Who is that?

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29 NIV)

You're walking down the street. A man walks toward you. The man is Jesus. Would you recognize him? You would never walk down the street and pass a friend without recognizing them. You would probably even know them from a great distance. 

You say, "How could I recognize someone I've never seen?" John knew Jesus because of God. John's relationship with God is so strong he knew Jesus like he had been with him his entire life. How well do you know Jesus? Do you speak with him every day? Do you study his life? 

I act like the people I hang out with and they act like me. This phenomenon occurs in all relationships. The longer I'm married the closer my wife and I think alike. The friends I spend time with influence my thinking, my speaking, and my actions. It seems to make sense to spend time with Jesus and his Father so that I can act the way they do. Building a relationship with Jesus is critical to your life here on this planet and your future in eternity. You need to get to know Jesus as you would your best friend. You need to know him so well, you would recognize him anywhere and anytime. You will change by getting closer to him. 

 If you really want to change your life, make it better, get closer to Jesus!

Reminder!

He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: (Luke 24:6 NIV)

It is said that Christianity is unique. We are the only religion where our leader died and rose again to live with us. Indeed, the resurrection is the key to our faith. I am also promised a new life. I have received new life here on Earth. I am a different person as a follower of Christ. I will also receive a new life upon leaving this earth. I can't wait to get there. My life is wonderful here, but I can't even imagine how great my life will be in eternity. 

It is great to be reminded of Christ sacrifice for us and his defeat of death. Often, I need to be reminded because the life I lead gets me so tangled up in the problems of this world. Christ rising and overcoming death gives hope and promise that we too can overcome. I need that on a daily basis.

The Plan

Get and read God ’s book: None of this is going away, this breeding, brooding evil. God has personally commanded it all. His Spirit set it in motion. God has assigned them their place, decreed their fate in detail. This is permanent— generation after generation, the same old thing. (Isaiah 34:16, 17 MSG)

I have REALLY been reading and studying the Bible for the last 13 years of my life. Even before that, all the way back to my childhood, I have been taught it's content. There is nothing like this book. If you want to know God, know his plan, know yourself, and learn about life, read the Bible. The philosophers of our time want answers to life's deepest questions. They need to look no further than the Bible.

Every day I learn something more during my study time. The word of God is a tool for life. It is to be deeply imbedded in our daily life. The Holy Spirit speaks through every chapter and verse. I thank you Lord for providing me with such a wonderful guide to having a blessed life.

Suffering!

He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, (Luke 24:46 NIV)

I have a great life. If I really look closely at my 53 years, I have not suffered at all. Most of my struggles have been minuscule compared to the suffering Christ endured. 

I committed my life to Christ as an early teen. Since that time, I have experienced a life filled with blessings and my micro-struggles were usually self inflicted. Even these have been minor. I praise God for the life he has given me. He has blessed me with a loving, Christ-centered wife, a family that loves The Lord, a job and coworkers who have passion for kids, great friends, financial security, and a life filled with adventure. 

I am so thankful for the blessings of The Lord. I don't have a lot of experience with suffering. I know that some people do have a life filled with suffering and pain. I just can't relate. I am amazed he loves me with wonderul grace and passion. I am thankful for the suffering he did so I would not have to. Thanksgiving is still a few weeks away, but there is never a bad time to praise God and thank him for our wonderful lives. If your life is less than wonderful, what can you do to turn that around? Talk to The Lord. He will make it clear what needs to happen. It may not be anything YOU are doing. He is here for us. He wants you to call on him and he will be there for you. Your life will change. I have seen it happen so many times.

God is not a myth!

Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.” (Mark 12:29-31 MSG)

Last week I had a student say he had outgrown religion. That is sad. It's like they used to believe in Santa Claus and grew out of it. This faith I have is not like believing in the tooth fairy. I have also heard FAITH is  for the weak minded. I guess I'm weak and stupid if society thinks I  can't be intelligent and deeply follow Christ. I'm not among the intellectual elite, but I'm above average and every ounce of intelligence in my body is directed toward loving God. God is not a myth. God is real and I love him more than life itself. 

This faith that I have is to some made up fantasy. The God of my faith is the creator oft he universe. He made everything and has a great desire to be with his creation. He decided to give us the choice wether we follow him or not. His amazing power is given to us in this choice. Many have rejected him, yet he loves us. He loved us so much that he sent his son to live and die with us. He died so that we might choose to live with him forever. He's real and, frankly, I have deep sorrow for anyone who outright rejects him as fantasy. They are missing out on the true joy of life and a life that extends throughout eternity.