Mark 6:42 So they ate and were filled.
Jesus has just fed the multitude with two fish and five loaves of bread. It doesn't sound like much to begin with, yet from small beginnings, there were twelve baskets left over. This is after feeding the five thousand men that were counted, a number that didn't include the women and children. I imagine the crowd was full with "itis",but their reaction of being full was to the food, not to the Living Word among them. In delivering the Beatitudes, Jesus teaches that those that hunger and thirst after righteousness would be filled. Righteousness being translated as leading a life that is pleasing to God. To the woman at the well, Jesus offers Himself as living water. To the same multitude in John 6, He declares, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." The crowd was very enthused and impressed with the miracle, so much so that they wanted to take Him by force and make Him their King. Jesus had to instruct them with a very important reminder which is just as important for us today; "Do not labor for the food which spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you".
John 4:13
John 6:35
Monday, March 1, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Bear Fruit
Mark 4:20
But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the Word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.
Jesus is taking time to teach His disciples and a large crowd this very important parable. It appears simple enough, fueled by action words that should prompt them to also be about the Fathers business as Jesus was;however,the disciples didn't appear to get what He was teaching them. Once the disciples were alone with Jesus, they confess that somehow they missed the lesson He was trying to teach, and needed the Master Teacher to break it down. Jesus then then tells them that good ground are those that hear, accept, and bear fruit even up to a hundredfold.
Hear the Word
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Hearing the Word can not only increase our faith, sensitizes us to the Spirit of God, but challenges each of us to live by His word. Paul told young Timothy to be ready in and out of season because there would come a time when people would wander from the truth and not want to hear sound doctrine but fables because it suited them and made them feel good. I think this pretty much sums up what is going on in not all, but a lot of churches around the world. I refer to as "Mary Poppins Gospel" where instead of preaching what thus said the Lord, preachers are preaching what increases the flow of the almighty dollar through the church because prosperity ministry is more appealing than presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice. A living sacrifice sounds painful, almost unappealing, but Paul said it is our reasonable service unto God. In His Word He tells us that His Word is sharper than any two-edged sword and it penetrates dividing soul and spirit; joints and marrow. While it sometimes uncomfortable to "hear the word", the pain it cost us now, will save our lives later.
Accept It
Many believers live in a gray area where the Word of God is concerned. There is a constant: "It was written so long ago. It's not relevant to what's happening in today's society." And don't even say something that doesn't line up with their theology, they will whack you across the head with the infamous "We shouldn't judge!" Nothing can straighten someone out quicker and better than what is written between the pages of Genesis and Revelation. It may take some of us a little bit longer to "get the message", but once there has been conviction, a contrite spirit and repentant heart, God work through us to complete His good work. What is written in Leviticus is just as applicable to today's current events. Jesus said before one jot or tittle from His Words fall, Heaven and earth would pass away first. That's how serious He took and accepted what the father said, even down to the smallest grammatical error (a jot or tittle), and so should we.
Bear It
Jesus came that we could have and live life even more abundantly. Instead of eternal death, He offers each of us eternal life. Once we accept His gracious gift and get plugged into the vine, we can begin to bear fruit. What does this mean? We can effectively witness, share our testimonies, while spreading the good news thus increasing the size of the Kingdom. I believe he broke it down in the increments of thirtyfold, sixty, and a hundredfold, because sometimes people will not want to hear the Gospel. Each of us are ambassadors for Christ and should try our best to remain ready to point someone to the Way. While they may not be ready now, that doesn't mean never; we should never give up because God didn't give up on us. Through our tenacity and prayers there will one day be a hundredfold harvest for the Kingdom.
Matthew 5:17-18
John 10:10
Romans 10:17
Romans 12:1
2 Timothy 4
But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the Word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.
Jesus is taking time to teach His disciples and a large crowd this very important parable. It appears simple enough, fueled by action words that should prompt them to also be about the Fathers business as Jesus was;however,the disciples didn't appear to get what He was teaching them. Once the disciples were alone with Jesus, they confess that somehow they missed the lesson He was trying to teach, and needed the Master Teacher to break it down. Jesus then then tells them that good ground are those that hear, accept, and bear fruit even up to a hundredfold.
Hear the Word
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Hearing the Word can not only increase our faith, sensitizes us to the Spirit of God, but challenges each of us to live by His word. Paul told young Timothy to be ready in and out of season because there would come a time when people would wander from the truth and not want to hear sound doctrine but fables because it suited them and made them feel good. I think this pretty much sums up what is going on in not all, but a lot of churches around the world. I refer to as "Mary Poppins Gospel" where instead of preaching what thus said the Lord, preachers are preaching what increases the flow of the almighty dollar through the church because prosperity ministry is more appealing than presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice. A living sacrifice sounds painful, almost unappealing, but Paul said it is our reasonable service unto God. In His Word He tells us that His Word is sharper than any two-edged sword and it penetrates dividing soul and spirit; joints and marrow. While it sometimes uncomfortable to "hear the word", the pain it cost us now, will save our lives later.
Accept It
Many believers live in a gray area where the Word of God is concerned. There is a constant: "It was written so long ago. It's not relevant to what's happening in today's society." And don't even say something that doesn't line up with their theology, they will whack you across the head with the infamous "We shouldn't judge!" Nothing can straighten someone out quicker and better than what is written between the pages of Genesis and Revelation. It may take some of us a little bit longer to "get the message", but once there has been conviction, a contrite spirit and repentant heart, God work through us to complete His good work. What is written in Leviticus is just as applicable to today's current events. Jesus said before one jot or tittle from His Words fall, Heaven and earth would pass away first. That's how serious He took and accepted what the father said, even down to the smallest grammatical error (a jot or tittle), and so should we.
Bear It
Jesus came that we could have and live life even more abundantly. Instead of eternal death, He offers each of us eternal life. Once we accept His gracious gift and get plugged into the vine, we can begin to bear fruit. What does this mean? We can effectively witness, share our testimonies, while spreading the good news thus increasing the size of the Kingdom. I believe he broke it down in the increments of thirtyfold, sixty, and a hundredfold, because sometimes people will not want to hear the Gospel. Each of us are ambassadors for Christ and should try our best to remain ready to point someone to the Way. While they may not be ready now, that doesn't mean never; we should never give up because God didn't give up on us. Through our tenacity and prayers there will one day be a hundredfold harvest for the Kingdom.
Matthew 5:17-18
John 10:10
Romans 10:17
Romans 12:1
2 Timothy 4
Monday, February 22, 2010
Not Playing the Shame Game
Psalm 25:20 Keep my soul and deliver me; let me not be ashamed for I put my trust in You.
I have always had a strong dislike for the news, but now more than ever it is just down-right depressing! On the national and local fronts there is trouble everywhere we turn; crime is at an all-time high and constantly rising; the economy appears to stay down; but even with such dire circumstances we must continue to trust in God and not put our hopes in what the newscaster is telling us. It seems like an impossible feat, and the fleeting thoughts begin to race across our minds: "Where is God? Does He know what I'm going through? Does He even care?" We can be confident that the answer is a resounding YES to all those doubts the enemy tries to plant to chip away at our faith. We serve an omnipresent (everywhere at the same time) omnipotent (all powerful, omniscient (all knowing) God. It is completely safe to relax because He has each and everyone of us on His GPS! We can rejoice that while others have forgotten, will forget, and do cast us away, He will not. His Word serves as a guarantee that He is continually reminded about us. Isn't it encouraging to know that no matter what our situation may be, how many times we feel we have let Heaven down, and "think" we have failed, we have nothing to be ashamed of because we aren't trusting in our own strength and human weaknesses, but a living God who see, knows and understands all.
Isaiah 49:15-16
I have always had a strong dislike for the news, but now more than ever it is just down-right depressing! On the national and local fronts there is trouble everywhere we turn; crime is at an all-time high and constantly rising; the economy appears to stay down; but even with such dire circumstances we must continue to trust in God and not put our hopes in what the newscaster is telling us. It seems like an impossible feat, and the fleeting thoughts begin to race across our minds: "Where is God? Does He know what I'm going through? Does He even care?" We can be confident that the answer is a resounding YES to all those doubts the enemy tries to plant to chip away at our faith. We serve an omnipresent (everywhere at the same time) omnipotent (all powerful, omniscient (all knowing) God. It is completely safe to relax because He has each and everyone of us on His GPS! We can rejoice that while others have forgotten, will forget, and do cast us away, He will not. His Word serves as a guarantee that He is continually reminded about us. Isn't it encouraging to know that no matter what our situation may be, how many times we feel we have let Heaven down, and "think" we have failed, we have nothing to be ashamed of because we aren't trusting in our own strength and human weaknesses, but a living God who see, knows and understands all.
Isaiah 49:15-16
Thursday, February 18, 2010
For My Good
Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted. That I may learn your statutes.
I HAD to give up FB for Lent because of the great sacrifice that I knew it would mean to me personally. These next forty days will challenge me in ways I would've never expected if I had not given up FB. Already I can sense and feel a move of God behind the scene as I commit to drawing closer, digger deeper and growing stronger.I am ashamed to admit how many hours I spend on FB; time that could be spent learning a new hobby, reading, exercising, or even more importantly reading more of the Word to grow. Afterall, spiritual growth is what we desire, is it not? Sometimes our growth comes from a broken place-the Bible says many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord will deliver them out of them all. We are compared to sheep and Jesus depicted as our Good Shepherd,because of our constant wandering off, getting attacked by the enemy, we are in a constant need to be delivered,guided, restored, protected and provided for.
Many times when afflictions and troubles arise, it is for our own good. I KNOW it doesn't feel like it, but it REALLY is. It is in those times that we can find peace, renewal, restoration, and joy unspeakable. Those moments that seem like an eternity are actually getting us ready to pass our test and share our testimony with someone who needs to hear it. Once we make it over, we look back and wonder just how did we make it over? Those moments teach us about the ways of God and we can begin to relax and realize, it was only for our good.
Psalm 34:19
I HAD to give up FB for Lent because of the great sacrifice that I knew it would mean to me personally. These next forty days will challenge me in ways I would've never expected if I had not given up FB. Already I can sense and feel a move of God behind the scene as I commit to drawing closer, digger deeper and growing stronger.I am ashamed to admit how many hours I spend on FB; time that could be spent learning a new hobby, reading, exercising, or even more importantly reading more of the Word to grow. Afterall, spiritual growth is what we desire, is it not? Sometimes our growth comes from a broken place-the Bible says many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord will deliver them out of them all. We are compared to sheep and Jesus depicted as our Good Shepherd,because of our constant wandering off, getting attacked by the enemy, we are in a constant need to be delivered,guided, restored, protected and provided for.
Many times when afflictions and troubles arise, it is for our own good. I KNOW it doesn't feel like it, but it REALLY is. It is in those times that we can find peace, renewal, restoration, and joy unspeakable. Those moments that seem like an eternity are actually getting us ready to pass our test and share our testimony with someone who needs to hear it. Once we make it over, we look back and wonder just how did we make it over? Those moments teach us about the ways of God and we can begin to relax and realize, it was only for our good.
Psalm 34:19
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
I'll Go
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
As I begin the process of applying to seminary, the essays and short answer questions have caused great reflection on my past,present,and my future. I'm the first to admit attending seminary excites, overwhelms, and even scares me at the same time. The funny thing is, I like to think of myself as never being SCARED! If you didn't know, Kingdom Business is extremely serious to me! It brings me deep sadness that those given the position of shepherding God's people blatantly "play church", the ones who commit adultery, fornicate, steal from the church, manipulate those not strong in the faith, the list goes on and on. It totally amazes and NOT in a good way, but more in a "Am I the only one scared of God" way. Now before you say I'm judging-I am not. As God's children, His Word, the Bible is our road map filled with instructions on how to live for Christ. If you don't believe me, then pick it up and dispute the Word of God.
Is it just me? But do you sometimes feel like you dropped the ball on something major and let the big one get away? I actually should've applied to seminary in last fall after visiting a local seminary here this past March. The good news is that God always presents us with another opportunity to get on board and become a part of the plans He has for each of us. As reluctant as we are from time to time, He gently pushes us beyond our limited vision and stretches our expectations to believe there is nothing better than partnering with God for awesome possibilities, breath-taking moments, and a lifetime of innumerable praise for saying yes to His will and way.
I imagine the prophet Isaiah jumping up and down, all too excited to tell the Lord, "Here I am, Send me". As much as we want to do what God requires of us, why is so hard to sometimes to simply say yes to the Lord. He has told us He know the plans He has for us-plans of good and not evil; to give us a future and a hope. This is one of my favorite promises in the Bible and I am quick to quote God's Word back to Him because I believe it whole-heartedly. If I believe it, then I have to act on it to right? As the time between then and now has gotten closer and everyday it becomes more and more real, I too like Isaiah am saying, "Lord send me, I'll go". I wanted to share with you, I have completed one application for seminary,and have one more to go. I've also been taken under the care of the Session at my church and plan to seek an ordination track through my local presbytery. I am STILL shocked by it all!!! Believe me, I am supposed to in nursing school; BUT God...Thank You for allowing me to share my "take" on the Word by subscribing to "The Onyx Stone Chronicles".
Isaiah 6:8
Jeremiah 29:11
As I begin the process of applying to seminary, the essays and short answer questions have caused great reflection on my past,present,and my future. I'm the first to admit attending seminary excites, overwhelms, and even scares me at the same time. The funny thing is, I like to think of myself as never being SCARED! If you didn't know, Kingdom Business is extremely serious to me! It brings me deep sadness that those given the position of shepherding God's people blatantly "play church", the ones who commit adultery, fornicate, steal from the church, manipulate those not strong in the faith, the list goes on and on. It totally amazes and NOT in a good way, but more in a "Am I the only one scared of God" way. Now before you say I'm judging-I am not. As God's children, His Word, the Bible is our road map filled with instructions on how to live for Christ. If you don't believe me, then pick it up and dispute the Word of God.
Is it just me? But do you sometimes feel like you dropped the ball on something major and let the big one get away? I actually should've applied to seminary in last fall after visiting a local seminary here this past March. The good news is that God always presents us with another opportunity to get on board and become a part of the plans He has for each of us. As reluctant as we are from time to time, He gently pushes us beyond our limited vision and stretches our expectations to believe there is nothing better than partnering with God for awesome possibilities, breath-taking moments, and a lifetime of innumerable praise for saying yes to His will and way.
I imagine the prophet Isaiah jumping up and down, all too excited to tell the Lord, "Here I am, Send me". As much as we want to do what God requires of us, why is so hard to sometimes to simply say yes to the Lord. He has told us He know the plans He has for us-plans of good and not evil; to give us a future and a hope. This is one of my favorite promises in the Bible and I am quick to quote God's Word back to Him because I believe it whole-heartedly. If I believe it, then I have to act on it to right? As the time between then and now has gotten closer and everyday it becomes more and more real, I too like Isaiah am saying, "Lord send me, I'll go". I wanted to share with you, I have completed one application for seminary,and have one more to go. I've also been taken under the care of the Session at my church and plan to seek an ordination track through my local presbytery. I am STILL shocked by it all!!! Believe me, I am supposed to in nursing school; BUT God...Thank You for allowing me to share my "take" on the Word by subscribing to "The Onyx Stone Chronicles".
Isaiah 6:8
Jeremiah 29:11
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
No Need to Settle
Ephesians 2: 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
There is some kind of hidden treasure in reading different versions of the Bible and gaining a fresh perspective from the Word of God. Imagine my joy this past Sunday as I followed along with my Pastor and chills literally went up my spine as I used the New Living Translation (NLT) and discovered Ephesians 2:10 from an entirely new angle.
This is a very common scripture and we are probably used to it being spoken or reading it this way: For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand so that we could walk in them. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it written just like that. Since this is the way it is commonly quoted, I actually like it just the way it is. It has a promise, and a pronouncement in a few simple words. But the NLT has me TOO excited! Instead of being workmanship, they use the word masterpiece instead. I don't know about you, but I have fallen in love with the notion of being thought of as God's own masterpiece. Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Michelangelo's David are considered exquisite works of art and titled masterpieces.
From a scriptural standpoint, what an awesome promise and confidence booster. Just close your eyes and think about how much work and detail goes into creating anything that would later be titled a masterpiece. To think the Almighty God, Creator of the Universe has fawned over you and I so much, taken the delicate task of creating us so intricately and perfectly, that He can airbrush our flaws and create us anew in Christ setting us apart for the plans He set in motion long ago and considers us to be masterpieces is mind-blowing. We are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made! Workmanship signals great work and detail too, but for semantics purposes, I'll take being a masterpiece any day. People sometimes call their significant others "dime pieces" and there is nothing wrong with that, but because I stand and believe firmly what the Word says about me(as you should to), I have to let the world know I am a MASTERPIECE. With all the thought and creation that goes into creating such an exquisite work of art I refuse to settle and neither should you.
Psalm 139:14
There is some kind of hidden treasure in reading different versions of the Bible and gaining a fresh perspective from the Word of God. Imagine my joy this past Sunday as I followed along with my Pastor and chills literally went up my spine as I used the New Living Translation (NLT) and discovered Ephesians 2:10 from an entirely new angle.
This is a very common scripture and we are probably used to it being spoken or reading it this way: For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand so that we could walk in them. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it written just like that. Since this is the way it is commonly quoted, I actually like it just the way it is. It has a promise, and a pronouncement in a few simple words. But the NLT has me TOO excited! Instead of being workmanship, they use the word masterpiece instead. I don't know about you, but I have fallen in love with the notion of being thought of as God's own masterpiece. Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Michelangelo's David are considered exquisite works of art and titled masterpieces.
From a scriptural standpoint, what an awesome promise and confidence booster. Just close your eyes and think about how much work and detail goes into creating anything that would later be titled a masterpiece. To think the Almighty God, Creator of the Universe has fawned over you and I so much, taken the delicate task of creating us so intricately and perfectly, that He can airbrush our flaws and create us anew in Christ setting us apart for the plans He set in motion long ago and considers us to be masterpieces is mind-blowing. We are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made! Workmanship signals great work and detail too, but for semantics purposes, I'll take being a masterpiece any day. People sometimes call their significant others "dime pieces" and there is nothing wrong with that, but because I stand and believe firmly what the Word says about me(as you should to), I have to let the world know I am a MASTERPIECE. With all the thought and creation that goes into creating such an exquisite work of art I refuse to settle and neither should you.
Psalm 139:14
Monday, January 4, 2010
Honor It
Respect! Nothing more and nothing less; or should I say that's what I believe the word honor boils down to. Respect is a two-way street and in the world we live in, people are quick to take someone's life because they feel the person has "dis-respected" them. There is self-respect, respect for others, but it seems we have missed the most important dynamic of respect; respect for the Word of God. In his book "how to study the bible", John MacArthur listed "Honor It" as the second application in bible study. It seems to me the words can be used interchangeably, but respect holds more weight in my opinion.
The word honor is used throughout the Bible: honor your mother and father so your days may be long in the land which your Father gives you; numerous times throughout the wisdom book of Proverbs; even Jesus said a prophet is not without honor except for his own country. One of my favorite scriptures is from Isaiah 29:13 and it reads:The Lord says "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips,but their hearts are far from me." God is not impressed with our lipservice to Him. As believers we should honor the Word of God if for no other reason than He is God. Once we begin to put things in perspective and begin to read and study the Bible for ourselves, we will honor the Word of God as the highest truth for our lives. There is something to be said about kingdom language that I have fallen in love with over the years. It sounds corny, but I really do stand in the mirror and encourage myself with what the Word of God says about me or the situation I am facing. There is no doubt in my mind that what is written is forever settled in Heaven. If you believe what is written, I encourage you to honor it with your time by studying to show yourself approved so you can rightly divide the Word of truth for yourself.
Exodus 20:12
Psalm 119:89
Isaiah 29:13
Matthew 13:57
2 Timothy 2:15
The word honor is used throughout the Bible: honor your mother and father so your days may be long in the land which your Father gives you; numerous times throughout the wisdom book of Proverbs; even Jesus said a prophet is not without honor except for his own country. One of my favorite scriptures is from Isaiah 29:13 and it reads:The Lord says "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips,but their hearts are far from me." God is not impressed with our lipservice to Him. As believers we should honor the Word of God if for no other reason than He is God. Once we begin to put things in perspective and begin to read and study the Bible for ourselves, we will honor the Word of God as the highest truth for our lives. There is something to be said about kingdom language that I have fallen in love with over the years. It sounds corny, but I really do stand in the mirror and encourage myself with what the Word of God says about me or the situation I am facing. There is no doubt in my mind that what is written is forever settled in Heaven. If you believe what is written, I encourage you to honor it with your time by studying to show yourself approved so you can rightly divide the Word of truth for yourself.
Exodus 20:12
Psalm 119:89
Isaiah 29:13
Matthew 13:57
2 Timothy 2:15
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