What would shake your world? What words could devastate you? What event could cause you to lose hope?
Mark 6:50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid .
The word "troubled" in the passage in the Greek is the word tar-as'-so.
It means - to agitate ...like a thing, that has many irritating parts that continue to move to and fro; disquieting us and making us restless, fearful, anxious and distressed.
This type of troubling perplexes the mind and challenges the senses by suggesting scruples or doubts.
Would God ever do things or allow things to happen that cause doubt?
Take a little time and read though this amazing Chapter (Mark 6) in scripture.
Make note of all the things that happened that could pile high creating a quandary of "hold on a minute".
To list a few:
Jesus' amazing teaching in the Synagogue,
the "two by two" Kingdom Evangelism,
the Herod "who is this?" agitation (he has to revisit what he did to John the Baptist),
the crowded quiet time,
the feeding of the five thousand w/ 5 loaves and 2 small fish,
then the spirited sea walk ... this whole chapter is a "thing that has many irritating parts that continue to move to and fro".
Our lives may not appear to have as many miraculous interruptions BUT the culmination of all the moving parts can easily overwhelm us; troubling us into
a kind of spiritual paralysis. These events of troubling can even weigh heavily on our faith, leaving us in the lurch of hopelessness.
BUT for those who are His:
He comes with the clouds of adversity ... because he sees you toiling in the midst of this and will not stand by leaving you alone in your troubles ...
He will walk on your restless sea of distress.
He will come to you.
See Him ...let there be a new cause for troubling ...Jesus, more to be feared than any trouble.
Listen ... for He will immediately talk to you ... He is above all your troubles.
Hear what he says : BE OF GOOD CHEER ... IT IS I ... BE NOT AFRAID!
Actually it is so much more simple in the original language:
Courage ... I am ... fear not!
He is your source of standing in this, He is your strength, your shield, your weapon of depression destruction, your comfort, your guide, your guard,
your sun, your light, your way, your confidence, your breath, your life, your everything needed, your all in all. He desires to be in the midst of this with you.
Courage ... I am ... fear not!
Oh, if only we could allow this reality to rule our troubled souls.
HLFA,
Jeff
Jesus is Coming - Don't Predict or Panic... WATCH!
Today, May 21 ...one individual has set himself above scripture like so many have done before (even he did in 1994), and made claims that the Rapture will happen today at 6 o'clock (not sure if the Bible was specific about the time zone so this could get a little tense). There is a problem with this ... scripture has told us "no man knows the hour or the day ... not even the Son of Man (while He was here). What are we to do during these verbal shakings ... WATCH!
Read the scripture below and let it soak your soul.
Matthew 24:36 - But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mark 13:32 - But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Matthew 24:42-43 - Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Matthew 25:13 - Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 26:38 - Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. For those who love Him, everyday begins with what Jesus said about His Return:
Matthew 26:40-41 - And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Mark 13:37 - And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
What does it mean to Watch:
To give strict attention to, be cautious, active - BEING OPEN AND ALIVE TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS - CONTINUALLY.
2. To Assemble to live out our watching... in Fellowship, in Business, in the Market Place, in the Street - SHARING YOUR LIFE IN JESUS.
3. To Arouse Others to Awake, to arise, to be Born, to construct a living, breathing Body of Watchers - BUILDING THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
Luke 12:37 - Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
Watching for His coming - is not perilous pandemonium, not painstaking presupposition, not a pestering predisposition...but is the loving lifestyle of those longing to be with Jesus...in His Time. I don't need to appear important by know something special (predicting the moment of His return) ... but my life should consist of a clear simple message of Jesus' Death for our sins, His Burial, His Bodily Resurrection, and His eminent and imminent return.
Living for Him, Living with Him,Living NOW, Living THEN, Living There, Living for Him, Living with Him. FOREVER.
WATCH.
HLFA,
Jeff
Read the scripture below and let it soak your soul.
Matthew 24:36 - But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mark 13:32 - But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Matthew 24:42-43 - Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Matthew 25:13 - Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 26:38 - Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. For those who love Him, everyday begins with what Jesus said about His Return:
Matthew 26:40-41 - And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Mark 13:37 - And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
What does it mean to Watch:
To give strict attention to, be cautious, active - BEING OPEN AND ALIVE TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS - CONTINUALLY.
2. To Assemble to live out our watching... in Fellowship, in Business, in the Market Place, in the Street - SHARING YOUR LIFE IN JESUS.
3. To Arouse Others to Awake, to arise, to be Born, to construct a living, breathing Body of Watchers - BUILDING THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
Luke 12:37 - Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
Watching for His coming - is not perilous pandemonium, not painstaking presupposition, not a pestering predisposition...but is the loving lifestyle of those longing to be with Jesus...in His Time. I don't need to appear important by know something special (predicting the moment of His return) ... but my life should consist of a clear simple message of Jesus' Death for our sins, His Burial, His Bodily Resurrection, and His eminent and imminent return.
Living for Him, Living with Him,Living NOW, Living THEN, Living There, Living for Him, Living with Him. FOREVER.
WATCH.
HLFA,
Jeff
Hope and Healing??? Realize the Power of the Body
Have you looked into the face of an unseen enemy who was trying to maim and possibly kill you?
Do you daily face an adversary that smiles while plotting your demise?
Have you been gripped by the fear that your situation may be impossible no matter what you do?
Have you found yourself so overcome by a situation that you wanted to run away, change your name, leave your current life or cease to exist?
Have you been tempted to quit because the fight (you've been told) may just be a futile expenditure of time?
AND THE WORSE THING ... nobody seems to understand...or wants to.
Years ago, as I was recovering after colon cancer surgery, (still feeling the pain and wondering how the future would pan out) ...encouragement wandered into my hospital room in the strangest way. A young man who I had been introduced to months earlier, came into my room to pray for me. He was dying from Leukemia, he had no reason to care apart from his love for Jesus and his love for those whom Jesus died for.
His presence was momentarily overwhelming:
1. His upper body was so swollen that his head and neck were almost the same dimensions as his shoulders.
2. He wheeled in an oxygen tank and an IV stroller.
3. His focus was me not his pain.
4. His prayer was so tender it probably had Angels anxious to attend.
When he left, I knew that everything would be all right. BECAUSE MY SUFFERING BROTHER CARRIED COMFORT for me. My suffering brother decided not to be overcome by his pain, but would rise above it, use it as a powerful tool to love in spite of his condition. I learned a great truth that day about God's strangest, most risky plan to comfort His own.
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. FOR THEM.
God's comfort to us is in us, waiting and effective. Like a pressure valve unopened, until it is tapped the valve doesn't experience the flow of released pressure. Until the valve is opened the pressure has no effect outside the valve ... no positive or negative affect. The blessing in this life truly comes when we open our hearts to comfort others. God has placed special emphasis on this powerful ministry through His suffering kids.
He will comfort you as you comfort others. Suffering now?... go for hope and healing, but be ready to share ...so healing will continue to flow through you.
THIS IS HIS WILL ... do not quit. Quitting is not His will.
HLFA,
Jeff
Do you daily face an adversary that smiles while plotting your demise?
Have you been gripped by the fear that your situation may be impossible no matter what you do?
Have you found yourself so overcome by a situation that you wanted to run away, change your name, leave your current life or cease to exist?
Have you been tempted to quit because the fight (you've been told) may just be a futile expenditure of time?
AND THE WORSE THING ... nobody seems to understand...or wants to.
Years ago, as I was recovering after colon cancer surgery, (still feeling the pain and wondering how the future would pan out) ...encouragement wandered into my hospital room in the strangest way. A young man who I had been introduced to months earlier, came into my room to pray for me. He was dying from Leukemia, he had no reason to care apart from his love for Jesus and his love for those whom Jesus died for.
His presence was momentarily overwhelming:
1. His upper body was so swollen that his head and neck were almost the same dimensions as his shoulders.
2. He wheeled in an oxygen tank and an IV stroller.
3. His focus was me not his pain.
4. His prayer was so tender it probably had Angels anxious to attend.
When he left, I knew that everything would be all right. BECAUSE MY SUFFERING BROTHER CARRIED COMFORT for me. My suffering brother decided not to be overcome by his pain, but would rise above it, use it as a powerful tool to love in spite of his condition. I learned a great truth that day about God's strangest, most risky plan to comfort His own.
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. FOR THEM.
God's comfort to us is in us, waiting and effective. Like a pressure valve unopened, until it is tapped the valve doesn't experience the flow of released pressure. Until the valve is opened the pressure has no effect outside the valve ... no positive or negative affect. The blessing in this life truly comes when we open our hearts to comfort others. God has placed special emphasis on this powerful ministry through His suffering kids.
He will comfort you as you comfort others. Suffering now?... go for hope and healing, but be ready to share ...so healing will continue to flow through you.
THIS IS HIS WILL ... do not quit. Quitting is not His will.
HLFA,
Jeff
Where In The World Do We Get Off?
There seems to be a growing trend that started in the garden to appear righteous in stead of truly loving.
Unrequited love is love that is not openly reciprocated or understood as such, even though reciprocation is usually deeply desired.
The beloved may or may not be aware of the admirer's deep affections.
The Merriam Webster Online Dictionary defines unrequited as "not reciprocated or returned in kind."
John 3: 16 - For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Romans 1:21 - Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful ; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened .
John 1:12 - But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
The world is looking on, longing to see those who requite God's Love. Oh, Ones requiting may never bring fame and fortune ..and Ones will never equal the Love offered ... but the Love bestowed from God's Offering to the receiver is poured forth with the unrelenting force of Abundant Life, Resurrection power, Authority of the Family...the Face of God shining on His requiters.
To requite, no matter how feeble, brings one into the life of truly knowing Him. God never called us to be Christians, assuming the position of Sons and Daughters...He called us to His love offering ... wanting us to live with Him not just "for Him". Faith in His love offering miraculously positions us in His family. The covenant sealed by His blood places us in His care ...He lovingly commits to being responsible for us. He has not called us to religious activity but to Family loving and living.
Reminder ...in this world we will be abused by those who have assumed that the power of God allows them
to rule over those not as dedicated as they are (pure warped perception). Not even beginning to look at the picture of Christ kneeling before His flawed disciples and washing their feet...(we may proudly, in a humble fashion perform a foot washing in a very well planned service) ... sharing in the power of love and full forgiveness.
To requite God's love means to also love others unconditionally.
One that has truly tasted His love, will love... others.
Is there room in this family for spiritual abortion clinics that caste away people in the name of Jesus, because we have discovered a flaw in someone else that may expose us to our own fragile flaws?
If it is true that He was wounded for our transgressions He was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed........................... why do we continue to think it is our job to expose, embarrass, punish and cast away fallen brothers and sisters. Where in the world do we get off following this warped wisdom? ....We will even twist the word in favor of not bearing all things and not believing all things and not hoping all things.
LET US PUT UP A PERMANENT SIGN ON OUR LIVES THAT READS THE FOLLOWING:
"Don't get too close me or I will expose and announce your sin."
Hey ... look up the verse that says that love covers a multitude of sin, and cut it out if you won't study and see what it really means.
or how about
"Judgement begins in the House of God" .....we don't even have a clue what it means to Judge, let alone judge righteous judgments.
"Here I lay, broken and battered by those I thought did love me; pulled from the safety of the womb of love to be openly discarded; in this cold steel can marked Bio-Hazard ... O I'm loathed and so lowly." Sunday, May 1, 2011
HLFA,
Jeff
Unrequited love is love that is not openly reciprocated or understood as such, even though reciprocation is usually deeply desired.
The beloved may or may not be aware of the admirer's deep affections.
The Merriam Webster Online Dictionary defines unrequited as "not reciprocated or returned in kind."
John 3: 16 - For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Romans 1:21 - Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful ; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened .
John 1:12 - But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
The world is looking on, longing to see those who requite God's Love. Oh, Ones requiting may never bring fame and fortune ..and Ones will never equal the Love offered ... but the Love bestowed from God's Offering to the receiver is poured forth with the unrelenting force of Abundant Life, Resurrection power, Authority of the Family...the Face of God shining on His requiters.
To requite, no matter how feeble, brings one into the life of truly knowing Him. God never called us to be Christians, assuming the position of Sons and Daughters...He called us to His love offering ... wanting us to live with Him not just "for Him". Faith in His love offering miraculously positions us in His family. The covenant sealed by His blood places us in His care ...He lovingly commits to being responsible for us. He has not called us to religious activity but to Family loving and living.
Reminder ...in this world we will be abused by those who have assumed that the power of God allows them
to rule over those not as dedicated as they are (pure warped perception). Not even beginning to look at the picture of Christ kneeling before His flawed disciples and washing their feet...(we may proudly, in a humble fashion perform a foot washing in a very well planned service) ... sharing in the power of love and full forgiveness.
To requite God's love means to also love others unconditionally.
One that has truly tasted His love, will love... others.
Is there room in this family for spiritual abortion clinics that caste away people in the name of Jesus, because we have discovered a flaw in someone else that may expose us to our own fragile flaws?
If it is true that He was wounded for our transgressions He was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed........................... why do we continue to think it is our job to expose, embarrass, punish and cast away fallen brothers and sisters. Where in the world do we get off following this warped wisdom? ....We will even twist the word in favor of not bearing all things and not believing all things and not hoping all things.
LET US PUT UP A PERMANENT SIGN ON OUR LIVES THAT READS THE FOLLOWING:
"Don't get too close me or I will expose and announce your sin."
Hey ... look up the verse that says that love covers a multitude of sin, and cut it out if you won't study and see what it really means.
or how about
"Judgement begins in the House of God" .....we don't even have a clue what it means to Judge, let alone judge righteous judgments.
"Here I lay, broken and battered by those I thought did love me; pulled from the safety of the womb of love to be openly discarded; in this cold steel can marked Bio-Hazard ... O I'm loathed and so lowly." Sunday, May 1, 2011
HLFA,
Jeff
Mary Magdalene
At the feet of Jesus, weeping, anointing, wiping His feet with her hair and tears...
At the foot of the cross, standing, looking, listening...
At the empty tomb, weeping and looking, and longing to hear...
At the sound of her Name, she spoke "Master"...
In the presence of the Disciples, she told them "The Lord Spoke to Me".
Below are the summary verses of this love story...
from a sacrifice of all the tools of her past life and pride
to the humble heart that was waiting, loving and longing for His Voice.
John 12:3
Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
John 19:25
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
John 20:1
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
John 20:11
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping : and as she wept , she stooped down , and looked into the sepulchre,
John 20:16, 18
Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say , Master.
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her.
What would you do with your life...
if the One that rescued you from your filth and shame;
if this One was suddenly snatched away;
if this One was brutally tortured and left to die right before your eyes...
What would you do with your life?
Would you forget His Voice?
Would you forget His unbelievable promises?
Would you throw your life away?
Did Mary forget His promises while at the empty tomb?
YES ... of course she did ... BUT HE DID NOT FORGET MARY!!!!
(you may want to argue at this point by saying she didn't understand His promises ... but neither do we until He walks us through them
and in her despair she will take that walk ... little by little).
In times of distress will you also forget His promises?
Of course... you have and of course you will !
BUT His faithfulness does not depend upon you or your frail feeling's led memory.
Listen carefully to His still small voice ... this is a call to your broken heart.
Your love for Him and longing for His voice may position you:
for a time of broken trust...
for momentary darkness...
and undeniable doubt...
standing in the mire of your misguided decisions...
gazing from the pit you have dug...
feeling your are not worth His time or His love...
feeling your are held in a curse...never to be blessed;
BUT HE IS FAITHFUL. His mercy endures forever...His love for you who have
trusted Him for salvation is SOLID, and He is satisfied with His love for you.
(Don't miss this)
He is SATISFIED with His Love for you.
Stand quietly, look longingly, listen intently...
This is the moment...He hasn't forgotten you!
He cherishes you.
He will speak your name.
He is speaking your name!
Cry out from your soul..."Master!"
It will be all right!
Happy Easter!!
HLFA,
Jeff
At the foot of the cross, standing, looking, listening...
At the empty tomb, weeping and looking, and longing to hear...
At the sound of her Name, she spoke "Master"...
In the presence of the Disciples, she told them "The Lord Spoke to Me".
Below are the summary verses of this love story...
from a sacrifice of all the tools of her past life and pride
to the humble heart that was waiting, loving and longing for His Voice.
John 12:3
Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
John 19:25
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
John 20:1
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
John 20:11
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping : and as she wept , she stooped down , and looked into the sepulchre,
John 20:16, 18
Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say , Master.
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her.
What would you do with your life...
if the One that rescued you from your filth and shame;
if this One was suddenly snatched away;
if this One was brutally tortured and left to die right before your eyes...
What would you do with your life?
Would you forget His Voice?
Would you forget His unbelievable promises?
Would you throw your life away?
Did Mary forget His promises while at the empty tomb?
YES ... of course she did ... BUT HE DID NOT FORGET MARY!!!!
(you may want to argue at this point by saying she didn't understand His promises ... but neither do we until He walks us through them
and in her despair she will take that walk ... little by little).
In times of distress will you also forget His promises?
Of course... you have and of course you will !
BUT His faithfulness does not depend upon you or your frail feeling's led memory.
Listen carefully to His still small voice ... this is a call to your broken heart.
Your love for Him and longing for His voice may position you:
for a time of broken trust...
for momentary darkness...
and undeniable doubt...
standing in the mire of your misguided decisions...
gazing from the pit you have dug...
feeling your are not worth His time or His love...
feeling your are held in a curse...never to be blessed;
BUT HE IS FAITHFUL. His mercy endures forever...His love for you who have
trusted Him for salvation is SOLID, and He is satisfied with His love for you.
(Don't miss this)
He is SATISFIED with His Love for you.
Stand quietly, look longingly, listen intently...
This is the moment...He hasn't forgotten you!
He cherishes you.
He will speak your name.
He is speaking your name!
Cry out from your soul..."Master!"
It will be all right!
Happy Easter!!
HLFA,
Jeff
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)