"And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel" Ephesians 6:19
Telling others about Jesus takes a boldness that is hard to understand. Its not easily understood because it is provided by the Holy Spirit.
I really like this scripture that Paul wrote in Ephesians. Paul didn't want to speak to people using his own words. He knew that his own thoughts and words could never provide the level of spiritual power and purity as those of God's. So, what did Paul do? He asked God to give him the words to speak so that he could share powerfully.
God wants us to rely on Him for this provision. It takes practice and obedience because our human nature is full of its own thoughts and ideas fighting to spill out of our mouths.
Nobody likes to be wrong, so why not rely on the infallible God to give us the words, instead of our fallible selves.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
God's Chosen Vessel
"And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel." Acts 9: 10-15
Paul (originally Saul) came on the scene after Jesus' death and resurrection. He was a Jew that was persecuting Christians. Well, Jesus got a hold of him on the road to Damascus and Saul later became Paul who expanded the gospel of Jesus Christ over a great amount of territory for many years. Paul wrote many of the books in the New Testament.
The scripture above tells of Jesus sending Ananias to restore Paul's vision that he lost on the road to Damascus. Ananias did what most of us would foolishly do... he asked Jesus if He was sure about what He was asking, because Paul was notorious for persecuting Christians.
Then Jesus tells Ananias that Paul is His chosen vessel. I cannot think of any higher honor to bestow upon a person. Ananias was looking at Paul's past, but Jesus was looking at his future. Aren't you glad that Jesus doesn't see us the way the world sees us? Jesus sees us for what He has called us to do. Others may underestimate us, and we often underestimate ourselves, but Jesus will never do that.
Paul (originally Saul) came on the scene after Jesus' death and resurrection. He was a Jew that was persecuting Christians. Well, Jesus got a hold of him on the road to Damascus and Saul later became Paul who expanded the gospel of Jesus Christ over a great amount of territory for many years. Paul wrote many of the books in the New Testament.
The scripture above tells of Jesus sending Ananias to restore Paul's vision that he lost on the road to Damascus. Ananias did what most of us would foolishly do... he asked Jesus if He was sure about what He was asking, because Paul was notorious for persecuting Christians.
Then Jesus tells Ananias that Paul is His chosen vessel. I cannot think of any higher honor to bestow upon a person. Ananias was looking at Paul's past, but Jesus was looking at his future. Aren't you glad that Jesus doesn't see us the way the world sees us? Jesus sees us for what He has called us to do. Others may underestimate us, and we often underestimate ourselves, but Jesus will never do that.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The Abundance of the Heart Speaks
"for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things." Matthew 12: 34-35
Sometimes our words don't linger long in our minds to get our own approval, and they spill out everywhere creating a big mess. Jesus tells us in this verse that the words we speak are a direct reflection of what is in our heart. If Christ dwells in our heart, our words should reflect that.
Its funny how we can quickly determine a person's character based on what comes out of his or her mouth. But I don't think that Christians should get all high and mighty thinking that their hearts are incapable of spewing forth evil... because that is a lie straight from the enemy.
As a matter of fact, I think that Christians should use this as an opportunity to take a look at what we are saying. Taking inventory of our words will show us a true reflection of our heart.
Think about this... We have to clean our homes everyday or things will get filthy and disgusting pretty fast. Well if our heart is Jesus' home, some of us only cleaned up once when Jesus got there. Jesus is still there, but the house is pretty dirty. We need to maintain our hearts with all diligence and make it a home that reflects the true nature of Christ. That way, when we speak, our words won't shock us as well as who's listening.
Sometimes our words don't linger long in our minds to get our own approval, and they spill out everywhere creating a big mess. Jesus tells us in this verse that the words we speak are a direct reflection of what is in our heart. If Christ dwells in our heart, our words should reflect that.
Its funny how we can quickly determine a person's character based on what comes out of his or her mouth. But I don't think that Christians should get all high and mighty thinking that their hearts are incapable of spewing forth evil... because that is a lie straight from the enemy.
As a matter of fact, I think that Christians should use this as an opportunity to take a look at what we are saying. Taking inventory of our words will show us a true reflection of our heart.
Think about this... We have to clean our homes everyday or things will get filthy and disgusting pretty fast. Well if our heart is Jesus' home, some of us only cleaned up once when Jesus got there. Jesus is still there, but the house is pretty dirty. We need to maintain our hearts with all diligence and make it a home that reflects the true nature of Christ. That way, when we speak, our words won't shock us as well as who's listening.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
No Better Time Than Now
"behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:2
Do you ever think about the fact that Jesus could return at any moment? Jesus could literally break through the clouds at any moment and call His children home. Its exciting if you have accepted the salvation Jesus offers. But at the same time, it will be terrifying for those who have not.
There will be many people left behind after Jesus' return because they refused to accept the salvation Jesus died and rose again to give us.
And of course there is always the possibility that any of us could die before Jesus' return. Either way, we have an eternal destination waiting for us. God has given us a freewill to choose heaven or hell. If you feel God pulling at your heart to make the decision to give your life to Him, all you have to do is accept His Son into your heart and life and ask Jesus to forgive you. Its that easy. Check out the tab called "Becoming a Christian!" on the main page of this blog for more information.
Do you ever think about the fact that Jesus could return at any moment? Jesus could literally break through the clouds at any moment and call His children home. Its exciting if you have accepted the salvation Jesus offers. But at the same time, it will be terrifying for those who have not.
There will be many people left behind after Jesus' return because they refused to accept the salvation Jesus died and rose again to give us.
And of course there is always the possibility that any of us could die before Jesus' return. Either way, we have an eternal destination waiting for us. God has given us a freewill to choose heaven or hell. If you feel God pulling at your heart to make the decision to give your life to Him, all you have to do is accept His Son into your heart and life and ask Jesus to forgive you. Its that easy. Check out the tab called "Becoming a Christian!" on the main page of this blog for more information.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Eating "Un-Happy Meals"
Everyone loves a Happy Meal. My kids love a Happy Meal. I can't decide if its the cheeseburger, fries, toy, or a combination of all three that makes them the happiest.
However, I am thinking there are lots of people out there eating some "Un-Happy Meals." I think that I have eaten quite a few of them myself at times. Maybe the "Un-Happy Meals" would explain why so many people are whining and complaining.
Are you familiar with what murmuring is? To murmur means, "a half-suppressed, or muttered complaint: grumbling" (Meriam-Webster, 2011).
Here's my thinking on our problem with murmuring: If we are murmuring, there has to be some reason we are unhappy. What is it in our lives that is creating so much unhappiness and causing us to sin through murmuring? Aha! --- Life's Circumstances. There we have it, life's circumstances are the problem because they are often stinky.
Jesus went to the cross and became our perfect sacrifice so we could live victoriously and rejoice in our salvation through Him. That means that when we have Christ, worldly circumstances should not be determining our level of happiness. Jesus knew we would act this way! That is why He told us this:
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
If we want the rest of the world to desire the happiness we have in Christ, we need to start showing it.
However, I am thinking there are lots of people out there eating some "Un-Happy Meals." I think that I have eaten quite a few of them myself at times. Maybe the "Un-Happy Meals" would explain why so many people are whining and complaining.
Are you familiar with what murmuring is? To murmur means, "a half-suppressed, or muttered complaint: grumbling" (Meriam-Webster, 2011).
Here's my thinking on our problem with murmuring: If we are murmuring, there has to be some reason we are unhappy. What is it in our lives that is creating so much unhappiness and causing us to sin through murmuring? Aha! --- Life's Circumstances. There we have it, life's circumstances are the problem because they are often stinky.
Jesus went to the cross and became our perfect sacrifice so we could live victoriously and rejoice in our salvation through Him. That means that when we have Christ, worldly circumstances should not be determining our level of happiness. Jesus knew we would act this way! That is why He told us this:
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
If we want the rest of the world to desire the happiness we have in Christ, we need to start showing it.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Its His
I hope that you have enjoyed the series on Psalm 22. There is one more scripture from the 22nd Psalm that I would like for us to look at.
"For the kingdom is the Lord's: and he is governor among the nations." Psalm 22:28
Now look at what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:24:
"Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power." 1 Corinthians 15:24
These verses are very encouraging for Christians. They describe Christ's victory and authority over all things. We still struggle in a fallen world every day, but reading verses like these remind us that our battle is already won. And the great part about our victory is that Christ did all the work for us, we only had to accept His gift.
Thank you Lord.
"For the kingdom is the Lord's: and he is governor among the nations." Psalm 22:28
Now look at what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:24:
"Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power." 1 Corinthians 15:24
These verses are very encouraging for Christians. They describe Christ's victory and authority over all things. We still struggle in a fallen world every day, but reading verses like these remind us that our battle is already won. And the great part about our victory is that Christ did all the work for us, we only had to accept His gift.
Thank you Lord.
Friday, January 14, 2011
A Broken Heart
Jesus' heart was broken when He was on the cross. Despite all of the physical trauma His body experienced, the anguish and suffering of His heart was much greater.
Look at how the psalmist David eludes to the agony within Jesus' heart:
"my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels." Psalm 22:14
Just consider all the sin Jesus was bearing on the cross. The sins of an entire world, even future sins. No other person has experienced the burden of sin that Jesus bore. The emotional and spiritual distress Jesus experienced was unlike anything in this world. The following verses are from each of the gospel accounts and describe the moment of Jesus' death.
"Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost." Matthew 27:50
"And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost." Mark 15:37
"And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost." Luke 23:46
"he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost." John 19:30
Read this excerpt from a book that analyzes the connection between the 22nd Psalm and the New Testament account of Jesus' crucifixion:
We rejoice because that was not the end of the story! Oh no, Jesus defeated sin and gave us the promise of eternal salvation and forgiveness through His resurrection. He paid the price and all we have to do is accept the gift.
Look at how the psalmist David eludes to the agony within Jesus' heart:
"my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels." Psalm 22:14
Just consider all the sin Jesus was bearing on the cross. The sins of an entire world, even future sins. No other person has experienced the burden of sin that Jesus bore. The emotional and spiritual distress Jesus experienced was unlike anything in this world. The following verses are from each of the gospel accounts and describe the moment of Jesus' death.
"Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost." Matthew 27:50
"And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost." Mark 15:37
"And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost." Luke 23:46
"he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost." John 19:30
Read this excerpt from a book that analyzes the connection between the 22nd Psalm and the New Testament account of Jesus' crucifixion:
"Jesus died of a broken heart. He bore the reproach and shame for others. Bearing our sins hid Him from His Father's face; this is what broke His heart. Death by a broken heart is very rare. It is caused by intense agony of suffering" (Mears, 1999).Each of these verses makes reference to the fact that Jesus "gave up" or "yielded" the ghost. Jesus knew that He would have to suffer the punishment for sin so that we could be forgiven. His heart was broken because of how the sins of the world separated Him from God. And let's never forget that out of all the sins Jesus bore, not a single sin was His own. Jesus was sinless, blameless, spotless - but He became the sacrifice.
We rejoice because that was not the end of the story! Oh no, Jesus defeated sin and gave us the promise of eternal salvation and forgiveness through His resurrection. He paid the price and all we have to do is accept the gift.
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