A Page from a Book

“All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.” (Jude 1:25)

 

This is an excerpt from the Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

 

“With tiny wrinkles and cries, he entered the world and, wrapped in strips of cloth, took his first nap on a bed of straw.  Subject to time and to parents, he grew to manhood and Roman-occupied Palestine, his gentle hands becoming strong and calloused in Joseph’s woodworking shop. As a man, he walked through the countryside and city, touching individuals, preaching to crowds, and training 12 men to carry on his work.  At every step he was hounded by those seeking to rid the world of his influence.  Finally, falsely accused and tried, he was condemned to a disgraceful execution by foreign hands.  And he died—spat upon, cursed, pierced by nails, and hung heavenward for all to deride.  Jesus, the God-man, gave his life completely so that all might live.

 

At God’s appointed time, the risen and ascended Lord Jesus will burst into the world scene. Then everyone will know that Jesus is Lord of the universe!  Those who love me him will rejoice, greeting their Savior with hearts overflowing into songs of praise. But his enemies will be filled with fear.  Allied with Satan, the enemies of Christ will marshal their legions against Christ and his armies.  But who can withstand God’s wrath?  Christ will win the battle and reign victorious forever! Jesus, the humble suffering servant, is also the powerful, conquering King and Judge.”

 

“I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.” (Revelation 1:8)

 

Reference:

 

(2004). Life application study bible: New living translation. Pg 2165, para 1-2. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, IL

Safe Haven

“Jesus replied, ‘Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?’ Then he said, ‘Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.’” (Luke 12:14-15)

 

I spent much of last night tossing and turning. I was having a hard time sleeping and so I had a lot of time on my hands to think of the news, economy, up-coming elections, and anything else that came across my brain. However, the big thing on my mind has been the Nebraska Safe Haven Law. The law went into affect in July of this year (2008) and already 23 kids have been abandoned. Of these 23, at least four were teenagers…almost adults.

 

I actually can appreciate a law that protects children so well. I find it equally sad that such a law is needed but if it ends babies being found in trash cans or behind broken down buildings I think we are making progress. It’s the older ‘child’ that I am most sad for today. How does it feel to be 17 and dropped off and abandoned? Weren’t there any other options? Weren’t there family or friends that could have helped? What was the situation at home that his or her parents was protection them from?  Was it financial? Was it homelessness? Did it have anything to do with drugs or abuse? And, then, what happens to this teenager? What is the future like? Is it brighter? Is it safer? My heart pounds as I try to wrap this around my brain.

 

Then, as I have done so often lately, I am able to put my own life in perspective. We may not have a lot “extra” assets lying around but our bills are getting paid and we have food on the table, which is enough for me to feel as I am doing everything I need to do for my children and more. There may be things I want to do or I want the kids to do but it may not be in the cards today. However, our family is healthy, we laugh together, we fight together, we say our prayers together, we are part of a beautiful family of faith, and we are full of hope.  What kind of hope did these parents have that they gave up their kids? What kind of future is in store for someone who knows they were abandoned? What aren’t we doing, and what can we do, to reach out the community and help those who need it so that they don’t have to give up their kids?  

 

We are so blessed beyond measure, now is the time, and economic outlook, for us to reach way down within ourselves and see if we are giving, serving, and loving as much as we can to make this world a better place and to build up the Kingdom for Jesus.

 

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his might power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20)

A Leader

“When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went down to the region of Judea east of the Jordan River. Large crowds followed him there, and he healed their sick.” (Matthew 19:1-2)

 

Jesus was an amazing leader. He was able to the hold attention of thousands as He taught about God. Jesus’ message was so powerful that people left their homes and families behind to follow Him. He was hands on with His ministry, healing the sick, giving the blind their sight, blessing the children and widows, leading the first small groups, challenging religious leaders, and rebuking the leaders under Him when they did not have enough faith. Jesus was an amazing leader, so much so that 2000 years later people who never got to see Him preach are still following Him.

 

I hope you realize that you are a leader to someone. Even if you walk this earth telling people that you were not given the spiritual gift of leadership you are misinforming them and delusional yourself. We are to reflect the love and walk of Jesus. When you throw off that kind of light it is going to hit someone. Please don’t think that because you are not teaching a class or leading a small group that you are not leading. Fortunately, and unfortunately, you are watched by everyone around you and you will eventually influence someone by your faith walk and behaviors. You may not cause people to leave their homes and walk hundreds of miles just to hear you speak but you could, in one moment, change someone’s life by steering them toward the person that can give them eternal life….or by pushing them away.

 

Jesus gave His children salvation but that comes with the responsibility and privilege (yes! It’s an honor) to love others the way He loved us, teach others the way He teaches us, guide others the way He guides us, and forgive others the way He forgives us. We are called to lead. What kind of leaders do you have and what kind of leader are you?

 

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same ay, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

 

 

The End of Days

“But those who die in the Lord will live: their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For your life giving light will fall like dew on your people in the place of the dead!” (Isaiah 26:19)

 

I have a project I am working on. The kind of project I am working takes lots of patience and many hours to complete; two things that do not come in abundance to me some days. We are also fast approaching the beginning of my own school year, which I means my fun reading time is quickly coming to an end. I had decided a couple weeks ago that I wanted to read the Left Behind series again. I have read through it once but that was a while ago and, for some reason, I decided to pick it back up. Only, I can’t read and work on my project at the same time so I have gotten the entire series on CD. I am enjoying myself very much.

 

For those of you who might not know the Left Behind series is the fictional series based on the author’s interpretation of how they see Jesus’ rapture actually happening if it were to happen today. The authors used the Book of Revelations as their map for writing the series. I think it is a good read and it makes me think.

 

When I had first started to read the series 8 years ago I immersed myself the Book of Revelations; trying to figure it all out. I am not much further now than I was then, unfortunately.  However, this time I am not thinking about diving into that beautiful book. Instead, I have thought about writing loved ones who do not have a relationship with Jesus letters so that if we all disappear one day then they will know. I have also spent hours thanking God for the many blessings we have living where we do in the time that we live in. Living in the U.S. we have freedoms that we take for granted. We have brave soldiers that fight our enemies and protect us and we have a Constitution that frees us from oppression and persecution, or is supposed to. We are blessed but do we see that? Do we really see the world that God has placed us in?

 

My prayers right now are for God to show me the way. I ask Jesus to help me live my life in such a way that my loved ones will see Him and take steps to their own personal relationship with Him. If that doesn’t work, or is not in the plan, I pray that God gives me the words to free their hearts to love Jesus now. I thank God for the life He has entrusted to me and I will patiently wait for the day when He brings me Home.

 

“Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks.”  (Luke 12:35-36)