Just reading the early chapters of Luke with the beauty of the Christmas story and the Magnificat as Mary declares her blessed position in Christ and then I began the 3rd chapter and came across this, "In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar....when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod Tetrach of Galilee, his brother Philip Tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias Tetrach of Abilene....during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."
What is the purpose of that? Luke is writing to his friend Theophilus and to the Gentile world of the things that he has learned about this man who Luke has come to believe is the Savior of the World. It is as though he is saying to anyone who reads his account, "hey, check it out. If you don't believe me, here is a list of the important folks who were around when all of this happened. Ask them!" Luke is providing detail to refute anyone who might say, "prove it!"
How sure of your testimony are you? Have you seen or heard evidence of the Christ? Can you back up your belief? Can you cross reference what you have seen or know in a way to be convincing to the curious, the one who needs a nudge to come to faith?
Growing in our understanding, becoming confident of our Faith is to become a witness; one who can speak with authority of the good news that we have heard that God has come and because he has we have a hope for the future. What are you witness too? Can you speak as one who is witness to God's power and presence.
Praying that you can have the boldness of an eyewitness this day. Be a blessing and praise God in what he has done in and through you.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
I do believe....Mark 9
Mark relates the story of a father begging Jesus to cast an evil spirit from his son. His son is afflicted by seizures that keep him from productive living. The father asks Jesus to help him "if he can". Jesus responds, "If you can? All things are possible for those who believe." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief."
How like that are we.....we who call ourselves Christian. We ask in our prayers, but we have no real expectation, no real faith that God will hear and answer our prayer. Perhaps, we say, that which I ask for is not in God's perfect will.....perhaps. Perhaps this bad thing is God's way of punishing me or refining me or training me or making me more patience.....perhaps. And perhaps we receive not because we pray haltingly, faithlessly, unbelieving and untrusting. God is a God of power, perfect love. He walks with us through the valley of the shadow, he fills our cup to overflowing, he prepares a table before us in the very presence of our enemies. God is able to handle all of our problems. "would you God, could you God?" That is a prayer without power.
I do believe, heavenly father, help me to overcome my unbelief.
How like that are we.....we who call ourselves Christian. We ask in our prayers, but we have no real expectation, no real faith that God will hear and answer our prayer. Perhaps, we say, that which I ask for is not in God's perfect will.....perhaps. Perhaps this bad thing is God's way of punishing me or refining me or training me or making me more patience.....perhaps. And perhaps we receive not because we pray haltingly, faithlessly, unbelieving and untrusting. God is a God of power, perfect love. He walks with us through the valley of the shadow, he fills our cup to overflowing, he prepares a table before us in the very presence of our enemies. God is able to handle all of our problems. "would you God, could you God?" That is a prayer without power.
I do believe, heavenly father, help me to overcome my unbelief.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
And all were healed....Mark 6:56b
Even as Jesus walked the shores of Galilee and did extraordinary things they wondered who this man was, but they did not doubt that miracles abounded in his presence and wherever he went they brought their sick knowing that to touch the hem of his cloak was to be healed. Who was this Jesus? The church did not know, the government leaders did not know, his family did not know, his neighbors did not know and even his disciples were still trying to figure it out; but everyone seemed to know that he was someone you wanted to be close to.
The church officials wanted to be close to accuse and denounce. Government folks wanted to be around to make sure that there was no treasonous activity involved in these growing crowds. Regular folks wanted to be close because miracles happened when he was around. Why would you want to be near a fellow like this Jesus? Is there something that you need from this mysterious personage? Have you some difficulty that will only be resolved in a supernatural way? Jesus is much more than a physical healer, he offers contentment, assurances, rest, justice, satisfaction, peace. There is probably much more, but you get the idea. What is it that you need to be made whole? You might look in a lot of places without finding your answer. Could it be that the promise of Jesus as the way, the truth and the life is true? Could it be that if you would just draw intimately near.......near enough to touch the hem of his garment, that you would find strength (power) for the living of your days? When you are tired of looking in all the wrong places, why not try this promise that is made in the scriptures; walk with Jesus for awhile, lean on him and share his yoke. See if his promises are true. I'll bet my life that they are.
The church officials wanted to be close to accuse and denounce. Government folks wanted to be around to make sure that there was no treasonous activity involved in these growing crowds. Regular folks wanted to be close because miracles happened when he was around. Why would you want to be near a fellow like this Jesus? Is there something that you need from this mysterious personage? Have you some difficulty that will only be resolved in a supernatural way? Jesus is much more than a physical healer, he offers contentment, assurances, rest, justice, satisfaction, peace. There is probably much more, but you get the idea. What is it that you need to be made whole? You might look in a lot of places without finding your answer. Could it be that the promise of Jesus as the way, the truth and the life is true? Could it be that if you would just draw intimately near.......near enough to touch the hem of his garment, that you would find strength (power) for the living of your days? When you are tired of looking in all the wrong places, why not try this promise that is made in the scriptures; walk with Jesus for awhile, lean on him and share his yoke. See if his promises are true. I'll bet my life that they are.
Monday, October 24, 2011
The Gospel of Mark
The Gospel of Mark is thought to be the 1st (chronologically) of the gospels. Interesting considering that John Mark was a 2nd generation Christian. John is his Jewish name and Mark is his Roman name. Both names are used at different times in Paul's writings. The Gospel of Mark was written about 55 A.D. by the son of Mary who was a prominent Christian women who lived in Jerusalem and who provided her home for church meetings. This home is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (Chapter 12) and was the home to which Peter went when the Angels miraculously released him from prison.
Many biblical scholars believe that Mark was a convert of Peter and became his scribe. As a boy he would have been able to see and hear Jesus because of his mother's support of the Christ. As an aide to Peter, he would have heard the many stories of the Great fisherman. He was also cousin to Barnabas which made him available to Paul in one of his early missionary journeys. Imagine the great wealth of knowledge that John Mark had as he walked and talked and listened to some of the great giants of the early Faith. He was with Jesus and the disciples, he ministered with Peter and with Paul. He becomes a leader in the early church and a disciple to the gentiles. He helped Barnabas to establish the church in Cyprus and became and founded the church in Alexandria. His account of the life of Christ in his gospel account is quoted extensively by the other gospels. It is thought to have been written to the Christians in Rome. It is another great account of God in the flesh, the one that we call Jesus.
For those who are reading through the Bible with me this year.....I am glad to share with you in the reading of this young man's account of the life and ministry of our Savior and our Lord.
Many biblical scholars believe that Mark was a convert of Peter and became his scribe. As a boy he would have been able to see and hear Jesus because of his mother's support of the Christ. As an aide to Peter, he would have heard the many stories of the Great fisherman. He was also cousin to Barnabas which made him available to Paul in one of his early missionary journeys. Imagine the great wealth of knowledge that John Mark had as he walked and talked and listened to some of the great giants of the early Faith. He was with Jesus and the disciples, he ministered with Peter and with Paul. He becomes a leader in the early church and a disciple to the gentiles. He helped Barnabas to establish the church in Cyprus and became and founded the church in Alexandria. His account of the life of Christ in his gospel account is quoted extensively by the other gospels. It is thought to have been written to the Christians in Rome. It is another great account of God in the flesh, the one that we call Jesus.
For those who are reading through the Bible with me this year.....I am glad to share with you in the reading of this young man's account of the life and ministry of our Savior and our Lord.
Friday, October 21, 2011
The End...Matthew 24
Jesus gathers with his disciples and they ask "what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
Wouldn't we like to know? I mean to have such knowledge of the last days would be a powerful. What would we do with such knowledge? Would it spur us to more time spent in good works? Would it increase our efforts to speak the good news? Or would it be so distant as to cause us to lag in our service to our God and King? Most of the time I think that I am glad not to know, to simply trust in the Amazing Grace of God. But still, for those that are disciples of the Christ, Jesus offers some information.
Do not be deceived, he says, many will come disguised as he, but don't be fulled. When the Christ comes back there will be no mistaking his return. If you need signs of his imminent return then know that there will be war and rumor of war.....don't be alarmed, it will not yet be time. There will be famine and earthquake in various places, nation will rise against nation. These are the birth pains of the new beginning. The church and all those who confess in Christ will be persecuted, wickedness will be on the increase. That sounds very much like today's news doesn't it? But the gospel yet needs to be preached in the whole world before the return of Christ. And then there is this....the abomination of desolation. What is that and how will we know it?
I don't know that I am smart enough but many biblical scholars believe that the abomination spoken of in Daniel occurred when Antiochus Epiphanes erected an altar to Zeus in the temple and sacrifice a pig on the altar. The abomination that Jesus speaks of may be something similar in the church of today. Guard the church that those who would twist the truth of Jesus Christ do not take over control of the Body of Christ and pollute the testimony of God's word. Would that be the abomination of desolation?
The day and hour are unknown except to the Father in heaven, but we can hasten the day by speaking the good news, by supporting our pastors and missionaries who carry The Word to many places that we cannot go to ourselves. Be ready. If God calls his elect today, let us be found at work in his vineyard, doing those things which bring glory to the one who is the author of life and the Savior of our souls.
If Jesus doesn't come in the next 48 hours or so, I hope to see you on the Sabbath. God's best to you.
Pastor Dave
Wouldn't we like to know? I mean to have such knowledge of the last days would be a powerful. What would we do with such knowledge? Would it spur us to more time spent in good works? Would it increase our efforts to speak the good news? Or would it be so distant as to cause us to lag in our service to our God and King? Most of the time I think that I am glad not to know, to simply trust in the Amazing Grace of God. But still, for those that are disciples of the Christ, Jesus offers some information.
Do not be deceived, he says, many will come disguised as he, but don't be fulled. When the Christ comes back there will be no mistaking his return. If you need signs of his imminent return then know that there will be war and rumor of war.....don't be alarmed, it will not yet be time. There will be famine and earthquake in various places, nation will rise against nation. These are the birth pains of the new beginning. The church and all those who confess in Christ will be persecuted, wickedness will be on the increase. That sounds very much like today's news doesn't it? But the gospel yet needs to be preached in the whole world before the return of Christ. And then there is this....the abomination of desolation. What is that and how will we know it?
I don't know that I am smart enough but many biblical scholars believe that the abomination spoken of in Daniel occurred when Antiochus Epiphanes erected an altar to Zeus in the temple and sacrifice a pig on the altar. The abomination that Jesus speaks of may be something similar in the church of today. Guard the church that those who would twist the truth of Jesus Christ do not take over control of the Body of Christ and pollute the testimony of God's word. Would that be the abomination of desolation?
The day and hour are unknown except to the Father in heaven, but we can hasten the day by speaking the good news, by supporting our pastors and missionaries who carry The Word to many places that we cannot go to ourselves. Be ready. If God calls his elect today, let us be found at work in his vineyard, doing those things which bring glory to the one who is the author of life and the Savior of our souls.
If Jesus doesn't come in the next 48 hours or so, I hope to see you on the Sabbath. God's best to you.
Pastor Dave
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
The Kingdom of Heaven is like....
Matthew 20 tells the parable of the workers and the vineyard. The owner of the vineyard goes into town at various times to hire more workers to complete the harvest. When the work is done all are paid the same wage. Some of those who worked the longest complained that they should be paid more. The owner responded that he could do what he wanted with his money and anyway he had paid the early workers exactly what they had agreed. The kingdom of heaven is like this.
I am glad it is. I think of those who have not yet heard the good news. I think of those who have not yet committed themselves to trust in Jesus. I am grateful every day that these have yet another opportunity to say yes to the owner of the vineyard. I don't think it bothers me a bit to think that those who say yes in their final moments will be sitting right up there with us at the feet of Jesus. I think that heaven will be too marvelous to worry about things as petty as earthly equity. Eternity will be too joy-filled to give any concern to heavenly rewards. God's grace, mercy and love will be beyond our imagination to spend a single moment on earth worry about who has the most jewels in their crown.
What we should be concerned with is making sure that none are lost, that all have every opportunity to say yes to the Lord of the harvest. Do you have friends or family who have not yet signed on? Maybe today is the day to tell them about the marvel, the majesty that awaits those who sign on for the grandest harvest that any can imagine.
Hope you are having the most blessed day imaginable.
I am glad it is. I think of those who have not yet heard the good news. I think of those who have not yet committed themselves to trust in Jesus. I am grateful every day that these have yet another opportunity to say yes to the owner of the vineyard. I don't think it bothers me a bit to think that those who say yes in their final moments will be sitting right up there with us at the feet of Jesus. I think that heaven will be too marvelous to worry about things as petty as earthly equity. Eternity will be too joy-filled to give any concern to heavenly rewards. God's grace, mercy and love will be beyond our imagination to spend a single moment on earth worry about who has the most jewels in their crown.
What we should be concerned with is making sure that none are lost, that all have every opportunity to say yes to the Lord of the harvest. Do you have friends or family who have not yet signed on? Maybe today is the day to tell them about the marvel, the majesty that awaits those who sign on for the grandest harvest that any can imagine.
Hope you are having the most blessed day imaginable.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Oh you of little Faith.
How often have we doubted the promises of God. He has promised to care for those who are his flock, the sheep of his pasture. Are our doubts related to our failure to return God's love. Is it that we doubt our faithfulness rather than God's? But to think that God might disinherit us is still to doubt the constancy of his love, the guarantee of his covenant to us. How awesome is our God whose faithfulness reaches beyond the generations and even forgives our unfaithfulness. In our weakness he is made strong and that strength should renew our faith in the power of his promise.
The story of Peter walking upon the water in Matthew 14 reminds us of the power that God has to do miraculous things in and through us, even to lift us beyond the limits of nature if that is his desire. Peter walks on the water at Jesus command, but sinks beneath the waves when his faith in Jesus promises wanes. How like that are we, in a moment we go from complete trust in what God has in store for us to doubting that he will even remember our name. The doubt is an instrument of the deceiver who would want to think that God is not faithful in every situation
How true are the words of scripture. How wonderful the words of the hymn: Great is they faithfulness, O God my Father; this is no shadow of turning with thee; thou changes not, they compassion they fail not; as thou has been, thou forever wilt be." Good times and bad, in the storms of life as in the joy that we share; God is the same, he is faithful. Can we trust in that? Can we walk in that knowledge?
Praying that your week will be marked by your faithful walk. Keep your eyes on Jesus and the stormy waters will fade. God is good, all the time!
The story of Peter walking upon the water in Matthew 14 reminds us of the power that God has to do miraculous things in and through us, even to lift us beyond the limits of nature if that is his desire. Peter walks on the water at Jesus command, but sinks beneath the waves when his faith in Jesus promises wanes. How like that are we, in a moment we go from complete trust in what God has in store for us to doubting that he will even remember our name. The doubt is an instrument of the deceiver who would want to think that God is not faithful in every situation
How true are the words of scripture. How wonderful the words of the hymn: Great is they faithfulness, O God my Father; this is no shadow of turning with thee; thou changes not, they compassion they fail not; as thou has been, thou forever wilt be." Good times and bad, in the storms of life as in the joy that we share; God is the same, he is faithful. Can we trust in that? Can we walk in that knowledge?
Praying that your week will be marked by your faithful walk. Keep your eyes on Jesus and the stormy waters will fade. God is good, all the time!
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