Category Archives: Knowing Him

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July 13, 2014

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Faith & Hope, Knowing Him, Miracles, Salvation: A New You, Trusting God

THE MIRACLE IS OUR SALVATION

Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew human nature. No one needed to tell him what mankind is really like. [John 2:23-25 (NLT)]

People were impressed by his miracles and, as long as Jesus provided them with the spectacular miracles they desired, they believed. Are we a bit like the people of Jerusalem? Is our belief predicated on the miracles of Jesus and what he can do for us? Jesus, however, knew how fickle people are and that many of those who professed belief would later call out, “Crucify him.” They wanted a messiah who would save them from Rome, not a savior who would give them eternal life. They wanted a messiah who would make life easier for them, not one who told them to turn from their sinful ways and take up their crosses.

As long as life goes smoothly, as long as God heals us and provides for our physical needs, it’s easy to believe in Him. But, if God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want, does our faith falter? If He doesn’t produce miracles for us, do we stop believing? The reason for faith in Christ is not to get something from God but, rather, to be reconciled to God.

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval. [John 6:26-27 (NLT)]

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July 9, 2014

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Bible Stories, God's Grace & Love, Knowing Him, Obedience

A BOY’S LIFE

          His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”
          “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they didn’t understand what he meant.
          Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart. Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. [Luke 2:48-52 (NLT)]

Do you suppose Mary and Joseph “grounded” Jesus (or the 1st century equivalent of grounding) once they got back to Nazareth?

In the gospels, Jesus seems to jump from babyhood to manhood in one fell swoop so we rarely think of Jesus as a boy. Except for this story of his staying behind in Jerusalem at the age of twelve, we know nothing of his youth. Since he was a boy, however, it is quite likely that he had skinned knees, bloody noses, bumps and bruises. He probably had stomach upsets and fevers; he knew what it was to be hungry and tired. He played and laughed and cried and experienced the full range of human emotions. In spite of being the Son of God, he was obedient to his earthly parents. In spite of being the Prince of Peace, he lived in obscurity in a humble home in a small village. His tears were dried by Mary as she held him in her arms and he learned the art of carpentry at Joseph’s side. And, through the years, he “grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.”

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. [Philippians 2:6-8 (NLT)]

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July 7, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Knowing Him

THE THIRD STRAND

DSC09119-webTwo people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close to one another can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. [Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT)]

When I first read this section of Ecclesiastes, I thought it applied beautifully to marriage. But then I got to the words, “Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” How could that relate to marriage? Was Solomon advocating a ménage a trois or bigamy? Personally, if there is supposed to be a third person in my marriage, I’m voting for a maid. It seemed to me that Solomon was simply talking about the importance of friendship and having the support of other people in our lives. Indeed, we certainly need to have friends; we’re not meant to be alone.

As I pondered that third strand, however, I found it can apply to marriage. Could that third strand be God? Certainly, with God in a marriage (or any relationship), there is a triple-braided cord: a cord that “is not easily broken.” Every marriage needs three parties to be successful: husband, wife, and God. It takes only two to be wed, but it takes three to make a strong marriage, one that will not be easily broken.

But God made them male and female from the beginning of creation. This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together. [Mark 10:6-9 (NLT)]

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June 27, 2014

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Knowing Him, Miracles, Salvation: A New You

THE MIRACLE WORKER

This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him. … “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” [John 2:11, 3:2b (NLT)]

While some thirty-seven miracles are recorded in the gospels, many more occurred. Were Jesus’s miracles supposed to be the selling point to discipleship? If you believe, you will never be blind, sick or lame and you won’t go hungry. Better yet, you can walk on water and catch all the fish you want! If that was the case, Jesus would probably have healed everyone in Jerusalem and the doctors, bread-bakers, wine-makers and boat-makers would have gone out of business! Jesus’s miracles helped to establish his divine power; they gave him the 1st Century equivalent of “street cred.” More important, His miracles continue today to teach us lessons about forgiveness, love, and faith.

The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.[John 20:30-31 (NLT)]

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July 30, 2013

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Knowing Him, Prayer, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets

CONSOLE THE INCONSOLABLE

God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. [Matthew 5:4 (NLT)]

We all prayed so hard but it wasn’t in your will. Why, O Lord, why? I know I have no right to question you, yet I can’t help but be distressed. It just doesn’t seem right; now a family is heartbroken! Help those who mourn to comprehend the incomprehensible and to accept the intolerable. Remind us all that suffering, sorrow and death go hand in hand with the joys of life. Please comfort those who grieve, ease the ache in their hearts, wipe the tears from their eyes and reassure them of your love.

Today, my friends, as you pray, please remember all those who mourn.

God’s riches, wisdom, and knowledge are so deep that it is impossible to explain his decisions or to understand his ways. [Romans 11:33 (GW)]

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May 31, 2013

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Knowing Him, Miracles

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

Is anything too hard for the Lord? [Genesis 18:14a (GW)]

By His power, the Red Sea parted, manna fell from heaven, the walls of Jericho came tumbling down, Daniel was rescued from the lion’s den, three men were saved from cremation in a fiery furnace, over 500 were fed with a few fish and loaves of bread, water became wine, the sick were healed, the blind saw, the crippled walked and the dead were brought back to life. Nothing is too hard for our God; let our prayers reflect that faith in His omnipotence.