And You, and You, and You, and You …….. are Forgiven! Day 35

Please read 1 Peter 2:23

“To the state of Alabama, I hate you... I hate you. I hate you."  Torrey McNabb’s before his execution by lethal injection.

“I am no more a witch than you are a wizard, and if you take away my life, God will give you blood to drink.”  Sarah Good before her hanging.

“This is not an execution, it is murder."  Bennie Demps before death by lethal injection.

“I am an innocent man and something very wrong is taking place tonight." Lionel Herrera before death by lethal injection.

Those were the last words of criminals executed during the 20^th century. Even during Jesus’ time, criminals on the cross did the same. Seneca, a contemporary of Jesus, wrote that it was normal for the crucified to curse everyone, including their own parents. Cicero, the philosopher, wrote that executioners would sometimes cut off the tongues of criminals so they would not curse.

On the other hand, dear brother and sister in Christ, our God on His cross said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”(Luke 23:34) Jesus depended on God and focused on YOU for the forgiveness of YOUR sins! Repent and turn to Jesus!

What can this sinner say, Lord, other than a humble thank you! Amen

Free to walk the _________ ________. Day 34

Please read Matthew 5:38-41  

During Jesus’ time, the land of Israel was under the Roman rule. The Jews hated the Roman oppressors and they hated the Roman Taxation and other laws. One of the most hated laws was – any Roman soldier could ask any man to carry his possessions/load for one mile. The Roman soldier’s possessions included his tent, armor, weapons, and rations and they could weigh around 100 pounds. Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount is teaching his disciples that they are to be different because they have freedom from God himself. So they are not to rebel or refuse, but they are to say ‘ the law requires I have to carry your possessions for one mile. But as a man set free by God, I will carry them two miles.’ Sounds foolish (1 Corinthians 1:25) to the world but makes sense to a disciple of Jesus!!!

Dear brother and sister in Christ, God made us holy to be the salt and light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). Let’s us demonstrate our freedom in Christ by humbly doing more than the world expects (Matthew 5:46-47).

Attending church is the first mile, going out and being salt and light is the second mile;

Tithing to God is the first mile, giving your self to the poor and needy is the second mile;

Studying/meditating the Word is the first mile, walking the hard way (Matthew 7:14) is the second mile;

Praying for self is the first mile; praying, unasked, for others is the second mile.

(Do I need say more?)

Abba Father, you and your Son shower grace upon grace upon me in my life. Equip me to demonstrate my love to others. Amen.  

I am free to do what? Day 33 2x2

Please read John 8:31-36; 1 Peter 2:16; Galatians 5:13-14

On Sunday, December 11, 2005, a fisherman spotted a 50-ton humpback whale tangled up in crab-trap lines off the coast of California. He sent out a call for help and a group of Coast Guard divers and whale experts gathered to free the whale. Soon they realized that the rescue operation was both difficult and dangerous. The whale was entangled in some 20 ropes, each 240 feet long and wrapped so tight they were cutting into its flesh. The lines had to be cut by hand, which required diving perilously close to the whale and its powerful tail.  The whole operation took around an hour, and no one was injured. Later, some of the divers remarked on the whale's friendly behavior. One said the creature watched and seemed to wink at him as he was cutting a line that went through its mouth. Once freed, the whale began circling and approached the divers one by one to "nuzzle" them. On diver said ‘The whale was doing little dives and the guys were rubbing shoulders with it. It's something that I will always remember. It was just too cool’.”

Dear brother and sister in Christ, Jesus the Christ did something cool in your life! In the John 8 text, Jesus teaches you that because of Him YOU are no longer a slave to sin (John 8:34-36). Sin will not burden you down and Jesus will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-29). You no longer have to run from one god/idol to another, thinking that the munificence of that god (emphasis on lowercase ‘g’) or that idol will save you.  Jesus is the one who gives you the freedom from your sin(s) (Galatians 5:13). By His grace, as a follower of Jesus, you have freedom over sin and darkness. So you are free! So you are free to do whatever you want! But what should you do with/in this freedom? Also, free to do what?

Dear brother and sister in Christ, because of Jesus you are children of God. So as members of God’s family, you are to walk in the way demonstrated by Jesus. So, again, what are you to do with/in this freedom? Both Peter and Paul address this question. Peter tells you that you are to live “as servants of God” (1 Peter 2:16) and Paul teaches that you should “not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).

Dear God, my Lord and my Master, I am free because of your Son. Lead me in your love to love and serve others freely and cheerfully. Amen.

If I _____, then what?!? Day 32

Please read John 8:31-36

Today we look at two verses and one word. The verses are John 8:31-32. In the ESV that I use, they go “31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

In the text, we see that Jesus is talking to the new believers in Him. He tells them “if’” the new believers “abide” in his word, there are three consequences (1) they will be known/seen as Jesus’ disciples, (2) they will know “the truth”(Greek aletheia which means ‘that which is true in any matter, situation, or circumstance’) and (3) “the truth” will set them free.

And all of the above is from God (2 Corinthians 5:18) and of course, you are given God’s Word. Earlier in the Gospel of John, Jesus had said, “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life”(John 6:63). Now Jesus wants us to “abide” (ESV) in His Word. What does he mean by “abide”? The NIV uses the word “hold” and the NASB uses “continue” and they all come from the Greek word meno. The Greek word is a word that is used in reference to a place. It means ‘to sojourn, tarry’ or ‘ not departing, i.e., continuing to be present/held’. The word can also mean ‘not becoming something else’ and used in reference to time ‘to last, endure’.

So how should we abide/hold/continue? We have great examples of Old Testament saints such as Joseph and Daniel who clung to God, holding fast the word of life (and spirit) (Philippian 2:16). They walked wisely (Ephesians 5:15-17), holding on to their faith and good conscience (1Timothy 1:19, 1 Corinthians 16:13) and holding on to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21).  They held on to “the truth”  – doing what is good in God’s eyes at all time and in all circumstances, knowing that God is watching them.  

So my dear brother and sister in Christ, do you abide in His Word all the time? What about the times when no one is watching you? Do you still abide in Jesus and His Word?  Always remember, if you “abide”, you will be His disciples, knowing “the truth” and you are free!

Dear God, you know my thoughts and my words (Psalm 139:1-4) and even when I try to hide from you like Adam, you know my whereabouts and my actions.  Whenever I try to run away from you, please hold on to me until I come to my senses, repent and hold on to you and your Word. In Jesus name, Amen.

‘I Can Only Imagine’ Trailer & Articles

My Dear All:

I am going to see this movie tomorrow. FYI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsMyv9Q4_OU

Articles-

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/mar/20/i-can-only-imagine-christian-movie-about-mercyme-s/

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/religion/2018/03/20/can-only-imagine-director-movie-industry-dismissed-film-prior-box-office-success-mercyme-hit-song/441495002/