Serving Those He Loved

John 21:1-14

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

21 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples,  by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: ² Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. ³ “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

⁴ Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

⁵ He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

⁶ He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”  When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

⁷ Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. ⁸ The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. ⁹ When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

¹⁰ Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”

¹¹ Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. ¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. ¹⁴ This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2021:1%20-%2014&version=NIV1984)

I love this story because I see it as one in which the disciples show a true brotherhood to one another and because Jesus shows His love, in a simple way, to His disciples.

This story shows how the disciples had reacted to the trauma they had recently gone through, they stuck together.  When one wanted to go out and fish, they all decided to go along.  He wasn’t just doing a little morning or afternoon fishing along the seashore; he was getting in a boat at night and was going to fish until he caught something, even if it took all night.

About the time he was ready to give up and come in, a man on the shoreline tells them that they are fishing off the wrong side of their boat.  Rather than questioning His authority, they cast their nets on the other side and they caught fish, lots of fish!  When they came ashore, breakfast was being prepared for them.  The wood had been gathered and the fire was going, ready to cook some fresh fish.  I would imagine that if coffee was the breakfast drink, it would have been perking!  It reminds me of a camping scene!!!

 Have you ever seen any other passages in the Bible that have spoken about Jesus preparing the food?  There are many stories regarding Him eating with others but I don’t recall a time, other than this,  where Jesus was actually prepared the fire, cooked, and ate a meal with the disciples or anyone else.  I think of times they sat around the table and were served, or when He took the fish and broke it and served it to many, but in this story He was actually cooking the food.  It warms my heart to see Jesus in this story as one who cares for the physical needs of His followers, a king, who would lower Himself to the position as chief cook.  Just think about it, wouldn’t it be so cool to have Jesus sitting at our campfire, gathering wood, and cooking for us?  Jesus, the risen King, became a cook in order to meet the needs of His disciples. 

What about us?  Are we willing to lower our status, to get are hands dirty for those who are around us whom we call our friends?  Or do we grumble and complain when we are asked to do the less desirable task of serving others.

As you seek Him, remember that even He humbled Himself for the sake of His friends and for our sake.  We too should do likewise, go and serve those who are our enemies but remember to stick close to those who believe as you and serve them as you serve Him together.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila 

Ordinary People with Extraordinary Experiences

Luke 24:13-36

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹³ Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶ but they were kept from recognizing him.

¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸ One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

¹⁹ “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹ but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. ²² In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³ but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴ Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”

²⁵ He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”  ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

²⁸ As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. ²⁹ But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

³⁰ When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹ Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. ³² They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

³³ They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together ³⁴ and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” ³⁵ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Two ordinary men walking down the road were about to have an extraordinary experience.  As they were walking a man appeared to them wondering what they were so intently talking about.  As the events are told, these men, followers of Christ reveal what little they really knew about the Christ.  They said He was a prophet and that He was powerful in word and deed before God and people.  They only had a hope that He was the One that had come to save them.  They were downcast because in their eyes their hope had just be crucified and now they need to decide what they are going to do next.

I don’t know anything about these men except that they must have been followers of Christ.  They weren’t among those closest to Jesus but I would imagine they listened to His words on more than one occasion.  They believed He was a great man but their eyes were not opened to who He really was.  He explained to them all about the scriptures that spoke of the Messiah and yet they still did not realize that He was right there beside them.  It was not until they broke bread that they realized it was Him and then He disappeared.

Have you ever wanted to kick yourself because of a missed opportunity?  I would imagine this is how these men must have felt after they realized they had the opportunity to bow down and worship the King of kings and yet they had not realized who He was among them.  After He left they realized how their hearts had been burning yet they were not listening to their hearts as He talked to them and explained the scriptures to them. 

Once these men realized who they had spoken to they quickly made the seven mile trip back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples.  Remember, they walked seven miles, ate, and then returned seven miles to get back to the disciples.  They had some news that they could not wait to share with the others.   

These were ordinary men that Jesus appeared to.  These were men that had sat under His instruction and really believed He was a good man, a prophet, and had hope that He was their King.  Yet, they did not yet realize that He was the Son of God that came to save.

My question to you today is this, “Do you believe?”  Have you sat and listened to the Word being proclaimed yet didn’t recognize the Christ?  Have you experienced His mighty hand and been witness to His greatness yet when troubles come you become downcast and begin to grumble and complain about your circumstances?   We are all ordinary people and we most likely have been downcast from time to time but when we seek Him, He will reveal Himself to us and we can have extraordinary experiences through Christ.  Recognize Him for who He is, don’t be like these men who found that they had been in the presence of God and had not even realized it until He was gone.

Seek Him and know that He is God.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila 

Light Brings Joy and Happiness

John 3:16-21

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹⁶ “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world  to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned,  but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

¹⁹ This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. ²¹ But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:%2019-21&version=NIV1984)

This past weekend I was with my daughter and her family. Through the eyes of my granddaughter, once again I was reminded of how God uses the little ones to teach us and remind us of His word.   On Sunday morning we were headed to church and she told us that we were following the sun.  We were headed east so as far as she could tell we were just going in the same direction that the sun was.  I was reminded by those words that yes, indeed, we should be following the Son, the Son of God.  Her dad was directly in front of us but she did not say, we are following daddy, she said we were following the sun and God’s word tells us how important it is to follow the Son of God.

Another statement that she made was, “It is light outside, it is happy outside” referring to the fact that the sun was shining.  I thought it rather amazing that a, not yet three year old, would recognize the difference between lightness and darkness.  In the Word of God Jesus equates lightness with knowing Christ and darkness with being of this world. 

In the scripture reading today, I was struck by the words regarding the reason why those living in darkness do not come to the light, “for fear their deeds will be exposed.”  Have you ever heard, or even said, “God can’t forgive me because my sins are too bad” or maybe, “I can’t go to church because God would strike me down as soon as I put my foot in the door, because of all that I have done”?  People who say these things  are living in the darkness, what they are really saying is that they do not want their sins exposed to God or anyone else and what they don’t realize is that their sins have already been exposed to God and probably man as well.  If God was going to strike them down, He doesn’t need a church to do it in.  What sins have not been exposed will be exposed in the end and everyone will realize the impact of Romans 2:23, ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%203:23&version=NIV1984)

Those living in darkness are being fooled by satan just as Eve was fooled by him.  We have heard it said, What goes on in Vegas stays in Vegas,”  I am sure many have found out that is a lie and satan is telling those who live for this world the same thing.   He is saying, “What goes on in this world, stays in this world?” He makes them believe that in this afterworld everything will be the same.  They will have the sinner’s club in hell and it will be one big party.  He makes them think that if they just stick with him, they will not have to face the judgment of God.  Many are living in darkness, and Jude 5 and 6 tells of their fate, ⁵ Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. ⁶ And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.  (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude%205%20-%206&version=NIV1984)

I urge you, if you are living in darkness find someone who is living by the Light and listen to the words of the Lord, and believe on His name.

Even a two year old can recognize the difference between lightness and darkness, even a two year old knows the importance of light and the happiness it brings.  Come as a child, believe as a child, Jesus tells us, Matthew 18:3, ³ And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2018:3&version=NIV1984)

As you seek Him, remember, that the ONLY WAY to the Father is through the Son.  Follow the Son for He is Light and He will bring you much joy and happiness.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

The Plan

John 19:11

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹¹ Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2019:%20%2011&version=NIV1984)

Proverbs 21:29-31

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

²⁹ A wicked man puts up a bold front,
    but an upright man gives thought to his ways.

³⁰ There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan
    that can succeed against the Lord.

³¹ The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
    but victory rests with the Lord.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2021:29-31&version=NIV1984)

As I read these verses I had to think of the upcoming Presidential election here in the United States of America.  But it can also apply to anywhere in this world whether you have elections or your government is appointed for you.  It can be valid in our churches whether we are democratically run or elder run.  The point in this lesson is very clear, God is in control but that doesn’t mean our actions are always His will.

Although we may be able to point out a wise man from a wicked man by his mannerisms, there is one thing we know for sure, it is God who gives the wisdom, who gives the insight, and who makes the ultimate plan.  As I think about this I have to think about myself and how that applies to me. 

I can look back on my life and contemplate what would have happened, “if . . .”  but it doesn’t change one thing.  I can wonder why I made the decisions I made, but it doesn’t change those decisions.  I can rest assured that no plan I made for myself, no wisdom I have gained, no insight that I have had, has ever been by my own power.  No matter what, God is in control, He is the One who is preparing us for what lies ahead.  Jesus knew the plan, He had the power to make any changes to that plan that He wanted but He chose to stick to the plan that brought victory.

The Pharisees had their plan as well.  From the beginning of Jesus ministry, when they saw that their power was being overpowered, they began to plot against Jesus.  Jesus knew their hearts before He ever came to this earth. He knew their wicked ways before they ever became wicked.  He knew their plans before they did and He prevailed.

Today as we contemplate the best man for the job as President.  As we listen to their debates and the debates of the people that support them, we need to remember to choose the one that we believe is the wisest.  We need to choose the one that we believe is not putting up a bold front.  Then, we need to pray for that person, that he will be guided by the Lord our Savior and will guide our country as a facilitator not a ruler.  That he won’t fall into the trap as the Pharisees of the power of being in leadership but that the person elected will submit to God and would lead in the ways of our Father.  We need to pray that he will remember that God is in control and our country is only here because of the One who created it, who created us. 

As you seek Him, look at how He has had the power in your life, let Him know that you are thankful that He is in control.  Ask for wisdom, discernment, and an accepting heart to His will.  Jesus knew the plan and He followed the plan even though it led Him to the cross.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

It’s Not What We Do but Who We Know

Luke 10:1-20

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

10 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. ² He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. ³ Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. ⁴ Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

⁵ “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ ⁶ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. ⁷ Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages.   Do not move around from house to house.

⁸ “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you.  ⁹ Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’ ¹⁰ But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ¹¹ ‘Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you.  Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’  ¹² I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

 ¹³ “Woe to you,  Korazin! 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, sitting in sackcloth  and ashes. ¹⁴ But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. ¹⁵ And you, Capernaum,  will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths.

¹⁶ “He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

¹⁷ The seventy-two  returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

¹⁸ He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹ I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. ²⁰ However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2010:%201%20-%2020&version=NIV1984)

Often times in this life of ours we get so very excited about what God has done through us.  We begin to rejoice at the accomplishments that we have had on this earth. Whether it is something very small or large we seem to think that God is wonderful because of the work He has done through us.  Today we look at a passage that tells us that is not where our excitement should be focused and it brings us back to our human state. 

Seventy-two disciples were sent out, not just the twelve closest to Jesus.  Seventy-two experienced what it is like to have the power of the Lord with them as they traveled throughout the region proclaiming the Kingdom of God was near.  Do you know who else proclaimed this?  John the Baptist, but now he is imprisoned and is just about to be executed so Jesus appointed others to spread the Good News of the coming of the Lord.  How often do we proclaim this today?  How often do we do as these disciples and put our entire trust in Him?  When we do proclaim Him to others do we seem to carry our own baggage as we spread the Good News?  Do we get excited because of what we have accomplished in the Lord’s name or do we get excited because He chose us as a tool for His Glory?  We know what that answer should be but somehow we often bring it back to ourselves, just like these disciples did.  They were excited about what they had accomplished tagging on “in Jesus name”.  But Jesus reminds them and He reminds us today that there is more to life than the life on this earth.  We can accomplish so many things here, some in the name of Jesus, and some because we are a determined, strong-willed individual and we people around us who encourage and lift us up.  You don’t have to know Jesus to accomplish great things in this world.  Many successful people do not know Christ, they think that all their power comes from within their own being.  While on this earth the think that they are big stuff but someday they will realize how small they are and they will no longer be rejoicing.

What is important in this life is to know that your name is written down in the Book of Life, that your name is written in Heaven where you will have eternal life in communion with the Lord.  Having your name written down in Heaven is what separates us from the rest of the world.  It is what guarantees us a place of eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.  I don’t know what you have accomplished in this life, maybe you have overcome obstacles that you never thought you could.  Maybe you have been able to build a successful business, maybe you are a great speaker or writer that has touched many lives and maybe many have come to know Christ because of what you have done.  If so, that is all well and good yet it is not where our focus should be.  It is not about what we do in this life but who we know.  Do you know the Father?  Is your name written in Heaven?  I hope so and if it is, don’t forget that each day you need to rejoice in that and be glad not for what you have accomplished but what Christ accomplished on that cross and from the empty tomb in order for us to have eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Seek Him and know that He is God, the creator of this universe, and the One and Only way to Him is through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila 

The Purpose of Serving and Being Served

John 13:1-17

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

13 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.

² The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. ³ Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴ so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.  ⁵ After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

⁶ He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

⁷ Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

⁸ “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

⁹ “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

¹⁰ Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean,  though not every one of you.”  ¹¹ For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

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 I tell you the truth, 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.

This passage has always fascinated me.  I remember as a young teen asking my dad why our church didn’t practice foot washing and he did not have an answer for me.  He was not sure but agreed that it is something that Jesus did and told His disciples to continue to do.  Although our church might not have gone through the ritual of foot washing I believe they did practice serving one another in love and I do believe this is what Jesus was telling His disciples.  No matter how high up you are on the ladder, you need to humble yourselves to one another and serve one another in love.  You need to get to the part of the body that is not the most appealing, sometimes smelly, sometimes rough and rugged, sometimes downright dirty and you need to humble yourselves before that person and wash their feet.  The feet, the furthest part of the body from the heart, the feet that our whole body rest upon, the feet, that are sometimes hard to reach, they need care and when they are cared for, the whole body benefits.

Sometimes those feet might be a representation of the church body.  It may be those people who need the tenderest loving care, who are smelly, although the body may be clean, the feet are smelling up the entire church.  I believe Jesus is telling His disciples and us that we need to wash their feet, to serve them even though they may be draining us.  Jesus demonstrated this by washing the feet of Judas.  Even though He knew that Judas had already been visited by the devil and that he had already set the plot to betray Jesus, Jesus washed his feet.  Not all of the disciples had clean bodies but Jesus washed each of their feet, 24 feet, each one I believe He did with love and compassion, even the two feet of Judas.  What does that tell us that we should do for those who betray us?  For those that we find hard to forgive?  For those that we know are less than perfect by even human standards?

Have you ever washed another person’s feet?  Not your child or spouse but another believers feet?  Have you had your feet washed by a believer?  I have taken part in only one foot washing and it was a wonderful experience.  As I washed the person’s feet, I prayed for them.  That person then washed my feet.  For me, it was more of a blessing to wash the feet than it was to have my feet washed but it was more humbling to have my feet washed by another person.  I find it interesting though that no one washed the feet of Jesus.  They all allowed Him to wash their feet but no one said, “Lord, now let me wash your feet”.  Was it because Jesus did not need to be humbled?    How many times do we do something for others and expect to get something in return?  Sometimes we even get a little frustrated when are having to continually serve others.  We may not realize that the one we are serving is being humbled before the Lord.  If frustration comes we need to ask ourselves who we are truly serving, that person or our Lord.  If we did it to get something in return we did it only for human gratification but if we did it for the Lord we should never expect to get anything in return from the person we served.  When we are true servants of His we will find that it is more humbling to receive than it is to give.  We find that being served is difficult and a bit uncomfortable but when we serve we find satisfaction in knowing that we have served the Lord.  Both being served and serving have a purpose.  One, to remind us that we can do nothing on our own power and one that allows us to show our gratification to our Lord by serving His children.

As you seek Him, humble yourselves before Him, allow Him to wash your feet and grant to you the desire to serve others as Christ has served you.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Are We Living for Ourselves or for God?

John 12:23-28

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

²³ Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. ²⁴ I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. ²⁵ The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.^(E) 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.^bb My Father will honor the one who serves me.

²⁷ “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’?  No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. ²⁸ Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2012:23%20-%2028&version=NIV1984)

How many of us love our lives?  There are times, when things are going the way I want them to that I love my life more than I should.  Then there are times that I wonder why I am still here on this earth, those are usually the times that things aren’t going so well.  Those should be the times that I say like Jesus, “it was for this very reason I came to this hour.” 

It is so easy to get entrapped into this world and the ways of the world.  I have heard it said about birthdays, “It is better than the alternative!” but is that really true?  I would think not!   II Corinthians 5:8, “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Corinthians%205:8&version=NIV1984)

To be absent on this earth is to be present with the Lord.  Yet, if the reason we have been placed here on this earth has not yet been fulfilled we must stay a little longer so the Father may be glorified.  Paul says it well in Philippians 1:21 ^“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%201:21&version=NIV1984)

What is most important for us to understand is that even in our lives we need to die to ourselves.  Unless we die to ourselves we cannot produce the fruit the Father so much wants us to produce.  While we are here on this earth we need to be doing the will of the Father, believe in His name, believe in His power, believe in His control, believe in His Son, so that we can have eternal life.  Often times we get caught up in the world, we begin to believe in other things rather than trusting God.   We begin to believe more in ourselves than we do in knowing that only through God we are able to get out of bed each morning.  We begin to complain about our circumstances rather than give God the glory because it is His will not ours.  I don’t know where you are at in all of these situations but I know that I need to apply the practice of Paul in my own life, Philippians 3:12 “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” 

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%203:12&version=NIV1984)

                                                                                                                            

As you seek Him, may you remember Philippians 2:3, ^“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians2:3&version=NIV1984) 

That is how Christ lived His life and He did it not just for us but more importantly to glorify the Father.  Is the Father being glorified through you today?  We need to think about it and remember that this life is not about our own ambitions but about the will of the Father.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

                                

Solitude

Mark 6:30-31

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

³⁰ The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. ³¹ Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%206:30-31&version=NIV1984)

The disciples had just returned from their trip where they had depended on God for everything.  They had gone out with nothing, as Christ had instructed, they preached repentance, drove out demons and healed the sick.  Now they are back and ready to share with Jesus but there are crowds around them.  Also just prior to this passage we find that Jesus has just learned of the beheading of John the Baptist, it was time for some solitude for them all.

As I read this passage today I was drawn to the quote of Jesus, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”  I have to wonder if that solitude was on the boat because when they got to the other side, the crowds were there waiting for them.  Sometimes we can get so busy with life or get so wrapped up in what we have been doing for Him that we forget to spend time with Him.  When we find that we are tired and stressed from life, or that people begin to become a burden rather than a joy, it is time to step back and have some alone time with Him.  It may only be a short boat ride to the other side but we need to make sure that we have some time with Him.  Some people may think that it is the mountains that we should retreat to, or possibly a church camp but sometimes it is in the most familiar place we know, as it was for the disciples. 

Take note, when they got to the other side and the crowds were waiting for Jesus, He didn’t tell the crowds to go away or roll His eyes at them, He didn’t get frustrated or try to escape from them, He rather, had compassion on them.  As should we, when others come needing to know Jesus and we are tired or downcast, we need to have compassion on them and God will bless them as well as us.  We do need to always remember though to have that time of solitude with Him, so that when the busyness of life comes our way and people need to be spiritually fed, we have something to share with them and the energy to do so.  We should never try to do anything by our own strength or power but through the power of the Holy Spirit and we must never lose sight that it is through Him that we have the privilege to become Children of God.

As you seek Him, you must find solitude with Him but don’t forget there is work to be done and He has called us to do it.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

The True Treasure

Luke 12:13-21

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹³ Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

¹⁴ Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” ¹⁵ Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

¹⁶ And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. ¹⁷ He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

¹⁸ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.¹⁹ And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

²⁰ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

²¹ “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”

 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2012:%2013-21&version=NIV1984

Today I attended a funeral, the second one this week, and two more than I wanted to attend.  The reminder that we always get at funerals is that life is short and we never know when our time to leave this earth will be.   Funerals usually provoke in me the thoughts of what my funeral will be like.  I really don’t care that they speak words of flattery regarding me.  What I want at my funeral are words that bring glory to God.  Words that will give people the assurance of their salvation if only they believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ.  I want for them to share of the richness they can find in knowing, not me, but the Lord Jesus Christ. 

The richness in this life does not come from the material things we have on this earth but the Bible tells us it is about being rich toward God.  So, how are we rich toward God?  The answer can be found in Mark 10: 17 – 21, NIV 1984, ¹⁷ As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

¹⁸ “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”

²⁰ “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

²¹ Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me.”
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2010:17-21&version=NIV1984

When it all comes down to the end, it doesn’t matter what great things we have accomplished, how many people we have pleased, or whether we have money.  What matters in this world is that we have served Him unselfishly.  That we have only not put others before ourselves but that we have put God above ourselves and others and that God has been magnified.

No, I don’t want people to talk about all the good that I have done for I am not good.  I want people to talk about the goodness of our Father in Heaven.  I want them to talk about how we should not worry about the things of this world, how this world is not our home, and how we can only have hope and an eternal glorious future when we put our trust in Jesus Christ our Lord.

As you seek Him, may the words of the Psalmist touch your heart as he says, Psalm 27:8, NIV 1984, ⁸ My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”  Your face, Lord, I will seek. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2027:8&version=NIV1984 May you seek His face and not the treasures of this world!

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila