The Widow's Mite

41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.  43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on." Mark 12:41-44 NIV

Have you ever heard the song with the line, "all gave some, some gave all"? This parable reminds me of that line. As Jesus watched the crowd pass by, I assume that everyone put something into the offering plate. Some put in more than others. Then, the widow came along. She put in the two coins. ,Others watching would have scoffed at the widow's contribution. They might have thought it wasn't significant. But, Jesus knew that it was more significant than the others. He knew that she had given a great sacrifice for the means she had.

We often think that if we can't give a lot, then we shouldn't give any. "Little is much in God's hands." God can do just as much with two dollars, two hours, or two people as He can with $2,000, 24 hours, or 20 people if He chooses to. If we give all that we can to God, then God can take care of the rest.

I recently read an article about the original Servolution projects by Dino Rizzo. The article also referenced the first Dream Center project. Both of these endeavors began with few people and little money. They just took what they had and started somewhere. From there, God blessed it abundantly until they became the enormous outreach ministries that they are today.

Take some time to pray today for what you can offer to God through giving of yourself or your resources in some form. Don't feel like a small contribution is not needed. All contributions have the potential to be blessed in abundance.

As I have heard the Pastor say, "If everybody gives something, nobody will have to give everything"

Be Blessed today!

For All Eternity

²⁴Jesus replied, "Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?²⁵When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. ²⁶Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? ²⁷He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!"

Mark 12: 24-27 NIV

Now, look at these verses:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."   John 3:16 NIV

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"   II Corinthians 5:17 NIV

In Mark, we learn that God is the God of the living, but not the dead. How can that be? Don't all men die? In John, we learn that once a man believes in Jesus and accepts Him into his heart, then they have eternal life. With eternal being a neverending time, then we must realize that Christians will never truly die. Then, we wonder how can that be since humans do die? In II Corinthians, we are taught that anyone that is in Christ is a new creation.

In conclusion, once we have accepted Jesus into our heart, then we become new. While our earthly bodies must and will die, our spirits will live on forever in heavenly bodies. We will still be living, and He will still be God! He is the God of the living! We will get to worship him for all eternity!

That is so exciting! Thank you God such a wonderful gift to be able to live in heaven with you forever!

Marriage Made in Heaven

"Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying:  "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.  He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.  So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests."   (Matthew 22: 1-3, 10  NIV)

Jesus is often referred to as a "bridegroom", and we as Christians are the "bride".  He will come to take his bride home, and we will partake in the "marriage supper of the Lamb" (Revelation 19)  What a glorious day that will be!

Many hours and much money is often put into weddings here on Earth.  We want everything to be "just right".  Pretty dresses, beautiful flowers, lovely music.  And, then in an afternoon or evening, in a matter of a few hours, it's over.  And, what you have left are memories, a wedding album, and some unpaid bills.  

Now, there's nothing wrong in having a nice wedding ceremony.  If your parents can afford it, or you have worked hard to provide for it, then that's fine.  But, what about those couples who put a lot of the expenses on credit cards or took out a loan?  What happens to them when the honeymoon is over?  They are faced with having to work hard to pay off that debt.  And, many marriage counselors will tell you that financial difficulties are at the root of a lot of couples' problems.

Jesus invites everyone to come and feast at the wedding table.  He has gone to prepare a place for us in heaven, and He's awaiting our arrival.  However, there will be many that will refuse His invitation.   Christ has made all the plans.  He's paid the bill.  All we have to do is accept, and in heaven with our Lord and Savior, we will live happily ever after!     

From Colt to Stallion

"As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me."  This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: "Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' " 

(Matthew 21: 1-2, 4-5  NIV)

Palm Sunday.  Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  The King of Kings is riding in on a colt, a donkey.  He doesn't arrive on a mighty stallion nor a lavish chariot.  His humility is what you see.  It wasn't "roll out the red carpet".  It was "lay down your cloaks and branches". 

Over 500 years prior to this event, the prophet, Zechariah, predicted it would happen and wrote about it in Zechariah 9: 9 (found in verse 5 above).  Many prophecies that were foretold in the Old Testament were fulfilled and written about in the New Testament.  There are yet prophecies to be fulfilled, but the day has not yet come.  But, it will . . .

When Christ returns to this Earth at the Second Coming, He will come as a Majestic King.  He will ride in on a white horse (Revelation 19: 11) with the armies of heaven following.  Just as the crowds then shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!", we will also cry out, "Hosanna in the highest!!"

CONCERNED ABOUT THE SMELL

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”  John 11:40 NIV

Jesus had just told some of the folks standing around to “Take away the stone” from the tomb of Lazarus.  Now ol’ Lazarus had been dead for 4 days and his sister Martha was having some serious questions about the genius of unsealing that tomb.  It seems that she was more concerned about the smell than she was with what Jesus had just told her about Him being “the resurrection and the life”.

I am sure that nearly 100% of Christians today would have reacted in the same fashion as Martha.  Most would have been reaching for the handkerchief or tissue to cover their mouths and noses and filled with fear about what might take place when that tomb was opened rather than praising God that Jesus was about to do a miracle right before their eyes.   

What is your answer to the question posed to Martha in John 11:26, “Do you believe this?”

We must simply get honest about what we believe if we are going to “see the Glory of God”. 

Every thought or act of faith will be contaminated immediately with a thought of doubt or fear.  Thoughts or acts of faith originate in the Spirit of Christians and the contamination of doubt or fear is planted in our minds.  If Christians are going to act differently than non-believers, we must “be transformed by the renewing of our minds”.  Romans 12:2 - This is the only way “we can prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God”. 

Martha believed that Jesus was the Messiah with the ability to do the impossible but her mind was not renewed to deny the natural and expect the impossible.

Satan has so programmed us to doubt through the “worldly system” that it has almost become impossible for us to receive the promises of God.  You will understand how confused we are by the following example if you have ever sprayed your landscaping to kill weeds.  You mix the chemical according to directions and while spraying the weeds you wonder and doubt if the chemical is strong enough to kill the weeds and in the same thought you wonder and fear if the drift from the spray will kill your flowers! 

Satan is the author of confusion.  This is the only way he can keep Christians from receiving the Blessing of God.  Doubt and fear concerning the promises of God will not only keep the sinner from accepting the free gift of Salvation; it will prevent Christians from receiving healing, deliverance, prosperity and joy unspeakable.  Then at the same time doubt and fear will keep the hedge of faith down so low that Satan can continue “to kill, steal, and destroy”.    

Father God, Creator of the universe, the Beginning and the End, help us to understand that to receive You in Your fullness we must “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”.  Help us to expect to see the weeds die and the flowers to flourish and help us to expect to see the dead raised and to not fear the smell.  Amen and so be it.  Amen and so be it.           

Store Up Treasures In Heaven

"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. " The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" (Mark 10:25-26 NIV)

Is money a bad thing? No, not when it's used in the right manner. Sometimes money can overpower everything that our lives are about and we get so focused on it, nothing else matters! Money is wonderful and we all need it to live but be careful not to put money in front of your Christian walk and before God. Here in Mark 10, Jesus is just trying to get the point across that people with wealth are tempted to put their "trust in riches." Being rich does not mean you can't be a Christian, Jesus was just giving an example so they would be aware of the temptations of doing so.

Over in Luke 18:22, Jesus says "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come, follow me!" It seems as though God really puts an emphasis on rich people and may even make people feel as though they can't be in relationship with God for this reason, but that is not so! Jesus was just quick to point out that, if the rich are going to follow Him, then they must be willing to do so with nothing! Jesus knew that if the rich man was ever tested down the road with his riches, then he would give up! So, before Jesus would even let him follow, he wanted him to get rid of everything he had so that nothing would be a hinderance in their fellowship with one another.

Mark 10:27 clears it all up when Jesus says, "With man, this is impossible; but not with God, all things are possible with God." God can make man forget all about his wealth and to put their focus on Him. Only God is able to do such things, and we as his people are so thankful for that! When Jesus makes the analogy that it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, it was not to be taken literally but as a way to emphasize the difficulty. I read on the internet something I thought was so fitting for this: "God can put the camel through, but it takes divine power to do it; and the process is hard on the camel!" If God can put the camel through the eye of a needle, then he can change a rich man's heart. Not saying it won't be hard on the rich man, but God---only God---can do it!!

Prayers For Sarah - Follow Up

Thank you so much for all of those who petitioned the Lord on behalf of Sarah Irvin Gardner. It is now the time that we must accept His answer. While that was always a possibility, I feel in all times, especially the desperate ones, we must not abandon our responsibility to ask Him for what we are praying for. We had prayed for healing in Sarah. God did honor that. He chose to honor it by taking her to heaven where there is no more sickness.

If you follow Sarah's story back to the beginning, you will find she has been a great warrior here on this Earth. She has fought this battle for years. She was brave, and she was faithful. She was a wonderful mother, and all throughout her pregnancy, she always put the baby's needs before her own. Someday, little Caroline will learn how special her beautiful mother was. She was the definition of motherhood---always giving to your child, putting yourself second.

Do not be disheartened by this news. God is always faithful and just. While we may not always understand His ways, we always trust Him. We are all better for having known Sarah's story. We are all more faithful, simply by having watched the faith of her family in this entire process. I heard that Sarah said having a baby was a "Win, Win". She said she would either "be a mother and raise a child", or she would "go to heaven with Jesus". Sarah won today. She is rejoicing with the Lord! Someday, her family will join her. Thank you again for your prayers. I don't even know Sarah. I just became connected through the stories. As one mother to another, I couldn't help but feel connected. You can read the entry for this am here:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sarahgardner

Put Down The Stone

¹But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. ²At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. ³The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group ⁴and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. ⁵In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" ⁶They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. ⁷When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." ⁸Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

⁹At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. ¹⁰Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

¹¹"No one, sir," she said.

"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

John 8: 1-11 NIV

The Pharisees made really good judges. They had studied the law and they knew what people should and shouldn't do. They also knew the different types of punishment for different types of sin. In this case of adultery, they knew there should be a stoning (according to their law).

One of the problems with the Pharisees being able to point out everyone else's problems is that they couldn't ever see their own. Or could they? Maybe they were aware of their faults.  They just hoped nobody else ever found them. That would explain why they spent so much time pointing out everyone else's faults, to deflect any attention from themselves.

This didn't work for Jesus. He doesn't look through people or around people. Jesus looks into people. When the men approached Jesus with the adulterous woman, He didn't see what they had hoped. He didn't see a sinful woman surrounded by righteous men who have no other desire but to uphold their laws and keep order in their land. No, He didn't see that.

What did Jesus see? I believe that He saw a woman who had fallen into some bad choices. He saw her past and he saw a woman in need of love. Jesus looked at the men, and one by one, He could see their hidden sins---the ones they didn't want anyone to know about. He probably even saw that some of those men had been her partner, or someone else's in the same situation. He saw that their desire to punish her did not have pure intentions. He saw the evil in their hearts. Whatever there is to see inside of us, whatever is hidden, Jesus can still see it.

What did He do? He heard the request. He scanned the crowd. Then, He simply said, OK. He said, OK, fine.  Go ahead and stone her. That is, go ahead "if" any of you are without sin. At that, they all walked away.

Now, had they not believed He was who He said He was as they later claimed, then why would they have walked away? After all, how could He possibly know their sins? Yet, something in them was aware that He did know and they had to walk away.

Which person are you in this story? Are you the woman who has fallen? If so, make a decision today to leave that life of sin. Are you the Pharisee? If so, put down the stone---Jesus is speaking.

Prayers For Sarah

1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'
4"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' "
6And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18: 1-8 NIV

I think these verses are appropriate for today because there are so many that are heavy hearted in our community at the moment. There is a young lady from a neighboring county, Sarah Irvin Gardner, with cancer. Through the world wide web, her family has graciously shared their journey of faith and trials with us.

The story of this one girl has touched a community in such a special way because our common goal of seeing her healed has allowed people to cross denominational and even county lines in order to unite for this cause. On her birthday, we were able to witness more than one county sharing in her journey by wearing pink and posting "Hope For Sarah" on various Internet sites.

We have prayed so long. We have watched her give birth to her newborn baby and we have witnessed some of the emotions that are shared on her blog from those who love her so dearly.  A couple of days ago, her sister posted a difficult entry regarding the status of Sarah and their current position. At this point in time, they have only God to rely on. The skills of man are no longer an option. They simply have God and they are at peace with that. You can read her blog here.

Today, you can see "praying for Sarah" on many facebook pages, and I know that many think of her often all throughout their days. I know that I do. It would be easy at this time to think that God has made His ultimate decision. I can not say if He has or if He has not. I know that the lesson from this parable states, "And, will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? He will see that they get justice and quickly."

When we realize that we are powerless without Him, and when we come to the point that we know we have nothing but God, that is when He has the most opportunity to act. This is when we take our human skills out of His way and let God be God. I do not know God's plans for Sarah. I only know that He is mighty and capable of giving her the miracle that everyone greatly desires. I know that we shouldn't give up. I know that we should continue to cry out to Him until His decision is evident. Now is the time to have faith, now is the time to seek His face, and now is the time to be persistent.

Are you facing an impossible situation today? Don't walk away from the battle until the battle is over. Only God can decide when it's truly over. Keep at it. Don't give up. When the final moment of your battle has come, if God in His sovereignty chooses not to honor your request, then you may seek His comfort in accepting that. Until then, "Onward Christian Soldiers!"

7 x 7

"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.  If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."   (Luke 17: 3-4)

Do I really have to forgive someone over and over again?  Shouldn't they know there's a limit to everything?  After about the fourth or fifth time in the same day, we begin to lose patience.  Some of us don't last past the second time!  

What would happen to us if God felt the same way?  We keep going back to God and asking for forgiveness for the same recurrent sin in our life.  After the eighth time, God says, "Time's up!  You've used all your chances.  No more forgiveness for you on this issue."  Where would we be?  But, that's not God.  Oh, He would like for us to 'get it together' and not have to keep repenting over and over again, but He knows our sinful nature.  He knows we will mess up.  However, because of His grace and mercy, that does not give us a license to sin.  We don't ever want to take advantage of God's grace for us. 

In Matthew 18: 22, Jesus says this, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."  Wow!  That means we just keep on forgiving, up and above what we think we are capable to do.  And, that's when we know that it is God working in us, allowing us to show His grace through us!

Just One More Chance . . .

"Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any.  So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' " 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "   

 (Luke 13: 6-9, NIV)

"Give me another chance.  That's all I'm asking."  Sometimes, we mess up and fail so often that it may seem as though we are doomed.  Then, someone comes along and says, "I'll give you one more chance.  I see the good in you.  I see the potential."  So, lovingly and tenderly, positive words are sown into the life of the 'down and out', and gradually 'fruit' begins to develop.  ". . . the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."   (Galatians 5: 22-23) 

"In the Old Testament, a fruitful tree was often used as a symbol of godly living.  Jesus pointed out what would happen to the other kind of tree---the kind that took valuable time and space and still produced nothing for the patient gardener.  This was one way Jesus warned his listeners that God would not tolerate forever their lack of productivity.  Have you been enjoying God's special treatment without giving anything in return?  If so, respond to the Gardener's patient care, and begin to bear the fruit God has created you to produce."  (footnote, Life Application Bible)

So, whether you've been blessed and God wants to see a return, or if it's a matter of someone "fertilizing" or feeding into your life---nurturing you back to wholeness---now is your chance to show God and others what you are made of~~the fruit of the Spirit!

DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR THE WRONG REASON

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:38-42

“What” you do sometimes isn’t as important as “why” you do it.

At first glance in the “Martha and Mary” story, we might think there is nothing wrong with what Martha is doing.  Of course, there is nothing intrinsically wrong in the natural with her actions.  Trying to prepare a meal for the guests she has invited into her home is a good thing.  However, when she addressed Jesus as Lord and in the same breath questioned His caring and then proceeded to give a command to Jesus, it becomes quite apparent that the things she is doing are being done for the wrong reason.

In the Lord’s answer to her, we find that she was not preparing a meal for the Lord and His party out of the goodness of her heart as a service to Him, but “was worried and upset about many things”.  Martha was doing a good thing but for the wrong reason.  Does it make you wonder if she just invited Him into her house to try to impress Him, or impress the neighbors, or impress Mary, or impress His disciples, etc.?

Do you, as I do, sometimes see yourself doing the right thing for the wrong reason?  We all should examine our own motives in everything we do.  We should pray that we, like Mary, would choose what is better for we know it will not be taken away from us. 

Father God, help us to critique ourselves as we seek to speak and do things in your service, in order to assure that we are doing things for the right reason.  In the Name of Jesus, we ask it and know that we have received that for which we ask.  Amen and so be it.   

All In This Together!

"Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us."

"Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us." (Mark 9:38-40 NIV)

Over the past year or so, I've known some people who are always in a fuss over who's got the best church and who's church believes in the right thing or not. I believe if Jesus were here now and would hear these fusses, then He would say exactly what he did in Mark 9:40, "for whoever is not against us is for us."

All of us should care less who has the best church or who had more people saved in the past year---we are ALL in this together!! If one church had twenty people get saved last year and one had five, we shouldn't use that as comparison, but instead, say that twenty-five were added to the kingdom!! I think that the problem with most of us Christians today is that we always want to play the comparison game. As Bro. Eric always says, "What we believe may divide us but in whom we believe shall unite us!"

Mark 9:42-50 teaches us that we better be careful what we teach others to do. Jesus said, "That if anyone causes someone who believes in him to sin, that it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck." Seems kind of harsh, right? Absolutely not! We should not lead our brothers or sisters in Christ in the wrong direction, as young believers need direction from those who are mature in Christ and can show them the way. Jesus goes on to teach us that, if our hand or foot causes us to sin, then cut it off, or if your eye causes you to sin, then pluck it out!

What does all that about the hand, foot, and eye mean? Well, I read an article on the Internet that seems to explain it all very well. Perhaps the hand means "what we do," the foot means "where we go," and the eye means "what we see or desire."  So, as Christians, we need to watch we do, where we go, and what we see, so that we do not lose our influence and testimony in Christ! We will all fall short of the glory of God, but we must try our hardest to live for Christ and die to self daily.

Hope we all strive for perfection and know that whatever we do, Christ is with us!

Radical

"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"

Mark 8: 36, NIV

Pastor Eric has recently preached a few messages based on the book, "Radical" by David Platt.  Watch the video below:

I've heard older people say, "I've never seen an U-haul behind a hearse", basically stating that we don't take these possessions with us when we leave this Earth.  When they bury you in that "cold, cold ground", or scatter your ashes to the wind, that big house, fancy car, and large bank account will not be going with you.

John and I have been doing a few things recently that are somewhat radical for us.  We are concentrating more on doing church work.  We are helping out friends and family with some financial issues.  We are not rich by society's standards, but compared to Third World countries, we are abundantly blessed. 

God gives each of us time, talents, and assets.  Luke 6: 38 says, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."   Who doesn't want blessings "poured into your lap"?!  We all want it, but are we willing to do what it takes to get it?  I challenge each of you to do something 'radical'.  Don't know what it will look like for you, but whatever it is, God will bless it.  Go ahead---do it today!

What's On The Inside?

'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'

Matthew 15: 8-9  NIV

Jesus was responding to questions from the Pharisees about his disciples. It seems the disciples were eating food without washing their hands. This would have been against the teachings of that time. This was one of the many things that the Pharisees expected people to outwardly do in order to prove to others that they were truly "of God".

We may think this conversation seems trivial until we begin to look at some of the controversy among Christians even today. Some believe that you should only sing from a hymnal during service; others think contemporary music is the way to go. Some believe that you should not allow instruments on the stage, some believe that a piano is ok, and others believe any instrument would be ok. Some believe that you must wear a dress and suit to church; others believe that you can wear jeans. I could go on with this list for a long time, but I think you see my point. Even today, we still have certain rules that we think proves a person or group of people are "of God" if they are following them.

Jesus went on to say that it isn't so much the acts that make us clean or unclean, but rather what is in our hearts. It is our sincerity and true desire that He wants to see. I believe that it doesn't matter to God if we worship from a hymnal or a new song, if we do it with or without instruments, or if we do it in a dress or jeans. I believe that what matters to Him is where our hearts are while we are doing it.

Do we attend church because we think we are "supposed to?" Do we sing the words on the screen or in the book because everyone else is? Do we dress to please other people? Or, do we sincerely try to connect with God in whatever format our church is offering that day?  Let us spend more time looking into our hearts and less time debating the rules.

17"Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' 19For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean.' " Matthew 15: 17-20 NIV

Walk on the Water

^"A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.  When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified.  But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid."  Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading."  (John 6: 18-21, NIV)

"Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream. . ."  I don't believe the disciples were singing this song!   The waters are rough.  They have rowed over three miles.  They must have been tired.  When they see Jesus, they were afraid.  Did they think they were seeing a ghost?  Is that what frightened them?  

They were "willing" to let Jesus into the boat---how could they have stopped Him?  It was Jesus.  They had seen Him heal the sick and feed the thousands.  If we were to see someone walking on water, would we be frightened or would we be super excited?  And, then immediately the boat reached the shore.  Now, instead of a row boat, they have a speed boat.  Talk about an exciting ride!

We may trudge along, facing the storms and "rough waters" of life.  We may become weary in rowing against the current, waves tossing us all about.  But, then we look up and see Jesus walking on the waters.  We decide to "allow Him" into our boat.  In the midst of our storm, Jesus reminds us of who He is and for us not to be afraid.  Jesus takes the wheel and thrusts it into high gear---taking us to our destiny sooner than expected.   

One at a Time

(Jesus speaking) "Bring them here to me," he said.  And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people."  (Matthew 14: 18-19, NIV)

Megachurches.  Mini-churches.  It really doesn't matter.  They're all a part of the larger picture.  What is a megachurch?  Several mini-churches rolled into one.  Where do you fit in as part of a large church?  The same place you fulfill in a small congregation.  It's all a matter of perspective.

When Jesus fed the five thousand plus, He didn't go to each individual person and hand them bread.  The disciples were there with Him, and they dispersed themselves throughout the crowd.  The crowd was instructed to sit down in smaller groups.  That way, it would be more manageable.  It also gave the disciples an opportunity to go forth on Jesus' behalf and become a servant that day.  They were able to minister unto the crowd---one soul at a time.  The disciples ministered unto them on a physical level;  Jesus ministered unto them on a spiritual one.

Everyone will not be called to a pulpit, with microphone in hand, speaking to thousands of people.  In fact, a small percentage will reach that level.  However, we are each commanded to "go forth" and do our part in reaching the harvest.  We are each commanded to reach out to others in "our little corner of the world".  So, whether you minister unto five or five thousand, you are still important in God's kingdom.  "Feed my sheep"---one at a time!

BELIEVE

I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.  John 5:24 NIV

That’s pretty plain, isn’t it?  However, I’ve been told by saints and sinners alike that there has to be more to it than that.  I hope you will join me in taking God at His Word.

God is not human and absent the learning and understanding of His Word.  Humanity is the only thing we have with which to understand.  Our humanity teaches us, that if there is a God, then He would be all knowing, all seeing, bigger than life, eternal, colorful, bright, strong, beyond compare in every way, etc., etc., etc. 

All those things are true, but for those of us who believe His Word, we find that He is loving, kind, giving, pure, full of grace, full of mercy, sacrificial, good, forgiving, and just.  He is amazingly complicated for He measures the universe with the span of His hand. Yet, He is amazingly simplistic.    

He spoke the worlds into existence, made one man in His image, gave only one fruit that should not be eaten, judged an evil world with rain, gave one blessing to one man called Abraham and had only one Begotten Son, Jesus. 

Isn’t it fitting that, if “our ears are open to His words and if we believe, trust in, cling to, and rely on Him Who sent Jesus, then we have (and possess now) eternal life”.  Paraphrased from John 5:24 in the Amplified Bible. 

This is the “born again” experience.  In Acts 8:36, 37 & 38, we find the eunuch asked Philip, “What hinders me from being baptized?”  Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”  And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”  So, Philip commanded the chariot to stand still.  And, both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

Father God, help us to realize that we are your children, not because of our righteousness, but because of Your righteousness.  Father God, help us to realize that we should listen to your message, believe, trust in, cling to, and rely on You through Christ Jesus.  Father God, help us to be doers of Your Word.  In Colossians 2:6 NKJV, you tell us, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him”.  In the name of Jesus we receive and walk.  Amen and so be it.       

Just Believe He Is Who He Says He Is!

'Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live." (Mark 5:22-23 NIV)

Here in Mark 5 we have this ruler that falls at Jesus' feet as soon as he sees him. I believe that he was so happy to see Jesus because, the moment that he saw Him, he knew that his daughter was ok. He didn't have to go question him and ask, "If he could heal her?" or "If he was able to heal her?" This ruler, Jairus, knew that as long as Jesus would just lay hands on her that she would be healed and live.

When do any of us, when asked to lay hands on the sick, know that because we come in Jesus' name that the person would be healed? I believe we don't have as many healings going on anymore because the Christian people don't believe it when they pray. We may lay hands on the sick and we'll say a nice prayer, but many walk away still doubting that anything in that prayer is going to happen! Jairus knew without a doubt that Jesus was able and would heal his daughter!!

I know for me sometimes it's hard to fully understand the amazing acts of God, but I truly believe that if God was able to do it in the Bible, then there is no reason why he can't do it now! Healings can and will happen when God's people take it serious and truly believe in their hearts that the sick will be healed. No doubting! Doubt will get us in trouble and will many times keep us from seeing the miraculous things of God.

Matthew 14:31 says, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" When I read over this, it just makes me believe that God was saying it sympathetically. Like he was saying, "If you would have just believed, then this would have happened!" or "If you wouldn't have doubted, then you would have seen my glory!" I don't want to miss anything that God has in store for me or for anyone in this world. All you have to do is believe he is who he says he is!!

Stories Behind The Stories

¹⁰When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. ¹¹He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables ¹²so that, " 'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!'

Mark 4:10-12 NIV

Jesus most often taught in parables. Personally, I really like parables. I like how it all comes together when you finally understand it. I like that "ah-hah" factor. I like taking something I am familiar with and finding a deeper meaning in it.

This verse says that the "secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you". Is that similar to the "secret of life" that we are always asking about? The Bible says:

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."  (Matthew 6: 33-34)

I think that, if there is a "secret", then it is to simply seek Godly things first. However, I truly think there are not meant to be any secrets. What I personally believe is that God has put all of our answers out there and made them available to us. They sit there for anyone who is willing to seek them. When I first read the above verses, I wondered, "Did Jesus not want those people to hear?" After thought and prayer, I believe it isn't that He didn't want them to understand what He was saying. He simply wanted them to want it for themselves badly enough to seek after it. If He had put everything in the Bible as a "do this" and "don't do that", then one could simply pick up the list, follow the directions, and find their salvation. They wouldn't need to have a desire to do this.  They wouldn't need to love the Lord, and they wouldn't need to change themselves at all. They would only need to follow some steps. That is why they shouldn't be able to simply "turn and be forgiven".

The things in the kingdom are simple if we let them be. It is we that make them complicated. When we try to line the Bible up with the world rather than vice-versa, that is when things don't make sense. The Bible was never meant to line up with the world. The kingdom is most unlike the world. When we can start thinking along the lines of heavenly things rather than earthly things, that is when the Bible starts to make much more sense.

Jesus presented parables so that those who truly wanted to learn could learn. Those who didn't have a true desire would simply state it was too complicated and walk away. Which kind of person are you? It's up to you to decide to seek the kingdom first in your life. We are freely given a choice in this life for all we do. Do you choose to make the effort? Or, do you choose to walk on by?

The Woman They Judged

"He will never pay attention to me," she said as she looked at her reflection that morning. With tears streaming down her face, her mind played through the last years of her life. There had been so many men, so many wrong choices, and no one left who even knew her for who she really was inside. She was tired of this empty life. "Surely there must be something more," she thought.

She sighed and began to groom her hair. For just a moment, she thought of what it would be like to wear it down like the respected women in town. Still, she knew she had been "marked". She knew what they expected of her and she began to put the braids in.

Hours later, she still sat in her bedroom fretting over what she should do today. She had heard the Messiah was coming to town. He was to eat at the neighbor's house down the road. Could He be her only hope? Could He free her from these chains that life had entangled her in? Well, if He couldn't then no one could. Yet, how would she ever get in to see Him? The host of the home would never allow it. Jesus probably wouldn't even speak to her.

Jesus. That name brought her such hope. She had heard He ate with the sinners. She had heard how he loved the poor and blessed the little children. Maybe, maybe just maybe, He would help her start over. Well, maybe not. But, it was something to hope for.

Hope. It had been so long since she had even fathomed the possibility of hope. Hope was for the women who go to church every week. Hope was for the fathers who stayed faithful to their wives. Hope was for someone else. Hope had never been for her....until today. Today, she had just a glimmer of hope.

Her eyes began searching the room around her. If this Jesus could help her, she would be willing to give him anything. Suddenly, her eyes landed on the alabaster jar on the dressing table. Maybe she could offer it to Him. She knew that this was her security. It had taken her a long time to save up enough money to purchase that perfume. It was worth enough to pay her rent for the next year. Without it, if she didn't have any money coming in---how would she make it? Still, it would be worth it. She had faith that if she could just get to see Jesus, then He would take care of the rest.

With a little hope, a great deal of faith, and that alabaster box, she set out to visit her neighbor's home where Jesus was going to have dinner.  As she saw Him, she began weeping. It was true. This was the man who could make her clean again. She just knew it. She truly believed He was who He said He was.

She fell to the ground, her tears falling on the feet of Jesus. In His presence, she felt whole again. She completely forgot about what everyone around her thought. The legalism of the day didn't even apply to her in this moment. She began undoing her braids so she could dry His feet with her hair. In her mess of kisses, tears, and perfume, Jesus saw her for who she really was. He was the first man to do so in quite some time. With little effort, He saw right into her heart and instantly He forgave her for all her sins.

He loved her the moment He saw her. He understood why she was there. He saw the heart of repentance, and He hurt for all the pain she had endured in her life. He was angry for all the judgment she had received, and He accepted her as His own.

She loved Him the moment she saw Him. She understood why He had came. She offered Him a heart of repentance, and she hurt for all the pain she knew He would soon endure. She was angry for all the judgment He would receive, and she accepted Him as her Saviour.

And, just like thunder in the middle of a beautiful night, the voice of a Pharisee interrupted the moment. His words dripped of the judgment they had both just rebuked, and yet nothing stopped him from saying it. "If this man were a prophet, He would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is - that she is a sinner." (said the sinner)

"Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."  Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."  The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"  Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."  (Luke 7:44-50 NIV)

By faith she was saved, and she went in peace. When we have nothing else in this life, we have faith. Without faith, we have nothing. With it, we have everything we will ever need.

With a little hope and a great deal of faith, take a walk and go see Jesus today. He already knows everything about you and He has been waiting for you.

By Faith

"The royal official said, 'Sir, come down before my child dies'.  Jesus replied, 'You may go. Your son will live.'  The man took Jesus at his word and departed."  (John 4: 49-50, NIV) 

Jesus has just performed another act of healing.  The royal official came from Capernaum, which was about 20 miles away from where Jesus was at in Cana of Galilee.  The official's son was sick, and he had heard about Jesus and His power to heal.  The request was for Jesus to go to the son,  but instead, Jesus spoke the words and the healing took place. The official took Jesus at His word.  He didn't continue to beg Jesus to go.  He didn't wait around to see what was going to happen.  The official believed and his son was healed.   

Sometimes, we want to see signs.  Sometimes we want to do actions.  But, faith is believing in what Jesus says and going forth.  "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11: 1)  If we had evidence to back it up, that wouldn't be faith now, would it?    "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10: 17, KJV)   We have the words of God.  We have the words of Christ.  It's written in the Holy Bible.  We just have to take what has already been spoken---and written---and by faith, believe it!   

Here Comes 'Da Judge!

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."  

(Matthew 7:  1-2, NIV)

If we all took these verses to heart, would we really be judging anyone?  Would we want God to judge us in the same manner as we judge others?  Oh, you may think you're not really "judging" others---you're just stating the negative facts about them!  It's easy to take our standards and have others try and measure up to them.  And, when they don't, we will criticize, or rather, judge them.  Who made us judge and jury?  Not God. 

Growing up in a legalistic, religious environment caused me to have strict, set standards in which to go by as a young person.  Instead of looking at others through the eyes of mercy and grace, we were taught the "do's and don't's" of a church denomination.  As I became more independent, I broke away from a "religion" and began a relationship with Jesus Christ.  As a result, I came to realize the judgmental spirit of which I had been exposed, and started to look at others the way Christ would have---through His eyes of love. 

God has set the standards, according to his Word.  There are commandments we must go by as being a follower of Jesus Christ.  We can't just be free to do whatever we please.  On matters where we don't have a clear answer, it is best just to say, "That's between you and God.  Only He can be your judge." 

Dear God, help me not to judge others.  Give me the eyes to see  through your love and grace.  Allow me to have a merciful heart.  Amen! 

YOU ARE BLESSED

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  Matthew 5:15 NIV

If you are “poor in spirit”, if you “mourn”, if you are “meek”, if you “hunger and thirst for righteousness”, if you are “merciful”, if you are “pure in heart”, if you are a “peacemaker”, and if you “are persecuted because of righteousness” then you are “blessed”. 

If you have received Jesus as your Savior, then your lamp has been lighted.  Don’t put it under a bowl for no one to see.  You have become the Righteousness of God through Christ Jesus.  Don’t dim the Light that is in you by complaining and grumbling about the economy, your neighbor, your boss, your employees, your children, your parents, your school, your church, your car, your health, your age, your looks, your house, the heat, the cold, the rain, the drought, and on and on and on and on. 

Yours is “the kingdom of heaven”, you are “comforted”, you have “inherited the earth”, you are “filled”, you have been “shown mercy”, you have “seen God”, you are a child of God”, and – yes again - yours “is the kingdom of heaven”.  You are “blessed”. 

If you have received Jesus as your Savior, then your lamp has been lighted.  You are “now” a new creation.  The eternal Life, and Love and Light of our resurrected Savior have lighted your lamp. 

Be thankful by remembering how blessed you are!  You were dead in your trespasses, but now you are alive for evermore through Christ Jesus.  You are blessed. 

Father God, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, help us to be thankful rather than complaining and grumbling about things that might just be a little uncomfortable.  Bless our words and deeds to Your Glory forever and ever in the name of Jesus we ask it.  Amen and so be it.

Get Up And Walk

'..... He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home."He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" (Mark 2:10-12 NIV)

As Jesus enters back into Capernaum, the place where he normally lived, many begin to gather. Men began bringing him a paralytic, but they couldn't get him to Jesus, so they made an opening in the roof and lowered the man on the mat. I can just envision how excited these people were that Jesus, the healer they had heard about, had come back to town. The ones knowing that someone needed healing wouldn't take no for an answer.  They were going to do whatever it took to get the sick to Jesus, even if that meant taking extreme measures!

When's the last time we've done something extreme just to get to Jesus? We have trouble actually believing that somebody could be healed, but these guys it talks about here in Mark 2 knew that, if they could ever make it to Jesus, the paralytic would be healed! Once they got him to Jesus, He said "Get up, take your mat and go home!" Did Jesus heal the paralytic just because he could? No, Jesus says in verse 5 that he saw their faith!! Faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains, or better yet, it can heal many who are sick!

Mark 2:13-17 is one of my favorite descriptions of how just our Jesus is! Jesus is seen in this scripture eating with tax collectors and 'sinners', and when questioned of his motives, Jesus simply replies, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Living in a small town, which most of us around here do, I just know by the time we would have gotten back home that everybody would already be calling or texting asking you why you were with them. Many of us, who admit it or not, have our standards for how people should look or talk and that can have an effect on how we react to those around us.

If somebody fits our standard, then we are more likely to approach them and strike up a conversation than with someone who looks out of our standards. I believe one of our calls of being a Christian is to associate with those that don't always fit the standard or those that aren't always accepted by everyone else. When we do these things that aren't the normal, it can strike up a conversation and will allow us to explain that Jesus has no standards by which to judge! Use things that aren't of the normal to strike up a conversation about God, and who knows---you may lead someone to Christ!

Thirst Quencher

"The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water." (John 4: 15, NIV)

Jesus is in Samaria with the woman at the well.  "Wells were almost always located outside the city along the main road.  Twice each day, morning and evening, women came to draw water.  This woman came at noon, however, probably to avoid meeting people who knew her reputation.  Jesus gave this woman an extraordinary message about fresh and pure water that would quench her spiritual thirst forever.

The woman mistakenly believed that if she received the water Jesus offered, she would not have to return to the well each day.  She was interested in Jesus' message because she thought it could make her life easier.  But, if that were always the case, people would accept Christ's message for the wrong reasons.  Christ did not come to take away challenges, but to change us on the inside and to empower us to deal with problems from God's perspective."  (footnotes, Life Application Bible) 

Physically, our bodies need food and water.  If we don't eat or drink daily, we will become hungry and thirsty.  In turn, our souls need spiritual food and water.  We will often deprive our souls before we do our bodies.  Our souls are everlasting---these bodies will eventually fade away.  Psalm 42: 2, "My soul thirsts for God, for the living God."  Drink from the cup that never runs dry---He'll quench your thirsty soul. 

Follow Him

¹⁶As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁷"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." ¹⁸At once they left their nets and followed him.

¹⁹When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. ²⁰Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Mark 1: 16-19

Simon, Andrew, James, and John were ordinary men doing their ordinary jobs when Jesus showed up. They were fishing. This is how they made their living and how they spent most of their days. Suddenly, Jesus shows up and asks them to leave their nets and follow Him. And, they did just that.

Jesus told the men that they would now be "fishers of men." Jesus asked them to lay aside their earthly status, their form of making money, their way of life and to instead invest what time they had into heavenly things. He asked them to start fishing for the hearts of men and leading them to Him.

When I think about the lives of the disciples, a few important things come to my mind. First, the life He led them to was much more exciting and important than the one He took them away from, although I am sure they didn't know that at the time they made the decision. Second, going on this journey changed them more than the people whom they were going to help. At some point, people began to recognize the disciples simply because they had "been with Jesus." Finally, everything they saw, did, and accomplished was only done through Jesus and by Jesus through them. They allowed Him to use them, and by simply being willing, God's will was accomplished in the Earth for that period of time.

Speaking of God's will, keep in mind that the disciples also did not understand why they did everything they did. They didn't always know what Jesus was "up to" at times, but they obeyed, and I am sure Jesus smiled when they finally said, "Oh, I see."

What is God asking you to do? Simply follow Him and obey. That is all He asks. He will take care of the rest.