My Body

March 26, 2011

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Warnings to be alert; Matthew 24:34-51; Mark 13:30-37; Luke 21:32-36

Mark 13:35-36(NET)
35 Stay alert, then, because you do not know when the owner of the house will return - whether during evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or at dawn -
36 or else he might find you asleep when he returns suddenly.

Do I own my own house?  Not that the physical building that I live in here on earth. I own that (along with the mortgage company).  I mean my body.  I do not feel that I do.  While I have to maintain it, it was given to me by God and I think that this scripture is telling me that God will come back one day to reclaim it.

What do I want that body to be like?  Do I want it to be abused by the punishment that give to it?  Is that what I want to do with what God has given to me?

This body cries out to me though. It want what it wants so that it can feel better.  So as Jesus says, I must watch.  The owner will return some day.  I need to be able to return what was given to me in good shape.


Read for next time: Parable of the 10 virgins 25:1-13

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Signs

March 25, 2011

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Parable of the fig tree; Matthew 24:32-33; Mark 13:28-29; Luke 21:29-31

Luke 21:29-31(NET)
29 Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the other trees.
30 When they sprout leaves, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near.
31 So also you, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.

These scriptures have been hard to write about this week.  I do not see myself as much of an end-times person.  Someone asked me one time if I was pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation or post-tribulation.  I told them I was pan-tribulation.  That when it happened it would all pan out.  I really cannot be concerned about arguing about when Jesus will come back.  

But it is clear that the end is near.  The signs are there. And Jesus tells us that we can predict spring so we should look for the signs. They are there, wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, tsunamis.  

Time for me to step up the effort of winning the lost, of helping the sick and broken hearted.

Read for next time: Warnings to be alert; Matthew 24:34-51; Mark 13:30-37; Luke 21:32-36
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His words

March 24, 2011

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Jesus teaches about the 2nd coming; Matthew 24:29-31; Mark 13:24-27; Luke 21:25-28


ESV: Luke 21:33. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

There have been some dark moments in my life of late.  Some problems just seem not to want to go away, though many have.  Some have tried to reach up and grab me once again.  Through it all I have hung on to God’s Word.

Now I am no saint by any means what so ever.  In fact, almost 20 years ago I walked away from God and my family so I could have what I wanted.  God gently nudged me back to Him though.  At the point I am at in my life, the same options were beginning to present themselves again. Seek my own happiness (or at least what I thought would be) or stay with God.  

At these times, it is good to know the scriptures.  When I feel the weakest, then I know that God is with me and will be with me.  Why?  Because I know that His Words will never pass away.

Read for next time:Parable of the fig tree; Matthew 24:32-33; Mark 13:28-29; Luke 21:29-31
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Time?

March 23, 2011

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Jesus predicts the fall of Jerusalem; Matthew 24:15-28; Mark 13:14-23; Luke  21:20-24

Luke 21:20(BWE)
20 ‘When you see soldiers all around Jerusalem, then you will know that it will soon be broken down.

As I type this today I have just read a news story about Hamas attacking Israel from Palestine again.  It is so clear that we are so near the end times.  Soldiers are all around Jerusalem, and the Mideast countries are in so much turmoil that the military is being brought in to take care of that.  

And yet, it seems so distant to me, like nothing that I can do can change anything.  Do I pray that it comes to pass quickly so I can go home? Or do I pray that it be delayed so that more people can be reached with the salvation message?  

I feel like I should do something, just what and how?

Read for next time: Jesus teaches about the 2nd coming; Matthew 24:29-31; Mark 13:24-27; Luke 21:25-28
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The return

March 9, 2011

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Jesus warns disciples of persecution; Matthew 24:4-14; Mark 13:5-13; Luke 21:8-19

Matthew 24:14(BBE)
14 And this good news of the kingdom will be given through all the world for a witness to all nations; and then the end will come.

Sometimes I think of myself as real selfish.  I mean, I want the return of Jesus don’t I? So why am I not doing more to bring it about.  Jesus clearly states that the good news must be told to the while world and then the end will come.

In today’s world of Internet and TV/Radio, it should not be hard to get the word out, yet I spend money of things that I want for myself and not to spread the Gospel.  And while I may have led a few children to the Lord in my volunteer work at the church, I do not actively tell those around me. So do I want the return of Jesus, or not?

Read for next time: Jesus predicts the fall of Jerusalem; Matthew 24:15-28; Mark 13:14-23; Luke  21:20-24

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When

March 9, 2011

The life of Jesus. Read Today: 4 fishermen question Jesus; Matthew 24:3; Mark 13:3-4; Luke 21:7

ISV: Mark Chapter 13
[3] As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives facing the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew were asking him privately,
[4] “Tell us, when will these things take place, and what will be the sign when these things will be put into effect?”

Jesus just told the disciples that the temple was to be destroyed.  They had their whole belief system changed because they thought that Jesus whole purpose was to take over and lead them in an earthly kingdom.  So they asked the typical questions. ‘When is this going to happen?’

What did it matter to them when it was going to happen?  Well, what they wanted was gone. In my life there are many times that I have cried out to God and said, when God are you going to take care of this problem so I do not have to anymore.  Thing is, He has taken it already, I just have to get my head on straight and understand that.  And the disciples needed to understand that Jesus was not talking about what they wanted.  

When God tells me that He has the problem, give it to Him.  When I need to know when it will be solved, then I have not given it to Him.

Read for next time: Jesus warns disciples of persecution; Matthew 24:4-14; Mark 13:5-13; Luke 21:8-19
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What will you take with you?

March 8, 2011

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Disciples admire the temple; Mathew 24:1-2; Mark 13:1-2; Luke 21:5-6

When I first moved to Tulsa, OK in 1979, the company that I worked for put me up in a hotel for a few weeks till I could find a place to live.  While the hotel was nice, down the street from it was the Camelot Hotel. Just the name brings up the idea if what it was like.  Like all buildings in Tulsa at the time, oil money flowed and it was a sight to be seen.  It was the place for proms, weddings, and all sorts of events.  It was so lavish, looking like a castle from the outside.  We just knew that years from now it would still be standing as a Tulsa landmark.  

A few years ago, the building was in such dis-repair that it was condemned. One group after another though that they could restore that landmark, only to find that it just could not be done. It was eventually destroyed and a convince store sits where it used to dispensing gas and food to people who most likely never knew what used to be there.

That is what Jesus was trying to tell the disciples one day:

Common: Mark Chapter 13
[1] And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!"
[2] And Jesus said to him, "Do you see all these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another, that will not be thrown down."

Anything man can build will eventually be destroyed.  Buildings build in the same era ad the Camelot hotel may still be standing, but eventually they will not be able to be kept up and will need to be destroyed, or nature will do it on its own.

Any thing that I do, will eventually fade away. It is only what I do for Jesus that will live forever. When I help someone receive salvation, when I help someone through personal problems, those are the things that will last, because those I can take to heaven with me.  I am not saying that building an building or doing a work is wrong. I am saying that those will fade away, and I will live forever. Only things I can take to heaven with me, are not the things of this earth.


Read for next time: 4 fishermen question Jesus; Matthew 24:3; Mark 13:3-4; Luke 21:7
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Giving all

March 7, 2011

The life of Jesus. Read Today: The widow's mite; Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4

Luke 21:4 BWE
4 All these people had plenty of money and they gave only a part of it. She was poor and she gave everything she had. She has nothing left to live on.’

I struggle with verses like these.  I have a tendency to not give all that I should financially to God. I am struggling with a family with children in it. If I give all the tithe I should then we may not have enough to eat for the week.  I think God can work with me on that. The widow had no children to care for so she would be in a different situation.

But the part where He says ‘she gave every thing she had,’ that I seem to have a problem with.  I tend to do that in my life, give everything that I have to something. It could be working to provide for my family. It could be helping in the church, it could be any number of things.  But when I do, I seem to give everything.  In the end, it usually winds up in burn out. And I usually feel like I am further away from God than when I started.  

And so I ponder how things should be. I would like to get into the mind of the widow and see what she was thinking, what Jesus saw in her that I cannot see.  For now, while I must continue to give all, I will need to monitor myself as well.

Read for next time: Disciples admire the temple; Mathew 24:1-2; Mark 13:1-2; Luke 21:5-6
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Why do I do what I do?

March 6, 2011

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Warnings about Scribes and Pharisees; Matthew 23:1-39; Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:45-47


EMTV: Matthew Chapter 23
[5] But all their works they do in order to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and they enlarge the borders of their garments.
[6] They love the first couch in the suppers, and the best seats in the synagogues,

It is easy for me to look down through the pages of history in my Bible and make fun of the Pharisees.  They wanted to be the center of attention. I am not like that, am I?

Maybe I am like them. Maybe not to that extreme but I am.  I work to support my family and want a pat on the back and a thank you.  I do some project around the house and want someone to notice.

I know there needs to be a balance. I cannot do everything, and my human nature wants a compliment now and then.  I also know that I have to learn to do things without expecting the reward.  In the end, God will look at me and say, ‘well done my good and trusty servant, enter in to my rest.’

Read for next time: The widow's mite; Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4

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Jesus asks me....

March 5, 2011

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Jesus questions them about baptism ; Matthew 22:41-46; Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41-44

Mark 12:35 (BWE)
35 Jesus was teaching people in the temple. He said, ‘How can the scribes say that Christ is David’s son?

If I am to ask Jesus questions like happened in the last reading.  I must be prepared to answer the questions Jesus asks me.  I must also be willing to sit and listen to Him, as He through the Holy Spirit tries to teach me.

That can be the really hard part, listening to what is being taught.  I can hear the question quite clearly a lot of time. What I want to do is figure out the answer on my own, and that does not always work.

I need to listen when God asks the questions, not try to answer them on my own.


Read for next time: Warnings about Scribes and Pharisees; Matthew 23:1-39; Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:45-47
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Ask Questions

March 2, 2011

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Scribes and Pharisees question Jesus: Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34

God wants me to seek Him every day.


ESV: Mark Chapter 12
[28] And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, Which commandment is the most important of all?
[29] Jesus answered, The most important is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

The scribes were not people who Jesus got along with in general.  But here was one who honestly came to Jesus seeing that the answer he had given the Pharisees was well reasoned out by Jewish law.  He was honestly seeking the answer to a question.

Jesus could have played the same game He had done with the others and answered the man with a question, but Jesus did not.  Verse 29 tells us that Jesus answered the man.  

In my own life, there are many times that I have questions.  If I honestly come to Jesus and ask Him, and not want to try to justify some sin, then I will be provided with an honest answer.  Jesus wants to answer my questions, I have only to honestly answer them.

Read for next time: Jesus questions them about baptism ; Matthew 22:41-46; Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41-44

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God of the dead?

March 1, 2011

The life of Jesus. Read Today:  Sadducees question the resurrection; Matthew 22:23-33; Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-40

ESV: Matthew 22:32.
I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.

I have had a tough time of things lately.  I work multiple jobs and everywhere I turn there seems to be strife in my life, some of my own doing I am sure.  Through it all I keep hanging on.  But it seems I tend not to look forward, but to the past.  The past is dead, why do I keep looking there.  It brings up the pains and strife that I have had to live through.

While I am sure that is not what Jesus was implying when He said those words, not to live in our past, it really does fit in with what He was saying.  The future is what is alive and that is where I need to live.  While what has happened in the past has shaped who I am today, it does not define me.  If I want to truly walk with God, I must remember that he is a God of the living, and not the dead.


Read for next time: Scribes and Pharisees question Jesus: Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34

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