Wednesday, February 29, 2012

When is the Right Time to do Good?


Matthew 12:9-14

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

9 Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, 10 and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

11 He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.



Jesus answered the Pharisees question and then proceeded to do as He had spoken.  What do you think the Pharisees would have said if He would have given them the answer that He did and then walked right by the man with the shriveled hand?  They did not like that He did heal the man but if He would have said it was okay to do good and then walked by, they would have been able to trip Him up and that is what they were wanting to do.  I think sometimes there are people brought into our lives trying to do the same thing.  Whether it is a work, at school or even at church we have people watching us closely, listening to what we say and then waiting to see if we practice what we say or not. 

I have heard it from the mouths of people for a long time, “I don’t want to go to church, it is just full of hypocrites.”  What I hear people saying is that they watch the lives of others and see that they are not any different than themselves, but what they don’t know is that they are forgiven.  Does that give us the license to just do as we please? Do it mean that we can do things the way we want?  Can we  be one person at church, another at work, and still another at home?  Absolutely not!  We are forgiven, all the more reason to be the same no matter where we are.  If we think that it gives us a license to sin then we need to go back to yesterday’s blog where we looked at taking up our cross DAILY.  It doesn’t say, “take up the cross on Sunday” it says DAILY. 

Where are you today?  Do you see yourself saying what you mean and doing what you say or are you the one that says what you say and if you feel like it you might even take your own advice? 

 As you seek Him and find Him may you share with others through words and even more importantly through your actions.  Remember, just as the Pharisees did to Jesus so others will do to you, they are listening, watching, and waiting for you to slip up.  Jesus forgives but others may not.  Let’s demonstrate Christ love as we seek Him and we find Him, seeking Him with all our hearts.


Seeking Him with all my heart,



Sheila

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Sacrifice or Mercy?


Matthew 12:1-8

New International Version (NIV)

1 At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. 2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”

3 He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. 5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? 6 I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. 7 If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’  you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2012:1%20-%208&version=NIV)

As I read this scripture I got a little stuck on the passage regarding David eating the consecrated bread.  I could not find where that I was recorded in scripture but finally found a passage in I Samuel 21: 2 – 6 where it speaks of an incident where David went to a priest and asked for five loaves of bread.  Not having “normal” bread the priest gave David the consecrated bread for him and his men.  It is an interesting read but it is not really what I think Jesus wanted to focus on.
As I read it again I noted that Jesus said to the Pharisees. “Haven’t you read . . .”    I had to think of Him saying those words to me, when I ask those questions.   How? When? What? Why?  There are so many things in the Word of God that I haven’t read.  So many answers that I have just let set on the shelf.  A perfect example is the scripture I spoke of in the previous paragraph.  The men Jesus was talking to were learned men, men who should have known of this incident, who are supposed to be knowledgeable of the Word of God, yet Jesus has to remind them and even questions them on how much they really did know. 
As I have been writing this blog I have prayed about the scriptures that I am reading.  I have asked the Lord to reveal His teaching to me.  When I have had questions, I have asked for clarification.  Invariably He has pointed me to a scripture that made it so clear to me.  Why did I do this?  I did it because I didn’t want to rely on man to give me the answers but to truly search the Word and know that God was teaching me through the experience.  Has He revealed new things to me?  Not in the sense that I have new revelations because God is clear that there are no new revelations.  But He has certainly made me see scripture in a different light Scriptures have come to life to me.
This passage is no exception.  I have read this scripture many times and thought how Jesus put those Pharisees in their place.  Well today, it put me in my place.  It doesn’t matter how much we know, it matters if we know what it means.  It matters if we practice what Jesus is teaching here.  How many times are we quick to judge others, condemn those who don’t follow all the social norms that are expected?  Jesus says He desires mercy.  What is mercy?  Mercy – price paid.  Have you had to pay a price for your salvation?  If your answer is no, think again.  In Matthew 10:38 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2010:38&version=NIV)  Oh wow, we are so quick to say that Christ took up His cross and we are to follow suit.  Not just once but daily!   I have always been taught that Jesus sacrificed His life for my sins and that is true as He was the sacrificial lamb but yet I have to think, in light of this scripture that it was not so much a Sacrifice but an act of Mercy.
 Galatians 2:20 is my life verse,  20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  It is a verse that I need to remember, daily.  That verse means to me that I have to die to myself each day, “I” is gone.  How does that relate to mercy?  Showing mercy to others means that I put their needs before my own, just as Christ did for each of us.  First and foremost I must put Christ before me.  When we show mercy, the death of “I” really isn’t a sacrifice, it is mercy.  It is pure joy just like I said in the blog yesterday.  It is not heavy, it is light.  When we “give up” something it is a sacrifice and we may even be burdened by the absence of it but when we show mercy we aren’t giving up, we are gaining our life.  Remember Matthew 10:39  39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.  (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2010:39&version=NIV)
That puts a whole new perspective on what it means to live, doesn’t it?  If your life is what you are looking for then you have just lost it.

My challenge for us today is this, as we are in the season of Lent, many reading this may have given something up for the occasion.  As you practice this be reminded that Christ is more interested in mercy than He is in sacrifice.  As I read a Facebook comment the other day someone suggested that instead of giving something up, they were going to do something more for others.  That is a great practice but one that needs to be done on a daily basis not just during lent.  Remember to take up your cross daily and follow in Christ footsteps.  Begin now to learn to Mercy.  As you seek Him and you find Him may you truly find your life.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila


Monday, February 27, 2012

Humbly or Grumbly?


Matthew 11:25-30

New International Version (NIV)

 25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011:25-30&version=NIV)


There is one major theme in this scripture that radiates and makes me rejoice.  What is that theme?  Our Father is in control!!!!!  Wow, when we really realize that He is in control what a weight is taken off of our shoulders. 

 I want you to take special note of verses 28 – 30.  Jesus is very clear when He tells us that when we are weary and burdened we need to come to Him to get rest.  How many of us have become weary and burdened and blamed it on the work we were doing for the Lord?  I believe that if we are burdened by the task at hand then we might want to look at our motivation for doing the work. 

 What fascinates me more than anything though is that Jesus says His yoke is easy.  Think about the yoke of the cross that He carried.  How was that easy?  He says that His burden is light?  Do you think the cross was light?  No, probably not but we can learn from Jesus in His time of trials.  He was gentle, He was kind.  You don’t hear Him cursing those who are persecuting Him but rather you hear Him asking His Father to forgive Him. 

 I have served in our local church for years, since I became a part of the church.  I have taught the little ones through the teens.  I have served the elderly and have helped those who were going through trials.  When I have truly been in the will of God, when I have truly given it all over to Him, this service was not burdensome, it wasn’t heavy, it was a JOY, a JOY beyond happiness.  Was I sometimes tired when I began the task, of course, but in the end I was rejuvenated and happy that I could serve Him.  I can remember being tired from a full day of work and the needing to go and teach several energetic elementary age children on Wednesday night.  We had very few helpers and I would be so tired from a hard day at work but by the time I went home I was energized and so happy I had been there.  What about you?  Are you rejuvenated when you serve Him or are your worn out and cranky?  If it is the latter, that is the time we need to re-evaluate what we are doing and who we are doing it for.

 Jesus was humble, let me say that again, humble.  He who was God, incarnate, was humble.  Now that is a lesson for all of us to learn.  Do you serve humbly or grumbly?  Today as you search your heart, as you learn from Him, may you find joy and peace, may you find that you are serving Him and are refreshed.



Seeking Him with all my heart,



Sheila


Saturday, February 25, 2012

Repentance


Matthew 11:20-24
New International Version (NIV)

20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.  For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011:%2020-24&version=NIV)

The question of why Jesus healed has come up in my blogs before and here it is again.  Jesus says it again, that His purpose of healing was for the spiritual welfare of the people.  He longed to see people repent yet we find that in the cities where He performed these miracles, where He revealed His greatness, the people did not repent.  I have to think of America when I read this scripture.  When I think of how America was founded it reminds me of the time of the Israelites took hold of the Promised Land.  There were relatively few people fighting against the large British army yet the few prevailed.  They prevailed because God was with them.  The country has been free to worship God where and when they want.  They have been given freedom of religion.  On our coins we have written, “In God We Trust” yet have we repented?  In contrast there are other countries where citizens have to worship in secret, have been persecuted for their belief in a Christ, who has lost family members to imprisonment or even death because of their faith.  Are these countries spiritually healthy?   Would they have welcomed the freedoms that God gave America?  Have they repented?  I believe that He might say the same things to the churches of America as He said to the cities of Chorazin or Bethsaida, “woe to you.”  Why is it that those who are blessed the most are less likely to repent?  Is it because we come to except the blessings of God rather than cherish them? 
I recently prayed to the Lord that my body was His and was letting Him have full reign.  I then went into surgery for some extensive work only to wake up and find that they had not done the work that they intended to do.  I was happy to not have extensive surgery but was a little perplexed at why they did not find what they had expected. This frustrated me but why?  I had prayed that God had full control so I should have just been happy for the healing and thankful that He chose to not reveal any problems to the exceptional surgeon that worked on me.  I wonder sometime if we are all like this.  We ask, we are given, we complain.  Hummm, do you think it should be more like, we repent (feel bad because of our sin), we are forgiven, we rejoice.  Which one describes you?  Are you complaining or rejoicing.
As you seek Him may you find that He is above all, more wonderful than words and that you need to repent and be glad as you serve the One who has forgiven you.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila


Thursday, February 23, 2012

Actions Speaks Louder than Words


Matthew 11:7-19

New International Version (NIV)

7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.

16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

17 “‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.” (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011:%207%20-%2019&version=NIV)

Before I begin writing about this scripture I would like to preface my words.  I have never been one to interpret correctly the intent of an author or the true meaning of what they said.  I can remember in school having to answer the question, “In your opinion what does the author mean in this passage?”  It really wasn’t my opinion because the answer would have been correct if it were but instead I would be told I was completely wrong regarding the authors intent or motivation of the passage.  As I read this scripture I began to contemplate what Jesus meant in this passage as it doesn’t quite seem to make sense to me.  As I read and re-read and prayed that the Lord would show me what He meant, the following thoughts came to my mind.  I tried to verify my thoughts through explanations in a commentary but did not find the same explanations.  I would urge you to think about it and pray about it and see what God might be telling you.

When I left off we had just witnessed an encounter with Jesus and John the Baptist’s disciples.  Now Jesus continues speaking to the crowd regarding John the Baptist.  He mentions how great John is and how he prepared the way for the Lord.  We read in Luke 1:44 how he leaped for joy in the womb of his mother Elizabeth when Mary greeted her.  He was a prophet but not just any prophet he was Elijah who was to come.  He doesn’t say he was like Elijah, he says that he was Elijah. 

Even though John the Baptist was a great prophet Jesus says that even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  Now, I began to wonder what He meant by this, “kingdom of heaven” because He mentions “kingdom of heaven” again in the next verse.  12 “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it.”  Most often when we see the words “kingdom of heaven” we think of heaven itself but I believe that Jesus is speaking of His time here on earth.  A portion of heaven came to earth, Elijah went to heaven in a whirlwind, II Kings 2: 11-12  11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.  (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Kings%202:%2011-12&version=NIV)  Then in Malachi 4: 5 we see that it is prophesied that he would return.  5 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi%204:5&version=NIV)   This is the evidence that I take to say that Jesus was speaking of the “kingdom of heaven” as the time when He and John were on this earth.  I believe this even more when He describes it as a time of “forceful men laying hold of it”.  A forceful man held John the Baptist in prison and forceful men took Jesus to the cross.  As He continues He speaks of how John the Baptist was in the desert and people looked down upon him.  They called him a demon.  Let’s face it, we ourselves may have rolled our eyes at a man that ate locust and wild honey, wore clothes that were clearly not in style, and isolated himself in the desert calling men to repent.  They made fun of John the Baptist and called him a demon because of his peculiar ways.  Thus, he was considered the least of all men in his time here on earth when the Kingdom of Heaven dwelt amongst men.  Jesus goes on to say that He Himself was scrutinized for His ways being called a glutton and a drunkard because He associated with the tax collectors and the sinners. 

Now, the key words for today, the last part of verse 7, “But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”   I wonder today how wise we truly are.  We see people who have little, who act strangely, who seem to be the “little people” of this day and age.  Some of those people claim to be Christians.  They walk in our church doors and seem to only want hand-outs.  They take our time and our energy and we become frustrated and tired of dealing with them.  We see them on the streets, asking for money, holding up signs about their dismay, walking the streets rather than cleaning up and looking for a job. “We can’t solve the world’s problems”, “we can’t help everyone,” we say.  “They may just spend the money on more alcohol or on drugs,”  “They won’t spend the money wisely,” “Look at where they are” but those words of Jesus come back to me, from Matthew 25:34 – 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, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’


John the Baptist, someone who Jesus said was greater than any other man born of woman was scrutinized and beheaded.  He was considered “least” by men of his day.  Jesus, God incarnate, was spat upon, beaten, and crucified.  Just as in the days that Jesus spoke those words, we too are like little children who do not always recognize why we are here or who we should be serving.   We don’t recognize when He has done something great for us.  We don’t see His mighty hand at work in our lives.  We don’t’ recognize those who He has placed before us to serve and to help.  As you seek Him and find Him may you realize that nothing is as great as knowing Him and nothing is more important than sharing Him with others.  Pray for wisdom today so that you may take the right actions in everything you do.



Seeking Him with All my heart,

Sheila


Wednesday, February 22, 2012

His Ways


Matthew 11:1-6

New International Version (NIV)



1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.  2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011:%201%20-%206&version=NIV)

 There are several points in this scripture and I thought about dividing it up but have chosen to go ahead and write on each of them. 

 Let’s first look at the first verse.  Jesus equipped the disciples by instructing them on what they needed to do and then sent them out.  Remember He sent them out to the Jews, not the Gentiles on in the towns of the Samaritans but to the lost sheep of Israel.  Like any good leader, Jesus did not just sit back and let them go and do the work, He Himself went out amongst the people.  I found it interesting that He went to the towns of Galilee so I did a little research on this region.  Interesting enough this is where Jesus ministry started and where He chose most of His first disciples.  As well, Jesus grew up in this region.  These were people who were not rich and worked hard labor such as ranching and fishing.  They were by no means the top of the social class who you would use to get to the top of the ladder but this is who Jesus chose to minister to.

Now John the Baptist was in prison and he must have been thinking that if Jesus was the Messiah that He should possibly be going into the political areas to minister.  How would He make it to the top if He just stayed in the Galilean area and ministered to the lowly folk.  It would be like the Presidential candidates only campaigning in the states such as Kansas where there are few electoral votes.  (I would not consider Kansas people as “lowly folks” since I am from Kansas but many people do think of us as “hicks from the country”).  However, it wouldn’t make much impact on their run for political office if they only stayed in one state.  Rather Presidential candidates travel from state to state and spend additional time in those states that can provide for them the most votes.  Rarely do we see candidates spend much time in Kansas.  I would imagine this is what it would have been like in the Galilean region as well.  John the Baptist began to wonder if this was really the Messiah even though he was the one that proclaimed Him as the Messiah, who witnessed God coming down on Him say, 17” And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17). (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%203:17&version=NIV)  He baptized Jesus and now he is beginning to question if He is who He claimed to be. 

Jesus then gives John’s disciples proof that He is who He says He is in verses 4 and 5.  Go back and read those verses.  Why do you think that Jesus would have chosen these words to speak to John?  Let’s go back a little further in Isaiah 61: 1 - 3 it reads, 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners  2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,  3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2061:1-3&version=NIV)

I can only imagine that when John heard the words from his disciples he was reminded of those words in Isaiah and  he knew immediately that Jesus was the Sovereign LORD.  John just needed that gentle reminder from Him.  Are you ever that way?  Do you sometimes need a gentle reminder to know that Jesus is our Sovereign Lord?  Every time I question Him and His ways I need that gentle reminder.  He continually reminds me of the words in  Isaiah 55:8, 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2055:8&version=NIV)
Even when I don’t understand, I know that He is in control.   

Looking at Matthew 11: 6 we see that we are blessed when we don’t stumble because of the Lord’s actions.  We need to stand firm and know He is God even when we don’t understand and we will be blessed.  As you seek Him and you know Him may you draw closer to Him in all circumstances and know that He is God.

Seeking Him with All my Heart,


Sheila

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Sharing the Reward



Matthew 10:40-42

New International Version (NIV)

40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2010:%2040%20-42&version=NIV)

As I read this passage my thoughts were on the ones that were to receive the message from the prophet, righteous man and the disciples.  If only they would receive, if only they would listen.  As I thought about this I began to remember that Jesus was not only talking to those who were to receive, He was talking to His disciples.  We have read in previous verses that He has told them about the persecution that they will endure.  He has told them that not everyone will receive them and now He is telling them that there will be those who will receive them, who will support them, and that these people are just as important in the Kingdom of God as they are. 

When Jesus speaks of welcoming the disciples, I believe He is talking about those who actually listen to and heed the words that the disciples have spoken.  I struggle with sometimes not being heard.  I have a relationship with Jesus Christ that I want others to hear but I not only want them to hear, I want them to heed the call to salvation.  I do not want them to hear me but I want them to hear the Father who gave me the opportunity to hear and to heed His call.  The problem I find most difficult to remedy is when people don’t want to listen.  Why do people not listen?  Maybe it is because they believe they are right, their ideas are better, they have a better solution or they just don’t plainly choose not to believe.  At that point we cannot be discouraged because we have done our part by speaking the truth and we must move on.  Just as those who welcome you will be welcomed by the Father, those who refuse to welcome you will not be welcomed by the Father.

Prophet, now that is a huge word.  Anyone who claims to be a prophet today may be looked upon as someone who thinks they know it all.  They may be looked upon in a negative light by those they are speaking to.  I would imagine that this was no different in Jesus time or in Old Testament times.  Many times prophets were not received well.  Then there is the prophet Jonah who did not want to be received well and pouted when people of Ninevah repented.  Why do you think He says that if a prophet is received the one receiving will be given a prophet’s reward?  Certainly Jonah did not want this for the evil people of Ninevah.  I believe that if people actually receive a prophet they too will proclaim the word of God.  They too, will share with others thus prophesying the Word of God.  If you are a prophet or have recognized a prophet and received him/her as a prophet what a great reward awaits you.

What does it mean to be a righteous man?  I have heard righteous described as “right-living”.  There are many people in this world who live the right way by the world’s standards.  They give to charity, they attend church on a regular basis, or they spend time with their family.  They treat others with respect and if they are sick they go to visit them.  They aren’t drunkards, swindlers, or unfaithful to their spouse.  They don’t say a bad thing about anyone.  They are truly good people.  Right-living in God’s eyes would mean that they live a life centered around Christ.  They are not perfect people but people who put Christ first in their lives.  They give up themselves and their desires to become what Christ would have them become.  A righteous man may be questioned regarding their motives, they may be mocked, ridiculed, and may be a lousy business man because they care more about others than they do about money.  Get the picture?  If you are a righteous person you don’t strive to make people see how great you are but how great your Father in Heaven is.  If you receive a person like this, there is no doubt that you too will become a righteous person and thus receive a righteous man’s reward.  If you care about others you will give that cup of cold water to the disciple of Jesus that comes knocking on your door. 

As you seek the Lord, He will give you prophets and righteous people so that you may welcome them and give them some cold water to drink.  But, will you welcome them and heed their words?

If you are a prophet or a righteous person, are you willing to share your reward?  I trust you won’t have to learn the lesson of Jonah but will freely share what has been freely given to you.



Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila


Monday, February 20, 2012

When He Calls


Matthew 10:34-39

New International Version (NIV)



34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’



37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.


Have you ever been told or just assumed that if you accepted Christ as your Savior that all would be well and you would never have any other problems?  If you have thought that, you might want to examine this scripture.  Jesus is clearly telling His disciples that the road will not be easy.

I have been fortunate to be raised in a Christian family and accepting Christ was the right thing to do but there are some countries where this is a shame to the family just as it was in Christ time.   I have met people in the past who have told how they had to give up everything to follow Jesus.  They were from families who did not agree with the Christian faith and they took the risk of even being put to death because of their belief in a risen Savior.  It is so hard to fathom that how a family would disown one of their own because of their faith in Christ.  I believe what Jesus wants us to realize is that our faith is our own.  It is not our families’ faith, it is not a decision we make lightly and then continue to live the way we have for years.  Accepting Christ is a sacrifice we make to deny ourselves and follow Him.

The Jewish people didn’t not want to claim Jesus as their Messiah because He wasn’t what they expected in a King.  He was rejected by the leaders of the church because of His proclamations.  On one occasions  Jesus own family came to visit Him while He was ministering to a group of people and He did not receive them, look in Mark 3: 31 – 3 New International Version (NIV)  31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” 33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. 34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%203:31%20-%2035&version=NIV)

This is a perfect example of putting your Father above your family.  Do you think it was easy for Jesus to not leave the room and go greet His family?  If you note, He looked around the circle and He saw people who were hungry for His words and then claimed that these are the ones He was there to serve and continued in His ministry.  So many times we think that we will minister until it affects our relationship with our family.  We have to have “family time” so if a tragedy comes on a Friday night during “family time” we cannot respond because it might harm our family, it might damage our children, and cause bitterness.  Yes, it might and I think that is why Jesus says that some family members will turn away from you, there may be strife but the question is, “Are we doing the will of the Father?”  If we are here to please others and not God then we need to get our priorities straight.  I don’t know what Christ is calling you to do that is out of the ordinary.  But I do know that if we truly pick up our cross and follow Him on a daily basis, there may be things that we really don’t want to do because our comfort zone is being invaded.  That is most likely the time that we need to act and do as He asked.

As you seek Him, remember, He is your Father in Heaven and He cares for you.  Nothing that man does, whether family, friend or foe can ever separate you from the love of the Father. 



Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Have You Acknowledged Him?



Matthew 10:32-33

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

32 “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

I wonder sometimes how many people have really taken this scripture to heart.  It is plain and simple that we need to acknowledge Jesus so that He can acknowledge us before the Father.  In other words we need to proclaim Jesus as Lord to others so that more may come to know Him.  Sometimes that is very difficult to do because we are somehow afraid of what their reaction will be.  It is easy for me to sit and type my thoughts out and let those who want to read them be able to do so.  It is another thing to bring Christ up in a public setting where others may disregard you as crazy.  It is also pretty easy to proclaim Jesus as Lord in the Church setting.  Answering all the Sunday school questions the way we are supposed to but it is another thing to walk outside the church and walk the way you want to walk, disregarding what you might have said in Sunday school.  I have had several people say that they don’t go to church because all the people are hypocrites.  They don’t want to be labeled that way and they certainly don’t want to associate with people who say one thing on Sunday morning and by Monday morning they have forgotten all the right answers and have gone back to the business character.

I have seen this type of action from people in church who proclaim to be Christians within the confines of the church building but act very differently when they step out the door.  I believe in these scriptures Jesus is not speaking of the acknowledgement that we so often do as Christians.  We acknowledge Him by going forward on Sunday morning to proclaim Him as your Lord.  We may go forward in church if there is an altar call, we may go forward in church and kneel and pray during worship time, we may be baptized to represent our new life in Christ but if we walk out of the church doors and disregard God for the rest of the week, we are not acknowledging Him amongst men and Jesus is clear that if we disown Him we will be disowned.

I have a family member who keeps posting things on Facebook that are of atheistic nature.  His main target is on how Christians portray themselves in public.  He has been hurt by Christians  and  thus has turned away from God.  It is disheartening to think that he is denying the Father amongst men.  Of course he puts the blame on others but in the end it is ultimately his decision.  We need to be careful to be the same person inside the church as we are on the outside.  Putting up a fake front within the confines of the church ends up driving people away.  People watch those who claim to be Christians.  They watch how we interact with each other, how we interact with our business partners, how we talk, what we drink, where we go, what movies we watch, if you are a Christian they need to see that you are different from them.  When they see that you are different and they see that it is good, they are more apt to want to learn how they can become a Christian.  But if they see someone who grumbles all the time, never smiles, and just plainly does not seem to be happy, they are not going to want that type of life and I don’t blame them.  We must set ourselves apart from this world but we need to display to the world that Jesus is Lord of all and that no one can come to the Father except through Him.  We need to let them see our light shine for Him.  They need to see that we know where we are going and that it is a joy to serve the Lord.  Will everyone like and appreciate us?   No, but we will be less likely to turn people away from the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Remember, in this passage He is instructing His apostles on the task He has for them to complete as He sends them out amongst non-believers.  We are instructed in the same manner. 

Challenge:

Seek Him daily, worship with believers as often as possible and then go out and share with others what His as done for you through actions and words.



Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila