John 9:25
He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"
How many letters behind your name do you need to collect before you are useful to the Lord? Is there a minimum number of years you need to study, or a test that you take to allow you to serve the Lord?
Not according to a blind man -- no, make that a formerly blind man.
This man -- born blind -- had been directly benefitted by a miracle performed by Jesus. He had felt Christ spread mud over his eyes, and had followed His instructions to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. And because of Jesus -- he could now see!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Exodus 40:16 - Worship God His Way
Exodus 40:16
Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded him.
Is there any question that God is concerned about how we worship Him?
The several chapters that precede this verse are filled with detailed instructions about the construction of the tabernacle, the choices of materials to be used -- even the names of the craftsmen who are to do the work!
Without a doubt, God had a definite purpose and design for how He wanted to be worshiped by Israel.
How He is worshiped is something that He is still concerned with today.
Somehow, though, many “religious” people today believe that the method and means for worshiping God is subject to their whim.
Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded him.
Is there any question that God is concerned about how we worship Him?
The several chapters that precede this verse are filled with detailed instructions about the construction of the tabernacle, the choices of materials to be used -- even the names of the craftsmen who are to do the work!
Without a doubt, God had a definite purpose and design for how He wanted to be worshiped by Israel.
How He is worshiped is something that He is still concerned with today.
Somehow, though, many “religious” people today believe that the method and means for worshiping God is subject to their whim.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Romans 12:2 - Think Outside the Box
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Think outside the box?”
This is Paul’s version.
Having a preconceived idea is sometimes the hardest part of thinking. It tends to have you thinking about the expected answer without looking at the situation clearly.
“If all you have is a hammer, everything you see looks like a nail.”
Paul is telling the Romans to be careful about being so closely conformed to the desires -- expectations -- values -- and traditions of this world. If they (or we) have the world in their (our) hearts, then it will be all too easy to rationalize -- justify -- excuse -- gloss over the times they (we) stray from God’s Will.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Think outside the box?”
This is Paul’s version.
Having a preconceived idea is sometimes the hardest part of thinking. It tends to have you thinking about the expected answer without looking at the situation clearly.
“If all you have is a hammer, everything you see looks like a nail.”
Paul is telling the Romans to be careful about being so closely conformed to the desires -- expectations -- values -- and traditions of this world. If they (or we) have the world in their (our) hearts, then it will be all too easy to rationalize -- justify -- excuse -- gloss over the times they (we) stray from God’s Will.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Matthew 27:21-22 - Barabbas? That's Me!
Matthew 27:21-22
"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor.
"Barabbas," they answered. “
"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" Pilate asked.
They all answered, "Crucify him!"
He had been a true zealot when it came to the nation of Israel -- Barabbas loved his nation!
He was irked by the very fact that Rome had placed a heavy yoke around the neck of the nation of Israel. But -- his desire to press hard for what he thought was right had gotten him to where he was: cold -- lonely -- hungry -- and waiting for the executioner to come for him.
Barabbas had a good start in life. His name suggests that his father had probably been a Rabbi, so he knew about the religious aristocracy -- and had a firm understanding of the tradition of the Law. But, like many -- even today -- his desire to be righteous had blended social concerns with spiritual concerns.
As a “Zealot,” the Roman Government had him in their cross-hairs -- making him a man on the run -- forcing him to do brutal things to survive -- causing him to become a hardened criminal, and not just a rebel against the government -- committing robbery, battery -- and eventually -- MURDER!
Can you imagine what was going through Barabbas’ mind when he finally heard the guard coming down the corridor to his cell? The anxiety he had when he heard the keys rattling as the jailer unlocked the door… The magnitude of his fear and dread when he heard the lead jailer say…
"Barabbas," they answered. “
"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" Pilate asked.
They all answered, "Crucify him!"
He had been a true zealot when it came to the nation of Israel -- Barabbas loved his nation!
He was irked by the very fact that Rome had placed a heavy yoke around the neck of the nation of Israel. But -- his desire to press hard for what he thought was right had gotten him to where he was: cold -- lonely -- hungry -- and waiting for the executioner to come for him.
Barabbas had a good start in life. His name suggests that his father had probably been a Rabbi, so he knew about the religious aristocracy -- and had a firm understanding of the tradition of the Law. But, like many -- even today -- his desire to be righteous had blended social concerns with spiritual concerns.
As a “Zealot,” the Roman Government had him in their cross-hairs -- making him a man on the run -- forcing him to do brutal things to survive -- causing him to become a hardened criminal, and not just a rebel against the government -- committing robbery, battery -- and eventually -- MURDER!
Can you imagine what was going through Barabbas’ mind when he finally heard the guard coming down the corridor to his cell? The anxiety he had when he heard the keys rattling as the jailer unlocked the door… The magnitude of his fear and dread when he heard the lead jailer say…
Friday, March 2, 2012
Matthew 26:33-34 - Have You Heard the Rooster?
Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
Has anyone known you so well that they knew you better than you knew yourself?
We can often lie to ourselves and let our pride convince us that we are someone we really aren’t.
For instance, you might try and tell yourself that you can play your favorite sport better than most -- think you are smarter than the average person -- believe that you are of “star quality.”
But, then -- when you ask someone who knows you well, and he is honest with you -- you learn otherwise.
It hurts when that happens!
We want so badly to be the people we think we are, but when we are faced with the undeniable truth -- we see we are not.
So? What was Peter thinking when he spoke to Jesus?
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
Has anyone known you so well that they knew you better than you knew yourself?
We can often lie to ourselves and let our pride convince us that we are someone we really aren’t.
For instance, you might try and tell yourself that you can play your favorite sport better than most -- think you are smarter than the average person -- believe that you are of “star quality.”
But, then -- when you ask someone who knows you well, and he is honest with you -- you learn otherwise.
It hurts when that happens!
We want so badly to be the people we think we are, but when we are faced with the undeniable truth -- we see we are not.
So? What was Peter thinking when he spoke to Jesus?
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