WEBSTER'S 21ST CENTURY DICTIONARY defines hope as "belief that something good may happen". Although some people would not admit it, we all have an eternal hope. Atheists hope that God does not exist. Others hope that, if they do certain things or don't do certain things, God will allow them to enter heaven. Still others hope that God loves us so much that He will let everyone in. As the definition states, with these hopes, it is possible that the outcome will not be what was hoped for.
We as christians are different! There is a big difference between having hope and having the Hope. Many times I have heard christians say that they hope they are going to make it to heaven. We are not called to live with that uncertainty.
When we accept Christ and are baptized, we are given a gaurantee that the outcome will be what we hope for. Paul tells us, in 2nd Corinthians 5:5, that we have been given the "Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come". If we have that deposit, why would we not be sure of the outcome?
So how do you know if you have that guarantee? Jesus himself gave us the answer in Matthew 7:15-23. Jesus tells us that you will be able to tell false profits by their fruit. In Galatians 5:22, Paul gives us a list of nine fruits of the Spirit. They are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It is really very simple, if you have the Hope, you will have the fruits that Paul listed. And, as you grow closer to Jesus, you will produce more and better fruit.
Now, since we have this Hope, why would we fear anyone or anything? We are assured of the outcome of our lives. That is how a christian in Egypt introduced a terrorist to Christ. You see this radical Muslim terrorist wanted to know why, in the face of persecution, a christian businessman showed love and forgiveness to those who hurt him. It is easy for us to see that the christian was only exhibiting one of the fruits of the Spirit but it was totally different to the terrorist.
Ask yourself the question "what kind of fruit am I producing"? If you don't like your answer, fall to your knees and ask God for help! None of us can continue to produce good fruit on our own, we must stay connected to the vine that is Jesus.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Sunday, October 14, 2007
What's in a name?
In 1997, NASA landed a spacecraft on the planet Mars. Then a rover was released to explore the planet looking for the truth about life on Mars. That rover was given the name Sojourner in honor of a woman named Isabella Baumfree.
She was born into slavery in New York in 1797. She was the youngest of twelve children. At the age of nine, she was sold away from her family. Even though she suffered abuse under slavery, she made an altar to God in the woods. This was her "church" where she went to worship and talk to God. You see she didn't have the option of attending a church like we think of. In 1826, she was inspired from her talks with God and walked to freedom. In 1843, she changed her name to Sojourner Truth and became a travelling preacher. She said that her mission was to teach people "to embrace Jesus and refrain from sin."
As she said, we are all called to "embrace Jesus". In Acts 4:12, it tells us that there is no other name by which we must be saved. It seems that more and more these days we are being bombarded with the idea that there are other ways. This is nothing but a lie from the depths of hell. There are many religions but only one path to a relationship with God. And just a little note, NO RELIGION WILL GET YOU TO HEAVEN. Romans 8:16&17, tells us that when we embrace Jesus we become children of God and joint heirs with Christ. In Revelation 20:5, it tells us that, if your name is not written in the book of life, you will be cast into hell.
So, what's in the Name? It is unimaginable power, we are saved from hell but it is so much more. Philippians 4:13 tells us that we can do anything through His name. More times than I can count, I've had people tell me about what is impossible. I have actually had people that call themselves Christians, say that Gods' work is impossible. That is blasphemy! There is nothing that God cannot do! If you embrace Jesus, you will come to know and trust that He is able.
There is a little more to it though. You see, being saved from hell has nothing to do with works. But once once you become that child of God there are some things that are expected of you. As a Christian we are called to take the light of truth to the world. That comes from Matthew 28:18-20, and we won't do this to be saved we are compelled to do it out of gratitude for being saved!
Like Isabella Baumfree, aren't all of us who call upon the name of Jesus asked to be a "sojourner truth"? You see most of the people of the world are wondering around like that rover on Mars searching for the truth. We may not all be called to go to the same parts of the world but we are called to go. Are you a "sojourner truth"?
It is my prayer that we, as Christians, will start to take our name seriously. It may start with you at your workplace.
She was born into slavery in New York in 1797. She was the youngest of twelve children. At the age of nine, she was sold away from her family. Even though she suffered abuse under slavery, she made an altar to God in the woods. This was her "church" where she went to worship and talk to God. You see she didn't have the option of attending a church like we think of. In 1826, she was inspired from her talks with God and walked to freedom. In 1843, she changed her name to Sojourner Truth and became a travelling preacher. She said that her mission was to teach people "to embrace Jesus and refrain from sin."
As she said, we are all called to "embrace Jesus". In Acts 4:12, it tells us that there is no other name by which we must be saved. It seems that more and more these days we are being bombarded with the idea that there are other ways. This is nothing but a lie from the depths of hell. There are many religions but only one path to a relationship with God. And just a little note, NO RELIGION WILL GET YOU TO HEAVEN. Romans 8:16&17, tells us that when we embrace Jesus we become children of God and joint heirs with Christ. In Revelation 20:5, it tells us that, if your name is not written in the book of life, you will be cast into hell.
So, what's in the Name? It is unimaginable power, we are saved from hell but it is so much more. Philippians 4:13 tells us that we can do anything through His name. More times than I can count, I've had people tell me about what is impossible. I have actually had people that call themselves Christians, say that Gods' work is impossible. That is blasphemy! There is nothing that God cannot do! If you embrace Jesus, you will come to know and trust that He is able.
There is a little more to it though. You see, being saved from hell has nothing to do with works. But once once you become that child of God there are some things that are expected of you. As a Christian we are called to take the light of truth to the world. That comes from Matthew 28:18-20, and we won't do this to be saved we are compelled to do it out of gratitude for being saved!
Like Isabella Baumfree, aren't all of us who call upon the name of Jesus asked to be a "sojourner truth"? You see most of the people of the world are wondering around like that rover on Mars searching for the truth. We may not all be called to go to the same parts of the world but we are called to go. Are you a "sojourner truth"?
It is my prayer that we, as Christians, will start to take our name seriously. It may start with you at your workplace.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
TEARS, THERMOMETER OF THE HEART?
Our tears can be a great indication of the health of our relationship with JESUS. Can you remember the last event that made you cry? By looking at the reason for the tears you can get a personal reading on the status of your heart. Many of us older folks were raised with the "real men don't cry" attitude. Others of us will cry at the drop of a hat. But, the only one we should ever compare ourselves to is JESUS. HE is to be the pattern of our lives!
We, as Christians, are called to be like CHRIST. Therefore, we should look at what caused JESUS to cry and compare HIS tears to ours. That can be a powerful tool to assess the condition of your heart.
To see what caused our LORD to shed a tear, we look at the death of Lazarus as recorded in John chapter 11. Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha. This is the same Mary who poured perfume on the feet of JESUS and wiped them with her hair. These sisters sent for JESUS when Lazarus was sick. JESUS waited until Lazarus was dead then went to them. Now Mary and Martha met JESUS outside the village. And we see that JESUS wept in verse 35. To see the why behind HIS tears we look at verse 33. We see that HIS compassion caused the tears for them. After this, HE went to the tomb and brought Lazarus back from the dead.
JESUS had three options in this situation. First, HE could have not even went to them or shed any tears. Second, HE could have stayed where HE was and cried for Mary and Martha. Lastly, we see what JESUS actually did, HE not only cried but HE went to them and did something about the situation.
Many of us live our lives like that first option. We go day to day knowing that bad things are happening but we don't let it affect us. We don't even shed a tear. I think the thermometer is reading at or below freezing. This surely doesn't bring glory to GOD.
Some of us have moved on to the second option. We slow down and notice what is going on and we even shed a tear. But that is as far as we go. Our thermometers have come up from freezing but we are far from on fire for the LORD. I don't believe this brings glory to GOD either.
Not enough of us go to the third option. This is the only option that brings glory to GOD. JESUS not only shed tears HE took action to help the situation. If our relationship with CHRIST is healthy, we will do more than shed a tear for the world. We will seek to glorify GOD just like JESUS did in this situation.
So, each of us has to look at our own thermometer. The world around us is filled with hurting people headed for destruction. If that simple fact does not drive you to tears and compel you to act, you need to draw nearer to the MASTER. If you have a healthy relationship you will be on fire for HIM.
For further thought, look at Revelation chapter 3 verses 14-22.
We, as Christians, are called to be like CHRIST. Therefore, we should look at what caused JESUS to cry and compare HIS tears to ours. That can be a powerful tool to assess the condition of your heart.
To see what caused our LORD to shed a tear, we look at the death of Lazarus as recorded in John chapter 11. Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha. This is the same Mary who poured perfume on the feet of JESUS and wiped them with her hair. These sisters sent for JESUS when Lazarus was sick. JESUS waited until Lazarus was dead then went to them. Now Mary and Martha met JESUS outside the village. And we see that JESUS wept in verse 35. To see the why behind HIS tears we look at verse 33. We see that HIS compassion caused the tears for them. After this, HE went to the tomb and brought Lazarus back from the dead.
JESUS had three options in this situation. First, HE could have not even went to them or shed any tears. Second, HE could have stayed where HE was and cried for Mary and Martha. Lastly, we see what JESUS actually did, HE not only cried but HE went to them and did something about the situation.
Many of us live our lives like that first option. We go day to day knowing that bad things are happening but we don't let it affect us. We don't even shed a tear. I think the thermometer is reading at or below freezing. This surely doesn't bring glory to GOD.
Some of us have moved on to the second option. We slow down and notice what is going on and we even shed a tear. But that is as far as we go. Our thermometers have come up from freezing but we are far from on fire for the LORD. I don't believe this brings glory to GOD either.
Not enough of us go to the third option. This is the only option that brings glory to GOD. JESUS not only shed tears HE took action to help the situation. If our relationship with CHRIST is healthy, we will do more than shed a tear for the world. We will seek to glorify GOD just like JESUS did in this situation.
So, each of us has to look at our own thermometer. The world around us is filled with hurting people headed for destruction. If that simple fact does not drive you to tears and compel you to act, you need to draw nearer to the MASTER. If you have a healthy relationship you will be on fire for HIM.
For further thought, look at Revelation chapter 3 verses 14-22.
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