What Are We Here For?

Matthew 8:28-34

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 ²⁸ When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. ²⁹ “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”

 ³⁰ Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. ³¹ The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”

 ³² He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. ³³ Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. ³⁴ Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%208:28%20-%2034&version=NIV1984)

Have you ever felt like you were doing something good and others took it as a bad thing?  Or, have you ever said something that others misunderstood and you were criticized for it?  Well, if you have, then you might be able to relate with Jesus or better yet you may be able to realize that Jesus can relate with you and your situation.  In these verses we find that Jesus does a good thing for two men by ridding them of the demons that lived within them.  In this passage He only says one word, “Go!” but the result of that one word was quite amazing.  The demons were driven out of the men and into pigs.

The Jewish custom recognized pigs as being unclean so what better place to send these demons than into unclean pigs.  The demons had begged that this be where they went and Jesus allowed that to happen.  The pigs were destroyed when the entire herd ran right into the lake and drown.  Note, there were only two men but a whole herd of pigs so that tells me that there were many demons living in these men.  This must have been what caused them to be so violent as to have no one pass by them.  So, it seems like a very good idea to rid these men of the demons doesn’t it? 

The men who had been tending the pigs ran to town to tell everyone about the pigs being destroyed and about the men who had been made free, they must have all been elated at this news, right?  Wrong, they came to see Jesus but not to thank Him for His good deed but rather to tell Him to leave the area and not to come back.  I guess they didn’t think these men deserved to be made free, especially when it cost them their livelihood, their pigs. 

Seems rather sad to me but it still goes on today.  People love their money more than God’s creation of man.  They put a price on each persons head and decide who is worthy and who is not.  Jesus came for those who were sick, just like these men.  We will look at that scripture passage when we get to Matthew 9. 

I trust that as you seek Him and find Him that you will remember why you are here.  Is it for the poor or the wealthy?  Is if for the sick or the healthy person?  Is it only for the young or is it for the old as well?  Jesus came not for the well but for the sick and we are called to do the same. 

Matthew 25: 36 -40 ³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

   ³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

   ⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2025:%2034%20-%2040&version=NIV1984)

Also remember that Jesus was God incarnate and one reason He did that was to have a full understanding of the human trials and temptations of this life.  Hebrews 4: 14 – 16   ¹⁴ “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%204:%2014%20-%2016&version=NIV1984)  Simply said, He understands. 

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Calm in the Storm

Matthew 8:23-27

New International Version (NIV)

 ²³ Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. ²⁴ Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

 ²⁶ He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

 ²⁷ The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him! ” (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%208:%2023%20-%2027&version=NIV)

Originally I was going to use this scripture with my blog from yesterday but chose to save it until today.  Look at the first word in this passage, it says “then”.  If we look prior to this passage we see that Jesus had just told two different people that living a life with Him would be very difficult, not an easy road and then He takes His disciples out on a boat.

I can just imagine that this rough tough men were pretty proud of themselves because Jesus chose them and they thought they could weather the storm even if the teacher of the law couldn’t do it.  I could be wrong but the reason I think this is because of what happened next.  These men were really put to the test.  Have you ever felt confident in yourself, knew what direction you were going and truly felt satisfied and then bam, you are put to the test?  I have and I can imagine that is how these men felt as well.

Once on the waters a storm came up and they were tossed to and fro.  I can’t say that I know what that might have felt like because I have never had to weather a storm in a boat but I have seen “The Perfect Storm” and I can assure you that I would have been the first one down to wake up Jesus!  These men, whom I would imagine had been in numerous storms were terrified and they ran down to wake Him up.  The first words out of their mouths were, “Lord save us!”  Have you ever prayed that prayer or one similar?  Have you ever uttered the next words out of their mouths? “We’re going to drown.”  I may not have used those exact words but I have asked the Lord for help when I felt I was at the end of my rope and I think that is what the disciples did as well. 

What really surprises me about this passage was Jesus response, “You of little faith, why are you afraid?”.   Let’s stop and think about that for just a little bit.  These men were men that we read about earlier who left their nets when Jesus said “Come follow me”.  These were men that left their father to follow a man that had no place to lay His head.  I would not classify these men as men of little faith, would you?  To me these were men that were showing great faith by following someone into the unknown.  Yet as we read on we see that they still did not realize who this man really was.  In verse 27 they replied to the action of Jesus calming the storm with amazement wondering who this man was that could calm the storm.  I have always wondered why they even woke Him if they didn’t think He could calm the storm.  The obviously didn’t expect Him to calm the storm, I think they just wanted an extra set of hands on deck because they were surprised at what happened next. Or, maybe they thought He had a more direct contact with God, something people do when they ask the pastor to pray rather than doing it themselves.  What they didn’t realize was that He was God incarnate.

Where are you in the faith department?  As I shared yesterday sometimes I feel I am pretty strong in that area just like the disciples probably thought they were.  But, when the storms come our way that is when we really see where we are in the faith department.  That is when these words come blaring at me, “You of little faith”.  If our faith is strong enough no matter how strong the wind is our sail will not be destroyed.  No matter how strong the storm we recognize that we serve the One that is greater than the storm.

As you seek Him today, I trust that you will recognize that He is God and that He is not only the maker of the storms He is the calm within the storm.  Trust Him, that’s easy to say, but because of our lack of faith it is not always easy to do.  But, do it anyway, trust and obey, just as the hymn of old says, “for there is no other way to be happy is in Jesus but to trust and obey”.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

His Call

Matthew 8:18-27

New International Version (NIV)

The Cost of Following Jesus

 ¹⁸ When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. ¹⁹ Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

 ²⁰ Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

 ²¹ Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

 ²² But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%208:18%20-%2022&version=NIV)

Just as Jesus told the teacher of the law, He tells us too that it is costly to follow Him.  In today’s society and probably back in the days that Jesus walked on this earth it seems like we get so busy with our way of life that we forget who we are serving.  Many, many times we get so busy doing “things” that we don’t have time for the person that is needing a friend, a meal, a dollar, or just someone who will listen to their story.  So many times we begin to feel burdened with the burdens of others yet that was the ministry of Jesus, He healed the sick, He cause the lame to walk, the deaf to hear, and the mute to speak.  He didn’t come to have a fanfare of followers.  He didn’t come and live in the luxury of a home built for a king.  He came into this world, not in the comforts of a home but rather in the filth of a stable.  He chose to walk among the tax collectors and sinners, not with the rich and famous.  When one teacher of the law told Jesus he wanted to follow Him, Jesus immediately knew this man’s motives and He warns him that Jesus Himself had no place on earth that He could call home.  Then, another man wanted to just go back and bury his father and then he would go.  Does that sound familiar to you?  Lord, send me wherever you want me to go and I will do so as soon as the kids are grown, or my parents are no longer around, or my parents are in the care home or are home with you, and the list goes on and on.  “Jesus I will follow you not matter what, but just don’t let me lose my job.”  In this passage, Jesus is not trying to be insensitive but He needed to make a point that if these people were followers of Jesus Christ there would not be a reason or need to go back to the family that was apparently spiritually dead and they were most likely not going to change that status if he waited and went with Jesus after they were physically dead. 

We have some friends that spent some time as missionaries in another country.  She told me once that when they left the United States she had a brother who was very sick with kidney problems and she also had elderly parents.  She gave them over to the Lord and went and did His work.  He allowed her to see them again as they were all still living when she returned to the United States.  Jesus wants to bless us but He also wants us to set our priorities straight.  How are you doing with your priorities?  I know that mine are not always where they should be and I continually work at placing them where they need to be.  I haven’t written a blog for several days because my priorities were not where they needed to be.  I can use a lot of excuses but when it comes right down to it, my priorities were off.  The past several days I have felt like Paul must have felt when he said in Romans 7: 21 – 23   ²¹ “So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³ but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.” (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%207%20:%2021%20-%2023&version=NIV)

This past week has been very difficult for me.  In my heart and soul I know that God is working out a plan in and through me.  He knows my struggles, He knows my needs, and He knows me.  But, the world comes into play and I begin to view things the way the world would view them.  I have been looking for work and I had a very good prospect of a job that I thought I could be very successful in.  I was excited about the possibilities and then I was offered another job with a lot less hours and a lot less income with no benefits to speak of.  I took the job because the other one was not yet offered to me but I told them that there would be a possibility that I may be offered another job and didn’t want to surprise them if this happened.  Well, they hired me anyway and I really enjoy the work that I am doing.  But, I found out that the other position fell through and I didn’t get a second interview.  I want to just say that it is God’s will and I am very happy where I am at but at the same time I am frustrated and a war wages within me.  Why am I not good enough to at least get a second interview?  What am I not being considered for the job?  What have done to cause people to overlook me?  I have always strived to be the best employee that I could be.  Why? Why? Why?  I am frustrated that I feel that way when I know that God is in control.  Then, if that wasn’t enough I was told I needed to have surgery and I have no sick leave and I just started a job.  I know I am blessed, I know God will take care of me but yet I get frustrated.  Have you ever been there?  This is what is called spiritual warfare and satan loves these battles but you know what?  Satan is not going to win the war, he may win a few battles but the victory is in Jesus Christ our Lord!  I trust that today as you seek Him that you will see His faithfulness and that you too will be faithful to whatever and wherever He may be calling you,

Seeking Him with all my heart and striving to do His will,

Sheila    

Faith

Matthew 8: 5 – 13

⁵ When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. ⁶ “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”

 ⁷ Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”

 ⁸ The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁹ For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

 ¹⁰ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. ¹¹ I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. ¹² But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

 ¹³ Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.

( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%208:%205%20-%2013&version=NIV)

Faith, many say they have it but how many really do?  I once read a billboard that said something like, “Worry is a sign of lack of faith”.  I put quotations around that, I don’t know if that is exactly what it said but something like that and it hit me like a ton of bricks!  This centurion did not worry, but simply made a request of Jesus.  He realized that Jesus had the power to heal this man from a distance so that indicates that he recognized Jesus as the Lord.  This man knew that Jesus was present everywhere at the same time (omnipresent) and His physical body did not need to be present in order for the servant to be healed.  I would imagine this is what fascinated Jesus so much about this man.  His own disciples had not even recognized the deity of Christ yet this centurion did.

Could this be why Jesus begins talking about the weeping and gnashing of teeth in verses 11 – 12?  In Matthew 22:1 – 14 we read of another time when Jesus spoke of Heaven and how some would be thrown out.  ¹ Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: ² “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. ³ He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

   ⁴ “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

   ⁵ “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. ⁶ The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. ⁷ The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

   ⁸ “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. ⁹ So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ ¹⁰ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

   ¹¹ “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes.¹² He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.

   ¹³ “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

   ¹⁴ “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2022:%201%20-%2014&version=NIV)

Our Heavenly Father, claimed the Jewish people as His people but when He sent them their King, Jesus, they refused to recognize Him.  The leaders had Him crucified and others agreed with that decision.  After His resurrection He appeared to many and many believed.  He sent servants out to share their witness and we learn in the Bible how the early church grew in numbers on a daily basis.  These were not all Jewish but also the Gentile people.  Just as the servant invited the people in the parable Jesus told, so has our Heavenly Father invites us.  He has servants today who go and invite others to come to the wedding banquet.  Jesus commanded His disciples in Mark 16:15 – 17 ¹⁵ He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. ¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”  (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2016:%2015%20-%2016&version=NIV)

It is not our place to decide who are and who are not deserving of the Gospel but it is our duty and our privilege to share it with others.   More people than ever have been reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and many are believing and being baptized.  However, there are many who think that believing is all they have to do but did you know that even satan and his angels believe in the Son of God.  Many people think that just because they believe they will be going to Heaven.  They think their time on earth is for them to live the way they want and if it gets too bad they will send up a prayer.  These people are going to be the ones that will be asked to leave, even though they believed, they did not put on the wedding clothes.  Be careful, proclaiming to be a Christian and proclaiming Jesus Christ as Savior are two different things.  Have you proclaimed Jesus as your Lord and Savior? 

Remember the sign regarding worry?  The centurion had true faith because he knew that Jesus could heal this servant because of the deity of Christ.  When we worry we are not like the centurion because all of a sudden we are questioning God, doubting that our prayers will actually be answered in our favor.  We are doubting that He can heal or that He cares for us.  Don’t doubt, stand firm and believe that whatever is in store for you in this life is for your good, no matter how painful or awful it may be.  Put your hand in God’s hand and allow Him to lead you through life.  Then, when those horrible things do come your way you will be prepared to give it to the Lord just as the centurion did. 

Seek Him and know Him, trust Him and obey Him, clothe yourselves in the wedding apparel so that when you attend the wedding feast, you will not be the one asked to leave.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Healing

Matthew 8: 1 - 4

 ¹ When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. ² A man with leprosy^[a] came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

 ³ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. ⁴ Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%208:%201%20-%204&version=NIV)

Actions of Jesus

Jesus was coming down from the mountainside where He had just spoken to a multitude of people regarding how they should live their lives.  Can you picture it?  Crowds of people were around Him, He had just spoken to this multitude, and now someone is asking Him for healing.  I have had pastors say to me that after they preach they are totally exhausted, that preaching takes something out of them.  Some have said that they don’t even want to interact with others after preaching.  They have said it is hard for them to concentrate on what someone is saying to them because they are tired from preaching.   When I presented to large groups on educational matters for an entire day, I would become tired by the end of the day and I had to exert additional energy to listen to and answer questions of participants, so I kind of understand a pastors dilemma on this matter yet if you look at Jesus example, you see that He made the time to listen and care for His flock.  You don’t hear Him saying, “Come back later”, but rather He is willing to reach out His hand and touch an unclean body and cleanse this man.  I am not condemning pastors but rather trying to illustrate how this action came from One who is All powerful, All knowing, One that extends past this human body.  This was an act of our Heavenly Father.  Yet, it is also an example to all of us that when we exert the power of God over our own human power nothing is impossible. 

The Man’s Request

Now, let’s look at this man’s request, “If you are willing”.  This man wants more than anything to be healed.  Living a life with leprosy caused him to be disjointed from society, even his family and friends.  He had to live away, outside the city, he was quarantined.  Yet even at that he tells Jesus that he only want healed if it is the Lord’s will.  That is sometimes hard for us to say, rather we question why our request are not fulfilled.  This man was willing to live a life that was unclean but Jesus made Him clean.  I think it is important to note that at his healing, this was not a final action but only the beginning for this man.  Let’s take a look at what this healing really meant, was it merely a physical healing or were there spiritual implications to this healing?

The Man’s Actions

First of all he recognized Jesus as Lord.  Secondly, he then asked to be made clean.  Thirdly, he took action. This cleansing was not just of physical nature but of a spiritual nature.  I believe this to be true because Jesus tells him to go to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded.  Although the scripture does not tell us that he did this, it implies that he did by they way he requested the healing, “If it is your will”.  You can read about the gifts and the process in Leviticus 14: 1 – 32 and I would encourage you to do so.  There was a ceremonial process that had to be completed once he went to the priest but he couldn’t even go to the priest without first being healed of the disease.  In that process there was a sacrifice for both guilt and sin that this man needed to provide to the priest for complete restoration. 

How does this all relate to us in our society?  Have you ever asked for healing for yourself or someone else?  Have you ever been healed?  So many times I believe we get so caught up in how we feel, that we forget the teachings of our Heavenly Father.  We may hear that we need to love God with all our hearts and love our neighbor as ourselves. We may hear that we need to turn the other cheek, to not judge others, or that we should not worry and the list goes on.  But as soon as we hear the message we step outside the doors and do not take action.  Instead we say, “Lord, if only you will heal me, I will do all these things” for I don’t have patience with others because I feel bad, and I can’t help but worry because of my prognosis but if you will heal me, I will not worry and I will love others.”  Or, we may say, “It will be so much easier to proclaim you to the nations if you but heal me Lord”.  We tend to forget that healing begins when we recognize that all power comes from the will of God.  The man said, “Lord, if you are willing” he wasn’t talking about the willingness to heal his physical ailments he was saying, Lord if you are willing to forgive me.  Jesus said, yes, He was willing and to go and be forgiven and join back into the fellowship of believers. 

What are you asking to be healed from today?  Are you needing physical healing or spiritual healing?  In this man’s case, he had to be physically healed before he could experience the spiritual healing as Jesus had not yet fulfilled His purpose on this earth.  Today in our society we need first and foremost the spiritual healing for Jesus is our high priest.  We don’t need to be free from a disease to come to Him like the man in the scriptures.  We no longer have to avoid the priest before we are free from our disease, we no longer have to bring gifts and sacrifices in order to be restored to His fellowship because He paid the ultimate sacrifice for us.  Hebrews 4: 14 – 16 ¹⁴ “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,^[a] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%204:%2014%20-16&version=NIV)

Our Actions

We can approach His throne with confidence if we know Him.  We need to approach it to receive mercy, something we don’t deserve be we get it anyway.  We need to approach His throne to find grace, which is kindness and favor.  If we don’t have confidence to receive mercy and grace then we have not been cleansed by the blood of the lamb.  Take action today, if you don’t have this confidence, go to Him and confess that you know that He is LORD, that you recognize that He is the Savior of all, confess that you have been guilty unbelief and ask Him to forgive you so that you can have the confidence to approach His throne and receive mercy and grace.  Once you have received this mercy and grace you are now healed spiritually.  The leper had to be healed physically before he could be healed spiritually.  What is more important, physical healing or spiritual healing?  If you think that God can not heal, that praying to Him will not make you or someone you love whole, then you have not experienced the spiritual healing of the Lord and Savior. 

My Prayer

I pray today that if anyone reading this does not know of your spiritual healing that they would seek you Lord, that they would learn of your grace and mercy and they would know of the freedom of your love and your forgiveness.  I pray Lord that anyone who reads these words and does not know of this spiritual healing that you would speak to them today, I pray that they will sense your willingness to forgive and give peace and that they would be willing to heed your call and come to you.  In the precious and most holy name of Jesus I pray, AMEN.

Conclusion

Seek Him today, seek the Spiritual healing that only He can provide.  Physical ailments, although painful and limiting in nature no longer limit us from receiving the precious gift of our Lord.  Spiritual ailments keep us from Him, so ask Him today to heal you spiritually and through that healing the limitations of our physical needs will dim in His glory.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila  

The Rock

Matthew 7:24-27

New International Version (NIV)

    ²⁴ “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. ²⁵ 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. ²⁶But 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. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”  (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:24%20-%2027&version=NIV)

As a child I used to sing a song that spoke of the wise man that built his house upon the rock and the foolish man that built his house upon the sand.  I loved that song and I still sing it with my Sunday school children but the impact of what that song really means becomes more and more real to me everyday. 

The prophesy of Isaiah spoken so long ago is fulfilled through Jesus.  Isaiah 28:16 speaks of this foundation,  ¹⁶ So this is what the Sovereign LORD says:   “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2028:16&version=NIV)

No one on this earth has ever been more tested than Jesus.  Sometimes we think the devil has a hold on us but really, how many of us have ever gone 40 days without food and then turned down the offer of bread?  How many of us could have caused 10,000 angels to come and rescue us but didn’t call?  How many of us have said, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” after being beaten and hung on a tree?  Yes, each of us has had trials and tribulations but they dim in comparison to our Lord and Savior.  And, He, the one who really knows temptation, tells us that we need to build our foundation on the Lord.  We need to recognize that Jesus, the Son of God, the One who was there in the beginning, the one who lived a sinless life, the one who gave us these words of wisdom that we read today, Jesus, is our foundation. If we build upon Him those worries with disappear, those fears will be no more, and even in the storm, the winds won’t beat this old house down. 

As you seek Him today, remember who you are seeking and humble yourself to Him.  Ask Him to allow you to build upon Him and see the wonderfulness of Him become reality to you.  Are you putting His words into action?

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila  

Good Fruit versus Bad Fruit

Matthew 7:15-23 (New International Version)

¹⁵ “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. ¹⁶By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. ²¹ 

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15%20-%2023&version=NIV

Let’s think about this concept of a tree for just a little bit.  The entire status of our sinful nature hung on a decision regarding a tree and whether to eat the fruit from it or not.  The will of God was challenged when Adam took a bite of the forbidden fruit and all of our troubles began.  Now, Jesus is comparing the righteous and unrighteous by the fruit that they, the tree, bears.  I don’t know about you but I find that rather interesting. 

The first verses I thought of when I was reading this scripture was the fruit of the Spirit found Galatians 5:22-23,

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%205:22%20-%2023&version=NIV)

This is a very good passage to refer to when considering the difference between a good fruit and a bad fruit.  However, I began to think, when Jesus spoke these words, the Galatians passage had not yet been written.  So, what was Jesus referring to when He said these words?  I decided to look for “fruit” in the concordance and see what scriptures Jesus might have been referring to when He spoke of the fruit.

I found two scriptures that I would like for us to consider.  The first one I would like us to look at is found in Proverbs 11:30   ³⁰ “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.” (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2011:30&version=NIV)  As I looked at this scripture I could certainly see a comparison to what Jesus said and what Solomon had to say.  The tree of life is eternal life with Him.  Jesus tells us that there are trees that bear good fruit and trees that bear bad fruit.  You could gain the whole world but if you have not done so through the will of the Father but rather on your own will and desires then you can be assured you will bear bad fruit.  Solomon nor Jesus said that it will be easy to bear the good fruit but it is what will give us life, eternal life with Him.

The second passage of scripture I would like for us to consider is Psalm 1:1 – 3 ¹ “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 
² but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. 
³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.”  (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%201:%201%20-%203&version=NIV) Jesus tell us that we can recognize good by the fruit that is produces.  David tells us that a person who bears good fruit is one who finds delight in the Lord.  Someone who remembers God’s laws at all times because someone who meditates on the law isn’t so much concerned about what others think but what the Father thinks.  He tells us that these people will prosper.  Now, many times when we think of prospering we think of someone who has a lot of money, a successful businessman or woman but success in God’s eyes is not measured by the amount of money we earn.  As I read on in Psalms I realized what David meant when he said they would prosper.  Look at Psalm 1: 6  ⁶ “For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, 
   but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.” (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%201:%206&version=NIV)

Now, I have seen many unrighteous men who have become rich and famous.  When we farmed we would see our crops hailed out year after year while others who had no regard for God had great crops.  Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:45b  “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205:45&version=NIV)  The wonderful and most satisfying point that I am trying to make is that which David made in Psalm 1:6, the LORD watches over those who are righteous.  Even though we did not have the bumper crops, there was never a day that we went to bed hungry or had to lay our head on a stone instead of a pillow.  The Lord carried us through difficult times and He provided fur us.  Are you living a righteous life?  Are you walking in the way of our Lord?  Are you seeking God’s will in everything that you do?  If the answer is “yes”, then rest assured He will take care of you.  Seek Him daily and meditate on His words and remember that He cares for you.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

All Nations Standing Before the Throne of Grace

Matthew 7:13-14

New International Version (NIV)

¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.  (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:13%20-%2014&version=NIV)

Have you ever wondered why Christians don’t seem to have any rights?  There are other religions and other causes that seem to have more rights than the Christian.  I think this verse explains the reason why.  Many people choose the road to destruction, many people walk down that wide road but very few actually follow the narrow road that leads to life.  Jesus tells us that only a few will find it. 

Because so few find it, we have been promised in the word of God that we will be persecuted for His name sake.  II Timothy 3:12  “¹² In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, ¹³ while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Timothy%203:12%20-%2013&version=NIV)  First of all, we will be persecuted, some more than others.  It may be that our rights  are overlooked, or we don’t get a promotion at work, we are harassed, or as severe as being imprisoned and tormented, we will be persecuted.  How have you been persecuted?

Note also, that Timothy mentions imposters.  Not everyone who proclaims to be a Christian really is.  In the church today we have people who pose as Christians, even have people come in to the church to deceive the church and some even work the church for their money.  Christ warns us of this in Matthew 24:4 – 5  ⁴ Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁵For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2024:%204%20-%205&version=NIV) .  If you read on in Matthew 7: 7: 21 – 23 you will see that not everyone who claims to be a follower is and that they will be met at the day of judgment by our Lord saying they never new Him.  ²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’   My dad cautioned me when I went off to college not to just fall for anything that implied it was a Christian organization.  He always taught me to search the word and find answers to questions I might have concerning what someone was telling me.  Many are out there who can speak well and who can convince others that they know best but how many are doing it for the glory of God rather than their own glory.  Be cautious.  I know my intent of writing this blog is to give God the glory, to grow in Him but you do not know my heart, do you?  Don’t take the words that I write as the gospel truth but search the scriptures.   If you read nothing from my blog except the scriptures and you pray and ask God to reveal to you what He was saying, I would be grateful.   I believe that God is allowing me to write these words down and is giving them to me as I write but you need to search the scriptures for yourself, you need to pray and ask Him to reveal to you what He has for you, you need to make sure that I am telling the truth, go ahead, I hope you will take these words that I write and test them. 

Back to the narrow gate, in Revelation 3 Jesus reveals to John about those in the church at Sardis.  Maybe you can identify with it.  Maybe you are in a church that is much like this church, I know you live in a world that is like this church.  Read what He has to say, Revelation 3: 2 – 6 ² Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. ³ Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

 ⁴ Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. ⁵ The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. ⁶Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%203:%202%20-%206&version=NIV)

What about you?  Are your clothes soiled?  Are you sleeping?  Jesus calls us to repent.  I want to be one that has unsoiled clothes.  Those unsoiled clothes have been washed by the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ who took the penalty of my sin upon Himself when He took them to the cross.  I have repented and I believe I will be standing with the great multitude that is mentioned in Revelation 7:9 – 10

⁹ After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. ¹⁰ And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%207:%209%20-%2010&version=NIV)

You see, the gate is narrow and the road is narrow but that doesn’t mean that everyone is not welcomed.  You must first wake up, then listen, then receive what you have heard and repent.  I know that if you are reading this you have heard, I pray that you will listen, I pray that you will receive it and I humbly pray that you will repent, if you have not already done so.  I want to see all of you that have read this blog someday in Heaven.  Those of you from Russia, Germany, Malaysia, Columbia, South Korea, Latvia, Seychelles, and the United States, I want to see you in that crowd of all nations coming together before the Throne of Grace, praising God because of the salvation that He has brought to us.  Praying that you will Seek Him and Know Him with all your heart.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila