Sabbatical: Day 7

Early today we come to the Garden Tomb. Just above us looms Golgotha, the features of a skull are clearly seen these two thousand years after the murder of Jesus on that place. There are no crosses standing there, no markers and no shrine. It is my opinion that even to this day most people want to avoid the cross and that is why there is not a shrine there. I see that cross, the pain, the agony, the suffering and death. But what I sense most is "alone". Jesus called out to God from that cross, "why have you forsaken me"? In my heart I know that Jesus loves me enough to face death for me. The guiltless, sinless and perfect Son of God gave his life as the sacrifice for my sin and suffered rejection to pay a price that I could never pay. Because of this I have approach to God and the option of eternal life. Eternity will not be long enough for me to sing his praise. Serving him here is insufficient to show my gratitude. By walking a few steps to the east and rounding a short partition wall I am in the garden where the borrowed tomb is located. (I think this partition is a sound barrier for street traffic) Several hundred people are here and great preparation for our service and communion. Pastors Matthew and John Hagee sing and preach and praise in sweet leadership as my thoughts turn from the cross to that "EMPTY" tomb. The songs were all well known and familiar but there impact was amplified, multiplied a million times as I gazed into the door of an empty room. My Saviour lives! The tomb could not hold him. Jesus returned to us, alive, having placed his perfect blood sacrifice on the golden alter before the throne. I can say without doubt; He lives in Heaven and in my heart. This communion service will be one of my sweetest memories of this trip. As I celebrated the body and blood of my Saviour I doubled my commitment to our relationship and my service to my fellow man. I experienced a "new birth".....again. 

The remainder of the day, my last day, was spent at two memorials, The Holocaust and Friends of Israel. I learned much of the history of the second world war from my family as a boy. Their stories did not prepare me for this day or these memorials. I won't write much here. I will say that the spirit, the hate and the evil that lived in the Nazi effort is in our world once again in these Radical Muslims. I pray that the world does not turn it's back on Israel.    

Jesus is coming!

It is impossible to be prepared for everything life brings our way. Talking with a friend one day and he is gone the next. Sending anniversary congratulations to friends and getting them back by return mail. Trying to order on line from my favorite auto supply house and finding them out of business. Reporting for work on Monday morning and finding the doors locked. I know that I can't be ready for all these problems but that is because I can't see them coming. I am ready for what I see ahead. When I see the shape this world is in I shutter. Not the war, or economy, or politics but the people who are not ready for the return of Jesus. He is coming. It may be today. Are you ready?

S.O.A.P.

3-22-2015      Romans 11:33-36

S.       33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor? 35 Or who hath first given to him and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.

O.      God is the true source of all things and does not need man to teach him.

A.      God is my source/supply and I surrender myself, body, mind, spirit and soul as his servant.

    P.       Father; I praise your Holiness, perfection and Love. Thank you for calling me out of sin and          forgiving me. I sing a song of joy to your name. Amen. 

SONDAY

Happy SON-day yáll. See you in church. I know that I spelled it different......it is his day.....you know....Jesus, the SON of God. :)

10-26-2014    Mark 6:53-56

S.       53 And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. 54 And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, 55 And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. 56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

O.      Great numbers of people are healed by touching the garments of Jesus. Faith was growing in the hearts of people and actions were showing results.

A.      Spreading the truth about Jesus, his love, compassion, healing, hope and salvation will still show results. I will spread the truth.

P.       Father; fill me with courage as I spread your word. Touch my mind and heart and give me strength to endure. Amen.

God IS!

I will believe. I will not doubt. I will not quit. I will not fear. I will believe. AMEN.

10-25-2014    Mark 6:45-52

S.       45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

O.      After Jesus spent time praying on the mountain he came to his disciples walking upon the sea. This caused much trouble to the minds of the disciples as they knew that this is impossible. Their hearts were not full of faith…….the facts were in the way.

A.      My faith is small and weak. I must resist doubt, fear, worry and man’s explanations as what is possible and what is not. With God; all things are possible. I rebuke doubt, worry, fear that lives in my heart and mind. I surrender myself; body, mind, spirit and soul to the will of God under the blood of Christ.

P.       Father; I believe, but help all unbelief to be erased. I surrender all that I am unto you. Wash me in the blood of Jesus; fill me with your Holy Spirit as I go forth and minister. Amen. 

Are you a sinner?

Christian are to be "dead to sin". If you choose to sin, love sin, enjoy sin then you are choosing to be a sinner......not a christian. Quit lowering the standard of God's word. Get your focus off of sin and on Jesus....."I CAN do all things through Christ".......this includes overcoming SIN!

10-20-2014    Mark 6:5-6

S.       5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

O.      The ministry of Jesus was hindered because of un-belief, not stopped; just hindered. With God; “all things are possible”. The exercise of “free will” will bring blessing or cursing depending on how it is used.

A.      I must be careful to keep my will in a state of surrender to the word of God. God has a plan for my life; I will seek to learn and obey.

P.       Father; enlighten my mind to your perfect will for my life. Amen.

Fight the GOOD fight, overcome yourself!

Are you growing, changing and becoming the person you should be? Each time I reach a goal, master a problem or overcome a weakness I think to myself; another step up the ladder of success. Then I find myself in another challenge. When will I find a finish? When Will I arrive at my full potential? Some questions do not have an answer.  So, I will keep on fighting the good fight>

10-17-2014    Mark 5:25-34

S.       25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

O.      A woman is healed by touching the garment of Jesus. Jesus tells her that it happened because of her faith.

A.      Faith is the foundation of my spiritual life. Faith saves, heals, supplies and keeps me. Faith is a gift from God. He gives everyone a portion. Faith will increase or decrease depending on how it is used (or un-used).

     P.      Father; increase my faith as I grow and become more like Jesus. Help me to overcome all doubt and fear. I                         commit my everything and my all to you. Amen. 

How are you Growing?

I spent half of my life trying to push, pull, scare, scream, prod, shame people into living right. It never worked. The harder I was the more difficult "my" life was. People will only change when they want to change. It (change) starts from inside a person and radiates to the live others see. Lots of folks under my ministry acted as I wanted them to act. The problem was; they were just acting, no real change had occurred, no inner renewal, just paint and powder for my sake. God called me to plant seed, gospel seed. How you grow is up to you.

10-7-2014      Mark 4:26-29

S.       26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

O.      Spiritual seed is like natural seed, it must be planted before it will grow and produce fruit.

A.      I will plant and I will harvest. I will leave the growth patterns and development to the course of nature.

P.       Father; as the farmer does not tell the seed how to grow I must do the same. Help me to trust your work in the lives that I have planted seed in and just stay ready to harvest. Help me to be a farmer instead of a policeman. Amen.

Jesus is calling

9-26-2014      Mark 3:13-19

S.       13 And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:16 And Simon he surnamed Peter;17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,19 And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.

O.      Jesus calls twelve men into his ministry.

A.      Jesus still calls people to follow him and serve in ministry. I have been called, I will follow.

P.       Father; renew my calling, lift my spirit and give me strength to obey. Heal my body of this pain and use me to heal others. Amen.

Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

My friends, Ricky & Tina, renewed their wedding vows yesterday on their thirtieth anniversary. Love and joy filled their eyes and my heart. I am filled with joy and sadness at the same time. Joy for this couple and sadness over the many friends I have that have failed at marriage. I'm not thinking of the couples that have divorced. I am referring to the people that have forgotten their standing as the Bride of Christ. Wearing sin stained garments is never  acceptable at any wedding! At a wedding the entire focus is on the Bride, her dress, her hair, her jewels, her smile.......she is the center of attraction. We, as a bride, are the focus of God. This world is a place of preparation for our wedding........the one in heaven........where the church is "The Bride of Christ".

9-15-2014      Mark 1:40-45

S.       40 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.43 And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;44 And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.45 But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

O.      Jesus heals a leper and instructs him to honor the Jewish law of cleansing and to keep silent until purification was complete. The leper failed to be obedient to his instructions and thus hindered the ministry of Jesus.

A.      We should obey all the instructions from the Lord. This will keep us strong and will facilitate the witness that is needed each day.

P.       Father; I will trust and obey…..today! Lead me into the center of your perfect will for this day and minister through me. Amen.