Are We Ready?
I sometimes wonder what it would take to get us out of our comfortable churches and lives into a world that is desperately dying to hear about the love of Jesus. Actually, there seems to be more and more things happening around the globe – forcing believers to rethink who we/they are and what they are going to do about it. Persecution is on the rise and restrictions and sharing the gospel are getting tighter in many countries, including ours.
What will be your response in the days ahead?
We are just finishing up John 12 and I was struck by vs’ 42-43 where many would not openly share their faith “for they loved human praise more than praise from God.” Are we ready and willing to “give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have?” (1Pet. 3;15-16)
I wish life could just be comfortable and pleasant! Don’t you? I don’t like stress, I don’t like to ‘go’ through things. I for sure don’t like persecution. But here’s an interesting turn of events in Acts 8:3-8. Saul went berserk against the church and it forced most of the followers of Jesus to leave the city and become missionaries! Imagine that! The events in their life forced them out of the comfortable fellowship and out into the world. Our world is right outside our front door. It could be the workplace, the store, the mall, a child’s dance class or a sporting event. People need the Lord and they need to see His kindness, His love and mercy and compassion. So much of that is disappearing in this world.
Are we ready?
Acts 8:3-8 MSG
“And Saul just went wild, devastating the church, entering house after house after house, dragging men and women off to jail. Forced to leave home base, the followers of Jesus all became missionaries. Wherever they were scattered, they preached the Message about Jesus. Going down to a Samaritan city, Philip proclaimed the Message of the Messiah. When the people heard what he had to say and saw the miracles, the clear signs of God’s action, they hung on his every word. Many who could neither stand nor walk were healed that day. The evil spirits protested loudly as they were sent on their way. And what joy in the city!”
Alert Expectation
“Master, I want to see again.”
When reading the story of the blind man who wouldn’t stop crying out to Jesus until he was heard, I was struck by his request: “Master, I want to see again.”
My heart immediately cried out those words to the Father: I want to see again! I get so distracted by this world! I want to tear off the blinders of the business of life, the noisiness of life, the distractions of life and of fear- fear of the aging process, fear of the feeling of not being of use, fear of the disturbing effects of Alzheimer’s and Dementia that I see in my mother-in-law, the fear of losing loved-ones, the fear of bombers in public places, and the list goes on! I want to ‘see’ again. See with fresh new eyes the goodness of the Lord, the workings of the Lord; I want to see anew in His Word.
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“Master, I want to see again.”
When reading the story of the blind man who wouldn’t stop crying out to Jesus until he was heard, I was struck by his request: “Master, I want to see again.”
My heart immediately cried out those words to the Father: I want to see again! I get so distracted by this world! I want to tear off the blinders of the business of life, the noisiness of life, the distractions of life and of fear- fear of the aging process, fear of the feeling of not being of use, fear of the disturbing effects of Alzheimer’s and Dementia that I see in my mother-in-law, the fear of losing loved-ones, the fear of bombers in public places, and the list goes on! I want to ‘see’ again. See with fresh new eyes the goodness of the Lord, the workings of the Lord; I want to see anew in His Word.
When I read the words of the blind man, I picture Him out of breath. He has been sitting on the side of the road, probably very hot, thirsty and feeling pretty much abandoned. Those with Jesus told him to be quiet, but he wouldn’t stop. Can you imagine? Have you ever cried out in earnest, trying to get someone’s attention in a crowd? Then Jesus heard him and told some of the men to bring him over and He asks him, what do you want? I think the blind man probably had to take a deep breath, and a deep sigh, before saying; I just want to see again! He must have been able to see before. I find, on this journey through life, that there are times that I can ‘see’ and times when I quit paying attention or get so busy or so worried that I can’t see anything. Today , this day, I want to see again! Every day I want to see again! I don’t want to miss anything the Lord has for me!
Lord, create a clean heart in me this day; renew a right spirit within me! Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You! Help me to ‘see’. Amen!
“He came to the outskirts of Jericho. A blind man was sitting beside the road asking for handouts. When he heard the rustle of the crowd, he asked what was going on. They told him, “Jesus the Nazarene is going by.” He yelled, “Jesus! Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!” Those ahead of Jesus told the man to shut up, but he only yelled all the louder, “Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and ordered him to be brought over. When he had come near, Jesus asked, “What do you want from me?” He said, “Master, I want to see again.” Jesus said, “Go ahead—see again! Your faith has saved and healed you!” The healing was instant: He looked up, seeing—and then followed Jesus, glorifying God. Everyone in the street joined in, shouting praise to God.” Luke 18:35-43 MSG
See it at YouVersion.com: http://bible.us/97/luk.18.35.msg
The Killing of Innocents
The terrorists would say there are none innocent, everyone is guilty.
Ironically – That is what the Lord says in a sense- all have sinned!
But what we need is a Savior – NOT a terrorist!
We need the One who can transform us from the inside out! Not one who maim’s from the outside, leaving people cold and dead on the inside.
We need the One who says “love your neighbor” not “blow up you neighbor”.
The One who values life, Who considers it priceless, not one who counts the number of lives it has destroyed.
We need the One who said “bring the children to me”, not someone who takes away their childhood by way of death or destruction.
We need the One Who will hold us secure during times of good and times of trouble, not someone who will sacrifice us all for the sake of a call.
We need the One Who gives us hope and peace today and eternity tomorrow: Not one who strikes fear in the hearts of mankind, believing that murder and death will somehow redeem!
We need the One Who says “come to me all who are weary and need rest” not one who walks away, fleeing the destruction he’s pouring on others or destroying himself in the process.
That One is Jesus!
On The Journey … Valerie
Relax! I’ve Got This!
“Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot.
“Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? … What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends!” http://bible.us/97/luk.12.15.msg
Trust Him! Whether you have a little, or have a lot. We are not defined by what we have but who we are in Him. Trust Him! And be generous in all areas of your life! He will take care of you! It’s a promise from the One who says, “You are my dearest friends.”
“Nuff said!”
On The Journey! Valerie
“Go and do likewise …”
Most folks are familiar with the story of the Good Samaritan where three different people crossed the path of the mugged and beaten traveler when he was down and out for the count. Two religious men and a man they both looked down on, the Samaritan. Jesus asks who was a ‘neighbor’ to the hurt man and of course the answer is – the Samaritan. Now the Samaritans did not believe all that differently than the men of Judah, just enough to split and become a new group. Sound familiar? They believed in the same God. Sigh…
The religious scholar answered Jesus correctly. “The one who showed pity and mercy”: another translation says “the one who treated him kindly.”
We are in desperate need of followers of Christ within the church body to remember Jesus’ answer here: “Go and do likewise.” Let’s purpose in our hearts to treat fellow believers with mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and kindness and caring. There is enough judgment and criticism coming from the world in general. Remember, they will know we are Christians by our love for another, not our condemnation of one another. (Jn13:35)
Luke 10:36, 37 AMP
“Which of these three do you think proved himself a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers? He answered, The one who showed pity and mercy to him. And Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise.”
See it at YouVersion.com:
Do You Feel Like An Outsider?
I love it when a plan comes together!
I love it when a plan comes together! Whether it’s a wedding, a trade show, a party, or a potluck supper! But what I really love is seeing the Lord working in someone’s life right before my very eyes. Right now, we, at Life Church, are watching the Lord do marvelous things and we are waiting with great anticipation to see what new plans He has in store for us!
This past week of reading through the New Testament in a year, we have been in the first few chapters of Luke and I can’t help but feel some of the excitement of Elizabeth and Mary when they each found out they were pregnant and that their pregnancies were part of God’s great destiny for mankind! Wow!!! Oh the wonder and excitement of it all! And these events lead us right up to why we celebrate Easter Week. I can’t help but think of the final unfolding of the lives of Mary’s son and Elizabeth’s son during this time. These two women let God be God in their lives! And because of the Lord’s great plan and His love for all of us, we have a reason to celebrate! Jesus is Risen: and Elizabeth’s son John? His death was not the end – he has eternity … as do we!
“And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.” And Mary said, Yes, I see it all now: I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve. (Luke 1:36-38 MSG)
On The Journey … Valerie
The Kingdom's Keeper 