Who Is This Jesus?

 

 The world has lots of heros. Who's yours? A little boys ask mommy to tie a long red scarf around his neck, then spreads his arms and 'flies' around the room to emulate his hero...swooping down to 'save the day!'. At school the next day a fireman visits, then this same little boy dreams of fighting fires someday.

 

 

 

How many little boys dream of being like Jesus someday? Caring about those who the world threw away? Actually touching people's hearts for God? Swooping in and rescuing everyone from the Pharisees??

 

 

 

Is Jesus your example as well as your Savior? Could you be the example for this little boy. The one who sparks his heart to want to be like Jesus someday? 

 

 

 

Well then, have you watched how Christ walked and talked with people? Have you read about the actual people that He took the time to stop and deeply care about...you know, those that others would pass on by? Have you witnessed so many of the times when His love opened hearts...so truth could make it's way in?

 

 

 

Oh, yes! Have you read about Pauls Hero?  Paul is so confident of His Hero Jesus, that He says that we can emulate him because He emulates Christ. 1 Cor. 11:1

 

 

 

 

 

 So the question is; is He a Hero that's strong enough to do anything and save anyone...no matter how deep the sin?? Can you trust Him that much...so much that you are willing to emulate Him by giving each step you take to Jesus? Cause you know -- He might just lead you to care about someone you might have otherwise overlooked! Are you willing?

 

 

 

But is this hard? Jesus said He'll lead and His burden is light...honestly, all we do is turn our eyes upon Jesus and trust Him to lead...every step...everyday. He is more than a Hero!

 

 

 

Heb. 3:1
"Therefore, holy brethren, sharers with others in a heavenly invitation, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest whose followers we profess to be."

 

 

 

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will

Grow strangely dim in the

Light of His glory and grace."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The song here is my all time favorite from the 70's. The person who recorded this on video also recorded a short excerpt of a sermon at the beginning...but it's apropos. The singer is Larry Norman, and the lyrics I thought were on the screen, are now below :).

 

Who was and is Jesus? Some say He was an outlaw.

 

 Some say he was an outlaw,

that he roamed across the land,
With a band of unschooled

ruffians and few old fishermen,
No one knew just where he came

from, or exactly what he'd done,
But they said it must be something

bad that kept him on the run.

 

Some say he was a poet, that

 he'd stand upon the hill
And  his voice could calm an angry

crowd and make the waves stand still,
And he spoke in many parables

 that few could understand,
But the people sat for hours

 just to listen to this man.

 

 

Some say a politician who

spoke of being free,
He was followed by the masses

 on the shores of Galilee,
He spoke out against corruption

 and he bowed to no decree,
And they feared his strength

 and power so they nailed him to a tree.

 

 

Some say he was a sorcerer, a man of mystery,
He could walk upon the water,

he could make a blind man see,
And he conjured wine at weddings

and did tricks with fish and bread,
That he talked of being born again

and raised people from the dead.

 

Some say he was the Son of God,

 a man above all men,
And he came to be a servant and

to set us free from sin,
And that's who I believe he was 

yes, that's what I believe,
And I think we should get ready

 cause it's time for us to leave

 

If The World Was For Sale 'Finale'

Taste and see that the Lord is good!

 

So, why were we created in the 1st place? To delight the whims of a god? To be his plaything...or his experiment? To know and understand this answer takes faith, knowing and understanding scripture and more than anything, tasting and seeing for yourself that God is good.

 

 

 

Since God is good, then His intentions were good in creating us...and like a good and loving being, He can't just sit and stew in His own love. Love is just not made up that way. If love is all about self...then it is not love. But love, even if it is eros love (romantic/physical) or philo love (friendship), it still involves another person. 

 

Agape love - God's love, is however not centered on what I can get out of it like the other 'loves' are. It thinks of the other as much as it thinks of itself. If I am hungry, then it is very possible that you are hungry too. So, it centers on the other AS much as it thinks of itself. I cannot go on and be there for you if I don't nourish myself, but then after I am nourished, you are next.  

 

Agape, however, also goes one step further. As it will sacrifice itself for you if need be. So, it does have the ability to also think more about you than it does itself...although on an everyday basis, it has to think of itself too so it continues to exist so as to be able to serve.

 

We were created in God's image...and because Christ was the exact representation of God, observing and following how Jesus did things, will give us the perfect example of how to live so as to grow closer and closer to be what we were intended to be.

 

Ephesians 5:2
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

 

1 Corinthians 11:1
And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

 

Paul followed the example of Christ, which is why he could say in his letters to imitate him.  Being an island all on our own when doing anything in this Christian life will lead us in the wrong direction. Christ...His Example and His Spirit within us... has to always be our destination and the One we look to as our guide. A guide when reading and trying to understand scripture, a guide when figuring out how to minster to different kinds of people, a guide when learning how to love, a guide about anything!

 

Trying to do it on our own without Jesus, even with someone else's bible training under our belt, will still be endeavoring to decipher spiritual things with human thinking. God is alive and well, and must always have the last say. 

Here are the 1st three installments to this "finale" posting. ~

http://aroundeverycornerat.blogspot.com/2012/12/if-world-was-for-sale-pt-1.html

http://aroundeverycornerat.blogspot.com/2012/12/if-world-was-for-sale-pt-2.html

http://aroundeverycornerat.blogspot.com/2012/12/if-world-was-for-sale-pt-3.html

If The World Was For Sale Pt 3

 

As we talked about before...we can do nothing to save ourselves. No good deeds or good behaviors, nor ceasing of bad ones can save us. Eternal life in heaven is not only too expensive for us to ever be able do anything to warrant it, BUT it has also already been paid for by God Himself.

 

 

So, again, from what we talked about before, what does God want from us now that we are completely accepted by Him? If we cannot add one ounce to our salvation...then what does God want?

 

 

God says that He disciplines those He loves. Like a good parent, He wants the best for us and therefore wants us to keep learning and growing...and even to the point where he will allow us to come to the end of ourselves if we are so bull-headed that we won't learn any other way.  

 

Job was a man that did everything right...his behavior was impeccable. Yet God needed to get down into his heart and show him that being perfectly good is not the be all, and end all.  Job thought that he had attained...but God wanted to show him that as he preached right living, that the world and all it's inhabitants were passing him by.

Yes, because his knowledge of the law and his outward behaviors were perfect he felt as though he had attained, yet he knew very little about the life around him. God said to him in Job 38, "Where were you when I created the earth? Tell me since you know so much! Who decided on it's size? Certainly you would know that! And have you ever ordered the Morning, "Get up!", or told Dawn, "Get to work!"?

 

 

Earlier in Job 35, Elihu spoke to Job about relying on his impeccable behaviors, "Look up in the sky and see the clouds high above you. If you sin what do you accomplish against Him? If you never sin and are always good, is this some great gift to Him? What can you possibly give Him? "

Then God goes on to say to Job, that many people don't whine and complain about where God is when they are suffering...so, why is he?

 

Maybe he is whining because he thinks he's someone that does not deserve it....as compared to others? 

 

Even tho the peoples sins and how they were living were where Job's focus had always been...God's focus is always on the heart 1st. Therefore it is Job's heart that God is concerned about, and where his heart is towards all those hurting people...and not about how much better his behavior is than theirs. God is more interested in our heart condition then our exterior condition. What good is it if we are doing all the 'right' things on the outside, but still have a heart not softened and given completely over to God on the inside?

 

Psalm 51:17
The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.

 

Joel 2:13  Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

Finally, in Chap. 42, Job sees that as he lived and preached righteousness, that he was missing life and overlooking people...and was thinking that he was doing something extraordinary for God by being so good and doing all the 'right' things.

God is after our heart 1st and foremost. More then anything, that we see beyond our own nose...that we love as He commanded. Then our behaviors in time will begin to come in line with what love does and doesn't do ~ and then we are changed. God's love is powerful and begins changing both the lover and the lovee.

 

Even More About A Lil' More



John 10:9, "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

Proverbs 6:6 Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise!

 

 

 

Jeremiah 8:7 Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration. But my people do not know the requirements of the LORD.

 

 

Job 8:14
His source of confidence is fragile; what he trusts in is a spider's web.

 

 

 

Ephesians 4:14
Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.

 

 

Isaiah 53:6
All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.

 

 

John 10:3+4
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

 

 

Matthew 13:31
Here is another illustration Jesus used: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field.

 

 

Matthew 13:44
"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.

 

 

1 Corinthians 12:12
The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.

 

 

Jeremiah 17:7-8
"But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.

They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.

 

 

 

The above are just a few of the scriptural metaphors I found...lessons are all around us.

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It never ceases to amaze me how much God has given us!! He has been more than faithful to give us everything we need to know of His existance...as well as His love and of all the knowledge and wisdom needed. He has given us Himself in Christ Jesus, His Spirit, A new nature, His written word, His creation and the body of Christ. 

 

 

 

 

Joshua 21:44
The LORD gave us peace on every side, just as he had promised our ancestors. Not one of our enemies are able to oppose us—the LORD placed all of our enemies under our control.

 

 

 

 

He has equipped us on every side. Not one area of our lives has been forgotten. We have all we need for life and Godliness. We have so much that has been created for us and given to us...to enjoy and to learn from...if we desire to have ears to hear and eyes to see.

 

 

 

 

Lessons ARE all around us....can you share something you've learned from what's around and in you?

A Lil' Side Note

 Well, maybe not a lil' :).

 But I wanted to say something about what I see so often during the holidays...conflict. Arguments and controversies over how...and even if we should be celebrating Christmas.

 

 

The following text in 1 Timothy 6: 3-21 reminded me of these things as I was reading it today. Reminding me what the important things are, vs what just causes arguments. ~ Especially after what we had just talked about in the last couple of posts, how nothing we do or don't do so as to earn a right standing with God will earn us a right standing with God. 

 

 

 Then, as we read through this text it speaks about gain...how (by arguing or causing conflict) and then why (by thinking only of self/gain) we attain it...then how it all comes down to contentment and realizing that God already gives us all the things we need ~ and all things to enjoy! So, why argue? People who like to argue are most likely into doing it because of self-interest.

 

 

So, if we truly are saved...completely saved...by the work Jesus did ~ and not by our abilities to have all the correct doctrinal beliefs yet (as this happens through time and growth) and not by not celebrating Christmas and not by not having a tree and not by...well, not by anything we do or don't do >> then why not enjoy the things God has given us to enjoy?

 

  God tells us in Romans 1:18-23 that it is already in our hearts to learn about who He is through his creation...although some have chosen to dismiss this and worship the creation instead of the Creator. We can see how great God is, what kind of nature He has, and what kind of life He wants for us through what He has created.

 

 

...as in the Christmas tree. Of course through the centuries people have used the evergreen tree in various ways and as a symbol of many different things...as God tells us in the Roman's verses...but we are to see it the way that it was intended, for God's glory. Evergreen for me, for instance, and to various Christian traditions means and stands for life everlasting. God and then life with God, means living forever. Through the harshness of winter when some barely see the sun, to the delights of summer when the sun is ever shining...nothing stops the evergreen from living ~ from being ever-green. As nothing stops God and His people from living forever...because God is 'ever-green/always alive'. 

 

 

Everything was created for His glory and are gifts to us to appreciate and enjoy...and no matter how rich we get, money will always be a poor substitute for what God has already given us.  I hope and pray we keep this going with how we live our lives...and are witnesses of His life and His truths that we see in Jesus, in scripture and are all around us every day in His creation.

 

 

3Whoever teaches false doctrine and doesn't agree with the accurate words of our Lord Jesus Christ and godly teachings 4is a conceited person. He shows that he doesn't understand anything. Rather, he has an unhealthy desire to argue and quarrel about words. This produces jealousy, rivalry, cursing, suspicion, 5 and conflict between people whose corrupt minds have been robbed of the truth. They think that a godly life is a way to make a profit.

 

 

6A godly life brings huge profits to people who are content with what they have.7We didn't bring anything into the world, and we can't take anything out of it. 8As long as we have food and clothes, we should be satisfied.9But people who want to get rich keep falling into temptation. They are trapped by many stupid and harmful desires which drown them in destruction and ruin. 10Certainly, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people who have set their hearts on getting rich have wandered away from the Christian faith and have caused themselves a lot of grief.

 

 

11But you, man of God, must avoid these things. Pursue what God approves of: a godly life, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight for the Christian faith. Take hold of everlasting life to which you were called and about which you made a good testimony in front of many witnesses. 13In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and in the sight of Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony in front of Pontius Pilate, 14I insist that, until our Lord Jesus Christ appears, you obey this command completely.

 

 

 

Then you cannot be blamed for doing anything wrong. 15At the right time God will make this known. God is the blessed and only ruler. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. 16He is the only one who cannot die. He lives in light that no one can come near. No one has seen him, nor can they see him. Honor and power belong to him forever! Amen.

 

 

17Tell those who have the riches of this world not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, they should place their confidence in God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18Tell them to do good, to do a lot of good things, to be generous, and to share. 19By doing this they store up a treasure for themselves which is a good foundation for the future. In this way they take hold of what life really is.

 

 

 

20Timothy, guard the Good News which has been entrusted to you. Turn away from pointless discussions and the claims of false knowledge that people use to oppose [the Christian faith]. 21Although some claim to have knowledge, they have abandoned the faith. God's good will be with all of you.

 

 

 

Along this same line, I'd like to share with you what I've written in my other blog (about children and parenting issues)...as I am beginning to post some of the curriculum I've written that comes from this same premise...of learning from God's creation.  http://www.hearawhisperat.blogspot.com/p/program-we-learn-from-spiders.html

 

If The World Was For Sale Pt 2

Galatians 5: 2 + 13-26

2Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you.
 

13For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

 

 14For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

 

15But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. 16Let me explain further. Live your life as your spiritual nature directs you. Then you will never follow through on what your corrupt nature wants. 17What your corrupt nature wants is contrary to what your spiritual nature wants, and what your spiritual nature wants is contrary to what your corrupt nature wants. They are opposed to each other. As a result, you don't always do what you intend to do. 18If your spiritual nature is your guide, you are not subject to Moses' laws. 19Now, the effects of the corrupt nature are obvious: illicit sex, perversion, promiscuity, 20idolatry, drug use, hatred, rivalry, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambition, conflict, factions, 21envy, drunkenness, wild partying, and similar things. I've told you in the past and I'm telling you again that people who do these kinds of things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. There are no laws against things like that. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their corrupt nature along with its passions and desires. 25If we live by our spiritual nature, then our lives need to conform to our spiritual nature. 26We can't allow ourselves to act arrogantly and to provoke or envy each other.

 

 

 

Continuing from the last posting....I talked about the immense worth of eternal life in heaven, and the high price that was already paid by God Himself when He sent His Son.

 

 

 

So what now? OK, then if I don't have to do anything...I mean not a diddly-squat...then what do I do now as a person who's salvation has already been completely paid for?? Hmmm?

 

 

 

To explain a little further - up in verse 2 St. Paul says that what used to make a person right with God before Jesus, won't do it now. If you read more of Galatians you'll see him saying that all circumcision does now is cut into the body. Then if you continue to read you'll see it reiterated in different ways that anything we do...good deeds, rites, sacrifices, anything! to try and be right with God....to try to pay some of the price of salvation...makes Christ's work on the cross of no benefit. It's either one or the other....no fence sitting.

 

 

 

OK...now...what IS it that we do now? How about ceasing sin in my life? Doing good things...rituals and the like won't do it, but maybe if I'm good, that will help!? So, if I work hard not to swear, not to think bad thoughts and to stop gossiping, along with thanking God that I'm not like those sinners over there! - maybe that will do it? Nope again. A resounding NOPE. Being good or not being good won't pay for it either.

 

 

 

Remember this verse in Ephesians 2:8?
"God saved you through faith as an act of His kindness. You had nothing to do with it. Being saved is a gift from God."

 

 

Now with this in mind, look up in verse 13 & 14...God has given us eternal life. This eternal life gives us freedom from having to work for our salvation. A freedom that we will continue to learn about...and experience as we grow. However, the main purpose for this freedom is not to only use it for our own self-interests.

 

 

 

Lets imagine you work for a boss that made you work your tail off in order to keep your job. But then she hires more help and tells you that you can now have the freedom to take some days off...what would you do with this new found freedom?

 

 

During the time of the law...and even now in the lives of those who spend so much of their time trying to mind their P's & Q's, and making sure they don't step out of line...following all the laws took a lot of time and energy, with very little time for anything else. But now we are set free from all that...

 

 

 

So, what do we do with this new found freedom? God says to use it to serve. To love our neighbor as our self. Yes, and since we also read in scripture that His yoke is easy and His burdens are light...and that He wants an abundant life for us...and then up in verse 14 that we are to love others as we love ourselves...then at least three things are apparent. That we are not to neglect ourselves and serving others is not as hard as we may think, along with it being a part of how God brings us an abundant life.

 

 

In Pt 3 we will talk more about verse 14 on down...

 

 

Blessings!!

 

 

Do you have any verses to share?

 

 

If The World Was For Sale - Pt 1

Let's say one day as you're watching the news a special news report comes on, saying that the world is for sale...well, actually, it is up for auction. The bills of many of the 1st world countries are way overdue, and so for the world to continue running it will have to be sold to the highest bidder.

During this surprising news flash a list of the people that have already placed their bid is put up for all to see. It's an impressive list of who's who. Then across the screen you see that this newscast is a rerun of a previous broadcast.  Hmmm....so, this means it hasn't sold yet. Then you pick up today's paper and see that the UN continues to say that when they add things up that there still is not enough money offered in any one bid to even begin to cover the cost of the whole world.

I am not sure if anyone has ever tried to calculate what the price would be of the whole world....but, in my mind it would probably be incalculable.


The value of this world and all of the life on it...immeasurable.



The beauty and the wonders of this created world are so amazing it would be about impossible to figure out it's worth.

Now think about heaven and eternal life. If God can create such temporal, yet precious wonder here...and then considering what we know about eternal life, and then heaven by reading in Revelations 21-22...the latter has got to be more costly than life here on earth has ever been.

So, imagining this...the worth of what is to come...as well as God already telling us that He took it upon Himself to pay for it by sending His own Son....how can we ever even think of trying to pay it back in any way??

I remember a Pastor speaking one time about our salvation and Christ's payment for us. He said it came home to him during a summer when he was asked by a church member to spend some time with her son as he was really struggling. So over that summer he took time at least every week. He took him places and basically spent very good quality time with him.

At the end of the summer he got a thank you card in the mail, which he appreciated...yet, it also had a $10 bill in the card too, which he said felt just like a slap in the face. He said that after all the energy, time and caring he spent (and money too) on this young man, that $10 was all it appeared to be worth to her.

He told us that no matter what her intention (which after thinking about it, he realized she didn't mean to imply that it wasn't worth very much), this was however a good lesson for him about the worth of salvation and God's grace and the price that had already (and completely) been paid for it. God showed him that when we try to pay God back for His free gift, it is like we are whittling it down to human level, and as something that is not worth as much. We would also not be fully acknowledging or paying attention to what Jesus went through to pay for it...as though he still didn't pay the full price, so we have to add to it.

Pt 2 coming soon....
 

 

To Tell The Truth At Christmas

Image from www.wikipaintings.org

I think it is really important to tell the truth, as much as we can, as I'm sure you do. *Truth...whether it is the truth of scripture or whether it has to do with being truthful and not bearing false witness...is always vital. At Christmas there is a truth that I believe should be told too...of course, 2nd only to the truth of Jesus' birth. Truth, whatever it may be, is important to God...as it always fits into life better (like a puzzle piece in a puzzle) and makes the world less confusing. Truth also helps lessen hearsay and superstitions...as well as discourages our tendency to demonize things that really just need more truth applied to them.  



The true story of Santa Claus starts with a person called Nicholas. He was born during the third century in the village of Patara...which is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His parents raised him to be a devout Christian, and although his wealthy father was hesitant to bless young Nicholas' desire to dedicate his whole life to the church, Nicholas' heart to serve God made him feel as though he could do no less.


His parents died while Nicholas was still young, and Nicholas of course inherited their wealth. However, because of his desire to be obedient to God, he took Jesus words,  "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," to heart and used his whole inheritance to help those in need. Then in time he was made Bishop of Myra, and  became known for his service to the poor and his love and concern for children...as well as his concern for those who were traveling at sea.


Under Emperor Diocletian, who maliciously persecuted Christians, he suffered for his faith, and was imprisoned. The prisons were so full of those being persecuted, there was no room for the murderers, thieves and robbers. Upon his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He spent his days in service, then later died on December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th (December 19 on the Julian Calendar).



Humans have a tendency to embellish and I dare say, every time we pass on a story it changes. (remember the game, 'Telephone'?) Subsequently many legends, even from right after his death, have grown about Bishop Nicholas. Therefore, I think it is important to tell our children the truth about a man who endeavored to serve God in the best way he knew how, instead of just omitting Santa Claus from Christmas or demonizing him. In fact, this can be another opportunity to share the Christ of Christmas with those who have included Santa Claus in their Christmas.


Blessings to you!!




* Truth - a thought and question for another time...do you think it is always right to tell the truth? As I have been in conversations with people who said it was even right to have told the truth to the Nazis when they asked you, a hider of Jews, if indeed you were hiding them.

 

The Funnel Effect Challenge

 

These Sparkly Holidays

Well Christmas is almost here...and I can't believe it! Wow, all the lights....and here in MN, the cold! Brrrrrrr....and the decorations! The sparkly decorations. Yup, my husband and I just put up a tree and decorations.




I know that to some people it feels uncomfortable to put up a tree and decorations...because what does it all have to do with Jesus? I can understand. It's really OK. But then to others, it is delightful and gives them an opportunity to share in the festivities with so many family, friends and neighbors who also participate in the holidays in this way, and therefore finding common ground with them and being a witness. In fact, to some it is an opportune time for this.


Also, it has to do with grace. Because of grace we are set free to celebrate some holidays and not others if we want. Because of the power of the cross we have been given the freedom to put up a tree or not...it is between you and your Father and love. In the times of the law, the law told you what to do or not to do...practically every step. If you wanted to know how to act in any given situation, the law would probably have the answer for you. However now, God wants the command to love to be your guide, not a list of rules.



Think about it. There were over 600 laws. Wow! But now, Christ made ALL the difference. The work He did on the cross was complete...no holes or things left out. God didn't forget anything. His work is pristine...and continues to be so. It is us that add to it (I know I've done my share and then some), as though it was not complete. We add rules and attachments because we are much more comfortable with rules than love! Yikes!! However, now there is only one law...only one to truly consider when doing anything.
 
Matthew 7:12
Everything whatsoever you desire that people should do for you, do likewise for them, for this is the Law and The Prophets.
 
Colossians 2:16
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.


ALSO --


In the Barnes Commentary -
Let no man, therefore, judge you - comparing with  Romans 14:10. The word judge here is used in the sense of pronouncing a sentence. The meaning is, "since you have thus been delivered by Christ from the evils which surrounded you: since you have been freed from the observances of the law, let no one sit in judgment on you, or claim the right to decide for you in those matters. You are not responsible to man for your conduct, but to Christ; and no man has a right to impose that on you as a burden from which he has made you free."


Blessings everyone!!! 

God Is Real - His Words Are True

 

 

 

 

When I was in High School I took a Psychology and Sociology class. Our teacher was a hoot, and everyone really liked him. If I thought real hard I'd remember his name, but I just haven't been able to...and sadly I do not have a year book. Anywayyyy....

 

 

He often invited various speakers to come and talk to our class about their beliefs and ideas. One of them was a Rabbi and the one thing that stuck out to me was that he told us that he did not believe in heaven. He said his wife did, but that he believed that when we die we just go into the ground and our life is over.

 

 

 

I was troubled by that, and even though I had not personally come to know Christ yet, basically just because of being ignorant of what was necessary to do so...my family and I went to church, I knew God existed and I often prayed.

 

 

That day when I got home I spoke to my mother about it right away. I remember telling her about our speaker and what he said. Then I told her that it helped to grow my faith.

 

 

It did!

 

 

 

When the Rabbi said that he did not believe there was a heaven...it dawned on me that God would not go through all the trouble of making me, having patience (a lot of it too!) with me, loving me and so forth...then when I die forgetting about me.

 

 

 

I knew right then and there that there was a heaven. The *Rabbi had no idea that he did the reverse of what he may have intended. He didn't know that he actually drew me closer to God that day back in 1975...

 

 

God continues to become more and more real to me each day...which of course grows my faith in all the areas of my life. In how I look at scripture and how much I believe the words that God placed there as well...even the words that seem so hard to obey are perceived differently.  I also know that He wants that process of growth to never stop...for me and for you. 

 

 

 

 

 

Ephesians 3: 14-20

14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,^e 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.^f 16 I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. 19  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen

                                    ***************

 

 *I don't think the beliefs of this Rabbi about heaven are typical of the Jewish faith...however, here are some interesting thoughts -  http://judaism.about.com/od/judaismbasics/a/Afterlife-In-Judaism-Jewish-Beliefs.htm

Easter Is For Everyone...Come Worship!

 

 

For you, for me, for all the deaf and the hearing.

  All children and elders, and those who are fearing.

Come to the One who died for you.

He'll take your heart and make it new.

Tell your children the egg represents new life

We are born anew, then God dispels the strife.

By Jenny Sorge

He's Alive!!

Sung in Sign Language...



 

Rise Again!

 

 

More Than Wonderful!

 

 

 

 

Jesus loves children...and loves it when we humble ourselves as a child...so that we are not just willing, but enthusiastic about taking the time and creativity to help children learn at their level. Here is a good idea that you can expound on...

 

Happy Easter!!

 

My 2c About Guns

 

 

 

 

 

 

I first named this blog the name it has because I knew that around every corner in life God is there. He is the answer to everything. You may think that you can go ahead and make up your mind about some things cause God doesn't care about them....but God is around every corner, and He does care about them. Each piece of your life is a part of the puzzle God is putting together....so make sure not to hold any pieces back from Him.

What does God tell us about human nature and evil? When thinking about guns in society, I think this is an important question to ask. If we were born good....or with a tendency towards good, then I don't think the public having guns would be a big deal. However, we are born with an evil nature that naturally only thinks of self. In Gal. 5: 16-26 it speaks explicitly that human nature only can produce evil...on it's own it is capable of nothing else.

So therefore, we want guns to keep us from harm, but then at the same time we are actually putting guns in the hands of the same evil nature we would be trying to protect ourselves from?? Huh?!??

Another consideration is that humans not only have a bad nature, but our world also has a devil too...who loves to destroy, as well as entice the human nature to do the same!


SO, we are born with an evil nature....WITH a devil....which has many of our children born into abusive and desperate situations and growing up around crime and want -- which produces criminals who do the same to their children...and on and on it goes!

Therefore, just allowing anyone to have a gun in this world is foolish. It also says that we as Christians truly don't believe our human nature is all that bad as God says it is. BTW, the human nature is also why God tells us that it is the world that NEEDS laws -- because they need to be told what to do and how to do it. The bible says they need restrictions put on their behaviors so as to temper them!

This also means that if we allow guns to be in the hands of basically any given American, then WE are the ones that are participating in the violence. Yes, we! A gun cannot fire on it's own, but the evil nature can and will be tempted to use it for harm...therefore we are putting temptation to harm in the hands the evil nature. Real smart.


To me this issue has shown the state of the church today...self-centered. I can understand the feeling for the need for guns in a sinful world...yet as it is we are NOT thinking about the other side of the coin - that allowing, without restrictions, the world to have the guns will defeat the purpose. Since we know the 'secret' that we are born with an evil nature and so forth....then we must be the ones that demand that anyone that wants a gun be proven (to the best if our ability) trustworthy with it. Background checks and gun training.

Another very important thing we as Christians must consider -- St. Paul (in 1 Cor. chapters 9-11) said that we must not put an obstacle in the way of any sinner coming to Christ. So since we obviously do have the ability to do this to people, then we must do what we can to make sure that the devil does not try and snuff people out or harm them in such a way that either has taken away their chance all together, or drawn them away from accepting the Lord. I've seen the enemy do this...

Also, last but NOT least - we must protect our children from violence....we will be responsible if we even let one fall because of our negligence.