Walking with JESUS
Week 24
Readings: John 6, Deuteronomy 8, Isaiah 55, Psalm 34
SPIRITUAL FITNESS
Jesus said: “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. John 6:35
The world today is obsessed with fitness. It seems every magazine I pick up has a plethora of articles about dieting, exercise, and how to be fit, healthy, and happy. The problem is that no matter how good the health program is it just can’t keep us fit, healthy, and happy forever. This week Jesus gives us a Spiritual fitness program that promises eternal and lasting results. Come and eat….
Jesus began his Spiritual fitness program with a proper diet. Seeing hungry people, He first fed them physical bread. But He didn’t stop there. Seizing the moment, He used the opportunity to “feed” them Himself – THE bread of Life –encouraging them to eat. Then He prescribed an exercise plan – walking, through faith, in the will and obedience of His Father (John 6:29, Deuteronomy 8:6), and providing all the resources (the Spirit God - John 6:63) needed to do so. Jesus’ fitness program even came with a guarantee of permanent success. Unfortunately, many didn’t like the menu and turned away. Yet the promise remains: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. John 6:54
My friend Katie and I started Jesus’ diet and exercise program this week. Together, we feed on God’s Word each morning and then walk the rest of the day, in faith, with Jesus in our mind and in our heart. Although it’s only been one week, we can already feel the difference; not in our weight, appearance, or physical health, but in our heart, our soul and our Spiritual health. Jesus’ death and resurrection comes with the guarantee of eternal life for all who believe in Him as their Lord and Savior. Daily feeding on Jesus’ and daily exercise walking with Him in His Word will also bring blessings, peace, and joy here on earth.
What about you? How is your health? Jesus is calling you: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters, and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come; buy wine and milk without money and without cost... Isaiah 55:1-2. Jesus’ diet and exercise plan may not make you physically fit, healthy, and happy, but it guarantees that by following it, you will receive Spiritual fitness, health and happiness –by Grace, through faith in Christ Jesus.
Prayer: “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed are those who take refuge in him. Psalm 34:8-9
Monday, June 13, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
EXPECTATIONS
Walking with JESUS
Week 23
Readings: John 4:46 – 5:47, Lamentations 3
EXPECTATIONS
Jesus said: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” John 5:24
My son is getting married in 2 weeks and Jessi, his fiancé was feeling stressed –extremely stressed and I, in love, tried to console her with God’s word and promises – it will be ok, God will bless you, He will provide etc… In her frustration, responded very honestly with, “Sometimes I think those are just empty promises.” You see Jessi, like most of us do, had expectations of what she thought God’s blessings should look like and when they didn’t materialize as she thought they should, she got frustrated, angry and full of doubt. John 5 Jesus shows the benefits of putting aside our own expectations and the blessings that come with taking Him at His word and the consequences of when we don’t.
Returning to Jerusalem for the Sabbath, Jesus entered the temple through the sheep gate which was right next to a healing pool. Sitting by the pool was a man who had been “in his illness” for 38 years. Jesus approached him and asked, “do you wish to get well?” to which the name replied he had no resources to get to the water. Jesus, instead of picking Him up and taking him to the water simply said, “Get up, take up your pallet, and walk” and he was immediately healed. Now, the man could have been frustrated and angry because Jesus didn’t do what he expected (taking him to the water). But instead, He took Jesus at His word (even though he didn’t know who he was), got up, took up his mat, and walked away. The Jewish leaders, on the other hand, held fast to their own expectations of what the Messiah should and shouldn’t do, refused to take Jesus at His word (that He was the Messiah) and sought to kill him. So what does this mean?
I am the crippled man at the pool – stuck in my “sickness” of sin without any resources to get to the healing water of God’s Grace. And I, like Jessi and the Jews, all too often let my own expectations of what should and shouldn’t be get in the way of Jesus’ Words and promises which results in me sitting in a pool of pity, frustration, anger, and doubt. But Jesus came, took my “sin sickness” to the cross, buried it in the tomb, and with His resurrection brought healing and the blessings of “passing out of death into life.” And when I look to Him, believe Him, and take Him at His word, He enables me to get up out of my pool of self-pity, take up my cross, and walk with Him in peace, forgiveness, and blessings.
What about you? What do you expect from Jesus? Jesus loves you more than life itself – He proved that on the cross. Lay aside your own expectations, take Jesus at His word, expect His best, and live in His forgiveness, grace and love – now and in eternity.
Prayer: “The LORD’S loving kindnesses indeed never ceases… His compassions never fail, they are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness…Therefore I have hope in Him.” Lamentations 3:21-24
Week 23
Readings: John 4:46 – 5:47, Lamentations 3
EXPECTATIONS
Jesus said: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” John 5:24
My son is getting married in 2 weeks and Jessi, his fiancé was feeling stressed –extremely stressed and I, in love, tried to console her with God’s word and promises – it will be ok, God will bless you, He will provide etc… In her frustration, responded very honestly with, “Sometimes I think those are just empty promises.” You see Jessi, like most of us do, had expectations of what she thought God’s blessings should look like and when they didn’t materialize as she thought they should, she got frustrated, angry and full of doubt. John 5 Jesus shows the benefits of putting aside our own expectations and the blessings that come with taking Him at His word and the consequences of when we don’t.
Returning to Jerusalem for the Sabbath, Jesus entered the temple through the sheep gate which was right next to a healing pool. Sitting by the pool was a man who had been “in his illness” for 38 years. Jesus approached him and asked, “do you wish to get well?” to which the name replied he had no resources to get to the water. Jesus, instead of picking Him up and taking him to the water simply said, “Get up, take up your pallet, and walk” and he was immediately healed. Now, the man could have been frustrated and angry because Jesus didn’t do what he expected (taking him to the water). But instead, He took Jesus at His word (even though he didn’t know who he was), got up, took up his mat, and walked away. The Jewish leaders, on the other hand, held fast to their own expectations of what the Messiah should and shouldn’t do, refused to take Jesus at His word (that He was the Messiah) and sought to kill him. So what does this mean?
I am the crippled man at the pool – stuck in my “sickness” of sin without any resources to get to the healing water of God’s Grace. And I, like Jessi and the Jews, all too often let my own expectations of what should and shouldn’t be get in the way of Jesus’ Words and promises which results in me sitting in a pool of pity, frustration, anger, and doubt. But Jesus came, took my “sin sickness” to the cross, buried it in the tomb, and with His resurrection brought healing and the blessings of “passing out of death into life.” And when I look to Him, believe Him, and take Him at His word, He enables me to get up out of my pool of self-pity, take up my cross, and walk with Him in peace, forgiveness, and blessings.
What about you? What do you expect from Jesus? Jesus loves you more than life itself – He proved that on the cross. Lay aside your own expectations, take Jesus at His word, expect His best, and live in His forgiveness, grace and love – now and in eternity.
Prayer: “The LORD’S loving kindnesses indeed never ceases… His compassions never fail, they are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness…Therefore I have hope in Him.” Lamentations 3:21-24
Monday, May 23, 2011
LIVING WATER
Walking with JESUS
Week 22
Readings: John 4:1-45, Philippians 2-4
LIVING WATER
Jesus said: “Whoever drinks of the water I give him will never be thirsty again. The water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14
Shalom. My name is Photini (not my real name) and I am a Samaritan woman. I, like the other women in my village, go to Jacob’s well daily to retrieve water. The others go in the morning, when it’s cool, but not me - I go at noon when no one is there. I go at noon so I don’t have to deal with the judgmental stares, the rude snickers, and the crude comments of the other women. You see I am an outcast. I have had 5 husbands and the man I currently live with I am not married to. I know it’s wrong, but what can I do? I have no way to support myself and no man will marry me so live as a “sinner” and outcast. I wish I could be with the other women – it gets so lonely, but…
The other day when I went to the well a man asked me for a drink. I was surprised he spoke to me, not only was he a man but he was a Jew and everyone knows Jews and Samaritans don’t get along. I was more surprised by his demeanor. His face, his words, and his tone were not cruel and biting, but kind and compassionate. And, even when he told me about my living situation (how he knew that I didn’t know) he was not judgmental or condemning, just caring. He spoke of living water and Spiritual worship that I didn’t understand. Then, then he said He was the Messiah, the promised one, and oh how my heart was filled with such hope. I was so excited I ran back to my family and told everyone. They came, first because I told them what he said to me, but after they talked to Him, well, we all believed. We knew deep in our hearts, this Jewish man, so filled with love, compassion, and kindness, was the promised Messiah, sent to redeem, forgive, and save us all. As for me, His love compelled me to want to live differently – not in my sinful ways but in a way that pleased Him and I am bound and determined to find a way to do just that. Maybe, He can help – oh I hope so, I must believe He can…
I, like the Samarian women, am a “sinner,” an outcast, an enemy of God because of my sinful nature and my sinful actions. But Jesus comes to me daily in His Word, like He did the Samaritan woman, not with condemnation or judgment, but with kindness, compassion, and love, offering the living water of redemption, the forgiveness of sins, and the assurance of salvation secured for me by His death and resurrection. And, like the Samaritan woman, it is His unconditional love, acceptance, and Grace that compels me to want to put my sinful ways aside and live a life that pleases him. I believe I can do this, not on my power, but with HIS power. What about you – what do you believe?
Prayer: Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed… continue to work out (of) your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. “I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength” Philippians 2:12-13, & 4:13
Week 22
Readings: John 4:1-45, Philippians 2-4
LIVING WATER
Jesus said: “Whoever drinks of the water I give him will never be thirsty again. The water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14
Shalom. My name is Photini (not my real name) and I am a Samaritan woman. I, like the other women in my village, go to Jacob’s well daily to retrieve water. The others go in the morning, when it’s cool, but not me - I go at noon when no one is there. I go at noon so I don’t have to deal with the judgmental stares, the rude snickers, and the crude comments of the other women. You see I am an outcast. I have had 5 husbands and the man I currently live with I am not married to. I know it’s wrong, but what can I do? I have no way to support myself and no man will marry me so live as a “sinner” and outcast. I wish I could be with the other women – it gets so lonely, but…
The other day when I went to the well a man asked me for a drink. I was surprised he spoke to me, not only was he a man but he was a Jew and everyone knows Jews and Samaritans don’t get along. I was more surprised by his demeanor. His face, his words, and his tone were not cruel and biting, but kind and compassionate. And, even when he told me about my living situation (how he knew that I didn’t know) he was not judgmental or condemning, just caring. He spoke of living water and Spiritual worship that I didn’t understand. Then, then he said He was the Messiah, the promised one, and oh how my heart was filled with such hope. I was so excited I ran back to my family and told everyone. They came, first because I told them what he said to me, but after they talked to Him, well, we all believed. We knew deep in our hearts, this Jewish man, so filled with love, compassion, and kindness, was the promised Messiah, sent to redeem, forgive, and save us all. As for me, His love compelled me to want to live differently – not in my sinful ways but in a way that pleased Him and I am bound and determined to find a way to do just that. Maybe, He can help – oh I hope so, I must believe He can…
I, like the Samarian women, am a “sinner,” an outcast, an enemy of God because of my sinful nature and my sinful actions. But Jesus comes to me daily in His Word, like He did the Samaritan woman, not with condemnation or judgment, but with kindness, compassion, and love, offering the living water of redemption, the forgiveness of sins, and the assurance of salvation secured for me by His death and resurrection. And, like the Samaritan woman, it is His unconditional love, acceptance, and Grace that compels me to want to put my sinful ways aside and live a life that pleases him. I believe I can do this, not on my power, but with HIS power. What about you – what do you believe?
Prayer: Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed… continue to work out (of) your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. “I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength” Philippians 2:12-13, & 4:13
Monday, May 9, 2011
TURN AND TRUST
Walking with JESUS
Week 21
Readings: John 3, Numbers 21:4-9, Hebrews 11:1-12:3
TURN AND TRUST
Jesus said: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” John 3:14
We have been discussing faith in confirmation – more specifically the faith necessary for eternal life. In John 3 Jesus shows what saving faith looks like – through the example of the snake in the wilderness.
Imagine yourself in the camp of the Israelites. You have been traveling through the desert, without knowing your destination, for quite some time. You have experienced extreme heat, devastating battles, fierce hunger, and unquenchable thirst. You are hot, tired, and quite frankly sick of this journey. As most would, you get crabby and start complaining, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food” Numbers 11:5. Needless to say, they were NOT happy campers, but then neither was God. He was tired of their unending complaints so He sent fiery serpents to show them just how bad it COULD be. But God’s love and mercy prevailed and when they repented of their sins, He gave them a way out.
In order to be saved the people had to do two things – TURN AND TRUST. They had to:
1) TURN - Recognize and acknowledge their condition -they had been bitten by poisonous snakes, were helpless and without resources to save themselves and without intervention they would die.
2) TRUST. They had to hear and believe Moses words when he said the snake on the pole would cure them. If they didn’t turn and trust – they would remain in their poisoned state and die.
The account in Numbers is exactly what Jesus says our saving faith must look like. In order for us to receive eternal life we must TURN AND TRUST. We must:
1) TURN - Recognize and acknowledge our condition. We have been bitten by the poisonous snake of sin, are helpless and without resources to save ourselves and without intervention WE WILL DIE – eternally. But God gave us a way out – His Son Jesus Christ – our Savior on a cross.
2) TRUST – We must hear and believe God’s Word: “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16.
By the Grace of God, we have received the faith necessary to save us when, in our baptism, we were “born again with water and Spirit” (John 3:5-7). And it is only by the Grace of God and with the power of His Spirit working in us that we can remain in that faith continuing to TURN away from the poison of sin and TRUST in the Words and promises of our good and gracious Savior Jesus Christ.
Prayer: “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”Hebrews 12:1b - 2
Week 21
Readings: John 3, Numbers 21:4-9, Hebrews 11:1-12:3
TURN AND TRUST
Jesus said: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” John 3:14
We have been discussing faith in confirmation – more specifically the faith necessary for eternal life. In John 3 Jesus shows what saving faith looks like – through the example of the snake in the wilderness.
Imagine yourself in the camp of the Israelites. You have been traveling through the desert, without knowing your destination, for quite some time. You have experienced extreme heat, devastating battles, fierce hunger, and unquenchable thirst. You are hot, tired, and quite frankly sick of this journey. As most would, you get crabby and start complaining, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food” Numbers 11:5. Needless to say, they were NOT happy campers, but then neither was God. He was tired of their unending complaints so He sent fiery serpents to show them just how bad it COULD be. But God’s love and mercy prevailed and when they repented of their sins, He gave them a way out.
In order to be saved the people had to do two things – TURN AND TRUST. They had to:
1) TURN - Recognize and acknowledge their condition -they had been bitten by poisonous snakes, were helpless and without resources to save themselves and without intervention they would die.
2) TRUST. They had to hear and believe Moses words when he said the snake on the pole would cure them. If they didn’t turn and trust – they would remain in their poisoned state and die.
The account in Numbers is exactly what Jesus says our saving faith must look like. In order for us to receive eternal life we must TURN AND TRUST. We must:
1) TURN - Recognize and acknowledge our condition. We have been bitten by the poisonous snake of sin, are helpless and without resources to save ourselves and without intervention WE WILL DIE – eternally. But God gave us a way out – His Son Jesus Christ – our Savior on a cross.
2) TRUST – We must hear and believe God’s Word: “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16.
By the Grace of God, we have received the faith necessary to save us when, in our baptism, we were “born again with water and Spirit” (John 3:5-7). And it is only by the Grace of God and with the power of His Spirit working in us that we can remain in that faith continuing to TURN away from the poison of sin and TRUST in the Words and promises of our good and gracious Savior Jesus Christ.
Prayer: “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”Hebrews 12:1b - 2
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Walking with Jesus Week 20 - MIRACULOUS SIGNS
Walking with JESUS
Week 20
Readings: John 2, Deuteronomy 6, Hebrews 1-2, Psalm 103.
MIRACULOUS SIGNS
Jesus said: “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” John 2:19
John 2 is all about Jesus’ miraculous signs and the effect it had on different people. The miraculous sign at the wedding in Canaan showed Jesus’ glory and led the disciples to trust Him more fully. Jewish leaders demanded miraculous signs to prove He had the authority to do what He did and it caused them to want to kill Him. The crowd saw His miraculous signs and put their faith in Him. But their faith would be short lived and that same crowd who clamored after Jesus’ miraculous signs was the same crowd who would one day shout: “CRUCIFY HIM,” when it came time for Him to die.
The children of Israel had the same problem – even though they saw the miraculous signs of the Red Sea and the destruction of the Egyptians, they still faltered. But Moses reminded them: “When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” Deuteronomy 6:10-12
I often wonder why God’s people and the people in Jesus day needed to see those miraculous signs to put their trust in Him; couldn’t they see God’s power in their lives? Couldn’t they see who He was? But what about me, what does it take for me to fully and totally trust Jesus? Do I put more faith in Jesus when I can see, feel, touch, hear, or taste what He has done? What if, in my sinful self absorption I don’t see, or I can’t touch, hear, or taste what God has done for me - does my faith falter? Sadly, yes. But, Jesus is patient with me, He knows who I am, where I come from and that I am stricken with a sickness (sin) that limits my senses. And when I falter He turns my senses to the beauty of the world and reminds me it was HIS power that created it all. And He leads me to the miraculous signs of His resurrection, and reminds me that it was HIS power that brought the redemption and forgiveness that are mine through them. He then shows me the baptismal font where He reminds me it was His Spirit that gave me the faith to believe in Him.
So, the next time your faith falters and you find yourself demanding miraculous signs to prove Jesus’ power, authority, and presence in your life remember: “This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 2:3-4. The world, the resurrection, and faith are the only miraculous signs we need.
Prayer: Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103:1-2
Week 20
Readings: John 2, Deuteronomy 6, Hebrews 1-2, Psalm 103.
MIRACULOUS SIGNS
Jesus said: “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” John 2:19
John 2 is all about Jesus’ miraculous signs and the effect it had on different people. The miraculous sign at the wedding in Canaan showed Jesus’ glory and led the disciples to trust Him more fully. Jewish leaders demanded miraculous signs to prove He had the authority to do what He did and it caused them to want to kill Him. The crowd saw His miraculous signs and put their faith in Him. But their faith would be short lived and that same crowd who clamored after Jesus’ miraculous signs was the same crowd who would one day shout: “CRUCIFY HIM,” when it came time for Him to die.
The children of Israel had the same problem – even though they saw the miraculous signs of the Red Sea and the destruction of the Egyptians, they still faltered. But Moses reminded them: “When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” Deuteronomy 6:10-12
I often wonder why God’s people and the people in Jesus day needed to see those miraculous signs to put their trust in Him; couldn’t they see God’s power in their lives? Couldn’t they see who He was? But what about me, what does it take for me to fully and totally trust Jesus? Do I put more faith in Jesus when I can see, feel, touch, hear, or taste what He has done? What if, in my sinful self absorption I don’t see, or I can’t touch, hear, or taste what God has done for me - does my faith falter? Sadly, yes. But, Jesus is patient with me, He knows who I am, where I come from and that I am stricken with a sickness (sin) that limits my senses. And when I falter He turns my senses to the beauty of the world and reminds me it was HIS power that created it all. And He leads me to the miraculous signs of His resurrection, and reminds me that it was HIS power that brought the redemption and forgiveness that are mine through them. He then shows me the baptismal font where He reminds me it was His Spirit that gave me the faith to believe in Him.
So, the next time your faith falters and you find yourself demanding miraculous signs to prove Jesus’ power, authority, and presence in your life remember: “This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 2:3-4. The world, the resurrection, and faith are the only miraculous signs we need.
Prayer: Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103:1-2
Monday, April 11, 2011
Walking with Jesus
Readings: John 1, Deuteronomy 4: 1-14, Ephesians 1
NAME CHANGE
Jesus said: “So you are Simon, Son of John, but you will be called Cephas.” John 1:41
Simon’s day began as an ordinary day in the life of a fisherman. As he was preparing his boat and nets for fishing his brother, Andrew, came running through the sand shouting – “We have found the Messiah.” What in the world was he talking about? Jews from Abraham on have been looking and waiting for the promised Messiah. Now out of the blue his brother says he found Him, here in our area, how can this be? To Simon’s credit, he could have dismissed the whole idea as crazy and went fishing – but he didn’t. Instead, he followed Andrew to see for himself. When he reached Jesus, Jesus took one look at Simon, identified him, and changed his name from Simon (meaning to hear) to Peter (meaning rock). Can you imagine the shock, confusion and wonder Simon must have been feeling? Here he was standing face to face and nose to nose with the long awaited Messiah and the first words out of His mouth were – “you will be called Cephas.” Simon could not have imagined how dramatically his life would change from that moment on – as a matter of fact, it would never be the same.
But then, that’s how it is when Jesus meets us face to face, nose to nose, and heart to heart. He changes our name from sinner and enemy of God to a holy, blameless child of God. And, as Peter will soon discover, when we spend a great amount of time with Jesus, watching Him, listening to Him, and learning from Him, our lives change dramatically and we never want to go back to who we were before Jesus came into our lives.
As we continue our journey with Jesus, we join John, the disciple Jesus loved (John 13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:7, 20) who, though the words and power of the Holy Spirit, records the works, the miracles, and the teachings of Jesus to show that He truly is the promised Messiah who has come to change us and “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” John 20:31.
Prayer: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:3-6
NAME CHANGE
Jesus said: “So you are Simon, Son of John, but you will be called Cephas.” John 1:41
Simon’s day began as an ordinary day in the life of a fisherman. As he was preparing his boat and nets for fishing his brother, Andrew, came running through the sand shouting – “We have found the Messiah.” What in the world was he talking about? Jews from Abraham on have been looking and waiting for the promised Messiah. Now out of the blue his brother says he found Him, here in our area, how can this be? To Simon’s credit, he could have dismissed the whole idea as crazy and went fishing – but he didn’t. Instead, he followed Andrew to see for himself. When he reached Jesus, Jesus took one look at Simon, identified him, and changed his name from Simon (meaning to hear) to Peter (meaning rock). Can you imagine the shock, confusion and wonder Simon must have been feeling? Here he was standing face to face and nose to nose with the long awaited Messiah and the first words out of His mouth were – “you will be called Cephas.” Simon could not have imagined how dramatically his life would change from that moment on – as a matter of fact, it would never be the same.
But then, that’s how it is when Jesus meets us face to face, nose to nose, and heart to heart. He changes our name from sinner and enemy of God to a holy, blameless child of God. And, as Peter will soon discover, when we spend a great amount of time with Jesus, watching Him, listening to Him, and learning from Him, our lives change dramatically and we never want to go back to who we were before Jesus came into our lives.
As we continue our journey with Jesus, we join John, the disciple Jesus loved (John 13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:7, 20) who, though the words and power of the Holy Spirit, records the works, the miracles, and the teachings of Jesus to show that He truly is the promised Messiah who has come to change us and “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” John 20:31.
Prayer: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:3-6
Monday, April 4, 2011
Walking with JESUS - EASTER WORDS
Walking with JESUS
Week 18
Readings: Matthew 28, Romans 8, 1 Corinthians 12-15
EASTER WORDS
Jesus said: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19b
HE IS RISEN – HE IS RISEN INDEED ALLELUIA. As a born and raised Lutheran I hear these words each year on Easter morning. This week in my walk with Jesus I think about those Easter words and hear Jesus’ words to His disciples (which by the way include me and you), and cannot help but contemplate – what do those words really mean? Here’s where God has led me…
HE IS RISEN - WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
“If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.” 1 John 4:15
“But Christ lives in me – the life I live in this body I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave His life for me” Galatians 2:20
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:27
Reread those realities above. Do you know what that means? When Jesus said, “Surely I am with you always” He meant it – literally. He is with me always - not just as a passive observer in my life, not just walking by my side, but physically and totally IN ME. It means that Jesus is STILL ALIVE, breathing, walking and living in and through those who believe in Him as their Savior from sin. Now I don’t know about you, but I don’t always feel, act, or think very Christ like. But that’s the beauty of it – it’s not about me – it’s about Jesus. If He said it, I can believe it and if I get out of His way – He does indeed live, in me and through me. HE IS RISEN – HE IS RISEN INDEED ALLELUIA.
HE IS RISEN - WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you” Romans 8:11
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” 2 Corinthians 4:17
Reread those truths above – contemplate them and let them sink in all the way to your heart. When Jesus said “I am with you to the very end of the age” He meant it – literally. This world we live in is not all there is. Because Jesus was raised from the dead and lives in eternal Glory, we too, by Grace through faith in Christ Jesus as our Savior, shall be raised from the dead and live with Him in eternal Glory. HE IS RISEN – HE IS RISEN INDEED ALLELUIA.
HE IS RISEN - WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
As believers in Jesus Christ as our Savior from sin, we trust those Easter words and we live as Easter people – not just on Easter morning, but always, to the very end of the age.
Prayer: “Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5
Week 18
Readings: Matthew 28, Romans 8, 1 Corinthians 12-15
EASTER WORDS
Jesus said: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19b
HE IS RISEN – HE IS RISEN INDEED ALLELUIA. As a born and raised Lutheran I hear these words each year on Easter morning. This week in my walk with Jesus I think about those Easter words and hear Jesus’ words to His disciples (which by the way include me and you), and cannot help but contemplate – what do those words really mean? Here’s where God has led me…
HE IS RISEN - WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
“If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.” 1 John 4:15
“But Christ lives in me – the life I live in this body I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave His life for me” Galatians 2:20
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:27
Reread those realities above. Do you know what that means? When Jesus said, “Surely I am with you always” He meant it – literally. He is with me always - not just as a passive observer in my life, not just walking by my side, but physically and totally IN ME. It means that Jesus is STILL ALIVE, breathing, walking and living in and through those who believe in Him as their Savior from sin. Now I don’t know about you, but I don’t always feel, act, or think very Christ like. But that’s the beauty of it – it’s not about me – it’s about Jesus. If He said it, I can believe it and if I get out of His way – He does indeed live, in me and through me. HE IS RISEN – HE IS RISEN INDEED ALLELUIA.
HE IS RISEN - WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you” Romans 8:11
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” 2 Corinthians 4:17
Reread those truths above – contemplate them and let them sink in all the way to your heart. When Jesus said “I am with you to the very end of the age” He meant it – literally. This world we live in is not all there is. Because Jesus was raised from the dead and lives in eternal Glory, we too, by Grace through faith in Christ Jesus as our Savior, shall be raised from the dead and live with Him in eternal Glory. HE IS RISEN – HE IS RISEN INDEED ALLELUIA.
HE IS RISEN - WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
As believers in Jesus Christ as our Savior from sin, we trust those Easter words and we live as Easter people – not just on Easter morning, but always, to the very end of the age.
Prayer: “Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5
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