Folks, trust me when I tell you that you are not alone in this, by any means. I have been guilty of this form of stepping away far too many times in my life, and some of them are more recent than I would like to admit. Some of them are about topics that are far more important than I would like to admit. So as you read the previous paragraph, if you think I'm on a high horse or soap box, please know that I am... but I'm looking down at me. I have not been able to "remain in Him" at times when I should have, and it has brought pain and heartache. This is why I say it's not easy.
Further, in leaning back on previous points on this Statement, it would seem that to "remain in Him" would be almost a non-option, because He is the vine, and we are the branches. He is from whence we come, and as we are grafted onto His everlasting sustenance, separation would surely bring withering death. Interesting, isn't it, to think about that and realize that sin brings death? Stepping away from Christ, whether it be Him, His Word, His values, His teachings, His example, these are all sin. And sin brings death. And when people are going down the wrong roads, they comment about the feeling of withering away... like a separated branch from a feeding Vine. So yes, I can say that I am grateful for the grafting process. I can also admit that I have attempted to separate myself from the Vine at times. Thankfully, nothing can remove me from His hand, and my rubber band effect is getting smaller... not larger.
Next we'll look at what comes from those who "remain in Him," and we'll close this study with that. In the mean time, please take a moment to think about the times that you have attempted to exist in something other than Him, and be honest with yourself about it. I mean, you are aware that He knows about every single thought you've ever had, and every act you've ever committed, and every word you've ever said, so you might as well just be open with yourself... you're not gonna surprise Him. Pray that you and I will all be stronger as we remain in Him in all things.
God bless you all!!!
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