tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70124095952937686592024-03-28T11:31:54.086-07:00Cumberland Presbyterian PonderingsThese are Tom's weekly messages with a few additional posts. Note: Tate Publishing is out of business; therefore, the links with the titles on this page will go to Tom's self-published versions at Amazon.comTom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.comBlogger756125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-66165751530961953252024-03-28T11:31:00.000-07:002024-03-28T11:31:10.283-07:00Who will roll away the stone?<p style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">Read </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+16&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">Mark
16</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Think this morning about this verse from <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+65%3A24&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">Isaiah</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before they call I will answer;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">while they are still speaking I will
hear.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Sabbath
had ended. Actually, it ended in the darkness of the evening before, but these
women who were headed to the tomb where Jesus had been placed would need
sunlight.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Joseph of Arimathea
donated his tomb. Actually, revisionists
think that it might not have been a donation. As it was just a short weekend stay,
it might have just been an Air BnB rental.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But in any
case, Jesus was placed in the tomb with some hasty preparation by Joseph of
Arimathea and Nicodemus the Pharisee <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">who
had come to see Jesus at night</a>. It was a best-effort job that had to be
done before sunset and the beginning of the Sabbath.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Obviously,
the hasty job by the men did not satisfy the women’s standards so at sunrise
they are headed to the tomb in which Jesus was placed. It had been a long and
fearful Sabbath. The disciples were afraid and gathered together. What would
they do?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For the
women, there was no discussion. Before anything could be done, the body of
Jesus had to be given proper preparation, and two women named Mary and one named
Salome were headed to the tomb. One Mary is Mary Magdalene and the other is
likely the mother of Jesus though she is identified as the mother of James—who was
the half-brother of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Salome was
probably Zebedee’s wife. In any case, three women fully equipped with spices,
were headed to do things the right way as far as the body of Jesus was
concerned.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then it hit
one of them. <i>Who will move the stone
away</i>? It’s a big stone and takes several men. Who will do this?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Who will roll the stone away</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, the
women turned back and went to round up some men for that job. <b>Not!</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">They kept
going and found the stone had already been removed. We will continue with the
story. It’s a good one for sure, but let’s stop and consider these women.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">They know
that they have to do right by their Master when it comes to his final
preparations. They know what to do. They don’t know how they are going to get
into the tomb, but they keep heading that way. They know their part <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3%3A14&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">and
they keep moving forward</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There is
saving faith—the for God so loved the world stuff—and there is healing faith. Jesus
talked about the faith of the mustard seed and about moving mountains.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">These gals
just needed a big rock moved. They didn’t know how that would happen but they
continued on their mission to do what they knew to do. They continued forward
expecting to do their part.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That’s
faith. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I know what
my part is. I don’t know how the rest of this will fall into place. I will move
forward to do my part.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But when
they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled
away.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The men are
all back at their Air BnB in a terrible funk but the women are doing what they
know to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before they call I will answer;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">while they are still speaking I will
hear.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Were these
women led by faith? Was it ignorance? Did they just have to get out of that
house full of brooding men who didn’t know hat to do next?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Any might be
the case. I’m going with faith—plain and simple faith. This is how I live my
life every day faith. I say it was
faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The women
did not fully understand, but they knew their part.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes,
we just need to pay attention to our parts. Sometimes we need to know less
about the big picture and just keep our eyes fixed on what God wants us to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes we
just pick up our spices and head to the tomb. I know my part.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I think the
women knew Proverbs 3:5-6. I think they were just <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+3%3A5-6&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">trusting
in the</a> Lord and going to that tomb took a lot of trust—the with all of your
heart sort of trust.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now, let’s
get to the part that got you up and in here early this morning. The women see
the stone rolled away and a young man in a white robe sitting by the entrance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Don’t be
alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.
He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell
his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will
see him, just as he told you.’”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I will talk
more about Peter and some other nuances of this morning at the next service,
but for now, be affirmed by these words.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a name="_Hlk162342764"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He
has risen! He is not here.</span></i></b></a><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He is not
here. Jesus of Nazareth is not in this tomb. You won’t be needing those spices
after all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He has risen! He is not here.</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Those are
our words of affirmation this Resurrection Sunday. Our words of discipleship—our
challenge or our charge is this.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before they call I will answer;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">while they are still speaking I will
hear.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+29%3A11&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">God
has good plans for us</a>. We need to trust him enough to just do our part and <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A25-34&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">not
to worry</a> about the rest. It’s ok to be <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+1%3A7&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">afraid</a>,
but know that the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+1%3A7&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">spirit
of fear</a> did not come from God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God will help
you deal with your fear. You part—our part is faith. Just keep the faith. We
keep on stepping out in faith and doing our part and trusting God to do the rest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He has risen! He is not here.</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There is
your affirmation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Step out
in faith</span></i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">. There is
your challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Celebrate
today like no other day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Step out
from this place in faith, not fear!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-27458075831814310092024-03-22T12:22:00.000-07:002024-03-22T12:22:54.940-07:00Who will cry out JESUS IS LORD if not us?<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: right;">Read
</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mark 1:1-11</span></a></p>
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+19%3A28-44&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Luke 19:28-44</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus knew
that his hour had come. He had healed Lazarus. Many believed but many decided
it was time to kill Jesus. He was disrupting the status quo. Things had to get back to normal. By normal,
I mean that the life of faith that people lived needed to return to the
compromise that the people had made with the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Remember,
that Jesus had come to save a broken world. Our hearts were not right. People
sought everything but the one true God.
Sure, God was part of their lives. It was as much a part as going to
Walmart or picking stickers out of your socks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But God was
not first in the lives of so many. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He was an
afterthought or something to be worked in.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God was the
author of so many rules. Who could keep them all?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Rules became
more important to us than the relationship with our Creator. The rules were
good, but God desired and desires relationship with the crown of his
creation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And so, the
final scene is set. Jesus is headed to torture, death—an atoning death for
which we are beneficiaries, and resurrection.
Again, we are beneficiaries of his resurrection as in it is the promise
of our own.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Passover is
on the doorstep and Jesus needed to ride into town on a young donkey to fulfill
</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+9%3A9&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Zechariah’s prophecy</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">. To do that, he needed a ride.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He sent two
disciples to retrieve a young donkey from the field of a nearby farm. He told
them that if the owner wanted to know what was going on, just tell him that the
Lord needs it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Lord needs it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How many of
you would be confident taking someone’s animal without knowing the person? What about without a receipt for the animal?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How would
you be as the farmer? If someone that
you didn’t know came and loaded up a steer out of your pasture and all they gave
you was a casual, <i>the Lord needs it</i>?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Something
was very much in the works. God was about to reconcile the entire creation to
himself. Jesus had been saying that his time had not yet come, but now his time
had come and he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey—a colt, the foal of a donkey.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Things were
coming together.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
excitement in Jerusalem had to be reaching a frenzy. Jesus was coming!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Many were
not really sure who this Jesus was but he was coming and people were excited.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Some surely
knew that he was the Messiah. All surely knew he was a very powerful teacher—a
rabbi. This one was different. He taught with an authority that the Scribes and
Pharisees had never possessed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Something
was happening here.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus was
saddened as he rode into town for he knew what was ahead for this city. It
would suffer for its apostacy. The town
would be sacked by the Romans who already ruled over them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The temple
would be torn to the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jerusalem
was already conquered by the Romans. Now it would be torn to the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As Jesus
rode into town, some Pharisees confronted him asking him to have his disciples
tone it down a bit. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">C’mon,
Jesus. We know that you are a popular guy with the people, but this Hosanna
business is a little much, don’t you think</span></i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus
rebuked them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Can’t you
see that the entire creatin longs to be </span></i><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A19-27&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">reconciled to God</span></i></a><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">?
If you make the people be quiet, the rocks themselves will cry out.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What would
the rocks say? That’s easy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Save us! God in the highest heaven,
save us!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The whole
creation is longing for reconciliation with its Creator, and you guys don’t get
it. You are missing the boat. Noah is pulling away and you are still in the bar
having one more round of your favorite drink:
My own understanding. Was that frozen or on the rocks?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What am I
saying?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You are missing the boat!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Even the
farmer got with the program and he had a donkey at risk. He had some skin in
the game. But those anchored to their own understanding were blinded to what
was happening before their eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The very
people who should have recognized the Savior first were the last to accept him.
He was cutting in on their turf and the people seemed to love him. It seemed
that Jesus got them. He understood them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">People loved
Jesus. He was sticking it to the man—at least to the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+23&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">self-righteous
religious leaders</a>. Let’s just go with <i>sticking it to the man</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In a few
hours, they will be crying <i>crucify him</i>, but for now, Jesus is a rock star and
they are glad to see him. So, what about us?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That’s cool. We know the story. Let’s
move on to resurrection.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This whole
John the Baptist business was to prepare the way for the Savior. This <i>prepare the way</i> culminated into
the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on a young donkey. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The way has
been established. It is prepared from the Lord’s perspective but are we ready
to receive Jesus as Lord?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are all
too happy to receive Jesus as Savior. This whole death and hell and separation
from God business isn’t for us. We like having a savior, but do we also like
having a Lord?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We will get
excited at least once a year that Christ died the atoning death that took away
our sins so we could be with God forever. We are so glad to have a Savior.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Can we be
just as joyful to have a Lord?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How would we
know? What would we look for?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How about
this one...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We put the
words of our Lord and Master into practice. We do it <b><i>with a smile on our
faces and joy in our hearts. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We prepare
ourselves for God to dwell within us by putting his words into practice. If the Pharisees of our age think we are too
robust in our discipleship, remind them that even the rocks long for
reconciliation with God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We want not
only salvation—saved from sin and death. We want to rejoice in the Lord. We
want to be excited that God is with us and within us and is </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A31-33&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">for us</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">, not against us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When the
world tells us to hold it down with all of this Jesus stuff, we are not going
to do it. If the rocks are ready to cry out for God to save them and to be
reconciled to God, I think I will too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In fact, I
am giving the world the finger. I am
giving them the upward pointing index finger pointing to the one who is<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A6&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">
the way, the truth, and the life</a>, and I’m not putting it away because the godless
culture of our world is offended. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you who
believe so much don’t cry out with the message of salvation that we know comes
with Jesus, who will?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The pagans?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
atheists?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
agnostics?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Muslims?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jews?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Others who
have no inclination or obligation to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Who will cry
out that <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">Jesus
is Lord</a>? Everyone will, but until
the end of the age, it’s just us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed is he who comes in the name
of the Lord</span></i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Don’t be </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+1%3A6-14&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">timid</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> about crying out to God or
proclaiming the good news that comes through Christ Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Don’t be
shy. Proclaim life in Christ Jesus!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So here’s
your cheat sheet for this morning’s message.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Prepare your hearts to receive the Lord as Lord.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Reach out whenever and wherever you can with the good news.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--></b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Put the words of our Lord into practice.</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We can keep
those in the forefront of our minds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-63482584116880329302024-03-22T10:33:00.000-07:002024-03-22T10:33:10.322-07:00Getting down to business in Mark's gospel<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: right;">Read
</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mark 1:1-11</span></a></p>
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+19%3A28-44&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Luke 19:28-44</span></a><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You have to love Mark’s gospel. He
gets right down to business.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is no Christmas story. There are
no angelic visits to Mary and Joseph. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is no heavenly host singing
glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and God’s favor on men.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We don’t see Jesus teaching in the temple
when he was 12 or going to Egypt as a kid.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Had we only had access to Mark’s
gospel, no one would have thought to write <i>pa rum pa pum pum</i>. Mark jumps right to the heart of the matter:
Messiah is coming. In fact, he is here.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It is right to the mission given the
Messiah.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.3in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The beginning of the good news about
Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.3in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“I will send my messenger ahead of
you,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.3in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
who will prepare your way”—<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.3in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“a voice of one calling in the
wilderness,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.3in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">‘Prepare the way for the Lord,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.3in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
make straight paths for him.’”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mark
begins with a man whom we call John the Baptist or the Baptizer. He had a unique wardrobe and diet. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And
women today pick on men for our clothing and diet choices. John was my kind of guy. He didn’t have to
decide what to wear each day. He knew what he was going to eat. What can I say,
he was my kind of guy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And
we get picked on for eating over the sink and wearing the same shirt for 8 days
in a row. Hey! We didn’t mess up any dishes and we kept our shirt clean. Might
get a dozen days out of it this time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Einstein
did it so he didn’t have to spend any energy thinking about what to wear. So
ladies, the next time your husband is eating over the sink in the same thing he
has been wearing for the last 19 days, don’t be disgusted with him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Just
say these words…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He’s my Einstein</span></i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Or,
he’s my <i>John the Batist</i>, at least when it comes to diet and wardrobe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
like John’s style.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So,
at the beginning of this gospel, we find John—a cousin to Jesus—in a camel hair
outfit with a leather belt. You have to go to the book of Second Opinions to
find this, but it reveals to us that John might have practiced pyrography.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What?
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yes, he had burned the letters JTB on
the back of his leather belt. OK, that’s a little tongue in cheek. It happens. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He ate locusts and wild honey. Mark
takes care to note that this was wild honey, not something from one of those
mega honey farms.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We don’t know if those were free-range
locusts or not. Yes, I am having a little fun at John’s expense, but he really
was something of an icon of that age and people were coming from all over to
see him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Maybe, they wanted to see this
character in his camel hair outfit. Maybe they wanted to hear his message.
Maybe they were just curious or just following the crowd. Realize that the
distance between Jerusalem and the Jordan is just over 20 miles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It was a day’s walk to get there and
another to get home. People came from other places, but many were making the
trip from Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why is any of this important?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God, </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+40&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">through the prophet Isaiah</span></a><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, told his people that this day would come.
The Messiah was coming, but first God sent a messenger to prepare the way. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How do you prepare the way?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You fill in the pot holes in the
roads. You pick up the trash dumped along the way. You run up your flag and
polish all the brass plating on the truck on top of the pole. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You get everything that you have been
neglecting fixed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That’s what you would do in those days
for an earthly king. But what about one from Heaven. What about the King of
Kings? What about the Lord of Lords?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We do the same thing except that we
are fixing things in our hearts instead of along the road. We are still
addressing things that need some fixing, they just happen to belong to our
souls, our spirits, our hearts, and our countenance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We are in a season that today’s church
calls Lent. Lent wasn’t around in its present form back when Noah or Moses or
Jesus or Paul walked the earth. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fasting was given so that those
seeking God might find him when neglecting the incessant call of our bodies for
food. Today, fasting also helps the Christian grow closer to God but what we
call Lent didn’t come into being until almost 4 centuries after the death and
resurrection of the Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fasting can still be a big part of
Lent. Limiting our food intake by type or duration is still common. Preparing
our hearts to be in concert with the Lord is our true objective.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus didn’t do Lent because there
wasn’t such a thing. Jesus fasted for 40 days so we understand 40 days of fasting or lifting the burdens of others or sacrificial giving. Whatever it is that we do should draw us
closer to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We are about to celebrate resurrection
but we had better take notice that the man who died to take away our sins was
God, man, the King of kings, the Lamb of God, and the Lord of Lords.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lent—our preparations for celebrating
resurrection—found its name in Germanic roots. Lent comes from lengthening, or
more specifically, the days growing longer. After the twenty-first day of
December, the days grow a little longer each day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We begin to notice as spring
approaches, so Lent in its secular roots, means springtime. The days grow
longer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But as the days grow longer and
sometimes more pleasant, we need to think about the pain, agony, sacrifice, and
love Jesus and his Father in heaven poured out on us. We need to prepare the
way for the King as we celebrate his resurrection from the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And not only his resurrection but the
one promised to you as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In our belief—in our profession of
faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior—we are saved from sin and death.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In our practice of doing what Jesus
told us to do, we are saved from an ordinary life. We are not going to hell,
but <i>are we waiting for the age to come
to truly live</i>?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i>My <a href="https://cumberlandpresbyterian.blogspot.com/2024/03/boasting-in-my-weakness.html">grace is enough for you</a></i> can carry
us through many tough situations, but we are meant to fully live not just wait
for the age to come.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now is the time to consider:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God loves you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God is with you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God is for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God has good plans for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God will never leave or forsake you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God made a way for us to live, live
this life to the full, and live in right standing with God forever.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What should we do?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For the one who has already professed
Jesus is Lord, make room for him in your heart. Prepare the way for the Lord to
live in your heart, every moment going forward.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John proclaimed repentance and
culminated the penitent one’s trip with baptism. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We have repented of our sins. We have
professed Jesus is Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now it’s time for God to live
completely within us. His Spirit is already there. We just need to prepare
ourselves to hear him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And we need to prepare the way for his
return. We should be reaching out to as many people as we can with the good
news of life in Christ Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We are to prepare the way for him to
live fully in our own hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We are to prepare the way for others
to rejoice at his return.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let us prepare the way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-46464648156086552792024-03-14T11:07:00.000-07:002024-03-16T11:17:54.970-07:00Boasting in my Weakness<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">Read </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+12&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">2
Corinthians 12:1-10</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Life is
good. Life is tough.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Life is
rewarding. Life is challenging.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I can see
clearly. I don’t know the next step.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m on top
of the world. I’m carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I am strong.
I am weak. And at my age, my mind says strong
and my body says <i>ouch</i>!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I am running
the good race. I am down for the count.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I am beaming
with confidence in the Lord. I had better keep a low profile today.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I trust in
the Lord with all my heart. But I am still swayed by my own understanding.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I am in
great health. I ache from my afflictions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Today’s
message begins in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">Philippians
3</a>. It was a letter to another church
but very much in tune with this part of Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth,
though time and geography separated the two epistles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">What is the common thread? Paul said that he had good reason to boast in
the things that this world counts as important. Those who opposed Paul were
looking to discredit him. Paul said, ok, let’s have a measuring contest. We will start with resumes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.3in 8pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">If someone
else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised
on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew
of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for
righteousness based on the law, faultless.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">In his life
before professing Jesus and becoming his apostle, Paul—then known mostly by
Saul—was a go-getter. He was a rising star. He had been granted authority and
his bloodline was established. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">He had the
inside track on rising to the top.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Even then—at
the time he wrote to the church in Corinth—he was an icon in the Christian world
and in the Hebrew world alike. Some
might say famous and others might say infamous depending upon where you stood
on all this Christ, the Law, and traditions business.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul had a
resume that boasted for itself. Paul was the man! You da man, Paul.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul didn’t
need to bolster his resume. What do I mean?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">A week ago,
I added the following statement to my resume. It’s good to keep it current.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk161049984"><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Assisted government and private entities in profitability</span></i></a><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">All that I
did was pay for my post office box for another year, but <i>Assisted government
and private entities in profitability </i>sounds way better on the resume.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul didn’t
need to bolster his resume, but God added to it with a preview of heaven—not the
sky, not where the stars are, but the highest heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul
hesitated to share this information because some might think him conceited, but
he wasn’t. He <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">counted
all of his personal accolades as trash,</a> junk, or manure.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">He said that
he had no confidence in the flesh, but sometimes your flesh hurts. Sometimes
your bones hurt. Sometimes your eyes hurt. Sometimes that arthritis hurts and
hurts and hurts. Does anyone have something where the pain or discomfort or
uneasiness is just the gift that keeps on giving?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Eventually,
we all have something that we think could use some fixin’. Some hurt more than
others. Some are constant annoyances. Some come and go but all of us have asked
God to fix something or take away our pan at some point.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes,
it seems like God would take away my affliction so I could go about his
business. I want to be known as his disciple by my love, just without the aches
in my knees or my back or my shoulder, or other parts that hurt from time to
time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I want to be
a light unto the world, but I would like to be able to stand up straight and
not have to deal with my lower back pain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I want to
take the gospel to this community and to the world, but it would be so much
easier without these allergies.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes,
we get the same answers to our requests that Paul did. <i>My grace is sufficient
for you</i>. The fact that we are saved from our sins and live in the Lord’s
favor is just going to have to be enough in some cases.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Great—well it
really is. I’m saved from sin and death. I will be with the Lord for all
eternity. Any suffering that I am going through now will be <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A18&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">nothing
compared to the glory that is to come</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">One day we
will realize that waiting on God to do things in his time was so worth it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">OK, I get
it. <i>When we all get to heaven what a
day of rejoicing it will be.</i> I get that, I do, but sometimes I need some
help in the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul’s response
to his present suffering—and we can only speculate as to what his affliction
was—was unique but applicable to us. The fact that the lack of specifics of the ailment
makes it easier to apply across a broader spectrum of trials and challenges in
our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">He said my
resume is like few others—it's top shelf—but I don’t boast in it. I do boast in
my weakness. I will say it with a smile on my face and joy in my heart, I am
weak.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">What kind of
mantra is that? Paul was never going to
coach a football team. Hey! Look at me. I am weak. That doesn’t intimidate the
opposing team.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.3in 8pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Therefore
I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power
may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in
insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak,
then I am strong.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">What is Paul
saying? We are not in this alone. God is
not a vending machine that dispenses goodies, including healing. He is our
companion in this thing called life and sometimes what hurts is just going to
keep on hurting so we can get to know our Savior better.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes,
we have to deal with hurt—physical and emotional, pain—mental and physical,
separation—physical and spiritual, and stuff that just doesn’t make sense to
us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">The stoic
would just press on and do his best to ignore the suffering. My observation is
that men more often than women are more stoic. It’s not that men experience combat more than
women. It’s that we have to contend with this thing called the man cold. We just
tough it out with three or four days in bed and 14 bottles of Nyquil. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">God tells
us, don’t be the stoic. Be my partner in this thing called life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">God says,
watch me work through your weaknesses. In our weakness, we will know God’s
strength all the more.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">The less
that we can do ourselves, the more we rely on God. At least that is the message
here.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Some choose
hopelessness when it seems that God is not answering your prayers. Understand
that <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+65%3A24&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">God
does hear and answer our prayers</a> and sometimes the answer is that his grace
is enough.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes God’s
answer is not what we wanted. Sometimes, it’s not even close. C’mon, God, that wasn’t even close. You are
God. How could you miss by so much? Sometimes we don’t get the answer that we
wanted. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Why? Why would God not simply remove this pain or
remove this cancer or take care of those payments or restore my vision?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Why?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Let’s
understand our premises and foundation for this answer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">God loves you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">God will never leave or forsake you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">God has good plans for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Children of
God, understand this. When we ask and don’t receive what we asked for, expect
God to work in your weakness, situation, or circumstance to bring you where you
need to be.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">God works in
our weakness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">When we feel
great, we should boast in the Lord. When something is working against us, we
should boast in the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes,
God removes the pain. Sometimes he works with us in the pain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes,
God removes the affliction. Sometimes he works with us in our affliction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes,
God changes the circumstances. Sometimes, he works with us through those
circumstances.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes—no,
all the time—we need to embrace the Spirit of God that lives within us in our
victories and in our trials and afflictions. Understand:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">God loves us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">God is with us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">God is for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Keep on
asking God to remove the pain or the affliction or the thing causing disruption
in your lives, but be ready to put a smile on your face and joy in your heart
and <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3%3A14&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">press
on towards the goal</a> when he says <i>my grace is sufficient for you</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">When we ask
God to help with our pain or affliction, remember:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">God loves you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">All affliction is healed in the age
to come.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">God will show his strength in our
weakness in this present age.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">God answers
our prayers. Sometimes that answer is <i>my grace is sufficient for you</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">We need to
be good with <i>my grace is sufficient for you</i> and expect God to work in
our weakness. This is a paradox but it is also a divine dynamic that is so
powerful when we embrace it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">We need to
embrace this divine dynamic. God works in our weakness as he continues to shape
us like him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes,
trusting in the Lord with all of our hearts gets tough. It’s not that we are
tougher, but our God is and he is with us and he is for us and he is working in
our weakness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes, <i>my
grace is sufficient for you</i> seems like God doesn’t care, but he does. He
loves us and has good plans for us. We
might only be able to see the next step but God sees all the way to whatever
light is at the end of the tunnel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">That could
be an hour or a day or the rest of our earthly lifetimes, but <i>he knows what
we need</i>. Who would have thought that
God would explain this through Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.3in 8pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">You can't
always get what you want<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.3in 8pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">But if you
try sometimes, well, you might find<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.3in 8pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">You get
what you need<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul had
reason to boast in his own resume. He was <i>da man</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul chose
to boast in his weakness for God was demonstrating his strength through Paul’s
affliction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">How about
us?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Can we
boast, celebrate, seek his kingdom, and know how much God loves us in our strengths
and in our weaknesses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">My prayer
and my hope is that we can.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I am
confident that we can trust the Lord enough for him to work in our weaknesses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-72147720909227142052024-03-14T10:36:00.000-07:002024-03-14T10:36:14.815-07:00My Grace is All that You Need!<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">Read </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+12&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">2
Corinthians 12:1-10</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I don’t wear
many tee shirts. That doesn’t mean that
I don’t have quite the collection. I
think I have 10-15 VBS shirts. Coming in close behind my VBS shirts are my
Marine Corps shirts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have one
that says <i>pain is weakness leaving the body</i>. That’s a good macho shirt
that conveys the mindset of an overcomer. We like victory. We like to win.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s a corollary
of <i>the more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war.</i> We
understand <i>pain is weakness leaving the body</i>. It helps us press on when
our bodies say<i> that’s enough</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I embraced
this mantra for years but these days I still have pain but I don’t think
pressing on using my own devices got rid of the weakness or trouble or
hardship.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It seems
like I still have the pain and the weakness.
What kind of deal is that?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let’s go
straight to verse 10.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That is
why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in
persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul wanted
some pain or condition or affliction removed. He asked God, repeatedly and God’s
answer was one that we know well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My grace is sufficient for you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That was not
the answer Paul hoped for, but his response revealed that God does work with us
in this world as we go through:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Weakness<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Insults<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hardship<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Persecution<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Other difficulties<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When you
made your <i>to-do</i> list for today or tomorrow or Thursday next week, I am confident
that none of you put insults or hardship or pain on your list.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When you
made your bucket list for this life, who put persecution on it?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Last week we
talked about doing what God told us to do even when we don’t like it. Today, we
look at dealing with our personal circumstances when God tells us that he is
not answering our prayer in the way we want.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How do we
deal with <i>my grace is enough</i>? How did Paul?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He delighted
in his weakness and in the insults hurled his way and in whatever difficulties
confronted him for when he was weak, God’s strength came to dwell in him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Can we
delight in our difficulties? Really, can
we do what <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">James</a>
proffered when we face trials of all kinds. Can we consider these attacks and affliction
and difficulties as pure joy in a world hat sees things differently?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The world says a good life is one
without trouble. It’s walking on the sunny side of the street.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The world says that you can do
without God. Be the numero uno in your own life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The world says moan, groan, and cry
unfair when things don’t go your way. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We know that there will be<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+16%3A33&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">
trouble in this world</a> but that Christ has overcome the world for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We know that trouble will come and go
but we cannot move forward into real growth without God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We know not to complain about everything
that seems to be going wrong, but to rejoice in it for it is but another
opportunity to see God’s strength.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So where
does that leave us?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you are alive, you will have pain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you still have a heartbeat, you
will have trouble in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you are doing what God told you to
do, you will have some persecution.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you speak the truth in love, you
will receive insults in return on some occasions. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But know
that in all of our weaknesses and afflictions, God hears our prayers. Sometimes
he removes the problem, accelerates the healing, or comforts us in affliction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But
sometimes, he says my <i>grace is enough</i>. I’m not taking this pain away. I’m
not fixing the problem the way you asked. You get to keep that thing you
consider hardship for a while longer or maybe all the days of your life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes,
God says my grace is sufficient. <i>My grace is all that you need.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Are we up to
responding as Paul did?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That is
why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in
persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Think on
these words as you approach your life and your world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My grace is sufficient for you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let us learn
to rejoice in our weaknesses!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-38830193583707405042024-03-07T11:21:00.000-08:002024-03-07T11:21:04.451-08:00Even when I don't want to...<p> <a name="_Hlk160517067" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Read</span></a><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+10%3A17-31&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Mark
10:17-31</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At last, we get to a person of status
in the world coming to Jesus and falling down before him. How do we know the
man had status.? If you read the full pericope, we find that the man had great
wealth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And here he was before Jesus, giving
proper reverence. Finally!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The man begins the conversation with
the words <i>good teacher</i>. It sounds like an appropriate greeting. It least
acknowledges that Jesus was a teacher—a rabbi.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But Jesus focused on the word good.
Why do you call me good? Only God is good.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now Jesus had told many that he and
his Father were one. Did this man know that talking with Jesus was the same as
talking with God?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus did not send the man packing
because he called him good. In fact, he heard the man’s question and answered
it. What was the question?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It was “What must I do to inherit
eternal life?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That question bears some exploration.
Let’s consider the infinitive in the sentence: <i>to inherit</i>. He didn’t say<i>
earn</i>. It didn’t say <i>win.</i> He didn’t say <i>achieve</i>. He didn’t say
<i>to discover</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He said, “What must I do to inherit
eternal life?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What must I do to inherit eternal
life? Inherit is different from earning or winning or achieving. Typically, the
inheritance goes to an heir. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Was this man asking to be an heir in
God’s kingdom? It is an interesting question, which Jesus goes on to answer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Don’t murder. No side chicks If it’s
not yours, don’t take it. Don’t lie or defraud. Treat your parents right. The list
sounded very familiar to this young man.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He said, probably with a mix of relief
and excitement, “I’ve done all of those!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <i>Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, I’m in for sure!
Yes! <o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Compliance is good. Obedience is good.
Following directions is good and they all put you on a good path to having a
relationship with God, but they are not everything.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus said to go sell everything you
have and give the proceeds to the poor.
Jesus said that following the rules is good. It is important, but it is
not everything.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In Mark’s gospel, we find these
words before Jesus told this rich young
man—some say ruler—to go sell all that he had, we are told that Jesus looked at
the man and loved him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ouch! What kind of love is that?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It’s the kind that says you are
playing by the rules but missing the relationship. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It’s the kind of love that says God is
a jealous God and you can’t have another god on the side. Your wealth is your god. My Father in Heaven is coming in second place
or lower in your life and <i>that dog don’t hunt</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You need to value your relationship
with my Father in heaven over the rules for good living. They are not in
conflict with each other. In fact, you can’t really understand most of what
they are all about if you are not in good relationship with the one true God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you want to understand what God is
telling you in his word, you need the Sprit of God to guide you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The rich young man verified the assessment
of the Lord. The young man went away sad because he had a big stake in this
world. He had much wealth. He had a lot of stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The young man went away sad. We don’t know if he did what he was told or
not. Put that on the list of things to find out in the age to come.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I’ve been working on a proposal for an
orientation package in heaven. It would include excursions. One to them would
be to talk with this young man to see if he did what he was told.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Did he put the words of his Master
into practice? It sounds like he knew that Jesus was from God. He may not have known
he was the Messiah, maybe he did, but he knew this man was from God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And Jesus had told him to do something
that he really didn’t want to do. God told him to do something that he really
didn’t want to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We don’t all need to sell everything
we have. This is not a universal call to poverty. We are not taking a vow of
poverty in lieu of the hymn of invitation this morning. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We don’t all need to sell everything,
but you can bet we all need to do some things that Jesus told us to do that we don’t
really want to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Such as?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Forgive. How many of us have a person
or people that we have not forgiven. Why? Because we don’t want to! Forgive.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Don’t let your left hand know what
your right hand is doing when we give.
Sometimes, we want a little acknowledgment when we give or give
something extra. God says, <i>that’s something personal between us</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God tells us to keep this between us. You want a personal relationship, this is personal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How about love your enemy? That one is
always going to be tough. It’s easier if you pray for your enemies while you
are at it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I don’t know what it is for you, but
God is likely calling you to do something outside of your comfort zone. He is calling
you to do something that you don’t want to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Do you know what it’s called when you
do something outside of your comfort zone? It’s called growth, at least 95% of
the time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What about the other 5%? Those are <i>hold-my-beer</i> moments that usually
come with their own lessons learned.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If we are to truly grow, we need to
put the words of our Master into practice, and that includes the things that we
really don’t want to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let me put it this way. <i>Are you a
Christian or a Christian Tourist</i>?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Do you live the words of Jesus or do
you just know what he said and like to observe what people do without being on
the playing field? The tourist is free to comment and advise but never gets any
dirt under his fingernails from being a Christian.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let me try it this way. If you were accused of being a Christian
would there be enough evidence to convict you?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What sort of evidence? The kind that affirms you have put the words
of your Master into practice—that evidence.
It’s hard evidence if it includes you doing what Jesus told you to do even
if you don’t like it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The disciples focused on the money and
wealth part of this story which we discussed in the first service. Today, I ask you to focus on doing those
things that God told us to do with a special emphasis on those that we don’t
like or don’t want to do or just those things we have been able to ignore
before.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Maybe a false god is taking a
prominent place in our lives and we need to kick him to the curb in favor of
the one true God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your charge is to do the things that
Jesus told you to do and don’t skip the hard ones. Don’t ignore his commands
because you just don’t want to do that.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your challenge is to put the words of
our Master into practice, even those that we have been fighting hard for some
time. We must even do those things where
our own understanding says, <i>you get an exemption on that one.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">No, we don’t!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The man went away sad because he had
great wealth and it had taken the place of the one true God. The man still followed
the rules but he was short on relationship with his Creator. He went through his
<i>Live the Good Life Checklist</i> but missed the get to know the One who
spoke it all into existence experience.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The man was only cheating himself out
of abundant life. You have heard the quotes that the good keeps us from our
best. There's a variation on this that works both ways, but for now, consider this.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This young man had it good—very good but he was missing out on abundant
life in Christ—life in good relationship with God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The question today is not so much what this rich young man did when he left, maybe he did what Jesus told him, and
maybe not. The question is <i>will we walk away sad </i>when God calls us to do
something that we don’t want to do?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The question is what will we do when
Jesus calls us to do something that we just don’t want to do. Will we too be sad?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have hated that
person for a year now or is it two or ten. I can’t forgive them now.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I give what I
give. Don’t be asking me for more, Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And this whole
love your enemy business, that’s just too out there for me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let’s go back to the young man just
for a moment. Before Jesus commanded him to sell everything, we read:<i> Jesus
looked at him and loved him.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus told him to sell everything not
as a test or evaluation but out of love.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The man wanted eternal life when he died.
Jesus offered eternal life now. Trade in
your god of this world for the real God and follow me. You have to kick the false god to the curb
first—in your case that is your wealth—but then come follow me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk160515164"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Do
we not understand that </span></a><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+29%3A11&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God has good
plans for us</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">? God has the very best in mind for us and in
store for us. When will we let go of our own understanding and </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">take on the
yoke of our Master</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk160515267"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
has good plans for you.<o:p></o:p></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God loves you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If God tells you to do it and you don’t
want to, you are fighting against your own best outcomes. Father really does know best. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And when God calls us to something that
we don’t like, we don’t go away sad. We do it with a smile on our faces knowing
that God loves us and God has good plans for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We don’t go away sad. We step into
whatever God has called us to do and we do it knowing it is for our own good
and that the God who told us to do this thing also loves us very much.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus looked at him and loved him, and
then told him the thing he needed to hear and do the most—get rid of your false
god and get to know the real God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We will all have those moments when
Jesus looks at us and loves us and tells us exactly what we need to hear and
what we need to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Can we say these words with joy
in our hearts and a smile on our faces?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thy will be done!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God desires a wholesale exchange of
everything that we seek before him for seeking him first. We can have <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+20&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">no
other gods</a> that approach the one true God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Do we not understand that God has good
plans for us? God has the very best in
mind for us and in store for us. When will we let go of our <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+3%3A5-6&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">own
understanding</a> and take on the yoke of our Master?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God has good plans for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God loves you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let us put his words into practice even
when we don’t want to, with joy in our hearts and smiles on our faces for God
loves us and has good plans for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-78514561115550894842024-03-07T10:13:00.000-08:002024-03-07T10:13:42.227-08:00With God all things are possible<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">Read</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+10%3A17-31&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">
Mark 10:17-31</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This passage
contains a story that most of us know well. The rich young man, rich young
ruler comes to see Jesus asking him what he must do to inherit eternal life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We will dig
into the question a little more at the next service. For now, we will pick up
after the point where we are told that Jesus looked at him and loved him and
told him to sell all that he had and give the money to the poor. The man went
away sad.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What came
next?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus
looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter
the kingdom of God!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard
it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the
eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How hard is
it for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God? Just to skip past the logical follow-on and
go straight to the answer, yes, that includes us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We have so
much stuff that <i>rich</i> is the only term that aptly applies. This message is for us. We are rich. We have
some stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, we come
to the question, do we own our stuff or does it own us? Who is the master here? We should be master of our wealth and stuff
and worldly possessions, but sometimes it seems like they are the master.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We cannot
serve two masters. One of these masters goes by the name of money, stuff, or
things of this world. That’s the one that we have to be on the lookout for so
it does not supplant the one true God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There is no
way that anything could take the place of God in our lives. He is first. He is
before all things. There are no other gods near him; yet, we can’t seem to work
him into our day or our outing or our school event or our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We park in
the pews. We sing the songs. Some of you even get the words right, but is God
first in our lives?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What if God
told you to stop or cut down significantly the sports in your child’s
life. That’s stepping on some toes
there. It’s my family’s time. I will manage it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What if God
told you to downsize your home or get a less expensive car? C’mon God, when I
asked for help with my budget, I meant extra income. I don’t want to cut my expenses. I want more
money.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What if God
told you to be reconciled with someone that you had planned on hating for the
rest of your life? C’mon God, not him, not her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Do you want
to know if God is first in your life? Put a smile on your face and joy in your
heart and do the thing he told you to do even though it’s the last thing in the
world that you want to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Want to know
if the one true God is actually the Master in your life? Do what he says even
when you don’t like it and like it while you are doing it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That’s some
tough stuff. The disciples were exasperated.
Just who can get to heaven? How can any of us be saved? This seems hopeless.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Left to our
own devices, it is hopeless. The trappings and attractions of this world are
too much for us. At some point, we will succumb.
It’s just too hard to do what God asks of us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Unless we
do it with him. We can do what seems impossible if we do it with God. Yes, we
should do things for God. We should do things because God said to do them. We should
desire to bring glory to God in everything we do. That’s some tough stuff and
we probably can’t do it…on our own.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But God
says, let’s do this together.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God did not
just create us and kick us out the door with a “Good luck. See ya on judgment
day.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God is in
this thing called life with us. He wants to be included in everything. If we
must choose, we are to choose him first. It’s sort of like that Charles Barkley
commercial where the kids are picking teams and the kid picks Barkley first. He
is only two or three feet taller than the kids, but still he is excited about
being chosen first.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I think God
likes it when we choose him over the things of this world. I think he likes it
so much that he will help us choose him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I know that
he loves us enough to make a way for us to spend eternity with him in right
standing with him in spite of ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God wants us
to put his words into practice. He wants us to have abundant life and he wants
to help us get there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God is with
us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God is for
us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God will
never forsake us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On our own,
so much seems impossible. With God, we can do everything we need to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Listen to
how this part wraps up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus looked
at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things
are possible with God.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then Peter
spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Truly I
tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or
mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to
receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters,
mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come
eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We should <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+16%3A3&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">commit
to the Lord whatever we do</a> and he will establish our plans. God is in this thing called life with us. We
are not on our own. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God wants us
to succeed. The only things that should be impossible to us should be those things
that go against God. We don’t want the things that go against God. For everything
else, it is possible with God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk160705820"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With God, all things are possible.<o:p></o:p></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
pericope included the words <i>camel passing through the eye of the needle</i>. Is that figurative language? Is the eye a
narrow passage in some mountain range? Did Jesus mean to indicate a level of
difficulty that would cause to to read that part literally?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Those are
thoughts to pursue on another day. For now, remember:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With God,
all things are possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-27754590839842946642024-03-01T09:15:00.000-08:002024-03-01T09:15:44.134-08:00Blessed Assurance<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">Read </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10%3A22-30&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">John
10:22-30</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> How many people, even Christians, live their lives
to the very end wondering about their final destination. Am I saved?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How many
people wonder <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A25-26&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">if
the blood of Christ did the trick</a>?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How many
people wonder if they can <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1%3A9-10&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">keep
messing up</a> and not get kicked to the curb?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How many
people think that God is going to <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+2%3A12-26&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">disown
them</a> this time for sure?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We have
already looked at the first half of this chapter. The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and
destroy. Jesus came so we could have life and live it to the fullest extent
possible. To do that we must know our Master’s voice and put his <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A24-27&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">words
into practice</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus wants
us to really live. That means that we will make a few or a lot of mistakes
along the way but Jesus will never disown us.
Once we have truly professed Jesus is Lord, our <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+5%3A24-27&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">eternal
life has begun.</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Not only
will Jesus never disown us for we are faithful, he will not let anyone or
anything take us away from him. We are his. That’s a done deal!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This promise
is not for everyone but only for those who receive Jesus as Lord and have
professed his name. We are his faithful.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My sheep
listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life,
and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father,
who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my
Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our lives
are not given to us to build a resume to see if we qualify for heaven. God
himself has opened heaven to us. The blood of Christ has opened the door even
though we were unworthy. Christ has made
us worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And his
promise is that he won’t let us go or lose us or that nobody is going to take
us away from him. Why don’t we meditate
on this thought more than we do?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">No one will snatch them out of my
hand.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are still
trying to keep score. <b>Jesus said that he wiped the slate clean</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We wonder if
we will make it to heaven and eternal life with God. <b>Jesus said, I’ve got
you. It’s a done deal. Your eternal life is underway now<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We wonder if
we might have gone too far this time. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+5%3A20&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">We
are told that God’s grace goes beyond our transgressions.</a><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We wonder
why we still have <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+16%3A33&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">trouble
in this life</a>. Jesus told us that we would have trouble. We don’t hope in
the world. We hope in Jesus, the one who has overcome the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you have
truly <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+10%3A9-10&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">professed
Jesus as Lord</a>, why do we worry?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If we truly <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A16-17&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">believe</a>
that Jesus is Lord and Savior, why do we worry?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If we
believe that God not only created everything but gave us a way to <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A22-23&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">reconcile
the entire creation</a>, just what do we have to worry about?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Why would we
doubt?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Can we not
live more fully than we do now? Is the life that I am living my best response
to the grace of God that we know in Christ Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Do we have
dissonance in our lives? Are there things that we can’t reconcile? Do we wonder
if God will <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+18%3A25&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">dispense
justice upon the earth</a> or just let all these yahoos get away with
everything?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We should be
the most confident people on the planet. Our eternity is secured. God will
always love us. No one will take us from him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But is that
how we live?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We have <a href="https://cumberlandpresbyterian.blogspot.com/2024/02/choose-this-day-live-for-god-or-for.html">already
been counseled</a> <a href="https://cumberlandpresbyterian.blogspot.com/2024/02/dont-worry.html">not
to worry</a>. We are told to <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A6-7&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">be
anxious for nothing</a>. We are to <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+1%3A9&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">be
strong and courageous.</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Do we live
this way?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you are
struggling to step out in faith, remember, that nobody can steal you from God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you are
worried that your best won’t be enough for God, remember, that <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+5%3A8&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">Christ
died for us while we were still sinners</a>. God didn’t wait for us to get
better to claim us for eternity. He rescued us while we were still broken.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If fear is
still restricting your faith, remember that fear is not from God. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+1%3A7&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">God
did not give us a spirit of fear.</a> We are to be <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+1%3A9&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">strong
and courageous</a>!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God loves
you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Christ died
for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God raised
him from the dead as a promise of what is in store for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Spirit
of God lives within you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Knowing
these things, how can we be timid in our discipleship?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How can we
not put the words of our Master into practice?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How can we
not work at everything we do as if we are working for God himself?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
questions are easy. The answers that come by way of our actions are sometimes more
difficult, but they are not impossible for we are told that nobody will snatch
us away from Christ Jesus. We belong to him for now and forever.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We have no excuse
for not listening.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We have no
excuse for not putting his words into practice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We have no
excuse for not producing a return for our Master and good fruit for the body of
Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Whenever we
have doubts, we should realize that God does not. He wants us. He made a way
for us to be with him in right standing. He will not give up on us. He is
finishing the good work that he began in us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And he will
let no one take us away from him. We are
his.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is for
all of us who have professed Jesus as Lord. This is for all who seek God’s
kingdom and his righteousness. This is for all who know his voice—the voice of
the Good Shepherd.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He knows us.
We know him. We know his voice. We can’t be taken from him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are
assured of our eternal life. We should live fearlessly now for we know that our
eternity has begun and is secure.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let us live more boldly because of
this assurance. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let us love more often and with
genuineness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let us help those in need more often.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let us speak the truth in a spirit of
love in whatever we do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let us work as if we are working for
the Lord and not for men.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let us love one another not only as
much as we love ourselves but as much as Christ loves us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let us be known as his disciples by
our love.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We belong to
Christ Jesus. No one can take us from him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Live with confidence
and boldness. Your eternity is secure.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-76695198191800505122024-03-01T07:49:00.000-08:002024-03-01T07:49:21.951-08:00He's got us!<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">Read </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10%3A22-30&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">John
10:22-30</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Jesus was in the temple area and many Jews
were gathered around Jesus. They had
questions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Just tell
us. Are you the Messiah or not?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus responded:<i>
I already told you but you did not believe. Why didn’t you listen? I already
showed you. Why did you not see? Because you are not my sheep.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus had
been terse with the Pharisees before, but these were just the common people. They had questions. They had plenty of
evidence to consider that should have convinced them that Jesus was the
Messiah, but they could not see it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus was
telling people that <i>the time for fence-sitting was over. If you <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+10%3A33&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">disown
me</a>, my Father in heaven will disown you.
Yes, we are at that point.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We believe
or we don’t, and if we believe, we know his voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We believe
or we don’t, and if we don’t believe, we can’t distinguish the voice of our
Master from the clutter for the clutter has become our god.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Imagine
Jesus looking at you and saying, <i>you are not one of mine</i>. Could we bear
to hear him say, <i><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">I
don’t know you</a></i>?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus will
not disown us because we make mistakes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He won’t
kick us to the curb because that promise to work on my language is a few years
late in the making. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He won’t cancel
our reservation in heaven because we missed a day or two or two hundred in our
Bible reading.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Do you want
Jesus to disown you? Then disown him and the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+2%3A14&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">Spirit
of God</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For those
who believe, we do not need to go down this road. We disown the whole concept
of God disowning us. We need to disown the status that the pagans give the
things of this world, but Jesus will not disown us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He has claimed
us and that’s forever.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus goes
so far as to say no one can take away those I have claimed as my own—those the
Father had given him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We could go
down a <i>predestination</i> and <i>the elect</i> rabbit trail here, but we
will save that for another day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For now,
think about knowing the voice of our Master. If all we hear is the clutter, we
need to declutter for his sheep know his voice and if you have grown deaf to his
voice, it is time for action.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s easy to
let the world creep in gradually, often unnoticed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Long ago and
far away in my college days, a new concept was introduced called narcotizing
dysfunction. Simply stated, modern media
had become so overwhelming that it could bombard someone into a state of
dysfunction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We can get
bombarded into a state of dysfunction as well.
How do we avoid this?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We know his
voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How do we
know his voice? We pray and listen. We
read his word faithfully. We discuss his word with other believers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here’s one
that we should know. How do we know his voice? By putting his words into
practice. Yes, his voice becomes clearer with each step of trust and obedience.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We know his
voice because we talk with him often. We listen to whim all the time. We know
his voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I said that
I believe but how do I know that I meant it? <i>Did I really mean it? How do I
know?</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes, we
believe enough to be curious but do we believe enough to trust in the Lord with
all our hearts?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The answer
to do I really believe is <i>can I trust the Lord</i>. If you want to test your own belief, try
trusting the Lord with everything you have.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Trust is
directly proportionate to our spiritual hearing. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Do you want
to hear God’s voice more distinctly?
Start trusting him more.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Once we
trust him enough to put his words into practice, this thing called abundant
life can take hold and once the Lord is running everything in our lives, we can
enjoy this eternal ride.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">First, we
need to know his voice. Know his voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Know his voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Put his words into practice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Enjoy the blessed assurance of Jesus
claiming you forever.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-80335357760212048322024-02-24T12:56:00.000-08:002024-02-24T12:56:34.618-08:00The Thief comes...<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">Read
</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10%3A10-11&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">John
10:10-11</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The thief comes for 3 purposes, to
steal, to kill, and to destroy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Stealing is easy to understand. You
have something I want so I take it from you. The thief wants to take away from
what you have.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What do you have? Life. You have life
and the thief wants to take it away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The thief can’t touch your eternal
life. That is 100% the gift of God. So,
what is at risk? Abundant life!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The thief wants to kill you. That’s
pretty straightforward. The thief doesn’t want to win your soul. Your soul is
a trophy to the thief. The thief wants to kill you and mount your head on the
wall.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That should about wrap up what the
thief wants, but it doesn’t. The thief
wants more than to steal from you. The thief wants more than to kill you—you
would think that would be enough.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The thief wants to destroy you.
Killing you is not enough. The thief
wants your very existence removed from the universe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The thief wants you—the image of
God—removed from existence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The thief is against life, life
abundant, and life eternal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The thief is against all things that
are of God and he longs to destroy us. The thief is not your friend. But just
who is this thief?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Most would say that it’s Satan or the
Devil. This is certainly his line of
work and he surely has his hand in it, but if we read carefully, it appears
that Jesus is talking more about the religious leaders and not the angel who
was cast out of heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you jumped over to <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+23&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">Matthew
23</a>, you would find a whole bunch of those <i>woe unto you</i> Pharisee
statements. It’s not that much different
here.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The priests, scribes, and Pharisees
were supposed to have been the shepherds of Israel. They were to have cared for
God’s sheep. They lost focus. They got
distracted. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By what?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rules without relationships. These
religious leaders knew the rules backward and forwards but did not grasp the
importance of our relationship with God and with each other.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Regulations without righteousness. Sometimes, they just checked the block.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Self-importance. Sometimes the perceived
importance of their title blinded them to the fact that the greater the title,
the greater the service should be.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Knowledge without understanding. They
just didn’t get it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Knowing all of God’s words and not
knowing his heart. They knew the limits but didn’t know love.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They failed to understand that God’s
words give life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus has told us that if these <a href="https://cumberlandpresbyterian.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-greatest-commandment.html">divine
rules</a> are to amount to anything, we must put them into practice. Our lives
must produce fruit. We must blossom. We must produce.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We must live to the full. God’s
directions and directives are not to restrict our lives but to enable them to
be lived to the fullest extent, and in so doing bring glory to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To fully live, we must reach beyond
ourselves. We must confront our comfort zones. We must grow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To live to the full, we must grow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We must grow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Those who would lead us in another
direction are thieves, whether teacher, preacher, self-proclaimed person of God,
or Satan himself. The thief comes only
to steal, kill, and destroy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you are leading people away from
abundant life, you are a thief.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You may sound knowledgeable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You may deem yourself important.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You may have rank and status among
those of the world or those in your religious hierarchy or those following you
for whatever reason, but if you are leading people away from God—a God who has
made himself known to us as a God of life and a God of love—then you are a
thief.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you value rules over relationships,
you might just be a thief.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We have read this scripture before and
most of the time, we might think, be on the lookout for the thief.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Today, I tell you, don’t be a thief.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Don’t take away from the abundant life
that God has in store for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Don’t destroy that which God has
intended for good.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Today, I personalize this text to say
to us: DON’T BE A THIEF.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Don’t lead others down the wrong path.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Don’t turn away from life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Don’t second guess God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Put God’s words into practice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That might mean more prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That might mean more suffering.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It might mean more giving.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It might mean more peace that goes beyond what
we can comprehend.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It will absolutely mean living this life as
fully as we can. Jesus didn’t come just
so we could check the <i>not going to hell </i>box. He came so that we can
really live and life means fullness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is just for the preacher, right?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We are all a <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+2%3A9&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">Royal
Priesthood</a>. We are all leaders. We all set the example for the world. People
should see our example and what we do should bring glory to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let us experience life and joy and
peace and the very presence of God. He died for us. We live for him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He wants us to know the fullness of
life not shrink back from it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Be on the lookout for those who would
steal and kill and destroy. They are working against us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Be on the lookout that we do not
become the thief.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Be on the lookout for life—the
fullness of life—that Jesus wants us to know.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Be on the lookout.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-21506504710879119012024-02-15T12:00:00.000-08:002024-02-15T12:00:06.976-08:00The Greatest Commandment<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">Read
</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22%3A34-40&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">Matthew
22:32-40</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We began the new year with a series we
call the <i>Words of Jesus</i>. We had spent a year in the Old Testament and
wanted some words from our Master. We surely find them here.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This part of Matthew brings the
ministry of Jesus to a crescendo. He has his triumphant entry into town—that had
to push the buttons of the religious leaders.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus was teaching, frequently in
parables. The Pharisees and Sadducees wanted to discredit Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus was a new force to be reckoned
with and he spoke with authority, not like the Teachers of the Law or the
Pharisees or the Sadducees. He had been all over the countryside and had a
substantial following.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Anyone who could take him down publicly
would surely have some street credit. We are not talking a gunfight at the OK Corral.
We are talking about discrediting the One who claims to be from the Father with the
law that came from the Father himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Pharisees and Herodians teamed up
with the perfect question. <i>Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar</i>?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It may seem like just a coffee shop
question. Is it right to pay taxes to
Caesar?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Answer <i>yes</i>, and many of these
people think that Jesus is a sellout. At
the moment when people were ready to follow this revolutionary. Telling the
people not to pay taxes to Caesar would certainly end up in a jail cell for
Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You don’t have to be right. You just
need to give the Roman soldiers a reason to lock this guy up and throw away the
key. The Romans were fond of their taxes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If the Romans governed your area but
you paid your taxes, they didn’t much care if you worshiped the one true God or
a carved wooded pole and made offerings to it all day. Just pay your taxes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All the Romans wanted was to conquer
the known world and have that world pay them taxes. It’s good work if you can
get.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tell people to go ahead and pay taxes
to the emperor who said he was god would make Jesus a sellout. Either way this question will take Jesus down
a notch or two no matter how he answers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It was a perfect setup. <i>So, there Jesus</i>, <i>is it lawful to
pay taxes to Caesar</i>?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus said, who has a coin?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A coin is produced.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Whose image is on the coin?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Caesar’s.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Then give Caesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God that which is God’s. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What
did Jesus say?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in;"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">First</span></b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, Caesar is not God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Second</span></b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, if it is of this world, don’t get wrapped up
in it. It belongs to this world. It is something that the pagans chase after
and make into their gods. It is neither here nor there as far as we are
concerned. It’s just stuff. If we need it, God will provide it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Third</span></b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, there are absolutely things that belong to
God and are not to be shared with others.
He is God. He is sovereign. He is holy. He is righteous. The list goes
on.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Give to Caesar
that which is Caesar’s and to God that which is God’s. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Not only were the people amazed, so
were the Pharisees. They surely didn’t
see that one coming. They left the area. There was no victory for them on this occasion.
There was no street cred. They had been publicly humiliated in a single sentence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If the Pharisees struck out, that didn’t
mean <i>game over</i>, it meant there was an opportunity for the Sadducees to
score big. You see, the events of this day were more like a Shakespearean play
than just a day in the town square.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Sadducees did not believe in the
resurrection. That is why they are SAD YOU SEE. That explanation is required
neither by law or prophecy but by the pastor’s guild that it be used twice a
year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So the Sadducees had this little
scenario dreamed up, probably for the torment of the Pharisees, but surely it
would work on Jesus as well. I mean, it was well thought out. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A man had a bunch of brothers. There
were 7 in all. The oldest took a wife and then died. The next brother took his
brother’s wife as the law required, but he died.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The woman is still unmarried and
childless, but her original husband had more brothers. They marry and die
without child, so the question is: Whose wife will this woman be at the
resurrection?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That’s a good one. The Sadducees had
put some effort into this one. They had surely frustrated the Pharisees with
this one. It would get Jesus for sure. They could chalk up this victory for
sure. This was the no-win scenario for Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mathematically, I can prove that 0=2.
The math is flawless but the logic is absent. We need to understand that if the
premise is false, you can prove whatever you want to prove. If the premise is
false, you can make just about anything you want look to be true.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus replied by saying, “Your premise
is false. There is a resurrection. The insurmountable question quickly dissipated
into nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus said, there is a resurrection.
You got that part wrong and everything thereafter that you have painted as
truth is false as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is a resurrection of the dead.
It’s coming. You might want to prepare. What’s not coming is all this physical restraint.
We will be like the angels, ready and able to worship God in everything that we
do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here is how Jesus ended this
encounter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus replied, “You are in error
because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection
people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the
angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what
God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of
Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When the crowds heard this, they were
astonished at his teaching.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Pharisees got wind that Jesus had
put an abrupt end to the efforts of the Sadducees to trick him. They shouldn’t
give up so quickly. They thought they might give it another try. It was time to pull out the big guns.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hearing that Jesus had silenced the
Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law,
tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in
the Law?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That seemed straightforward enough.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your
God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is
the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your
neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two
commandments.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus answered directly and without
hesitation. He took over the conversation at this point. Here’s the typical answer to your question
and here is the full answer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You must love God with everything that
you have and are and will be. He is God. He is worthy of you worship and praise,
and OBTW—love each other while you are at it.
This is the whole of the law. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Love God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Love one another.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Everything in the law and the prophets
is anchored to, rooted in, and otherwise connected to these two basic
statements.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Love God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Love each other.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is our answer to most questions
that come up in our lives. What do I
do? Do that which shows love for God and
for each other.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus turned his teaching point into a
route of the Pharisees. He flipped the script on them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">While
the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, “What do you think
about the Messiah? Whose son is he?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“The
son of David,” they replied.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He
said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him
‘Lord’? For he says,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“‘The
Lord said to my Lord:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “Sit at my right hand<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">until
I put your enemies<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> under your feet.”’<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be
his son?” No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared
to ask him any more questions.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Jesus had answers for those who would
confront him. Within those are answers for us. He has more answers for us if we
will take his yoke and learn from him.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus has plenty of answers for those
who will put his words into practice. He has plenty of answers for those who want
to challenge him as well. I prefer his counsel over his admonishment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I would rather be on the teaching end
of a Jesus parable than the stinging end of one of his <i>woe unto you</i>
sentences.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus told us in the clearest terms
that the essence of what we do—the things that are important in our lives—is to
love God and to love each other. Everything
is built upon this very real premise. It’s all about love. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So just what is the greatest
commandment in the law?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your
God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is
the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your
neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two
commandments.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We know what we need to know to please
the Lord. Love God. Love each other. Everything else stems from these two
premises. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">These premises are true and our
instructions for life are clear.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Love God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Love one another.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-41089455518826711012024-02-08T08:24:00.000-08:002024-02-09T09:46:51.863-08:00Don't Worry<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: right;">Read
</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A25-34&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 6:25-34</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is godly counsel. We listen to
it weekly if not daily. We should trust it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is our own understanding.
Sometimes we can trust it if it is in sync with God’s way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sometimes our own understanding <i>gets
it</i>. We are counseled to take God’s counsel over our own understanding, but
sometimes our own understanding <i>gets it</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here are some thoughts on the matter
of worry that has come from the understanding of many.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Worry a little bit every day and in a
lifetime you will lose a couple of years. If something is wrong, fix it if you
can. But train yourself not to worry. Worry never fixes anything.” – Mary
Hemingway<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Turn your attention for a while away from the
worries and anxieties. Remind yourself of all your many blessings.” – Ralph
Marston<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“The truth is that there is no actual stress
or anxiety in the world; it’s your thoughts that create these false beliefs.
You can’t package stress, touch it, or see it. There are only people engaged in
stressful thinking.” – Wayne Dyer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“A crust eaten in peace is better than a
banquet partaken in anxiety.” – Aesop<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Worry pretends to be necessary, but serves no
useful purpose.” – Eckhart Tolle<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow;
it empties today of its strength.” – Corrie Ten Boom<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“A day of worry is more exhausting than a day
of work.” – John Lubbock<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“People become attached to their burdens
sometimes more than the burdens are attached to them.” – George Bernard Shaw<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Never let the future disturb you. You will
meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you
against the present.” – Marcus Aurelius<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Always do what you are afraid to do.” – Ralph
Waldo Emerson<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“To him who is in fear, everything rustles.” –
Sophocles<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Worry is a misuse of the imagination.” – Dan
Zadra<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“If you ask what is the most important
key to longevity, I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension.
And if you didn’t ask me, I’d still have to say it.” – George F. Burns<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“The reason why worry kills more people than
work is that more people worry than work.” – Robert Frost<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Rule number one is, don’t sweat the small
stuff. Rule number two is, it’s all small stuff.” – Robert Eliot<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, faith
looks up.” — Anonymous<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Worry is a thin stream of fear trickling
through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other
thoughts are drained.” – Arthur Somers Roche<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“That the birds of worry and care fly over
your head, this you cannot change, but that they build nests in your hair, this
you can prevent.” – Chinese Proverb<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Worry compounds the futility of being trapped
on a dead-end street. Thinking opens new avenues.” – Cullen Hightower<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you
something to do but never gets you anywhere” – Erma Bombeck<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“People get so in the habit of worry that if
you save them from drowning and put them on a bank to dry in the sun with hot
chocolate and muffins they wonder whether they are catching a cold.” – John Jay
Chapman<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“I am an old man and have known a great many
troubles, but most of them have never happened.” ― Mark Twain<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk158280178"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“If you want to test your memory, try
to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today.” — E. Joseph Cossman<o:p></o:p></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“The greatest mistake you can make in life is
to be continually fearing you will make one.”— Elbert Hubbard<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take
hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith.”– Henry Ward
Beecher<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus tells us that we can get this no-worry business and understand it from our perspective too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Look at nature. The flowers, the
birds, and everything around us rely totally on God but you don’t see
stressed songbirds and flustered flowers. God knows what they need in season
and he provides. We can see this. Even for the grass that lives but for a short
season. God provides.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We understand this but we need help to apply it to ourselves. Sure, God takes care of the birds and the
flowers and the spiders and snakes, but I’m a person. I’m more complicated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus tells us that maybe we are not
that complicated. We need to trust God. We need to have faith in God. We need
to put God’s words into practice and in this case, those words <i>say don’t
worry</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yes, we may absolutely have trouble
tomorrow, but it does not need to cut into today’s joy. We make reasonable
plans, we listen to God when we pray and all day long while we work at our
jobs as if we are working for God, we listen to what he is telling us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We want to trust God enough that we
know the outcome will be exactly what it needs to be but that we won’t worry
about how we get there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We don’t need to worry along the way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Paul would later reinforce this
thinking with his own words. </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A6-7&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Be anxious for nothing…</span></a><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Understand that trouble is one
thing. Worry and anxiousness are
another.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There might be a bear on the road to
work tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That’s correct but there might be a
gold coin too. You should not be worried about one to the point it takes away your
joy for today and you should not obsess on things that might bring you
pleasure. Let today have its life and tomorrow its own life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+12%3A25&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Proverbs remind us</span></a><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> that heaviness can weigh down the
heart. Jesus tells us that hope, not heaviness, should be on our hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Message for today: DON’T WORRY.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They say the proof is in the pudding,
so here’s your pudding.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“If you want to test your memory, try
to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today.” — E. Joseph Cossman<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amen.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-8951023403344518412024-02-08T08:13:00.000-08:002024-02-08T08:13:43.794-08:00Choose this Day: Live for God or for the Creation<p> <a name="_Hlk158107036" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Read </span></a><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A25-34&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Matthew 6:25-34</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We catch
todays scripture with the words of Jesus included with a bunch of words of
Jesus. We get this red-letter effect because Jesus had begun what we now call
the Sermon on the Mount. This didactic turned from homiletic to teaching at
some point but Jesus was doing all of the talking.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After
blessing and the receipt of blessings for many things that many people might
overlook and even discard as trials, Jesus began teaching on of variety of
topics.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As we enter
Chapter 6 of Matthew’s gospel, we see teaching on not making a show of doing
what’s right and giving to the poor.
These things are between you and God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Don’t pray
and count it to your credit that you use some fancy words and can make the name
of God into a three-syllable word. Praying
is not for show.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus even
gave those who were listening a model prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And by the
way, don’t go all snowflake on me when you are fasting. You are growing nearer to God. Quit acting
like you are on the Batan Death March. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And when you
think of your treasures, think of treasure that will last. Think of doing the
will of your Father in heaven as making deposits in your heavenly account.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then Jesus
sang the first round ever of <i>Be Careful Little Eyes what you seen</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus told
us that we can’t sit on the fence. Either we love God or we love his creation
more. It’s one or the other. Do we love God or do we love money and all it can
buy us?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Which brings
us to today’s scripture and the words of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And his
words are—don’t worry. Don’t worry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Can any of
you add one hour of life to your life by worrying about your life. Jesus said, we’ve got this life thing. Trust the Father in heaven. Trust me, and
before you know it, you will be able to trust a spirit that lives within you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Don’t worry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You don’t
see the birds worrying, do you? You don’t see the flowers growing anxious, do
you? Your Father in Heaven knows just
what they need and he knows what you need, so stop worrying about what you
think you need.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Why do we
spend so much time worried about what we will eat or drink or wear? Live for your relationship with God, not for your
relationship with the opinions of others or those of your stomach or your ego.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We might
say, “of course, I get that,” but living it—putting these words into
practice—gets much tougher in life outside of the pew you are now in.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Worry shows
up uninvited and makes itself at home.
Jesus is telling us not to give worry a home. He will take care of us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This returns
us to a familiar place. It is our nature—our human nature—to worry. We are </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+3%3A5-6&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">taught to trust</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> but we practice worry. We worry
about things and events and outcomes that often don’t make a hill of beans in
the long run. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our own
understanding wants to take charge and be in charge of our decisions and
countenance. Jesus said, don’t worry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Don’t worry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It sounds
easy but to truly rid ourselves of worry, we must trust God—not a little—but
with everything.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus
returned to making comparisons with the pagans.
They worry about everything that they have or don’t have. They make some of the things that they desire
into their gods.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus
challenges us to seek God and his kingdom and his righteousness before anything
else. The pagans seek after all of the
things of the creation. Jesus tells us
to seek the Creator instead and he will bless us with all the things that the
pagans have made into gods.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A17&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God wants us to have good things</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">. He loves to give good gifts but he
must always be God. We must put all of our trust in him. We must <i><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+24%3A15&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">choose
this day whom we will serve</a></i>: God or his creation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And what
about worrying about the future? Don’t do it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Tomorrow
will have </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+16%3A33&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">troubles of its own</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">. You don’t need to claim them
today. Seek God and his kingdom and his
righteousness now and let God deal with tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+3%3A5-6&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Trust in the Lord</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> with all of your heart and lean not
on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make
you paths straight. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Some days
are going to seem better than others. The flu, the regular crud, and even the
common cold are allowed back on the once-dominated COVID scene. Jobs come and
go. Death and other losses happen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Some days
are just tougher than others, but even those days are not cause for worry. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our soul is
grasped firmly by the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He has a
room prepared for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We just need
to put his words into practice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Even in this
life, he has promises for abundance and abundant life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He has
promises of health and well-being.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He has good
plans for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let us never
despair. Let us never lose hope. Let us live without worry, knowing that God is
in control.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Trust in the
Lord…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-42056608683398549292024-02-02T09:42:00.000-08:002024-02-02T09:42:40.247-08:00Our Worship must be Genuine<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: right;">Read
</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+4%3A1-26&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 4:1-26</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We started this journey with words
about putting the </span><a href="https://cumberlandpresbyterian.blogspot.com/2023/12/put-his-words-into-practice.html"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">words of Jesus into practice</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. I told you that you could go wrong with the
words of Jesus. How?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By </span><a href="https://cumberlandpresbyterian.blogspot.com/2023/12/into-practice.html"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">knowing what he said to do and not doing it</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.
That’s a life lived on shifting sand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus challenged us to </span><a href="https://cumberlandpresbyterian.blogspot.com/2024/01/ask-seek-knock_26.html"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ask, seek, and knock</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> as we go after the things that we need to
bring glory to God’s name.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We examined 3 parables about </span><a href="https://cumberlandpresbyterian.blogspot.com/2024/01/lost-and-found.html"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">lost and found</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and we found that God has a heart to seek us, receive us, and welcome us as one of his own as soon as we turn around and
come back to him. We should have a </span><a href="https://cumberlandpresbyterian.blogspot.com/2024/01/a-heart-for-rescue.html"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">heart for rescue</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now we come to a well at Sychar in
Samaria. Jesus is tired and wants a drink. The disciples had gone into town
looking for food and a woman approached the well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus said that he would like a drink
and the woman responded by asking just what Jewish man would ask a Samaritan
woman for a drink of water. The Jews don’t like Samaria. They didn’t like
Samaritans, and women were at the lower end of the social structure.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Just who is this Jew to ask me for a drink</span></i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We are comfortable with our social barriers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We don’t care for you Jews because you
hate us. We both believe that there is a God and a Messiah will come but we
don’t agree on much else and don’t really want to have a conversation with you
anyway. Besides, you don’t even have anything with which to draw water.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus answered her, “If you knew the
gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him
and he would have given you living water.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The woman came prepared for a
religious and historical and cultural conversation but not prepared to be
honest with the Lord himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Sir,” the woman said, “you have
nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living
water? Are you greater than our father
Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and
his livestock?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We know this history. Jacob dug this
well. Back in the day—we have all been through Genesis—The Jews and Samaritans
were much closer. It was only after the
Assyrians and Babylonians invaded the Promised Land, did they grow to hate each
other. Now, both sides seem content with
the status quo. The two peoples might
not be at war with each other, but they were content with the way things were—mutual
dislike.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks
this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will
never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of
water welling up to eternal life.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This interested the woman. Did this man really have water that would
make it so she didn’t have to visit this well at noon. Everyone else came in
the morning or the evening when it was cool. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As we discover in this reading, the
woman probably came at noon to avoid the scorn of the other women. She had
already gone through 5 husbands and was shacked up with another man at the
moment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus called her out on this. Jesus
said, let’s make this a real conversation. Let’s talk about things that matter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The woman did not want to examine her
own life. She had surely grown accustomed to getting her water at noon and the
scorn of her own people whenever she had to cross paths with them. She decided to give her best effort to
changing the subject.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hey. You know everything about me. You
must be a prophet. So enough about me. Let’s talk prophet talk.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So, the woman said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that
you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim
that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The woman wants to change the subject.
Jesus came to deliver this message.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a
time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in
Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do
know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come
when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth,
for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his
worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Do you remember </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+4%3A4&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">verse 4</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
in this chapter? Jesus had to go through Samaria. Why? Was the bridge out at the Jordan? Was it
tax free day in Sychar? Why did he have
to go through Samaria?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus had a message for this woman,
and if you keep reading, we find it was a message for the entire town.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The woman made one more attempt to
avoid the conversation. Maybe if she threw in the topic of the Messiah, this
prophet would lose his train of thought and just go with it. Maybe the subject
of the Messiah would get her out of having a real conversation about her life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus addressed this issue of the
Messiah and the woman’s question from earlier: <i>Are you greater than our
Father Jacob?</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Then Jesus declared, “I, the one
speaking to you—I am he.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This wasn’t the distraction that the
woman sought, but it did get her attention.
She left her water jug and ran into town. Someone who spoke with
authority just said he was the Messiah.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If we kept on reading, we would see
that many people believed in Jesus because of this woman’s testimony. Some
people believed after a direct encounter with Jesus and some who believed in
Jesus because of this woman, later said they believed because of Jesus and not
this wretched woman.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus told this woman that humankind
had made a mess or God’s instructions. He didn’t go into detail but did tell
her that they had missed the boat on a lot of things.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus didn’t say go back and fix them.
He revealed himself to this woman as the Messiah. We will go forward from this
point. Do you really want to worship God?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">True believers will worship him in the
Spirit and in truth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It’s not about who has the best
interpretation of God’s rules. It’s about who is really seeking God and ready
to put the words of Jesus into practice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A33&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Seek God</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
and his kingdom and his righteousness first and God will grant you those things
that the pagans have made into their God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What is it to worship God in the
Spirit and in truth?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It is to first recognize that the
Spirit that lives inside of you is of the sovereign God. If God is sovereign, and he is, then the
Spirit that lives within you is sovereign as well. He reigns.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To worship God in the Spirit and in
truth is to know the one true God through his Son Christ Jesus and to put his
words into practice. Do you remember that </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A6&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Worship is the application of the truth,
not just an academic exercise. Truth demands application—that we put the words
of our Master into practice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If we can’t do this, we should ask, is
Jesus really my Master or do I just give him lip service and do things my own
way?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We are often like the woman at the
well. We will talk about religious things, but avoid the real conversations of
our life that involve our relationship with God. Are we putting his words into
practice?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We can post scripture online like
crazy, hit like, and then share and think our work is done, but have we put the
words of our Master into practice?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Are we being genuine to the </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">calling that we have received</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> to live a life of love that brings glory to
God?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Messiah has come. He has called us
to believe in him and receive life. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He has called us to live in truth by
trusting him enough to put his words into practice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We worship with our every breath. </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Everything that we do is worship</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So is our worship given in the Spirit
and in truth?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What about when we come into the
assembly to worship? Are we glad to be here? Are we waiting for everyone to get
through with the songs so you can sit down?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Are you dreading the sermon? How do I
pretend to pay attention when I really don’t want to hear this message?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Is the offering a burden to you?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Are you holding side conversations to
help pass the time?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Are we worshiping in the Spirit and in
truth?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For all of the things that we are
likely to fall short on as we work to put the words of our Master into
practice—I’m thinking that love your enemy stuff is going to be a might prickly
for many—we want to get this one right.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Worship in the Spirit and in
truth. We must make sure that our
worship is genuine. We must be the real
deal in worship. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We are going to get distracted or lazy
or forgetful with something that Jesus told us to do. We should confess and get back in our race of
faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But we should always be genuine in our
worship.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We are not just passing time until we
can go to the ball game or hunting this weekend. Our every moment is to be
given as worship to God by the very things that we do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When we gather for worship, we should
really want to be here to put a smile on God’s face.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We need to get really good at
worshiping in the Spirit and in truth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">True worshipers will worship in the
Spirit and in truth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-91529811527127272722024-02-02T09:15:00.000-08:002024-02-02T09:15:23.173-08:00In the Spirit and in Truth<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: right;">Read
</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+4%3A1-26&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 4:1-26</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How do we
deal with verse 4? Jesus had to go through Samaria. Why?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let’s look
at the original word: </span><a href="https://biblehub.com/greek/1163.htm"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">δεῖ</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> (dei). What
does it mean?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Properly<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What must happen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Absolutely necessary<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Inevitable<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A duty<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What is proper<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus went
through Samaria because it was the correct thing to do. It was proper. It was
necessary. Jesus had to do this to fulfill the will of his Father.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus had an
appointment with a woman at a well in Sychar. The woman did not know she had an
appointment. Unlike appointments with my
dentist, she probably didn’t get 3 emails and 20 text messages.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If I don’t
show up on time, they put out a Silver Alert.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This woman
didn’t know what she was about to get into. She was just on her way to draw
water at noon in hopes that she wouldn’t see anyone. People tended to condemn
her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She had gone
through 5 husbands and was shacked up with another man now. We don’t know if she just outlived her
husbands, was divorced multiple times, or if some other course of events
brought her to this point, but we know that she was not inclined to talk about
her personal life, but Jesus knew already.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Why was this
appointment important?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There were
of course those Samaritans in the town that would end up believing in Jesus,
but there was a personal aspect to this meeting that went beyond the overall
ministry of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This woman
was content in her circumstances. If she
had to live as an outcast among an outcast people, she would. She had grown
indifferent to her ungodly lifestyle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It had
become acceptable to her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When Jesus
mentioned living water and never thirsting again, this piqued her interest, not
so much because she was talking to a man who could do this, but because it
would make her current miserable life easier.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She wouldn’t
have to draw water in the heat of the day anymore. If she could just get some
of this water.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But to get
to the water, she would have to go through the truth. The truth was Jesus and
she wasn’t ready.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She tried to
misdirect the conversation. Let’s talk
about something else, anything else. <i>How
about them Cubs?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Oh, you
must be a prophet. Let’s talk prophet things. You Jews say that we should
worship in Jerusalem. We worship on this mountain.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How about
them Cubs.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I heard
the Messiah was coming soon. I’ve got $20 on the fourth day of the third month
next year. It pays 1000 to 1 odds. You want in?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How about
them Cubs?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus said
that they were not playing this game.
You’ve got some stuff wrong about worshipping God. Salvation will come
from the Jews and by the way, I am the Messiah.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The woman
left her water jug and headed into town. She was out of excuses and
distractions. She had come face to face with the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus is the
truth and the only way to worship God is in the Spirit and in truth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How many
hoops will we jump through not to put the words of Jesus into practice?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How many of
us are avoiding real conversations with our spouses, with our family, with our
employer, and most of all with ourselves?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What
conversations?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Is there
someone that we dislike that we should be praying for and reaching out to? It’s
time for a conversation with the One who is Truth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Is there
someone that we should have forgiven but haven’t? No matter how hard this is,
it is what we are commanded to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Are there
things yet unconfessed to God? He knows
what they are. He is just waiting for you to have this conversation. He
promises to forgive you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Are we just
going through the motions in parts of our lives? Are we not engaging each
moment as an opportunity to bring glory to God’s name.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Don’t make
Jesus have to cross all of Samaria to have this conversation. He already went
to the cross for us. Let’s give our lives completely to him. Let us confess and converse about our
struggles in this world. Jesus is ready
to help.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let’s learn
how to worship in the Spirit and in truth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let’s make
an appointment with Jesus this week and come to the point where we can worship
in the Spirit and in truth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-76334772718686276472024-01-26T10:46:00.000-08:002024-01-26T10:46:40.667-08:00Ask, Seek, Knock<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: right;">Read
</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A7-8&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 7:7-8</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We begin this year and this series on
the words of Jesus with something not so restrictive—no thou shalt nots. We begin with something not too
sacrificial—no real pain involved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We begin with something that seems to
be mostly about us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus began what we label as chapter 7
with counsel against condemning judgment.
He concluded this short pericope with some interesting words—don’t cast
your pearls before swine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That’s an interesting one. How about <i>don’t expend your best on something
of no value</i>. In context, it would be <i>quit
wasting your time and energy finding faults in others and work on yourselves</i>.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But how do we work on ourselves. We know from last week that we are to put the
words of Jesus into practice and this week those words are ask, seek, and
knock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here is the scripture again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ask and it will be given to you; seek
and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who
asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door
will be opened.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus tells us to participate in our
own success. Think about what you need
and ask him for it. He wants to give you
what you need.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He tells us to seek. That means to go after the thing that we have
asked him for—put some effort into this. We are collaborating with God in
getting what we need.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We are not just recipients. We are
also participants.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Finally, he says to knock. There will be a time to realize the thing
that you asked for and have been seeking.
Don’t wimp out at the last minute.
You found the door to what you seek, now knock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ask, seek, knock seem reasonable, but
what if we ask for something that isn’t what we need? It’s good to read beyond
these two verses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Which of you, if your son asks for
bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who
ask him!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The basic reading reminds us that if
our kids ask for something good, we won’t give them something bad or
burdensome. There is, however, more to these scriptures. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The heart of these scriptures tells us
that if we who can’t figure out which way is up can give good things to our
kids, don’t you think our Father in heaven knows what we need and what to give
us?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So, if we ask for something that
doesn’t get us closer to God, the answer might just be, to ask for something else.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Spend a little time figuring out just
what we ought to be asking for in the first place. If you need a church term for that, then call
it a time of discernment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Do you remember when </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+3&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God told Solomon to ask him for what he wanted</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">? Solomon said, I'm only a kid. I need wisdom
and discernment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God told Solomon that because he had
asked for something other than what would be selfish gratification, God would
grant him what he asked for and would add status and wealth. He told him that if he would obey his commands,
he would be given a long life as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Solomon knew what he needed. He asked God for what he needed. What he asked for was not to gratify himself
but to enable him to serve God in the position that he had been given.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Spend a little time discerning what
we should ask for. Then ask.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Once we know we have asked God for
something we need, then pursue it. Go after it. Participate in your own
success.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Salvation is a gift. It is 100% from
God. Discipleship requires our participation.
Seek after the thing that you told God you needed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Don’t be surprised when you come to
the door that when opened gives you what you need. Don’t hesitate. Knock!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Knock and the door will be opened to you.
Be ready for God to give you the things that you need just because your
realized that you need them, you put some real effort into seeking them, and
when the time was right, you completed the process and knocked on the door.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How do we put these words of Jesus
into practice?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We want to draw near to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We want to be known as his disciple by
our love.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We want to take good news to the
world—at least part of it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We want to realize the fullness of
life that Jesus promised.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So, figure out what you need to draw
closer to God or to be known by your love or to share the good news, and ask
God for it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Then start doing the things you need
to do to realize what you asked for.
Expect that God is also working to make this happen. We are participants
not just recipients. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When the day comes that you can
realize the very thing that you asked for and sought after, seize the day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What then?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Repeat. Ask, seek, knock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is always something that we need
as we draw nearer to God. There is something that we need to be better known as
his disciple by our love. There is something that we need to take the good news
to the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So, ask, seek, and knock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God wants to give us good things. In
fact, he will likely give you more than you asked for. He is a generous God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So ask for things that draw you closer
to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ask for things to help you do the
things that he told you to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Some requests may be more complicated
than others. Asking for God’s peace and seeking it and receiving it, might be
something that comes in the moment of asking. It seems like you don’t even have
to seek or knock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you think you need a 4-year degree
to do what God has called you to do, that’s probably going to take a few years
and continued prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you think that you want to be a
United States Marine, spend some time in discernment before you ask to make
sure that is where God wants to use you. Once you begin that journey, you will
need a lot of seeking.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Understand that you will have trouble
in the world. We are told to take heart—to take courage—for Jesus has overcome
the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In this world full of trouble, God
wants to give you exactly what you need, and more.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So, ask, seek, and knock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-39300967551664570372024-01-26T10:42:00.000-08:002024-01-26T10:42:18.818-08:00Lost and Found<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">Read
</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+15&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">Luke
15</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This chapter has three stories given
in response to the Pharisees and teachers of the law noting that Jesus ate with
sinners and tax collectors. Did you ever stop to think about those
designations?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sinners—we get that. Those were the lawless people who couldn’t
keep the rules. They broke God’s rules. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But tax collectors—why not lump them
in with the sinners and just label the whole lot as sinners? Perhaps it was not
God’s law they were breaking but the human culture of the Jews. These people
were helping the Romans. They were
traitors. They were breaking man’s law, at least the unwritten ones by which we
condemn others.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In any case, the Pharisees and
teachers of the law declared that Jesus was associating with the wrong people.
Those people don’t run in the right circles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus replied with three stories that
I would label <i>Lost and Found.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">First, a shepherd is missing one of
his sheep. He had one hundred and now
has only ninety-nine. He could be content with a one-percent loss, but he is
not.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He goes out looking for his lost
sheep. The other sheep are left to
themselves momentarily while the shepherd goes looking.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When he finds it, he rejoices in the
moment and tells all of his friends. He
found his lost sheep and he is bringing him back home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Some people substitute Jesus for the
shepherd. Don’t do that. Let Jesus tell
the story so that we have a greater understanding. Jesus says what if one of you had one hundred
sheep…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He is giving a human example to make
his heavenly point. It’s a parable in this way.
Jesus set the things that we understand in this world alongside those
things he wants us to understand about his Father and his kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What did Jesus explain about the
kingdom of Heaven? That when one lost soul is found or comes home there is much
rejoicing in heaven. In God’s kingdom, those whom the Pharisees labeled sinners are just lost. They have drifted away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Their lifestyle is not godly. From
God’s perspective, they are not the focus of disdain but souls in need of
rescue. God sent his Son to save us not condemn us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is rejoicing at the rescue of a
single person!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus told the same story but used a
woman and her ten coins. Again when her
lost coin was found, there was much celebrating.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost
coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the
angels of God over one sinner who repents.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sheep and coins are great examples,
but the next story—parable if you will—uses a father and son. The younger son
is anxious to experience the world. He
doesn’t want to wait for Dad to die to get his share of the estate. He asked for it now.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dad obliged and the younger son went
out and sold what he had and then spent the money foolishly. He lived the life for a while but soon was
broke. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There was famine in the country where
he was living and he was broke. He got a
job feeding pigs but the pigs ate better than he did. Reality hit him and hit him hard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If he was working as a servant for his
father, he would be better off than he was now. He knew he couldn’t just go
home but he might be able to convince his father to hire him as a servant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He decided that is what he would do.
He was rehearsing a speech that he would give his dad about how he had sinned
against God and against his own father. Maybe he could convince his own father
whom he had declared as good as dead by asking for his part of the estate, to
hire him as a servant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This young man never got the chance to
finish his speech and ask for a job. Dad
spotted him while he was still a long way off and ran to him. He wasn’t running so he could tell him I told
you so. He was welcoming his son—his lost son—back home. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“But the father said to his servants,
‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and
sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast
and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost
and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Everyone was happy! Well, not really
everyone—the older son was furious. He
had played by the rules all of his life and now his own father welcomes this
kid back as family. That’s unfair! Why does he care for him?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Did he forget that this no good,
prostitute-loving, son of his (not brother of mine but son of his father)
squandered all of your money and considered you dead to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We see the disdain of the Pharisees
clearly in the anger of the older son. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But what was Dad’s answer?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are
always with me, and everything I have is yours. <a name="_Hlk156820377">But we
had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is
alive again; he was lost and is found.’”<o:p></o:p></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This last parable is not really about
the wayward ways of one son and the steadfast ways of the other. It’s about the unbounded love of the father,
a father who would love a son who loved his father’s money more than his
father.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is about how great our Father’s
love is. If a human father can show this much love, how much more will your
Father in heaven love you—even the you who was once lost.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We can look down upon those who are
lost or we can continue our efforts to reach them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Many in our country, even in our own
towns and counties here in the Bible Belt, are still lost. They say they know
Jesus. They think they are saved. They don’t want to take on the yoke of the
One who should be their Master, but they give lip service to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There are people who say that one
religion is as good as another. It doesn’t matter Just pick one. They all get you to heaven or nirvana or you
get to come back as a goat in the next life.
What does it matter?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There are plenty of people who just do
not believe there is a God. At least they have convinced themselves there
isn’t. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our choice is to view them like the
Pharisees as someone outside of our circle and undeserving of God’s love or to see
them as souls in need of rescue. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With people, you can’t just throw them
over your shoulder like a sheep and bring them home. You can’t just put a
person back into the stack of coins.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We must reach out and invite people to
know the Lord. We must be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We must be known by our love.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We must have eyes to see those who do
not know the Lord as lost and not as enemies. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is a whole bunch of celebrating
going on in heaven when one sinner repents and comes to the Lord. That is how
we should see those who do not know the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They are opportunities for
celebration. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We don’t do this alone. God’s own
Spirit goes with us wherever we go and we are told there will be a time when he
will pour out his Spirit upon this world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God desires that none perish and that
all come to life in Christ Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There are very few churches that have
not struggled in this century. The
pandemic or plandemic, however, you see it, surely made things worse. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But we must be ready to receive those
who will come in response to God’s Spirit leading them to life. We must be ready
to celebrate every soul that comes to salvation as a victory for the kingdom of
God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We as the body of Christ must also be
ready to disciple them. That means that we say <i>let’s walk together as we
grow nearer our Lord.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A football player scores a touchdown
and then has a five-minute dance in celebration. Don’t you think that one lost person who
comes to know the Lord is worth a celebration?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We are very welcoming and celebratory
when we have a profession of faith or a baptism, but we must be on the lookout
for those who are still lost.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We don’t see the lost as targets of
our human condemnation but as people in need of rescue. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Many are lost. Some will be found—they
will home come.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We will celebrate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let’s look down on no one but take the
good news and a sincere invitation to know the Lord to everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We had to celebrate and be glad,
because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is
found.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Many are in need of a relationship
with God. Let’s take them the good news and be ready to receive them in
fellowship as brothers and sisters in Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Each person who comes is cause for
celebration.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-69712056894893280132024-01-26T10:36:00.000-08:002024-01-26T10:36:58.564-08:00A Heart for Rescue<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: right;">Read
</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: right;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+15&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">Luke 15</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s human
nature to look down on others. In our minds, we can always convince ourselves
that we are better than someone in some way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Pharisees and teachers of the law had their inner circles that others were not
invited within. They also defined the
outer circles. There were lepers and the
unclean. They had no business hanging
out with these most righteous leaders.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And then
there were the tax collectors. They didn’t really violate God’s law but they
were traitors to their own people.
Nobody needed to be hanging out with them. This was self-inflicted exile as far as the
righteous were concerned. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And then
there were the sinners. They didn’t obey
God’s laws. Maybe they tried and maybe
they didn’t but they fell short and no righteous person would hang out with
them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That is, no
righteous person except the most righteous of all, Jesus. Jesus went where he wanted and talked with
whom he pleased and that included sinners, tax collectors, and those afflicted
with disease.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Pharisees and teachers of the law considered him to be very much <i>out of
bounds</i> as far as righteous living went.
Jesus had a different perspective for them and for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God wants us
to be an intimate part of his family. He wants us close. He promises that when
we draw near to him, he draws near to us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There is a
heaven and there is a hell and God wants us in heaven, for eternity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So when we
stray from his path—you remember God’s way and everything else—he doesn’t
discount us and discard us and disown us, he considers us lost and in need of
rescue.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus used
three parables—The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Lost Son to make his
point. And his point is simple.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If we who
are flawed humans can rejoice over finding a lost sheep or a lost coin or the
return of a lost son, how much more does God and all in his kingdom rejoice
when a sinner repents and comes home to God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We
understand rejoicing in heaven. What we
struggle with is rejoicing as we strive to live in God’s kingdom now. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If someone
has wronged us, our human nature wants us to look down on them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If someone
is just outright living without a moral compass, we must be better than they
are.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If someone
is outside of our circle, they must be less of a person than we are.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We can be so
like the Pharisees in so many ways. We can look to exclude. We can look to
disqualify. We can look to discard, all the while thinking we are in good stead
with our heavenly Father.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But
disqualification is not our objective. Rescue is our mission. We are to reach
the lost with the good news of life in Jesus Christ and pray that all respond
to the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We often
look at the lost sheep and the lost coin and the lost son but forget the lesson
we find in the older son who stayed with his father.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He kept the
rules. He worked like a slave. He walked the narrow path and he was angry that
his father loved his brother even after all that he had done.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Pharisees and teachers of the law walked the straight and narrow but they never
understood the heart of God. God desires none to perish. He desires all to come
home—regardless of what they have done.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God desires
all to return to the fold and he desires us to welcome them home—regardless of
what they have done. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We could
read Luke 15 and say that’s cool, knocked out 3 parables today or we could say
God, please give me eyes to see the lost as those in need of rescue.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God
provision me for the rescue mission that you have given me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God grant me
the charity in your heart that I may love those who are different from me or
who have offended me or who I just don’t like.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We can read
this chapter and just catalog the lessons or we can be moved to rescue all that
we can. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I hope we
have the heart of one who will rescue the lost.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I hope we
will be a part of the celebration in heaven when a sinner repents.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I hope that
we receive and live with the heart of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-80770809571958550102024-01-02T09:13:00.000-08:002024-01-02T09:13:29.724-08:00Ask - Seek - Knock<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">Read
</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A7-8&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">Matthew
7:7-8</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We begin this year and this series on
the words of Jesus with something not so restrictive—no thou shalt nots. We begin with something not too
sacrificial—no real pain involved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We begin with something that seems to
be mostly about us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus began what we label as chapter 7
with counsel against condemning judgment.
He concluded this short pericope with some interesting words—don’t cast
your pearls before swine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That’s an interesting one. How about don’t expend your best on something
of no value. In context, it would be <i>quit
wasting your time and energy finding faults in others and work on yourselves</i>.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But how do we work on ourselves? We know from last week that we are to put the
words of Jesus into practice and this week those words are ask, seek, and
knock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here is the scripture again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ask and it will be given to you; seek
and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who
asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door
will be opened.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus tells us to participate in our
own success. Think about what you need
and ask him for it. He wants to give you
what you need.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He tells us to seek. That means to go after the thing that we have
asked him for—put some effort into this. We are collaborating with God in
getting what we need.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We are not just recipients. We are
also participants.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Finally, he says to knock. There will be a time to realize the thing
that you asked for and have been seeking.
Don’t wimp out at the last minute.
You found the door to what you seek, now knock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ask, seek, knock seem reasonable, but
what if we ask for something that isn’t what we need? It’s good to read beyond
these two verses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Which of you, if your son asks for
bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who
ask him!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The basic reading reminds us that if
our kids ask for something good, we won’t give them something bad or
burdensome. There is, however, more to these scriptures. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The heart of these scriptures tells us
that if we who can’t figure out which way is up can give good things to our
kids, don’t you think our Father in heaven knows what we need and what to give
us?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So, if we ask for something that
doesn’t get us closer to God, the answer might just be, ask for something else.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Spend a little time figuring out just
what we ought to be asking for in the first place. If you need a church term for that, then call
it a time of discernment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Do you remember when <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+3&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">God
told Solomon to ask him for what he wanted</a>? Solomon said, I only a kid. I
need wisdom and discernment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God told Solomon that because he had
asked for something other than what would be selfish gratification, God would
grant him what he asked for and would add status and wealth. He told him that if he would obey his commands,
he would be given a long life as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Solomon knew what he needed. He asked God for what he needed. What he asked for was not to gratify himself
but to enable him to serve God in the position that he had been given.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Spend a little time in discerning what
we should ask for. Then ask.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Once we know we have asked God for
something we need, then pursue it. Go after it. Participate in your own
success.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Salvation is a gift. It is 100% from
God. Discipleship requires our participation.
Seek after the thing that you told God you needed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Don’t be surprised when you come to
the door that when opened gives you what you need. Don’t hesitate. Knock!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Knock and the door will be opened to you.
Be ready for God to give you the things that you need just because you
realized that you need them, you put some real effort into seeking them, and
when the time was right, you completed the process and knocked on the door.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How do we put these words of Jesus
into practice?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We want to draw near to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We want to be known as his disciple by
our love.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We want to take good news to the
world—at least part of it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We want to realize the fullness of
life that Jesus promised.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So, figure out what you need to draw
closer to God or to be known by your love or to share the good news, and ask
God for it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Then start doing the things you need
to do to realize what you asked for.
Expect that God is also working to make this happen. We are participants
not just recipients. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When the day comes that you can
realize the very thing that you asked for and sought after, seize the day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What then?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Repeat. Ask, seek, knock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is always something that we need
as we draw nearer to God. There is something that we need to be better known as
his disciple by our love. There is something that we need to take the good news
to the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So, ask, seek, and knock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God wants to give us good things. In
fact, he will likely give you more than you asked for. He is a generous God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So ask for things that draw you closer
to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ask for things to help you do the
things the he told you to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Some requests may be more complicated
than others. Asking for God’s peace and seeking it and receiving it, might be
something that comes in the moment of asking. It seems like you don’t even have
to seek or knock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you think you need a 4-year degree
to do what God has called you to do, that’s probably going to take a few years
and continued prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you think that you want to be a
United States Marine, spend some time in discernment before you ask to make
sure that is where God wants to use you. Once you begin that journey, you will
need a lot of seeking.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Understand that you will have trouble
in the world. We are told to take heart—to take courage—for Jesus has overcome
the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In this world full of trouble, God
wants to give you exactly what you need, and more.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So, ask, seek, and knock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-31042234306581942902023-12-28T11:20:00.000-08:002023-12-28T11:20:34.569-08:00Put his words into Practice<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt;">We see 2023
coming to an end.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">It’s not quite like
2020 where everyone stayed up until midnight to make sure that sucker was out the
door, but it included some interesting things, to include:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Tom’s first
international medevac.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I heard that
prices were higher.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">COVID found
its way into the montage of other illnesses.
You could get the regular flu again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">VBS was a
game-changer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Campers got
the full camp experience, especially those who rode in the van.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We did F4
without food.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We changed
our Thanksgiving and Christmas evening services and meals.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We ended the
year with the front doors still needing to be replaced. Build Back Better seems
to move at its own pace. I think we are
getting close though.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And today,
we add a new elder to our ranks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We also:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Gave out
more food than any previous year and had more in reserve.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We helped
with various needs for those in and out of our congregation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We challenged
our youth to bring their Bibles with them, something that had been lost over
the past few decades.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We took the
good news door to door.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We
remembered Jesus in the way that he told us to remember him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We worshiped
him in and out of the assembly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We gave out
gospels by the hundreds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Did we
forgive?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Did we
reconcile?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Did we love
our enemies?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Or:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Did we walk
by on the other side of the road?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Did we say, <i>Good
enough</i> when it came to working for the Lord?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Did we take
a casual approach to our salvation?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Did we
say—probably not out loud—but to ourselves<i>: I love being saved from sin and
death but this whole doing everything that Jesus told us to do is a bit much</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Jesus, thank you for saving me. I really
needed that. For real. But could you
just let me work some things out my way for a while? When I’m old and not long for this world, I
will come around, but for now, I just need some space.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The last
thing that we really need is to have God tell us to do it our way. Our own
understanding too often works against what the Lord has in store for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This whole <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+3%3A5-6&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">trust
in the Lord</a> with all of your heart business includes putting the words of
our Master into practice. We need to
practice doing things his way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Therefore
everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a
wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose,
and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it
had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and
does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on
sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against
that house, and it fell with a great crash.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are made
right with God by the blood of Jesus but are we truly willing to follow him?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How do we do
this in 2024?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We put his
words into practice. We do what he told us to do. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We put his
words into practice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There is
more to come. Let’s get ready to do what Jesus told us to do in the year to
come.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-35888275085051783862023-12-28T11:10:00.000-08:002023-12-28T11:10:34.237-08:00Into Practice<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">Read
</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A24-27&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: right;">Matthew
7:24-27</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We will embark on a journey in the
first part of 2024 that we will call the words of Jesus. How can you go wrong
with something titled <i>The Words of Jesus</i>?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You can go wrong with the words of
Jesus. Jesus said so. How?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The person who hears the words of our
Lord and Master and Savior but does not put them into practice will see his
life go to pieces, now and perhaps forever.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But this can’t be us, right?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We live in a time that I would say
observes Casual Christianity. We know what the commandments are. We know what Jesus said. We cling to the words that we who are <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB">weary
and heavy-laden</a> should come to Jesus.
He will give us relief. He will
give us rest for our body and soul.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But we ignore the next verse that says
take my yoke and learn from me. Jesus
said <i>learn from him</i>. Jesus said to take
his words and practice them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We ignore the part that our rest is
tied to putting the words of our Master into practice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But instead of putting his words into
practice, Casual Christianity says, make a post. Use a Bible verse. Tell people if they don’t
share, they are not really a Christian.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We live in a time where Christians
have never had it so good. We want for
little. We have modern conveniences. We fuss about what to eat never wondering
if we will eat. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We have a roof over our heads. We can shelter from the Oklahoma winds. We
don’t even have to go outside to draw water or use the bathroom.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It may seem like the end of the world
when the Wi-Fi goes down, but we have it easier than any generation of
Christians has ever known.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So, is our world at risk of crashing
and leaving us devastated? The world at
large is headed for a very turbulent time—tribulation and great
tribulation. But what about us?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We are warned that the person who does
not put the words of Jesus into practice risks everything. He is like the person who builds a house on a
flimsy foundation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But everyone who hears these words of
mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his
house on sand. The rain came down, the
streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with
a great crash.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Have you ever been to the beach? The sand looks the same day to day and week
to week, but it’s not. Some sand is
washed ashore. Some are washed back to
sea. Some migrate left or right
depending upon the waves.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It looks smooth. It seems to be
constant. But it is sand and it does not make a good foundation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But there are high rise buildings
along every coast with a nice beach.
Their foundation is not on sand.
Pilings are placed far into the ground until there is something to support
the structure above. Sand won’t do the
trick. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">No builder is going to put a
$10,000,000 condo on a $10,000 foundation, but do we?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We who live in this time of Casual
Christianity need to be sure of our foundation.
Jesus said that to be sure, we must put his words into practice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That doesn’t mean Facebook wars over
whose favorite scripture trumps someone else’s favorite scripture.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It doesn’t mean pointing out where
others fall short of the words of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It doesn’t mean finding the most
convoluted interpretation of scripture to promote your own doctrine and make
your own god.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It means taking what Jesus said and
doing it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That might take a little thinking of
how to apply his teaching in our time, but that thinking process should not be
debilitating. We are not to think on his directives for so long that we don’t
do anything.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here are the words of Jesus. Practice
them. Learn from him by doing what he said to do. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Don’t skip over the ones that seem too
hard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Don’t just do something once and say,
“I’ve got this.” Remember, this is
practice. There is repetition in
practice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Don’t modify the instructions. <i>Go
and sin no more</i> is not the same as <i>do the best that you can</i>. We are
to strive to hit the target every time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Do you understand the difference
between <i>shoot that way</i> and <i>hit that targe</i>t.
Shoot that way is my metaphor for our best effort. Hit the target is my metaphor for what Jesus
told us to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Both shooters might miss the target
but at least one is aiming for it. We must continue to aim for the target, not
just something in the general area.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sometimes, hitting the target involves
only our hearts and minds. Sometimes is
physical action, but it’s always with focus on what Jesus told us to do. That’s our target. We must keep it in our sights.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God will never leave or forsake us but
that does not mean that we get to lower the bar. Do the best you can is not the
standard. We must do the best that we
can, but the target is whatever Jesus told us to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We probably won’t get it right the
first time or the twenty-first time or for those like me the hundred and twenty-first
time, but we keep practicing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We practice. We put his words into
practice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here’s one that I use often in the
teaching of thinking skills. Does
practice make perfect? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">No! Perfect practice makes perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Back in my golfing days, I had a swing
that was tolerable. I could hit the
fairways most of the time but I could also find the worst possible places on
any golf course for the rest of the time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I put my time in on the driving range,
but I kept practicing the same old swing.
I got really good at a bad swing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why would I do this? It was
comfortable. It seemed to work out most of the time. I wasn’t ready to do the
work needed to get a good swing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Are we ready to do what is required to
live as our Master told us to live?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Do we understand that living his way
is for our own good. I’m not talking
about going to hell. I am talking about abundant life. I am talking about
weathering the storms of life. I am talking about finding your purpose in life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Therefore everyone who hears these
words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his
house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and
beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on
the rock.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For the next few months, we will be
looking at the words of Jesus. We won’t
cover them all. We will probably do this again sometime down the road.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For now, consider that every word that
Jesus gave us was to be put into practice.
Some are direct. Some come in metaphor. All are meant to be applied in
our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What is worse than not knowing what to
do in a situation?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Knowing exactly what to do and not
doing it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus tells us what to do, how to
live, and even what’s in it for us. We must be willing to move beyond our
comfort zones. We must be willing to put the words of our Master into practice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We must be willing to endure a little
scorn from those who do not believe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We must be willing to sacrifice when
Jesus calls us to sacrifice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We must be willing to reach out to
those who are not in our social circles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We must be willing to change our
schedules.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We must be willing to love people that
we don’t even like.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We must be willing to take the yoke of
our Master and learn from him. Do you know what they call people who do this?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Disciples.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We must be the disciples of our
Master. We live in an age of Casual
Christianity, but we must be serious about being the disciples of our Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We put his words into practice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-30141508036969419712023-12-20T08:24:00.000-08:002023-12-20T08:24:21.637-08:00The Awe of Christmas<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: right;">Read
</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A1-21&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Luke 2:1-21</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ok, there’s your traditional Christmas
story. Now go open your presents, eat
too much, have some eggnog with or without additives, and call it a day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But before that, consider the
following.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The willingness of a young maiden to
be the humble servant of God, whatever that required.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The willingness of Joseph to marry
young Mary who was pregnant but not by him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The events that had to unfold for the
child to be born in Bethlehem.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The circumstances that led the parents
to take refuge in an area set aside for animals—a mean estate for humans.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Shepherds as the recipients of such a
grand announcement.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 5.0pt;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">And suddenly there was
with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 5.0pt;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">Glory to God in the
highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Shepherds who were in shock but went
to see what all was happening in their time and in this place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Shepherds who would broadcast the news
of this birth to all they encountered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A mother who could only treasure these
moments in her heart. Did she have an
inkling of what was to come?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And a few days later, the child was
named Jesus as the angel had instructed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We remember the events. We believe it all transpired this way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But how should we feel?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We should feel amazed. You know that Christmas feeling you had when
you rose early Christmas morning to a tree surrounded by gifts. That feeling
that we have for the secular things that excite us Christmas morning should be
but a sample of the joy and amazement we have when we think of the gift of life
and life eternal that we know in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ
Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I jump briefly to the </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A14&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">first chapter of John</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Word became flesh and made his
dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son,
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How should we feel this
Christmas? Amazed at the love that our
God has for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let us be joyful, knowing we are so
blessed. Let us live in amazement of
God’s love that we celebrate in the birth of his Son.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When we say Merry Christmas, we are
saying, take joy in the birth of our Savior. He is worthy of our worship. Come and worship him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Come and joyfully worship the King of
kings as we celebrate his birth into this world—the Word made flesh who dwelt
among us and who brought us to the Spirit that now lives within us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-36296551748952671382023-12-20T08:19:00.000-08:002023-12-20T08:19:39.424-08:00I am the Lord's Servant<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: right;">Read </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A26-38&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Luke 1:26-38</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Luke begins
his gospel by saying, I did my research.
I heard the accounts of those who were witnesses to the advent of God
with us, and then I followed up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Others wrote
first-hand accounts. I did a research
paper and now put it into the form of a letter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Luke began
with the parents of John the Baptist.
They were Zechariah and Elizabeth, both descendants of Aaron. Zechariah was
on duty and got picked to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">While inside
he was visited by an angel named Gabriel. Gabriel told him that his wife would
conceive and have a son and he was to name him John.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Zechariah
questioned the angel as to how this was possible. C’mon, we are both very old. Evidently, this priest had forgotten the
story of Abram and Sarai.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Gabriel told
Zechariah that he stood in the very presence of God and he should have believed
him, but as he did not, he would not be able to speak until the birth of the
child.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The angel
said that everything would happen in God’s time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sure enough,
Elizabeth got pregnant. Now we pick up
the story 6 months later with a young maiden named Mary. She was engaged to a young man named
Joseph. They surely had plans for a
wonderful marriage.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">They were
godly people and were betrothed to one another.
The future was surely bright for them both.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And then, an
angel of the Lord came to visit Mary.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The angel
went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with
you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mary was
understandably stunned, maybe in shock.
This was likely her first encounter with an angel, so the angel has to
do the angel thing and say, <i>OK don’t be afraid. It’s all good.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But the angel
said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If that were
not enough, the angel said, OBTW—you will bear the Son of God. That was probably a little too much to a
young gal to take in all at once.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You do know
that I am a virgin, right? I have never
been with a man, much less pregnant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The angel
answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High
will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The angel
consoled and encouraged Mary a little. Even childless Elizabeth is 6 months
pregnant. If God wills it, if God speaks it, it happens.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For no word
from God will ever fail.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mary was in
shock but she believed. Her belief was
manifested in this response.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk151637974"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to
me be fulfilled.”<o:p></o:p></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We know what
followed. Mary visited Elizabeth and
John leaped in the womb. Gabriel told
Zechariah that the Spirit of God would be with John and fill John even before
he was born. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Joseph had
doubts and needed some angelic counsel as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There was a
census and a trip to Bethlehem. We know
about the whole no room at the inn deal. I can hear Mary now telling Joseph
that he should have downloaded that Expedia app while they still had Wi-Fi in
Nazareth. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We know the
story but today I ask you to see the trust and acceptance and faith of
Mary. She was a young girl without much
life experience but she knew that she belonged to, worshiped, and now would
serve the Lord in a very special way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Think of the
power in these words.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The angel
said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will
conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be
great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him
the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants
forever; his kingdom will never end.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Today is not
a day for intense biblical study, but one to be in awe of the magnitude of the
message given to this young lady and her acceptance of her role—however
unique—to be the servant of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A few weeks
ago, I was privileged to speak to the students at their Veterans Day
Program. I talked about those who would
serve. It was a topic with which I had some experience and familiarity. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I mentioned
the sometimes cliché expression of a veteran being someone who at some point
wrote a blank check to their country. It’s an apt comparison.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now think of
Mary, young Mary, writing a blank check to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Whatever you
call me to do, I will do. I am your
servant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let’s
celebrate the Advent and the Birth of the Christ into this world. Let us also celebrate this young and willing
servant of the Most Hight God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As we
prepare for the coming of the Lord to claim his own, let us prepare ourselves
by being humble, willing servants who will say to the Lord, I am the Lord’s
servant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let the
simplicity, honesty, and trusting nature of those words sink in.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk153870195"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I am the Lord’s servant.”<o:p></o:p></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “May your word to me be fulfilled.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let Mary’s
willingness to write a blank check to her God be imparted to us. Let us say these words from our hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I am the
Lord’s servant.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">May your
word to me be fulfilled.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-32554006858703795722023-11-24T11:28:00.000-08:002023-11-24T11:28:30.743-08:00The least of these<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: right;">Read
</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A31-46&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 25:31-46</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We will cover Luke 17 again in the
next service. For now, I want us to make
a brief stop in </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2025&version=NIV"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 25</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 5.0pt;"><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">“Then the King will
say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your
inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;"> <span class="woj">For I was hungry and you gave me something
to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and
you invited me in,</span> <span class="woj">I needed clothes and you clothed
me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came
to visit me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 5.0pt;"><span class="woj"><b><i><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did
we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;"> <span class="woj">When did we see you a stranger and invite
you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?</span> <span class="woj">When did
we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 5.0pt;"><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">“The King will reply,
‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and
sisters of mine, you did for me.’</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We know the parable before this
one. It is the </span><a href="https://cumberlandpresbyterian.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-parable-of-talents.html"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Parable of the Talents</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> that you might have heard a few times or a
few dozen times or more.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We long to hear the words, <i>Well
done good and faithful servant</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We covet our Master telling us to come
and share his happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We also know the words in between the
Well done good and faithful servant and those I just read to you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is a third servant who didn’t do
anything with what his master gave him and even that was taken away from him in
the end.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Remember we saw the </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+13%3A22&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">wealth of the wicked is stored up for the
righteous</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> played out at the end of the Parable
of the Talents.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The next parable talks of a sorting—sheep
and goats are the metaphor in play. They
might represent the righteous and the wicked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We know this one as well. Some—possibly those who should have known
better—saw people in need or hurting people and went about their business as
usual.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus might have been targeting the
Pharisees but I think he was speaking to all of us to guard against our selfish
human nature. We want our problems
solved and when one is solved, we want to move on to the next one, and the next
one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sometimes it seems that we take life
as nothing more than a series of problems to be solved. We do solve many problems in our lifetime,
but our lives are much more.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Along the way, there may have been
people that we could have helped but we didn’t.
We were too busy. They didn’t smell good. They were different. We had places to go and things to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We walked on by or drove on by or </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10%3A25-37&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">walked on the other side of the road</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> or looked down on them as unworthy of mercy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We know how this parable ends. The group that walked on by continues along
their path to eternal punishment, but the righteous—those who truly seek to
live in right standing with God—go on to eternal life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We want to be in that latter
group. We are in that group because of
what the blood of Jesus has done for us, but do we want to live up to the right
standing that was imputed to us by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have talked about the vending
machine before. We are not a form-in and
food-out organization. We are not a signup and pick-up program.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We are about bringing the good news of
God’s love and eternal life to people.
Sometimes it comes with a bucket of food.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sometimes it comes with a blue
wristband for the person with a screaming kid in front of us at Walmart.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sometimes it’s a hug.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sometimes it’s a ride.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sometimes it’s a turkey, but it is
always delivered in the spirit of God’s love.
We are not Feed the Children or the Oklahoma Food Bank. Those are good organizations and they do good
things, but we bring words of life to people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We have an abundance of food. We have sent out an abundance of food to the
other church bodies. We still have an
abundance of food. People bring food
here—that never worship here—because they know we will deliver it to hungry
people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Not all of them know that we will
deliver it with good news.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Some only have eyes to see the hungry
stomachs. That’s fine. Empathy and compassion for your fellow man are good qualities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But we must deliver more. We must long to feed not only the body but
the soul.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I posted this prayer in the Missions
Room. Consider this petition to the Lord
as we conclude this morning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lord, help us
have eyes to see those who are hungry and prompt us to feed them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lord, help us to
have eyes to see those who hunger and thirst for righteousness and bring them
to you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lord, help us to
deliver good news with every basket of food.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lord, help us to
be your love in action!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That’s what I posted. Let us never become callous to the needs of
our brothers and sisters. Know that when we help, it is never really about the
stuff. Sure, people need food for their
stomachs, but food without truth can only sustain the body.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let us deliver food or rides or other
help with compassion, mercy, kindness, generosity, and love—most of all love.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let us </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4%3A15&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">speak the truth in a spirit of love</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and deliver Living Water and the Bread of
Life!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now let’s take this as our own
petition to the Lord and as our closing prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lord, help us
have eyes to see those who are hungry and prompt us to feed them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lord, help us to
have eyes to see those who hunger and thirst for righteousness and bring them
to you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lord, help us to
deliver good news with every basket of food.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lord, help us to
be your love in action!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></i></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7012409595293768659.post-3289033273114967942023-11-24T11:05:00.000-08:002023-11-24T11:05:46.937-08:00One returned to give thanks...<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: right;">Read</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+17%3A11-19&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Luke 17:11-19</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have offered up this verse to you in
a few ways over the past two weeks.
Today we will stick with the expository mode. We will go verse by verse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You got some main concepts before, but
today we drill down a little. We begin with verse 11.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus
traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">OK, so Jesus is out walking again, but
we see more. He is not only in Judea and
the Northern Kingdom of Israel, he is also preaching, teaching, and saving
humankind in Samaria, that country so despised by the Jewish people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We remember in </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+4&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 4</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,
that Jesus purposely went through Samarian surely for an encounter with a woman
who had lived in sin for so long that she had adapted comfortably to her
worldly circumstances. Jesus, however,
wouldn’t let her off the hook.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He wasn’t there to condemn her but to
liberate her. He met her where she was
in her life. She was knowledgeable of
God’s word and that a Messiah was coming, but her life was one of sin and being
ostracized by her community.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus met her where she was but was
not content to leave her there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus came asking for a drink but
giving her living water. Jesus
ministered in Samaria, and it seemed that he loved </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10%3A25-37&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">using the Samaritans as the best of examples</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. I think Jesus enjoyed ruffling the feathers
of the self-righteous and disturbing some comfort zones. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On to verses 12 and 13.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As he was going into a village, ten
men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud
voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What do we see? There were 10 men with leprosy. Where were they? Outside the village. Lepers were outcasts. They were different. They looked
terrible. They were far from
mainstreaming in society.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And they knew it…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They remained at a distance and called
out to Jesus. They didn’t approach
him. That would be socially
unacceptable. Jesus was at least a rabbi
and had some standing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We should note that they called him
Master. Did they know that he was the
Messiah?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They asked for pity. They asked for mercy. They wanted to be healed but they would take
what they could get. Sir, grant us some
compassion. We are at the bottom of
life. We can only associate with each
other or those who associate with us might be considered unclean themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Have mercy on us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now verse 14.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When he saw them, he said, “Go, show
yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What do we see? Obedience. Jesus said go and they went.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Unlike the </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+5&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">man at the pool in Bethsaida</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> who had his list of excuses at the ready as to why
nothing helped, these men obeyed. Jesus directed and they obeyed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They were headed to show themselves to
the priests and they were cleansed as they walked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Verse 15.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One of them, when he saw he was
healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All were obedient. They were on their
way to see the priests, but one was overwhelmed with thanksgiving. He was compelled by the spirit within him
that sought out God to give thanks and praise to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All were obedient, but one was
thankful. He did not become disobedient
in his thanksgiving. Yes, Jesus told him
to go to the priests but here he was in front of Jesus praising God in a loud
voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In a loud voice. He was not
timid. He was not concerned about what others
thought of his praise. He was compelled
to praise God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Verse 16.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and
thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He threw himself at the feet of Jesus.
It would have been socially unacceptable to approach Jesus so closely before,
but he knew that he had been cleansed and nothing would stop him from
thanking the King of kings and Lord of lords.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He would fall at the feet of the one
who saved him from such a horrible illness and who would go on the bring
salvation to the world and he would give thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He was thankful. OBTW—he was a
Samaritan. Think about it. He was
despised because he was a leper and he was despised because he was a Samaritan,
and he was the only one that returned to thank Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mr. Double Despised returned to thank
Jesus. That had to get under the skin of
the self-righteous.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now verse 17. Jesus has healed. Now he will teach, but in a provocative
manner.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus asked, “Were not all ten
cleansed? Where are the other nine?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus was not asking the leper who was
now clean. His question was for all
gathered and it is for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All ten were obedient but one was
compelled by thanksgiving to return to Jesus.
One realized what Paul would later describe the </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+3%3A7-18&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">surpassing glory</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3%3A8&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">of Christ</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
over the law. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The law was good and continues to be
good, but this one Samaritan man saw the One who was so much greater. We don’t know, but he might have later gone
to the priests as instructed, but he didn’t need to go. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Peter would write that </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+3%3A16&version=NIV;KJV;NKJV;ESV;NASB"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Paul is sometimes hard to understand</span></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. He
didn’t say that Paul missed the mark, but he was a theologian among fishermen
and sometimes stretched the thought process a bit farther than they could cast
their nets.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I love Paul’s writings. Many misconstrue them innocently or with
devious or self-serving purposes, but this one Samaritan understood the
surpassing glory of the Christ and could not help but return to praise God and
give thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He fell at his feet and gave him
thanks. Today, we grumble when Tom has us stand for four songs, albeit short
ones.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When we think of our salvation and our
victory over sin and death, should we not be both thankful and prostrate before
the Lord?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Should we not raise our hands or shout
aloud? Maybe a hallelujah here and there
would be appropriate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The leper who had been cleansed knew
what to do. He fell down before the Lord,
praised God, and thanked Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We are saved from a disease just as
vile—sin and death—yet we are cured in the blood of Jesus. Should we not be just as excited about our
healing?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Verse 18.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Has no one returned to give praise to
God except this foreigner?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One out of ten who were healed from a
horrible disease and a life of exclusion returned to give thanks. Yes, the others had an excuse—they were on
the way to see the priests. They were
obedient.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is nothing wrong with
obedience. In fact, there are incredible
blessings in obedience but nothing in obedience precludes us from thanksgiving.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Only our human nature and a concern
about what others might think preclude us from giving very vocal praise to God
and falling at the feet of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When the world—even the Christian
world—goes about business as usual saying they are playing by the rules—at
least the rules they think are important—you be the one who returns to Jesus to
give thanks and praise God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Be the one who doesn’t care what the
world thinks but is compelled to give thanks to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And finally, verse 19.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .3in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Then he said to him, “Rise and go;
your faith has made you well.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The process was to show yourself to
the priest but the power was in the faith of this most pitiful man in our
almighty God. God’s healing was manifested in the faith of this Samaritan.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When I stand before Jesus, I want to
hear, “Well done good and faithful servant!”
Between now and then, I would love to hear the words, “Your faith has
made you well.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your faith has made you complete.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your faith has made you whole.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How about, I can see your faith!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What a powerful thing for Jesus to see
your faith. What powerful words. Your faith has made your well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let us be the faithful ones.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let us be the thankful one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let us be the ones not afraid to praise
God and let us not be shy about it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let us be the ones who seeing what the
Lord has done in our lives, come to him with praise and thanksgiving.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tom Spencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08841244955103492348noreply@blogger.com0