Category Archives: Knowing Him

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December 27, 2014

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Church & Worship, Holidays & Holy Days, Knowing Him

IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH

Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. … But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” [John 4:21,23-24 (NLT)]

Christmas night we drove through a nearby neighborhood, famed for its holiday display of lights and decorations. A steady stream of cars and golf carts slowly drove through the streets, admiring the over-the-top displays of candy canes, Santa, elves, snowmen, illuminated trees, reindeer, and sleighs. The sounds of holiday songs came from several loudspeakers, cheerful neighbors gathered around outdoor fire-pits roasting marshmallows, and homeowners waved at passersby while shouting holiday greetings. Amidst this wonderland of festive holiday decorations, we noticed a home with a lovely nativity display. What caught my eye, however, was the make-shift altar set up in their side yard. Illuminated only by two candles, a simple cross and a communion set lay on the altar. Family and friends were gathered together in worship, commemorating our Lord’s birth by celebrating in His last supper.

How clearly this scene points out that we are in God’s house and able to worship Him no matter what the setting: even with the strains of “Jingle Bells” heard in the background and surrounded by inflated Santas, snowmen and an endless line of cars. I’ve attended church services at elaborate European cathedrals, simple rural chapels, ski lodges, inner city storefronts, parks,  and the beach. I’ve joined worship in living, dorm and hospital rooms, gyms, drive-ins, suburban mega-churches, and even an indoor skate-board park. I’ve sat on sofas, centuries old pews, folding chairs, picnic benches, and cushy auditorium seats. God was present every time. Where we worship is of no matter; that we worship is! Every place is sacred because God is truly everywhere.

For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them. [Matthew 18:20 (NLT)]

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December 5, 2014

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Bible Stories, God's Grace & Love, God's Word: The Bible, Knowing Him

NOT HOW, BUT WHO (Genesis, part 2)


Grand Canyon-cape royal 171aFaith convinces us that God created the world through his word. This means what can be seen was made by something that could not be seen. [Hebrews 11:3 (GW)]

For some of us, the Book of Genesis doesn’t satisfactorily explain how the world was made. But that doesn’t matter, because it does explain who made it all happen. It answers the basic questions we all have. Who made the universe? God. Who created me? God. Why am I here? To have a relationship with God. What keeps me from this relationship? Man’s sinful nature.

The Book of Genesis tells us about man’s character: we sin. We want what we can’t have, we lie, we get jealous, we disobey and we don’t trust God. More important, however, the Book of Genesis tells us about God’s character. We see that God is omnipotent; He has unlimited power and authority over all things. He not only gave form to the universe, but He also filled the earth with all sorts of living things. He can speak things into existence and create something from nothing. He is omnipresent; He can be everywhere all of the time. He was here before anything else existed and yet He is transcendent. He exists outside of our universe; things like time and space don’t limit Him. He is omniscient; He knows everything. No one can hide from Him and nothing escapes His notice. Although He is a demanding and jealous God, He is also loving and forgiving. He is a personal God who will speak to us. That is what Genesis tells us and that is all I really need to know and understand.

O Lord, you have been our refuge throughout every generation. Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, you were God. You are God from everlasting to everlasting. … Indeed, in your sight a thousand years are like a single day, like yesterday—already past—like an hour in the night. You are God from everlasting to everlasting. [Psalm 90:1-2,4 (GW)]

 

 

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December 3, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, Knowing Him, Salvation: A New You

THE VALUE OF ONE SOUL

For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. [1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NLT)]

These questions were posed in my grandson’s math book: “When is $1,000 too much? When is $1,000 not enough?” That made for an interesting discussion considering we had just seen an article about a gold-infused cupcake in Dubai that sells for over $1,000. While we readily agreed that $1,000 was too much for a cupcake, at least seven others who had already purchased this treat clearly disagreed. It seems that worth, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

Some suffer from low self-esteem and think they have little value. Others suffer from misplaced self-esteem and may over-estimate their worth based on such transitory things as looks, wealth, education or position. We’re all valuable, but not for any of those reasons.

We’re valuable not because of who we are, but because of whose we are: God’s. We’re valuable not because of what we know, but because of who we know: Jesus. We’re valuable not because of what we have, but because of what has hold of us: the Holy Spirit. We’re far more valuable than a $1,000 gold-infused cupcake or even a $4.5 million Lamborghini Roadster. Moreover, we were purchased at a far higher price: the sacrifice of God’s only son.

Thank you, Father Almighty, for seeing the value in our lives and purchasing us with your Son’s life. Help us see our worth through your eyes and not the eyes of men. May we daily grow more like Christ and become worthy of the high price you paid!

So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. [Ephesians 1:6-8 (NLT)]

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November 21, 2014

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God's Word: The Bible, Knowing Him, Trusting God, Wisdom & Guidance

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH

“Teacher,” they said, “we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You teach the way of God truthfully. [Luke 20:21 (NLT)]

I’ve had a busy week of hearing from a variety of authorities. “In my expert opinion,” said the physician. “It’s my understanding,” opined the lawyer. “From past experience,” offered the political science professor. All of their statements allowed for some wiggle room, different interpretations, or alternative conclusions. Did I hear the truth or only their version of the truth? Jesus never guessed, or assumed, and certainly never presumed; He knew! Let’s remember that Jesus didn’t offer an approximation, a guesstimate or an opinion; he offered the truth—the whole truth and nothing but the truth, because he was the truth!

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. [John 14:6 (NLT)]

Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. [Ephesians 4:21-24 (NLT)]

 

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November 12, 2014

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Church & Worship, God's Word: The Bible, Knowing Him, Temptation & Sin, Wisdom & Guidance

THE FRAUD

If anyone tries to flag you down, calling out, ‘Here’s the Messiah!’ or points, ‘There he is!’ don’t fall for it. Fake Messiahs and lying preachers are going to pop up everywhere. Their impressive credentials and dazzling performances will pull the wool over the eyes of even those who ought to know better. So watch out. I’ve given you fair warning. [Mark 13:21-23 (MSG)]

Last spring, thrilled to see a beautiful goldfinch gracefully perched on a decorative bird feeder, I turned on my camera and moved closer. Surprised that the bird remained so still, I knew why it didn’t fly away once I’d focused in on it; it was a fake! I’d been fooled briefly but recognized the bird for what is was, a fraud, and quickly walked away. Yesterday, I walked by the same house and noticed that the summer storms had knocked the feeder on its side and the once bright yellow bird is now faded and covered with mold.

My experience with the phony bird reminds me of the Biblical warnings about false prophets. Like the fake goldfinch, they, too, can be appealing and look quite authentic. When browsing through a bookstore or channel surfing the TV, it’s easy to come across today’s false prophets. Their messages are often about self, not selflessness; being spiritual, not the Holy Spirit; and wealth in this world instead of riches in the next. They may refer to Jesus as a good man instead of Jesus being God as man or speak of Him as a prophet instead of the fulfillment of prophecies. There may be just enough truth in their ideas to make them appear believable and correct. Before accepting anything, we need to examine their message closely to see if it breathes of God’s word. Beware of false prophets and their messages; they may look good at first glance. Like the fake bird, however, they won’t hold up to the test of time. Storms will batter them, the bright light of day will fade them, and they’ll eventually decay and rot.

Frauds! Isaiah’s prophecy of you hit the bull’s-eye: These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn’t in it. They act like they’re worshiping me, but they don’t mean it. They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy. [Matthew 15:7-9 (MSG)]

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October 25, 2014

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God's Promises, Joy, Knowing Him, Salvation: A New You

HEAVENLY BLISS

10-25-14 heaven-cropreducedWEBNo one has ever seen this, and no one has ever heard about it. No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. [1 Corinthians 2:9 (NCV)]

I sat on a comfy sofa in a beautifully appointed store, eating delectable salted caramel gelato, looking at an exquisite display of Dutch chocolates, listening to soothing music and knowing I could finish up with a tasty truffle and a delicious coffee drink from the espresso bar. To my left was a desk for the spa located upstairs; a sign offered chair massages in the store. “This could be heaven,” I said as I relaxed into the cushions, “especially if they added some fruit, cheese and wine!”

I know, however, that heaven will be far better than comfortable seats, pleasant music, elegant surroundings, yummy gelato, scrumptious chocolates, mocha lattes, vintage wine, aged cheese, luscious fruit, and pampering with massages, pedicures, and facials. As delightful as it sounds to me, I think that would get incredibly boring in a short time. Heaven will be way beyond my wildest dreams because going there means having an eternal home with Almighty God. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, will be sitting at His right hand. Heaven will be a place of love, peace and joy and there will be nothing boring about that!

We may speak about a place where there are no tears, no death, no fear, no night; but those are just the benefits of heaven. The beauty of heaven is seeing God. [Max Lucado]

Since you were raised from the dead with Christ, aim at what is in heaven, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. [Colossians 3:1 (NCV)]