Read through the following verses. Look for something that is different in one from all of the others. I know it is a little bit of reading, but with Palm Sunday just around the corner it is a topic that I like to bring up. I will post the readings today, then start the discussion tomorrow.
Matthew 21: 1-11
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."
4This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5"Say to the Daughter of Zion,
'See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "
6The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Hosanna in the highest!" 10When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" 11The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
Mark 11: 1-11
1As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.' "
4They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" 6They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
10"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"
11Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
Luke 19: 28-44
28After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30"Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it.' "
32Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?"
34They replied, "The Lord needs it."
35They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
37When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"
40"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
41As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."
John 12: 12-19
12The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Blessed is the King of Israel!" 14Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,
15"Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey's colt."
16At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.
17Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. 19So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"
After reading each passage what is missing from one of them, that is included in the other three?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
My best friend
To bring this week to a close on the thoughts of friends in our lives I have to tell you about my best friend. I think you might know him. He was born in a manger. He is the one true friend I have. I call him my best friend because He love me. He truly loves me. No matter how weak I get, He is there for me. No matter if my life is great or it is rocky, all I have to do is look for Him, and I find him there by my side. When I make bad choices He is there to help me find my way. When my choices are good, He celebrates my victory with me. He has been my friend since before I was born. The best part about it. I did not choose Him, He chose me. Just like the kid from earlier this week, He just knew of some poor soul that needed a friend, a good friend, a true friend, and when I dropped my books He was there to help me pick them up.
There is no doubt that just like that lost kid who felt so alone, I too was marching to my own death. So sure that it was the right way, the only way really……Why wouldn’t I think so? So many of my friends were walking the same path. The He showed up, He picked me up dusted me off, He helped me carry my books one day, and every day since then it seems that He carries all of my books, and so much more. Who is this fella I am talking about? It is Jesus Christ. He tells us in John 15: 15 -16 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
Now I run with the Lord, we spend most of our days together trying to figure out how to navigate this crazy life of mine, He helps me out a lot, more than many people would think. We also like to keep an eye out for people that were just like me, marching to their death content to chase the dreams of this earth, thinking that it is all that there is to live for. The greatest part is the other friends I have met, friends that were like me at one point but now hang out with Christ. See we spend our time helping each other out, we don’t worry too much about who is the best or who is the first, or who is liked by Christ the most. We are all friends that Christ loves the most. We build each other up, we encourage each other to chase after our dreams, and dare each other to live the amazing life that the Lord has planned for each of us!
Oh sure we run into groups who like to bash us, or think we are Jesusfreaks….(which is kinda funny because we are, ......we just don’t think that is a bad thing!) but you k now what? It is easy to see those people for what they are now, they are leaners, not lifters. They are the people who I was talking about who will take it all from you and give you nothing in return. They are the people in the world who are still lost, and while we will always try and help them, and we will always try to show them the truth; but when we see that they are not ready, we shake the dust off of our sandals as we leave.
So I invite you to meet and hang out with my best friend. Give Him a chance, He will be the best friend you have ever known, and He will be there not just for this life, but for eternity. Call on Him, you will find that he is already there. He has been waiting for your invitation. He picked you long ago, and has been watching, wanting to help....just waiting for you to call Him friend back.
Peace,
Brian
There is no doubt that just like that lost kid who felt so alone, I too was marching to my own death. So sure that it was the right way, the only way really……Why wouldn’t I think so? So many of my friends were walking the same path. The He showed up, He picked me up dusted me off, He helped me carry my books one day, and every day since then it seems that He carries all of my books, and so much more. Who is this fella I am talking about? It is Jesus Christ. He tells us in John 15: 15 -16 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
Now I run with the Lord, we spend most of our days together trying to figure out how to navigate this crazy life of mine, He helps me out a lot, more than many people would think. We also like to keep an eye out for people that were just like me, marching to their death content to chase the dreams of this earth, thinking that it is all that there is to live for. The greatest part is the other friends I have met, friends that were like me at one point but now hang out with Christ. See we spend our time helping each other out, we don’t worry too much about who is the best or who is the first, or who is liked by Christ the most. We are all friends that Christ loves the most. We build each other up, we encourage each other to chase after our dreams, and dare each other to live the amazing life that the Lord has planned for each of us!
Oh sure we run into groups who like to bash us, or think we are Jesusfreaks….(which is kinda funny because we are, ......we just don’t think that is a bad thing!) but you k now what? It is easy to see those people for what they are now, they are leaners, not lifters. They are the people who I was talking about who will take it all from you and give you nothing in return. They are the people in the world who are still lost, and while we will always try and help them, and we will always try to show them the truth; but when we see that they are not ready, we shake the dust off of our sandals as we leave.
So I invite you to meet and hang out with my best friend. Give Him a chance, He will be the best friend you have ever known, and He will be there not just for this life, but for eternity. Call on Him, you will find that he is already there. He has been waiting for your invitation. He picked you long ago, and has been watching, wanting to help....just waiting for you to call Him friend back.
Peace,
Brian
Friday, March 13, 2009
encouraging friends
I know yesterday I rambled a little, and I apologize for that, but the entire concept of who we associate with and who we spend time with is so crucial to our well being, yet it is the one area that we often over look. We always cut out friends slack but is it at the cost of our own well being? Are the people that we are feeding feeding us? Are we encouraging each other?? I know what is the deal with me always talking about encouraging each other? Why is that so important?
Well let me put it this way, maybe you will see why I dwell on it so much.
Dante Gabriel Rossetti, the famous 19th-century poet and artist, was once approached by an elderly man. The old fellow had some sketches and drawings that he wanted Rossetti to look at and tell him if they were any good, or if they at least showed potential talent.
Rossetti looked them over carefully. After the first few, he knew that they were worthless, showing not the least sign of artistic talent. But Rossetti was a kind man, and he told the elderly man as gently as possible that the pictures were without much value and showed little talent. He was sorry, but he could not lie to the man.
The visitor was disappointed, but seemed to expect Rosette’s judgment. He then apologized for taking up Rossetti’s time, but would he just look at a few more drawings - these done by a young art student?
Rossetti looked over the second batch of sketches and immediately became enthusiastic over the talent they revealed. "These," he said, "oh, these are good. This young student has great talent. He should be given every help and encouragement in his career as an artist. He has a great future if he will work hard and stick to it."
Rossetti could see that the old fellow was deeply moved. "Who is this fine young artist?" he asked. "Your son?"
"No," said the old man sadly. "It is me - 40 years ago. If only I had heard your praise then! For you see, I got discouraged and gave up - too soon."
You see we are all painters, God gives us each a blank canvas how well we paint that picture is going to depend on the feedback we get while painting it. Imagine that the people that come in to your life while you are painting are always telling you that it is good, but not good enough, or that while it is OK it will never be a masterpiece. Better yet, they really don’t care about your painting at all, they just want you to set your brush down and come help with their painting! Sound familiar? I am sure it does! These are the people that we have to stay away form; our picture we are painting is our life’s masterpiece. It is great to lend advice and encouragement to other painters, but you cannot paint their picture for them, you have your own work to do!
So then what is a friend? My daughter sent me thins and honestly is what started me down this road this week.
One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school.His name was Kyle.It looked like he was carrying all of his books..I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday?He must really be a nerd.'I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him..They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt.His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him.He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives.'He looked at me and said, 'Hey, thanks!'There was a big smile on his face.It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived.As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now.I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books.He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friendsHe said yes...We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again..I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!'He just laughed and handed me half the books.Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends.. When we were seniors we began to think about college.Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke.I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem.He was going to be a doctor and I w as going for business on a football scholarship.Kyle was valedictorian of our class.I teased him all the time about being a nerd.He had to prepare a speech for graduation.I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great.He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him.Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days.I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!'He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.' Thanks,' he said..As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years.Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends...I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.I am going to tell you a story..'I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met.He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.'Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.'I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile..Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.
This is true friendship. Someone went out and accepted another person. No expectations, no pre-requisites, just an offer of friendship that ended up turning into much more. This is why encouragement is so important. This is why if you find yourself surrounded by people who are spending more time tearing you down than helping you out, you need to really make some hard choices.
No ones circle of friends will be perfect, we all have our problems, and no one is perfect. Even Christ had issues with the Apostles. They argued over who was the best best friend, they missed the points He was trying to make sometimes, some of them doubted Him, some of them denied Him, and one even betrayed Him.
If the people that hung out with Christ were less than perfect and made mistakes, you can bet that we are going to have the same problems, if not more of them form the people that spend time with us, you can be assured that you will make mistakes as well. Making mistakes is nothing new to us humans; it is how we respond that counts. Do we continue to make the same offences against the people in our lives, do we allow the same people to continue to use us like a doormat? Remember that we all want to be like Christ, it is the one thing that we all can agree on; however don’t forget to be ready to leave. We can only do so much, and try for so long before we are no longer helping others, but we are in fact destroying ourselves!
Peace,
Brian
Well let me put it this way, maybe you will see why I dwell on it so much.
Dante Gabriel Rossetti, the famous 19th-century poet and artist, was once approached by an elderly man. The old fellow had some sketches and drawings that he wanted Rossetti to look at and tell him if they were any good, or if they at least showed potential talent.
Rossetti looked them over carefully. After the first few, he knew that they were worthless, showing not the least sign of artistic talent. But Rossetti was a kind man, and he told the elderly man as gently as possible that the pictures were without much value and showed little talent. He was sorry, but he could not lie to the man.
The visitor was disappointed, but seemed to expect Rosette’s judgment. He then apologized for taking up Rossetti’s time, but would he just look at a few more drawings - these done by a young art student?
Rossetti looked over the second batch of sketches and immediately became enthusiastic over the talent they revealed. "These," he said, "oh, these are good. This young student has great talent. He should be given every help and encouragement in his career as an artist. He has a great future if he will work hard and stick to it."
Rossetti could see that the old fellow was deeply moved. "Who is this fine young artist?" he asked. "Your son?"
"No," said the old man sadly. "It is me - 40 years ago. If only I had heard your praise then! For you see, I got discouraged and gave up - too soon."
You see we are all painters, God gives us each a blank canvas how well we paint that picture is going to depend on the feedback we get while painting it. Imagine that the people that come in to your life while you are painting are always telling you that it is good, but not good enough, or that while it is OK it will never be a masterpiece. Better yet, they really don’t care about your painting at all, they just want you to set your brush down and come help with their painting! Sound familiar? I am sure it does! These are the people that we have to stay away form; our picture we are painting is our life’s masterpiece. It is great to lend advice and encouragement to other painters, but you cannot paint their picture for them, you have your own work to do!
So then what is a friend? My daughter sent me thins and honestly is what started me down this road this week.
One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school.His name was Kyle.It looked like he was carrying all of his books..I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday?He must really be a nerd.'I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him..They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt.His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him.He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives.'He looked at me and said, 'Hey, thanks!'There was a big smile on his face.It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived.As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now.I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books.He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friendsHe said yes...We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again..I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!'He just laughed and handed me half the books.Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends.. When we were seniors we began to think about college.Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke.I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem.He was going to be a doctor and I w as going for business on a football scholarship.Kyle was valedictorian of our class.I teased him all the time about being a nerd.He had to prepare a speech for graduation.I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great.He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him.Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days.I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!'He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.' Thanks,' he said..As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years.Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends...I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.I am going to tell you a story..'I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met.He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.'Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.'I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile..Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.
This is true friendship. Someone went out and accepted another person. No expectations, no pre-requisites, just an offer of friendship that ended up turning into much more. This is why encouragement is so important. This is why if you find yourself surrounded by people who are spending more time tearing you down than helping you out, you need to really make some hard choices.
No ones circle of friends will be perfect, we all have our problems, and no one is perfect. Even Christ had issues with the Apostles. They argued over who was the best best friend, they missed the points He was trying to make sometimes, some of them doubted Him, some of them denied Him, and one even betrayed Him.
If the people that hung out with Christ were less than perfect and made mistakes, you can bet that we are going to have the same problems, if not more of them form the people that spend time with us, you can be assured that you will make mistakes as well. Making mistakes is nothing new to us humans; it is how we respond that counts. Do we continue to make the same offences against the people in our lives, do we allow the same people to continue to use us like a doormat? Remember that we all want to be like Christ, it is the one thing that we all can agree on; however don’t forget to be ready to leave. We can only do so much, and try for so long before we are no longer helping others, but we are in fact destroying ourselves!
Peace,
Brian
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Friends
John 4: 43-44
43After the two days he left for Galilee. 44(Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.)
This passage has always jumped out at me. Mark 6 also records it as : 4Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor."
As a result of the lack of faith Jesus does not accomplish a whole lot while he is in Galilee. Now you might think that I am wanting to talk more about faith, and I guess in an indirect way I am, but I want you to really think about what is being said here.
Jesus Christ, the only son of God, he left his Father, became human….yet when he goes back to the place of his mortal birth, the Son of God cannot accomplish many things, because of the people that were around him! The people had no faith in him, so he could not display His greatness….
My question to you today is not do you have faith in Christ, but who are you surrounding yourself with? If Christ could not do great things because people did not believe in him, how do you expect yourself to be able to accomplish much if the people that are around you, do not have faith in you? If people do not believe in you, if they are not encouraging you, if the people in your life are not taking an interest…….do you think you are going to be successful?
We are all great at trying to live like Christ…. We want to love like Him, we want to forgive like Him, we want to be compassionate like He was……but we all seem to forget that we need to learn to leave like He did! Christ did not hang out in Galilee for an extended amount of time. He did what He could, He helped whom He could, and then He left!
Matthew 10 we read Jesus giving direct instruction how to handle people that will not receive them: And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.
How successful we will be in this life has a lot to do with whom we place around us, and whom we place importance on. You might think well what does it matter, we are here but for a short time, I go to Church, I give my offering, I try to be the best person that I can be……why does it matter who I hang out with…they are “good” people, they don’t do drugs they don’t cheat….yadda yadda yadda, well are they? Are they good people? Are they supporting you….are you supporting them? Do you find that it is a two way relationship, or are you doing all the giving, and getting nothing in return?
Who are you reaching out to today? Are you keeping yourself in an environment that is sapping your faith away? If you think “getting by” as a Christian is all that matters, think again. WE have a lot of work to do, and it will not get done if we are not all at our best.
Peace,
Brian
43After the two days he left for Galilee. 44(Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.)
This passage has always jumped out at me. Mark 6 also records it as : 4Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor."
As a result of the lack of faith Jesus does not accomplish a whole lot while he is in Galilee. Now you might think that I am wanting to talk more about faith, and I guess in an indirect way I am, but I want you to really think about what is being said here.
Jesus Christ, the only son of God, he left his Father, became human….yet when he goes back to the place of his mortal birth, the Son of God cannot accomplish many things, because of the people that were around him! The people had no faith in him, so he could not display His greatness….
My question to you today is not do you have faith in Christ, but who are you surrounding yourself with? If Christ could not do great things because people did not believe in him, how do you expect yourself to be able to accomplish much if the people that are around you, do not have faith in you? If people do not believe in you, if they are not encouraging you, if the people in your life are not taking an interest…….do you think you are going to be successful?
We are all great at trying to live like Christ…. We want to love like Him, we want to forgive like Him, we want to be compassionate like He was……but we all seem to forget that we need to learn to leave like He did! Christ did not hang out in Galilee for an extended amount of time. He did what He could, He helped whom He could, and then He left!
Matthew 10 we read Jesus giving direct instruction how to handle people that will not receive them: And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.
How successful we will be in this life has a lot to do with whom we place around us, and whom we place importance on. You might think well what does it matter, we are here but for a short time, I go to Church, I give my offering, I try to be the best person that I can be……why does it matter who I hang out with…they are “good” people, they don’t do drugs they don’t cheat….yadda yadda yadda, well are they? Are they good people? Are they supporting you….are you supporting them? Do you find that it is a two way relationship, or are you doing all the giving, and getting nothing in return?
Who are you reaching out to today? Are you keeping yourself in an environment that is sapping your faith away? If you think “getting by” as a Christian is all that matters, think again. WE have a lot of work to do, and it will not get done if we are not all at our best.
Peace,
Brian
Sunday, March 8, 2009
The rest of the promise
So how much does God love us? So much that he gave his only Son…..That is something that we hear from the first time we go to Church to the day we die, but how many people really understand the depth of that love? I am reminded of a story that brings the point home on a very personal level.
The day is over, you are driving home. You tune in your radio. You hear a little blurb about a little village in India where some villagers have died suddenly, strangely, of a flu that has never been seen before. Its not influenza, but three of four people are dead, and it’s kind of interesting, and they are sending some doctors over there to investigate it. You don't think much about it, but on Sunday, coming home from church, you hear another radio spot. Only they say its not three villagers, its 30,000 villagers in the back hills of this particular area of India, and it's on TV that night. CNN runs a little blurb. People are heading there from the disease center in Atlanta because this disease strain has never been seen before. By Monday morning when you get up, it’s the lead story. For it’s not just India. It’s Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran and before you know it, you're hearing this story everywhere and they have coined it now as "the mystery flu." The President has made some comment that he and everyone are praying and hoping that all will go well over there. But everyone is wondering, "How are we going to contain it?" That's when the President of France makes an announcement that shocks Europe. He is closing their borders. No flights from India, Pakistan, or any of the countries where this thing has been seen. And that's why that night you are watching a little bit of CNN before going to bed. Your jaw hits your chest when a weeping woman is translated from a French news program into English. There's a man lying in a hospital in Paris dying of the mystery flu. It has come to Europe. Panic strikes. As best they can tell, once you get it you have it for a week before you know it. Then you have four days of unbelievable symptoms. And then you die. Britain closes its borders, but it’s too late. South Hampton, Liverpool, North Hampton and it's Tuesday morning when the President of the United States makes the following announcement. "Due to a national security risk, all flights to and from Europe and Asia have been canceled. If your loved ones are overseas, I'm sorry. They cannot come back until we find a cure for this thing." Within four days our nation has been plunged into an unbelievable fear. People are talking about "What if it comes to this country"? And preachers on Tuesday are saying "It's the scourge of God." It's Wednesday night and you are at a church prayer meeting when somebody runs if from the parking lot and yells, "Turn on a radio, turn on a radio!" And while the church listens to a little transistor radio with a microphone stuck up to it, the announcement is made. Two women are lying in a Long Island hospital dying from the mystery flu. Within hours it seems, this thing just sweeps across the country. People are working around the clock trying to find an antidote. Nothing is working. California, Oregon, Arizona, Florida, Massachusetts. It's as though it's just sweeping in from the borders. And then all of a sudden the news comes out. The code has been broken. A cure can be found. A vaccine can be made. It's going to take the blood of somebody who hasn't been infected and so, sure enough, all through the Midwest, through all those channels of emergency broadcasting, everyone is asked to do one simple thing. Go to your downtown hospital and have your blood type taken. That's all we ask of you. When you hear the sirens go off in your neighborhood, please make your way quickly, quietly and safely, to the hospitals. Sure enough, when you and your family get down there late on that Friday night, there is a long line and they've got nurses and doctors coming out and pricking fingers and taking blood and putting labels on it. Your spouse and your kids are out there, and they take your blood type and they say, "wait here in the parking lot and if we call your name you can be dismissed and go home." You stand around, scared, with your neighbors, wondering what in the world is going on and if this is the end of the World. Suddenly a young man comes running out of the hospital screaming. He's yelling a name and waving a clipboard. What? He yells it again! And your son tugs on your jacket and says," Daddy, that's me." Before you know it, they have grabbed your boy. "Wait a minute. Hold on!" And they say, its okay, his blood is clean. His blood is pure. We want to make sure he doesn't have the disease. We think he has got the right type. Five tense minutes later, out come the doctors and nurses crying and hugging one another-some are even laughing. It's the first time you have seen anybody laugh in a week, and an old doctor walks up to you and says, "Thank you sir. Your son's blood type is perfect. It's clean, it is pure, and we can make the vaccine." As the word begins to spread all across that parking lot full of folks, people are screaming and praying and laughing and crying. But then the gray-haired doctor pulls you and your wife aside and says, "May we see you for a moment? We didn't realize that the donor would be a minor and we need.....we need you to sign a consent form." You begin to sign and then you see that the number of pints of blood to be taken is empty. "H-h-h-ow many pints?" And that is when the old doctor's smile fades and he says, "We had no idea it would be a little child. We weren't prepared. We need it all!" "But-but. . . .I don't understand. He's my only son!" "We are talking about the world here. Please sign. We-We need it all!" "But can't you give him a transfusion?"
"If we had clean blood we would. Please, will you please sign?" In numb silence you do. Then they say, "would you like to have a moment with him before we begin?" Could you walk back? Could you walk back to that room where he sits on a table saying, "Daddy? Mommy? What's going on?" Could you take his hands and say, "Son, your mommy and I love you and we would never ever let anything happen to you that didn't just have to be. Do you understand that?" And when that old doctor comes back in and says, "I'm sorry, we've got to get started. People all over the world are dying." Could you leave? Could you walk out while he is saying, "Dad? Mom? Dad? Why. . . .why have you forsaken me?" And then next week, when they have the ceremony to honor your son, and some folks sleep through it, and some folks don't even bother to come because they have better things to do, and some folks come with just a pretentious smile and just pretend to care. Would you want to jump up and say, "EXCUSE ME! MY SON DIED FOR YOU! MY ONLY SON! DON'T YOU EVEN CARE? DOES IT MEAN NOTHING TO YOU?"
Can any of us say that we love the people of this world that much? Can any of us say that we love God that much? Could we give not just ourselves, but what we love the most, what we love more than life, to God? He did it for us. That is how much he loves us.
Look at the next part of the verse, that whoever believes in him……who? Whoever, not a few people, not some select group, or members of one class, but whoever. The rich, the poor, the healthy, and the sick. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Everyone! God does not discriminate; he loves every one of us. All he asks is that we love him back, and love each other. If there is no difference between us to God why do we find it so easy to draw lines in the sand between ourselves?
A friend of mine told me about a guy in College named Bill; He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans and no shoes. This was literally is wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is brilliant. Kind of esoteric and very, very bright. He became a Christian recently while attending college. Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and So Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat.The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit and, when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet. (Although perfectly acceptable behavior at a college fellowship, trust me, this had never happened in this church before! By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick. About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, an Elder is slowly making his way toward Bill. Now the Elder is in his eighties, had silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying To themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do. How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor? It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy. The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the Elder does what he has to do. And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone. Everyone chokes up with emotion. When the minister gains control, he says, "What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget. Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read."
So God loves us, so much that he would give His Son, so that whoever believes……the young and old, all of us, can have everlasting life. We are in this together, hopefully we can all learn to sit next to each other and worship!
One of the main points of this verse I want to call attention to is not that God loves us, and not that we are all included, but what we have to do to receive this gift of eternal life. We have to believe…..that is it, no strings, no hidden agenda, all who believe in him will receive eternal life.
Christ told us that if we had faith the size of a mustard seed, we could move mountains; it is the key piece to the puzzle, faith. Faith that God will protect you, faith that you are saved through the death of Christ, faith that the Lord will provide, even when it seems that there is no hope.
It does not matter how hard you work, if you do that work without faith in your heart it is fruitless and worthless. There is no scoreboard in God’s eyes, He does not have a tally sheet on a clipboard marking down each thing that you do, until you reach a set number, and then PRESTO you are saved. You are saved the moment you open your heart to Christ, and accept him as your savior. The moment that you realize, and take into your heart that Christ alone is your rock, you get the promise.
Have you accepted Christ into your life? John 3:16 is a trustworthy saying, it is truthful, and a promise from God. He gave his Son for you, won’t you let him in?
Peace,
Brian
The day is over, you are driving home. You tune in your radio. You hear a little blurb about a little village in India where some villagers have died suddenly, strangely, of a flu that has never been seen before. Its not influenza, but three of four people are dead, and it’s kind of interesting, and they are sending some doctors over there to investigate it. You don't think much about it, but on Sunday, coming home from church, you hear another radio spot. Only they say its not three villagers, its 30,000 villagers in the back hills of this particular area of India, and it's on TV that night. CNN runs a little blurb. People are heading there from the disease center in Atlanta because this disease strain has never been seen before. By Monday morning when you get up, it’s the lead story. For it’s not just India. It’s Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran and before you know it, you're hearing this story everywhere and they have coined it now as "the mystery flu." The President has made some comment that he and everyone are praying and hoping that all will go well over there. But everyone is wondering, "How are we going to contain it?" That's when the President of France makes an announcement that shocks Europe. He is closing their borders. No flights from India, Pakistan, or any of the countries where this thing has been seen. And that's why that night you are watching a little bit of CNN before going to bed. Your jaw hits your chest when a weeping woman is translated from a French news program into English. There's a man lying in a hospital in Paris dying of the mystery flu. It has come to Europe. Panic strikes. As best they can tell, once you get it you have it for a week before you know it. Then you have four days of unbelievable symptoms. And then you die. Britain closes its borders, but it’s too late. South Hampton, Liverpool, North Hampton and it's Tuesday morning when the President of the United States makes the following announcement. "Due to a national security risk, all flights to and from Europe and Asia have been canceled. If your loved ones are overseas, I'm sorry. They cannot come back until we find a cure for this thing." Within four days our nation has been plunged into an unbelievable fear. People are talking about "What if it comes to this country"? And preachers on Tuesday are saying "It's the scourge of God." It's Wednesday night and you are at a church prayer meeting when somebody runs if from the parking lot and yells, "Turn on a radio, turn on a radio!" And while the church listens to a little transistor radio with a microphone stuck up to it, the announcement is made. Two women are lying in a Long Island hospital dying from the mystery flu. Within hours it seems, this thing just sweeps across the country. People are working around the clock trying to find an antidote. Nothing is working. California, Oregon, Arizona, Florida, Massachusetts. It's as though it's just sweeping in from the borders. And then all of a sudden the news comes out. The code has been broken. A cure can be found. A vaccine can be made. It's going to take the blood of somebody who hasn't been infected and so, sure enough, all through the Midwest, through all those channels of emergency broadcasting, everyone is asked to do one simple thing. Go to your downtown hospital and have your blood type taken. That's all we ask of you. When you hear the sirens go off in your neighborhood, please make your way quickly, quietly and safely, to the hospitals. Sure enough, when you and your family get down there late on that Friday night, there is a long line and they've got nurses and doctors coming out and pricking fingers and taking blood and putting labels on it. Your spouse and your kids are out there, and they take your blood type and they say, "wait here in the parking lot and if we call your name you can be dismissed and go home." You stand around, scared, with your neighbors, wondering what in the world is going on and if this is the end of the World. Suddenly a young man comes running out of the hospital screaming. He's yelling a name and waving a clipboard. What? He yells it again! And your son tugs on your jacket and says," Daddy, that's me." Before you know it, they have grabbed your boy. "Wait a minute. Hold on!" And they say, its okay, his blood is clean. His blood is pure. We want to make sure he doesn't have the disease. We think he has got the right type. Five tense minutes later, out come the doctors and nurses crying and hugging one another-some are even laughing. It's the first time you have seen anybody laugh in a week, and an old doctor walks up to you and says, "Thank you sir. Your son's blood type is perfect. It's clean, it is pure, and we can make the vaccine." As the word begins to spread all across that parking lot full of folks, people are screaming and praying and laughing and crying. But then the gray-haired doctor pulls you and your wife aside and says, "May we see you for a moment? We didn't realize that the donor would be a minor and we need.....we need you to sign a consent form." You begin to sign and then you see that the number of pints of blood to be taken is empty. "H-h-h-ow many pints?" And that is when the old doctor's smile fades and he says, "We had no idea it would be a little child. We weren't prepared. We need it all!" "But-but. . . .I don't understand. He's my only son!" "We are talking about the world here. Please sign. We-We need it all!" "But can't you give him a transfusion?"
"If we had clean blood we would. Please, will you please sign?" In numb silence you do. Then they say, "would you like to have a moment with him before we begin?" Could you walk back? Could you walk back to that room where he sits on a table saying, "Daddy? Mommy? What's going on?" Could you take his hands and say, "Son, your mommy and I love you and we would never ever let anything happen to you that didn't just have to be. Do you understand that?" And when that old doctor comes back in and says, "I'm sorry, we've got to get started. People all over the world are dying." Could you leave? Could you walk out while he is saying, "Dad? Mom? Dad? Why. . . .why have you forsaken me?" And then next week, when they have the ceremony to honor your son, and some folks sleep through it, and some folks don't even bother to come because they have better things to do, and some folks come with just a pretentious smile and just pretend to care. Would you want to jump up and say, "EXCUSE ME! MY SON DIED FOR YOU! MY ONLY SON! DON'T YOU EVEN CARE? DOES IT MEAN NOTHING TO YOU?"
Can any of us say that we love the people of this world that much? Can any of us say that we love God that much? Could we give not just ourselves, but what we love the most, what we love more than life, to God? He did it for us. That is how much he loves us.
Look at the next part of the verse, that whoever believes in him……who? Whoever, not a few people, not some select group, or members of one class, but whoever. The rich, the poor, the healthy, and the sick. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Everyone! God does not discriminate; he loves every one of us. All he asks is that we love him back, and love each other. If there is no difference between us to God why do we find it so easy to draw lines in the sand between ourselves?
A friend of mine told me about a guy in College named Bill; He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans and no shoes. This was literally is wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is brilliant. Kind of esoteric and very, very bright. He became a Christian recently while attending college. Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and So Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat.The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit and, when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet. (Although perfectly acceptable behavior at a college fellowship, trust me, this had never happened in this church before! By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick. About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, an Elder is slowly making his way toward Bill. Now the Elder is in his eighties, had silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying To themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do. How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor? It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy. The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the Elder does what he has to do. And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone. Everyone chokes up with emotion. When the minister gains control, he says, "What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget. Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read."
So God loves us, so much that he would give His Son, so that whoever believes……the young and old, all of us, can have everlasting life. We are in this together, hopefully we can all learn to sit next to each other and worship!
One of the main points of this verse I want to call attention to is not that God loves us, and not that we are all included, but what we have to do to receive this gift of eternal life. We have to believe…..that is it, no strings, no hidden agenda, all who believe in him will receive eternal life.
Christ told us that if we had faith the size of a mustard seed, we could move mountains; it is the key piece to the puzzle, faith. Faith that God will protect you, faith that you are saved through the death of Christ, faith that the Lord will provide, even when it seems that there is no hope.
It does not matter how hard you work, if you do that work without faith in your heart it is fruitless and worthless. There is no scoreboard in God’s eyes, He does not have a tally sheet on a clipboard marking down each thing that you do, until you reach a set number, and then PRESTO you are saved. You are saved the moment you open your heart to Christ, and accept him as your savior. The moment that you realize, and take into your heart that Christ alone is your rock, you get the promise.
Have you accepted Christ into your life? John 3:16 is a trustworthy saying, it is truthful, and a promise from God. He gave his Son for you, won’t you let him in?
Peace,
Brian
Thursday, March 5, 2009
John 3:16
John 3:16
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
This has to be the most recognized verse in the Bible. There are many that might rival the popularity, but this one verse is know far and wide, not just to people of Christian faith, but the world in general, has heard it.
While the idea, of the concept is so simple so true, it is powerful enough to be used in a conversation with Nicodemus. Nicodemus was not just an every day man. HE was a good man, a man of high standing in the Jewish faith. Yet we do not see huge words, or large concepts used. We do not see any grandstanding by Jesus. Just the plain and simple truth.
There is little doubt that while we all know this verse, it has become taken for granted. Many love the verse, but forget just how powerful the statement is. So I have a question to ask……what if he didn’t? It is easy to see how much we benefit from God loving not just everyone, but loving the world. What would we have if He did not?
What would we be missing out on if God did not love? Hope for sure. Without God’s love there is no hope for a future. We would be nothing more than life flying through space. As cold and dead as if we were never born. Our lives would not matter, it would be nothing more than a what have you done for me lately place to live. Without the love of God we would pray in vain, our cries would be out to an unloving uncaring creator. There would be no hope, no lasting love, no grace, and there would be no salvation.
What kind of would that be? One I would not want to live in. However we don’t have to worry about that do we? God does love the world. Don’t miss out on the big point there, he does not just love us, He does not just love some people, or most people, or even just people. God so loved the world.
He loves the world so much that he took the time to create everything, and all the detail that goes with it. The richness of the leaves, and grass, the bark on the trees, take a look at a sunset over the ocean or over a mountain range, and tell me you cannot see the love of God. His love is present in everything your eyes touch, your mouth tastes, and your body feels.
By far his love is best shown by looking at a cross. His Son, no…..his only Son. That is love beyond comprehension. That is true love, that is the love of God.
Peace,
Brian
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
This has to be the most recognized verse in the Bible. There are many that might rival the popularity, but this one verse is know far and wide, not just to people of Christian faith, but the world in general, has heard it.
While the idea, of the concept is so simple so true, it is powerful enough to be used in a conversation with Nicodemus. Nicodemus was not just an every day man. HE was a good man, a man of high standing in the Jewish faith. Yet we do not see huge words, or large concepts used. We do not see any grandstanding by Jesus. Just the plain and simple truth.
There is little doubt that while we all know this verse, it has become taken for granted. Many love the verse, but forget just how powerful the statement is. So I have a question to ask……what if he didn’t? It is easy to see how much we benefit from God loving not just everyone, but loving the world. What would we have if He did not?
What would we be missing out on if God did not love? Hope for sure. Without God’s love there is no hope for a future. We would be nothing more than life flying through space. As cold and dead as if we were never born. Our lives would not matter, it would be nothing more than a what have you done for me lately place to live. Without the love of God we would pray in vain, our cries would be out to an unloving uncaring creator. There would be no hope, no lasting love, no grace, and there would be no salvation.
What kind of would that be? One I would not want to live in. However we don’t have to worry about that do we? God does love the world. Don’t miss out on the big point there, he does not just love us, He does not just love some people, or most people, or even just people. God so loved the world.
He loves the world so much that he took the time to create everything, and all the detail that goes with it. The richness of the leaves, and grass, the bark on the trees, take a look at a sunset over the ocean or over a mountain range, and tell me you cannot see the love of God. His love is present in everything your eyes touch, your mouth tastes, and your body feels.
By far his love is best shown by looking at a cross. His Son, no…..his only Son. That is love beyond comprehension. That is true love, that is the love of God.
Peace,
Brian
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