"Samurai"
The word Samurai is derived from the classical Japanese verb saburau, meaning to serve or attend.
Greetings everyone! I wanted to check in with everyone and share how I am doing. As most of you know, I have started my Pastor's Ordination. It has been awhile since I have been to school, so balancing family, studying, and writing papers hastaken some adjusting.
I wanted to share with you a movie that Kim and I were watching; "The Last Samurai".It is an older movie, but has a great message. No, it is not just a guy movie :) yes, it has a lot of fighting scenes, but the journey of the main character; CaptainNathan Alredge is a person that we all might identify with.
The movie is set in the 1800's. Captain Nathan Aldredge is running from his past.He has done things that he is not proud of. He tries to hide his past in alcohol.Through a series of events he is captured by Samurai which means "To serve." His capture is a very dark time of self revelation.
Captain Aldredge soon finds his heart, a purpose, and a reason to fight and live again. There is much more to this movie, I did not want to ruin the movie if youhave not seen it. There are although a couple of thoughts that I had after watching it.
I could see myself in Captain Aldredge. There was a time in my life that I was notproud of. I had done things that I did not know how to get out of. Then Jesus gota hold of my heart, I found myself through Him, and a reason to fight.
I found a YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrxR24lUloY video on "The Last Samurai". If you look at the running time of this video clip, start at 1:16 to 2:51.
In this scene I see my own struggle, maybe you can too. Captain Aldredge is healingfrom a fight, and his body is broken. During this part of his journey a storm is raging, he is not looking for a fight, but the fight finds him. The enemy isruthless,and shows no mercy. Captain Aldredge never gives up the fight or his wooden sword(The Bible) even though the enemy tries to take it away from him. In fact "TheSamurai"believe that their sword is their spirit.
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12
Is not that just like the enemy? You are at your lowest time, maybe you are brokenand healing, you are not looking for a fight, but the enemy does not play fair. He finds you and tries to steal your joy. When you are going though these trials in your life, you have to hang with every fiber of your being. Immerse yourself into the word of God, and He will see you through.
In closing, Captain Aldredge made a comment in his journal that stuck with me. Hewas describing "The Samurai" with this statement:
"They are an intriguing people, from the moment they wake they devote themselves to perfection of whatever they pursue, I have never seen such a discipline people."
What an amazing statement! Would it not be a testimony to Christ if people who didnot know us or Jesus, looked at our lives and made the same statement?
You might be thinking to yourselves, I do not want or can't be a monk or dedicatemyself to 24/7 study of the Bible. The great news is that you do not have to! RememberJesus' command in Luke?
"He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your souland with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself" - Luke 10:27
Devote yourself daily to those two commands, people will make that statement aboutyou.
So, do you see a little Samurai in you? If you are looking for a good movie night,grab the popcorn, and a copy of "The Last Samurai."
Have a blessed week In Christ. - Jim
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Monday, August 18, 2008
Doubting Thomas
Yesterday, someone made a post about Doubting Thomas, and I meditated on it all last night, and here are a couple of thoughts.
First, I think there is a little "Thomas" in us all. I know many people who at one time or another demanded Jesus to give us proof that He exsists. You know how it goes...... Jesus, I know you love me, and I know you care, so why are you not doing this for me???? If you do not, You must be mean and uncaring. To me that is pretty much cornering Jesus telling Him to do this for you.
Second, if you remember Thomas was willing to die for Jesus, Jesus wanted to go into a country where passing could mean their lives (John 11:15-17) Thomas was very bold and spoke up. But, is that like all of us. When Jesus is close to our side, we are STRONG. But, when Jesus is quite, we freak out, maybe question where He is.
Third, when reading the Bible, always put yourself into the time and person first, then make a bridge. We have the Bible, and know the end of the story, they did not, they were living moment by moment.
Example; for centuries if you were a believing Jew, you knew that the prophets foretold of a coming Messiah. One to redeem them, crush the opposing Roman Empire. Herod told them he was god, but they knew/believed different.
Then, one day this Rabbi (An amazing teacher; maybe like Billy Graham of our time) came to you. You, a very common person, and this Rabbi told you He believed in YOU, and He want YOU to follow him. Just that fact that a Rabbi asked you (not evening knowing it was THE MESSIAH) was an honor.
Thomas, left and became a discicple of this Rabbi. (Matt. 10:2-4) During these amazing 3 years of being with this Rabbi, he came to believe...... he KNEW this was the Messiah! People are healed, rasied from the dead, He speaks like no-one he has ever heard. Finally, towards the end of the 3 years, He (Jesus) make His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey (Stand for royality) Thomas, must have thought....... THIS IS IT..... finally after centuries, I am going to witness the prophecy......... THE MESSIAH HAS COME TO REDEEM US!
Sadly, to see his Messiah taken, and killed the most brutal death.... I think if I were any of the disciples, I would be confused, hurt, scared, I just wasted 3 years of my life, where/what do I do now? So, for Thomas to want to see the scars......... would not you, maybe?
God Bless Jim
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First, I think there is a little "Thomas" in us all. I know many people who at one time or another demanded Jesus to give us proof that He exsists. You know how it goes...... Jesus, I know you love me, and I know you care, so why are you not doing this for me???? If you do not, You must be mean and uncaring. To me that is pretty much cornering Jesus telling Him to do this for you.
Second, if you remember Thomas was willing to die for Jesus, Jesus wanted to go into a country where passing could mean their lives (John 11:15-17) Thomas was very bold and spoke up. But, is that like all of us. When Jesus is close to our side, we are STRONG. But, when Jesus is quite, we freak out, maybe question where He is.
Third, when reading the Bible, always put yourself into the time and person first, then make a bridge. We have the Bible, and know the end of the story, they did not, they were living moment by moment.
Example; for centuries if you were a believing Jew, you knew that the prophets foretold of a coming Messiah. One to redeem them, crush the opposing Roman Empire. Herod told them he was god, but they knew/believed different.
Then, one day this Rabbi (An amazing teacher; maybe like Billy Graham of our time) came to you. You, a very common person, and this Rabbi told you He believed in YOU, and He want YOU to follow him. Just that fact that a Rabbi asked you (not evening knowing it was THE MESSIAH) was an honor.
Thomas, left and became a discicple of this Rabbi. (Matt. 10:2-4) During these amazing 3 years of being with this Rabbi, he came to believe...... he KNEW this was the Messiah! People are healed, rasied from the dead, He speaks like no-one he has ever heard. Finally, towards the end of the 3 years, He (Jesus) make His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey (Stand for royality) Thomas, must have thought....... THIS IS IT..... finally after centuries, I am going to witness the prophecy......... THE MESSIAH HAS COME TO REDEEM US!
Sadly, to see his Messiah taken, and killed the most brutal death.... I think if I were any of the disciples, I would be confused, hurt, scared, I just wasted 3 years of my life, where/what do I do now? So, for Thomas to want to see the scars......... would not you, maybe?
God Bless Jim
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Do You Really Forgive People?
I was reading last night in Matthew the parable of the Unforgiving Servant. (Matthew 18:21-35)
I have read this story many times, but what struck me was the last verse v35.
So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother "from your heart." - Matt. 18:35
I realized that I have said, "I forgive you" many times, but have I meant it from my heart? Sometimes it is hard to forgive people that hurt you, or maybe that person you are still angry with? Jesus said that He will do the same as we do to our brothers and sisters here on earth.
What does it mean "From Your Heart"?
Jim
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I have read this story many times, but what struck me was the last verse v35.
So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother "from your heart." - Matt. 18:35
I realized that I have said, "I forgive you" many times, but have I meant it from my heart? Sometimes it is hard to forgive people that hurt you, or maybe that person you are still angry with? Jesus said that He will do the same as we do to our brothers and sisters here on earth.
What does it mean "From Your Heart"?
Jim
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My Drug Addiction
Scripture
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven
A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot
A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build
A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain
A time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away
A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak
A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
My Drug Addiction
Yes, I was very addicted to Oxycotin. (Medics compare Oxy to a high grade Heroin,and the effects are much the same. The drug is used for chronic long term pain).Let me explain my story a little further for those of you that do not know it.In 2005 I was diagnosed with a muscle wasting disease. The byproduct of this diseasewas amazing pain. When the disease first hit and I was confused and scared, I rememberworking the late shift, coming home, crying in the car ride home. Finally parkingthe car, pulling myself out, and crawling, literally crawling, up the stairs to park myself on the couch to curl up in my wife's arms.
Due to this extreme pain my doctors started to prescribe pain killers. If you arefamiliar with pain killers, your body will develop a tolerance to the current levelso you have to keep on upping and upping the level. My current level in July of this year, was 240 mgs of Oxycotin. This was equivalent to a whopping 48 Percocets a DAY!
The first of July, I felt God telling me that I did not need these painkillers, and that for what He had planned for me, these were going to get in the way. So,I started the journey to getting off the Oxys. I have to tell you, this is/was the hardest thing that I have ever done!
The first week It felt like I had spiders crawling inside my body and head. I couldnot sit still, I was nauseous, my muscles ached, could not sleep unless I had mytapered amount of the drug, I said to myself "This is what hell must be like." During the last part of my taper it felt like I had the WORST flu ever. It hurt just to take a breath. My heart felt like I just drank 3 large Monsters energy drinks.I thought my heart was going to pop out of my chest, and I still could not sleep.But, I beat it, I took my last Oxy 3 days ago, I am not done with my withdrawals,but every minute, hour, and day I am getting better.
You might be asking "Why are you telling me this?" Well, let me tell you :) WhenI was going through this season, I cried out to God, and yelled, Take this away from me." I know that you can, and I know that you love me, so please make me better!But, as I said this, I thought to myself that if every time I cry out to God, andHe showed up and granted every cry, He would not be GOD, he would be some cosmicgenie. Plus, if He granted every wish that we had, this would not be a fallen earth,it would be heaven, as we would want to make every situation perfect for us.
Take a moment to read the scripture on the left, this was written by King Solomon,by God's grace, the wisest man that ever lived. King Solomon says that there areseasons for everything; a time to heal, a time to weep, and a time to laugh. You ARE going to go though all these seasons in your life, it is a fact of being human,and engaging with others.
The happy seasons are wonderful. But, what about the weeping and healing? What isyour posture? Do you try and get out of the situation as soon as you can? Do youcry to God, and when He doesn't answer, you label God mean and uncaring?
God KNOWS you are there, and cares about you so much. He is allowing you to go throughthis season for some purpose that you may not know until much later in life. So,instead of focusing on "GET ME OUT OF HERE" focus on Christ, and His love, He isstill there. Maybe, He will show you a new side of you, one you never knew you had,a new strength.
I can tell you that the withdrawal off Oxy's was the hardest thing I have done, and I am still not done yet. BUT, since going through that season, I have a new heart for people that are going through a similar season. And I KNOW that God isgoing to place people in my life that I can help and love. :)
Have a great week in Jesus! - Jim
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven
A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot
A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build
A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain
A time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away
A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak
A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
My Drug Addiction
Yes, I was very addicted to Oxycotin. (Medics compare Oxy to a high grade Heroin,and the effects are much the same. The drug is used for chronic long term pain).Let me explain my story a little further for those of you that do not know it.In 2005 I was diagnosed with a muscle wasting disease. The byproduct of this diseasewas amazing pain. When the disease first hit and I was confused and scared, I rememberworking the late shift, coming home, crying in the car ride home. Finally parkingthe car, pulling myself out, and crawling, literally crawling, up the stairs to park myself on the couch to curl up in my wife's arms.
Due to this extreme pain my doctors started to prescribe pain killers. If you arefamiliar with pain killers, your body will develop a tolerance to the current levelso you have to keep on upping and upping the level. My current level in July of this year, was 240 mgs of Oxycotin. This was equivalent to a whopping 48 Percocets a DAY!
The first of July, I felt God telling me that I did not need these painkillers, and that for what He had planned for me, these were going to get in the way. So,I started the journey to getting off the Oxys. I have to tell you, this is/was the hardest thing that I have ever done!
The first week It felt like I had spiders crawling inside my body and head. I couldnot sit still, I was nauseous, my muscles ached, could not sleep unless I had mytapered amount of the drug, I said to myself "This is what hell must be like." During the last part of my taper it felt like I had the WORST flu ever. It hurt just to take a breath. My heart felt like I just drank 3 large Monsters energy drinks.I thought my heart was going to pop out of my chest, and I still could not sleep.But, I beat it, I took my last Oxy 3 days ago, I am not done with my withdrawals,but every minute, hour, and day I am getting better.
You might be asking "Why are you telling me this?" Well, let me tell you :) WhenI was going through this season, I cried out to God, and yelled, Take this away from me." I know that you can, and I know that you love me, so please make me better!But, as I said this, I thought to myself that if every time I cry out to God, andHe showed up and granted every cry, He would not be GOD, he would be some cosmicgenie. Plus, if He granted every wish that we had, this would not be a fallen earth,it would be heaven, as we would want to make every situation perfect for us.
Take a moment to read the scripture on the left, this was written by King Solomon,by God's grace, the wisest man that ever lived. King Solomon says that there areseasons for everything; a time to heal, a time to weep, and a time to laugh. You ARE going to go though all these seasons in your life, it is a fact of being human,and engaging with others.
The happy seasons are wonderful. But, what about the weeping and healing? What isyour posture? Do you try and get out of the situation as soon as you can? Do youcry to God, and when He doesn't answer, you label God mean and uncaring?
God KNOWS you are there, and cares about you so much. He is allowing you to go throughthis season for some purpose that you may not know until much later in life. So,instead of focusing on "GET ME OUT OF HERE" focus on Christ, and His love, He isstill there. Maybe, He will show you a new side of you, one you never knew you had,a new strength.
I can tell you that the withdrawal off Oxy's was the hardest thing I have done, and I am still not done yet. BUT, since going through that season, I have a new heart for people that are going through a similar season. And I KNOW that God isgoing to place people in my life that I can help and love. :)
Have a great week in Jesus! - Jim
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
How Do You View GOD?
Luke 15:11-32 ~ The Parable of the Prodigal Son
11 And he said, "There was a man who had two sons.12And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of propertythat is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them.13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country,and there he squandered his property in reckless living.14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.15So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who senthim into his fields to feed pigs.16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods thatthe pigs ate, and no one gave him anything 17 "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servantshave more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven andbefore you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of yourhired servants."' 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced himand kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heavenand before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and killit, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again;he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.25 "Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house,he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your fatherhas killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' 31 And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive;he was lost, and is found.'"
Greetings!
What is your view of GOD? Maybe your view of GOD is a huge being, a being so largethat you could never approach him. It would be the same as an ant trying to approachyou. Imagine an ant on the ground trying to get your attention when you are walking.If you did not step on him first, I would guess you could barely hear him or wantto even waste you time with such a small thing.
Maybe your view of GOD is this being sitting somewhere in heaven on His high thronewith some stone tablets, as He is keeping notes on all the times you screw up. Heis a god that has to be appeased. You must read your Bible so many hours a day, say so many prayers, try not to sin, and if you do, you have to work your way backinto GOD's favor.
I have known GOD all my life, and in 2001 I received a regenerated heart. Since then I have never been the same. I know of GOD's love, mercy, and grace but I stillstruggle with really knowing that GOD loves me unconditionally. I love Him and wantto please Him more than anything else, but there are times I feel guilty if I do not read my Bible, or spend time in prayer. I know that when I feel like this, I have just turned my relationship into a religion with rules and high standards.When I feel like this, I like to go back to the Bible and read what Jesus shared with us, God His father has unconditional love for us.
The story is The Prodigal or Lost Son. I have posted here for you to read. We touchedon it last week, but we did not really explore it. If you have heard this story most of the time people will focus on the "Lost son," after all the story is namedafter him. But, I would like to take a look at the lost son's father.
After you read the story, try and put yourself in the fathers place. What would have been your reaction? Would you yell at your child? Would you sit them down andmake them listen to your theology of the wrong they did, and how it affected you?Or would you just love them and welcome them back like the father in our story did?
I had a similar situation. Our son ran away after we had gotten into an argument,he was on his way out of town and not looking back. Soon after he realized that he needed money and a car to do these things, he was back home. Can you guess whatmy reaction was? Yes, I sat him down and told him how his Mom was out in the darklooking for him and she could of gotten hurt, how worried we were, "don't you everdo that again" speech. In looking back, we could have spoken about these things, but maybe right when he got home was not the time. Maybe we could have showed himhow at home there is unconditional love and acceptance?
I want you to stop and read verses 20-24 again. This is a perfect example of GOD.He did not preach to the lost son, turn him away, make him say all the right words,he did not even want an apology. All that mattered is that his son was lost and now he is home, that is all that the father cared about. Did you even catch the fact that he did not even wait for the son to come home, as soon as he saw him froma distance, the father ran to meet him.
Whatever your views of GOD may be like, this is what GOD is really like. He lovesyou and accepts you for who you are and what you have done. Nothing matters to Himexcept a relationship with Him. I know that Christians over time have distorted GOD and his views. I know that they mean well, but they portray GOD as a GOD who has a lot of rules that you must follow. Maybe you have heard the man on the cornertelling you that if you do not repent you will go to hell. This is not who GOD is,Jesus would never be on the corner with a bullhorn, we would be in the bars and in the homeless places, just loving people.
I do not know where you are in life, maybe you are the lost son or daughter and you think about the things that you have done, and there is no way GOD would evertake you back and love you. WRONG, He loves you just the way you are right now. Do not change, come as you are.
Maybe you are still stuck in religion. You think that you have to read your Bibleand pray, so that GOD will accept you and love you. You are WRONG, He loves you right now without doing those things, come just as you are without having to do all those things.
Maybe you are the bullhorn guy who believes that the only way to GOD is through a lot of rules and if you do not, you are on your way to hell. There are truth inyour words, but use GOD's example of love and acceptance to reach the lost.
John had the right mind set about GOD. In his book he refers to himself as thedisciple"whom Jesus loves." Then we find him in John 13:23 Leaning on Jesus' chest while dining. Can you imagine yourself leaning on Jesus Chest? Or introduce yourself as "Hi, my name is Jim, the one who Jesus loves. Can you say that? Can you say thatand really mean it with your heart?JESUS LOVES YOU! - Jim
23Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. 25He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? - John 13:23-25 KVJ
Gods411.com
11 And he said, "There was a man who had two sons.12And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of propertythat is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them.13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country,and there he squandered his property in reckless living.14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.15So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who senthim into his fields to feed pigs.16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods thatthe pigs ate, and no one gave him anything 17 "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servantshave more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven andbefore you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of yourhired servants."' 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced himand kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heavenand before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and killit, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again;he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.25 "Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house,he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your fatherhas killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' 31 And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive;he was lost, and is found.'"
Greetings!
What is your view of GOD? Maybe your view of GOD is a huge being, a being so largethat you could never approach him. It would be the same as an ant trying to approachyou. Imagine an ant on the ground trying to get your attention when you are walking.If you did not step on him first, I would guess you could barely hear him or wantto even waste you time with such a small thing.
Maybe your view of GOD is this being sitting somewhere in heaven on His high thronewith some stone tablets, as He is keeping notes on all the times you screw up. Heis a god that has to be appeased. You must read your Bible so many hours a day, say so many prayers, try not to sin, and if you do, you have to work your way backinto GOD's favor.
I have known GOD all my life, and in 2001 I received a regenerated heart. Since then I have never been the same. I know of GOD's love, mercy, and grace but I stillstruggle with really knowing that GOD loves me unconditionally. I love Him and wantto please Him more than anything else, but there are times I feel guilty if I do not read my Bible, or spend time in prayer. I know that when I feel like this, I have just turned my relationship into a religion with rules and high standards.When I feel like this, I like to go back to the Bible and read what Jesus shared with us, God His father has unconditional love for us.
The story is The Prodigal or Lost Son. I have posted here for you to read. We touchedon it last week, but we did not really explore it. If you have heard this story most of the time people will focus on the "Lost son," after all the story is namedafter him. But, I would like to take a look at the lost son's father.
After you read the story, try and put yourself in the fathers place. What would have been your reaction? Would you yell at your child? Would you sit them down andmake them listen to your theology of the wrong they did, and how it affected you?Or would you just love them and welcome them back like the father in our story did?
I had a similar situation. Our son ran away after we had gotten into an argument,he was on his way out of town and not looking back. Soon after he realized that he needed money and a car to do these things, he was back home. Can you guess whatmy reaction was? Yes, I sat him down and told him how his Mom was out in the darklooking for him and she could of gotten hurt, how worried we were, "don't you everdo that again" speech. In looking back, we could have spoken about these things, but maybe right when he got home was not the time. Maybe we could have showed himhow at home there is unconditional love and acceptance?
I want you to stop and read verses 20-24 again. This is a perfect example of GOD.He did not preach to the lost son, turn him away, make him say all the right words,he did not even want an apology. All that mattered is that his son was lost and now he is home, that is all that the father cared about. Did you even catch the fact that he did not even wait for the son to come home, as soon as he saw him froma distance, the father ran to meet him.
Whatever your views of GOD may be like, this is what GOD is really like. He lovesyou and accepts you for who you are and what you have done. Nothing matters to Himexcept a relationship with Him. I know that Christians over time have distorted GOD and his views. I know that they mean well, but they portray GOD as a GOD who has a lot of rules that you must follow. Maybe you have heard the man on the cornertelling you that if you do not repent you will go to hell. This is not who GOD is,Jesus would never be on the corner with a bullhorn, we would be in the bars and in the homeless places, just loving people.
I do not know where you are in life, maybe you are the lost son or daughter and you think about the things that you have done, and there is no way GOD would evertake you back and love you. WRONG, He loves you just the way you are right now. Do not change, come as you are.
Maybe you are still stuck in religion. You think that you have to read your Bibleand pray, so that GOD will accept you and love you. You are WRONG, He loves you right now without doing those things, come just as you are without having to do all those things.
Maybe you are the bullhorn guy who believes that the only way to GOD is through a lot of rules and if you do not, you are on your way to hell. There are truth inyour words, but use GOD's example of love and acceptance to reach the lost.
John had the right mind set about GOD. In his book he refers to himself as thedisciple"whom Jesus loves." Then we find him in John 13:23 Leaning on Jesus' chest while dining. Can you imagine yourself leaning on Jesus Chest? Or introduce yourself as "Hi, my name is Jim, the one who Jesus loves. Can you say that? Can you say thatand really mean it with your heart?JESUS LOVES YOU! - Jim
23Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. 25He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? - John 13:23-25 KVJ
Gods411.com
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Life is a Sandwich
For hen you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed?For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sinand have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternallife in Christ Jesus our Lord.- Romans 6:20-23 ESV
Yesterday evening was the start of Passover (Feast of Unleavened Bread) GOD broughtHis children out of 430 years of bondage. (Exodus 12)They called it the Feast of Unleavened Bread because the Hebrew people had to leavequickly, GOD told them to take bread without yeast so it would last in the desert.There were three Feasts that the Lord told us to keep; Feast of Unleavened Bread,Feast of Harvest, Feast of Ingathering. (Exodus 23:14ff)GOD told us that these were to be kept for generations to come. I would encourageyou to take a moment and read the First Passover. (Exodus 11-13) The Passover hasa huge significance with Jesus and His death.
Greetings!
Right now Subway has $5.00 footlong Subway sandwiches. I do not know about you, but there is nothing like a Subway sandwich. You know the kind I am talking about,one that has the meats and all the fixins piled on. YUMMY!
Picture in your mind that sandwich, just loaded with all the meat and fixins. Now,try to imagine the same sandwich with just one measly slice of meat, with maybe a little lettuce. If you were to look at that sandwich all you would see where thetwo peices of bread. I can imagine that it would taste very plain and bland. I donot know about you, but the first sandwich sounds much better.
Our Christian lives are the same way. Let me explain. There are three words that for me were hard to understand, but the analogy of the sandwich helped me to makesense of it. Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification. In this devotionalI want to take a look at the meat; your sanctification. But, to understand thesandwichyou need to know what the other two words mean.
Justification is when you became a Christian, it is an instant act where GOD viewsour sins as being forgiven and Jesus righteousness belongs to us, in other words,because of what Jesus did on the cross, GOD declares us righteous in His sight.Glorification is the final step of the redemption process. When Christ returns, raises the bodies of all the believers that have died and reunites them with theirsouls, and changes all the bodies of the believers that are still alive. We all will have perfect, glorified bodies like Christ.
These are big words, but we should all understand what they mean, because they havea huge effect on us. The justification and glorification make up the bread of oursandwich. Sanctification makes up the meat, the fixins, the good stuff. The firsttwo are already done, if you are a believer in Jesus and accepted Him as you savior,there is nothing you can to do to improve on them, they are yours..... but anctificationis different.
Sanctification is the daily process that frees us from sin and makes us more likeChrist in our daily life. It is HARD word. Let me give you an example of what happenedin my life.
I have been praying to GOD to show me the areas of my life that I need to improve.The Holy Spirit laid something on my heart. I always strive to be a good spiritualleader of our house. I try and raise our son that would please GOD. Our son has become very busy with sports, we sometimes eat dinner at different times as he comeshome late. Kim and I would eat earlier, and Tyler would eat later..... yes, in frontof the TV. Soon we found all of ourselves in front of the TV eating dinner and not talking
The Holy Spirit laid on my heart to have dinner around the table as a family again,and for me to talk about Jesus, even have a devotional afterwards. Here is the hardwork. It is much easier to eat in front of the TV. I do not have to put forth anyeffort, do not have to talk, just eat. But, I knew that it came from Jesus, so itwas going to happen. The night that I said to the family lets eat at the table, my son looked at me like I had a third eye. It was easier for him to watch TV andnot engage us either. Plus, right before our first night that we would gathered together at the table, satan was throwing everything he could at me. My flesh didnot want too. I can identify with Jesus when he told Peter, the spirit is willing,but the flesh is weak.
If you are a believer, sanctification should be a daily process. You might be asking,how do I start this process? It is a good question. The best thing you can do is to pray and ask GOD to show you the areas that He would like to see you work on.If you are sincere, the Holy Spirit will convict you. But, her lies the hard work,Jesus does not wave a magic wand and make you better in that area. He is going togive you an opportunity to improve in that area. This is what I mean by hard work.Be ready for resistance from enemy, he does not want to see you improve or becomemore Christ like. Ask Jesus for strength.
I can tell you that as you succeed, you will be blessed. Even though that first family dinner was rough, our son has been more open with us. In fact he even commentedthat he enjoyed talking with us about the Bible. I hope that the "Sandwich" analogyhelped make more sense of those big words. I know it did for me.
So, what does your sandwich look like? Is it a wimpy looking sandwich with littlemeat? Or is it a yummy sandwich bursting with meat and all the fixins? This is reallymaking me hungry. :) Have a Blessed Week! - Jim Gods411
Yesterday evening was the start of Passover (Feast of Unleavened Bread) GOD broughtHis children out of 430 years of bondage. (Exodus 12)They called it the Feast of Unleavened Bread because the Hebrew people had to leavequickly, GOD told them to take bread without yeast so it would last in the desert.There were three Feasts that the Lord told us to keep; Feast of Unleavened Bread,Feast of Harvest, Feast of Ingathering. (Exodus 23:14ff)GOD told us that these were to be kept for generations to come. I would encourageyou to take a moment and read the First Passover. (Exodus 11-13) The Passover hasa huge significance with Jesus and His death.
Greetings!
Right now Subway has $5.00 footlong Subway sandwiches. I do not know about you, but there is nothing like a Subway sandwich. You know the kind I am talking about,one that has the meats and all the fixins piled on. YUMMY!
Picture in your mind that sandwich, just loaded with all the meat and fixins. Now,try to imagine the same sandwich with just one measly slice of meat, with maybe a little lettuce. If you were to look at that sandwich all you would see where thetwo peices of bread. I can imagine that it would taste very plain and bland. I donot know about you, but the first sandwich sounds much better.
Our Christian lives are the same way. Let me explain. There are three words that for me were hard to understand, but the analogy of the sandwich helped me to makesense of it. Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification. In this devotionalI want to take a look at the meat; your sanctification. But, to understand thesandwichyou need to know what the other two words mean.
Justification is when you became a Christian, it is an instant act where GOD viewsour sins as being forgiven and Jesus righteousness belongs to us, in other words,because of what Jesus did on the cross, GOD declares us righteous in His sight.Glorification is the final step of the redemption process. When Christ returns, raises the bodies of all the believers that have died and reunites them with theirsouls, and changes all the bodies of the believers that are still alive. We all will have perfect, glorified bodies like Christ.
These are big words, but we should all understand what they mean, because they havea huge effect on us. The justification and glorification make up the bread of oursandwich. Sanctification makes up the meat, the fixins, the good stuff. The firsttwo are already done, if you are a believer in Jesus and accepted Him as you savior,there is nothing you can to do to improve on them, they are yours..... but anctificationis different.
Sanctification is the daily process that frees us from sin and makes us more likeChrist in our daily life. It is HARD word. Let me give you an example of what happenedin my life.
I have been praying to GOD to show me the areas of my life that I need to improve.The Holy Spirit laid something on my heart. I always strive to be a good spiritualleader of our house. I try and raise our son that would please GOD. Our son has become very busy with sports, we sometimes eat dinner at different times as he comeshome late. Kim and I would eat earlier, and Tyler would eat later..... yes, in frontof the TV. Soon we found all of ourselves in front of the TV eating dinner and not talking
The Holy Spirit laid on my heart to have dinner around the table as a family again,and for me to talk about Jesus, even have a devotional afterwards. Here is the hardwork. It is much easier to eat in front of the TV. I do not have to put forth anyeffort, do not have to talk, just eat. But, I knew that it came from Jesus, so itwas going to happen. The night that I said to the family lets eat at the table, my son looked at me like I had a third eye. It was easier for him to watch TV andnot engage us either. Plus, right before our first night that we would gathered together at the table, satan was throwing everything he could at me. My flesh didnot want too. I can identify with Jesus when he told Peter, the spirit is willing,but the flesh is weak.
If you are a believer, sanctification should be a daily process. You might be asking,how do I start this process? It is a good question. The best thing you can do is to pray and ask GOD to show you the areas that He would like to see you work on.If you are sincere, the Holy Spirit will convict you. But, her lies the hard work,Jesus does not wave a magic wand and make you better in that area. He is going togive you an opportunity to improve in that area. This is what I mean by hard work.Be ready for resistance from enemy, he does not want to see you improve or becomemore Christ like. Ask Jesus for strength.
I can tell you that as you succeed, you will be blessed. Even though that first family dinner was rough, our son has been more open with us. In fact he even commentedthat he enjoyed talking with us about the Bible. I hope that the "Sandwich" analogyhelped make more sense of those big words. I know it did for me.
So, what does your sandwich look like? Is it a wimpy looking sandwich with littlemeat? Or is it a yummy sandwich bursting with meat and all the fixins? This is reallymaking me hungry. :) Have a Blessed Week! - Jim Gods411
Do You Follow The Shepherd P2
The Sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he hasbrought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." - John 10:3-5 ESV
Today, I am writing you from our porch. It is one of those days that even an Atheistmight start to question if there is a god. You know the day, 75 degrees, slight wind just to keep you cooled off, not a cloud in the perfect blue sky, birds are singing, and to top it off a Bald Eagle circled by (You know they really do soar).
We had a death in our family this Friday. One of Kim's uncles passed away verysuddenlyand very young. He was married and had 4 amazing boys.It made me think of that verse in the Bible where God tells us not to let the sungo down while you are angry.
There are two thoughts that I would encourage all of us to practice. Give a hug, kiss, and "I Love You" when parting from someone you care about.Second, if that person is not a believer, never give up sharing Jesus and His FreeGift. If you have been trying with little or no success, pray without ceasing forthe person.
Greetings!
Last week we took a look at "The Hired Hand" and what role they can play in our lives, how we need to view them, and where our trust and faith should lie. This week I wanted to take a look at the role of The Shepherd and sheep.
When reading your Bible you will come across the words Shepherd and sheep. These two words appear from Genesis to Revelation over and over. What does God mean whenhe uses these words? Shepherd has two meanings, first as the actual role of ashepherd,whose vocation is taking care of sheep. The second is a leader or ruler that takescare of God's people. Your pastor could be referred to as a shepherd. Jesus Christis our one true Shepherd. Sheep has two meanings also. The actual animal or as God'speople. Yes, you and I are sheep. Baaahhh :)
To better understand today's devotional you need to know the role of a shepherd back in Jesus' day. No, it is not a guy who drives a John Deer and yells, "Git alonglittle doggie". It was a very hard and dangerous workThe duties of a shepherd would be in the morning, leading the flock to water by calling them. If a sheep would stray the shepherd would have to find it. Then in the evening the shepherd would bring the flock to the fold, reckoning them to seeif any were missing.
Here is another interesting fact of being a shepherd in Israel. A shepherd in Israelhad names for all his sheep, he literally knew then by name. This is the imagery that John uses in chapter 10. Jesus knows your name, He knows you intimately, Hecalls you individually. If you stop and think about that for a minute, it is hardto fathom, we have an AMAZING Shepherd, don't we? You can click on the two links above to read more on the life of a shepherd.
Since Jesus is our true Shepherd, what is our role as sheep? If you read the passageof Scripture above you might notice several key points that sheep have.1. The sheep hear the Shepherd's voice.2. The Shepherd calls them by name.3. The Shepherd leads the sheep.4. The sheep will follow the Shepherd.Seems pretty simple doesn't it? But really this is what following Jesus is all about.Let's go over the points and see how they might relate to you today.
The Sheep Hear the Shepherd's Voice. To hear, it requires one to listen. Have youbeen listening to Jesus' voice lately? There is a story in the Bible about Elijahand how God wanted to appear before Elijah (1 Kings 19:9ff) God took Elijah on topof a mountain to show Himself, first came a powerful wind, then an earthquake, thenfire, but God did not appear in any of those. You would think that God would appearto Elijah in one of those mighty and powerful acts, but God did not. He appeared in a gentle whisper afterwards.Does your life have too much wind, earthquakes, or fire, so that you could notpossiblyhear God's voice even if you wanted to? I connect with God the best in the silence.What way do you best connect with Jesus? How long has it been?
The Shepherd Calls Them By Name. Once you have heard Jesus' voice, you now can heardHim call you by your name. When reading these steps, they really are steps. You cannot hear Jesus call your name, if you do not know what His voice sounds like. The more you hear His voice, the more you will be able to hear your name being called.I know in my walk with Jesus, I have said to Kim "I think it was Jesus speaking to me, but I am not sure". You see I have a hard time discerning if the voice wasmine and my will or Jesus and His will. The more you hear Jesus' voice, the more quickly you will be able to discern when you are speaking to you, or when Jesus is speaking to you.
The Shepherd Leads the Sheep. Here is a tough one for me. I like to go, go, go andit is difficult to let Jesus lead. As you get to know Jesus' voice, you will knowwhen He is speaking to you. Sometimes Jesus may tell you something that is contraryto what you want. But, we must follow His lead at all costs, even if it requires a lot of faith or patience. The sheep trust the Shepherd, they know that He willtake care of them. The sheep know that their Shepherd loves them and will protectthem at all costs. So, letting the Shepherd lead is comforting, there is no otherplace the sheep feel safe.
The Sheep Follow the Shepherd. We already covered that point a little in the sectionabove. What I found very interesting is that the sheep KNOW the Shepherds voice. Even if there are several flocks mixed together, the sheep will only follow his voice. In fact they will run away from a stranger's voice, only to find comfort and safety in their Shepherd's voice.
Our Shepherd LOVES YOU. There is nothing that you can do, to make Jesus not love you. He loves you right where you are, in the shape you are in. You do not have to do anything to change for him, He wants you just as you are. I hope that we can take some examples of sheeply living. Know Jesus' voice and follow Him, trustthat where ever He may lead will be perfect. Sure there may be peaks and valleys along the journey, but He is always with you, and if you go astray, there is nothinghe would not do to save you.Have a Blessed Week - Jim Gods411
Today, I am writing you from our porch. It is one of those days that even an Atheistmight start to question if there is a god. You know the day, 75 degrees, slight wind just to keep you cooled off, not a cloud in the perfect blue sky, birds are singing, and to top it off a Bald Eagle circled by (You know they really do soar).
We had a death in our family this Friday. One of Kim's uncles passed away verysuddenlyand very young. He was married and had 4 amazing boys.It made me think of that verse in the Bible where God tells us not to let the sungo down while you are angry.
There are two thoughts that I would encourage all of us to practice. Give a hug, kiss, and "I Love You" when parting from someone you care about.Second, if that person is not a believer, never give up sharing Jesus and His FreeGift. If you have been trying with little or no success, pray without ceasing forthe person.
Greetings!
Last week we took a look at "The Hired Hand" and what role they can play in our lives, how we need to view them, and where our trust and faith should lie. This week I wanted to take a look at the role of The Shepherd and sheep.
When reading your Bible you will come across the words Shepherd and sheep. These two words appear from Genesis to Revelation over and over. What does God mean whenhe uses these words? Shepherd has two meanings, first as the actual role of ashepherd,whose vocation is taking care of sheep. The second is a leader or ruler that takescare of God's people. Your pastor could be referred to as a shepherd. Jesus Christis our one true Shepherd. Sheep has two meanings also. The actual animal or as God'speople. Yes, you and I are sheep. Baaahhh :)
To better understand today's devotional you need to know the role of a shepherd back in Jesus' day. No, it is not a guy who drives a John Deer and yells, "Git alonglittle doggie". It was a very hard and dangerous workThe duties of a shepherd would be in the morning, leading the flock to water by calling them. If a sheep would stray the shepherd would have to find it. Then in the evening the shepherd would bring the flock to the fold, reckoning them to seeif any were missing.
Here is another interesting fact of being a shepherd in Israel. A shepherd in Israelhad names for all his sheep, he literally knew then by name. This is the imagery that John uses in chapter 10. Jesus knows your name, He knows you intimately, Hecalls you individually. If you stop and think about that for a minute, it is hardto fathom, we have an AMAZING Shepherd, don't we? You can click on the two links above to read more on the life of a shepherd.
Since Jesus is our true Shepherd, what is our role as sheep? If you read the passageof Scripture above you might notice several key points that sheep have.1. The sheep hear the Shepherd's voice.2. The Shepherd calls them by name.3. The Shepherd leads the sheep.4. The sheep will follow the Shepherd.Seems pretty simple doesn't it? But really this is what following Jesus is all about.Let's go over the points and see how they might relate to you today.
The Sheep Hear the Shepherd's Voice. To hear, it requires one to listen. Have youbeen listening to Jesus' voice lately? There is a story in the Bible about Elijahand how God wanted to appear before Elijah (1 Kings 19:9ff) God took Elijah on topof a mountain to show Himself, first came a powerful wind, then an earthquake, thenfire, but God did not appear in any of those. You would think that God would appearto Elijah in one of those mighty and powerful acts, but God did not. He appeared in a gentle whisper afterwards.Does your life have too much wind, earthquakes, or fire, so that you could notpossiblyhear God's voice even if you wanted to? I connect with God the best in the silence.What way do you best connect with Jesus? How long has it been?
The Shepherd Calls Them By Name. Once you have heard Jesus' voice, you now can heardHim call you by your name. When reading these steps, they really are steps. You cannot hear Jesus call your name, if you do not know what His voice sounds like. The more you hear His voice, the more you will be able to hear your name being called.I know in my walk with Jesus, I have said to Kim "I think it was Jesus speaking to me, but I am not sure". You see I have a hard time discerning if the voice wasmine and my will or Jesus and His will. The more you hear Jesus' voice, the more quickly you will be able to discern when you are speaking to you, or when Jesus is speaking to you.
The Shepherd Leads the Sheep. Here is a tough one for me. I like to go, go, go andit is difficult to let Jesus lead. As you get to know Jesus' voice, you will knowwhen He is speaking to you. Sometimes Jesus may tell you something that is contraryto what you want. But, we must follow His lead at all costs, even if it requires a lot of faith or patience. The sheep trust the Shepherd, they know that He willtake care of them. The sheep know that their Shepherd loves them and will protectthem at all costs. So, letting the Shepherd lead is comforting, there is no otherplace the sheep feel safe.
The Sheep Follow the Shepherd. We already covered that point a little in the sectionabove. What I found very interesting is that the sheep KNOW the Shepherds voice. Even if there are several flocks mixed together, the sheep will only follow his voice. In fact they will run away from a stranger's voice, only to find comfort and safety in their Shepherd's voice.
Our Shepherd LOVES YOU. There is nothing that you can do, to make Jesus not love you. He loves you right where you are, in the shape you are in. You do not have to do anything to change for him, He wants you just as you are. I hope that we can take some examples of sheeply living. Know Jesus' voice and follow Him, trustthat where ever He may lead will be perfect. Sure there may be peaks and valleys along the journey, but He is always with you, and if you go astray, there is nothinghe would not do to save you.Have a Blessed Week - Jim Gods411
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