Jesus -- "a new cleansing wind"

A puzzling equation of science …
The resurrection of Christ - for how can it be?!

A miracle …
God’s miracle
The Holy Scriptures are filled with the miracles of God surrounding us
Not to be puzzled over, questioned
But simply to believe
in God
in His Son
in the Holy Spirit
to Trust.

“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36)

“…You believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14:1)

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29a)

God is the master of the universe.
He can do anything.
He can do all.
He is all.

Of Himself
Yet separate
He is the Lord Jesus sent to Earth to save its people from damnation

Jesus
the perfect atonement,
replaced the dove, the animal sacrifices of old.

Jesus
He took the sin of us all upon Himself
carried to the cross
because of His love for us.

His Father loved Him too and loves Him still
but He had to look away
He could not witness all the evilness of the world
loaded onto His precious Son. Overwhelming dismay for this One, His Son.


And so it was finished. Jesus died.
And was buried.
But death, alas, was not the end.

He said He would … after 3 days in the tomb, arise.
And so He did.

He is risen!

The Lord has risen! He has risen indeed!

Christ overcame death.

Some of us only sleep, perhaps a very sound sleep, giving the appearance of death, because we cannot be awakened.


A “new, cleansing wind,” Dietrich Bonhoeffer says.
The resurrection of Christ
rings anew, brings renewal.
Easter is coming.

Christ was reborn. He died. He was buried. After three days, He was risen.
Risen from the dead.


The dead of darkness, of sin, has died, been destroyed.

The Lord has risen to new life.
And we, as believers, through Him, live in this new life.

Our old has died. We have been reborn. And in the Last Day, our bodies in the grave or still alive on Earth will be resurrected to join Him in the heavenly realms.


Divine, supreme Love
intervenes, coming against guilty humanity and is the ultimate winner.

Easter.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (II Corinthians 5:17)

“For when we were still without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6)

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while were were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

The judgment of sin is death. Jesus’ death was the only and final act of judgment made for the future of mankind as well as past and present. Upon Him was all our sin.

“…For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift (given by Christ) which come from many offenses resulted in justification.” (Romans 5:16)

“For as by one man’s (Adam) disobedience many (all) were made sinners; so also by one Man’s (Jesus) obedience many will be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19)

For Christians, our life has meaning only because of Easter.

If Easter wasn’t – if the Jesus Christ who died for the sins of mankind and was buried, did not arise, then our life would be meaningless. We would not be Christians, we would still be living in guilt, we would still make sacrifices for our sins and hope whatever we do/did would be good enough. The foundation upon which our whole live rests as Christians, believers in Christ, falls, collapses.

“But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is vain and your faith is also vain. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up – if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ; we are of all men the most pitiable.

“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.” (I Corinthians 15:13-22)

“What you sow is not made alive unless it dies. And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be; … But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body. All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fish, and another of birds.” (I Corinthians 15:36a-39)

“So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. Sown in dishonor, raised in glory. Sown in weakness, raised in power. Sown a natural body, raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam became a living being. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” (I Corinthians 15:42-45)

Love, God’s Love
overcame sin

Sin and death were defeated at the cross
upon which His Son
The Christ
hung and died
buried in a tomb
and after 3 days,

AROSE!

There are no what ifs or how can you be sure. The Scriptures say it.

Do you believe?

You who do not are already damned.

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)

Christ lives because God lives, because God’s love lives.

God forgives us of our sins through Christ, His Son, when we accept and believe.
God loves us / loved us so much He came to earth as His Son to save the children of the world.

God has committed Himself to Christ, and Christ has committed Himself to us.

In Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, the faith of His disciples was confirmed, giving their faith new meaning. That new meaning encompasses Easter.

When we believe Jesus and God are one yet separate entities, that Jesus came to earth, born of God and the Virgin Mary, that He walked upon the earth teaching, suffering, being tempted (all that we too come in contact) that prophecy foretold, His destiny came to be, was fulfilled.

He died for us, was buried, and after 3 days, God set Him free – He arose. Jesus Christ arose!

And because my life is wrapped in His, I too have been set free.

“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

“And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. … For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:18-23)

Let's Celebrate - Jesus IS Alive!

April 24 is Easter, when Christians around the world celebrate the Risen Lord!

On April 4, 2010, over 1,300 young people (and some not so young), all of them members of Faith Church celebrated Resurrection Sunday in Budapest, Hungary.

Jesus: He Lived Among Us

The Voice of the Martyrs presents the new animated film, "Jesus: He Lived Among Us." 

Visit www.TheJesusMovie.com now

The kiss of remorse

"One of you will betray Me.” (Matthew 26:21)

Scripture must be fulfilled. Jesus knew the path. He couldn’t waiver from it. The course of history could not be changed.

Betrayal … a turning against, a lack of trust and belief. It never comes from outside the ranks, but from within.  

The hour is at hand.

“… See, he who betrays Me is at hand.” (Matthew 26:46)

Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, whom Jesus selected. For 30 pieces of silver, counted, Jesus was delivered unto death.

Judgment was executed because of God’s love for mankind. Mankind was doomed, wickedness abounded everywhere. It was this wickedness, this evil of the world, in the world, that nailed Christ to the cross. It had to be.

Judas …

he brings a multitude … chief priests and elders and others with swords and clubs… he comes to Jesus and says, “ ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kisses Him. (Matthew 26:49) Jesus knows why he has come, yet he asks of him, “ ‘Friend, why have you come?’ (Matthew 26:50a)

The kiss of death. The kiss of comdemnation.

“Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.” (Matthew 26:50)

“… all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death.
And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.” (Matthew 27:1-2)

The kiss of remorse.

Judas, the betrayer, was filled with guilt, great sadness, extreme remorse. For Jesus, His teacher, the One whom He did not believe nor follow, the One whom He delivered unto death at Calvary for a mere pittance realizes the error of his ways.

“Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’ And they said, ‘What is that to us? You see to it!
Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27: 3-5)

Jesus, from the cross, forgave all of mankind.

Was Judas forgiven at the moment he realized what he had done?

Men can be saved from damnation at the last moment before death. Is Judas among those counted? 

I'm still Me!

Yesterday .....
April 13
A milestone celebrated
A new decade

To some I'm just a babe
To others,
more like ancient history

Alas, ....
I'm still me.

Young or old
yesterday or tomorrow
Here I be

Me.

It was a good day ...
from early morn
to close of day.

A surprise card shower
brought nearly 60 cards.

A relaxing massage
helped smooth sore muscles.

A delicious dinner with
my beloved husband
and dear friends,
little ones too,
was most enjoyable
and entertaining.

Yes, it was and is
a very good day

And I'm still Me.

VIDEO: "Yesterday When I Was Young," by Glenn Campbell

VIDEO: "Tomorrow," by Annie

God's mercies are new every morning

"Through the Lord's mercies we are consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)

God's mercies ...
His love
His compassion
New
every morning
every single day
For you.
For me.

He sees
He remembers
He reaches
to embrace you
holding you
and me
secure. ... to Himself.

He is faithful
Let your heart
not be troubled

Hear Me
My child
in the breeze
as storm clouds gather
in the springtime rains
in prayer
in the worshipful gathering
of fellow believers
Hear Me
My child

"I will never leave you
nor forsake you." 
(Hebrews 13:5a)

"lo, 
I AM
with you
Always." 
(Matthew 28:20)

Do not
falter.
Do not allow
your pain,
your suffering
 - be it mental anguish
or physical uprooting
to reduce you
to a heap of black ash.

Stay close
To Me
To My Word

I see your beginnings, He tells us
You, looking back, see too
I see your final days, He reminds us
But you, you can only surmise
I see all that lies in between, He says
as we move, moment to moment

I see it all, The Lord says

Stay close ...
To Me
To My Word

"The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear. 
What can man do to me?"
(Hebrews 13:6a)

Whatever befalls
Come what may
It is His will
that governs
our being.

His mercies ...
His love,
His compassion
Bring renewed joy every day.

Lord,
I pray
this one of David
Psalm 17
for another.
In your blessed name ...

You have tested (his) heart
You have visited (him) in the night;
You have tried (him) and have found nothing;
(He) has purposed that (his) mouth shall not transgress.
Concerning the works of men,
By the word of Your lips,
(He) has kept (himself) from the paths of the destroyer.
Uphold (his) steps in Your paths, That (his) footsteps may not slip.
(He) has called upon You, for You will hear (him), O God;
Incline, Your ear to (him) and hear (his) speech.
Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand,
O You who save those who trust in You
From those who rise up against them.
Keep (him) as the apple of Your eye;
Hide (him) under the shadow of Your wings.
(Psalm 17:3-8)

Amen.

Through Christ we can overcome

Our faith in Christ Jesus, or even our lack of it, shows itself in our actions that God above and our fellow man sees.

If / Since we are One with Him, then our actions should reveal a calmness in that whatever comes our way we will be able to withstand it.

Romans 5:3 tells us that because of our faith, because of God's grace, we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance.

To persevere is to keep on going. We are to rely solely on God's promises, remembering Jesus whose very death unites us with Him, whose Spirit lives on in us, to guide us in the way of Truth.

A blow comes and our first reaction is "what if, what now." It is natural to fear the unknown. But what is natural does not make it right.

We must not allow fear to take root. We must not permit the darkness of Satan to gain a foothold.

Christ overcame the darkness. We too must overcome. We must persevere.


"Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us."  (Romans 5:1-5 Revised Standard)

"Depart from evil, and do good; Seek peace, and pursue it." (Psalm 34:14)

"Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another." (Romans 14:19)

Jesus tells us in John 16:33 -- "... in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." 

"22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23-1gentleness, self-control ... 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." (Galatians 5:22, 23, 25)

"I Look to the Shepherd" by Walt Harrah

I look to the Shepherd,
He meets all my needs;
Beside the still waters
He faithfully leads

Bringing peace to my soul,
As His love makes me whole.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me,
follow me all the days of my life.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me,
all my life.

And when in the valley
of deepest despair,
I look to the Shepherd,
His presence is there

Bringing peace to my soul,
As His love makes me whole.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me,
follow me all the days of my life.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me,
all my life.

Video: "Think About His Love,"  by Don Moen

Peace comes from the Father

"Peace I leave with you, My Peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)

Peace comes to
me
from Him
my Savior
my Redeemer
my Father
in Heaven

Peace surrounds me
Embraces me
Protects me

Peace
I leave you My peace

Cathy Orrick Luders

4.4.2011

Christ is The Light -- are we a follower?

"The only visible sign of God in the world is the cross." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Christ is the Light of the world
He came among us
to show us the Light
the way out
of the darkness
that consumes us

Christ died
and was reborn
He is the resurrection of the Light

Christ's death on the cross
All the darkness of humankind
was upon Him
He could not escape it
He sought its removal,
but His destiny was upon Him

A prayer to the Father
amidst a grove of olive trees
in a place called Gethsemane ...
"Abba, Father,
All things are possible for You. 
Take this cup away from Me; 
Nevertheless, not what I will, 
but what You will." (Mark 14:36 NKJ)

The burden
The heaviness
of each of everyone
our sin
upon Him, who is without
taken
each step, each stripe, each lashing,
each pounding

All He embraced
All our sin
upon Himself
His destiny
His Father's will

All the darkness
that Jesus took upon Himself
separated Him
from the Love of His Father

but
in dying came rebirth
Three days
in the tomb
buried
just as He foretold

The resurrected body
of Jesus Christ
All the darkness of the world
was not enough
to overcome The Light.

"And the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not comprehend it." 
(John 1:5 NKJ)

The Light of God
of the Son
triumphs

Judgment is made.

What of you and me --
The very ones whose souls
He came to save

Who do you follow
Do you remain in the darkness
or has the Light
found you? 

In His image, according to His likeness

Being a Christian means being a human being - as Christ became a human being.

The race we belong to is human. God created us --

"Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;" (Genesis 1:26a)

"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." (Genesis 2:7)

In Our image
According to Our likeness

Jesus
Son of God
came
as us --
created by
Him and His Father God
in
Their image,
according to Their likeness.

Jesus
Son of God
the culmination
of us all
came
took our place
showing us
how to live
and
how to die
in Him,
and according to Him,
Lord Jesus Christ.

It is not
appearances
not emotions
not price tags
not traditions, not customs
These do not make a "human being."

We became
through God

How we
become,
what we become
is dependent on
on who we perceive
our maker, our creator.

Is it
the Word of God
or
is it
the word of me

Do we share,
Do we participate
in the sufferings
of our Lord Jesus,
the bearer of new life
and unending love,
in the life of this world,
a society of human beings
living in hopelessness ...

reaching, seeking ...
Are we there? Like Jesus,
in His image,
according to His likeness?

It was their mission - is it ours?

“5These twelve (disciples) Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: Do not go into the way of the Gentiles and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7And as you go, preach, saying, The Kingdom of heaven is at hand. … 23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” (Matthew 10:5-7, 23)

Matthew writes primarily to a Jewish audience. When Jesus says in verse 5 to not go here or there but to the house of Israel, it is because the Jews believed they were better than the Gentiles or the Samaritans, that they were The Chosen Ones. And, yes, they were/are God’s chosen people, but they refuted/refute much of what Jesus said. They were disobedient, arrogant, given in to personal preferential thought.

The mission, “And as you go, preach, saying, The Kingdom of heaven is at hand,” stated in verse 7, is the same as in the gospels of Mark (chapter 6: 7-11) and Luke (chapter 9: 1-6). The instructions to follow do vary dependent upon what Biblical scholar is writing and to what type of audience.

• The way of the Gentiles

The Gentiles walked in darkness. They lived in the shadows of evilness and wickedness, which was not God’s way, but then they witnessed Jesus, a great light, and upon them the light shines – salvation has come.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.” (Isaiah 9:2) This verse is similar to what is written in Matthew 4:15-16.

Isaiah also prophesies Jesus’ mission: “I, the Lord have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes.” (Isaiah 42:6-7a)

The Jews were to also be a light to the Gentiles and to the Samaritans; everyone who was foreign. “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good words and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

•  The way of the Samaritans

Samaria had been the capital of Israel, the northern kingdom (of 10 cities). The city was captured by Assyria in 722 B.C. and its inhabitants were exiled to locations in the Assyrian Empire. Samaritans were a mixture of Jew and Gentile.

“Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight; there was none left but the tribe of Judah alone.” (I Kings 17:18)

“They feared the Lord, yet served their own gods – according to the rituals of the nations from among whom they were carried away.” (I Kings 17:33)

There was much hostility, animosity between the Jews and the Samaritans and each would go out of their way to avoid any encounter with the other.

The hostility, however, was not going to stop Jesus, who was determined to meet his opposition head on. Jesus illustrates to His followers how to handle rejection / opposition … anger is not the way.

“For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” (Luke 9:56)

In the story of the 10 lepers cleansed (Luke 17:11-19), one was a Samaritan. The rest are presumed to be Jews. It is only the Samaritan, who upon discovering he had been healed, returned to Jesus to thank him. A foreigner, Jesus says to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” (v. 19) Faith comes from unexpected sources – women, tax collectors, Samaritans.

Of the lepers, all are shunned. The one who is Samaritan is shunned by Jewish society because he is a Samaritan. Yet the Samaritan leper is the only one who expresses his thanks.

In the story of Jesus at the well with the Samaritan woman (John 4:19-26, 28-29), her perceptions bring light and the truth.

“19The woman said to Him, Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20Our fathers worshipped on this mountain and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship. 21Jesus said to her, Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23But the hour is coming and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24God is spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. 25The woman said to Him, I know that Messiah is coming (who is called Christ). When He comes, He will tell us all things. 26Jesus spoke to her, I who speak to you am He. … 28The woman then left her water pot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, 29Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”

Chronologically, Jesus’ visit with the Samaritan woman came before He sent out the 12 disciples. The destruction of Samaria/Israel was hundreds of years earlier.

• The lost sheep of the house of Israel

Jesus is determined to spiritually reach His own, but along the way, in his travels to the regions of Tyre and Sidon, which are Gentile, He encounters them, these Gentile foreigners and finds their faith true.

“25For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet. 26The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birh, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27But Jesus said to her, Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs. 28And she answered and said to Him, Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs. 29Then He said to her: For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.” (Mark 7:25-29)

It is not good to steal from the poor, to take for yourself things belonging to another simply because you can. Jesus came to feed, spiritually feed, the lost sheep – His own, His Jewish brothers and sisters. The physical food the poor have is theirs to partake and another perhaps higher class of people should not take it for themselves just because they can. The same is true of spiritual food. Israel was God’s chosen people; therefore Israel had priority over the Gentiles, just as one’s children had priority over dogs. The Samaritan woman understood this; her faith in the Lord thereby healed her daughter.

Even though Israel was and is God’s chosen, their rejection of the gospel, of the Son of God, resulted in salvation being brought to the Gentiles.

“44On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45But when the Jews saw the multitudes they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ (also Isaiah 49:6) 48Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.”

The lost sheep of the house of Israel – all people of Jewish standing who do not know, understand, believe and accept the True Shepherd, The Messiah, Jesus Christ. They are not to be found where you would think they are; they are scattered.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, everyone, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)

Some shepherds are false prophets.

“My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray; They have turned them away on the mountains. They have gone from mountains to hill; They have forgotten their resting place.” (Jeremiah 50:6)

“11For thus says the Lord God: Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. 12As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. 13And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country. 15I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. 16I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment. 22therefore I will save My flock, and they shall no longer be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them. 25I will make a covenant of peace with them. 30they shall know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are My people, says the Lord God. 31You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God, says the Lord God.” (Exekiel 34: 11-16, 22-23, 25, 30-31)

“For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to The Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (I Peter 2:25)

“Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, Against the Man who is My Companion, Says the Lord of hosts. Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered; Then I will turn My hand against the little ones. And it shall come to pass in all the land, Says the Lord. That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, But one-third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, This is My people; And each one will say, The Lord is my God.” (Zechariah 13:7-9)

Jesus is the True Shepherd. The Good Shepherd. “7Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11Iam the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:7-11)

• As you go

As you go, on the way, take only your person, not extra, not more than is necessary. Jesus gave His disciples power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases.

"He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts – but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.” (Mark 6:8-9)

“And He said to them, Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.” (Luke 9:3)

•  Preach, saying The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand

Preach repentance, salvation, everlasting life, eternal life.

We who believe the Lord Jesus is the Son of God – born of the Virgin Mary, and met death, being crucified on the cross at Calvary for the sins against God made by all of mankind, was buried, and after three days, was resurrected – “18(He who believes in Him) is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” (John 3:19-21) “and saying, Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2)

John the Baptist came baptizing in the wilderness. He is the fulfillment of promise/prophecy made in Isaiah 40:3 – “The voice of one crying in the wilderness. Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

“3And he (John the Baptist) went into all the region; around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, 4as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. 5Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought low; And the crooked places shall be made straight And the rough ways made smooth; 6And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” (Luke 3:3-6)

• When they persecute you in this city, flee to another

“But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the Kingdom of God has come near you.” (Luke 10:10-11) “and whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.” (Mark 6:11)

In Old Testament time, shaking off the dust was symbolic of a complete break in fellowship and a renunciation of any additional responsibility. Perhaps it is like wiping the slate clean, move on, don’t let the negative result in unnecessary grief.

“ But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium.” (Acts 13:50-51)

In Acts 17, Paul and Silas went to Thessalonica to discuss the Scriptures with the Jews there. Some were persuaded, including women and Greeks, but for the most part the Jews were antagonistic, inciting a mob against them.
“But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.” (Acts 17:5)

Paul and Silas went on to Berea, where the Jews were more open-minded. But those from Thessalonica heard and came and stirred them up again, therefore forcing Paul to move on.

• Be assured, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

There is and there continues to be great persecution, resulting in large scale scattering of people.

“Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” (Acts 8:1)

Only the apostles were not scattered. And they were to go forth, to the lost cities, the lost sheep of the house of Israel, to preach, saying, The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

And we as well are to go forth and preach repentance to all. There is much urgency. Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, will return before all will be found, before all will hear and see and understand.

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)

You are a chosen vessel of the Lord

"But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings and the children of Israel." (Acts 9:15) 

You too are a chosen vessel of the Lord, 

to bear His name before all you come in contact. 

He will show you how 

and in what way. ... 

but not necessarily the way you think it should be.

Remember ... ? 

His ways are not your ways. 

His way is better, far better 

than anything we suppose.

We are to show "cares for the things that belong to the Lord - how he may please the Lord."                          (I Corinthians 7:32)

Whatever our stage in life, 

the Lord's desire is for us to care, 

to be concerned about what is pleasing to Him.

Sometimes you run when you're scared or frightened or frustrated; sometimes you withdraw. 

God doesn't want us to be stagnant, but to run, run with endurance, in the way He has destined for us. 

"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured ... lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." (Hebrews 12:1-3)

The Lord knows your heart
He knows your innermost being

Remember ...? 

He formed you.

He understands your desires, 

your misgivings,
your pain

He tells us to lay aside every hindrance, every sin which traps us so easily. 

Discouragement is not a sin, nor is frustration or disappointment.

But all can lead to places God does not wish us to partake in. 

God has forgiven you
He has cleansed you 

of your sin

of your guilt

He has pardoned you

He has restored you to righteousness. 

God does not keep a record of your wrongs

He is not like your peers

who remember

and bring before you

your faults, failures, 

making claim to 

disqualification.

Who are they to judge

Who made them Lord

What makes them higher and more powerful than the Lord God Almighty? 

He has pardoned you

Of what matter, 

of what consequence is it

when others put us down. 

Their level is not where God wants you.

He has forgiven you.

Once. Twice. and more. 

He forgives us our trespasses 

again and again, 

when we actively seek His forgiveness

and live the life 

He has chosen for us. 

 

"But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you." (Luke 10:10-11)

Whatever city

Whatever church

Whatever congregation 

Whatever people

if so embittered 

against you

to not receive you

then wipe off the dust

wipe the slate clean

move on 

It is not they who ultimately decide your path. 

It is God. His will. 

Follow Him. 

Jesus went places of which His disciples cringed.

Jesus' determination super-ceded those who followed Him. 

He listened and discussed with others, 

But it was His Father to whom He obeyed. 

The hostility we face should not deter us 

from following and being obedient 

to our Lord Jesus Christ. 

We need to meet our opposition 

head on, 

not withdraw from it.

Move on and do. 

Perhaps 

not literally, as moving your place of residency to another 

but symbolically, within your heart and soul

Don't become complacent

Don't let those who oppose 

control. 

Let God. 

The Lord spoke to Paul in a vision, saying
"Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you." (Acts 18:9-10)

Do not be afraid. 

Do not keep silent.

Sometimes silence of words is necessary, 

but the silence of the heart need not be.

Seek the Lord

Seek His way for you to go. 

He is with you.

He is always with you.

Nothing another says 

because of their fears and unstableness

can truly harm you

if it is to the Lord 

we look and seek and pray and be.

He is our enabler. 

Our all. 

In Him do we trust. 

Amen. 

His charge to us: we are to love one another

Jesus loves all the children of the world, and that includes you and me …  for we are all children, little and big, young and old, rich and poor, dirty and clean. God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, loved us once and loves us still. He has never stopped loving us. 

Jesus, in John 13:34-35, says a “new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” 

But the commandment is not new.  "For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” (1 John 3:11)  In the Old Testament, Leviticus 19:18, God says, “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”

No, the commandment is not new. It is old. It has been there from the beginning, but who has heard it, who has listened, who has obeyed? 

The Ten.
Commandments
written
in Exodus
The basics
But
There are more
much more
Specifics
some, such as
the laws of sacrifices
told of
in Leviticus 1-7.

Fulfilled, all
with
Jesus’
birth, death and resurrection

 and upon his return,
Complete. And final.

The Lord God
commands us
“You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2)

God calls us to, in holiness, not uncleanness, not sin.

 “For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.” (I Thessalonians 4:7)

But are we holy? Do we live as He … in holiness?

Ephesians 5:1-2 tells us,
“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children and walk in love as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”

Christ is our offering
Christ is the sacrifice
None other is needed
None other is required

Christ fulfills all
that is spoken of, foretold
in the Old Testament.

You who still wait
for The Messiah
He has come
He is here.

For those who are “sons (and daughters) of light and sons (and daughters) of the day” (I Thessalonians 5:5), “God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” (I Thessalonians 5:9) Live together with Him in Love and in holiness. 

You who are waiting
for His return
The Most High
He is coming again
soon
and very soon
Be watching
Be on guard
Be alert
Remember
His instructions
His Love

Do not show partiality
Do not show preference
God is not partial
There is no favoritism
with Him.
To all
He extends His love
and as the Lord Jesus instructs
See it all throughout the Scriptures …
to love one another.

“⁵Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love him? ⁸If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well; ⁹but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. ¹⁰For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:5, 8-10)

One sin

tiny or big
it matters not
a sin
is a sin
is a sin
making
an individual
a sinner,
facing condemnation.

Jesus paid the price
for our sin
and his command!?
To love one another
To love your neighbor
as yourself
to live as He lives

 “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” (I John 2:3-6)

 “Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (I John 2:7-11)

 “Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard   from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.” (I John 2:6)

“Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.” (I John 3:10)

Jesus loves the Little Children video

Children of the World Choir video

God created us to have dominion over every creeping thing, BUT ...

On the sixth day of creation God created humans.

“²⁶Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. ²⁷So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. ²⁸Then God blessed them….”  (Genesis 1:26-28)

Think about that for a moment. God created us, with dominion over the fish, the birds, the cattle, EVERY CREEPING THING. 

God blessed us … and then we took advantage of  it. 

Adam and Eve gave in to their impulses and greed … they sinned.

 “¹Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, Has God indeed said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden? ²And the woman said to the serpent, We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; ³but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die. ⁴And the serpent said to the woman, You will not surely die. ⁵For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. ⁶So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. ⁷Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.” (Genesis 3:1-7)

We were created in God’s image. It is the Lord Jesus himself who shows us what God is like, for “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” (John 1:18)

The (moral) image of God, as shown through Jesus Christ, is sinless. 

The first man and woman were created in a natural and moral likeness to God. When they sinned, their moral likeness to God was no more. It went out the door. As each generation of children are born they are created in the natural image of God and the moral image of their earthly father (and mother). Because of the first generations’ sin act, all generations share equally in the guilt of that sin.

But God is our creator, our ultimate creator. And it is because of His love for us in the world that He sent His Son to show us the way out of the darkness of sin into the light.  

 “¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God. ¹⁰He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. ¹⁴And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of The Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1, 10, 14)

“¹⁶For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

Where are you bound?

Have you given your heart to Jesus, have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, are you walking the life path of His way for you?

Or, do you rebel against God and pursue a life filled with sin, facing the consequences thereof?

It is your choice. 

For an interactive flash presentation of the Gospel: www.thekristo.com 

A family ... to have, to have not, to be, to love

To have

nearby or far away

to visit by phone

or email

or skype

or Facebook

or some other social medium

or to write a letter,

send a card

or to visit

up close and personal

Families

you miss them

sometimes

and

sometimes again,

it doesn’t matter

whether you miss them or not

They don’t miss you

You want

what once was

But you can’t go back

Can only go forward

and hope for the best

You pray

asking the Lord

to show you

what to do

how to proceed

how to live

with or without.

Depression

gets the best of you

you want

but you can’t always have

what you want

Sometimes what we want

is not God’s best for us

Sometimes you just have to

wait

and wait

and wait.

So endless

So tiring

Waiting and waiting

and waiting some more

Wanting

a family

God gives you what you need

when He deems it right.

Sometimes a family

is just two,

A man and a woman

married to each other.

Sometimes it is only one,

yourself.

Sometimes it is the

4-legged children

who share our abode

and not the 2-legged variety

we think we have so wanted.

Sometimes a family

is the friends

we have

who help

make our life

worthwhile ....

who share

their time

to make

memories

pleasant

for another ....

who listen

without

judgement or prejudice ... 

who desire 

God's best 

for us.

Sometimes 

a family 

is 

adopted  

far, far away 

another country

or 

perhaps 

they are 

just 

around the corner ...

willing to break down 

the walls of

silence 

and 

sadness 

overcoming you 

and be your 

family  

for a little while 

while they can 

when you need it 

when the time is right. 

A family

that hugs

and loves

not keeping record 

of all the wrongs done 

not reminding you 

of failings 

and failures

A family 

to have 

to hold

to cherish 

to share 

to be 

no matter 

how small or big

rich or poor

A family 

to love

IF you claim to be a believer, then you must believe!

When you pray and claim you are a believer, then in all truth, you must believe everything, ALL, that the Lord says, to be true. To pray and not really believe God will do what He says, then can you honestly say you are a believer?

Please God, help us today. Tomorrow will be too late. Please God, send someone, the money needed, someone to befriend us. Please God, help us today. And if you believe, a resounding AMEN! is the perfect conclusion. But if you do not believe, if faith is not …

“It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24)

What you plant that you will reap

 A friend sent the following in an email today and I've decided to share it with you. It should give you much to think about.  


A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business. Instead of choosing one of his directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together. He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you. "The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. "I am going to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO."

One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. 


Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing.

By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure.

Six months went by -- still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however, he just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow.


A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.

Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the varietyof plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful -- in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!

When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives. 


Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!"


All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the financial director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"
When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed - Jim told him the story.


The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "Behold your next Chief Executive Officer! His name is Jim!" 


Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed. "How could he be the new CEO?" the others said. 


Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it,and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow. 


All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!"


* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
* If you plant hard work, you will reap success
* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation

So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.

Think about this for a minute....

If I happened to show up on your door step crying, would you care?
If I called you and asked you to pick me up because something happened, would you come?
If I had one day left to live my life, would you be part of that last day?
If I needed a shoulder to cry on, would you give me yours?

This is a test to see who your real friends are or if you are just someone to talk to you when they are bored.

Do you know what the relationship is between your two eyes?

They blink together,
they move together,
they cry together,
they see things together,
and they sleep together,
but they never see each other; ....

that's what friendship is..

Your aspiration is your motivation,
your motivation is your belief,
your belief is your peace,
your peace is your target,
your target is heaven, 
and life is like hard core torture without it!

The cross

The cross
a symbol
representative
of
Christ's suffering
for all of mankind
He came to save

The cross
representative
of
Christ's rejection
faced
because of mankind
 They despised
They abandoned
They refused to believe

The cross
representative
of
Christ in us
His believers
who suffer
and are rejected
with Him.

We look down

"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd." (Matthew 9:35-36 NKJV)

We look down
in dismay
in disgust
in anger

at the sick
of mind
and body
and soul

We fail to show
compassion --
love and care
to all

Only a select few
do we find
approachable

Because,
we
are not
Jesus.

Cathy Orrick Luders

March 3, 2011