Solid Rock

We need to learn to build our life on the Bible so that we’re building on solid rock. When the storms and trials and difficulties of life come, you’ll be able to handle it.

Jesus ended the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 7:24-29, by telling a story.  “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”  When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,  because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

 Knowing Jesus as Savior and applying the Bible to your life enables you to withstand life’s storms.

On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand!

Build on the solid foundation. Amen?

Listening Skills

Listening is a great skill. My boss used to say, "God gave you two ears and one mouth - use them proportionately!" In today's scripture we're reminded who to listen too.

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore, but only Jesus. Mark 9:2-10

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean.

How do you imagine this scene, and what does it mean to you?

At the end of the scene, it was just Jesus and His disciples. His promise is that He will never leave you. 

When you are alone with Him what is He telling you?

Right Thing

Do you ever wonder if you are doing the right thing? Jesus is our model for how to be in God's will - all the time. He also models how to be about the Father's business.

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the Good News of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the Good News." Mark 1:12-15

Solomon said that there is time for every activity under the sun- a time to act and a time to pray.

In obedience we need to be ready when we are called on to act. We prepare ourselves at other times when we listen and spend time with God.

Where is God calling you to now?

Be still, listen, know and respond to Jesus' voice.

Crying Out

A few years ago I did a funeral of a young man in his twenties. It was a real tragedy with many questions that might never get answered. Answers and hope at a time like this can only come from God. We need to look (up) and listen (obediently) to the Lord.

At times like these we must look to God through His Word for direction, hope, and comfort. In Psalm 88 the psalmist begins with his eyes looking up for help.

Lord, you are the God who saves me;

    day and night I cry out to you.

May my prayer come before you;

   turn your ear to my cry.

Then he looks at the world and starts his lament.

 I am overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death. I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like one without strength. I am set apart with the dead,  like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care. You have taken from me my closest friends  and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined and cannot escape;  my eyes are dim with grief.  Why, Lord, do you reject me and hide your face from me?

Then he looks back up from where our help really comes from.

I call to you, Lord, every day; I spread out my hands to you. 

I cry to you for help, Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you.

How's your life? ... 

Are you looking up for your help or looking out? ... 

Are you listening?

On Jesus

I have heard it said that Jesus can calm storms or calm us in order to go through life's trials.  It really helps to be reminded when you are going through the hard times who to keep focused on. 

Our God is not only greater, but He is the absolute greatest. Even in the midst of trouble, instead of praising your problem and magnifying it, give praise to your God, magnify Him, and watch Him stand up and step in on your behalf.  

Like the old hymn reminds us:

O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There’s light for a look at the Savior,

And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, 

Look full in His wonderful face, 

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, 

In the light of His glory and grace.

Thank you Jesus for never taking your eyes off of us, and walking with us through the storms of this life.

Amen?

Smile On

God honors a consistent life of obedience and faithfulness. From the time of our salvation till we go to heaven we must keep our focus vertical - on Him always. Our marching orders all the same. Jesus said in Luke 9:23-26 “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.  What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?  Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

Three truths we must remember to follow Christ:

The DESIRE to Follow (v.23)

Following Jesus requires a deeper knowledge of God, a deeper desire to pray before acting, and a more serious reflection about the Christ found in Scripture. (“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:13)

The DENIAL of Self (vv.24-26)

To follow Christ means to renounce one’s will and ways

By living for ourselves we die, by dying to ourselves we live. (Born twice die once)

The DAILY Walk (v.23)

Every new idea should be born of prayer, quiet reflection, and careful consideration of the steps and thoughts and heart of Jesus. (Daily dying to self)

“Go and preach the Gospel, and if you must, use words.”- St Francis

Be consistent in your walk with Jesus. Put a smile on God's face.

Following

We have all heard of being part of the “hood” or priesthood, motherhood, fatherhood, etc. What would a group of sold out followers be called? Are you part of Jesus’ “followhood”?

Jesus said in John 12:26: Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

People have said they will follow Christ when their lives get straightened out. We all know that will never happen.

I've heard that insanity can be defined as: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Another way to say it would be; Doing the same old things & expecting a different outcome. 

If we are not following Christ then we cannot complain about our circumstances. The original believers were called “Christ Followers”, and that is what we should be about doing in our daily lives.

Remember - “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”

Be part of the "Followhood" – be a Christ Follower.

Amen?

Lifting Up

Today we will finish our study of Psalm 24.  7 Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory?  The LORD strong and mighty,  the LORD mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, you gates;  lift them up, you ancient doors,  that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is he, this King of glory?

   The LORD Almighty - He is the King of glory! This Psalm has been lifted up on many occasions and will continue to sound loudly. Christ is returning to earth and we (who know Him) shall rise to meet Him in the air!

"Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in" (vs. 9).  The author of this psalm, King David, is especially speaking to those who have put off receiving Jesus, and those who know they need the righteousness of Christ. They know that they should come to know Him by faith, but have kept the ancient, rusty doors of their hearts shut.

The King of glory is at the door of your heart.

Will you not let Him in?

May the gates of our hearts swing wide open! Amen?

First Seek

Let’s look at verses 5-6 from Psalm 24 today.

5 They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior.  6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.

The generation who seeks God’s face (His purposes and ways), and live out their faith will receive God’s blessing. Look at what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 - “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

When we seek God and His righteousness, all other things are added unto us. We can join in the chorus and approach the hill of the Lord.

Are you part of that “generation”?

Seek God with all you have. Amen?

Standing

Let’s continue our study of Psalm 24 today by looking at verses 3-4. It asks an important question, Who can stand before a holy, righteous, perfect God?

 3 Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.

Psalm 15 is only 5 verses long, but it has a lot to say about who may stand before God. ¹ LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? ² The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; ³ whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; ⁴ who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the LORD; who keeps an oath even when it hurts,  and does not change their mind; ⁵ who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.  Whoever does these things will never be shaken.

Give thanks to the Lord for giving us the answer of how to live in obedience and faithfulness. Follow God’s decrees always. Amen?

Who Is Able

Today let’s look at the first two verses of Psalm 24. 1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; 2 for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. In today world of disappointment, we may ask ourselves, who is able? 

Don’t ever forget these attributes of the Lord…

He is able to save. He is able to protect. He is able to preserve. He is able to meet our needs. He is able to ascend to heaven’s throne. He is able to take you with Him. 

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

James 4:12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.

Jude 1:24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy

Jesus is the one to look to; to do more than we could ever imagine, for power, to save and destroy, to keep you from stumbling, and clean you in to perfection.

Know that Jesus is more than able! Amen?

Discerning

When my children were young before they said something that would get them in trouble I’d say, “Think about it!” I didn’t know it at the time, but I was giving them biblical counsel.

“Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.” Proverbs­17:28

One quick view of the daily news proves this caution isn’t being applied very often. People talk and talk even though they don’t know what they’re saying. We should all think before we speak. A great benefit of being silent is we can listen better. One’s closed mouth allows their two ears to work better!

We all need to apply this wisdom to our lives. I think the world would be a better place, and a lot more peaceful. Amen?

Get Ready

Throughout the story in John 11, Jesus said everything was occurring for God's glory. We have seen over the last few days that there was a lot of emotion and confusion, but Jesus was ready to show His glory!

 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.  “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”  Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.  I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” - John 11:38-44

Who doesn't love this story? Many consider this Jesus' greatest miracle. 

Listen for Jesus' voice today - come out of "graves" that are keeping you from being in His presence! Take off the "grave clothes" of this world and bask in His glory!

Live for Him and join in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord! Amen?

Brokenness

Martha may have been disappointed and somewhat frustrated, but she had faith and knew her brokenhearted sister Mary had to come to see Jesus!

After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.”  When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him.  Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him.  When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”  When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.  “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied.  Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” - John 11:28-37

Mary was very discouraged and emotional. She makes the same statement to Jesus concerning her brother's death, but it comes from her heart. It touches Jesus... and He weeps with her. 

What a beautiful scene of love, tenderness, and compassion from our Savior! Is your heart broken? Cry out to Jesus - He understands and will cry with you. Amen?

Possibilities

We have all been frustrated or disappointed in someone or a circumstance. The sister of the man who died really believed if Jesus would have come when He was notified that Lazarus would still be alive.

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.  Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.  When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.  “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.  But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”  Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” - John 11:17-27

Martha had faith but she didn't have the experience or knowledge that Jesus has authority over life and death. There is much to be learned here. We cannot base God's supernatural power on our human understanding. Remember the song, "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to..."

Praise God that we can grow in our faith and believe, "All things are possible in Christ"! Amen?

Go Back

Doubting may be in our human nature, but it should have no place in our spiritual trust in God. As we continue the story in John look at the confusion of the Disciples.

And then he (Jesus) said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”

Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.”  Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” - John 11:7-16

The Disciples really didn't understand what Jesus was saying. All they knew was that going back to Judea was not going to end well for Jesus (and probably them). Sometimes we get so focused on our self that we miss what Jesus is trying to tell or show us. 

Today, slow down, take a deep breath, look in a mirror, and ask God to please repeat what He has been saying to you! Then be obedient. Clarity is a beautiful thing... Amen?

Right On

When speaking of God's timing my friend would often say. "Four days late and right on time!". This of course is true. God's ways and timing are not ours - many times. It also refers to an event in the Bible from John chapter eleven. This story sets the tone for what the world would experience over the next ten days. With Palm Sunday coming next week I feel it would be good to revisit one of the greatest miracles of Jesus' ministry - bringing his friend back from the dead!

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.  (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.)  So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”  Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.  So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days. John 11:1-6

This is an incredible account in Jesus' ministry. One of His closest friends is deathly ill and Jesus doesn't rush to his bedside. Have you ever felt like this? You cry out to Jesus and then you don't hear His voice or feel His presence? I'm sure we all have, but know this - He does hear you. His way of dealing with your crisis might be totally different than what you had in mind.

Trusting in God means that we will do it His way and in His time (even when we don't understand or like it). Maybe God seems to be running late these days... or maybe we should ask Him to increase our faith.

Amen?

Listen and Obey

“Let he who has ears to hear, use them” Jesus used this phrase eight times in the Gospels and eight times in Revelation. Look at James 1:22-24 –  ²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. Don’t just listen but obey!

Look at the parable of the seed and the Sower found Luke 8:4-8  ⁴ While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: ⁵ “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. ⁶ Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

In all four cases the seed, the Sower, and the message are the same. What’s different? – It’s the listener!

Listen and obey God’s Word. Amen?

Fully Turn

I have always been intrigued by John 21. In some ways, the story of the disciples going fishing seems to be added on, but I don’t think so. It’s there to remind us to always turn to Jesus’ Lordship. I would like to insert the word “fully” turn here.

Definition of Fully - completely or entirely; to the furthest extent.

synonyms: completely · entirely · wholly · totally · thoroughly · quite utterly · perfectly · altogether · exhaustively · extensively · intimately · in all respects · in every respect · without reservation · without exception · from first to last · to the hilt · lock, stock, and barrel. Does this describe your relationship with Christ?

From the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus reminds His disciples of His Lordship and of their dependency upon Him to fulfill the commission He has given them! In other words, Jesus wants them (and us) to be “fully aligned” with His will and ways.

There are at least four reminders in this story:

1. Apart from Christ you can do nothing. vv. 1-3 Jesus has taught this lesson before, for "never in the Gospels do the disciples catch a fish without Jesus' help"! 2. All things are possible with Christ’s strength and power. vv. 4-6 The primary point of this miracle catch seems to be Jesus' lordship and the need to be obedient to him for any labor to be fruitful.

3. Don’t try to impress Christ with your own strength. Vv. 7-14 Jesus met his disciples at a point of failure and revealed himself as the awesome Lord of creation who cares for them.

4. Get “right” with Christ. vv. 15-19 What do we love the most? Have we abandoned all to follow Jesus?  

5. Staying focused on Christ instead of others. vv. 20-23 Focus on your own life and direction in living for Christ.

What and who do you love the most “fully”?

If Everyone

In Numbers 21 we see the nation of Israel quarreling and complaining (as they had done many times before). This time the Lord sent venomous snakes that bit and killed many Israelites. The people confessed their sins, and asked Moses to pray to God for forgiveness. He was instructed to place a bronze snake on a pole, and anyone bitten could look at it and live. 

God’s people need to do that today. We must confess our sins, ask for forgiveness, and place our trust in the One who was lifted up on the cross; Jesus Christ, in order to have eternal life. By focusing on the Savior we must look upward because He is our hope and eternity. 

“The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. - Romans 10

Can I hear an amen?

Blessed Example

Before Jesus’ last meal on earth He took the position of the lowest slave and washed His disciple’s feet. In doing so He sets us an example on how to live for Him, and by doing so - you will be blessed.  

¹² When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. ¹³ “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. – John 13:12-17

Jesus sets the example for all believers and promises a blessing if we are obedient. Serve others – be like Jesus. Amen?

Remembering

Rarely do we see someone forsaking the Gospel and breaking their relationship with Christ in one instant. It’s usually starts with getting off course, staying apart from God’s plan, and then not returning to the faith. Max Lucado calls this “casual abandonment”.  We are warned about this in Hebrews 2:1 – We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away

We have just come through a season where many of us have studied, experienced, and made decisions to follow Christ more. Do not forget to continue to feed on the Word of God and live every day for Him. If you stray off His purposes – turn back immediately! You’ll find Jesus there.

Today and always stay in the Word. Amen?

Peace Turns

Here are Three Easter Turns to God’s Peace (from John 20):

1. Turn to His Presence ²⁶ A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”  ²⁸ Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

2. Turn to His Truth ²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

3. Turn to His Instruction ³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

If someone ever ask you to show them the evidence of Christ tell them to look at your believing heart. Allow His peace and light to shine in your life - the darkness will lose every time.

Thank you, Jesus, for your peace that I cannot comprehend, but humbly accept. Amen?