Tonight I read in Luke 4 about Jesus going home to Nazareth. This part of scripture amazes me because of how much I can see it today and serves as a warning for me not to become familiar with people like my pastor.
Jesus came home and declared exactly what he was, the Son of God. Jesus does not declare this specifically at the time, but those who understood the scripture he read would have known. All who heard him speak spoke well of him. We see this in verse 22. Then we also see in this verse how everything got messed up because of familiarity.
"How can this be? Isn't this Joseph's son?" These are the two questions that were asked AFTER they spoke well of him. The next thing we know, Jesus parallels his own current situation with those of Elijah and Elisha. In other Gospel's, we read of how Jesus could do few miracles in Nazareth because of their unbelief. But Luke takes it a step further and describes more of what happened while Jesus was in Nazareth.
Not only could Jesus not do many miracles because of their unbelief, but the people of Nazareth tried to kill him in verse 29. There are two things that stand out to me here. One is that Jesus was given faith without measure. Even with this limitless faith, he could not do as many miracles as he otherwise would have because of the unbelief of those who could have received the miracles. The other thing that stands out is that a mob of the people that knew this man growing up could be so mad and offended at him that they tried to kill him.
I believe that they would not have tried to kill him if they had not known him so well as he grew up. If I were to say something highly offensive about a close friend or family member of yours, you would write it off because I am just some random member of the internet community. If, however, a close friend were to say the same offensive thing, most would actually react much more violently than if some random person like myself said the same thing.
There is a great deal of danger in offense. Offense only seems to come after there is first familiarity. We must be very careful not to become too familiar with those who spiritually feed us. I, for instance, have had opportunities to have my pastor's phone number. He has, in fact, had occasions where he called me from his cell phone. I immediately deleted his number from my caller id. This is one way to guard against familiarity, but it is also only one example.
I could give examples of the dangers of offense, but I don't think I could do a better job of this than my own savior did over 2000 years ago. Guard yourself from getting too familiar with people that you shouldn't and make the choice to simply not get offended, for it is a choice if you will take an offense or not.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Blood Colored Glasses
Have you ever heard the phrase "seeing the world through rose colored glasses"? It is interesting to look through glasses like these. Everything looks warmer and happier. This, however, is only a temporary illusion for as long as we are looking through the glasses and is not a reflection of what the world is really like.
God, however, looks at those who has received His Son as Lord and Savior through blood colored glasses. We are seen through the blood of Christ who has redeemed us. We are seen as more than conquerors though Christ who loves us. We are seen as over comers. We are seen for our potential and for the good in us rather than for a product of our past failures.
I recently read a story of somebody who started out her life on some pretty rough ground. She married an alcoholic and then divorced. She sold most of what she had to feed herself in her children while being jobless. She used to run to alcohol and drugs to cope with the shortcomings in her own life and she was ready to give up herself.
This woman was ready to die and leave her children to somebody else that she believed could take better care of them. She saw herself as worthless and saw all of the things that she had sold or given up in order to just get by. She was left with what she calls a heartbeat in a corner.
This same woman went to see her counselor. She told her about all this and her counselor reminded her of how God sees her. This woman sees herself for what she was and a product of what has happened in her life. Thank God for a counselor who reminded her of how God sees her. For God knew of where she had been and saw her as a lost prodigal who was about to come home and come to know him again.
Through God's leading and direction, this woman found a strong christian home to live in while she got back on her feet. Through God's direction, she came back to know again the husband of her youth and after divorce proceedings, is back together with him again. She is a prodigal that came home. You can read this woman's full story at http://www.innocentstorm.blogspot.com/.
God, however, looks at those who has received His Son as Lord and Savior through blood colored glasses. We are seen through the blood of Christ who has redeemed us. We are seen as more than conquerors though Christ who loves us. We are seen as over comers. We are seen for our potential and for the good in us rather than for a product of our past failures.
I recently read a story of somebody who started out her life on some pretty rough ground. She married an alcoholic and then divorced. She sold most of what she had to feed herself in her children while being jobless. She used to run to alcohol and drugs to cope with the shortcomings in her own life and she was ready to give up herself.
This woman was ready to die and leave her children to somebody else that she believed could take better care of them. She saw herself as worthless and saw all of the things that she had sold or given up in order to just get by. She was left with what she calls a heartbeat in a corner.
This same woman went to see her counselor. She told her about all this and her counselor reminded her of how God sees her. This woman sees herself for what she was and a product of what has happened in her life. Thank God for a counselor who reminded her of how God sees her. For God knew of where she had been and saw her as a lost prodigal who was about to come home and come to know him again.
Through God's leading and direction, this woman found a strong christian home to live in while she got back on her feet. Through God's direction, she came back to know again the husband of her youth and after divorce proceedings, is back together with him again. She is a prodigal that came home. You can read this woman's full story at http://www.innocentstorm.blogspot.com/.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Mark 16
A few days ago, I read Mark 16 for my morning Bible reading. I came across a few verses that I had highlighted in that chapter and I got to thinking about how my attitude has changed toward a couple of the verses.
My favorite verse in this chapter used to be Mark 16:17-18 that says These signs will accompany those who believe. They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick and heal them.
This used to be my favorite because it made me so excited to think of what I could do because of what God has done for me. I thought of what I could do because I am a child of God. It was all in my mind what I got to do as a Christian so that other's would know that I was a Christian.
Now I do believe that people that see miracles like this will be lead to Christ and that they are good tools, but it is no longer what I am excited about. What I am now excited about is verse 15 in this chapter that says "And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere" and later we see that the disciples followed this decree in verse 20 "And the Disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked with them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs."
One thing I just saw that I had never seen before here is that the disciples FIRST went everywhere and preached, and THEN the Lord worked with them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs. What a privilege we have to be able to teach others about the Good News of Jesus Christ. He could have told us all that he would send His angels to teach and proclaim the Gospel perhaps telling us that we, in our ignorance, would not teach it to people correctly and could even turn other people away from God by our words and actions. Praise God that I can tell others about Him.
My favorite verse in this chapter used to be Mark 16:17-18 that says These signs will accompany those who believe. They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick and heal them.
This used to be my favorite because it made me so excited to think of what I could do because of what God has done for me. I thought of what I could do because I am a child of God. It was all in my mind what I got to do as a Christian so that other's would know that I was a Christian.
Now I do believe that people that see miracles like this will be lead to Christ and that they are good tools, but it is no longer what I am excited about. What I am now excited about is verse 15 in this chapter that says "And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere" and later we see that the disciples followed this decree in verse 20 "And the Disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked with them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs."
One thing I just saw that I had never seen before here is that the disciples FIRST went everywhere and preached, and THEN the Lord worked with them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs. What a privilege we have to be able to teach others about the Good News of Jesus Christ. He could have told us all that he would send His angels to teach and proclaim the Gospel perhaps telling us that we, in our ignorance, would not teach it to people correctly and could even turn other people away from God by our words and actions. Praise God that I can tell others about Him.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Mark 14
Tonight I want to talk about Mark 14. I read this chapter after I got home from church and got very excited about sharing some things about it.
I first read of how a woman poured some perfumed oil over Jesus's head. Now I know things were a bit different then, but I don't like oily hair. Jesus, however, was pleased by the sacrifice that she made in helping prepare his body for the death that he would soon face. When this happened, his own disciples complained that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor, but Jesus pointed out that the poor will always be there and he wouldn't be there much longer.
So here is Jesus and he just got done having a bottle of oil worth a year's worth of wages dumped on him, and it turns out that he offended Judus Iscariot. Now, this is just me, but all I see that Jesus has done at this point was tell the truth that he wouldn't be there much longer and said that the woman did a good thing. So anyway, Judas goes off to the leading priests and teachers to tell them of his intent to betray Jesus, and they state they want to arrest him, but have to wait, or there will be a riot.
I find this interesting too. If the people didn't like him either, they wouldn't riot. The people did like him though. Everything I read during this whole process has the teachers and priest behind every step. What occurs to me is that these are the people that are most set in their ways and traditions that are made up by them in the first place and that Jesus condemns. The people, however, that are hungry for truth are found praising him a little bit earlier that same week and following him all over the place to hear him teach.
Next we come to the last supper where Judas goes off to betray Jesus after Jesus essentially tells his disciples that it is Judas that would be the betrayer(we read this in another one of the Gospels). Peter states he would never betray him and then later in the chapter denies him 3 times just as Jesus stated he would do.
I can almost feel what Peter felt. Have you ever known that what you were doing was wrong, and yet you did it anyway. Maybe even just forgotten somehow that you were doing wrong while you were doing it and believed that Jesus could never forgive you? I know I have been in this position myself before. But later on, after Peter runs away believing he can't be forgiven, Jesus asks for him specifically. He is forgiven even of saying he didn't know Jesus because he was afraid of what others would do to him if they knew. My pastor is fond of saying that fear will take you further than faith, but not in the same direction.
After all this, Jesus goes off to pray. This part is amazing to me. Jesus knew what was coming. He knew he was about to be betrayed and knew how he would die as a natural man. He begged God that if there was ANY other way, that this cup pass from him. Jesus didn't want to die on the cross. I am so thankful that Jesus says "not my will, but your's be done" (Mark 14:36)
This is the stuff of hero's. We watch movies where the hero is facing certain death, then cheer when they defy it. Jesus faced death and decended into hell, took the keys, and conquered death by going to heaven. It makes me want to stand up and cheer at how great and powerful and awesome my God is.
Now Jesus is taken before the priests and teachers and falsely accused of saying or doing different things. We don't have all the specific accusations, but whatever they were, Jesus didn't say a word in his own defense the whole time. In fact, we only see one time where he speaks at all in this setting where he says "I am, and you will see me, the Son of Man, sitting at God's right hand in the place of power and coming back on the clouds of heaven."(Mark 14:61) This was said after the high priest asked "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the blessed God?"(Mark 14:60)
Jesus did all of this for me and for the whole world. The plan is simple to see and be with him. Know and acknowledge that you are a sinner and at least at some point in your life have missed the mark. This reminds us that we can't be saved without God's help. Our way to God is through the Son, so we also must believe in our heart and say with our mouths that Jesus Christ is the son of God.
To believe also means to obey, so as Jesus would say go your way and sin not. It's not normally going to be a complete transformation overnight, but it will come with time and God will help you with all of it. The blessings come and things just start going right more and more. And when bad things happen, instead of being alone, we have God the Father that will lead and guide us.
I first read of how a woman poured some perfumed oil over Jesus's head. Now I know things were a bit different then, but I don't like oily hair. Jesus, however, was pleased by the sacrifice that she made in helping prepare his body for the death that he would soon face. When this happened, his own disciples complained that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor, but Jesus pointed out that the poor will always be there and he wouldn't be there much longer.
So here is Jesus and he just got done having a bottle of oil worth a year's worth of wages dumped on him, and it turns out that he offended Judus Iscariot. Now, this is just me, but all I see that Jesus has done at this point was tell the truth that he wouldn't be there much longer and said that the woman did a good thing. So anyway, Judas goes off to the leading priests and teachers to tell them of his intent to betray Jesus, and they state they want to arrest him, but have to wait, or there will be a riot.
I find this interesting too. If the people didn't like him either, they wouldn't riot. The people did like him though. Everything I read during this whole process has the teachers and priest behind every step. What occurs to me is that these are the people that are most set in their ways and traditions that are made up by them in the first place and that Jesus condemns. The people, however, that are hungry for truth are found praising him a little bit earlier that same week and following him all over the place to hear him teach.
Next we come to the last supper where Judas goes off to betray Jesus after Jesus essentially tells his disciples that it is Judas that would be the betrayer(we read this in another one of the Gospels). Peter states he would never betray him and then later in the chapter denies him 3 times just as Jesus stated he would do.
I can almost feel what Peter felt. Have you ever known that what you were doing was wrong, and yet you did it anyway. Maybe even just forgotten somehow that you were doing wrong while you were doing it and believed that Jesus could never forgive you? I know I have been in this position myself before. But later on, after Peter runs away believing he can't be forgiven, Jesus asks for him specifically. He is forgiven even of saying he didn't know Jesus because he was afraid of what others would do to him if they knew. My pastor is fond of saying that fear will take you further than faith, but not in the same direction.
After all this, Jesus goes off to pray. This part is amazing to me. Jesus knew what was coming. He knew he was about to be betrayed and knew how he would die as a natural man. He begged God that if there was ANY other way, that this cup pass from him. Jesus didn't want to die on the cross. I am so thankful that Jesus says "not my will, but your's be done" (Mark 14:36)
This is the stuff of hero's. We watch movies where the hero is facing certain death, then cheer when they defy it. Jesus faced death and decended into hell, took the keys, and conquered death by going to heaven. It makes me want to stand up and cheer at how great and powerful and awesome my God is.
Now Jesus is taken before the priests and teachers and falsely accused of saying or doing different things. We don't have all the specific accusations, but whatever they were, Jesus didn't say a word in his own defense the whole time. In fact, we only see one time where he speaks at all in this setting where he says "I am, and you will see me, the Son of Man, sitting at God's right hand in the place of power and coming back on the clouds of heaven."(Mark 14:61) This was said after the high priest asked "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the blessed God?"(Mark 14:60)
Jesus did all of this for me and for the whole world. The plan is simple to see and be with him. Know and acknowledge that you are a sinner and at least at some point in your life have missed the mark. This reminds us that we can't be saved without God's help. Our way to God is through the Son, so we also must believe in our heart and say with our mouths that Jesus Christ is the son of God.
To believe also means to obey, so as Jesus would say go your way and sin not. It's not normally going to be a complete transformation overnight, but it will come with time and God will help you with all of it. The blessings come and things just start going right more and more. And when bad things happen, instead of being alone, we have God the Father that will lead and guide us.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Wahooooo!!!!
I have finally decided to create a blog and join the blogging community. I honestly don't know at this point how far I will take this blog or how often I will update it. I suppose only time will tell on that one.
The purpose of this blog is to share about different things in my life but I want the main focus to be on the Word of God. I want to proclaim God's Word anywhere I can and say what I learn. I want to be proof in this world that God is real and show what a relationship with him brings. I will also be honest. I may share about past events that I think of and I may share about plans and ambitions.
So now, a little about me. I am the son of a couple that is still together after over 30 years together. I am married to the woman of my dreams who also has a blog at jenn-livingproof.blogspot.com. I have a sister who married her high school sweetheart and we are almost exactly 3 years apart from each other. I was born in the late 70's, so I am around 30 now. I'm also greek. If you have seen Big Fat Greek Wedding, you pretty much have my parents. I work in an office environment with my wife and we both do side businesses with me doing computers and her doing photography and we both help out with the other's business.
I go to a church called Living Word Christian Church and am very active there now. I was, however, actually raised in an Eastern Orthodox church and went there until I was about 21.
I read my Bible everyday. It took effort at first and for awhile, I kind of had to make myself do it. Now I look forward to doing it. I never used to understand how people could cling to their bible as if it were a best friend or a pet. I've been amazed to find myself now doing the same thing myself.
I used to watch a lot of television and used to enjoy an MTV show called Road Rules. I remember an episode where a girl was panicking when they had a challenge to go off by themselves for a night and wasn't allowed to take her Bible with her. She asked to leave anything behind as long as she could take her Bible. I didn't understand that then, but now I do. I have also begun to learn the importance of putting the word of God in me when I don't need it so that it will be there when I do.
So that gives a bit of background. Now I live in a partially finished renovated home with my wife and 4 cats and 2 salamanders and various bugs as they find their way into our house until they get eaten by one of our cats. I am blessed to have a father that is helping us a great deal in doing the work here even coming up when we are not home and working.
I suppose that is enough for now. I will share more about myself later as I post more things.
The purpose of this blog is to share about different things in my life but I want the main focus to be on the Word of God. I want to proclaim God's Word anywhere I can and say what I learn. I want to be proof in this world that God is real and show what a relationship with him brings. I will also be honest. I may share about past events that I think of and I may share about plans and ambitions.
So now, a little about me. I am the son of a couple that is still together after over 30 years together. I am married to the woman of my dreams who also has a blog at jenn-livingproof.blogspot.com. I have a sister who married her high school sweetheart and we are almost exactly 3 years apart from each other. I was born in the late 70's, so I am around 30 now. I'm also greek. If you have seen Big Fat Greek Wedding, you pretty much have my parents. I work in an office environment with my wife and we both do side businesses with me doing computers and her doing photography and we both help out with the other's business.
I go to a church called Living Word Christian Church and am very active there now. I was, however, actually raised in an Eastern Orthodox church and went there until I was about 21.
I read my Bible everyday. It took effort at first and for awhile, I kind of had to make myself do it. Now I look forward to doing it. I never used to understand how people could cling to their bible as if it were a best friend or a pet. I've been amazed to find myself now doing the same thing myself.
I used to watch a lot of television and used to enjoy an MTV show called Road Rules. I remember an episode where a girl was panicking when they had a challenge to go off by themselves for a night and wasn't allowed to take her Bible with her. She asked to leave anything behind as long as she could take her Bible. I didn't understand that then, but now I do. I have also begun to learn the importance of putting the word of God in me when I don't need it so that it will be there when I do.
So that gives a bit of background. Now I live in a partially finished renovated home with my wife and 4 cats and 2 salamanders and various bugs as they find their way into our house until they get eaten by one of our cats. I am blessed to have a father that is helping us a great deal in doing the work here even coming up when we are not home and working.
I suppose that is enough for now. I will share more about myself later as I post more things.
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