May 1, 2010

The essence of evangelism: "We have found the Messiah.  Come and see."  First of all, we have to have a revelation of the Lord.  It helps to tell people how we got that revelation.  Next, we introduce them to Jesus.  Telling about Him is never enough-- people have to meet Him themselves.  Then, in His presence, they experience Him-- He looks at them and speaks into their heart.  Then they know He is God.  After that, it is between them and God.  People have to make their own choice, but trying to convince them without introducing them to a REAL PERSON is of little value.  Once you've done that, though, you've done your part, except to pray for them and be a good example of a person who maintains a real relationship with Christ.

April 21, 2010

I love how the Bible illuminates itself!  Saying it that way sounds funny to me, but really, it's Jesus, the Word, shedding His light on the written Word that I'm talking about.  Somtimes though, in the One Year Bible, the Scriptures come together in just the right way to really light up the truth of the gospel, enlightening the eyes of our understanding.

While the Sadducees asked some totally irrelevant questions, Jesus brought reality into clear focus.  He spoke of an "age" in which "those who are considered worthy of a place in that age" will have resurrected bodies that will not die, like the angels. It doesn't say that we will be angels, as some believe!  He also didn't say "in heaven"-- clearly this is an "age" on Earth.  He continues to discuss the Kingdom of God, speaking of the Messiah, giving them a chance to get some revelation about Who the Messiah was.

Psalm 89 gives us so much revelation about the promises of David to which Jesus referred.  The whole psalm prophesies of Christ!  Of course, we know that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah).  "I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.  Forever I will keep my steadfast love for him, and my covenant with him will stand firm." vs 27-28  The awesome thing is that the covenant is between God and Christ, who will never break the covenant.  As long as we are "in Him", the benefits of the covenant are ours.  Jesus took care of the fact that, in our natural state, we are consistent covenant breakers. He's got us covered while we grow as children of God (grace).

Part of God's covenant is that Christ's throne will be established forever.  Only a person who cannot die could have a throne "as long as the heavens endure."vs 29 Just as Jesus was the Messiah then, even though most of the Jews didn't see it, or receive Him as such, Jesus is the King now, even though many don't receive Him as such, or recognize the Kingdom. While He was on the earth, He said the Kingdom of God is at hand.  Then He rose from death, and went to sit at the right hand of the Father, telling us that all authority on heaven and earth had been given to Him.  Doesn't that mean He's the King?  The highest of all?  I guess that means we're already in the Kingdom Age! 

If we recognize and serve the King, we acknowlege that we are in the Kingdom age already, although it is not yet visible on Earth.  At Christ's return, it will be.

What does it mean to have a King?  How real is this to you? 

Bonus:
Jesus is not dead, awaiting the resurrection-- He's alive!  That says to me that, if it's not here already, the Resurrection Age is at hand.  If that is true, what does this mean for us?  What are the implications of walking in Christ's resurrection power and life? Are you aware of any Scriptures that give light on this subject?  As for me, I'm keeping my eyes and ears open for more understanding of what is really going on in REALITY.

March 31, 2010

The word "compassion" came to me today as I read about how Jesus responded to the people who came to Him.  He preached the truth to them, healed them and fed them, even though He had gone aside to be alone.  This was His habitual lifestyle. 

Meditating on this, I began to think of how seldom I am in the place to feel compassion, or be moved by it.  I work at home, where I am comfortable, have clothes to wear and food to eat.  When I go on errands, I rarely see anyone in need.  I am sheltered from the difficulties of life.   I see photos, almost daily, and read of the disasters and other horrors in the world on the internet, and it is easy to become overwhelmed by all of it.  But do I really feel compassion?  My response to Haiti was to give money through Samaritan's Purse, for I truly hurt for them.  But, in general, I find I can offer up prayer but little else.  I think the shear magnitude of all of it causes it to feel unreal.  If it all truly touched me, I think I would be crushed.

How different our Christian life would be if we walked about as Jesus did and really talked to people!  Is it possible that true compassion takes eye contact?  The sound of a voice? A touch?  If we could again encounter the world's need on a daily basis, in our own sphere first, then I think we would find ourselves again moved with compassion as Jesus was.  He still is!  If we could find ways to put ourselves in the presence of others who have need, then we would find Him again moving as He did before, and we would see the miracles it often takes to meet those needs.  It's just going to take deliberate action on the part of a modern-day person, on my part.

January 25, 2010

There are a lot of voices in the world, and we have to discern which ones we're hearing, and choose our responses accordingly. The people were saying all sorts of different things about who Jesus was, but the only right answer was revealed by the Father-- Jesus is the Christ, God's Son.

Peter got that revelation, but then he heard and responded to the wrong voice (Satan's) when he rebuked Jesus.

Every revelation from God is not as overwhelming as what Peter then got on the mountain and heard God say "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to Him!' Matthew 17:5. It's still the same powerful revelation though, so hold on to it. The next time an opposing voice comes along, use this Word and shoot down the lies.

And listen to Jesus, no matter how He's speaking!