Monday, November 27, 2006
Shepherd
. Jesus says “I am the Good Shepherd.” John 10: 11. I have found that shepherds in Jesus time were looked down upon. They were continually in the field with their sheep and could not keep the rules of the orthodox, hand washing, ceremonial cleansing and stated hours of prayer. I have heard them called the homeless of their day. They did the hardest most time consuming work for the smallest of pay. Society did not think much of them but yet scripture, Old and New, is full of their example. I find comfort that Jesus identifies himself with the most humble of people. The shepherds may not have been able to keep the rules of the orthodox, but they spent their time with a strong awareness of God. Whenever they slept under the stars and were caught in the elements of nature, they, more than others were aware of God’s presence. I am reminded of the story of Christ birth. When God announced the birth of his son he did not announce it to the wealthy or the powerful. He did not announce it to Caesar. He did not announce it to Herod. He did not announce it the orthodox, Scribes and Pharisees. He did not announce it to the wise. The Magi had to study, search, and seek, but God split the skies open with angels who said to the humble shepherds, He’s over there! Be last of all. Be servant of all. Sit in the last chair.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Stone
Each Christian knows and loves Jesus in a way that no other Christian does. Each relationship is special and unique. This relationship will last through all eternity. You love and know God in a way that I and all other Christians do not. Yes that’s right even those who are in prominent positions in the church, pastors and teachers.
In Matthew chapter 26 the story is told of the woman who came to Jesus with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume and she poured it on his head. The disciples who were with Jesus were angry that she wasted the money that bought this perfume and did not use it on the poor. Jesus reply? “The poor you will always have with you but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in her memory”. Think about this, the ones whom Jesus had chosen to spread the gospel around the world, the ones who were close to Jesus and been following him for three years did not understand that he was going to Jerusalem to be crucified, buried and raised. This simple woman did but they did not.
Later in chapter 26 Jesus tells the disciples to make preparations for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He tells them; “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house”. This unnamed man knew what the appointed time meant, but even at The Lord’s Supper the disciples were arguing over who would be first in heaven and questioning Jesus on where he was going and why they could not follow. Jesus closest disciples Peter, James and John still did not understand even though Jesus had been telling them since Peter’s confession of Christ at Caesarea Philippi. From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priest and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Matthew 16: 21. They did not understand but there were others who did.
Yes we look up to and honor those who care and minister to us as we should, but please realize that your relationship with Jesus is just as special. You know Jesus in ways that none of us do. “To him who overcomes, I will give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it”. Revelation 2: 17. For all of eternity you will have a name known only by God and you!! Through all of eternity your relationship with God will not only be corporate but personal, one to one. You love and understand God in ways that I never will, and we will have eternity to try and teach each other about our wonderful Sovereign Lord God, Jesus Christ.
In Matthew chapter 26 the story is told of the woman who came to Jesus with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume and she poured it on his head. The disciples who were with Jesus were angry that she wasted the money that bought this perfume and did not use it on the poor. Jesus reply? “The poor you will always have with you but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in her memory”. Think about this, the ones whom Jesus had chosen to spread the gospel around the world, the ones who were close to Jesus and been following him for three years did not understand that he was going to Jerusalem to be crucified, buried and raised. This simple woman did but they did not.
Later in chapter 26 Jesus tells the disciples to make preparations for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He tells them; “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house”. This unnamed man knew what the appointed time meant, but even at The Lord’s Supper the disciples were arguing over who would be first in heaven and questioning Jesus on where he was going and why they could not follow. Jesus closest disciples Peter, James and John still did not understand even though Jesus had been telling them since Peter’s confession of Christ at Caesarea Philippi. From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priest and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Matthew 16: 21. They did not understand but there were others who did.
Yes we look up to and honor those who care and minister to us as we should, but please realize that your relationship with Jesus is just as special. You know Jesus in ways that none of us do. “To him who overcomes, I will give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it”. Revelation 2: 17. For all of eternity you will have a name known only by God and you!! Through all of eternity your relationship with God will not only be corporate but personal, one to one. You love and understand God in ways that I never will, and we will have eternity to try and teach each other about our wonderful Sovereign Lord God, Jesus Christ.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Freedom
For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude vs. 4. (ESV)
If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
Colossians 2: 20-23. (ESV)
These are extremes. They were part of the early Church and they are with us today. John and Jude fought against those who would trade upon the grace of God to live a life gratifying any of their desires. The elderly disciple John would write that “anyone who gets so progressive in his thinking that he walks out on the teaching of Christ, walks out on God.” 2John: 9. (Message). The Apostle Paul was in a continual battle against those who would want to place burdens, rules and regulations on the Church to secure a place of control. Paul would say that “they want to shut you out of the free world of God’s grace so that you will always depend on them for approval and directions, making them feel important.” Galatians 4:17. (Message). You can find Churches that are close to one extreme or the other. Most of the arguing we have among ourselves as Christians is because our doctrines lean toward one or the other. To be honest I find this battle rages inside me. So what is the answer? Jude tells us to “carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love. Keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life.” Jude vs. 20-21. (Message). Spend time in personal communion with God. Read Scripture and practice the freedom of living deeply in Christ. We are free to imitate Jesus. We are free to be the person He wants us to be. We are free to walk with Him. We are free to talk with Him. When you commune with Christ wherever it may be, the living room, bedroom, outdoors or anywhere, heaven and earth become one, the seen and the unseen. Christ is all that matters and He lives in us. What a glorious time.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3: 17-18. (ESV)
If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
Colossians 2: 20-23. (ESV)
These are extremes. They were part of the early Church and they are with us today. John and Jude fought against those who would trade upon the grace of God to live a life gratifying any of their desires. The elderly disciple John would write that “anyone who gets so progressive in his thinking that he walks out on the teaching of Christ, walks out on God.” 2John: 9. (Message). The Apostle Paul was in a continual battle against those who would want to place burdens, rules and regulations on the Church to secure a place of control. Paul would say that “they want to shut you out of the free world of God’s grace so that you will always depend on them for approval and directions, making them feel important.” Galatians 4:17. (Message). You can find Churches that are close to one extreme or the other. Most of the arguing we have among ourselves as Christians is because our doctrines lean toward one or the other. To be honest I find this battle rages inside me. So what is the answer? Jude tells us to “carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love. Keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life.” Jude vs. 20-21. (Message). Spend time in personal communion with God. Read Scripture and practice the freedom of living deeply in Christ. We are free to imitate Jesus. We are free to be the person He wants us to be. We are free to walk with Him. We are free to talk with Him. When you commune with Christ wherever it may be, the living room, bedroom, outdoors or anywhere, heaven and earth become one, the seen and the unseen. Christ is all that matters and He lives in us. What a glorious time.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3: 17-18. (ESV)
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