Saturday, March 31, 2012

“The Holy One of God”




Read John 6: 60-69



Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go?

You have the words of eterne life.

We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

John 6: 68-69 (NIV)



In assembling a list of scripture readings for those in our Easter Drama, I included this passage for the actor who portrays Peter.

It wouldn’t leave my mind. It brought up several questions about my stance with Jesus, which led to my thinking about the relationship with 21st Century citizens in general.

Can I, can all those I see in church say what Peter said? Could I say that He has the words of eternal life? Can I say that I, along with Peter and the other disciples, believe and know that He is the Holy One of God?

Each day, if we are serious about our faith, we have a time to read God’s Word. We also make time to pray for those in need, and for our own needs and desires.

Each time we speak, we try to speak words softly. We try to keep our negative emotions in check. When we are in the marketplace conducting business, this is very important. I recently failed at this. I realized how I came across and, before I left, I apologized to the lady.

When we are wrong in our actions, we hurt Jesus and we should also tell Him we are sorry for letting him down. When others hurt us, we should forgive them, as He forgives us.

As Lent draws to an end, those of us who practice the giving up of a food or an activity, may return to that practice. I am not sure if I will go back to my pre-Lenten habit or not. I have to pray about it.

Peter recognized Jesus’ deity. In the 21st Century He calls us to His feet and awaits our recognition of Who He Is.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Our Lenten Witness



“A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies.” Proverbs12:17 (NIV)
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours our lies will not go free.” Proverbs 19:5(NIV)

As children of God we have opportunities to witness for Him. We are not aware of the number of times we have made a statement for Christ.
My husband and I stood in line at a local cafeteria. I had to decide on the type of roll I wanted with my meal. I looked longingly at the cinnamon roll. The worker behind the counter noticed what I saw. She asked, “Do you want that cinnamon roll?”
I rallied from my wistful state and said, “I gave up sweets. I better have the wheat roll.”
As we were eating our meal, the young lady made her way around the nearby tables, asking if the diners needed anything. She came to our table.
“What made you give up sweets?” She looked at me as she waited for my answer.
I paused and whispered, “For Lent.”
“You’re my hero.”
Here this young woman responded to my short answer. I didn’t know this person. I hadn’t seen her working there before. I only had these short snippets of conversation with her and, yet, she may have been searching for God. Only He knows if I will find out.
This incident reminds me of something I read years ago. Be careful what you say or do because you might be the only Bible some people read. I still think of this from time to time, especially when I may have messed up.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

The Pure Sacrifice:



“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down from your forefathers but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without defect.” 1 Peter 1:18-19



We don’t always think of silver, gold, or any of the earth’s elements as perishable. Each substance in our world has a point that causes its properties to break down.

We learned in science class in school that ice becomes water when temperature applied to it reaches 32 degrees. Then we learn that water turns into steam when water is heated with the temperature reaches 212 degrees Fahrenheit. These statements apply to all substances know to mankind. The only difference is the temperatures are various depending upon the properties of the substance. In essence, these substances become volatile; they actually are no longer referred to by their original state- they perish.

As parents we sacrifice for our children. We give up our time to provide transportation to meetings and events. Having had a child who needed extra medical care, including hospital stays, we know the time and resources we used to care for our son. We did it gladly, because he was our son. Once, when he was in the sixth grade, we gladly gave up a Saturday to travel to the regional science fair at the state university in a nearby town. His science project had been selected for the event.

Jesus Christ is the lamb without blemish- no point of volatility. He is the only one who is able to open the book in Revelation. 5: 1-5. His Father sacrificed Him so that we might one day enter heaven and live there forever.

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...