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Pondering
Pondering, I often come to the realization that my entry into His Kingdom was never in my hand. Jesus gave me access. He made me sit in heavenly places with Him. I am, but a grafted-in branch, joined by His allowance far beyond my own ability. How can I reach the depth of His love for me? With limited understanding and a narrow view, I strain to see beyond the boundaries of this life. It was always the Lord; keeping me; guiding, holding out grace when I was unwilling to grasp His hand. Our perspectives are often so clouded. While…
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They Supposed
Luke 2:44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. How is it that the most significant moment in Mary and Joseph’s life faded into the abyss of a busy day? The “company” was certainly a group of friends and possibly other family members all making their way back home after being in Jerusalem for one of the three important feasts. The moment was over and the journey back home was filled with fellowship and conversation, all the while Jesus remained in the Temple. They…
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Imagine
You’ve probably heard. Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood sang John Lennon’s “Imagine” at President Carter’s funeral service. “Imagine there’s no heaven, it’s easy if you try.” “Imagine there’s no country; it isn’t hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too.” Lennon was said to have struggled with his religious beliefs. The famed Beatles’ front-man was in pursuit of removing guilt associated with his knowledge of Christianity. The song represented a liberal, secular, humanistic view of a perfect world where people were free to sin without feeling the emotion of guilt or shame. It was seen…
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More Like Jesus
Segregation was an early and often reality in the early 1900’s. The separation of black and white communities was routine in all manner of life. Education, commerce, military, and daily duties often featured a two-tiered system. Even funeral homes rarely mixed the patrons. It wasn’t just water fountains and buses that featured racism. The struggle to find equal footing was a daunting task. Martin Luther King Jr. grew up enveloped in this struggle. His father once brought him to buy shoes when the sales clerk told them to wait in the back of the store. His father refused and took…
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Distracted
The Bible speaks of a young prophet who was lured into bypassing the command of the Lord. If we could encapsulate the moment, he was simply sidetracked. He knew the word of the Lord, but his attention was diverted and it cost him his life. Of course, there were a number of factors that led to the moment, but at the foundation of failure was an interruption in his walk. Driving under the influence, DUI’s, are responsible for multiple highway deaths. The reports rage across the nation as the innocent, unsuspecting lose their life. Mothers and fathers have wept uncontrollably…
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Purpose
John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. Of a truth, exposure leads to burden and burden leads to action. We often invest in things that we see or know. The absence of familiarity is of itself a rejection to any such adherence. Thus, Jesus did not simply call us to work the harvest. He did not just tell us to reach the lost or spread the Gospel. Jesus said, “Lift your eyes.”…
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Focus
Phil 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, Phil 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. If we put the above text into proper context, Paul was not speaking of trouble. In fact, he had just listed his many accolades; so the “forgetting” was related to success rather than failure. However, Paul was offering us a key to forward movement. The apostle proposes the ability to…
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Speak Jesus
Luke 2:16-17 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. Mark chapter 5 describes a man set free from tormenting spirits. Upon seeing Jesus, the man fell down and worshiped the Lord. It was the pivot of his life. In the final description, the Bible offers this word: Mark 5:20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.…
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There Is Room
Luke 14:22-23 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. The story was told of an airlift operation in a war zone. In brief, the helicopter pilot and crew were sent to rescue three people from a war zone. Needless to say it was dangerous with no certain outcome. When the team arrived, there were more than three who needed help. As the crew helped…
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At All Times
Consider the moment of Matthew 14:22-23. After a long day of teaching and being with the multitude, Jesus constrained His disciples to get into a ship. He sent them ahead to the other side of the sea. In the meantime, Jesus went to a high place overlooking their journey across the water. As this incarnate God, Emmanuel is watching, the boat is caught in a tempest. The sea rages and the disciples are tossed by the waves. The Bible states, “for the wind was contrary.” It was an impossible situation even for these seaworthy men. Knowing all things and all…