The Demand! Day 2

Repentance 1

⁴⁶ and (Jesus) said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, ⁴⁷ and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. (Luke 24:46-47)

A Peanuts comic strip has Lucy and Charlie Brown practicing (American) football. Lucy is the holder and Charlie is the kicker. Regular readers know that every time Charlie approaches to kick the ball, Lucy picks up the ball and Charlie ends up kicking air and his momentum causes him to fall flat on his back.

So this particular comic strip opens with Lucy holding the ball, but Charlie Brown does not want to kick the ball. Lucy begs him to kick the ball. Charlie Brown says, "Every time I try to kick the ball you remove it and I fall on my back." They go back and forth and finally Lucy breaks down in tears and admits, "Charlie Brown I have been so terrible to you over the years, picking up the football like I have. I have played so many cruel tricks on you, but I’ve seen the error of my ways! I’ve seen the hurt look in your eyes when I’ve deceived you. I’ve been wrong, so wrong. Won’t you give a poor penitent girl another chance?" Charlie Brown is moved by her display of grief and responds, "Of course, I’ll give you another chance." He steps back as Lucy holds the ball, and he runs. At the last moment, Lucy once again picks up the ball and Charlie Brown, as always, falls flat on his back. Lucy’s last words - "Recognizing your faults and actually changing your ways are two different things, Charlie Brown!" 

According to Matthew, Jesus begins his ministry declaring (IMHO demanding) “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”(Matt 4:17).

True repentance is important in a believer’s life. But many do not understand true repentance. Repentance as we can learn from Lucy is not just recognizing our faults/sins. Repentance is entails changing our ways. (More to follow)

So Dear Brother and Sister – let us approach God with a true repentant heart.

Abba! Father! I am grateful that ‘Your kindness leads me to repentance’ (Romans 2:4). Bless me this day forward. In Jesus name I thank and pray. Amen.

DAY 40 YOU ARE A VICTOR! 2x2

(Dear brother and sister in Christ; this my last post for Lent. Thank you for all your prayers, encouragement, emails, suggestions and support. God Bless.

Beginning next week I will be posting once or twice a week.)

1 Corinthians 15:51- 57

A father and his young son were driving down a country road one sunny afternoon when suddenly a bee flew in the car window. Being deathly allergic to bee stings, the boy began to panic as the bee buzzed all around inside the car. Seeing the horror on his child’s face, the father reached out and caught the bee in his hand. Soon, he slowly opened his hand and the bee began to buzz around once again. Again, the boy began to panic. The father reached over to his son, and showed him his hand with the stinger stuck in his palm. “Relax, son,” the father said, “I took the sting, and the bee can’t hurt you anymore.”

Dear brother and sister in Christ; through Jesus’ empty tomb is God is comforting you “Relax, my child, I took the sting, death can’t hurt you anymore.” Because of Jesus, you and I don’t have to fear death. Why fear when we have the promise that one day we will live forever with Him in Heaven?

So let’s thank God “who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Corinthians 15:57)

Giver of life, I thank you for giving me, through Jesus’ resurrection, the hope that one day I will be with you forever. Giver of life, have mercy on me and shower me with your grace so that I can teach others about Jesus. In His name. Amen.

A TOWN CALLED GROOM

Anita, a friend of mine, sent this. Please pray for her. 

The following is a display in Groom, Texas near Amarillo.  Please check the links but also read what is written. 

Who wrote it I don’t know.

Link -     http://www.crossministries.net/index.htm

               http://myforwards.com/item.php?id=154

WHO IS JESUS?
WHO IS HE?

IN CHEMISTRY, HE TURNED WATER TO WINE;

IN BIOLOGY, HE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE NORMAL CONCEPTION;

IN PHYSICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN;

IN ECONOMICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURN BY FEEDING 5000 MEN WITH TWO FISHES & 5 LOAVES OF BREAD;

IN MEDICINE, HE CURED THE SICK AND THE BLIND WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS;

IN HISTORY, HE IS THE BEGINNING AND THE END;

IN GOVERNMENT, HE SAID THAT HE SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE;

IN RELIGION, HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM;

SO. WHO IS HE? HE IS JESUS!

JOIN ME AND LET'S CELEBRATE HIM; HE IS WORTHY.

The Greatest Man in History
Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
He had no army, yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us!

  

DAY 35 GIVEN EVERYTHING (OR) “GRACE, MERCY, AND PEACE FROM ...”Part 1

1 Timothy 1:2

Coming to his thirteenth birthday, Pastor Chuck Swindoll writes, “I vividly remember the last spanking I ever received. Having just broken into the sophisticated ranks of the teen world, I thought I was something on a stick. My father wasn’t nearly as impressed as I was with my great importance and new-found independence. I was lying on my bed. He was outside the window on a muggy October afternoon in Houston, TX, weeding the garden. He said, ‘Charles, come out and help me weed the garden.’ I said something like, ‘No, it’s my birthday, remember?’ My tone was sassy and my deliberate lack of respect was eloquent. I knew better than to disobey my dad, but after all, I was the ripe old age of thirteen. Dad set a new 100-meter record that autumn afternoon. He was in the house in a flash and all over me like white on rice, spanking me all the way out to the garden. As I recall, I weeded until the moonlight was shining on the pansies. That same night he took me out to a surprise dinner. He gave me what I deserved earlier. Later he gave me what I did not deserve.   The birthday dinner was grace.” 

Now we all know that Jesus is God and He comes with grace to us. John teaches us this in 3 places -The Word is full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) John 1:16-17 from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

And the word grace is found 118 times in the New Testament. So it is an important word. But what does it mean?

Grace is what I, ______________ (your name), get from God even though I do not deserve it. Basically, it is a free gift from God and you and I do not deserve it.

Dear brother and sister in Christ: You and I are sinners and transgressors and we truly deserve God’s eternal damnation and punishment. But because of His grace, God does not condemn us or punish us. Instead He forgives us our sins and reconciles us to Himself. And Jesus paid the price on the cross for your wrongs and my wrongs, your sins and my sins.  

So remembering that we “were bought with a price” let us “glorify God in our body.”(1 Corinthians 6:20)

Dear God, I am grateful that you are a God full of grace. Continue to shower your grace through Jesus, so that I can glorify you in my body and be fruitful in your kingdom. Amen.

DAY 30 THE TRUE DOOR OF RECONCILIATION

2 Corinthians 5:14-20

In the 1492 Ireland, the Butlers of Ormonde and the FitzGeralds of Kildare were involved in a dispute over the coveted post of Lord Deputy. The dispute escalated to a skirmish between the powerful families.  One day when the FitzGeralds attacked the Butlers, the Butlers took refuge in a place called the Chapter House at St. Patrick’s Cathderal. The FitzGeralds followed the Butlers to the Chapter House and, much to the surprise of all, their leader Gerald FitzGerald asked the Butlers to come out and make peace. The Butlers did not believe him and they refused, afraid they would be slaughtered.

Since the Butlers would not believe his words, Gerald FitzGerlad, ordered that a hole be made in the door. He then bravely put his arm through the hole and offered his arm in peace to the Butlers. Someone shook Gerald’s hand then the Butlers came out and the families made peace.

If you were to visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral you can see the door* – it is called ‘The Door of Reconciliation’. Also, from this occurrence came the expression ‘to chance your arm”. It means ‘take a chance’ especially when reaching out to someone in reconciliation.

Dear brother and sister and Christ: many believe that when Jesus says, “ I am the door”(John 10:9) it just means that Jesus is the way to heaven. But the full verse is “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. ”(John 10:9) So what does this “in and out” mean? While our salvation is foremost, God sent Jesus to reconcile sinners like you and me to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:18). And then He sends us out into the word to reconcile and live with others. The Psalmist also teaches it is “good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”(Psalm 133:1) So our reconciliation is with our God and with others.

Therefore, let’s thank God that He reconciled us to Himself through Jesus and gives us new life and gives us the right to call Him “Abba! Father!” Let’s also love our brothers and sisters because “ we know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers.” (1 John 3:14) In addition, during this Lenten season, can I be bold to request you to  ‘chance your arm’?   

Abba! Father! I thank you for drawing me in through your Son’s sacrifice. I ask you to help me humble myself to reach out to the brother and sister as you send me out into the world. Give me strength and humility to reconcile with the many I wronged and the few who wronged me. In Jesus name I ask. Amen.

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butler%E2%80%93FitzGerald_dispute#/media/File:Doorreconciliation.jpg