We all know the story about the last supper and Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. I just wanted to share a couple of verses with you all so that we can apply the scripture to our lives today.
In John 13:8 we see these words "No," said Peter, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
We too have the same problem as Peter. Our pride and arrogance keeps us from allowing Christ to do a total work in our lives. Today, we also do not want Christ to 'Wash' all of us. We tend to want Him the way we have fabricated Him. We desire to 'Hold' on to at least a little of uncleaness (sin) without allowing Him to cleanse us all the way through, making us righteous, Holy and pure. We must remember what the Hebrews 12:14 "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy, without holiness no one will see the Lord."
Jesus makes it pretty clear to Peter (and us) "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." Unless we allow Jesus to totaly clean us from the inside out we too can have no part with Him. We have been taught we can, but according to scripture we can't.
Do we truly want Jesus to reign in our lives? Will we allow Him to clean every nook and cranny in our lives? Will we allow Him to change us from the inside out? Today, allow HIm to clean out that closet where all the things we don't want let go of in our lives still abide. Allow Him to do a total work so that we can have our place with Him everyday~
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Lessons from the beginning~
God is soooo good, and always faithful. Yesterday I went back to Genesis and taught (and God once agagin spoke into my life) the kids at the Juvenile Center, and then at church, this powerful reminder from the beginning.
We find in Genesis 1:26-27 these unique and unending words "Then God said. 'Let Us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them ruleover the fish of the sea and the brids of the air, over the livestock, over all the creatures that move along the ground. So God made mand in His own image, in the image of God He created him; malt and female He created them." I know that we have read this, been told this, and believe these passages. But, do we truly see the meaning of them?
First of all we have to focus on 'His Image' and 'His Likeness.' We tend to think that 'His Image' from a picturesque perspective. We look around though and we see many different nationalities, skin color, and totaly different apprearances. So, how can we be His image? If we are His image we first must understand that and image is also a reflection. We were created to be His reflection to the world. What He is, we should be. It also says "In our likeness." Easy to just think and say "I am", but truthfully do those around us always see God's reflection, or likeness in us. I will end this part by merely stating "This is the reason we all were created." To be His reflection and likeness to the rest all the others around and in whom we come into contact with.
We see in the beginning of chapter three in verse one the serpant (the devil) saying these words to Eve "Did God really say 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden?" What can we learn from this? The devil will first get us doubt what God has said, and all that we know. It is no different today. We know the truth and yet fro some reason we doubt that God will keep His Word, and that when He has said something, we must believe and yield to Him, and nothing or, no one else.
In vesre 2 we see that the woman knew better in the first place "The woman said to the serpant 'We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die." Isn't is amazing that the same thing applies today? You see, Adam and Eve had the opportunity to walk with God, enjoy all of His good creation, and live for eternity in all goodness. Ironically God wants us to experience the same life today, but we must yield to His ways. The Word allows us to know the good and the evil today, so that we can choose good over evil.
Satan will never relent though. In verse 4 he says "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. " For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." He still speaks and imparts the same thing today. He tells us "It's okay...No one can be perfect. You can go ahead and do what you know i evil and justify in the end. God will forgive you, and 'Yes' you won't die, you have eternal life. In essence satan was telling Eve that she could have her cake and eat it to. She could still do what she wanted to do and have eternal life. This same lie has been echoing even until today.
In verse 6 we see this "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining knowledge, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." Satan will always make the things that oppose God and good, look enticing and harmless. That is why many see what looks good, and soon abandon their relationship with God for that which is evil. Sin does not merely effect the one who chooses evil over good, but it also effects those around them.
Now, lets take a look back and see what the Lord is Showing us:
1) Satan will always cast doubt in our minds to cause us to compromise our realtionship with God.
2) We know what is good and we know what is evil. There are no excuses, because God's Word tells us in Romans 1 that we have all been 'Hard Wired' with truth.
3) Satan will awlays attempt to convince us that we will still have eternal life even if we knowingly continue to sin. Eternal life is not his to give.
4) We can stand on truth or give in to desire. Our choices will effect many around us.
5) Last but not least we have to look at the beginning. We were created to be His image and His likeness. If we embrace this truth then only good will come from us. If we live with this truth, then we will not be subject to doubt, or enticement. If we hold fast to this truth then we will never allow anything to seperate us from God~
We find in Genesis 1:26-27 these unique and unending words "Then God said. 'Let Us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them ruleover the fish of the sea and the brids of the air, over the livestock, over all the creatures that move along the ground. So God made mand in His own image, in the image of God He created him; malt and female He created them." I know that we have read this, been told this, and believe these passages. But, do we truly see the meaning of them?
First of all we have to focus on 'His Image' and 'His Likeness.' We tend to think that 'His Image' from a picturesque perspective. We look around though and we see many different nationalities, skin color, and totaly different apprearances. So, how can we be His image? If we are His image we first must understand that and image is also a reflection. We were created to be His reflection to the world. What He is, we should be. It also says "In our likeness." Easy to just think and say "I am", but truthfully do those around us always see God's reflection, or likeness in us. I will end this part by merely stating "This is the reason we all were created." To be His reflection and likeness to the rest all the others around and in whom we come into contact with.
We see in the beginning of chapter three in verse one the serpant (the devil) saying these words to Eve "Did God really say 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden?" What can we learn from this? The devil will first get us doubt what God has said, and all that we know. It is no different today. We know the truth and yet fro some reason we doubt that God will keep His Word, and that when He has said something, we must believe and yield to Him, and nothing or, no one else.
In vesre 2 we see that the woman knew better in the first place "The woman said to the serpant 'We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die." Isn't is amazing that the same thing applies today? You see, Adam and Eve had the opportunity to walk with God, enjoy all of His good creation, and live for eternity in all goodness. Ironically God wants us to experience the same life today, but we must yield to His ways. The Word allows us to know the good and the evil today, so that we can choose good over evil.
Satan will never relent though. In verse 4 he says "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. " For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." He still speaks and imparts the same thing today. He tells us "It's okay...No one can be perfect. You can go ahead and do what you know i evil and justify in the end. God will forgive you, and 'Yes' you won't die, you have eternal life. In essence satan was telling Eve that she could have her cake and eat it to. She could still do what she wanted to do and have eternal life. This same lie has been echoing even until today.
In verse 6 we see this "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining knowledge, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." Satan will always make the things that oppose God and good, look enticing and harmless. That is why many see what looks good, and soon abandon their relationship with God for that which is evil. Sin does not merely effect the one who chooses evil over good, but it also effects those around them.
Now, lets take a look back and see what the Lord is Showing us:
1) Satan will always cast doubt in our minds to cause us to compromise our realtionship with God.
2) We know what is good and we know what is evil. There are no excuses, because God's Word tells us in Romans 1 that we have all been 'Hard Wired' with truth.
3) Satan will awlays attempt to convince us that we will still have eternal life even if we knowingly continue to sin. Eternal life is not his to give.
4) We can stand on truth or give in to desire. Our choices will effect many around us.
5) Last but not least we have to look at the beginning. We were created to be His image and His likeness. If we embrace this truth then only good will come from us. If we live with this truth, then we will not be subject to doubt, or enticement. If we hold fast to this truth then we will never allow anything to seperate us from God~
Friday, March 16, 2012
Kisses from Katie/My life is upside down~
You may be wondering "what is this title about?" I pray that in a brief blog that I may be able to convey how this book 'Kisses from Katie' has left me pondering my life, and if I (we) really "Get it" as we claim to be children of the King.
Katie Davis is only 22 (could be 23 by now) and has been giving her life for Jesus in Uganda since she was nineteen. As I read her book (and I encourage you to get one today if you really desire to move forward knowing and doing His will) I wasn't in awe of Katie (She probably would not like anyone saying that they were, and there is alot to be in awe of her about), but in the power of God and the love of Jesus Christ.
Looking back and reflecting on my walk with Christ, faith, love and what I thought was obedience, I find myself with a greater desire to really give all of myself. I do not know about any of you, but sometimes I tend to feel that I am doing alot for Jesus each and everyday. I kow alot of people who do alot of studying, preachign and teaching who consider this to be alot for Jesus, and others. I know alot of people who do something large once a month and think "Wow! Look what we're doing!" But truthfully "Am I (or are we) giving Him our all?"
Oh how sad it is for me writing this blog to think that to many times 'Theology' and 'Doctrine' clouds our love for others. It hinders our service for the Lord and quite frankly makes us 'Uneffective' in this lost and dying world. I may have everything right doctrinaly, but am I giving my best in love and service to those around me everyday?
We find in Hebrews 11 the account of Abel and Cain. We know the story.... Abel gives his best (firstfruits) to God, and God considered him righteous. Cain gets upset because of God accepting Able's offering and kills him. The writer of Hebrews tells us "By faith he still speaks." Abel's faith is still speaking today to me and to you. "Are we giving God our best?" Unfortunately, in all that I do everyday in serving others and loving Jesus with all of my heart, I would have to be honest and say "No." There is so much more to give. It isn't about me, or you, it's about those around us who need to see and hear of Jesus Christ everyday. Whether it's at work, at home, in school, at the store, etc....Are we giving God our best?
My life and my world as I have known it is now upside down. Everyone who knows me think that I do alot in all the various ministries I am blessed to do each day. I too sometimes want to kick back and have 'Pete' time because of all that I do. Sure, justifying make one feel good, but in th eworld Christ died for, there is no 'Down' time. I need to and desire to do even more. Give my whole life and not just part of it. Jesus gave His all and that is the least I can do. My heart aches right now for all of the children around the world who are dying of starvation and sickness. Many die because they don't have inexspensive medicine that could save their lives. Dying needlessly.
Here in America we have all that we need. And with having all that we need we tend to forget that we need Jesus everyday. We tend to forget that their are people daily who are in need. Here in America we we forget that we are to give our best to God instead of our little penitent service that makes us feel better, or like we are doing something. We can change all this, but there is one huge thing we have to come to grips with "We must die to self, and live for Him." Jesus was pretty clear when He said "You must lose your life to gain it." What part don't I (we) get.
I praise the Lord right now that He is constantly turning my world upside down. Showing me through a young girls life how we can make a difference, and how small my faith is. "Oh Lord, increase my faith!"
Katie Davis is only 22 (could be 23 by now) and has been giving her life for Jesus in Uganda since she was nineteen. As I read her book (and I encourage you to get one today if you really desire to move forward knowing and doing His will) I wasn't in awe of Katie (She probably would not like anyone saying that they were, and there is alot to be in awe of her about), but in the power of God and the love of Jesus Christ.
Looking back and reflecting on my walk with Christ, faith, love and what I thought was obedience, I find myself with a greater desire to really give all of myself. I do not know about any of you, but sometimes I tend to feel that I am doing alot for Jesus each and everyday. I kow alot of people who do alot of studying, preachign and teaching who consider this to be alot for Jesus, and others. I know alot of people who do something large once a month and think "Wow! Look what we're doing!" But truthfully "Am I (or are we) giving Him our all?"
Oh how sad it is for me writing this blog to think that to many times 'Theology' and 'Doctrine' clouds our love for others. It hinders our service for the Lord and quite frankly makes us 'Uneffective' in this lost and dying world. I may have everything right doctrinaly, but am I giving my best in love and service to those around me everyday?
We find in Hebrews 11 the account of Abel and Cain. We know the story.... Abel gives his best (firstfruits) to God, and God considered him righteous. Cain gets upset because of God accepting Able's offering and kills him. The writer of Hebrews tells us "By faith he still speaks." Abel's faith is still speaking today to me and to you. "Are we giving God our best?" Unfortunately, in all that I do everyday in serving others and loving Jesus with all of my heart, I would have to be honest and say "No." There is so much more to give. It isn't about me, or you, it's about those around us who need to see and hear of Jesus Christ everyday. Whether it's at work, at home, in school, at the store, etc....Are we giving God our best?
My life and my world as I have known it is now upside down. Everyone who knows me think that I do alot in all the various ministries I am blessed to do each day. I too sometimes want to kick back and have 'Pete' time because of all that I do. Sure, justifying make one feel good, but in th eworld Christ died for, there is no 'Down' time. I need to and desire to do even more. Give my whole life and not just part of it. Jesus gave His all and that is the least I can do. My heart aches right now for all of the children around the world who are dying of starvation and sickness. Many die because they don't have inexspensive medicine that could save their lives. Dying needlessly.
Here in America we have all that we need. And with having all that we need we tend to forget that we need Jesus everyday. We tend to forget that their are people daily who are in need. Here in America we we forget that we are to give our best to God instead of our little penitent service that makes us feel better, or like we are doing something. We can change all this, but there is one huge thing we have to come to grips with "We must die to self, and live for Him." Jesus was pretty clear when He said "You must lose your life to gain it." What part don't I (we) get.
I praise the Lord right now that He is constantly turning my world upside down. Showing me through a young girls life how we can make a difference, and how small my faith is. "Oh Lord, increase my faith!"
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Where is our focus?
As Christians we tend to always 'think' that our focus is always on Jesus. This mornign I had to be somewhere at 7:00 am, and I could not believe how people drive and just the 'Hurried up' pace in which everyone in. How could their focus be on Jesus in these times?
This past Sunday I preached in Mark 8. You have all probably read this scripture many times, and some of you may have even taught it, or preached it. Jesus just fed 4,000 people again with just a few fish and loaves of bread, and then had a confrontation with the Pharisees. Jesus tells His disciples "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod." His disciples discussed what He said and came up with this brilliant answer "It is because we have no bread."
Does this remind us of anyone? How many times do we allow the world and that which is around us to distract us from the One (Jesus) that is right with us? The disciples are constant reminders to us all that we need to stay 'focused' on Jesus and not the world, or others. The Pharisees missed the reason for the miracles (to show them that He was the Messiah) and sought monitary things instead of the Savior. We all tend to have the same problem on a daily basis. As a Pastor I have to guard myself from things and people distracting me from Jesus and being In Him. As a Pastor it is also a stark reminder that alot of times one can be ministering and loose focus also.
So what about us? Will we learn what Jesus was sharing with His disciples? Will we learn that we must and need to remain focused, and In Him? He is the bread of life, and He can give us all that we need~
This past Sunday I preached in Mark 8. You have all probably read this scripture many times, and some of you may have even taught it, or preached it. Jesus just fed 4,000 people again with just a few fish and loaves of bread, and then had a confrontation with the Pharisees. Jesus tells His disciples "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod." His disciples discussed what He said and came up with this brilliant answer "It is because we have no bread."
Does this remind us of anyone? How many times do we allow the world and that which is around us to distract us from the One (Jesus) that is right with us? The disciples are constant reminders to us all that we need to stay 'focused' on Jesus and not the world, or others. The Pharisees missed the reason for the miracles (to show them that He was the Messiah) and sought monitary things instead of the Savior. We all tend to have the same problem on a daily basis. As a Pastor I have to guard myself from things and people distracting me from Jesus and being In Him. As a Pastor it is also a stark reminder that alot of times one can be ministering and loose focus also.
So what about us? Will we learn what Jesus was sharing with His disciples? Will we learn that we must and need to remain focused, and In Him? He is the bread of life, and He can give us all that we need~
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)