Freedom

Galations 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

One of the excuses people have for not becoming a Christian is that they don't way to give up their freedom. They want to be able to do whatever they want. The irony of it all is that the choices they make create a bondage. Sin has a way of keeping us in slavery to the sin such as drinking, promiscuity, gambling, etc. People become addicted to their drug of choice, which put them in a state of bondage to begin with. I understand this as I have struggled with bondage myself. But it is Christ who sets us free from the bondage. I like how this verse puts it. "Stand firm." When I stand firm and do not give into my temptations, it keeps me out of bondage and free to have a clear mind. I have so much more joy when I am living a life of freedom. I know that God is pleased with me when I stand firm and stay the course. It is hard to stand firm sometimes. Notice here that the verse says do not let yourselves be burdened again... Paul is talking to the church of Galatia and encouraging them to stay out of bondage. People in the church used to be in bondage and they have chosen to trust Christ. Paul is encouraging them to not go back to their old ways but to stand firm. This in turn encourages me to stand firm in my faith.

Please God

"So our aim is to please him always, whether we are here in this body or away from this body. For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies." I Cor 5:9-10

My pastor always says that the fear of the Lord keeps him from making the huge mistakes many pastors have made. As I read this verse, I know someday I will stand before Christ my savior and be judged. This verse alone should be enough to keep me from making stupid mistakes and keeping my thought life pure and my actions righteous. However, my flesh gets the best of me sometimes. The strongholds in my life keep me in bondage. I am embarrassed by my behavior that I know I will be accountable someday to God. Oh to be in a place where I am strong enough to resist the thoughts that often consume my time. Instead I should be praying and meditating on God's word. But, yet I choose to feed into my unhealthy thought life. I know I will go to heaven someday as I have asked Jesus to be my savior. From my understanding, when we go to heaven, people will receive rewards for the good they have done. I know I have done some pretty good things. I have had the opportunity to lead many people to the Lord. But can I do more. Can I pray more? Can I be a better friend? Can I love more? The answer is yes.

Paul is telling the church of Corinth that we will receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies. Like I said, I have done a lot of good. But I have also done things in my life I regret. I'm not sure what evil is, but if it is sin, then I am guilty. This alone should be enough to motivate me to do the right thing. It is definitely a verse I need to memorize and keep in my mind as I face temptations.

Father, keep me from doing evil. Guard my mind and keep my mind pure and holy. Help me to break the strongholds in my life that keep me in bondage. Forgive my sins. Amen.

Family Verse

My husband found our family verse during the Easter Weekend. He purchased a plaque with the verse on it and decided to make it our family verse. Many people have verses in their house such as "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." I love that verse, but it is over-used. This verse is nice because it encompasses everything it needs to and is a good way to live our lives.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 "Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. And everything you do must be done with love."

Be on guard: Just because I am a Christian doesn't mean I will fall into temptation. Also, the enemy will attack those who are trying to do God's will. I need to be on guard and keep myself in prayer and meditation so that the enemy will have a harder time affecting me. Lastly, I should never let my guard down.

Stand true to what you believe: I know the truth and the Truth, Jesus Christ, will set me free from all bondage. I believe that Jesus is the only way to God because Jesus says, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man come to the Father but by me." I believe that "Jesus died on the cross for my sins and was buried and resurrected on the third day."

Be courageous: Sometimes, facing trials can be scary and it is easier to run than to face trials. "I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me."

Be strong: When temptations come, I need to resist. Satan knows our weakness. Unfortunately, I have given in to temptations where I am weak. Being strong is not only conquering temptations, but doing what is right when everyone else is doing what is wrong. Gossip is a huge one. For the most part, I am pretty good at keeping secrets. But I would lie if I said I have never gossiped. Christians love to gossip in the name of prayer. "Did you know that Jane is having an affair? We need to pray for her." I have actually had this happen to me where a friend came up to me and was concerned about someone. I was upset because I didn't need to know this. If Jane (a made up name) wanted me to know, she would have told me. Being strong also means holding my tongue. So many times, I say stupid things that can be hurtful. Why can't I learn how to hold my tongue and just smile when another person does something stupid. But I have to say something.

And everything you do must be done with Love: Everything must be done in love or it is meaningless. 1 John 4:7-8 says, "Beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God and he who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God for God is love." The verse goes on to say that if you call yourself a Christian and do not love your brother than you are a liar. Ouch.

Changing Directions

Well, I have finally had time to finish John. I am moving in a new direction. I will continue to read through Acts on my own time, but what I write here will be more random. I will write about Spiritual Strongholds and focus on verses that have to do with being set free from the stronghold in my life so that I can be closer to God. I am reading a book called Praying Through God's Word by Beth Moore. So I will use this as a journal to what speaks to me the most.

Peter's Opportunity to Redeem Himself

John 21:15-17
After breakfast Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?"

"Yes, Lord," Peter replied, "you know I love you."

"Then feed my lambs," Jesus told him.

Jesus repeated the question: "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

"Yes, Lord," Peter said, "you know I love you."

"Then take care of my sheep," Jesus said.

Once more he asked him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

Peter was grieved that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, "Lord, you know everything. You know I love you."

Jesus said, "Then feed my sheep."

It was not too long ago that Peter denied Jesus three times. I do not think it is a coincidence that Jesus asked Peter if he loved him three times. Jesus is speaking figuratively in regards to his sheep and his lambs. Jesus referred to himself as the Great Shepherd. Now he was going to be returning to heaven. He is asking Peter to take care of his people and feed them the word of God. It wasn't too much longer after this that Peter gave one of his greatest sermons. Not only is Peter preaching great sermons, he is also healing people and spreading the word. You can read about these events in Acts.

Like Peter, I have messed up in my life and felt shame. But that doesn't mean I have to feel sorry for myself and stop serving the Lord. If I look at Peter's example, it was after he denied Christ and Christ empowered him that he became as great preacher. I know in my life, I am a better Christian now and have tried harder to serve God because it is now I have experienced his mercy in my life.

Jesus Appearance to the Disciples

John 20:19 That evening, on the first day of the week, the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! "Peace be with you," he said. 20 As he spoke, he held out his hands for them to see, and he showed them his side. They were filled with joy when they saw their Lord! 21 He spoke to them again and said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 22 Then he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive any one's sins, they are forgiven. If you refuse to forgive them, they are unforgiven."

This verse is packed with so many truths. The is the first time the disciples saw Jesus as a group. Mary saw him on the trail a week earlier, but he had not yet been "gloried" by his father it he told her not to touch him because of that reason. However, now, he had been glorified he made his appearance. The disciples were scared because the body was "missing" and the people who crucified Jesus were spreading rumors that the disciples stole the body so they could tell everyone that Jesus had risen from the dead. No one could explain the missing body and no one could find it. But here was Jesus, now glorified, standing before his disciples and the woman who followed him.

There is so much here I don't know where to go.

1) Jesus was gloried. In the books written by Paul, Paul writes about how we, as believers will be glorified when we go to heaven to be with Jesus. Notice how Jesus was able to appear in the room without walking through the doors. When Jesus was in the human form, he could not do that. But as a glorified being, he could appear. I think that we will be like that when we go to heaven. It's just a thought of what I think it will be like when we get to heaven. This is totally my own theory and I'm sure other will concur.

2.) The disciples received the Holy Spirit for the first time. Notice how Jesus breathed on them and gave them the Holy Spirit, which he referred to in his teachings. He said that when I leave, I will send you a comfort or to guide you. He also indicated that the comfort or will guide us in truth. So, this is the first time that the Holy Spirit has been released. When a person accepts Jesus into his heart, the Holy Spirit comes and dwells within us.

3.) If you forgive any ones sins, they will be forgiven. This is powerful. We have the power to forgive others who sin against us. How freeing is that? When people don't forgive others, the person who sinned is left unforgiven and the person who is holding the sin against the other will become embittered. What a sad way to live. Notice how it is the Christian who has the power to forgive. We have a huge responsibilty to do what is right and are now held accountable to forgive others who sin against us. In fact, Jesus preached in Matthew that when we don't forgive others, how can God forgive us?

Father, I fogive those who sin against me, even if I feel they don't deserve it, even if they have hurt me. You know these people and what they have done wrong. Out of obedience to you, I forgive these people. Amen

The Resurrection

Well, how appropriate to be writing about the resurrection the day before Easter. I didn't plan it this way, it's just where I ended up on my journey through the book of John. Again, I am drawing attention to what most people skim over when they talk about the resurrection. My focus here is similar to one I wrote about recently; that is, the fulfillment of the prophecies. Although the Old Testament refers to the Messiah, no one expected the Messiah to be born in a poor family as a baby. I don't know what they were expecting, but not that. In fact, many people were stilling waiting for the Messiah to come and even today, many Jews are still waiting. I find it interesting the whole time Jesus was there, they didn't connect the scriptures from the Old Testament to what was going on until Jesus' body was missing from the grave. Then it hit them. It is like everything they read about finally clicked in for them.

John 20:8: Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple outran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side. Then the other disciple also went in, and he saw and believed, for until then they hadn't realized that the Scriptures said he would rise from the dead. Then they went home."

As a side not, John, one of Jesus' disciples, wrote the book of John. He refers to himself in this passage as "the other disciple" and not as his name.

It is interesting to me that even though they knew from the scriptures of the Old Testament that Jesus would raise from the dead, they didn't comprehend it until they saw the body. I guess as we wait for the second coming of Christ, the same thing is occurring. The New Testament has given us many clues to the second coming of Christ, but yet, there will be those who miss it because they don't know. Some people even think that we are already in the pre-millenium stages. Regardless, the times are getting worse and the scriptures are being fulfilled. The earth is screaming with earthquakes, floods, and other disasters that are described in the bible as a sign of the end times. At what stage we are currently in, I don't know. But I do know we are getting closer and I know I need to be ready. Part of being ready is being right with the Lord and drawing close to him.

The Death of Christ, Part II

I'm focusing on a part of John 19 that often gets overlooked, but is significant in the validation of Jesus' death. John 19:34, "One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and blood and water flowed out. This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account; it is presented so that you also can believe. These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, "Not one of his bones will be broken," and "They will look on him whom they pierced."

The above scripture begins after the three men were taken down from the cross. It was customary that during the Passover, no work would be done. If they left the men up over night, then they would have to "work" to take them down during the Passover. However, if they took them down that night, they would break their legs. I am not sure the significance of breaking the legs. But, it was customary to do so. However, the old testament clearly prophecies that not a bone in Jesus' body would be broken. When the soldiers came to break Jesus' legs, he was already dead so they did not break his legs. So they pierced the side of his body and when the blood ran out separated from the water, they knew he was dead. All of these things occurred to fulfill the scriptures.

Not only were the scriptures fulfilled, people witnessed the crucifixion. I don't understand how people can't believe. It all fits together for me.

The Death of Jesus (part 1)

It saddens me how people miss the significance of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ by focusing on who killed Jesus instead of why Jesus was killed. People blame the Jews for his death and totally miss the point of the passage. Jesus was a Jew. The Jews are God's chosen people. The people who wanted Jesus dead were the religious leaders who were threatened by Jesus. However, John 19:11 sums this up pretty well when "Jesus said, You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who brought me to you has the greater sin." It was God's plan that Jesus be crucified as a sacrifice for our sins regardless of who brought him to be killed. The prophecies of the Old Testament describe the death of Jesus in detail.

Although I am not an expert on the subject, I do have minor in Bible and know enough about the Old Testament to know about the Jewish traditions. Before Christ came, the people of Israel had to offer a lamb as a sacrifice for their sin. The lamb, which Jesus refers himself as, had to be one with no blemishes. Only those who follow the sacrificial rituals could be forgiven by God. I don't know how often this occurred, but sacrifice signified the atonement of their sins. Now, through the death of Jesus Christ, we don't have to follow this ritual. Jesus became the sacrifice of our sins.

This is the first part and I will continue because it is too much for one posting. The point here is that God allowed this to happen to fulfill the prophecies and to allow Jesus to die for our sins. But it isn't over yet.

Just a Note

It's been awhile. I need two Bible's; one to keep by my computer and one in my car to take with me to church and Bible study. Although I have been in the word, I haven't taken the time to write. My youngest daughter and I have developed a routine in the morning. We read the Bible on the way to school. I drop off the oldest, then we continue to discuss what we read. Thus, my Bible is in my car most of the time. I'm encouraged as my 11 year old is able to digest the word and comprehend it more than I thought she would. All that to say, it's been awhile.