Good Morning,
1 Timothy 2:1-2, 8 (NIV)
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness....I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
An article crossed my desk this morning that quoted verses 1 and 2 from 1 Timothy, and then went on to say that we, the United States of America, should not only NOT reduce the instance of possible nuclear war, but should actually INCREASE the reasons that we, this country, ought to have a "first strike" against another country.
I found this puzzling...at least to my mind. If we pray for those in authority so that we, all mankind, might "live peaceful and quiet lives in all goodness and hliness" then why in the world would one want to have MORE reasons to initiate a nuclear holocost on the world? I surely do not understand this thinking. But then, there is much in the world that I don't understand, I guess.
Timothy tells us that we should pray for our leaders, pray for everyone, for peace, godliness, holiness, and that we should "lift up hly hands in prayer, WITHOUT ANGER OR DISPUTING." This makes sense to me. Praying for peace and a peaceful world makes sense. Praying that the leaders of the world, even our own leaders from the United States...(especially OUR leaders?)...should do all possible to remove as many reasons for unspeakable war as they can. This makes sense. Going the opposite way, finding more reasons to use nuclear weapons, does NOT make sense.
I never thought that these verses of Scripture would be used in a political sense and used in order to say that this country should find more reasons for horrible war. I guess people can interpret Scripture as they see fit in order to more closely align with their political leanings and feelings.
My prayer today is for us ALL to do as Paul asks and raise up our hands in prayer and supplication to God so that we can have a more peaceful and quiet world in which to live. I pray that you will join me.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
A Better Servant
Good Morning,
I know that I've been "slacking" a lot lately in the area of sending along a daily message. My "excuse" (I really hope it's more of a reason than excuse!) is that I volunteer 5 days a week (NO!...Not 5 full days, but parts of them, at least...some longer than others) and when I get home I'm often very, very tired. I do this volunteer work for an organization, Gleaner's Dispatch, that gathers and distributes bread, produce, and other items to folks in need. I do feel that this is extremely important work and, therefore, don't feel too awful bad about not being better about being sure a message goes out every day. I thought that I'd try to explain myself in case there are those who might have a question or two about why the "daily" message isn't really daily any more. Oh, for further information about where I'm doing this work and for an opportunity for you to help in this work, please visit: http://www.gleanersdispatch.org/ . So, on to today's message...
Matthew 25:34-36 (NIV)
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'"
As I looked at everything that has come across my desk this morning...a lot, I have to tell you as I didn't even open my computer the last few days!...I came across the following statement from Mr. Jack McCall who sent it along via the Faith and Worklife e-mail devotional, "Each morning as I complete my time with God, I ask Him to manifest Himself in me so I can be a vessel of His love throughout the day. Unfortunately, I don't capture all of the opportunities He presents; sometimes due to selfishness and other times because I'm frightened." This statement by Mr. McCall struck home with me because it so well explained my actions, and lack of actions, as I go about my daily life. I think that all of us can relate to what he is saying about missing opportunities that God places in front of us pretty much every day we walk on this planet.
Jesus spoke about the hungry, the thirsty, strangers, the naked, the sick, and those in prison...and how if we do something for even one of them, then we've done it for Him, as well. I would add that although we might not meet any of the people Jesus was speaking about, we DO meet someone who is in some kind of need almost every day we live. It could easily be someone who isn't really in need in any way, at least not in a material way, but could very well be in need of some spiritual help and good, Christian guidance for his or her life. It could be that we meet someone who simply could use a pat on the back or a "Good job!" for something that no one seems to notice. Well, you know, this kind of list can go on just about forever. Point being, God places opportunities for service to Him, through the act of serving one of His children, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me," (Mat 34:40)
Personally, I wish that I would NEVER have to admit that I am not the vessel of love God wants me to be and that I never have to say that I missed an opportunity to be His servant as He would have me to be...ever again. Now, I know I'll miss that goal of being the loving, caring child God wants me to be. However, that doesn't mean that I shouldn't have this as my life goal: Seek the opportunities God places in my path and then act on what is needed at that moment.
If I can do that, then my life will be a successful one; 100% successful in every way.
So, I would ask for your prayers that I would be a better servant to my Lord, Jesus Christ. I'll add here that I'll pray for you to be the same.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
I know that I've been "slacking" a lot lately in the area of sending along a daily message. My "excuse" (I really hope it's more of a reason than excuse!) is that I volunteer 5 days a week (NO!...Not 5 full days, but parts of them, at least...some longer than others) and when I get home I'm often very, very tired. I do this volunteer work for an organization, Gleaner's Dispatch, that gathers and distributes bread, produce, and other items to folks in need. I do feel that this is extremely important work and, therefore, don't feel too awful bad about not being better about being sure a message goes out every day. I thought that I'd try to explain myself in case there are those who might have a question or two about why the "daily" message isn't really daily any more. Oh, for further information about where I'm doing this work and for an opportunity for you to help in this work, please visit: http://www.gleanersdispatch.org/ . So, on to today's message...
Matthew 25:34-36 (NIV)
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'"
As I looked at everything that has come across my desk this morning...a lot, I have to tell you as I didn't even open my computer the last few days!...I came across the following statement from Mr. Jack McCall who sent it along via the Faith and Worklife e-mail devotional, "Each morning as I complete my time with God, I ask Him to manifest Himself in me so I can be a vessel of His love throughout the day. Unfortunately, I don't capture all of the opportunities He presents; sometimes due to selfishness and other times because I'm frightened." This statement by Mr. McCall struck home with me because it so well explained my actions, and lack of actions, as I go about my daily life. I think that all of us can relate to what he is saying about missing opportunities that God places in front of us pretty much every day we walk on this planet.
Jesus spoke about the hungry, the thirsty, strangers, the naked, the sick, and those in prison...and how if we do something for even one of them, then we've done it for Him, as well. I would add that although we might not meet any of the people Jesus was speaking about, we DO meet someone who is in some kind of need almost every day we live. It could easily be someone who isn't really in need in any way, at least not in a material way, but could very well be in need of some spiritual help and good, Christian guidance for his or her life. It could be that we meet someone who simply could use a pat on the back or a "Good job!" for something that no one seems to notice. Well, you know, this kind of list can go on just about forever. Point being, God places opportunities for service to Him, through the act of serving one of His children, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me," (Mat 34:40)
Personally, I wish that I would NEVER have to admit that I am not the vessel of love God wants me to be and that I never have to say that I missed an opportunity to be His servant as He would have me to be...ever again. Now, I know I'll miss that goal of being the loving, caring child God wants me to be. However, that doesn't mean that I shouldn't have this as my life goal: Seek the opportunities God places in my path and then act on what is needed at that moment.
If I can do that, then my life will be a successful one; 100% successful in every way.
So, I would ask for your prayers that I would be a better servant to my Lord, Jesus Christ. I'll add here that I'll pray for you to be the same.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Godiness Training
Good Morning,
1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NRSV)
...Train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Every time I read these verses the thought comes to me that there are many of us who spend endless hours...and endless dollars!...in "physical fitness" in order that we might live longer and more healthy lives. Then, the following thought always enters my mind that time and finances spend in training ourselves in what is called "godliness" in these verses, would be so much better spent.
Paul tells Timothy that "godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present live and the life to come." This advice given then applies perhaps even more today. There are many who spend almost no time and even less money in training themselves, learning, about the things of God and how to apply His words to our lives.
I have to admit that I'm among those who don't spend enough time and enough resources in matters of being more godly in my life.
The question would be...how many of us do? Is it so difficult? Is it so costly? The answer to both of those questions would be no, of course, it really isn't difficult and it really isn't costly.
The most difficult part is beginning, just like the most difficult part of physical training is getting started. But, unlike physical training, we don't need special shoes or clothes; we don't need to have an outlay of cash for a gym; there's no need to purchase expensive exercise equipment. All we really need is a Bible. Then, the analogy of physical training and godliness training comes to the same thing...starting. However, I daresay that it's easier to open a Bible on any given morning than it is to put on those special shoes and shorts and such and go out to run or jog. It's much, much easier to read Scripture than to go to the gym to get on a treadmill or stationary bike or lift weights and the such.
When we get down to it, godliness training that Paul speaks of is really not very difficult and its financial costs are nil. What it does take, though, just like physical training, is the "want to" . We must have the desire to be more godly.
The benefits are obvious...and enormous. But, as Paul points out, the benefits of godliness are "valuable in every way" and ought to be at the top of our priority list every day. Physical training? Sure. After we've done what we know we ought to do for our spiritual uplifting.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NRSV)
...Train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Every time I read these verses the thought comes to me that there are many of us who spend endless hours...and endless dollars!...in "physical fitness" in order that we might live longer and more healthy lives. Then, the following thought always enters my mind that time and finances spend in training ourselves in what is called "godliness" in these verses, would be so much better spent.
Paul tells Timothy that "godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present live and the life to come." This advice given then applies perhaps even more today. There are many who spend almost no time and even less money in training themselves, learning, about the things of God and how to apply His words to our lives.
I have to admit that I'm among those who don't spend enough time and enough resources in matters of being more godly in my life.
The question would be...how many of us do? Is it so difficult? Is it so costly? The answer to both of those questions would be no, of course, it really isn't difficult and it really isn't costly.
The most difficult part is beginning, just like the most difficult part of physical training is getting started. But, unlike physical training, we don't need special shoes or clothes; we don't need to have an outlay of cash for a gym; there's no need to purchase expensive exercise equipment. All we really need is a Bible. Then, the analogy of physical training and godliness training comes to the same thing...starting. However, I daresay that it's easier to open a Bible on any given morning than it is to put on those special shoes and shorts and such and go out to run or jog. It's much, much easier to read Scripture than to go to the gym to get on a treadmill or stationary bike or lift weights and the such.
When we get down to it, godliness training that Paul speaks of is really not very difficult and its financial costs are nil. What it does take, though, just like physical training, is the "want to" . We must have the desire to be more godly.
The benefits are obvious...and enormous. But, as Paul points out, the benefits of godliness are "valuable in every way" and ought to be at the top of our priority list every day. Physical training? Sure. After we've done what we know we ought to do for our spiritual uplifting.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Sunday, April 18, 2010
God's Peace
Good Morning,
Philippians 4:4-7) NIV
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
What crossed my desk this morning was a part of verse 7, "The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Now, in and of itself, this is exactly what all of us want in our lives, isn't it? The true peace of God? I know that I've heard many sermons preached about it and read not just a few messages concerning it...and even written a few myself, I believe. So, I'll venture to say that, yes, the peace of God is something that we all desire greatly in our lives.
But, you see, too often...much too often...we take just that part of verse 7 out of context and simply pray for that peace. Of course, there's nothing wrong in praying for God's peace in our lives. However, don't you think that first we ought to read the entire verse, then see what the context is?
The verse reads, "AND (note this "and" here!) the peace of God...." When we read that "and" that's where we have to see what precedes these words, this thought, to understand that there IS something which comes before the "and." What precedes is what we really need to read and fully comprehend. That's because what comes before tells us HOW we can obtain this "peace of God" that we all so desperately want.
Simply put, if we will "Rejoice in the Lord always...Let your (our) gentleness be evident to all...Not be anxious about anything...In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present our requests to God," then, my friends, we might approach and obtain this "peace of God" that we want; that we really need in our lives.
Do we do these things? Probably not on a regular basis and probably not with all our efforts. And if we don't, well then, I guess we can understand why we don't have this peace that Paul writes of.
Something to think about. Something to work on. Something to strive for.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Philippians 4:4-7) NIV
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
What crossed my desk this morning was a part of verse 7, "The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Now, in and of itself, this is exactly what all of us want in our lives, isn't it? The true peace of God? I know that I've heard many sermons preached about it and read not just a few messages concerning it...and even written a few myself, I believe. So, I'll venture to say that, yes, the peace of God is something that we all desire greatly in our lives.
But, you see, too often...much too often...we take just that part of verse 7 out of context and simply pray for that peace. Of course, there's nothing wrong in praying for God's peace in our lives. However, don't you think that first we ought to read the entire verse, then see what the context is?
The verse reads, "AND (note this "and" here!) the peace of God...." When we read that "and" that's where we have to see what precedes these words, this thought, to understand that there IS something which comes before the "and." What precedes is what we really need to read and fully comprehend. That's because what comes before tells us HOW we can obtain this "peace of God" that we all so desperately want.
Simply put, if we will "Rejoice in the Lord always...Let your (our) gentleness be evident to all...Not be anxious about anything...In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present our requests to God," then, my friends, we might approach and obtain this "peace of God" that we want; that we really need in our lives.
Do we do these things? Probably not on a regular basis and probably not with all our efforts. And if we don't, well then, I guess we can understand why we don't have this peace that Paul writes of.
Something to think about. Something to work on. Something to strive for.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Taxes?
Good Morning,
Darn cold has got me down. Sorry that I've been absent a couple days. Feel horrible, tell the truth. Well, this too shall pass!
Romans 13:1-7 (NIV)
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
The verses that crossed my desk today were verses 6 and 7, "This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor," and are appropriate for April 15th, what we call "Tax Day" here in the United States of America. It should be called "Tax DUE Day" I suppose as it's the day in which we must be obedient to what we read in Scripture and pay what is due to our government; pay what we owe.
I thought, though, that we ought to read these verses in context and hopefully better understand WHY we ought to pay our taxes and WHY we ought to do so without all the complaining and belly aching that is going on all over the country. We OUGHT TO DO SO because God says so!!! It's right here in my Bible! I would guess it's in your Bible as well, along with everyone else's.
(Let's not get into political debate about too much, too little, wrongly spent, etc., etc., ad infinitum.)
I love my country and I love all that I have because God has blessed me by having me be born here in the United States, rather than some third world country in another part of the world. I look around me and see so many things that make where I live a marvelous place. Even right outside my home I have a paved road that leads to other paved roads which allow me to get from one place to another in relative safety. Oh, yes, there are the street lights at night that let me see where I'm going. Traffic signals which keep traffic flowing at least somewhat efficiently. There are sidewalks along those streets that let people walk if they choose or must so they don't have to walk on the dirt or in the mud. Now, this is just one small example of the amazing benefits we have in this country. Our roads and streets.
There's not enough time or space to even begin to list all of the other services and advantages we have simply by being fortunate enough to live here. You know as well as I do that the list would be endless. Police. Fire Department. Armed Forces. Schools. And on...and on...and on.
Oh, did I mention that ALL of these things cost money? Did I mention that there are those who don't want to pay for them? I say that because I hear, much too often, that people simply don't want to pay ANY taxes at all! When that is said it causes me to wonder about where everything we take for granted would come from. On a personal note here I have to say something about the tax attorneys who are advertising all over the place about how YOU can get out of paying WHAT YOU OWE to the government. I mean, doesn't that smack of being at least a little bit illegal? "Hey, friends, I can save you $50,000.00 or more on WHAT YOU OWE (please note that "owe" word there!) to Uncle Sam! Call my free 800 number and we can cut WHAT YOU OWE in half or even more!" Um, if the Bible says "Give everyone what you owe," doesn't that include our tax bills? And, if we owe it, oughtn't we to pay it?
This is a long and complicated subject, I know and we can't go into all of the rights and wrongs. If we feel the tax laws are wrong then we should cast our votes accordingly. If we feel that the tax laws aren't so bad, then, again, we should cast our votes accordingly.
Let's not, however, feel that we don't have to pay our taxes because we feel that the government isn't using them as we thing they should. Hey, some of us think that people making millions, even billions, of dollars ought to get big tax breaks! Some of us think that the rich ought to pay a much larger percentage than they do. And there are most of us who are somewhere in the middle. As I said, it's very complicated.
Point today is that God says we should pay our taxes. Therefore, we should. Not doing so is sinful, simple as that.
"Teacher," they (the Pharisees) said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" And Jesus said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." (Mat. 22:16, 17, 21)
From Jesus' mouth. Yes, we should pay our taxes.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Darn cold has got me down. Sorry that I've been absent a couple days. Feel horrible, tell the truth. Well, this too shall pass!
Romans 13:1-7 (NIV)
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
The verses that crossed my desk today were verses 6 and 7, "This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor," and are appropriate for April 15th, what we call "Tax Day" here in the United States of America. It should be called "Tax DUE Day" I suppose as it's the day in which we must be obedient to what we read in Scripture and pay what is due to our government; pay what we owe.
I thought, though, that we ought to read these verses in context and hopefully better understand WHY we ought to pay our taxes and WHY we ought to do so without all the complaining and belly aching that is going on all over the country. We OUGHT TO DO SO because God says so!!! It's right here in my Bible! I would guess it's in your Bible as well, along with everyone else's.
(Let's not get into political debate about too much, too little, wrongly spent, etc., etc., ad infinitum.)
I love my country and I love all that I have because God has blessed me by having me be born here in the United States, rather than some third world country in another part of the world. I look around me and see so many things that make where I live a marvelous place. Even right outside my home I have a paved road that leads to other paved roads which allow me to get from one place to another in relative safety. Oh, yes, there are the street lights at night that let me see where I'm going. Traffic signals which keep traffic flowing at least somewhat efficiently. There are sidewalks along those streets that let people walk if they choose or must so they don't have to walk on the dirt or in the mud. Now, this is just one small example of the amazing benefits we have in this country. Our roads and streets.
There's not enough time or space to even begin to list all of the other services and advantages we have simply by being fortunate enough to live here. You know as well as I do that the list would be endless. Police. Fire Department. Armed Forces. Schools. And on...and on...and on.
Oh, did I mention that ALL of these things cost money? Did I mention that there are those who don't want to pay for them? I say that because I hear, much too often, that people simply don't want to pay ANY taxes at all! When that is said it causes me to wonder about where everything we take for granted would come from. On a personal note here I have to say something about the tax attorneys who are advertising all over the place about how YOU can get out of paying WHAT YOU OWE to the government. I mean, doesn't that smack of being at least a little bit illegal? "Hey, friends, I can save you $50,000.00 or more on WHAT YOU OWE (please note that "owe" word there!) to Uncle Sam! Call my free 800 number and we can cut WHAT YOU OWE in half or even more!" Um, if the Bible says "Give everyone what you owe," doesn't that include our tax bills? And, if we owe it, oughtn't we to pay it?
This is a long and complicated subject, I know and we can't go into all of the rights and wrongs. If we feel the tax laws are wrong then we should cast our votes accordingly. If we feel that the tax laws aren't so bad, then, again, we should cast our votes accordingly.
Let's not, however, feel that we don't have to pay our taxes because we feel that the government isn't using them as we thing they should. Hey, some of us think that people making millions, even billions, of dollars ought to get big tax breaks! Some of us think that the rich ought to pay a much larger percentage than they do. And there are most of us who are somewhere in the middle. As I said, it's very complicated.
Point today is that God says we should pay our taxes. Therefore, we should. Not doing so is sinful, simple as that.
"Teacher," they (the Pharisees) said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" And Jesus said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." (Mat. 22:16, 17, 21)
From Jesus' mouth. Yes, we should pay our taxes.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
A Light for My Path
Good Morning,
Been a little ill the last couple of days. Please remember me in your prayers. Nothing major, just some kind of cold or flu or something. But, yes, it's miserable!
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
Of all the great reasons to read the Bible I think that what is said in this verse ranks up there pretty high.
I don't know about everyone of course, but from time to time I find myself sort of blundering along in the dark. Not a real, physical darkness, but a darkness of the mind and even of the heart. At those times I seem sort of lost and can't find my way. I stumble about and don't know where to next put my feet. Now, I don't think that I'm alone in this. I believe that there are many of us, otherwise good Christians, who find ourselves in the dark on occasion. It's probably pretty normal for most of us. Well, I find it fairly normal anyway. You know, just not knowing where to turn or what path to take because nothing seems clear and everything seems to be in some kind of darkness all around.
The good news, of course, is that we have a simple and quick way to light this darkness we find ourselves in. It's as easy as picking up a Bible and allowing God to light the way by what He has had placed there for us. God's words to us are the light that David wrote of in this short, simple, clear verse of Scripture. God gives us His light through His words. God's Holy Bible is, truly, the lamp we need to see what path we ought to take when it seems all around us is in darkness.
Yes, there are many, many reasons we ought to read the Bible.
Lighting the darkness around us is not the least of them!
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Been a little ill the last couple of days. Please remember me in your prayers. Nothing major, just some kind of cold or flu or something. But, yes, it's miserable!
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
Of all the great reasons to read the Bible I think that what is said in this verse ranks up there pretty high.
I don't know about everyone of course, but from time to time I find myself sort of blundering along in the dark. Not a real, physical darkness, but a darkness of the mind and even of the heart. At those times I seem sort of lost and can't find my way. I stumble about and don't know where to next put my feet. Now, I don't think that I'm alone in this. I believe that there are many of us, otherwise good Christians, who find ourselves in the dark on occasion. It's probably pretty normal for most of us. Well, I find it fairly normal anyway. You know, just not knowing where to turn or what path to take because nothing seems clear and everything seems to be in some kind of darkness all around.
The good news, of course, is that we have a simple and quick way to light this darkness we find ourselves in. It's as easy as picking up a Bible and allowing God to light the way by what He has had placed there for us. God's words to us are the light that David wrote of in this short, simple, clear verse of Scripture. God gives us His light through His words. God's Holy Bible is, truly, the lamp we need to see what path we ought to take when it seems all around us is in darkness.
Yes, there are many, many reasons we ought to read the Bible.
Lighting the darkness around us is not the least of them!
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Feed My Sheep
Good Morning,
John 21:15-17 (NIV)
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. Three times Peter answered, "Yes." Three times Jesus told Peter to feet and care for His sheep.
Now, it strikes me that when something is repeated like this in the Bible that God really, really, really wants us to take note of what is being said and what He is telling us through the words He had written for us. Doesn't that make sense? It certainly does to me, I have to say.
So, three times I am asked (as are you) if I love the Lord. Three times I must answer Him (as must you) that I do. Three times Jesus, my Lord and Savior, is asking me (as He is you) to care for and feed His sheep.
Now, I believe I know what it is that we are to be doing. How clear must it be? We are to feed and care for our Lord's sheep. Not only do I read it and understand what I read, but I also hear it in my heart and in my mind. "Feed, care for, My sheep."
Now I have to ask myself (as you must do, as well) what I'm doing to be obedient to what Jesus is clearly asking of me. How, exactly, am I feeding His sheep? What am I doing to care for His sheep? Am I His obedient servant...especially in this way and in doing His bidding?
Sometimes, maybe too often, I don't like the answer to those questions that I hear being asked of me, if I'm to be brutally honest with myself.
Are you?
I'm not going to say that I hear clearly how any of us or even all of us are specifically to do what Jesus asks of us in this way. That's up to each of us as individuals to ask Him to tell us, quietly wait for His answer, and then go out and DO whatever it is He asks. Today it could be to volunteer at a homeless shelter soup kitchen. Tomorrow it could be to open a wallet and give some money. The day after it might be to simply spend time with a brother or sister who needs someone to talk to. Feeding and caring for the Lord's sheep can take on any number of things.
What I do hear clearly that is being said to us all is that we must do more in listening to God and then in obeying what it is He asks of us.
That, my friends, is our duty...and our privilege...as Christians.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
John 21:15-17 (NIV)
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. Three times Peter answered, "Yes." Three times Jesus told Peter to feet and care for His sheep.
Now, it strikes me that when something is repeated like this in the Bible that God really, really, really wants us to take note of what is being said and what He is telling us through the words He had written for us. Doesn't that make sense? It certainly does to me, I have to say.
So, three times I am asked (as are you) if I love the Lord. Three times I must answer Him (as must you) that I do. Three times Jesus, my Lord and Savior, is asking me (as He is you) to care for and feed His sheep.
Now, I believe I know what it is that we are to be doing. How clear must it be? We are to feed and care for our Lord's sheep. Not only do I read it and understand what I read, but I also hear it in my heart and in my mind. "Feed, care for, My sheep."
Now I have to ask myself (as you must do, as well) what I'm doing to be obedient to what Jesus is clearly asking of me. How, exactly, am I feeding His sheep? What am I doing to care for His sheep? Am I His obedient servant...especially in this way and in doing His bidding?
Sometimes, maybe too often, I don't like the answer to those questions that I hear being asked of me, if I'm to be brutally honest with myself.
Are you?
I'm not going to say that I hear clearly how any of us or even all of us are specifically to do what Jesus asks of us in this way. That's up to each of us as individuals to ask Him to tell us, quietly wait for His answer, and then go out and DO whatever it is He asks. Today it could be to volunteer at a homeless shelter soup kitchen. Tomorrow it could be to open a wallet and give some money. The day after it might be to simply spend time with a brother or sister who needs someone to talk to. Feeding and caring for the Lord's sheep can take on any number of things.
What I do hear clearly that is being said to us all is that we must do more in listening to God and then in obeying what it is He asks of us.
That, my friends, is our duty...and our privilege...as Christians.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Sowing...Reaping
Good Morning,
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (NIV)
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:
"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever."
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
There are some of us who believe wholeheartedly in the idea of the "tithe." There are others of us who believe that "tithe" is an Old Testament law and idea and no longer applies. No matter which camp any of us believes in our hearts, these verses that we read today should guide us, and even impel us, in the way we do our giving. That would be our giving to a local congregation, to missions throughout the world, or to any charities that we feel led to support.
The words, "For God loves a cheerful giver," are words that should be in our hearts and minds as we make our decisions to give and to help those who may not be as secure as some of us are.
I don't think that these verses need more words of explanation or expounding on how we ought to go about our giving. Although, many hundreds...even thousands I would think...of sermons, articles, and even whole books have been written on these particular verses. I believe that what God has had written here by Paul to the Corinthians is pretty darn clear. I also believe that what Paul wrote those thousands of years ago has applied throughout all generations since, apply to this present day, and will apply for all time to come.
I guess the reason these verses have been sent along to us this morning is that we, well many of us anyway...perhaps even most of us, need to be reminded on how we ought to view our giving. There are a lot of ideas included in these verses and all of them are important. I would ask that we all read them carefully, think about them deeply, and then apply what we learn from them to our lives.
"Whoever sows generously will also reap generously."
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (NIV)
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:
"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever."
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
There are some of us who believe wholeheartedly in the idea of the "tithe." There are others of us who believe that "tithe" is an Old Testament law and idea and no longer applies. No matter which camp any of us believes in our hearts, these verses that we read today should guide us, and even impel us, in the way we do our giving. That would be our giving to a local congregation, to missions throughout the world, or to any charities that we feel led to support.
The words, "For God loves a cheerful giver," are words that should be in our hearts and minds as we make our decisions to give and to help those who may not be as secure as some of us are.
I don't think that these verses need more words of explanation or expounding on how we ought to go about our giving. Although, many hundreds...even thousands I would think...of sermons, articles, and even whole books have been written on these particular verses. I believe that what God has had written here by Paul to the Corinthians is pretty darn clear. I also believe that what Paul wrote those thousands of years ago has applied throughout all generations since, apply to this present day, and will apply for all time to come.
I guess the reason these verses have been sent along to us this morning is that we, well many of us anyway...perhaps even most of us, need to be reminded on how we ought to view our giving. There are a lot of ideas included in these verses and all of them are important. I would ask that we all read them carefully, think about them deeply, and then apply what we learn from them to our lives.
"Whoever sows generously will also reap generously."
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Meet All Needs
Good Morning,
Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 (NLT)
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
The one thing that jumps out at me when I read this verse of Scripture is that Paul isn't telling the Philippians, me, you, or anyone else for that matter, that God will supply all of our WANTS and DESIRES that cross our minds. That is very important to realize and remember...especially for we who have accepted Jesus Christ and profess our Christianity to the world. Now, will God provide our NEEDS? Yes, this Paul does say and he says if very clearly. Wants? Well, as we are wont to say today, maybe not so much.
Now, I think that God has brought this to our attention today because there are way too many of us, Christians, who have bought in to the "prosperity doctrine" that some preach. We hear from them that we can and should have great wealth and all that goes with it...simply because we want it. This is wrong thinking and certainly wrong doctrine. Is it wrong to desire great wealth? No. Not in and of itself, of course. But is it wrong to desire wealth if it will be at the expense of right? At the expense of other people? At the expense of going against what God has had written in the Bible? Yes, if we go about gaining wealth in those ways, then it IS truly wrong to desire wealth.
On the other hand, should we then desire to be poor and needy? Of course not! At least I certainly haven't read that in my Bible. Although there are some who think that the only way to righteousness is to be poor...even destitute. Just as desiring great wealth can be wrong...if going about it in the wrong ways...so then can desiring poverty...if it is for the wrong reasons.
Let's ask this then. If there is NO wealth, that is if there are none who have wealth to share, then who would take care of and help those who are needy through no fault of their own? If there is no wealth to share then what of the tithes necessary to finance ministries of all kinds?
That brings us back to the Scripture we read today. Yes, God will supply our needs, but maybe not all of our wants. Yes, there are some who will become financially well off and there will be others who will not. That is where those who have are tested to see if they will be God's servants and help to provide the needs of those who have not.
You see? God DOES meet the needs of His children. Sometimes it is you, or me, who is the tool to provide those needs.
Let's not forget that.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 (NLT)
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
The one thing that jumps out at me when I read this verse of Scripture is that Paul isn't telling the Philippians, me, you, or anyone else for that matter, that God will supply all of our WANTS and DESIRES that cross our minds. That is very important to realize and remember...especially for we who have accepted Jesus Christ and profess our Christianity to the world. Now, will God provide our NEEDS? Yes, this Paul does say and he says if very clearly. Wants? Well, as we are wont to say today, maybe not so much.
Now, I think that God has brought this to our attention today because there are way too many of us, Christians, who have bought in to the "prosperity doctrine" that some preach. We hear from them that we can and should have great wealth and all that goes with it...simply because we want it. This is wrong thinking and certainly wrong doctrine. Is it wrong to desire great wealth? No. Not in and of itself, of course. But is it wrong to desire wealth if it will be at the expense of right? At the expense of other people? At the expense of going against what God has had written in the Bible? Yes, if we go about gaining wealth in those ways, then it IS truly wrong to desire wealth.
On the other hand, should we then desire to be poor and needy? Of course not! At least I certainly haven't read that in my Bible. Although there are some who think that the only way to righteousness is to be poor...even destitute. Just as desiring great wealth can be wrong...if going about it in the wrong ways...so then can desiring poverty...if it is for the wrong reasons.
Let's ask this then. If there is NO wealth, that is if there are none who have wealth to share, then who would take care of and help those who are needy through no fault of their own? If there is no wealth to share then what of the tithes necessary to finance ministries of all kinds?
That brings us back to the Scripture we read today. Yes, God will supply our needs, but maybe not all of our wants. Yes, there are some who will become financially well off and there will be others who will not. That is where those who have are tested to see if they will be God's servants and help to provide the needs of those who have not.
You see? God DOES meet the needs of His children. Sometimes it is you, or me, who is the tool to provide those needs.
Let's not forget that.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Sunday, April 4, 2010
My Wishes for a Blessed Day
Good Morning,
Ephesians 1:17-18 (NRSV)
I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.
This verse came across my desk today and I thought that I'd send it, along with my wishes for all to have a wonderful and blessed Resurrection Sunday.
No, there will be no message. Just my prayers for all to be well and to continue on in God's work...however that might manifest itself for each of us.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Ephesians 1:17-18 (NRSV)
I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.
This verse came across my desk today and I thought that I'd send it, along with my wishes for all to have a wonderful and blessed Resurrection Sunday.
No, there will be no message. Just my prayers for all to be well and to continue on in God's work...however that might manifest itself for each of us.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus
Good Day,
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
There's probably not a more fitting verse of Scripture for this Saturday that follows Good Friday and precedes Resurrection Sunday.
Yes, let us put the world aside today, at least for a part of the day, and do as the writer of Hebrews suggests to us...Fix our eyes on Jesus.
Of course we ought to have our eyes and minds and our very beings fixed on Him all the time, but if we're honest with ourselves and with each other we must admit that we don't always have our sights set on the Lord as we should. So, this day after we've remembered Jesus' sacrifice and before we celebrate His glorious resurrection, let's take some time and simply think about Him. Let's think about the love that He showed and the love that continues to this day and to all days. Truly, let us set some time aside and fix our eyes on Jesus and Him alone.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
There's probably not a more fitting verse of Scripture for this Saturday that follows Good Friday and precedes Resurrection Sunday.
Yes, let us put the world aside today, at least for a part of the day, and do as the writer of Hebrews suggests to us...Fix our eyes on Jesus.
Of course we ought to have our eyes and minds and our very beings fixed on Him all the time, but if we're honest with ourselves and with each other we must admit that we don't always have our sights set on the Lord as we should. So, this day after we've remembered Jesus' sacrifice and before we celebrate His glorious resurrection, let's take some time and simply think about Him. Let's think about the love that He showed and the love that continues to this day and to all days. Truly, let us set some time aside and fix our eyes on Jesus and Him alone.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Friday, April 2, 2010
Good Friday
Good Morning,
Today, "Good Friday," is the day that we remember the suffering and death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For those of us who are Christian, that is those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior in our lives, it is a day to ponder what it is that Jesus went through for us; for each one of us as individuals and for all of us corporately. So, rather than have me try to explain what it is that I feel today, I think it's best that we read one section of Scripture that tells the story of Jesus suffering and death. And then, I will copy in here something that explains more fully, more exactly, what Jesus went through. Then, I would ask that all of us stop sometime today and simply pray for the Holy Spirit to come and touch us, each of us, with God's loving hand. Yes, this is a long read today. However, I believe it is well worth it, just as it was more than worth it for me to type this today.
Matthew 27:11-55 (NIV)
Jesus Before Pilate
Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"
"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.
When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?" But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.
While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."
But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor.
"Barabbas," they answered.
"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked.
They all answered, "Crucify him!"
"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"
All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"
Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
The Crucifixion
As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"
In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42"He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' " In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
The Death of Jesus
From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah."
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"
Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.
The following is something that I was given when attending one of the most moving plays, "He's Alive!" that I've ever seen. It was many years ago at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas where the story of Jesus suffering, death, and resurrection was portrayed with an emotion and reality that was all but overwhelming (Remember, this was decades before "The Passion of Christ.") I did shed many tears, I will tell you. What you read here was given out to all who attended, along with a prayer guide and the way to accept Jesus as Savior.
The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
The Passion of Christ from a medical point of view, condensed from an article by C. Truman David, M.D., M.S.
The Scourging
Pilate condemns Jesus to scourging and crucifixion Preparations for the scourging are carried out. The prisoner is stripped of His clothing and His hands tied to a post above His head. The Roman legionnaire steps forward with the flagrum in his hand. The flagrum is a short whip consisting of several heavy, leather thongs with two small balls of lead or small stones near the ends of each thong. The heavy whip is brought down with full force again and again across Jesus’ shoulders, back, and legs. At first, the heavy thongs cut through the skin only. Then, as the blows continue, they cut deeper into the subcutaneous tissues, producing first an oozing of blood from the capillaries and veins of the skin, and finally, spurting arterial bleeding from vessels in the underlying muscles. Finally, the skin of the back is hanging in long ribbons and the entire area is an unrecognizable mess of torn, bleeding tissue. When it is determined by the centurion in charge that the prisoner is near death, the beating is finally stopped.
The Crowning and Humiliation
The half fainting Jesus is then untied and allowed to slump to the stone pavement, wet with His own blood. The Roman soldiers throw a robe across His shoulders and place a stick in His hand for a scepter. A small bundle of flexible branches covered with long thorns (commonly used for firewood) are plaited into the shape of a crown and this is pressed into His scalp. Again, there is copious bleeding for the scalp is one of the most vascular areas of the body. The soldiers take the stick from His hand and strike Him across the head, driving the thorns deeper into His scalp. During this time the soldiers laugh at Jesus, call Him names, spit upon Him, beat Him with their hands and fists, and humiliate Him in every way imaginable. Finally they tire of their sadistic sport and the robe is torn from His back. This had already become adherent to the clots of blood and serum in the wounds, and its removal, just as in the careless removal of a surgical bandage, causes excruciating pain and bleeding.
In deference to Jewish custom, the Romans return His garments. The heavy patibulum (the cross beam weighing over one hundred pounds) is tied across His shoulders, and the procession begins its journey along the Via Dolorosa. In spite of His efforts to walk erect, He stumbles and falls. The rough wood of the beam gouges into the lacerated skin and muscles of the shoulders. He tries to rise, but human muscles have been pushed beyond their endurance. The centurion, anxious to get on with the crucifixion, selects Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross. The six hundred and fifty yard journey to Golgotha is finally completed. The prisoner is again stripped of his clothes – except for a loincloth, which is allowed the Jews.
The Crucifixion Begins
Jesus is quickly thrown backward with His shoulders against the wood. (Crucifixes today show the nails through the palms. Roman historical accounts have shown that the nails were driven between the small bones of the wrist and not through the palms. Nails driven through the palms will strip out between the fingers when they support the weight of a human body. The misconception may have come about through a misunderstanding of Jesus’ words to Thomas, “Observe my hands,” Anatomists, both modern and ancients, have always considered the wrists as part of the hand.) The legionnaire drives a heavy, square, wrought-iron nail through the wrist and deep into the wood. The left foot is pressed backward against the right foot, and a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees moderately flexed. Then the cross is lifted and dropped into a prepared hole in the ground. The Victim is now crucified. As He slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating, fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms – the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves. As He pushes Himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, He places His full weight on the nail through His feet. Again, there is the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the metatarsal bones of the feet.
As the arms fatigue, waves of cramps knot them in deep, relentless pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push Himself upward. Hanging by His arms, the pectoral muscles are paralyzed and the intercostals muscles are unable to act. Air can be drawn into the lungs, but cannot be exhaled. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and the blood stream and the cramps partially subside. Spasmodically, He is able to push Himself upward to exhale and bring in the life giving oxygen.
Hours of this pain, cycles of twisting, joint rendering cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from His lacerated back as He moves up and down against the rough timber ensues. Then another agony begins; a crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart. It is now almost over; the loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level. The compressed heart is struggling to pump. The tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. A sponge soaked in the cheap, sour wine is lifted to His lips. He apparently doesn't take any of the liquid. The body of Jesus is now in extremis and He can feel the chill of death creeping through His tissues. This realization brings out His words, “It is finished!”
His mission of atonement has been completed. Finally, He can allow His body to die. With one last surge of strength, He once again presses His torn feet against the nail, straightens His legs, takes a deeper breath, and utters His last cry, “Father, into Thy hands I commit my spirit.”
My friends, I hope that what you've read has touched your heart, mind, and spirit as much as it has mine while I typed it. All I can say now is, Lord, please, forgive me my sins. Have mercy on me a sinner.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Today, "Good Friday," is the day that we remember the suffering and death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For those of us who are Christian, that is those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior in our lives, it is a day to ponder what it is that Jesus went through for us; for each one of us as individuals and for all of us corporately. So, rather than have me try to explain what it is that I feel today, I think it's best that we read one section of Scripture that tells the story of Jesus suffering and death. And then, I will copy in here something that explains more fully, more exactly, what Jesus went through. Then, I would ask that all of us stop sometime today and simply pray for the Holy Spirit to come and touch us, each of us, with God's loving hand. Yes, this is a long read today. However, I believe it is well worth it, just as it was more than worth it for me to type this today.
Matthew 27:11-55 (NIV)
Jesus Before Pilate
Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"
"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.
When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?" But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.
While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."
But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor.
"Barabbas," they answered.
"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked.
They all answered, "Crucify him!"
"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"
All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"
Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
The Crucifixion
As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"
In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42"He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' " In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
The Death of Jesus
From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah."
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"
Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.
The following is something that I was given when attending one of the most moving plays, "He's Alive!" that I've ever seen. It was many years ago at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas where the story of Jesus suffering, death, and resurrection was portrayed with an emotion and reality that was all but overwhelming (Remember, this was decades before "The Passion of Christ.") I did shed many tears, I will tell you. What you read here was given out to all who attended, along with a prayer guide and the way to accept Jesus as Savior.
The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
The Passion of Christ from a medical point of view, condensed from an article by C. Truman David, M.D., M.S.
The Scourging
Pilate condemns Jesus to scourging and crucifixion Preparations for the scourging are carried out. The prisoner is stripped of His clothing and His hands tied to a post above His head. The Roman legionnaire steps forward with the flagrum in his hand. The flagrum is a short whip consisting of several heavy, leather thongs with two small balls of lead or small stones near the ends of each thong. The heavy whip is brought down with full force again and again across Jesus’ shoulders, back, and legs. At first, the heavy thongs cut through the skin only. Then, as the blows continue, they cut deeper into the subcutaneous tissues, producing first an oozing of blood from the capillaries and veins of the skin, and finally, spurting arterial bleeding from vessels in the underlying muscles. Finally, the skin of the back is hanging in long ribbons and the entire area is an unrecognizable mess of torn, bleeding tissue. When it is determined by the centurion in charge that the prisoner is near death, the beating is finally stopped.
The Crowning and Humiliation
The half fainting Jesus is then untied and allowed to slump to the stone pavement, wet with His own blood. The Roman soldiers throw a robe across His shoulders and place a stick in His hand for a scepter. A small bundle of flexible branches covered with long thorns (commonly used for firewood) are plaited into the shape of a crown and this is pressed into His scalp. Again, there is copious bleeding for the scalp is one of the most vascular areas of the body. The soldiers take the stick from His hand and strike Him across the head, driving the thorns deeper into His scalp. During this time the soldiers laugh at Jesus, call Him names, spit upon Him, beat Him with their hands and fists, and humiliate Him in every way imaginable. Finally they tire of their sadistic sport and the robe is torn from His back. This had already become adherent to the clots of blood and serum in the wounds, and its removal, just as in the careless removal of a surgical bandage, causes excruciating pain and bleeding.
In deference to Jewish custom, the Romans return His garments. The heavy patibulum (the cross beam weighing over one hundred pounds) is tied across His shoulders, and the procession begins its journey along the Via Dolorosa. In spite of His efforts to walk erect, He stumbles and falls. The rough wood of the beam gouges into the lacerated skin and muscles of the shoulders. He tries to rise, but human muscles have been pushed beyond their endurance. The centurion, anxious to get on with the crucifixion, selects Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross. The six hundred and fifty yard journey to Golgotha is finally completed. The prisoner is again stripped of his clothes – except for a loincloth, which is allowed the Jews.
The Crucifixion Begins
Jesus is quickly thrown backward with His shoulders against the wood. (Crucifixes today show the nails through the palms. Roman historical accounts have shown that the nails were driven between the small bones of the wrist and not through the palms. Nails driven through the palms will strip out between the fingers when they support the weight of a human body. The misconception may have come about through a misunderstanding of Jesus’ words to Thomas, “Observe my hands,” Anatomists, both modern and ancients, have always considered the wrists as part of the hand.) The legionnaire drives a heavy, square, wrought-iron nail through the wrist and deep into the wood. The left foot is pressed backward against the right foot, and a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees moderately flexed. Then the cross is lifted and dropped into a prepared hole in the ground. The Victim is now crucified. As He slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating, fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms – the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves. As He pushes Himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, He places His full weight on the nail through His feet. Again, there is the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the metatarsal bones of the feet.
As the arms fatigue, waves of cramps knot them in deep, relentless pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push Himself upward. Hanging by His arms, the pectoral muscles are paralyzed and the intercostals muscles are unable to act. Air can be drawn into the lungs, but cannot be exhaled. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and the blood stream and the cramps partially subside. Spasmodically, He is able to push Himself upward to exhale and bring in the life giving oxygen.
Hours of this pain, cycles of twisting, joint rendering cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from His lacerated back as He moves up and down against the rough timber ensues. Then another agony begins; a crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart. It is now almost over; the loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level. The compressed heart is struggling to pump. The tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. A sponge soaked in the cheap, sour wine is lifted to His lips. He apparently doesn't take any of the liquid. The body of Jesus is now in extremis and He can feel the chill of death creeping through His tissues. This realization brings out His words, “It is finished!”
His mission of atonement has been completed. Finally, He can allow His body to die. With one last surge of strength, He once again presses His torn feet against the nail, straightens His legs, takes a deeper breath, and utters His last cry, “Father, into Thy hands I commit my spirit.”
My friends, I hope that what you've read has touched your heart, mind, and spirit as much as it has mine while I typed it. All I can say now is, Lord, please, forgive me my sins. Have mercy on me a sinner.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Resurrection Sunday or easter?
Good Morning,
Psalm 14 (NIV)
The fool says in his heart,
"There is no God."
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
there is no one who does good.
The LORD looks down from heaven
on the sons of men
to see if there are any who understand,
any who seek God.
All have turned aside,
they have together become corrupt;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.
Will evildoers never learn—
those who devour my people as men eat bread
and who do not call on the LORD ?
There they are, overwhelmed with dread,
for God is present in the company of the righteous.
You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
but the LORD is their refuge.
Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
Some denominations of our Christian family call today "Holy Thursday" or have another official name for this day, for tomorrow, and for Sunday...Resurrection Sunday. No matter what the "name" that we might call these particular days, it remains that we, Christians all over the world, remember and celebrate these days because of the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
However, there are many, many others on this planet to whom this is only another time in which to have parties, buy new clothes, and feed their kids a ton of candy and chocolate (well, the adults get theirs too, of course!). Easter, for the world, has become just another holiday which is much like what Christmas (xmas!) is to the world...just a time that really has no meaning except to spend money on unnecessary things.
Today's verse, Psalm 14:1, came across my desk in two different communications. When that happens it seems to me we ought to pay attention. "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" That, truly, is foolish. But then, if we look closely, much of the world IS foolish. David tells us that these folks who don't believe that God exists are not only fools but also corrupt and evil. Those are powerful words. They are also truthful words.
Look around today and see what the celebration of Jesus Christ rising from the tomb has become. See the easter eggs and easter baskets (no, I didn't err in my capitalization there) and the candy, flowers, clothes and all the rest. What in the world does any of that have to do with the reason we celebrate Resurrection Sunday? Okay, I'll answer my own question. These trapping have NOTHING to do with Jesus Christ! What we see are the leftovers for the pagan spring planting festivals from times long ago. You see, the world has kept the "good stuff" so it can celebrate with us, Christians, and make themselves fit in better to what we're doing during our true celebrations.
As we go about our individual and corporate services during the next few days, let's remember to pray for those who think that easter is just another holiday in which to over indulge in the things of the world. Let us lift up those who don't know God so they will come to understand what it is we really do celebrate: Jesus being raised up from death in order that God's plan of salvation would come to pass...for all humanity.
I don't mean these words today as ridicule. I mean them as words to point out the world needs our prayers. I believe it is our duty.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Psalm 14 (NIV)
The fool says in his heart,
"There is no God."
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
there is no one who does good.
The LORD looks down from heaven
on the sons of men
to see if there are any who understand,
any who seek God.
All have turned aside,
they have together become corrupt;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.
Will evildoers never learn—
those who devour my people as men eat bread
and who do not call on the LORD ?
There they are, overwhelmed with dread,
for God is present in the company of the righteous.
You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
but the LORD is their refuge.
Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
Some denominations of our Christian family call today "Holy Thursday" or have another official name for this day, for tomorrow, and for Sunday...Resurrection Sunday. No matter what the "name" that we might call these particular days, it remains that we, Christians all over the world, remember and celebrate these days because of the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
However, there are many, many others on this planet to whom this is only another time in which to have parties, buy new clothes, and feed their kids a ton of candy and chocolate (well, the adults get theirs too, of course!). Easter, for the world, has become just another holiday which is much like what Christmas (xmas!) is to the world...just a time that really has no meaning except to spend money on unnecessary things.
Today's verse, Psalm 14:1, came across my desk in two different communications. When that happens it seems to me we ought to pay attention. "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" That, truly, is foolish. But then, if we look closely, much of the world IS foolish. David tells us that these folks who don't believe that God exists are not only fools but also corrupt and evil. Those are powerful words. They are also truthful words.
Look around today and see what the celebration of Jesus Christ rising from the tomb has become. See the easter eggs and easter baskets (no, I didn't err in my capitalization there) and the candy, flowers, clothes and all the rest. What in the world does any of that have to do with the reason we celebrate Resurrection Sunday? Okay, I'll answer my own question. These trapping have NOTHING to do with Jesus Christ! What we see are the leftovers for the pagan spring planting festivals from times long ago. You see, the world has kept the "good stuff" so it can celebrate with us, Christians, and make themselves fit in better to what we're doing during our true celebrations.
As we go about our individual and corporate services during the next few days, let's remember to pray for those who think that easter is just another holiday in which to over indulge in the things of the world. Let us lift up those who don't know God so they will come to understand what it is we really do celebrate: Jesus being raised up from death in order that God's plan of salvation would come to pass...for all humanity.
I don't mean these words today as ridicule. I mean them as words to point out the world needs our prayers. I believe it is our duty.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)