John 5:6- 11
6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”
8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10 and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.”
11 But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’
I read this to my daughter the other night and wanted to blog about it sooner, but this is the first chance I've been given since then.
She heard the story, and normally I feel the need to paraphrase it for her, so she can understand what the message of the story is.
While I was paraphrasing it, I understood what the message is. Maybe not fully, but certainly from another aspect. God's Love is above the Law. Its His law anyway, but His love is what put it in place. His love for us, and to keep us safe. So in essence, to love someone so much as to heal them on the Sabbath is fulfilling the law.....God's love fulfills the law, and so do we if we do the same as He did. It really makes it clear that God is not religion and rules, but again, love......God is Love. Paul reiterates this constantly in the New Testament, we are not longer under law, but under Grace. We've never been under a law that would deny the sick, needy, homeless, poor, hurting, ect, but on the contrary, would love them and have mercy on them and heal them even on a day that is unlawful to do so. Love is before the law.....and it is when Christ died, the law was abolished forever and all that is left is Love......Sometimes Christianity is made all about something its not, instead of everything that it is.......
Romans 13:9- “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
John 13:34-“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Prayer:
Father, teach us to love like you. Give us a compassionate heart and eyes to see what you see. Lord make our hearts tender and soft, as we seek to fulfill the command you gave even from the beginning of time....Take over and make us a new creation in you, to be who you created us to be in the first place....In Jesus Name....Amen.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
Hearers vs. Doers.....
While reading the Word the other day I was thinking....."I remember reading this so many times..." Then the Holy Spirit said....."Then why don't you do it"......I was taken aback.....I thought Yeah! That's the point! To read it AND do it......
So, as I was reading I flipped to James 1:2-"But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." James pretty much said it is easy to be deceived just hearing the Word, but putting it into practice is the test....that is where the rubber meets the road. Satan can't get to you as easily, when you are in motion(doing), but when you are idle(hearing only) he can do alot of damage without us even noticing.
We can get pretty comfy in our pew on Sunday mornings...never actually doing anything that makes us the least bit uncomfortable.....I say this to myself really, but recently have been moved to do more....much more....I want to get out of my comfort zone and see God move. Show Him the risk I'm willing to take and the love that I'm willing to show.......not in my own strength...lets get that straight.
John 21:15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
Don't just SAY you love him......Love Him.....by doing.....
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you know I love you and want to show you, help me to get out of my comfort zone and give me strength for today for what you have for me and my family. Lead us and guide us to your perfect will and change our hearts to release the selfishness inside. May all people know we love you, by our love for them. Give us a supernatural love in our hearts to replace this staleness and stillness. Stir our hearts to love like you love. In Jesus name, Amen.
So, as I was reading I flipped to James 1:2-"But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." James pretty much said it is easy to be deceived just hearing the Word, but putting it into practice is the test....that is where the rubber meets the road. Satan can't get to you as easily, when you are in motion(doing), but when you are idle(hearing only) he can do alot of damage without us even noticing.
We can get pretty comfy in our pew on Sunday mornings...never actually doing anything that makes us the least bit uncomfortable.....I say this to myself really, but recently have been moved to do more....much more....I want to get out of my comfort zone and see God move. Show Him the risk I'm willing to take and the love that I'm willing to show.......not in my own strength...lets get that straight.
John 21:15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
Don't just SAY you love him......Love Him.....by doing.....
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you know I love you and want to show you, help me to get out of my comfort zone and give me strength for today for what you have for me and my family. Lead us and guide us to your perfect will and change our hearts to release the selfishness inside. May all people know we love you, by our love for them. Give us a supernatural love in our hearts to replace this staleness and stillness. Stir our hearts to love like you love. In Jesus name, Amen.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
His Sacrifice too great for my mediocrity
What a great service today! The Spirit was clearly moving amidst the people. Worship was great, the Message was great and Communion was great.
While I was sitting in the pew though during communion.....I just felt and was able to put into words the unworthiness of my being in the presence of the holiness of His. The words came in wholly and complete: "His sacrifice is too great, for my mediocrity"
I don't want to live a mediocre, meaningless life. I want it to count......for Him. I want each and everything I do to give Glory to His Name and to build up the Kingdom. However, Satan likes to have failure loom over our heads and lead us to believe things that simply aren't true......and sometimes ask questions that really make you think about your relationship with your Creator.
Can I ever measure up? Will He love me any less? Will He love me any more? Can I do anything to help "atone" for my sinful self?......While we'd sometimes like to think the answer is yes, it is inevitable.....The answer to all of these questions is NO.
With that, there is a realization of freedom, that is unimaginable. Now this doesn't mean whatever we do we wont be held accountable for, but we will be loved regardless.
Pastor spoke this morning on Isaiah 6:1-9.....the message simply said....we are unworthy, but we can be cleansed and then used......but will we be willing to go....to do The Lords will, to be willing to be used of Him........The Harvest is ready, but the Laborers are few. Who will go? Will you be willing?
Prayer:
Here I am Lord....use your servant, in any way you choose. Take this lifeless life, revive it and cleanse it and refine it so that it can be useful for your kingdom. Be glorified in every move I make and every word I speak. In Jesus name, Amen.
While I was sitting in the pew though during communion.....I just felt and was able to put into words the unworthiness of my being in the presence of the holiness of His. The words came in wholly and complete: "His sacrifice is too great, for my mediocrity"
I don't want to live a mediocre, meaningless life. I want it to count......for Him. I want each and everything I do to give Glory to His Name and to build up the Kingdom. However, Satan likes to have failure loom over our heads and lead us to believe things that simply aren't true......and sometimes ask questions that really make you think about your relationship with your Creator.
Can I ever measure up? Will He love me any less? Will He love me any more? Can I do anything to help "atone" for my sinful self?......While we'd sometimes like to think the answer is yes, it is inevitable.....The answer to all of these questions is NO.
With that, there is a realization of freedom, that is unimaginable. Now this doesn't mean whatever we do we wont be held accountable for, but we will be loved regardless.
Pastor spoke this morning on Isaiah 6:1-9.....the message simply said....we are unworthy, but we can be cleansed and then used......but will we be willing to go....to do The Lords will, to be willing to be used of Him........The Harvest is ready, but the Laborers are few. Who will go? Will you be willing?
Prayer:
Here I am Lord....use your servant, in any way you choose. Take this lifeless life, revive it and cleanse it and refine it so that it can be useful for your kingdom. Be glorified in every move I make and every word I speak. In Jesus name, Amen.
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